Spectator NZ

Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, issued the following statement after the November 2022 Consumer Price Index (CPI) revealed inflation has risen 13.8% since Joe Biden took office in January 2021.

“Holiday cheer is coming at a much higher cost this year because of Joe Biden’s fiscal insanity. Wyoming families are facing the most expensive Christmas ever. From ornaments and lights to electricity and groceries, Americans are paying more while getting less. The Democrats’ taxpayer-funded spending spree must end now. It’s time to make life more affordable for all Americans.”

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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released a statement following reports of a record-breaking surge of illegal crossings along the West Texas border.

In a 24-hour time span from Friday to Saturday, more than 2,600 people illegally crossed into El Paso, Texas, from Mexico.

“Countries are supposed to have borders. Yet under this administration, we continue to see a record-breaking surge of illegal crossings at the southern border.

“When we can’t control who is entering our country and what they are bringing – that’s a serious national security risk.

“Instead of claiming ‘there are more important things going on,’ President Biden should wake up and finally recognize that this is a crisis.

“It’s time to secure the border.”

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin

December 12, 2022

Informational session taught West Virginians how to check their broadband coverage and challenge the new FCC maps

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and the West Virginia Broadband Office hosted an informational session for West Virginia community leaders on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new broadband coverage maps, how to check coverage and if it’s incorrect, challenge the maps. The FCC has encouraged all interested parties, including states, communities, and West Virginians, to submit challenges by January 13^th, 2023.

“West Virginia is primed to receive and compete for hundreds of millions of dollars to bring reliable, affordable broadband access to all West Virginians, but only if the broadband coverage maps are correct,” said Senator Manchin. “Because of our bipartisan efforts and years of advocating, West Virginians can now finally search the FCC’s maps to see if they accurately show broadband coverage at an address. Today my staff, along with Senator Capito’s staff and the West Virginia Broadband Office, showed West Virginia community leaders how to utilize the FCC’s maps to determine coverage, and if the map is wrong, submit a direct challenge to the maps. I encourage all West Virginians to check their address on the map to help ensure West Virginia gets our fair share of this critical funding.”

“Every West Virginian needs to be accurately represented on the FCC National Broadband Map, especially when funding allocations are based upon the map,” said Kelly Workman, Director of the WV Office of Broadband. “There are still too many West Virginians that lack broadband connectivity, particularly in our rural communities.  If the map shows technology or speeds that are not truly available at your address, or if your location is missing, please take the opportunity to submit a challenge to the FCC prior to January 13.”

On November 18^th, the FCC released updated broadband coverage maps. These pre-production map updates are the direct result of years of Senator Manchin and Senator Capito’s work urging the FCC to update their incorrect broadband coverage maps that determine how millions of dollars in funding to expand reliable, affordable broadband coverage for Americans and West Virginians is allocated.

Source: United States Senator for Ohio Rob Portman

December 12, 2022 | Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Edward J. Markey (D-MA) applauded the passage of their bipartisan and bicameral legislation awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith in recognition of their service to defend the United States of America. Doherty, Woods, Stevens, and Smith were killed in the September 2012 attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) introduced companion legislation in the House that successfully passed in July.

“The 2012 Benghazi Consulate Attack was a tragic moment in our nation’s history, claiming the lives of many brave Americans. I am pleased the Senate has passed legislation to honor the life and sacrifice of Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith. These four individuals paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and it is only fitting that they be recognized with the highest honor given by Congress,” said Senator Portman. “We owe these men a great debt of gratitude, so I am pleased this important legislation is now heading to the President’s desk for signature.”  

“Our nation will always remember the names Doherty, Woods, Smith, and Stevens – the brave American heroes who laid down their lives to protect their country,” said Senator Markey. “These patriots deserve the highest recognition that Congress can bestow to honor their legacy and heroism for generations to come. I am proud to have led the effort to award these four Americans the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of their brave and enduring sacrifice. ” 

The legislation honors Doherty, Woods, Stevens, and Smith for risking their lives to defend U.S. diplomats and the Consulate against an armed attack in Benghazi. Doherty, a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL, was a native of Winchester Massachusetts. Woods, a native of Portland, Oregon, was also a former combat-decorated Navy SEAL. Stevens was a member of the Career Foreign Service who served as U.S. Ambassador to Libya during the attack. Smith, a native of San Diego, served in the Air Force and was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. 

“It’s been eight years since the first resolutions were presented in the House and Senate to pass legislation honoring four civilian Americans who served their country with their ‘last full measure of devotion,” said Cheryl Croft Bennett, the mother of Tyrone Woods. “To my precious son, Tyrone, I say: ‘You were our example, my brave boy. Like you, we never gave up!’ Today, my heart is bursting with many feelings, and words fall empty as I try to express the overwhelming joy and elation I feel. Tyrone would never have asked for this recognition, but it is important to the families, as well as for many thousands of Americans, that these men finally receive the tribute they so genuinely deserve. All those who have worked tirelessly to reach this milestone have had my son’s ‘never quit’ attitude, especially Massachusetts Senators Ed Markey and Stephen Lynch. Special gratitude is owed to them for their leadership and relentless efforts in keeping this legislation viable in each congress. Thank you so much. I am also extremely grateful to Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley for their continued support. To each congressional co-sponsor, I am forever appreciative of your support as well. The epic legacy of Ambassador Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Glen Doherty, and my son, Tyrone Woods, will stand in American history as a compelling testimonial to the true meaning of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice in defense of others and our great Nation. It is fitting that we honor them with this award. They earned every gram of it.”

“Our family is thrilled to see the completion of this multi-year effort to honor Glen and his fellow patriots with the Congressional Gold Medal,” said Kate Doherty, sister of Glen Doherty. “The leadership of Senator Markey, Senator Rubio, Congressman Lynch and Congressman Mast was essential to building the overwhelming, bi-partisan support for recognizing these 4 Americans heroes and cementing their legacies in such a wonderful manner. We are tremendously grateful for this honor.”

Co-sponsors include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bob Casey (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Thune (R-SD), Tim Scott (R-SC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (R-MT), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Gary Peters (D-MI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Joe Manchin (D-WV), John Boozman (R-AR), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Raphael Warnock (R-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), John Kennedy (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Burr (R-NC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Roy Blunt (R-MS), Todd Young (R-IN), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Barasso (R-WY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), John Cornyn (R-TX), Jon Tester (D-MT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY.), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH).

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Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) penned an op-ed in the New York Post imploring President Biden to reverse his dangerous military COVID vaccine mandate by swiftly signing the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act into law. The defense bill includes language mirroring Senator Blackburn’s amendment efforts to protect troops from being fired over the COVID vaccine mandate.

Biden’s vindictive military-funding COVID vaccine blackmail harms national security

Senator Marsha Blackburn

New York Post

Despite his admission “The pandemic is over,” President Joe Biden is refusing to commit to funding our nation’s military unless we continue to force servicemembers to take the COVID shot. In fact, when asked, his press secretary refuses even to say he’ll sign the funding bill.

Our military is suffering a severe recruiting crisis, and Biden’s fixation on a never-ending pandemic and woke military is certainly not helping. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I’ve spent the last six months fighting for our men and women in uniform set to be discharged thanks to the draconian Biden vaccine mandate; and for six months, I have fielded nothing but political deflection that betrays the White House’s complete disregard for our military and our national security.

This should be unthinkable when America’s adversaries around the world are threatening the safety and security of our nation and its allies. North Korea is racing to expand its ballistic missile capabilities, China is increasing its threats against our partner Taiwan and Russia has deepened its relationship with Iran to help wage its war against Ukraine.

During times like these, Biden should be laser-focused on ensuring the US military remains the most lethal fighting force on the globe. Instead, he continues to impose a vindictive and unnecessary vaccine mandate on our troops, forcing many of them to the sidelines. As commander in chief, one of the president’s most important duties is to protect those who volunteer to serve our nation, a duty he violated when he imposed the mandate.
 

The Pentagon made COVID vaccinations mandatory for our nation’s troops in August 2021. The rules were clear: All servicemembers would take the shot or risk being fired. In doing this, Biden not only failed our men and women in uniform — he undermined our national defense.

More than 8,400 active-duty servicemembers have already been fired for not getting vaccinated, and more than 10,000 soldiers in the Army Reserve and National Guard have been barred from drills, training and pay. The religious exemptions the administration touted were yet another empty promise. As of Dec. 1, the Army had granted just 123 — out of 9,005 requests.

Meanwhile, the number of Americans volunteering to serve continues to decline. The Army alone fell 15,000 soldiers short of its recruiting goal this year, and the US military as a whole is facing its greatest recruiting challenge since the volunteer service’s inception.

But in spite of this clear recruiting and retention crisis, the president chose to bend to the demands of the Democratic Party’s most radical voices. These are the same individuals who, for almost three years, called for lockdowns, school closures and mandatory masking of children in the name of “science.” The “science” changed more than once, but the narrative never did, which tells you all you need to know about where this faction comes down on questions of freedom vs. government control.

It is long past time for Congress to step in. And now, at last, we have secured a bipartisan, bicameral provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that will repeal Biden’s mandate once and for all and restore this basic freedom to our men and women in uniform. Many of our servicemembers have chosen to get vaccinated; others have chosen not to. Whether they opted out due to genuine unease over potential health risks or a sincerely held religious belief, that decision is a personal one that deserves our respect.

I urge the president to recognize this and stand with my colleagues in Congress by repealing the uniquely dangerous power grab that is the military vaccine mandate. He should immediately sign the NDAA into law when it arrives at his desk and work to make whole our troops who were the victims of his quest for power. If not, my congressional colleagues must ensure that soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who were so carelessly discharged are reinstated with back pay. 
 

The Pentagon must also correct relevant military records to ensure those who were unfairly targeted do not have black marks on their record. Those who have volunteered to defend our freedom deserve the freedom to decide for themselves whether or not to get vaccinated. I stand with our troops, and that means standing against President Biden’s military vaccine mandate. 
 

Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and the West Virginia Broadband Office hosted an informational session for West Virginia community leaders on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new broadband coverage maps, how to check coverage and if it’s incorrect, challenge the maps. The FCC has encouraged all interested parties, including states, communities, and West Virginians, to submit challenges by January 13^th, 2023.

“For years now, I have worked hard to make sure we produce broadband maps that accurately represent the connectivity challenge that we face in West Virginia, especially because they will be a major factor in the distribution of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. While the draft broadband availability maps recently release by the FCC are a step forward, I continue to have concerns regarding their accuracy in West Virginia,” Senator Capito said. “Today’s event was a helpful tool following efforts I’ve led to get the word out about West Virginians’ ability to challenge the FCC’s maps, and use their personal experience to assist in our efforts to close the digital divide.”

“West Virginia is primed to receive and compete for hundreds of millions of dollars to bring reliable, affordable broadband access to all West Virginians, but only if the broadband coverage maps are correct,” Senator Manchin said. “Because of our bipartisan efforts and years of advocating, West Virginians can now finally search the FCC’s maps to see if they accurately show broadband coverage at an address. Today my staff, along with Senator Capito’s staff and the West Virginia Broadband Office, showed West Virginia community leaders how to utilize the FCC’s maps to determine coverage, and if the map is wrong, submit a direct challenge to the maps. I encourage all West Virginians to check their address on the map to help ensure West Virginia gets our fair share of this critical funding.”

“Every West Virginian needs to be accurately represented on the FCC National Broadband Map, especially when funding allocations are based upon the map,” Kelly Workman, Director of the WV Office of Broadband, said. “There are still too many West Virginians that lack broadband connectivity, particularly in our rural communities.  If the map shows technology or speeds that are not truly available at your address, or if your location is missing, please take the opportunity to submit a challenge to the FCC prior to January 13.”

On November 18^th, the FCC released updated broadband coverage maps. These pre-production map updates are the direct result of years of Senator Capito and Senator Manchin’s work urging the FCC to update their incorrect broadband coverage maps that determine how millions of dollars in funding to expand reliable, affordable broadband coverage for Americans and West Virginians is allocated.

To view the recording of today’s informational session, please click here.

To view the updated maps and check your coverage, please click here.

A video tutorial and more information on how to submit challenges is available at fcc.gov/BroadbandData/consumers.

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