Spectator NZ

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

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Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

03.16.23

Cantwell Speaks on Senate Floor About Texas Abortion Medication Court Case: “This Is Not a Way to Run Health Care”

Texas judge’s decision could make medication abortion – used by 55% of WA patients who terminate a pregnancy – unavailable nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) delivered a speech on the Senate floor warning of the consequences of a Texas court case that could effectively end medication abortion – even in Washington state, where voters codified the right to an abortion into law in 1991.

“The ruling would mean that in Washington state, where abortion [has] expressly been under our state law for 30 years, a person who needs or elects to terminate their pregnancy could no longer safely do it at home … This is eroding our rights. It’s impacting our providers. And it is basically telling young women, ‘we’re not sure if you’re going to [be] able to get access to this drug,’” Sen. Cantwell said.

This week, a U.S. District Judge in Texas is hearing a case brought by radical anti-abortion-rights activists. The activists are asking the judge to issue a preliminary order that would halt sales of the medication abortion drug mifepristone nationwide.

“This is not a way to run health care,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Let’s be clear, we’re not going to let a decision like this go unchallenged.”

Mifepristone is commonly used as part of a two-drug regimen used to terminate pregnancy. Health care providers can prescribe the drug in-person or via telehealth, and patients can complete the regimen at home. Of patients who choose to terminate a pregnancy in Washington state, 55% choose this method.

Some abortion clinics in Washington state only provide medication abortion as an option for abortion care. If the judge in the Texas case rules in favor of restricting mifepristone access, the share of counties in Washington state with an abortion provider would drop from 41% to 28%.

On Friday, March 10, Sen. Cantwell and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) met with abortion providers at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Seattle. The Senators highlighted last week’s re-introduction of the Women’s Health Protection Act and heard from practitioners about the challenges their patients are facing.

As a longtime champion of reproductive rights, Sen. Cantwell intensified her push to protect health care access nationwide since the Supreme Court’s decision to rule against abortion access in Dobbs v. Jackson last year. In June, after a leaked draft opinion revealed the Supreme Court’s plans to overturn the established precedent set by Roe, Sen. Cantwell cosponsored the My Body, My Data Act to protect personal reproductive health data. In July, following a meeting with health care providers at the University of Washington Medical Center, Sen. Cantwell cosponsored the Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act to ban anti-choice states from penalizing or prosecuting health care providers that offer reproductive services in states where abortion care is legal. The same month, Sen. Cantwell also cosponsored the Right to Contraception Act, which would codify the right to contraception access established by the Supreme Court ruling Griswold v. Connecticut. Last week, Sen. Cantwell joined Sen. Murray in reintroducing the Women’s Health Protection Act.

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s floor speech is available HERE, audio HERE, and transcript HERE.

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Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

03.16.23

After Banking Crisis, Cantwell Asks Treasury Secretary Yellen: “How Do We Ensure That These Small Businesses Feel Safe?”

Companies across Washington state report disruptions as FDIC stems fallout from Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank collapses

WASHINGTON D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, questioned U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen about the federal government’s response to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).

During her questioning, Sen. Cantwell highlighted the effect of SVB’s collapse on businesses based in Washington state – as well as the broader impact on people who rely on those businesses’ services.

“While the name of the bank might be Silicon Valley Bank, I guarantee you the innovation economy comes through Seattle, and probably many small businesses in my state were impacted by what transpired. And it’s why we need to make sure that the banking system really does have mechanisms that help the startup economy and innovation,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“Jesse Salk, the grandson of Jonas Salk, is a Molecular Biologist and Clinical Oncologist who started TwinStrand Biosciences in the State of Washington. He and his team at TwinStrand are developing cutting edge gene sequencing techniques to help us fight cancer. And he told my office this week that, quote, ‘It was a big deal to step outside my comfort zone and start a company to help get a new genomic technology to help treat cancer patients faster. The last thing I expected us to need to think about was if we could rely on a bank,’” Sen. Cantwell continued. “So the potential impact of Jesse’s company having to pause or even cease operations due to banking failure isn’t just jobs or dollars lost, which are important considerations to our economy — it’s actually lives lost, too… How do we ensure that these small businesses feel safe in putting their loans in?”

Secretary Yellen responded:

“We want to make sure that depositors — whether they’re individuals, or households, or small businesses — feel confident that the banks that they entrust their savings to or their working balances that they use to pay their workers. We want to make sure that they feel confident that these banks are safe, and that they can do business with them. And that’s an important reason why we stepped in with the FDIC and the Federal Reserve to intervene, because I do believe the banking system in the United States is sound and resilient. And we wanted to make sure that the problems at Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank didn’t undermine confidence in the soundness of banks around the country. And we wanted to make sure that there wasn’t a contagion that could affect other banks and their depositors.”

Silicon Valley Bank collapsed on March 10, followed by New-York based Signature Bank on March 12. To preserve the assets of customers and prevent a broader collapse across the banking industry, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation stepped in to take over both financial institutions. The effects are already being felt across the State of Washington – companies from Seattle to Spokane to Vancouver are reporting disruptions.

Video of Sen. Cantwell and Secretary Yellen’s entire exchange at the hearing can be viewed HERE, and audio can be heard HERE. A full transcript of their exchange is available HERE.

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

03.16.23

Washington State Leading the Way to Train the Next Generation of Aviation Workers, Chair Cantwell Says in Committee Hearing

Cantwell: “Now more than ever, we cannot afford to leave good talent on the table”; Pilot & aerospace tech organizations in Everett, Mukilteo awarded $959k in federal grants to continue successful workforce training programs

WASHINGTON D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, kicked off a hearing titled “Strengthening the Aviation Workforce” by highlighting two programs in Washington state that help young people start careers as pilots, aerospace engineers and aviation maintenance technicians.

Sen. Cantwell cited the Red-Tailed Hawks Flying Club, the Mukilteo-based chapter of Black Pilots of America helping introduce underrepresented youths to aviation and practical STEM applications, and Aviation Technical Services, Inc., which works with students at Sno-Isle Tech and Everett Community College to set up paid apprenticeship programs in technical aviation fields for high school students.

“Now more than ever, we cannot afford to leave good talent on the table,” Sen. Cantwell said. “We need to consider policies that will help drive down those costs and get more students into that aviation talent pool … these Washington state organizations are training the next generation of aviation professionals, and Congress should consider more ways to build up this successful program.”

Both programs recently received federal grants from the Aviation Workforce Development Program, which was established by the Aviation Maintenance Workforce Development Pilot Program, spearheaded by Sen. Cantwell in 2018. The Red-Tailed Hawks Flying Club was awarded $500,000; Aviation Technical Services, Inc. (ATI), received $459,206.

Since the apprenticeship program at ATS launched in 2019, they’ve had a total of 132 graduate apprentices, of which 66 have gone on to become FAA certified. ATS currently has 85 apprentices in their airframe maintenance program. After completing the ATS apprenticeship program, graduates are eligible to pursue FAA certification. More details about ATS’s apprenticeship program are available HERE.

“The Red-Tailed Hawks Chapter, Black Pilots of America, Inc.(BPA) is forever grateful for the FAA Pilot Workforce Development Award (WDA)...When you remove the barrier of funding, you open up possibilities for those that are systematically not included,” Jesse D. Hayes IV, President of Red-Tailed Hawks Flying Club, wrote in a letter to Sen. Cantwell.

“Aviation Technical Services (ATS) is grateful for the FAA Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Award (AWD) we recently received,” Paul Dolan, CEO of ATS, wrote in a letter to Sen. Cantwell. “The FAA AWD Grant funding allows us to expand our workforce development initiatives, including ATS Academy. Our workforce development program helps us secure our core business for the long-term and, importantly, contributes qualified aviation technicians to the national aviation ecosystem.”

In the hearing, Sen. Cantwell highlighted the future needs of the aviation workforce in Washington state and nationwide. Over the next 20 years, North America will need 128,000 pilots, 134,000 maintenance workers and 173,000 crew members in order to meet the projected growth of the commercial aviation industry, she said. Tapping underrepresented communities and removing barriers to training will play a vital role – currently, women make up just 5 percent of airline pilots and 12 percent of aerospace engineers, while less than 15 percent of pilots and engineers are Black, Hispanic or Asian.

“The U.S. aircraft manufacturing sector is expected to hire more than 10,000 workers in 2023 as production increases continue to rise, and careers in this field offer highly-skilled, good-paying jobs with an average salary of over $106,000, about 40 percent above the national average,” Sen. Cantwell continued. “We’re proud of this talented workforce, particularly in my home state: the State of Washington is home to more than 130,000 aerospace workers, and a supply chain that works with more than 1,500 suppliers. With post-pandemic aviation growth, we now face new challenges, and we need to develop a pipeline of qualified workers.”

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks at the hearing can be viewed HERE, and audio can be heard HERE. A transcript of her remarks is available HERE.

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Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to keep taxes low for all Americans and crack down on wealthy tax cheats and illegal corporate tax avoidance schemes, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) joined 19 of their Senate colleagues in signing a letter, led by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Angus King (I-ME), to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Daniel Werfel and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, expressing strong support for Secretary Yellen’s directive for the IRS not to raise audit rates for small businesses or households making under $400,000 annually and that new enforcement funds provided in the Inflation Reduction Act will focus on reducing tax avoidance by large corporations and the mega-rich.

Due in large part to the fact that their tax returns are simpler, the IRS currently audits the poorest families at five times the rate of higher earners, whose tax returns are vastly more complex and time consuming to review, according to a report from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC IRS).  Reed and Whitehouse believe that is unfair.  The senators and their colleagues are urging the IRS to increase transparency, improve customer service, and aim tax enforcement at large corporations, complex pass-through entities, and high net-worth individuals to close the tax gap — the difference between taxes owed and taxes collected.  The senators say new funds should not be used to increase audit rates on small businesses and households earning less than $400,000.

“We… understand that the Administration is still working on the operational plan regarding implementation of the new funding and Secretary Yellen’s directive. We ask that this plan, when finalized, continue to reflect and elaborate on your stated focus on protecting taxpayer rights and increasing enforcement for high-income individuals and large corporations,” wrote the 21 U.S. Senators.

From 2010 to 2021, Congress cut about one-fifth of the IRS’s funding, adjusted for inflation.  The loss of resources led to significant staff reductions, even as the number of annual tax returns the IRS must process increased.  According to CNBC: the audit rate of Americans earning more than $5 million a year decreased from 16 percent in 2010 to 2 percent in 2019.  The news outlet also shows that households earning over $10 million annually had their audit rate drop from 21 percent in 2010 to 4 percent in 2019.  And during FY 2022, the odds a millionaire was audited by an IRS revenue agent was just 1.1 percent, according to TRAC IRS.

In response to increased funding for the IRS in the Inflation Reduction Act, Secretary Yellen directed former IRS commissioner Rettig: “that any additional resources—including any new personnel or auditors that are hired—shall not be used to increase the share of small business or households below the $400,000 threshold that are audited relative to historical levels. This means that, contrary to the misinformation from opponents of this legislation, small businesses or households earning $400,000 per year or less will not see an increase in the chances that they are audited. Instead, enforcement resources will focus on high-end noncompliance.”

The senators expressed support for this clarity and asked the IRS to elaborate on its focus on protecting taxpayer rights and increasing enforcement for high-income individuals and large corporations. They urged the IRS to use the new funding to support tax fairness and close the tax gap caused by tax avoidance from the ultra-wealthy and large corporations, protect the rights of lower-income taxpayers, and swiftly improve taxpayer customer service and information technology.

Additional cosigners of the letter include U.S. Senators: Chris Coons (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Edward Markey (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tom Carper (D-DE), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Patty Murray (D-WA).

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

March 16, 2023

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee, and John Barrasso (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Senate ENR Committee, introduced America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023 (AORA). Originally introduced in the 117^th Congress as the Outdoor Recreation Act, the bipartisan legislation would increase and improve outdoor recreation opportunities across the nation while improving infrastructure and driving economic growth in rural communities.

“Anyone born and raised in West Virginia knows that when it comes to the Mountain State, there is no better place to enjoy the great outdoors. From a young age I fell in love with hunting and fishing, much the same way Americans nationwide fall in love with mountain biking, hiking, trail running and all the other recreational opportunities on America’s public lands and parks. I am proud to have worked with Ranking Member Barrasso to reintroduce this legislation that will bolster outdoor recreation activities nationwide, boost rural economies and increase access to recreational opportunities for all Americans,” said Chairman Manchin. 

“Wyoming is home to some of the most incredible national parks and public lands in the country,” said Ranking Member Barrasso. “Our bipartisan bill will increase and improve outdoor recreation opportunities. It will modernize public campgrounds, establish shooting ranges on federal forests, and ensure increased access to public lands. America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will benefit everyone who enjoys the outdoors in Wyoming and across the nation.”

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act would:

• Direct the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to establish a pilot program for public-private partnership agreements to modernize campgrounds on Federal land.
• Ensure that outdoor recreation is considered by land managers alongside other uses of Federal land by directing the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to consider ways to improve recreation when developing and revising land management plans.
• Support rural communities adjacent to recreations areas by providing technical and financial assistance to local businesses, including hotels, campgrounds, and restaurants, to support visitation.
• Direct the Forest Service to issue guidance for recreational climbing in designated Wilderness Areas and requires the Forest Service and BLM to designate many new shooting ranges on National Forests and BLM land.
• Aim to modernize recreation sites by directing agencies to work with the Department of Commerce to construct broadband internet infrastructure at certain recreation sites.
• Direct the Federal land management agencies to identify opportunities to extend the period of time recreation areas on Federal land are open to the public during shoulder seasons. 

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act is supported by a broad coalition of organizations, including Access Fund, America Outdoors Association, American Canoe Association,  American Mountain Guides Association, American Prairie, American Sportfishing Association, American Whitewater, Archery Trade Association, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Delta Waterfowl, Hatfield-McCoy Trails, Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS), International Mountain Bicycling Association, KABOOM!, Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, Motorcycle Industry Council, National Association of State Park  Directors, National Forest Recreation Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Recreation and Park Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, PeopleForBikes, Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association, REI Co-op, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, RV Industry Association, Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA), The Mountaineers, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Vista Outdoors, Water Stone Outdoors, Winter Wildlands Alliance & Outdoor Alliance California,  Wyoming Office of Tourism, Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, and Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.

“Chairman Manchin’s and Ranking Member Barrasso’s Outdoor Recreation Act is critical and timely as West Virginia continues to advance its reputation as the premier outdoor destination of the eastern United States.  Water Stone Outdoors is at the epicenter of recreation traffic through the New River Gorge National Park.  The numbers of visitors and their enthusiasm for the areas vast outdoor offerings only continue to increase. The outdoor economy in West Virginia must continue to mature and this bill is an important part of that momentum.  We applaud the attention this issue is receiving from our national leadership.” said Chris and Holly Fussell, Owners of Water Stone Outdoors. 

“Wyoming is proud of the world-class outdoor recreation opportunities we have for our citizens and visitors – they improve the quality of life in our state and enhance the economy. We applaud the work being done on this federal legislation to expand and enhance outdoor recreation through increased collaboration between state, local and federal land managers,” said Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon.

“The Hatfield McCoy Trail system has been an engine for entrepreneurship in Southern West Virginia and with the introduction and hopeful passage of the Outdoor Recreation Act by Senator Manchin these entrepreneurs will get a much-needed boost from the establishment of new entrepreneur and vocational training programs, technical assistance programs, low-interest business loan programs, and loan guarantee programs. The bill recognizes the challenges faced by rural entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs primarily serving tourist destinations. Senator Manchin, with the introduction of this legislation, is again showing his commitment to help entrepreneurs, businesses and communities reach their full potential,” said  Jeffrey Lusk, Executive Director, Hatfield-McCoy Trails.

“Wyoming has endless opportunities to recreate outdoors. The added use on Wyoming’s public lands requires that we work collaboratively to educate recreationists on ways to reduce their impact, disperse them away from the busiest corners of our state, and concentrate them into landscapes that can withstand increased visitation. With increased coordination between the federal government and our state, we can leverage Wyoming’s natural resources and stunning beauty to deliver unforgettable experiences for visitors while providing lasting benefits for our communities. Senator Barrasso’s legislation will help us deliver on this mission for Wyoming and America’s recreating public who visit our great State,” said Darin J. Westby, Director, Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. 

“After building significant support for the legislation in the last Congress with lawmakers, outdoor industry leaders, and other stakeholders, we are thrilled to see Senators Manchin and Barrasso reintroduce this historic comprehensive outdoor recreation bill. This package would provide meaningful support for outdoor recreation opportunities across the country at a time when a record number of Americans are getting outdoors and benefitting from the mental and physical health benefits these spaces provide,” said Kent Ebersole, Interim Executive Director, Outdoor Industry Association. “Federal outdoor recreation legislation will have a real impact on the ability of all Americans to spend time outside, while bolstering the outdoor recreation economy and the jobs it provides to communities across the country. We applaud these forward-thinking lawmakers for their leadership and their commitment to improving access to America’s lands and waters.”

“At REI, we believe that time outside–recreating with family and friends, or on your own–is fundamental to a life well lived. We applaud Chairman Manchin, Ranking Member Barrasso, and the senators who have been diligently working on these policies for years for coming together to support making the outdoors more accessible for everyone. The America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will both strengthen our public lands and increase opportunities for all people to enjoy time in nature. Through increased resources for expansive outdoor recreation pursuits, including long-trails and urban parks in historically disinvested communities, and permit streamlining, this bill is increasing equitable access to the outdoors in a bipartisan way,” said Taldi Harrison, Head of Government Affairs, REI Co-op.

“This is a commonsense, no-cost bill that will help equalize and improve access to green spaces and wild outdoor places in every state in the country,” said Chris Perkins, Senior Director, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “We are seeing unprecedented interest in outdoor recreation, but many of the policies supporting outdoor recreation are outdated. This package will make it easier for Americans to access the outdoors and provide agencies with new tools to address long standing outdoor recreation needs. We need solutions that enhance outdoor recreation opportunities while protecting America’s public lands and waters, and AORA is an historic step to update these policies.”

“Outdoor recreation is enormously important to Americans, and Outdoor Alliance is grateful for Senator Manchin and Senator Barrasso’s reintroduction of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, which will benefit the millions of Americans who participate in outdoor recreation every year. Outdoor recreation on our public lands and waters is an important part of millions of people’s lives, and there is more we can do to protect and facilitate these experiences. Effectively managing our public lands and waters requires both conservation and sound policy guidance. America’s Outdoor Recreation Act provides improved management for climbing and mountain biking; enhances how agencies manage outdoor recreation; and invests in equity through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership and by making facilitated access experiences available to more Americans,” said Louis Geltman, Policy Director, Outdoor Alliance. 

“America’s Outdoor Recreation Act is crucial to the RV industry and the wider outdoor recreation industry. It remains a significant factor in making sustainable improvements to our nation’s campgrounds and improving the experiences of current and future RVers,” said Craig Kirby, President & CEO of the RV Industry Association. “In addition, the Act provides greater access to the health benefits offered by the great outdoors and offers an economic boost to both the local and national economies. We would also like to thank Senator Manchin and Senator Barrasso for their steadfast leadership. Our government affairs team will be continuing to advocate in support of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, and we call on Congress for its swift passage.”

“America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will bolster outdoor recreation access and opportunities for the millions of Americans who continue to discover the benefits of the great outdoors and time spent on our nation’s lands and waters,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, President and CEO of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). “We thank Senators Manchin and Barrasso for their bipartisan leadership in re-introducing this critical bill and urge Congress to swiftly consider and pass the bill in the weeks to come.”

“By giving outfitters and public land agencies new tools and resources to improve access and the permitting process, we can all focus on what’s really important: building people’s connections with our greatest resource, the shared American landscape. America’s Outdoor Recreation Act bolsters the outdoor recreation economy and opens the doors for outfitters new and old to provide ample and affordable guided opportunities to folks from all walks of life,” said Aaron Bannon, Executive Director, America Outdoors Association.

“Outdated regulations in the outfitter-guide permitting system have made it time consuming, unpredictable, and unnecessarily difficult for guide services and outdoor organizations to provide guided climbing and skiing experiences on public lands,” said Alex Kosseff, Executive Director of the American Mountain Guides Association. “The America’s Outdoor Recreation Act includes provisions that will remove old roadblocks in the permitting system and enable more Americans to experience the joy of rock climbing, mountaineering, and backcountry skiing in forests and parks across the country. The American Mountain Guides Association applauds Senators Manchin and Barrasso for introducing this landmark legislation.”

“IMBA is grateful for Senator Manchin and Senator Barrasso’s work to introduce America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, which offers a tremendous opportunity to expand access for mountain biking, for trails, and for recreation in communities across the country. IMBA and our partners will continue working to pass America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, and continue engaging mountain bike advocates to join us,” said David Wiens, Executive Director, International Mountain Bicycling Association.

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) thanks Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC) Co-Chair Sen. Manchin and CSC Member Sen. Barrasso for reintroducing the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. This legislation is the result of bipartisan, consensus-building efforts to support and enhance recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, and recreational target shooting,” said CSF President and CEO Jeff Crane. “Sportsmen and women appreciate the commitment by the Chairman and Ranking Member to increase access, streamline recreational permitting processes, and other efforts to bolster our sporting heritage.”

“Many of the highest quality river recreation opportunities exist on our shared public lands and we know local communities see huge economic, as well as quality of life benefits related to these important watersheds. We’re excited to see America’s Outdoor Recreation Act reintroduced in Congress because it will create a standardized system for measuring and sharing these benefits across all public lands and will work to improve sustainable, high-quality river running experiences through expanded protections, better infrastructure, and a focus on equitable access,” said Thomas O’Keefe, Director, Pacific Northwest Stewardship, American Whitewater.

“More than half of America’s climbing areas are on federal land, and we need common-sense and consistent federal policy that supports sustainable recreation and conserves public lands. Access Fund thanks Senators Barrasso and Manchin for spearheading the bipartisan America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. We look forward to continuing our work on the bill that supports climbers, climbing history, gateway communities, and rural economies across the country,” said Chris Winter, Executive Director, Access Fund.

“Vista Outdoor and its brands congratulate the Senate leaders on introduction of this bipartisan legislation. America’s Outdoor Recreation Act policies will enable long overdue permit streamlining, update outdoor recreation infrastructure, improve long-range mountain bike trails and increase access to green spaces in shooting ranges. All of these policies have strong bipartisan support and are commonsense solutions to maintain and enrich the places we love most,” said Fred Ferguson, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Vista Outdoor.

“The National Shooting Sports Foundation commends Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Sen. Joe Manchin and Ranking Member Sen. John Barrasso for introducing this vitally important outdoor recreation package. In particular, NSSF appreciates the bipartisan measures included in this legislation that would require the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to ensure that both agencies have at least one qualifying recreational shooting range in each National Forest and BLM district. Recreational shooting is tied to approximately 85 percent of the Pittman-Robertson excises taxes currently being paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, making it a major driving contributor to wildlife conservation. This legislation would ensure that recreational marksmanship can be practiced in accessible and safe environments while also benefiting conservation,” said Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, National Shooting Sports Foundation.

“Outdoor recreation is vitally important to boosting the health of all people, and access to public lands and trails is crucial for the millions of ATV, dirt bike, and side-by-side riders and drivers,” said Erik Pritchard, President and CEO of the Motorcycle Industry Council, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America. “The $50 billion powersports industry applauds Congress for reintroducing America’s Outdoor Recreation Act, which would help create additional opportunities for motorized access to federal recreational lands, improve recreation infrastructure, support local communities, and bolster the nation’s economy. We thank Senators Manchin and Barrasso for championing this legislation and urge swift bipartisan action to pass this act.”

“Delta Waterfowl is pleased to support the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2022. When enacted, this important legislation will have numerous direct and indirect benefits to waterfowl and waterfowl hunters,” said John Devney, Chief Policy Officer, Delta Waterfowl.

“KABOOM! supports the bipartisan efforts being made to ensure that every community has access to quality parks and playspaces. By placing racial and economic equity at the core of this legislation, Black, brown, and Indigenous children and families, will be able to experience the benefits of the resources they should have had all along. Building a different future where all kids have a safe, joyful place to play is as important as tackling other disparities in housing, education, and healthcare. Codifying the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program within the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will provide the valuable infrastructure investments under-resourced communities need and help advance racial and economic equity by providing access to quality outdoor recreation in different types of communities across the nation,” said Lysa Ratliff, CEO, KABOOM!.

“Time and time again outdoor recreation can bridge party lines and unify members of Congress who understand the value these pastimes hold for communities and individuals nationwide,” said Matt Gruhn, President of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas. “I hope that with the reintroduction of this historic outdoor recreation package we can continue to showcase that outdoor recreation continues to be a bipartisan policy priority in the 118th Congress.”

“The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is proud to support the “America’s Outdoor Recreation Act of 2023)” – legislation critical for advancing outdoor recreation opportunities across the country. NRPA is pleased to see the inclusion of the bipartisan, bicameral Outdoors for All Act, which will open eligibility for funding to additional communities and provide access to parks for all – particularly in urban areas. Our research shows that nearly nine in 10 people agree that it is important for local, state and federal governments to fund local park and recreation agencies sufficiently in order to ensure every member of the community benefits from this essential infrastructure and programming. We support the outdoor recreation package, and urge robust, bipartisan support from lawmakers in Congress,” said Elvis Cordova, Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, and Kristine Stratton, President and CEO of NRPA.

“America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will make biking and mountain biking experiences on our public lands more accessible, sustainable, and enjoyable for all. Provisions like SOAR and BOLT will help meet the growing demand for bicycling as a low-cost, zero-emission, tourism-driving activity,” said PeopleForBikes President and CEO Jenn Dice. “This package proves that bike policy brings both sides of the aisle together to grow infrastructure and access. We look forward to working with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on advancing this first-of-its-kind bipartisan investment in the future of recreation.”

“America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will make our public lands more accessible to all Americans by modernizing agency rules and processes and enhancing recreation infrastructure across the country. This bipartisan bill reflects the importance of these shared spaces to outdoor recreation,” said Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Hunters and anglers thank leadership and members of both parties in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee for moving this legislation forward.”

“The members of the Wyoming Outfitter and Guides Association support and urge passage of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. Wyoming’s outdoor recreation industries are a huge part of our state’s economy and WYOGA whole heartedly supports the act,” said the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association in a statement.

“Wyoming welcomes more than seven million visitors per year to experience the high quality outdoor recreation offered through our public lands. We support this legislation as it continues to promote accessibility and destination development throughout Wyoming,” said Diane Shober, Executive Director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism.

“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation works to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat, and our hunting heritage. Federal lands are an important resource for outdoor recreation, including hunting and target shooting, but an array of red tape and fees can limit people’s recreational opportunities and access. America’s Outdoor Recreation Act brings common-sense solutions to the regulatory and informational barriers that many of our members have experienced. These include establishing shooting ranges so hunters have safe places to practice, identifying where and when vehicles can be used on forest roads, utilizing all the parts of animals taken from cull hunts within parks, allowing hunters to document and share their experiences on video, and streamlining outfitting and guiding permits. Passage of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will be a benefit for all outdoors enthusiasts,” said Blake Henning, Chief Conservation Officer, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

“As outdoor recreation grows in popularity, we need more tools to get people outside safely and responsibly. The America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will streamline the federal recreational permitting process to enable more people to experience the outdoors through organized group experiences facilitated by outdoor leaders and educators. The Mountaineers is grateful to Senator Manchin and Senator Barrasso for their leadership to help connect more people with their public lands and waters,” said Tom Vogl, CEO, The Mountaineers. 

“Access to urban waterways can be challenging. Creating park space in existing urban areas has the potential to provide waterways access for groups of people that might not have any existing options. Increasing access to paddling opportunities is a great thing for paddlers across the country. Establishing a dedicated source of funding for the Outdoor Legacy Partnership Program will help accomplish this goal by expanding park and open space infrastructure in places that are closest to 80% of the American population,” said the American Canoe Association.

“SEMA thanks Senators Manchin and Barrasso for reintroducing the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act This bipartisan bill would streamline the process and expenses associated with obtaining special recreation permits, require federal land management agencies to increase opportunities for motorized and non-motorized access on public lands, and direct the BLM and Forest Service to make maps available to the public depicting where vehicles are allowed to recreate,” said Karen Bailey-Chapman, Senior Vice President of Public and Government Affairs, Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).

“America’s Outdoor Recreation Act is bipartisan legislation that will help ensure that Americans continue to enjoy the benefits of recreating outdoors for generations to come,” said Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association President Phil Ingrassia. “The act will improve and modernize recreation infrastructure on public lands to support everyone who enjoys the great outdoors, including the growing number of RV travelers.” 

“Recreation in our great natural spaces is invaluable to our physical and mental health and spiritual well being,” National Wild Turkey Federation Co-CEO Jason Burckhalter said. “Like our members and me, millions venture into national forests, grasslands and public waterways for ethically harvested, organic protein through hunting and fishing. The American Outdoor Recreation Act opens opportunities and provides infrastructure to support these and other recreational users and is vital to ensuring access to people of all walks of life who want to enjoy what nature has to offer.” 

“The Archery Trade Association is thankful for the many champions in Congress serving to reintroduce and support this important legislation” said Dan Forster, Vice President & Chief Conservation Officer of the Archery Trade Association. “The America’s Outdoor Recreation Act will help ensure that our federal public lands are accessible, well managed, and continue to provide a critically important foundation for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.”

“American Prairie is glad to see the introduction of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. Outdoor recreation generates over 4% of Montana’s GDP, second in the nation only to Hawaii. We support the bill’s provisions to fund rural economic development in gateway communities and enhance public access to public land,” said Mike Quist Kautz, Director of Public Access at American Prairie.

“Sportsmen and women across the nation applaud Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso for the introduction of America’s Outdoor Recreation Act,” said Kaden McArthur, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Government Relations Manager. “This comprehensive legislation includes several longstanding priorities that will make public lands and waters more accessible, improving opportunities for hunters and anglers to enjoy our outdoor traditions.”

“There has never been a more opportune and urgent time to invest in the great outdoors. The leaders of America’s State Parks are keenly aware of the substantial increases in demand and visitation to parks and the associated management challenges. There are now more than 800 million visitors annually to state parks. The America’s Outdoor Recreation Act codifies reasonable enhancements in the availability, accessibility, and efficiencies in the management of the public lands. The Act will provide for improvements in the quality of outdoor recreation, natural resource conservation, infrastructure modernizations, economic benefits, and the public health improvements associated with spending more time in nature and physical activity,” said Lewis Ledford, Executive Director, National Association of State Park Directors.

“The sportfishing industry thanks Chairman Manchin and Ranking Member Barrasso for reintroducing this incredibly important legislation for America’s outdoor recreation community,” said Glenn Hughes, President of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). “The America’s Outdoor Recreation Act is a comprehensive set of provisions to ensure our public lands are well managed and conserved to benefit the outdoor recreation economy and all those who love the outdoors.”

“The National Forest Recreation Association extends its sincere appreciation to Chairman Manchin, Ranking Member Barasso and the other senators who have been champions of the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act,” said Marily Reese, Executive Director of NFRA. “The AORA recognizes the importance of having and maintaining the infrastructure and facilities needed for quality outdoor recreation experiences to both the health and well-being of the recreating public as well as the rural economies which rely on a robust outdoor recreation economy. NFRA is hopeful Congress can pass the AORA for the benefit of the American public.”

“We are excited to see the introduction of legislation that recognizes the need to improve recreation management and equitable access on public lands in all seasons. Among other things, we are encouraged to see language that would prioritize completion of meaningful travel planning in order to minimize resource impacts and use conflicts in winter, followed by the long overdue publication of practical winter use maps for the recreating public” said David Page, Executive Director, Winter Wildlands Alliance & Outdoor Alliance California.

“We appreciate the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advancing the America’s Outdoor Recreation Act. This legislation includes an important provision that allows agencies to leverage data science, analytics, and operations research to help approach complex issues related to visitation on public lands. These important tools can ensure the agencies are better able transform data into information, and information into insights that lead to more efficient, effective, equitable, and impactful results. We appreciate Senator Manchin and Senator Barrasso including data science, analytics, and operations research within this important outdoor recreation legislation,” said Jeff Cohen, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).

Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Bob Menendez

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) announced today that Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton will serve as the keynote speaker at his 12^th Annual Evangelina Menendez Women’s History Month Celebration to be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023 at Montclair State University. 

Created in tribute to the Senator’s late mother, who came to the United States from Cuba to give her children a better life, the Evangelina Menendez Trailblazer Awards honor outstanding New Jersey women who have made achievements in government, industry, education, science, the arts, and many other fields. Evangelina Menendez passed away in 2009 after a long, courageous fight with Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s my honor to welcome Secretary Clinton to New Jersey to be the keynote speaker at my 12^th annual Women’s History Month Celebration,” said Sen. Menendez. “Her gracious service to our country has left an enormous legacy and has made her an iconic trailblazer who has paved the way for millions of American women for the generations to come.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton served as the 67th United States secretary of state under president Barack Obama from 2009 to 2013, as a United States senator representing New York from 2001 to 2009, and as the first lady of the United States from 1993-2000. In 2016, Clinton was the first woman in the nation’s history to win a major party’s nomination for president and went on to earn 66 million votes.

Past keynote speakers have included U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, and New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy.  Past honorees include Judith Persichilli, Commissioner for the NJ Department of Health Commissioner; Roslyn Y. Rogers Collins, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan New Jersey; New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz; and Captain Jean O’Brien, Commanding Officer, U.S. Navy.

This year’s event, which is free and open to the public, will feature awards to New Jersey women including Debbie Walsh, Amanda Devecka-Rinear, Lourdes Cortez, and Christine Girtain, and will include vocal and dance performances from local women’s groups. Members of the public wishing to attend the event should RSVP at: https://www.menendez.senate.gov/whm2023

The event is open to members of the press. If interested in covering the event, please RSVP using this form.