Category: US Senate

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Senator Hassan Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Traffic Congestion, Improve Road Safety

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

June 09, 2021

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) joined Senators Mitt Romney (R-UT), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) in introducing the Smart Intersections Act, bipartisan legislation which will reduce traffic congestion and improve roadway efficiency by establishing a grant program at the Department of Transportation with the purpose of improving the functioning of traffic signals throughout the country.

“I am glad to work across the aisle on this commonsense bill that can provide direct support to New Hampshire cities and towns for updates to their traffic signals. Improvements to traffic signals can help to address traffic congestion and support road safety, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill,” said Senator Hassan.

“Traffic congestion has increasingly become a problem which needs addressing in Utah’s cities and in many metropolitan areas around our country,” said Senator Romney. “Our bill proposes a multifaceted solution to reducing traffic congestion and improving the safety and effectiveness of our roads, while also reducing fuel costs and air pollution. As we continue to have discussions on improving our country’s infrastructure, I will work to ensure that our legislation be included in any deal that is agreed upon.”

The Smart Intersections Act establishes a Smart Technology Traffic Signals Grant Program at the Department of Transportation to make grants to state, local, or tribal governments to improve the functioning of traffic signals.

These grants could be used to:

  • Improve the active management of traffic signals;
  • Implement strategies, activities, and projects that support active management of traffic signal operations;
  • Replace outdated traffic signals;
  • Pay the costs of temporary staffing hours dedicated to updating traffic signal technology for local governments with a population less than 500,000.

Other provisions:

  • None of the funds could be used for a traffic enforcement system;
  • Directs the Government Accountability Office to study the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving the efficiency of our traffic systems.

The Smart Intersections Act is endorsed by the National Association of Counties (NACo), the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATTSA), the National League of Cities, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Wasatch Front Regional Council, and the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA).

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Sen. Cruz: Just a Few Months Into the Biden Administration and They’re Already Politicizing the IRS

Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

Sen. Cruz: Just a Few Months Into the Biden Administration and They’re Already Politicizing the IRS | Ted Cruz | U.S. Senator for Texas

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June 9, 2021

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Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on the US Treasury Department Sanctioning Nicaraguan Officials

Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a Senate Foreign Relations Committee member, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioning of four Nicaraguan officials. Today’s sanctions are against individuals involved in human rights abuses and ongoing repression of civil society under the Ortega regime:
“The Biden administration did the right thing sanctioning these figures, who have contributed to the Ortega regime’s campaign to dismantle democratic institutions, pass sweeping laws to strip citizens of their rights, criminalize the opposition, and imprison presidential challengers. The breadth of officials sanctioned today is a testament to the systematic nature of these anti-democratic crackdowns, and the United States must remain committed to holding the regime accountable.”
The individuals sanctioned today are Camila Antonia Ortega Murillo, the Coordinator of the Creative Economy Commission and daughter of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega; Leonardo Ovidio Reyes Ramirez, President of the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN); Edwin Ramon Castro Rivera, a deputy of the Nicaraguan National Assembly (NNA); and Julio Modesto Rodriguez Balladares, a Brigadier General of the Nicaraguan Army and Executive Director of the Military Social Welfare Institute (IPSM).
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Van Hollen, Young Reintroduce Legislation to Boost Housing Mobility Vouchers, Increase Americans’ Access to Opportunity

Source: United States Senator for Maryland Chris Van Hollen

June 09, 2021

Legislation Would Create 500,000 Housing Mobility Vouchers

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) reintroduced their legislation to increase housing mobility vouchers, creating 500,000 new vouchers to allow families to move to areas with greater opportunity. The Senators’ Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act will help improve outcomes for families with young children by increasing access to these vouchers and providing counseling services.

“Every parent knows the value in providing a safe and secure place for their child to call home. For young children, this need is especially dire. Stability at home helps promote their future success – in school and onwards. As we work to expand affordable housing and ensure that economic mobility is possible for all families, this bipartisan bill will boost access to housing vouchers that have already served as an effective and immediate solution. I was glad to see President Biden support this initiative in his budget, and I’m proud to continue working alongside Senator Young to increase opportunity for our young and most vulnerable,” said Senator Van Hollen.  

“The American Dream should extend to every American child, regardless of the circumstances of their birth. Evidence clearly shows what happens when we empower families with young children to relocate to areas offering good jobs, quality schools, and safe neighborhoods: earnings grow, job vacancies are filled, poverty declines, and children more fully realize their God-given potential,” said Senator Young. “This bill draws on recent groundbreaking research to invest in housing mobility vouchers and customized relocation support services to improve life outcomes and strengthen Hoosier families, all while substantially reducing taxpayer expenditures on healthcare, public safety, and social services.”

The Senators’ legislation is supported by a wide group of experts and advocacy organizations including: NAACP, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Association of Social Workers, Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery County, Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership, Children’s HealthWatch, and Food Research & Action Center.

When a child grows up in a high opportunity area, research shows they are more likely to have successful life outcomes. Whether it be lower crime, better education, access to transportation, quality healthcare, or suitable housing, higher opportunity areas offer children a greater chance to succeed. This bipartisan bill recognizes that certain areas offer different opportunities and will increase mobility by allowing people to choose the best neighborhood for their families. In the Fiscal Year 2019 appropriations package, Senators Van Hollen and Young secured the authorization and funding of their Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration Act. The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act would build upon their previous efforts by expanding this legislation – providing increased funds and making 500,000 more vouchers available over the next five years. President Biden’s budget includes $1.6 billion in funding for the expansion of Housing Choice Vouchers and $491 million for mobility-related supportive services to assist families to rent in areas of greater opportunity.

The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act puts a significant down payment on evidence-based housing mobility vouchers for the nation’s most vulnerable families with young children. The bill couples mobility vouchers with customized support services to help families escape the cycle of poverty and move to high opportunity areas.

Specifically the bill:

·       Creates an additional 500,000 housing vouchers over five years for low-income, high-need families with young children. Pregnant women and families with a child under age 6 would qualify for these new vouchers if they have a history of homelessness or housing instability, live in an area of concentrated poverty, or are at risk of being pushed out of an opportunity area. This includes families who are fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking; families who are living in housing conditions that are dangerous or life threatening; and families who are living in units that are not accessible to a disabled family member.

·       Provides voucher recipients with a customized approach to mobility-related services that will enable a successful transition to opportunity areas for children, including access to counseling and case management services that have a proven track record of helping families move out of poverty.

·       Enables housing agencies to engage new landlords in the voucher program and connect families with information about housing in high-opportunity neighborhoods and community-based supports for families as they move.

Support for the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act

“We commend Senators Van Hollen and Young for this crucial bipartisan legislation to provide more options for safe and secure rental housing during this time when the affordable housing stock is decreasing, and families of every racial and ethnic minority are struggling. Housing stability has numerous benefits for children and families,” said Hilary O. Shelton, Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and the Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy.  “We look forward to working together to ensure this bill becomes a much-needed reality.”

“We believe the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2021 builds on the latest research evidence on the profound impacts of high opportunity areas on low-income children’s economic mobility; we support the research-informed approaches outlined in the bill and believe it puts forward important resources and policies for improving children’s long-term outcomes,” said Raj Chetty, Opportunity Insights at Harvard University.

“The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act that Senators Van Hollen and Young introduced would protect many young children from hardship and provide critical resources they need to thrive, by helping their families afford stable homes in a neighborhood they choose,” said Sharon Parrott, President of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “It’s a well-designed, evidence-based initiative that would make a real difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in families with incomes below the poverty line.”  

“This bill will allow families with low-wages or unreliable incomes to stay stably housed and avoid homelessness,” said Nan Roman, President and CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness. “We are grateful to Senators Young and Van Hollen for their vision and compassion. Children who are helped by this program will benefit throughout their lives.”

“Even before the pandemic, our nation was in the grips of an affordable housing crisis that forced three out of every four of America’s lowest-income families to make impossible tradeoffs between paying rent and putting groceries on the table or meeting their other basic needs. Ongoing structural racism, discrimination, and segregation in our communities exacerbates the challenges, impacting health outcomes, educational attainment, in some cases, life expectancy,” stated Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.  “The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act is a critical first step toward housing justice by providing 500,000 families with young children the breadth of opportunities that start with affordable homes in safe, thriving communities with access to good schools, jobs, healthcare, and transit.”

“The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) applauds and fully supports Senators Chris Van Hollen and Todd Young in their bipartisan introduction of the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act that would create 500,000 new housing vouchers,” said Dr. Angelo McClain, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers.  “As the nation’s largest professional social work organization, we are well aware of the fact that the most important support service for low-income families is safe and affordable housing.  Therefore, we welcome this legislation that will significantly increase the availability of housing vouchers and help to end the cycle of homelessness low-income families with young children too often experience.  The bill will also give these families access to neighborhoods where there are better opportunities – communities with stronger schools, better job prospects, and more readily available services to meet their basic bio-psychosocial needs.  NASW stands with the Opportunity Starts at Home campaign in supporting the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act and will offer our resources to help with its passage.”

“The Affordable Housing Conference of Montgomery Country strongly endorses The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2021.   The experience of the Covid-19 pandemic and evidence reported in countless studies confirm what we know– housing stability is the cornerstone of the health and well-being of children and families.  Housing vouchers continue to be the most effective means of providing affordable housing.  Providing vouchers, counseling and case management services that will allow children to live in communities of opportunity, with access to good schools and close to where their parents work will enhance the quality of their lives and their prospects for attaining economic success,” said Barbara Goldberg Goldman, Affordable Housing conference of Montgomery County Co-Founder and Co-Chair.

“Our values are reflected in how we choose to invest our public dollars, and as we look to heal and restore our communities from the ravaging impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, housing equity must be at the forefront. At the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership, we know first-hand that opportunity starts at home and that housing mobility creates opportunities for families with low incomes to thrive and realize their dreams,” said Adria Crutchfield, executive director of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership. “We are pleased to see a bipartisan effort to significantly expand the Housing Choice Voucher program through the Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act, and I applaud Senators Van Hollen and Young for this leadership. This legislation is the kind we need to come out of this historic challenge stronger as a nation.”

“Early childhood is a critical window of brain and body development. Our Children’s HealthWatch research and my experience as a pediatrician show a stable home early in life is the foundation for good health,” said Dr. Megan Sandel, pediatrician and Co-Lead Principal Investigator for Children’s HealthWatch. “Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers give children and families a fair shot at healthy development during this important period and will have a positive impact on health for generations to come.”

“Finding affordable and stable housing is intrinsically linked to a family’s ability to meet all its basic needs, including putting food on the table,” said Luis Guardia, President of the Food Research & Action Center.  “The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act represents good public policy with positive ripple effects.  Not only does the Act work to house low-income families with young children in neighborhoods with strong schools, better job prospects, and community assets like healthy food retail outlets, but it safeguards families from the multiple harms to nutrition, health and well-being emanating from homelessness, unaffordable housing and housing instability.  These types of policies are especially important during this unprecedented pandemic and its associated economic shocks, which are disproportionately impacting Brown and Black households.”

“Low-income children facing housing instability and growing up in neighborhoods of extreme poverty are more likely to struggle in school, more likely to experience adverse health outcomes, and less likely to climb the income ladder as adults,” said Mike Koprowski, National Director of the Opportunity Starts at Home campaign. “Research clearly shows that Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers can dramatically improve the life trajectories of low-income children by expanding access to stable, affordable housing located in safe, well-resourced communities.  This legislation contains one of the most research-based and cost-effective policy tools available to the federal government to dramatically improve upward mobility for the next generation.”

“The Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act will expand assistance targeted to families urgently in need and prove that poverty is a cycle that can be broken,” said Jessica Love, Executive Director of Prosperity Indiana and state partner of the Opportunity Starts at Home campaign. “Our network enthusiastically supports this bill and applauds Senators Young and Van Hollen for their leadership in working to ensure housing unstable families and children in our state and across the country have more equitable opportunities to thrive in all facets of life.”

“The Family Stability and Opportunity Voucher Act would provide greater choice to thousands of families who use Housing Choice Vouchers,” said Tess Hembree, Director of Congressional Relations for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. “Senator Van Hollen and Senator Young’s efforts to authorize 500,000 new vouchers could open the door to better educational outcomes, healthcare, and economic mobility for low-income families.”

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Feinstein Secures Biden Administration Commitment to Request More Drought Funds

Source: United States Senator for California – Dianne Feinstein

Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today questioned Bureau of Reclamation Deputy Commissioner David Palumbo on the need to request additional funding to address the severe drought in the Western United States. Senator Feinstein has been pressing the bureau for months to request the ability to use funds for drought mitigation that Congress had initially set aside for other less urgently needed programs.

During the exchange, the deputy commissioner committed to requesting additional funding for drought mitigation. The Western United States is experiencing one of the worst droughts in history, with more than 72 percent of the region in a severe, extreme, or exceptional drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In California, 95 percent of the state is under a severe, extreme or exceptional drought.

Video of the exchange is available here, and a full transcript follows:

Senator Feinstein: “More than 72 percent of the Western United States is now in severe drought or worse. This is the most extensive severe drought in the West in recorded history. California is unfortunately worse with 95 percent of the state in severe drought. So this is a real emergency that requires our immediate action. Does the bureau plan to send a reprogramming or supplemental funding request for drought?”

Deputy Commissioner Palumbo: “Absolutely. The Bureau of Reclamation is currently working on finalizing a reprogramming request to address a variety of factors related to drought. I would expect in the next coming weeks you will be seeing the reprogramming request with a significant focus on drought mitigation and adaptation strategies.”

Senator Feinstein: “Well I am glad to hear that and I thank you for it. Can you tell us anything about the type of immediate actions which would be permitted under this revision that you are sending?”

Deputy Commissioner Palumbo: “We are looking at a variety of tools. The immediate tools that we would deploy are water transfers, water purchases, groundwater substitutions, as well as salinity barriers to help with salinity in the delta. Another variety of tools that we are looking at are related to fish hatcheries, making sure that we have cool water available for the species that depend on water as well as humans.”

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Barrasso to VP Harris: Border Crisis is No Laughing Matter

Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) spoke on the Senate floor about the ongoing crisis at our southern border and how President Biden and Vice President Harris have refused to make the trip to the border to see the crisis firsthand.

Excerpts of Senator Barrasso’s remarks:

“I come to talk about the crisis occurring at the southern border.

“Joe Biden has been president now for about four months. At this time, illegal immigration at the southern border has more than doubled.

“We are now on a pace this year, this year alone, for the most illegal immigration in two decades.

“The numbers that we see based on last month were talking about two million people coming to America this year illegally.

“It seems to me that on the first day in office, President Biden signed executive orders that flipped on the green light and said come to America.

“He rolled out the welcome mat and he sent a clear message that our borders are open. He shut down construction of the border wall, a wall that we actually paid to have done to be constructed. I’ve been there.

“The parts are laying on the ground and the workers stopped on Inauguration Day from putting up portions of the wall to close down the gaps.

“He topped all deportations for 100 days, he brought back the program known as catch and release and since he took these actions and I talked to the border patrol on the ground and they say the border has been overwhelmed.

“Now illegal immigrants are coming from all over the world. People say it’s an issue between Mexico and the United States.

“The people coming here are coming from all over the world. The time I was there we heard that over 50 countries have been represented in the people that have been captured, including Romania, Armenia, and Bangladesh.

“People are flying to Mexico, who can’t come to the United States, because of paperwork, who they are, what their intentions may be.

“They aren’t allowed to get tickets to come to the United States and fly to Mexico to come into the United States illegally.

“The entire world knows that the border is open because that’s the message sent out by this administration and that, of course, includes criminals.

“Border agents have already arrested 95 convicted sex offenders, border agents have arrested 95 convicted sex offenders coming into the country illegally.

“This includes in the last number of months, a man from El Salvador who was convicted of raping a child in Washington State.

“We’re talking about people who have been convicted in the United States who are now out of the country coming back in.

“Also included, a man from El Salvador who was accused of sexually abusing a 9-year-old girl. This took place in New York City, which is a sanctuary city.

“This is what happens when our borders are open and the message is sent out around the world.

“For the open-borders crowd who likes this sort of thing, some of whom are members of the Congress of the United States, this is just collateral damage. It’s all part of a political agenda.

“It’s been more than two months since President Biden put Vice President Harris in charge of the border. She’s found time to make it to the Canadian border, but not time to make it to the border between the United States and Mexico.

“This week, and right now the vice president has been on her first overseas trip in her role as vice president.

“She’s going to Central America and to Mexico, but not to the border. She announced new gifts of American taxpayer dollars given to people from other countries.

“When reporters asked her if she was going to the border, she actually laughed. She thought it was a joke.

“It was very disappointing to see the vice president acting in that way.

“She said I haven’t been to Europe either. Like it didn’t matter. She had not been to Europe. A lot of places she hadn’t been, the place the American people know she hadn’t been is to the border between Mexico and the United States.

“In reality she knows if she goes to the border between the United States and Mexico, she knows that the news cameras will go with her.

“She knows that the media would broadcast the crisis that they see at the border to the whole world. She knows that then more and more Americans will see firsthand the truth for themselves.

“That’s why the vice president is not going to the border between Mexico and the United States. The White House refuses to say it’s a crisis.

“They refuse to say those words. They just want to use the word challenge instead of the reality of the crisis that I saw when I was there at the border with a group of Republican senators.

“And that’s why they are doubling down on policies that caused the crisis. Two weeks ago, the president released his budget for the coming year.

“It’s the biggest budget proposal by any president in American history. It would nearly double the federal spending over the next decade. Yet the president’s budget for the Department of Homeland Security, the department that is supposed to keep our nation safe, is flat-lined.

“The president likes to say, and he said it time and time again, he said it when he was in the Senate, he said it when he was Vice President of the United States and now he says it as the president, he says, if you want to know somebody’s values, just look at their budget.

“Well, we’ve seen Joe Biden’s budget and we know his values and his values are not those of supporting and promoting the security of our nation through border security.

“The president’s budget includes $800 million in aid for Central America. I don’t know if Joe Biden thinks you can bribe people with our own tax dollars to not cross the border. It is an absolute surrender and it leaves our borders wide open.

“Our southern border is in crisis, but the crisis isn’t limited to the border itself. President Biden has also tied the hands of our immigration officials all across America.

“The Washington Post came out with a story and they put it this way, and I want to make sure I have it absolutely accurate so I will read it to you.

“Under President Biden, it says, I.C.E., Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is an agency on probation. This is The Washington Post. Says Biden has placed I.C.E. deportation officers on a leash so tight some say their work is functionally abolished.

“That’s The Washington Post on the President of the United States and what he has done with regard to our borders and our immigration authorities with his very flat line budget for the Department of Homeland Security.

“The article goes on and it says, I.C.E. carried out fewer than 3,000 deportations last month, the agency’s 6,000 officers currently average one arrest every two months.

“Hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens have court orders for deportation, yet despite these enormous numbers, deportations have never been lower.

“No wonder the crisis is getting worse. I heard about it all last week over Memorial Day as I traveled around the state of Wyoming. People are very concerned about this disregard for our borders and for the support that our Immigration Custom Enforcement officers need.

“So it’s no wonder to me that the people of Wyoming are concerned and I imagine people all around the country are concerned.

“My colleagues heard it as well as they traveled their home states just in the last week.

“The American people want to keep the border secure and they want to be safe at home.

“We know what to do. We know what works. The border agents told President Biden’s transition team before he was inaugurated what we needed to do to keep the border secure, what works, what wouldn’t work.

“They say enforce the law, close the loopholes. The loopholes that encourage illegal immigration. They say finish the wall. The wall that we’ve already paid for. And they say bring back the policy known as Remain in Mexico.

“Until we take these basic steps, the crisis is going to continue, the border’s going to remain open and the American people will continue to come to us to say that there is more that can be done and should be done and must be done.

“Because the American people know that when the border is not secure, the people of America continue to be at heightened risk.”

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Barrasso & Rep. Smith Introduce Legislation to End Electric Vehicle Tax Credits

Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representative Jason Smith (R-MO-8) introduced legislation to end the federal electric vehicle tax credit. The Eliminate Lavish Incentives to Electric (ELITE) Vehicles Act (S. 1969) will save billions in taxpayer funds.

“The electric vehicle tax credit largely benefits the wealthiest Americans and costs taxpayers billions of dollars,” said Sen. Barrasso. “Today, the market for electric vehicles is well established. The auto industry no longer needs these pricey subsidies. It is time to pull the plug on subsidies for electric vehicles.”

“The electric vehicle tax credit is nothing more than a subsidy for the wealthy that sticks working class families with the bill. That’s why I introduced the Eliminate Lavish Incentives To Electric (ELITE) Vehicles Act to stop the taxpayer-funded slush fund for coastal elites,” said Rep. Jason Smith (MO-08).

The Manhattan Institute estimates that ending the electric vehicle tax credit would save roughly twenty billion dollars in taxpayer funds over the next decade. According to a Congressional Research Service report, 78% of electric vehicle (EV) credits are claimed by filers with an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or more, and those filers receive an even higher proportion (83%) of the amount of credits claimed.

The ELITE Vehicles Act would terminate and repeal the federal electric vehicle tax credit up to $7,500 per new electric vehicle purchased for use in the U.S.

Read the text of the legislation here.

The legislation is supported by Americans for Prosperity, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, FreedomWorks, Heritage Action for America, and the National Taxpayers Union.

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Ernst: Biden Admin Decision to Rollback Commonsense Water Rule a ‘Gut Punch’ to Iowans

Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

WASHINGTON – Following a report that the Biden Administration is set to roll back the previous administration’s Navigable Waters Protection rule, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture and Environment and Public Works Committees, issued the following statement:
 
“I fought tooth and nail to get the Obama-Biden WOTUS rule off the books and put in place a clearer, more flexible rule for farmers and ranchers under the Trump Administration. Now, President Biden plans to undo all that progress. This is a gut punch to Iowans, and I will continue to stand up to onerous regulations the Administration may seek to impose on our hardworking families, farmers, and businesses across Rural America,” said Ernst, the daughter of a farmer.
 
Earlier this year, Ernst led a Senate resolution that expresses the need for the U.S. Senate to stand with farmers, ranchers, and other important stakeholders by supporting the Trump Administration’s Navigable Waters Protection rule, which replaced the Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. 
 
Background:
In 2015, the Obama Administration finalized a rule that expanded the definition of WOTUS—giving the federal government authority to regulate water on 97 percent of the land in Iowa—and creating confusion and burdensome red tape for Iowa’s agriculture industry and many others. Immediately, Senator Ernst took action and introduced legislation that would have nullified the Obama Administration’s rule. After passing both the House and Senate—with bipartisan support—the bill was vetoed by President Obama.
 
Before his inauguration, Ernst signaled her intention to work with President Trump and his administration to get Obama’s harmful WOTUS rule off the books. The Trump Administration released a proposed rule to replace the Obama Administration’s 2015 WOTUS rule with a new rule that provided much-needed predictability and certainty for farmers by establishing clear and reasonable definitions of what qualifies as a “water of the United States.” The new Navigable Waters Protection Rule was finalized last year.
 
Ernst has also helped introduce the Define WOTUS Act last Congress, a bill to legislatively define the “waters of the United States,” and make a reasonable, workable definition of the term permanent.
 
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SCHUMER ANNOUNCES SENATE PASSAGE OF U.S. INNOVATION AND COMPETITION ACT; $250 BILLION BIPARTISAN BILL WILL BE BLUEPRINT TO MAKE NY GLOBAL TECH & SEMICONDUCTOR HUB; SCHUMER’S BILL INCLUDES $52B FOR U.S. SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY & $10B FOR REGIONAL TECH HUBS TO CREATE JOBS IN UPSTATE NY & PUT NY ON THE FRONTLINES OF THE GREATEST RACE OF THE CENTURY

Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

06.09.21

Schumer’s Bill, The U.S. Innovation And Competition Act, Would Make Largest R&D Investment In Generations & Secure Critical Federal Funding For Domestic Manufacturing Of Semiconductors And Other Critical Technology 

Senator Says Bill Includes Massive Investment To Boost U.S. Competitiveness And Supercharge Upstate CHIP Production And R&D, Making It Essential To Growing NY Companies & Easing U.S. Reliance On Foreign-Made Semiconductors, Alleviating National Security Risks 

Schumer: U.S. Innovation And Competition Act Is The Blueprint To Make NY The Global Innovation & Semiconductor Hub

After a year of staunch advocacy to secure the domestic semiconductor and microelectronic supply line and make historic investments in federal R&D and innovation, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer announced senate passage of the U.S. Competition and Innovation Act, which combines Schumer’s Endless Frontier Act, other bipartisan competitiveness bills, and includes $52 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to implement the semiconductor-related manufacturing and R&D programs Schumer authorized in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act and a program to support legacy chip production that is essential to the auto industry, the military, and other critical industries. An additional $1.5 billion was included for implementation of implement the USA Telecommunications Act that was also passed as part of last year’s NDAA to foster U.S. innovation in the race for 5G.

Senator Schumer said, “Senate passage of the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act moves forward historic legislation to invest in science, technology, and U.S. manufacturing that will shore up critical industries like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, advanced communications like 5G, quantum computing, biotechnology, and advanced energy, and create opportunity to reshape the Upstate New York economy with investment in new regional tech hubs and support for New York entrepreneurs and research at universities and laboratories.”

“With its rare combination of a world-class workforce, advanced manufacturers, and renowned higher education institutions, I wrote and championed this legislation with Upstate New York always at the forefront of my mind,” Schumer added. “In the midst of one of the most consequential battles in our nation’s history, the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act lays the foundation for the next century of American economic leadership and preserves our competitive edge for generations to come, and I’ll continue to fight to put Upstate New York on the frontlines of that battle.”

Details on the supplemental appropriations appear below:

  • $49.5 billion allocated over 5 years for a CHIPS for America Fund. Funding must be used to implement the Commerce Department semiconductor incentive and R&D programs authorized by the FY21 NDAA (Sec. 9902 & 9906). Within the fund, the following appropriations are available:
  • Incentive Program: $39 billion appropriated upfront and allocated over 5 years to implement the programs authorized in Sec. 9902. $2 billion is provided to solely focus on legacy chip production to advance the economic and national security interests of the United States.
    • $19 billion in FY22, including the $2 billion legacy chip production funding
    • $5 billion each year, FY23 through FY26
  • Commerce R&D programs: $10.5 billion appropriated upfront and allocated over 5 years to implement programs authorized in Sec. 9906, including the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program, and other R&D programs authorized in Sec. 9906.
    • $5 billion in FY22
    • $2.5 billion for advanced packaging
    • $2 billion for NSTC
    • $500 million for other related R&D programs

For use across the advanced packaging, NSTC, and other related R&D programs, the following would be provided:

  • $2 billion in FY23
  • $1.3 billion in FY24
  • $1.1 for FY25 and FY26 
  • $2 billion for a CHIPS for America Defense Fund: Funding is appropriated up front and $400 million is allocated each year, over 5 years for the purposes of implementing programs authorized in Sec. 9903(b), providing support for R&D, testing and evaluation, workforce development, and other related activities, in coordination with the private sector, universities, and other Federal agencies to support the needs of the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.
  • $500 million for a CHIPS for America International Technology Security and Innovation Fund: Funding is appropriated upfront and $100 million each year, allocated over 5 years to the Department of State, in coordination with the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Export-Import Bank, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, for the purposes of coordinating with foreign government partners to support international information and communications technology security and semiconductor supply chain activities, including supporting the development and adoption of secure and trusted telecommunications technologies, semiconductors, and other emerging technologies.

 

An additional $1.5 billion is provided for implementation of implement the USA Telecommunications Act that was also passed as part of last year’s NDAA to foster U.S. innovation in the race for 5G.

Details on the Endless Frontier Act:

The Endless Frontier Act, as reported by the Senate Commerce Committee, seeks to maintain and build on U.S. science and technology leadership through investments in research and 5 development and strengthening regional economic development, manufacturing, and supply chains. The legislation would authorize roughly $120 billion over 5 years for activities at the National Science Foundation (“NSF”), Department of Commerce (“DOC”), the Department of Energy (“DOE”), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (“NASA”). The Endless Frontier Act advances priorities including to reduce undue geographic concentration of R&D funding, encourage broader participation of populations underrepresented in STEM, and increase collaboration across federal agencies and with non-governmental partners on innovation.

Notable Provisions:

  • Technology Directorate: The Endless Frontier Act would create a new Directorate of Technology and Innovation at the NSF to support research and technology development in key technology focus areas, such as artificial intelligence and quantum science, in order to strengthen the global leadership of the United States in innovation. Major activities would include funding research and development at collaborative institutes, supporting academic technology transfer and intellectual property protection, establishing technology testbeds, and awarding scholarships and fellowships to build the relevant workforce. The Directorate would be authorized at $29 billion over fiscal years 2022 to 2026, including a transfer of $2.9B to existing NSF divisions to support basic research collaboration.
  • NSF Research and Development Programs: The Endless Frontier Act would authorize $52 billion over fiscal years 2022 to 2026 for existing NSF activities, representing a seven percent increase each year. The legislation would also create a Chief Diversity Officer at NSF and increase STEM education to enhance the domestic STEM workforce. The legislation also incorporates a series of new programs, including programs for precision agriculture, rural STEM education, quantum information science, skilled technical education, critical minerals, and bioeconomy R&D.
  • Regional Technology Hubs: The Endless Frontier Act creates a regional technology hub program at DOC to support regional economic development in innovation. Technology hubs would carry out workforce development activities, business and entrepreneur development activities, technology maturation activities, and infrastructure activities related to the technology development. The technology hubs program would be authorized at $10 billion over fiscal years 2022 to 2026.
  • Manufacturing: The Endless Frontier Act would authorize close to a quadrupling of the DOC Manufacturing Extension Partnership and create a new track within the program for public benefit activities like workforce development and cybersecurity services. The Manufacturing Extension Partnership would be funded at $2.4B over fiscal years 2022 to 2026. The substitute would also authorize the Manufacturing USA program, at $1.2B over fiscal years 2022 to 2026, and add workforce and coordination provisions.
  • Supply Chain Resiliency: The Endless Frontier Act would establish a supply chain resiliency program at the Department of Commerce to work with the private sector, for the purpose of identifying and recommending opportunities to mitigate or address supply chain vulnerabilities in the United States and in allied and partner countries. It would also amend the recently-enacted CHIPS Act to provide $2 billion in incentives for domestic production of mature semiconductor technologies, such as for the automotive industry.

Schumer’s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act is supported throughout the state. Supporters include:  

Southern Tier

“Binghamton University, with its reputation as a research institution with strong industry partnerships, is well-positioned to fulfill Senator Schumer’s plan of making New York state a global innovation and semiconductor hub,” said Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger. “Senator Schumer understands that path-breaking research and commercialization efforts must be well-funded in order for the United States to remain globally competitive. We thank the Senator for his laser focus on this issue and for advocating for New York. Binghamton stands ready to work with our industry and academic partners on technology advances and solutions that secure the US and NY’s leadership in this critical industry.”

Capital Region

“Yesterday’s vote was historic,” said Tom Caulfield, CEO of GlobalFoundries. “I applaud the U.S. Senate for its bipartisan commitment to strengthening the domestic semiconductor supply chain, and especially Senate Majority Leader Schumer who tirelessly pushed for this. The USICA not only boosts semiconductor manufacturing – but literally impacts every single one of our lives.  I urge the House to move just as decisively.”

“The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act is a visionary piece of legislation that recognizes the potential for scientific discovery to solve society’s biggest challenges and encourages the type of public-private collaboration that took humanity to the moon. I applaud Majority Leader Schumer’s leadership, and that of Senators Cornyn and Young, in this bipartisan push to harness emerging technology for societal progress and to expand economic opportunity. I hope the House will now act quickly so that this important legislation can be signed into law,” said IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna.

Western New York

“As a bank for communities, we understand that economic development and prosperity requires building an “ecosystem” that attracts, retains, develops and engages modern talent, creating sustainable and equitable engines for economic growth,” said Rene F. Jones, Chairman and CEO of M&T Bank. “This is especially true in small and mid-tier cities, where we serve and across the country. In cities like Buffalo and Rochester, we are building a new technology hub and hosting a growing number of innovative entrepreneurial businesses that support long-term competitiveness. The United States Innovation and Competition Act,  sponsored by Senators Schumer and Young has bipartisan support and backing from the business community because it helps the United States regain our position as the world’s leader in technology and innovation, while building out economic opportunities that are inclusively distributed across the country.”

“EWI enthusiastically supports Senator Schumer’s US Innovation and Competition Act because we believe that manufacturing competitiveness and technological innovation are inextricably linked” said Henry Cialone, President and CEO of EWI/Buffalo Manufacturing Works. “This bipartisan legislation provides a comprehensive approach to create new manufacturing innovations, mature them, and most importantly support their deployment within US industry.  The creation of multiple regional hubs across the country will provide productive internal competition that in turn advances the nation’s overall competitive strengths.”

“The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act will strengthen our regional and national economies by making a serious investment in the industries that will shape the 21st century,” said Dottie Gallagher, President and CEO of the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership. “The Act will make the United States stronger on the global stage while creating jobs and opportunities right here in Western New York. The Buffalo Niagara Partnership thanks Senator Schumer for his strong leadership on this issue and hopes the USICA will enjoy similar bipartisan support in the House.”

Rochester-Finger Lakes

“Thank you Senator Schumer for your leadership on the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and for securing Senate passage. It is very encouraging to see bi-partisan support for legislation that will make significant investments in research and higher education and serve as a blueprint to invest in our nation’s great colleges and universities to support global competitiveness,” said Rochester Institute of Technology President David C. Munson, Jr. “As a  STEM focused research institution and an economic engine for the region that educates students who can step into these high-tech R&D jobs to help enhance the nation’s technical superiority and security, we are proud to partner with you on this effort.”

“Federal investment in scientific research has not kept pace with our global competitors and threatens U.S. leadership, while leaving too many good ideas unfunded. Senator Schumer’s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act creates an innovation surge to drive economic recovery, build resiliency, support the next generation of scientists, and increase U.S. global competitiveness.  By making bold, critical new research investments in key emerging fields and developing new growth centers across the country, we can capitalize on the tremendous capabilities of research universities and academic medical centers, like the University of Rochester, to catalyze new technologies, companies, and cures to help build an ever better future,” said University of Rochester President Sarah C. Mangelsdorf.

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “As outlined in an analysis by MIT Professor Jonathan Gruber, the Greater Rochester region is ranked number one in the nation as ripe for technological and economic investment and growth. With 19 nationally and internationally renowned higher education institutions to provide much-needed talent, world-class facilities like STAMP and Eastman Business Park which are primed to host new semiconductor jobs and factories, and a long history of cutting-edge technological research and development, Rochester is perfectly suited for additional investment. Greater Rochester Chamber and our 1,300 members commend Senator Schumer on securing Senate passage of this bill and stand ready to help take this legislation over the finish line.”

Steve Hyde, President & CEO, Genesee County Economic Development Center said, “Senate Majority Leader Schumer has long-championed upstate New York as the ideal region for critical growth of the domestic semiconductor manufacturing and R&D investments due to our university research and talent, our established and ever-growing semiconductor supply chain, along with our considerable capacity of renewable, reliable, and competitively priced electricity. We applaud Senator Schumer for his leadership in winning Senate passage of this bill, and agree that the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act  would be catalytic in growing the high-tech economy at the Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP) and all across upstate New York.”

“Akoustis, Inc. would like to thank Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for his visionary leadership, his support of the U.S. semiconductor industry, and his unwavering push to strengthen American leadership in chip manufacturing,” stated Akoustis, Inc. Founder and CEO, Jeff Shealy.  Mr. Shealy continued, “With many countries investing in their own semiconductor industries, it is imperative that the U.S. creates an environment that supports on-shore chip manufacturing.  We applaud Senator Schumer for now securing Senate passage of the bipartisan U.S. Innovation and Competition Act which will provide the funding needed to help keep American semiconductor chip manufacturing competitive.”

MIT Economist Dr. Jonathan Gruber and Co-author of the book Jump-Starting America: How Breakthrough Science Can Revive Economic Growth and the American Dream said, “We analyzed 102 American communities to determine which had the greatest potential to become a national driver of economic growth and next-general tech development under a new program to significantly boost scientific research and development investments.  Out of these 102 communities, Rochester, NY ranked as the No. 1 community poised to become an economic powerhouse through the type of bold investment into scientific investment that is provided by the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act Endless Frontier Act.  Rochester, with its large pool of educated workers, high-quality universities, and low cost of living is uniquely suited to become a center of innovation and job growth through investment into the sciences.”

Matt Hurlbutt, President & CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise said, “We appreciate Senator Schumer’s leadership and support in securing Senate passage of the US Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2021.  This important, bi-partisan effort will help the United States lead the world in the research and development of new technologies.  Smart people and smart businesses located throughout Greater Rochester will leverage these investments to support breakthrough advancements in semiconductor, manufacturing supply chains, telecommunications and other emerging technologies.  Increased investment in research and development and talent development initiatives will further enhance future success in these key industry sectors.  Greater Rochester Enterprise looks forward to working with Senator Schumer, industry executives and economic development partners to leverage the US Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2021 to support business growth throughout the Greater Rochester.”

“On behalf of the 100+ private, not-for-profit colleges and universities in New York and their faculty, students, and researchers, I applaud the Senate’s passage of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act,” said Lola W. Brabham, President of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. “This critical investment in research will build upon the strong R&D foundation in places like upstate New York and will ensure that the United States, and New York, remain at the forefront of technology and innovation. New York’s colleges and universities are national leaders in higher education research and we are grateful for Senator Schumer’s stalwart commitment to investing in the science and technology that will help move the nation forward and preserve the U.S. position as a global leader.”  

Central New York

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “Passing this bill will be a significantly important step towards securing a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Onondaga County. Our site is known across the globe for its easy access to affordable water and power along with our great quality of life.” McMahon continued, “Thank you to Senator Schumer for his steadfast leadership and advocacy for this bill and our community.”

“This is a pivotal moment for our nation’s innovation and science infrastructure,” said Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud. “The Endless Frontiers Act will enable Syracuse University and other major research universities to help jumpstart the United States’ competitiveness. It will also allow our nation’s great research universities accelerate discovery, advance new technologies and develop life-saving materials, treatments and medicines. I thank Senator Schumer for his leadership in this area and look forward to building a stronger, more competitive innovation ecosystem here in Central New York and across the nation.”

“The Endless Frontiers Act puts into law something we have known in Central New York for decades, places like Syracuse have much to offer our country and the world in terms of innovation, research and development. These needed investments in American competitiveness will ensure that federal research funding flows beyond the usual mega-regions and gets to the heart and soul of America’s innovation ecosystem – where academic excellence meets manufacturing prowess. The federal CHIPS Act will jump-start domestic production of semiconductors and advanced electronics, creating jobs and ensuring U.S. security and competitiveness,” said Robert Simpson President of Centerstate CEO.

Mohawk Valley

“The proposed U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 represents the single largest investment by the United Sates in American innovation and manufacturing since Sputnik 1  ushered in a new era of political, scientific and technological achievements that propelled the United States commitment to the Space Age,” said Steven DiMeo, President of Mohawk Valley EDGE. “This bipartisan piece of legislation  fosters public – private partnerships that will improve the United States competitiveness in semiconductor technology,  increase manufacturing jobs with expansion of new Fabs to reverse the off-shorting of jobs and technology, and strengthen critical supply chains that are vital to this nation’s economy and national security interests. We applaud Senator Schumer’s leadership and commitment to secure Senate approval  of this landmark legislation.”

“From our automobiles to our smart phones to the appliances in our kitchens, semiconductors are critical, not just to our national security, but to our everyday life,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “Senator Schumer’s leadership in ensuring that we continue to build domestic research and production capacity, encouraging more companies like CREE-Wolfspeed to invest, is great news for America and Oneida County.”

“The bipartisan passing of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 is a major step in addressing our ongoing struggle to compete with China’s growing economic influence, which could also have major benefits for the Mohawk Valley,” said Heather Hage, president and CEO of Griffiss Institute. “This bill helps address a critical need for more investment in accelerated R&D and workforce development in emerging technologies essential to the United States’ competitiveness – like artificial intelligence, cyber, quantum and UAS – where the Mohawk Valley has been leading the way.  The partnership forged between the Griffiss Institute, Rome Lab, Oneida County, NYSTEC and SUNY to launch Innovare Advancement Center as an open innovation hub focused on national challenges in these critical technology areas should position the region well to attract new opportunities in this next chapter. Together, we are committed to working tirelessly with our partners in the Mohawk Valley and across the I-90 corridor to ensure that Upstate NY continues to lead the way into the future of innovation.”

NNY

“Research, innovation and technology-based workforce training are essential to America’s global leadership and good for the American workforce.  We applaud Senator Schumer and his bipartisan colleagues for coming together to pass the U.S. Innovation & Competition Act at a critical time when we need sustainable economic development solutions and investments with substance for global competitiveness into the future,” said Tony Collins, President of Clarkson University.  “Universities with strong STEM focus like Clarkson are ready to partner with American industry and government agencies”

Hudson Valley

“HVEDC applauds Senator Schumer’s leadership in securing the Senate passage of the bipartisan U.S. Competition and Innovation Act, which makes bold investments in the Hudson Valley’s burgeoning semiconductor manufacturing sector while also providing new opportunities for the research and development of new technologies. Through our Hudson Valley-based global industry leaders like IBM and ONSemi and our local universities, Senator Schumer’s legislation will bolster technological innovation and create jobs for our region,” said Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Mike Oates.

“ON Semiconductor applauds the Senate passage of robust funding for the CHIPs for America Act as part of the United States Innovation and Competition Act,” said Hassane El-Khoury, President and CEO of ON Semiconductor.  “This Act will help America compete with its trading partners who have been aggressively supporting semiconductor research and manufacturing in their countries and we are hopeful that the House quickly follows the Senate’s lead.”

“I thank Senator Schumer for championing the Senate passage of the U.S. Competition and Innovation Act, which will provide increased opportunities for investment in Ulster County’s growing science and technology sectors through workforce development, research, and entrepreneurship. Ulster County has a longstanding history of entrepreneurship and technological innovation through institutions such as the Hudson Valley Additive Manufacturing Center and the Hudson Valley Venture Hub, and Senator Schumer’s legislation will allow us to build on this success by attracting global business leaders to the area,” said Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan.

“The Council of Industry thanks Senator Schumer for his tireless leadership in securing passage of the bipartisan U.S. Competition and Innovation Act.  Manufacturing is vital to not only our national security but to our regional economy as well. The Hudson Valley is home to many firms in the semiconductor, bio-tech, electronics, pharmaceutical, artificial intelligence and emerging quantum computing industries and this legislation will provide much needed investment and support to those businesses helping them to innovate and grow,” said Harold King, President Council of Industry of Southeastern New York.

“Senator Schumer’s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act will increase regional investment in scientific research and technology innovation by providing new opportunities for public colleges and universities. The Hudson Valley Additive Manufacturing Center at SUNY New Paltz, home of the College’s 3D design and printing initiative, and the College’s Hudson Valley Venture Hub stand ready to leverage this new kind of investment. Both are longstanding regional technology and entrepreneurial hubs that have provided guidance and support to hundreds of businesses and entrepreneurs across the Hudson Valley and throughout the state,” said SUNY New Paltz President Donald Christian. 

“Dutchess County has long been recognized for attracting innovative minds and institutions,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. “Already a regional hub for innovation with our distinguished institutions of Marist College, Dutchess Community College, and Vassar College with-world class technology leader IBM as well as ONSemiconductor, Dutchess County is a leader in attracting world-class establishments for research and development. We thank Senator Schumer for championing the bipartisan U.S. Competition and Innovation Act, which will be a vital investment in our already growing science and technology field. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s continued support and forward thinking.”

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Statement of Sen. Warner on President Biden’s EO Protecting Sensitive Date From Foreign Adversaries

Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on President Biden’s executive order on protecting sensitive data from foreign adversaries:

“This executive order by the Biden administration adopts a risk-based, transparent, and comprehensive approach to evaluating the security and privacy risks of foreign technology products, a clear contrast to the previous administration’s uncoordinated approach on this issue. I look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues on ways in which we can codify these approaches to better ensure long-term consistency and predictability in our national policies in this area.”

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