Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
Sen. Marshall Introduces Iran Nuclear Treaty Act to Place Constitutional Check on Iran Deal
(Washington, D.C., June 11, 2021) – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. joined his colleagues in introducing 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.
“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,” said Senator Marshall. “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.”
Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio
Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and colleagues introduced theIran Nuclear Treaty Act. It would require the president to submit any renewed nuclear deal with Iran to the Senate for ratification. TheIran Nuclear Treaty Actwould 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.
“The Obama Administration entered into a deal that emboldened an evil, anti-American regime in Tehran,”Rubio said. “While I hope the Biden Administration doesn’t repeat this dangerous mistake, we need to make clear to them, and the entire world, that any new ‘Iran Deal’ must be ratified by the United States Senate.” For a full list of cosponsors, clickhere.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner and Senator Tim Kaine, co-chair of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, announced $2,699,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA)’s YouthBuild grant program to provide job training and education for at-risk youth.
“These dollars will provide additional resources for at-risk young Virginians and help put them on a path toward successful careers,” the Senators said. “These federal investments in community-based job programs will be crucial to our country’s economic recovery.”
YouthBuild is a pre-apprenticeship program that provides education and work training opportunities for vulnerable youth ages 16-24 who dropped out of high school. As part of the program, these young Americans will split time between job training and the classroom, where they earn high school diplomas or equivalency degrees and prepare for postsecondary training opportunities. This national program serves more than 6,000 youth annually in more than 40 states.
The funding will be distributed as follows:
Recipient
City
Amount
New River-Mount Rogers Workforce Investment Area Consortium
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins co-sponsored the National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Parity Act, legislation that would help ensure that Reserve Component service members in high-skilled roles are compensated at the same rate as active duty counterparts performing the same work.
“The brave men and women of our nation’s National Guard and Reserve make countless sacrifices to keep our communities safe. In addition to being the right thing to do, ensuring that Reserve Component service members are fairly compensated will help retain highly skilled members as well as keep the Guard and Reserve strong and ready to respond to emergencies,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan bill would eliminate the pay disparity for service members who perform the same work and have the same level of training and preparedness.”
The Department of Defense (DoD) currently uses more than 60 incentive and special duty pay rates to help retain individuals with specific skill sets that can fill roles that might be difficult to replace. Despite doing the same work and having to maintain the same level of training and preparedness, however, Reserve Component service members are in many cases not compensated at the same rate as their active duty counterparts. The National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Parity Act would address that pay disparity and simultaneously help the Guard and Reserve retain high-skilled and uniquely skilled individuals, which is ultimately more cost effective for our Armed Forces.
The legislation is endorsed by nearly 30 military and veterans’ organizations, including: the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Association of the United States Army (AUSA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and the Reserve Officers Association (ROA).
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced bipartisan legislation that would ensure that all communities, including rural and underserved areas, have access to quality emergency health care. The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act would make sure that ambulance providers are adequately reimbursed by Medicare for the cost of providing services. The bill would protect ambulance and EMT services across the country and particularly in rural areas where they are desperately needed.
“Whether an automobile accident, a fire, a health crisis, or another catastrophe, paramedics are there in those first critical minutes when courage, skill, and compassion are most needed,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan bill would support these first responders, especially those in rural and underserved communities, by ensuring they are adequately reimbursed by Medicare for their services. As a senator representing one of the most rural states in the country, I will continue to support the brave men and women who work around the clock to protect our communities.”
“Ambulances provide lifesaving care for Nevadans every day, but if Congress doesn’t act, many providers in our rural communities could face major cuts in funding that would dramatically alter services available to rural Americans,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Without reimbursements that actually cover the costs of ambulance services, lifesaving care in rural counties could become extremely expensive or unavailable. My bipartisan legislation would provide financial certainty for these first responders until Congress has the data to permanently address ambulance payments and ensure that Nevadans in every corner of our state can access the emergency health care services they need.”
Currently, ambulance service providers and suppliers across the country are reimbursed by Medicare at rates below the cost of providing services, necessitating add-on payments for urban, rural, and super-rural ambulances. Congress has extended current add-on payments through December 31, 2022. The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act would extend those rates for an additional five years. Additionally, the bill would protect ambulances from reimbursement changes tied to census data that has inaccurately captured the need for services in rural regions.
The Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act is supported by the American Ambulance Association, the Congressional Fire Services Institute, the International Association of Firefighters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Association of EMTs, the National Rural Health Association, and the National Volunteer Fire Council.
The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
Source: United States Senator for Michigan Debbie Stabenow 2
Friday, June 11, 2021
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today announced that the Grand Rapids Fire Department will receive $466,948 in federal funding to improve operations and safety for firefighters and personnel. This federal grant comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.
“Our firefighters in Grand Rapids put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” said Senator Stabenow. “These new resources will help keep the public safe and give our first responders the equipment they need to do their jobs more safely and effectively.”
“Firefighters in Michigan put their safety on the line to protect their neighbors and communities, and it’s critical they have the resources needed to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Senator Peters, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “These resources will allow firefighters in Grand Rapids to continue working to protect public safety and ensure our communities are even greater places to live, work and raise a family.”
“The Grand Rapids Fire Department is so happy to be awarded this Grant for Extrication and Technical Rescue equipment,” said John Lehman, Chief, Grand Rapids Fire Department. “This equipment which is carried on our front line apparatus is critical to our rescue response to vehicle accidents and entrapments. Auto technology is advancing rapidly and this grant will allow us to equip our firefighters to be able to adapt to those changes on our extrication scenes.”
Eligible fire departments and Emergency Medical Services organizations in Michigan and across the country can apply for Assistance to Firefighters Grants. These competitive grants help first responders purchase the equipment and obtain the training needed to handle fire-related hazards. More information about the grant can be found at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
06.11.21
WASHINGTON—On the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) recognized Michael Martinez, of Anchorage, a young Alaskan innovator, the winner of several prestigious science awards and competitions, and a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program. Martinez, just 21 years old, is currently working on a new sustainable method of extracting rare-earth elements, resources that are critically important to all aspects of modern technology. Sen. Sullivan recognized Martinez as part of his series, “Alaskan of the Week.”
TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL MARTINEZ
Mr. President, it is Thursday, and it is that time of the week. I know a lot of our reporters in the Senate like this because it is the signal of kind of the end of the workweek here. Of course, it is also a signal that I get to come to the floor and do what is one of my favorite elements about being a U.S. Senator: talking about someone who makes Alaska what I believe to be the greatest State in the country. We call this person our Alaskan of the Week.
Before I get to talking about our Alaskan of the Week–an extraordinary young man named Michael Martinez–let me tell you a little bit about what is going on in Alaska right now.
Today, in Anchorage, the sun rose at 4:24 am and will set tonight at 11:34 pm. It was light almost all day. Blackout curtains are up, and 12 midnight Sun celebrations are abounding. It is a great time of the year to be in Alaska. You can’t believe the energy you feel.
We were recently able to pass a cruise ship bill–and I appreciate the Presiding Officer’s doing that a couple of weeks ago–that enables cruise ships to come back to our State this summer. So we are going to have tourists coming, and you should, too, America. If you are watching on C-SPAN, come on up. Alaska is safe. It is beautiful. If it is on your bucket list, make it happen this summer. You will love it. You will see breathtaking scenery and some of the most generous, innovative people in the country. You will not be disappointed. So come on up.
You will be in a State where 21-year-old Michael Martinez, our Alaskan of the Week, was born and raised–one of the many, many reasons I remain optimistic about the state of our State and the state of our country. So let me tell you a little bit about Michael.
His mother, Mary, is from the village of Kotlik in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. She is Yupik. His father, Eufemio, is from Central Mexico. So those two met and married in Anchorage, and that is where Michael was raised.
As I said, he is 21 years old now and has one more year to go before he receives his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Alaska Anchorage–a great university. Although he has been very successful so far in his already having won many awards for his research, he plans on going to graduate school. There is so much for him to study, after all, and his interest in science runs very deep, as it has since he was a young boy when he began winning science fairs.
An Alaska reporter wrote a story in 2016 already documenting then-young Michael’s successes. The first award was for an experiment demonstrating how weight and length affect the throwing distance of traditional hunting spears used by Alaska Natives. Isn’t that a cool research topic? In eighth grade, he won an award for designing a robot.
Eventually, he moved on to bigger and better things, like, at the tender age of 16, trying to find a cure for cancer and getting mentorship from his high school teachers at Service High School in Anchorage and, very importantly, in the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program–what we call ANSEP–in Alaska. He won the Emperor Science Award, which is a prestigious science research award offered through PBS Learning Media and Stand Up to Cancer.
Michael worked with his mentor, Dr. Holly Martinson, Ph.D., from the University of Alaska Anchorage, to make a database for Alaska Natives suffering from cancer. It was his introduction to the world of research, and he fell in love with it. He entered ANSEP.
Let me talk to you a little bit about ANSEP. It is a program that attracts young Alaska Native students from all over Alaska and provides extraordinary educational opportunities for them in science, in the STEM fields. ANSEP students have been enormously successful and have gone on to do incredible, incredible things. I can’t say enough about this tremendous program.
Eventually, Michael was introduced to another mentor, Dr. Brandon Briggs, a professor of biological sciences and the director of the Advanced Instrumentation for Microbiome Studies. It was his work at Dr. Briggs’ lab that led him to his current passion of finding better environmentally friendly ways to extract much needed, even critical, materials from the Earth.
Increasingly, both here in Congress and across the country, we have been focusing on metals and minerals that are needed to power our future, particularly rare earth elements and critical minerals. So much of our economic future and our national defense depends upon these minerals. The problem–although we have many of these minerals, rare earths included, in our country and particularly in Alaska–is that our mining industry has had incredibly difficult times in terms of being able to access them, whether it be with permitting delays that take years, with far-left environmental lawsuits that prohibit the extracting of them, or with the lack of production capacity. The result is that China, like it is in so many other areas, is dominant, controlling up to 90 percent of some of these critical minerals.
Like many of the challenges we face and confront with China, we need the best minds in America working on these things. Our young minds hold the promise of our future.
That is one of the reasons we recently passed a bill right here in the Senate this week to fund research institutions, so that we can unleash this talent and creativity.
This is where our Alaskan of the Week, Michael, comes in. It was recently announced that Michael won first place in the High North Young Entrepreneur Award at the High North Dialogue, an international pitch competition for Arctic-related business ideas. Here is what he won it for: forming a company with his adviser-mentor, Dr. Briggs, called Arctic Biotech Oath, which is working on sustainably extracting rare-earth elements, as I said, which are in abundance in Alaska.
How does this work? What is the science and chemistry that he is already working on? In a lab, they are using microorganisms, fungi, which dig into the ore, breaking it up, and releasing the rare-earth element into a solution, which is a more natural and sustainable process to extract these rare-earth elements.
This process is still in research and development, but it has incredible potential for our Nation and for our State, and he has founded a company that is doing this, and Michael is just 21 years old. Michael could be anywhere doing this, but he is staying in Alaska because Alaska is home, and he is committed to contributing to our State.
That is why I’m still here. And that’s why the company will be here and will be based in Alaska. I was born and raised here. I am trying to improve our State and see Alaska soar and thrive within the next couple of decades. I want to see a green energy sector evolve in Alaska.
So that is Michael. He wants to be part of this, and he is part of this at the tender age of 21.
So to Michael, thanks for all your hard work.
By the way, thanks to all the mentors in Michael’s life and ANSEP and UAA, which have helped him along the way.
Good luck in your endeavors, and congratulations, Michael, for being our Alaskan of the Week.
Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
06.11.21
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Debbie Stabenow (MI) today announced that the Grand Rapids Fire Department will receive $466,948 in federal funding to improve operations and safety for firefighters and personnel. This federal grant comes from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program.
“Firefighters in Michigan put their safety on the line to protect their neighbors and communities, and it’s critical they have the resources needed to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Senator Peters, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “These resources will allow firefighters in Grand Rapids to continue working to protect public safety and ensure our communities are even greater places to live, work and raise a family.”
“Our firefighters in Grand Rapids put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and communities,” said Senator Stabenow. “These new resources will help keep the public safe and give our first responders the equipment they need to do their jobs more safely and effectively.”
“The Grand Rapids Fire Department is so happy to be awarded this Grant for Extrication and Technical Rescue equipment,” said John Lehman, Chief, Grand Rapids Fire Department. “This equipment which is carried on our front line apparatus is critical to our rescue response to vehicle accidents and entrapments. Auto technology is advancing rapidly and this grant will allow us to equip our firefighters to be able to adapt to those changes on our extrication scenes.”
Eligible fire departments and Emergency Medical Services organizations in Michigan and across the country can apply for Assistance to Firefighters Grants. These competitive grants help first responders purchase the equipment and obtain the training needed to handle fire-related hazards. More information about the grant can be found at http://www.fema.gov/firegrants.
Source: United States Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss)
HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS IRAN NUCLEAR TREATY ACT TO PLACE CONSTITUTIONAL CHECK ON IRAN DEAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on Thursday joined U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) in introducing legislation that would require Senate consent for any treaty related to Iranian nuclear capabilities.
The Iran Nuclear Treaty Act (S.2030) would deem any U.S. agreement with Iran, related to its nuclear program, a treaty under Article II, Clause 2 of the Constitution, requiring the Senate’s advice and consent. As such, the legislation would require the President to submit any renewed nuclear deal with Iran as a treaty.
“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,” Hyde-Smith said. “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.”
S.2030 would strengthen the role Congress plays by ensuring that the advice and consent of the Senate is taken into account for a new nuclear agreement. It would also prevent the President from waiving, suspending, reducing or limiting the application of sanctions on Iran before the Senate has concurred.
Additional cosponsors include U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).
Hyde-Smith in February cosponsored a resolution opposing the lifting of sanctions on Iran and signed a letter in May that pressed President Biden to stand with Israel and end sanctions relief negotiations with Iran.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) made two stops in Clarksburg, W.Va. today, delivering the keynote address at a naturalization ceremony welcoming 20 new United States citizens, and visiting a locally owned and operated bakery.
During her first stop at the U.S. District Court, Senator Capito joined Judge Thomas Kleeh and other officials where she spoke to 20 new United States citizens and their families in attendance, and helped hand out their certificates of citizenship. The new citizens represented 14 different countries.
“From India to Honduras to the Congo and elsewhere, you have come from nearly every corner of the world, united in the shared belief that in the United States your future can be anything you want it to be,” Senator Capito said to the group. “I want to thank you and your families for all the sacrifices, courage, patience, persistence, and commitment to this process. It’s both a testament to the promise of our great nation, and also to your character, in committing to America and its laws. You earned it, and I am honored to help officially welcome you, my fellow citizens, to the United States.”
Senator Capito then visited Roger and Mazza’s Italian Bakery for a tour of the locally owned pepperoni roll factory. During the pandemic, the bakery was a recipient of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds. Roger Mazza founded the company in the 1950s. His stepsons, Dennis and Michael, along with George Rogers, the current owner, now run the bakery. The business currently has more than 40 employees, most of which have been with the company for more than two decades.
“For more than 60 years, Roger and Mazza’s has been a mainstay in the local community, producing some of the best pepperoni rolls around,” Senator Capito said. “Today’s visit highlighted not only the importance of PPP funding that helped small businesses across West Virginia, but also the resilience of the owners and employees to make it through the pandemic. Unfortunately, Roger and Mazza’s, like many other small businesses, are struggling to fill jobs, and it’s critical the federal government stop incentivizing folks to stay home rather than look for work.”
Photos from today’s visit:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks to new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Clarksburg, W.Va. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) presents a citizen certificate to a new U.S. citizen at a naturalization ceremony in Clarksburg, W.Va. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks with the owners and employees at Roger and Mazza’s bakery in Clarksburg, W.Va. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
