Category: MIL-OSI

Source: United States Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT)

Romney Statement on Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

Thursday, January 13, 2022

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) today released the following statement regarding the Nord Stream 2 pipeline:
                
“If the United States is going to be successful in deterring Putin’s aggression and maintaining peace, we must be united—both at home and with our European allies and partners. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline is detrimental to that end—giving Putin more leverage than he already had over Ukraine, making Western Europe more dependent on Russia, and preventing the U.S. from maintaining a united front with our partners. But let us not forget why this all matters: Russia is trying to blackmail Europe while playing a victim. Putin has amassed over a hundred thousand troops at the border of the Ukraine, all the while manipulating Europe’s energy supply. He has done so after a long history of breaking treaties, invasions, illegal annexations, and assassinations.
          
“No country—certainly no adversary—gets to dictate which countries can be part of NATO by employing the threat of military force. It is time for the Administration to take urgent steps to push back against Russian aggression. I stand ready to work with my colleagues to support their efforts, which should include providing aid quickly to Ukraine and taking steps to strengthen NATO’s position in Eastern Europe.”

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement after a bill imposing critical sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project failed to meet the 60-vote threshold needed to advance: 

“The Senate had another chance to get it right on Nord Stream 2, but Democrats let this opportunity to stand up to Putin pass us by. For years, there has been wide bipartisan support to stop this pipeline from becoming another tool in Putin’s arsenal to further bully his neighbors. This bill would have imposed the sanctions that President Biden left on the table last year, which are the only ones capable of stopping the pipeline from becoming operational. Most importantly, it would have imposed those sanctions within days—instead of waiting until after Russia further invades Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is lobbying for separate legislation to provide political cover to Democrats to justify voting against their own records on this issue. This other legislation would give Putin yet another pass on this pipeline. It’s not enough.

“As Putin weaponizes energy across Europe and Russia continues to surround Ukraine with an invasion force, we have two choices. We can affirm the Biden administration’s handwringing and appeasement or we can take real action to hit Putin where it hurts.

“I am disappointed, but not surprised that Senate Democrats fell in line with the administration’s do-nothing approach. I’m going to continue pushing for sanctions and other actions that will push back on Putin’s bullying of our NATO allies and partners and show adversaries around the globe that the United States means what we say.”

Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that 325 health care providers across Nevada will receive $25.9 million in federal funding to help ease the financial strain experienced by providers in rural communities. This funding is part of a program funded by the American Rescue Plan that Senator Rosen helped pass last year. 

This funding will go to providers who serve rural Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare beneficiaries. Rural health care providers have long operated on thin margins with limited supplies and funding, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these challenges. 

“This new funding will deliver critical resources to hundreds of health care providers across our state and will help improve access to quality, reliable care for Nevada families living in rural areas,” said Senator Rosen. “Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, health care providers in rural and other underserved communities across our state will have more resources to serve Nevadans as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

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Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

That’s what the filibuster does. It requires us to work together.

Today on Fox News’ America Reports, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed the Democrat Senators joining Republicans to preserve the filibuster, President Biden’s speech in Atlanta, and Leader McConnell’s work with President Trump. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

On Sen. Sinema’s Announcement She Supports Preserving the Filibuster:

“Well, none of this should be a surprise. This is what Senator Sinema, Senator Manchin have said all along. And other unnamed senators who have not wanted to be sort of the spear-catcher on this have remained quiet but silently, or at least confidentially, communicated their concerns.”

“That’s what the filibuster does. It requires us to work together.”

On President Biden’s Speech in Atlanta:

“It was unbecoming of a President, and I think it was sign of the desperation that they’re feeling.”

“I think they are worried – and they should be worried – that this presidency, this Administration, has been by and large unsuccessful in doing anything constructive.”

On Leader McConnell and President Trump:

“I support Mitch McConnell. I think he’s been a good Leader, but the Republican Party is a big enough party for people of different views. “

“We did a lot of good working together: 230 federal judges, we passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, had the best economy in my lifetime before COVID-19 hit. And we can do that again by finding things where we can work together.”

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $3,573,965 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to the Eastern West Virginia Community Action Agency to support affordable housing for West Virginia seniors. This funding will support 20 affordable rental units for high-need elderly households.

“Older West Virginians often face unique challenges when it comes to housing, which can make everyday life more difficult. I’m glad to make this announcement today, and provide needed funding for the Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for the support the people of our state need to live safe, independent lives,” Senator Capito said.

“Ensuring quality, affordable housing for all West Virginians continues to be a top priority for me. I am pleased HUD is investing in the Eastern West Virginia Community Action Agency to provide affordable housing for high-need West Virginia seniors. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for funding to ensure every West Virginian has a roof over their head and a warm place to sleep at night,” Senator Manchin said.

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Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and a group of their Republican colleagues on a letter demanding answers from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on reports that he played a key role in orchestrating a letter from the National School Board Association (NSBA) that called concerned parents “domestic terrorists.”

“Parents are not ‘domestic terrorists’ and it is appalling that anyone would suggest that exercising the constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and assembly would be characterized as a threat,” the senators wrote. “Parents across the country are outraged that their children’s education has been disrupted, delayed, even denied over the past two years.”

“While we knew early on that White House staff were complicit in the creation of this letter, it is only recently that information has surfaced implicating you and your office in this shameful episode,” the senators continued. “News reports indicate that the letter from the NSBA to President Biden was actually initiated at your request. Accountability begins at the top, and as U.S. Secretary of Education you must explain your role, or your staff’s role, in the creation of this letter.”

Along with Senators Capito and Scott, signatories to the letter include, Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.).

BACKGROUND:

• On September 29, 2021, the NSBA sent a letter to President Biden accusing parents expressing concern and frustration with lockdowns, shutdowns, school closures, mandates and more of “domestic terrorism.”

• In response, on October 4, 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memo directing the FBI and U.S. Attorneys to act on the contents of the NSBA letter.

• On October 22, 2021, the NSBA apologized for the letter after receiving significant backlash from state school board associations.

• This week, new reporting revealed emails indicating the NSBA letter was sent to the Biden administration at the request of Secretary Cardona.

Read the full text of the letter here or below.

Dear Secretary Cardona:

Parents are not “domestic terrorists” and it is appalling that anyone would suggest that exercising the constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and assembly would be characterized as a threat. Parents across the country are outraged that their children’s education has been disrupted, delayed, even denied over the past two years.

Study after study shows how much educational harm has been done to schoolchildren with shutdowns and closures. It is estimated most students lost between 30 and 50 percent of their learning gains because of school closures. Moreover, minority and low-income students and students with disabilities were among the hardest hit as a result of these disruptions, with many losing as much as a full year of educational progress. Students’ mental health suffered as well. According to the CDC, teen suicide attempts among girls increased by 51 percent, likely due in part to students’ inability to access in-person learning.

Yet on September 29, 2021, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) sent a letter to President Biden accusing parents expressing concern and frustration with lockdowns, shutdowns, school closures, mandates and more with “domestic terrorism.” The letter even suggested using the PATRIOT Act against parents who are concerned about months and years of lost educational opportunities due to school closures, shutdowns, and unnecessary restrictions.

On October 4, 2021, Attorney General Garland issued a memo at NSBA’s behest, directing the FBI and U.S. Attorneys to act on the contents of the NSBA letter. That evoked the prospects of the FBI using the powers of the PATRIOT Act against peacefully protesting parents frantic to get their children back in school so they don’t fall behind and lose a year of education.

On October 22, 2021, the NSBA apologized for the letter, as they should. Many state school board associations have called into question their affiliation with the NSBA, and the NSBA has a lot of work to do to regain the trust of America’s moms and dads without significant reforms.

Unfortunately, the Attorney General has not rescinded his memo, as he should.

While we knew early on that White House staff were complicit in the creation of this letter, it is only recently that information has surfaced implicating you and your office in this shameful episode. News reports indicate that the letter from the NSBA to President Biden was actually initiated at your request.

Accountability begins at the top, and as U.S. Secretary of Education you must explain your role, or your staff’s role, in the creation of this letter.

Please respond to the following questions by 4:00 p.m., Friday, January 14, 2022:

1. What role did you personally play in soliciting the letter from the NSBA to the President on September 29, 2021? Did you advise on the content or the wording of the letter?
2. What role did your staff play in soliciting the letter from the NSBA to the President on September 29, 2021? Did they advise on the content or the wording of the letter?
3. Do you believe that parents exercising constitutionally protected rights are “domestic terrorists”?
4. What direction was your Department given from the White House regarding the origination, creation, or content of the letter?
5. Will you commit to firing any staff involved in crafting this letter if they did so without your knowledge or direction?
6. Do you think that school board meetings should be open to the public to allow parents to have oversight and influence on their children’s education?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

January 13, 2022

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, issued the following statement after voting against Senator Cruz’s Nord Stream 2 legislation earlier today. The legislation failed to garner enough votes to pass the Senate:

“My position on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has never wavered: it should not be completed or become operational at the risk of being weaponized by the Kremlin. I’ve led action over the years to stop the pipeline, including my partnership with Senator Cruz on sanctions that were included in the fiscal year 2021 defense bill and led to a halt in construction of the pipeline. Yesterday, I joined Senator Menendez and Senate Democrats on comprehensive legislation that would carry the same amount of weight and deterrent, without including provisions like those in Senator Cruz’s legislation that both undermine diplomacy at work and risk obstructing Senate business. Most critically: our legislation responds to the political crisis we are facing today with regard to Russia’s increased aggression and provocations – not the situation we were dealing with years ago when our efforts to stop Nord Stream 2 first began,” said Shaheen.

Shaheen continued, “The path Democrats are proposing would impose significant punitive consequences against Putin for continued malign activity that threatens Ukraine, increase military aid for Ukraine to defend itself and maintain the position that Nord Stream 2 should not be completed or become operational. These are also all policies that Republicans support. While I appreciate the intent of Senator Cruz’s legislation, it not only fails to respond to the current situation of the pipeline – which has led to a pause in certification by the new German government due to the Biden administration’s diplomatic efforts – but it would create a burdensome process in the Senate that risks further encumbering important legislative business. For too long, this kind of obstruction hindered our national security with the unprecedented holds on key ambassadorial nominations, including pivotal assignments to the European Union and NATO. Senator Cruz’s tactics created national security risks in the very region we are looking to address. We cannot allow that obstruction to resume.”

Shaheen concluded, “This is not a question of whether to stop the pipeline – that is clear and agreed upon by Democrats and Republicans. The question is how. The legislation Democrats are proposing addresses the full scope of both the threat we face and the punitive response that is required to swiftly punish Putin should he continue to violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity. We need a united effort at this critical moment in support of European security and our broader global stability. I urge Senate Republicans to reaffirm our bipartisan determination to assist Ukraine and stand with us in holding Putin to account.”

Yesterday, Shaheen helped introduce the Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022, which would impose crippling sanctions on the Russian banking sector and senior military and government officials if President Putin escalates hostile action in or against Ukraine.

Senator Shaheen has long led efforts in the Senate to hold Russia accountable for its malign activity against the U.S. and our allies. Because of her role as a negotiator on Russia sanctions legislation known as “CAATSA” and her successful efforts to ban Kaspersky Lab software from operating on U.S. systems, Shaheen was sanctioned by the Kremlin in 2017. Shaheen co-authored Nord Stream 2-related legislation designed to halt construction of the pipeline in order to preserve Europe’s energy independence and prevent Vladimir Putin from spreading the Kremlin’s malign influence throughout the region. This bipartisan bill mandated targeted sanctions on vessels involved in installing Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. It was signed into law in 2019 as part of the fiscal year (FY) 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Shaheen built on her work in the FY21 NDAA that became law by adding a provision that further clarifies those sanctions, which target companies working with the Russian vessels sent to complete the pipeline. The Senator’s previous bipartisan effort led to a freeze in the construction of the pipeline.

Senator Shaheen is also a member of the Senate Ukraine Caucus. In June, Shaheen led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, to underscore the United States’ commitment to Ukraine as it works to achieve its pro-democratic aspirations. Last month, Shaheen helped lead a bipartisan resolution expressing support for an independent and democratic Ukraine—one that is secure against further Russian military aggression. In December, Shaheen authored an op-ed in the Washington Post with Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) on the bipartisan commitment in Congress to stand with Ukraine amid Russia’s provocations and aggression, an actionable items that the Biden administration can take to address the current situation.

Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) joined 24 of his Republican colleagues on a letter demanding answers from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona on reports that he played a key role in orchestrating the National School Board Association (NSBA) letter to President Biden that labeled concerned parents “domestic terrorists.”

“Parents are not ‘domestic terrorists’ and it is appalling that anyone would suggest that exercising the constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and assembly would be characterized as a threat,” wrote the senators. “Parents across the country are outraged that their children’s education has been disrupted, delayed, even denied over the past two years.”

“While we knew early on that White House staff were complicit in the creation of this letter, it is only recently that information has surfaced implicating you and your office in this shameful episode,” the senators continued. “News reports indicate that the letter from the NSBA to President Biden was actually initiated at your request. Accountability begins at the top, and as U.S. Secretary of Education you must explain your role, or your staff’s role, in the creation of this letter.”

Signatories to the letter include Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska)

BACKGROUND

• On September 29, 2021, the NSBA sent a letter to President Biden accusing parents expressing concern and frustration with lockdowns, shutdowns, school closures, mandates and more of “domestic terrorism.”
• In response, on October 4, 2021, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memo directing the FBI and U.S. Attorneys to act on the contents of the NSBA letter.
• On October 22, 2021, the NSBA apologized for the letter after receiving significant backlash from state school board associations.
• This week, new reporting revealed emails indicating the NSBA letter was sent to the Biden administration at the request of Secretary Cardona.

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

January 13, 2021

The Honorable Miguel Cardona
Secretary
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202

Dear Secretary Cardona:

Parents are not “domestic terrorists” and it is appalling that anyone would suggest that exercising the constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and assembly would be characterized as a threat. Parents across the country are outraged that their children’s education has been disrupted, delayed, even denied over the past two years.

Study after study shows how much educational harm has been done to schoolchildren with shutdowns and closures. It is estimated most students lost between 30 and 50 percent of their learning gains because of school closures. Moreover, minority and low-income students and students with disabilities were among the hardest hit as a result of these disruptions, with many losing as much as a full year of educational progress. Students’ mental health suffered as well. According to the CDC, teen suicide attempts among girls increased by 51 percent, likely due in part to students’ inability to access in-person learning.

Yet on September 29, 2021, the National School Boards Association (NSBA) sent a letter to President Biden accusing parents expressing concern and frustration with lockdowns, shutdowns, school closures, mandates and more with “domestic terrorism.” The letter even suggested using the PATRIOT Act against parents who are concerned about months and years of lost educational opportunities due to school closures, shutdowns, and unnecessary restrictions.

On October 4, 2021, Attorney General Garland issued a memo at NSBA’s behest, directing the FBI and U.S. Attorneys to act on the contents of the NSBA letter. That evoked the prospects of the FBI using the powers of the PATRIOT Act against peacefully protesting parents frantic to get their children back in school so they don’t fall behind and lose a year of education.

On October 22, 2021, the NSBA apologized for the letter, as they should. Many state school board associations have called into question their affiliation with the NSBA, and the NSBA has a lot of work to do to regain the trust of America’s moms and dads without significant reforms.

Unfortunately, the Attorney General has not rescinded his memo, as he should.

While we knew early on that White House staff were complicit in the creation of this letter, it is only recently that information has surfaced implicating you and your office in this shameful episode. News reports indicate that the letter from the NSBA to President Biden was actually initiated at your request.

Accountability begins at the top, and as U.S. Secretary of Education you must explain your role, or your staff’s role, in the creation of this letter.

Please respond to the following questions by 4:00 p.m., Friday, January 14, 2022:

1. What role did you personally play in soliciting the letter from the NSBA to the President on September 29, 2021? Did you advise on the content or the wording of the letter?
2. What role did your staff play in soliciting the letter from the NSBA to the President on September 29, 2021? Did they advise on the content or the wording of the letter?
3. Do you believe that parents exercising constitutionally protected rights are “domestic terrorists”?
4. What direction was your Department given from the White House regarding the origination, creation, or content of the letter?
5. Will you commit to firing any staff involved in crafting this letter if they did so without your knowledge or direction?
6. Do you think that school board meetings should be open to the public to allow parents to have oversight and influence on their children’s education?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate failed to pass the Protecting Europe’s Energy Security Implementation Act:

“It is unacceptable that while Ukraine is being surrounded by Russian troops, most Democrats chose to ignore the pleas and wishes of our friends in Ukraine. Instead of showing strength, they undermined current law and their own previous position, and cemented Biden’s gift to Putin. This type of weakness only continues to embolden Putin.”

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