Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Today, Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) introduced legislation that will overturn a Biden-era rule that would give broad authority to nearly every IRS employee to levy fines against taxpayers.

This bill is supported by Americans for Tax Reform, the National Taxpayers Union, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, and is cosponsored by Congressmen Tom McClintock (R-CA) and Greg Steube (R-FL)

“Joe Biden is gone, but the wake of his policy mistakes linger,” said Grothman. “This disastrous rule would embolden the IRS to increase the number of unjust penalties against Americans. This lame-duck rule flies in the face of President Trump’s mission to make our government more transparent and efficient. The IRS mandate should not be to levy fines as erratically as possible, it should be to treat taxpayers fairly and with respect.”

“Under President Biden, the IRS weakened a law (USC Section 6751) that requires IRS agents to get written approval from their immediate supervisors before imposing penalties on taxpayers. In the late 90s, Congressional investigators discovered years of abuse by IRS agents running up the penalty score as an intimidation tactic against taxpayers. Agents would use the threat of penalties as a bargaining chip. After these abhorrent practices were exposed, congressional Republicans enacted Section 6751. Instead of getting their immediate supervisor’s approval, the Biden rule allows agents to shop around for sympathetic supervisors anywhere in the building. Agents will abuse (and likely have abused) this and taxpayers will be the victim. All members should support Rep. Glenn Grothman’s CRA to nullify this egregious Biden-era IRS rule,” said Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform

“Congressman Grothman’s vital resolution could not have come at a more critical time for taxpayers. NTU advocated for the original law requiring supervisor approval of penalties back in 1998, not only as a taxpayer safeguard but also as a way to help the IRS document its decision making process. After being caught red-handed by a court ignoring this provision, the IRS attempted to validate its behavior with an absurd rule that defines almost anyone as a “supervisor” who can approve a penalty without documentation at almost any point in the enforcement process. When public comments from NTU and others suggested different procedures, the IRS dismissed them as ‘laborious formalities.’ Congress must step in now to reassert the letter and spirit of the law to protect taxpayers from unaccountable penalties. On behalf of taxpayers across America, NTU expresses profound gratitude to Congressman Grothman for recognizing this assault on taxpayer rights and standing up to stop it,” said Pete Sepp, President, National Taxpayers Union

“The Biden IRS produced one overreach after another, and it is crucial for leaders like Rep. Glenn Grothman to push back from Congress. This resolution is an important step to reestablish proper oversight and ensure that the agency is serving the interests of American taxpayers. It is Congress’s job to oversee and rein in bureaucrats, and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance thanks Rep. Grothman for his work to ensure good governance,” said Taxpayers Protection Alliance President, David Williams

Background Information
Previously an IRS agent’s “immediate supervisor” would provide a signature of approval at the initial determination of a tax penalty. However, in December of 2024, the IRS released a final rule to significantly weaken this important taxpayer protection. In their final rule, IRS defines an “immediate supervisor” not as a person to whom an IRS agent reports, but instead as “any individual with responsibility to review another individual’s proposal of penalties.”

Rep. Grothman’s legislation nullifies this rule and returns the IRS to the previous, commonsense guidelines, providing crucial oversight in the approval of tax penalties and safeguarding the rights of hardworking American citizens. By reinstating the checks and balances originally intended, this resolution protects taxpayers and ensures that an IRS agent’s immediate supervisor personally approves the initial determination of a tax penalty.

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (WI-06) has reintroduced the bipartisan Air America Act, which will correct an inequity suffered by the brave Americans who are former employees of Air America by ensuring they receive the federal retirement benefits and recognition they have earned. This legislation was inspired by Neil Hansen, a resident of Wisconsin’s Sixth District, who was a pilot for Air America during the Vietnam War.

Between 1950 and 1976, a group of approximately 1,000 U.S. citizens worked for Air America, which was portrayed as a private company carrying out flight operations during the Cold War. However, now-declassified documents have revealed that Air America was wholly owned and controlled by the U.S. government – meaning these brave Americans were federal employees under the law. The Air America Act will ensure that those Air Americans who qualify for retirement benefits under the law will receive what they earned and deserve. Those who don’t have the years of experience required for retirement benefits will nonetheless be honored finally with the recognition that their efforts were carried out on behalf of the U.S. government. 

“Congress has twice passed corrective legislation for other covert CIA-affiliated groups,” said Grothman. “It is not right to continue to ignore Air Americans. These patriots risked their lives, many of them giving their life, fighting communism in the same way members of the Air Force did.

“I am honored that so many of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are joining me to support these heroes. Now is the time to properly recognize Air Americans for their service to our country.”

“The Air America Association urges Congress to dedicate its efforts to passing this long overdue legislation with the same zeal that Air Americans applied to their secret and often hazardous work every single day on behalf of the United States throughout the Cold War. The Association appreciates Congressman Grothman and the legislation’s many bipartisan cosponsors and values the cooperation of the CIA to ensure that Air Americans are finally properly compensated and their legacy rightfully honored,” said Robert Noble, President of the Air America Association.

Background Information
According to now-declassified documents, we now know that Air America was not a private company and, in fact, acted as a top-secret arm of the executive branch in implementing Cold War policies under the management of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Air Americans saved tens of thousands of lives in search and rescue missions for downed U.S. military pilots, evacuations of allied refugees, and the final evacuations of Danang and Saigon in 1975. 

The Air America Act would grant the individuals who worked for Air America the federal retirement credit they rightfully earned. Air America employees have not been granted their retirement credit because of an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) rule change in 1985 that required government form SF-50/52 to prove federal employment status. While these patriots were, during their tenure working for Air America, legally defined as federal employees eligible for civil service retirement credit, the covert nature of their work resulted in a narrative that they were employees of a private entity. Moreover, for obvious reasons of secrecy in a clandestine operation, our government did not hire Air Americans using standard government forms. The unusual and unjust retroactive application of the amended regulation requiring form SF-50/52 in 1985 should never have been applied to Air Americans whose employing U.S. government entity, Air America, was dissolved in 1976.

Grothman is joined by 91 cosponsors, including Representatives Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Bill Foster (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Derek Tran (D-CA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), David Valadao (R-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY), Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Barry Moore (R-AL), Frank Mrvan (D-IN), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), William Timmons (R-SC), Susie Lee (D-NV), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Daniel Meuser (R-PA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Henry Johnson (D-GA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Jim Costa (D-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), John Moolenaar (D-MI), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Shelia Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Adam Smith (D-WA), Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Donald Davis (D-NC), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Gregory Meeks (D-NY), James Baird (R-IN), James Himes (D-CT), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Joseph Morelle (D-NY), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), William Keating (D-MA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Daniel Goldman (D-NY), Jared Golden (D-ME), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Norma Torres (D-CA), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Aumua Amata Radewagen (R-AS-At Large), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA), Pat Fallon (R-TX), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), Chris Pappas (D-NH), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) released the following statement after President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress.

“Tonight, President Trump laid out a bold vision for the future of our country, focusing on strengthening our economy, securing our borders, protecting our children, honoring police and firefighters, and ensuring that every American has the opportunity to achieve success,” said Grothman. “His commitment to restoring law and order, prioritizing American workers, and streamlining government operations is exactly what we need to put our country back on the right track.

“On immigration, the President reaffirmed his commitment to securing the southern border and upholding the rule of law. Since taking office on January 20, 2025, his administration has taken aggressive action to curb illegal migration, leading to a significant decrease in border crossings. In February, U.S. Border Patrol arrested approximately 8,300 migrants at the southern border—the lowest monthly level on record—compared to 141,000 in February 2024.

“In 2022, Jose Ibarra entered our country illegally and on February 22, 2024, he brutally murdered Georgia nursing student Lakin Riley. We have, unfortunately, heard too many stories like this over the past four years. President Trump has brought peace of mind back to American communities by signing the Lakin Riley act into law, which will ensure criminal illegal migrants like Jose Ibarra do not remain in the country.

“Over the past four years, our brave men and women in uniform have been disparaged. Tonight, President Trump honored them and highlighted both the great sacrifices police officers make and the great work they do to protect our communities.

“I was also glad to hear acknowledgement of firefighters’ dedication to duty. On July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania, President Trump almost lost his life to an assassin. It was by the grace of God that he survived and I believe it is part of His plan to get America back on track. That day, unfortunately, we lost firefighter Corey Comperatore—a true American patriot. I will continue to pray for his family and highlight the great work done by our local firefighters.

“While it is amazing that we have gotten to this point in our country, I was glad to see President Trump once again discuss commonsense policies to affirm there are two genders, protect women in sports, and stop the mutilation of children in the name of ‘gender affirming care’.

“Elon Musk was in attendance tonight and I applaud the work of the DOGE committee in finding waste, fraud and abuse within our government—and the speed at which they are doing it. Our bloated federal government has spent millions on LGBT issues in Lesotho, making mice transgender, and DEI contracts in the Department of Education. I look forward to working with the DOGE committee through my position on the House Oversight Committee, Budget Committee, and the DOGE Caucus in ending brazen and absurd wastes of your tax dollars.

“I was honored to be in attendance for tonight’s Joint Address to Congress and congratulate the President on his clear, concise speech about restoring American greatness. I look forward to the great work of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump to produce an American comeback and will work with them and the whole Administration to help create the greatest four years of American prosperity in my lifetime.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Today, Congressman Glenn Grothman’s (R-WI) bill, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) Protection Act, passed out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform with bipartisan support and now awaits consideration on the House floor.

This legislation will help to stop government waste by strengthening oversight of the FEHB program to ensure eligible federal employees and their dependents receive the benefits they have paid into, while decreasing the number of improper payments.

“With a renewed focus on government efficiency, now is the time to examine all programs big and small,” said Grothman. “Improper payments are rife within the federal government and on top of being a gross misuse of taxpayer’s money, they can threaten the viability of programs that people who play by the rules depend on. The FEHB Protection Act will cut waste with commonsense changes, like adding eligibility checks and fraud risk assessments. I look forward to this legislation coming before the full House for a vote so we can save taxpayers up to $5.2 billion over the next decade.”

Background
The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) covers approximately 8.2 million individuals, including 2.2 million federal employees, 1.9 million retirees, and an estimated 4.1 million family members costing approximately $59 billion of combined annual premiums paid by the government and enrollees.

However, a December 2022 Government Accountability Office report raised serious concerns regarding the lack of controls for verifying the eligibility of covered family members in the FEHBP. The lack of controls is costing taxpayers an estimated $250 million to $3 billion annually in fraudulent and improper payments.

To address this challenge, the FEHB Protection Act requires federal agencies to verify that an employee is eligible to add a family member to their FEHBP health coverage plan. This bill also requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to consider coverage of ineligible individuals when conducting FEHBP fraud risk assessments. It further requires a comprehensive audit be conducted of employee family members currently enrolled in the FEHBP—including a review of eligibility verification documentation such as marriage certificates and birth certificates—and requires OPM disenroll or remove from enrollment any ineligible individual found to be receiving FEHBP coverage. Finally, the bill would centralize FEHBP administration, including the enrollment process, at OPM and provide continued oversight funding to the OPM Inspector General in order to prevent such fraud in the future.

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Birmingham, AL — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced that her office is now accepting submissions for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. The competition is open to high school students from both public and private schools throughout Alabama’s 7th Congressional District, as well as home-schooled high school students. The winner will receive free roundtrip airfare for two to Washington D.C. to attend an official reception honoring the winners from congressional districts across the nation. The winner’s artwork will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

This year’s theme is Picturing a Future for our Historic District. The deadline to submit artwork is Monday, April 21, 2025.

To enter the contest, students must fill out and submit a Student Information and Release Form with their artwork by Monday, April 21, 2025. Students should deliver their submission to one of Rep. Sewell’s district offices located in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. Students can also bring their submissions to school and call (334) 262-1919 for pick up. Artwork may be up to 26” high X 26” wide X 4” deep. For more information, contact Rep. Sewell’s Montgomery Office at (334) 262-1919 or visit her official website at sewell.house.gov/art-competition.

A proud product of Alabama’s rural Black Belt, Rep. Sewell has witnessed firsthand the talent that Alabama’s 7th Congressional District holds. Each year she is immensely impressed with the outstanding submissions, and she is incredibly proud to have the winning artwork representing the 7th Congressional District in our nation’s capital.

Last year’s winners were:

• 1st Place – “Pratt City Cemetery” by Madison Barrentine, 12th grader at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Alabama
• 2nd Place – “Oliver Cotton Gin” by Kennedy Rose Kimbrough, 12th grader at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, Alabama
• 3rd Place – “Rosa” by Onda McNight, 9th grader at the Capitol School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Honorable Mention – “First White House of the Confederacy” by Emma Hutto, 9th grader at Jackson Academy in Jackson, Alabama
• Honorable Mention – “Untitled” by Jazzlynn Carnethon at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Honorable Mention – “Rise of Cotton” by Rayne Moore, 12th grader at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Honorable Mention – “George Washington Carver” by Kevin Beamon, 9th grader at Johnson Abernathy Graetz High School in Montgomery, Alabama

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement:

“As a former member of the House Intelligence Committee, I was horrified to hear that officials at the highest levels of the Trump Administration were illegally texting highly classified information including war plans via Signal, a commercial phone application, putting our service members in harm’s way. Americans put their trust in our leaders to exercise the utmost care when dealing with matters of national security. I seriously question the judgement and capacity of these Trump officials to inform and implement our national security policy.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Washington D.C. — U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) joined Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24) to introduce the bipartisan Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act to ensure that rural and underserved communities have access to critical emergency services. This legislation aims to provide adequate Medicare reimbursement for emergency service providers, helping them hire and retain EMT staff and modernize their equipment to continue delivering lifesaving care.

“When medical emergencies happen, we should feel confident that our first responders have the resources they need to deliver life-saving care,” said Rep. Sewell. “Unfortunately, inadequate Medicare reimbursement rates are putting a strain on ambulance service providers in the most vulnerable communities. The problem is particularly severe for rural communities like the ones I represent. This bill would adjust Medicare reimbursement practices so that vital ambulance services are available and accessible to all Americans.”

“Access to emergency services is critical in rural areas across the country, including NY-24, which spans 14 counties. However, lifesaving ambulance transports are often costly, placing a burden on patients and providers alike. The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act will help reduce these costs while ensuring that emergency care providers can continue delivering vital medical services to rural communities nationwide,” said Rep. Tenney.

Additional cosponsors include Reps. Carol Miller (WV-01), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Mike Carey (OH-15), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Marie Gluesenkemp-Perez (WA-03).

“Many of my constituents in West Virginia live hours away from their nearest hospital, so it is critical that emergency ground ambulance providers can deliver quality care in a timely manner. In efforts to support our communities’ medical responders, I am joining my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act. This bill will give ambulance service providers the appropriate Medicare reimbursement needed for them to continue providing adequate life-saving treatment to vulnerable patients without worrying about high costs,” said Rep. Miller.

“Our emergency responders are on the frontlines every day to provide our communities with lifesaving care,” said Rep. Tonko. “Their work is even more essential for our nation’s rural and underserved regions, where hospitals and access to medical care are many miles away. Our legislation supports ambulance services and helps ensure that Americans are delivered affordable care, regardless of where they live.”

“Rural Americans shouldn’t have to pay a premium for ambulance services because of where they live. EMTs provide essential, life-saving care that can be expensive in rural areas. This bill provides an avenue to keep costs low for patients and retain EMT talent so they can continue to serve rural communities in Ohio,” said Rep. Carey. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Washington D.C. — U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) released the following statement:

“It wasn’t enough for this administration to go after our seniors, our health care, and our veterans. Now, Trump and Musk want to steal from America’s most vulnerable children to fund their tax cuts for the wealthy. 

“Let’s be clear. The Department of Education DOES NOT control what our students learn. It DOES provide resources and support to help poor and disabled students get the education they deserve, and it serves as a watchdog to protect our students from discrimination in schools.

“One-third of Alabama’s public schools rely on Title I funding from the Department of Education. Without it, teachers will be laid off, class sizes will grow, and students will see fewer opportunities to get ahead.

“I am a proud daughter of two public school educators. I have seen what’s possible when students are given the resources and opportunities to reach their God-given potential. Trump’s illegal executive order will only widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots. House Democrats will be legislating, litigating, and mobilizing to stop it.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07)

Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted against President Trump and Speaker Johnson’s partisan continuing resolution which deprives Alabama’s 7^th Congressional District of $14.1 million worth of community project funding and inflicts devastating cuts on the programs that Alabama families rely on.

“I came back to Washington this week to negotiate a bipartisan measure to responsibly keep the government open,” said Rep. Sewell. “But instead of working with us, House Republicans have put forward a partisan spending bill that cuts cancer research, kicks families out of their homes, and even slashes funding to preserve our civil rights history. Alabama families shouldn’t be forced to foot the bill for Trump’s billionaire tax cuts. I voted NO.”

House Republicans’ partisan spending bill deprives Alabama’s 7^th Congressional District of $14.1 million that were previously approved for 15 local projects. 

The bill also:

• Cuts millions from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which will directly impact UAB and other research institutions in Alabama. 
• Cuts rental assistance for working families, putting low-income Alabamians at risk of eviction.
• Slashes the National Park Services’ Historic Preservation Fund, which is used to protect and preserve the sites of the Civil Rights Movement.
• Cuts essential funding for the Election Assistance Commission, which helps make sure the ballot box is accessible to all Americans.
• Reduces support for homeless shelters and services.
• Fails to reign in the chaos and uncertainty created by funding freezes, cancelled contracts, and closures of Social Security offices, Taxpayer Advocate offices, and GSA buildings in Alabama.
• Cuts the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) by 57%. The CDMRP is a hub for some of the most innovative research into cancer therapeutics, treatments that stand to disproportionately help Veterans and active-duty military personnel.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Janesville, WI – Congressman Bryan Steil announced he would be holding a telephone town hall on Monday, March 24^th, at 5:00pm CT. This will be Congressman Steil’s third telephone town hall of the year.  He has also hosted four in-person town halls this year.   

“One of my top priorities as a Member of Congress is to be available and accessible, which is why I’ve hosted four in-person listening sessions this year in Janesville, Beloit, Racine and Kenosha and regular telephone town halls,” said Steil. “I look forward to hearing directly from Wisconsin families about the challenges they are facing and how we can move our nation forward.”

Residents of the 1^st Congressional District can sign up for Congressman Steil’s Telephone Town Hall by going to Steil.House.Gov/Live or calling his office at (608) 752-4050.

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