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Feinstein, Collins Lead Call for ‘Robust’ Funding of Peace Corps

Source: United States Senator for California – Dianne Feinstein

Washington—Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) led a bipartisan group of 39 senators in calling for “robust funding” for the Peace Corps in fiscal year 2022.

“We write to you to request that you appropriate robust funding for the Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2022 of at least $430 million,” the senators wrote in a letter to the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations.

“The Peace Corps, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, has had flat funding for the past six years at about $410 million annually, and additional support is more crucial than ever as it prepares to return volunteers to the field following the coronavirus pandemic.”

Full text of the letter follows:

June 10, 2021

The Honorable Chris Coons
Chairman
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations
Washington, D.C. 20510

The Honorable Lindsey Graham
Ranking Member
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Chairman Coons and Ranking Member Graham,

We write to you to request that you appropriate robust funding for the Peace Corps in Fiscal Year 2022 of at least $430 million. The Peace Corps, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, has had flat funding for the past six years at about $410 million annually, and additional support is more crucial than ever as it prepares to return volunteers to the field following the coronavirus pandemic.

The Peace Corps provides Americans an incomparable opportunity to serve others. More than 240,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps in 142 countries, providing more than three billion hours of service to our nation and to the world. As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, a renewed American footprint of Peace Corps Volunteers around the world will help our country’s diplomatic efforts and strengthen our country’s relationships around the world.

Maintaining a thriving Peace Corps is also in the national security interest of the United States. The American ideals of democracy, pluralism and individual rights are shared by Peace Corps Volunteers with every corner of the world, building bridges and enhancing America’s image abroad. These volunteers then return home with skills and expertise that make our communities stronger, contributing across all professional sectors of American society.

As you know through the critical work of your subcommittee, the Peace Corps also advances our country’s international development goals. Volunteer activity was dynamic before all 7,300 Peace Corps Volunteers and Trainees were recalled in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, 2,400 volunteers in a dozen countries worked in youth development projects, benefitting more than 170,000 young people with training programs and activities to assist them in becoming healthy and engaged citizens. This is but a sample of the multiple activities in which Peace Corps Volunteers were – and once again will be – engaged.

At this critical moment for America’s role in the world, funding for the Peace Corps should be increased to meet the current obstacles that we are facing. Doing so will ensure that the Peace Corps not only sustains robust programs and services in the face of deteriorating purchasing power, but returns to the field with vigor and American spirit, renewing the promise of its creation six decades ago.

Thank you for considering our request and for your enduring support for the Peace Corps.

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

Susan Collins
United States Senator

Tina Smith
United States Senator

Jeanne Shaheen
United States Senator

Christopher Murphy
United States Senator

Tim Kaine
United States Senator

Sheldon Whitehouse
United States Senator

Thomas R. Carper
United States Senator

Richard Blumenthal
United States Senator

Elizabeth Warren
United States Senator

Margaret Wood Hassan
United States Senator

Tammy Baldwin
United States Senator

Mazie K. Hirono
United States Senator

Edward J. Markey
United States Senator

Chris Van Hollen
United States Senator

Ron Wyden
United States Senator

Joe Manchin III
United States Senator

Jeffrey A. Merkley
United States Senator

Brian Schatz
United States Senator

Michael F. Bennet
United States Senator

Richard J. Durbin
United States Senator

Martin Heinrich
United States Senator

Raphael G. Warnock
United States Senator

Maria Cantwell
United States Senator

Cory A. Booker
United States Senator

Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

Angus S. King, Jr.
United States Senator

Mark R. Warner
United States Senator

Amy Klobuchar
United States Senator

Ben Ray Luján
United States Senator

Jacky Rosen
United States Senator

Benjamin L. Cardin
United States Senator

Jack Reed
United States Senator

Tammy Duckworth
United States Senator

Bernard Sanders
United States Senator

Kyrsten Sinema
United States Senator

Robert Menendez
United States Senator

Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator

Alex Padilla
United States Senator

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Feinstein, Warren, Colleagues Call On DHS and ICE to Issue Guidance Against Re-detaining Individuals Released During Pandemic

Source: United States Senator for California – Dianne Feinstein

Washington–Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Cory A. Booker (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) calling on the agencies to issue guidance for all ICE field offices and detention centers against re-detaining individuals previously released due to the COVID-19 pandemic who have complied with the conditions of their release and who pose no public safety concerns. 

“It is imperative that federal authorities protect the health, safety, and rights of detained individuals and the wellbeing of the staff, families, and the surrounding communities of ICE detention centers,” wrote the lawmakers. “We urge DHS and ICE to take steps to remove the unpredictability, uncertainty, and arbitrariness generated by the varying approaches of different ICE field offices regarding re-detaining released individuals. We ask that you promptly issue guidance to all ICE field offices and detention facilities that individuals who have been released from custody due to COVID-19, and who have complied and continue to comply with the conditions of their release, should be permitted to remain free from custody.” 

ICE detention facilities have served as hotspots for COVID-19 transmission, imperiling the health and safety of detainees, the staff in charge of their care, and their surrounding communities. In April 2020, a federal judge granted an emergency preliminary injunction ordering ICE to release all detained immigrants at risk for COVID-19. As of March 22, 2021, ICE has released from its custody only 3,741 detainees, which amounts to less than 16% of the currently detained population. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, which has over 800 previously detained clients who have been released, many of these individuals are now living safely at home with their families, in compliance with the terms of their court-ordered releases and posing no danger to their community. 

While some ICE field offices have agreed not to re-detain anyone released by court order as a result of COVID-19, others have actively sought to reverse court orders granting releases. This inconsistency in the approaches taken by ICE field offices is leading to unpredictability and uncertainty, subjecting formerly detained people to the prospect of re-detention and thus an increased risk of COVID-19 exposure.

“Individuals who were released from immigration detention to the safety of their families due to serious risks to their health and lives during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis must continue to be treated with dignity,” said Adina Appelbaum, program director of Immigration Impact Lab at the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition. “In valuing their health and safety, the federal courts have recognized the humanity of these men and women. Re-detaining them would mean we are regressing back to a world where immigrants are not seen as human beings.”

“Over the course of COVID-19 pandemic, ICE agreed to release thousands of people from detention to shelter in the safety of their homes. ICE also reduced the number of people in ICE detention from more than 56,000 each day to just over 13,000,” said Eunice Cho, Sr. Staff Attorney, ACLU National Prison Project. “This dramatic reduction underscores an important truth: Immigration detention has been overused for decades. Now, as the country works to move past the pandemic, we hope the government will choose a just, humane approach and allow people who were released to remain free with their families and communities. That is the country we aspire to be.”

Full text of the letter is available here.

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Feinstein Statement on Biden Decision to Donate 500 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses

Source: United States Senator for California – Dianne Feinstein

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after President Biden announced the United States will donate 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to countries that need them.

“I strongly support President Biden’s decision to donate 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to countries that need help controlling the spread of this deadly virus.

“If the United States is to continue its role as a global leader, we must step forward to help nations that need assistance. And if we’re to finally put a stop to this pandemic and mitigate the development of new variants, we have to make sure we pay attention to the spread of COVID-19 outside our borders as well as inside.

“The president announced that dozens of countries will receive vaccines from the United States over the coming months. This will help those nations ramp up their vaccination efforts and save lives.

“It’s times like these when all of us should feel especially proud to be Americans. Saving lives in areas of the world that are in need and struggling is a humane decision, and it’s one to be commended.”

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Sullivan, Murkowski Introduce Bill to Support Alaska Native Vietnam Veterans

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

06.10.21

Ensures Federal Government Fulfills its Decades-old Promise to Provide Allotments to Alaska Natives who served during the Vietnam War

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) have introduced legislation to amend the Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment program, making an additional 3.7 million acres of federal land in the National Wildlife Refuge System available for selection. The legislation was developed based on a recommendation from then-Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and will help to further rectify a longstanding injustice that has impacted Alaska Native veterans that served during the Vietnam War.  

“In 2017, after years of hard work and advocacy, primarily from Alaska’s Native veteran leaders, we were finally able to secure the opportunity for thousands of Alaska Native veterans to apply for the land allotments they had missed because of their service during the Vietnam War,” said Senator Sullivan. “Unfortunately, one frustrating injustice has remained—the inability of some veterans or their heirs to select lands from the region in which they live. My original bill made all federal lands available but, sadly, certain Democratic members would not allow it in the final Dingell Act. In spite of the setback, I promised Alaska Native veteran leaders that we would not give up that fight, which is why Senator Murkowski and I introduced this legislation to make additional lands available in the National Wildlife Refuge System. I hope my colleagues will join us in enabling more of those who served and sacrificed on our behalf to select the lands they deserve in their own region, another step in correcting this historic inequity.”

“I worked hard to ensure that our Alaska Native Vietnam veterans were able again to select land through my Dingell Act. Unfortunately, due to opposition from some of our colleagues in the lower 48, much of the land that was made available was undesirable – it was far away from population centers, and difficult to access, often only by plane and boat. We recognized the selections would be tough, which is why we asked the Secretary of the Interior to study whether additional lands should be made available and to make a recommendation to Congress,” said Senator Murkowski. “We should not place such an expensive and unnecessary burden on them to access lands that they are owed. The lands opened by this new legislation will mean more options and selections could be made closer to where the veterans lived or traditionally hunted. These veterans deserve no less.” 

Dating back to the early 20th Century, various programs existed to grant Alaska Natives parcels of land, up to 160 acres in size. Over time, the program was closed and reopened. One brief reopening occurred during the Vietnam War, which meant that Alaska Native servicemen and women serving overseas and away from home missed out on the ability to apply for these land allotments. The program closed following the passage of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) in 1971 and was officially reopened with Senator Murkowski’s comprehensive lands package, the Dingell Act, being signed into law in March 2019. The bill contained a provision sponsored by Senator Sullivan and cosponsored by Senator Murkowski to establish the Alaska Native Vietnam-era Veterans Land Allotment program, which required the Department of the Interior to study whether additional refuge lands should be made available.

The additional land opened up in this new legislation was identified by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service as suitable for selection. Further, the secretary of the interior recommended that Congress open the lands to be included in the allotment program. This study and recommendation can be accessed here. 

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Sen. Cramer Voices Concerns on Cuts to Intelligence Capabilities in Biden’s Budget Proposal

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

***Click here for video. Click here for audio.***

WASHINGTON – At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) expressed concerns to the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Army General Mark Milley, about President Biden’s proposed military budget and the affect it will have on Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. North Dakota is home to ISR platforms such as the RQ-4 Global Hawk in Grand Forks and the MQ-9 Reaper in Fargo.

“The [Global Hawk] Block 30s are slated for retirement in this budget,” said Senator Cramer. “I’m concerned about the lack of a bridge between where we are today and where we’re going to get to eventually with new systems. We have tough choices and we’ve heard all about the difficult priorities you have to set, but I remain concerned about the retirement of the Block 30s prematurely.” 

In light of these proposed cuts, Senator Cramer asked General Milley if our Combatant Commanders across the globe have their ISR needs sufficiently met.

“Are the Combatant Commanders getting all of the ISR support that they need?” asked Senator Cramer. 

“As Chief of Staff of the Army for four years and Chairman for almost two, no Combatant Commander has ever gotten all the ISR they want,” said General Milley. “It is one of those commodities that is in high demand and no one is ever completely satisfied. Every commander wants perfect knowledge, and that’s what ISR does.”

Click Here to Watch

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Sen. Cramer: If Rebuilding Our Alliances is Biden’s Priority, Why Allow Nord Stream 2?

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

***Click here for video. Click here for audio.***

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned U.S. Army General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing today about how President Biden allowing the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to be completed undermines his rhetoric on restoring relationships with our European allies.

“Three weeks ago, President Biden lifted the sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. That flies in the face of ‘America’s back,’ that flies in the face of rebuilding NATO alliances,” said Senator Cramer. “I have some great concerns, and I think we ought to get them straightened out.”

Senator Cramer highlighted a recent vote by the parliament of the European Union calling for a stronger stance against the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, a vote seemingly at odds with the President’s rationale that allowing the pipeline’s completion would improve America’s standing with its European allies.

The senator also noted the increase in carbon emissions the pipeline would cause. As he’s noted in previous hearings, American energy is produced and delivered with significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Today’s exchange follows a recent claim by President Biden that leaders in the Pentagon told him “the greatest physical threat facing America was global warming.”

In the Senate, Senator Cramer is leading the Protecting Our Well-being by Expanding Russian Sanctions (POWERS) Act, legislation to build on recently-passed bipartisan sanctions against Russia and reinstate sanctions the Biden Administration is waiving on Russian people and entities involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Learn more here. 

Click Here to Watch the Full Exchange

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Blunt, Coons Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Scientific Community for the Development of Lifesaving COVID-19 Vaccines

Source: United States Senator for Missouri Roy Blunt

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (Mo.) and Chris Coons (Del.) introduced a bipartisan bill to award a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the contributions of all of those whose efforts led to the successful development of lifesaving vaccines to combat COVID-19.

The bill commends these professionals for their tireless efforts, which beat typical vaccine development timeframes, and for their broader impact on the health and well-being of society and for the benefit of people around the world. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow. It is awarded to those who have performed an achievement that has had an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized in the recipient’s field for years to come.

“Our nation is incredibly grateful for all of the scientists, researchers, and medical professionals who worked around the clock and under incredible pressure to develop life-saving vaccines,” said Blunt. “Facing significant challenges, they defied all odds and developed vaccines faster than ever before in history. As Ranking Member of the appropriations subcommittee that funds medical research, I will continue making sure they have the tools and resources they need to finish the fight against COVID. I urge all of my colleagues to join Senator Coons and me in this effort to honor these men and women with the Congressional Gold Medal.”

“I am partnering with Senator Blunt to honor the tremendous efforts of the scientific community to respond to COVID-19 with a sense of urgency, tremendous expertise, and a spirit of collaboration. Their successful production of vaccines is saving countless lives in the United States and around the world,” said Coons. “It’s my hope that this bipartisan bill will help to recognize these professionals for their extraordinary accomplishments and their contributions to advancements in medical technologies that will benefit the world for decades to come.”

The COVID–19 Vaccine Developers Gold Medal Act will honor:

  • Researchers, scientists, doctors, epidemiologists, and others around the world who worked collaboratively to develop vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States and will be used worldwide; and
  • The global cooperation, strategic partnerships, and collaboration between private innovators and public agencies that led to successful development of vaccines.

The Congressional Gold Medal is among the country’s two highest civilian honors, along with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. While the latter is granted at the personal discretion of the president, the Congressional Gold Medal requires support from two-thirds of Congress, generally including the support of supermajorities in both chambers, and thus represents the recognition of an individual’s or group’s contributions by the people’s collective representatives. The award predates the founding of the Republic, and the first honoree—then-General George Washington—was recognized by the Continental Congress on March 25, 1776. Fewer than 175 medals have been extended in the country’s history.

The bill text is available here.

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Cantwell Introduces Bipartisan Transportation Infrastructure and Safety Bill

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

06.10.21

Cantwell Introduces Bipartisan Transportation Infrastructure and Safety Bill

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS) introduced the Surface Transportation Investment Act which authorizes $78 billion over five years to address key infrastructure and safety priorities, broken down as follows: $36 billion for rail, $27.8 billion for multimodal grant programs, and $13 billion for safety programs.

“With the economy rebounding, it’s imperative that our long delayed transportation needs are addressed,” Senator Cantwell said. “Whether it’s moving people safely, delivering freight on time, or addressing environmental needs, this legislation is a down payment to thrive and compete in the innovation economy.”

The Surface Transportation Investment Act will provide much-needed resources, which will support key Washington state infrastructure and safety priorities:

  • Mega-Projects – The bill authorizes $10 billion to help fund large, complex surface transportation projects. This program could help fund projects like the I-5 Columbia River Bridge Replacement, US- 2 Westbound Trestle, SR 3/Gorst Area Widening, and I-5 between DuPont and Tumwater.
  • Culverts– The bill includes a new program authorizing $4 billion over five years to conduct culvert improvements and replacements which could benefit Washington salmon populations by restoring habitat and access to traditional spawning grounds.
  • Railroad Crossings – The bill authorizes $2.5 billion for railroad crossing separation projects, as proposed by Senator Cantwell’s Grade Crossing Elimination Act, to help ease congestion at blocked railroad crossings. In 2017 the Washington State Department of Transportation found that the state’s 50 highest-priority grade crossings were occupied by a train for an average of two hours each day.
  • Freight Investment – The bill increases freight funding, including the U.S. Department of Transportation’s INFRA grant program, to more than double the amount provided under the prior authorization included in the FAST Act of 2015, and expands eligibility for multimodal freight projects. Projects in the National Multimodal Freight Network, such as the ports of Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett, will better compete because the bill raises the multimodal cap.
  • Multimodal Investment – The bill for the first time authorizes $7.5 billion for the RAISE discretionary grant program, which funds transit, rail, highway, and multimodal projects. The RAISE grant program is a high-demand program that is over-subscribed, and this funding is double what has historically been provided for it to help meet that demand.
  • Intercity Passenger Rail Expansion – This bill authorizes $25 billion for Amtrak and intercity passenger rail, which could help support Washington state’s efforts to expand the Amtrak Cascades route. This is the largest bipartisan investment in passenger rail in history.
  • DuPont Derailment: The bill will help address key concerns identified by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), including ensuring rigorous passenger rail crewmember training through intensive audits and updates to safety regulations, requiring crewmember review of safety plans prior to passenger train departure, and requiring a holistic review of Amtrak’s safety culture.
  • Supporting Vision Zero Plans: The bill creates a new grant program to support Vision Zero safety plans in Seattle and Spokane County, and provides funding for other cities in Washington to develop vision zero safety plans.
  • Funding for HazMat First Responders: The bill increases funding for emergency response and training programs to better prepare communities for the risks posed by trains carrying crude oil and other hazardous materials.

In April, The White House released a state-by-state Infrastructure Report Card, in which Washington state earned a “C” grade. The report also states that Washington currently has 416 bridges and over 5,469 miles of highway in poor condition. The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation is scheduled to hold an executive session to consider the Surface Transportation Investment Act on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, with the goal of advancing the bill to the full Senate for consideration alongside other transportation bills to invest in highways and transit.

A two-page summary of the legislation is available HERE, a section-by-section can be found HERE, and the full text of the bill can be read HERE.

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Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Two Bipartisan Durbin, Grassley Criminal Justice Bills

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

06.10.21

WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance two bipartisan criminal justice reform bills authored by U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee —the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2021 and the First Step Implementation Act of 2021. These bills will build on the landmark First Step Act and continue Congress’s bipartisan efforts to make our criminal justice system fairer. 

“The Senate Judiciary Committee has a responsibility to address inequities in our criminal justice system and these two bills contribute to that effort.  I look forward to building on the reforms of the landmark First Step Act by working across the aisle to enact these bills into law,” Durbin said.

“The Judiciary Committee today took an important step to build upon our criminal justice reform progress from 2018 and to ensure that the law is fully and safely implemented. Today’s bills prevent offenders from being sentenced for conduct for which they have been acquitted and respects the rights of victims to testify at trials. They’re the product of much deliberation, and I applaud the committee’s actions to advance them to the full Senate. I’ll continue working with my colleagues to improve fairness in the criminal justice system, fight violent crime and provide victims a meaningful opportunity to be heard,” Grassley said.

The bipartisan, bicameral Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2021 would end the unjust practice of judges increasing sentences based on conduct for which a defendant has been acquitted by a jury.  Our criminal justice system rests on the Fifth and Sixth Amendment guarantees of due process and the right to a jury trial for the criminally accused.  These principles require the government to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury.  Under the Constitution, defendants may be convicted only for conduct proven beyond a reasonable doubt.   However, at sentencing, courts may enhance sentences if they find, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a defendant committed other crimes.  The difference in those standards of proof means that a sentencing court can effectively nullify a jury’s verdict by considering acquitted conduct.  The legislation was passed out of Committee by a bipartisan vote of 16-6.  More information on the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2021 can be found here.

The bipartisan, bicameral First Step Implementation Act would advance the goals of the landmark First Step Act (FSA), by, among other provisions, making eligible for retroactive review some of the FSA’s sentencing reforms. The FSA – authored by Durbin and Grassley and signed into law in 2018 – is bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation designed to make our justice system fairer and our communities safer by reforming sentencing laws and providing opportunities for those who are incarcerated to prepare to reenter society successfully.  The First Step Implementation Act was passed out of Committee by a bipartisan vote of 13-9.  More information on how the First Step Implementation Act of 2021 would further the goals of the FSA can be found here.

Last month, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the bipartisan COVID-19 Safer Detention Act of 2021, authored by Durbin and Grassley.

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Durbin Meets Virtually With Voices For Progress

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

06.10.21

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met virtually with members of Voices for Progress to discuss the For The People Act, policing reform, and President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan. On the call, Durbin expressed his strong support for the comprehensive democracy reforms included in the For the People Act and the critical policing reforms in the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act as negotiations continue on a path forward for both bills. Durbin also spoke about advancing the American Jobs Plan to invest nearly $2.3 trillion in infrastructure across the country over the next eight years. 

“With legislation that could institute historic democracy reform, create meaningful policing reforms, and usher in a new era of economic development being considered in the Senate, I’m pleased to speak with groups like Voices for Progress who are engaged in this conversation,” said Durbin. “I stand ready to work alongside my Senate colleagues to advance the For the People Act, the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, and President Biden’s American Jobs Plan.”

A photo of the virtual meeting is available here.

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