Category: US Senate

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Cassidy Announces $25.4 Million in Hurricanes Laura, Ida Relief

Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

05.18.23

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) announced that Louisiana will receive a total of $25,442,268.26 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in relief for Hurricanes Laura and Ida.

“South Louisiana has experienced more than its fair share of storms over the past few years, and yet communities remain strong,” said Dr. Cassidy. “This federal funding will help the rebuilding efforts and allow residents prepare for the next storm.”

Grant Awarded

Recipient

Project Description

$12,819,965.73

Calcasieu Parish School Board 

This grant will provide federal funding for repairs to 30 facilities on the Barbe High School campus as a result of Hurricane Laura.

$1,076,930.50

Jefferson Parish

This grant will provide federal funding for emergency protective measures as a result of Hurricane Ida.

$11,545,372.03

Terrebonne Parish

This grant will provide federal funding for system wide electrical line repair as a result of Hurricane Ida.

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Senate Intelligence Committee Leaders Host Public-Private Roundtable on Small Modular Reactors

Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

WASHINGTON – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) released the below statement after convening an unclassified roundtable discussion on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) with senators, civil nuclear industry and national security officials:

“As global electricity demand continues to grow at exponential rates, the world needs safe, resilient, secure, and affordable sources of power. Nuclear energy, including Small Modular Reactors, will be a critical component of meeting this demand. A recent Department of Energy report found that the U.S. alone will need 200 GW of new nuclear power by 2050 – creating a global market that could be worth $250 to 400 billion by 2040, while spurring U.S. jobs. 

“China and Russia have recognized the potential of nuclear power and are investing heavily in their advanced reactors, while attempting to secure nuclear contracts all over the world.  The United States must not let our adversaries monopolize the growing civil nuclear industry, set the safety standards around nuclear power, dominate the supply chains for such a critical source of energy, and/or attempt to use advanced reactor contracts to exert undue geopolitical and economic leverage. 

“We were pleased to co-host this bipartisan roundtable alongside Senators Manchin, Barasso, and Capito, amongst others, bringing together CEOs across the civil nuclear industry and national security officials from the U.S. government to discuss how the United States, alongside our allies, can outcompete our adversaries in deploying the next generation of civil nuclear power at home and abroad, and ensure that our own critical domestic facilities and capabilities are supported by secure, continuous, and clean power.  We look forward to continuing this work with all relevant stakeholders.”

Sen. Warner has a long history of supporting clean energy technologies critical to our national security. He is a co-sponsor of the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act of 2023, which would enhance United States civil nuclear leadership, support the licensing of advanced nuclear technologies, strengthen the domestic nuclear energy fuel cycle and supply chain, and improve the regulation of nuclear energy, and the Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023, which takes substantial steps toward onshoring nuclear fuel production. 

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Lawmakers Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Test Portable Benefits

Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) joined by U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01) today introduced legislation to test innovative portable benefits designs for the growing independent workforce. The Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act seeks to provide workers with access to insurance protections typically provided through traditional full-time employment. This legislation would establish a $20 million grant fund within the U.S. Department of Labor to incentivize states, localities and nonprofit organizations to experiment with portable benefits models.

“Each year more and more Americans engage in part-time, contract or other alternative work arrangements to support themselves and their families. But despite these shifts, our retirement and savings programs aren’t keeping up to help these workers,” said Sen. Warner. “This program will encourage experimentation at the state and local levels to support the realities of a 21st century workforce.”

“Job opportunities in the gig economy provide workers with utmost flexibility,” said Sen. Young. “Supporting portable benefit options helps uncover creative solutions to addressing the needs of our rapidly changing workforce. I am pleased to reintroduce this bill to make it easier for Hoosiers find the job opportunity that best suits their family situation.”

“The way we work is rapidly evolving, and it is time our laws caught up. Today, millions of workers lack access to benefits like workers’ compensation and paid time off. We must act to ensure our economy works for everyone,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene. “This legislation is an important step toward ensuring benefits are accessible to all workers, regardless of their work arrangement. Whether you are a rideshare driver or an online artisan, you should have the same benefits opportunities as other workers.” 

The legislation is co-sponsored in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Angus King (I-ME), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and John Hoeven (R-ND). 

“Independent workers make up a growing percentage of our workforce, yet they are often not eligible for many benefits typically offered by employers. North Dakotans in non-traditional work arrangements deserve access to the same benefits as the rest of the working public,” said Sen. Cramer. “These pilot programs encourage state and local governments to provide portable benefits and give independent contractors additional financial stability.”

“Information technology, analytics and the ‘gig’ economy are changing the complexion of the 21st century economy, so it’s vital that our federal policies evolve to stay in step with the reality faced by everyday workers,” said Sen. King. “Today, more and more Americans work as independent contractors, or are more regularly switching jobs to address new opportunities in the workforce – and they should have flexible benefit options for them and their families. This bipartisan bill would lay the groundwork for more portable benefits so we can effectively support independent workers as they help change and expand the modern economy.”

“As we experience a workforce shortage across the nation, offering more flexible benefits and support will help make it easier for workers across the country and in North Dakota to find the right job opportunity for them and their families,” said Sen. Hoeven.

In the past decade, the composition of the U.S. workforce has changed significantly, and those who earn all or some of their income as independent contractors, part-time workers, temporary workers or contingent workers have found it difficult and expensive to access benefits and protections that are commonly provided to full-time employees. These benefits include paid leave, workers’ compensation, skills training, unemployment insurance, tax withholding and tax-advantaged retirement savings. As the workforce changes, employers and policymakers need to consider a system that allows workers to carry these benefits with them from job to job across a lifetime in the workforce.

The Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act would establish a portable benefits pilot program at the U.S. Department of Labor. It authorizes a total of $20 million for competitive grants to states, local governments and nonprofits for pilot projects to design, implement and evaluate new models ($15 million) or assess and improve existing models ($5 million) for portable benefits for independent workers such as contractors, temporary workers and self-employed workers.

Eligible models will provide a number of work-related benefits and protections – such as retirement savings, workers compensation, life or disability insurance, sick leave, training and educational benefits, health care, and more. In order to encourage innovative thinking on these challenging issues, programs focused solely on retirement-related benefits will not be eligible. In awarding grants, the Secretary of Labor is directed to prioritize models that can be replicated on a large scale or at the national level.

Sen. Warner and Rep. DelBene originally introduced this legislation in 2017, and have continued to lead the push for policy solutions to address shifts across our economy that have changed the workforce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Warner doubled down on efforts to include expanded benefits eligibility in relief packages.

“Grantmakers in the Arts sees firsthand the negative impact on independent workers that their lack of access to workplace benefits has on their health, their stability, their families,” said Eddie Torres, President and CEO, Grantmakers in the Arts. “We see these negative impacts because so many artists are independent workers. Health insurance, disability insurance, retirement savings, and other benefits provide essential protections for traditional workers that independent workers simply do without. With the number of independent workers growing, the introduction of the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act comes at a crucial time. The bill will begin to lay the policy foundation to make workplace benefits available to independent workers, including artists. Grantmakers in the Arts strongly supports this legislation, and stands ready to work with Senators Warner and Young and Representative DelBene to have it signed into law this Congress.”

“The Association of Language Companies applauds Senator Warner and his colleagues for introducing the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act,” said Susan Amarino, President, Association of Language Companies. “The language industry works in every industry in the US. We support national security, economic growth, and the provision of vital language access to health care, education, and social services. The translators, interpreters, captioners, and other skilled language professionals deserve the ability to choose independent contractor status and receive the benefits necessary to take care of their families and plan for their futures. The pilot program for portable benefits would go a long way toward supporting the 21st-century knowledge-based workforce.”

A copy of the bill text is available here.

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NH Delegation Sends Letter to VA Secretary McDonough Calling for Expanded Access to Benefits for Veterans Who Served in Kosovo

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

May 18, 2023

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, along with Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined the Vermont congressional delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Denis R. McDonough, urging the VA to use its expanded authority under the historic PACT Act to extend benefits to veterans stationed in Kosovo from 1999 onwards that were exposed to toxic trash burning. Senator Hassan helped develop and pass into law the PACT Act, which fundamentally reforms and improves how veterans exposed to toxic substances receive health care and benefits from the VA. 

“Ensuring our service members, no matter the mission, have access to the care and information they need to inform their health decisions is paramount. That’s why I was proud to support the PACT Act, which expanded health care for veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances,” said Senator Shaheen. “The PACT Act was a historic step forward to deliver the answers and provide access to care that our veterans need, but we must ensure those actions are as inclusive as possible and is why I’m calling for the VA to expand the authority granted in the PACT Act to include those who served in Kosovo. The Granite State has proudly deployed members of the New Hampshire National Guard to support the NATO Mission in Kosovo (KFOR), and for their service, they are owed the same access to information to guide their care as others who have similarly served.”

“Many veterans who served in Kosovo, including members of the New Hampshire National Guard, are at risk of serious illness due to toxic chemical exposure during their deployment,” said Senator Hassan. “The bipartisan PACT Act that my colleagues and I developed and passed into law took important steps to get health care to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, and it is crucial that veterans who were exposed to burn pits in additional parts of the world can get the health care that they need as well. We must continue to provide high-quality care to veterans who have made tremendous sacrifices to keep the rest of us safe, secure, and free.”

“The brave men and women who were exposed to toxic chemicals while serving our country in uniform deserve access to the health care and benefits they have earned,” said Representative Kuster. “I was proud to help pass the PACT Act to live up to our promise to our nation’s service members, but the list of veterans protected by that legislation was not exhaustive. We must add our veterans who served in Kosovo to the presumption of exposure so they can access the care they need.”

“The Honoring Our PACT Act was a landmark piece of bipartisan legislation that helped expand health care to three million toxic-exposed veterans,” said Representative Pappas. “The legislation, at last, codifies into law what veterans have known for decades: toxic exposure is a cost of war. It also granted VA the authority to establish new presumptions of exposure for veterans depending on where and when they serve. That is why I am urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that those who served in Kosovo are granted the same presumption of exposure as veterans who served in Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan. These servicemembers bravely opposed a brutal dictator and put an end to horrific ethnic cleansing, saving countless lives. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service, and that includes ensuring they get the care and support they have earned for being exposed to toxic substances while standing against extremism and defending America’s values abroad.”

The Honoring Our PACT Act expanded VA health care and benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits, toxic chemicals and other hazards during service. The bill also granted the VA flexibility to add more locations to the list of deployment sites for which veterans are not required to prove they were exposed to hazards such as burn pits. The lawmakers’ letter urges the Department to add a presumption of coverage for exposure to burn bits and other airborne hazards for veterans who served in Kosovo from 1999 onwards and, in so doing, expedite and facilitate their access to essential VA benefits.

Also signing the letter were members of the Vermont delegation: U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) and Representative Becca Balint (VT-01).

Full text of the letter is available here.

Senator Shaheen serves as a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Co-Chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group and Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation. Through her role on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Shaheen has long championed and supported measures to help veterans who’ve been exposed to toxic or hazardous materials. In the fiscal year (FY) 2020 defense bill that was signed into law, Shaheen supported a provision addressing the health evaluations of service members who have been exposed to open burn pits or toxic airborne chemicals. Open burn bits were used extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan. In the FY2021 NDAA that became law, Shaheen also supported an amendment offered by Senator Tester (D-MT) that would require the VA to provide benefits for veterans suffering from four diseases associated with exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

The Senate NATO Observer Group, re-established by Senators Shaheen and Thom Tillis in 2018, has an expanded mission to closely monitor and inform Senators outside of national security committees about defense spending commitments of Alliance members, the process of upgrading military capabilities, the Alliance’s counter-terrorism capabilities, NATO enlargement and the ability of NATO member states to address unconventional warfare threats. Shaheen led a bipartisan congressional delegation visit to Kosovo last year, as well as other nations in the Western Balkans, to address a number of issues including Putin’s further invasion of Ukraine, democratic reforms and much more. She has long supported the Kosovo Force (KFOR) mission deployed in the Balkans, which has included deployments from the New Hampshire Army National Guard, to maintain peace and stability in the region. 

Senator Hassan is leading bipartisan efforts to strengthen support for veterans. For more than a year, Senator Hassan and fellow members of the Senate and House veterans committees worked together with the VA and Veterans Service Organizations to pass into law the PACT Act. The President also previously signed into law Senator Hassan’s bipartisan Hire Veteran Health Heroes Act of 2021, which she introduced with Republican Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), to direct the VA to create a program to recruit military medical personnel who have less than one year left in their service to work at the VA. President Biden also signed into law bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Hassan to strengthen the Solid Start program, through which VA employees contact every veteran three times by phone in the first year after veterans leave active duty service to check in and help connect these new veterans to VA programs and benefits. Additionally, the year-end government funding bill that was signed into law in December 2022 included Senator Hassan’s bipartisan legislation that directs the VA to designate one week per year as “Buddy Check Week” to organize outreach events and educate veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks.

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Shaheen & Moran, Chair & Ranking Member of Senate Subcommittee that Funds NASA, Welcome Artemis II Astronauts to Washington

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

May 18, 2023

Left to right: Shaheen and Moran meeting the Artemis II astronauts along with NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Canadian Space Agency President Lisa Campbell; Shaheen delivering remarks.

(Washington, DC) — U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, welcomed the Artemis II astronauts, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Administrator Bill Nelson and Canadian Space Agency President Lisa Campbell to Washington this week and gave brief statements on the importance of investing in the U.S. space program. The Artemis II astronauts will lead the next mission to the Moon, as well as other missions to enhance U.S. leadership in space exploration.

“As the Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA, it is an honor to host the Artemis II astronauts this week,” said Senator Shaheen. “I believe that setting and achieving ambitious targets as we return to the Moon and prepare to send humans to Mars is critical. We cannot take our continued U.S. leadership in space for granted when our global competitors, including China, are investing heavily in scientific and technological innovation. Ranking Member Moran and I have, on a bipartisan basis, fought to ensure that NASA has the resources to keep the Artemis missions on track. These missions demonstrate continued American leadership in the final frontier and inspire the next generation of STEM leaders to look up and dream big.”

“The Artemis II crew represents the next step in cementing America’s leadership in space exploration, while inspiring the next generation of astronauts, engineers, and scientists,” said Senator Moran. “This week, Sen. Shaheen and I had the honor of welcoming the crew, the NASA Administrator and leadership from the Canadian Space Agency to the United States Senate. The Artemis missions will further scientific discovery, create new economic benefits and deepen our alliances across the globe.”

Artemis II will be the first crewed flight test of the Orion spacecraft launching on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.  The mission is currently scheduled for no earlier than November 2024.  Artemis II will orbit around the Moon for 10 days, confirming all the spacecraft’s systems operate as designed with crew aboard in the actual environment of deep space in order to pave the way for future lunar surface missions, including Artemis III in late 2025.

As Chair of the powerful Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, Shaheen writes the funding legislation that delivers resources to key federal programs and agencies, including NASA. In the fiscal year 2023 government funding law, Shaheen helped secure $25.4 billion for NASA. This funding supports critical programs ranging from climate research to space missions. In addition, within the $8 billion Shaheen secured for NASA Science, $805 million is for NASA Heliophysics, an increase of $27 million above the FY 2022 level. The University of New Hampshire is a leading heliophysics research institution, with instruments on 12 of 18 operating heliophysics missions.

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Ahead of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on the Western Balkans, Shaheen & Wicker Renew Bipartisan Effort on Legislation to Enhance U.S. Policy toward the Region

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

May 18, 2023

**Shaheen serves as the Chair of the SFRC Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Chair of the SFRC Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, renewed her bipartisan push with Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to promote cooperation with the Western Balkans region by reintroducing their legislation, the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act. Shaheen and Wicker’s bill would support democratic stability and economic development in the region through initiatives on infrastructure, trade and anti-corruption, including codification of sanctions to deter actors from pursuing destabilizing activity. The bill also seeks to enhance U.S.-Balkan cooperation on cyber security and cyber resilience following malign efforts by Iran and Russia to target countries in the region.  

Shaheen and Wicker re-introduced their legislation ahead of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Western Balkans later this morning, which can be streamed here at 10:30AM.  

Senator Wicker (R-MS) co-leads this bipartisan legislation with Shaheen, along with original co-sponsorship from Senators Cardin (D-MD), Durbin (D-IL) and Van Hollen (D-MD).  

“Maintaining peace and strengthening democracy in the Balkans is critical to European security and stability, especially as Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine rages on. My bipartisan legislation will strengthen trade and investments between the U.S. and Western Balkans, root out corruption, codify sanctions against destabilizing actors and send a strong bipartisan signal that the United States is committed to our partners in the region,” said Senator Shaheen. “Last year, I visited the Western Balkans and met countless people committed to building a strong democratic state for future generations. Together, we can work to strengthen democratic institutions and build a more peaceful, stable region to combat Putin’s malign influence.” 

“The Balkans are home to a diverse and vibrant cultural heritage, and their geopolitical significance continues to grow,” said Senator Wicker. “Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine underscores the importance of our Balkan partnerships. Passing this bill would serve as a clear, bipartisan statement of the United States’ commitment to bolster our diplomatic partnerships in the region.” 

“This important and bipartisan bill, calling for a strategic approach to U.S. policy toward the still-volatile region of the Western Balkans, will move us in the right direction,” said Senator Cardin. “Our legislation will advance regional stability and anti-corruption efforts by establishing programs that encourage inclusive economic development, national anti-corruption strategy, and hold accountable those who threaten peace in the Western Balkans. We must continue to support our democratic partners and allies.” 

“As Putin’s unprovoked war in Ukraine continues, we must not forget the hard-won peace in the Balkans, which suffered terrible violence after the breakup of Yugoslavia,” said Senator Durbin. “The United States and our allies contributed greatly to ending that horrific conflict, and this legislation reaffirms our commitment to seeing a stable future for the region—one squarely rooted in the West.”  

“As Putin continues to wage his brutal war against Ukraine, our global alliances remain strong in defense of human rights and self-determination. Strengthening our relations with the Western Balkans will enable us to keep building on these vital diplomatic efforts and spur greater cooperation between our nations,” said Senator Van Hollen. “This legislation will help us work with our partners to promote valuable economic opportunities, tackle corruption, and bolster cyber resilience to continue working towards increased democracy and stability in the region.”

Specifically, the Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act:  

  • Establishes a regional trade and economic competitiveness initiative, which would support democratic resilience, economic development and prosperity in the region.  
  • Establishes an anti-corruption initiative that directs the Secretary of State to provide technical assistance for each country in the Western Balkans to develop a national anti-corruption strategy.   
  • Codifies two U.S. executive orders that would grant authority for sanctions against those who threaten peace and stability in the Western Balkans and are engaged in corrupt behavior.   
  • Boosts university partnerships and youth initiatives, encourages Peace Corps engagement in the region and requires the Development Finance Corporation to open a previously announced office in the region. 
  • Recognizes the key role of cyber security in protecting critical infrastructure and countering malign activities by adversaries including Russia and Iran. 

Full text of the bill is available here.  

Shaheen is a leader in the Senate on U.S. policy toward the Balkans. Last year, Shaheen led a bipartisan congressional delegation with Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) to the Balkans to convey continued U.S. support for its allies following the Russian invasion against Ukraine and the implications for European security in the region. During their visit, the Senators met with members of the respective countries’ governments, members of civil society and members of the press to address numerous issues, including support for the region amid Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, anti-corruption efforts, democratic reforms, youth engagement, safeguarding freedom of the press and more. Shaheen has led action in the U.S. Senate in support of Ukraine in response to Vladimir Putin’s belligerence, which also threatens the stability and security of Europe and NATO allies. She has led two bipartisan delegations to Ukraine and participated in a congressional delegation visit to Poland last year. Shaheen is a co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, which she helped re-establish with Senator Tillis in 2018. She and Tillis participated in NATO Summits in Brussels and Madrid. 

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NEWS: As Republicans Demand Major Cuts to Hurt Working Americans, 11 Senate Democrats Urge President Biden to Prepare to Invoke the 14th Amendment to Avoid Default

Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

WASHINGTON, May 18 – As Congressional Republicans demand major cuts that would cause incalculable damage to the lives of working Americans, 11 Senate Democrats sent a letter on Thursday to President Joe Biden urging his administration to prepare to invoke the 14th Amendment to avoid a catastrophic debt default. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led the letter and were joined by their colleagues Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)

“Republicans’ unwillingness to consider one penny in new revenue from the wealthy and large corporations, along with their diminishment of the disastrous consequences of default have made it seemingly impossible to enact a bipartisan budget deal at this time,” the senators wrote. “We write to urgently request that you prepare to exercise your authority under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which clearly states: ‘the validity of the public debt of the United States…shall not be questioned.’”

To read the letter, see here.

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As Debt Talks Continue, Lankford Releases Waste Book on Ways to Cut Federal Spending

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

05.18.23

Watch the release on YouTube HERE, on Rumble HERE, or download it HERE

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released Volume 7 of his federal waste book, Federal Fumbles: Ways the Federal Government Dropped the Ball. As President Biden and Democrats continue to say there is no path for spending cuts to go along with a deal on raising the debt limit, Lankford has outlined in the report waste and inefficiencies in the federal government and offers solutions and recommendations for long-term changes that need to begin immediately.

CLICK HERE to read the report.

“Federal Fumbles: Ways the Federal Government Dropped the Ball is a glimpse at just some of the wasteful spending in the federal government. No one can seriously believe that there is no place in the federal budget to reduce spending. We should prioritize our spending to address areas we can cut in order to pay for important programs for veterans, seniors, children, national security, and more. We can eliminate wasteful, ineffective, or duplicative spending while still caring for the most vulnerable. Federal Fumbles is my starting point to stop complaining and start working on bringing down the national debt.”

CLICK HERE to view the Top 10 list or visit www.lankford.senate.gov/fumbles to read Volumes 1-7.

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Hoeven Outlines Southern Border Crisis, Presses Biden Administration to Strictly Enforce the Law

Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

05.18.23

WASHINGTON – During remarks delivered on the floor of the U.S. Senate this week, Senator John Hoeven outlined his recent visit to Brownsville, Texas, where he traveled to bring attention to the illegal immigration crisis on the nation’s southern border. The senator called on the Biden administration to secure the border and enforce the law, both to strengthen national security and to stem the flow of drug and human trafficking. 

“I’ve traveled repeatedly to the southern border, and each time I go, I see more and more people coming here illegally,” said Hoeven. “This is truly a crisis and one that has been caused by the Biden administration’s unwillingness to fully enforce the law and reinstate policies that have been shown very clearly to work. In Brownsville we saw this crisis firsthand, and we met with border patrol professionals, who told us what needs to happen to stop the flow of illegal immigration. We can get a handle on this crisis right now if the Biden administration would simply enforce the law. We know this from our border patrol professionals, the experts on the front line. 

“The Biden administration is creating a demand pull for these individuals, because they not only allow them to cross illegally, but they allow them to stay in the country illegally, while providing a work permit and benefits… We’ve got to enforce our border, and that’s not being done. Every American needs to understand that the Biden administration doesn’t need more laws or tools to secure the border. They have the tools and law to do it, they just won’t. They want an open border… It’s way past time to end the border crisis that the Biden administration has created. Border security is national security.”

In particular, Hoeven pressed for President Biden to: 

  • Reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) or Remain in Mexico Policy, which required people seeking asylum at the southern border to wait in Mexico while their case was adjudicated.
  • Strictly Enforce the Safe Third Country Agreements requiring that those coming from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala seek asylum there first, otherwise be returned to await the outcome of their claims. 

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Rounds, Schatz Introduce Legislation to Protect Education Benefits for Veterans

Source: United States Senator for South Dakota Mike Rounds

05.18.23

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) reintroduced the Student Veterans Transparency and Protection Act. This bipartisan legislation would improve veterans’ access to information about higher education and allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to restore benefits that veterans use at schools subject to civil enforcement.

“Our veterans and service members deserve full access to the educational benefits they have earned,” said Rounds. “This bipartisan legislation would give the VA authority to reinstate veterans’ benefits taken by predatory institutions now subject to civil enforcement. It would also improve the GI Bill Comparison Tool to better inform eligible individuals in South Dakota, and nationwide, about their educational benefits and opportunities. Through timely data publication, this tool will help veterans and service members steer clear of predatory institutions and select the best programs available.”

“The G.I. Bill benefit has helped open the doors to higher education for many veterans who otherwise would not be able to access it,” said Schatz. “But bad actors in the education community have taken advantage of those who have served, robbing them of the full value of their education benefits. Our bill will ensure that veterans who have been deceived are able to recoup their benefits. It will also help veterans learn more about different schools and their benefits so that they have the information they need to find the right program.”

In addition to providing the VA the ability to reinstate benefits used at schools, the bill requires the VA to provide veterans with financial and student outcome information for all eligible institutions through its G.I. Bill Comparison Tool. It also requires all VA education counselors to be trained in using this tool to help beneficiaries so veterans can make informed choices about where to use their education benefits.

The bill is supported by Student Veterans of America, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, Gold Star Wives, Military Officers Association of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, Disabled American Veterans, The Institute for College Access & Success, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, National Association for College Admission Counseling, Wounded Warrior Project, the American Legion and Higher Learning Advocates.

Rounds and Schatz also introduced this legislation in the 117th Congress.

Click HERE for full bill text.

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