Category: US Senate

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

June 07, 2021

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), along with U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), member of SASC and a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, participated in a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to South Korea, where they discussed shared interests and future areas of cooperation and met with high-level officials. While in the region, the Senators also made a visit to Taipei to underscore U.S. support for Taiwan, including on combatting the COVID-19 pandemic, and the delegation announced that the U.S. will donate 750,000 COVID-19 vaccines to Taiwan as part of President Biden’s plan to provide vaccines to our global partners in need. Photos from the CODEL can be found here.

“Our visit to South Korea provided me the opportunity to engage in substantive conversations about the bilateral relations between our nations and participate in discussions about how we can continue our partnership—both militarily and economically—into the future,” said Senator Duckworth. “Following up on President Biden and President Moon’s highly successful summit in May, this CODEL cemented the strong alliance between the U.S. and South Korea, the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific. I was proud to lead this delegation and was honored to help announce that Taiwan will be receiving 750,000 doses of the vaccine as part of the first tranche of donations from the United States. I look forward to working together with our partners in the region on issues of shared importance.”

“This bipartisan congressional delegation visit to the Republic of Korea, the first of its kind since the onset of the pandemic, underscores the fact that the alliance between our two nations is the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Senator Sullivan. “The U.S.-Korean alliance dates back to the Korean War when our soldiers fought side by side to defeat North Korean communist aggression. I respect so much how, even to this day, the Republic of Korea’s elected leaders and citizens continue to express their appreciation for the sacrifice of tens of thousands of American servicemen who have helped make the country free and prosperous. I want to thank my co-lead on this trip, Senator Duckworth, and Senator Coons for joining me in sending a resounding, bipartisan message of mutual support between our two countries and to America’s friends and adversaries in the Indo-Pacific and throughout the world.”

“I was pleased to join Senators Duckworth and Sullivan in Seoul to reaffirm our bipartisan, long-standing, and enduring commitment to the Republic of Korea. The US-ROK alliance remains a linchpin for security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” said Senator Coons. “I was grateful for the opportunity to engage in a series of meetings with a broad range of ROK and U.S. Embassy officials, during which we discussed our deep bilateral ties and Korea’s important and growing role in the region and global affairs. We welcomed the recent announcements of Korean investment in the United States, focused on critical technologies that will drive the future, and discussed further strengthening our partnership in research, development, and innovation. The Koreans expressed appreciation for the Biden Administration’s delivery of over one million vaccine doses, and we talked about ways in which Korea and the United States can work together to manufacture more vaccines for the rest of East Asia. The alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea remains strong because of our shared values, and I look forward to working with the Biden Administration and my colleagues in the Senate to partner with the ROK to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific. I was also pleased to join with my colleagues to visit Taipei and announce the provision of 750,000 vaccines to Taiwan. It remains important that we support our friends, partners, and allies in the region and throughout the world during this critical time.”

In South Korea, Duckworth, Coons and Sullivan:

• Met with high-level officials, including the Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong, Minister of National Defense Suh Wook and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sung-wook to discuss areas of shared interest and mutual cooperation;
• Were briefed by General Robert B. Abrams, Commander of US Forces Korea;
• Held a substantive meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byung-Seug about a variety of topics, including advocating for the ratification of the cost-sharing agreement, and met with two other members of the National Assembly: Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Dr. Jin Park and National Assembly of the Republic of Korea National Defense Committee Chairman Min Hong-cheol;
• Met with Green Climate Fund Executive Director Yannick Gelmarec;
• Discussed ways to partner on manufacturing and respecting intellectual property with Samsung President, Head of Corporate Management Office of Device Solutions Division HK Park, Executive Vice President for Global Affairs Kim Won-kyung, Vice President, Global Public Affairs Team SP Chun, Principal Professional, Global Public Affairs Team Mahnjin Han, Senior Professional, Global Public Affairs Team Daesoon Park and Senior Professional, Global Public Affairs Team Cameron Cankaya;
• Celebrated South Korean business leaders’ recent announcement to bring billions of dollars in investment to the U.S. with Chairman and Co-CEO of SK Holdings Co Ltd Chey Tae-Won “Anthony”;
• Met with AmCham Chairman James Kim;
• Spoke with U.S. Embassy personnel in Seoul.

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Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

Sen. Marshall Urges Senate Leadership to Stand for Life, Bring Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act to Senate Floor for Vote

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) along with Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced a resolution recognizing the importance of protecting freedom of speech, thought, and expression.

“Cancel culture is a barrier to a free marketplace of ideas and remains antithetical to the preservation and perpetuation of global democracy,” said Senator Blackburn. “This resolution recognizes the important role of freedom of expression and ensures that the United States will wholeheartedly defend it.”

Read the full text of the resolution here or below.

Whereas freedom of speech is one of the most basic values of the United States;

Whereas the ability of all people of the United States to speak, protest, and express their opinions publicly is central to the democratic process and to a free society;

Whereas the principles of the freedom of speech and the freedom of expression are under attack by people with the desire and means to suppress opinions that those people regard as offensive or contrary to prevailing dogmas;

Whereas efforts to stifle debate and silence dissenters are compounded by cancel culture, a movement to impose severe social and economic sanctions on those who express unpopular opinions;

Whereas the freedom of speech should not be dictated by the majority, nor should it be restricted to the freedom to discuss uncontroversial topics;

Whereas the freedom of speech includes the freedom to express views that are unpopular, controversial, and even offensive;

Whereas these attacks on the freedom of speech have resulted in a chilling effect on free expression and created fear of social, economic, and deadly retaliation;

Whereas the stifling of free expression and the resulting fear has exacerbated social tensions and divided the people of the United States;

Whereas, in January 2018, a student at Liberty High School in Oregon was suspended for wearing a shirt that supported President Donald Trump;

Whereas, in January 2018, authorities from the People’s Republic of China pressured Marriot International to fire an employee for using the company’s social media account to like a Twitter post from a Tibetan separatist group;

Whereas, in July 2018, the People’s Republic of China pressured airline companies from the United States to alter their websites to recognize the country’s claim to the island of Taiwan;

Whereas, in October 2019, Blizzard Entertainment temporarily banned Ng Wai Chung from their esports tournament for wearing a mask supporting protests in Hong Kong.

Whereas, in October 2019, Blizzard Entertainment temporarily banned an American University esports team from their competition for displaying a sign critical of the company and supporting protests in Hong Kong;

Whereas, in October 2019, authorities in the People’s Republic of China pressured Daryl Morey, the general manager of the Houston Rockets basketball team, to apologize for expressing support on Twitter for protests in Hong Kong;

Whereas, in September 2020, the University of Southern California placed Professor Greg Patton on leave after explaining a word in the Mandarin language that is pronounced similarly to an offensive word in English during his lecture;

Whereas, in December 2020, opinion editor Adam Rubenstein resigned from the New York Times 6 months after he faced backlash from the staff of the New York Times for editing an opinion piece by Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas; and

Whereas, in February 2021, Lucasfilm fired actress Gina Carano after she authored a social media post calling on people not to hate their neighbors for their political views: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate recognizes that freedom of expression and freedom of speech are sacred ideals of the United States and should protect the freedom to peacefully express thoughts and opinions without fear.

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

WASHINGTON–Batesville residents calling U.S. Senator John Boozman’s Washington, D.C. office may find a familiar voice at the other end of the line. Cody Garner of Batesville joined Senator Boozman’s team as a staff assistant. 

“Having the opportunity to come work in Washington is something that I have always wanted to do since I was a young man. I feel very fortunate to be able to work for a senator who cares so deeply for his constituents, and I am excited to do my part connecting with and helping Arkansans with their needs,” Garner said.

“Cody is a great addition to our office. His connection to our state and demonstrated passion to work on behalf of Arkansans will help my team fulfill vital functions that constituents expect and rely on. He has already hit the ground running and we look forward to the many contributions he will make using his knowledge, talents and enthusiasm,” Boozman said. 

As a staff assistant, Garner plays a vital role in providing the great constituent service for which Boozman is known. He is responsible for answering questions from Arkansans who call the senator’s Washington office about pending legislation and debates on the Senate floor. He also helps ensure flag requests are processed correctly and photos the senator takes with Arkansans are provided to the individuals and families who visit the senator in the nation’s capital. 

Prior to joining Boozman’s staff Garner interned for Senator Tom Cotton and Congressman Steve Womack. 

Garner is a 2017 graduate of Batesville High School, and a 2021 graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville with a bachelor’s degree in both political science and international/global studies. He is the son of John and Sherry Garner. 

Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

Schatz Helped Introduce, Pass Bill Which Will Stop The Cruel Practice Of Killing Sharks For Their Fins

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed the United States Innovation and Competition Act, major bipartisan legislation that enhances American global competitiveness. The bill includes a provision cosponsored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), which would ban the buying and selling of shark fins in the United States and protect sharks from finning, the brutal practice of slicing fins off of live sharks and throwing the remainder of the animal back into ocean to drown, starve, or die a slow death. Schatz led the effort to include the provision when the bill passed out of the Commerce Committee.

“Finning is cruel, and it’s crushing the global shark population, which is critical to our oceans and marine ecosystem,” said Senator Schatz. “I’m glad we were able to move this bill one step closer to becoming law so that we can protect more sharks from this brutal practice.”

Specifically, the provision will:

• Remove the U.S. contribution of shark fins to the global market;
• Allow for stronger enforcement of illegal shark fin trade in the United States; and
• Put the U.S. in a stronger position to advocate internationally for abolishing the fin trade in other countries.

Although the United States has banned the practice of shark finning aboard vessels in U.S.-controlled waters, there is no federal ban on the removal and sale of shark fins from a whole shark that has been caught and landed legally under U.S. law. That makes enforcing U.S. law difficult because once a shark fin is detached from the body, it is almost impossible to determine whether the shark was legally caught or the fin lawfully removed. Determination of species is also difficult, which is problematic given that some shark species are threatened with extinction.

The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

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Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

***Click here to download audio.***

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement today after voting against S. 1260, a bill led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to increase funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) as a way to compete globally with other nations like China:

“While I commend my colleagues for working in a bipartisan fashion to address some important national security issues, I believe the bill we voted on today is inadequate and not paid for. It would increase inefficient government spending at a time of record debt and rising inflation, and it fails to shore up our supply chains or bolster American innovation in a sufficient way. As we work on this year’s budget and the National Defense Authorization Act, I hope we use those opportunities to advance solutions that properly address the ongoing threats posed by foreign adversaries like China or Russia.”

Source: United States Senator for Montana Steve Daines

Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman