Category: US Senate

Source: United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss)

HYDE-SMITH ENCOURAGES SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN 2023 POLICE WEEK MESSAGE
 
Miss. Senator Pays Tribute to Nine Fallen Miss. Officers Honored this Year

VIDEO:  Senator Hyde-Smith Honors Fallen Officers from Mississippi.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the 2023 National Police Week underway, U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today encouraged policymakers and the public to “put words into action” in terms of supporting law enforcement.

Hyde-Smith made the request in a Congressional Record statement honoring the nine fallen law enforcement officers who will be recognized as part of this year’s National Police Week activities.  

“My state of Mississippi is blessed with amazing law enforcement.  These men and women in blue are not only hometown heroes, but also are an integral part of our communities.  Every loss of an officer is deeply felt by all,” Hyde-Smith said.

“To honor their memory, we must put our words into actions by ensuring our officers have the resources and tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.  It’s critical they have adequate support for training, equipment, and technology, as well as policies that prioritize officer safety and well-being,” the Senator added.  “For my part, I will continue to be an advocate for law enforcement professionals and provide support where possible, and do all I can to honor the legacy of those lost in the line of duty.”

The nine officers from Mississippi, whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., include Bay St. Louis Police Dept. Sgt. Steven Michael Robin and Officer Branden Paul Estorffe;  Brookhaven Police Dept. Lt. Marzell Jerome Brooks; Greenville Police Dept. Investigator Myiesha Breanna Stewart; Hinds County Sheriff Lee Dan Vance, Jr.; Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff Robert Edward Moak, Sr.; Meridian Police Dept. Senior Officer Kennis Winston Croom; Pontotoc Police Dept. Sgt. Jeffrey Ray Turner; and Verona Police Dept. Asst. Chief Johnny Raymond Patterson.  They are among the names of 556 officers killed in the line of duty were added to the national memorial in 2023.

As part of National Police Week, Hyde-Smith again cosponsored U.S. Senator John Cornyn’s Back the Blue Act (S.1569) that would increase the penalties for criminals who kill, threaten, or conspire to kill federal judges, law enforcement officers, or public safety officers.

The measure, which also expands self-defense and Second Amendment rights for law enforcement officers, is supported by Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and the New York Police Department Sergeants Benevolent Association.

“Growing instances of threats and actual violence against law enforcement and the judiciary is unacceptable,” Hyde-Smith said.  “The Back the Blue Act would strengthen the penalties for those actions and give officers more tools to protect themselves.”

Read Hyde-Smith’s Congressional Record statement for 2023 National Police Week here:

M_ President, this week our nation commemorates the 2023 National Police Week and honors the brave men and women of law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.  As a nation we will pay tribute to those who have given their lives to protect our communities, and join in mourning their loss with their families and loved ones.

As we recognize National Police Week and remember these fallen officers, we must acknowledge the critical role that law enforcement officers play in keeping our communities safe.  They leave their homes and families every day not knowing if they will return.  The amount of courage, dedication, and passion that demands cannot be overstated. 

It’s important to remember, too, that their families also demonstrate exceptional courage, as they support their loved ones knowing the circumstances are sometimes life and death. 

My state of Mississippi is blessed with amazing law enforcement.  These men and women in blue are not only hometown heroes, but also are an integral part of our communities.  Every loss of an officer is deeply felt by all. 

I would like to specifically remember and honor the nine fallen officers from Mississippi whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year. These officers died heroes in service to their communities, and we will forever be grateful for their sacrifice.

We remember: Steven Michael Robin and Branden Paul Estorffe of the Bay St. Louis Police Department who were shot and killed while conducting a welfare check, and  Marzell Jerome Brooks of the Brookhaven Police Department, who passed from COVID-19 during the commission of his job duties. 

We remember:  Myiesha Breanna Stewart of the Greenville Police Department, who was shot and killed during a vehicle pursuit of a suspect who fled the scene after a shooting; Lee Dan Vance, Jr. of the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office who died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among employees and inmates; and Robert Edward Moak, Sr. of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, who was killed by a suspect who he had testified against in court. 

We remember:  Kennis Winston Croom of the Meridian Police Department, who was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call, and Jeffrey Ray Turney of the Pontotoc Police Department succumbed to COVID-19 after contracting the illness during the commission of his job duties. 

Lastly, we remember:  Johnny Raymond Patterson of the Verona Police Department, who was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic. 

To honor their memory, we must put our words into actions by ensuring our officers have the resources and tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.  It’s critical they have adequate support for training, equipment, and technology, as well as policies that prioritize officer safety and well-being.

For my part, I will continue to be an advocate for law enforcement professionals and provide support where possible, and do all I can to honor the legacy of those lost in the line of duty.  

I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering and honoring these brave officers in Mississippi and across the nation during National Police Week and throughout the year.  It is my prayer that their families and loved ones find comfort in knowing that their sacrifices will never be forgotten. 

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Source: United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss)

MISS. SENATORS JOIN SENATE REBUKE OF BIDEN RULE ALLOWING BIOLOGICAL MALES IN WOMEN’S SPORTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) are among 22 Republican Senators who issued a clear rebuke of Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s proposed changes to Title IX and condemned the Biden administration’s plan to force schools to allow biological males to compete against females.

“This proposed rule uses weakly-associated case law and polarizing social concepts to broaden the definition of women and girls to include individuals who identify as women, and in so doing, the intent of the law is destroyed and women are marginalized yet again,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators submitted a comment to Secretary Cardona in response to U.S. Department of Education’s proposed rule change, “Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities Receiving Federal Financial Assistance: Sex-Related Eligibility Criteria for Male and Female Athletic Teams.” 

The public comment was led by U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and was also signed by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.). 

Read the full public comment submitted by the Senators here.

Wicker and Hyde-Smith in March also cosponsored the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act (S.613) which would preserve Title IX protections for female athletes and protect fair, safe competition in women’s sports.

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Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, joined a group of 15 Senators this week in pressing the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to withdraw its proposed Public Lands Rule. The letter was led by U.S. Senators John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.).

“The proposal creates a framework for ‘conservation leases’ without authorization from Congress. The proposal specifically notes that ‘BLM shall not authorize any other uses of the leased land’ that it determines are ‘inconsistent’ with this new framework, thereby interrupting the successful balance of other responsible uses from hunting and grazing, to energy development andrecreation … It’s clear that anti-grazing and anti-development organizations would abuse this tool to attempt to halt ranching and block access to our nation’s abundant energy reserves located on public lands,” the Senators wrote.

“Taking large parcels of land out of BLM’s well-established multiple use mandate would cause significant harm to many western states and negatively impact the livelihoods of ranchers, energy producers, and many others that depend on access to federal lands. As such, the proposal should be withdrawn immediately,”the Senators concluded.

In addition to Senators Fischer, Hoeven, and Daines, the letter is signed by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and U.S. Senators James Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Roger Marshall (R-Kan.).

Click here to view the letter.

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Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Bill Text (PDF) | Press Conference (VIDEO)

 Washington (May 16, 2023) – Today, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Cori Bush (MO-01), and Adam Schiff (CA-30) announced the reintroduction of the Judiciary Act of 2023, legislation that would expand the Supreme Court by adding four seats to create a 13-Justice bench. Lawmakers were joined in front of the steps of the Supreme Court by leaders from national advocacy groups, including Planned Parenthood Federation of America Senior Vice President of Policy, Campaigns, and Advocacy Jacqueline Ayers, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju, League of Conservation Voters’ Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy Doug Lindner, and Demand Justice Executive Director Brian Fallon.

Congress can determine the size of the Supreme Court; it has already added and removed seats on the Court seven times throughout its history. At a time when the American people’s confidence in the nation’s highest court has fallen to a record low and Congressional Republicans have already employed their far-right judicial playbook by disregarding norms and precedent in the confirmations process, Congress must take action by once again expanding the Court.

“Republicans have hijacked the confirmation process and stolen the Supreme Court majority—all to appeal to far-right judicial activists who for years have wanted to wield the gavel to roll back fundamental rights,” said Senator Markey. “Each scandal uncovered, each norm broken, each precedent-shattering ruling delivered is a reminder that we must restore justice and balance to the rogue, radical Supreme Court. It is time we expand the Court.”

“It’s easy to take for granted that the number of justices on the Supreme Court must be nine,” said Representative Johnson. “But it is not written in the Constitution and has changed seven times over the course of our nation’s history. Thirteen justices would mean one justice per circuit court of appeals, consistent with how the number of justices was originally determined, so each justice can oversee one circuit. It’s time that we start thinking about the Supreme Court like we think about the rest of the federal government and consider whether and how its current composition allows it to do what we need it to do — efficiently and effectively administer justice and uphold the rule of law. I am pleased to join my colleagues, Senator Markey, Representative Schiff and Representative Bush in taking an important step in that direction today with the introduction of the Judiciary Act of 2023.”

“Republicans have been working to politicize the U.S. Supreme Court for forty years, with the help of dark money and the Federalist Society. With Donald Trump’s help, they stole two seats, ensuring an ultra-conservative Court that is drastically out of step with the American people,” said Senator Smith. “The Court is facing a legitimacy crisis of its own making after ethics scandals and a flagrant disregard for decades of legal precedent in the Dobbs case. Recent decisions have become dangerously unmoored from any reasonable principles of legal analysis and transparently serve conservative interests. Doing nothing is not an option – we need to abolish to the filibuster and reform and expand the Court. We have to pass The Judiciary Act to restore confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court and ensure it reflects our nation’s principles and core beliefs.”

“The Supreme Court is a cesspool of corruption devastating our communities. Because of the decisions made by an unethical and illegitimate majority, my constituents are unable to access abortion care, have weaker labor protections, are more vulnerable to voter suppression, and are subjected to a racist legal system,” said Representative Bush. “As lawmakers, we have a mandate to ensure our rights are not stripped away by bought-and-paid-for judges trying to implement a fascist agenda. I’m proud to lead on the reintroduction of the Judiciary Act, which would expand the Court and help us reclaim our democracy once and for all.”

“For far too long, Republicans have stacked the Supreme Court with ultra conservative justices in order to repeal reproductive freedom, constrain voting rights and weaken clean air rules,” said Representative Schiff. “Our nation’s highest court should not be used as a political tool for partisan purposes. That’s why we need to expand the Supreme Court to begin to restore trust, balance, and integrity in our nation’s highest court.”

The nation’s highest court today faces a crisis of legitimacy that began when Senate Republicans first abandoned norms and precedent to block the confirmation of then-President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, only to later ram through the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett a mere 10 days before Election Day 2020, and while millions of Americans were already casting ballots. The stolen, far-right Supreme Court majority has since ruled to destroy 50 years of settled precedent by rolling back the fundamental right to abortion care in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and has become the subject of scandal, including new and resurfaced reports of Justice Clarence Thomas’s failure to disclose gifts provided to him by billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow and his spouse’s more than $680,000 in unreported income from the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation. 

Since the Judiciary Act of 2023 was first introduced in 2021, the movement to expand the Court has gained the support of dozens of the nation’s leading civil liberties, education, reproductive health, climate, and labor organizations.

A new coalition called Just Majority, with nearly 40 partner organizations, is supporting expansion to restore a fair and ethical Court. Just Majority’s partners include: All* Above All Action Fund; Alliance for Justice; America’s Voice; American Atheists; American Constitution Society; American Humanist Association; Black Voters Matter; Center for Popular Democracy Action; Color of Change; Community Justice Action Fund; Demand Justice; Demos; End Citizens United // Let America Vote Action Fund; Freedom From Religion Foundation; Greenpeace USA; Guns Down America; Indivisible; Justice Democrats; Latino Victory Project; League of Conservation Voters; March for Our Lives Action Fund; MoveOn; NARAL Pro-Choice America; National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum; Newtown Action Alliance; People for the American Way; People’s Parity Project; Public Justice; Reproaction; Rise; Stand Up America; Take Back the Court Action Fund; Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence; This Is Our Lane; Ultraviolet Action; Voto Latino; We Testify; and Women’s March. Additionally, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Public Citizen and the Sunrise Movement support the Judiciary Act of 2023.

“Our freedom to make decisions about our lives, bodies, and futures is at stake. Everything is on the line: abortion rights, voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, our democratic institutions, and our bodily autonomy. Our courts should function as the backstop to protecting and advancing our rights, but have, instead, been misused by people pushing deeply unpopular agendas to implement their dangerous endgame. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is proud to endorse this legislation and we are committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with our partners to achieve bold changes to our courts, and fight for real justice for all people,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

“Reproductive freedom is facing a crisis that requires action and creative solutions to protect our fundamental rights. The damage wreaked on our federal judiciary by Republicans won’t be easily undone, and we need all of our options on the table, including Supreme Court expansion. We commend Senator Ed Markey and Representative Hank Johnson for their bold leadership on the Judiciary Act, and we look forward to continue fighting to restore the legitimacy of the Court,” said Mini Timmaraju, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America.

“Expanding the Supreme Court is the most important thing Congress can do to root out the corruption and extremism that has made the judiciary an existential threat to our rights and our democracy. Since the Judiciary Act was first proposed, the Supreme Court has continued to show it is dangerous, corrupt, and in need of reform. That is why the movement to expand the Court has picked up support from leaders in Congress and so many leading advocacy organizations, and it is why we are proud to support it again,” said Brian Fallon, Executive Director of Demand Justice.

“The reintroduction of the Judiciary Act comes at a pivotal moment in the trajectory of our federal judiciary. With its utter disregard for ethics, constitutional precedent, and the health and wellbeing of Americans, the Supreme Court has lost the public’s trust. The only way to rebuild faith in the Court is to restore balance, integrity, and independence by adding seats. The members of Congress who are leading this effort have proven that they understand the stakes for our democracy and they have a plan to do something about it. I hope everyone else will catch up quickly — because there’s no time left to wait,” said Sarah Lipton-Lubet, President of Take Back the Court Action Fund.

“Indivisible and its members thank Senator Markey and Representatives Nadler, Johnson, and Schiff for reintroducing the Judiciary Act of 2023. Court expansion is the best chance we have to bring our Supreme Court back from the brink. We’re not calling for expansion because we have passing disagreements with the conservative supermajority. We’re calling for it because our democracy and our fundamental freedoms are at stake. This is a majority that has gutted the Voting Rights Act repeatedly, allowed radical gerrymandering of our congressional maps that undermine the political power of Black and brown folks, and possibly most horrifyingly, has overturned Roe v. Wade and thrown our ability to receive abortion care into utter chaos nationwide. This cannot continue. The only way to save the Supreme Court is to expand it. The American people deserve a Court that’s beholden to the law and the constitution, not billionaire MAGA donors who offer free trips on private jets. Indivisible urges members of the House and Senate to cosponsor this critical piece of legislation as soon as possible,” said Meagan Hatcher-Mays, Director of Democracy Policy at Indivisible.

“To address the injustice of stolen seats and broken trust, we must expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court and confirm fair-minded jurists committed to equal justice for all. The current situation requires congressional intervention. Court expansion is not simply about a rebuff of bad decisions; it is necessary to restore fairness, integrity and respect for the rule of law at the pinnacle of our justice system. The nation’s highest court has been captured and rigged by radical extremists that flaunt a commitment to their partisan agenda with extreme rulings departing from long-standing precedent and repeated inaction after several new bombshell allegations of ethics violations,” said Kimberly Humphrey, Legal Director of Alliance for Justice.

“This captured Supreme Court routinely exacerbates environmental injustice, racial injustice, our crisis of democracy, and access to reproductive healthcare, all burdens that fall disproportionately on the same historically excluded communities,” said Doug Lindner, Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy at League of Conservation Voters. “Until Congress passes the Judiciary Act, these extremist Justices will only continue to put the interests of the fossil fuel industry and their partisan allies above the law while escalating their attacks on our democracy. To restore equal justice under law and pass on a healthy environment and democracy to the next generation, Congress must swiftly expand and rebalance this extremist Court.”

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Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

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Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

05.16.23

Military Service Members and Their Spouses Could Access Abortion Services No Matter Which U.S. State They’re Stationed In Under Bill Introduced by Cantwell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 29 Senate colleagues to introduce the Protecting Service Members and Military Families’ Access to Health Care Act, legislation that would codify the Department of Defense’s February 16, 2023, policy to ensure service members and their families can access non-covered reproductive health care – including abortion services – regardless of the state in which they are stationed.

The Protecting Service Members and Military Families’ Access to Health Care Act would:

1. Allow service members to access non-covered reproductive health care through an administrative absence, to prevent loss of accrued leave and with full pay;
2. Allow a service member to accompany a spouse or dependent who receives non-covered reproductive health care through an administrative absence;
3. Provide a service member, or their dependent, access to travel and transportation allowances to receive non-covered reproductive health care (note: this does not include payment for the reproductive care services); and
4. Ensure the protection of the privacy of the service member requesting administrative absence in order to access or accompany a spouse or dependent accessing non-covered reproductive health care.

Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

In March, Sen. Cantwell joined a group of 35 Senate colleagues in a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, underscoring the serious national security imperatives tied to providing U.S. service members access to protected leave for abortion and reproductive health care services.

The Senators wrote, in part: “Women service members, who make up approximately 17% of active duty military, have no say in where they are stationed, even if their duty station is in a state that severely limits or restricts access to abortion or other critical reproductive health services. It is unacceptable that service members or their dependents should face limited or no access to abortion care simply because of where they are stationed as part of their service to the United States.”

Sen. Cantwell is a staunch defender of abortion rights for all Americans, including those who rely on military benefits or benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs for their health care.

In April, Sen. Cantwell joined Democratic Senate colleagues, veterans, and reproductive rights groups at a press conference to oppose Republicans’ attempt to strip reproductive care from veterans and their families.

Sen. Cantwell intensified her push to protect health care access nationwide since the Supreme Court’s decision to rule against abortion access in Dobbs v. Jackson last year.

• In June 2022, after a leaked draft opinion revealed the Supreme Court’s plans to overturn the established precedent set by Roe v. Wade, Sen. Cantwell cosponsored the My Body, My Data Act to protect personal reproductive health data.
• In July 2022, following a meeting with health care providers at the University of Washington Medical Center, Sen. Cantwell cosponsored the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act to ban anti-choice states from penalizing or prosecuting health care providers that offer reproductive services in states where abortion care is legal.
• Also in July 2022, Sen. Cantwell cosponsored the Right to Contraception Act, which would codify the right to contraception access established by the Supreme Court ruling Griswold v. Connecticut.
• In March 2023, Sen. Cantwell joined Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) in reintroducing the Women’s Health Protection Act and hosting a roundtable discussion on the path forward to defend Americans’ reproductive rights.
• In April 2023, Sen. Cantwell joined 25 Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act, which would ban anti-choice states from restricting or preventing health care providers from performing legal abortions.
• Also in April 2023, Sen. Cantwell joined hundreds of her Democratic colleagues in filing amicus briefs before the U.S. Supreme Court and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals supporting the Biden Administration’s appeals of Texas federal district court and Fifth Circuit rulings which would restrict availability to mifepristone. After the Supreme Court stayed the original district court ruling, Sen. Cantwell joined an amicus brief to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, urging the Court to reverse the district court’s stay on the FDA’s more than 20-year-old approval of mifepristone.  The Fifth Circuit is scheduled to hear additional arguments in the case tomorrow, Wednesday, May 17.

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Source: United States Senator for South Dakota Mike Rounds

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Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Todd Young (R-IN) reintroduced the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act, legislation to address the shortage of mental health providers in schools. Specifically, the bill would boost the pipeline of individuals training to become school psychologists, counselors, and social workers by authorizing the U.S. Department of Education to help cover students’ costs at certain graduate programs via partnerships with eligible academic institutions.

“Like so many fields across the state, there simply aren’t enough school-based mental health professionals. Ensuring our kids’ well-being and academic success should be our first priority,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bill will alleviate the financial strain of earning a graduate degree by encouraging more practitioners to work in schools across the state.” 

“Our nation is facing a mental health crisis that’s uniquely impacting our young people. To ensure students have access to the care they need, we must ensure access to the mental health professionals in schools to meet kids where they are and assist students dealing with any challenges they may be facing. Unfortunately, we don’t have a strong pipeline of mental health providers, leaving many kids and teenagers vulnerable and without the help they need,” said Senator Shaheen. “The Mental Health in Schools Excellence Act will help ensure students have access to the support services they need.”  

“Providing Hoosier students with access to mental health resources will help improve the safety, well-being, and academic success of our students,” said Senator Young. “The Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act will both support the school-based mental health workforce and address the critical need for these professionals.” 

The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends a ratio of one school psychologist per 500 students. However, the national average ratio is estimated to be approximately one school psychologist per 1,200 students, with wide variation among states. The senators’ legislation looks to bridge this gap. It is endorsed by the National Association of School Psychologists, the American School Counselor Association, the School Social Work Association of America, the American Counseling Association, and the American Psychological Association. 

Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Jared Golden (D-ME) lead the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

May 16, 2023

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) re-introduced the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act to prohibit oil and gas leasing on public lands that have low or no potential for oil and gas development. The bill would update the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) administration of public lands, cut wasteful speculation, and allow lands with low or no potential to be reprioritized for more appropriate purposes, including wildlife habitat preservation, outdoor recreation, and grazing. Representative Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) is introducing companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The BLM is wasting time, money, and resources leasing land to oil and gas companies that we know has little actual potential for development, and my legislation would curb this unnecessary and harmful practice,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This is commonsense legislation that will help us protect our great outdoor spaces in Nevada and across the country.”

“Public lands belong in public hands, not tied up in costly and unproductive fossil fuel speculation,” said Congresswoman Lee. “Over eighty percent of Nevada lands are public lands, with very limited oil and gas resources. Companies are leasing our public lands for pennies on the dollar, ten years at a time. On top of that, precious federal funding and staff time continue to be wasted on leasing proposals that expend far more energy than they actually produce in the Silver State. I’m proud to join Senator Cortez Masto to introduce legislation that promotes better land-use management, protects our outdoor spaces, maximizes government efficiency, and saves your taxpayer dollars.”

“Senator Cortez Masto’s bill and Representative Susie Lee’s companion bill to prohibit the leasing of lands that have low or no drilling potential is a strong first step toward ensuring that we protect our public lands for the benefit of local economies, public health, access to the outdoors, and our shared history and culture. We urge Congress to pass this legislation. The Biden administration must also take action to advance promised reforms to our federal oil and gas leasing system that will further safeguard our public lands and the communities that depend on them,” said Maite Arce, President & CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation.

“We support Senator Cortez Masto and Representative Lee’s efforts to advance a bill that would put an end to this wasteful practice and enhance the management of more sustainable revenue-generating activities on our public lands like hunting, fishing, tourism, and outdoor recreation. This bill is an urgently needed solution to a problem that has plagued our public lands, taxpayers, and local economies for years. When passed, this bill will play an essential part in ensuring the protection of our public spaces and complements our nation’s leadership in clean energy generation,” said Angelyn Tabalba, Communications Director at Nevada Conservation League and Education Fund.

“Trout Unlimited has long advocated for responsible energy development that is balanced with other multiple uses, such as recreation and fish and wildlife conservation,” said Pam Harrington, Nevada field manager for Trout Unlimited. “However, in places like Nevada’s Ruby Mountains, the potential for energy development is low and the risk is extremely high for degrading fish and wildlife and world class hunting and angling opportunities. The current system does not benefit American taxpayers and creates unnecessary land management conflicts with fish, wildlife, outdoor recreation and other multiple-use activities…It’s a wasteful, outdated process and we thank Senator Cortez Masto and Representative Lee for helping to end oil and gas speculation on our public lands.”

Senator Cortez Masto’s End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act would require BLM to regularly assess oil and gas development potential on public lands, and it would prohibit BLM from offering leases on lands determined to have low or no development potential. This bill would reduce speculative leasing and concentrate development efforts on areas with higher development potential. This proposal would not apply to existing production sites or lands already under lease, rather it would only apply to future lease sales.

The legislation is supported by Nevada Conservation League, Nevada Wildlife Federation, Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks, Colorado Fiscal Institute, Colorado Wildlife Federation, Conservation Lands Foundation, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, Dakota Resource Council, Earthjustice, Earthworks, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Hispanics Enjoying Camping Hunting and the Outdoors (​​HECHO), Hispanic Access Foundation, League of Conservation Voters, Montana Wildlife Federation, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Northern Plains Resource Council, Public Lands Solutions, Rocky Mountain Wild, Sierra Club, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Taxpayers for Common Sense, The Wilderness Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trout Unlimited, Vet Voice Foundation, Western Colorado Alliance, Western Organization of Resource Councils, Wilderness Workshop, Wild Montana, and Wyoming Outdoor Council. Additional statements of support can be found here.

Senator Cortez Masto has been a champion for Nevada’s great outdoor spaces and public lands. She’s introduced legislation to ban unproductive oil and gas development in Nevada’s beautiful and pristine Ruby Mountains. She passed critical legislation to permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which protects public lands in Nevada and across the U.S. Cortez Masto has also introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to restore Lake Tahoe, and she delivered critical funding to protect Lake Tahoe in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

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Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

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