Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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ICYMI: Senator Scott the First Guest on Trey Gowdy’s Sunday Night in America

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

Monday | June 7, 2021

WASHINGTON – Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Trey Gowdy’s Sunday Night in America on Fox News yesterday to discuss the current state of our union and how we must seek to overcome challenges together. Senator Scott also shared how he balances the pain of our nation’s past, the great hope he has for our nation’s future, and the promise of America.

Click to watch

On the current state of our union and how to overcome challenges… “If I was giving a national address, I think I would tell the American people three things. First, I would remind us of who we are. We are the most compassionate, capable, courageous people on the planet… 

“The second thing I would do is tell us that we will confront our challenges together—whether those are social or economic or global challenges… Here’s the one thing you don’t do when you’re confronting your challenges together: You don’t reverse discrimination to have more discrimination to end discrimination. You actually work on a plan that expands opportunity.

“The thing I would do next is close with something more optimistic—that the next American century starts here, [and] it starts now… We have survived a civil war and a global pandemic. We came out stronger and more resilient because, when we stick together, there is no place on earth like home.”

On finding a balance between the painful past and the promise of tomorrow… “Too often I feel like we’re dwelling in the past, not for its lessons, but almost reliving it, as if 1865 and 1965 are somehow embedded in 2021. So I think the ratio I would use for the past and the present would be the big windshield represents the present, [and] the little rearview mirror represents the past. It should teach us, but we shouldn’t dwell there. We can’t wallow in it. There are some very important lessons, painful lessons, [and] lots of people bear the scars of that pain, but the burden of living there is too high of a price to pay.”

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Sen. Johnson and Colleagues Request Answers from DOJ on Unequal Application of Justice to Protestors

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), along with senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), sent a letter on Monday to Attorney General Merrick Garland requesting information on the unequal application of justice between the individuals who breached the Capitol on Jan. 6, and those involved in the unrest during the spring and summer of 2020. The senators sent 18 questions to the attorney general on what steps the DOJ has taken to prosecute individuals who committed crimes during both events, and requested a response by June 21.

“Americans have the constitutional right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for a redress of grievances,” the senators wrote. “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.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

 June 7, 2021 

The Honorable Merrick B. Garland

Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

Dear 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.[1]  A federal court house in Portland, Oregon, has been effectively under siege for months.[2]  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.[3] 

                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.”[4]
  • 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 46 ATF arrests[.]”[5]

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.”[6]       

                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.[7]  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.[8]  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?  
  1. 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?
  1. How many individuals were incarcerated for allegedly committing crimes associated with protests in the spring and summer of 2020? 
  1. 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?
  1. How many of these individuals have been released on bail?
  1. How many of these individuals were released on their own recognizance or without being required to post bond?
  1. How many of these individuals were offered deferred resolution agreements?[9]
  1. 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?
  1. 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:

  1. 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?
  2. 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?
  1. How many individuals are incarcerated for allegedly committing crimes associated with the Capitol breach?
  1. 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?
  1. How many of these individuals have been released on bail?
  1. How many of these individuals have been released on their own recognizance or without being required to post bond?
  1. How many of these individuals were offered deferred resolution agreements?
  1. How many DOJ prosecutors have been assigned to work on cases involving defendants who allegedly committed crimes associated with the Capitol breach?
  1. How many FBI personnel were assigned to work on cases involving defendants who allegedly committed crimes associated with the Capitol breach?

Sincerely,

Ron Johnson

United States Senator

Tommy Tuberville

United States Senator

Mike Lee                                                            

United States Senator

Rick Scott

United States Senator

Ted Cruz

United States Senator

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[1] Jennifer Kingson, Exclusive: $1 billion-plus riot damage is most expensive in insurance history, Axios, Sept. 16, 2020, https://www.axios.com/riots-cost-property-damage-276c9bcc-a455-4067-b06a-66f9db4cea9c.html.

[2] Conrad Wilson and Jonathan Levinson, Protesters, federal officers clash outside Portland’s courthouse Thursday, OPB, Mar. 12, 2021, https://www.opb.org/article/2021/03/12/protesters-vandalize-portlands-federal-courthouse-again/.

[3] Jennifer Kingson, Exclusive: $1 billion-plus riot damage is most expensive in insurance history, Axios, Sept. 16, 2020, https://www.axios.com/riots-cost-property-damage-276c9bcc-a455-4067-b06a-66f9db4cea9c.html.

[4] Published in the Intercept, Jul. 15, 2020, https://theintercept.com/document/2020/07/15/preventing-violence-and-criminal-activity-in-protection-of-lawful-protest/.

[6] Josh Gerstein, Leniency for defendants in Portland clashes could affect Capitol riot cases, Politico, Apr. 14, 2021, https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/14/portland-capitol-riot-cases-481346.

[7] Madison Hall et al., 493 people have been charged in the Capitol insurrection so far. This searchable table shows them all., Insider, accessed June 4, 2021, https://www.insider.com/all-the-us-capitol-pro-trump-riot-arrests-charges-names-2021-1.

[8] Capitol Breach Cases, U.S. Dep’t of Justice, accessed May 21, 2021, https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/capitol-breach-cases?combine=&order=title&sort=asc.

[9] Josh Gerstein, Leniency for defendants in Portland clashes could affect Capitol riot cases, Politico, Apr. 14, 2021, https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/14/portland-capitol-riot-cases-481346.

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Democrats Prioritize Designed-To-Fail Partisan Agenda Over Bipartisan Proposals

Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the Senate’s June work period:

“After a week of work with our constituents, the Senate reconvenes with a chance to re-focus on the most important issues facing folks back home.

“Already, on multiple occasions this year, we’ve demonstrated that even a narrowly divided chamber is capable of taking productive, bipartisan steps on serious issues.

“Wide majorities have come together to extend access to critical PPP loans, invest in drinking water infrastructure, and equip the justice system to better combat hate crimes against Asian Americans.

“This week, the Senate is set to do the same on legislation regarding competition with China. And many of our colleagues are working hard to make further consensus possible on issues that have historically enjoyed bipartisan support, like transportation infrastructure.

“Remember, this sort of collaboration on serious priorities is what the American people insisted upon last November. They elected a 50-50 Senate, shrunk Democrats’ majority in the House, and took President Biden up on a promise to unite the country.

“So the question at the outset of this work period is how Democrats will use their razor-thin majority over the next few weeks.

“Unfortunately, the Democratic Leader already signaled his answer a week ago by laying out a June agenda that is transparently designed to fail.

“As I understand it, Senate Democrats intend to focus this month on the demands of their radical base: Exploiting the cause of pay fairness to send a windfall to trial attorneys…Saddling hospitals, schools, and small businesses with crippling new legal burdens if they fail to keep pace with ‘woke’ social norms…And opening an unprecedented new front in the Left’s war on the Second Amendment.

“As written, these are not proposals aimed at earning bipartisan support. They’re not designed to clear the Senate’s necessarily high bar for ending debate. Bizarrely, it appears they’re being floated in order to illustrate that the bar is too high.

“After a spring in which the Senate has repeatedly passed mainstream legislation by wide margins, Democrats have decided that now is the time to argue that the legislative process is broken.

“Let’s not forget: Democrats’ poster child for why the Senate should change its rules is a bill that would forcibly change the rules for elections in every state in America!

“Their marquee bill, S. 1, is such a brazen political power-grab that the question isn’t even whether it could earn bipartisan support. The question is how wide the bipartisan opposition will be.

“This is the bill the Democratic Leader has placed at the vanguard of his campaign to destroy the filibuster. Even though multiple members of his own majority are now on the record objecting to it.

“Make no mistake: Failing to sell reckless, wholesale changes to our democracy isn’t proof that the guardrails should be removed. It’s a reminder that they’re there for a reason.

“The American people rightly expect a 50-50 Senate to spend its time finding common ground. But our Democratic colleagues seem to believe that the most important expectations are those of the far left fringe.

“They’ve put forward an agenda that is designed to fail. And fail it will.”

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Economic Recovery Grapples with Consequences of Democrats’ Multi-Trillion-Dollar Mistake

Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the economy:

“On Friday, the U.S. job market got another monthly check-up. Hiring in May was up from the previous month, but still fell short of the level experts – and American employers – had hoped for.

“Of course, the highest expectations for our economic recovery under Democratic control were set by none other than Democrats, themselves.

“Back in February, the Biden Administration pointed to projections that its so-called ‘American Rescue Plan’ would boost job creation in 2021 by 4 million over existing expectations. Meeting that new higher goal meant the economy would have to grow by over 900,000 new jobs a month.

“Needless to say, the job market is nowhere close to meeting this target. In fact, hiring is falling short of where nonpartisan experts forecasted it would be even if Democrats hadn’t rammed through a multi-trillion-dollar liberal wish list this spring.

“I’ve been clear on the dangers of that bill from the beginning. And the data is now spelling it out clearly: Democrats’ bloated additions to unemployment insurance haven’t just failed to help our recovery. They’ve actively hurt it. And the consequences on Main Street are now in full focus. As hiring lags, employers are struggling to entice workers to rejoin and keep their facilities staffed.

“After a year that already tested budgets to the breaking point, small business owners are having to dig even deeper to attract staff, offering bigger bonuses and flexible hours. But even that hasn’t been enough. For the fourth straight month, one survey of small businesses came back with record high reports of unfilled job openings.

“As one small business owner in London, Kentucky reported to me, ‘the current labor shortage is by far the worst’ he’s ever seen. In fact, his short staff has had such a hard time keeping up with orders that, ‘customers are already considering moving business from this facility to other states.’

“This situation isn’t unique. As I traveled the state last week, I heard the same story from employers of all sizes.

“Kentucky’s labor force is still nearly 90,000 workers below pre-pandemic levels. Nationwide, workforce participation has remained stagnant for nearly a year. And all the while, prices for consumers are continuing to creep up.

“This is exactly what Republicans and nonpartisan experts, alike, warned against months ago.

“We urged Democrats not to force our country’s promising early recovery into a permanent defensive crouch.

“Now, as states and business owners grapple with the consequences, I hope Democrats in Washington are paying attention, and learning from their costly mistake.”

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Inhofe, Daines Lead Letter Urging Leadership to Stand for Life, Bring Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act to Senate Floor for Vote

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe

U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) led a letter to Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell urging them to bring the Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act to the Senate floor for a vote during the June work period. Inhofe and Daines were joined by U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

The Senators wrote: “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.”

They continued: “…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.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and 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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Rosen Helps Re-Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address Doctor Shortage in Medically Underserved Communities

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), alongside Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced the re-introduction of the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow international physicians to remain in the United States upon completing their residency under the condition that they practice in areas experiencing doctor shortages. The legislation would also help increase the number of doctors available to work in underserved areas.

“Even before the pandemic, each of Nevada’s 17 counties was designated as health shortage areas,” said Senator Rosen. “Far too many Nevada communities lack enough medical providers to meet patient needs, limiting our ability to fully recover from the effects of COVID-19. We must take commonsense action to address our state’s physician shortage. I’m proud to help reintroduce this important bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the “Conrad 30” program that allows special visas for immigrant doctors to work in medically underserved areas. I will continue working to address our state’s physician shortage and expand access to quality health care for all Nevadans.”

BACKGROUND: Senators Angus King (I-ME), John Thune (R-SD), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Roy Blunt (R-MO) are co-sponsors of this legislation. Companion legislation in the House of Representatives was reintroduced by Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL).

Currently, doctors from other countries working in America on J-1 visas are required to return to their home country for two years after their residency has ended before they are allowed to apply for another visa or green card. The Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act allows international doctors to stay in the United States without having to return to their home country on the condition that they agree to practice in a medically underserved community for three years. The “30” refers to the number of doctors per state that can participate in the program.

This legislation will extend the program for three years, allow the 30 doctor threshold to be expanded, and improve the visa process. The bill also allows the spouses of doctors to work and provides worker protections to prevent the doctors from being mistreated. A version of the bill was included as an amendment in the comprehensive immigration bill that passed the Senate in 2013.

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Senator Hawley Calls for Fauci Resignation, Full Investigation into COVID-19 Origins

Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called for Dr. Fauci’s resignation following the release of his emails and recent investigative reporting regarding the origins of COVID-19. 

Sen. Hawley also called for a full congressional investigation into the origins of COVID-19, including determining the NIAD’s involvement in funding research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. 

Last week, the United States Senate unanimously passed Senator Hawley’s legislation requiring the Biden administration to declassify intelligence related to any potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and the origins of the Covid pandemic. 

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Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) called for Dr. Fauci’s resignation following the release of his emails and recent investigative reporting regarding the origins of COVID-19. 

Sen. Hawley also called for a full congressional investigation into the origins of COVID-19, including determining the NIAD’s involvement in funding research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. 

Last week, the United States Senate unanimously passed Senator Hawley’s legislation requiring the Biden administration to declassify intelligence related to any potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and the origins of the Covid pandemic. 

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To Boost Maine Tourism, King Cosponsoring Bipartisan Visit America Act

Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

BRUNSWICK, ME – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) has joined a bipartisan group of his colleagues to introduce the Visit America Act, which would formally authorize the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and create an assistant secretary position within the Department of Commerce specifically focused on bolstering America’s travel and tourism industry – a high-status position that every other nation in the G20 already possesses. The assistant secretary would be tasked with coordinating a strategy across multiple federal agencies by establishing annual goals and recommendations. The legislation would also require the development and implementation of a recovery strategy to assist the travel and tourism industry to better recover from the COVID–19 pandemic. In addition to Senator King, the Visit America Act is led by Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).

“Each year, millions of visitors flock to Vacationland for a taste of The Way Life Should Be, as families are just a day’s drive or a quick flight away from sites that deliver lifelong memories without straining household budgets,” said Senator King, Chairman of the National Parks Subcommittee. “From our picturesque coastline to our lush forests and awe-inspiring mountains, there is something for everyone in Maine – which is why many small businesses throughout Maine have built their business models around the busy summer season. However, the coronavirus pandemic’s effects showed us just how vulnerable these businesses are to sudden shifts in consumer demand. In order to support the tourism industry and speed our economic recovery from the pandemic, we need to redouble our work to boost this vital part of our national economy. This legislation will unite a variety of government efforts under one federal office and one leader, strengthening our efforts to help the tourism industry grow and thrive.”

Senator King has fought to support Maine’s tourism industry and related economic sectors both prior to and during the coronavirus pandemic. In March, he voted in favor of the American Rescue Plan, which will allocate at least $56 million to support Maine small businesses through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The legislation also included a King-backed provision to create a $28.6 billion fund specifically designed to support independent restaurants and small franchisees struggling due to the pandemic.

In July 2020, Senator King wrote an op-ed to advocate for more federal support for Maine’s seasonal small businesses. He also sent a letter to Congressional leadership calling for additional funding for the Economic Development Administration (EDA)’s programs in future coronavirus economic recovery legislation. He is a lead sponsor of the Restore Our Parks Act legislation which was signed into law last year to address the maintenance backlog at national parks. The newly-enacted law will directly support 40,300 jobs and indirectly support 100,100 jobs over the next five years, according to a study by the National Parks Service. Additionally, Senator King has cosponsored legislation to reauthorize Brand USA, a public-private partnership that enhances tourism across the country through marketing campaigns that promote international travel to the United States. That legislation was signed into law in December 2019.

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Senators Collins, King Attend Millinocket Celebration Welcoming Nautilus Data Technologies to Former Paper Mill

Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

Millinocket, ME – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King joined Governor Mills; community leaders; and representatives from Nautilus Data Technologies, Our Katahdin, and CapZone Analytics to celebrate Nautilus becoming the first tenant for the 1,400-acre former Great Northern Paper Mill site. 

Nautilus has developed the world’s most environmentally innovative, water-cooled data center.  The company will use its patented water-cooling technology and 100% hydroelectric power to provide high-performance computing without negatively impacting the environment. The data center’s customers will include The Jackson Laboratory, Maine Municipal Association, and Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

“I am delighted to welcome Nautilus to Maine.  The innovative technology this remarkable company has developed will make this data center one of the greenest facilities in the world,” said Senator Collins.  “It is fascinating that the abundant natural resources that led to a paper mill being built here more than a century ago are a major factor in the mill’s rebirth.  But natural resources are only a factor.  The real credit for this marvelous development goes to the people of the Katahdin Region. The good jobs created during construction and through operations of the Nautilus center are but an early return on the investment in cooperation among members of the community and all levels of government.”

“As the global economy continues to emphasize both the importance of digital infrastructure and the urgency of confronting climate change, sustainable projects like this are the blueprint for Maine’s future,” said Senator King. “The new Nautilus facility is an important step to revitalize the regional economy, which will put Maine on the map as a leader in digital innovation, further our state’s longstanding commitment to environmentally-friendly industry, and create good jobs that strengthen our communities.”

Senators Collins and King have been longstanding supporters of the effort to transform and revitalize the site of the former Millinocket mill.  In 2018, the Senators announced that the Economic Development Administration awarded Our Katahdin a $5.3 million grant that they advocated for.  The funding helped the nonprofit build critical infrastructure, including roads, water, sewer, power, and broadband, to support future businesses at the former mill site.