Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Votes for a Strong Military, Service Member Pay Raise, and Major Victories Against CCP

Congressman John Moolenaar voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2026. This legislation reestablishes peace through strength, and places a renewed emphasis on the quality-of-life for service members. It provides a 3.8 percent pay raise and improves benefits for service members while ensuring the Pentagon has the direction it needs to deter our adversaries. The NDAA also included major victories for Congressman Moolenaar with the inclusion of a funding prohibition on Chinese biotechnology companies and outbound capital restrictions to China.

“America must have the strongest fighting force in the world and the legislation I voted for today does just that. It provides a generational investment in our warfighting capabilities to ensure Michiganders can sleep soundly knowing we are safe. I am thankful for the inclusion of the BIOSECURE and COINS Acts. These policies will help safeguard Americans from the malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party,” said Moolenaar. “Our service members dedicate their lives to serving our country and are more than deserving of improved pay and benefits.” 

The NDAA is passed annually by Congress to direct policy and authorize funding for the Pentagon. Included in the legislation were key provisions championed by Moolenaar: 

1)The BIOSECURE ACT restricts the federal government, and grant and loan recipients from using equipment or services from identified biotechnology companies of concern, including those on the Pentagon’s 1260H list and companies designated through an OMB-led national security process.  

2) The Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security (COINS) Act creates clear guardrails to protect the savings and retirement funds of Americans while setting a framework to prohibit American dollars from being invested in critical sectors of the Chinese military and economy.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Secures Specialty Crop Funding in Agriculture Aid Package

Congressman John Moolenaar secured $1 billion for specialty crop producers in President Trump’s economic aid package for agriculture. The President announced the aid in response to China’s predatory trade practices that target American farmers. 

“For months, I have worked closely with the administration to ensure specialty crops are included in this relief package because these growers are essential to our food supply. Michigan is one of the most agriculturally diverse states in the country and this specialty crop aid will help our growers,” said Moolenaar. “President Trump is countering China’s predatory trade practices and we will have our farmers’ backs.” 

“This $1 billion bridge payment for specialty crop producers comes at a critical time for many struggling Michigan farms. Congressman Moolenaar is a champion for Michigan agriculture who takes our farmers’ concerns seriously and fights for them in Washington. We appreciate his support and look forward to working together on solutions to improve the farm economy, ” said Jacob Smith, the Associate National Legislative Counsel at Michigan Farm Bureau. 

In October, Moolenaar led a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins urging the department to prioritize specialty crops in upcoming economic relief efforts. The letter highlighted the importance of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery crops, and floriculture to the nation’s food security and rural economy. Specialty crop producers have faced high labor costs, extreme weather, supply chain disruptions, and limited risk-management tools, placing them at greater risk of predatory trade practices by China. 

The economic aid package will respond directly to those concerns by allocating significant new resources for specialty crop growers. Congressman Moolenaar will continue to work closely with USDA and Michigan producers to ensure timely access to the aid. 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar’s Adams Memorial Legislation Passes House

Congressman John Moolenaar’s Adams Memorial Great American Heroes Act unanimously passed the House of Representatives today. The bill advances long-overdue efforts to establish a national memorial honoring President John Adams, Abigail Adams, and their family for their lasting contributions to America’s founding.

“For years, Congress has worked to create a memorial that reflects the Adams family’s leadership and service to our country. My bill moves this important project forward to celebrate this historic family as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Moolenaar. “The United States would not be where it is today without their service.”

“The Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act will ensure future generations have a place to reflect on the courage, leadership and sacrifice of the Adams family and those who helped shape the early American republic. This memorial will honor the legacy of one of our nation’s most prominent founding families, inspire civic understanding, and help celebrate America’s upcoming 250th anniversary,” said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman. “I commend Representative Moolenaar for championing this effort and ensuring these great American stories of the Adams family are never forgotten.”

“On behalf of the Adams Memorial Foundation, I am grateful for the prompt action by the House to advance HR 2306, the Adams Memorial – Great American Heroes Act. This brings us closer to appropriately recognizing one our most foundational founding families,” said Adams Memorial Commission Chair Jackie Cushman. “I congratulate Representative Moolenaar for shepherding this through the House and for the leadership of Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, Chairman Westerman, Ranking Member Huffman, Representative Griffith, Representative Lynch and Representative Keating. Together they demonstrated governance in the spirit of John Adams who will finally be recognized in DC for his faith, principles, character and determination to create a lasting republic.” 

The legislation designates the memorial’s location as President’s Park, just south of the White House, recognizing the significance of the Adams family being the first to live at the White House. It also extends the authorization for the commission, providing the time needed to plan, design, and construct a tribute worthy of the Adams legacy.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

BEAVERTON, OR [12/17/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici announced that Dhruv Singh, a Junior at Westview High School, won the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon’s First Congressional District.

His app, ReinforceLearn, teaches people the basics of reinforcement learning, an AI method where systems learn by trial and error using rewards. This approach helps machines make smart, independent decisions and is changing how technology is built.

“The Congressional App Challenge empowers students to identify challenges and then use creative and tech skills to solve them,” said Congresswoman Bonamici. “It was inspiring to see the variety of thoughtfully executed apps responsive to issues facing society today. Congratulations to Dhruv, whose work on educating his peers about reinforcement learning is an important step in giving young people the tools they need to successfully use emerging technologies.”

“Through my own personal learning struggles and experience, I created ReinforceLearn to aid young students in their pursuit of the future of AI, Reinforcement Learning,” said Dhruv Singh. “Much of learning AI and Reinforcement Learning is difficult to grasp due to all the complex formulas, concepts, and coding involved. My platform aims to remove these barriers and provide students with an interactive and simplified way of learning. Through ReinforceLearn, I hope to fuel curiosity and inspire the next generation with the essential expertise to shape and innovate the future of intelligence systems.”

You can view a video presentation of the app here.

Judges gave an honorable mention to Lincoln High School juniors Brian Wei & Siddharth Modha. Their app, Preparedness & Response for Emergency Planning (PREP), helps people prepare for natural disasters and stay safe by showing real-time weather and wildfire alerts and nearby hospitals and shelters on a map. It also provides directions and real-time weather and wildfire alerts to keep users safe. 

A panel of expert judges from Northwest Oregon selected the winner and honorable mention for Oregon’s First Congressional District. The judges evaluated submissions based on creativity, technical quality, demonstrated excellence of programming skill, and potential community contribution. The three judges were: 

• Cara Turano, President & Director of Oregon Entrepreneurs Network
• Claudia Rizo Mendoza, Workforce Development Manager for the City of Hillsboro
• Kathy Bishop, Senior Director of Human Resources and Public Relations for Jireh Semiconductor, Inc. 

Bonamici recognized Singh, Wei, and Modha in a virtual roundtable discussion with other participants from Oregon’s First District. The winning app, ReinforceLearn, will be featured in the U.S. Capitol Building and on the House of Representatives website.

Bonamici is a founder and co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which advocates for the integration of the arts and design into science, technology, engineering, and math to encourage creative thinking and engage more students. By supporting and recognizing young programmers, Congress is acknowledging the importance of these fields. The U.S. House of Representatives organizes the nationwide Congressional App Challenge each year.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) opposed, H.R. 6703, a bill prepared by U.S. House Republican leaders that fails to extend Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits. Without Congressional action to extend the credits before December 31, the cost of health insurance could double or triple and make it unaffordable for 20 million Americans. This includes 92,000 people in Georgia’s Second Congressional District who will see their monthly premiums drastically increase next month.

“I have always been open to working across the aisle to improve healthcare for Americans. I know that many Republican colleagues agree that Affordable Care Act tax credits should be maintained for hardworking Americans,” said Congressman Bishop. “Unfortunately, today’s bill is a bait and switch, professing lower costs but really delivering less care. It would allow healthcare plans that destabilize the insurance market, offer patients less protection, and leave patients with big medical bills not covered by insurance.”

“Sadly, House Republican leaders forced a vote on today’s bill and prevented Democrats and Republicans from putting forward a bipartisan solution to this crisis. Without extending the ACA tax credits, Georgians are going to be hit with sticker shock as their health insurance costs skyrocket in January,” added Congressman Bishop. “They will not be able to pay the high cost and will be forced to drop coverage.”

The much-needed ACA tax credits are being allowed to expire by Republican leaders to help pay for permanent tax breaks for billionaires that were included in H.R. 1, the “big, ugly bill” which was passed and signed into law by President Trump in July.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted for two War Powers resolutions that were introduced to halt the ongoing use of military force by the Trump Administration in the Caribbean without Congressional authorization. To date, President Trump has ordered airstrikes on at least 23 vessels, killing at least 86 civilians. He also threatened military action against Venezuela.

“For many months, Democrats and Republicans in Congress have raised concerns that the Trump Administration is rushing headlong into an illegal war in the Caribbean,” said Congressman Bishop. “President Trump and Secretary of Defense Hegseth have stonewalled Congress and delayed or refused to provide fundamental facts, documents, and information that Congress must have to fulfill its responsibilities by law. Under the Constitution, only Congress can declare war and the War Powers Resolution of 1973 was enacted precisely to clarify that the President must consult Congress to prevent endless military action and undeclared wars. These resolutions would prevent the President from continuing these military actions without first complying with the Constitution and existing law.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) issued the following statement after a federal court issued a favorable ruling in his lawsuit against the Trump administration, temporarily blocking the administration from obstructing critical oversight efforts by Members of Congress at federal immigration detention facilities. 

In July, Crow filed the lawsuit after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unlawfully denied him access to the Aurora ICE Detention Facility. Members of Congress have the right under law to conduct unannounced oversight visits of federal facilities. 

In a joint statement, Congressman Crow and other Members of Congress named as plaintiffs said:

“Today’s decision is a critical victory toward restoring our ability to conduct essential congressional oversight on behalf of the American people. It reinforces the rule of law and reminds the administration that oversight is not optional. Real-time, on-the-ground visits to immigration detention facilities help prevent abuses and ensure transparency. Oversight is a core responsibility of Members of Congress—and a constitutional duty we do not take lightly. We’ll continue standing up for the rule of law.”

The lawsuit was filed in the District of Columbia Federal Court by Congressman Crow and other Members of Congress who were also denied access to federal detention facilities, including Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Norma Torres (D-CA-35), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-36), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), and Lou Correa (D-CA-46).

Since being elected to Congress, Crow has fought to promote transparency, oversight, and accountability in federal immigration detention centers. He introduced bipartisan legislation guaranteeing Members of Congress the right to conduct unannounced, in-person oversight visits of ICE detention facilities, including to check on any concerns related to public health and the humane treatment of detained individuals.

Congressman Crow regularly conducts oversight of the facility. Since 2019, he’s visited the facility to conduct oversight nine times. Congressman Crow’s staff have also visited the facility over 80 times to conduct oversight. Crow publishes public reports on his website of oversight visits and conditions at the facility.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement as the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) heads to the President’s desk to become law:

“I served in combat and have seen firsthand what our servicemembers need to do their jobs and keep us safe,” said Congressman Crow. “As a leader on the Armed Services Committee, I’m proud to have secured bipartisan wins for Colorado and our military that will strengthen our readiness, modernize our military, and support our servicemembers and their families. This bill isn’t perfect, but it’ll deliver for Colorado and get our men and women in uniform what they need to protect our nation.”

This year’s NDAA includes twelve provisions secured by Congressman Crow, along with key provisions he has long fought for. Among the provisions championed by Crow are a repeal of the 1991 and 2002 Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMF); a pay raise for all servicemembers (3.8%); and direct support for servicemembers based in Colorado, including $12 million for Family Housing Construction at Buckley Space Force Base.

Provisions in the NDAA secured by Congressman Crow: 

• Updating Air Force’s Flying Communications System: Authorizes support for mobile communications platforms to ensure continuity of government and national military command and control during a crisis
• Protecting Assets Against Climate Change: Ensures climate shocks don’t negatively impact military installations, training, operations, and readiness.
• Ensuring the Military Protects Civilians in Combat: Compels the Department of Defense to produce a report on how civilian harm could impact the success of military operations.
• Improving the Defense Supply Chain: Encourages changes to the way DoD buys equipment so the supply chain that supports our defense is stronger and more efficient.
• Strengthening the Afghanistan War Commission: Gives them more tools to complete their bipartisan assessment of key decisions made over twenty years of war in Afghanistan and to produce their final report.
• Bolstering our Strategy in Eastern Europe: Requires DoD to provide Congress an updated strategy related to NATO, and provide a detailed update on Russia’s actions.
• Bolstering Crucial Space Programs: Provides U.S. Space Systems Command with the resources needed to compete tactically and technologically with our adversaries in outer space.
• Modernizing Rocket Launches: Requires the Space Force to report to Congress on how it will modernize standards and processes around rocket launches so they are safer and more efficient.
• Supporting Space Domain Awareness: Improves our ability to track objects, like satellites, and activities happening outside of our atmosphere.
• Increasing Competition when the Government Buys Space Technology: Ensures that all companies have a fair shot when the U.S. government is looking to purchase technology that we use in space
• Accountability for Russian Atrocities: Extends the legal requirement that the DNI designate a senior official at ODNI to serve as the IC Coordinator for Russian Atrocities Accountability, and adds “the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children” to the list of matters under the Coordinator’s purview.
• Increasing Congressional Oversight to Potential Combatant Command Changes: Requires the Secretary of Defense to provide at least 60-days notice prior to making significant changes to the missions, responsibilities, force structures, commanders’ ranks, or property of a regional combatant command.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Washington, DC – Congressman Robert Aderholt voted in favor of the bipartisan FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act. Included in this legislation is Rep. Aderholt’s DUAL (Defense United Access to Learning) Act and a proposal to support America’s domestic textile industry.

The FY26 NDAA includes a 3.8% pay raise for all service members, funds Golden Dome and new capabilities, strengthens deterrence, and ends woke programs to make America safer and stronger. 

“At a time when national security demands are growing, a stronger military means a more secure future. FY26 NDAA delivers real wins for America’s national security, improves quality of life for our dedicated servicemembers, and advances President Trump’s peace-through-strength agenda,” said Congressman Aderholt. 

This year’s NDAA streamlines foreign military sales, enabling more international demand for Alabama-made equipment. It also directly benefits the state of Alabama by investing in military construction at Alabama bases and bolsters innovation through investments.

Included in this legislation is Rep. Aderholt’s DUAL (Defense United Access to Learning) Act and a proposal to support America’s domestic textile industry. The DUAL Act, a bill that allows the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) to partner with accredited colleges and universities to offer dual enrollment programs for high school students in military families.

In addition, Congressman Aderholt’s Amendment #0668 is designed to reform the U.S. domestic textile industry and the Department of Defense’s reported shortfalls. This initiative takes a simple but important step by directing the Department of Defense to look more closely at domestic textile procurement for the American textile industry to play a larger role in meeting our defense needs here at home. It’s a common-sense measure that ultimately would strengthen our national security and support American jobs. 

Learn more about the NDAA here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Congressman Zach Nunn (R-IA-03), and introduced bipartisan legislation to help low-income students pay for college campus housing.

Nearly 50 percent of all college students face housing insecurity. To ensure there is less of a barrier to entry, Congresswoman Beatty, Congressman Landsman, and Congressman Nunn have introduced the bipartisan Campus Housing Affordability Act. The bipartisan legislation will allow students to use Section 8 vouchers to pay for campus housing.

Currently, college students cannot use HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (also known as Section 8) program to pay for campus housing. The bill would let the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) waive certain requirements so more students have access to on-campus living.

“Low-income students are less likely to attend college and graduate as it stands. This critical legislation makes it easier for students across all economic backgrounds to secure campus housing, live among their fellow students, and forge their own academic future. Education is a pillar of the American Dream – yet, there are far too many hurdles that keep students from achieving academic success. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to remove barriers for underserved students, putting that dream within reach,” Congresswoman Beatty.

“We can make college way more affordable, and this bill does that for countless Americans. In fact, this will be transformative for students who have been historically left out and marginalized. Campus housing is an enormous expense for students, and our bill eliminates that expense for students who are eligible for a housing vouchers,” said Congressman Landsman.

“College should be about learning and earning a degree, not worrying about where you’re going to sleep at night. Housing insecurity undermines academic success, increases the risk of dropping out, and puts a higher education out of reach for too many students. This bipartisan bill gives every student a fair shot at success—regardless of their background or ZIP code,” said Congressman Nunn.

Read the full bill text here.

###