Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

Bill Requires Federal Reserve To Take Action To Identify And Manage Climate-Related Financial Risks

Thursday, May 27, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Congressman Sean Casten (D-Ill.) introduced the Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2021. The legislation will direct the Federal Reserve (“Fed”) to conduct stress tests on large financial institutions to measure their resilience to climate-related financial risks.

“Risk is risk—we should not be treating some risks different from others just because they’re hard to quantify. Our federal regulators are legally obligated to ensure a stable and efficient financial system, and that means reducing the risk of a climate-driven financial crisis,” said Senator Schatz. “The Biden Administration recognizes that climate change poses systemic financial risks, but our regulatory agencies still lag their international peers in integrating climate into their supervisory work. This bill will push the Fed to start treating climate risks with the seriousness they warrant.”

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events like floods and wildfires. It is also changing long-term climate patterns in ways that will lower labor productivity, devalue and destroy assets, stress agricultural yields, and ultimately affect every sector of our economy. These impacts will pose risks for financial firms and the global financial system.

“Climate change poses a grave and imminent threat to the stability of our financial system. It is essential that our regulators establish parameters so that our financial institutions adequately prepare for and respond to these risks. Equipped with President Biden’s Executive Order to analyze and mitigate climate risks, our regulatory agencies must now take concrete steps,” said Congressman Casten. “Our bill will move us forward toward safeguarding our financial system—from direct losses caused by droughts, wildfires, and sea level rise to market volatility and erosion of investor confidence.”

Financial institutions face the risk of direct losses from severe weather events and fundamental changes like drought and sea level rise—for example, lower property values from increased flooding. They also face risks from market instability, an erosion of investor confidence, and changes in carbon-intensive asset values resulting from government policies and consumer preferences. Unlike its counterparts in the United Kingdom, the Eurozone, and other jurisdictions, the Federal Reserve is not yet conducting climate scenario analysis as part of its supervisory regime.

The Climate Change Financial Risk Act would require the Fed to establish an advisory group of climate scientists and climate economists to help develop climate change scenarios for the financial stress tests.

With the input from the advisory group, the Fed will create three stress test scenarios: a 1.5 degree Celsius warming scenario; a 2 degree scenario; and a “business as usual” scenario, which assumes a higher level of warming if there are no climate policies in place. For each scenario, the Fed will quantify the ways in which climate-related physical and transition risks could disrupt the economy and global business operations. The Fed will conduct stress tests every two years on the same large financial institutions that are currently subject to Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review (CCAR) stress tests—i.e., firms with more than $250 billion in total consolidated assets (and some with assets over $100 billion, if the Fed deems it necessary to promote financial stability).

The biennial tests will require each covered institution to create and update a qualitative remediation plan, which will describe how the institution plans to evolve its capital planning, balance sheet and off-balance sheet exposures, and other business operations to respond to the most recent test results. Fed objections to a remediation plan would limit the institution’s ability to proceed with capital distributions until it improves its plan. However, institutions would not have to increase their current capital based on the results of a climate stress test.

Based on the same scenarios used for the stress tests, the Fed will also partner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to design a nonbinding exploratory survey, which will assess the ability of sub-systemic banks (those with more than $10 billion in assets) to withstand climate risks. The Fed will administer the survey every two years and report on the results in aggregate. Survey participants will remain anonymous in the report and will not face adverse consequences on the basis of their responses.

In the Senate, Schatz’s legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representative Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and is cosponsored by Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.).

“The climate crisis is a systemic threat to our financial system and broader economy. But the time for merely acknowledging this risk has ended. The Climate Change Financial Risk Act would require the Federal Reserve to actually mitigate the risk and ensure the financial system is resilient to climate-related shocks,” said Gregg Gelzinis, associate director for economic policy at the Center for American Progress. “The stress tests established by the bill would probe the vulnerability of large financial firms to both the physical and transition-related risks associated with climate change and would require firms to develop clear and actionable plans to reduce those vulnerabilities over time. It’s time for financial regulators to execute their missions. We need a financial system that can handle oncoming severe weather events and environmental changes, while serving as a source of strength to the economy during the clean energy transition. This bill is a major step in that direction.”

“The climate crisis poses significant financial risks to the stability of capital markets,” said Steven M. Rothstein, managing director of the Accelerator for Sustainable Capital Markets at the nonprofit Ceres. “U.S. financial regulators have already begun work to quantify and manage these risks, but we need to move much more quickly. We commend Senator Schatz and Representative Casten for reintroducing this legislation and laying out a clear role for the Federal Reserve Board to address climate-related financial risks. This proposal will provide the clarity and analysis needed to help the financial industry make informed decisions and accelerate the transition to a net-zero emissions economy.”

“Climate change poses a systemic risk to our global economy. The reintroduction of the Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2021 sets out a series of sensible and necessary requirements to better account for climate-related physical and transition risks in the U.S. financial system, including three stress-test scenarios for large financial institutions,” said Fiona Reynolds, CEO of the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). “We welcome Senator Schatz’s continued leadership in the Senate as the U.S. moves forward in a whole-of-government approach to address climate-related financial risks.”

“Climate-related stress testing of financial institutions would strengthen the resilience of these institutions, on which so many companies and, by extension, employers and the general public depend,” said Paula DiPerna, special advisor at CDP. “This would also enable the long-term strategic planning necessary for financial institutions to mitigate their exposure to climate risks.”

The Climate Change Financial Risk Act is supported by the Center for American Progress, Ceres, the UN-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), Public Citizen, and Americans for Financial Reform.

A summary of the bill is available here.

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Source: United States Senator for Michigan Debbie Stabenow

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Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

June 04, 2021

(Manchester, NH) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) today announced that New Hampshire will receive $24,568,498 to address COVID-19 related health disparities among communities considered to be high-risk and medically underserved, including communities of color and Granite Staters in rural areas. Specifically, the funding is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act that was passed by Congress and signed into law in December and will allow the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to boost COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capabilities. The funding will help create and deploy new mitigation and prevention services, improve data collection and empower community partners to address COVID-19 health disparities. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated serious barriers and inequities in New Hampshire’s health care system that face our rural families and communities of color. As a result, these Granite Staters have borne the brunt of this public health emergency with a disproportionate share of our state’s COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations,” said Senator Shaheen. “To get to the other side of this crisis, we must address these health disparities and ensure all Granite Staters have access to the health care services they need regardless of their location, background or income, which is exactly what these federal dollars will help do. I’ll continue to work in the Senate to address health disparities in our state and advocate for additional federal resources Granite Staters need to weather this crisis.” 

“Granite Staters in rural areas and people of color often lack access to the high-quality health care that they need, and this has been especially true amid the COVID-19 pandemic,” Senator Hassan said. “This $24.5 million grant through the year-end relief bill will help New Hampshire address these ongoing health disparities and get critical resources to Granite Staters. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare many challenges in our health care system, and I will continue working to improve health care access for all Granite Staters.”

“Every day, New Hampshire is getting closer to finally crushing this virus, ending this public health and economic emergency, and building back better,” said Representative Kuster. “As we continue those efforts, it’s critical that our underserved and rural communities that have been disproportionately affected by this pandemic have access to the support they need, including the highly effective COVID-19 vaccines. That’s what these federal dollars help accomplish – I was proud to help secure these much-needed funds and will continue working to ensure no Granite Stater is left behind.”
 
“Granite Staters in historically underserved communities and those who are at high-risk have been hit incredibly hard by this pandemic,” said Representative Pappas. “This federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service, approved through the December Coronavirus Response, will help address health disparities that have arisen because of COVID-19 through a number of improved services and resources. It will also ensure that local community partners are able to address COVID-19 health disparities and keep our communities healthy and safe. This funding arrives at a crucial time for our state and I’m pleased to join in announcing these important new resources.”

Shaheen and Hassan are members of the bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers that has steered negotiations of COVID-19 relief. The COVID-19 relief bill signed into law in December contained Shaheen- and Hassan-negotiated legislation that provided urgently needed assistance to American students, families, businesses, workers and health care providers impacted by the public health and economic crises. Senator Shaheen had a similar leadership role as a negotiator for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was signed into law last March and secured New Hampshire an initial $1.25 billion to assist with COVID-19 response efforts. 

The delegation also worked to secure the passage of the American Rescue Plan to respond to the full scope of this public health and economic emergency. They recently announced that the state and Granite State communities will receive more than $1.4 billion in COVID-19 financial relief, as well as nearly $10.7 million to combat the substance use disorder epidemic and support mental health services in New Hampshire. That’s in addition to $350.5 million to help schools safely re-open and support students, $20.2 million to help community health centers expand access to vaccines and $40.9 million to help expand COVID-19 testing in Granite State schools. In addition, they have also announced funding from the legislation to strengthen home visiting services for vulnerable families and support COVID-19 vaccination efforts in underserved communities in the state.   

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) teamed up with Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce the Clean Ocean and Safe Tourism (COAST) Anti-Drilling Act to permanently ban offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean and protect recovering coastal economies decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean would open up the eastern seaboard to considerable risk, and we have seen the destruction that an accident can cause.  This legislation is about more than simply protecting the environment, it’s also about protecting the tourism and fishing industries that create jobs and power the Rhode Island economy,” said Senator Reed.

“Offshore drilling would threaten Rhode Islanders’ ability to enjoy our beaches and harm the Ocean State’s tourism and fishing industries,” said Senator Whitehouse, who led the introduction of similar legislation in 2018 amid the Trump administration’s unsuccessful push to drill in the Atlantic.  “We successfully fought the last administration’s proposal to open the Atlantic to drilling, and I’m glad to see to it that we never have to fight such a foolish and short-sighted proposal again.”

“As we turn the corner on the pandemic and hope for near-normal crowds and a strong summer for businesses at the Jersey Shore, the last thing we need is to open our coast up for a man-made disaster like an oil spill that threatens an already fragile economy,” said Senator Menendez.  “Our boardwalks, restaurants, small businesses, and fishing industries depend on the health and safety of our beaches and the millions of tourists and day-trippers they attract.  A massive oil spill off our coastline would be devastating to the environment and hinder the economy’s ability to fully recover from COVID-19 and natural disasters like Superstorm Sandy.  COAST draws a line in the sand and forever bans the exploration and drilling for oil and gas in the Atlantic.” 

The COAST Act prohibits the U.S. Department of Interior from issuing leases for the exploration, development, or production of oil or gas in the North, Mid-, or South Atlantic Ocean or the Straits of Florida.

A recent report by the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography and Rhode Island Sea Grant values the state’s Blue Economy at $5.2 billion and estimates that the sector supports more than 36,000 jobs.  That economic activity would be endangered in the event of an oil spill.

Areas along the Gulf Coast still haven’t fully recovered from the economic and environmental devastation of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon tragedy that far exceeded what many believed would be the worst-case scenario for an offshore oil accident.

“The COAST Act introduced by Senators Reed and Whitehouse is exactly what is needed to protect our marine life, fishing sectors and shores.  Enactment of this bill will ensure Rhode Island does not face another threat — from pollution and despoilment associated with offshore drilling and mining — as we work together with urgency to reduce use of fossil fuels and mitigate impacts of sea level rise and other threats associated with climate change,” said RI Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit.

“In Rhode Island we know first-hand the severe environmental damage that can result from oil spills.  Save the Bay is gravely concerned about the pollution risks associated with offshore drilling and the global impact of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Save the Bay Executive Director Jonathan Stone.  “We support a prohibition on offshore drilling in federal waters along the east coast to protect fisheries and avoid the risks of pollution, pollution that could threaten our coastal communities and marine resources.  We thank Senators Reed, Whitehouse and Menendez for their leadership on this issue.”

The bill is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

“Hundreds of Atlantic coast communities have made clear this is what they want,” said Valerie Cleland, advocate for the Nature Program at the Natural Resources Defense Council.  “Permanently banning Atlantic drilling is essential to meet our climate goals, protect the coastal economy, and safeguard the health of our oceans and marine life for generations to come.”

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and 14 of their Democratic Senate colleagues urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to immediately take steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

 

The 17 U.S. Senators penned a joint letter urging Secretary Blinken to support immediate emergency relief and humanitarian access, robustly fund humanitarian efforts, and restore the U.S. diplomatic presence on the ground.  Van Hollen, Reed, and Whitehouse were joined in sending the letter by Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).

 

The Senators write: “As you well know, there was a humanitarian crisis in Gaza before the fighting began, and these recent hostilities have significantly aggravated the dire humanitarian emergency on the ground. According to recent reports, the fighting has damaged 17 hospitals and clinics in Gaza, wrecked the only coronavirus test laboratory, sent fetid wastewater into its streets, broke water pipes serving at least 800,000 people, disconnected a desalination plant that provides fresh water to 250,000 people, damaged or closed dozens of schools affecting some 600,000 students, cut off electricity, and forced 91,000 Gazans to flee their homes. More than 71,200 civilians sought protection inside of UNRWA’s schools during the conflict.”

 

They continue: “We must address this humanitarian emergency while supporting a durable ceasefire and a return to international diplomacy. To that end, we request that you take four immediate steps:

 

1.         Support Emergency Relief:  Press all sides to allow for unfettered emergency relief distribution, emergency repairs to essential infrastructure, and for families to receive food and water, access to medical care, and attend to other emergency needs. Announce new bilateral funding for humanitarian and development assistance to address urgent needs, including access to safe water and wastewater treatment, and encourage other donors, including Israel, the EU and GCC countries, to do so as well.

 

2.         Support Humanitarian Access:  Ensure the opening of the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings, so that critical humanitarian personnel, including trauma coordinators and security advisors, can enter and that emergency relief items, including fuel and building materials, can be brought in to address the growing needs of the civilian population. The U.S. should also work to ease on an emergency basis, and ultimately lift, the harsh restrictions on freedom of movement that block Gazans from accessing critical health care, visiting family members, and accepting educational and other opportunities outside the Gaza Strip. 

 

3.         Robustly Fund Humanitarian Efforts, including fully funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency:  UNRWA is the largest humanitarian actor on the ground and together with other US and international NGOs is providing critical health and other services to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. We request that you restore funding for UNRWA to the previous annual funding levels of $360 million and robustly support forthcoming emergency appeals, following all applicable US laws and vetting standards for recipients and implementing organizations.

 

4.         Restore the U.S. Diplomatic Presence on the Ground: A number of key posts, including U.S. Ambassador, Consul General, and USAID Chief of Mission remain empty, or duties are being covered by “acting” officials.  These posts are critical to our diplomatic engagement with both Israel and the Palestinians and to managing U.S. humanitarian and development assistance programs and should be filled with permanent appointments as soon as possible.”

 

The full text of the letter is available here.

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, which oversees the U.S. Capitol Police, rebuked Senate Republicans for filibustering bipartisan legislation to establish an independent commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

 

Just six Republican U.S. Senators joined with Senate Democrats today in voting for the bipartisan measure, leaving it short of the 60 votes needed to proceed.  Thirty-five House Republicans voted in favor of establishing the independent commission earlier this month.

 

Reed stated:

 

“The attack on the U.S. Capitol was a violent assault on our democracy and this filibuster is an affront against those who believe in truth, justice, and fairness. 

 

“We’ve already seen shameful attempts to whitewash history and suggestions that the individuals who breached the U.S. Capitol that day with zip ties and weapons were little more than tourists.  We know many of them were there to try to nullify an election and overturn the will of the American people.  

 

“Now, a minority group of Republicans seems fearful that the facts about what transpired that day and who was involved behind the scenes may come to light.  Others seem intent on perpetuating the very lie that sparked the violent assault that resulted in several deaths and serious injuries. 

 

“I urge reasonable Senate Republicans who went along with this ill-advised filibuster today to reconsider.  The American people deserve the truth and Congress must ensure all the facts come to light.  This isn’t easy and I commend those who put the best interest of the nation ahead of party or their own political ambition. 

 

“This is a bipartisan bill to establish a fifty-fifty Commission, just like the Commission to examine the terrorist attacks on 9/11.

 

“It’s sad that the many of the same lawmakers who had to be whisked out of the chamber on January 6 and defended by brave U.S. Capitol Police Officers who risked their lives now are unwilling to stand up for an investigation into that attack.

 

“It’s time to put politics aside and have a full, fair, and thorough investigation.”

Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

June 01, 2021

Measures include ensuring the delivery of humanitarian relief, freedom of movement, and restoring robust U.S. support for UNRWA

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) led a letter with over a dozen of their Senate colleagues urging U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to immediately take steps to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In their letter, the Senators urge Secretary Blinken to support immediate emergency relief and humanitarian access, robustly fund humanitarian efforts, and restore the U.S. diplomatic presence on the ground. The Senators were joined in sending the letter by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.).

The Senators write, “As you well know, there was a humanitarian crisis in Gaza before the fighting began, and these recent hostilities have significantly aggravated the dire humanitarian emergency on the ground. According to recent reports, the fighting has damaged 17 hospitals and clinics in Gaza, wrecked the only coronavirus test laboratory, sent fetid wastewater into its streets, broke water pipes serving at least 800,000 people, disconnected a desalination plant that provides fresh water to 250,000 people, damaged or closed dozens of schools affecting some 600,000 students, cut off electricity, and forced 91,000 Gazans to flee their homes. More than 71,200 civilians sought protection inside of UNRWA’s schools during the conflict.” 

They continue, “We must address this humanitarian emergency while supporting a durable ceasefire and a return to international diplomacy. To that end, we request that you take four immediate steps: 

1. Support Emergency Relief:  Press all sides to allow for unfettered emergency relief distribution, emergency repairs to essential infrastructure, and for families to receive food and water, access to medical care, and attend to other emergency needs. Announce new bilateral funding for humanitarian and development assistance to address urgent needs, including access to safe water and wastewater treatment, and encourage other donors, including Israel, the EU and GCC countries, to do so as well.

1. Support Humanitarian Access:  Ensure the opening of the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings, so that critical humanitarian personnel, including trauma coordinators and security advisors, can enter and that emergency relief items, including fuel and building materials, can be brought in to address the growing needs of the civilian population. The U.S. should also work to ease on an emergency basis, and ultimately lift, the harsh restrictions on freedom of movement that block Gazans from accessing critical health care, visiting family members, and accepting educational and other opportunities outside the Gaza Strip.  

1. Robustly Fund Humanitarian Efforts, including fully funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency:  UNRWA is the largest humanitarian actor on the ground and together with other US and international NGOs is providing critical health and other services to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. We request that you restore funding for UNRWA to the previous annual funding levels of $360 million and robustly support forthcoming emergency appeals, following all applicable US laws and vetting standards for recipients and implementing organizations.

1. Restore the U.S. Diplomatic Presence on the Ground: A number of key posts, including U.S. Ambassador, Consul General, and USAID Chief of Mission remain empty, or duties are being covered by “acting” officials.  These posts are critical to our diplomatic engagement with both Israel and the Palestinians and to managing U.S. humanitarian and development assistance programs and should be filled with permanent appointments as soon as possible.” 

The full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Blinken: 

We write regarding the recent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the need to use all diplomatic tools to support a durable end to hostilities in Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank. We welcome your commitment to work with the international community to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and to marshal international donor support to meet urgent humanitarian and reconstruction needs in Gaza. 

As you well know, there was a humanitarian crisis in Gaza before the fighting began, and these recent hostilities have significantly aggravated the dire humanitarian emergency on the ground. According to recent reports, the fighting has damaged 17 hospitals and clinics in Gaza, wrecked the only coronavirus test laboratory, sent fetid wastewater into its streets, broke water pipes serving at least 800,000 people, disconnected a desalination plant that provides fresh water to 250,000 people, damaged or closed dozens of schools affecting some 600,000 students, cut off electricity, and forced 91,000 Gazans to flee their homes. More than 71,200 civilians sought protection inside of UNRWA’s schools during the conflict. 

We must address this humanitarian emergency while supporting a durable ceasefire and a return to international diplomacy. To that end, we request that you take four immediate steps:

1. Support Emergency Relief:  Press all sides to allow for unfettered emergency relief distribution, emergency repairs to essential infrastructure, and for families to receive food and water, access to medical care, and attend to other emergency needs. Announce new bilateral funding for humanitarian and development assistance to address urgent needs, including access to safe water and wastewater treatment, and encourage other donors, including Israel, the EU and GCC countries, to do so as well.

1. Support Humanitarian Access:  Ensure the opening of the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings, so that critical humanitarian personnel, including trauma coordinators and security advisors, can enter and that emergency relief items, including fuel and building materials, can be brought in to address the growing needs of the civilian population. The U.S. should also work to ease on an emergency basis, and ultimately lift, the harsh restrictions on freedom of movement that block Gazans from accessing critical health care, visiting family members, and accepting educational and other opportunities outside the Gaza Strip.   

1. Robustly Fund Humanitarian Efforts, including fully funding the United Nations Relief and Works Agency:  UNRWA is the largest humanitarian actor on the ground and together with other US and international NGOs is providing critical health and other services to address the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. We request that you restore funding for UNRWA to the previous annual funding levels of $360 million and robustly support forthcoming emergency appeals, following all applicable US laws and vetting standards for recipients and implementing organizations.

1. Restore the U.S. Diplomatic Presence on the Ground: A number of key posts, including U.S. Ambassador, Consul General, and USAID Chief of Mission remain empty, or duties are being covered by “acting” officials.  These posts are critical to our diplomatic engagement with both Israel and the Palestinians and to managing U.S. humanitarian and development assistance programs and should be filled with permanent appointments as soon as possible. 

The United States has a critical role to play in meeting urgent humanitarian needs, coordinating with our allies and the international community, and supporting and working with the parties to recognize and protect the human rights and dignity of all Israelis and Palestinians. In order for this ceasefire to be durable and avoid a renewal of the cycle of violence, it is critical that we improve the dire conditions in Gaza that only contribute to despair and further fuel extremism. We strongly urge you to step up the United States’ diplomatic engagement to lead the international community and meet this moment.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

Staff for U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming will hold remote office hours in Sheridan between Tuesday, June 1^st, through Friday, June 4^th, 2021 to meet with constituents.  Field Representative Jackie King will be available to meet with residents and hear ideas, comments and concerns about what is happening in the U.S. Senate, and also to help anyone having trouble working with a federal agency.

Of the remote office hours, Sen. Lummis said:

“We are working every day to make the federal government works for the people of Wyoming. Whether that is through legislation like the POWER Act to protect Wyoming energy producers, or through the Financial Innovation Caucus to show my Senate colleagues how Wyoming has pioneered digital asset regulation, I am working to best represent and defend the Wyoming way of doing things. These remote office hours will bring my office closer to the people we are here to serve, and I hope they will foster good conversations and also provide necessary help to ensure that the people of Wyoming can better navigate the complexities of the federal government.”

To schedule a meeting with Jackie King, please call (307) 261-6575 to arrange a convenient time and location during her visit.

In addition to establishing remote office hours, Sen. Lummis created a new business-focused state position, the director of business outreach, and hired Cheyenne native Brendan Ames to serve in that position as a liaison between the federal government and Wyoming businesses.

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Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today led a group of 18 of his Senate colleagues in voicing their support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership of the Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts to address and mitigate the underlying factors driving Central American migration to the United States. Sent in advance of Vice President Harris’ upcoming visit to Mexico and Guatemala, the senators’ letter reiterates their call for the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy that responds to current humanitarian challenges in Central America and undertakes the long-term work needed to promote greater stability in communities across the region.

“As an essential element of the Biden administration’s Central America strategy, we encourage you to prioritize initiatives that strengthen democratic governance and combat corruption and human rights violations,” the senators wrote, urging the Biden administration to hold Central American government officials accountable for their involvement in criminal activities, human rights abuses, and efforts to undermine democracy. “Ensuring stability in Central America directly supports the national interests of the United States.”

The letter also called for the continued provision of humanitarian assistance to communities in the region disproportionately affected by natural disasters and requested assurance that U.S. engagement in Central America includes support for the most vulnerable populations in the region, including women, children, indigenous populations, and LGBTQI+ people.

“We know that you are a stalwart defender of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and believe that a robust and coordinated interagency response to gender-based violence in the region is critical,” the senators added. “Additionally, it is essential to continue pressing government and civil society leaders in the region to strengthen compliance with labor, humanitarian, and international human rights laws.”

Joining Chairman Menendez in sending the letter were Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). 

Find a copy of the letter HERE and below. 

Dear Madam Vice President:

 

We write in advance of your travel to Mexico and Guatemala to express our support for your leadership of the Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of irregular migration to the United States. After four years of ineffective policies, we welcome your leadership to implement a comprehensive strategy that mitigates the underlying factors driving migration from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, including alarming levels of violence, low levels of democratic governance, and widespread poverty, as well as the impact of recent natural disasters.

The United States must develop and implement an approach that responds to current humanitarian challenges in Central America and undertakes the long-term work needed to promote greater stability in communities across the region. We lament that the Trump administration’s misguided policies and erratic management of foreign assistance impeded U.S. efforts to address the challenges in the region. The setback of the last four years negatively affected Americans, given that the situation in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras directly affects U.S. national interests and our economic security.

As an essential element of the Biden administration’s Central America strategy, we encourage you to prioritize initiatives that strengthen democratic governance and combat corruption and human rights violations. For too long, leaders from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras have placed their interests above those of their citizens. In recent months, we have seen them renew efforts to undermine checks and balances on democratic governance and weaken the institutions that ensure government transparency. We appreciate you speaking clearly on these issues and ask that the Biden administration utilize all available U.S. foreign policy tools to ensure that Central American government officials are held accountable for their involvement in criminal activities, human rights abuses, and the undermining of democracy. The Biden administration should also develop robust safeguards on U.S. foreign assistance in order to prevent misuse of our aid.

We encourage you to ensure that U.S. engagement in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras includes support for the most vulnerable populations in the region, including women, children, indigenous populations, and LGBTQ people. We know that you are a stalwart defender of survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and believe that a robust and coordinated interagency response to gender-based violence in the region is critical. Additionally, it is essential to continue pressing government and civil society leaders in the region to strengthen compliance with labor, humanitarian, and international human rights laws. We also welcome your progress in securing commitments from the private sector to promote the conditions for inclusive and equitable economic growth, which must be part of any long term solution to the challenges in the in the region.

Finally, in late 2020, Hurricanes Eta and Iota caused extensive damage across much of Central America, displacing hundreds of thousands of people, causing billions of dollars in damages, and increasing the push factors for migration.  After hurricane Mitch in 1998, the United States provided over $1 billion in humanitarian aid to help recovery efforts. While we appreciate your announcement to provide $310 million in aid to Central America, we encourage the Biden administration to continue deploying humanitarian assistance to communities disproportionately affected by the natural disaster.

Ensuring stability in Central America directly supports the national interests of the United States. As such, we support your efforts to advance a comprehensive strategy to address challenges in the region. Thank you for attention to these issues.  

Sincerely,

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