Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Rubio, Colleagues Urge Senate Leadership to Stand for Life and Protect Individuals With Down Syndrome

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), and colleagues sent a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging them to bring the Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act (S. 75) to the Senate floor for a vote during the June work period.
 
In January 2021, Rubio, Inhofe, and colleagues reintroduced the Protecting Individuals with DownSyndrome Act (S. 75), which would ban providers from knowingly performing an abortion being sought solely because the unborn child has been diagnosed with Down syndrome. 
 
Click here for a complete list of senators who signed the letter. 
 
“All individuals have inherent value, regardless of their age, status, disability, race, sex or any other factor,” the senators wrote. “Despite popular social narratives regarding the need to protect society’s weak and marginalized, unborn babies—the most vulnerable individuals in our society—are continually targeted through abortion.”
 
“We must protect babies with Down syndrome from being targeted for lethal discrimination by abortion,” the senators continued. “Therefore, we strongly urge you to bring the Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act to the Senate floor for a vote during the June work period.”
 
The full text of the letter is below.
 
Dear Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell,
 
As members committed to the protection of all life, we strongly urge you to bring S. 75, the Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act, up for a vote during the June 2021 work period. This critical legislation would protect unborn babies from being targeted for abortion simply because they have or may have Down syndrome.
 
All individuals have inherent value, regardless of their age, status, disability, race, sex or any other factor. Despite popular social narratives regarding the need to protect society’s weak and marginalized, unborn babies—the most vulnerable individuals in our society—are continually targeted through abortion. Estimates show that over 62 million children have been aborted since Roe v. Wade—children whose lives held vast potential and worth. Furthermore, the discriminatory nature of abortion is often ignored.
 
Unborn babies with disabilities are at the forefront of this discrimination. In the United States, more than two in three babies diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted. Reports show that the population of individuals in Iceland with Down syndrome is being virtually eradicated altogether before those children have a chance at life outside the womb. While all abortion is tragic, systematically targeting individuals with Down syndrome through abortion is eerily reminiscent of the eugenics movement. As Justice Thomas has noted, state laws preventing abortion on the basis of Down syndrome “promote a State’s compelling interest in preventing abortion from becoming a tool of modern-day eugenics.”
 
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals recently acknowledged the importance of the government’s interest in this issue as well when it upheld Ohio’s law banning abortion on the basis of a Down syndrome diagnosis. As Judge Batchelder stated in her opinion, Ohio’s law:
 
relies on its interests in: (1) protecting the Down syndrome community from the stigma it suffers from the practice of Down-syndrome selective abortions; (2) protecting women whose fetuses have Down syndrome from coercion by doctors who espouse and advocate the abortion of all such fetuses; and (3) protecting the integrity and ethics of the medical profession by preventing doctors from enabling such targeted abortions.
 
We believe the Federal government has an interest in protecting this community as well.
 
This effort has the overwhelming support of the American public. Earlier this year, a Knights of Columbus – Marist Poll found that 70 percent of Americans oppose aborting a child on the basis that the child will be born with Down syndrome. This includes over half of those who identify as pro-choice.
 
We must protect babies with Down syndrome from being targeted for lethal discrimination by abortion. Therefore, we strongly urge you to bring the Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act to the Senate floor for a vote during the June work period.
 
Sincerely,
 

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BREAKING: Senate Passes Shaheen-Backed Bill to Support Victims of ‘Havana Syndrome’

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

June 07, 2021

   **The legislation supports U.S. Intelligence and Diplomatic staff who have suffered head injuries from likely directed energy attacks in Cuba, China and elsewhere**

(Washington, DC) – Today, the Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation to support American public servants who’ve incurred brain injuries from probable directed-energy attacks. The Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks (HAVANA) Act, co-authored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mark Warner (D-VA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), would authorize additional financial support for injured individuals.  

The HAVANA Act would authorize the CIA Director, the Secretary of State and other Department Heads to provide injured employees with additional financial support for brain injuries. Both the CIA and State Department would be required to create regulations detailing fair and equitable criteria for payment. This legislation would also require the CIA, State Department and other Department Heads to report to Congress on how this authority is being used and if additional legislative or administrative action is required.   

“It is shameful and unacceptable that so many American public servants and their families who are suffering from these mysterious brain injuries have gone without access to the assistance they need and deserve. That must change, and today, the Senate took an important step forward to help right that wrong,” said Shaheen. “Securing appropriate support for those injured has been a priority of mine for years, and I’m glad to partner with Senator Collins and this bipartisan group of lawmakers to build on that progress and help provide additional compensation for afflicted U.S. personnel. This bipartisan bill helps create a uniform response to these attacks, and I’ll keep working across the aisle to get to the bottom of these attacks and to support those suffering from critical injuries.”      

“Havana Syndrome” is the term given to an injury that first surfaced among more than 40 U.S. Embassy staff in Havana, Cuba, beginning in 2016. Since then, at least a dozen U.S. diplomats at the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou suffered symptoms “consistent with the effects of directed, pulsed, radiofrequency energy,” and, according to press reports, there have been more than 130 total cases among American personnel, including on U.S. soil. Symptoms have included severe headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, visual and hearing problems, vertigo and cognitive difficulties, and many affected personnel continue to suffer from health problems years after the attacks. The HAVANA Act would give the CIA Director, the Secretary of State and other agency heads additional authority to provide financial and medical support to those suffering from brain injuries as a result of these attacks.

The legislation was cosponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Richard Burr (R-NC), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Sasse (R-NE), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Angus King (I-ME), James Risch (R-ID), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

Full text of the bill is available here.  

Senator Shaheen has stood by government employees and their families who have suffered from these mysterious injuries, and leads efforts in Congress to provide them critical health benefits. In the fiscal year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act that became law, Shaheen successfully included language to expand a provision in law that she wrote last year to provide long-term, emergency care benefits to all U.S. Government employees and their dependents who were mysteriously injured while working in China and Cuba. Shaheen’s measure to amend the law followed her letter with Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) last May, calling on the administration to interpret the law as intended by Congress. Shaheen also recently helped introduce bipartisan legislation with Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) to ensure wounded officers and their families have immediate access to specialized facilities at Walter Reed.

On the TODAY Show last year, Shaheen responded to the findings of a National Academy of Sciences report on these injuries and underscored the urgent need to take action to address these attacks that have targeted American public servants and their families. Despite Shaheen’s calls for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to come before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to address what the Trump administration was doing to uncover the source of these attacks and protect American public servants, Pompeo never appeared. Pompeo also never responded to bipartisan calls in the Senate led by Shaheen to detail how the Trump administration would respond to the findings of the NAS report. During Secretary of State Blinken’s confirmation hearing, Shaheen reiterated that uncovering the causation of these attacks and assisting those who’ve been injured must be top priorities for the Biden administration. In February, Shaheen spoke with CNN in an exclusive interview on developments to uncover the source of targeted sonic attacks against U.S. personnel and their families.     

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Murkowski Welcomes Fish & Wildlife Service Polar Bear Proposed ITRs

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

06.07.21

Updated Regulations Critical to Ongoing Oil and Gas Development Operations on the North Slope

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently published proposed marine mammal Incidental Take Regulations (ITR), commonly known as the Polar Bear ITRs, in the Federal Register for public comment. These proposed regulations come after Senator Murkowski repeatedly pressed Department of the Interior officials and nominees on the urgency and importance of these regulations being updated and issued as the last ITRs expire in August of this year.

On May 18 during a nomination hearing in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Murkowski secured a commitment from Shannon Estenoz, the current principal deputy and nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, to publish a proposed ITR by June 1 and final regulations by August. Murkowski worked alongside industry, government, state, and local partners to ensure that the updated ITRs were a priority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This update is critical to the ongoing operations of oil and gas development on Alaska’s North Slope.

“These regulations, if adopted, would make it possible for oil and gas development to continue on the North Slope for the foreseeable future. I thank the Fish and Wildlife Service, and in particular their career staff and technical experts, for their dedication to working through this issue,” said Senator Murkowski. “I look forward to ensuring that a robust public comment period is carried out, and that the August deadline to adopt the new regulations is met.”

Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972, the “take” – that is, to harass, hunt, capture, kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill – of marine mammals is generally prohibited. Limited exceptions are provided for, and can be requested by U.S. citizens in the form of Incidental Take Regulations or Incidental Harassment Authorizations, for five years and one year respectively. The proposed updated ITRs would allow the incidental, but not intentional, nonlethal take of marine mammals resulting from oil and gas exploration, development, production, and transportation over the next five years.

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BREAKING: Cortez Masto & Grassley’s Bipartisan Legislation to Provide Mental Health Support for Law Enforcement Passes Senate

Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

June 07, 2021

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released the following statements after their bipartisan legislation for law enforcement officers seeking mental health support passed the Senate. The Confidentiality Opportunities for Peer Support (COPS) Counseling Act would encourage the adoption of law enforcement peer counseling programs across the country and ensure that the information disclosed during peer support counseling sessions by federal law enforcement officers is kept confidential.

“Giving law enforcement officers across Nevada access to quality and confidential mental health counseling services will save lives, reduce the stigma of seeking help, and lead to better policing,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m glad to see my bipartisan legislation pass the Senate and will continue working to provide law enforcement with the support they need to honorably serve their communities and stay healthy.”

“Law enforcement officers across the country sacrifice so much to keep our communities safe and healthy, and they often endure challenging and traumatic situations in the process. Confidential peer counseling programs provide an important mental health outlet for these officers to share their experiences, decompress and receive guidance. This bill ensures officers have an opportunity to participate in peer counseling with the confidence that their privacy will be protected. I appreciate Sen. Cortez Masto’s leadership in this effort. The House should send this bill to President Biden’s desk right away,” Senator Grassley said.

Modeled after Nevada’s confidentiality laws, the COPS Counseling Act would provide confidentiality to federal law enforcement officers who use peer counseling services, while excepting admissions of criminal conduct or threats of serious physical harm. The bill would also encourage first responder agencies to adopt peer counseling programs by requiring the DOJ to make best practices publicly available on its website and to provide a list of training programs for individuals to become peer support mentors.

Senator Cortez Masto has been a top advocate in the Senate for law enforcement officers’ mental health. Her Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act was signed into law last year, helping prevent suicide by requiring the FBI to collect voluntary, anonymous data on police suicides and attempted suicides from local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies. Cortez Masto has led efforts to expand mental health and peer support programs, and recently introduced the Virtual Peer Support Act to help ensure behavioral health programs can continue online.

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Sens. Cruz, Johnson, Lee, Tuberville Send Letter to AG Garland Criticizing Limited Prosecutions and Penalties for 2020 Rioters

Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) today sent a letter to Attorney General (AG) Merrick Garland requesting information on the limited prosecutions and minimal penalties given to rioters arrested during the spring and summer of 2020. Cities such as Portland, Oregon were ravaged by social justice protesters and had destruction costing the cities upwards of $1 billion.In April, Sen. Cruz co-signed a letter to AG Garland, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray to ask what their agencies are doing to protect the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse in Portland, Oregon. The federal courthouse has repeatedly been the target of attacks by left-wing extremists.In the letter, the senators wrote:
“During the spring and summer of 2020, individuals used peaceful protests across the country to engage in rioting and other crimes that resulted in loss of life, injuries to law enforcement officers, and significant property damage. A federal court house in Portland, Oregon, has been effectively under siege for months. Property destruction stemming from the 2020 social justice protests throughout the country will reportedly result in at least $1 billion to $2 billion in paid insurance claims.”
[…]”Despite these numerous examples of violence occurring during these protests, it appears that individuals charged with committing crimes at these events may benefit from infrequent prosecutions and minimal, if any, penalties. According to a recent article, ‘prosecutors have approved deals in at least half a dozen federal felony cases arising from clashes between protesters and law enforcement in Oregon last summer. The arrangements – known as deferred resolution agreements – will leave the defendants with a clean criminal record if they stay out of trouble for a period of time and complete a modest amount of community service, according to defense attorneys and court records.'”[…]”Violence, property damage, and vandalism of any kind should not be tolerated and individuals that break the law should be prosecuted. However, the potential unequal administration of justice with respect to certain protestors is particularly concerning. In order to assist Congress in conducting its oversight work, we respectfully request answers to the following questions by June 21, 2021[.]”
Read their full letter here and below.
June 7, 2021
The Honorable Merrick B. GarlandAttorney GeneralU.S. Department of Justice950 Pennsylvania Avenue,NW Washington, DC 20530Dear Attorney General Garland:The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently dedicating enormous resources and manpower to investigating and prosecuting the criminals who breached the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. We fully support and appreciate the efforts by the DOJ and its federal, state and local law enforcement partners to hold those responsible fully accountable. We join all Americans in the expectation that the DOJ’s response to the events of January 6 will result in rightful criminal prosecutions and accountability. As you are aware, the mission of the DOJ is, among other things, to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. Today, we write to request information about our concerns regarding potential unequal justice administered in response to other recent instances of mass unrest, destruction, and loss of life throughout the United States.During the spring and summer of 2020, individuals used peaceful protests across the country to engage in rioting and other crimes that resulted in loss of life, injuries to law enforcement officers, and significant property damage. A federal court house in Portland, Oregon, has been effectively under siege for months. Property destruction stemming from the 2020 social justice protests throughout the country will reportedly result in at least $1 billion to $2 billion in paid insurance claims.In June 2020, the DOJ reportedly compiled the following information regarding last year’s unrest:
“One federal officer [was] killed, 147 federal officers [were] injured and 600 local officers [were] injured around the country during the protests, frequently from projectiles.”
According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), “since the start of the unrest there has been 81 Federal Firearms License burglaries of an estimated loss of 1,116 firearms; 876 reported arsons; 76 explosive incidents; and 46ATF arrests[.]”
Despite these numerous examples of violence occurring during these protests, it appears that individuals charged with committing crimes at these events may benefit from infrequent prosecutions and minimal, if any, penalties. According to a recent article, “prosecutors have approved deals in at least half a dozen federal felony cases arising from clashes between protesters and law enforcement in Oregon last summer. The arrangements – known as deferred resolution agreements – will leave the defendants with a clean criminal record if they stay out of trouble for a period of time and complete a modest amount of community service, according to defense attorneys and court records.”DOJ’s apparent unwillingness to punish these individuals who allegedly committed crimes during the spring and summer 2020 protests stands in stark contrast to the harsher treatment of the individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. To date, DOJ has charged 510 individuals stemming from Capitol breach. DOJ maintains and updates a webpage that lists the defendants charged with crimes committed at the Capitol. This database includes information such as the defendant’s name, charge(s), case number, case documents, location of arrest, case status, and informs readers when the entry was last updated. No such database exists for alleged perpetrators of crimes associated with the spring and summer 2020 protests. It is unclear whether any defendants charged with crimes in connection with the Capitol breach have received deferred resolution agreements.Americans have the constitutional right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances. This constitutional right should be cherished and protected. Violence, property damage, and vandalism of any kind should not be tolerated and individuals that break the law should be prosecuted. However, the potential unequal administration of justice with respect to certain protestors is particularly concerning. In order to assist Congress in conducting its oversight work, we respectfully request answers to the following questions by June 21, 2021:Spring and Summer 2020 Unrest:
1. Did federal law enforcement utilize geolocation data from defendants’ cell phones to track protestors associated with the unrest in the spring and summer of 2020? If so, how many times and for which locations/riots?2. How many individuals who may have committed crimes associated with protests in the spring and summer of 2020 were arrested by law enforcement using pre-dawn raids and SWAT teams?3. How many individuals were incarcerated for allegedly committing crimes associated with protests in the spring and summer of 2020?4. How many of these individuals are or were placed in solitary confinement? What was the average amount of consecutive days such individuals were in solitary confinement?5. How many of these individuals have been released on bail?6. How many of these individuals were released on their own recognizance or without being required to post bond?7. How many of these individuals were offered deferred resolution agreements?8. How many DOJ prosecutors were assigned to work on cases involving defendants who allegedly committed crimes associated with protests in the spring and summer of 2020?9. How many FBI personnel were assigned to work on cases involving defendants who allegedly committed crimes associated with protests in the spring and summer of 2020?
January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol Breach:
10. Did federal law enforcement utilize geolocation data from defendants’ cell phones to track protestors associated with the January 6, 2021 protests and Capitol breach? If so, how many times and how many additional arrests resulted from law enforcement utilizing geolocation information?11. How many individuals who may have committed crimes associated with the Capitol breach were arrested by law enforcement using pre-dawn raids and SWAT teams?12. How many individuals are incarcerated for allegedly committing crimes associated with the Capitol breach?13. How many of these individuals are or were placed in solitary confinement? What was the average amount of consecutive days such individuals were in solitary confinement?14. How many of these individuals have been released on bail?15. How many of these individuals have been released on their own recognizance or without being required to post bond?16. How many of these individuals were offered deferred resolution agreements?17. How many DOJ prosecutors have been assigned to work on cases involving defendants who allegedly committed crimes associated with the Capitol breach?18. How many FBI personnel were assigned to work on cases involving defendants who allegedly committed crimes associated with the Capitol breach?
Sincerely,/s/
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Graham on Politics in Science

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today visited Premier Medical Laboratory Services in Greenville to discuss recent media reports and speculation that the COVID-19 virus originated from a lab leak in Wuhan, China.

  • GRAHAM: “Early on when this possibility was raised, it was shot down. It was shot down heavily. Anybody who suggested [COVID-19] came out of the lab was a right-wing nut. Now that’s not science, that’s politics. Is there politics in science? It appears there may be. Is there a component in the scientific community that’s trying to hide the relationship between the United States and the lab? Maybe, I don’t know, but I do know this: the voices that raised concern about the lab leak were silenced. And we’re going to have hearings, I hope, in the Senate to find out why those voices were silenced. Why did the scientific community come out so hard against a lab leak when they really didn’t know? What was the motivation behind that? I think it’s important for the American people to understand that and make sure that this never happens again here at home.”
  • GRAHAM: “I want to know, how did our government, potentially, get it so wrong? There was a group of scientists early on who wrote a letter saying that the idea of a lab leak was conspiratorial, right-wing talking points. How did they know? Is there a Deep State science department? In the NIH and the State Department – were there people in those two organizations trying to tamp down the idea that it may have come from the lab because they support the lab? It seems to me from emails we received that there were people in the State Department raising the alarm that this came not from a bat in China but from a lab in China, and they were silenced. It seems to me that people at NIH had curiosity, and their curiosity was stopped. I want to find out – who were the people involved in stopping asking the questions about could it come from a lab? Those people did this country a great disservice.”
  • GRAHAM: “[Premier Medical] broke the backlog with DHEC. This is where the private sector came in to help the public sector provide capability and capacity that wasn’t available. What have we learned? We have got to have a private-sector component to deal with pandemics. The government footprint and infrastructure are not enough to deal with a pandemic. So what we were able to prove here in South Carolina is that the private sector pretty quickly could ramp up and do things that government couldn’t do.”

Watch Livestream of Graham’s Visit

WSPA

Fox Carolina

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Senator Braun joins resolution condemning "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 schools

Source: United States Senator Mike Braun (Indiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mike Braun has joined Senator Rick Scott’s resolution with Senator Marsha Blackburn condemning the use of Critical Race Theory in K-12 schools and teacher training. 

Critical Race Theory is an academic concept based on the belief that systemic racism is the foundation of American society, highlighting the differences between Americans instead of what unites them.

In April, Senator Braun joined Senator Scott, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, and more than 30 of their colleagues in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona requesting the withdrawal of the Department’s “Proposed Priorities” on American history and civics education, which included the teaching of radical and divisive curriculum like Critical Race Theory.

“America’s kids need to know that the fundamental values of our country are liberty, equality, and opportunity for all – not racism and oppression. I’m proud to join my colleagues in speaking out against divisive political agendas being pushed in our classrooms.” – Senator Mike Braun

“Since America’s founding, our nation has strived to be a land of opportunity for all. While we cannot ignore the scars of our past, we also cannot tolerate the attempts of the woke left to weaponize our history in radical curriculums that teach our children to see America only for its worst days, and the American people only for their darkest hours. The far-left wants Americans to believe that our nation is inherently racist and bad. They want to discredit the values America was founded on. They’re wrong. We can’t stand by and allow ’woke’ liberals to divide our nation. Students in Florida and every state across this nation deserve better and I’m proud to lead my colleagues today in a resolution to stand up against this dangerous policy.” – Senator Rick Scott

“Critical race theory has no place in American schools. The tenets of critical race theory are based in the destructive ideal of inherent racism and will teach our children to judge and self-segregate based solely on skin color. In Tennessee, we believe in equality and opportunity for all. Students should not be discriminated against on the basis of race under any circumstances. This resolution is an important step to prevent the far left from pushing their radical political agenda in our classrooms.” – Senator Marsha Blackburn

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Murphy Statement Following VA West Haven Steam Explosion Report

Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

June 07, 2021

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement after the release of the OSHA report regarding the steam explosion at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System West Haven campus on November 13, 2020:

“This report proves what we already knew: our VA facilities are in need of serious overhaul and increased investment. The tragedy last November was preventable, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure the West Haven VA has the resources it needs to rebuild and upgrade its infrastructure and to ensure the safety of the staff, veterans and their families,” said Murphy. 

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New Portman-Cardin Retirement Security Legislation Receives Widespread Praise

Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman

June 7, 2021 | Portman Difference

Recently, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) introduced the bipartisan Retirement Security & Savings Act (S. 1770), a broad set of reforms designed to strengthen Americans’ retirement security. The bill addresses four major opportunities in the existing retirement system: (1) allowing people who have saved too little to set more aside for their retirement; (2) helping small businesses offer 401(k)s and other retirement plans; (3) expanding access to retirement savings plans, including for low-income Americans without coverage; and (4) providing more certainty and flexibility during Americans’ retirement years. The measure includes more than 50 provisions to accomplish these objectives. 

Numerous national stakeholders have stepped forward to voice their support for this landmark piece of legislation, including the following:

“AARP, on behalf of our 38 million members and all older Americans nationwide, appreciates your bipartisan efforts to improve retirement savings opportunities through the introduction of the Retirement Security and Savings Act of 2021. While Social Security continues to be the bedrock of retirement income for most American workers and their families, individuals want and need additional retirement income sources. Your bipartisan work would make several important improvements to current law….We look forward to continuing to work with you to enact legislation to help every American adequately save and plan for retirement.” said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President Government Affairs, AARP, in a letter of support.

“Finseca is committed to advancing the cause that serves as the inspiration behind our name, Financial Security for All,” said Marc Cadin, CEO, Finseca. “We are incredibly grateful to Senators Cardin and Portman for their long partnership and relentless efforts to help more Americans save for retirement, expand access to those who currently don’t have coverage, and maximize security and flexibility when someone does retire. These are noble causes and must be fought for, especially on the heels of the pandemic.”

“Senator Cardin and Senator Portman’s leadership comes at a critical time for retirement savers. During the pandemic, many people had to tap their retirement savings early to make ends meet. Others struggle to save while providing for their families and paying off student loans and other debts,” said Susan K. Neely, President and CEO, American Council of Life Insurers. “The Retirement Security and Savings Act of 2021 builds on the current retirement security system to help more Americans access the tools they need to not only boost their savings but ensure those savings last a lifetime….As leading providers of retirement security solutions, including annuities – the only financial product in the marketplace that can guarantee lifetime income, life insurers look forward to working with Senators Cardin and Portman and all members of Congress to advance solutions that will help Americans bolster their financial futures.”

“The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) applauds and supports the introduction of the Retirement Security and Savings Act of 2021. Now is exactly the right time for Congress to act on a bipartisan basis to help employers and their employees, many who are still addressing the economic challenges of the pandemic. The private sector, employer-sponsored plan system works well, and this legislation will improve upon that system. Senators Cardin and Portman believe there is strong bipartisan momentum to strengthen this system and will work with colleagues and stakeholders…to reach consensus on a final package. NAIFA looks forward to working with the Senate and House lawmakers to expand retirement savings and to make available the products and services, including guaranteed income in retirement, that retirees need to meet their own personal goals and objectives,” said Kevin M. Mayeux, CEO, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

“We commend Senators Cardin and Portman for reintroducing their bipartisan retirement savings bill, which includes many commonsense changes to improve Americans’ ability to save for retirement. Among many other improvements, the bill encourages employers to adopt automatic contribution plans, simplifies disclosures, permits older workers to save more and stay invested longer, and expands opportunities for low-wage savers to receive tax credits for contribution to an IRA or savings plan. We urge the Senate to pass this bipartisan bill and then work with the House on a unified package of retirement-savings reforms,” said David Abbey, Deputy General Counsel for Retirement Policy, Investment Company Institute.

“We commend Senators Cardin and Portman for reintroducing their bipartisan retirement savings bill, which includes many common-sense changes to current law that improve individuals’ ability to save for retirement,” said George Riedel, head of U.S. Intermediaries at T. Rowe Price. “For the benefit of the millions of Americans who save and invest for their retirement, we urge the U.S. Senate to pass this bill and then work with members of the House of Representatives to agree on comprehensive bipartisan retirement savings legislation that can swiftly pass both chambers of Congress and be signed into law.”

“Senators Cardin and Portman are longtime retirement security champions for America’s workers and retirees, and IRI enthusiastically supports this legislation,” said Wayne Chopus, Insured Retirement Institute President & CEO. “Their leadership in advancing common-sense, bipartisan policies that expand access to workplace retirement plans and increase access to guaranteed lifetime income options will help individuals and families build their nest eggs and better prepare for their retirement years.”

“The Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement, (WISER), a 25 year nonprofit organization is dedicated to improving the financial lives and retirement savings of average women. We commend the leadership of Senators Cardin and Portman for their reintroduction of the Retirement Security and Savings Act. We appreciate the inclusion of a most important provision — the expansion of the Saver’s Credit by making it refundable and directing the Treasury to increase awareness of the Credit. The Credit will make a significant impact on millions of moderate and low income workers who will use this incentive to increase their retirement savings,” said Cindy Hounsell, President of WISER.  

“The Church Alliance appreciates the ongoing support Senators Cardin and Portman have demonstrated for the retirement security of those who serve faith communities,” said Church Alliance Chair and CEO of Concordia Plan Services James Sanft. “We are pleased to see provisions included in the Retirement Security & Savings Act that would set retirement plans on even footing with individual retirements accounts.”

“The National Association for Fixed Annuities enthusiastically supports the Retirement Security and Savings Act of 2021 proposed by Senators Ben Cardin and Rob Portman. We commend these Senators for their unwavering bipartisan efforts to build opportunities for retirement security for American workers, especially as our country is recovering from the financial hardships of the pandemic. This legislation comprises a series of policy provisions that will facilitate greater savings, and it accomplishes a significant focus for NAFA members — managing longevity risks by providing predictable lifetime income options and extending the required minimum distribution age to 75,” said Chuck Di Vencenzo, CEO of the National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA).

“When it comes to hard earned retirement savings, every fire fighter deserves to be treated fairly. Sadly, private sector fire fighters are forced to pay a penalty when accessing their savings early. These penalties- and that is what they are- do not apply to our public sector brothers and sisters. All fire fighters perform dangerous, life-saving work, yet they are not treated equally. There should be no second-class fire fighters. Each of us should be allowed access to our retirement savings. I thank Senator Cardin and Senator Portman for their recognition of this unnecessary disparity, applaud their efforts, and fully support the Retirement Security and Savings Act,” said Edward A. Kelly, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters.

“We thank [Senators Portman and Cardin] for another tremendous leap forward with the reintroduction of the Retirement Security and Savings Act. This legislation would dramatically increase retirement security, especially among employees of small businesses. These businesses and their employees have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and this legislation would give them and others the ability to rebuild and strengthen their retirement savings,” said Michelle Kelley, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, LPL Financial.

“Enactment of the Retirement Security and Savings Act would significantly benefit millions of Americans, including public sector employees, who work hard every day to prepare for their retirement. ICMA-RC appreciates your longstanding efforts to make it easier for more Americans to save for retirement and for working to advance the bipartisan ideas in the Retirement Security and Savings Act,” said Angela Montaz, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, ICMA Retirement Corporation.

“As a leading provider of retirement plans in the not-for-profit community, TIAA strongly supports [Senators Portman and Cardin’s] efforts to further improve and modernize the private retirement system. Further, TIAA applauds the continued bipartisan leadership and unwavering dedication you each have shown over the years to helping ensure a secure retirement for millions of Americans. The RSSA is especially important as it builds upon the enactment of the SECURE Act in 2019 and lends additional momentum to the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, the comprehensive retirement proposal that recently passed out of the House Ways & Means Committee,” said Douglas Chittenden, Executive Vice President and Head of TFS Client Relationships, TIAA.

“As the country responds to the challenges it faces, it is important to continue our work on enhancing retirement security. Retirement savings plays a critical role in helping workers and their families achieve financial security and supports economic and job growth. As we build our economy back from the pandemic, part of that effort needs to include even greater attention to the role of retirement programs that have been jeopardized by that crisis and were at risk for many Americans even before the pandemic. We commend [Senators Portman and Cardin] on the introduction of this bipartisan bill, which includes many priorities for the retirement community and the Council,” said Lynn D. Dudley, Senior Vice President, Global Retirement and Compensation Policy, American Benefits Council.

“As the leading provider of workplace retirement plans in the United States, we understand the critical role workplace plans play in Americans’ retirement security, alongside individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and other personal savings vehicles. The Retirement Security & Savings Act includes numerous enhancements to the private retirement system that will encourage more small businesses to offer plans and expand access to workers without coverage. We applaud [Senators Portman and Cardin’s] efforts and are eager to assist in getting this legislation enacted,” said Kevin Barry, President, Workplace Investing, Fidelity Investments.

“The National Association of Government Defined Contribution Administrators (NAGDCA) is pleased to endorse the Retirement Security and Savings Act. This broad legislation would make numerous meaningful reforms to the retirement system,” said Josh Luskin, NAGDCA President.

“Vanguard is pleased to support [Senators Portman and Cardin’s] bipartisan legislation, the Retirement Security and Savings Act, which would benefit retirement savers by allowing for greater choice in investments, improving participant decision making, and simplifying retirement plan administration,” said John James, Managing Director, Institutional Investor Group, The Vanguard Group Inc.

“The passage of the SECURE Act in 2019 was a tremendous step forward in removing some of the obstacles people experience when saving for retirement. The Retirement Security & Savings Act (RSSA) is a significant next step that will help many more Americans take control of their financial futures and create the conditions needed for a happy and dignified retirement,” said John L. Carter, President and Chief Operating Officer, Nationwide Financial.

“The RSSA has great potential to significantly improve retirement security for middle-class Americans, particularly by increasing their access to guaranteed lifetime income. From the CAI’s perspective, the provisions of the bill that would remove barriers for life annuities under the required minimum distribution rules, enact important reforms for qualifying longevity annuity contracts, and clarify the substantially equal periodic payment rules for annuities are particularly important. These changes have been long sought by the CAI, and we truly appreciate your great work in bringing them one step closer,” said Bryan W. Keene and Mark E. Griffin, Counsel to the Committee of Annuity Insurers.

“Senators Portman and Cardin, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauds both of you for your dedication to improving America’s retirement system. The Retirement Security and Savings Act is yet another example of your bipartisan work to expand coverage, increase savings and secure retirement income by strengthening our current employer-provided retirement system. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also appreciates your efforts to ease outdated administrative burdens that only add costs to the plans, and instead your focus on providing participants information to will help them in understanding and securing their retirement needs, especially as Americans emerges from the pandemic,” said Chantel L. Sheaks, Vice President, Retirement Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

“The last year has seen tremendous upheaval in our country and its impact on Americans’ employment and financial situation has been significant. Weathering this crisis has been of paramount importance; however, we must also consider the long-term impact this crisis has had on retirement savings. As such, [Senators Portman and Cardin’s] legislation would significantly improve the financial standing of many workers,” said David Ireland, Global Head of Defines Contribution, State Street Global Advisors.

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Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Resolution Condemning Critical Race Theory in K-12 Schools

Source: United States Senator Rick Scott (Florida)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott, joined by Senators Mike Braun and Marsha Blackburn, introduced a resolution condemning the use of Critical Race Theory in K-12 schools and teacher training. Critical Race Theory is an academic concept based on the belief that racism is embedded in American society, highlighting the differences between Americans instead of the many commonalities that unite them.

In April, Senator Scott joined Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and more than 30 of his colleagues in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona requesting the withdrawal of the Department’s “Proposed Priorities” on American history and civics education, which included the teaching of radical and divisive curriculum like Critical Race Theory.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Since America’s founding, our nation has strived to be a land of opportunity for all. While we cannot ignore the scars of our past, we also cannot tolerate the attempts of the woke left to weaponize our history in radical curriculums that teach our children to see America only for its worst days, and the American people only for their darkest hours. The far-left wants Americans to believe that our nation is inherently racist and bad. They want to discredit the values America was founded on. They’re wrong. We can’t stand by and allow ’woke’ liberals to divide our nation. Students in Florida and every state across this nation deserve better and I’m proud to lead my colleagues today in a resolution to stand up against this dangerous policy.”

Senator Marsha Blackburn said, “Critical race theory has no place in American schools. The tenets of critical race theory are based in the destructive ideal of inherent racism and will teach our children to judge and self-segregate based solely on skin color. In Tennessee, we believe in equality and opportunity for all. Students should not be discriminated against on the basis of race under any circumstances. This resolution is an important step to prevent the far left from pushing their radical political agenda in our classrooms.”

Senator Mike Braun said, “America’s kids need to know that the fundamental values of our country are liberty, equality, and opportunity for all – not racism and oppression. I’m proud to join my colleagues in speaking out against divisive political agendas being pushed in our classrooms.”

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