Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Lankford, Gillibrand, Rounds Push To Fully Fund US-Israel Missile Defense Cooperation

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

06.10.21

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) led a bipartisan group of 38 senators in calling for $500 million to fully fund US-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 now 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. 

The bipartisan group of senators wrote, “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.”

Senators Gillibrand and Rounds have long led this bipartisan letter in support of U.S.-Israeli cooperative missile defense programs, which advance U.S. national security interests by supporting Israel’s ability to defend itself against missile and rocket attacks. For several years, the senators have led letters that have secured at least $500 million for these important programs. In the Senate, Gillibrand has led the letter dating back to at least 2012. 

In addition to Lankford, Gillibrand, and Rounds, the letter was signed by Senators Bennet (D-CO), Blumenthal (D-CT), Booker (D-NJ), Brown (D-OH), Cantwell (D-WA), Cardin (D-MD), Casey (D-PA), Coons (D-DE), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Cramer (R-ND), Daines (R-MT), Duckworth (D-IL), Feinstein (D-CA), Fischer (R-NE), Hassan (D-NH), Hickenlooper (D-CO), Kaine (D-VA), Kelly (D-AZ), Klobuchar (D-MN), Markey (D-MA), Merkley (D-OR), Padilla (D-CA), Peters (D-MI), Rosen (D-NV), Rubio (R-FL), Schatz (D-HI), Sinema (D-AZ), Smith (D-MN), Stabenow (D-MI), Thune (R-SD), Van Hollen (D-MD), Warner (D-VA), Warnock (D-GA), Wyden (D-OR) and Young (R-IN).

You can find the text of the letter below and HERE.

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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Sens. Moran, Manchin, Ernst & Shaheen Introduce Bill to Make Rural, Underserved Telehealth Flexibilities Permanent

Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act with Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) to make current telehealth flexibilities permanent. This bipartisan legislation would ensure rural and underserved community health care providers are able to continue offering telehealth services after the current public health emergency ends. These services include the ability to offer audio-only telehealth appointments because many rural Americans don’t have reliable, affordable broadband access.

“The COVID-19 pandemic reiterated the effective and efficient access to care telehealth provides to patients, especially those in rural communities,” said Sen. Moran. “Even after the pandemic ends, our health care system should bolster telehealth services as a reliable option to serve patients and help expand health care options and availability for rural America.”

“In rural areas across the United States – especially in West Virginia – many Americans don’t have access to reliable, affordable broadband, which is essential for video telehealth services,” said Sen. Manchin. “Instead, many rural Americans utilize audio-only telehealth appointments, which are now equally reimbursed after I fought to ensure that our healthcare professionals are reimbursed fairly for their hard work. When we began to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the COVID-19 pandemic, we immediately recognized the importance of making these telehealth flexibilities permanent. Our bill ensures that rural telehealth providers can give rural Americans the quality care they deserve by eliminating restrictions on the use of telehealth options and ensuring doctors can be reimbursed for services they provide to patients from the comfort of their homes. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join this commonsense legislation to permanently expand telehealth access for all Americans, no matter where they live in our great nation.”

“Even before the pandemic, access to telehealth was critical to helping Iowans in rural areas get the care they need,” said Sen. Ernst. “That’s why I prioritized working with Democrats and Republicans to expand access to these services during this difficult year. Now that we’ve seen its success, there’s no reason we shouldn’t make these changes permanent to continue supporting both our rural patients and hospitals.”

“The expansion of telehealth services during the pandemic, including especially audio-only telehealth, has allowed Granite Staters to access the care they need without traveling long distances and risking their health, while also helping health care providers easily connect with patients and earn additional income needed to keep their doors open – a win-win,” said Sen. Shaheen. “I’m pleased to introduce this common-sense legislation with Senator Manchin to permanently expand the telehealth services and ensure that Medicare beneficiaries in areas of New Hampshire that lack broadband can continue to access audio-only forms of telehealth services. It should not have taken a pandemic for Medicare to finally unlock the potential of telehealth services — and now we need to make sure that these vital telehealth services continue to be available to patients long after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.”

The Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act would:

  • Allow payment-parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments. During COVID-19, recognizing not everyone has access to the technology in their home, Congress made allowances for audio-only telephone services to be used to allow doctors to reach patients wherever they are.
  • Permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes. Pre-COVID-19, the home was allowed as an eligible originating site in Medicare and some Medicaid programs, but only for very specific services, and only for the patient, not the provider.
  • Permanently allow rural health clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers to serve as distance sites for providing telehealth services.
  • Lift the restrictions on “store and forward” technologies for telehealth. Currently this is only allowed in Hawaii and Alaska.
  • Allows Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services.

This bill is supported by the Alliance for Connected Care; American Academy of Family Physicians; American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; America’s Essential Hospitals; Americans for Prosperity; American Telemedicine Association; AMDA The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine; diaTribe Foundation; eHealth Initiative; Global Liver Institute; Hawai’i Parkinson Association; International Foundation for Autoimmune & Autoinflammatory Arthritis (AiArthritis); LeadingAge; Medical Group Management Association (MGMA); National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs; National Rural Health Association; Patient & Provider Advocates for Telehealth; Progressive Policy Institute; Special Needs Plan Alliance.

Click here to view the bill text.

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Ernst Helps Lead Bipartisan Effort to Increase Access to Telehealth in Rural Areas

Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is working with U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on a bipartisan effort to continue and expand access to telehealth for Iowans in rural areas. The bill makes current telehealth flexibilities that have been put in place due to the pandemic permanent—allowing rural providers to build out their infrastructure without having to worry about telehealth flexibilities only being temporary.

“Even before the pandemic, access to telehealth was critical to helping Iowans in rural areas get the care they need. That’s why I prioritized working with Democrats and Republicans to expand access to these services during this difficult year. Now that we’ve seen its success, there’s no reason we shouldn’t make these changes permanent to continue supporting both our rural patients and hospitals,” said Senator Ernst.

“In rural areas across the United States – especially in West Virginia – many Americans don’t have access to reliable, affordable broadband, which is essential for video telehealth services. Instead, many rural Americans utilize audio-only telehealth appointments, which are now equally reimbursed after I fought to ensure that our healthcare professionals are reimbursed fairly for their hard work,” said Senator Manchin. “When we began to see the light at the end of the tunnel for the COVID-19 pandemic, we immediately recognized the importance of making these telehealth flexibilities permanent. Our bill ensures that rural telehealth providers can give rural Americans the quality care they deserve by eliminating restrictions on the use of telehealth options and ensuring doctors can be reimbursed for services they provide to patients from the comfort of their homes. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join this commonsense legislation to permanently expand telehealth access for all Americans, no matter where they live in our great nation.”

Background:
The COVID-19 pandemic has put further financial pressure on rural hospitals. Thanks to the bipartisan relief bill, the CARES Act, telehealth expansion has been critical to supporting rural patients and hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth has allowed health providers to continue to reach patients at their home for medical check-ups and screenings, without patients having to travel hours to receive care.

The Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act would:

Permanently waive the geographic restriction allowing patients to be treated from their homes
Allow Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to directly bill for telehealth services and allow them to be paid according to the payment methodology they have already selected.
Permanently allow Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to serve as distant sites.
Express the sense of Congress in support for maintaining waivers that have been issued under the public health emergency.
Allow payment-parity for audio-only health services for clinically appropriate appointments.

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Hoeven Highlights Need for More Resilient, Secure Satellite & UAS Communications With Space Force Chief

Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

06.10.21

Senator Outlines Importance of Laser Communications Development, LEO Satellite Mission

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – At a hearing of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven highlighted the need for more resilient satellite communication systems, including between satellites and unmanned aerial systems (UAS),with General John Raymond, Chief of the U.S. Space Force, who affirmed his commitment to the priority and agreed with the senator on the need to stay ahead of the nation’s adversaries in developing satellite technologies. Specifically, Hoeven outlined the following priorities he is working to advance:

  • Laser Communications – Last month, Hoeven announced a $6 million award from the Space Development Agency (SDA) to General Atomics to demonstrate satellite to MQ-9 Reaper laser communications.
    • Utilizing high frequency lasers, rather than radio frequencies, enables transmissions between satellites and unmanned aircraft to use less power and be more secure against detection and interference.
  • Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellites – Hoeven is working to secure funding for a new satellite operations center in Grand Forks and recently hosted SDA Director Dr. Derek Tournear in North Dakota to review efforts to establish the new LEO satellite mission.
    • The LEO satellites will be part of a broad network of satellites at a variety of orbits, serving as the backbone for all U.S. military communications across the globe.
    • The senator stressed the need for the mission in Grand Forks to not only support SDA operations, but also for its potential to strengthen the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in the region.

“Our adversaries are continually trying to surpass our defense capabilities,” said Hoeven. “That’s why developing laser communications and establishing the new LEO mission are so important. Both are key to ensuring our satellite communications system is resilient and secure. With the work at General Atomics and the satellite operations center that we’re working to bring to Grand Forks, our state is well-positioned yet again to play a critical role in the future of our nation’s defense.”   

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Hoeven to Air Force Secretary: Keep Nuclear Modernization on Schedule

Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

06.10.21

Senator Working to Secure Funding to Support Upgrading Helicopters, B-52s, ICBMs and Nuclear Cruise Missile

WASHINGTON – At a hearing of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven secured a commitment from Acting U.S. Air Force Secretary John P. Roth and U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Brown to keep nuclear modernization efforts on schedule. That includes new helicopters for nuclear bases, as well as B-52 modernizations and upgrades to the nuclear missiles.

The senator outlined the important role of Minot Air Force Base as the nation’s only dual nuclear mission and highlighted the importance of supporting the following priorities in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022:

  • MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter: The Air Force to secure FAA certification and continue procurement of the Grey Wolf helicopter, which will replace the Huey at nuclear bases.
  • Long Range Stand Off (LRSO) Missile: The $224 million increase in the budget request for the LRSO Weapon, which will replace the aging Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) that flies on the B-52.
  • B-52 Modernizations: The $233 million increase in the budget request for B-52 modernization, including developing a new engine, replacing the radar and upgrading the communications systems.
  • Ground Based Strategic Deterrent: Ensuring that GBSD remains on time and on budget. The GBSD will replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

“We’ve made good progress in updating our forces, and that work needs to continue to ensure that the U.S. maintains a credible deterrent and stays ahead of the capabilities of our adversaries,” said Hoeven. “We reviewed the Administration’s budget request with Air Force leaders, and outlined the importance of our nuclear forces. That includes advancing the Grey Wolf Helicopter replacement program and ensuring the Air Force works through FAA certification, as well as ensuring that we provide the necessary resources to update our B-52s, cruise missiles and ICBMS, and keep these vital programs on budget and on schedule.”

Earlier this year, Hoeven reviewed operations at Minot Air Force Base with General Brown; General Timothy Ray, Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command; and a bipartisan group of senators from the Armed Services and Senate Defense Appropriations Committees. The senator also recently made the case for nuclear modernization to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. Additionally, Hoeven is pressing the administration to conduct a Nuclear Posture Review, which would include military assessment of the value of our nuclear deterrent in the face of challenges like China, Russia and North Korea. 

From his position on the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to secure more than $2.3 billion to keep nuclear modernization efforts on schedule in FY 2021. This includes: 

  • Long Range Stand Off Missile: $385.4 million for the LRSO missile to replace the aging ALCM carried on the B-52.
  • Ground Based Strategic Deterrent: $1.45 billion for the GBSD to replace the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
  • Minuteman III Sustainment and Modernization: $590 million for maintenance, sustainment and continued incremental upgrades for the Minuteman III ICBM.
  • B-52: $512 million for modifications and upgrades to the B-52, including the new engine program.
  • UH-1N Replacement: $194 million to purchase the first 8 MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters to replace the Hueys. 

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Senate HELP Committee Considers Bipartisan Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, First Reauthorization in Decade

Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Richard Burr

06.10.21

Burr: ‘All of us have a role to play in keeping children safe.’

Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held an executive session to consider the bipartisan Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) Reauthorization of 2021.

Earlier this week, Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Patty Murray (D-WA), the Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, introduced the CAPTA Reauthorization of 2021.

Ranking Member Burr’s Opening Statement:

“Good morning Chair Murray.

“Thank you and your staff for the bipartisan work that has brought us to considering the reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 2021.

“I also want to thank all the members on the Committee, as well as members off the Committee, for the ideas that have helped form the first comprehensive reauthorization of CAPTA in over a decade. 

“Among all the laws that come before this committee, CAPTA may be the most important for stating who we are as a nation in our relationships with children and families.  How we respond to the needs of abused and neglected children directly determines how children will grow into adulthood.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has painfully demonstrated the need for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Emergency room visits due to abuse have climbed while reports of abuse into Child Protective Services have fallen.  

“In their role as mandated reporters, K-12 teachers are the most important eyes and ears for the safety of children. With so many K-12 schools closed to in-person instruction, that critical safety net was pulled down for too many children across the country. 

“All of us have a role to play in keeping our children safe. I am hopeful the bill before us strengthens all the systems of supports for families to prevent or mitigate child abuse and neglect and to treat the effects of abuse and neglect when it does occur. 

“Since reauthorizing CAPTA in 2010, we have learned a great deal more about what Congress got right and what we got wrong in past reauthorizations.

“In crafting this bipartisan reauthorization, we have tried to heed those lessons – doubling down on what we got right and changing course where we made mistakes.

“First, this bill doubles down on prevention of abuse and neglect. This bill emphasizes the provision of community-based family strengthening and prevention services to reduce the number of children ever referred to child protective services. 

“Second, one-size-fits-all approaches don’t serve children or families well. We continue to emphasize the use of differential response in instances of abuse and neglect.

“Additionally, while there are instances when children must be removed from their homes to ensure their safety, in far too many instances children are separated from their families due to income or housing insecurity. These families and their children need help, not the trauma of separation.

“This bill emphasizes the implementation of alternative pathways to connect families experiencing basic needs to voluntary community-based services.

“Serving families with basic needs through alternative pathways allows investigators and social workers to dedicate their time to children most at risk of serious harm – children with multiple referrals and children under the age of three. 

“Of the 1,800 child fatalities due to abuse and neglect in 2019, 45 percent were children under the age of one, and 31 percent were children ages one to three. These are the children whose safety and lives most depend on a rapid response. 

“In our efforts to improve the Child Protective Services system and prevent and treat child abuse and neglect, it’s essential we listen and learn from those with personal experience in the child welfare system. In this reauthorization we have added provisions to include youth, parents, and those who were themselves victims of child abuse and neglect in state and local plans and programs.

“We’ve also added provisions to improve and protect the legal representation of both children and families caught up in the system. Separating children from their parents, whether temporarily or permanently, is a wrenching experience and all parties deserve voice and representation.

“Finally, within this CAPTA reauthorization, we are bringing a public health approach to two areas both Congress and the field have struggled with for years – identifying and preventing child fatalities and near fatalities due to abuse and neglect; and infants affected by substance use disorder.

“Through coordinated leadership and shared responsibility at the federal, state, and local levels, this reauthorization seeks to implement data-driven strategies and reforms to prevent child fatalities and near fatalities due to abuse and neglect from occurring in the future through the use of improved collection, reporting, and analysis.

“Ensuring data collections can be used effectively to drive policy and supporting State and local child fatality review teams in the review of all cases of child fatalities and near fatalities due to abuse and neglect are important steps to understand and learn from each tragedy and improve the system for all children in the future.

“We are also bringing a different approach to infants affected by substance use disorder in this reauthorization. Because it was probably the vehicle moving at the time, this issue got shoehorned into CAPTA two decades ago. As a result, in many places this issue has been viewed as child abuse rather than an issue of addiction.

“In this reauthorization, we are clearly stating that the purpose of plans of safe care is to bring a public health response to infants and their mothers affected by substance use disorder and to support the health and well-being of the infant and mom rather than penalizing the family.

“Although there will be instances when it is safer to remove the child from their mother, far more children and moms would be better served by increasing access to treatment for moms with substance use disorder and providing access to screening, assessment, and intervention service for affected infants.

“I’m also pleased that we have been able to include in this bill the reauthorization of the Adoption Opportunities Act.

“Adoptive families bring great joy and I’m glad we are doing more to help families successfully adopt and grow their family.

“This reauthorization provides additional supports for prospective adoptive parents as well as post adoptive services for families.

“Additionally, the bill seeks to improve adoption opportunities for children who have been waiting too long to find a loving forever home.

“Finally, I want to thank Senators Blunt and Klobuchar for their work on unregulated custody transfers as we all seek to prevent adoption dissolutions from occurring.

“I want to thank all the members again for your work on these important reauthorizations. I know all of us wish there was no need for the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.

“However, listening to those with personal experience who have lived the child welfare system, I believe we are taking positive steps forward in this reauthorization to preventing future incidents of child abuse and neglect and to better responding to those incidents that do occur.

“I thank the Chair.”

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Burr, Collins Press CDC Director on Inconsistencies about Teachers’ Union Influence on School Reopening Guidance

Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Richard Burr

06.10.21

“As a first step to rebuilding public confidence, the CDC needs be transparent about how the teachers’ unions came to have such extraordinary input in school re-opening guidance,” the Senators write.

Today, Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), the Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Susan Collins (R-ME), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, sent a letter pressing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky to clarify apparent inconsistencies in her recent Senate testimony about the influence teachers’ unions had on the CDC’s school reopening guidance.

Senators Burr and Collins questioned Director Walensky about teachers’ union involvement in drafting the CDC guidelines when she testified before the Senate HELP Committee on May 11, 2021.

“You testified that edits from the teachers’ unions were limited to addressing ‘what happens if you have immunocompromised teachers,’” the Senators write. “You further testified that the level of collaboration between the teachers’ unions and the CDC was routine[.]”

“Compared to the emails between the CDC and the teachers’ unions, your testimony seems – at a minimum incomplete – if not inaccurate,” the letter states. “The email correspondence makes clear that the involvement of the teachers’ unions went well beyond accommodations for high-risk teachers. Equally troubling, your testimony was also inconsistent with the representations in your April 22, 2021, letter responding to questions Ranking Member Burr had concerning the CDC’s guidance for vaccinated people.”

The Senators continue, “Americans need to be able to trust the CDC to give them accurate, unbiased health information, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. That your agency would give teachers’ unions privileged access to the agency’s internal decision-making process on an issue as critical as school re-openings is a betrayal of that trust. That you then would appear to try to avoid Congressional scrutiny by providing incomplete testimony is deeply troubling. As a first step to rebuilding public confidence, the CDC needs be transparent about how the teachers’ unions came to have such extraordinary input in school re-opening guidance. As CDC Director, you need explain and, if necessary, correct the inconsistencies between your testimony, your letter, and the CDC emails.”

To read the full letter, click here.

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Daines: Biden at Fault for Keystone XL Pipeline Project Officially Being Pulled

Source: United States Senator for Montana Steve Daines

06.09.21

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today issued the following statement after the company backing the Keystone XL pipeline was forced to officially pull the plug on the project. Daines stressed this is a direct result from President Biden nixing the project on Day One of taking office, when he rescinded the permit needed to continue cross border construction. 

“This is devastating news for our economy, jobs, environment and national security—and its entirely President Biden’s fault. It’s beyond clear that President Biden is beholden to extreme environmentalists, and Montanans and the American people are bearing the burden. While President Biden killed the American Keystone XL pipeline, he continues to support the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Biden would rather support Russian workers and jobs than Americans. Montanans and the American people are disappointed,” Daines said. 

Background:

The Keystone XL project underwent extensive environmental review and was found to be the safest and most environmentally friendly way to transport oil. 

In January, Senator Daines introduced a bill to authorize the continued construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Several Montana stakeholders, including Carter County Commissioners, the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation and the Montana Electric Cooperatives’ Association have sent statements supporting the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. Read HERE. 

On January 19th, Senator Daines led several western senators in sending a letter highlighting the importance of the Keystone XL pipeline and urging President Biden to reconsider his decision to halt construction. 

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Contact: Katherine McKeogh, Katie Schoettler

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Improve the West LA VA campus to better help homeless veterans – Los Angeles Daily News

Source: United States Senator for California – Dianne Feinstein

Originally published in the Los Angeles Daily News

By Dianne Feinstein and Ted Lieu

Los Angeles County, with a population of more than 66,000 people, is at the forefront of a national homelessness crisis. But LA faces an additional, urgent challenge: more than 3,900 veterans are living on the streets, nearly 1 in 10 of all homeless veterans nationwide.

Fortunately, Los Angeles is also home to the West Los Angeles VA Campus, a 388-acre site dedicated to serving the needs of veterans that has enormous potential to create more supportive housing units.

The land was deeded to the federal government in 1888 and for decades thousands of veterans lived there. Unfortunately, following damage from the 1971 Sylmar Earthquake, the VA began transitioning the land away from housing. While the VA hospital remained, much of the rest of the land was used for other, non-veteran focused purposes.

In 2016, we joined former Senator Barbara Boxer in securing passage of the West Los Angeles Leasing Act. This law led to the end of most non-veteran related leases on campus and helped spur the redevelopment of the property into a true home for veterans.

The VA is now implementing a plan to build at least 1,200 new subsidized apartments, which is composed of 23 projects that range from renovating existing structures to developing and building new units.

The challenge now is to secure the funding necessary to build housing units and get veterans off the streets as soon as possible.

That’s why we introduced the West Los Angeles VA Campus Improvement Act. The bill would allow the VA to spend revenue generated through land-use agreements on campus to help fund housing, services and infrastructure upgrades. It’s a simple but necessary fix to current law, which only allows that money to be spent on maintenance.

Both the House and Senate have now passed slightly different versions of this bill. We’re both hopeful that the recently passed Senate version of the bill will receive a final vote in the House in coming weeks and the bill can be signed into law by President Biden.

We’re also exploring other ways the VA can contribute more to the cost of retrofitting buildings to make them suitable for housing. Congress directed millions of dollars to bring historic buildings on campus up to today’s seismic standards, and we have encouraged the Biden administration to use those funds for necessary seismic retrofits.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough pledged during his confirmation process to be personally involved in solving the veteran homelessness crisis. Following his confirmation we called on him to put West LA VA at the top of his priorities and have asked him to visit the campus soon and lend his support.

As important as housing is to address this crisis, we know that housing alone is not enough.

As new housing units are built on the West LA VA campus, more low-barrier and wraparound support services such as job training, counseling and health care will be vital to help veterans transition out of homelessness – whether they’re residents on the campus or elsewhere in the community.

The anchor of these services is the VA hospital at the southern part of the campus. Among the 23 planned projects for the campus are efforts to build more outpatient clinics and a research center, solidifying the campus as a center for veteran medical care in Southern California.

Plans also include a hub for community engagement and reintegration services that are tailored to veterans’ specific needs, including employment counseling and programs directed toward those battling PTSD, substance abuse and other mental health conditions.

Congress and the new administration can certainly do more to support these efforts by providing resources to programs that pair housing with supportive services, such as the successful HUD-VASH program. This joint program between the VA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides veterans with vouchers to help them find permanent housing. HUD-VASH, which began in 2008, has helped reduce the number of veterans experiencing homelessness in the United States by half.

With the Sylmar Earthquake now 50 years behind us, it’s long past time to restore this campus as a home and community for veterans.

The West LA VA campus has the potential to serve as a model for the nation on how to address veteran homelessness. We just need to push these plans over the finish line. Final passage of the West Los Angeles VA Campus Improvement Act is the next logical step.

Dianne Feinstein represents California in the U.S. Senate. Ted Lieu represents the 33rd Congressional District.

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Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Li Wenliang Global Public Health Accountability Act

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353
June 10, 2021 

Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Li Wenliang Global Public Health Accountability Act

Washington, D.C. — Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and James Lankford (R-Oklahoma) reintroduced the Li Wenliang Global Public Health Accountability Act, legislation to authorize the president to sanction foreign officials who suppress or distort information about international public health crises, including Covid-19. Bill text may be found here.

“Dr. Li tried to warn his country and the world about the coronavirus, but was silenced by the Chinese Communist Party. By hiding the truth about the virus, the CCP turned a regional health problem into a global catastrophe that has killed millions. To honor Dr. Li, our bill seeks to punish foreign officials responsible for suppressing information about international health crises, including the Wuhan virus,” said Cotton.

“Doctors and scientists across the world deserve robust protections that allow them to sound the alarm on international public health concerns without fear of government suppression,” said Tillis. “Dr. Li Wenliang heroically tried to warn Chinese citizens about COVID-19, only to be silenced by the authoritarian Chinese Communist Party until his tragic death. The Chinese government must be held accountable so no other nation feels emboldened to cover-up a public health crisis that can turn into a global pandemic. I am proud to work with my colleagues on this commonsense legislation.”

“Throughout the past year, we saw Communist China lie and spread propaganda in an attempt to cover up a global pandemic, silencing any and all who dared speak the truth. This legislation will give the United States the authority to sanction any foreign official who suppresses or distorts information about global health, like the Chinese Communist Government did. When lives are at risk, we can’t take any chances,” said Scott.

“The American people and the entire world deserve to know the origins of this pandemic, which China continues to cover up. We need to ensure there are real consequences for foreign officials who try to cover up their country’s role in an international crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic going forward,” said Daines.

“The Chinese Communist Party silenced Dr. Li and many others for attempting to speak the truth about the coronavirus outbreak and China’s involvement. Meanwhile, they stood by as the virus spread around the world – resulting in loss of life and loss of livelihood for millions. These actions by foreign governments to suppress those who provide pertinent information about public health crises are unacceptable, and they must be held accountable to the fullest extent,” said Blackburn.

“The Chinese government’s efforts to suppress information about the coronavirus ultimately led to this pandemic,” said Lankford. “The Chinese Communist Party detained and arrested doctors who raised concerns instead of sharing information with the world and working collaboratively to contain the disease. We must hold foreign governments accountable, including China, for attempting to suppress information about public health emergencies, especially if that information can help prevent the loss of American lives.”

Background:

  • Senator Cotton first introduced the Li Wenliang Global Public Health Accountability Act in May of 2020. 
  • The Li Wenliang Global Public Health Accountability Act is sanctions legislation modeled after the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
  • It would authorize the president to sanction foreign officials who suppress or distort information about international public health crises, including the coronavirus. 
  • These sanctions include inadmissibility to the United States, revocation of existing U.S. visas, and the blocking of all property within the United States. 
  • This legislation would provide Congress with the authority to request that the president review specific foreign officials for sanctions eligibility. Within 120 days of receiving such a request, the president must report to Congress on whether he/she intends to impose sanctions.
  • Last year, Senator Cotton introduced a resolution honoring Dr. Li’s bravery and sacrifice. The resolution passed on March 3, 2020.

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