Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) will introduce the Officer John Barnes Act, a critical piece of legislation aimed at ensuring timely support for our nation’s law enforcement officers and their families. Named in honor of Officer John Barnes, who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the Santa Fe, Texas shooting tragedy, this bill seeks to address the delays faced by officers and their families in receiving benefits from the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program (PSOB).

The PSOB Program provides crucial support, including death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, as well as disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. However, despite applying for these benefits, Officer Barnes and his family have experienced an excruciating wait for a determination from the Department of Justice (DOJ) since the 2018 shooting.

“In America, we pride ourselves on supporting those who risk their lives to protect our communities. Yet, the burdensome delays within our federal government have left officers like John Barnes waiting in limbo for over six years,” said Rep. Weber. “This is unacceptable, and no officer should have to endure such bureaucratic hurdles. The Officer John Barnes Act is a crucial step towards ensuring that our law enforcement heroes receive the timely assistance they deserve, without unnecessary obstacles hindering their access to vital benefits.”

“Across the country, our nation’s law enforcement officers selflessly serve as the front line of defense for our communities. Every single day, they put their lives on the line for their fellow Americans, and in times of crisis these heroes deserve to access the benefits they have earned without red tape getting in the way,” said Sen. Cruz. “We owe it to our law enforcement officers, like Officers Barnes who has waited for far too long, to eliminate these bureaucratic barriers hindering their access to benefits. I am proud to introduce the Officer John Barnes Act to ensure our men and women in blue receive the prompt support they deserve.”

Under the provisions of the Officer John Barnes Act, the DOJ would be mandated to issue a determination on benefit claims within 270 days of receipt, providing much-needed clarity and support to officers and their families during times of crisis.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) participated in a Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee hearing to review the United States’ trade negotiation priorities in order to help further expand fair trade opportunities for U.S. businesses.

Congresswoman Miller began by reflecting on the United States’ need to strengthen trade relations in the Indo-Pacific to increase the U.S.’ standing within the region and deter China’s global trade dominance. 
 
“The Indo-Pacific is an essential strategic foothold to combat China’s quest for global economic dominance. The economies in the Indo-Pacific are rapidly developing. The growing personal wealth of the citizens in the Indo-Pacific provides more export opportunities. The advances in the region’s manufacturing sector enables us to diversify our supply chain away from China. Unfortunately, we are falling severely behind as China makes significant strides. While the United States has not concluded a single trade agreement with an Indo-Pacific partner in more than 10 years, China concluded negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enhance their massive free trade area in October 2024. This is why I re-introduced the U.S. Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act with several of my colleagues on this committee. This bill will make significant inroads to further our partnerships in the region,” said Congresswoman Miller.  

Congresswoman Miller asked Jonathan Root, the Chief Financial Officer and President of Commercial, Harley-Davidson, Inc. to share his thoughts on how the lack of trade in the Indo-Pacific region affects U.S. companies and how Congress should address this. 

“Mr. Root, as you are aware, our lack of engagement in the Indo-Pacific has left the door open for these nations to stifle bilateral trade by imposing significant trade barriers on American products. This includes remarkably steep tariffs on Harley Davidson motorcycles. Could you speak to the importance of the Indo-Pacific as an export market? What can Congress do to overcome the barriers that are currently in place?” asked Congresswoman Miller.
 
“We certainly believe that Asia Pacific presents a significant opportunity over the mid-term and the long-term from a Harley-Davidson perspective. We recognize that there are unique trade pacts that are in place that certainly provide some benefit to those who manufacture within that region. Many of our competitor brands have plants in Thailand that certainly ensure low tariff access to those ASEAN markets. Many Asian nations’ trade agreements allow exports from Thailand into those markets duty-free and that does provide a significant advantage for them and a disadvantage for direct exports from the U.S. into those markets. We obviously do ask for, again, a level playing field that gives American workers the ability to export their products with equal treatment,” responded Mr. Root. 

Congresswoman Miller highlighted how U.S. digital companies are receiving unfair treatment from other countries when it comes to trade. She then asked Christine Bliss, the President of Coalition of Services Industries (CSI) what the U.S. should do to protect American companies. 
 
“As we engage in these important trade negotiations, it is important we work to strengthen the emerging sectors of our economy, particularly in the digital services economy. President Trump and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are keenly aware of the unfair treatment United States technology companies are facing, by even our closest allies, including Canada and South Korea. It is pertinent that we put a stop to this, and to ensure our future agreements adequately protect U.S. companies from harmful policies. ​​Ms. Bliss, what provisions should we include in our future trade agreements to make sure that our digital and service companies are adequately shielded from unfair treatment?” asked Congresswoman Miller. 
 
“I agree with you. It’s a very, very serious problem and I think, first and foremost, data flows underpin all digital and virtually all services trade. I would say that this is one very key element we need to see in all of our trade agreements. Secondly, we need to see a prohibition on data localization, which often is coupled with restrictions on data flows. Third, and perhaps most importantly, we need to see a strong non-discrimination provision, which really goes to the core of your question. Whether you’re looking at India in the case of the Indo-Pacific or you’re looking at [South] Korea, one of our closest allies, I think having a strong non-discrimination provision is absolutely essential that we include in our agreements. Particularly in [South] Korea where we are facing legislative proposals, regulatory proposals for discriminatory online platform regulation, I think it’s essential that that happened there, and also that we frankly are facing both in [South] Korea and China harassment of U.S. firms through unfair regulatory and enforcement actions. I would say those three provisions are probably very, very key in terms of negotiation and resolving those issues,” responded Ms. Bliss. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Jim Justice (R-WV) commended President Trump and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for providing federal disaster assistance to West Virginia following the severe storms in February.

“West Virginians were devastated by last month’s severe storms, and I’m thankful we have a President who is providing relief for those affected. The federal disaster assistance that President Trump issued for our state is crucial to helping our communities recover faster, and I thank the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for their efforts to provide essential resources and financial help to my constituents during this time. I also thank HUD’s regional administrator Joe DeFelice for taking the time to visit Welch and Bradshaw to see the aftermath firsthand. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Trump administration to deliver more relief for the West Virginians who were hurt by the storms,” said Congresswoman Miller.
 
“Ensuring our communities have the resources they need to recover from disasters is a top priority. I appreciate the collaboration we’ve had with HUD, including the recent visit by Regional Administrator DeFelice in assessing the damage in Welch and Bradshaw. I am grateful to HUD for delivering additional resources to West Virginians impacted by these storms, which will help in the rebuilding and strengthening of our communities for the future,” said Senator Capito.
 
“I was just in Welch, West Virginia to view disaster recovery with the Acting Administrator of FEMA, the Small Business Administration, the county commission, local mayors, and folks effected by the floods. Through the leadership of President Trump, we are really moving forward with a whole of government response that is truly encouraging to see. Simply rebuilding isn’t the goal, building a stronger community is the goal – I’ve always said we need to bring all resources to bear, and if that’s not enough we need to triple the triple. I applaud Secretary Turner and will continue to work with both him and President Trump to make sure West Virginia has the resources needed to rebuild stronger than before,” said Senator Justice.

“As West Virginians rebuild their homes, neighborhoods, and businesses following the severe storms, HUD continues to provide financial flexibility and disaster recovery resources. Supporting disaster response is a core and important part of our mission-minded approach to serving communities at HUD,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner.
 
President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wyoming, Greenbrier, Lincoln, Logan, Monroe, Summers, Wayne counties in the State of West Virginia .
 
Background: 

• HUD Secretary Scott Turner announced the availability of federal disaster assistance to West Virginia to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides beginning on February 15, 2025 and continuing. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Cliff Bentz (R-OR), Mike Carey (R-OH), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) in introducing the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act. This bill ensures that rural and remote communities maintain access to critical emergency services. 
 
Click here for bill text. 
 
“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 Congresswoman Miller.
 
“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 Congresswoman Tenney.

Background:

• 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.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Ben Cline (R-VA), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), and Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) sent a letter to the United States Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, asking Commerce to revisit the anti-circumvention inquiry made by the previous administration into imports of hardwood plywood and the impact the certification regime would have on U.S. hardwood companies. 

Click here for the full letter. 
 
On the lawmakers’ concern regarding the anti-circumvention inquiry into imports from Vietnam and its impact on the U.S. hardwood industry:

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the International Trade Administration (ITA) have a long-standing trade dispute pending regarding imports of certain hardwood plywood products alleged to have originated in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). We strongly support the Trump Administration’s efforts to crack down on unfairly traded imports from China. However, we are concerned that legitimate U.S. importers may become unintended collateral damage in this process because of decisions made by the Biden Administration’s Commerce Department and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Specifically, we are concerned that NWH, Inc., a major U.S.-based operator located in Frisco, TX, which operates sawmills and distributes lumber products while employing approximately 1,000 workers across 12 states, may be unfairly affected by the Biden Administration’s rulings.

The fundamental issue that the entire trade proceeding seeks to resolve is whether the hardwood plywood was produced in Vietnam or China. NWH has provided substantial evidence that it complied with the applicable regulations, which have been included in the case record. NWH closely followed the memo issued by ITA on July 9, 2020, which clarified that “the merchandise subject to these anticircumvention and scope inquiries does not include core veneers fully produced in Vietnam or a third country that are assembled into a veneer core platform in Vietnam and combined with a face and back veneer produced in China.” The company has made significant efforts to verify that the wood product in question was harvested and processed in Vietnam, showing that the plywood cores on the imports in question were composed of wood species native to Vietnam that are not grown in China.

On the importance of revisiting the anti-circumvention inquiry to protect United States companies:

We urge Commerce to seriously consider and accept the extrinsic evidence submitted by importers when making its final decision in the ongoing administrative reviews of these orders. Doing so would be consistent with direction provided by Congress, as the Committee Report issued last year by the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2025 included language that makes this recommendation.

We appreciate your consideration as you seek to conclude this administrative action in coming months.

Background:

In October of 2024, Congresswoman Miller and seven of her colleagues sent a letter to Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo expressing their concerns over the anti-circumvention inquiry into imports of hardwood plywood and the impact the certification regime has on U.S. hardwood companies.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Congresswoman Miller began by pointing out the medical challenges patients in rural communities’ face and how her bill, the Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act, would be a solution. 

“Rural patients, like my constituents in West Virginia, are disproportionately left without the critical support they need to recover after major illnesses and from surgeries. This lack of access to essential care not only affects their recovery, but also increases their risk of complications, leading to longer hospital stays and a diminished quality of life. One way to address this critical gap is to expand telehealth usage in post-acute care settings. I introduced the Hospice Recertification Flexibility Act, which passed out of this committee last year. My bill would allow hospice providers to use telehealth to conduct face-to-face visits required for hospice recertification,” said Congresswoman Miller. 

Congresswoman Miller asked Paul Dongilli, the CEO of Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals, to speak to how rural access challenges can affect patients and their families. 

“Mr. Dongilli, not only do patients suffer from a lack of proximity to necessary care, but their families and spouses are also deeply affected. For caregivers and loved ones, the inability to regularly visit or assist in the recovery process can lead to emotional, financial, and logistical strain. With these challenges in mind, can you speak about the impact of lack of access to care in rural areas on your patients’ spouses and families and the challenges they face visiting their loved ones?” asked Congresswoman Miller. 

“It is a very real issue for family members. We recognize that treating patients in post-acute care is not just treating that patient, it’s treating the entire family. It’s making them comfortable and confident to take their family member back home once they finish their episode of care. I know we’ve tried to institute various ways to make it easier for those family members to access the care we provide. We provide some family housing. We have the ability for family members to stay in the patient’s rooms. They have access to amenities that would support the relocation for brief periods of time to our vicinity. I think that the part of the bill that you also co-sponsored is making it helpful and useful for folks to come to an LTCH (Long-Term Care Hospital) and for that LTCH to receive payment for them admitting directly from that critical access hospital. So that would hopefully help the patients, and their families receive the care that they need,” responded Mr. Dongilli. 

Congresswoman Miller brought attention to the reimbursement issues Long-term care hospitals face and how her bill, the Patient Access to Long Term Care Hospitals Act, would resolve this financial challenge. She also asked Mr. Dongilli to share his personal experience in dealing with this barrier.

“Long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) are critical for patients who require extended care. The cost to treat the complex medical needs LTCH patients require can be significant. The reimbursement system for LTCHs is structured to help manage these costs, but recent changes to the high-cost outlier threshold have introduced new financial challenges. By raising this threshold, the amount of reimbursement LTCHs can receive for treating particularly costly cases has decreased. This puts additional strain on providers and affects the level of care available to patients. I introduced the Patient Access to Long Term Care Hospitals Act, which will provide adequate reimbursement for LTCHs. My bill also caps the high-cost outlier amount to $50,000. With this in mind, Mr. Dongilli, what has been the impact of the increase in the high-cost outlier threshold for LTCHs on providers such as yourself and the patients you treat?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“From a provider and patient perspective, before the significant increase in the high-cost outlier – when it was still only $27,000 – we were able to allow more patients to enter the facility who we knew would become high cost outliers because that fixed income amount was such that we could manage that and still make a relatively small margin within our long-term care hospital. The margin at that time was close to 4%. When that doubled and it went to $58,000 or $57,000 what we saw was that we had to provide more scrutiny, even though we continue to admit those patients who would go into high-cost outlier status, the financial impact of doubling it resulted in our overall LTCH margin following from that 4% to a -3%. So, when you’re talking about a significant number of cases and for us at that time, our high-cost outlier threshold was about 30%. So now, we have to limit that in order to just maintain financial solvency which denies patients access to the care that they need at that point in time,” responded Mr. Dongilli. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott DesJarlais (4th District of Tennessee)

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) announced today that he will be chairing the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee. 

CREDIT: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, August 2023 Singapore CODEL. 

DesJarlais was tapped to lead the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces for the 119^th U.S. Congress. This committee deals with Department of Defense and Department of Energy policies related but not limited to: strategic deterrence, strategic stability, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and space. 

“I am also excited to announce my new chairmanship on the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee. Tennessee’s military installations are some of the best in the country and I know that the hard work of this committee will continue to advance our capabilities. I want to thank Chairman Mike Rogers for the privilege to serve in this capacity.”

 

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The full description of the House Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee can be found HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott DesJarlais (4th District of Tennessee)

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) today witnessed President Donald Trump’s historic swearing in for his second term in office. 

“President Trump’s speech today gave the American people hope. Hope that we will once again make our national security a top priority so that our citizens will not live in fear. Hope that we will restore our economy so that families have relief at the grocery store and the gas pumps. Hope that the American dream will live on for generations to come.”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott DesJarlais (4th District of Tennessee)

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) released the following statement praising President Donald J. Trump’s 2025 State of the Union address. 

“President Trump laid out a clear path forward for the United States to enrich our economy, strengthen our national defense, and restore American energy independence.

 

Tonight was a night to celebrate the many accomplishments his team has made so far. The Trump Administration has been hard at work eliminating woke DEI policies, overburdensome regulations, and wasteful government spending. Most importantly, after four long years of open borders under the Biden Administration, President Trump was able to tell the American people that illegal migrant border crossings have hit a historic low. 

 

The behavior that was displayed by those on the Left tonight were unconscionable. Proper respect and decorum for the president is expected out of any decent human being, especially those elected to serve in the United States Congress. Make no mistake, these antics will not deter the focus House Republicans have to deliver on our promise to further advance the America first agenda.”

Rep. DesJarlais was able to congratulate President Trump as he left the House chambers.

“Thank you, Mr. President, you earned this night.”  

 

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 Video of Rep. DesJarlais congratulating President Trump can be found HERE. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott DesJarlais (4th District of Tennessee)

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) –Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-04) praises President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for their decision to stop all SNAP benefits for illegal migrants. 

“Thank you, President Trump and Secretary Rollins, for putting the needs of American citizens first. SNAP was designed to ensure that United States citizens with food insecurity get the assistance they need. Thank you for ensuring our taxpayer dollars are not spent on criminals who cross our border illegally.” 

Rep. DesJarlais noted that he has been raising the issue of rampant abuse of the SNAP benefits program by criminal border crossers. He says President Biden’s U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas never acknowledged the problem.   

“Democrats, led by the Biden Administration and their high-ranking officials, were complicit in refusing to acknowledge legitimate questions into this matter. My letter and questions Vilsack and Mayorkas demanding answers to how many non-U.S. citizens were enrolled in the SNAP benefits program went unanswered.” 

The Tennessee congressman raised consistent questions to President Biden’s USDA and DHS about migrant SNAP benefit use: 

April 2022 DesJarlais questioned USDA Deputy Under Secretary Stacy Dean

June 2022 DesJarlais questioned Connecticut SNAP Program Administration Manager

June 2022 DesJarlais speaks with Just the News regarding migrant SNAP benefits

March 2023 DesJarlais questions USDA Secretary Vilsack

March 2023 DesJarlais sends letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack and DHS Secretary Mayorkas

“I am glad to see that the entire Trump Administration is committed to ending the abuse of this much-needed program for many American citizens.”

 

 

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