Category: US Senate

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

Thursday | May 18, 2023

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) championed a resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month, which celebrates the many contributions of Jewish Americans to the United States. The resolution, which passed the Senate this week, also calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to condemn and combat any and all acts of antisemitism.

“Jewish Americans are a vibrant part of our nation’s history, and their extraordinary accomplishments have pushed America forward as a beacon of hope, faith, and freedom,” said Senator Tim Scott. “I am proud to stand with the Jewish community, especially as despicable antisemitism is on the rise. We must reaffirm our commitment to not only calling out this hate, but crushing it wherever it rears its ugly head.”

“Jewish Americans have made countless contributions to our nation’s history, culture, and heritage that should be celebrated,” said Senator Rosen. “At a time of rising antisemitism, this resolution calls upon all Americans to learn more about the contributions of Jewish Americans, from medicine and science to sports, public and military service, entertainment, and more. Together, we can ensure the United States remains a nation where Jewish Americans can proudly and safely express their faith and identity.”

“Jewish values, like Tikkun Olam or repairing the world, are an inherent part of what it means to be a Jew today,” said Senator Cardin. “This month is an opportunity to learn more about how Jewish Americans have been an important part of American society and celebrate the men and women who continue to contribute to our great nation. We also take time to examine the immense challenges facing modern Jewish Americans, and band with allies to eliminate hate and antisemitism wherever they appear.”

“I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and honoring the wonderful contributions of Jewish Americans to our great nation,” said Senator Rick Scott. “While it is important to set aside this time to honor the Jewish people, we must also commit to standing resolutely with them every day while shining a light on and condemning anti-Semitism of any kind. In Florida, we are blessed to be home to many vibrant Jewish communities and I will continue my work with leaders at the local, state and federal level to support them and their right to live safely and pursue their American Dream.”

“At a time when antisemitic attitudes and stereotypes continue to be normalized and amplified, Jewish American Heritage Month reminds us of the Jewish American story, fueled by faith, resilience, and hope,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. “Thank you Senators Jacky Rosen, Ben Cardin, Tim Scott, and Rick Scott, and Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Hakeem Jeffries, David Kustoff, and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing this bipartisan and bicameral resolution that celebrates the accomplishments of the American Jewish community, helps us build understanding and allyship, and pushes back on the dangerous rise of antisemitism.”

“May is Jewish American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the many contributions that American Jews have made to our nation,” said Julie Fishman Rayman, Senior Director of Policy and Political Affairs, American Jewish Committee. “The U.S. has many heritage months that celebrate the various communities that form the mosaic of our country; and by celebrating heritage months, we learn about one another, honor the richness of our diverse nation, and strengthen the fabric of American society. At a time of rising antisemitism and when an increasing number of American Jews feel unsafe, we applaud Senators Jacky Rosen, Tim Scott, Ben Cardin, and Rick Scott for leading this important resolution celebrating Jewish Americans and calling on us to work together to combat antisemitism.”

Joining Senators Tim Scott, Rosen, Cardin, and Rick Scott are Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Robert Casey Jr. (R-Pa.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo ((R-Idaho), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Angus King Jr. (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore).

Read the resolution in full here.

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Related Issues: 

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

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Source: United States Senator for California – Dianne Feinstein

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources advanced several bills that were priorities for her, including the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act:

“It’s wonderful news that the Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced several bills to benefit Californians, protect our state’s many spectacular open spaces and help us better prepare for wildfires.

“I’m particularly pleased that the committee advanced the Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, our bill to add more than 119,000 acres of the Rim of the Valley Corridor to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

“Despite being the largest county in the state by population, Los Angeles County is one of the most park-poor counties in the state. Our bill would help fix that by connecting more people to trails and open spaces in the mountains surrounding the Los Angeles Basin.

“I want to thank Chairman Manchin for including these bills and helping us move them to the floor where I hope they will receive a vote soon.”

In addition to Rim of the Valley Corridor Preservation Act, the committee advanced other bills that Senator Feinstein has cosponsored including the:

• Smith River National Recreation Area Act to expand the recreational area on the California-Oregon border by 58,000 acres, a move that would protect the diverse ecosystems of the rivers, streams and adjacent lands of the North Fork Smith River watershed and help boost the local fishing and recreation industries.
• Root and Stem Project Authorization Act to codify the authority of the secretaries of the Agriculture and Interior departments to conduct forest restoration projects alongside private landowners and companies.

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Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

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Source: United States Senator Mike Braun (Indiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Gary Peters to create an artificial intelligence (AI) training program for federal supervisors and management officials has advanced in the Senate. The training program would help improve the federal workforce’s understanding of AI applications, and ensure that leaders who oversee the use of these tools understand AI’s potential benefits and risks. The bill was advanced by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee where Peters serves as Chair, and now moves to the full Senate for consideration.  

“In the past couple of years, we have seen unprecedented development and adoption of AI across industries. We must ensure that government leaders are trained to keep up with the advancements in AI and recognize the benefits and risks of this tool,” said Senator Braun.  

“Artificial intelligence has the potential to make the federal government more efficient, but only if government leadership is properly trained to ensure this technology benefits the American people,” said Senator Peters. “My bipartisan legislation will ensure supervisors and management officials have the resources to make informed decisions regarding AI technology and its use in the federal government.”   

Use of artificial intelligence is widespread across government agencies, and the AI Leadership Training Act would provide guidance to federal leaders when making decisions regarding AI technology, and ensure the risks and rewards are properly weighed to best benefit agency missions and American communities. Organizations like the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) and the National AI Advisory Committee (NAIAC) have recommended additional AI training for federal workforce to ensure the appropriate use of these tools.    

This bipartisan legislation would require the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide and regularly update an AI training program for federal government supervisors and management officials. The training aims to help federal leaders understand the capabilities, risks, and ethical implications associated with AI, so they can better determine whether an AI capability is appropriate to meet their mission requirements. This legislation builds on a law written by Peters last Congress to require similar training for federal employees who are responsible for procuring AI technologies for federal agencies.  

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Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) joined a broad bipartisan coalition of 78 Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution designating the week of May 14 through 20, 2023 as National Police Week. The resolution honors the 444 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during 2022.

“Every day, our brave men and women in law enforcement work hard and put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe,” said Sen. Menendez. “With the increasing challenges faced by law enforcement, including officer recruitment and retention it is more important now than ever to honor these hardworking public service workers who tirelessly and fearlessly answer the call of duty every day in New Jersey and all across our nation.”

The bipartisan Senate resolution:

1. Expresses unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities;

1. Recognizes the need to ensure that law enforcement officers have the equipment, training, and resources that are necessary in order to protect the health and safety of the officers while they protect the public;
2. Recognizes the law enforcement community for continual unseen acts of sacrifice and heroism;
3. Acknowledges that police officers and other law enforcement personnel, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, should be remembered and honored;
4. Expresses condolences and solemn appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty; and
5. Encourages the people of the United States to observe National Police Week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of the essential mission that law enforcement personnel undertake in service to their communities and the United States.

Along with Sen. Menendez, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), John Kennedy (R-La.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Angus King (I-Maine), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Ben Lujan (D-N.M.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Eric Schmitt (R-Miss.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.).

Sen. Menendez has been a long-time supporter and advocate for our men and women in law enforcement. Earlier this month, he reintroduced the Homes for Every Local Protector Educator and Responder (HELPER) Act, which would create a first-time homebuyer loan program under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) for teachers and first responders who have served at least four years in their respective role. Last month, the Senator also introduced legislation that would help members of law enforcement access student loan relief by removing a burdensome provision in federal law that makes it harder to access PSLF benefits.

During the pandemic when state and local governments were making difficult budgetary decisions, Sen. Menendez fought tooth and nail to secure $350 billion in direct, flexible aid for every state, county, and municipal government, modeled after his SMART Act, to help cover the increased costs and lost revenues due COVID-19, while keeping essential public workers such as police officers and firefighters on the job and maintaining critical services for residents. Sen. Menendez has also long advocated for funding Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) programs, securing $512 million in the FY22 spending package for such programming in New Jersey and another $50 million in the FY23 spending bill for community violence intervention efforts in the state.

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Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC), today suggested to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough a number of simple fixes that could smooth the process for servicemembers transitioning to veteran status. In a hearing of the SVAC committee, Senator King pressed the Secretary about feedback he heard on the transition process at his recent Brunswick Foreign Legion conversation. During the exchange, Senator King suggested that transferring transitioning servicemembers’ information from the military to the VA should be an opt-out system instead of the current opt-in process to ensure that veterans are properly equipped with the information and resources they need for a successful transition into civilian life.

“That two- or three-year period after leaving active duty is a moment of danger. And so I wondered if you had some thoughts about somethings we might be able to do to make this a more effective process in order to protect our veterans,” Senator King said.

Secretary McDonough replied “Yes, I think your instinct is exactly correct, in my view. I’ve talked about this with SecDef. We’re looking at this a lot. I worry sometimes that we think the answer is to overload the transition. The TAP programs…”

“Yeah. Handing a veteran, a 300-page form is not the answer,” Senator King continued.

“Right. As you know, I’m not a vet, but I’ve signed out of jobs before, like, when I was leaving the White House, I signed a lot of different things, but I wasn’t going to go to any extra thing that I didn’t want to go to. So, what we think very strongly is we need to fit our programming and our opportunities into veterans’ lives through a customer experience journey rather than make them fit our stuff on our schedule, in our form,” the Secretary said. “So, we’re making good progress on this. And that may mean that we’re talking to veterans outside the Tap program, and we’re using the program, using that time, as you say, in that year to three years after they’ve transitioned to establish a connection with them.”

Senator King concluded, “Well, one suggestion that I’ve been looking at is right now, an active duty service member has to opt in to have their data conveyed to the veterans service officer in the state. If we made that an opt out, it would probably increase the amount of contact. My vision is, frankly, someone meeting the veteran at the airport. Saying, “welcome home. Here are some resources. Here’s my number, here’s the VA number.” But we have to be able to contact the veteran. Now, if they don’t want to be contacted, that’s fine. But we’ve got this cadre of VSOs and people out there that are very willing to help, but we’ve got to make that connection easier.”

As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator King works to oversee the VA and ensuring the proper implementation of various programs, such as the PACT Act and the John Scott Hannon Act. Senator King hopes to help improve the bureau’s capacity by investing in its workforce, facilities, and other modernization efforts.

Last year, Senator King conducted nine interviews with Maine veterans as part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project, an effort by the Library to collect, preserve and distribute the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war. You can find or watch all nine of Senator King’s interviews HERE. 

Senator King is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and has repeatedly pressed for action from top DoD officials on the issue of servicemember suicide. Additionally, he recently spearheaded the passage of legislation to better track and study servicemember suicides by job assignment. Senator King has also worked to properly honor and recognize the sacrifices of Purple Heart medal recipients, protect veterans from fraud, and expand veteran assisted living services.

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Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

Senator Rosen: “Failure to fill these positions poses a risk to our nation’s military readiness and our ability to ensure that these critical roles are filled with the personnel we need.”

Watch Senator Rosen’s Speech HERE.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) pushed to end an extreme Republican blockade of military promotions, including a senior military leader at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Since March, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has blocked the routine promotions for nearly 200 military officers, including the Vice Commander of the Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base, because of his objections to a policy from the Department of Defense that allows servicemembers to be able to travel to seek reproductive and abortion care. In her remarks, Senator Rosen, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, explained how this anti-choice blockade is leaving senior military positions unfilled and poses a serious risk to America’s national security and military readiness.

Senator Rosen has been a leader in the fight to protect women’s access to reproductive health care. Last month, in a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Rosen called on her colleagues to protect access to abortion care for veterans and their eligible dependents. Rosen also helped introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine Roe v. Wade in federal law and protect millions of women’s access to reproductive health care. Most recently, she helped introduce the Protecting Service Members and Military Families’ Access To Health Care Act, which would codify the Department of Defense policy to ensure servicemembers and their families can access reproductive health care, including abortion services, regardless of the state in which they are stationed.   

Watch Senator Rosen’s full remarks here.

Below are Senator Rosen’s floor remarks as delivered:

I want to express how deeply concerned I am about the senior Senator from Alabama’s blockade of senior military promotions, which threatens to leave hundreds of non-political, routine military positions unfilled all because he wants to repeal the Department of Defense’s policy that allows servicemembers to be able to travel to seek and travel for reproductive care.

This is a move that risks our national security in order to rob our service members of their ability to make their own family-planning decisions – service members who, frankly, are sacrificing so much to keep our country safe.

And so, failure to fill these positions poses a risk to our nation’s military readiness and our ability to ensure that these critical roles are filled with the personnel that we need. 

And don’t just take my word for it – seven former Secretaries of Defense, from both Democratic and Republican Administrations, have voiced their concern and opposition to these holds. Secretary Austin and General Milley have also repeatedly stated that these delays pose a clear risk – a clear risk –  to America’s military readiness. 

In a moment, I’ll be asking the Senate to confirm by Unanimous Consent calendar number 110. Included in this batch of 23 routine military promotions is the current Vice Commander of the Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base. 

This is the home of our Air Force fighter pilots right in Nevada – where America’s air combat tactics are developed, where they’re refined, and where they are perfected to ensure we keep pace with the current and emerging threats.

Training and instruction takes place right at the Nevada Test and Training Range, which provides the largest air and ground military training space in the continental United States for testing and evaluation of weapons systems and advanced air combat training.

Because of one Senator’s anti-choice blockade, the Vice Commander of the Air Force Warfare Center in my great state of Nevada, which oversees more than thirteen thousand military and civilian personnel, is unable to receive the promotion and the pay increase he deserves. He’s unable to transition to his next duty assignment, and his replacement is unable to assume their duties and move their family to Las Vegas.

This hurts military families. This hurts Nevada. This hurts the United States of America. 

And we will also experience several high-ranking vacancies that are going to be left open because of this senseless blockade, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the top leaders of the Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, and even the Commander of U.S. Cyber Command.

You know, we have a responsibility to keep our nation safe – to protect our homeland and our troops all around the world. 

And that begins by making sure we have the appropriate professionals in top positions to lead our service members. Nothing – I repeat nothing – could be more important than that.

So, I  strongly urge my colleagues to stop playing politics. I strongly urge them to end this anti-choice blockade so that we can fill critical military positions, like those in my home state of Nevada and around the world. 

We cannot waste any more time.

So, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Calendar Number 110, that the Senate vote on the nomination, without intervening action or debate; that if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that any statements related to the nomination be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate’s action.

Thank you. 

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Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

Rosen Recognized LVMPD Officer Truong Thai Who Was Killed In The Line Of Duty Last Year, And Added Names of Fallen Nevada Law Enforcement Officers To The Congressional Record

Watch Senator Rosen’s Speech HERE.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, during National Police Week, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to recognize and honor law enforcement officers in Nevada and across the nation, particularly officers who died in the line of duty. Senator Rosen specifically recognized Las Vegas Metro Police Department Officer Truong Thai, who was killed in October while responding to a domestic disturbance call. Following her remarks, Senator Rosen submitted into the Congressional Record the names of Nevada law enforcement officers who recently passed.

Senator Rosen continues working to support Nevada’s law enforcement in their efforts to keep communities safe. Senator Rosen recently co-sponsored the bipartisan Recruit and Retain Act, which would help law enforcement agencies’ efforts to hire and retain more police amid the national police officer staffing shortage affecting Nevada. As part of the government funding legislation last year, Senator Rosen also secured millions in funding for police departments across Nevada. Earlier this year, she also announced federal funding opportunities for local police departments to hire more officers and incentivize community policing efforts.

Watch Senator Rosen’s full remarks here.

Below are Senator Rosen’s floor remarks as delivered:

Madam President, this week marks National Police Week, a time to recognize and honor the courageous work of the men and women who keep our communities safe.

These heroes, you know, these heroes, they put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and I want to give special thanks to the law enforcement officers across Nevada who serve every day with honor and integrity.

And I want Nevada police officers to know: I have your back, we have your back Madam President, presiding officer [and] my senior Senator from Nevada, we have your back.

That means working to see that our law enforcement officers have access to resources, training, and recruitment support – the kinds of things they need to do their jobs safely.

And we should also honor the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty protecting our communities.

These men and women, well they were heroes, they left behind families, friends, colleagues, and the communities they served and helped to protect. 

Men and women like Las Vegas Metro Police Department Officer   was tragically shot and killed this past October while responding to a domestic disturbance call. 

Officer Thai, who came to this country as a child from Vietnam. He was a pillar of our community. He was deeply devoted to his family. 

He was an experienced patrol officer who trained new recruits over the course of his career. And Officer Thai has been described as a mentor to his colleagues, one who said he, “did the job for all the right reasons.” 

Officer Thai was also a friend to so many, a consummate family man and when he wasn’t directly serving the community in uniform, he was often coaching volleyball or out on the water, boating with his family and friends. 

[And] Seven months since he was murdered, Officer Thai continues to be missed by his loved ones and the entire Las Vegas community and no one will forget him and his service and his kindness.

And unfortunately, Officer Thai is not the only one. Far too many officers – far too many officers – have been killed in the line of duty.

So, today, I am also thinking of these fallen officers and all those who died in the line of duty in Nevada. 

So, Madam President, to honor their lives and bravery, I ask Unanimous Consent to submit a list of names of Nevada police officers who recently passed away and whose names have been added to the Nevada Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial for printing in the Congressional record.

These officers – these brave officers – made the ultimate sacrifice for our communities, and they deserve our eternal gratitude. 

I will continue to work with my colleagues here in the Senate on solutions that support our police departments, the officers who serve, and always their families.

Thank you.

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Source: United States Senator for South Dakota John Thune

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) today led a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in introducing the Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act, legislation to protect American food products from unfair trade practices by foreign countries.
“By exploiting valid geographical indication protections, global competitors have for decades tried to limit competition, block imports, and restrict American-made products from being able to use common food and beverage names,” said Thune. “I’m proud to lead this effort in the Senate to help level the playing field for U.S. producers by ensuring they can use common food names and preserve and expand foreign market access for their products.”  
“Requiring U.S. producers to change the names of their food is confusing for consumers and costly to producers and manufacturers,” said Johnson. “The SAVE Act ensures American producers retain vital access to foreign markets in a time that may be more critical than ever.”
“South Dakota Dairy Producers applauds Senator Thune and Representative Johnson for bringing forward the Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act, along with the National Milk Producers Federation for raising the issue to the forefront,” said Marv Post, Chair of the South Dakota Dairy Producers. “Roughly 1 in 6 tankers of U.S. Milk is exported, which shows the importance of fair treatment in a global market. Unfair trade practices imposed by U.S. trading competition has falsely protected common names, especially for cheese varieties, and U.S. dairy farmers are at a competitive disadvantage. This bill takes a big step forward to combat the abuse of common names so that U.S. dairy exports have a level playing field and access to all key international markets.”
“When the right to use common cheese names is stripped by foreign governments, the harm ripples throughout the entire dairy supply chain,” explained Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of National Milk Producers Federation. “The dairy producer community thanks Senators Thune and Baldwin and Representatives Johnson, Costa, Fischbach and Panetta for their introduction of the bipartisan SAVE Act today. This legislation will raise the ambition of the U.S. government to preserve the rights of U.S. dairy producers to continue using cheese names long established as generic. We look forward to continuing to work with USDA, USTR and our allies in American agriculture to ensure that U.S. dairy farmers and cooperatives can compete on a level playing field around the world.”
Common food and drink names such as parmesan, chateau, and bologna are used around the world to describe products to consumers. However, due to geographic indication to European locations, the European Union has begun using economic and political influence to implement unfair trade practices under the guise of protecting geographic indicators. These unfair trade practices have the potential to block United States agricultural products from being sold in international markets.
The SAVE Act would amend the Agriculture Trade Act of 1978 to include and define a list of common names for ag commodities, food products, and terms used in marketing and packaging of products. The bill would also direct the secretary of agriculture and the U.S. trade representative to negotiate with our foreign trading partners to defend the right to use common names for ag commodities in those same foreign markets.
In addition to Thune and Johnson, the SAVE Act is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).