Category: US Senate

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Jun 13 11:45 AM Sen. Rick Scott & Rep. Scott Franklin’s Relief Bill for Florida Agriculture Producers Passes House

Source: United States Senator Rick Scott (Florida)

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed Senator Rick Scott’s companion legislation to his Block Grant Assistance Act led by Congressman Scott Franklin. This critical bill provides needed authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue block grants to agriculture producers devastated by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.

 

Senator Rick Scott said, “The loss and devastation caused by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole has forever changed communities across our state and the lives of so many Florida families and businesses. Folks in the Sunshine State are still picking up the pieces, and I’ve continued to work closely with USDA, FEMA and SBA to ensure they remain a top priority during this time of recovery. As we work to get the citrus and agriculture community back on their feet, I won’t stop fighting to make sure that the federal government keeps showing up. I applaud Congressman Franklin getting our Block Grant Assistance Act passed in the House. This legislation is a step in the right direction to ensure Florida’s agriculture industry gets the help they need, and I urge its immediate passage in the Senate.”

Read more from Congressman Franklin’s office below.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Rep. Scott Franklin (FL-18) today announced the House passed his bill, H.R. 662, the Block Grant Assistance Act. This critical bill provides needed authority for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue block grants to agriculture producers devastated by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.

“The Florida citrus industry is synonymous with the Sunshine State and the backbone of many of our rural communities,” Rep. Franklin said. “Extreme hurricane seasons, ongoing trade disadvantages and invasive diseases have forced citrus growers to navigate significant challenges. I’m pleased the House acted to provide needed support so Americans can continue to enjoy the staples our domestic citrus industry provides.”

“The loss and devastation caused by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole has forever changed communities across our state and the lives of so many Florida families and businesses. Folks in the Sunshine State are still picking up the pieces, and I’ve continued to work closely with USDA, FEMA and SBA to ensure they remain a top priority during this time of recovery. As we work to get the citrus and agriculture community back on their feet, I won’t stop fighting to make sure that the federal government keeps showing up. I applaud Congressman Franklin getting our Block Grant Assistance Act passed in the House. This legislation is a step in the right direction to ensure Florida’s agriculture industry gets the help they need, and I urge its immediate passage in the Senate,” said Senator Rick Scott.

“I applaud the effectiveness of the Florida delegation led by Rep. Franklin.  They sent a powerful message with a strong unanimous voice to protect Florida agriculture and connect them with much-needed relief.  Producing our own food is key to our national security, and I thank our delegation for their support,” said Wilton Simpson, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture. 

“Back-to-back major storms in 2022 only compounded the challenges facing Florida growers who are already struggling to make a comeback,” said Matt Joyner, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “I am pleased that thanks to Representative Franklin the House acted to provide authority for this much-needed relief.

More than 90 percent of all Florida citrus production was impacted by hurricanes in 2022, totaling 375,302 acres. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services expects these devastating losses to cost the industry as much as $675 million. Florida citrus generates $6.8 billion in annual revenue and supports 33,000 jobs.

In 2018, Congress gave USDA the authority to issue block grants to states to assist with recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma. In conjunction with the USDA Farm Service Agency, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Florida Citrus Recovery Block Grant (CRBG) Program was created to support citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Irma. The CRBG program was widely successful in aiding the Florida citrus industry.

Full text of the Block Grant Assistance Act can be accessed by clicking here.

Organizations supporting H.R. 662 include: Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson, Florida Farm Bureau, Florida Citrus Mutual and Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association.

 

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Jun 14 04:00 PM Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Ted Cruz in Celebrating Senate Passage of Bill to Rename Cuban Embassy Street After Murdered Dissident Oswaldo Payá

Source: United States Senator Rick Scott (Florida)

Yesterday, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Ted Cruz and their colleagues in praising the Senate’s unanimous passage of bipartisan legislation they authored to rename the street outside of the Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C. as “Oswaldo Payá Way” after the Cuban dissident leader who was assassinated by Cuba’s communist regime. Senators Dick Durbin, Marco Rubio, Bob Menendez and Ben Cardin also cosponsored the bill.

 

Senator Rick Scott said, “A decade ago, Castro’s thugs murdered the courageous freedom and democracy activist Oswaldo Payá and his partner Harold Cepero. Why? Because they didn’t stop fighting and raising the voice for freedom in Cuba. Renaming the street in front of the Cuban Embassy in DC for Oswaldo Payá is not only a tribute to him and the fight for Patria y Vida in Cuba, it serves as a reminder to the Castro and Díaz-Canel regime that the United States will NEVER forget the atrocities and human rights violations that the Cuban dictatorship has committed against its people. We will never stop demanding that the Biden administration condemn the atrocities of the illegitimate communist Cuban regime by ending the appeasement and finally treating Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel like the murderous thugs they are.”

 

Read more from Senator Cruz’s office below.

 

Sen. Cruz, Colleagues Marks Senate Passage of Bill to Rename Cuban Embassy Street After Murdered Dissident Oswaldo Payá

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, praised the Senate’s unanimous passage of bipartisan legislation he authored to rename the street outside of the Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C. as “Oswaldo Payá Way” after the Cuban dissident leader who was assassinated by Cuba’s communist regime. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) cosponsored the bill.

 

After passage, Sen. Cruz said, “Oswaldo Payá is a hero for oppressed Cubans, Cuban Americans, and defenders of freedom everywhere. The Cuban government murdered him to try to silence him and his advocacy, and it is critical to ensure that they fail. Renaming the street in front of the Cuban embassy after him not only pays tribute to his heroism but will prevent the communist Cuban regime from being able to erase and ignore his legacy. I am proud to lead this bipartisan effort, and proud of my colleagues for unanimously passing this bill.”

 

Oswaldo Payá’s daughter, Rosa María Payá, said, “This momentous decision by the U.S. Senate is a remarkable tribute to my father’s fearless fight for democracy and human rights in Cuba. It is powerful stand against oppression and impunity, right after the release of the ICHR’s decision holding the Cuban regime accountable for his murder. This victory brings his legacy to the forefront, serving as a reminder of our ongoing struggle for a free and democratic Cuba.”

 

Sen. Durbin said, “With the recent findings from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, we finally have a clear verdict on what was suspected all along. After years of petty and cowardly harassment of Cuban patriot and democracy activist Oswaldo Payá, responsibility for his tragic death and that of his colleague, Harold Cepero, rests with the Cuban dictatorship,” said Durbin.  “Through passage of our bipartisan legislation to rename the street outside the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. ‘Oswaldo Payá Way,’ we are honoring Payá’s legacy and all the other Cubans who continue to aspire for a more open and democratic Cuba.”

 

Sen. Rubio said, “Just yesterday, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights acknowledged the criminal involvement of the Cuban regime in the unjust assassination of pro-democracy leader Oswaldo Payá and youth activist Harold Cepero. Today, the U.S. Senate honors Payá’s and Cepero’s legacy by passing this important and bipartisan bill to rename the street outside of the Cuban dictatorship’s Embassy in our nation’s capital as ‘Oswaldo Payá Way.’ This will serve as a daily reminder to the murderous thugs of the many deaths they are responsible for.”

 

Sen. Menendez said, “The Cuban regime is responsible for the death of Oswaldo Payá, plain and simple. They know it, we know it, and now—thanks to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and their thorough investigation—the world knows it. We strongly share Oswaldo Payá’s vision for a free and democratic Cuba, one where its people can speak out against oppression without fear of retribution. We will never forget the profound impact he made in the fight for freedom, nor will any Cuban official as they enter and leave the Cuban embassy on the newly renamed ‘Oswaldo Payá Way.’”

 

Sen. Scott said, “A decade ago, Castro’s thugs murdered the courageous freedom and democracy activist Oswaldo Payá and his partner Harold Cepero. Why? Because they didn’t stop fighting and raising the voice for freedom in Cuba. Renaming the street in front of the Cuban Embassy in DC for Oswaldo Payá is not only a tribute to him and the fight for Patria y Vida in Cuba, it serves as a reminder to the Castro and Diaz-Canel regime that the United States will NEVER forget the atrocities and human rights violations that the Cuban dictatorship has committed against its people. We will never stop demanding that the Biden administration condemn the atrocities of the illegitimate communist Cuban regime by ending the appeasement and finally treating Raúl Castro and Miguel Diaz-Canel like the murderous thugs they are.”

 

Sen. Cardin said, “The name of Oswaldo Payá, who was killed while peacefully working to promote constitutional democracy in Cuba, will never be forgotten in his home country.  Our bill that was just approved unanimously by the full Senate will ensure that Americans also will be reminded of Payá’s courage and the sacrifice he made for the people of Cuba.”

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Oswaldo Paya was a Cuban dissident who fought against the Cuban regime and for the basic freedoms of the Cuban people. He was murdered by the Cuban regime on July 22, 2012. This week the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights formally determined and confirmed that the regime was directly responsible for the murder.

 

Sen. Cruz has long fought to honor the legacy of Oswaldo Payá and hold the Cuban regime accountable for his murder. Sen. Cruz has led this bipartisan effort to rename the street in front of the Cuban Embassy since 2015.

 

Read the bill here.

 

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Jun 15 01:00 PM Sen. Rick Scott & Colleagues: Unacceptable Passport Delays Must Be Quickly Fixed

Source: United States Senator Rick Scott (Florida)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott led Senators Bill Cassidy, Ted Cruz, Mike Crapo, John Barrasso, Cynthia Lummis, Katie Britt, Ted Budd, Marco Rubio, Bill Hagerty, JD Vance, Mitt Romney, Joni Ernst and Deb Fischer in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to take immediate action to resolve the massive backlog of passport applications. In the letter, the senators note countless reports from Americans in their states regarding issues and concerns with delayed wait times, lack of available in-person appointments and an inability to communicate with passport agencies – which is an unacceptable failure from a government that should be focused on serving American taxpayers and their needs.

 

Read the full letter HERE or below.

 

June 15, 2023

 

The Honorable Antony Blinken

Secretary

United States Department of State

2201 C Street NW

Washington, D.C. 20520

 

Dear Secretary Blinken:

 

As summer begins and families across the nation are finalizing their travel plans, we have heard countless reports from constituents in our states about the massive backlogs in processing passport applications. While we appreciate the hard work of Passport Agency employees across the nation, this backlog and the unresponsiveness to many passport inquiries is unacceptable.

 

Since January 2023, our offices have observed a massive increase in passport related inquiries from our constituents. We understand that the Department of State is experiencing an unprecedented number of passport applications and renewals, but the strategies put in place to address this unprecedented demand appear to need additional attention.

 

These backlogs have resulted in many American families being forced to cancel their travel plans because of increased wait times, a lack of available in-person appointments and an inability to communicate with passport agencies. Furthermore, the delay many Americans are experiencing in receiving their passport could potentially be detrimental to their livelihood.

 

The Department of State must address these issues promptly to remedy the situation. As our offices continue to work each and every day to assist constituents with their passport needs, we are requesting answers to the following questions:

 

  1. What measures are being taken to decrease processing and wait times?
  2. How does the Department plan to resolve the communications issues?
  3. How does the Department plan to permanently resolve these issues to avoid backlog in the future?

Families across the nation are dependent on a quick and efficient solution to the many issues and delays the Passport Agencies are experiencing. We look forward to hearing your solutions to this ongoing issue.

 

Sincerely,

 

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Jun 16 04:15 PM Sen. Rick Scott Issues Weekly Update on Biden’s Inflation Crisis

Source: United States Senator Rick Scott (Florida)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released a weekly update on his actions to address America’s debt crisis and rising inflation following the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releasing Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers for May, which showed inflation continued to rise. Since Joe Biden became president, CPI has risen 16.3% and PPI has risen 16.6%.

 

Earlier this week, following the latest CPI announcement by the BLS, Senator Scott released the following statement.

 

Senator Rick Scott said, “As I continue to travel around Florida and talk to folks, one thing that is top of mind for Floridians is how hard inflation is hurting them. For over two years now, inflation has been plaguing families’ bank accounts and forcing them to make tough choices like choosing between food on the table, saving for retirement, or putting money away for a rainy day. It’s hard to think of a single way that people’s lives have improved under Joe Biden’s failed leadership. He is destroying our country with his radical political agenda that has eroded trust in our institutions and brought inflation to levels not seen in decades. American families deserve better and I won’t stop fighting to bring fiscal sanity back to Washington and stop Biden from bringing more harm to our country.”

 

Since being elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Scott has repeatedly urged action to address America’s debt crisis and the harmful effects of inflation. Click HERE for a comprehensive list of his statements and actions on this urgent issue. 

See more from this week on Twitter: 

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In Southern Illinois, Duckworth Commemorates Juneteenth

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

June 17, 2023

[CARBONDALE, IL] — Ahead of Monday’s Juneteenth holiday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) celebrated and honored the holiday in Carbondale today. Duckworth began the day with a breakfast hosted by Carbondale Mayor Carolin Harvey at the African American Museum of Southern Illinois, where the Senator emphasized her commitment to policies that prioritize justice, health and equity for Black communities. Duckworth specifically discussed her work to address the maternal mortality crisis and environmental justice, both of which disproportionately affect Black Americans, as well as urged racial justice allies to reckon with our country’s history and push for a more just union for every American. Following the breakfast, Duckworth joined the Carbondale community for their second annual Juneteenth parade, and on Friday, she visited the city’s Juneteenth block party. Photos from the block party can be found here. Photos from the breakfast can be found here. Photos from the parade can be found here. 

“Juneteenth is about recognizing the history of our country and working together to bring equity and justice to Black Americans. For me, one of the ways I’m working to make that happen is finding ways to reduce our rising maternal and infant mortality rate—which disproportionally affects Black moms. It means committing over and over again to advocating for the largely working communities of color that have been disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices, a movement that I’m proud to have my Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act be a part of.” 

Duckworth continued: “While Juneteenth became a federal holiday just two years ago, across neighborhoods, block parties and family gatherings, Black communities have long celebrated the day that, finally, marked the end of centuries of forced labor and abuse of Black Americans and their families through enslavement. While I may not share that same heritage, I am thankful for the ways Black culture has repeatedly shaped and influenced our entire nation and I know that Black freedom, joy and lives matter.” 

Juneteenth celebrates the day enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation, two years after the official abolition of the institution of slavery. 

Just this week, Senator Duckworth introduced her Maternal Health for Veterans Act, legislation that builds upon her Protecting Moms Who Served Act. Protecting Moms Who Served is helping to address the maternal mortality crisis among women Veterans by helping improve care at VA facilities and shed light on the scope of this crisis, particularly among women of color and was signed into law in 2021. In the bipartisan Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Omnibus Appropriations Act, Duckworth championed a provision to improve maternal health and make permanent an option that will allow states to continue to provide 12 months of continuous coverage during the postpartum period in through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This provision was based off the Durbin-Duckworth MOMMA Act to reduce America’s rising maternal and infant mortality rate, especially for moms and babies of color who are significantly more likely to die during or shortly after pregnancy.

Duckworth is a fierce advocate for environmental justice communities. On this past World Water Day in March, she helped re-introduce the newly named A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice For All Act, the most comprehensive environmental justice legislation in history. The bill would help achieve health equity and climate justice for all, particularly in underserved communities and communities of color that have long been disproportionately harmed by environmental injustices and toxic pollutants. Last year, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 which included several of Duckworth’s environmental justice provisions that would establish a federal advisory committee on environmental justice at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), reduce the cost share for restoration projects that benefit economically disadvantaged communities and enhance workforce development in STEM and water infrastructure with a focus on diversity and outreach in disadvantaged communities. In 2021, Duckworth’s bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) was signed into law as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure. 

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Sullivan, Rosen, Ernst & Duckworth Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Properly Recognize Female Veterans’ Combat Service with Special Forces, Ensure Access to Benefits

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

06.17.23

WASHINGTON—Yesterday, U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)introduced the bipartisan Jax Act to amend the military records of women veterans who deployed alongside Special Forces in Afghanistan and Iraq to ensure they accurately reflect their service as members of Cultural Support Teams (CST). Before female servicemembers were able to formally serve in combat roles, CSTs were deployed to combat zones with Special Operations Forces (SOF) in order to engage with the female populations, greatly expanding operational and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

These women veterans shared similar operational and traumatic experiences as their male peers also serving in combat, but have not been recognized for their combat service, denying them rank, benefits, and critical health services. This bipartisan legislation would require the review of the military records of CST women veterans who served from 2010 to 2021 in support of Special Operations Forces. The bill is named the Jax Act after Jaclyn “Jax” Scott, who served on a Cultural Support Team and has been leading the fight to get women combat veterans the recognition and benefits they deserve.

“For many years, women service members served valiantly alongside our military’s elite Special Operations Forces, risking their lives to help take out some of the world’s most dangerous terrorists while being denied official recognition for their combat duties,” said Senator Sullivan. “These women incurred the same hardships as their male counterparts, but tragically, they did not receive the same care from our VA or the recognition they deserve once they came home. This is wrong and must be fixed. I thank Senator Rosen for authoring this bill to fulfill our duty to these courageous American women and I thank our female service members who’ve fought and risked their lives for our country.”

“Women veterans who bravely served our nation and fought for our freedoms deserve all of the recognition, benefits, and honor they earned, just like their male counterparts. Due to outdated policies, women veterans who were part of Cultural Support Teams and who served in combat are being denied rank, benefits, and critical health services,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m introducing bipartisan legislation to cut through bureaucratic red tape so that our brave women veterans can see their service reflected on their military records and receive the recognition and access to resources they are so deeply owed.”

“Make no mistake – women have been wearing our nation’s uniform and serving honorably in war zones long before our military removed the ban on women serving in combat,” said Senator Ernst. “As the first female combat veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate, I’m proud to fight for the hundreds of women who played critical roles in Afghanistan and Iraq and ensure they receive the care and recognition they have always deserved.”

“The women who served in our military’s CSTs selflessly answered the call and played an important role in keeping our nation safe, but because we haven’t recognized their combat duty, too many of them are not able to access the disability compensation and VA treatment their sacrifices deserve,”said Senator Duckworth. “This is unacceptable. I’m proud to help introduce the Jax Act to help fully recognize the service and sacrifice of these brave heroes and make sure they receive the care and benefits they’ve earned.”

“The Jax Act will give power back to women of the SOF community,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jaclyn “Jax” Scott, board member, Special Operations Association of America. “It will allow me and others like me to rightfully access healthcare and disability benefits we deserve. It is the first step in righting the wrong and helping to heal the moral injury we carry with us every day.” 

“Special Operations Association of America fights for those who fight for us. That has always included the women of the CST community, and the Jax Act will ensure that these women get the support and recognition they deserve,” said David Cook, the Executive Director of Special Operations Association of America. “We’re grateful for bipartisan support in Congress to right this wrong.”

“As a Nevadan who served as part of the Army’s Cultural Support Team in Afghanistan, I am proud to see that this legislation will finally recognize the immense contributions of the women I served with in combat. This bill will also give them access to long-overdue earned benefits for the danger they put themselves in to protect our nation,” said Shirley Wu, Las Vegas resident and former Army Cultural Support Team Staff Sergeant.“Thank you, Senator Rosen, for standing up for women servicemembers and working to see that they are honored.”

The Jax Act is being introduced the week of the 75th anniversary of women being allowed to serve in the U.S. military. Earlier this week, Senator Rosen helped introduce the Women’s Veterans Appreciation Day Resolution recognizing the service and sacrifices of women veterans and marking the signing of  the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act 75 years ago on June 12, 1948.

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After Securing More Than $18 Million in Federal Funding, Duckworth, Durbin Break Ground on Southern Illinois Multimodal Station

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

June 16, 2023

[CARBONDALE, IL] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Amtrak and local leaders to break ground on the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS). Duckworth and Durbin helped secure a total of $18.3 million in federal funding for this project and have been long-time champions of the project. Photos from today’s event are available here.

“Projects like the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station are great examples of the multiplying effect federal resources can bring to bear on state and local infrastructure investments, the impact these federal resources can have on our communities, and the kinds of things we can do when all levels of government come together,” Duckworth said. These projects aren’t just about improving quality of life for Southern Illinois residents—though that would’ve been reason enough to give it the green light. They’re about helping Illinoisans travel our great state more easily and with fewer delays, creating more good-paying union jobs for local construction workers and improving access for all riders.”

“This project has been a long time coming.  Nearly four years ago, Senator Duckworth and I secured a $14 million BUILD grant to help take the Southern Illinois Multimodal Station from blueprints to today’s groundbreaking,” said Durbin.  “I’m pleased to see federal investments come home to Illinois, where they can truly make a difference in the lives of our state’s residents by positively impacting our regional economy, creating jobs, and improving connectivity across the state.” 

“Amtrak will invest more than $3 million constructing a new train platform, one-thousand feet long, with new lighting and fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,” said Dr. David Handera, Amtrak Vice President of Stations, Facilities and Accessibility. “This money is coming from a special account to make our stations welcoming to everyone, federal funds we are gratefu to have from these outstanding U.S. Senators and others in Congress.”   

The Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS) will serve as a connection point for Amtrak passenger rail, Greyhound bus service, mass transit service, bicyclists, pedestrians and more to allow safer, easier and more reliable connection and transit throughout the region.

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Ahead of Dobbs Decision Anniversary, Duckworth Reinforces Commitment to Protecting Reproductive Rights

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

June 16, 2023

[CARBONDALE, IL] – Nearly one year after the disastrous Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited Southern Illinois’s CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health to learn more about the clinic’s work. CHOICES, an abortion service provider, is one of the closest clinics for Americans in states across the South where abortion has been banned after last year’s Supreme Court ruling. With Illinois as a leader in protecting the rights for comprehensive reproductive care, Duckworth and the group discussed the now intensified need to protect the privacy, emotional wellbeing and physical safety of the clinic’s influx of patients, and how the Senator will continue to support the clinic’s work from the federal level. Photos from the meeting are available here.

“One year after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, I remain just as outraged and horrified at the work of Republicans’ continuing and escalating efforts to rip away Americans’ basic access to healthcare services and the freedom to make decisions for themselves, their families and their futures,” said Duckworth. “I’m so proud that Illinois is a leader in protecting reproductive rights and is a beacon of hope and access for millions. The CHOICES Center for Reproductive Health, where I am today in Southern Illinois, is the closest point of access to reproductive care for millions of Americans across Kentucky and Missouri and as far as Alabama and Texas. I’m dedicated to doing everything I can at the federal level to protect and expand affordable access to healthcare and enshrine every American’s right to choose—no matter their zip code.” 

Duckworth has made protecting and expanding access to essential reproductive healthcare a top priority. Recently, Duckworth joined more than 250 members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, in support of the Biden Administration’s appeal of a federal district court ruling that suspends the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) more than 20-year-old approval of mifepristone as well as the decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit—which does not revoke FDA approval of mifepristone in its entirety but does significantly restrict access to the drug nationwide and ultimately overrides FDA’s scientific judgment. Duckworth also helped introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023, federal legislation to guarantee access to abortion everywhere across the country and restore the right to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for millions of Americans. 

Duckworth hosted Dr. Erin King of Illinois’s Hope Clinic as her 2023 State of the Union guest, as part of the Senator’s continuing efforts to defend Americans’ right to full, comprehensive reproductive healthcare—no matter their zip code, income, ability status or skin color. In 2021, she introduced the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH) Act, as well as previously supported the Women’s Health Protection Act, which she vocally criticized Republicans for blocking. After she urged Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to proactively protect servicemembers’ abortion rights, the Department of Defense announced several new protections and services to ensure our female troops can access the healthcare they need. Duckworth also pushed back against Republican attacks against the Biden Administration’s efforts to protect female Veterans’ access to care. 

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Duckworth Visits Sesser to Discuss $750,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending Secured for Water Infrastructure Improvements

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

June 16, 2023

[SESSER, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today visited Sesser to meet with the city’s leadership and discuss the $750,000 she secured through a Fiscal Year 2022 Congressionally Directed Spending Request for City of Sesser for the rehabilitation of its sanitary sewer collection system. The funding Duckworth secured will be used to update and renovate the City’s severely outdated sewer collection system, addressing a vital public health threat. In 2014, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) served notice of violation resulting from overflow at the sewage treatment plant, causing a health and safety threat to residents. Photos from today’s visit are available here.

“Our state and our nation are stronger when we invest in our communities and families—and that’s one of the things Congressionally Directed Spending allows us to do,” said Duckworth. “I’m so proud I was able to secure this critical support for Sesser to help improve its water infrastructure. I’m dedicated to ensuring historically under-resourced and rural communities have the resources they need to invest in, repair and update their drinking water and wastewater systems to have safe, reliable water.”

Duckworth today met with Sesser Mayor Jason Ashmore, City Clerk Teresa Stacey and City Treasurer Janette Dillinger, as well as other local and regional leaders.

Co-founder of the U.S. Senate’s Environmental Justice Caucus, improving water infrastructure in Illinois and across the country has been one of Duckworth’s top priorities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) and is the most significant federal investment in water infrastructure in history. DWWIA, which has a focus on disadvantaged communities, will help rebuild our nation’s crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure and enable communities to repair and modernize their failing wastewater systems.

In FY22, Duckworth and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) secured $211 million through Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for Illinois and another $182 million for Illinois in FY23. The CDS process does not represent new spending, rather it enables Members of Congress to allocate existing funding for specific local projects by units of government, nonprofit organizations and other organizations that meet strict eligibility requirements.

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Eliminating Unnecessary Red Tape

Source: United States Senator for South Dakota John Thune

South Dakotans know all too well the impacts that ill-considered regulations from Washington can have on a farm, ranch, small business, or family budget. Lately, we’ve seen no shortage of regulations from the Biden administration that place new burdens on hard-working people. But the president’s regulatory power is not without limit. In our system of checks and balances, the courts and Congress have the power to hold the White House accountable and even block excessive use of executive power. 
Last year, the Biden administration put forward two of its most significantly burdensome executive actions. The Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule would have given the federal government jurisdiction over most water features on private property, including ponds and potentially ditches, and imposed heavy compliance costs and regulatory burdens on landowners. The president’s student loan giveaway would unfairly put taxpayers on the hook for half a trillion dollars in student loan debt. Both of these actions were challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court, which has already ruled that WOTUS exceeded the president’s authority and will soon rule on the president’s student debt action.  
In addition to the courts, Congress has the ability to pass resolutions of disapproval to prevent presidential actions from going into effect. While the president needs to sign these resolutions, it’s a tool that can be used to check excessive use of executive power. Bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress voted to block the president’s student loan giveaway and the overreaching WOTUS rule. And Republicans are making additional use of this tool to push back on a range of new regulations.    
In total, the Senate has disapproved of nine Biden administration actions this year – every one with a bipartisan vote. Many of these rules would unnecessarily impact Americans in service of the president’s radical environmental agenda. One rule limiting truck emissions would add thousands of dollars to the cost of heavy-duty vehicles and possibly drive small trucking operations out of business. Another would allow pension plans to consider environmental, social, and governance factors, not just the best rate of return, when investing American workers’ retirement funds. Others would unnecessarily add delays and red tape to infrastructure, energy, and other projects. 
Despite bipartisan rebukes of its regulatory agenda, the Biden administration seems intent to continue pushing for more red tape. The administration recently finalized a rule that threatens to shutter more power plants while the energy industry warns that plants are already closing faster than they can be replaced with new renewable energy. And the Biden administration is also proposing regulations that could limit the availability of gas stoves and gas-powered vehicles over the next few years.
Rather than work with Congress, President Biden has made clear his intent is to advance a progressive agenda through executive action. But that doesn’t mean he can avoid accountability for the costs and other burdens this agenda places on our economy and on hardworking Americans. And it doesn’t mean that Congress won’t still have its say. As we move forward, Republicans will continue to use the Congressional Review Act to push back against excessive regulations and protect Americans’ livelihoods from burdensome red tape.