Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Barry Moore (AL-01) announced that their bipartisan, bicameral Stop Secret Spending Act was signed into law to require public disclosure of previously hidden government expenditures. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Gary Peters (D-MI) led the legislation in the Senate.

Current law requires most federal spending to be publicly reported on USAspending.gov, allowing taxpayers to see who receives federal funds and details about how, where, and why the money is spent. However, a loophole has allowed agencies to withhold thousands of spending arrangements known as Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) from public disclosure. The Stop Secret Spending Act closes that loophole.

The law also requires the federal government to publish a summary of any spending that remains exempt from public disclosure, including the total amount withheld and the justification for doing so, increasing transparency and accountability across the federal government.

“For too long, billions of dollars in federal spending have gone unreported due to a loophole in the disclosure of other transaction agreements,” said Rep. Panetta. “I’m proud that our bipartisan, bicameral Stop Secret Spending Act has been signed into law, closing that gap by ensuring these expenditures are accounted for on USAspending.gov. This is a commonsense step toward strengthening public trust, improving fiscal accountability, and ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.”

“Washington has spent far too long operating behind closed doors, and the American people deserve better. That is why I introduced the Stop Secret Spending Act, and I am proud to see President Trump sign it into law,” said Rep. Moore. “I am grateful to Senator Joni Ernst and Congressman Jimmy Panetta for standing with me in this fight to bring greater transparency and accountability to federal spending. This law closes a loophole that allowed billions of taxpayer dollars to escape public scrutiny and makes clear that American taxpayers have a right to know how their money is being spent. This is an important step toward changing the way Washington does business and putting taxpayers first.”

The Stop Secret Spending Act includes several safeguards to guarantee full transparency:

• Over the next decade, the inspectors general of government agencies and departments are required to conduct regular reviews to ensure spending information is being provided to taxpayers in a timely, complete, and accurate manner;
• The Government Accountability Office will also conduct a review and make recommendations for improvements; and
• The Treasury Department must issue an annual report providing the total amount spent on grants, contracts, and other awards not included in USAspending.gov along with the reason that data is not posted for the public.

“Taxpayers deserve the receipts. For years, I’ve fought to drag Washington’s secret spending into the sunlight, and I’m grateful President Trump signed my bill into law,” said Sen. Ernst. “Now, bureaucrats won’t be able to spend Americans’ hard-earned money in the dark.”

“Waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer resources by the federal government remains a concern for all Americans,” said Sen. Peters. “This commonsense legislation will let Americans see how their hard-earned dollars are used, so I’m quite glad that this critical, bipartisan bill has become law.”

Over the past five fiscal years (October 1, 2021, through September 14, 2026):

• The Department of Defense has obligated $85 billion for thousands of OTAs, through more than 30,000 hard-to-track contracts, of which 1,898 are unclassified contracts valued at $10 million or more (438 $10 million+ contracts in just this fiscal year alone).
• The Department of Homeland Security has obligated $52.2 million for over 700 OTAs; and
• The Department of the Interior has obligated $858.8 million for over 220 OTAs, with many of these actually paid out for the Department of Health and Human Services’ ARPA-H biomedical research contracts.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to table an impeachment resolution filed by Democratic Rep. Al Green (D-TX). 

In the 119^th Congress, nearly a dozen articles of impeachment have been filed against President Trump. According to Newsweek, this was Rep. Green’s third attempt this term to bring impeachment to the House floor.

In response to the House rejection of Rep. Green’s impeachment resolution, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), who opposed the resolution, issued the following statement:

“Yet again, Democrats in the House reminded the American people they are not serious about actually governing.

“Instead of tending to the business of the country, Democrats staged a political stunt. 

“This vote is just a glimpse of what Congress would look like with the Democratic Socialists of America in charge.

“The Republican majority in Congress is focused on positive results.

“That is why I will continue to support policy wins promoting historic tax relief, the reversal of Democrats’ open borders policies and initiatives that greatly reduce waste, fraud and abuse.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley Also Presses Bessent Over Black Unemployment Crisis and Tariff Exemption for Baby Products

“You go on television and you say that Trump’s economic agenda is a great comeback, and that makes me question not only your integrity, but if you’re operating in the same reality as the people whom you are accountable to.”

“Families in my district and across this country are struggling to afford a home, buy food, raise their kids, pay these high utility bills, and they deserve a government that’s going to make their life easier, not harder.”

WASHINGTON – Today, in a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) sharply questioned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about the affordability crisis under the Trump Administration and how Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs, war in Iran, and irresponsible fiscal policies have led to skyrocketing costs for workers and families in the Massachusetts 7th and beyond. Congresswoman Pressley also pressed Secretary Bessent about his commitments to address the crisis of Black unemployment and push for a tariff exemption for essential baby products.

The full transcript of the Congresswoman’s exchange with Secretary Bessent is below and the video is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Dean of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, issued the following statement after voting present on the motion to table an impeachment resolution introduced by Congressman Al Green (D-TX).

“Impeaching a president elected by the American people is the most consequential action that Congress can take to defend the Constitution and protect the American people from a president who has betrayed his oath and engaged in illegal conduct. Today, I voted present because this resolution to impeach President Trump does not meet the high standard required by this responsibility. During the 116^th Congress, the House followed a deliberate and methodical process to make the case to the American people of Trump’s high crimes and misdemeanors. I voted to impeach Trump twice, presiding over the impeachment for inciting an insurrection on January 6^th, 2021. I believed he was unfit to serve in office then, as I still do now. 

“The House of Representatives has a duty under the Constitution to hold a president accountable for illegal conduct. This obligation begins with a transparent process of Congressional hearings, investigations, and subpoenas. However, the Republican majority controlling this Congress will not allow that work to move forward. A premature and poorly reasoned resolution like this hurts our ability to hold President Trump accountable. I will continue to hold Mr. Trump accountable in a manner that is fully transparent and clearly documents his malfeasance as the President of the United States.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) joined more than 20 family members of the victims of Flight 5342, safety professionals, and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers to urge immediate action on aviation safety legislation. The event marked more than 19 months since the tragic midair collision involving Flight 5342, which claimed 67 lives, including Kansans.

“The victims’ families from last year’s horrific midair collision are still fighting to make sure no one else experiences the loss they’ve endured,” said Davids. “I’m proud to have worked alongside them and safety experts to pass bipartisan legislation that would make our skies safer, and we need to keep that momentum going. Democrats and Republicans in the House and Senate need to come together, resolve the remaining differences, and get comprehensive aviation safety legislation to the President’s desk. These families have waited long enough, and I’m going to keep pushing until we get this done.”

WATCH: Davids speaks following today’s press conference

On January 29, 2025, Flight 5342 departed Wichita, KS (ICT), bound for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). As the flight approached its destination, it collided midair with a military training helicopter, tragically killing the two pilots, two flight attendants, and 60 passengers on the airplane, along with all three crew members aboard the helicopter.

Earlier this year, the U.S. House passed Davids’ ALERT Act, bipartisan legislation she introduced to reduce the risk of future tragedies. The bill, which is supported by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), would upgrade aircraft collision warning systems, strengthen air traffic controller training, improve airspace communication, review airspace congestion and airport capacity, and enhance military aviation safety.

Davids also voted to support the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act – a bipartisan bill aimed at improving aviation safety standards. Although it failed to pass the U.S. House, it is supported by the victims’ families and safety professionals. Davids is working to bring the strongest provisions of both bills together and get commonsense aviation safety reforms signed into law.

WATCH: Davids speaks on the U.S. House Floor about the impact of her ALERT Act

Following the tragic collision, Davids has taken several additional steps to improve aviation safety and honor the lives lost:

• Met with the victims’ families in Wichita and pledged to be a voice for transparency and reform in the investigation.
• Pressed FAA and NTSB experts in a U.S. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on air traffic controller shortages and safety protocols.
• Toured the Olathe Air Traffic Control Center to highlight critical staffing needs and renew her call for increased investments in aviation safety infrastructure.
• Responded to initial NTSB recommendations with a commitment to act on any legislative fixes needed to keep passengers and crew safe.
• Pledged to act on recommendations from an initial NTSB investigative hearing on the tragic midair collision.
• Honored the one-year anniversary by submitting a statement into the Congressional Record pledging continued action to prevent future tragedies.

Davids, a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Subcommittee on Aviation, has long championed bipartisan efforts to support innovation and strengthen aviation safety standards, including by helping pass into law a bipartisan FAA reauthorization.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02), and U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) are leading a bipartisan group of 157 lawmakers in urging Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to abandon a proposed transfer of federally managed public land within Yosemite National Park that would facilitate private access to an 83-acre ranch. 
Recent reporting indicates that the Department of the Interior and National Park Service have been considering a proposal to exchange or convey an interest in an approximately quarter-mile strip of federally managed public land within Yosemite to facilitate access to the privately owned property.In their letter to Secretary Burgum, the lawmakers wrote:
“At its core, this proposal appears to provide a private benefit at the expense of land that belongs to all Americans. Any decision to relinquish public land to private ownership should be supported by a clear and compelling public benefit, not merely the economic interests of a private party.”
The lawmakers also raised concerns about the Department’s proposal to use Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) authority to facilitate the exchange. The letter notes that the Senate Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee did not agree to move forward on the project due to congressional objections.The lawmakers concluded:“Public lands belong in public hands. Protection of public lands is a bipartisan issue, overwhelmingly supported by the American people from all walks of life.”The 157 House and Senate lawmakers who signed the letter are:U.S. Senators: Angela D. Alsobrooks, Michael Bennet, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Maria Cantwell, Christopher Coons, Catherine Cortez Masto, Richard Durbin, Ruben Gallego, Kirsten Gillibrand, Maggie Hassan, Martin Heinrich, John W. Hickenlooper, Mazie Hirono, Mark Kelly, Andy Kim, Angus King, Ben Ray Luján, Edward J. Markey, Jeff Merkley, Patty Murray, Alex Padilla, Jacky Rosen, Bernie Sanders, Brian Schatz, Adam B. Schiff, Jeanne Shaheen, Tina Smith, Chris Van Hollen, Raphael G. Warnock, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Ron Wyden.U.S. Representatives: Pete Aguilar, Gabe Amo, Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Nanette Barragán, Wesley Bell, Ami Bera, Donald Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, Janelle Bynum, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Ed Case, Sean Casten, Kathy Castor, Judy Chu, Gilbert Cisneros, J. Luis Correa, Jim Costa, Jasmine Crockett, Henry Cuellar, Sharice Davids, Danny Davis, Madeleine Dean, Diana DeGette, Christopher Deluzio, Mark DeSaulnier, Maxine Dexter, Debbie Dingell, Sarah Elfreth, Dwight Evans, Brian Fitzpatrick, Lizzie Fletcher, Valerie Foushee, Laura Friedman, John Garamendi, Jesús “Chuy” García, Robert Garcia, Daniel Goldman, Jimmy Gomez, Vicente Gonzalez, Maggie Goodlander, Adam Gray, Adelita Grijalva, Josh Harder, Steven Horsford, Val Hoyle, Jared Huffman, Jonathan Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Henry “Hank” Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Thomas Kean, William Keating, Ro Khanna, Kevin Kiley, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Greg Landsman, Rick Larsen, George Latimer, Mike Lawler, Susie Lee, Teresa Leger Fernandez, Mike Levin, Sam Liccardo, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, Seth Magaziner, John Mannion, Doris Matsui, Sarah McBride, Betty McCollum, James McGovern, Grace Meng, Dave Min, Kelly Morrison, Seth Moulton, Kevin Mullin, Richard Neal, Joe Neguse, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Frank Pallone, Jimmy Panetta, Chris Pappas, Nancy Pelosi, Scott Peters, Brittany Pettersen, Ayanna Pressley, Mike Quigley, Emily Randall, Luz Rivas, Deborah Ross, Raul Ruiz, Andrea Salinas, Linda Sánchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Kim Schrier, Brad Sherman, Lateefah Simon, Adam Smith, Darren Soto, Melanie Stansbury, Greg Stanton, Haley Stevens, Suhas Subramanyam, Emilia Sykes, Mark Takano, Shri Thanedar, Mike Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Norma Torres, Lori Trahan, Derek Tran, Juan Vargas, Gabe Vasquez, Maxine Waters, and George Whitesides.
Click HERE to read the full letter.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

U.S. Rep. Castor takes aim at High Rents and Predatory Housing Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) introduced the Housing Price Transparency Act to help make housing more affordable for renters by disincentivizing predatory AI algorithmic and surveillance pricing. Rents rise when landlords implicitly collude through computer software and algorithms to raise prices together. This new predatory price-fixing demands new solutions to keep rents affordable. 

“The cost of living is already soul-crushing, and rental pricing algorithms make it worse as invisible systems quietly push rents up, putting profits before people who need affordable homes,” said Rep. Castor. “Rental software can look at a lot of data—things like what other landlords charge—and suggests rent prices that maximize profit and push housing even further out of reach. Instead, the data should be kept out in the open, algorithms disclosed and collusion ended to protect renters from corporate greed and unreasonable rent increases.” 

The Housing Price Transparency Act is a commonsense approach that would require transparency in pricing practices and give renters more power to combat predatory models. Specifically, the bill would:

Require disclosure by companies that use an algorithm to help set monthly rental prices.
Empower the FTC to pursue unfair and deceptive practices in the rental housing market.
Authorize state attorneys general to bring civil enforcement actions.
Establish a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue within two years of an alleged violation, with statutory damages of $10,000 per violation.
The bill builds on Rep. Castor’s record of standing up for consumers, including championing the largest piece of Housing legislation in decades, targeting hidden fees in the hotel and timeshare industries, and leading legislation for pricing transparency in government deals with Big Pharma.
 

BACKGROUND:
Algorithmic pricing, the use of formulas to automatically set prices to maximize profit, is increasingly common across industries, including residential rentals. When these formulas incorporate personally identifying information, the practice is known as surveillance pricing, which is distinct from ordinary dynamic pricing based on real-time supply and demand.

While new AI-driven tools can simplify the process of finding and comparing housing, they also carry risks: discrimination, lack of transparency in decision-making, and misuse of sensitive personal data. 

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)