Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Chair Mike Ezell (R-MS-04) announced their bipartisan American Cargo for American Ships Act passed the House of Representatives. The legislation will strengthen U.S. cargo preference laws to stop the ongoing decline of U.S. flagged ships engaged in international trade. The legislation now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“American cargo transported on American ships strengthens our economy, creates jobs, and protects our supply chains from external threats,” said Rep. Carbajal. “My bipartisan bill will strengthen the U.S. shipping fleet by ensuring that taxpayer-funded cargo is moved on U.S.-flagged ships. I’ll continue working across the aisle to get this bill across the finish line and signed into law.”

“This is a major victory for American workers, our national security, and our economy,” Rep. Ezell said. “The American Cargo for American Ships Act strengthens our maritime capabilities and ensures we’re not dependent on foreign vessels to move U.S. goods—especially during times of crisis. A strong U.S.-flagged fleet means a more secure and self-reliant America. I’m proud to see this bill, which keeps American cargo on American ships, restores fairness to our system, and gives our mariners a fighting chance against heavily subsidized foreign competitors, pass the House. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to act swiftly and send it to the President’s desk.”

The American Cargo for American Ships Act would increase cargo preference for all U.S. Department of Transportation cargoes to 100 percent. The Cargo Preference Act of 1954 requires that 50 percent of Civilian Agencies cargo and Agricultural Cargo be carried on U.S.-flagged vessels – it is the maritime industry’s “Buy America” law. Maritime Administration (MARAD) is the lead federal agency that manages Cargo Preference activities and compliance.

In 2022, MARAD testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and highlighted the decline of U.S. flagged ships. Per MARAD, there were 106 ships in the foreign trade flying the U.S. flag in 2012. Four years later, there were just 77 vessels. Today, from that low point, we have grown back to 87 foreign trading ships under the U.S. flag.

In 2022, Carbajal, as Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation subcommittee, sent a letter to the MARAD Administrator Rear Admiral Ann Phillips asking them to do more to encourage compliance with U.S. cargo preference laws.

The American Cargo for American Ships Act is supported by: American Maritime Congress, American Maritime Officers, American Maritime Officers Service, American Roll-on Roll-off, International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development, Sailors Union of the Pacific, Seafarers International Union, Transportation Institute, U.S. Ocean, Waterman Logistics, Hapag Lloyd USA, American President Lines LLC.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, released the following discussion draft as part of a tri-committee effort to stabilize the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) marketplace and strengthen college athletics.

“As a part of a coordinated multi-Committee effort to improve the student-athlete experience and preserve the educational mission of the institutions they represent, Energy and Commerce plans to consider a discussion draft to help address the broad set of challenges facing college athletics. NIL presents outstanding opportunities for student-athletes, but the volatility and frequency of changes have left both teams and players without a reliable foundation on which to plan,” said Chairman Guthrie. “I want to thank Chairman Bilirakis for his hard work on this issue and this draft, and I am hopeful that upcoming conversations can build a strong coalition and make college athletics the best it can be.”

“College athletics are a cornerstone of American culture, and it’s clear from student-athletes and universities alike that we need a national framework for name, image, and likeness that ensures fairness, consistency, and opportunity,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “The SCORE Act will create stability and transparency while empowering student-athletes to benefit from their own NIL without compromising their academic mission or reclassifying them as employees. It’s a balanced, modern approach that protects the integrity of college sports and honors both the student and the athlete.”

 Background:

 

CLICK HERE to read the discussion draft.

CLICK HERE to read more in the story.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the federalization and deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles County.  
 
“The federalization and deployment of the California National Guard over the objections of state and local officials in California risks dangerous escalation of the situation in Los Angeles County.
 
“Los Angeles Mayor Bass and California Governor Newsom have advised, as of this morning, that there is no unmet law enforcement need in the Los Angeles region. Sending in National Guard soldiers and raising the possibility of bringing in active-duty Marines runs the risk of inflaming a sensitive situation, not resolving it.  
 
“I urge the President to allow state and local authorities in California to handle this situation to avoid the risk of escalation and even the appearance of using the military as a police force.” 

 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Beatty reintroduced H.R. 3709 the ‘Advancing the Mentor Protégé Program for Small Financial Institutions Act’ to codify the Financial Agent Mentor-Protégé Program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The program pairs up small and rural financial institutions with large banks and credit unions, providing resources, training, and technical assistance to help them better serve their communities and become Financial Agents to Treasury.

 

Small financial institutions, including Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), play a critical role in their communities, yet there are only 151 MDI banks left in the United States, and the number of minority-owned banks has dropped more than 30% since its peak in 2008. Although their numbers have largely stabilized in recent years, MDIs generally have much higher expenses and are often forced to merge with other minority-owned banks to survive.

 

“Small financial institutions are anchors of local economies across the U.S., providing mortgage credit, small business lending, and other critical banking services to their communities ,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “These institutions know the financial needs of their communities best, and codifying the mentor-protégé program at Treasury will go a long way toward preserving and strengthening their impact across America —and advancing our mission of an inclusive financial system.”

 

“The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) is pleased to support Congresswoman Joyce Beatty’s Advancing the Mentor-Protégé Program for Small Financial Institutions Act, which would establish a Treasury Financial Agent program enabling partnerships between MDIs, rural community banks, and other financial institutions,” said Rebeca Romero Rainey, ICBA President and CEO. “This legislation reinforces and supports the critical role MDIs and rural community banks serve as a lifeline in their communities, providing tailored financial products, and fostering greater economic growth.”

 

“The American Bankers Association is pleased to support Rep. Beatty’s Advancing the Mentor Protégé Program for Small Financial Institutions Act, which would increase the ability of community banks, rural financial institutions and MDIs to meet the financial service needs of their customers, clients and communities,” said Rob Nichols, ABA President and CEO. “By strengthening partnerships between large banks and these community financial institutions with the help of the Treasury Department, this bill will provide significant benefit to consumers across the country and the broader economy.”

 

“The National Bankers Association (NBA) proudly supports Congresswoman Joyce Beatty’s Advancing the Mentor Protégé Program for Small Financial Institutions Act, which takes a critical step toward strengthening small, mission-driven banks,” said Nicole Elam, President and CEO of the NBA. “This legislation builds on existing Treasury efforts by expanding the scope of support for Minority and Rural Depository Institutions—ensuring they have greater access to federal resources and opportunities. Through the establishment of a Financial Agent Mentor-Protégé Program, larger financial institutions will be able to mentor and support small, mission-driven banks in enhancing their operational capacity, deepening community impact, and qualifying to serve as financial agents of the U.S. government.”

 

“America’s Credit Unions applauds Rep. Joyce Beatty’s efforts to promote programs that support minority depository institution (MDI) credit unions and other credit unions.  We are pleased to see the reintroduction of the Advancing the Mentor Protégé Program for Small Financial Institutions Act. This bill would empower MDI and other smaller credit unions to collaborate with larger credit unions in these mentorship efforts. This builds on the credit union culture of ‘people helping people’ and working cooperatively to ensure the success of communities they serve,” said Jim Nussle, America’s Credit Unions President/CEO.

 

The full bill text can be found HERE.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to grant the Trump Administration’s DOGE team access to Social Security data:

“With this ruling, the Supreme Court has once again chosen Donald Trump’s agenda over the privacy of the American people. The Court just handed Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE team a skeleton key to the personal data of more than 70 million Americans—Social Security numbers, medical records, wage histories—all without proper safeguards, oversight, or justification. This isn’t modernization. It’s potentially mass surveillance masquerading as reform. Despite clear warnings from lower courts, the majority opened the door to an unaccountable and unelected task force rifling through our most sensitive information. If the Supreme Court won’t defend Americans’ privacy, then Congress must.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement regarding Representative Mary Miller’s comments, in which she said it was “deeply troubling” that a Sikh man, whom she initially misidentified as Muslim, led a prayer on the floor of the House.

“I am appalled by Rep. Mary Miller’s comments—first misidentifying a Sikh chaplain as Muslim, then saying he should have ‘never been allowed’ to lead the House in prayer. Her remarks were both anti-Sikh and anti-Muslim, and they reflect a disturbing pattern of religious intolerance.

The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion for all. The Sikh and Muslim communities have long contributed to the strength, service, and spirit of our nation. All Americans—regardless of party—must come together to reject these attacks and stand united against all forms of prejudice.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

A son of downstate Illinois, strengthening CTE programming has been a career-long priority for the Congressman

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

Washington, DC – As the Trump Administration continues unconstitutional deportations, Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) have introduced the Police not ICE Act of 2025 to prohibit immigration officers from wearing any clothing bearing the word “police.” The bill would apply to entities like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). 

“Due to Trump’s unconstitutional decisions, immigrant communities live in fear of one day being deported and never seeing their family members again,” said Velázquez. “While we resist the threat of raids and mass deportations, it’s equally important to curb actions that fuel distrust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, like ICE agents posing as local police officers.” 

“This is a matter of public safety,” said Thompson. “Suggesting ICE officers are members of local law enforcement undermines the relationships immigrant communities have established with police departments. Crimes may go unreported because victims fear they or their loved ones could be reported to immigration officials. Witnesses may not come forward for fear of being reported. This weakens public safety and undercuts local law enforcement. I’m glad to work with Rep. Velázquez to introduce legislation to end this practice.”

By displaying the word “police” on their uniforms, immigration officers blur the line between law enforcement and immigration officials. Critics contend that conflating the two results in immigrants being less likely to cooperate with local law enforcement when there are serious stakes in place. 

“New York City is a sanctuary city. We do not align with Trump’s mass deportation agenda,” said Velázquez. “Immigrant residents should feel confident that the NYPD is not working with ICE and can safely report crimes without fear. When federal immigration agents pose as local police, it creates confusion and puts public safety at risk.”

This bill has been co-sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Rep. Luz Rivas (D-CA), Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX).

Find the full bill text here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Collegeville, PA – Today, the House Democratic Steering and Policy Co-Chairs, Congresswomen Robin Kelly (IL-02), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) and Nanette Barragán (CA-44), led a roundtable discussion with local leaders and stakeholders impacted by the Trump Tariffs and Republican threats to cut Medicaid and SNAP. Witnesses warned that the Republican ‘One Big Ugly Bill’ would only exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis for Pennsylvania’s working families.

Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04) hosted the committee’s field hearing, and took testimony from community leaders who work directly helping people meet their basic needs to hear how the cost-of-living crisis would worsen with the Republican tax scam to slash Medicaid and food assistance while giving huge new tax breaks to billionaires.

“At a time when families need stability, President Trump has thrown our economy into turmoil with reckless tariffs that continue to decimate retirement and college savings accounts,” said Dean. “Meanwhile, Trump and Republicans are pushing their ‘Big Ugly Bill,’ which will kick more than 300,000 Pennsylvanians off their healthcare and rip away food assistance from 140,000 of our neighbors. We should be fighting to lower costs for working families — not spiking prices and financing another tax break for the wealthy.”

“President Trump promised to lower the cost of living on Day One. He lied,” said Kelly. “Instead, Americans are paying the cost of his shortsighted trade war at the checkout counter while Republicans in Congress attack food assistance and healthcare. This is a recipe for a cost-of-living disaster, yet Republicans’ solution is to give more tax breaks to the well-off and well-connected. I, alongside my Democratic colleagues, will continue to travel across the country to hear directly from the American people and bring their concerns back to Washington with real solutions.” 

“Republicans are not interested in making life more affordable for American families. Trump’s One, Big, Ugly bill will take away food and rental assistance, and life-saving health care from millions of Americans,” said Barragán. “House Republicans have refused to work with Democrats to deliver solutions that support hardworking Americans. Seniors, children, and veterans will bear the burden of higher costs of food, healthcare, and housing while Trump’s billionaire donors get richer.”

“Grocery checkout lines and the fear of falling ill are still major sources of financial anxiety for families, yet the Republican response is to give the wealthiest Americans a tax break windfall and pay for it by taking affordable health care and food assistance from millions of people. It’s a cruel, deplorable and fiscally irresponsible response, and we heard that message loud and clear today in Pennsylvania,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Far from lowering costs, Trump’s chaotic economic policies are driving recessionary fears, and Republicans’ ‘Big Ugly Bill’ would steal health care from 16 million Americans and deny food assistance to millions more. The net effect makes life even harder for paycheck-to-paycheck workers.”

The Steering and Policy Committee has gone on the road to hear from the American people, convening a town hall in California and a hearing in Virginia exposing the extreme Republican agenda. The Steering and Policy Committee will continue to travel the nation in the months ahead to reach the American people where they live and hear from them directly. 

The full video of today’s hearing can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) announced Rep. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) as the new Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus for the 119th Congress. The caucus works to advance bipartisan maternal health policy goals that save lives from pregnancy-related deaths.

“I am honored to announce Rep. Kiggans as my partner on the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus. Improving maternal health outcomes is not and should not be a political issue,” said Rep. Kelly. “Mothers from every corner of the country — whether they live in urban, suburban, or rural areas — deserve the affordable and accessible healthcare they need to thrive. Black mothers in particular face health inequities that we need to address on a policy level. The Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus will continue to lead the way in legislation that save mothers.”

“As a nurse practitioner, Navy veteran, and mom of four, I know how critical it is to ensure women receive high-quality, compassionate care throughout pregnancy and beyond,” said Rep. Kiggans. “I’m honored to join Rep. Kelly in leading the Bipartisan Maternity Care Caucus, where we’ll work together to support mothers, strengthen families, and find commonsense solutions to the maternal health challenges facing our country. This isn’t a partisan issue — it’s a matter of life, health, and dignity for women and babies.”