Spectator NZ

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

Wednesday | December 14, 2022

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) spoke on the Senate floor about his fight against the Biden administration’s attacks on public charter schools, which provide crucial opportunity for many American students. This afternoon, the Senate will vote on his Congressional Review Act (CRA) legislation to nullify new Department of Education rules that would stifle education options for parents and students.

Watch Senator Scott’s floor speech here

On the charter school resolution vote… “…tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to vote for students. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to vote for parents. Tomorrow, Mr. President, we will have the opportunity to vote for common sense in the United States Senate. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to vote for my resolution to stop the Biden Department of Education from destroying educational opportunities for millions of students and their parents during the pandemic.”

On giving parents educational options for their children… “Parents, are the ones who know what’s best for their kids. They need flexibility. They deserve choice. One of those options should always be high quality public charter schools. These charter schools continue to outkick their coverage. Charter schools only represent 12%, 12% of all public high schools, but they make up 22% of the top 100 public high schools.”

On the Biden administrations attack on charter schools… “Despite their proven track record of success for students, for parents, and, of course, for common sense, the Biden administration continues to attack charter schools. He campaigned against them. And then as soon as he got in office, he directed the bureaucrats at the DOE, the Department of Education, to put new restrictions on charter schools, [that are] desperately looking for funding. These restrictions are a slap in the face to parents who are turning to charter schools as a better alternative for their children.”

On the need for bipartisan support… “I can’t imagine a world where my friends across the aisle, who stood with me to protect DC Opportunity Scholarships, would not stand with us today to protect more education options for kids. All across America, by voting for the administration’s restrictions, my friends across the aisle are telling these hardworking parents that labor union bosses and bureaucrats know what’s best for their kids better than the parents themselves. That’s plain wrong.”

On education leading to opportunity… “These are kids growing up in some of America’s most devastated communities, some of America’s poorest communities, some of America’s most disadvantaged communities. And this is a game changer, not just for the students while they’re in roles in these schools, but this is a game changer for the rest of their lives. This is a game changer for them economically. This is the fastest path to the American dream we all hope to achieve one day.”

Background:

Senator Scott has led the fight for Congress to nullify the Biden administration’s new rules adding burdensome requirements to charter schools seeking funding. The rule, announced by the Department of Education earlier this year, would upend the 28-year-old, bipartisan Charter School Program (CSP). The changes would place federal, one-size-fits-all requirements on charter schools, making it difficult — if not impossible — for many of these high-quality public schools to receive funding. 

The Senate is slated to vote on Senator Scott’s CRA this afternoon.

CLICK HERE to read more about the CRA and Senator Scott’s fight for school choice.

CLICK HERE to read more about the CRA in Fox News.

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Related Issues: 

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

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Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – Slowly but surely, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) is advancing its way through Congress. 

After winning overwhelming bipartisan approval in the U.S. House of Representatives last week, on a vote of 350-80, the full U.S. Senate is considering the NDAA this week.

The $847 billion NDAA specifies budgets and policies for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the national security programs of the U.S. Department of Energy.  The legislation offers a blueprint to equip, supply, and train U.S. forces; provide for military families; and strengthen oversight of the Pentagon and military programs.

A key architect of the defense bill, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, says it will provide a major infusion of federal resources to continue fueling a historic expansion of good-paying manufacturing jobs for the Ocean State by investing in submarine production.

From General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) facilities at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island to EB’s facility along the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut, the U.S. Navy’s submarines are constructed by an army of skilled workers from around the region and supported by numerous small businesses that provide critical materials and components.  When they are completed, the high-tech submarines provide the U.S. Navy with an unparalleled strategic deterrent that helps safeguard the nation.

“These next-generation submarines are a vital part of America’s nuclear triad and are essential for power projection, deterrence, intelligence, and sea control,” said Senator Reed.  “This year’s NDAA invests in submarine production and will help ramp up the skilled workforce needed to produce these state-of-the-art submarines for years to come.”

This month, the U.S. Navy laid the keel for the future USS Arizona (SSN-803), the thirtieth Virginia-class nuclear fast attack submarine, at Quonset Point in Rhode Island.

Chairman Reed says the bill includes vital investments for submarine development, procurement, production, maintenance, and research efforts in Rhode Island.  The bill authorizes a total of $14.7 billion for submarines this year, which means more advanced manufacturing work by Rhode Islanders at General Dynamics Electric Boat facilities at Quonset Point in North Kingstown.

In 2022, Electric Boat hired about 3,000 new workers, a 20 percent increase over 2021 hiring levels, with almost half of the new jobs based in Rhode Island.

This summer, EB held a keel-laying ceremony for the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine, USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) at Quonset Point.

A dozen Columbia-class ships will be built to replace the existing fourteen Ohio-class nuclear-ballistic submarine force due to begin retiring from service in 2027.

At 560 feet long with a submerged displacement of nearly 21,000 tons, the Columbia-class submarines are larger than the submarines they are replacing and will provide the Navy with advanced technology and new capabilities.  The Columbia-class submarines will be powered by electric-drive propulsion and use a nuclear reactor to generate energy.

U.S. Navy officials have labeled the Columbia-class its top acquisition priority.  The Navy estimates the total procurement cost of the 12-ship class at $112.7 billion in then-year dollars.

Overall, the FY23 defense bill authorizes:

• $6.6 billion to fully support construction of two Virginia-class submarines, with over $4.5 billion for two submarines in 2023 and $2 billion in advance procurement to support future construction in 2024 and 2025;
• $5.9 billion to fully support the Columbia-class (Ohio-class Replacement) Program, including $543 million to support stability in the submarine industrial base;
• $207 million for workforce and training initiatives to support the production of the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and the continued construction of the Virginia-class submarine;
• $65 million for Navy applied research on undersea warfare technologies, led by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC);

Earlier this year, Senator Reed helped the Southeastern New England Defense Industry Alliance (SENEDIA) secure a $20.4 million contract extension from DOD to continue efforts to coordinate a robust regional workforce development partnership that will serve as a pipeline to help connect workers with employment opportunities that contribute to the production of submarines and coordinate supply chain partnerships necessary to deliver two Virginia-class submarines and one Columbia-class submarine annually.

The full U.S. Senate is slated to consider the NDAA this week.  If it passes without amendment, the bill will be sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

This would mark the 62nd consecutive year that both chambers have come together on a bipartisan basis to approve a defense policy bill.

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Bill Text (PDF)

Washington (December 14, 2022) – With communities facing extreme weather events, worsening epidemics, and rising temperatures, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today introduced the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act, legislation to establish a first-of-its-kind $30 million pilot grant program through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to provide funding to community-based mental wellness and resilience programs designed to address the compounding systemic mental health issues faced by communities bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. Americans today are experiencing a growing mental health crisis, according to the American Psychological Association, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, and the weakening of community structures, which together have made the mental health of frontline environmental justice communities more vulnerable as they experience intensifying climate disasters.

“Across the country, environmental justice communities are living through the compounding crises of the coronavirus pandemic and continued climate disaster – raging wildfires, historic drought, devastating flooding,” said Senator Markey. “People are losing their homes to climate disaster and their loved ones to worsening pandemics. It has never been more clear that our mental health is tied to the health of our planet. Communities are at the front lines of making sure their friends, family and neighbors can get the help they need when they need it, but they are also the most affected by health care and climate crises. As we work to secure climate and public health investments in Congress, we must also do our part to empower communities to protect their mental health at a time of worry, stress, and uncertainty. Families on the frontlines of these crises deserve community resources for all aspects of their well-being.”

“In every corner of the country communities are experiencing climate chaos. It’s important to recognize that how we respond and deal with the trauma of natural disasters and the threat of future climate harms varies from person to person and community to community,” said Senator Merkley. “The climate crisis is disproportionately affecting the health, economic opportunity, and fundamental rights of future generations. Making sure there are resources and programs available for environmental justice and underserved communities is critical to addressing the compounding mental health concerns individuals and families in these communities experience.”

“This legislation provides important mental health resources to those on the frontlines of climate change,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Impacted Americans dealing with the aftermath of droughts, superstorms, and increasingly frequent catastrophic events deserve our support. The public health investments made today will ensure healthier, stronger communities tomorrow.”

Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) are cosponsors. Representatives Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) have introduced companion legislation in the House with co-sponsors Kathy Castor (FL-14), David Trone (MD-06), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Katie Porter (CA-45), and  Mary Pertola (AK). 

The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act is endorsed by more than 115 organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and National Alliance on Mental Health, National Association of Social Workers, American Public Health Association, Mental Health America, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, Children’s Environmental Health Network, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Lung Association; Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice, International Transformational Resilience Coalition, EcoAmerica, American Association on Health and Disability, The Kennedy Forum, Health Care Without Harm, PACEs Connection, Climate Psychiatry Alliance, Green Faith, and many others.  

“We applaud Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) for introducing The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act as a companion bill to H.R. 9201 introduced in the House by Reps. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA),” said Bob Doppelt, Coordinator, International Transformational Resilience Coalition. “Our nation is experiencing an epidemic of mental health and psychosocial problems, and the troubles will only expand as the climate emergency accelerates. Individualized mental health services cannot assist all of the Americans who experience problems today, and have no chance of addressing the scale and scope of the troubles speeding our way. Senator Markey’s introduction of the CMWRA moves us closer to expanding our nation’s approach to mental health by supporting community initiatives that use a public health approach to strengthen the capacity of all residents to prevent and heal mental health problems.”

“The American Psychiatric Association strongly supports the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act, introduced in the Senate by Senator Ed Markey and in the House by Representatives Paul Tonko and Brian Fitzpatrick,” said Saul Levin, M.D., M.P.A., CEO and Medical Director, APA. “This forward-thinking proposal would authorize grants focused on strategies to enhance the ability of communities to confront the mental health impacts of acute and long-term disruptions from natural disasters, as well as other public health impacts of climate change.  APA strongly supports this legislation to foster resilience and mental wellness in communities across the nation.” 

“America’s current approach to disasters is too reactionary, providing support after a traumatic event,” said Jesse Kohler, Executive Director, Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice. “This legislation will build community partnerships to help them prepare for disaster. Strong communities heal faster and reduce the mental health consequences that can ripple through the community. We thank Senator Markey for his leadership.”

“The Trauma Resource Institute applauds Senator Ed Markey’s introduction of The Community Mental Wellness and Resiliency Act,” said Elaine Miller-Karas, Co-Founder and Director of Innovation, TRI. “It is essential to create the infrastructure throughout the nation needed to prepare our citizens for the array of mental health challenges that follow climate events. We thank Senator Markey for taking the initiative to introduce this urgently needed new policy, which will support and fund coordinated community-based resilience building initiatives.” 

“We thank Senator Ed Markey for introducing the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act in the Senate,” said Katie Huffling, Executive Director, Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. “Nurses understand the importance of the proactive and holistic approach that is the foundation of mental wellness and resilience.  The rapidly worsening climate crisis requires multidisciplinary solutions along with input from and consideration for communities most impacted- the elderly, low income communities, individuals with comorbidities, and the legislation introduced by Senator Markey will go a long way in addressing this need.”

“It is critical that population health issues related to recurring natural disasters be addressed systematically and quickly.  Our nation has not paid nearly enough attention to the psychological consequences of the toxic stress that accompanies climate related natural disasters as well as the other adversities we face.” said Dr. David Shern, Senior Associate, Department of Mental Health Bloomberg School of Public Health; Senior Public Health Advisor, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. “Fortunately, we have tools to address this challenge, but need policies and resources to implement them. The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act helps to meet these needs.”

“The National Association of Social Workers sends our deepest thanks to Senator Edward Markey for introducing the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act,” said Sarah Butts, MSW, Director of Public Policy, National Association of Social Workers. “Social workers are on the front line helping individuals, families, and communities remain safe, healthy and resilient during and after adversities. Forming mutual support networks in neighborhoods and communities are key to healing and recovery for those that endure trauma from natural disasters and other stressors. NASW strongly supports this legislation because it will fund community-based initiatives that build individual and collective psychological and emotional resilience.”

“Following the COVID-19 pandemic, we have renewed urgency to pass the ‘Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act,’ to ensure all communities can build resilience for all types of adversities,” said Becky Turner, Director of Community Engagement, Community Resilience Initiative in Walla Walla, WA. “We need to follow the science, and put our focus on weaving trauma-informed and resilience-based practices into the very fabric of our community. Data confirms that the use of resilience-based practices can help communities overcome adversity and related health outcomes. For this reason we strongly support the introduction of the CMWA by Senator Markey.”

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Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse

12.14.22

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) sent a letter to Meta’s President of Global Affairs, Nicholas Clegg, urging Meta to maintain its commitment to keeping dangerous election denial content off its platform.

“After each election cycle, social media platforms like Meta often alter or roll back certain misinformation policies, because they are temporary and specific to the election season,” Whitehouse and Schiff write. “Doing so in this current environment, in which election disinformation continuously erodes trust in the integrity of the voting process, would be a tragic mistake. Meta must commit to strong election misinformation policies year-round, as we are still witnessing falsehoods about voting and the prior elections spreading on your platform.”

The letter also calls on Meta to uphold the suspension of former president Donald Trump’s account in light of his continued efforts to spread the Big Lie that led to deadly violence on January 6. Trump’s suspension is set to expire on January 7, 2023.

“When initially suspending the account, Facebook’s statement said, ‘If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded,’” write Whitehouse and Schiff. “Two years later, we can see unequivocally that Trump is still spreading the Big Lie and thus undermining our democracy. Indeed he has expressed support for pardoning people involved in the January 6th attack on police, should he ever get the chance.”

Whitehouse and Schiff have also requested a briefing from Meta on matters relating to election integrity, misinformation, and foreign malign influence. Their letter is also signed by Representatives André Carson (D-Ind.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.).

To read the full letter, click here or read the full text below:

To Mr. Clegg:

Following the 2022 midterm elections, we write to urge Meta to maintain its commitment to keeping dangerous and unfounded election denial content off its platform. To that end, we also urge Meta and its leadership to continue the suspension of former president Donald Trump’s Facebook account beyond January, and to carefully monitor and counter the spread of harmful election misinformation, including the Big Lie about the 2020 presidential election, on Facebook.

After each election cycle, social media platforms like Meta often alter or rollback certain misinformation policies, because they are temporary and specific to the election season. Doing so in this current environment, in which election disinformation continuously erodes trust in the integrity of the voting process, would be a tragic mistake. Meta must commit to strong election misinformation policies year-round, as we are still witnessing falsehoods about voting and the prior elections spreading on your platform.

Meta has previously taken concrete actions to fight falsehoods and misinformation regarding elections, such as Facebook’s adding labels on election-related posts promoting reliable information in 2020 and 2021, which was an important step in countering the proliferation of election misinformation on the platform. We also supported Meta’s decision to suspend the Facebook account of former president Trump for, “maintaining an unfounded narrative of electoral fraud and persistent calls to action” therefore creating “an environment where a serious risk of violence was possible” according to the Facebook Oversight Board. That risk persists, and certainly has not diminished since the former president’s removal.

For Meta to credibly maintain a legitimate election integrity policy, it is essential that your company maintain its platform ban on former president Trump. We understand that the initial suspension of his account expires in January, and that Meta will then make a decision regarding the future of his account. When initially suspending the account, Facebook’s statement said, “If we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to reevaluate until that risk has receded.” Two years later, we can see unequivocally that Trump is still spreading the Big Lie and thus undermining our democracy. Indeed, he has expressed support for pardoning people involved in the January 6th attack on police, should he ever get the chance.

Trump has continued to post harmful election content on Truth Social that would likely violate Facebook’s policies, and we have every reason to believe he would bring similar conspiratorial rhetoric back to Facebook, if given the chance. On Election Day this year, Trump perpetrated false election narratives, including unfounded claims that, “The Absentee Ballot situation in Detroit is REALLY BAD…Protest, Protest, Protest!” Similarly, he posted that, “Maricopa County in Arizona looks like a complete Voter Integrity DISASTER. Likewise Detroit (of course!), Pennsylvania, and other places. Not being covered by Fake News Media!” A later post claimed, “Arizona even said ‘by the end of the week!’ – They want more time to cheat! Kari Lake MUST win!”

Based on Meta’s own statement on standards for allowing Trump back on the platform, his account should continue to be restricted. According to a Media Matters’ report, Trump has “amplified at least 61 QAnon accounts more than 130 times” on Truth Social. These posts would explicitly violate Facebook’s policy banning QAnon, which took effect in 2020. Trump has also incited violence on Truth Social in many instances. For example, he claimed in one post that Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell “has a DEATH WISH.” His rhetoric can only serve as a motivation to incite violence, and it is Meta’s responsibility to keep such rhetoric off its platforms.

Furthermore, this rhetoric extends beyond just the former president to other high-profile individuals. We saw in the 2022 midterm elections that candidates who posted the same falsehoods about disproven electoral fraud in the 2020 election and expected fraud in 2022 elections were allowed to spread the Big Lie on Facebook. Unlike other major social media platforms, Meta’s policies do not prohibit posts that make unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud. A review by the Washington Post found 18 candidates denying the 2020 election results and 17 candidates claiming the 2022 elections will be rigged or corrupt posted on Facebook, with none of these posts on Facebook being labeled or challenged. This is highly troubling, and an area where Meta must improve its oversight and enforcement.

 

Not only have election denial claims remained untouched on Facebook, but recent reports found that election denial posts gained more engagement on the platform. A recent review by Bloomberg News that analyzed the Facebook posts of every Republican running for Senate, Congress, governor, attorney general or secretary of state this year, found “Candidates who have pushed the falsehood that the 2020 election was stolen routinely saw their posts collecting more engagement overall compared to the performance of each candidate’s average post.” With the ability and motivation to spread election lies, these posts are proliferating on Facebook and reaching a large audience. According to CrowdTangle, the media analysis tool owned by Meta, Election denial posts reached as many as 120.4 million people in the past year.

Given the continued election denial rhetoric, we urge Meta to recommit to focusing on election integrity year-round, while keeping Congress fully informed about its efforts. We believe that part of the commitment to election integrity should be ensuring that those who maintain the unfounded, dangerous narrative of the 2020 election are not allowed or encouraged to spread the lie to foster engagement on Facebook.

As part of our ongoing oversight efforts, we request answers to the following questions, as well as a briefing to discuss other areas of oversight:

• After seeing election misinformation spread on Facebook regarding the 2022 elections this year, what changes will Meta make to its election integrity policies to ensure that misinformation about elections does not continue to spread?
• With the rise of candidates spreading election denial — both past and present — will Meta commit to monitoring and consider suspending dangerous, unfounded posts, regardless of who posts the content?
• Will Meta commit to keeping their election infrastructure in place year-round? What changes will be made to increase its capacity to monitor and provide truthful context to its users?
• Have the recent layoffs at Meta decreased the number of employees working on the misinformation, election integrity or foreign malign influence teams?
• What criteria will Meta consider when reviewing the ongoing suspension of Donald Trump’s accounts? Will Meta request any assurances from the candidate?
• Will Meta analyze the posts of Trump on Truth Social and other statements he has made when making a decision on his suspended account?

Thank you for your attention to this matter and ensuring your ongoing commitment to ensuring election integrity in the United States. If you would like to discuss this, please contact us at (202) 225-4176.