Category: US Senate

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Miami, FL — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced the South Florida Ecosystem Enhancement Act to reauthorize and reform the South Florida Geographic Program (SFGP) to support ecosystem restoration and monitoring efforts across the contiguous aquatic ecosystems of southern Florida. Congressman Carlos Gimenez (R-FL) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The South Florida Ecosystem Enhancement Act is supported by Audubon Florida, the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership, the Everglades Foundation, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
 
“Restoring South Florida’s ecosystems is crucial because these habitats are the beating heart of Florida’s lifestyle and economy,” Rubio said. “Reauthorizing the South Florida Geographic Program is an important step to restoring these unique habitats.”
 
“South Florida includes some of the nation’s most rich ecosystems expanding from the Everglades to the Florida Keys,” Gimenez said. “It’s an honor to partner with Senator Marco Rubio to introduce the South Florida Ecosystem Enhancement Act. Our bill reauthorizes the South Florida Geographic Program and helps get much needed money to South Florida ecological restoration projects. These projects will help preserve South Florida’s precious ecosystems for generations to come.”
 
“This is a historic investment in the South Florida Geographic Program. We applaud Senator Rubio and Representative Gimenez for their commitment to reauthorizing this important effort to advance conservation goals across the South Florida footprint.” – Julie Wraithmell, Executive Director of Audubon Florida
 
“Reauthorization of the South Florida Ecosystem Enhancement Act and the amendments to the South Florida Geographic Program proposed by Senator Rubio and Congressman Gimenez are essential to help restore and protect the aquatic ecosystems of southern Florida”. – Dr. Duane DeFreese, Executive Director, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program
 
“The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership strongly supports the reauthorization of the South Florida Geographic Program (SFGP), which will be accomplished through the South Florida Ecosystem Enhancement Act. This legislation that Senator Rubio and Congressman Gimenez have introduced will provide $50 million dollars of funding per year over the next 5 years; critically needed resources to protecting water and wildlife, as well as the Everglades – a national treasure. Passage of it will create transformational results in enhancing South Florida’s economy and quality of life as well.” – Jennifer Hecker, Executive Director, Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership
 
“Clean water and healthy habitat are vital for our fisheries. We are grateful to Senator Rubio and Representative Gimenez for introducing the South Florida Ecosystem Enhancement Act to reauthorize and update the South Florida Geographic Program. This program has played an important role in improving South Florida ecosystems, and expansion of this program to include the Indian River Lagoon and Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Programs, along with providing funding opportunities and coordination with the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force will deliver even more benefits to Florida’s iconic natural resources.” – Kellie Ralston, Vice President for Conservation and Public Policy with the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust
 
“The reauthorization of this important program will support much-needed grant opportunities for ecosystem restoration and monitoring efforts by state, local, and tribal governments as well as non-governmental organizations within the SFGP boundaries.” – James Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation
 
The South Florida Ecosystem Enhancement Act:

• Reauthorizes the South Florida Geographic Program (SFGP) for fiscal years 2022-2026; 
• Integrates the Geographic Program authority into the Clean Water Act, which houses the authorities for other geographic programs such as the Great Lakes Geographic Program, Chesapeake Bay Geographic Program, and Columbia River Geographic Program;  
• Expands the geographic scope of the SFGP to include the study areas of the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership and the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (large portions of which already fall inside the current SFGP study area) to better coordinate restoration and monitoring efforts in these contiguous ecosystems;  
• Establishes a grant program to make funding opportunities available for ecosystem restoration and monitoring efforts by state, local, and tribal governments, as well as nongovernmental organizations within the boundaries of the SFGP;   
• Directs the SFGP Senior Advisor to solicit priority projects and activities from the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) Task Force and authorizes the Senior Advisor to enter into interagency agreements and cooperative agreements with federal, state, local, and tribal entities to carry out those projects and activities; and    
• Establishes an education grant program to facilitate efforts to improve environmental literacy education, with a priority focus on funding field trips for socially disadvantaged students in public K-12 schools to facilitate access to publicly protected lands and natural resources.   

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Braun (R-IN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Terminating Reckless and Unnecessary Checks Known to Erode Regular Shipping (TRUCKERS) Act. The TRUCKERS Act would eliminate the proof of vaccination requirement for non-U.S. citizen commercial truck drivers traveling from Canada or Mexico who are seeking to temporarily enter the United States for business through a land port of entry.
 
Congressman Carlos Giménez (R-FL) will introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives this week.
 
“The Biden Administration’s decision to impose a vaccine mandate on cross-border truckers transporting goods to and from Americans makes zero sense,”Rubio said. “Our bill will put an end to this craziness, help relieve the ongoing supply chain crisis, and restore freedom for North American truckers.”
 
“Truck drivers are the backbone of America’s economy. My dad was a truck driver and I know firsthand how critical these men and women are to getting products flowing to American families and businesses again,” Scott said. “President Biden’s inflation and supply chain crises are devastating so many Americans, especially our poorest families like mine growing up. By pushing these ridiculous mandates, he is only making things worse. The government has no business pushing mandates on families and our hardworking businesses and my TRUCKERS Act will help stop this nonsense in its tracks. Joe Biden would be wise to take note of what’s happening in Canada and see that the top-down, ‘government controls all’ approach doesn’t work. I also urge Canada’s government to drop its ridiculous mandates on foreign drivers. I hope all of my colleagues will work with us to quickly pass this good and urgently needed bill.”
 
“Truckers and essential workers keep goods flowing and shelves stocked,” Blackburn said. “COVID-19 vaccine requirements are overreaching and unnecessary. If the Biden administration is that worried about unvaccinated individuals entering into the USA, they should secure the southern border and stop the millions of unvaccinated illegal aliens from flooding into our country. Thank you to Senator Rick Scott for his leadership on this legislation. I’m glad to continue my efforts to protect essential workers.”
 
“When I ran my business, a third of my employees were truck drivers, so I know firsthand how important they are to our economy and our country,” Braun said. “Federal government vaccine mandates are wrong and we should not make our supply chain problems worse by turning away commercial truck drivers temporarily entering the country for business for not showing their vaccination papers.”
 
“Vaccine mandates for truckers to enter the U.S. from Mexico and Canada are an extreme abuse of power with far-reaching consequences,” Cramer said. “We’re suffering through a supply chain crisis, and we need every trucker moving every product to every consumer and every place possible. Our bill provides much-needed relief from burdensome vaccine mandates to allow commerce to flow freely throughout North America.”
 
“We’re in the middle of a supply chain crisis and skyrocketing inflation, and Joe Biden’s priority is to shut down truckers bringing much needed goods and groceries unless they get a vaccine shot,” Hawley said. “The people that decision will hurt most are American families. This mandate and others like them must be junked. Quit hurting working people.”
 
“At a time when we’re already facing supply chain constraints, it makes no sense to make it even more difficult to transport goods and products across our shared border,” Hoeven said. “Hamstringing truckers with vaccine mandates just to cross the border only exacerbates the existing supply chain challenges. This legislation with Senator Scott will exempt truck drivers from providing proof of vaccination when they are crossing the border for business.”
 
“The truck driver shortage and supply chain crisis continue to wreak havoc on the US economy,” Lee said. “Inflation is rampant and Americans are paying the price. All that can be done, should be done to alleviate the harm. The TRUCKERS Act is designed to do just that. Striking down this mandate is an opportunity for members of Congress to show they stand on the side of prosperity, freedom and the American family.”
 
“Make no mistake, Joe Biden’s supply chain crisis rages on and will have serious implications for years to come,” Marshall said. “However, unconstitutional vaccine mandates for the very people who keep our supply chain running only worsens the disaster at hand. I’m proud to partner with Senator Scott to introduce legislation that will protect hard working truck drivers from this blatant government overreach and allow them to do their job, keeping store shelves stocked across the nation.”
  
“Time and time again, Joe Biden has made catastrophic decisions that have hurt the American people,” Giménez said. “By imposing an unnecessary vaccine mandate on truckers from Canada and Mexico conducting trade with the United States, Biden has further stifled our supply chains and made trade with our most important partners too costly. It is time for us to end this ridiculous vaccine mandate on truckers and begin taking steps to return America back to normal. Senator Rick Scott and I have been on the forefront of restoring our supply chains by reversing these disastrous decisions by the Biden Administration. I am honored to work with him again on this issue.”

Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Ranking Member and Chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, introduced the Kids Online Safety Act.

Here is what advocates and technology groups are saying about the Kids Online Safety Act:

“The KIDS Online Safety Act is an important first step in reining in the harms caused to children by social media platforms,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association. “Enacting measures that curtail harmful practices while authorizing research to understand additional impacts is a thoughtful strategy. APA supports the leadership and bipartisan efforts of Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal on this measure and looks forward to working with Congress to address this important issue.”

“Social media platforms are profoundly damaging the mental and emotional health of children and refuse to put that problem ahead of their quarterly profits. This leaves policymakers the task of creating transparency, imposing accountability, and giving parents real control over what their children experience online. Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal have shown admirable bipartisan resolve to act on that responsibility, and the Kids Online Safety Act is an important next step in that work,” said Chris Griswold, Policy Director, American Compass.

“Senator Blackburn is continuing to help lead the way among Republicans to rein in Big Tech and hold bad actors in Silicon Valley accountable for their harmful and dangerous practices. As senators have learned through various committee hearings, Big Tech will prioritize advertising dollars over kids’ safety any day of the week if they aren’t stopped. Big Tech monopolists should no longer be allowed to target children with harmful or illegal conduct on their platforms. This bill would equip parents with the tools necessary to appropriately supervise and moderate what young, still forming, minds are exposed to on these increasingly dark and massive social media platforms,” said Mike Davis, Founder and President, Internet Accountability Project.

“Given the pervasiveness of technology, it is unreasonable to place all the responsibility for a child’s safety and well-being on the parent. Society has a role to play as well. Tech platforms specifically should bear responsibility for the content they are making available to minors. The Kids Online Safety Act is a common sense bipartisan bill that aims to protect kids from some of the worst aspects of the Internet, while providing parents with stronger tools to better direct their children’s online experience. American Principles Project is proud to endorse this legislation,” said Jon Schweppe, Director of Policy and Government Affairs, American Principles Project.

“At the risk of an understatement, the recent revelations on how Facebook and Instagram view children were shocking. Facebook’s own internal research showed that the social media platform ‘has a serious negative harm on a significant portion of teenagers and younger children.’ These services expose children to online predators, and have increased the incidence of teenage eating disorders, body image issues and suicidal thoughts among teenagers. The Kids Online Safety Act would empower law enforcement agencies to protect our children from everything we know—and don’t know—about the services available online,” said Joel Thayer, President, Digital Progress Institute.

“It is long past time for tech companies to put the well-being and safety of children and teens’ first. The Kids Online Safety Act rightfully imposes a duty on covered platforms to act in the best interest of vulnerable children and teens by requiring them to address the many serious online harms kids face, from the promotion of self-harm, suicide, and eating disorder content to predatory, unfair, and deceptive marketing practices,” said Danny Weiss, Chief Advocacy Officer, Common Sense Media. “This important new bill would also empower both minors and their parents with meaningful safeguards and controls that would actually protect them online.  Common Sense applauds Senators Blumenthal and Blackburn for working together on this critical legislation to make the Internet a safer place for our children and teens. We recognize that there is no single solution to the harm kids experience online and we hope that KOSA is passed this year alongside legislation to update the U.S. children’s privacy law, COPPA.”

Clinical psychologist at the Child Mind Institute Dr. Dave Anderson said this bill marks the sensible intersection of tech and public policy: “I think politicians are taking what we know from the science and saying, ‘How do we build in these safeguards?’”

“The social media giants are peddling a false narrative that their platforms are simply a reflection of its users’ interests and experiences, without distortion or manipulation by the platforms. But they know full well that this not true,” said Dr. S. Bryn Austin, Professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Director of the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and Board Member of the EDC. “For teens struggling with body image, eating disorders, anxiety or other mental health issues, the extreme eating disorders content that is algorithmically boosted to them on social media and the resulting negative social comparison are a dangerous trap, intensifying their engagement and extending the time they spend on the platform even while simultaneously worsening their symptoms. It is going to take bold action from Congress to finally put restraints on the unmitigated harm to the mental health of young people being caused every day by social media’s reckless and predatory algorithms.”

“Great week for kids online safety. Bipartisan bills in Congress & California call for comprehensive reform of how #BigTech designs products. It’s time product safety rules caught up with tech,” said Jim Steyer, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Media.

“We need to ensure girls feel safe on social media! Our research shows more than half of girls are harassed online. We applaud Senator Blumenthal and Senator Blackburn for introducing this bill,” said Plan International USA.

“5Rights welcomes the introduction of the Kids Online Safety Act. The digital world should be safe for children by design and by default. This would bring us one step closer to delivering on this ambition,” said 5Rights Foundation.

Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

02.22.22

BATON ROUGE – Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) spoke at the Louisiana Municipal Association’s Mid-Winter Conference, where he addressed about 350 mayors and local officials throughout Louisiana. Earlier, he spoke to the Rotary Club of Gonzales.

Among other topics, he discussed his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is already providing tangible benefits for Louisianans. On December 2, Cassidy announced Louisiana would receive $101 million for clean drinking water improvements. On December 15, he announced Louisiana’s airports would receive $35.7 million more than their annual funding under the Airport Improvement Act. On December 17, Cassidy announced the first phase of Superfund sites to receive remediation dollars in Louisiana. 

In January, Cassidy announced that the Federal Highway Administration plans to provide $26.5 billion to states to repair bridges and infrastructure through the Bridge Formula Program, with Louisiana receiving $202.6 million this fiscal year. Additionally, Cassidy announced that the Army Corps of Engineers would provide Louisiana $643.4 million for coastal, waterway and flood projects. 

Some of these funds directly benefit the Capital Region. In January, money was dedicated toward environmental infrastructure in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes. It was also announced in January that bridge funds would go toward US 61 Jefferson Highway overpass repair in East Baton Rouge Parish. Finally, the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport received $3.1 million and the Louisiana Regional Airport in Gonzales netted $295,000 beyond their normal allotments.

“Parish and local officials have been saying our state needs to address infrastructure needs, including lack of access to broadband Internet, water and sewage systems, and risk of flooding. It was great to speak to them, and say how them representing their constituents was translated into the bipartisan infrastructure bill, to address the issues they have now and in the future,” said Dr. Cassidy. 

Cassidy’s presence at the LMA’s Mid-Winter Conference was welcomed by LMA Executive Director John Gallagher, and at the Rotary Club of Gonzales by Club President Willie Robinson. 

“We appreciate Senator Cassidy taking the time today to speak to our members,” said Mr. Gallagher. “Our local government officials are a direct liaison to our communities, so having a clear chain of communication with our federal delegation has been key to keeping our cities, towns, and villages in the know about the infrastructure funding opportunities.” 

“The Rotary Club of Gonzales appreciates Senator Bill Cassidy for taking the time out of his busy schedule to come speak to our members, right here in Ascension Parish,” said Mr. Robinson. “We all look forward to updates on state infrastructure, industry and other topics related to our State and local community. Senator Cassidy’s leadership and commitment to his position is commendable, and we thank him for coming to our Tuesday meeting.”

###

Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

Previous Article

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – Following the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine’s sovereign territory, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement:

“I unequivocally condemn Russia’s immoral and illegal invasion of Ukraine.

“Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked aggression will inflict untold hardship, suffering, and death upon innocent civilians in Ukraine.  It also threatens European security and will have serious consequences for the global economy.

“The U.S. must continue to use every diplomatic tool in our arsenal, in concert with the international community, to pressure the Kremlin to cease hostilities and pull its forces back from Ukraine.

“Thanks to President Biden’s leadership, the United States and our allies and partners around the globe are unified in this endeavor, and Putin and his cronies will face devastating consequences as a result of this baseless aggression.  Already, the United States has announced sanctions on Kremlin-backed entities in eastern Ukraine, and an even more crippling wave of economic actions on Russia will soon be implemented.  

“The U.S. will continue to reinforce our ironclad commitment to the collective defense of our NATO allies and to provide robust support to Ukraine.

“Putin has badly overplayed his hand.  The Russian people know Putin’s actions are costing them billions in rubles every day and that Putin’s choice means more economic difficulties for them.  Despite his attempts to fracture NATO and separate America from our allies, cooperation between the United States and Europe has only grown stronger on a wide range of issues, and Putin has already begun to suffer the weight of the unified international response.

“There is a better way forward.  I urge Mr. Putin to come to his senses and cease all hostilities immediately.”

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

CRANSTON, RI – As Rhode Island’s world-renowned culinary sector vies to regain its financial footing coming out of the pandemic, U.S. Senator Jack Reed is seeking to deliver a second round of federal aid to local, independently-owned establishments that serve as neighborhood gathering places and help draw business to Main Streets nationwide.

Citing the fact that restaurants have been among the hardest-hit businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Reed today joined local restaurant operators and the hospitality industry to call for the replenishment of the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF).  Senator Reed helped create the program and worked on a bipartisan basis to deliver $28.6 billion in federal funding last spring under the American Rescue Plan Act to provide financial support to restaurants nationwide struggling with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  If Congress allocates additional funding to the program, more local restaurants will be able to rehire or retain their current staffs and cover pandemic-related losses.

The Restaurant Revitalization Fund provides grants to restaurants and other qualifying food and beverage industry businesses, including breweries, caterers, bakeries, and food trucks.  Eligible expenses include payroll, mortgage and rent payments, business debt service, utilities, maintenance, outdoor seating, business supplies, food and beverage costs, certain supplier costs, and operating expenses.

A total of 446 Rhode Island restaurant operators received over $106 million in RRF aid, with 129 located in Providence.  According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the average RRF grant in Rhode Island was $283,642.  More than 1,500 Rhode Island RRF applications were submitted to SBA but went unfunded.

“Rhode Island’s restaurants, bars, and eateries are economic force multipliers that create jobs, add vibrancy to neighborhoods, and serve as cornerstones of our communities.  Demand for Restaurant Revitalization Fund assistance drastically outpaced the $28.6 billion in approved federal funding, so I am working on a bipartisan basis to deliver additional aid,” said Senator Reed, who notes that local restaurants played a key role in protecting public health during the height of the pandemic and the brick and mortar health of neighborhood restaurants and bars is critical to communities.  “Even as the pandemic eases, restaurateurs are being challenged in new ways and this federal funding will save jobs, strengthen Main Streets across the country, and offer a respite from inflation and higher food costs.”

In addition to being limited by the number of customers who were able to dine indoors, the pandemic has also impacted restaurants due to staffing shortages and supply chain issues that have contributed to spikes in food prices.

Senator Reed is working with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and others on bipartisan legislation that would enable SBA to fund the eligible restaurants that applied but did not receive RRF funding because of the shortfall.

“Thank you, Senator Reed, for your leadership on replenishing RRF.  This program was a lifeline for businesses in need, but unfortunately due to limited funding, just under 23 percent of Rhode Island restaurants got the help they so desperately needed.  The restaurant industry is still struggling to recover and replenishing the RRF will help provide stability for some of the hardest hit restaurants,” said Dale Venturini, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association.

According to SBA statistics, nationwide, more than 278,000 applications were submitted for the program nationwide totaling over $72.2 billion in RRF fund requests, and many qualified restaurants and beverage establishments in need of assistance were unable to get help.  In Rhode Island, only about 23 percent of applicants received RRF assistance.

According to the National Restaurant Association (NRA), the restaurant industry has yet to fully recover the more than 650,000 jobs lost early in the pandemic.  Last month, an NRA survey found that the omicron variant hit the industry particularly hard, with 88 percent of restaurants experiencing a decline in demand for indoor dining during the coldest months of the year.  The January 2022 survey also found that 76 percent of restaurants reported conditions had worsened and 74 percent reported lower profits in comparison to pre-pandemic levels.

The largest RRF award in Rhode Island ($2,993,439) went to Wright’s Farm, which normally can seat up to 1,200 diners at its iconic location in Burrillville, and the smallest grant ($1,594) went to Kellie’s Café.

In addition to the $106 million in RRF aid, Senator Reed has also led efforts to assist Rhode Island small businesses by providing nearly $4 billion for the state through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP); Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL); and the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG).

On top of this small business aid, Senator Reed played a lead role in authoring two separate State and Local aid provisions of the CARES Act ($1.25 billion) and American Rescue Plan ($1.67 billion) to boost Rhode Island’s economy and help build a brighter and healthier future by making strategic investments to help Rhode Island residents, businesses, and nonprofits.