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Wyden, Colleagues Applaud Rule Change to Increase Transparency and Access to Capital for Small Businesses

Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

June 02, 2023

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today with colleagues praised the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) for implementing changes to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to bring transparency to small business lending, combat unlawful discrimination, and provide increased access to fair capital.

“The final rule issued by the CFPB is a significant step forward in promoting fair lending practices and dismantling barriers that hinder entrepreneurs, especially those from underserved communities,” the senators wrote in a letter to CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. “By collecting and reporting data on small business credit applications, this rule will shed light on the challenges faced by women, minority, and other entrepreneurs in accessing capital.”

Highlighting the findings of the Federal Reserve Board, the senators underlined the disparities faced by minority- and women-owned small businesses when applying for credit. The findings show that women-owned businesses were more likely to receive no funding than receive a partial or full loan. Additionally, white-owned applicant firms were over twice as likely to receive all the financing they sought compared to Black, Asian, and Hispanic-owned firms.

“Entrepreneurs from underserved communities often face steep obstacles in accessing capital, including outright discrimination…This gap in startup capital puts minority- and women-owned small businesses at a severe disadvantage and increases their reliance on credit. At the same time, research has also documented how minority-, women-, and LGBTQ+-owned businesses are more likely to be denied loans and can pay steeper interest rates,” the senators continued.

The senators further emphasized the role of credit in small business financing, underscoring that small businesses depend on lending from financial firms to raise capital. When small business entrepreneurs face obstacles in accessing credit, they may struggle to operate or expand their businesses, especially in rural markets where the declining number of banks limits their ability to secure financing.

“The success of our economy depends on the vitality and prosperity of small businesses. We commend the CFPB for finalizing this long overdue rulemaking to fulfill a statutory mandate from Dodd-Frank and look forward to the additional transparency and increased access to fair credit this rule will bring to small business lending,” the senators concluded.

Along with Wyden, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

The letter to the CFPB can be found here.

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Feinstein, Padilla Support National Gun Violence Awareness Month Resolution

Source: United States Senator for California – Dianne Feinstein

Washington—Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) yesterday joined with Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth (both D-Ill.) and 18 senators to introduce a resolution in support of June 2, 2023, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2023 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month.”

“Each year, more than 43,000 people are killed and 76,000 are injured by gun violence in the United States,” said Senator Feinstein. “That’s thousands of lives lost and families torn apart because it’s far too easy for dangerous individuals to get a hold of deadly weapons. Our resolution will raise awareness of this epidemic of gun violence and inspire more Americans to speak out in support of commonsense solutions to end it.”

“As a father to three boys, it’s horrifying that the leading cause of death for children in America is gun violence,” said Senator Padilla. “Our resolution highlights the need for Congress to recognize the severe impacts of gun violence and work towards solutions to make all our communities safer.”

In addition to Senators Feinstein, Padilla, Durbin and Duckworth, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.).

Representative Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives with more than 100 cosponsors.

Full text of the resolution is available here and below:

Expressing support for the designation of June 2, 2023, as “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and June 2023 as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”.

Whereas, each year in the United States, more than—

(1)   43,000 individuals are killed and 76,000 individuals are wounded by gunfire;

(2)   17,000 individuals are killed in homicides involving guns;

(3)   25,000 individuals die by suicide using a gun; and

(4)   500 individuals are killed in unintentional shootings;

Whereas, since 1968, more individuals have died from guns in the United States than have died on the battlefields of all the wars in the history of the United States;

Whereas 2022 was an especially deadly year for the United States, with an estimated 20,100 people killed in homicides involving guns or nonsuicide-related shootings;

Whereas, in 2022, unintentional shootings by children surpassed 350 incidents for the third year in a row, resulting in nearly 140 deaths annually;

Whereas, by one count, in 2022 in the United States, there were 646 mass-shooting incidents in which not fewer than 4 people were killed or wounded by gunfire;

Whereas, from 2010 to 2021 in the United States, 65,000 military veterans died by suicide, the overwhelming majority of such deaths being the result of a firearm;

Whereas, every year in the United States, nearly 4,000 children and teens are killed by gun violence and 15,000 children and teens are shot and wounded;

Whereas approximately 9,300 individuals in the United States under 25 years of age die because of gun violence annually, including Hadiya Pendleton, who, in 2013, was killed at 15 years of age in Chicago, Illinois, while standing in a park;

Whereas, on June 2, 2023, to recognize the 26th birthday of Hadiya Pendleton (born June 2, 1997), people across the United States will recognize “National Gun Violence Awareness Day” and wear orange in tribute to—

(1)   Hadiya Pendleton and other victims of gun violence; and

(2)   the loved ones of those victims; and

Whereas June 2023 is an appropriate month to designate as “National Gun Violence Awareness Month”: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1)   supports—

(A) the designation of “National Gun Violence Awareness Month” and the goals and ideals of that month; and

(B)  the designation of “National Gun Violence Awareness Day”, in remembrance of the victims of gun violence; and

(2)   calls on the people of the United States to—

(A) promote greater awareness of gun violence and gun safety;

(B)  wear orange, the color that hunters wear to show that they are not targets, on “National Gun Violence Awareness Day”;

(C)  concentrate heightened attention on gun violence during the summer months, when gun violence typically increases; and

(D) bring community members and leaders together to discuss ways to make communities safer.

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Lankford Pushes to Nullify Transformer Rule that Will Lead to Shortages, Put National Security in Jeapardy, and Weaken Supply Chains

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

06.02.23

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK —Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and 45 of their colleagues in a letter to Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm, raising their concern about a proposed rule by the DOE that increases efficiency standards on distribution transformers—critical grid products—at a time when the availability of essential grid components remains a significant challenge for the electric power industry, and while the industry is struggling due to a substantial increase in demand, supply chain issues, and skilled workforce shortage.

The proposed rule requires a shift from the industry standard grain oriented electrical steel (GOES) cores to amorphous steel cores, which would exasperate the supply chain shortage as manufacturers would need to adjust their production lines. The current domestic supply of amorphous steel is limited, and scaling up production to accommodate the entire distribution transformer market would cause further delays in manufacturing timelines. Average lead times to procure distribution transformers have already increased significantly, impacting grid modernization and reliability efforts.

“Currently, the United States only has one domestic producer of amorphous steel. Moving to amorphous steel cores, as proposed by DOE, would require this sole domestic supplier to rapidly scale operations from its current market share of less than five percent to accommodate the entire distribution transformer market. Such a recalibration of the supply chain will further delay manufacturing production timelines – currently estimated to be a minimum of 18 months to two years,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators acknowledged the actions that this and previous administrations have already taken in recognition of the challenges associated with distribution transformer supply chains but warned that this proposed rule would negate these advancements.

A full copy of the letter can be found HERE and below:

Dear Secretary Granholm:

We write to you regarding the US Department of Energy’s (DOE or the Department) Proposed Rulemaking: Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Distribution Transformers (Proposed Rule). The availability of critical grid components remains a significant challenge for the electric power industry that could impact national security, grid reliability and resilience, as well as the ability to continue the important work of electrification and grid modernization.

The Proposed Rule increases efficiency standards on distribution transformers, critical grid products, which currently are no less than 97.7 percent energy efficient, at a time when the industry is struggling due to a significant increase in demand, supply chain issues, and skilled workforce shortage. These factors have made it hard for manufacturers to meet current demand for distribution transformers, creating challenging lead time conditions and concerns regarding grid reliability and resiliency. Further, the proposed rule has introduced uncertainty that prevents utilities from signing long-term contracts and manufacturers from making investment decisions. 

The Proposed Rule would require all distribution transformers to shift from the industry standard grain oriented electrical steel (GOES) cores to amorphous steel cores. GOES currently accounts for more than 95 percent of the domestic distribution transformer market and, therefore, manufacturers’ production lines are tooled for designs that use GOES. A final rule that adopts DOE’s current proposal could meaningfully worsen the current supply chain shortage by requiring manufacturers to change production lines to less readily available amorphous steel.

Currently, the United States only has one domestic producer of amorphous steel. Moving to amorphous steel cores, as proposed by DOE, would require this sole domestic supplier to rapidly scale operations from its current market share of less than five percent to accommodate the entire distribution transformer market. Such a recalibration of the supply chain will further delay manufacturing production timelines – currently estimated to be a minimum of 18 months to two years.

Between 2020 and 2022, average lead times to procure distribution transformers went from eight to 12 weeks to up to three years. This multi-fold increase is directly impacting the electric power industry’s grid modernization and reliability efforts, as well as its ability to respond and recover from natural disasters, posing challenges for communities that need to rebuild as well as new development.

We appreciate the actions that this and previous administrations have already taken in recognition of the challenges associated with distribution transformer supply chains, including the 2022 designation of GOES on the US government’s list of “critical goods and materials” and the invocation in the same year of the Defense Production Act to accelerate the production of  “critical power grid infrastructure like transformers.”

However, by phasing out the primary market for US-produced GOES, the Proposed Rule could jeopardize this progress, putting everyday American families at risk. Further, we are concerned that requiring the use of amorphous steel for new distribution transformers could put the administration’s electrification goals at risk by exacerbating an existing grid vulnerability.

At the same time, we recognize the numerous and often underappreciated benefits of energy efficiency and support the overall goal of reducing wasteful electrical losses in our distribution grid.  We believe the most prudent course of action is to let both GOES and amorphous steel cores coexist in the market, as they do today without government mandates, for new installations as we ramp up domestic production and reorient supply chains.

We urge the Department to refrain from promulgating a final rule that will exacerbate transformer shortages at this strategically inopportune time. Such a standard could come at meaningful cost to grid reliability and national security, continuing the clean energy transition, and bolstering domestic supply chains and the workforce. Instead, we urge the Department to finalize a rule that does not exacerbate the shortage in distribution transformers and convene stakeholders across the supply chain to develop consensus based approach to setting new standards.

We request a briefing with your office on the path forward on DOE’s proposal, as well as how to best leverage existing DOE authority to bolster domestic supply chains and help alleviate the current and persisting supply chain challenges facing distribution transformers. We are committed to working with you to identify short and long-term solutions to the supply chain shortage of these critical grid components with a goal of building a robust domestic market and a more efficient and reliable grid for decades to come.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

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International Trade Commission to Track Organic Tart Cherry Juice Imports at Urging of Senators Stabenow and Peters

Source: United States Senator for Michigan Debbie Stabenow 2

Friday, June 02, 2023

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) today announced that the U.S. International Trade Commission will begin tracking foreign imports of certified organic and conventionally produced tart cherry juice and tart cherry juice concentrate, and all other varieties of cherry juice, in order to more accurately measure the impact of trade on Michigan’s tart cherry industry. 

 

In March, Senators Stabenow and Peters urged the Commission to track this information in the wake of unfair and rising import competition of tart cherry juice harming Michigan producers. Michigan grows more than 75% of the nation’s tart cherries with an annual crop valued at $280 million, supporting hundreds of processing and retail jobs and a vibrant tourism industry in Northwest Michigan. 

 

Stabenow said: “Michigan’s world-famous tart cherries are a central piece of our ag economy. But this industry cannot continue to flourish in the face of unfair and unaccountable competition from foreign producers. Today’s announcement is a welcome step toward ensuring an even playing field for our Michigan growers.” 

 

Peters said: “For years, Michigan cherry growers have been harmed by unfair trade practices that threaten their livelihoods and hurt workers. They deserve a level playing field. After pushing for this needed change, I’m pleased the ITC will now collect all available information on these imports so that our growers have a fair shot at competing on the world stage.”

  

President and Managing Director of the Cherry Marketing Institute Julie Gordon said: “The new categories for tracking imported cherry juice/concentrate are very important for the U.S. tart cherry industry. The new reporting will provide us specific information that was not previously available and will help us develop strategies for dealing with the influx of imports. We are grateful that the 484(f) Committee granted our request for the new codes and for the continued support from Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters.”

 

In 2020, Senators Stabenow and Peters similarly urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to collect statistical information on dried cherry imports after Turkish exporters continued to dump low-quality dried cherries into U.S. markets, creating a trade imbalance that hurt Michigan growers. The Senators’ request was approved and went into effect in July 2020.

 

As the Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Senator Stabenow has long been an advocate for specialty crops like Michigan’s tart cherries and has repeatedly pressed to improve trade policies. This includes authoring a new provision in the bipartisan 2018 Farm Bill that ensures imports have to meet the same standards as domestic products.

  

A link to the March letter can be found here. 

 

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Sullivan, Romney, Manchin, King Introduce Legislation to Expose China’s Defense Spending

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

06.02.23

Legislation requires public accounting of defense spending of People’s Republic of China

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Mitt Romney (R-Utah), along with SASC members Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), and Angus King (I-Maine), introduced the China Defense Spending Transparency Act, bipartisan legislation requiring the Defense Intelligence Agency to publish a comprehensive report exposing the true extent of China’s defense-industrial build up.

The report must take into account the military-civil fusion present in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and will provide policymakers and the American public a clearer understanding of the real value of Chinese military expenditures. Official reports and statistics coming out of China about their own defense spending cannot be taken at face value, and the lack of an accurate accounting leads to these misleading figures being cited and reported—ultimately distorting the public debate about our own defense spending.

“Given the CCP’s repeated history of deception on almost everything, it should come as no surprise that they are distorting the numbers regarding their own defense spending,” said Senator Sullivan. “Our Defense Department needs to report to the American people the true scope of China’s massive military build-up, which is clearly aimed at threatening America’s interests far beyond China’s own shores and borders. We need to ensure the United States military is maintaining its ability to respond to and deter any threats to American national security, particularly from this aggressive despotic regime.”

“The Chinese Communist Party is undertaking a rapid and strategic military buildup in its quest to become the world’s superpower,” said Senator Romney. “We cannot for one second trust CCP pronouncements regarding its defense spending—or allow this misleading information to influence U.S. policymaking. It’s critical for our national security that we accurately understand the PRC’s military investmentsas we make decisions regarding investments in support of our own defense capabilities.”

“For America to win against the People’s Republic of China and their growing military threats, we must publicly refute their dishonest defense budget and demonstrate how much they are actually spending in comparison to the United States,” said Senator Manchin. “I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation that will create an accurate and transparent report of the PRC’s defense budget so we can make better decisions about how to invest in our defense capabilities. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this commonsense proposal to strengthen our response to the PRC and protect American interests.”

“The Chinese Communist Party has consistently demonstrated its desire to challenge the balance of global policymaking and undermine a rules-based international order,” Senator King said. “The first step in addressing any potential threat—this one included—is to get a clear understanding of the facts. This report will help Congress and defense officials better quantify and understand the true expanse of China’s military—using our own intelligence and information gathering to guide America’s critical national security decisions rather than take China’s word for their intent. The China Defense Spending Transparency Act is bipartisan, commonsense legislation to ensure that the United States can have clear eyes in deterring and preparing for any potential conflicts. I thank Senators Romney, Manchin and Sullivan for their leadership on this issue and urge our Senate colleagues to pass this bill swiftly.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

Background:

General Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee asserted: “At an unclassified level I would tell you that, combined, the Russian and Chinese budgets exceed our budgets, if all the cards are put on the table. Both governments do not put all their cards on the table when it comes to their budget. It is a very difficult thing to discern, that which is being spent on their defense versus other priorities. With respect to China, they have put significant levels of effort…significant levels of resources into building the Chinese military. And the Chinese military, as we have noted many times before, is on a significant increasing rise in capability over the last 20 or 30 years, and they continue to invest heavily in that.”

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Sens. Moran, Cantwell Introduce Legislation to Support Aviation Safety & Accessibility

Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) – members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation – introduced legislation to invest new federal resources into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Center of Excellence (CoE) formed by Wichita State University and the University of Washington.

The Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and Safety Act broadens the scope of research conducted at the Centers of Excellence to include testing for accessible air travel for people with disabilities, including in-cabin wheelchair users and passengers with mobility challenges, as well as increases federal resources for the consortium to accommodate additional research capabilities. The bill also strengthens the centers’ research into advanced aerospace technologies such as carbon fiber polymers, thermoplastic composites and additive manufacturing. This research supports innovative future commercial aircraft designs.

“Our universities are necessary partners and pivotal contributors to aviation safety research,” said Sen. Moran, Ranking Member of the Commerce Aviation Subcommittee. “As the aviation industry continues to evolve, this legislation will help make certain the Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials can continue identifying solutions for advanced structures and materials issues, while meeting the demands of a changing ecosystem to ensure that any passenger who chooses to fly can do so and in a safe manner. I am pleased this legislation will continue to support and invest in the important research conducted at Wichita State University in the Air Capital of the World.”

“Continuing the mission of FAA’s Joint Centers of Excellence for Advanced Materials is critical to advancing U.S. leadership in advanced materials and composites that will make planes lighter, safer, and more fuel-efficient. Extending the Centers’ research to advance the safe use of wheelchair restraint systems and personal wheelchairs in flight is key to improving the passenger experience for individuals with disabilities,” said Sen. Cantwell, Chair of the Commerce Committee. “With this bill, Senator Moran and I will continue investing in collaborative research between the University of Washington and Wichita State University to make air travel safer and more accessible for all passengers.”

“As the aerospace industry continues to advance, the need for high-performance materials is more critical than ever and Wichita State University strongly supports the continuation of the FAA Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials,” said John Tomblin, WSU senior V.P. for Industry and Defense Programs and director of the Center of Excellence for Composites and Advanced Materials (CECAM). “At the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), we recognize the importance of investing in the development and testing of advanced materials to ensure the safety and sustainability of all aircraft and passengers. That’s why we proudly support the FAA Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and its critical role in identifying, adopting, and testing the next generation of advanced materials. We’re also proud to support the expansion of this center and the Aviation Safety Act and its goals, such as identifying cost-efficient options for wheelchair space on commercial aircraft while ensuring safety for all passengers. We at NIAR, and the South-Central Kansas region, applaud Senator Moran for his efforts and continued support to ensure the safety and accessibility of our skies and for being an advocate for our economy by promoting research and workforce development in advanced materials for aerospace and the expanded focus on accessibility to travel for individuals with disabilities.”

“At the University of Washington, we pride ourselves in leading transformative research in partnership with industry leaders to make new and safe applications of advanced materials and composites possible,” said Dr. Marco Salviato, Associate Professor in the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics (A&A) and Director of the Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials in Transport Aircraft Structures (AMTAS) at the University of Washington. “We welcome the opportunity to advance our work with our JAMS COE partners to research aircraft accessibility for all passengers using AMTAS expertise in computational crashworthiness modeling and CECAM’s state-of-the-art crash test facilities. We thank Senator Cantwell and Senator Moran for their continued support of the Joint Centers of Excellence for Advanced Materials and appreciate Senator Cantwell’s ongoing work to ensure Washington state continues to be a leader in aerospace research and innovation for years to come.”

“All Wheels Up is very encouraged by the progress being made through the great support and leadership of Senator Cantwell and Senator Moran to achieve safe, accessible air travel for all,” said Michele Erwin, Founder and President of All Wheels Up. “The Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials and Safety Act is an important and vital step towards making air travel truly accessible. Expanding the scope of the FAA Joint Centers of Excellence for Advanced Materials to include further research in aircraft accessibility and wheelchair restraint systems, among other areas which would enable individuals to use their personal wheelchairs in flight, is a significant milestone for our vision of accessible air travel where passengers remain safely in their personal wheelchairs when flying on commercial airplanes. We unequivocally support this Act and appreciate the work of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations, and Innovation to propel accessible air travel forward and inevitably achieve a shared goal – a wheelchair spot on airplanes that provides passengers a dignified, equitable and safe travel experience.”

Bill text can be found HERE.

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Rubio-Led Resolution to Raise Awareness of Pediatric Cancers Passes Senate

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Brain tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death among children in our nation. Unfortunately, diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is the leading cause of pediatric brain cancer deaths in this age group. The median amount of time that a child survives their diagnosis is 11 months and there has been little to no change in prognosis for children diagnosed in the past 50 years.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) led a bipartisan resolution designating May 17, 2023 as “DIPG Pediatric Brain Cancer Awareness Day” to raise awareness of, and encourage research on DIPG tumors and pediatric cancer. 

  • “The Senate encourages all individuals in the United States to become more informed about diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma tumors, pediatric brain cancer in general, and challenges related to research on pediatric cancer and ways to advance that research.”

Joining Rubio were Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Mike Braun (R-IN), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bob Casey (D-PA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS).

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Rubio Requests Capitol Police Disband Chinese Drones

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

The U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) currently uses several drones made by Autel Robotics, a Chinese drone manufacturer. By using these drones, USCP is directly undermining bipartisan federal efforts to combat the widespread use of Chinese drones in various aspects of American life, including within state and local law enforcement. 

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to USCP Chief J. Thomas Manger demanding that the USCP immediately stop using Chinese drones for any and all USCP activities due to their significant national security risk. 

  • “In light of this revelation, I write to demand that USCP immediately stop using these drones, as well as all other Chinese drones, for any and all activities by USCP personnel.

  • “As such, I request that you immediately disband all of USCP’s drones manufactured or produced by Autel Robotics, as well as any other drones manufactured or produced from China, and replace them with drones that do not pose a national security risk.”

The full text of the letter is below.  

Dear Chief Manger:

It was recently revealed that the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) is actively using several drones made by Autel Robotics, a Chinese drone manufacturer whose parent company is the Chinese-based Autel Intelligent Technology, for USCP training activities. In light of this revelation, I write to demand that USCP immediately stop using these drones, as well as all other Chinese drones, for any and all activities by USCP personnel.

As you may know, Chinese drones, including those from Autel Robotics, pose a serious national security threat to the United States, and while this threat persists, Congress continues to approach the issue in a bipartisan manner. However, by using drones from Autel Robotics, USCP is actively undercutting ongoing bipartisan federal efforts to combat the widespread use of Chinese drones in other sectors of American life, including state and local law enforcement. 

As such, Irequest that you immediately disband all of USCP’s drones manufactured or produced by Autel Robotics, as well as any other drones manufactured or produced from China, and replace them with drones that do not pose a national security risk. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.  

Sincerely,

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Lankford, Senate Intel Republicans Demand Answers from Intelligence Community on Biden Laptop Letter

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

06.02.23

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – On October 19, 2020, 51 former intelligence officials signed an open letter concluding a New York Post article relating to then-candidate Joe Biden’s son had “all the classic earmarks” of Russian disinformation. The letter was used by the press to ignore the story and by social media companies to censor content related to the story. Even the US government used the letter to justify taking certain actions. The Post story has since proven to be accurate. 

Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) and committee colleagues to send a letter to the Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines demanding answers regarding the relationship those 51 officials had at the time with the US Intelligence Community and whether the Office of the Director of National Intelligence or the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) conducted an investigation into whether former CIA Acting Director Mike Morrell, or other employees, abused their titles to advance a partisan political effort.

Joining Lankford and Rubio in sending the letter were Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Tom Cotton (R-AR), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Jerry Moran (R-KS), all members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. 

“Former intelligence officials have flexibility in post-employment opportunities and maintain First Amendment protections afforded to all Americans on expressing political views. We believe, however, that this partisan effort crossed the line of politicizing the Intelligence Community as a whole as these former officials abused their influence within the Intelligence Community to achieve a partisan political outcome. Politicization of intelligence is wrong, dangerous, and threatens the public’s faith in institutions that should never be used to attempt to influence the democratic process,” wrote the Senators.

Read the full text of the letter HERE and below:

Dear Director Haines:

Less than four weeks prior to the 2020 Election Day, the New York Post published an article detailing how Hunter Biden used his relationship and influence with his father for personal financial gain. Specifically, the New York Post detailed how Hunter Biden allegedly introduced then-Vice President Biden to a top executive at a Ukrainian energy firm based on emails found on an abandoned laptop previously belonging to Hunter Biden. Five days later, 51 former senior intelligence officials released a statement concluding that the New York Post article had “all the classic earmarks” of Russian disinformation. We are deeply concerned these former senior members of the US Intelligence Community misused their titles and connections to pursue a coordinated, partisan effort to protect President Biden during the 2020 election.

We now know this letter was part of a deliberate effort to protect the Biden campaign in the waning days of the election.

These 51 former intelligence officials highlighted their former titles and previous experience in the Intelligence Community to bolster the credibility of the statement and further the effectiveness of this partisan political operation. The October 19, 2020, letter began: “We are all individuals who devoted significant portions of our lives to national security. Some of us served in senior positions in policy departments and agencies, and some of us served in senior positions in the Intelligence Community.”

Former intelligence officials have flexibility in post-employment opportunities and maintain First Amendment protections afforded to all Americans on expressing political views. We believe, however, that this partisan effort crossed the line of politicizing the Intelligence Community as a whole as these former officials abused their influence within the Intelligence Community to achieve a partisan political outcome. Politicization of intelligence is wrong, dangerous, and threatens the public’s faith in institutions that should never be used to attempt to influence the democratic process.

It is especially concerning that former Acting Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director Michael Morell requested that the CIA’s Prepublication Classification Review Board (PCRB) fast track this calculated effort to protect the Biden campaign. It is also inexcusable that a CIA employee, then assigned to the PCRB, may have solicited additional signatures from former Intelligence Community officials.

To better understand any connections these 51 signatories, as detailed in Appendix A, had to the Intelligence Community both at the time their public statement was released and today, please provide the following information by June 14, 2023.

  1. How many of the Appendix A individuals maintained an active security clearance at any point between October 1, 2020, and October 31, 2020?
  2. How many of the Appendix A individuals currently possess a security clearance?
  3. How many of the Appendix A individuals-maintained business arrangements, contracts, or other consulting arrangements with any element of the US Intelligence Community between October 1, 2020, to October 31, 2020?
  4. How many of the Appendix A individuals currently maintain business arrangements, contracts, or other consulting arrangements with any element of the US Intelligence Community?
  5. Has the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) or the CIA conducted a review of former CIA Acting Director Mike Morrell’s abuse of the CIA’s PCRB process?
  6. Has ODNI or the CIA conducted an investigation into whether others employed by the Intelligence Community in October 2020, participated or aided in the creation of the public statement?

All of us in positions of public trust with access to classified information owe it to the American people not to abuse our positions for political purposes. We look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,

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Durbin Votes For Bipartisan Debt Ceiling Agreement To Avoid First Ever Default On Our Nation’s Debt

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

06.01.23

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Fiscal Responsibility Act—preventing the first-ever default on our national debt.  The legislation now heads to the President’s desk for his signature. 

“Thankfully, Congress has once again performed its constitutional duty and prevented a first-ever default on our national debt.  Defaulting on our national debt is unacceptable and unthinkable.  This agreement represents a true compromise—neither side got everything they wanted.  So as painful as some of the decisions are that may come from this agreement—including the cut to medical research funding—they are inevitable to avoid a catastrophic default on our debt.”

The Fiscal Responsibility Act avoids a default on our nation’s debt, maintains funding for clean energy incentives, protects student debt relief for millions of borrowers, and beats back extreme cuts to programs that families rely on.  It protects Medicaid, and it minimizes the harmful cuts to SNAP and TANF benefits that were being demanded by Congressional Republicans, while expanding SNAP benefits for veterans, people who are homeless, and youth transitioning out of foster care.

Durbin has been vocal about his deep disappointment in Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Congressional Republicans who forced roughly $500 million in cuts to medical research funding as a condition for America not defaulting on its debt for the first time in history.  Durbin has vowed, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to work to try and reverse any harm done to the National Institutes of Health as part of this agreement.

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