Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Posted on

Booker Statement on Recent Developments in Ethiopia

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, issued the following statement:

“I remain very concerned by the grave humanitarian situation in Ethiopia and the continuing violence and tragic deaths, including those of dozens of civilians from reported air strikes in Tigray and Oromia. Reports that more than 90 percent of the population in Tigray is in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, as are people in other parts of the country, are extremely troubling.

“It is imperative that all parties cease hostilities and human rights abuses and engage in a political dialogue that is representative of all Ethiopians. Towards this goal, I welcome the creation of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission and its work towards an inclusive dialogue and reconciliation process, one that needs to bring together representatives of all the major ethnic and political groups to ensure a continued democratic path forward for the country.  I am hopeful that all parties will engage in good faith in the upcoming National Dialogue. I am encouraged by the Ethiopian government’s recent announcement that it will release several political prisoners, including prominent Oromo and Tigrayan political prisoners, among others. 

“Despite these positive developments, much work remains to be done, and I strongly urge the Ethiopian government to make good on its commitment to allow unfettered access for humanitarian efforts. More must be done to ensure that human rights are protected throughout Ethiopia; thousands of political prisoners remain imprisoned and must be released.

“I also warmly welcome the appointment of veteran diplomat Ambassador David Satterfield as the new U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa. He is the right person for the job, and I urge all parties to welcome and work with him to find a lasting solution to the political problems in Ethiopia.”

Posted on

Cantwell Defends Voting Rights on the Senate Floor, Highlights Success of Washington State Vote-By-Mail, Business Leader Support

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

01.18.22

Cantwell Defends Voting Rights on the Senate Floor, Highlights Success of Washington State Vote-By-Mail, Business Leader Support

Cantwell: “I will not stand by, because my parents taught me better.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) spoke twice on the Senate floor for over an hour in total in support of passing legislation to strengthen voting rights protections. During her remarks, she highlighted the success of Washington state’s vote-by-mail system and support for voting rights legislation from prominent business leaders across the country.

“We have to have faith in close elections, and the best way to do that is not to suppress the vote but encourage and empower more people to vote in a safe and secure manner. We need to believe in our voting system, not believe that we can undermine it. Democracies don’t grow on trees. They need to be protected. They need to be defended. They need to be fought for,” said Senator Cantwell. “What we need to do now is to protect our democracy. We need to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act… Let’s vote to get this done. Let’s move forward to show our country we believe in voting rights in the United States Senate.”

Cantwell spoke at length about the safety, security and successes of the vote-by-mail system in Washington state, “I’m proud of the 84% turnout in the State of Washington in a presidential election year thanks to vote-by-mail. And I’m proud that vote-by-mail, I think, is the antidote to the accusations that people have about a voting system that they think can be attacked by a foreign government or undermined in an electronic voting system.”

She also spoke prominently about the hundreds of businesses that have come out in vocal support of the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, Cantwell stated, “These are all corporations who know the importance of doing business in the United States, the importance of a democracy, and they’ve got to be scared about what they’re seeing… People want to do business in stable countries where you have a free and fair election.”

In 2013, the Supreme Court’s Shelby County v. Holder decision gutted critical voter protections within the Voting Rights Act, crippling the federal government’s ability to prevent discriminatory changes to state voting laws and procedures. In the wake of Shelby, states across the country have responded with strict voter ID laws and other voter suppression schemes that have systematically disenfranchised minority voters. These discriminatory efforts to restrict access to the ballot box undermine the progress and equality that John Lewis fought hard over decades to achieve, from his time as a civil rights movement leader to his tenure in Congress.

The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore and modernize the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as well as provide the federal government with new critical tools to combat voter suppression throughout the states. Among other efforts to strengthen voter access and election integrity, this bill:

  • Restores and updates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which is the permanent nationwide prohibition against race-based discrimination in voting.
  • Restores Section 4b, which enables the federal government to protect voters in states which have a history of discriminatory voting laws.
  • Assert that a private right of action exists under the Voting Rights Act.
  • Provides protections to election workers and polling places.
  • Includes the Native American Voting Rights Act to expand access to the ballot box for those living on Tribal lands.
  • Includes penalties for voting rights violations.
  • Attempts to remedy U.S. Supreme Court’s Brnovich v. DNC Decision, which significantly weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

The bill updates the Voting Rights Act formula used to determine which states and localities might need extra oversight of voting due to a pattern of discrimination. It incorporates the Native American Voting Rights Act which protects the right of Native Americans in spite of distinct barriers. It would also expand the government’s authority to send federal observers to any jurisdiction where there may be a substantial risk of discrimination at the polls on election day or during an early voting period.

Senator Cantwell has been a long-time advocate of improving voting access and election security to make sure every eligible American has the ability to vote. In October 2021, Cantwell cosponsored the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. In June 2021, Cantwell also spoke on the floor in support of the For the People Act to uphold voting rights, a bill introduced in March 2021. In January 2021, Cantwell introduced the Vote At Home Act to expand vote-by-mail ballot access, providing voters with pre-paid ballot return envelopes, and enacting automatic voter registration.

The full text of The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is available HERE.

A section-by-section summary of the bill is available HERE. 

###

Posted on

Cardin Thanks Paul Wiedefeld for his Service at Metro, Says There is More Work Ahead for the Nation’s Transit System

Source: United States Senator for Maryland Ben Cardin

January 18, 2022

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee released the following statement upon news that Paul Wiedefeld, General Manager and CEO of Metro will retire this summer.

“This has not been an easy six years for Metro and Paul Wiedefeld. When Paul came to Metro from BWI Airport six years ago, the transit system was in a crisis state and needed a steady hand to improve safety and reliability. Paul provided leadership and determination to put the region’s transit system on a better path forward. He made tough calls to prioritize resources and time to repair infrastructure and upgrade stations that were crumbling under foot. He systematically replaced escalators that had long been neglected. I credit Paul for keeping Metro rolling throughout the pandemic so essential workers could make it to their jobs at the local hospitals, grocery stores and other key locations. I thank Paul for his service to the National Capital Region. Despite these achievements, a safety-first culture still has not taken root at Metro. With lingering maintenance and safety issues and the ongoing pandemic presenting urgent challenges to the transit system, there is much more work ahead.”

Posted on

How To Order A COVID Test

Source: United States Senator for Vermont Patrick Leahy

01.18.22

Vermonters can now order four free COVID-19 antigen tests per household from the federal government.  To access the program, follow these simple steps:

1)    Visit: https://special.usps.com/testkits

2)    Fill out your contact information and shipping address

3)    Receive your tests through the mail in one to two weeks

Vermonters have stepped forward to test themselves and their families for COVID-19 in the face of the Omicron surge. Testing is a critical tool to protecting our health and health care system.  With this new program, the Biden Administration is taking concrete steps to make testing more accessible and more affordable for Americans.

Posted on

Cornyn, Leahy, Menendez, Risch Call on Biden Administration to Keep Fighting For Austin Tice

Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

Today U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and Jim Risch (R-ID) sent a letter to President Joe Biden encouraging his Administration to continue pushing for the safe release of Austin Tice, a Houston native, Marine veteran, and journalist who has been held captive in Syria for nearly a decade.

They wrote: “We are writing to express our appreciation to you and your Administration’s commitment to bring Mr. Austin Tice back home. This past December, your National Security Advisor, Mr. Jake Sullivan, met at some length with Mrs. Debra Tice, mother of Mr. Austin Tice. It is encouraging to know of your Administration’s commitment to securing Mr. Tice’s safe return.” 

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

January 18, 2022

President Joseph R. Biden

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, D.C. 20500
 

Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our appreciation to you and your Administration’s commitment to bring Mr. Austin Tice back home. This past December, your National Security Advisor, Mr. Jake Sullivan, met at some length with Mrs. Debra Tice, mother of Mr. Austin Tice. It is encouraging to know of your Administration’s commitment to securing Mr. Tice’s safe return.

As you know, as a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran Marine Corps Captain, Austin represents the best our nation has to offer, and we are committed to working with you to return him to his loving family. As an American and a veteran, Austin deserves the full and active support of our government to bring him home safely. 

The safe return of all American hostages around the world in Venezuela, Iran, China, Russia, and beyond also deserve our unfettered attention. We encourage continued diplomacy on their cases and strongly support your efforts to bring them home to their families as soon as possible. We also encourage you to work with our allies to consider ways to further disincentivize the hostage taking of American citizens.

We ask that you keep us informed of your progress so that the Congress and your Administration can continue to work hand in hand on this important issue.

Sincerely,

/s/

Posted on

Daines Slams DirecTV for Removing Conservative Outlet

Source: United States Senator for Montana Steve Daines

01.18.22

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to DirecTV CEO, Bill Morrow, raising concerns about the company’s decision to remove conservative network One America News Network (OAN) from their platform.

“There has not been sufficient justification from DirecTV as to why OAN’s contract was not renewed by your company. A vague “routine internal review” and the lack of transparency with the viewers of OAN in Montana in your decision making process is unacceptable and has the appearance of targeting supporters of former President Donald Trump,” Daines wrote. “In many parts of Montana, satellite television and DirecTV is the only option for live television. It is important to have a range of media outlets in today’s political atmosphere and by removing conservative content such as OAN on your platform; you are hindering Montanans ability to view their preferred outlet.”

Read the full letter HERE. 

Background: 

Daines has been leading the fight to hold big tech accountable and protect conservative content.

In December, Daines hand-delivered a letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, calling on Google to reverse its September 13th ban on Live Action’s pro-life advertisements promoting Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Reversal (APR) hotline.

In October, Daines slammed Google for the unjust censorship of the American Principles Project (APP) YouTube account and demanded answers on how the decision to censor another conservative group was made. 

In July, Daines introduced a bill to crack down on big tech and online platforms’ ability to discriminate against users based on their political speech and beliefs.

 

###

 Contact: Rachel Dumke, Katie Schoettler

Posted on

Portman, Coons, Whitehouse Applaud Finalized Conservation Agreement Between U.S. and El Salvador

Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman

January 18, 2022 | Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), along with Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) applauded the finalization of the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (TFCA) agreement between the U.S. Government and the Republic of El Salvador. This bilateral agreement will redirect approximately $20 million in concessional debt owed by El Salvador to a conservation fund over a period of 10 years. 

The TFCA program was established in 1998 to offer eligible developing countries options to relieve certain official debt owed the U.S., while at the same time, generating funds to support local conservation activities for tropical forests and coral reefs. This agreement with El Salvador is the first TFCA agreement since 2014, for a total of 21 agreements with 14 countries implemented since the program was created, and the second agreement with El Salvador through the TFCA program. Through the first TFCA agreement, which entered into force in 2001, El Salvador has used conservation funding to preserve and restore tropical forests, such as mangrove ecosystems.

“El Salvador is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. I am pleased that this conservation agreement will build off the successes of the United States’ existing TFCA agreement with El Salvador by redirecting $20 million in concessional debt to help protect and restore the country’s tropical forestlands and coral reefs,” said Portman, co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “TFCA is a results-driven program.  I look forward to continuing to work with the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State to finalize additional TFCA agreements with other countries around the world and with my colleagues in Congress to reauthorize the program for another five years.”

“Conservation of our world’s tropical forests and coral reefs helps to protect wildlife, maintain healthy ecosystems, and combat emissions that contribute to climate change,” said Coons, co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus. “I’m proud to be working with Senator Portman to reauthorize TFCA and pleased that the United States and El Salvador have agreed to redirect debt to support critical conservation activities in the heart of Central America.”

“With bipartisan support, the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Program has saved millions of acres of tropical forest worldwide and helped sequester tens of millions of tons of planet-warming carbon dioxide,” said Whitehouse. “The Biden administration’s new agreement with El Salvador is the first of its kind in years, and marks another step toward preserving some of the world’s extraordinary natural treasures.”

“The Tropical Forest Conservation and Coral Reef Conservation Act (TFCCA) has made the United States a world leader in using debt-for-nature swaps to protect some of the most important landscapes and seascapes in the developing world. World Wildlife Fund commends the administration for reactivating this powerful tool, which has proven highly effective in securing the long-term conservation of tropical forests and other critical ecosystems while also benefiting local communities and helping to slow climate change. We also call on Congress to do the same. The House has already passed legislation to reauthorize this critically important program for an additional five years. We urge the Senate to pass it as well and ensure that the TFCCA can continue yielding its multitude of benefits for both people and nature.” – Kerry Cesareo, Senior Vice President, Forests, World Wildlife Fund.

“The Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act has saved more than 67 million acres of tropical forest since enactment in 1998. This new agreement with El Salvador, a country with critical ecosystems from mangroves to gallery forests, continues the success of the program. Conservation International applauds the Biden Administration for its work to finalize this deal, and thanks Senators Portman and Coons, and other Congressional leaders who have worked across multiple administrations to conserve tropical forests around the world.” – James Roth, Senior Vice President Global Policy and Government Affairs, Conservation International.

“This new agreement with El Salvador is the latest in a long line of success for the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act. Since its enactment over 20 years ago, the act has been vital to helping countries in the region and across the globe both reduce their national debts and conserve vital ecosystems. Restructuring this amount of debt is significant for El Salvador, one of the most environmentally degraded and deforested countries in Latin America. It will provide critical resources for conservation and reforestation that are not currently available to the country’s Ministry of Environment. We commend Sen. Portman for his continued leadership on this act and El Salvador and the Treasury Department for working together to secure this important win for nature and the region.” – Andrew Deutz, Director of Global Policy, Institutions and Conservation Finance, The Nature Conservancy.

NOTE: Portman first introduced the TFCA as a member of the House of Representatives, and it was signed into law in 1998 (P.L. 105-214).  Since its inception, this program has helped protect more than 67 million acres of tropical forests, which has preserved native wildlife and ecosystems and protected the environment by sequestering more than 55 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. In January 2019, President Trump signed into law legislation introduced by Senators Portman, Udall, Burr, Schatz, and Whitehouse to reauthorize the TFCA program for FY 2019 and FY 2020 and, for the first time, expand the program to include protection of coral reef ecosystems. Senator Portman led the introduction new legislation in February 2021 with Senators Coons, Burr, Schatz, and Whitehouse to reauthorize the program through FY 2026 at $20 million per year. Additionally, the FY 2021 spending bill (P.L. 116-260) provided $15 million for the program after Portman worked to secure $15 million in the FY 2020 spending bill (P.L. 116-93), which was used to finance this debt agreement with El Salvador.

###

Posted on

Murphy Statement on Houthi Attacks in Abu Dhabi, Coalition Strikes in Sana’a

Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

January 18, 2022

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism, on Tuesday released the following statement on the Houthi attacks in the United Arab Emirates and the retaliatory attacks in Sana’a:

“I strongly condemn the Houthi drone attack on Abu Dhabi’s international airport, which killed three civilian workers and damaged critical infrastructure. The increase in Houthi cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia and the UAE is deeply concerning and a serious threat to the civilian population of neighboring countries – including tens of thousands of American citizens. At the same time, recent coalition airstrikes on Sana’a also killed a number of civilians, including young children, and destroyed a water treatment facility in Saada, which more than 120,000 Yemenis depend on. It is incumbent on all parties to the conflict to avoid targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure,” said Murphy. “Unfortunately, these incidents will likely continue as long as the war drags on. The international community must do everything possible to bring the fighting to an end, and it is incumbent on all parties to the conflict to prevent further harm to civilians.”

###

Posted on

Kennedy, Judiciary Republicans probe Garland, Cardona for answers on DOJ targeting parents

Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and other Judiciary Committee senators in asking Attorney General Merrick Garland and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona for answers regarding the National School Boards Association (NSBA) letter sent to President Joe Biden in September 2021. That letter prompted a Justice Department (DOJ) memo that directed the FBI to investigate parents protesting at local school board meetings.

“We now have reason to believe personnel at the NSBA coordinated its September 29 letter with, or acted at the behest of, the sitting Secretary of Education, as well as White House personnel—in a letter that asks for the PATRIOT Act to be used against American parents,” the senators wrote to Garland.

The lawmakers cited a recently uncovered email thread between two NSBA officials that links “writing a letter to provide information to the White House” to “a request by Secretary Cardona.”

“We are concerned about the prospect of the Secretary of Education requesting that a trade association write a letter to the President of the United States so that you, the Attorney General, might have the requisite cover to deploy federal law enforcement in such a questionable manner,” the senators continued.

The senators asked Garland several questions, including when the attorney general first learned of Cardona’s request and why the Counterterrorism Division of the FBI is administering a threat tag entitled “EDUOFFICIALS.”

“By involving the National Security Division and the Counterterrorism Division of the FBI in local matters, you have created widespread fear that the national security apparatus of the United States is keeping tabs on them,” the senators concluded.

Kennedy and the other Republican members of the Judiciary Committee also sent a letter to Cardona questioning him about his involvement with the NSBA.

“It appears that you, the Secretary of Education, instructed a trade association to write a letter to the President of the United States so that the Attorney General might have the requisite cover to deploy federal law enforcement in a manner so as to scare American parents out of speaking freely at school-board meetings and petitioning their local governments,” the senators wrote to Cardona.

The senators previously wrote letters to Garland on Dec. 6 and Oct. 7, 2021 criticizing the DOJ crackdown on parents’ freedom of speech and asking Garland to withdraw the memo targeting parents. 

The letter to Garland is available here.

To letter to Cardona is available here.

Posted on

Kentucky Congressional Delegation Contacts President in Support of Governor’s Request of Reimbursement for Tornado Cleanup

Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kentucky’s federal delegation, including U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Rand Paul, and Representatives Hal Rogers (KY-05), John Yarmuth (KY-03), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Andy Barr (KY-06), Thomas Massie (KY-04), and James Comer (KY-01) sent a joint letter today to President Joe Biden expressing their support for Governor Andy Beshear’s request for 90% reimbursement to Kentucky for costs associated with storm debris removal and emergency protective measures for Kentucky communities hardest-hit by tornadoes and severe weather on December 10, 2021. 

“State and local officials have expressed continued concern to us that the current 30-day period may not be sufficient in length for the scope of debris removal and counties may not have the resources to remove the vast debris fields,” the delegation stated in their letter to the President. “As you know, Kentucky has also experienced several storms since the initial outbreak of tornadoes… now face new debris and damage caused by more tornadoes, torrential rain and wind, flash flooding, and snow.  While west Kentucky has weathered multiple storms, more help is needed.” 

Last month, President Biden announced that additional federal emergency aid provided to the Commonwealth would cover 100% of the cost associated with storm debris removal and emergency protective measures for the first 30 days after the Major Disaster Declaration on December 12, 2021. On January 4, 2022, the Kentucky congressional delegation supported the Governor’s request for a 60-day extension for the 100% reimbursement.  The extension was not granted, but the President did grant flexibility for when the Commonwealth can designate the 30-day, 100% reimbursement period.  

Click here to read the letter from the Kentucky delegation.