Category: US Senate

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

NASHVILLE, TENN. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), along with Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and Pat Fallon (R-Texas) introduced the Investing in American Defense Technologies Act.  

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would establish a federal public-private partnership to scale, support, and invest in American defense-centric small businesses producing advanced capabilities, including hypersonics, space, and autonomous systems. It would also help fuel cutting-edge defense technology production and make the United States more competitive with adversaries like China. 

“This bipartisan legislation will improve the acquisition of cutting-edge technology for national defense and security,” said Senator Blackburn. “It encourages private capital to invest in small businesses that have traditionally been unable to be a part of producing equipment for our country’s armed forces.” 

“When it comes to maintaining the United States’ edge in advanced defense capabilities, we cannot afford to fall behind China,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m introducing this bipartisan bill to bolster our competitiveness by establishing a public-private partnership to enable American defense-focused small businesses to succeed and scale their advanced technology innovations.”

“Strategic competition with our adversaries is a huge concern for American security especially when it comes to the speed at which we are advancing our technologies. We risk falling behind due to the Department of Defense (DoD)’s challenges in scaling its work with private companies outside the agency, which stems from a lack of available capital,” said Representative Houlahan. “This bipartisan and bicameral legislation aims to solve this problem by creating the Advanced Technology Investment Incentive Program which incentivizes private defense companies to work with the DoD by limiting risk through a fund guarantee. This program will not only ensure our defense technology and capabilities are better equipped against our foreign adversaries, but also accelerate growth and support the many domestic small defense businesses across our country — many of which are located at home in Chester County. As an entrepreneur, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to scale a small business, but this partnership with the federal government will assist in the growth of many companies across the Commonwealth and country. We must work with America’s entrepreneurial strength to prevent future technological and security weakness.”

“America’s proud tradition of innovation is key if we are to counter the rising threats to our national security. Therefore, I am proud to once again support the introduction of the Investing in American Defense Technologies Act,” said Representative Fallon. “This bipartisan, bicameral legislation is necessary towards fueling investment and innovation across the country to develop dynamic, advanced defense technologies.” 

BACKGROUND:

• China and strategic competition pose a significant threat to national security.
• There is currently a lack of available private capital supporting defense-focused small businesses, stunting growth and innovation in the field. 
• The number of small businesses in the defense industrial base has shrunk by over 40% in the past decade.
• This legislation would accelerate the production and acquisition of advanced capabilities for national security by creating incentives for private capital to invest in U.S. small businesses.

Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

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Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) joined a dozen Senate colleagues in reintroducing the My Body, My Data Act – legislation to create a new national standard to protect reproductive and sexual health data by minimizing the information collected and retained, and preventing that information from being disclosed or misused.

“Following the Supreme Court’s misguided decision in Dobbs, extremists have escalated their all-out assault on the constitutional rights of women,” said Sen. Menendez. “This common-sense legislation is about protecting a woman’s right to access reproductive health care without the fear that their reproductive health data can be used against them. As members of Congress, we have a responsibility to fight tooth and nail to protect the private health data of patients and defend a woman’s freedom to choose.”

Since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, 19 states have total or near total abortion bans—putting people who are getting, seeking, or facilitating reproductive health care at risk that their digital footprints will be weaponized against them.

Currently, few protections exist to prevent personal reproductive health data, or information about people seeking reproductive health services, from being collected, retained, or disclosed to third parties. The My Body, My Data Act would address this problem by:

1. Limiting the personal reproductive and sexual health data that can be collected, retained, used, or disclosed to only what is needed to deliver a product or service;
2. Protecting personal data collected by entities not currently covered under HIPAA, including data collected by apps, cell phones, and search engines;
3. Requiring regulated entities to develop and share a privacy policy outlining how they collect, retain, use, and disclose personal reproductive health information;
4. Creating a private right of action to allow individuals to hold regulated entities accountable for violations;
5. Providing additional consumer protections, including the right to access, correct, or delete personal data;
6. Including a non-preemption clause that allows states to provide further protection for reproductive and sexual health privacy.

In addition to Sen. Menendez, the legislation was also cosponsored by Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51) introduced companion legislation alongside 91 members of Congress in the House of Representatives.

The bill was also endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), NARAL Pro-Choice America, Physicians for Reproductive Health (PRH), National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), National Abortion Federation, Catholics for Choice, National Council for Jewish Women, Feminist Majority, Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity (URGE), and Indivisible.

Sen. Menendez is a long-time supporter of a woman’s freedom to choose. Earlier in May, he joined 254 members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the case of Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, urging the Court to reverse the district court’s stay on the FDA’s more than 20-year-old approval of mifepristone. He also joined his colleagues in reintroducing legislation to protect medical providers in states like New Jersey – where abortion care remains legal – from Republicans’ attempts to restrict their practice and create uncertainty about their legal liability.

In April, Sen. Menendez also led a group of Senate colleagues in introducing the Stop Anti-Abortion Disinformation Act that would ban false advertising related to abortion services by Crisis Pregnancy Centers. He is also an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, federal legislation to guarantee access to abortion, everywhere across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive health care for millions of Americans.

The full text of the bill is available HERE.

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Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez and Cory Booker (both-D-N.J.) announced today a combined total of $4,949,896 to the City of Newark and the New Jersey Department of Health from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These grants will provide funds for mental health and substance abuse services in Newark and cancer prevention and control programs at the NJ Department of Health.

“Cancer, mental health challenges and substance abuse disorders can impact anyone – no matter their age, race, religion, or economic background. Everyone deserves access to the health care programs and services that can assist them,” said Sen. Menendez. “The nearly $5 million in grants for Newark and the New Jersey Department of Health will help address these challenges by creating a community crisis response partnership and continuing the critical research and trials to prevent cancer while improving survivorship.”

“These grants will bolster our efforts to combat substance abuse, promote mental health services, and advance cancer prevention and control,” said Sen. Booker. “These investments will have a positive impact on the well-being and health outcomes of our communities. I will continue advocating for federal resources to support vital programs that improve lives and promote wellness for all New Jerseyans.”

“Although cancer is among the leading causes of death in New Jersey, many cancers are preventable. Screening continues to be the most effective tool in identifying some types of the disease early during highly treatable stages, leading to improved outcomes for cancer survivors,” said New Jersey Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “We are grateful for this funding that advances our ongoing efforts in cancer prevention and control through education and outreach, early detection and screening, and surveillance through data collection and analysis in New Jersey. Using this comprehensive approach, we will continue to identify and reduce health disparities and provide necessary intervention among populations at higher risk for cancer.”

“Exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, increased societal pressures of every kind, and the lingering effects of generational neglect caused by racial injustice, the mental health of our residents requires more attention than ever before,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “As we systematically analyze and treat trauma and other mental health issues in our community, we see its safety and overall health and wellbeing improve. I’m grateful to Senators Menendez and Booker for their efforts on behalf of Newark and their understanding of how deeply mental health is connected to all aspects of life in any city.”

The City of Newark will receive $727,740 to create a Community Crisis Response Partnership to support mental health and substance use services in the area. The New Jersey Department of Health will receive $4,222,156 to provide cancer prevention and control programs.

Sen. Menendez has been a strong proponent for the mental health services, programs and support New Jerseyans need. The Senator joined with Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.-12), Congressman Andy Kim (D-N.J.-03), mental health practitioners and advocates for a roundtable discussion and listening session at Rider University. The three lawmakers discussed the ongoing mental health crisis, specifically its impact on children, veterans, and seniors. They also spoke about the cost of mental health inequities, the need to alleviate the health and economic burdens of unmet mental health care, and efforts to create a more inclusive and comprehensive mental healthcare system.

Earlier this month, Sen. Menendez, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.-31) reintroduced the Pursuing Mental Equity in Mental Health Act. Originally introduced in 2020, the legislation would authorize $995 million in grants and other funding to support research, improve the pipeline of culturally competent providers, build outreach programs that reduce stigma, and develop a training program for providers to effectively manage disparities.

In April, Sen. Menendez and Congressman Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ-09) celebrated the launch of the CDC’s National Firefighter Registry for Cancer, an online enrollment system for firefighters across the nation to help support and understand the link between cancer and the fire service. The CDC was directed to create the registry by legislation sponsored by Senator Menendez and Congressman Pascrell in 2018 that was signed into law in the 115^th Congress.

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Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), ranking member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member of the Committee on the Budget, sent a letter to Special Counsel John Durham raising questions about why former high-level government officials refused to cooperate with his investigation.

The senators listed the following individuals that, according to Special Counsel Durham’s May 12, 2023 report, declined to fully cooperate over the course of his review relating to the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane investigation:

• James Comey, former FBI Director.
• Andrew McCabe, former FBI Deputy Director.
• Peter Strzok, former FBI Deputy Assistant Director for Counterintelligence.
• Bill Priestap, former FBI Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division.
• Kevin Clinesmith, former FBI attorney.
• Glenn Simpson, of Fusion GPS.

“It seems odd that individuals would be allowed to avoid fully cooperating with your office, particularly given your authority to compel testimony and records,” the senators wrote.

The senators requested information about the steps the Special Counsel’s office took to obtain information from these individuals.  They also asked whether the Special Counsel’s office faced any impediments from the Justice Department, or any of its components, over the course of Durham’s investigation.

The full letter can be found here and below:

May 23, 2023

 

VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION

The Honorable John H. Durham

Special Counsel

Department of Justice

Dear Mr. Durham:

            Thank you for your report related to the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. As we continue to review the report, we noticed that several high-level former government officials directly involved in Crossfire Hurricane either declined or partially declined to cooperate with your investigation.  In addition, in Footnote 13, your report noted that “some personnel” in the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division “refused to cooperate” with your review and that FBI leadership intervened to “urge those individuals to agree to be interviewed.” Congress requires additional information with respect to this refusal to cooperate and how it ultimately concluded.

During former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, his office “issued more than 2,800 subpoenas and executed nearly 500 search warrants[.]” In contrast, we understand your office “served more than 190 subpoenas under the auspices of grand juries” and “executed seven search warrants.”  It seems odd that individuals would be allowed to avoid fully cooperating with your office, particularly given your authority to compel testimony and records.  

In order to better understand what, if any, actions your office took to obtain information from relevant individuals, we request that you provide detailed information related to the following individuals who apparently declined to fully cooperate with your investigation:

• James Comey, declined to be interviewed.
• Andrew McCabe, through his counsel, did not agree to be interviewed by your office even after your office “offered to narrow the scope of subjects to be asked about.”
• Peter Strzok, agreed to provide information to your office “concerning matters related to the FBI’s Alfa Bank investigation, but otherwise declined to be interviewed by [your office] on matters related to his role in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.”
• Bill Priestap, agreed to provide information to your office “concerning matters related to the FBI’s Alfa Bank investigation, but otherwise declined to be interviewed by [your office] on matters related to his role in the Crossfire Hurricane investigation.”
• Kevin Clinesmith, declined to be interviewed by [your office] or cooperate with [your office’s] investigation.
• Glenn Simpson, of Fusion GPS declined to be interviewed.

1. Did you subpoena any of the individuals listed above?
1. If yes, please provide the date of the subpoena and the information sought.
2. If not, why not?
2. For each subpoena issued to a federal agency, name the agency, date of the subpoena and the information sought.
3. Did the Justice Department, or any of its components, impede any of your office’s investigative activities?
1. If yes, please provide a detailed description of those instances. 

4. Which FBI Counterintelligence personnel “refused to cooperate”?  Of those, which personnel eventually cooperated?

5. Please describe how each individual “refused to cooperate.”

Please provide the information no later than May 30, 2023.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Ron Johnson                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Charles E. Grassley

Ranking Member                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Ranking Member

Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations                                                                                                                                                                             Committee on the Budget

cc:        The Honorable Richard Blumenthal

            Chairman

            Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations

The Honorable Sheldon Whitehouse

Chairman

Committee on the Budget

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