Category: US Senate

Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced legislation to provide expanded tax support for American companies that invest in the research and development of new products and technologies.

“There is bipartisan agreement that now is the time for a generational investment in American competitiveness and a skilled workforce that will win the next century,” said Senator Coons. “The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the incredible benefits of innovative technologies, such those used to rapidly develop safe and effective vaccines, but also presents an opportunity to rebuild our economy to provide more good, high-paying jobs. The FORWARD Act is a bipartisan, commonsense bill that provides tax support to cutting-edge startups and business. This bill supports President Biden’s vision for our nation’s economic recovery and growth.”

“In order to remain globally competitive and win the race against China, we need to invest in American science and innovation,” said Senator Daines. “Expanding the R&D tax credit to make it more accessible for small businesses across the country and to incentivize American manufacturing will help us do just that.”

“As our economy reopens, we need to create new, good-paying jobs and get Nevadans back to work,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “That means making it easier for companies doing cutting-edge research and development to hire and train new workers, which we can achieve through this bipartisan legislation. I’m working in the Senate to help us achieve a robust recovery, and that means investing in Nevada’s innovative economy and the workers that depend on it.”

“The private sector is helping America emerge from the pandemic and prepare for future emergencies,” said Senator Young. “Government should create an environment which enables our small businesses to conduct research and development activity that spurs innovation and job creation right here in the U.S.”

“We must ensure that American companies remain at the forefront of innovation, especially as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill will help create jobs by expanding critical R&D tax incentives for startups and small businesses. I will keep working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to strengthen support for innovative American businesses.”

The United States spends far less supporting R&D than international competitors. This places American businesses at a disadvantage, undermining the U.S. economy and leaving the country ill-prepared for crises like COVID-19. In 2015, Congress passed legislation authored by Senators Coons and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) to make the R&D tax credit permanent and to expand access to the credit for more startups and small businesses. These changes addressed urgent problems, but – as the COVID-19 crisis continues to make clear – further steps are needed. 

The Furthering Our Recovery With American Research and Development, or FORWARD, Act:

• Expands access to the research and development tax credit for new small- and medium-sized businesses. Firms with up to $20 million in gross receipts will be eligible to use the credit to reduce their payroll tax obligation during a span of 8 years—up from current thresholds of $5 million and 5 years. A new de minimis threshold delays the start of the 8-year window until gross receipts exceed $25,000.
• Strengthens the economy by incentivizing American manufacturing. The R&D credit is increased for companies that generate the majority of their gross receipts from manufacturing their products in the United States.
• Targets specific activities that enhance economic productivity by spreading knowledge and work opportunities to the U.S. workforce. The full R&D credit is expanded to cover R&D-related worker training costs. For R&D performed in collaboration with industry consortia, academic institutions, federal laboratories, and other entities, the credit rate is increased by one quarter (to 25% and 17.5% for the Regular Research and Alternative Simplified Credits, respectively).
• Activates the R&D credit by providing outreach, education, and training for businesses with limited accounting expertise, to be provided by the Small Business Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

The bill text is available here. A one-pager on the bill is available here.

The FORWARD Act is supported by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Third Way, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Intelligent Manufacturing Systems International, the Delaware Small Business Development Center, the Association for Manufacturing Technology, the Manufacturing Alliance of Communities, Cover & Rossiter, the Delaware Prosperity Partnership, the State Science and Technology Institute, the University City Science Center, AlliantGroup, the Small Business Investor Alliance, and Advanced Manufacturing International.

“As the United States continues the work to recover from the global pandemic and grow as a leader in advanced manufacturing worldwide, it is critical that we have right tax policies in place to allow for the continued success of our domestic manufacturing sector, including the R&D and workforce infrastructure necessary to jump start the U.S. manufacturing economy,” said Thomas Costabile, P.E., Executive Director and CEO of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. “This Act will create more opportunities for these small businesses to engage and grow by allowing small manufacturers an expanded R&D tax credit. Further, this Act will encourage the manufacturing sector to evolve and expand by making it easier for manufacturers and start-ups to invest in workforce development initiatives that are so critical to supporting world-class industrial research.”

“Science and engineering-based innovation are critical for addressing a wide array of American challenges, including climate change and U.S. competitiveness,” said Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). “But the main federal incentive for private sector research – the R&D tax credit – needs both modernization and expansion. The FORWARD Act does just that, and if passed would spur more American innovation, job creation and competitiveness.”

Additional quotes from endorsing organizations are available here.

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Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), both members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, for a bipartisan congressional delegation (CODEL) to South Korea, where they discussed shared interests and future areas of cooperation with a broad range of high-level officials. While in the region, the senators also visited Taipei to announce the donation of 750,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan as part of President Biden’s plan to provide vaccines to our global partners in need. Senator Coons also met with senior Taiwan government officials including the President, Foreign Minister, and Minister of National Defense. Photos from the CODEL can be found here.

“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 U.S.-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.”

“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.”

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 U.S. Forces Korea;
• Spoke with U.S. Charge d’Affaires Rob Rapson and U.S. Embassy personnel in Seoul;
• 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 officials from Samsung;
• Celebrated South Korean business leaders’ recent announcement to bring billions of dollars in investment to the U.S. and discussed future areas of collaboration and partnership with officials from SK Holdings Co Ltd.

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Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

TAIPEI – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), member of SASC and a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, travelled to Taiwan to underscore U.S. support for Taiwan, including on combatting the COVID-19 pandemic. They highlighted the fact 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.

“Since taking office, President Biden has demonstrated his commitment to vaccinating all Americans. We have made dramatic progress, vaccinating more than 170 million Americans and securing an abundant supply for our population. Given the risk posed by new variants, no one is safe from this virus until the world is safe. It’s critical that we scale up U.S. contributions of our highly effective vaccines to international partners that need them to keep COVID-19 from spreading unchecked, prevent new variants from emerging that could once again put our population at risk, and bolster our global economic recovery,” said Senator Coons. “I am proud to work with the Biden administration and Senators Duckworth and Sullivan to announce this allocation of vaccines to our friends in Taiwan and demonstrate the United States’ commitment to ending COVID-19 once and for all.”

“For over a year, we’ve seen that COVID-19 strikes without regard to national borders—and we know we won’t be able to truly end the COVID-19 pandemic at home without ending it everywhere,” said Senator Duckworth. “After several weeks of conversations between each of us and White House officials, I’m pleased to help announce that Taiwan will be receiving 750,000 doses of the vaccine as part of the first tranche of doses. This contribution from the United States also reflects our gratitude for Taiwan’s efforts to send PPE and other supplies to America in the early days of the pandemic. I will continue working to support the people of Taiwan and make sure they get what they need to reach the other side of this pandemic.”

“Over twenty-five years ago, I was deployed as part of an U.S. Marine Corps amphibious task force to the Taiwan Strait during a very challenging and critical time for Taiwan’s democracy,” said Senator Sullivan. “America’s presence then was in response to Chinese provocations on the eve of the presidential election in Taiwan and it demonstrated American commitment and resolve. Today’s bipartisan Senate delegation visit to Taiwan is yet another demonstration of that continued commitment to our friends and partners in this critical area of the world, as well as a reminder of how the United States’ presence over the past several decades has been instrumental in the development of security, prosperity and democracy throughout the Indo-Pacific region. It is also a demonstration that, in spite of a global pandemic emanating from China — characterized by a lack of transparency and lack of international cooperation from the Chinese Communist Party — the United States, by contrast, is committed to working in a constructive and open manner with our friends, allies and partners to bring healing and relief with effective vaccines that benefit our own citizens, as well as others throughout the world. I want to thank my colleagues, Senators Duckworth and Coons, as well as the elected leaders and citizens of Taiwan, for their continued commitment to the advancement of security, democracy and health and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific region.”

During their visit, the senators met with President Tsai Ing-wen, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, and Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng. Throughout these meetings, the senators sought to better understand Taiwan’s needs on COVID-19 so they could carry messages back to Washington. In addition to the pandemic, the senators discussed the economic and security partnership between the U.S. and Taiwan. They noted there is much we can do together to advanced our shared prosperity, security and values. 

On June 3, the administration announced its framework for sharing at least 80 million U.S. vaccine doses globally by the end of June and the plan for the first 25 million doses. Taiwan is included in first tranche of donations.

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Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Inhofe

U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned witnesses about threats from China, and how the U.S. government can better coordinate a response to these threats, at a hearing on the United States’ strategic competition with China. 

Witnesses included: Matt Pottinger, former assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor, and Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution; Dr. Evan Medeiros, Penner Family Chair in Asia Studies in the School of Foreign Service and the Cling Family Distinguished Fellow in U.S.-China Studies at Georgetown University; Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Associate Professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas – Austin; and Ms. Bonnie Glaser, Director, Asia Program, at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. 

Inhofe: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The PDI [Pacific Deterrence Initiative] — well, first of all, in my opening statement, I mentioned it didn’t really comport with our language in the defense authorization bill of 2021. Mr. Pottinger, General McMaster tells us, of course, you were the top China expert during the Trump Administration.  Now as I mentioned in my opening, the budget request gets the Pacific Deterrence Initiative all wrong. As I said, there was clearly a disconnect there, and we’ll work with the Pentagon shortly here. PDI is about having the right infrastructure and combat-credible U.S. military force posture west of the International Date Line to deter and compete with China. It’s not about buying ships and aircraft. From your time, Mr. Pottinger, at the NSC, in the military arena, do Chinese leaders pay close attention to the military infrastructure and forces we have stationed forward in theater? Do our allies and partners pay a lot of attention to the PDI and what it funds?

Pottinger: Senator Inhofe, thank you. Absolutely. The answer is a resounding yes on both those fronts. The Chinese Communist Party — every time we expand our infrastructure and give ourselves more places to operate out of, it complicates quite badly their military strategy. It complicates their plans for things like coercing Taiwan, and our allies — so they notice it, our allies notice it just as much. My experience was that a lot of our partners around the region usually knew our defense budget better than we did. They noticed every dollar that was committed or withdrawn from FMF [foreign military financing] sales or from training, and other activities in the region. So, I couldn’t agree more that the PDI is really about building infrastructure. It’s about improving our force posture in theater, giving us that versatility and that redundancy to be a formidable deterrent.

Inhofe: That’s good. Dr. Greitens, the Chinese Communist Party has built a police state that would make the Soviets blush, but they’re doing it with new technology, and they are exporting the technology that makes monitoring and repression possible. How are they using that technology to repress the Uyghurs and the people of Hong Kong, and what should the U.S. do to fight back against the global proliferation of this technology?

Greitens: Thank you, Senator. There’s a lot in that question. Let me try to answer concisely. We often hear a lot about the fancy technology that collects data from Chinese citizens, but the heart of a surveillance project is actually the back-end database and platforms that put all of these information from different collection points together. That’s what enables the CCP to look at your behavior, know where your parents work, where your children or your child goes to school, your ID number, your passport and travel history, your religion, to use facial recognition to identify how many times you’ve scanned into the mosque this week, whether you’ve bought gas or bought a knife recently, just to take a few examples. All of that can be put together in an algorithm, and we’ve seen that when this use of this kind of surveillance technology was applied in Urumchi or Xinjiang, for example, visits to religious sites dropped off sharply because if you hit a certain quota in the algorithm, you would be flagged for detention and re-education, and it made people, quite frankly, afraid to pray. So, so that’s the role of that surveillance and these surveillance algorithms play in the oppressive project that the CCP has constructed, especially in Xinjiang, and that same national security framework under last year’s Hong Kong national security law is now being applied and the process of being constructed in Hong Kong as well.

I think that there are a couple of steps the United States could and should take. First of all, the United States really needs a robust interagency strategy to address the proliferation of Chinese surveillance technology worldwide. That includes a plan for engaging more actively with international organizations that are involved in technology standard setting. It includes a lot of the efforts that some of my colleagues have mentioned today about making sure that the United States is competitive in key technologies and that those technologies are protected from illicit tech transfer to China. And we also need to recognize that some of the countries that are adopting Chinese surveillance technology are doing it because they’re trying to solve a governance problem like crime, and this technology doesn’t actually work very well for solving crime problems in most cases, but we need to address the underlying challenges that are leading some of those countries to turn to China, and so we need to make sure that we have robust efforts to do that. Finally, I’ll say that when repression increases domestically, the only available sites of opposition and pursuit of freedom often move abroad. So the United States could and I believe should take steps to support people from Hong Kong, for example, who want to claim refugee or asylum status in the United States, given the increasing climate of political persecution there. Thank you.

Inhofe: Well, thank you, Dr. Greitens, you covered it all. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Click here to watch Inhofe’s opening remarks.

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

06.08.21

Better Health Care Services, Increased Protections for Native Children, & More Economic Development Opportunities

The Senate recently approved eight bills that were passed by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, sending them to the House of Representatives. Four of the eight bills are led by Vice Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), including one bill that extends the reporting deadline for the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children, as well as three bills that will improve delivery of healthcare services in Alaska Native communities through federal land transfers.

The Senate passed the following bills that were introduced by Senator Murkowski:

• S. 325, A bill to amend the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act to extend the deadline for a report by the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children, and for other purposes;
• S. 548, the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2021;
• S. 549, A bill to provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Tanana Tribal Council located in Tanana, Alaska, and for other purposes; and
• S. 550, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2021.

“I applaud my colleagues in the Senate for advancing these eight Committee bills, including four bills that I introduced. I now hope the House of Representatives will move quickly to consider and approve these measures,” said Vice Chairman Murkowski. “Alaska Native communities, specifically those served by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Tanana Tribal Council, and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium, are seeking to improve their health care services to their communities through this important legislation. Without them, these communities cannot expand or replace outdated healthcare facilities or have control and ownership over improvements made to their facilities and land while under Department of Health and Human Services title. My fourth bill extends the reporting deadline for the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tribal communities will see better healthcare services, increased protections for Native children, and more economic development opportunities when Congress passes these bills.”

Murkowski is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. 

“The extension of time for the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Sobolof Commission on Native Children is essential to ensure a complete and thoughtful response to Congress’ charge to the Commission, which has experienced extensive delays due to procedural issues and the pandemic. The Commission has faced the challenges of COVID-19 by moving to virtual work for meetings and scheduling several hearings with experts whose testimony will be able to inform its work when the Commission finally gets to the communities to hear from the people themselves, which have been closed for the last 15 months.  However, there is still much research to gather, testimony to hear, and a minimum of five hearings in the community to implement, as required by the legislation, which will require additional time as provided for in S. 325. This broad systems-wide report will provide recommendations to Congress and the President to improve outcomes for our Native children, from birth to age 24.  The Commission is grateful for the Senate’s support for this important effort.”

-Gloria O’Neill, Chair of the Commission 

“Quyana (thank you) to Senator Murkowski for her efforts in moving this legislation forward. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Land Transfer Act of 2021 furthers ANTHC’s mission to provide the highest quality health services in partnership with our people and the Alaska Tribal Health System. This legislation strengthens our ability to deliver critical health equipment and infrastructure to communities across the state in a timely and efficient manner.” 

-Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davison, Interim President, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

“The Tanana Tribal Council has been waiting for years to have this land transferred.  After the closure of the Native hospital in 1981, the Native Village of Tanana began the process of applying for this very sacred land. The hospital was utilized by many people from all across Alaska. People were born in the hospital and people passed in the hospital.  Today our people need healing and the goal and vision of our Tribe is to provide a treatment program for our people. We thank Senator Murkowski and our Congressional delegation for making sure this land transfer is accomplished.”

-Julie Roberts-Hysop, the Tanana Tribal Council 2nd Chief and acting Executive Director

“The future of healthcare depends on expanding access to medical services.SEARHC looks forward to improving the health and well-being of Southeast Alaskans with the service expansion and infrastructure improvements enabled by S.550, thanks to the support of Senator Murkowski and other state and federal leaders in the contingency.”

-Charles Clement, President & CEO of SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARCH)

Related Issues: Alaska Natives & Rural Alaska

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

June 08, 2021

“The addition of the Greenbrier River Trail to our National Trails System is fantastic news for our entire state. As home to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, 35 state parks, and a section of the Appalachian Trail, West Virginia truly offers some of the nation’s best public lands suited for adventurers of every level of ambition and experience. These and all of the other magnificent parks and trails within our borders truly connect our communities and create endless opportunities for both residents and visitors alike while also contributing to local economies. I thank Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland for her strong commitment to conserving our public lands, and I look forward to continuing to work closely together to ensure the wild and wonderful corners of West Virginia are protected for generations to come,” said U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

The Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile former railroad now used for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It is the longest trail of its kind in West Virginia. The trail provides many breathtaking views as it passes through several small towns, crosses 35 bridges, goes through two tunnels, and cuts through some of West Virginia’s most remote areas.

The national recreation trails program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, in conjunction with multiple federal and nonprofit partners. The designation of a national recreation trail can be done by either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture on an existing local or regional trail with the consent of the federal, state, local, nonprofit, or private entity that has jurisdiction over the trail. The trail’s managing agency or organization must apply for the distinction.

“Trails connect neighborhoods, literally and figuratively,” said Shawn Benge, Deputy Director, National Park Service. “These newly designated national recreation trails recognize the incredible efforts of local trail stewards and enthusiasts to provide the public with close to home outdoor access for strolling, pedaling or paddling.”

The National Trails System, which includes national scenic, national historic and national recreation trails, offers an abundance of opportunities to experience the majestic landscapes of the country and build awareness of historic events that have shaped the nation.

“American Trails applauds this new slate of Secretarial designations from the Department of the Interior and is excited to continue to promote our country’s national recreation trails,” said Mike Passo, Executive Director, American Trails. “These trails connect the gems of our National Trails System to the places where Americans live, work, and play. The national recreation trail program uniquely highlights trails that are accessible, relatable, and serve a wide diversity of our nation’s public.”

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) led a group of 16 Republican colleagues in pressing the Biden Administration to adhere to U.S. law and refrain from reopening the Mission of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem for the Palestinians. In their letter to President Joe Biden, the Senator’s wrote, “while we are committed to working with you on constructive ways to engage with the Palestinian people, we oppose any efforts by your administration to provide rewards and incentives to the Palestinian leadership or Hamas for their abhorrent support of violence and terrorism, their efforts to press the ICC to illegitimately investigate Israel, and other efforts to circumvent direct negotiations with Israel.”

Joining Rubio were Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), John Boozman (R-AR), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Todd Young (R-IN), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Bill Hagerty (R-TN). 

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Mr. President: 

We write with regard to your administration’s reported plans relating to U.S. diplomatic relations with the Palestinians. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent announcement that the U.S. will move to reopen the Consulate General in Jerusalem that oversaw relations with the Palestinians as well as reports that your administration plans to re-open the Mission of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in Washington, D.C. are deeply concerning. It is particularly misguided at a time when the Palestinian Authority (PA), led by Mahmoud Abbas along with the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hamas, incited and supported recent violent riots, rock throwing, and other terror attacks in Jerusalem. This was escalated by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad firing more than 4,000 rockets that rained down terror on Israeli civilians. We urge you to adhere to U.S. law and ensure both of these diplomatic missions remain closed.

In 2018, the Trump Administration, in accordance with the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 (P.L.104-45), officially opened the U.S. Embassy in Israel’s capital of Jerusalem and in 2019, merged the U.S. diplomatic mission to the Palestinians in Jerusalem with the Consul General’s official residence into the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. This facilitated U.S. policy to rightfully reflect the reality that Jerusalem is Israel’s united and historic capital, and became formally compliant with the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995. Re-opening this diplomatic mission to the Palestinians in Israel’s capital would wrongly indicate that the U.S. supports dividing the capital city of our close ally and would only reward the Palestinian leadership’s continued hostility toward Israel. This hostility has included the spreading of false propaganda that contributed to the recent violence in Jerusalem, supporting an illegitimate International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation against Israel for non-existent war crimes, and incentivizing and rewarding terrorism through paying terrorists and their families. We understand the need to have direct engagement with Palestinian leadership but we oppose granting the Palestinians a diplomatic mission in Israel’s capital city, which is undisputed under U.S. law.

We are also concerned with reports that your administration is considering reopening the PLO Mission in Washington D.C. Furthermore, your administration must uphold U.S. law that seeks to hold the PLO and PA accountable to financial claims against them in U.S. courts by American victims of Palestinian terrorism. We urge you to ensure that that there is no type of evasion or undermining of the Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019 (PSJVTA, § 903 of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, P.L. 116-94). This bipartisan law deems any reestablishment of an office on American soil by the PLO or PA as consent to jurisdiction in U.S. courts in cases by American families for heinous PLO/PA-sponsored terror attacks. These families seek justice and compensation for victims of Palestinian terrorist activities incited by hateful rhetoric and abhorrent policies and practices, including the “pay-for-slay” programs sponsored by the Palestinian Authority and the PLO. Allowing the reopening of the PLO mission in Washington, D.C. without requiring the PA and PLO to answer for these claims would be a betrayal of American families who are seeking their day in court.  

While we are committed to working with you on constructive ways to engage with the Palestinian people, we oppose any efforts by your administration to provide rewards and incentives to the Palestinian leadership or Hamas for their abhorrent support of violence and terrorism, their efforts to press the ICC to illegitimately investigate Israel, and other efforts to circumvent direct negotiations with Israel. As long as the Palestinian Authority and Iranian-backed Hamas, or other Palestinian terrorist groups, are not held accountable for their actions, the Palestinian people will continue to suffer and there will be no prospects for a long term and peaceful solution between Israelis and Palestinians.  

We urge your administration to reconsider these actions and to work with Congress to craft policies that support our ally, Israel, and assist the Palestinian people. 

Thank you for your attention to these matters.

Sincerely,