Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States Senator for South Dakota John Thune

Click here to watch the video.
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today spoke on the Senate floor about Great Outdoors Month and highlighted the many natural wonders that make South Dakota special. Thune also discussed the work he is doing to help preserve our nation’s outdoor spaces for future generations.

Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery):
 
“Mr. President, June is Great Outdoors Month.
 
“It’s a theme that definitely speaks to me.
 
“I’m an outdoors guy through and through.
 
“I love pheasant hunting. 
 
“Boating and swimming.
 
“Running.
 
“I’ll shoot hoops whenever I get the chance, indoors or outdoors, but there’s nothing better than doing it outdoors.
 
“When I was a kid, my dad attached a basket to a pole in our backyard, and there was nothing my siblings and I liked better than spending the long summer days shooting hoops in our backyard in Murdo.
 
“The outdoors was a huge part of my life as a kid.
 
“We spent the long summer days outside – barring the hour every day my mother made us come inside to read.
 
“On summer evenings, my dad would take us to get ice cream cones and then we’d drive down to the White River to watch the sun set.
 
“Another outdoor pastime we embraced was hunting.
 
“My dad taught my siblings and me to hunt, and I loved going out with him.
 
“Pheasant hunting remains one of my favorite outdoor activities, and I get excited every year as the third Saturday in October – the official start to pheasant season – rolls around. 
 
“It’s a tradition that I’m happy to be able to share with the next generation, as my dad shared it with me.
 
“There’s nothing better than a day spent outdoors with friends and family, followed by a communal meal … usually involving pheasant!
 
“Mr. President, being in the outdoors isn’t just enjoyable; I think it’s part of a good life.
 
“The health benefits of time spent outdoors are well-established, and I know a day – or even an hour – out in the fresh air always clears my mind and refreshes my spirit.
 
“With more and more of our life spent in front of screens, I think time spent outdoors and disconnected is even more important.
 
“I’m grateful for all those hours we spent as kids running around outside.
 
“And for family activities outdoors … like our summer trips to the Black Hills.
 
“We used to go out there for Labor Day, stay in this little non-air-conditioned cabin, and just glory in the outdoors.
 
“We’d hike and visit the caves, or go to Mount Rushmore, or head to the lake.
 
“I loved – and still love – visiting Sylvan Lake.
 
“I loved being there with my parents and siblings, and I loved taking my daughters there on trips like the ones I took growing up.
 
“Nobody who visits South Dakota should miss the Black Hills.
 
“I’m not sure there’s a more beautiful place on earth.
 
“The interplay of light and shadow on the trees and rocks late on a summer afternoon.
 
“The endless South Dakota sky reflected in the blue of Sylvan Lake.
 
“The Milky Way carpeting the night sky with millions of diamonds.
 
“There’s no better place to spend time in the great outdoors than South Dakota.
 
“Our state is filled with natural wonders.
 
“The Missouri River.
 
“Jewel Cave and Wind Cave – two of the longest caves in the world.
 
“Together they offer hundreds of miles of underground passageways to explore, filled with glimmering crystals and remarkable rock formations.
 
“We have the magnificent Black Hills National Forest and Custer State Park.
 
“Rolling prairies.
 
“And, of course, the Badlands.
 
“If you haven’t experienced the rugged beauty of the Badlands, you’re missing out.
 
“Extraordinary layered rock formations that look like they might have come from another planet.
 
“A wealth of fossils.
 
“Everybody should see the sun set over the Badlands at least once in their life, turning the tops of the rocks to a sea of fiery orange.
 
“And of course no mention of South Dakota’s great outdoors would be complete without a mention of Mount Rushmore – one of our national treasures.
 
“Nature got a little help from man here.
 
“And the result is magnificent.
 
“You can’t help but be awed when you see Mount Rushmore soaring up in front of you.
 
“And you can’t help but feel a little prouder to be a citizen of this great land.
 
“Mr. President, our nation’s great outdoor spaces need to be cared for so that we can preserve them for future generations – from wildlife enthusiasts to hikers and runners to farmers and ranchers. 
 
“I’m a longtime supporter of the Conservation Reserve Program.
 
“Agriculture producers are familiar with the Conservation Reserve Program, or CRP, which provides incentives for farmers, ranchers, and landowners to take environmentally sensitive land out of production for 10 to 15 years.
 
“The Conservation Reserve Program helps the environment by improving soil health and water quality and providing habitat for wildlife, including endangered and threatened species.
 
“I pushed for an increase in the CRP acreage cap in the 2018 farm bill, and the final bill raised the acreage cap to 27 million acres.
 
“Currently I’m working on further improvements to CRP that I will work to get included in the 2023 farm bill.
 
“Based on my conversations with farmers and ranchers, I developed the Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act, which I introduced in March.
 
“This legislation would make CRP grazing a more attractive option by providing cost-share payments for all CRP practices for the establishment of grazing infrastructure, including fencing and water distribution.
 
“It would also increase the annual payment limit for CRP, which has not changed since 1985, to help account for inflation and the increase in land value.
 
“This would enhance the appeal of CRP for farmers and ranchers, improving their bottom line while helping to protect the environment and increase wildlife habitat.
 
“Another priority of mine is improving forest management in the Black Hills National Forest to reduce the risk of wildfires and damaging insect infestations.
 
“I’ve introduced two pieces of legislation during this Congress to help improve management of our national forests, including the Black Hills.
 
“Currently on-the-ground management activities, including timber thinning, are significantly lagging in the Black Hills National Forest and other forests throughout the country.
 
“My Expediting Forest Restoration and Recovery Act would require the U.S. Forest Service to expedite treatment of more than 70 million acres of National Forest System lands to reduce the threat of insect and disease infestations and catastrophic wildfires.
 
“My Black Hills Forest Protection and Jobs Preservation Act is also designed to help expedite forest management projects in the Black Hills and elsewhere.
 
“The bill, which I introduced with my Wyoming colleague Senator John Barrasso, would require the U.S. Forest Service to quickly issue National Environmental Policy Act decisions that are necessary to carry out forest management projects, including thinning of overly dense timber stands in the Black Hills National Forest.
 
“Our bill would also expedite timber production projects in the Black Hills National Forest and neighboring national forests to help maintain the timber sale program that plays a critical role in keeping these forests healthy while also supporting the regional economy.
 
“Mr. President, I’m grateful to live in a state that has so much to offer when it comes to the great outdoors.
 
“I will continue to work to protect and preserve our natural treasures.
 
“And I hope every American will take advantage of Great Outdoors Month to get outside and enjoy the natural world.
 
“Mr. President, I yield the floor.”

Source: United States Senator for South Dakota John Thune

Click here to watch the video.
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today called on President Biden to condemn all political violence, including threats against the pro-life community ahead of the anticipated U.S. Supreme Court decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Thune also discussed the important role pregnancy resource centers have in supporting mothers and their babies in communities across the country.

Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery):

“Mr. President, the Dobbs case will be decided by the Supreme Court in a matter of days now.
 
“I pray that it will be decided in favor of life, and that Roe v. Wade, a case that even pro-abortion constitutional scholars have criticized, will be overturned.
 
“But however Dobbs is decided, the work of the pro-life movement will continue.
 
“That work of course includes advocacy – attempts to change laws to ensure that the human rights of unborn human beings are protected.
 
“But perhaps most of all it includes the daily work of providing help to moms in need.
 
“Helping moms and their babies is central to the pro-life movement.
 
“Pregnancy resource centers and other pro-life organizations provide a variety of resources to help women in challenging circumstances.
 
“They provide supplies for moms and their babies.
 
“They offer prenatal and parenting classes.
 
“They assist moms with housing.
 
“They help them connect with state and local resources.
 
“They provide friendship and support and a listening ear to moms going through a difficult time.
 
“They provide agency referrals for mothers who choose to make an adoption plan for their babies.
 
“They provide places for moms and their babies to live while they complete their education, or get back on their feet.
 
“During the current formula crisis, pregnancy resource centers have helped moms struggling to find what they need to feed their babies by providing them with free formula.
 
“Mr. President, you would think that helping out moms would be pretty uncontroversial.
 
“You would think that everyone, including individuals who are pro-abortion, could get behind helping a struggling mom find housing or access prenatal care.
 
“But apparently the pro-abortion movement finds providing material help to moms in need – and letting them know that they have alternatives to abortion – to be pretty threatening.
 
“Pregnancy resource centers have frequently been a target of pro-abortion politicians and the pro-abortion movement, which have sought to undermine their work.
 
“But things have gotten very serious in recent weeks.
 
“Since a draft of a possible opinion in the Dobbs case was leaked in May, pro-abortion extremists have conducted a campaign of vandalism and violence against pregnancy resource centers and churches. 
 
“Just a few blocks away from here, one pregnancy resource center was egged and graffitied and had its door covered in red paint.
 
“A number of others have faced similar vandalism.
 
“And multiple pregnancy resource centers have been the victim of arson.
 
“A group claiming responsibility for a number of the attacks, Jane’s Revenge, released a chilling letter last week in which it declared, quote, ‘open season’ on pregnancy centers, and stated, and I quote, ‘We promised to take increasingly drastic measures against oppressive infrastructures. Rest assured that we will, and those measures may not come in the form of something so easily cleaned up as fire and graffiti.’
 
“Perhaps it is not entirely shocking that some members of the extreme pro-abortion movement have responded to the possibility of Roe’s being overturned with vandalism, arson, and threats of further attacks.
 
“But this wave of violence is deeply troubling.
 
“And these attacks need to be taken seriously.
 
“I hope Attorney General Garland is developing a strategy to confront this wave of vandalism and violence and to prevent future and more serious attacks.
 
“Earlier this month I joined a number of my Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the attorney general asking about his plans for dealing with these attacks and preventing future ones.
 
“I am disappointed that we have yet to receive a reply to our letter.
 
“And the president – not merely his spokesperson, but the president himself – should be out there strongly condemning these attacks and letting everyone know that violent responses to the Dobbs decision will not be tolerated.
 
“Mr. President, after one pregnancy resource center was vandalized, its director said, ‘We’re not going to let intimidation change what we’re doing.  It failed.  It was pretty unanimous from the volunteers and staff here, that this is not going to change how we do business here one bit at all.’
 
“I know that attitude is reflected at other pregnancy resource centers.
 
“And I know that despite threats of violence, the work of helping moms and their babies will continue.
 
“Mr. President, the work of the pro-life movement represents the best of our American tradition.
 
“Providing a voice to the voiceless.
 
“Standing up for the human rights of those who have been denied them.
 
“And providing a helping hand to our neighbors in need.
 
“I am grateful to all the pro-life Americans standing up for the human rights of unborn human beings and helping moms and their babies get the resources they need.
 
“And win or lose at the Supreme Court, I know that that work will continue.
 
“Mr. President, I yield the floor.”

Source: United States Senator for South Dakota John Thune

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) is currently seeking college students to serve as fall interns in his office in Washington, D.C., as well as in his offices in Aberdeen, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls.
Interns in Thune’s state offices will participate in constituent service and state outreach activities, while interns in the Washington, D.C., office will have the opportunity to witness the legislative process and attend Senate votes and hearings. Both in-state and Washington, D.C., internships will allow students to work closely with constituents, hone their research and writing skills, and learn a multitude of valuable office skills. 
“Interns who are selected will receive a firsthand look at the legislative process and the day-to-day life in a congressional office,” said Thune. “In Washington, interns will have the opportunity to attend Senate votes and hearings and participate in other activities that are unique to Capitol Hill. Students who are interested in interning in Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, or Rapid City will find an equally rewarding experience with assisting staff on important constituent service requests and state outreach activities, which are critical to my work for the people of South Dakota. I encourage all college students who are interested in these opportunities to apply today.”   
Thune serves as the Senate Republican Whip, the number two position in Senate leadership, and is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and a member of the Senate Committee on Finance.
College students who are interested in interning in Thune’s Washington, D.C., Aberdeen, Rapid City, or Sioux Falls offices should fill out an online application form with their resume and cover letter by July 22, 2022 at https://sen.gov/JK67 or they can locate the application at www.thune.senate.gov under the services tab. 
For more information, please call 202-224-2321.

Source: United States Senator Mike Braun (Indiana)

WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Tammy Baldwin sent a letter to the Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to advocate for American mask and medical equipment manufacturers, calling for an investigation into the alleged dumping of Chinese-made products into the U.S. market. Reports allege Chinese-made masks and other products have been dumped into the U.S. marketplace at such low prices, sometimes 1/10 of the cost of American made products, it has created an unfair marketplace for American manufacturers, driving many out of business.    

The Senators write:    

“This unfair competition is putting significant financial pressure on American manufacturers, driving many out of business, and threatening, for example, our ability to scale up the production of high-quality masks, such as N95 respirators, in the event of a new variant.”    

The Senators continued:    

“Aside from the benefits domestic production brings to local economies in our states, localized production helps ensure that the resulting products meet the highest standards of quality, sterilization, and consumer safety.”    

The letter calls for the Department of Commerce to self-initiate an antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) inquiry into masks, meltblown raw material, and other single use medical equipment imported from the People’s Republic of China. While other industries have the financial ability to petition the Department of Commerce to take such action, the U.S. mask manufacturing industry are under such extreme financial pressure from Chinese imports that they are unlikely to have the resources to spend the significant time and money needed to submit a petition to the Department of Commerce.

“We sincerely thank Senators Tammy Baldwin and Mike Braun for their support in urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to self-initiate an antidumping duty and countervailing duty inquiry into respirator masks, melt-blown raw material, and other single use medical equipment imported from China,” said Kim Glas, President and CEO of the National Council of Textile Organizations. “Domestic PPE manufacturers that pivoted to make lifesaving face masks and other public health supplies are now facing another challenging environment where Chinese PPE production has ramped up significantly and cheap product is being dumped into the U.S. market below cost, and it is threatening our domestic PPE industry. We know the administration is committed to building and supporting PPE supply chains domestically and that is why we are urging the Commerce Department to use all of the trade remedy tools at its disposal to help support a critical domestic PPE supply chain and force China to compete on a level playing field.”    

The full letter can be found HERE      

Source: United States Senator Mike Braun (Indiana)

WASHINGTON—Today, Senator Braun and Senator Baldwin sent a bipartisan letter to President Biden, urging him to implement federal Build America, Buy America(BABA) policies. In the letter, the Senators emphasized the importance of full and timely implementation of BABA to advance “Made in America” policies and addressed the federal agencies that have proposed waivers of BABA requirements, writing:  

“As the Senate’s strongest supporters of federal Build America, Buy America (BABA) policies, we write to express our opposition to the repeated use of blanket waivers by your Administration designed to avoid these domestic preference requirements. While Congress in recent years has taken significant steps to strengthen BABA, these blanket waivers threaten to undermine these protections, resulting in billions of dollars of infrastructure funds failing to reach American workers.”  

The Senators continued:  

“We remain skeptical of lengthy excuses [by departments like Housing and Urban Development (HUD)] claiming these provisions are too complicated to enforce. Other federal departments like the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been successfully administering Buy America preference requirements for water infrastructure projects for years. These departments incorporate the same products and materials as those used in many of the projects receiving HUD’s federal financial assistance.”  

The Senators conclude:  

“Each waiver that unnecessarily undermines or delays BABA implementation erodes the market signal Congress intended to send with the BABA and results in missed opportunities to create America jobs and strengthen our national security.”  

Read the full letter HERE.  

BACKGROUND  

• Last month, Senator Braun questioned HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge on the agency’s use of waivers and requested data on the agency’s use of American made products during a hearing for President’s FY 2023 HUD Funding Request and Budget Justification on the Senate Appropriations Committee.  
• Title XI of the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) made significant improvements to our Buy America laws, including the Build America, Buy America Act, which requires agencies to complete an in-depth review of BABA applicability across all eligible programs, among other improvements to U.S. law.  
• To date, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Interior, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Education, the Treasury Department, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Transportation have all proposed waivers of BABA requirements.  

###

Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

Watch Kennedy’s remarks here.

WASHINGTON—Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today questioned David Maurstad, the Senior Executive of the National Flood Insurance Program at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), on the algorithm FEMA uses to set new, higher flood insurance rates.  

Below are key excerpts from the exchange.

Kennedy: “I believe that FEMA and the Biden administration have made their decision with respect to flood insurance. I regret that, but I believe that’s a fact. And most of my people in Louisiana understand at this juncture that the only place they’re going to find lower food prices, cheaper gas, a cleaner, safer environment and affordable insurance is in the voting booth. Because my people, most of them, and I think most Americans, have concluded that Republicans aren’t perfect but the other side is crazy.

“Now, about 500,000 people in my state have flood insurance. And despite what some people say, these are not multimillionaires in multimillionaire homes on the beach. These are working people. And there are people in the United States Congress who claim to be for the little guy, but they don’t really like him or her very much.”

. . .

Kennedy: “Why won’t FEMA share its algorithm with the American people?”

Maurstad: “Thank you, sir. And, you know, we look forward to continuing to work with you. We’ve shared the algorithm. We’ve put forward on the on our website, the methodology—”

Kennedy: “No, you haven’t. No, you haven’t, Mr. Administrator.”

. . .

Kennedy: “Well, if I sent you a [public information] request, and I said, ‘Look, I want the algorithm so I can hire somebody to review this algorithm to see what clairvoyant people are telling us about climate change and what’s going to happen in America over the next 150 years,’ would you give me that algorithm?”

Maurstad: “As I said, we already have, and we responded to a letter—”

Kennedy: “No, you haven’t. I want the algorithm so I can hire some experts to look at it and either say ‘This thing is watertight,’ or, ‘It’s grossly political,’ or somewhere in between.”

Video of the full exchange is here.

Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that Midcoast Maine Community Action has received a total of $1,566,111 for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Head Start.

“Head Start and Early Head Start programs across Maine provide invaluable resources to young children and their families, helping them to cultivate new skills and build educational opportunities,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “Midcoast Maine Community Action works tirelessly to make our state stronger, and we are grateful for this continued federal investment in Maine’s future.”

Midcoast Maine Community Action will use this funding to provide free high-quality, early childhood education for income-qualified families in Cumberland, Sagadahoc, and Lincoln counties.

Head Start was established in 1965 to promote school readiness and provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional, and social services to eligible four- and five-year-old preschoolers and their families. Early Head Start services are available for eligible children age zero to three and pregnant women. Head Start services include early learning, health, and family well-being.