Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON— Today, Congresswomen Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), and Dina Titus (D-NV), leaders in the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, introduced the Realizing Equitable & Sustainable Participation in Emerging Cannabis Trades (RESPECT) Resolution. This sense of Congress acknowledges steps and practices to create an equitable cannabis industry that addresses, reverses, and repairs the consequences of the failed “War on Drugs.”

“For decades, harsh cannabis laws devastated Black, Brown, and low-income communities. Today, those same communities are facing new barriers that prevent many of them from benefiting from the opportunities offered by a multi-billion-dollar industry,” said Rep. Omar. Congress has a responsibility to ensure that cannabis policy expands access to capital and invests in entrepreneurs whose communities were most harmed by outdated drug laws.”

Arrest and incarceration rates for marijuana offenses have been wildly disproportionate, with people of color far more likely to be targeted despite using marijuana at similar rates as white Americans. These laws have entrenched cycles of poverty and inequality. As more states continue to implement or expand marijuana legalization policies, job growth will continue in the industry, making it imperative to create a pathway to economic empowerment for Black and Brown communities to become entrepreneurs, leaders, and educators in this space.

“Marijuana prohibition has failed our communities,” said Rep. Carter. “It has disproportionately harmed people of color, fueling mass incarceration, ruining families, taking away opportunities, and burdening them with criminal records. It’s past time for the federal government to address the racial disparities that persist in the cannabis space and create inclusive pathways for people to access economic wealth.”

“We must elevate the role of equity in the legal cannabis marketplace and take bold, deliberate action to close persistent disparities. The war on drugs has devastated communities of color, and it is long past time to repair the harm and move beyond outdated, punitive cannabis policies,” said Rep. Simon. “I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues in introducing this Resolution, which will serve as a meaningful step towards economic and reparative justice.”

“For too long federal and state governments have unfairly prosecuted cannabis usage as a Schedule 1 drug,” said Rep. Titus.“The RESPECT Resolution is a critical step towards policy that addresses the disparities caused by the outdated scheduling of cannabis and the so-called War on Drugs. As Co-Chair of the Cannabis Caucus, I am advancing solutions that will finally put an end to the cycle of unjust incarceration and unequal enforcement.”

In addition to Reps. Carter, Omar, Simon, and Titus, The RESPECT Resolution is co-sponsored by Reps. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Hank Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).

This legislation is endorsed by Drug Policy Alliance, Last Prisoner Project, the Minority Cannabis Business Association, and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

“The Drug Policy Alliance is proud to endorse the RESPECT Resolution, which calls for urgent action to ensure that cannabis markets and policies are fair for all communities. By highlighting state and local best practices, supporting global decriminalization, and urging states to end criminal penalties, restore rights, and ensure equitable participation in the emerging cannabis economy, the resolution charts a clear path toward meaningful reform. At a time when criminalization remains the law of the land and inequities remain deeply embedded in cannabis markets and policy, this resolution is both timely and critically necessary,” said Cat Packer, Director of Drug Markets and Legal Regulation for the Drug Policy Alliance.

“Last Prisoner Project is grateful to the sponsors of the RESPECT Resolution for their leadership in confronting the deep racial and economic inequities created by decades of cannabis criminalization. This resolution recognizes that while state cannabis laws have evolved, far too many people and communities are still living with the consequences of outdated federal policies. By calling for record clearance, community investment, and equitable licensing, this resolution is a crucial reminder that those most harmed by prohibition must be able to participate in — and benefit from — any legal cannabis market,” said Jason Ortiz, Director of Strategic Initiatives with Last Prisoner Project.

“It is important to remind lawmakers of the ongoing harms caused by marijuana prohibition and the opportunities to begin addressing them through sensible legislation. This resolution should serve as a call for Congress to prioritize dismantling failed criminalization policies, as well as a blueprint for doing so in a way that focuses on repairing the damage inflicted by decades of unjust enforcement,” said Morgan Fox, Political Director at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

Background:

The RESPECT Resolution:

• Urges cannabis reform by encouraging states and localities to adopt the best steps and practices to address equity in the industry and provide economic empowerment to communities of color disenfranchised by the “War on Drugs.”

• Acknowledges the racial disparities that exist in the cannabis industry, particularly for those who have criminal records for a substance that is now legal and regulated in most states.

• Calls on Congress to address, reverse, and repair the consequences of failed cannabis policies and regulations.

• Directs the United States to use its platform to advocate at the United Nations to de-schedule cannabis from international drug control treaties, expunge low-level marijuana offenses, study the impacts of controlling cannabis through international treaties, and treat cannabis as a legal commodity.

Read the full resolution text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON–Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) delivered the following opening statement at a Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing entitled, “In Their Corner: Creating More Opportunities for American Boxers.”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to our witnesses for your testimony today.

“When Republicans first notified us of today’s hearing, I was immediately excited. I have long been a fan of professional boxing and mixed martial arts, and I was hopeful that we could have a bipartisan discussion about revitalizing a sport that I love.  I came to this issue not just as a legislator, but as someone who admires the courage and craft of fighters who put their bodies on the line in the pursuit of greatness.

“At the turn of the century, Congress passed two landmark pieces of legislation to protect and support American boxers.  In 1996, Congress passed the Professional Boxing Safety Act (or the PBSA), which outlined health and safety provisions and mandated state athletic commissions to oversee all professional boxing events.  In 2000, Congress strengthened the PBSA with the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.  

“The Ali Act was designed to clean up the business side of boxing after decades of corruption that harmed boxers’ livelihoods and the integrity of the sport.  It required better financial disclosures, increased transparency of ranking and title decisions, and limited conflicts of interest so that a single company or individual could not both control a boxer’s contract and access to titles.  This was meant to stop promoters from demanding that boxers sign away their entire career just to have a chance at a title. 

“In practice, the Ali Act’s provisions helped give boxers more information and leverage to negotiate for a fairer share of the money that their fights generated and free themselves from any coercive and restrictive contract terms.  We should build on these successes and take time to explore other critical issues, such as the long-term cost of brain injury and the need for athletes in other combat sports, like MMA, to enjoy these protections.

“My hope is that we can use this hearing to discuss these issues thoughtfully and productively. However, my fear is that we are likely to focus on just one bill— H.R. 4624, the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act—and consider moving it quickly.

“But I urge my colleagues to take a moment to pause and hold two things in our minds at once.  First, there are some genuinely promising provisions in the Revival Act.  For example, a national one hundred and fifty dollar per-round minimum payment would lessen financial strain on boxers who are still finding their footing in the sport.  The bill would also set a national twenty-five-thousand-dollar floor for insurance coverage that the PBSA currently requires for every fight.

“Unfortunately, there are sections of the Revival Act that raise serious questions about who will actually control the future of boxing.  It would remove guardrails that prevent influential promoters from controlling the industry and forcing boxers into contracts that they do not benefit from.  This legislation could also allow major corporations to completely take over the sport, leaving boxers without the leverage or the ability to advocate for themselves and their physical and financial health.

“These provisions prioritize Goliath to the detriment of David.  Boxers, who put their bodies on the line, deserve to fight in an industry that pays them well, values their health and safety, and does not make them vulnerable to economic exploitation.  While not entirely harmful, this bill – as drafted – gives more power to promoters and big corporations than to boxers.  This is why many professional boxers are speaking out against it, including Evander Holyfield, Oscar de la Hoya, Claressa Shields, Jake Paul, and Nico Ali Walsh.

“I am not here to reflexively support or oppose H.R. 4624.  I am here to ask important questions to everyone involved—the promoters, the regulators, and especially the corporations that stand to gain the most.  Because we have to make sure that any ‘revival’ of boxing does not come at the expense of the very athletes we say we are here to protect.

“I want this hearing to be the start of a longer, serious bipartisan conversation about how we support our boxers and bring investment into the sport without sacrificing the necessary anti-monopoly firewalls that prevent American boxers from being exploited by powerful corporate actors and foreign investors.

“I look forward to our discussion today, and I yield back.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON– Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) spoke on the House Floor to honor Minneapolis Fire Department Chief Bryan Tyner for over 30 years of service to Minneapolis’s communities. Chief Tyner has announced he will retire at the end of 2025.

The full video can be found here.

Full transcript below:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Minneapolis Fire Chief Bryan Tyner for over 30 years of selfless, dedicated service to our city.

“Serving as the second Black chief in the department’s history, Fire Chief Tyner  led Minneapolis Fire through some of the city’s most significant public safety challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Throughout his tenure, Chief Tyner has worked tirelessly to advance the department’s health and safety initiatives, improve operations, and promote inclusion within the ranks.

“At the end of this year, the Chief will be transitioning into a new role, continuing his devoted service to our city as Executive Director of the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center.

“It’s been an honor to work alongside such a dedicated public servant and I’m incredibly grateful for his work to keep our communities safe.

“Thank you and I yield back.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON– Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) spoke on the House Floor to honor the Minneapolis American Indian Center for their 50 years of service to Minnesota’s indigenous communities.

The full video can be found here.

Full transcript below:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Minneapolis American Indian Center and to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

The Minneapolis American Indian Center has carried out its mission of celebrating and uplifting Native culture through a wide range of programs and services that preserve important traditions. 

The center creates pathways for opportunity for over 35,000 tribally diverse American Indians living in the metropolitan area.

I am proud that my office was able to secure three million dollars in federal funding to support their renovation and expansion.

The Center stands as a powerful example of resilience and the enduring strength of the Native community. 

I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the Minneapolis American Indian Center’s 50 years of service.

Thank you and I yield back.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig blasted U.S. Postal Service (USPS) leadership in Minnesota following the release of the USPS Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) 4^th quarter (Q4) service performance report, which ranked the MN-ND District 47^th out of 50 nationwide.

According to the USPS OIG, the service standard for first-class two-day service in the Minnesota-North Dakota region has declined since last quarter – with only 82% of mail arriving on time, 5 points below USPS’ national target of 87%. The national average this quarter was 86.3%.

In FY25 Q3, the region saw 84.4% of mail delivered on time and ranked 32^nd in the nation for two-day service.

“Here in Minnesota, we started the year with unacceptable postal performance levels, and we’re ending with yet another startling quarterly report that puts our region in the bottom four districts nationwide,” said Rep. Craig. “This is beyond unacceptable. It’s well past time for USPS to re-evaluate their local leadership and start ensuring that letter carriers and postal workers have what they need to get Minnesotans their mail on time.”

Rep. Craig has consistently spoken out against unacceptable USPS performance in the South Metro and has led the charge to improve mail service and protect USPS from privatization. Local letter carriers and others have also raised the alarm about leadership changes that are impacting morale and culture in Minnesota post offices.

This Congress, Rep. Craig introduced her Deliver for Democracy Act, which would limit price increases on stamps until the USPS can achieve at least a 95% on-time delivery rate for periodicals and require the USPS to report annually to the U.S. Postal Regulatory Commission on its progress – including on-time delivery data for newspapers in its periodical service performance measurement.

In October, Rep. Craig successfully pushed USPS to launch an internal investigation into reports of delayed delivery of the New Prague Times. And in January, she led a resolution urging her Congressional colleagues to take all appropriate measures to reject the privatization of USPS.

Last year, following Rep. Craig’s bipartisan call for a statewide investigation, the USPS OIG announced an investigation into the entire MN-ND postal district.

And in January 2023, she launched an online USPS survey to gauge the extent of postal issues in the Second District and received more than 3,300 responses from Minnesotans. Rep. Craig delivered those responses directly to Postmaster General DeJoy’s office in Washington DC.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC -Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig’s bipartisan RECONNECTIONS Act to expand access to overdose prevention resources was signed into law.

Rep. Craig’s bill directs the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to expand their overdose prevention efforts by bolstering prescription drug monitoring programs, promoting and evaluating community and health system interventions and conducting research on controlled substance overdoses.

“The fentanyl crisis has touched folks in every corner of Minnesota, and that’s why expanding access to overdose prevention resources has been one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Rep. Craig. “Today is a major milestone in the fight to end the opioid epidemic in Minnesota and across our country. I couldn’t be prouder to see this common-sense bill signed into law.”

The RECONNECTIONS Actpassed the House as part of the bipartisan SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act in June. 

Rep. Craig has been a leader in the fight to combat the opioid crisis, expand resources for law enforcement and improve addiction and recovery support in Congress. Last Congress, Rep. Craig introduced the bipartisan Kid PROOF Actto expand access to lethal means safety supplies – like lockboxes and safes – for parents of children at risk of overdose or suicide.

In 2023, Rep. Craig successfully urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fully approve over-the-counter distribution of Narcan, a medicine used to reverse overdoses.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced legislation with Reps. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) to prohibit companies from using President Trump’s reckless tariffs as cover for price gouging consumers.

The No GOUGE Act would create a ban on selling a tariffed good at an unreasonably high price during the five-year period following the announcement or implementation of a tariff or tariff rate change. “Unreasonably high price” is defined as a price increase greater than the costs directly generated by the tariff. The ban would be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the legislation would enable state Attorneys General to sue business that violate the ban in state or district court.

Rep. Craig’s legislation includes an exemption for small businesses earning less than $100 million annually in gross revenue.

“Minnesotans are already struggling with the sky-high cost of living, so while the President launches us headfirst into a global trade war, we have to work proactively to put guardrails in place that protect consumers from exorbitant price-hikes,” said Rep. Craig. “I’m proud to be introducing this legislation alongside my colleagues to prevent large companies from taking advantage of the Administration’s reckless trade policies to price gouge Minnesotans.”

Rep. Craig has been outspoken about the impacts of tariffs on small business owners, family farmers and everyday Minnesotans. As the top Democrat on the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Craig has publicly opposed imposing tariffs on our country’s biggest trading partners and engaging in a global trade war, citing the potential for increased prices for producers and consumers alike.

The legislation is endorsed by the AFL-CIO, United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, commonly known as the United Steelworkers (USW), International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), American Economic Liberties Project and Groundwork Collaborative.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02) and Danny K. Davis (IL-07) and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced legislation to prevent discrimination in America’s adoption and foster care systems and ensure that all children in the foster care system have the opportunity to end up in a loving home. The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act would also improve services to LGBTQ+ and religious minority youth by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and marital status against families and youth in taxpayer-funded child welfare services.

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act is named after the late Congressman and civil rights hero John Lewis, an adoptive parent who worked alongside Representative Craig to champion this bill in the 116th Congress.

Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Gwen Moore (WI-04) are also cosponsors of the legislation.

“As an LGBTQ+ adoptive parent and a mother who had to fight in court to adopt my son, I have witnessed firsthand the widespread discrimination in our country’s adoption and foster care systems,” said Rep. Craig. “No state should allow discrimination against LGBTQ+ foster children or adoptive parents who can provide a safe and loving home. I’m proud to help carry on the late John Lewis’ legacy through this critical legislation we crafted together to ensure that LGBTQ+ adoptive parents and children are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

The bill is endorsed by Family Equality, the Human Rights Campaign, FosterClub, Lambda Legal, PFLAG, True Colors United and others. 

“Children enter the child welfare system through no fault of their own, and our communities have a shared responsibility to ensure they are cared for with dignity and fairness,” said Darra Gordon, CEO, Family Equality. “This bill is a vital, practical step toward ending discriminatory barriers that prevent thousands of children from finding the safe, loving, and permanent homes they deserve. We thank Rep. Davis and Sen. Gillibrand for their leadership and urge Congress to act swiftly.”

“Every child deserves a safe, loving, and affirming home. But too often, LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges in the foster care system,” said David Stacy,Vice President of Government Affairs, the Human Rights Campaign. “When youth enter foster care, the State has a responsibility to place them with families that will support them—not exclude them because of who they are or who their caregivers are. That’s why we support the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which ensures that agencies receiving federal funds cannot discriminate based on religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”

“LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit children, parents, kin, and families have the right to be free from discrimination and harm while involved with the child welfare system and to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Currey Cook, Senior Counsel, Lambda Legal and Project Director, Youth in Out-of-Home Care. “The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act is an important step forward to ensure those rights are clear and explicit so children and families can expect and receive fair treatment by a system that too often harms rather than helps.”

“Having grown up and aged out of the foster care system, I know firsthand why this legislation is vital to reducing the number of children who linger in care without a place to call home. Too many children still lack foster families and end up in group homes or residential centers simply because there is nowhere else to place them,” said Schylar Baber, a foster care alum. “I was part of what is now called the generation that waits—removed at age six, denied adoption at age twelve because the prospective parent was an unmarried male, and told I was ‘unadoptable.’ Instead of permanency, I endured years of instability and trauma caused by outdated policies and discrimination. Love eventually prevailed when I was adopted at age 25 by the same person who had been denied years earlier, but that was six years of a home I should never have been denied. We must remove barriers that exclude viable families, because every child deserves permanency, stability, and love.”

Representative Craig was the first LGBTQ+ mother in Congress and serves as a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. She is an original cosponsor of the Equality Act. You can learn more about her own adoption struggle here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, during Diabetes Awareness Month, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Kim Schrier (WA-08) introduced the Affordable Insulin Now Act to help Americans with private insurance afford insulin.

The bill would extend the $35 insulin cap for seniors on Medicare that was passed into law through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to all Americans with private insurance.

“For years, pharmaceutical companies have raked in record profits by price gouging consumers – forcing everyday Minnesotans to make the impossible choice between picking up lifesaving prescriptions and putting food on the table,” said Rep. Craig. “We have seen over time that the pressure we’ve put on Big Pharma is working, and this bill is the next step in our fight to make insulin affordable for every American who needs it.”

“No person should be forced to skip or ration medication because they cannot afford it,” said Rep. McBath. “With health care affordability concerns more relevant than ever, we must work with urgency to address some of the most common medical expenses that strain American household budgets. I am grateful to my colleagues for our continued work to drive down the cost of insulin for all who need it.”

“Insulin is a lifesaving medication, but every day in this country people are forced to make drastic financial decisions just to afford it,” said Rep. Landsman. “Americans deserve affordable healthcare, and we have to finish the job of capping insulin costs, so no one has to struggle to survive.”

“High insulin prices can cost someone their life,” said Rep. Horsford. “I’m proud to partner with Representatives Craig, Landsman, McBath, and Schrier to make sure this critical medication is accessible and affordable to all who need it. State lawmakers in Nevada passed a bill ensuring affordable insulin prices earlier this summer, and the bill we’re introducing today will expand that effort nationally. As tens of millions of Americans stand to lose health care coverage from Republican ‘Big Beautiful’ bill cuts and their refusal to extend health care tax credits, there has never been a more important time to pass the Affordable Insulin Now Act into law.”

“As a doctor and someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over four decades, I have seen how the price of insulin has skyrocketed over the years and know firsthand the pressure that these price hikes have put on patients,” said Rep. Schrier, M.D. “Unaffordable insulin has even forced some to ration or go completely without the medication their lives depend on, with deadly consequences. I was proud to work with my colleagues to cap the cost of insulin for those on Medicare, and I am thrilled to continue our work to lower the price of this lifesaving medication for millions more.”

The bill is also endorsed by Protect Our Care, the American Diabetes Association, Social Security Works and Breakthrough T1D. 

“No one should go bankrupt buying the insulin that keeps them alive,” said Protect Our Care Director of Policy Programs Vaishu Jawahar. “By capping what privately insured Americans pay out-of-pocket for insulin, the Affordable Insulin Now Act extends a critical lifeline to diabetics and their families. While Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress continue driving up drug costs and padding drug company profits, this legislation will save lives and make health care more affordable for everyday Americans.”

“The ADA supports the Affordable Insulin Now Act, which would limit out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $35 a month for individuals with private health insurance,” said Catherine Ferguson, Vice President for Federal Advocacy, the American Diabetes Association. “This bill is a critical step to ensure people with diabetes who need insulin to live can afford it.”

“No one should suffer, go bankrupt, or die because big pharma billionaires are price gouging the insulin they need to survive,” said Alex Lawson, Executive Director, Social Security Works. “This bill is a critical step towards ensuring that insulin is affordable and protecting Americans from the criminally high prices that pharmaceutical companies charge.”

Since entering Congress, Rep. Craig has been a leader in the fight to lower prescription drug prices with a specific focus on insulin. In 2022, the provision of Rep. Craig’s bill that capped insulin copays at $35/month for Medicare recipients was signed into law as part of the IRA.

Last Congress, Rep. Craig also introduced the Emergency Access to Insulin Act to help Americans without health insurance afford insulin. This bill would expand emergency insulin access, lower costs for those without health insurance and take additional steps to hold drug companies accountable for price gouging Americans.

During IRA negotiations, Rep. Craig stood with House progressives, refusing to support the bill until it included provisions to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. She is also cosponsor of the Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act, which would expand Medicare drug price negotiation to lower the price of additional prescription drugs.

You can read the text of the bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

Push for updated rules comes as commission weighs recommendations for USMCA negotiations