Sens. Cruz, Johnson, Colleagues Introduce Iran Nuclear Treaty Act to Place Constitutional Check on Iran Deal

Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with 21 of their Republican colleagues today introduced the Iran Nuclear Treaty Act. This bill will give the American people a proper constitutional check by requiring that the president submit to Congress any renewed nuclear deal with Iran as a treaty. The Iran Nuclear Treaty Act would strengthen the role Congress plays by ensuring the advice and consent of the Senate is taken into account for a new nuclear agreement, as well as prevent waiving, suspending, reducing or limiting the application of sanctions on Iran before the Senate has concurred.Co-sponsors of this bill include Sens. James Risch (R-Idaho), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.).Read the full text of the bill here.Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said:
“The Biden administration knows their reckless rush to dismantle sanctions on Iran is unjustifiable, so instead of being transparent and working with Congress, the Administration has chosen instead to freeze out Congress. In the process, the Administration is eroding the Senate’s constitutional authority to advice and consent to treaties by signaling that it will not submit the disastrous Iran nuclear deal to the Senate, just like the Obama administration, because they knew it faced majority bipartisan opposition. I urge my colleagues to remedy the harm done to the balance of powers and join me and Sen. Johnson in urging President Biden to submit the JCPOA to Congress.”
Sen. Johnson said:
“President Reagan was right when he said you achieve peace through strength. Unfortunately, our adversaries understand the Biden administration will chart the same weak and disastrous course as President Obama. It’s clear the Biden administration is in the business of appeasing adversaries like Russia, state sponsors of terrorism like Iran, and Iran’s terrorist proxies like Hamas. Instead of addressing the threats these actors pose, the administration will coddle the Iranian regime and ignore its malign activity throughout the region. Any potential agreement with Iran involves risks that affect our entire nation. It is critical to the security of America and to world peace that any deal Biden negotiates with Iran be deemed a treaty requiring approval by the U.S. Senate.”
Sen. Risch said:
“The Iranian regime presents a significant and enduring challenge to United States’ national security interests. While negotiators gather in Vienna, Iran continues to develop ballistic missiles, attacks American troops and diplomats in Iraq, funds Hamas’ attacks against Israel, facilitates Houthi aggression in Yemen, and enables the Assad regime’s continued atrocities in Syria. The path to a lasting Iran policy that best serves the needs of the American people must pass through the Senate for its consent and ratification.”
Sen. Crapo said:
“The 2015 JCPOA was poorly-negotiated and failed to permanently end Iran’s nuclear program or address its malign influence and terrorist proxies in the Middle East. Iran’s influence continues to prop up global terrorist groups that are a direct threat to the United States and its regional allies. The American people widely disproved of the agreement, and Congress was never consulted on ways to strengthen our nation’s side of the deal, which gave the Iranian regime a green light to continue its nuclear arms race and financial support of violent activities across the globe. Congress must be able to provide advice and consent on any similar agreements.”
Sen. Marshall said:
“Repeating Obama-era efforts to lift sanctions on Iran and rejoin the disastrous Iran Nuclear Deal without approval from Congress will give a free pass to the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism for their recent attacks their proxies have waged against Israel. President Biden should work with Congress to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its action and immediately end negotiations with Iran. Sanctions relief will only contribute to more terror attacks against America and its allies, as well as the continued development of Iran’s nuclear program.”
Sen. Lummis said:
“President Obama’s and President Biden’s efforts to unilaterally enact a treaty allowing Iran to enrich uranium is not only dangerous for Iran’s neighbors, but for the U.S., as well. Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Any actions we take to address its nuclear ambitions should have the approval of the U.S. Senate, just like any other treaty.”
Sen. Hoeven said:
“Iran must not be allowed to realize its nuclear ambitions, as it remains one of the largest sponsors of terrorism and represents an existential threat to our close ally Israel. Our legislation would ensure any new agreement with Iran is subject to Senate review, a critical step in maintaining the pressure needed to hold the Iranian regime accountable and protect our allies.”
Sen. Rick Scott said:
“Every day that Biden continues his feeble attempts to re-enter the failed Iran nuclear deal, American national security suffers. Iran is clearly our adversary and can’t be trusted. This legislation puts American interests first by mandating that President Biden receives the approval of the Senate before taking any action related to the disastrous Iran nuclear deal.”
Sen. Lee said:
“The executive branch should not be allowed to dangerously and unconstitutionally circumvent the Senate’s treaty ratification process and make substantial shifts in U.S. policy with major adversaries, including in the case of JCPOA or any successor agreement with Iran. Sen. Johnson’s bill makes a strong statement that the JCPOA, any successor agreement, or any actions on sanction relief with Iran constitute a treaty and therefore must come to the Senate for ratification, reasserting the Senate’s rightful powers.”
Sen. Hyde-Smith added:
“If President Biden’s short-changed defense budget is any indication of his approach to our national security, then the Senate must assert its constitutional advice and consent duty when it comes to dealing with Iran and its nuclear ambitions. This legislation would ensure this administration cannot unilaterally renew the disastrous Obama-Iran Nuclear Deal, which just furthered Iran’s destructive influence over its adversaries and our allies.”
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Rosen Urges Full Funding For U.S-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), announced she has joined Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) in a bipartisan letter calling for $500 million to fully fund U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs in the Defense Appropriations bill for fiscal year 2022. Israel’s missile defense system is made up of four operational layers: Iron Dome, David’s Sling, Arrow 2, and Arrow 3. In addition to contributing to ballistic missile defense, the funding will support crucial work on research, development, and test activities to counter hostile unmanned aerial systems.

“Joint U.S.-Israel missile defense collaboration on Israel’s multilayer missile defense system has been foundational to the defense of Israel since the 1980s. Congress has consistently supported this project,” wrote the Senators. “The U.S.-Israeli cooperation has resulted in a system that can, and has, countered numerous missile threats from state and non-state actors from adversaries in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere. This system provides Israel with the ability to protect lives at home and on the battlefield, keeping its citizens and soldiers out of harm’s way.”

The Senators’ full letter can be found here and below:

Dear Chairman Tester and Ranking Member Shelby:

Thank you for this committee’s strong support of U.S.-Israel collaborative defense programs, including Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow as well as our continued cooperative work on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). As you begin work on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Defense Appropriations bill, we write seeking $500 million for continued support for these in order to meet the United States’ and Israel’s national security needs.

Joint U.S.-Israel missile defense collaboration on Israel’s multilayer missile defense system has been foundational to the defense of Israel since the 1980s. Congress has consistently supported this project. Israel’s missile defense system is made up of four operational layers: Iron Dome (short-range), David’s Sling (medium-range), Arrow 2 (longer range), and now Arrow 3 (very long range). The U.S.-Israeli cooperation has resulted in a system that can, and has, countered numerous missile threats from state and non-state actors from adversaries in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and elsewhere. This system provides Israel with the ability to protect lives at home and on the battlefield, keeping its citizens and soldiers out of harm’s way.

This cooperative program has also created an important flow of data and invaluable insight to support vital U.S. missile defense technology while safeguarding our strategic ally Israel and our service members in the region. This program synergizes with our ongoing operations in the area increasing interoperability between U.S. and Israeli systems and forces. Moreover, the program supports critical elements of the industrial base and important jobs here in the United States through co-development and co-production agreements.

Another area of critical importance to both the United States and Israel, is in the field of UAS, and perhaps just as importantly, counter-UAS. In February 2020, the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit announced it had selected Israeli firm D-Fend Solutions to field a counter-drone system for the FBI and U.S. military. This technology was co-developed with the U.S. Combatting Terrorism Technical Support Office. CTTSO has played a crucial role in U.S.-Israel cooperation and innovation.

For FY 2022, in addition to ballistic missile defense, $500 million will continue critical work on research, development and test activities to counter hostile unmanned aerial systems. This funding will further development of a range of systems designed to handle the imminent threats American and Israeli forces face.

Together, these programs confront the compelling challenges facing both Israel and the United States and form a strong foundation of the enduring friendship of our nations. We look forward to working with you on these important programs.

Sincerely,

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Child Abuse Prevention Bill Passes Committee, Heads to the Senate Floor with Two of Rosen’s Priorities

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement after voting for the bipartisan Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to advance out of committee. This reauthorization included two of Senator Rosen’s priorities, clarifying the definition of child abuse and neglect within grant programs to include victims of child sex trafficking, and increasing state funding to modernize child welfare data systems.

“I was proud to vote the CAPTA reauthorization out of committee yesterday,” said Senator Rosen. “This bipartisan legislation, which includes two provisions I requested, updates key federal programs to support states in keeping our children safe. Improving state child welfare data systems, and ensuring they have the resources to prevent, identify, and treat abuse and neglect is critical to the wellbeing of children in Nevada and across the United States.”

BACKGROUND: The CAPTA reauthorization was voted out of the Senate HELP Committee on June 10th. This version of CAPTA includes two provisions requested by Senator Rosen:

  • Clarification that the expanded definition of child abuse and neglect (i.e., the definition explicitly including victims of sex trafficking) applies to Community-Based Grants to Prevent Child Abuse; and 
  • An increase in funds to states to modernize their networks and data systems to improve ease of use for caseworkers and interoperability among service providers and agencies.  The bill clarifies that this is an eligible use of grant funds and also includes an overall increase in authorization levels.

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Rosen Applauds Affordable Care Act as Enrollment in U.S. Reaches All Time High

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement in response to a new report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which shows a record-breaking 31 million Americans have health coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act. In Nevada, 355,412 residents have gained health coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act.

“In the years since the Affordable Care Act’s enactment, we’ve seen first-hand the positive effects that this robust health care law has had and the benefits the American people have experienced,” said Senator Rosen. “Access to affordable, quality health care is truly life-changing for many individuals and families in my great state of Nevada and across the United States. And thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Nevada’s uninsured rate has been reduced by nearly half since 2013. These new numbers released by HHS this week show just how important accessible health coverage is to the health and well-being of all Americans. We must continue to build on the success of the Affordable Care Act and I will keep fighting to further improve access to quality affordable care and coverage.”

BACKGROUND: As of February 2021, 79,976 Nevada residents were enrolled in Marketplace coverage, and according to December 2020 data, 275,436 were newly eligible enrollees in Medicaid coverage thanks to the ACA. Nevada’s uninsured rate fell from 20.7 percent in 2013 before the full implementation of the ACA to 11.4 percent as of 2019.

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Lummis, Senate Republicans Introduce Bill to Expose Keystone Pipeline Job Loss

Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), along with 10 of her Senate Republican colleagues, this week introduced the Defending Keystone Jobs Act, which would require a Department of Labor report to Congress detailing the number of jobs lost as a result of the Biden administration’s move to cancel construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Lummis joins Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID), who introduced the bill, and Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Roger Marshall (R-KS), John Hoeven (R-ND), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

“Over the past decade, the United States has become a global leader in energy production while cutting our carbon emissions,” said Senator Lummis. “Wyoming has been at the forefront of that effort, and President Biden is eroding this success by attacking American energy independence at every turn. We should know the true cost of President Biden’s political move to halt construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.” 

On his first day in office, President Biden issued an executive order revoking the construction permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. The project was expected to provide some 11,000 high-paying jobs directly, and up to 60,000 other jobs, while strengthening North American energy independence.

The Biden administration’s Keystone decision stands in stark contrast with its move to waive sanctions on the company constructing Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

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Klobuchar Statement on USDA Announcement on Antitrust Enforcement in Meat Markets

Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) issued the following statement in response to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that it will begin work to strengthen enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, a law designed to protect poultry and hog farmers and cattle ranchers from unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in the meat markets.

“Competition in agricultural markets is critical to all Americans, and as we have seen during the pandemic, we need a resilient food supply chain. The USDA taking action to update its rules and strengthen enforcement in this essential sector of the economy is an important step forward.”

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Klobuchar Statement on Bipartisan House Legislation Introduced to Regulate Big Tech

Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) issued the following statement regarding bipartisan legislation introduced in the House of Representatives today to regulate Big Tech.

“The legislation introduced today in the House represents an important step forward in creating an innovative, digital economy that works for all Americans. In addition to updating our antitrust laws for the twenty-first century, it is vital to set clear rules of the road for big tech platforms to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and online businesses have an opportunity to innovate and thrive. I was also pleased to see a House companion to the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act – we need to give our antitrust enforcers additional resources to enable them to take on some of the biggest companies in the world. I am encouraged by the bipartisan efforts in the House on these issues, and I look forward to continuing to work with members of the House and Senate to rein in the unfettered power of Big Tech.”

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Padilla, Feinstein Push for Disaster Supplemental Funding to Help Communities Rebuild From Destructive 2020 Wildfires

Source: United States Senator for California – Dianne Feinstein

Washington–Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) joined Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden (both D-Ore.) in pressing President Biden to provide additional relief to states struggling under the effects of extreme drought and wildfires.

In 2020, California faced some of the largest, record-breaking wildfires in state history including six of the 20 largest wildfires.

“We write to urge to you to provide relief to states that are struggling with the impact of extreme drought and wildfire this summer and uncompensated damage from past wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and storms. We urge you to request additional funding to meet those needs,” the senators wrote.

They continued, “While in most cases the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delivered substantial emergency relief to affected communities, the scale of natural disasters experienced in 2020 demands additional resources that can only be delivered through a disaster supplemental.”

According to the Drought Monitor, over half of the United States is currently experiencing a historic drought. Over 95 percent of the West is now either abnormally dry or in a drought—making current conditions among the most dry within the past two decades. A disaster supplemental could be used to fund major programs through FEMA, USDA including WHIP+, and others.

Senators representing wildfire-prone states across the West joined Feinstein, Padilla, Merkley and Wyden in the letter: Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

Text of the letter is available here and follows below.

Dear President Biden:

We write to urge to you to provide relief to states that are struggling with the impact of extreme drought and wildfire this summer and uncompensated damage from past wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and storms. We urge you to request additional funding to meet those needs.

According to the Drought Monitor, over half of the United States is experiencing a historic drought. About 90% of the West is now either abnormally dry or in a drought, which is among the highest percentages in the past 20 years. In addition, almost 600,000 acres of forests and rangelands have been burned by wildfire over the past year. The scale and nature of the problem is quickly outpacing the availability of funding and authorities of federal agencies.

In addition to the escalating impact of this year’s drought and wildfires, many states and communities never received supplemental relief for damage for disasters in 2020. While in most cases the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has delivered substantial emergency relief to affected communities, the scale of natural disasters experienced in 2020 demands additional resources that can only be delivered through a disaster supplemental.

We thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to working with you on this important issue.

Sincerely,

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Inhofe, Lankford, Lucas Announce Extension for Access to Oklahoma Rural Hospital

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe

U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) announced, after months of work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Harmon Memorial Hospital in Hollis, Oklahoma has received an extension of their designation to continue to serve the community as a Critical Access Hospital (CAH). In March, Inhofe, Lankford and Lucas sent a letter to then-Acting CMS Administrator Liz Richter to push for Harmon Hospital to remain a critical access hospital.  

“I am glad to hear that Harmon Hospital in Hollis, Oklahoma will be able to continue to operate as a Critical Access Hospital,” Inhofe said. “The CAH designation keeps rural hospitals going, helping ensure that individuals in communities like Hollis are able to get necessary care. I remain committed to ensuring Harmon’s ability to serve continues for years to come.”

“After months of calls, emails, and letters, I was elated to finally get the sign off from CMS that Harmon Hospital has received the vital extension that we requested for the entire community,” Lankford said. “Without the critical access designation, the city of Hollis and Harmon County would be dangerously far from emergency health services and nearly 100 people would lose their jobs. Oklahoma rural hospitals provide critical care to thousands of people who are loved by our families and essential to our economy.  We must work to protect each one.” 

“I am extremely grateful of CMS’ decision to extend the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation to Harmon Memorial Hospital. Oklahoma’s rural hospitals, including Harmon Memorial Hospital, provide critical care to those who call rural Oklahoma home. While many Oklahomans live in close proximity to some of Oklahoma’s largest hospitals, Oklahoma’s rural communities often rely on the accessibility of the state’s rural hospitals, including CAHs, who are often the sole community health care provider in the county. As more and more rural hospitals close across the country, we must ensure that we keep Oklahoma’s rural hospitals open, ensuring our rural communities have convenient, affordable, quality access to health care,” Lucas said. “I thank the efforts of CMS in ensuring Harmon Memorial Hospital remains a critical access hospital, and I look forward to working with the Agency and hospital leaders to make sure our rural communities in Oklahoma continue to have access to the essential services these hospitals provide.”

“The community of Hollis and health care professionals at Harmon Memorial Hospital are grateful for the efforts of Senators Lankford and Inhofe and Congressman Lucas in helping us receive an extension of our Critical Access Hospital designation.  Oklahoma is blessed to have elected officials who are so engaged,” said Steve Hartgraves, CEO Harmon Hospital.

Inhofe Receives Legislator of the Year Award from Oklahoma Veterans of Foreign Wars

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe

Today, the Oklahoma Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) presented Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) with the Legislator of the Year Award for outstanding veteran support and service. Inhofe has worked for years to ensure Oklahoma veterans receive quality care. He outlined these continued efforts in the Tulsa World here.

“I am honored to be presented this Legislator of the Year award today from Oklahoma Veterans of Foreign Wars,” Inhofe said. “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for Oklahoma and our country and they deserve the best possible care. I was glad to work with the Oklahoma VFW to make that possible for years to come. I look forward to continuing to fight for Oklahoma veterans in Congress.”

Photos available for download here.