Cotton Statement on Stuttgart Officer Killed in Line of Duty

Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Caroline Tabler or James Arnold (202) 224-2353
December 15, 2022

Cotton Statement on Stuttgart Officer Killed in Line of Duty 

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement after Stuttgart police officer Sergeant Donald Scoby was shot and killed in the line of duty Wednesday night:

“Sergeant Donald Scoby died serving the community he loved and swore to protect—there is no more noble end to life on this earth. May God grant Sergeant Scoby’s family peace as all of Arkansas mourns his loss. We will not forget his service and bravery.” 

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USDA Awards North Dakota Electric Infrastructure Loan, Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant

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

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Rural Development has awarded the following: 

  • $30,400,000 Electric Infrastructure Loan to Minnkota Power Coop to finance transmission system improvement projects. 
  • $150,000 Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants to the City of Bisbee. This investment will be used to ensure the City of Bisbee does not have another emergency freezing situation by providing emergency backup power, updated controls, and an insulated structure at the base of the water tower. This project will address safe and sanitary water needs during future emergency freezing situations and provide the residents of Bisbee with a sustainable water system for years to come.

Sen. Cramer Discusses CFIUS, Fufeng on Newsmax

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

***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.***

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Greta Van Susteren on Newsmax to discuss the outcome of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review of the Fufeng Group’s purchase of farmland near Grand Forks Air Force Base. Excerpts and full video are below. 

On the CFIUS Review of Fufeng: 
“I’ve come to expect so little from the federal government. Even at that standard, this was underwhelming to say the least. That they would sit on this decision for close to three months and then conclude they didn’t have jurisdiction—which some [Department of Justice] lawyer could have told them in a matter of hours—is disappointing.”

“Remember CFIUS operates in two 45-day tranches. They took the first 45 days and then decided to go another 45 days, which implies that they’re actually reviewing it. I personally think that there is information that some of the agencies gleaned. That’s why I’ve asked for a classified briefing from the Treasury Department, which is the head of CFIUS, and from the Department of the Air Force if not the entire Department of Defense, because they’re the entities that I’m most concerned about. Hopefully, I’ll at least learn with my clearance what [CFIUS] learned during this review. My sense is that there are serious concerns.”

“I’ve always been opposed to this investment. I remain opposed to this investment… At the end of the day, I think the security concerns are obvious. We’re talking about the Chinese Communist Party at a time when they have made it very clear that they want to take over more supply chains in the United States. They spy on us. They’re building a super military to rival us. I think it’s a bad idea to invite them into your backyard.”

On A Strategic Decoupling from China: 
“I think for a lot of people, there’s an evolution of thought on China is happening and it’s appropriate that it is happening. I’ve called for a strategic decoupling from China now for the last ten months at least. We are living at a time when us as individuals, as families, as communities, as states, and as a nation, [we] have to decide whether the fun, cheap stuff that China provides us—or for that matter the large investments that they can provide our communities—if it’s worth putting the entire country at risk. I choose to say it is not [worth it]. I think we have to take more action that demonstrates we’re going to stand up for American security and independence at a time when China is rivaling us in so many respects economically, as well as, militarily. We need to be a lot more diligent.”
 

Letter Urges USTR, USDA to Address Mexico’s Proposed Ban on Genetically Engineered Corn

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

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) in sending a bipartisan letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expressing concern over Mexico’s efforts to ban importation of genetically engineered (GE) corn. Mexican President Lopez Obrador issued a decree in 2020 to phase out GE corn by 2024, an order unsupported by science and threatens to run the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) afoul. 

“These actions are unsupported by science and a breach of USMCA. It would be detrimental to food security in Mexico, hurt U.S. agricultural sustainability, and stifle future agricultural technology innovations that would benefit both nations. While we appreciate the efforts of USTR and USDA to resolve this issue by engaging with Mexican officials, we also encourage the administration to consider all options available in an effort to hold Mexico to their trade commitments including pursuing a dispute settlement process through USMCA,” wrote the senators

Over 90 percent of all corn acreage in the United States is planted with genetically engineered seeds. Last year alone, the United States exported 16.8 million metric tons of corn to Mexico.

Joining Senator Cramer, Fischer, and Duckworth are Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Gary Peters (D-MI), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Barrasso (R-WY), Michael Rounds (R-SD), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Braun (R-IN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Tim Scott (R-SC), John Hoeven (R-ND), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Todd Young (R-IN), John Thune (R-SD), and Rob Portman (R-OH).

Click here to read the letter.

Biden Strikes Bad Deal on Chinese Audits

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) announced Chinese regulators were in full compliance with U.S. securities regulations. As a result, more than 170 Chinese companies, many with overt ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), will be able to continue operating on U.S. stock exchanges.
 
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), who helped write and pass the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, criticized the PCAOB’s decision as short-sighted, naive, and dangerous. 
 

  • “Under pressure from Wall Street, the Biden Administration struck a bad deal with the Chinese Communist Party. Promises from Beijing are meaningless, just ask Hong Kong.
  • “The PCAOB’s job was to protect American investors by ensuring full compliance and transparency with U.S. officials. No deviations, no exceptions. The decision today shows a failure to do so, and creates more questions than answers for the American people.
  • “There should be bipartisan opposition to this decision, and Congress should act next year to reverse President Biden’s deal, which puts the livelihood of millions of American retirees, pensioners, and other investors at risk.” — Senator Rubio 

 
Because of the Biden Administration’s decision, these CCP-controlled companies will maintain access to more than $1 trillion in market capitalization.
 
The PCAOB selected two British-affiliated auditing firms to review, one in Hong Kong and one in mainland China. It used these firms’ openness to U.S. auditors as a litmus test for the entire country. No indigenous Chinese auditing firms were scrutinized and information about Chinese military installations was blocked from review.
 
Looking forward … While enactment of Rubio’s Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act helped force the CCP to the negotiating table and allow for a level of transparency unprecedented, the PCAOB did not live up to the law. Rubio will work with colleagues to ensure that it does.  
 
Want more information? Read more.
 

Rubio, CECC Commissioners Grill Thermo Fisher — A “Repeat Offender” — On Enabling Human Rights Abuses In Tibet

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Thermo Fisher Scientific, a U.S.-based company, is reported to have sold DNA kits and replacement parts for sequencers to occupation police forces in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). This equipment was likely used by Beijing to collect Tibetan DNA to enable mass surveillance and human rights abuses. 
 
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined bipartisan and bicameral members of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) in sending a letter to Marc Casper, Thermo Fisher’s President and Chief Executive Officer, to express concern that his company’s products may have contributed to the Chinese Communist Party’s abuse of the Tibetan people. Rubio was joined by Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), as well as U.S. Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Jim McGovern (D-MA), in signing the letter.
 
The letter posed a series of questions for Mr. Casper to answer about use of Thermo Fisher’s products in China, including whether the company would consider a “blanket prohibition on all sales of its products to the People’s Republic of China in order to assure its shareholders and the American public that its products cannot be used in the commitment of human rights abuses in that country?”  
 
Flashback. Thermo Fisher is a repeat offender. In 2018, Rubio confronted Thermo Fisher for selling DNA equipment in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Following Rubio’s letter, Thermo Fisher halted their sales in XUAR.
 
Want more information? Read the full text of the letter here.

Rubio, Pfluger Introduce Bill to Force Sanction Reviews of Chinese Tech Companies Enabling Genocide

Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-directed tech companies Hikvision, Dahua, Tiandy, and BGI provide the technological equipment used by the CCP to commit genocide against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). 
 

To hold these companies responsible for their human rights abuses, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and U.S. Representative August Pfluger (R-TX) introduced the Uyghur Human Rights Sanctions Review Act. The bill would require the U.S. Department of the Treasury to immediately make sanctions determinations for Hikvision, Dahua, Tiandy, and BGI. 

  • “The Chinese Communist Party uses technology to target and persecute anyone they deem to be an enemy of their Stalinist regime. It is a sickening abuse of human rights. The Biden Administration must stop dragging its feet and hold these CCP-backed companies accountable, or provide an explanation for their unwillingness to do so.” — Senator Rubio

  • “The United States should not enable Chinese surveillance companies that help the Chinese Communist Party track and monitor dissidents, harvest genomic data, and torture ethnic and religious minorities. I am proud to work with Senator Rubio to introduce a bill that makes it clear that American companies will not be complicit in these atrocious human rights violations.” — Representative Pfluger

 
Background. The Uyghur Human Rights Sanctions Review Act would require the Office of Foreign Assets Control, in consultation with the U.S. Departments of State and Justice, to determine within 30 days of enactment whether the companies have committed, or been complicit in, human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other groups in XUAR, as well as whether they meet the criteria for SDN List sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act or Rubio’s Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act.

Young, Colleagues Lead Letter Against Mexico’s Proposed Ban on Genetically Engineered Corn

Source: United States Senator for Indiana Todd Young

December 15, 2022

A Ban Would Be “A Breach of USMCA”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) expressing concern over Mexico’s efforts to ban U.S. genetically engineered corn.

In 2020, Mexican President Lopez Obrador issued a presidential decree that Mexico would phase out the use of genetically modified corn by 2024. Such an action is unsupported by science and would run afoul of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA).

“These actions are unsupported by science and a breach of USMCA. It would be detrimental to food security in Mexico, hurt U.S. agricultural sustainability, and stifle future agricultural technology innovations that would benefit both nations. While we appreciate the efforts of USTR and USDA to resolve this issue by engaging with Mexican officials, we also encourage the administration to consider all options available in an effort to hold Mexico to their trade commitments including pursuing a dispute settlement process through USMCA,” the senators wrote in their letter. 

Additional cosigners of the letter include U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Debbie Stabebow (D-Mich.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Michael Rounds (R-S.D.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), John Thune (R-S.D.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

The full text of the letter is available here.

NH Delegation Welcomes Over $1.6M from USDA to Expand Energy Efficiency Projects Across Rural Communities

Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

December 15, 2022

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and U.S. Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) welcomed $1,696,780 to support renewable energy projects in communities across rural New Hampshire. The funding comes from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – a program tailored to help farmers, agricultural producers and entrepreneurs make energy efficiency improvements and lower costs. This funding announcement was largely made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which the delegation supported.

“I’m thrilled to welcome over $1.6 million for rural businesses and entrepreneurs across New Hampshire to invest in critical energy projects. From installing solar arrays to supporting renewable energy systems, these investments will save Granite Staters money while moving us towards a clean energy future. It’s rewarding to see clean energy investments from the Inflation Reduction Act making a real difference in Granite State communities,” said Shaheen.

“It is critical that we do not leave rural communities behind as we work to lower energy costs. Today’s REAP grant will make a tangible difference for nine small businesses in our state– helping them invest in renewable energy systems and energy efficiency upgrades. In turn, this funding will help lower costs, reduce our dependency on Big Oil, and protect our environment. It’s another important step toward building a resilient, clean energy economy here in New Hampshire,” said Hassan.

“Clean, renewable energy systems are a win-win for our environment and our economy – it is essential that small businesses in rural communities can access this technology to lower costs and make their operations more efficient,” said Rep. Kuster. “I was proud to push for expanded REAP funding earlier this year through the Inflation Reduction Act and am thrilled to see small businesses across our state benefit from this program.”

“Providing our communities with the tools to transition to clean energy is vital to protecting our environment, creating jobs, and generating economic growth,” said Rep. Pappas. “This funding from the Rural Energy for America Program ensures New Hampshire’s small businesses, agricultural producers, and rural communities have the support and resources for a transition to clean energy. I’m pleased to see New Hampshire businesses investing in renewable energy and I’ll keep fighting for resources to ease this transition.”

A full list of the awardees is below: 

  • $106,827.00 to Circle Self-Storage LLC to install two solar arrays, which will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 28 homes.? 
  • $94,979.00 to Berger’s Springledge Nursery And Produce to install a solar array as well as a woodchip boiler system, producing clean electricity and saving costs.  
  • $12,694.00 to Packy’s Investment Properties LLC to install four bifacial, dual-axis solar trackers that will generate enough energy to power the equivalent of 15 homes.  
  • $233,500.00 to Robert H Irwin Corporation Inc. to install two solar arrays, producing clean energy and saving costs.  
  • $200,000.00 to 310 Marlboro St. LLC to install two renewable energy systems at a commercial building in Keene, generating enough energy to power the equivalent of 93 homes.?? 
  • $250,000.00 to Gorham Acquisition LLC to install modern boilers at the White Mountain Paper Company.  
  • $470,000.00 to Central Rivers Power NH LLC to install an inflatable flashboard system and related equipment to improve river flow.  
  • $279,780.00 to 202 Truck & Equipment in Rindge to install a roof-mounted solar array. 
  • $49,000.00 to Ian Joseph Campbell LLC to install five bifacial, dual-axis solar trackers. 

USDA also announced today that it will make $300 million available under the Rural Energy for America Program to expand renewable energy and support energy-efficiency projects for people living in rural America. Interested applicants can contact their local USDA Rural Development State Energy Coordinator.

 

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Manchin, Capito Announce $180K for Two West Virginia Housing Authorities

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

December 15, 2022

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $180,151 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for two West Virginia housing authorities to help provide quality, affordable housing for all West Virginians. This funding will specifically support households that include non-elderly individuals with disabilities.

“Ensuring every West Virginian has a roof over their head and a warm place to sleep at night continues to be one of my top priorities. Thousands of West Virginians and millions of Americans are currently experiencing homelessness, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made this devastating issue worse. I’m pleased HUD is investing in Randolph County and Parkersburg to expand opportunities for stable, accessible housing in our communities, and I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to ensure safe, affordable housing for every West Virginian across the Mountain State,” said Senator Manchin.

“Being able to help those most vulnerable in our society is an important effort, specifically those with disabilities. This funding would help provide housing in two West Virginia areas. I am pleased to see this funding open opportunities across Parkersburg and Randolph County,” Senator Capito said.

Individual awards listed below:

  • $124,155 – Housing Authority of the City of Parkersburg
  • $55,996 – Housing Authority of Randolph County