Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02) sent a letter to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz calling for the reinstatement of fired USFS employees and for the Trump Administration to refrain from further workforce cuts. 

Representatives Schrier, Gluesenkamp Perez, and Larsen were joined in sending the letter by Senators Murray and Cantwell and Representatives DelBene (WA-01), Randall (WA-06), Jayapal (WA-07), Smith (WA-09), and Strickland (WA-10). 

“The Trump Administration’s reckless decision to indiscriminately fire dedicated USFS employees without deeply considering the ramifications of such an action – especially at a time when the agency was already understaffed – not only displays an astounding level of incompetence, it hurts the Eighth District and all of Washington State,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Here in Washington State, we treasure our public lands and know that keeping our forests healthy – which can only be done if the USFS is appropriately staffed – is vital both for recreation and for preventing catastrophic wildfires. That’s why I’m leading my colleagues in the Washington delegation in calling on the administration to reinstate these employees and stop with these impulsive, ill-considered actions that put our state’s safety, economy, and way of life at risk.”

USFS staff are essential to keeping cherished public lands in Washington State safe and accessible to the public. They also help to maintain the health of our national forests, which is a crucial component in reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires. As a part of the Trump Administration’s reckless cuts to key federal agencies, thousands of USFS employees have been fired in recent weeks, including those who work on critical issues such as wildfire mitigation and firefighting. 

“For many communities in our districts, USFS firefighters and support personnel serve as their primary protection in the wildland urban interface,” wrote the lawmakers. “USFS also plays a critical role in reducing fire risk to nearby communities and smoke exposure to the entire region by implementing forest management, reducing fuel loads, conducting prescribed burns, and partnering with localities, states, nonprofit organizations and companies for these purposes.”

Already, these cuts have impacted access to popular recreation sites such as the Denny Creek Trailhead. Following the first round of USFS cuts, Congresswoman Schrier spoke out, warning of the detrimental effect these terminations would have on the Eighth District and the entire state. 

Washington State has been disproportionately impacted by these cuts. 125 terminations have been confirmed by the NFFE Local 34, which comprises more than 30% of total staffing for some offices like Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie. 

“The United States Forest Service maintains some of our most pristine public lands and safeguards our communities from wildfire and smoke. We request that you recognize the countless ways in which previous and future USFS cuts indelibly harm the Evergreen state’s way of life,” wrote the lawmakers. “We request that you immediately reinstate terminated employees and refrain from further staff reductions such that USFS can carry out all wildland fire mitigation efforts designated by Congress, operate and maintain recreation services through the peak summer months, and have enough staff to support wildfire response during peak times. Thank you for your attention to this pressing matter.”

The full letter can be found HERE. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

Today, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, sent letters to 24 federal agencies exposing the Trump Administration for eliminating staff responsible for facilitating Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and jeopardizing the American people’s right to access federal agency information.

“Recent reporting indicates that Trump Administration has terminated a number of officials responsible for handling Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.  The elimination of staff responsible for facilitating FOIA is the latest effort by this Administration to conceal its flagrant violations of the law and prevent the public from obtaining the information about their government that they are entitled to request.  I urge you to provide detailed information responsive to the requests included in this letter to bring sunshine to the FOIA operations within the Trump Administration,” wrote Ranking Member Connolly.

Under FOIA, every American has the right to demand transparency and accountability from our government by filing a request for government records.  Since its enactment in 1967, it has been crucial to ensuring government transparency and accountability.  

“The press and the public have recently used the FOIA process to seek records related to the President’s clandestine Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  FOIA requests on DOGE range from information requests regarding the basic structure, budget, and leadership of the organization to whether DOGE employees with access to sensitive or classified government networks have the requisite security clearances and whether these clearances were granted following national security protocol.  This Administration’s efforts to dismantle agencies, impound congressionally appropriated funds, and unlawfully terminate civil servants have been rapid and capricious.  Now more than ever, maintaining transparency about the operations of government agencies and officials is crucial to enforcing accountability for ongoing abuses of power.”

In the letters, the Ranking Member Connolly underscores that the Trump Administration is not upholding its legal obligation to process FOIA requests.  According to reports, the Office of Personnel Management responded to a request for DOGE related records from CNN with an email stating: “Good luck with that they just got rid of the entire privacy team.”

“Preserving your agency’s ability to respond to FOIA requests is a critical tool to provide the American people the transparency to which they are entitled,” concluded Ranking Member Connolly.

Ranking Member Connolly asked for compliance with his requests for documents and information not later than April 3, 2025.

Click here to read the letters to 24 federal agencies.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

Today, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and Workforce, sent a letter to the Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urging the Department of Education to put the wellbeing of American families and students ahead of tax cuts for billionaires and halt the illegal shutdown of the Department, reinstate all unlawfully terminated employees, and protect education access before irreparable harm comes to our students, schools, and communities. 

“We write regarding your and President Trump’s ongoing actions that will have a negative impact on our kids.  Today, President Trump issued an executive order unlawfully instructing you to dismantle the Department of Education (the Department), a process that you are already implementing – through, among other means, the so-called reduction in force announced on March 11, 2025 and earlier announced personnel changes that would terminate half of the Department’s more than 4,100 employees.  These illegally dismissed employees include individuals tasked with administering funding for programs serving students with disabilities, protecting students from discrimination, and overseeing federal financial aid.  Students, teachers, and schools across the country rely on the Department’s important work to ensure that all people are able to access and grow through education, and we have serious doubts the remaining staff at the Department have the capacity to fulfill this mission.  We urge you to reverse these short-sighted decisions before they cause any more damage to America’s students, families, and educators,” wrote the Ranking Members. 

In their letter, the Ranking Members call out Secretary McMahon for the Department’s implausible claims that cutting the Department in half will not affect the Department’s work administering student loans, Pell Grants, funding for students with disabilities, or the Department’s numerous competitive grantmaking processes.  However, senior officials in the Department have reportedly said that the downsizing will impact “every” sector of the Department, including staff from the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).  Disruptions to the programs the Department oversees would threaten millions of students at every level of education and in every state.

In addition, the Members noted that Secretary McMahon has explicitly acknowledged that mass firings were the first step to “a total shutdown” of the Department.  Despite today’s Executive Order, the Members reminded the Secretary that Congress, not the President or Elon Musk, has the authority to close the Department.  Recent polling shows most Americans, across party lines, oppose efforts to eliminate the Department of Education.

“The approximately 1,300 employees who you wish to leave the Department are dedicated public servants who have devoted their careers to serving their country and ensuring that all students are able to learn and to thrive, regardless of race, gender, disability, or zip code. Discarding thousands of civil servants without regard for their job performance is an attack on those hardworking and passionate individuals as well as our government and the critical services it provides,” concluded the Ranking Members. 

In addition to demanding the halt of these illegal reductions in force and the reinstatement of all employees improperly terminated, the Ranking Members requested answers to their requests no later than March 27, 2025. 

Click here to read the letter to Secretary McMahon. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s proposed overhaul of the FedRAMP program:

“I championed codification of the FedRAMP program in 2023 to ensure a more efficient, cost-effective security framework for agencies using modern cloud services. This past July, OMB issued statutorily required guidance on the implementation of that program. To date, the Trump Administration has not consulted Congress on changes to the program or new guidance regarding its implementation – a radical departure from the longstanding partnership between Congress and the Executive Branch on this issue. My goal remains, as it has always been, a program that ensures the security of cloud-based services in an efficient manner but let me be clear – Congress plays an integral role in ensuring the implementation of a program that is both streamlined and rigorous. Any effort to improve these objectives must comply with current law. The beginning of this Administration has been defined by chaos and a lack of transparency. This is already law. Congress must be consulted on proposed changes to the program and the Administration must provide clear assurance that it will result in effective and rigorous security outcomes.”

Connolly is the author of the FedRAMP Authorization Act, which codified FedRAMP into federal law as part of the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gerry Connolly (D-Va)

In honor of Sunshine Week, Committee Democrats released a memo entitled “Exposing DOGE’s Dark Dealings,” highlighting Democrats’ work – and recent wins – in the fight to bring DOGE out of the darkness and ensure the American people can hold the Trump-Musk Administration accountable for the chaos, corruption, and destruction wrought by Musk’s DOGE. Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement on the memo and Committee Democrats’ work:

“Despite promising that DOGE would be ‘maximally transparent,’ Elon Musk is running DOGE from the shadows, creeping through Americans’ most sensitive data, compromising our security, and refusing basic oversight requests while gorging his companies on taxpayer dollars. It’s disgusting, dangerous, and a complete distortion of our democracy. DOGE is Compromised by Corruption. DOGE is Making America Weaker. And DOGE is Illegally Gutting Government. And the American people are rightfully outraged.

“Oversight Democrats are fighting to put a stop to this abuse and have launched more than 150 investigations and letters of inquiry, filed a three-part FOIA request, and introduced two formal House Resolutions of Inquiry — these include more than 1,000 requests for information and documentation directed at the Trump Administration, Elon Musk, and DOGE. We’ve called for public hearings and called to subpoena Musk to testify before the Committee. But our work is far from over. Our coalition has secured numerous important wins as we fight back in Congress, in the courts, and in communities nationwide.

“Sunlight remains the best disinfectant, and Democrats will continue to shine a light into every corner of DOGE and the Trump-Musk Administration, regardless of resistance or obstruction, as we investigate, litigate, and terminate these dangerous and unlawful abuses.”

Click here to read the memo.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) released the following statement after voting ‘no’ on the Democrats’ $1.7 trillion lame-duck spending spree.

“Last month, Americans voted for a Republican House majority to keep the Biden administration in check. Yet in the final hours of their one-party rule, Democrats rammed through 4,155 pages that will fund their failing agenda for another year.

“While families struggle to afford food and gifts this holiday season, Democrats are spending $1.7 trillion on their own Christmas wish list, which includes a ridiculous $410 million for border security in the Middle East — and zero additional dollars for border security in Texas.

“I look forward to working with House Republicans in the new year to stop President Biden’s radical agenda, secure our border, and bring back the economy Americans deserve.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), founder and co-chair of the Childhood Cancer Caucus, released the following statement after Congress passed the Childhood Cancer STAR (Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research) Reauthorization Act, legislation he introduced along with Representatives G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.). 

“Thirteen years ago, I founded the Childhood Cancer Caucus to increase bipartisan efforts to address pediatric cancer and ultimately eliminate this heartbreaking disease. Each day since its passage, the STAR Act has brought us closer to that goal,” said Rep. McCaul. “The most comprehensive childhood cancer bill ever signed into law, the STAR Act works to improve the lives of cancer patients and cancer survivors through increased research. I’m thankful my colleagues voted to reauthorize it today and will continue raising my voice on behalf of these beautiful children until cancer is no longer a threat to their futures.”

“I am pleased to see the Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research (STAR) Act heading to President Biden’s desk for another five-year reauthorization,” said Rep. Butterfield. “The STAR Act is a critical piece of bipartisan legislation that has provided hope to families in North Carolina and across the country suffering from pediatric cancer. We must continue to fund childhood cancer research and pave the way towards lifesaving pediatric-focused cancer treatments. Reauthorizing the STAR Act will do exactly that, ensuring our young people can lead healthy and full lives.”

“The STAR Act has proven its immense value since it was first passed in 2018,” said Rep. Kelly. “Children are 25% of our population, but they are 100% of our future. It’s our duty to fund the research that will protect them in their most vulnerable moments and to ultimately find a cure. I’m grateful that Congress is prioritizing this research and will reauthorize the STAR Act.”

“The good news is more and more childhood cancer patients are beating the odds, with the population of survivors estimated to be over half a million people today. But that survival comes with immense care and quality of life challenges for children and their families. Even with cure rates increasing to 85 percent, many childhood cancer survivors must endure ongoing pain, disability, and medical needs,” said Rep. Speier. “The 2018 STAR Act was the most comprehensive bipartisan childhood cancer bill ever signed into law. I’m proud and grateful that Congress will continue building on its life-saving initiatives with the STAR Act reauthorization, and to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our inspiring childhood cancer survivors not only live, but thrive.”

Background:

Rep. McCaul first introduced the STAR Act in 2015, and it was signed into law in 2018. Since then, it has worked to expand opportunities for childhood cancer research, improve efforts to identify and track childhood cancer incidences, and enhance the quality of life for childhood cancer survivors. The Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act of 2022 will allow programs included in the successful STAR Act to continue for the next five years.

Click here for more detailed information on the STAR Act.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (Texas-10) joined Representative Tony Gonzales (Texas-23) and 47 of their House Republican colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, expressing concern over the discontinuation of Title 42 on December 21st, 2022. 

The members said in part, “Under Title 42, migrants were expelled at rates 40 percent or higher for nearly every month in FY22, which considerably alleviated congestion along our borders. As this policy approaches its deadline next week, it is no surprise that illegal crossings are skyrocketing.”

The members continued, “Your agency has systematically dismantled successful border security measures such as the Remain in Mexico policy, and severely restricted the ability of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deport illegal immigrants. In the absence of these enforcement tools, Title 42 has served as the last effective deterrent against illegal border crossings. Without it, federal, state, and local law enforcement will be stretched beyond their limits, and threats to our national security will inevitably multiply.”

Co-signers of the letter include Representatives Dan Newhouse (Wash.-4), Scott Franklin (Fla.-15), Mike Kelly (Pa.-16), Brian Fitzpatrick (Pa.-01), Michelle Steel (Calif.-48), Burgess Owens (Utah-04), Dan Crenshaw (Texas-02), Vern Buchanan (Fla.-16), David Valadao (Calif.-21), Byron Donalds (Fla.-19), Mayra Flores (Texas-34), Brian Babin (Texas-36), Brad Wenstrup (Ohio-02), Andrew Garbarino (N.Y.-02), Tracey Mann (Kan.-01), Blake Moore (Utah-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa-02), Carlos A. Giménez (Fla.-26), Randy Weber (Texas-14), Young Kim (Calif.-39), August Pfluger (Texas-11), Gus Bilirakis (Fla.-12), Glenn Grothman (Wis.-06), Matt Rosendale (Mont.), John Rutherford (Fla.-04), Stephanie Bice (Okla.-05), Randy Feenstra (Iowa-04), Victoria Spartz (Ind.-05), Diana Harshbarger (Tenn.-01), Yvette Herrell (N.M.-02), Mary Miller (Ill.-15), Michael Burgess (Texas-26), Ronny Jackson (Texas-13), Michael Guest (Miss.-03), Claudia Tenney (N.Y.-22), Ashley Hinson (Iowa-01), Dan Bishop (N.C.-09), Jerry Carl (Ala.-01), Mike Garcia (Calif.-25), Van Taylor (Texas-03), Mike Waltz (Fla.-06), Dusty Johnson (S.D.-AL), Larry Bucshon (Idaho-08), Darrell Issa (Calif.-50), John Moolenaar (Mich.-04), and Brett Guthrie (Ky.-02). 

The full letter is available here.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Trump Dismantling ED

“President Trump’s executive order has little regard for the irreparable harm it would cause to students, educators, our future workforce, and parents, who are already struggling.”

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott and Connolly Call for an Immediate Halt to the Illegal Dismantling of ED

Following an executive order eliminating the ED, two top House Democrats call on Secretary of Education to protect already struggling families and students across America.