Spectator NZ

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

November 19, 2021

Quite simply, efforts to smear Professor Omarova based on her national origin have no place in the United States Senate

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) wrote to Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Chairman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ranking Member Pat Toomey (R-PA) urging them to immediately advance the nomination of Professor Saule Omarova to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). President Biden nominated Professor Omarova to serve as Comptroller of the Currency on November 2, 2021. She is widely regarded as a leading expert in her field. If confirmed, she would be the first woman, person of color, and immigrant to lead the OCC.

“Born in rural Kazakhstan into a family that suffered under Joseph Stalin’s brutal oppression, [Professor Omarova] grew up in a society that lacked freedom as well as free markets. She later fled communist oppression and immigrated to the United States, where she received her law degree from the Northwestern University School of Law, and doctorate in political science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Her diverse background and education helped develop her understanding and personal commitment to a fair and accessible banking system, something that can only be an asset to her leadership of the OCC,” said the letter. “Furthermore, Professor Omarova has an impressive depth of understanding of financial regulation that will allow her to meaningfully engage with banks and other financial institutions from her first day on the job. She has drawn the support of financial scholars from across the political spectrum who are former industry executives and senior regulators.”

The letter continued: “Rarely does Congress have an opportunity to confirm such a highly-qualified, widely-respected, and historic nominee to lead such an important position in the federal government – especially at the financial regulatory agencies. Professor Omarova would be an outstanding and effective financial regulator – one who would protect consumers and enable local banks to support their communities by reducing risks in our banking system.”

During her confirmation hearing this week Republicans accused Professor Omarova of being associated with communist organizations based on where she was born. The letter reiterates that efforts to smear the nominee based on her national origin have no place in the United States Senate, and calls for these abhorrent attacks to end.

The full letter can be found here and below:

Dear Chairman Brown and Ranking Member Toomey:

We write to express our strong support for Professor Saule Omarova to lead the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Professor Omarova is a highly-qualified nominee who is widely-respected in her field. She would be an independent, competent, and effective regulator who would bring the necessary experience to lead the OCC at a time when communities throughout our country are still working to recover from a global pandemic. We urge you to swiftly consider and favorably report her nomination.

President Biden nominated Professor Saule Omarova to serve as Comptroller of the Currency on November 2, 2021. Professor Omarova would bring a wealth of experience to this role. She is currently the Beth and Marc Goldberg Professor of Law at Cornell University, and was previously the George R. Ward Associate Professor of Law at the University of North Carolina School of Law. Beyond her academic career, she served as a Special Advisor for Regulatory Policy to the Treasury Under Secretary for Domestic Finance in the George W. Bush Administration, and worked on financial regulatory matters for international law firm Davis, Polk & Wardwell. She is widely-regarded as a leading expert in her field.

In addition to her distinguished academic career and bipartisan public and private sector experience, Professor Omarova is also an historic nominee. If confirmed, she would be the first woman, person of color, and immigrant to lead the OCC in the agency’s more than 150-year history. Her story is compelling. Born in rural Kazakhstan into a family that suffered under Joseph Stalin’s brutal oppression, she grew up in a society that lacked freedom as well as free markets. She later fled communist oppression and immigrated to the United States, where she received her law degree from the Northwestern University School of Law, and doctorate in political science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Her diverse background and education helped develop her understanding and personal commitment to a fair and accessible banking system, something that can only be an asset to her leadership of the OCC.

Furthermore, Professor Omarova has an impressive depth of understanding of financial regulation that will allow her to meaningfully engage with banks and other financial institutions from her first day on the job. She has drawn the support of financial scholars from across the political spectrum who are former industry executives and senior regulators. They stated, “There are few other scholars – or attorneys – who can match the depth of Professor Omarova’s technical knowledge about American banking regulation or have her breadth of policy knowledge.” With their understanding of Professor Omarova’s scholarship and long career, they have offered unqualified support, “We believe Professor Omarova has the right combination of expertise, wisdom, independence, and courage to be an outstanding Comptroller.”

Professor Omarova’s extensive experience and qualifications make us all the more dismayed by the personal nature of the attacks that have been directed at her nomination. Quite simply, efforts to smear Professor Omarova based on her national origin have no place in the United States Senate. It is customary for this body to deliberate on a nominee’s experience or expertise, but it is wholly unacceptable for members to engage in a debate focused on a nominee’s birthplace. We sincerely hope our colleagues will see fit to end these abhorrent lines of attack as this nomination moves forward.

Given the importance of the OCC to regulating and supervising national banks, it is imperative that the agency have a permanent head. Rarely does Congress have an opportunity to confirm such a highly-qualified, widely-respected, and historic nominee to lead such an important position in the federal government – especially at the financial regulatory agencies. Professor Omarova would be an outstanding and effective financial regulator – one who would protect consumers and enable local banks to support their communities by reducing risks in our banking system. We urge you to quickly act on her nomination.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

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Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

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Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, North Carolina Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr applauded the Senate for unanimously confirming Dena King to be the U.S. Attorney for Western District, Sandra Hairston to be the U.S. Attorney for Middle District, and Michael Easley, Jr. to be the U.S. Attorney for Eastern District. All three nominees were recommended by Senators Tillis and Burr.

“Dena King, Sandra Hairston, and Michael Easley, Jr. are impressive and qualified individuals who will serve North Carolina well as U.S. Attorneys,” said Senator Tillis. “I was proud to work with Senator Burr to identify, interview, and recommend these three candidates and I look forward to their success in their new roles. I want to thank the White House for working with us on these nominations and I applaud the Senate for confirming all three.”

“I’m pleased the Senate has confirmed Dena King, Sandra Hairston, and Michael Easley, Jr. to fill these important U.S. Attorney vacancies in North Carolina,” said Senator Burr. “I applaud their willingness to continue serving the people of North Carolina. I know their experiences will serve them well in their respective roles.” 

Dena King currently serves as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. She previously served as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney and Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of North Carolina and is a graduate of N.C. State and N.C. Central University School of Law. Sandra Hairston has been the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District since March 1. She previously served as First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District and is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte and N.C. Central School of Law. Michael Easley, Jr. is currently a litigation partner at McGuire Woods and is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC School of Law.

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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

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Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

November 19, 2021

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jon Tester (D- Mont.) today introduced the Responsible Education Mitigating Option and Technical Extensions (REMOTE) Act to ensure student veterans can access their full housing allowances while pursuing education remotely during the pandemic. These housing benefits are set to be cut by almost half in December 2021, which will create extreme uncertainty for veterans who could be forced to abandon their education in order to make up the cost of rent or a mortgage. 

The REMOTE Act will also extend remote learning waivers, simplify the verification process for tuition reimbursement to minimize unneeded paperwork for student veterans, and fix an error in current law to ensure U.S. universities can continue to recruit foreign students. These changes will help hundreds of Nevada students and student veterans. 

“Our veterans have devoted their lives in service to our country, and providing them with the housing resources they need to complete their education is vital to facilitating their transition from active duty service back to the workforce,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “That is why I am proud to introduce this important legislation that will ensure our veterans don’t have to worry about funding for housing when deciding on their academic future.”

“Now more than ever, we need to ensure student veterans have uninterrupted access to the assistance they’ve earned as our nation works to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror,” said Chairman Tester of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. “I’m thankful for Senator Cortez Masto’s leadership, and I’m proud to join this effort to extend housing and other critical benefits for the men and women who have served our nation in uniform and now seek a quality education.”

The REMOTE Act is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and has been endorsed by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

“Time is running out for the student veterans who may not receive the full housing allowance they financially rely on to support themselves and their families,” said the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. “The VFW believes these students should not have to choose between their educational goals and paying their bills. We thank Senator Cortez Masto for introducing this legislation and the VFW will work to help ensure these protections are passed and student veterans see solutions as quickly as possible.”

Senator Cortez Masto is a champion in the Senate advocating for our veterans and their families. She recently introduced bipartisan legislation to make it easier for veterans who have a service-related medical condition to get the benefits they are entitled to and has held listening sessions with military spouses about the challenges they face. She has passed legislation through the annual National Defense Reauthorization Acts to help veterans exposed to Agent Orange get the treatment they need and improve the management of privatized military housing to prioritize the needs of families. As part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2021, Senator Cortez Masto secured measures to improve mental health services for members of the National Guard and Reserves, support Navy members in getting the retirement benefits owed to them, and increase the transparency and efficiency of the Department of Defense’s TRICARE medical billing practices.

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Source: United States Senator for Colorado Michael Bennet

Washington, D.C.— Today, Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry’s Subcommittee on Conservation, Climate, Forestry, and Natural Resources,  and John Hickenlooper released the following statements after President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint Kent Peppler to serve as Colorado State Executive Director of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Armando Valdez to serve as Colorado State Director for USDA Rural Development: 

“From food production to rural development, agriculture is central to Colorado’s economy,” said Bennet. “As Colorado producers, Kent and Armando have a deep understanding of the important role USDA plays in our state, especially our rural communities. With their personal experience operating farms and their background at USDA, Kent and Armando are exactly the leaders Colorado’s agriculture economy needs. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry,  I look forward to working with them to support our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in Colorado.”

“Armando Valdez and Kent Peppler are Colorado farmers who know the ins and outs of our agriculture,” said Hickenlooper. “They’ll hit the ground running at USDA.”

Kent Peppler — a fourth-generation farmer at Peppler Farms in Weld County — has over 40 years of experience in agriculture. He has served as a member of the Colorado FSA State Committee, Acting State Executive Director for the USDA FSA in Colorado under the Clinton Administration, Assistant State Executive Director for the USDA FSA in Colorado, and most recently, as Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President. Today, he continues to operate Peppler Farms in Mead, Colorado.

Armando Valdez was born and raised in the San Luis Valley on a cattle, sheep, small grains, and hay operation. For five years under the Obama Administration, Valdez served as Executive Chair for the USDA FSA. In that position, he helped administer the Farm Bill, execute farm policy, and manage other federal programs to support farmers and ranchers. In 2007, he created Valdez Land & Livestock to continue his family’s farm operation. He operates it today along with his sister and their families. Valdez is also a business professor at Adams State University and serves on the Board of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District.  

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

ICYMI: Senator Murray fought to include historic investment in climate resiliency for infrastructure, electrical grid in recently signed bipartisan infrastructure law – MORE HERE

Senator Murray: “Severe flooding like this must serve as a call to action: we’ve got to invest in more resilient infrastructure that will help protect against future natural disasters and we’ve got to take bold climate action that meets the full scope of the crisis at hand”

***SEE PHOTOS OF THE TOUR AVAILABLE FOR WIDESPREAD DISTRIBUTION HERE***

(Mount Vernon, WA) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), joined local elected officials, first responders, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials to visit the Skagit County Flood Wall in Mount Vernon. Following the severe flooding and weather that has devastated local communities in Western Washington, Senator Murray visited the site to hear directly from local leaders about how she can help Skagit County and all of Western Washington state recover as soon as possible. Joining her on the tour were Jill Boudreau, Mayor, City of Mount Vernon, Ron Wesen, Skagit County Commissioner, District 1, Peter Browning, Skagit County Commissioner, District 2, Lisa Janicki, Skagit County Commissioner, District 3, Don McDermott, Sheriff, Skagit County, Vince Maykovich, Acting Regional Director, FEMA Region X (10), Ryan Ike, Director External Affairs, FEMA Region X (10), Brian Harris, Assistant Fire Chief, City of Mount Vernon, and Tony Doersam, Army Corps of Engineers. Senator Murray originally secured funding for the City of Mount Vernon to make the city’s waterfront more resistant to flooding in 2006.

“The flooding here in Western Washington has been devastating but I am so grateful to our first responders for their important work. My first and foremost priority here today was to hear from local leaders, first responders, and constituents on the ground to figure out what I can do to help,” said Senator Murray. “In the other Washington, I will absolutely be fighting for federal dollars to help our communities recover. But severe flooding like this must also serve as a call to action: we’ve got to invest in more resilient infrastructure that will help protect against future natural disasters and we’ve got to take bold climate action that meets the full scope of the crisis at hand. That’s why passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill into law was so important for Washington state and I why I will be working hard to send Build Back Better—the largest investment in climate action in our country’s history—to President Biden’s desk as soon as possible.”

While Senator Murray’s immediate focus is on advocating for federal relief Governor Inslee has requested in the short-term, she has also been a strong and consistent voice for major federal investments in climate resilience and climate action. Murray was instrumental in passing the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $50 billion to protect against wildfires, drought, floods, and other climate disasters. The largest investment in the resilience of physical and natural systems in American history, the infrastructure law will make communities safer by weatherizing infrastructure and investing in flood and other extreme weather protections in communities across the state and country.

As many communities across Western Washington have lost power due to the recent storms, and the energy grid buckled under historic heat waves this summer, the bipartisan infrastructure law will also help to keep the lights on for Washington state families through a $65 billion investment to strengthen and upgrade America’s energy grid by building thousands of miles of new, resilient transmission lines to facilitate the expansion of renewable energy.

In addition to the bipartisan infrastructure law, as Senator Murray works to address the root causes of increased severe weather events, the Build Back Better Act currently being negotiated in the Senate includes even more resources dedicated to climate resilience and climate action and would deliver the largest effort to combat climate change in American history. From 2010 to 2020, Washington state experienced 10 extreme weather events, costing up to $5 billion in damages. The Build Back Better Act will set the United States on course to meet its climate targets—a 50-52% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below 2005 levels by 2030—in a way that creates good-paying union jobs, grows domestic industries, and advances environmental justice.

The bill represents the largest ever single investment in our clean energy economy—across buildings, transportation, industry, electricity, agriculture, and climate smart practices in our lands and waters. And the bill will create a new Civilian Climate Corps that will enlist a diverse generation of people from Washington state in conserving our public lands, bolstering community resilience, and addressing the changing climate, all while creating pathways to good-paying union jobs.

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