{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where chamber = \"House\", state = \"MS\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://harper.house.gov/enewsletters/merry-christmas-and-happy-new-year", "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year", "2015-12-25", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Gregg Harper", "H001045", "harper.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year                  \n            \n            \n                                \n                    Dear Friend,\nAs we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus, let us remember that the holiday season is also about family and the love we share for each other. Its about gathering together to share in the traditions that we hold dear, not only as a family or a community, but as a nation. As we do that, let us not forget to expressour gratitude to the men and women who serve or have served our country in the protection of our freedoms.\nAnd as we celebrate the most important reasonthe Christ child who was born in a stable and brought forgiveness and peace, take a moment to helpthepeople around you who may be having a difficult time and please extend your generosity.\nScripture reminds us in 1 John 4:9, In this way the love of God was revealed to us; God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.\nI, along with Sidney, Livingston, Maggie, and my Congressional staff, wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.\nGod Bless,  \n  \nGregg Harper  \nMember of Congress\n                \n                \n                    Posted: \n                    December 25, 2015", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=366", "House Passes Funding Bill to Provide for National Defense\n\nDecember 18, 2015 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nTags:\nNational Defense / Veterans\n\n\nHouse Passes Funding Bill to Provide for National Defense\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS)\u00a0released the following statement after House passage\u00a0of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY2016:\r\n\u201cMy vote in favor of the omnibus bill was about one thing- keeping this country safe. It is what I pledged to do both as a Member of the Mississippi National Guard and as your Member\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) released the following statement after House passage of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for FY2016:\n\n\u201cMy vote in favor of the omnibus bill was about one thing- keeping this country safe. It is what I pledged to do both as a Member of the Mississippi National Guard and as your Member of Congress. The omnibus bill provides essential defense funding to combat threats from ISIS and other enemies and reforms the Visa Waiver Program to more adequately screen travelers visiting the U.S. Due to increasing threats from radical Islamic terrorism at home and abroad, our military and supporting government agencies must be prepared and ready to address complex challenges.\u201d\n\nRepresentative Trent Kelly represents Mississippi\u2019s First Congressional District. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Small Business Committee. This is his first term.", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:19:47Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=734a3214-075a-4f52-bc7b-73edf038ea10", "SENATE REVIVES PERKINS STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. Senate on Wednesday approved legislation cosponsored by U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) to renew the federal Perkins Loan Program, a student loan program that expired in October.     The Federal Perkins Loan Program Extension Act of 2015 would extend the loan program for through September 2017, allowing students to continue to access this assistance while the Congress works to reform the overall federal student loan program. The program is a revolving loan fund administered by institutions of higher learning that provides educational loans to students with exceptional financial need for college or career school.Students at many community colleges and universities in Mississippi benefit from the Perkins Loan Program, and this bipartisan compromise will end undue hardships while broader federal student loan reforms are considered, Cochran said. The changes included in the Senate legislation are intended to cover the cost of continuing the program over the next two years. The Senate bill, which is a substitute to House-passed legislation (HR.3594) reauthorizing the Perkins Loan Program, includes changes to criteria for awarding these low-interest loans. The Senate bill, for instance, would limit Perkins loans to current undergraduates and end the award of new loans to graduate students. It would also require schools to issue Perkin loans to students who have exhausted borrowing limits for Stafford student loans. The Senate bill was authored by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398741", "Cruz, Palazzo Pass the Emergency Information Improvement Act", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) released a statement today after the House passed S. 1090, the Emergency Information Improvement Act, that works to increase and safeguard the availability of critical information during times of emergency and crisis. \r\nThis bill amends the Stafford Act to make clear that local public radio and broadcasting stations are eligible recipients of disaster relief. It passed the Senate in September of this year under the co-authorship of Senator Cruz.\r\nWhen disaster strikes, it is critical that the American people have access to real-time emergency information that can save lives.Texas understands the seriousness of these threats more than most states, as it has made 90 major disaster declarations since 1953 and routinely prepares for tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes. Public radio and broadcast stations can play a significant role providing critical information during and after natural disasters and terrorist attacks. The Emergency Information Improvement Act will help eliminate any ambiguity in current law by allowing critical service communications facilities to quickly make necessary repairs and prepare for the next disaster, Sen. Cruz said.I commend my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers for passing this legislation,and look forward to sending this bill tothe Presidents desk.\r\nRep. Palazzo, who introduced the House companion bill to S.1090, said, Disasters strike every year in every corner of America.When these disasters strike, our local public radio stations play a vital role in providing information about response efforts. This bill is a simple but very important step in helping to keep Americans safe by ensuring citizens and communities across our country have access to vital information during times of emergency and crisis. I also thank Sen. Cruz for his leadership on this bill and assuring its passage in the Senate.\r\nCurrent federal emergency response and relief statutes are ambiguous on whether local public broadcasting stations are eligible for emergency financial assistance when damaged by storms and other disasters. This legislation ensures that locally licensed stations are eligible for federal disaster relief funding in the event their facilities are impacted by a disaster.\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=d9a9c32d-afbb-42d2-8ebb-5649e0cb072b", "DELEGATION OPPOSES APPOINTMENT OF DR. SKYE MCDOUGALL TO TOP VA POST IN MISS.", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., along with U.S. Representatives Bennie G. Thompson, D-Miss., Gregg Harper, R-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Trent Kelly, R-Miss., on Tuesday issued a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert A. McDonald vehemently opposing the appointment of Dr. Skye McDougall to be the Network Director for the South Central Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care Network.In Mississippi, McDougall would be responsible for the networks headquarters in Ridgeland, the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi, and the Jackson Regional Benefits Office. The Mississippi delegation urged the secretary to rescind the appointment and replace the candidate with someone more qualified. They cited McDougalls testimony to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, in which she misled members of Congress about the extent of wait times for veterans to receive care in Southern California and the VAs recent efforts to place her in other parts of the country. The letter reads in part: It is well documented that on March 13, 2015, Dr. McDougall misled Members of the United States House of Representatives when she testified to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs that wait times for veterans to receive care at VA facilities that she oversaw in Southern California averaged only four days. In actuality, the wait times were at least ten times longer. In view of her deplorable record in the VA system and her questionable testimony to Congress, Dr. McDougall has proven to be, at the very least, untrustworthy as it relates to the vitally important task of providing for the health care needs of our veterans. It seems that the Department of Veterans affairs has been hopscotching Dr. McDougall around the country - from Southern California to New Mexico and from Arizona to Mississippi - searching for a soft landing for her. We are determined to see to it that her soft landing is not in Mississippi. The letter concludes: Given Dr. McDougall's track record and the VA's ongoing effort to earn back the trust of veterans in Mississippi and across the country, we strongly urge you to rescind this selection and, instead, appoint a senior leader who will work to provide the best possible service for our veterans. FULL TEXT OF LETTER\r\n December 15, 2015\r\nThe Honorable Robert A. McDonald  Secretary  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs  810 Vermont Avenue, NW  Washington, DC 20420  Re: Mississippi Congressional Delegation Opposition to the Appointment of Dr. Skye McDougall Dear Secretary McDonald: We, the undersigned members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, write to express our disappointment in the selection of Dr. Skye McDougall to be the Network Director for the South Central Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care Network. In Mississippi, Dr. McDougall would be responsible for the networks headquarters in Ridgeland, the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi, and the Jackson Regional Benefits Office. It is well documented that on March 13, 2015, Dr. McDougall misled Members of the United States House of Representatives when she testified to the House Committee on Veterans Affairs that wait times for veterans to receive care at VA facilities that she oversaw in Southern California averaged only four days. In actuality, the wait times were at least ten times longer. In view of her deplorable record in the VA system and her questionable testimony to Congress, Dr. McDougall has proven to be, at the very least, untrustworthy as it relates to the vitally important task of providing for the health care needs of our veterans. It seems that the Department of Veterans affairs has been hopscotching Dr. McDougall around the country  from Southern California to New Mexico and from Arizona to Mississippi  searching for a soft landing for her. We are determined to see to it that her soft landing is not in Mississippi.  Mississippi veterans deserve more. In recent years, Mississippi veterans have suffered due to mismanagement in the VA system including, but not limited to, understaffing of essential care stations, problems in meeting established health care standards, and prevalent medical errors leading to serious harm to our veterans and, in some cases, death. The VA system in Mississippi is making progress in addressing recent problems but we believe the appointment of Dr. McDougall would only impede this progress and exacerbate existing issues.  Given Dr. McDougalls track record and the VAs ongoing effort to earn back the trust of veterans in Mississippi and across the country, we strongly urge you to rescind this selection and, instead, appoint a senior leader who will work to provide the best possible service for our veterans. We thank you in advance for your full consideration of our request.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398740", "COCHRAN, WICKER, PALAZZO: $12.8 MILLION TO REPLACE ARMY CENTER IN COLUMBIA", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) today announced that the U.S. Army has approved $12.8 million to replace the National Guard Readiness Center in Columbia, which was destroyed by a tornado just before Christmas last year. The Army is making the funding available after determining that soldier readiness is being harmed because of reduced training time resulting from the destroyed center and the units subsequent relocation to temporary facilities at Camp Shelby. A tornado in Columbia on Dec. 23, 2014, destroyed the 43,105-square-foot center. The Army decision to rebuild the readiness center is great news for strengthening the National Guard training mission in Mississippi and for Columbia. This community is doing well in its recovery after last years storm and this National Guard project is a welcomed addition to that effort, saidCochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on defense. Before its destruction last December, the Army facility in Columbia played an important part in supporting Mississippis soldiers,Wickersaid. I am pleased that the Army is committed to rebuilding the readiness center, ensuring that our states National Guard can continue to fulfill its mission as the combat ready reserve force. The city of Columbia lost a lot when the tornado struck their community last year and weve all worked hard to help them recover from the effects of this devastating storm. As a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard I understand this Armory is not only important to their community, but also plays a vital role to the mission of the Mississippi National Guard. It comes as no surprise to me that the Army understands that as well,Palazzosaid. Replacing the center in Columbia will allow the National Guard to fully meet its mission to support individual and collective training, administrative, automation, communications, and logistical requirements for the Mississippi National Guard. The office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing and Partnerships indicated that unobligated Army National Guard military construction appropriations may be used to cover additional costs.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=7435a3cf-bc1c-45e8-9464-54cb7713fabe", "COCHRAN & WICKER: MISS. NATIONAL GUARD TO HOST CYBER PROTECTION TEAM", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today announced that the Mississippi National Guard has been selected to host a Cyber Protection Team. The Army National Guard expects 10 cyber units will be activated in 23 states by the end of fiscal year 2019. Mississippis National Guard will be part of a 39-member team also involving Texas and Louisiana. The Army decision to base cyber defense units in Mississippi will give our National Guard a stronger role in protecting our nation from new and growing cyber threats. This team will also create new opportunities for tech-savvy Mississippians to use their talents in ways that benefit the nation and equips our workforce with new skills, Cochran said. This selection highlights the excellent work already being done by our states National Guard to defend our country against emerging cyber threats, Wicker said. This team will significantly expand our current capabilities with highly-trained personnel, as well as improve existing infrastructure with new state-of-the-art equipment. Mississippis team is expected to be assembled during 2019. No decision has been made on where the unit will be based. According to the National Guard Bureau, these cyber units are designed to address emerging cyber threats facing the nation while leveraging the critical skill sets found through the private sector employment of Guard service members. Additionally, the teams would support the transition and retention of service members departing the active force for a career in the private sector. The Mississippi-based cyber protection team, as well as others being created around the nation, will provide support to the Army Cyber Command and defense cyberspace operations when mobilized for active duty.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=a079d52a-cb26-47fb-9877-1286bf366c95", "COCHRAN, WICKER, PALAZZO: $12.8 MILLION TO REPLACE ARMY CENTER IN COLUMBIA", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) today announced that the U.S. Army has approved $12.8 million to replace the National Guard Readiness Center in Columbia, which was destroyed by a tornado just before Christmas last year. The Army is making the funding available after determining that soldier readiness is being harmed because of reduced training time resulting from the destroyed center and the units subsequent relocation to temporary facilities at Camp Shelby. A tornado in Columbia on Dec. 23, 2014, destroyed the 43,105-square-foot center. The Army decision to rebuild the readiness center is great news for strengthening the National Guard training mission in Mississippi and for Columbia. This community is doing well in its recovery after last years storm and this National Guard project is a welcomed addition to that effort, said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on defense. Before its destruction last December, the Army facility in Columbia played an important part in supporting Mississippis soldiers, Wicker said. I am pleased that the Army is committed to rebuilding the readiness center, ensuring that our states National Guard can continue to fulfill its mission as the combat ready reserve force. The city of Columbia lost a lot when the tornado struck their community last year and weve all worked hard to help them recover from the effects of this devastating storm. As a member of the Mississippi Army National Guard I understand this Armory is not only important to their community, but also plays a vital role to the mission of the Mississippi National Guard. It comes as no surprise to me that the Army understands that as well, Palazzo said. Replacing the center in Columbia will allow the National Guard to fully meet its mission to support individual and collective training, administrative, automation, communications, and logistical requirements for the Mississippi National Guard. The office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing and Partnerships indicated that unobligated Army National Guard military construction appropriations may be used to cover additional costs.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=2f833f52-16af-4663-ac49-31d4ceda3fbd", "HOWORTH CONFIRMED FOR SECOND TERM ON TVA BOARD WITH COCHRAN, WICKER SUPPORT", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today supported the confirmation of former Oxford mayor Richard Howorth to a second term on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors. The Senate approved the Howorth nomination by voice vote Thursday evening. Howorth was first appointed to the TVA board in 2011 and was re-nominated to a new term in July. With confirmation, he is cleared to serve a term expiring in May 2020. The Tennessee Valley Authority plays an important role in North Mississippi, and Richard Howorth has used his position to effectively represent our interests and those of all TVA customers, Cochran said. The Senates reaffirmation of support for his service gives him new opportunities to help shape the future of the TVA and its work in our state and region. Richard has been an effective advocate for the approximately 9 million people and businesses who rely on TVA power, Wicker said. I urged the President to renominate Richard to the board, and I am pleased that the Senate acted to approve it so swiftly. I am confident he will continue to work on behalf of Mississippi ratepayers, as well as champion important TVA economic development projects in our state.     Howorth, the founder and owner of Square Books in Oxford, served to two terms as mayor, during which time he was chairman of the authority overseeing the Oxford Electric Department. He also served eight years as a director and officer of the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association and is a former president of the American Booksellers Association.    More than 80 years ago, Tupelo became the first city to receive electrical service from TVA and still prides itself as the First TVA City. Since then, TVA has provided electric power and promoted economic development in North Mississippi.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=0be82229-0b80-462b-833b-a9d2dd18eadc", "COCHRAN VOTES TO SEND EDUCATION REFORM BILL TO WHITE HOUSE", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today voted to send the White House a sweeping bipartisan education reform bill that would return more control over education policy to the states and prevent the federal government from imposing education standards, like Common Core, on states. The Senate voted 85 to 12 on Wednesday to give final approval to the Every Student Succeeds Act (S.1177), a bill reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The bill, which effectively replaces the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, would give states additional tools to improve low-performing schools. This measure passed the House of Representatives on Dec. 2 with broad bipartisan support, and the president has indicated he will sign the bill into law. This legislation will move control of our schools back toward states and local communities, as it should be, Cochran said. It is important that Congress protect the prerogative of states to set educational standards that best suit their students. The Every Student Succeeds Act will eliminate burdensome federal mandates set by the Department of Education without congressional approval and will provide each state with the flexibility to determine what works best for them, he said.  While S.1177 requires states to adopt academic standards for math, reading, science, and other subjects the state chooses, the legislation restores state control over setting these standards. In December 2013, Cochran introduced legislation to prohibit the U.S. Department of Education from linking the adoption of its endorsed standards to eligibility for federal funding. The final agreement also retains several other Cochran-sponsored provisions that were approved in the original Senate-passed bill. These include a unanimously-approved amendment written by Cochran and Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) to all authorize the use of federal funds to improve and modernize school libraries. The bill also keeps a provision included by Cochran and Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) to ensure that the unique aspects of rural education are considered by the U.S. Department of Education. Specifically, this provision should help bolster participation of rural educators in policy development. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=83ff05f2-a5d2-42f9-a098-7d95b0935ca3", "COCHRAN, WICKER, PALAZZO PRAISE $200 MILLION NAVY CONTRACT FOR LPD 28 START", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and U.S. Representative Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) today praised the award of U.S. Navy contract worth $200 million to procure long-lead-material for production in Pascagoula of the Navys 12th amphibious transport deck. The Mississippi lawmakers supported the shipbuilding funding through the FY2015 defense appropriations and authorization process, with Cochran playing a key role in adding an additional $1.0 billion in procurement funding for the LPD 28, a San Antonio (LPD) class vessel favored by the Navy and Marine Corps. The contract was awarded to Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula. With this contract, our Mississippi shipbuilders will continue to play a major role in meeting the readiness challenges facing our Navy, said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense. Their work is essential to carry our goal to address an amphibious lift shortfall and to ensure that our modern Navy is equipped to protect our national security interests. I am pleased that the Navy has entered into a contract with Huntington-Ingalls for the construction of the LPD-28 amphibious ship, said Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower. This contract is not unexpected but fulfills the ships authorization and appropriation by Congress last year. For generations, Mississippi has maintained a proud tradition of producing amphibious ships, which are the Swiss Army Knives of the sea. Sustained production of the next generation of amphibious ships, such as the LPD-28, is critical to the ability of our brave sailors and Marines to defend our nation. Todays announcement is the culmination of years of hard work and negotiations between our shipbuilders and the Navy. Most of all it is a huge step towards giving our Marine Corps the ships they need to accomplish the missions in which we continue to task them, Palazzo said. Our Marine Corps has repeatedly said they are being asked to do more with less, including too few amphibious ships. Now, more than ever, its imperative that we support a strong national defense. The continuance of the LPD line is a strong indication of a bright and successful future for our men and women in uniform as well as the hard-working men and women of Ingalls. The $200 million cost-plus-fixed-fee advance procurement contract will support the procurement of long-lead-time material and equipment. These advance contracts allow the Navy to save taxpayer funds by maintaining production lines. The San Antonio class ships, which are 684 feet long and 105 feet wide, are a key component of the Navys amphibious assault force. The process of funding the LPD 28 began when the Senate added $263 million to the FY2013 Defense Appropriations Bill for LPD 28 advance procurement funding. The FY2015 Defense Appropriations Bill provided an additional $1.0 billion for the procurement of LPD 28.    The Senate and House negotiators are currently working to finalize the FY2016 defense appropriations bill, which will determine funding for LPD 28 and other Navy shipbuilding for the current fiscal year.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=8abb3768-9455-4b2d-9202-f8739141d47b", "COCHRAN VOTES TO REPEAL OBAMACARE", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) voted for Senate passage of legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, through a process known as budget reconciliation. The Senate passed the Restoring Americans Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act (HR.3672) late Thursday, 52 to 47. The Senate measure strengthens companion legislation in the House to repeal the key pillars of Obamacare. With Senate passage and an upcoming vote in the House, HR.3672 will become the first Obamacare-repealing bill to reach President Obamas desk.  This legislation would repeal some of the more harmful aspects of the Affordable Care Act, including increased taxes and burdensome mandates, while giving us an opportunity to work toward a better plan, Cochran said. Despite all the promises made by the Obama administration, this flawed law has made health care less accessible and more expensive for families and businesses throughout Mississippi. This vote is an important step toward lifting Obamacares burdensome regulations and lowering its costs for people across the country, he said. Budget reconciliation is the same rarely-used process by which Democratic Senators in 2010 avoided the usual 60-vote threshold to pass major parts of Obamacare with just 51 votesnone of which were cast by Republicans. The resulting implementation of Obamacare has resulted in American taxpayers paying more than $116 billion each year, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. In Mississippi, the average household will likely see Obamacare-related tax increases of nearly $5,000 over the next decade. The legislation also phases out Obamacares Medicaid expansion and exchange subsidies after two years so that a new president could enact better health-care legislation after 2016. Across the country, Medicaid spending accounts for nearly a quarter of all state expenditures. In many states, Medicaid spending now surpasses education as the largest state budgetary commitment, even as the program continues to struggle to provide access to care for its patients or improve health outcomes for enrollees.  In addition to repealing Obamacare, the legislation would block federal funding to Planned Parenthood.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=facaca59-bb66-45b4-a92e-c91cf0e68003", "COCHRAN VOTES TO PASS LONG-TERM TRANSPORTATION BILL", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today voted for the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which would ease federal regulatory burdens and direct additional resources for transportation improvements in Mississippi and across the country for the next five years. The FAST Act (HR.22) would be the first long-term highway authorization bill signed into law since 2009. The legislation passed the Senate by a 83 to 16 margin, and now heads to the President, who has indicated he will sign it into law.  A long-term surface transportation bill is an important step toward giving Mississippi and all states the certainty and resources they need to improve infrastructure to promote economic growth, development and public safety, Cochran said. I am pleased that this legislation will be signed into law and give our state the means to support the infrastructure necessary to assure quality of life for Mississippians and improve our ability to better compete in the global economy, he said. The FAST Act authorized the federal aid highway program through 2020 with a formula-based program schedule that would provide states with a sustainable source of funding. In addition, the legislation also works to ensure that rural transportation projects receive an equitable distribution of funds. Overall, the FAST Act would provide Mississippi with an estimated $2.7 billion in transportation funding that the state would not receive otherwise. Additionally, the FAST Act would emphasize bridge reconstruction and safety, a key issue for Mississippi, by increasing funding specifically designed to shore up deficient bridges. According to the Federal Highway Administration, 2,275 bridges in Mississippi, approximately 21 percent of the states total, are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. The final bill includes provisions from Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act, introduced by Cochran and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.). The highway bill includes set-aside block grant funding for which local communities can apply to implement a variety of local transportation needs, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, Safe Routes to School initiatives, community improvement activities, recreational trails and other projects.  Finally, HR.22 includes provisions to reduce the regulatory burdens associated with the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process for infrastructure projects. NEPA compliance requirements currently cause significant delays and significant additional costs to transportation projects.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=61ecd3cb-2eb9-4fb2-9286-5da3b6dee0c2", "MISS. SENATORS URGE DOJ TO HELP ABUSED CHILDREN", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., have joined a bipartisan effort encouraging U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to help child advocacy centers (CACs) around the country by ensuring federal support for medical and forensic services. These specialists fill an important role in providing assistance to abused children, conducting interviews that are often the access point for other victim services. Mississippi has nine child advocacy facilities, which serve 3,200 children throughout the state. These advocacy centers offer important care and support to abused children and young victims of human trafficking. We want the Justice Department to ensure that their services, such as forensic interviews and medical examinations, are eligible for reimbursement through the Victims of Crime Assistance fund. This support could be critical in helping these youths find justice, Cochran said. Thousands of children would greatly benefit from forensic services if they were more readily available, Wicker said. Unfortunately, many child advocacy centers are experiencing a shortage of these experts because of funding uncertainty. The Justice Department can remove that uncertainty by making it clear that the services will be reimbursed. This would be an important step to ensure that victims of abuse can receive the help they need to heal. The letter, led by Senators Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Chris Coons, D-Del., urges Lynch to state explicitly that forensic interviews and forensic medical exams are reimbursable services under the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) Victims Assistance Program. This clarification would allow CACs to conduct these vital services, treating victims of child abuse and child sex trafficking with greater efficiency.  Currently, nothing prohibits states and these centers from using VOCA funding to pay for forensic interviews and forensic medical exams. However, many states and child advocacy centers are hesitant to do so because DOJ has not clearly defined them as reimbursable services. This clarification letter is supported by the Childrens Advocacy Centers of Mississippi. The full text of the letter follows:\r\nNovember 30, 2015\r\n  The Honorable Loretta Lynch  Attorney General  United States Department of Justice  950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW  Washington, DC 20530 Dear Attorney General Lynch: We write on behalf of all child victims of crime to urge you to confirm that childrens advocacy centers are eligible for reimbursement under the VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program for expenses related to conducting forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations for child abuse victims in a multidisciplinary setting. Forensic interviews and medical examinations are integral to providing appropriate victim services to children who have been abused. Over the last three decades, Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) have continually improved, refined and defined ways of helping child abuse and child sex trafficking victims, and it all starts with the forensic interview. Forensic interviews conducted at CACs are child-centered and coordinated to avoid duplication and re-victimization of the child. Forensic interviews are also the gateway to further victim services for children who have been abused as they result in referrals for trauma assessments, mental health services for child victims and non-offending family members, victim support and advocacy, and medical evaluations. Last year, CACs provided services and forensic interviews to more than 315,000 children nationwide. CACs also conduct forensic medical examinations, in conjunction with the forensic interview, to ensure that any available medical evidence is gathered while also treating any physical injuries from the abuse. An accurate history is essential in making the appropriate medical diagnosis and determining the appropriate treatment. Because this is essential, CACs use health care providers with pediatric experience and child abuse expertise to conduct the medical evaluations.  For CACs, both forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations are key components and essential for healing and justice for victims and non-offending caregivers. Confirming that the VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program includes forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations as allowable direct services costs will give CACs access to critical resources needed to serve child victims within their communities. It is for this reason that we encourage you to allow forensic interviews and forensic medical examinations to be eligible for reimbursement under the VOCA Victim Assistance Grant Program. Thank you for your consideration.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=5017a3c6-8041-4e45-ab6f-5e0ecb64e53f", "MISS. SENATORS ANNOUNCE NEW FUNDS FOR LOUISVILLE, WINSTON CO. MEDICAL CENTER", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today announced a $1.78 million federal grant to support continued work in Louisville and Winston County to replace tornado-damaged health care facilities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public assistance grant to the Winston County Medical Foundation will support the replacement of four buildings and fund other repairs at the Winston County Medical Complex, which sustained major tornado damage on April 28, 2014. Winston County leaders continue to work toward improving community health care facilities and the services they offer to residents. I appreciate efforts by FEMA to support this work and to help Louisville and Winston County rebound after that deadly 2014 storm, said Cochran, who is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and is the senior Republican on the subcommittee that recommends funding for the FEMA disaster relief fund. Progress has been made since last years devastating tornado touched down in Winston County, Wicker said. These FEMA funds build on that progress by reaffirming our shared commitment to restoring the areas critical health-care facilities. I am pleased that the state and the federal government continue to work closely together to rebuild the communities impacted by the storm. The FEMA grant represents a 75 percent share of the total cost of this phase of Winston Countys recovery effort, which is $2.38 million. State and local resources will be required to meet the remaining 25 percent cost-share. This new grant is part of a broader effort to replace damaged county medical facilities in Louisville, an effort that is projected to cost $32.6 million. FEMA is expected to provide an estimated $10.8 million, 75 percent of eligible costs not covered by the countys insurance policies. The EF-4 tornado that tore through East Central Mississippi in April 2014 made a direct hit on the Winston County Medical Center, causing major damage to its main facility, a 120-bed nursing home, dialysis center and outpatient surgery center. The Winston County Medical Foundation has applied for FEMA public assistance funds to repair the existing nursing home building and redesign the hospital campus. FEMA Public Assistant Grants provide supplemental disaster assistance to state, local and tribal governments, and certain types of private, nonprofit organizations for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned facilities.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://harper.house.gov/enewsletters/happy-thanksgiving", "Happy Thanksgiving", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Gregg Harper", "H001045", "harper.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nMy many Thanksgiving recollections are filled with fond memories of time with family, fellowship with special friends, thoughts of loved ones who were with us then but have now passed on to glory, and so many other blessings of which I am thankful.\nI am thankful for those blessed times, but Sidneys and my thoughts and prayers also go out today to those who are struggling during this holiday season. Our hope is that the God of mercy will give them His grace during these times and restore to them the joy that our Lord brings though his life here on earth.\nToday, we are indeed reminded of those many blessings  health and happiness, friends and family. We are also reminded of the sacrifices made on our behalf by the brave men and women of our armed forces who celebrate their Thanksgiving abroad today so that we may enjoy this holiday safely. May God protect them, and may they all return home soon to their families.\nI am so honored and thankful for the opportunity to serve our great state and our country. No country has ever been so blessed by our God as our great republic, the United States of America. His word reminds in Psalm 33:12, Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD. May we continue as a country to honor His name in all that we do.\nSidney and I wish each one of you a blessed and peaceful Thanksgiving, and we thank you for this honor to serve you in Congress.\nHappy Thanksgiving and God bless,\n  \nGregg Harper  \nMember of Congress\n                \n                \n                    Posted: \n                    November 24, 2016", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c6026849-4b83-4928-8890-278d238fad85", "FINALLY!  COCHRAN PLEASED USDA ISSUES FINAL CATFISH INSPECTION RULE", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today said he will continue to work to see that federal agencies implement a final rule published Wednesday to give the U. S. Department of Agriculture inspection responsibilities for imported and domestic catfish offered to American consumers.\r\nThe issuance of the final rule culminates a more than seven-year effort by Cochran to transfer inspection responsibilities to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A FSIS inspection program was first authorized in the 2008 farm bill and reaffirmed in the 2014 farm bill.\r\nI will continue work to see that this new catfish inspection program is implemented as rapidly as possible. The point of this process has been to ensure that the farm-raised catfish served to American families is safe and nutritious. The USDA is in the best position to get this done, Cochran said. I am thankful this rule has been published, although it should not have taken seven years.\r\nThe catfish inspection rule will become effective 90 days after publication in the Federal Register on Dec. 2 and will include an 18-month introductory period for domestic and international producers.\r\nThe rule allows the FSIS to begin implementation of a food safety inspection program that will require all catfish producers and processors, both domestic and foreign, to abide by the same food safety standards. The USDA crafted the rule to comply with the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement.\r\nThis system would replace an FDA inspection process that examines less than 2 percent of the fish imported into the United States, including limited tests for unapproved drugs and chemicals used by producers in developing countries to enhance yields and address diseases associated with overcrowded catfish ponds. All catfish inspection responsibilities will be transferred to and not shared with the USDA.\r\nCochran pushed for a USDA-led process, which already inspects 100 percent of imported farm-raised protein sources like poultry, pork and beef. The FSIS inspection process extends to overseas points of origin to monitor and prevent the importation of products containing substances banned for use by the United States.\r\n###\r\nLINKS:\r\nRule: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/federal-register/interim-and-final-rules\r\nUSDA FSIS Announcement: http://1.usa.gov/1OgS5sC", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f2845fe9-7a06-4b31-b6c2-4a73d02cc0d7", "COCHRAN ANNOUNCES $1.47 MILLION FEMA GRANT TO ADDRESS JACKSON FLOOD PROBLEM", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced that a $1.47 million grant has been approved to help the City of Jackson undertake a flood control project along a stretch of Lynch Creek in West Jackson. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the $1,477,321 grant for Jackson through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The storm water management award is expected to cover 75 percent of the $1,969,763 cost of the Lynch Creek drainage improvement project. The remaining 25 percent will be paid for with local funds. This grant will help the City of Jackson address persistent flooding problems along Lynch Creek. The successful completion of this work should help lessen the public safety risks and economic damages associated with flooding in the area, said Cochran, who serves on the Senate appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over FEMA. The FEMA grant would support Phase 2 of the project, which entails widening Lynch Creek near Ellis Avenue and Robinson Road and improving the creek slope with gabion baskets. The creek would be widened to a 50- to 70-foot flat bottom for approximately 1,000 feet from St. Charles Avenue past Robinson Road to increase flow capacity and better protect homes and businesses in the area. In 2013, the City of Jackson received a Phase 1 design grant worth $209,119 to develop the Lynch Creek project. Both grants were approved through the federal disaster designation issued for Mississippi following Hurricane Isaac in 2012.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398737", "Palazzo Supports Bill to Pause Refugee Program", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) voted today in support of H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015, that strengthens the process by which refugees are admitted and effectively halts the Syrian refugee program.\nThis bill will ensure the highest level of scrutiny is placed on every single Syrian refugee and effectively halt this program until we can ensure Americans are protected. This is a powerful first step to stopping dangerous terrorists from reaching our soil. \nIm baffled that the President, our commander-in-chief, the one person charged with protecting the U.S. homeland above all others, has threatened to veto this bill. Our number one constitutional responsibility is the common defense of this nation. The president may not take his constitutional responsibilities seriously, but I do. And I say its time to start taking care of the American people.\"\nThe American SAFE Act adds an extra layer of protection by requiring certification of refugees from the Federal Bureau of Investigation Director, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of National Intelligence.Congressman Palazzo is a co-sponsor of the American SAFE Act, and spoke two different times on the House floor today in support of the bill. Click here to view both of his speeches.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c35366e2-e818-428e-9821-a39eb86e44e4", "MISS. LEADERS WELCOME L-3 EXPANSION IN MADISON COUNTY", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Members of the Mississippi congressional delegation and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant today welcomed news that the communication and electronic systems corporation L-3 will expand its presence in Mississippi by establishing its L-3 Logistics Solutions headquarters in Madison. U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), U.S. Representative Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) and Governor Bryant have been working to demonstrate Mississippi's strong support for the firm. With today's announcement, L-3 is expected to soon add a significant number of new skilled jobs to its Madison office and grow operations in the state as market conditions improve. \"The decision by L-3 to focus its Logistics Solutions business in Madison is another vote of confidence in Mississippi's growing high-tech industry,\" Cochran said. \"I appreciate the company?s willingness to engage with local, state and federal officials on its future in Madison County. We want to ensure that our state?s productive partnership with L-3 only grows stronger.\"    \"This expansion is a great development for Madison County,\" Wicker said. \"L-3 is a proven leader in aerospace and communications. These are good-paying, high-tech jobs that will help strengthen Mississippi's workforce and ensure that our military remains the best-equipped and most advanced fighting force in the world.\"    \"This is certainly an exciting day for Madison County as L-3 plans to expand its presence in our state,\" said Harper. \"L-3 could have chosen to expand at other locations, and the fact that they plan to grow in the Madison office speaks volumes of Mississippi's business climate. This decision is a credit to the hard work of our congressional delegation, Gov. Bryant and his team, and our industry partners to foster economic development here in Mississippi. I am pleased to see that L-3 is dedicated to thriving in Mississippi.\"    \"I thank L-3 for choosing to expand their operations in Mississippi, locating their Logistics Solutions headquarters in Madison, and creating more career opportunities for area residents,\" Bryant said. \"When companies choose to expand or locate in the state they put Mississippi on the global stage and show companies around the world that we are open for business. L-3 is a valued member of our business community, and we look forward to having them in Mississippi for years to come.\"    L-3 currently employs more than 280 workers in Madison and approximately 7,000 people around the world. Much of their work focuses on providing logistical and maintenance support for military equipment used in combat zones overseas. The company also supports a variety of critical military aviation programs, including platforms for the C-12 Huron, T-45 Goshawk, T-1A Jayhawk and numerous rotary-wing platforms.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=164d044a-a5e9-4582-be4c-b2f5721d339f", "MISS. LEADERS PRAISE LONG-TERM NORTHROP GRUMMAN LEASE AGREEMENT WITH JACKSON CO.", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker and Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant today praised an agreement reached between Northrop Grumman and Jackson County to extend the lease for the Moss Point Unmanned Systems Center for another eight years. Cochran, Wicker and Bryant worked with the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Jackson County Economic Development Foundation, Jackson County Port Authority and Mississippi Development Authority to encourage the Northrop Grumman lease extension in order to help preserve defense-related jobs in South Mississippi and strengthen Mississippis position as a leader in unmanned aerial systems. With final approval, the lease will extend to December 2023. The presence of Northrop Grumman in Jackson County builds on the reputation of South Mississippi as a friendly region for business and defense manufacturing. I am pleased that the company worked with us to extend its commitment in Mississippi, said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense. I hope that this development also creates opportunities for the company to expand its Mississippi workforce over the course of this lease extension. Northrop Grumman is an important partner for Jackson County and the state in creating good-paying jobs and encouraging economic growth, Wicker said. I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to ensure that the company will continue to call Mississippi home for years to come. Its facility in Moss Point has produced unmanned aircraft such as the Global Hawk, which provides vital intelligence capabilities for our troops throughout the world. This extension guarantees that Mississippi will continue to play a leading role in aerospace and defense. Northrop Grumman is known globally for its superior aerospace products, and we are proud that they will continue to call Mississippi home for many years to come, said Gov. Bryant. They develop some of the most advanced and sophisticated unmanned aerial systems in the skies today, and they are strengthening Mississippis position as an aerospace leader while protecting freedom around the world. Barry Cumbest, president of the Jackson County Board of Supervisors, said the agreement further validates Jackson Countys reputation as a prime location for globally recognized aerospace companies. Northrop Grummans decision to extend this agreement is a testament to the companys confidence in the economic development vision and leadership in Jackson County. We look forward to building upon our shared success with Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems for years to come, said Cumbest. A resolution concurring with the agreement was approved Wednesday morning by the Jackson County Port Authority. The resolution is expected to come before the Jackson County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 7 for final approval.  The Moss Point Unmanned Systems Center, which currently employs about 70 people, began unmanned aircraft production in 2006. It is the final assembly site for the Navy Fire Scout unmanned helicopter and for wiring harness installation for the Air Force Global Hawk and the Navy Triton unmanned aircraft.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://harper.house.gov/enewsletters/syrian-refugees", "Syrian Refugees", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Gregg Harper", "H001045", "harper.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nAmericans are outraged with the senseless, despicable acts of violence carried out in Paris last Friday. At the same time, our citizens are concerned about the threat posed by inadequate security screening procedures for refugees seeking entry into the United States. ISIS itself has stated its intention to take advantage of the crisis to infiltrate the west. With this knowledge, we absolutely must take this threat seriously.\nI have cosponsored three pieces of legislation: H.R. 3314  the Refugee Resettlement Accountability National Security Act, which calls for the Syrian Refugee program to be suspended in its current form until reforms are implemented and Congress agrees to resume the program by joint resolution.\nH.R. 3573  the Refugee Resettlement Oversight and Security Act, that will rein in the Administrations refugee resettlement plans and give Congress more control over the process by requiring the Administration to get affirmative approval from Congress through the enactment of a joint resolution before any refugees may be admitted into the United States.\nAnd H.R. 4038  the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015, which ensures that no refugees come in from Syria or Iraq until all three of our top national security chiefs  director of the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence  sign their names in approval for each and every one of the proposed refugees, saying they have performed thorough background checks and they are not a threat.\nMake no mistake  halting our refugee program will not bring an end to the threat of attacks by radical extremists. As Speaker Paul Ryan said today, In the end, the ultimate solution to this crisis is a strategy to defeat ISIS.\nWe must act now and formulate a plan to wipe this radical terror group from the face of the earth before they have the capabilities to hit us here at home. There must continue to be a coalition of nations willing to take the fight to Islamic terrorists, wherever they may be found. Working with our allies and the countries in the region that are most affected by ISIS is certainly in everyones best interest, but its time for America to do the right thing: LEAD.\nFinally, we must stand by France. In the Chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives hangs a portrait of the French military officer Marquis de Lafayette, whose assistance was integral to the birth of our nation. If France is at war, the United States must be at war as well.\nGod Bless,  \n  \nGregg Harper  \nMember of Congress\n                \n                \n                    Posted: \n                    November 18, 2015", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398733", "Palazzo Bill Gives States Authority to Refuse Refugees", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) Introduced legislation today that would support the rights of the states to determine whether or not they choose to accept refugees as part of any resettlement program.\r\nOur governor, along with 29 other states governors, announced that they will not allow Syrian refugees to be resettled in their state. My bill will provide states clear federal authority to opt out of the Syrian refugee program.\r\nWe have no fool-proof way of vetting these refugees and state officials should have the right to protect their citizens by refusing to participate in refugee programs. This is an insurance policy for the governors to use if the President continues to ignore the will of the American people.\r\nTo date, 30 governors have expressed their opposition or refusal to house refugees in their states. Unfortunately, there is still a question of how much authority these state executives have to refuse the refugees. Congressman Palazzos legislation would clearly prohibit the resettlement of any refugee in a state where the Governor has taken formal action to disapprove of refugees or certain refugees during that year.\r\n ###\r\nPalazzo is a Marine veteran of the Persian Gulf War and currently serves as a noncommissioned officer in the Mississippi National Guard. He is the newest member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves as Co-Chairman of the House National Guard Caucus. He previously served on the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1fc200da-c47a-4460-a42b-d1a8a3e234a7", "COCHRAN VOTES TO HALT EPA CLEAN POWER RULE AS SENATE APPROVES RESOLUTIONS OF DISAPPROVAL", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today voted in favor of two measures to turn back an Obama administration regulatory effort that would require Mississippi to result in higher energy prices and expensive compliance costs. Cochran is an original cosponsor of two Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions of disapproval that would eliminate the regulations associated with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Power Plan rule for existing, new and modified power plants. Both measures passed with bipartisan support. Both S.J.Res.23 and S.J.Res.24 were approved on 52-46 votes. The State of Mississippi and various electricity providers in our state have studied this federal regulatory plan and determined it would be harmful to our state. Simply put, the compliance costs and regulatory requirements far outweigh the purported benefits of the Clean Power Plan, Cochran said. I am pleased the Senate has approved resolutions of disapproval to stop the Clean Power Plan, which the Obama administration has pursued with little concern for its costs to families and businesses, he said. Earlier this month, Mississippi became the 27th state to join a federal lawsuit challenging the final Clean Power Plan, which would require states to submit plans to control carbon dioxide emissions from existing, modified or new power plants. The plan is expected to cost states and ratepayers hundreds of billions of dollars over the next 15 years. In July, all members of the Mississippi congressional delegation signed a letter to the EPA, the United States Department of Agriculture, and White House Office of Management and Budget calling for an investigation into whether carbon dioxide reduction goals associated with the Clean Power Plan are achievable at a reasonable cost. The delegation argued that the strict Clean Power Plan goals are prohibitively expensive and unattainable by Mississippi, despite significant investments to improve air quality in the state. (http://1.usa.gov/1JhekvQ) In addition to the state, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Mississippi Electric Power Associations and Tennessee Valley Authority are among the organizations that have cited concerns over the Clean Power Plan and support the Senate resolutions of disapproval.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=7dfc1082-6a72-4bfa-9e5d-79c88674b5ef", "OXFORD SCHOOLS RECEIVE USDA FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT, COCHRAN REPORTS", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced that the Oxford School District has been awarded an $80,000 grant to continue its efforts to use Mississippi-grown agriculture products in its school cafeterias. The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded the funding to Oxford through its Farm to School Program, which supports local efforts to increase local foods served through child nutrition programs. The Oxford schools have set a good example of promoting local agriculture to provide nutrition to students and to increase their knowledge of farming, said Cochran, who is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. I hope more schools in our state will be able to participate in this program.  The Farm to School implementation grant will allow the Oxford schools to participate in a city-wide food hub with the Oxford City Market and support the use of garden projects for self-sustaining educational programs. In 2013, the school district received an initial Farm to School planning grant. Cochran and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) earlier this year introduced the Farm to School Act of 2015 (S.569), which would expand the Farm to School grant program that was initially created in 2004 but not funded until 2010. The 2015 legislation would increase school eligibility, reduce barriers for farmer participation, allow broader use of agriculture and aquaculture (including catfish) products, and restrict the amount of program funding that can be used for administrative costs. The bill would expand eligibility to land-grant colleges and universities, preschools, summer food service sites and after school programs. It would also create incentives for novice, veteran or socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to participate in the program.\r\n###\r\n  LINKS:   USDA Farm to School Program: http://1.usa.gov/1LIsdlS    USDA Farm to School Census (Mississippi): http://1.usa.gov/1akUj9l    National Farm to School Network: http://bit.ly/1JN4qUb", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=47c39139-d764-44a6-ab5e-b747f34ff502", "COCHRAN PRAISES AWARD OF $29.8 MILLION FOR MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST RESTORATION WORK", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), who helped author the RESTORE Act, today issued the following statement supporting the award of almost $29.8 million for environmental restoration projects on the Mississippi Gulf Coast associated with the 2010 oil spill:\r\nThe long-term oil spill recovery process on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is not only necessary, but good environmentally and economically. This new round of awards is a boost for the state, coastal communities and federal agencies working together to improve the overall ecology of the region. Im pleased with this ongoing progress. The funding for Mississippi was approved by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which is administering the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GEBF) established after the devastating BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This third round of GEBF awards to Mississippi will support Turkey Creek Watershed conservation, oyster restoration in the Mississippi Sound, water quality improvements at beach outfalls, and habitat restoration on federal lands on the coast. For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/1QsyBl8 The GEBF-funded projects will complement projects being supported by the RESTORE Act, which Cochran helped write. This 2012 law established the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund to provide Gulf Coast states with 80 percent of the Clean Water Act fines related to the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill. These funds will be available for locally-directed restoration projects.\r\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=5a24b55b-7f08-4847-a283-b79c347c4a72", "COCHRAN:  SENATE APPROVES BILL WITH $9.3 MILLION FOR NEW ARMY RESERVE CENTER IN STARKVILLE", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, today voted for Senate approval of $9.3 million in federal military construction funding to replace the aging Guy II & Will Jones U.S. Army Reserve Center (USARC) in Starkville. Cochran voted with 93 Senators to approve the FY2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill (HR.2029). The measure is the first stand-alone appropriations bill amended, debated, and passed in the Senate since 2011. This year also marks the first time since 2009 that all 12 appropriations bills were approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Within the MilCon-VA bill, $9.3 million is provided to a new USARC facility in Starkville. The bill must now be reconciled with a similar measure passed by the House of Representatives that does not fund the Starkville project. I look forward to conferencing our bill with the House bill, and making our case for this project. The Army Reserve Center replacement project is supported by the Army and was included in the budget request. There are good arguments to be made for replacing a run-down center with one that has joint-use potential and meets modern standards, Cochran said. The project in Starkville is authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act, which that received final congressional approval from the Senate on Tuesday, clearing the policy bill to be resent to the White House for consideration. The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Housing and Partnerships has indicated that a new USARC can be considered for joint military service use. The bulk of the funding in the Senate MilCon-VA bill is dedicated to veterans benefits and health care. While it provides $8.2 billion for military construction, the bill makes $71.2 billion in discretionary funding available for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs programs. It recommends $50.7 billion for the treatment and care of approximately 6.9 million veterans in FY2016. This bipartisan bill ensures that our veterans, active duty military and their families have the support that they deserve. It is our duty to meet our obligation to the men and women who have risked their lives to defend our nation, Cochran said. For the more than 200,000 veterans who call Mississippi home, it is important that we finish our work and get this legislation enacted. The Senate measure increases discretionary funding in order to improve patient access to care, and to support additional health care services including coverage of the drug to cure hepatitis C, veterans caregiver services, and homeless veterans assistance. The bill funds the VA Electronic Health Record Program but restricts full usage of the funding until the VA demonstrates functional improvements in the exchange of veterans medical data between the VA, Department of Defense and private health care providers. The bill also increases the oversight of major VA medical construction programs. At Cochrans request, the bill includes language directing the VA to continue reporting to Congress the details of its actions to resolve issues at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi and the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c131a666-1b20-4e9f-b5a6-6abfd696bcc8", "COCHRAN STATEMENT ON VETERANS DAY", "2015-11-10", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today released the following Veterans Day statement to commemorate and highlight the importance of veterans in American society: Our nation has been blessed with bright, brave men and women who risked their lives to protect ours. We should strive every day to recognize their noble calling and their incredible sacrifices. As our veterans return home from overseas, it is our duty to ensure that our obligations to them and their families are met. Their service often leaves them with scars, both seen and unseen, and our veterans deserve our full and continued support. This Veterans Day, I encourage all Mississippians to honor and thank those who served our country. A Navy veteran, Cochran serves as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e48a4348-a48d-40f3-b032-6758d1473980", "COCHRAN STATEMENT ON OBAMA REJECTION OF KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE", "2015-11-06", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement critical of President Obamas decision to disapprove the Keystone XL pipeline after almost seven years of deliberations:The Keystone XL pipeline would have created jobs and increased American energy security. Both should be priorities of any administration, which makes President Obamas decision to deny this project all the more disappointing.  After almost seven years of deliberations and with broad bipartisan and public support for the pipeline, the Presidents decision to reject this project is the wrong one for the American economy.  Cochran is an original cosponsor of the Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act (S.1), which was approved by the Senate and House with strong bipartisan support. Obama vetoed that measure in March.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c4434bc3-bab7-484f-a87f-631b7eadb771", "COCHRAN & WICKER SEEK USDA ACTION TO DEAL WITH AVIAN FLU THREAT", "2015-11-05", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today signed a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asking that action be taken to ensure the continued viability of the U.S. poultry industry should additional outbreaks of high path avian flu occur this fall or later. The letter, authored by Cochran and signed by Wicker and eight other Senators, seeks action on three issues of importance to Southern boiler operations as the U.S. Department of Agriculture determines how best to implement its Fall 2015 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Preparedness and Response Plan. (http://1.usa.gov/1iB7WF4)  Precautions should be taken now to help protect poultry producers from avian influenza, Cochran said. We have asked the Department of Agriculture to take actions that could help the poultry industry in Mississippi and other states overcome potentially devastating losses. Mississippis poultry industry is a major contributor to the states economy, supporting thousands of jobs and bringing in billions of dollars each year, Wicker said. It is critical that we proactively prepare for an outbreak. USDA needs to expand financial protections for vulnerable businesses in the event that high path avian influenza is detected in our state. The Mississippi Senators are working to ensure the USDA has policies in place that, if necessary, would help the state protect an industry that is Mississippis largest agricultural commodity. The industry, which directly employs more than 25,000 people, earned $2.8 billion in product value in 2014 through the production of 738 million broilers. The state last year exported $233 million worth of frozen and fresh poultry. In response to detections, USDA must depopulate affected flocks to prevent the spread of HPAI, which could easily result in the loss of 100,000 birds or more. While the USDA compensates owners for such losses, its current regulations do not take growers into consideration, in the case of contract broiler operations. The letter to Vilsack asks the USDA to take the following actions:   Ensure that the HPAI regulations will allow for equitable distribution of indemnity support between owners and growers engaged in contract poultry productions, without which the growers could be left vulnerable given the high cost of production.    Provide indemnity protection against losses associated with HPAI-caused supply chain disruptions since the current assistance program would only cover birds that must be destroyed.   Direct the Farm Service Agency begin to develop guidelines to allow the restructuring of direct and guaranteed loans held by borrowers severely affected by HPAI. In addition to the Mississippi Senators, the letter was signed by Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), David Vitter (R-La.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).  The USDA is preparing for a new occurrences of HPAI in the United States, following an outbreak between December 2014 and June 2015 that infected more than 48 million birds in 15 states, including Missouri. (http://1.usa.gov/1JM8mEx) The letter to Vilsack is available below and here:http://1.usa.gov/1NSaGZH \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=d8777227-feab-4ef3-ac93-b8001f9876eb", "COCHRAN URGES SENATE DEMS TO DROP DEFENSE FILIBUSTER", "2015-11-05", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense, today urged Senate Democrats to drop their blockade of a bipartisan bill to fund the nations defense programs. For the third time since June, Democratic Senators on Thursday blocked consideration of the FY2016 Defense Appropriations Bill. Speaking on the Senate floor prior to todays vote, Cochran said, Let's get this bill before the Senate, offer amendments if Senators have suggestions for changes in the bill, and move ahead to complete action on this bill  so that we can thoughtfully and with a sense of confidence know that we're doing the right thing to protect the security interests of our country and our citizens. Senators should have the opportunity to debate, amend and approve the Defense Appropriations Bill. The legislation is a bipartisan national security measure that provides the resources that are necessary to protect our nation, support our servicemembers and their families, and meet current and future threats to our national security. We have no greater priority than protecting our national security interests here at home and abroad.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1b6c16d6-12e2-4a47-9401-cfdc02d357a2", "COCHRAN VOTES TO CURB EPA OVERREACH ON CLEAN WATER REGS", "2015-11-04", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today voted to advance a Resolution of Disapproval to effectively reject the Obama administrations expansion of federal jurisdiction over isolated non-navigable waters and wetlands under the Clean Water Act.  Cochrans favorable vote on S.J.Res.22 is part of an ongoing effort to block or overturn the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which would bring new waters, including creeks and ponds on private land, under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act and subject them to EPA permitting requirements. We need to be good stewards of our environmental resources, but the Waters of the United States regulation is a burden, Cochran said. Farmers, ranchers and outdoorsmen across the country can be justifiably concerned with the negative effects of this ruling, which would affect property owners throughout Mississippi.  The Senate voted 53 to 44 in favor of S.J.Res.22, a joint congressional Resolution of Disapproval to ensure that WOTUS would have no force or effect. Cochran is among the 49 cosponsors of the measure, which was authored by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The resolution will now be referred to the House of Representatives for approval.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364", "Media Advisory | Kelly to Host Military Service Academy Day\n\nOctober 30, 2015 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nTags:\nNational Defense / Veterans\n\n\nKelly to Host Military Service Academy Day\r\n\r\nSaturday, October 31\r\n\r\n10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm CST in TUPELO:\u00a0Representative Trent Kelly will host a Military Service Academy Day.\u00a0 The event is open to middle and high school students and their families, school officials, or interested citizens who want to learn about the five United States military academies and their admissions\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2015-10-30", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Kelly to Host Military Service Academy DaySaturday, October 31\n\n10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm CST in TUPELO: Representative Trent Kelly will host a Military Service Academy Day. The event is open to middle and high school students and their families, school officials, or interested citizens who want to learn about the five United States military academies and their admissions process. The event will take place at the Army Aviation Support Facility #2, 3005 W. Jackson Street, Tupelo, MS 38801. Upon arrival, please check in with Mabel Murphree, District Director.\n\nRepresentative Trent Kelly represents Mississippi\u2019s First Congressional District. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Small Business Committee. This is his first term.", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:19:46Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=6225da19-f5e9-44f1-8869-537868f4e0ef", "COCHRAN:  BUDGET DEAL LIKELY TO SAVE MISSISSIPPI GUARDS 155th", "2015-10-30", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, today announced that the two-year budget agreement approved by the Senate is the first important step toward saving the Mississippi National Guards 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team. Cochran voted for the legislation (HR.1314), which reforms and trims government programs in order to alter defense and nondefense sequestration budget cuts for FY2016 and FY2017. The Congress has a Dec. 11, 2015, deadline to complete the FY 2016 appropriations process in accordance with the budget agreement in order to avoid a government shutdown. The Senate approved the measure, 64-35, early Friday morning. Approval of this budget agreement is our signal to finish the 2016 budget and appropriations cycle. The Appropriations Committee will continue its work to develop legislation that responsibly meets the nations national security and domestic requirements by the Dec. 11 deadline, Cochran said. There are many aspects of this imperfect agreement that can be criticized. It will, however, allow us to fulfill our basic responsibility to provide for the defense of our nation, he said. It does not raise taxes and it begins to address much-needed reforms to the entitlement programs that are at the root of our budget deficits. Cochran said the measure, which is offset, should help ensure greater certainty for programs and missions in Mississippi that have been potential targets under sequestration-triggered cuts to defense and other accounts. For example, the budget agreement represents an important first step toward saving the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, which has been one of two armored brigade combat teams that have been identified for divestment as part of Army National Guard plans to meet sequestration-level budget restrictions. A great deal of investment has been placed into making the 155th Brigade Combat Team one of the most-technologically advanced units in the Army. The budget agreement is our best opportunity to avoid force reductions that threaten its future, said Cochran, who also chairs the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee.  Without the budget agreement, the Army National Guard would remain under a total force reduction that would have required it to draw down its level of soldiers from 355,000 in 2015 to an estimated 315,000. The House of Representatives approved HR.1314 on Wednesday. With Senate approval, the measure will now be referred to the White House.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=147505a6-e3d7-4fbc-bfca-62a8f2f9d47e", "COCHRAN:  APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE READY TO FINISH FY2016 CYCLE", "2015-10-29", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, today expressed his intent to complete the FY2016 appropriations process with Senate approval of a negotiated two-year budget agreement. Cochran indicated his support for the legislation (HR.1314), which reforms and trims government programs in order to alter defense and nondefense sequestration budget cuts for FY2016 and FY2017. The Congress has a Dec. 11, 2015, deadline to complete the FY 2016 appropriations process in accordance with the budget agreement in order to avoid a government shutdown. The Senate is expected to vote on the budget measure either late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Cochran issued this statement regarding HR.1314: Approval of this budget agreement is our signal to finish the 2016 budget and appropriations cycle. The Appropriations Committee will continue its work to develop legislation that responsibly meets the nations national security and domestic requirements by the Dec. 11 deadline. There are many aspects of this imperfect agreement that can be criticized. It will, however, allow us to fulfill our basic responsibility to provide for the defense of our nation. For fiscal years 2016 and 2017, this legislation should ensure a measure of certainty that will help make our federal government more efficient. It does not raise taxes and it begins to address much-needed reforms to the entitlement programs that are at the root of our budget deficits. The Senate Appropriations Committee has worked on a largely bipartisan basis to write and approve 12 individual appropriations bills this year, an accomplishment not seen since 2009. I look forward to using that body of work as the basis for negotiations with our House counterparts. Our final work product should responsibly provide the highest level of support to meet our national security needs, invest in national priorities like medical and scientific research, and adopt much-needed oversight measures to rein in government overreach.  Individual appropriations bills are the best way for the Congress to make thoughtful, responsible and difficult decisions about funding our national priorities. It is my hope that this two-year agreement will enable the Congress to once again debate, amend and approve these measures. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=9926c019-4d75-4d50-aa07-8efe3628e2ba", "INTEGRATING UNMANNED AIRCRAFT INTO AIRSPACE REQUIRES INVESTMENT, OVERSIGHT", "2015-10-28", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today said the Congress is right to invest in the development of unmanned aircraft systems technologies and to oversee the development of policies for their safe implementation and use. Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Wednesday raised questions with a panel of experts on the role the federal government should play in promoting research on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or drones. Marty Rogers, the deputy director of the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE)a consortium led by Mississippi State Universitywas among those testifying at todays Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee hearing. Unmanned aircraft systems represent a growing transportation sector that brings with it opportunities, but also daunting safety challenges. Were interested in seeing this sector grow, but with assurances that our airspace will be safe, Cochran said. Our role is to determine the responsible level of federal support to encourage research that can be translated into polices that will support unmanned aircraft systems development, he said. I think we understand that programs like the Center of Excellence involving Mississippi State are needed to help the government, academia and industry advance unmanned aircraft systems responsibly. ASSURE was designated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May as a Center of Excellence (COE) to coordinate the research, development and successful integration of UAS between public, academic, and private organizations. (http://1.usa.gov/1L4FnZO)  Rogers stressed rapid progress by ASSURE in coordinating research and cooperation with the FAA, universities and industry since its designation. He highlighted the consortiums unique role, saying that the COE allows for a confluence of voices from people who never had a chance to talk before. We have 22 universities and over 100 industry partners, and people who were siloed before now have a convergence of interests at the Center of Excellence. The COE has become a binder for the entire UAS community of government, academia, and industry, which is now forming up to collaborate.  FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta agreed, saying that this work is extremely important to illuminate the public policy debate and help us promulgate smart regulations in the years ahead. ASSURE was selected by the FAA to research UAS integration into the nations airspace, in addition to related deployment and safety policies. The directive to the FAA to establish the national center has been included in congressional appropriations bills since FY2012, with Congress appropriating $5.0 million in FY2015 to support a five-year agreement with the UAS COE. Federal funding will be matched by ASSURE team members. In addition to research on opportunities for UAS use, the COE will coordinate research and development activities with federal agencies. Its work will also lead to recommendations on aircraft certification, flight standards and air traffic requirements and facilitate UAS technology transfer to other civilian and defense agencies.\r\n###\r\n  LINK   ASSURE Program: www.assureuas.org", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398713", "Palazzo Supports South Mississippi Jobs", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Steven M. Palazzo (MS-04) today voted in favor of re-authorizing the Export-Import Bank.\r\nCongressman Palazzo stated: A vote for the Ex-Im bank is a vote for jobs in Mississippi. GE Aviation in Ellisville, Howard Industries in Laurel, Hol-mac in Gulfport, American Tank and Vessel in Lucedale  these are small businesses and global companies alike right here in South Mississippi that rely on Ex-Im financing to remain competitive. I want these jobs in America, not overseas. Anyone who opposes the Ex-Im Bank is telling hardworking Mississippians that their jobs are no longer important.\r\nIn a perfect world, we would not need the Ex-Im bank. But for America to remain competitive in the global marketplace, it is necessary. I refuse to allow China or Russia to take the mantle of world leadership from us because we play by the rules while they do not. Made in America is still the best brand there is, and the Ex-Im bank ensures this brand, our brand, is exported across the globe.\r\nNate Beach, GE Aviation Ellisvilles plant manager agreed, noting: GE Aviation exports aircraft engines with Ellisvilles unique composite components to every region of the world. Without the Ex-Im Bank to back those deals, we sell fewer engines, endangering jobs and growth in our Ellisville plant. Without the Ex-Im Bank, GE Aviation must invest jobs and facilities in other countries instead of locations like our own here in Jones County.\r\nH.R. 597 reauthorizes the Export-Important Bank, a credit financing tool used by more than 60 developed nations to support exports. The Ex-Im bank supports 164,000 American jobs. 90% of Ex-Ims transactions directly support American small businesses. It has zero cost to the American taxpayer and returned $675 million to the Treasury last year.\r\nIn comparison, Chinas export credit agencies annually finance more than the U.S., Canada, Germany, and the UK combined. Canada, whose economy is only 1/10th the size of the United States, financed three times as much in export transactions than the U.S.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=0ea04c06-d274-4d68-930e-d7c8348fd044", "COCHRAN STATEMENT ON TIGER GRANT FUNDING FOR JACKSON", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement praising the U.S. Department of Transportations decision to award $16.5 million in grant funding to the City of Jackson for infrastructure improvements:This funding is an important investment in Jacksons continued growth. The roadway and infrastructure improvements in the vital North State Street and County Line Road corridors will benefit businesses and residents alike. I appreciate Secretary Foxxs willingness to work with the City of Jackson and the Appropriations Committee to secure this important investment for our capital city. On October 26, Cochran called Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber to inform him of the award. Congress annually appropriates funding for TIGER grants, which are awarded on a competitive and matching fund basis, and are directed toward projects that are expected to have a significant economic impact.   \r\n ###\r\n  BACKGROUND Project Description: This TIGER grant will provide funding to implement a lane reduction and construct complete streets, including pedestrian improvements and design elements to manage drainage and mitigate sanitary sewer overflows along North State Street and West County Line Road in Jackson. The completion of the project will enhance mobility in and around the historic Tougaloo College campus and integrate transportation improvements to connect residents and commuters to the citys economic centers.    Project Highlights and Benefits: The project seeks to address critical infrastructure improvements and serve as a catalyst for sustainable development and revitalization in Jacksons economic centers. The project improves two corridors, containing some of the poorest pavement conditions in the city, to allow Jackson to better maintain and more efficiently operate heavily-used transportation infrastructure. The project also upgrades water and sewer facilities to create a healthier environment by better managing drainage and mitigating sanitary sewer overflows.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=2aa833d4-9f0b-42eb-9834-dde529d59339", "COCHRAN VOTES TO ENHANCE AMERICAN CYBERSECURITY PROTECTION", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today voted for legislation to improve American cybersecurity protections for individual personal information, American businesses and vital government functions. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (S.754 or CISA) would promote information sharing about cyber threats among public and private entities so that they can better coordinate responses to cyberattacks. The legislation passed with a bipartisan 74 to 21 vote.  Cyber threats are a serious and growing risk to our individual privacy, national security and economic vitality, said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. This bill would allow for greater cybersecurity cooperation between the public and private sector. Shared knowledge and strategic planning can help ensure the security of highly sensitive material, whether its military documents or personal credit card information.  I am pleased this bill includes provisions to protect privacy while still creating a framework to better protect businesses and government entities, he said. CISA would enhance American cybersecurity by providing an exemption to antitrust laws and authorizing liability protections for covered entities that voluntarily share information for cybersecurity purposes. The bill would also enable private entities to take narrowly tailored defensive measures to prevent, detect, analyze and mitigate cybersecurity threats. The legislation, sponsored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.), also includes measures to safeguard civil liberties and individual privacy. While no private companies would be compelled to provide information to the government or any other company, the Senate bill would require companies to remove all personal identifiers not related directly to a cybersecurity threat before sharing information with a federal entity. A companion bill in the House, H.R. 1560, the Protecting Cyber Networks Act, passed in April with a bipartisan vote of 307-116.  Between 2011 and 2012, there was a 38 percent increase in incidents of loss, theft, and exposure of personally-identifiable information. There were more than 67,000 cyber incidents against federal agencies last year, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies reported in 2013 that cybercrime costs the United States an estimated $100 billion per year.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=6f9801e0-801c-4b18-a6a7-b6444d6908b0", "COCHRAN CONTINUES PUSH TO STOP EPA CLEAN POWER RULE", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today became an original cosponsor of two Senate resolutions that would serve to stop the Obama administrations Clean Power Planan environmental regulatory scheme that would impose costly regulatory burdens on Mississippi. Cochran is an original cosponsor of dual Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions of disapproval that would eliminate the regulations associated with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Power Plan rule. Cochran has consistently supported congressional efforts to rein in and stop this rule. The EPA has spurned all reasonable criticism of this unsound regulatory scheme. The result is opposition at local, state and federal levels. These bipartisan resolutions of disapproval represent a continued effort in Congress to address those concerns, Cochran said. I am cosponsoring these measures because rural and urban Mississippi, despite substantial taxpayer investments in so-called clean technologies, will be penalized disproportionally under this rule.  Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) on Tuesday introduced S.J.Res.23 to use the CRA to overturn regulations on new or modified power plants. The CRA allows Congress to initiate, review, and overturn major federal rulemakings before the rules take effect. The second resolution, S.J.Res.24, was offered by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) to addresses the Clean Power Plan final rule requiring states to submit plans to control carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants. The Capito resolution is related to the Affordable Reliable Electricity Now Act of 2015, which Cochran cosponsored in June. In July, a united Mississippi congressional delegation signed a letter to the EPA, the United States Department of Agriculture, and White House Office of Management and Budget that called for an investigation into whether carbon dioxide reduction goals associated with the Clean Power Plan are achievable at a reasonable cost. The delegation argued that the strict Clean Power Plan goals are prohibitively expensive and unattainable by Mississippi, despite significant investments to improve air quality in the state. (http://1.usa.gov/1JhekvQ)\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e46efe90-0b05-4d0b-b8cf-07c1f48399d9", "COCHRAN PRAISES REEVES APPOINTMENT TO VA RURAL HEALTH PANEL", "2015-10-27", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran today praised the appointment of Randy Reeves, Executive Director of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board, to a three-year term on the Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee.Reeves was named to the 12-member committee by Robert A. McDonald, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The committee advises the VA Secretary on rural health care issues for veterans. Reeves term will extend through September 2018. Randy Reeves will have a chance to influence the manner in which veterans in rural areas receive VA health care. As a veteran who is well attuned to the unique challenges facing veterans in Mississippi, Randy will be a valuable addition to the Secretarys advisory committee, Cochran said. I commend Randy and look forward to continuing to work with him on the important task of improving health care for veterans in rural areas of our country, including Mississippi. The Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee works in collaboration with the VA Office of Rural Health to determine how to improve access to and the delivery of health care services for veterans in rural areas.  As executive director of the Mississippi Veterans Affairs Board, Reeves oversees operations that benefit the more than 220,000 veterans and their dependents in Mississippi, as well as four State Veterans Homes. He has been involved in the delivery of care and services to the states veterans, including those in the most rural areas, since his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 2008. A combat veteran, most of Reeves 27-year military career was spent overseas with multiple deployments in various parts of the world. Cochran, as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in May oversaw committee passage of the FY2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Bill that would increase funding for veterans in vital areashealth care, benefit claims processing, medical research and technology upgrades. The bill also includes necessary and new oversight measures, such as whistleblower protections, to help ensure improved VA services to veterans. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398714", "Palazzo Welcomes Mississippi National Guard to DC", "2015-10-22", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) welcomed the Mississippi National Guard to the nation's capital today to attend the House National Guard and Reserve Caucus State Cyber Day. Congressman Palazzo and Congressman Walz, Co-Chairmen of the House National Guard and Reserve Caucus, hosted the event in the Rayburn House Office Building.\r\nIt was great to see a number of organizations travel to our nations capital to tell their story and learn more about Cyber-attacks and Cyber Security. I was especially proud to welcome our Mississippi National Guard to this event to show off our capabilities.\r\nThe cyber threat continues to grow and I know the consequences of an attack would be dire. When Hurricane Katrina hit, we lost electricity, ATMs did not have money, stores were not resupplied with basic necessities, and local commerce broke down. Now, the cause was not cyber, but the devastating effects were quite similar.\r\nWe must strengthen our cyber defenses, or we are putting ourselves and our national security at risk. The unique capabilities and organization of the National Guard and Reserves offer excellent and cost-effective opportunities to provide skilled and effective teams to both state and federal efforts.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c0a6408c-8b89-463d-8dbf-e7c65b44dd91", "DELEGATION BACKS NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK STATUS FOR MISS. STATE CAPITOL", "2015-10-22", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., along with U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Gregg Harper, R-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Trent Kelly, R-Miss., are supporting the Mississippi State Capitols bid to be listed as a National Historic Landmark. In their letter to Paul Loether, Chief of the National Park Services Historic Landmarks Program, the delegation wrote, It has come to our attention that the National Historic Landmarks Committeewill soon evaluate a nomination for Mississippis State Capitol. We wholeheartedly support this nomination. Mississippis Capitol, considered by many to be the states finest building, is an architectural masterpiece that has attracted both acclaim and visitors from around the country and the world. The National Historic Landmarks Committee of the National Park Systems Advisory Board is likely to review the Capitols nomination soon.  The Capitol building was designed in 1900 by St. Louis architect Theodore Link. It was among the first buildings in America constructed in the style of Beaux Arts Classicism, which came to dominate American public architecture in the early 20th century. The Capitols artistry and craftsmanship can be seen in its limestone exterior, classical portico with bas-relief sculpture, and imposing colonnaded dome crowned by a gilded eagle. The interior includes an awe-inspiring rotunda, grand marble staircase, stained glass windows by Chicago artist Louis Millet, and scagliola art marble in a rich variety of colors and patterns.  Background In order for a site to be classified as a National Historic Landmark, it must meet at least one specific criteria of national significance. These criteria include:   Be the location of an event that had a significant impact on American history overall.   Be the property most strongly associated with a nationally significant figure in American history.   Provide an outstanding illustration of a broad theme or trend in American history overall.   Be an outstanding example of an architectural style or significant development in engineering.   Be part of a group of resources that together form a historic district.   Be a property that can provide nationally significant archeological information.  LINK: Delegation Letter to Mr. Paul Loether available below or here: http://1.usa.gov/1KrtgmP\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e257f9c4-6c45-4f9d-8834-c4bb9f9a4413", "COCHRAN:  BILOXI GETS DoD JOINT LAND USE STUDY FUNDS", "2015-10-22", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced the award of a $214,000 grant to the City of Biloxi to analyze land use issues affecting Keesler Air Force Base. The Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment award will support a 24-month Joint Land Use Study to review issues related to potential effects of future growth for Biloxi, Keesler and the surrounding area. Combined with $23,000 from the Mississippi Development Authority, a total of $238,000 will be available for the study. This Joint Land Use Study is part of ongoing work by the city, state and Air Force to ensure beneficial growth for both Keesler and surrounding communities, Cochran said. Were proud that Keesler is in South Mississippi and this review should provide good information to sustain the mutual interests of the Air Force and Biloxi. The City of Biloxi has tasked the Gulf Regional Planning Commission to oversee the study, which will also involve the City of DIberville and Harrison County. The Commission plans to request proposals from qualified planners in November. The Biloxi City Council in July approved a resolution authorizing the city to serve as a sponsor for this study. Joint Land Use Studies are used by the Department of Defense to involve local stakeholders, such as local governments, in finding compatible development patterns that complement the mission of a military base and its host community. The Biloxi study will consider the issues such as height, density, encroachment, noise abatement and other factors.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=02d9397d-49ef-4712-9fa9-2f4ea9239e7b", "COCHRAN STATEMENT ON PASSING OF FORMER AIDE LEON BRAMLETT", "2015-10-19", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement regarding the passing of Leon C. Bramlett, Jr. of Clarksdale, who was a pioneer of the Mississippi Republican Party and worked as a Cochran field representative in the Mississippi Delta for almost 13 years before his retirement in March 2014: I am saddened by the passing of Leon Bramlett. He was a gentleman and as fine a man as you would want to meet. His service to the people of Mississippi is indicative of a life characterized by service to others and a love of family, the Delta and our country. Leon was a friend. My staff members and I extend our sincere condolences to the Bramlett family.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=15462349-c09d-46bf-a1a0-581ee7a7f06a", "COCHRAN:  USDA OFFERING DROUGHT DISASTER AID IN 41 MISS. COUNTIES", "2015-10-16", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today reported that agriculture producers in half of Mississippis 82 counties have been made eligible to apply for certain U.S. Department of Agriculture assistance due to recent drought conditions. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, in two separate actions, has designated 14 Mississippi counties as primary natural disaster areas as a result of drought conditions. Another 27 counties are named as contiguous disaster counties. The drought conditions that replaced the heavy rains and flooding that troubled Mississippi agriculture producers this spring are affecting large portions of our state. Monitoring these conditions is important for their impact on farmers and our states economy, said Cochran, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Im pleased the Agriculture Secretary has used his authority to make assistance available by designating natural disaster conditions in parts of Mississippi. The secretarial disaster designation in the 41 primary and contiguous counties makes eligible farm operators with extensive drought-related losses in those counties eligible to apply for assistance from the Farm Services Agency. Available assistance was most recently spelled out in the 2014 farm bill, which Cochran helped write as then-ranking member of the Agriculture Committee.  Local FSA offices associated with designated counties can provide farmers with information about applying for emergency loan aid. Applications must be made within eight months. Primary counties included in the drought disaster designation include: Attala, Carroll, Claiborne, Copiah, Holmes, Lawrence, Leflore, Lincoln, Sunflower and Washington (designated Oct. 14), and Leake, Scott, Simpson, and Smith (designated Sept. 30). Contiguous counties include: Amite, Bolivar, Choctaw, Coahoma, Franklin, Grenada, Hinds, Humphreys, Issaquena, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Neshoba, Pike, Rankin, Sharkey, Tallahatchie, Walthall, Warren, Winston and Yazoo (designated Oct. 14), as well as Covington, Jasper, Jones, and Newton (designated Sept. 30).\r\n###\r\n  LINKS   FSA Disaster Assistance Program: http://1.usa.gov/1X6PlA5   USDA Secretarial Disaster Designations, 2015: http://1.usa.gov/1VWUOMR", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398715", "Palazzo Hosts Fourth Annual  Youth Leadership Summit", "2015-10-15", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Gulfport, MS Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-04) today hosted his fourth annual Youth Leadership Summit for high school juniors and seniors on the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Colleges Jefferson Davis campus. Approximately 400 students from 25 different schools within Mississippis Fourth Congressional District participated in the event. \r\nCongressman Steven Palazzos statement regarding todays event:  \r\nThese high school students are our future. Whether they decide to work in Congress, law enforcement, pursue a career in medicine, or take an entirely different path, the possibilities are endless for what they can accomplish for our State and Nation. Our job now is to prepare them as best as possible so they can be successful, well-rounded, and productive members of society. That is exactly why I started this leadership summit. I hope each student that attended today walked away more knowledgeable, encouraged, and inspired to be a leader today and in the future.\r\nThe students had the opportunity to hear fromand question guest speakers such as Chief of Marine Patrol Keith Davis, Miss Mississippi Hannah Roberts, and Governor Phil Bryant. \r\nChief Davis spoke to students about failure, urging them to never give upnever let a person, or event, or action allow you to give up. \r\nHannah Roberts talked about her journey to becoming Miss Mississippi and shared her best advice for success stating, Have goals that are bigger than what you think is possible. \r\nOur final speaker of the day, Governor Phil Bryant, shared a message about the true meaning of leadership using examples such as Mother Theresa to attest that leadership is not about power and influence. Upon the conclusion of the Governors speech a student expressed her gratitude to the Governor in front of the entire assembly stating, On behalf of my school Id like to say how much we truly appreciate your Christian values and that it means a lot to us that you voice them. \r\nThe participating students were selected by the teachers and administrators of their schools to attend todays summit. They are chosen based on a criteria of academic performance, community service, involvement in extracurricular activities, and the ability to overcome adversity. \r\nThe event also created quite a buzz on social media as students tweeted in questions for the speakers and competed for the best Instagram picture of the day, all of which was tagged using #palazzoleaders.\r\nA full list of attending schools can be found below:\r\nBiloxi High School  \r\nColumbia Academy  \r\nColumbia High School  \r\nD'Iberville High School  \r\nForrest County Agricultural High School  \r\nGautier High School  \r\nGeorge County High School  \r\nGulfport High School  \r\nHancock High School  \r\nHarrison Central High School  \r\nLamar Christian School  \r\nLaurel High School  \r\nLong Beach High School  \r\nNortheast Jones High School  \r\nOcean Springs High School  \r\nOur Lady Academy  \r\nPass Christian High School  \r\nPearl River Central High School  \r\nPetal High School  \r\nPicayune Memorial High School  \r\nSt. Martin High School  \r\nVancleave High School  \r\nWest Harrison High School  \r\nWest Jones High School  \r\nWest Marion High School", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c1c83576-777f-4851-b197-bb5558e3c7d9", "COCHRAN: MISSISSIPPI AWARDED $1.9 MILLION FOR SNAP FRAUD DETECTION", "2015-10-09", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss) today announced that the Mississippi Department of Human Services and Mississippi State University have been granted more than $1.9 million to help combat waste, fraud, and abuse of a key U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition program. With this grant funding, the Mississippi Department of Human Services will team with Mississippi State University to develop and install an Early Detection and Fraud Investigation Management System to analyze patterns of fraud within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which will assist investigators as they search for instances of abuse.  This funding in an important step toward our goal of minimizing benefit fraud and improving efficiency in the SNAP program. We wrote provisions into the 2014 farm bill to improve this nutrition program by specifically targeting trafficking, fraud and misuse, said Cochran. I am very pleased that Mississippi State University and our state government will be able to take the lead in this effort, which could benefit the entire nation, he said. Federal law requires the state agencies administering the SNAP program to maintain fraud prevention efforts and investigate violations by program participants. The $1,917,127 competitive grant to Mississippi is designed to help states deploy new technology to monitor and track investigations of individuals suspected of intentional program violations. In addition, the partnership will develop statistical models to identify potential fraud and prioritize investigations.  Cochran serves as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and as a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, both of which have jurisdiction over the SNAP program.  The 2014 farm bill, which Cochran helped write, was written to stop lottery winners from continuing to receive assistance, increase program efficiency, crack down on trafficking, fraud and misuse, and invest in new pilot programs to help people secure employment through job training and other services. SNAP savings are reached without removing anyone from the program, and will ensure that every person receives the benefits they are intended to receive.  In addition to Mississippi, the USDA awarded FY2015 SNAP Recipient Integrity Information Technology Grants to Alaska, Maine, Nevada, and New Jersey.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=ed8c54f3-b247-470a-a5d7-55e89e80374b", "MISS. SENATORS INTRODUCE MEDGAR EVERS HOME LEGISLATION", "2015-10-09", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today introduced legislation to explore whether the home of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers should be designated a National Park Service unit. The legislation (S.2177) would authorize a special resource study to evaluate the national significance of the Medgar Evers home in Jackson and determine the suitability and feasibility of designating it as a unit of the National Park System. Medgar Evers was a pivotal civil rights leader, who fought for justice and helped change Mississippi and the nation for the better. The study authorized by our legislation would direct the National Park Service to help determine how best to preserve his legacy, Cochran said.  The Medgar Wiley Evers Home Museum honors the life of a leader who helped shape the civil rights movement, said Wicker. With several thousand visitors every year, the museum merits an evaluation for inclusion in the National Parks System. If awarded, this designation would be a great honor for all Mississippians. The legislation is supported by Tougaloo College, which acquired the Evers home in 1993 and designated it as a museum in 1997. The site is a designated Mississippi landmark under the State Antiquity Law and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The measure, which is a companion measure to legislation introduced in the House by Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), would also stipulate that the study should consider alternatives for preserving, protecting and interpreting the site by federal, state, or local governments, or private entities and organizations. Medgar Evers, a World War II veteran and civil rights leader, was assassinated June 12, 1963, in the driveway of his home while his family was inside. The home, preserved by Tougaloo College, includes items regarding the Evers career and legacy. Related to the preservation of key civil rights articles, the FY2016 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee in June includes $5.0 million within the National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund to document, interpret, and preserve the sites and stories associated with the Civil Rights Movement as part of its Centennial Initiative. Cochran serves as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.\r\nA copy of S.2177 is available below.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=0f65579b-ddaf-4157-a9e4-c7ca5006a5f4", "COCHRAN CHALLENGES OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ON FEDERAL FLOOD STANDARD", "2015-10-08", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today again challenged the Obama administration to provide detailed information to justify its work on a new federal flood risk standard in spite of congressional restrictions. Cochran today wrote Interior Secretary Sally Jewel to reiterate his concern with the administrations continued efforts to finalize guidelines to establish a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) without adequately engaging the public and Congress. Cochrans letter was sent on day the controversial Water Resources Councilwhich has not been authorized or funded by Congress since the early 1980sconvened to finalize guidelines establishing a FFRMS. I am troubled by the administrations lack of transparency and apparent disregard of congressional prerogatives and the concerns of private property owners, and the state and local governments that will be affected by this new flood risk standard for federal properties, Cochran said. The administration must be more forthcoming, and work Congress and stakeholders. The detailed Cochran letter was written, in part, to determine compliance with a provision added to the FY2015 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act (PL.113-235) that states the administration must solicit and consider input from governors, mayors and other stakeholders before implementing a FFRMS. In addition to asking for the technical, legal and scientific justification for the proposed policy change, as well as net cost-benefit and alternatives analyses, the letter also demands information on the cost associated with developing FFRMS and the government and non-government personnel working on the effort. The letter to Jewell follows previous efforts by Cochran and other Senators to ensure that the administration involves Congress and the public before establishing a FFRMS.\r\n###\r\n  LINKS   Letter to Secretary Jewell: http://1.usa.gov/1L9xqRX    Cochran, Wicker Question Legality of Flood Standards Executive Order: http://1.usa.gov/16rmWiH    Cochran Asks Obama to Cease Flood Risk Standard Executive Order: http://1.usa.gov/1qBseSs", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=4c5b8338-783c-4bd7-bcfe-8145e3e371eb", "COCHRAN:  OBAMA SHOULD ABANDON VETO THREAT OF DEFENSE POLICY BILL", "2015-10-07", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Following his vote to send an important defense policy bill to the White House, U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today said the nations security interests would be best served if President Obama abandoned his threat to veto the bipartisan legislation.Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on Defense, voted in favor of a conference report on FY2016 National Defense Authorization Act. The authorization bill was approved 70-27, which indicates support sufficient to override a Presidential veto. The Senate and House have acted responsibly to authorize funding for equipment and training for our nations Armed Forces, just as they have for more than 50 consecutive years. This defense authorization measure, along with our Defense Appropriations Bill, is critical for protecting our national interests. It should not be vetoed,\" Cochran said. At a time of evolving threats and increasing global unrest, the Presidents veto threat and the Democratic filibuster of the necessary appropriations to support our men and women in uniform are unacceptable. Debating and passing appropriations bills to fund our military and our non-defense priorities is the best way to ensure the thoughtful, responsible use of taxpayer money, he said. Cochran has been critical of ongoing filibusters of FY2016 appropriations bills approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, most with large bipartisan majorities. The first such filibuster was against the FY2016 Defense Appropriations Bill in June, followed by the filibuster of the FY2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill. The House on Oct. 1 voted to pass the defense policy bill 270-156, 20 votes shy of the number needed to override a Presidential veto.  \r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=d9a47a30-8ee4-44bd-8b9e-cc40ff51e4d3", "COCHRAN EXPLORES NIH RESEARCH TO ADDRESS DIABETES CRISIS IN MISSISSIPPI, NATION", "2015-10-07", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today questioned leading health researchers on new approaches for treating and preventing type 2 diabetes, a critical illness affecting a large segment of Mississippis population. Officials from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) today testified at a Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee hearing titled, NIH: Investing in a Healthier Future. While looking at medical advances, the hearing also entailed discussions of how the Senate FY2016 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill (S.1695) would positively affect NIH research activities. Discovering new approaches to diabetes prevention and treatment is important in terms of improving the health and well-being of Mississippians and controlling health care costs. We have one of the highest rates of this disease in the nation, and it is critical that we try to stop the rapid growth of type 2 diabetes in our state, said Cochran, who is a senior member of the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee.  The Mississippi State Department of Health reports that Mississippi ranked second in the nation in 2012 for overall diabetes prevalence, with more than 276,000 adult Mississippians with type 2 diabetes. Nationally, about 29 million American have type 2 diabetes, and an estimated 86 million people are considered pre-diabetic. Asked by Cochran what can be done in dealing with diabetes hot spots like Mississippi, Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), testified that a trial is underway to determine more effective drug combinations for managing the disease, for which there is not yet a cure. The second thing for those people who are sort of underneath the iceberg, the 86 million Americans who have a possibility of going on to develop diabetes, we have tried to translate a very effective diabetes prevention programto scale this up in a way to offer this lifestyle, which was quite effective in these patients, to prevent them or delay them from becoming a diabetic. These will have an important financial role in the future in terms of cutting costs, Rodgers said. The committee-passed FY2016 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill recommends $1.82 billion for NIDDK, a $76 million increase over FY2015 funding. Regarding diabetes, the bill encourages the Institute to commit resources commensurate with the severity and escalating costs of the epidemic to future diabetes research that will build upon past successes, improve prevention and treatment, and bring the Nation closer to a cure. The Senate bill provides $32 billion for NIH in FY2016, a $2.0 billion increase that represents the largest increase in funding within an annual appropriations bill for NIH overall since 2003. This appropriations bill, like all 12 approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this summer, faces a Democratic filibuster.\r\n###\r\n  LINKS:   Diabetes in Mississippi: http://msdh.ms.gov/msdhsite/_static/43,0,296.html   NIDDK: www.niddk.nih.gov/   FY2016 Labor-HHS Appropriations Bill: http://1.usa.gov/1NjWxDO", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=09c0429b-6d65-4838-b125-0ad7aced9c32", "COCHRAN COMMENDS JERRI STRICKLAND AS MISSISSIPPI ANGEL IN ADOPTION", "2015-10-06", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today commended Jerri Strickland of Madison, who is in the nations capital to be honored as part of an annual national celebration for advocates for children and family involved in adoption and foster care programs. Cochran nominated Strickland to represent Mississippi at the 2015 Angels in Adoption program, which is sponsored by the nonprofit Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). Strickland, the adoption director at the Mississippi Childrens Home Services in Jackson, has a 33-year career as a social worker dedicated to working with adopted children, birth families and adoptive families. Jerri Stricklands career has been a demonstration of commitment to children and families, and I am pleased that her work to find safe and loving homes for children is being recognized by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Cochran said. I appreciate her work to help shape the lives of hundreds of families in our state, and her focus on training new adoption advocates and specialists throughout Mississippi. The Senator visited with Strickland in his office, along with her husband Sammy and daughter Maggie.     As part of Mississippi Childrens Home Services, Strickland has counseled foster and adopted children and their families through its private mental health clinic and therapeutic foster care program. Strickland is a National Council for Adoption master trainer, as well as a certified Training for Adoption Competency trainer through the Center for Adoption Support and Education.     While in Washington this week, Strickland and other advocates from across the country are being honored for their work and meeting with elected officials to advocate adoptive and foster care policies. The nonprofit, nonpartisan CCAI advocates for increased awareness about children in need of a stable home environment, and supports eliminating barriers to adoption. CCAI, which does not receive government funding, was established in 2001 as an outgrowth of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. Cochran and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) are members of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption for the 114th Congress. \r\n###\r\n  LINKS:   Mississippi Childrens Home Services: http://www.mchscares.org/    Mississippi Department of Health/Adoption Information: http://www.mdhs.state.ms.us/family-childrens-services/programs-dfcs/adopt-a-child/    Angels in Adoption: http://www.angelsinadoption.org/    Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute: http://www.ccainstitute.org", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=9092aa3c-f37c-4c6e-ba47-bc26d28a796a", "MISS. SENATORS CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD FETAL TISSUE PRACTICES", "2015-10-06", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today joined an effort urging Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Daniel Levinson to conduct an investigation of all fetal tissue research supported by the department, particularly as it relates to Planned Parenthood. The letter specifically requests an independent audit of the departments supervision of third parties and their compliance with the laws governing medical tissue research. The disturbing Planned Parenthood videos raise serious questions about the legality of that organizations practices and overall compliance with federal laws governing fetal tissue research, Cochran said. The Congress and the American people have valid questions that deserve to be answered with a thorough and independent audit. The American people deserve to know whether HHS is upholding the law and providing rigorous oversight of groups like Planned Parenthood, Wicker said. Any possible wrongdoing concerning the procurement of fetal tissue is a serious issue that demands accountability. The letter, signed by a group of 35 senators, led by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., reads in part: Federal laws make it unlawful to knowingly acquire, receive, or accept a donation of human fetal tissue for valuable consideration.  The videos not only raise questions about Planned Parenthoods compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but also highlight potentially significant problems with HHSs oversight of practices in this market in general. Pauls letter also references a July 22 letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking an internal review of Planned Parenthoods compliance with laws and regulations related to fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions. Cochran and Wicker were among a group of 49 Senators who signed the letter to Sec. Burwell. The Department responded to the senators on August 14 but failed to address many of the substantive questions posed by the letter. Cochran and Wicker also voted on August 3 in favor of legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. That legislation failed to receive the 60 votes necessary for further consideration. Cochran was the chief architect of an appropriations bill recently considered by the Senate to keep the government open while also defunding Planned Parenthood. That legislation, which Wicker supported, also failed to receive the 60 votes necessary to advance in the Senate.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=47d6c5c4-9e47-42fb-b13f-1834a2e39f4a", "COCHRAN, WICKER PLEASED WITH FINAL $20.8 BILLION BP OIL SPILL SETTLEMENT", "2015-10-05", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today welcomed a settlement agreement on civil claims arising from the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a $20.8 billion pact that will benefit Mississippi directly.Mississippi, along with Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Florida, the Justice Department and other federal agencies on Monday announced the proposed consent decree to settle civil claims arising from the spill and its aftermath. The BP oil spill is among the worst disasters to affect Mississippi, the environment and livelihoods of our people. This settlement is a significant step toward righting that wrong, and allowing our state to move forward with remediation and recovery, said Cochran. Negotiating these settlements has been a long process, but weve worked to ensure that Mississippi is in the best position to recover and recover well. This final settlement should help close a difficult chapter in our states history, Wicker said. Mississippi is poised to put its share of the money to good use, implementing the necessary projects to address both economic and environmental setbacks. A full recovery will not happen overnight, but we are well on our way toward ensuring that the Coast is made whole. Within the settlement, BP is required to pay $5.5 billion, plus interest, as a civil penalty under the Clean Water Act. As stipulated in the RESTORE Act of 2012, which Cochran and Wicker helped write, 80 percent of this penalty will go to Gulf Coast states for environmental restoration, economic recovery and Gulf seafood promotion. The company must also pay another $8.1 billion in natural resources damages, which will be allocated to the five Gulf Coast states affected by the disaster. It will also pay up to $700 million in accrued interest to address long-term environmental problems that arise from the spill. Another $600 million is due to settle other claims, including unreimbursed costs to states and the federal government. Additional settlements with the states and local communities, along with payments associated with earlier settlements reached since 2012, will resolve the civil claims. The final total of $20.8 billion exceeds an assumed $18.7 billion settlement projected in July.    The proposed consent decree will be published in the Federal Register and open to public review and comment for 60 days afterward. That document may be found at http://www.justice.gov/enrd/deepwater-horizon. The materials and instructions for commenting can be found at www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov. Last week, Cochran and Wicker encouraged Mississippians to participate in a month-long public comment period on a proposed rule regarding the distribution and use of settlement funds derived from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The public comment period on this aspect of the BP oil spill process is open until midnight Oct. 28, 2015. (http://1.usa.gov/1YP9r3E)   \r\n ###\r\n  LINKS   Fact Sheet on Proposed Consent Decree http://1.usa.gov/1VBY8rh   Draft Restoration Plan for the Gulf of Mexico http://1.usa.gov/1WJ4IhU", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398698", "Palazzo Supports National Defense Authorization Act", "2015-10-01", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Supports National Defense Authorization Act   \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 1, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) released the following statement today after the House passed the Conference Report to H.R. 1735, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act:\r\nOur number one job in Congress is to provide for the common defense of this nation. Our men and women in uniform are the best in the world at what they do. The world is not becoming a safer place. In fact, its becoming much more dangerous. In order to maintain a strong national defense, we must continue to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to do their job.\r\nProtecting our military assets in South Mississippi has also remained one of my top priorities in Congress. Despite great efforts from many outsiders, we were once again victorious in stripping an amendment from this bill that sought to remove C-130s from Keesler. This bill also included my language to delay the transfer of Apache attack helicopters from the Army National Guard in Tupelo.\r\nSpecifically, this years NDAA authorizes $515 billion in spending for national defense and additional $89.2 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). It also Requires DOD to submit a strategy to counterthreatsposed by Iran and provides a retirement plan to 83% of service men and women currently not eligible through a Thrift Savings Plan. \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=4c93dc71-f6dd-4c34-98e6-f93a536b629e", "COCHRAN COSPONSORS BILL TO FIGHT CHILD EXPLOITATION", "2015-10-01", "2015", "2015-10", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced his sponsorship of International Megans Law legislation to better protect children from exploitation. The legislation (S.1867), authored by U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), would establish an international travel notification system to alert destination countries when a convicted child sex predator is traveling to their country.  Human trafficking is a heinous crime that harms the most vulnerable people in our society. It should not be tolerated. This legislation is intended to improve international cooperation to the exploitation of children, Cochran said. I commend Senator Shelby for taking the lead on this important legislation, and encourage my colleagues to support its swift passage.  The measure would allow for close monitoring of international travel by convicted sex offenders. In addition, it would establish an Angel Watch Center at the Department of Homeland Security, and coordinate communication between the newly-established Center and the U.S. Marshals Service National Sex Offender Targeting Office. This bill would also streamline the international notification system to help make certain that no registered sex predators are lost in the system when leaving the United States. In addition to Cochran, S.1867 has been cosponsored by Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), and Rob Portman (R-Ohio). It has been referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.      Cochran, a member of the Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking, also cosponsored the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, which passed the Senate in a 99-0 vote in April and was signed into law in May. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=42708542-132e-4b5e-903c-c79391d1f2d0", "COCHRAN URGES SENATE NOT TO WASTE OPPORTUNITY CREATED WITH FUNDING RESOLUTION", "2015-09-30", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, today said passage of a short-term continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown creates a window of opportunity to debate and pass FY2016 funding bills that should not be wasted. Indicating his readiness to move the 12 appropriations bills approved by the Committee, Cochran said regular consideration of appropriations measures would be in the best service of the American people and the Senators who represent them. This short-term measure creates a window of opportunity for us to get to work. Lets not waste it, Cochran said. A continuing resolution is not a good governing strategy, but was made necessary by the blanket filibuster of all the appropriations bills. This refusal to consider spending measures has deprived all Senators of an opportunity to debate the stewardship of taxpayers dollars. Our committee is ready for these bills to be called up so that Senators are able to give voice to the priorities and values of the people who elected them. Cochran issued the statement following Senate approval of the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2016 (HR.719), which will fund government operations through Dec. 11, 2015. The federal 2016 fiscal year begins Oct. 1. Following Senate approval of HR.719, the FY2016 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill was teed up for a vote on whether the Senate will consider it. This measure to fund veterans programs and military training and quality-of-life programs was approved by the Committee in June on a bipartisan 21-9 vote. This year marks the first since 2009 that all 12 annual appropriations bills have been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, with most of them receiving broad bipartisan support.  The 30 Senators on the committee made thoughtful, responsible, and frequently bipartisan decisions about how to best prioritize funding to improve government operations, and where necessary, rein in executive overreach, Cochran said. Within established budget caps, these bills provide the highest level of support for our men and women in uniform, invest wisely in national priorities like medical and scientific research, and promote the more efficient operation of our federal government with more oversight.  Failure to debate and pass appropriations bills is an abdication of a fundamental congressional responsibility. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to allow debate on these bills. It is the only way to make the thoughtful, deliberate spending decisions that the American people deserve, he concluded.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=99eafc7c-9a86-494c-9e98-71d12360cb6f", "COCHRAN, WICKER ENCOURAGE PUBLIC COMMENT ON RESTORE ACT RULE", "2015-09-30", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today encouraged Mississippians to actively participate in a month-long public comment period on a proposed rule regarding the distribution and use of settlement funds derived from the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Pursuant to the RESTORE Act of 2012, which Cochran and Wicker helped write, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council has issued a proposed regulation to implement the laws Spill Impact Component. The regulation, when finalized, will set the formula for allocating Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund monies to Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Florida.  The public review and comment period is an important step in moving the restoration process forward. It is a key time for Mississippians to review the proposed rule to determine that it will truly help our state recover from the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Cochran said. It is important for Mississippians to take advantage of their ability to comment during this month-long review period of the RESTORE Act rule, Wicker said. This funding formula affects economic and ecological recovery projects that are beneficial to Mississippi and other Gulf Coast states. By law, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council must develop a formula for the distribution of funding under the Spill Impact Component of the law. In general, the proposed regulation is based on affected shoreline in each state, coastal county population, and distance to the BP Deepwater Horizon platform that exploded on April 10, 2010. Under this proposed rule Mississippi would receive an estimated 19.07 percent of the allocation from the Trust Fund for the Oil Spill Impact Component.  The proposed rule from the Federal Register is available here: http://1.usa.gov/1h89Vjf  The public has until midnight Oct. 28, 2015, to comment on the rule. Comments can be submitted electronically to frcomments@restorethegulf.gov or by mailing them to Gulf Coast Ecosystems Restoration Council, Hale Boggs Federal Building 500 Poydras St., Suite 1117, New Orleans, La. 70130. All material submitted will become part of the public record.\r\n###\r\n  LINK   Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council: http://www.restorethegulf.gov/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398696", "Palazzo Statement on Speaker Boehner", "2015-09-25", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Statement on Speaker Boehner \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        September 25, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      \r\nWashington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) released a statement today after Speaker of the House John Boehner announced that he will be resigning from Congress:\r\nI commend Speaker Boehner on his lifetime of public service. He has served the people of Ohio honorably, and I believe he truly wants what is best for the American people. I have nothing but respect for him and the decision he made today.\r\nMoving forward, I believe this is an opportunity to unite the Republican Party once again so we can be effective in our fight to stop this president and his bad policies. The American people voted for a Republican majority in Congress. They want to see their conservative voices represented in Washington, DC.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f94c2fb0-d211-4028-8f03-58789fdf3770", "COCHRAN:  EMCC AWARDED $6.1 MILLION FOR GTR WORKFORCE TRAINING FACILITY", "2015-09-25", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), with the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), today announced the award of a $6.1 million federal grant to support construction of a workforce training facility focused on increasing Mississippis advanced manufacturing and engineering capabilities. The federal ARC grant to East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) represents a federal contribution to a $38 million workforce training facility, called a Communiversity, at the entrance to the Golden Triangle Regional Global Industrial Aerospace Park in Lowndes County. This exciting new facility will strengthen Mississippis ability to provide high-skilled workers for the growing aerospace, automotive and manufacturing industries in this region, said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Im pleased the Appalachian Regional Commission has chosen to invest in this project, which has broad support from state and local governments, industry and higher education.  Training our workforce to meet the emerging opportunities in advanced manufacturing is an investment in Mississippis economic future, said Earl Gohl, Federal Co-Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Projects like this are part of our ongoing commitment to creating a competitive Appalachia. The FY2015 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill included $10 million for ARC to support workforce training programs in south-central Appalachia, which includes Mississippi. The project fits within ARCs mission as economic development agency of federal, state and local governments across 420 counties in 13 Appalachian states that focuses on business development, education, and job training. The nearly 140,000-square-foot facility would accommodate EMCC Manufacturing Technology & Engineering Division credit and non-credit courses related to training workers for careers in advanced manufacturing. It is intended to enhance a growing manufacturing sector in East Mississippi by supporting workforce development for industries like Yokohama Tire, PACCAR, and Airbus Helicopter that already call the Golden Triangle home while also serving to lure more jobs to the region. The facility will expand EMCC workforce training capabilities to offer state and national credentials in important manufacturing and engineering sectors, including electromechanical, mechatonics, automation and controls, and precision machining technologies. The facility will also host dual enrollment programs for high school students interested in transitioning directly into the workforce or pursuing applied technology degrees at universities.  In addition to this federal funding, the Communiversity is being financed through an $18 million contribution from the State of Mississippi, and $13.5 million from Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Clay counties. The facility is also expected to draw support from corporate partners to assist in equipment and operational expenses.\r\n\r\n###\r\n  LINKS   Appalachian Regional Commission: www.arc.gov    East Mississippi Community College: http://www.eastms.edu/workforce2/Pages/default.aspx   Golden Triangle Development LINK: http://gtrlink.org/index.php/site", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://harper.house.gov/enewsletters/pope-francis", "Pope Francis", "2015-09-24", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Gregg Harper", "H001045", "harper.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\nIn a chamber accustomed to receiving foreign dignitaries, His Holiness Pope Francis historic address stirred an energy and enthusiasm that I have rarely seen at the U.S. Capitol. Over 50,000 Americans from across the country gathered outside on the West Lawn to listen to his words and to catch a glimpse of him.\nPope Francis resounding message was the need to work together towards a more perfect union  the very foundation for which our great country was built  should serve as both an inspiration and a challenge for all her citizens.\nHis Holiness reminded us in a tone that was warm and sincere that Jesus Christ calls us to live by the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Mt 7:12). He expounded, This rule points us in a clear direction. Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves.\nHis words echoed throughout the House Chamber and across our country, as he continued If we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunitiesThe Golden Rule reminds us of our responsibility to protect and defend human life at every stage of its development.\nRegardless of ones faith, the unconditional compassion and acceptance edified by Pope Francis is universal and serves as a guiding light for all of us as we work toward peace and the betterment of our world.\nWith all that was going on today, I was honored that my guest to Pope Francis address continues to devote her life to the service of Jesus Christ and to the service of others: Sister Dorothea Sondgoreth of St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson.\nAs we were set to say goodbye, Sister Dorothea aptly stated what the Popes directive to all of us was, Let us all go forth with gratitude and reflect on how we can better serve one another.\nGod Bless,\nGregg Harper\n                \n                \n                    Posted: \n                    September 24, 2015", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398695", "Palazzo Statement on Pope Francis Address", "2015-09-24", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Statement on Pope Francis Address \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        September 24, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) released a statement today following Pope Francis address to Congress\nIt was more than an honor to be in the presence of Pope Francis and hear his words of wisdom. Something I think we can all take away from his address is to remember the golden rule, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I believe this is an important message that would make the world a better place immediately if embraced by all.\nI was also happy to have Bishop Roger Morin and Monsignor Dominick Fullam of the Biloxi Diocese in Washington, DC today as my guests for this historic event. \n\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=9b8b3669-6c7e-43cd-abdd-4bd661b9cd2a", "COCHRAN:  POPE FRANCIS MESSAGE OF SERVICE AN INSPIRATION", "2015-09-24", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement regarding Pope Francis historic address to a joint meeting of Congress: I am grateful to have had a chance to listen to Pope Francis, whose basic message of mercy and care for the least among us underscores fundamental characteristics of our American culture. Mississippians are well acquainted with those traits. They are exhibited in our dedication to charity and work to help those in need, not only in times of disaster, but every day. His message of service is a valuable one, and I hope that Pope Francis words will continue to inspire.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=4db999c0-6951-4643-bd44-50b9c9bef324", "COCHRAN VOTES TO PROTECT LIFE", "2015-09-22", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today voted in support of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would outlaw abortions performed after 20 weeks, or roughly five months, of pregnancy.  The legislation (HR.36), which failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to end debate and advance to final consideration by the Senate, garnered the bipartisan support of 54 Senators. Cochran is an original cosponsor of identical companion legislation (S.1553) introduced in the Senate in June. I am disappointed that the Senate has been denied the chance to consider this important bill, which is intended to protect the lives of a significant number of unborn children, and has the support of the majority of Americans, Cochran said. It is my hope that we will be able to reconsider this measure to protect the unborn and limit the troubling occurrences of late-term abortions in this country.     Science shows that at 20 weeks, or five months, into a pregnancy, an unborn child is capable of feeling pain. This legislation would make it illegal for any person to perform, or attempt to perform, an abortion without first making a determination of the age of the unborn child. If the age of the unborn child is 20 weeks or greater, an abortion would not be allowed. In addition, the legislation would follow the long-settled exemptions for cases of rape, incest, or situations where the mothers life is in jeopardy. The United States is currently one of only seven countries, including China, Vietnam and North Korea, to allow for abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy. According to a November 2014 Quinnipiac poll, more than 60 percent of the American people support this legislation, which passed the House of Representatives with a 242-184 vote in May. Cochran maintains a 100 percent rating from National Right to Life, the countrys largest pro-life organization.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://harper.house.gov/enewsletters/defunding-planned-parenthood", "Defunding Planned Parenthood", "2015-09-18", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Gregg Harper", "H001045", "harper.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Defunding Planned Parenthood                  \n            \n            \n                                \n                    Dear Friend,\nIn the wake of the videos that exposed Planned Parenthoods leadership brazenly discussing the harvesting and selling of fetal body parts, I applaud my colleagues for their hard work in continuing to end this horrible practice. As a father, I am troubled by the thought that there are children throughout our country that are sentenced to death before ever having the chance to experience the joy of life.\nI, along with my Republican colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives voted this afternoon in favor of two bills aimed at defunding Planned Parenthood and to require a health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive.\nWhile I am an advocate for protecting womens health and will continue to support efforts by community and faith based organizations who provide access to counseling for victims of sexual assault, I have never supported taxpayer funding for abortion and the only sensible solution to taxpayers is that funding be suspended until such time that we can ensure no taxpayer dollars are used in support of these appalling practices.\nMy position on abortion is clear: life begins at conception. I will continue to stand for the unborn and support legislation that prevents federal funding of this procedure.\nGod Bless,\nGregg Harper\n                \n                \n                    Posted: \n                    September 18, 2015", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398692", "Palazzo Fights for the Unborn", "2015-09-18", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) released the following statement today after the House passed H.R. 3134, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act and H.R. 3504, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act: \r\nAs someone who has always been a strong opponent of abortion, it sickens me to know that people are profiting from this already brutal act. I dont want to see one more cent of the tax payers' hard-earned money going towards Planned Parenthood. The devious acts of this organization contribute to the moral depravity of our country. Im saddened and deeply concerned about the future of our nation and its people. \r\nMy votes today were intended to provide a voice for the voiceless. I believe in the sanctity of human life and that every human life is entitled to the rights and protections provided under our U.S. laws. I will continue to fight for those who have no chance to fight for themselves. \r\nTogether these bills will strip federal funding for Planned Parenthood and strengthen protections for babies that survive abortions. According to the Congressional Budget Office, defunding Planned Parenthood for a year would cut an estimated $235 million in federal spending.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=868330ec-c027-423c-bd70-6efb6b7cb68b", "COCHRAN VOTES TO RENEW THREE AGRICULTURE PROGRAMS", "2015-09-18", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today reported committee action to advance legislation to reauthorize three U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs pertaining to livestock price reporting, grain marketing standards and the National Forest Foundation. Cochran, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, on Thursday voted for committee approval of the Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015 (HR.2051). This measure includes three titles: the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 2015, the National Forest Foundation Act Reauthorization, and the U.S. Grain Standards Act Reauthorization. Authorization for these programs has either expired or will soon expire. There is bipartisan and bicameral support for reauthorizing programs that provide important tools for grain farmers and livestock producers, Cochran said. Im pleased that the National Forest Foundation will be reauthorized to continue its work with the Forest Service to help improve our national forests and grasslands. The Livestock Mandatory Reporting program requires price reporting for cattle, lambs and swine for use in USDA publications that provide critical information to farmers and ranchers regarding the livestock and meat market. The National Forest Foundation, established by Congress in 1993 as a nonprofit profit partner with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), would be authored through 2018, correlating with the expiration of the 2014 Farm Bill that Cochran helped develop last year. The Foundation utilizes private and public funding to work with the USFS to restore and enhance national forests and grasslands. In Mississippi, for example, the organization has supported a longleaf pine ecosystem restoration and a hazardous fuels reduction program. Reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act would extend USDA authority to set official marketing standards for grains and oilseeds, and to enforce rules for voluntary inspections of domestic grain. The committee-passed measure is written to ensure that the U.S. grain inspection and weighing system remains accurate, reliable, and cost-effective. It also includes reforms to improve transparency and predictability throughout the federal grain inspection system. Mississippi is a leading producer of grain sorghum and rice. HR.2051 is now available for consideration by the full Senate.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=87e0f0c5-433d-450a-8f64-a6ae5c97179f", "MISS. SENATORS BACK BILL PROTECTING SMALL BUSINESSES FROM OBAMACARE MANDATE", "2015-09-16", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today announced their co-sponsorship of legislation to protect employees of small and medium-sized businesses from insurance premium increases caused by a mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.  The Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act (S.1099), introduced by Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), would allow states to maintain their small group insurance market definition at 50 employees, instead of the 100-employee threshold required by Obamacare.  From increased premiums to lost plans, the negative effects of the Affordable Care Act have limited health care options for many Mississippians, said Cochran. By making a simple change to an overly complex law, this legislation would prevent another burdensome Obamacare regulation from further increasing health care costs for small businesses and their employees.  This is another example of the Administrations onerous power grabs and further evidence of Obamacares unrealistic demands, Wicker said. The decision to resize or redefine health insurance market groups should remain in the jurisdiction of the states. Senator Scotts bill would help Mississippis small businesses avoid unnecessary premium increases under these new regulations. Traditionally, states have determined the size of their small group health insurance market, with nearly all states including employers with up to 50 employees. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires states to expand this market to include employers with up to 100 employees. The new regulation is scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.  S.1099 would negate the Obamacare mandate on states, therefore preventing the premium increases for small and mid-size employers and allow employees of mid-size companies to keep the plans they have. In addition to Senators Cochran and Wicker, a bipartisan group of 40 Senators has signed on to cosponsor the Scott legislation. The measure has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.\r\nS.1099 is a companion bill to HR.1624 in the Housre of Representatives, which is cosponsored by Representatives Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) and Trent Kelly (R-Miss.).\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=ac0bb666-7690-462f-b5f1-097acc200a8a", "COCHRAN COSPONSORS BILL TO OVERTURN NLRB JOINT EMPLOYER RULING", "2015-09-15", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is cosponsoring legislation to overturn a recent labor relations ruling that would hurt small businesses by putting greater union pressures on subcontractors and franchises. Cochran is an original cosponsor of the Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act (S.2015), which would reverse the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision to redefine joint employer status to extend to businesses that might have an indirect or potential control over working conditions and terms of employment set by subcontractors or franchises.  This National Labor Relations Board decision will have a chilling effect on the small business sector, Cochran said. I am concerned that this ruling will make it much harder to operate franchises and for corporations to subcontract business, undermining a popular path for many entrepreneurs and small business owners in Mississippi and across the country,  The decision could increase burdens on small business and franchise owners by compelling big businesses to interject themselves into the day-to-day operations of subcontractors and franchise stores, he said. The new joint employer standard, adopted by the NLRB on Aug. 27 on a partisan basis, will be applied retroactively. It establishes that merely indirect control or even unexercised potential to influence working conditions will make two separate employers joint employers. The ruling will also make both employers liable for the labor law violations of the other. S.2015 would override the NLRB decision and reestablish the previous decades-old policy that said joint employer applied only to those businesses that have direct and immediate control over employment terms, working conditions, and compensation. Provisions to prohibit the NLRB from implementing a new joint employer decision are also included in the FY2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Bill approved in June by the Senate Appropriations Committee, which Cochran chairs. Allowing the new NLRB joint employer decision to stand will increase the likelihood that larger business will be forced to apply more control over associated smaller businesses. It also increase the chance that big businesses might avoid entering into contracts with local subcontractors, suppliers or subsidiaries. The Senate bill was introduced by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) with 35 cosponsors. It has been referred to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which Alexander chairs. A companion measure has also been introduced in the House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398693", "Palazzo Opposes Iran Deal on the House Floor", "2015-09-11", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) released the following statement today after the House voted down the presidents Iran deal and voted to pass a bill that would keep all current U.S. sanctions on Iran in place:\r\nI think this is a bad deal, the majority of my colleagues in the House think this is a bad deal, and the majority of the American people think this is a bad deal. Those countries who neighbor and know Iran best have warned us not to enter into this agreement. We dont make deals with people who call for death to America. Its that simple.\r\nIn the House, we are taking action and exhausting all possible options. We are fighting not only for the will of the American people, but for the safety and security of the American people.\r\nEarlier this week I called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to take action and institute the nuclear option that would require only a 50% +1 majority to vote down this deal.I urged them to try anything and everything possible to stop this deal. However, the Senates actions, or lack thereof, have been disappointing and less than adequate. We need leadership, and so far they have failed us.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=6208a31a-03a9-43b2-a6f4-409b9452e70b", "COCHRAN OPPOSES IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT", "2015-09-10", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Video Link to Cochran Remarks: http://bit.ly/1JYUbJZ\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today declared his opposition to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the flawed international agreement reached by the Obama administration that will allow the Islamic Republic of Iran to maintain some nuclear capabilities while having economic sanctions lifted. Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense, announced his opposition as the Senate debated a Resolution of Disapproval on the agreement. The agreement falls woefully short of the international goal to improve global security by stopping Irans nuclear weapons ambitions, Cochran said. This agreement is an issue of long-term significance. Our country and our allies will be forced to deal with the repercussions of a strengthened Iran for the foreseeable future. This agreement is a bad deal for us and our allies, and I will not support it, he said. The following is the full text of Cochrans remarks: Mr. President, I will support the Resolution of Disapproval of the Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated by the Obama administration with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The agreement falls woefully short of the international goal to improve global security by stopping Irans nuclear weapons ambitions. The American people and Congress were promised an inspections regime providing anywhere, anytime access to facilities where tests were conducted. Instead, Iran can delay access to facilities for up to 24 days.  This is inconsistent with the Obama administrations claims that no part of this agreement is based on trusting Iran at its word. A credible agreement would include stronger verification measures to ensure that the Iranians play by the rules, particularly given that governments well-documented efforts to conceal its nuclear activities and ambitions. We are also concerned about the consequences of lifting the economic sanctions that forced Iran to the negotiating table. This agreement is an issue of long-term significance. Our country and our allies will be forced to deal with the repercussions of a strengthened Iran for the foreseeable future. This agreement is a bad deal for us and our allies, and I will not support it.\r\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=6b61a118-5ebf-463f-a90c-5d2ed066fadb", "COCHRAN, WICKER ANNOUNCE FEMA SAFE ROOM GRANTS FOR TUPELO & LOUISVILLE", "2015-09-10", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today announced that the City of Tupelo and the Louisville Municipal School District, two areas devastated by tornadoes in 2014, will receive more than $3.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund construction of three community safe rooms. The Mississippi Senators reported Thursday morning that Tupelo has been awarded two FEMA Hazard Mitigation grants, including nearly $1.1 million to construct a 6,813-square-foot safe room shelter at the Dot Cooper Park in Lee Acres (968 Fillmore Dr.), and another $1.0 million for a 6,370-square-foot facility at Theron Nichols Park (1743 Mitchell Ave.). The Louisville school district will receive $1.1 million to construct a 6,126-square-foot multipurpose safe room at the Nanih Waiya Attendance Center (13937 Highway 397). We remember the rash of tornadoes that devastated Mississippi in recent years, and these FEMA grants continue federal support of our states rigorous efforts to protect more citizens from tornadoes and other severe weather, said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Preparedness activities by Tupelo, Louisville and the state are essential to protecting lives in emergency situations. I am pleased to see that Tupelo and Louisville are now equipped with more resources to prepare for unpredictable weather, Wicker said. Storms in recent years have underscored Mississippis need to be ready for emergencies. These new community safe rooms will help cover those needs and, more importantly, save lives. The Lee Acres facility will be designed with 5,295 usable square feet to protect more than 1,053 residents. The overall cost of the shelter is $1,216,120 with FEMA providing 90 percent, or $1,094,508, for construction. In December 2014, the city was awarded $85,844 in Phase I funding for this project. The Theron Nichols Park safe room will provide 5,540 usable square feet of space to harbor 1,102 people. FEMA is providing 90 percent, or $1,023,341, of the total project cost of $1,137,045. The city was awarded $80,216 in December for Phase I of the project. The Louisville school districts multipurpose safe room will be constructed in the Nanih Waiya school cafeteria, providing 3,626 square feet of usable space to protect 634 students, staff and visitors. FEMAs $1,116,500 contribution will cover 57 percent of the overall $1,963,740 cost of the facility. The school district also received $41,323 in Phase I funding in December.  Each of the three new safe room facilities will be built to withstand wind speeds of up to 250 mph and will meet FEMA 361 Guidelines, which include backup water/wastewater, power generation and other emergency necessities. The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to states and local governments for long-term hazard mitigation activities designed to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters. Data shows that investments in hazard mitigation before a disaster to prevent damages and save lives creates a net savings of taxpayer dollars during post-disaster response and recovery periods.\r\n  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=ce83c2a4-5978-44cc-a329-a9f029b5d2b3", "COCHRAN:  ARMY COMPUTING CONTRACT WILL BRING $27.2 MILLION TO MISSISSIPPI", "2015-09-02", "2015", "2015-09", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today reported that a U.S. Army contract to accelerate Department of Defense high performance computing capabilities will involve significant participation from the Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg and the Navy DoD Supercomputing Resource at Center Stennis Space Center. Cochran, chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, indicated that $27.2 million of an $82.7 million contract will be performed at ERDC and Stennis. This is an important award for our state, Cochran said. This investment is a vote of confidence in the quality of research and development conducted in Mississippi, including advanced computing capabilities that save lives and money by keeping our warfighters ahead of our adversaries. Im pleased that the ERDC and Stennis employees and communities have proven to be smart places to invest taxpayer dollars for the most intensive modeling and simulation missions of the Department of Defense, he said. ERDC is to receive $14,721,474 of the funding, while Stennis Space Center will receive $12,561,663. ERDC is also tasked with providing overall management and technical support necessary to advance the Departments high performance computing capabilities throughout the nation. The estimated completion date for the contract work is June 2016. While Mississippi sites were the largest total funding recipients, the Army announced that Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and sites in Virginia and Maryland would also receive funding to carry out additional supercomputing research.  Cochran has actively supported advanced computing capabilities in Mississippi, including the Armys high performance computing missions at ERDC and the Navys missions at Stennis.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365", "Media Advisory | Kelly to present Military Medals to Vietnam Army \n\nAugust 28, 2015 | Posted in Press Releases\n\nTags:\nNational Defense / Veterans\n\n\nKelly to present Military Medals to Vietnam Army Veteran Dr. Edwin \u201cEd\u201d Deuschle\r\n\r\nMonday, August 31 \r\n\r\n11:30 am CST in TUPELO:\u00a0Representative Trent Kelly will present military medals to Vietnam Veteran Dr. Edwin (Ed) J. Deuschle, First Lieutenant, United States Army.\u00a0 The ceremony will take place at Calvary Baptist Church located at 501 West Main Street.\u00a0 \r\nPlease see\u2026 Read more \u00bb", "2015-08-28", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Trent Kelly", "K000388", "trentkelly.house.gov", "trentkelly", "https://trentkelly.house.gov/newsroom/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "Kelly to present Military Medals to Vietnam Army Veteran Dr. Edwin \u201cEd\u201d Deuschle\n\nMonday, August 31\n\n11:30 am CST in TUPELO: Representative Trent Kelly will present military medals to Vietnam Veteran Dr. Edwin (Ed) J. Deuschle, First Lieutenant, United States Army. The ceremony will take place at Calvary Baptist Church located at 501 West Main Street.\n\nPlease see the attachment for a detailed description of Dr. Deuschle\u2019s service and medals that he has earned.\n\nRepresentative Trent Kelly represents Mississippi\u2019s First Congressional District. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Small Business Committee. This is his first term.", 1, "2026-04-07T14:16:54Z", "2026-04-07T14:19:45Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=474b9761-ddee-4ce7-88f9-5e8c1d32feef", "COCHRAN:  MISSISSIPPIS KATRINA RECOVERY CAN SERVE AS INSPIRATION", "2015-08-28", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "News Releases \n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tGULFPORT, MISS.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today said people across the nation can take inspiration from the numerous events and activities across the Mississippi Gulf Coast commemorating the states recovery from Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall 10 years ago.     Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, will today join former President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush, Governor Phil Bryant and other officials at a ceremony in Gulfport to honor first responders, who were critical to Mississippis early recovery efforts after the deadly storm on Aug. 29, 2005.    With every visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I am more inspired by the determination and resilience of the people of our state. Ten years after the storm, the Coasts population has rebounded and our industries are thriving. I think the nation can take inspiration from the tenacity of our recovery effort, Cochran said.    This recovery would not have been possible without our states comprehensive approach to the recovery, the coordination among local, state, and federal elected officials, and, most importantly, the hard work of the people of Mississippi and thousands of first responders and volunteers, he said. The Mississippi congressional delegation and I welcome President Bush to the Gulf Coast and remain committed to assisting our state as the recovery continues.    Cochran is scheduled to participate on Saturday in the annual Katrina Memorial Observance in Biloxi to remember the 238 people who died in Mississippi as a result of the storm. (9 a.m., Aug. 29, MGM Park, Biloxi.)    On Thursday, Cochran, Senator Roger Wicker and others joined Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro as he reviewed HUD-related recovery projects across the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Congress made $5.36 billion available for HUD Katrina Community Development Block Grant (K-CDBG) projects, including the ongoing work to expand the Port of Gulfport. A majority of K-CDBG funding, 65 percent, was allocated for housing with the remainder used for public infrastructure and economic development.    In addition to his current chairmanship, Cochran was chairman of the Committee in 2005. He serves on the appropriations subcommittee that has jurisdiction over the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been important for recovery efforts in Mississippi.  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=f2f1e813-67b5-4cfc-9b00-824901ff23f4", "COMMEMORATING THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE KATRINA", "2015-08-21", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today issued the following statement to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the deadly Aug. 29, 2005, storm that smashed into the Mississippi Gulf Coast and affected the entire state of Mississippi:\r\nRemaining Post-Katrina Challenges Cannot Diminish Pride in Mississippians Following Deadly 2005 Hurricane\r\nTen years ago, Hurricane Katrina came ashore on the Mississippi Gulf Coast with devastating force, inflicting billions of dollars in property and personal damages. It was amazing that more were not killed. The tragic loss of life and horrible property destruction shocked us all. Our recovery has required enormous dedication and determination, and thousands of Mississippians rose to that challenge. In the days, months, and years after the storm, Mississippians pitched in to help neighbors and strangers alike. The dedication and sacrifice of the Coast Guard, the National Guard and other first responders saved lives and help enable the large-scale rebuilding that would follow. The resilience and hard work of the people, as well as the outpouring of church and volunteer workers from across the state and nation, made recovery possible. Over the past decade, state, local, and federal elected officials have also aggressively promoted and assisted in the Gulf Coasts recovery. But our recovery is not yet complete.  While the serious problems exposed by the Katrina recovery effort have been used to improve our national response to emergencies and natural disasters, work remains to be done to ensure a full recovery in Mississippi and along the Gulf Coast. Unsustainable insurance practices and overbearing federal regulations continue to hamper recovery and economic development efforts.  Those challenges, however, cannot diminish the pride I have in the people of Mississippi for exemplifying the strength, vision, and resilience necessary to ensure the cultural and economic vitality of our state.  This August, we commemorate the decade since Hurricane Katrina claimed lives and left indelible marks on our state. Ten years after Katrina, I remain confident that we will continue to work together to rebuild Mississippi and to advocate for common-sense policies and intelligent investments that will ensure the continued vitality of the Gulf Coast.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=582f917c-6d02-45a1-9168-43073955163f", "COCHRAN, WICKER ENCOURAGE MISS. STUDENTS TO APPLY FOR U.S. SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM", "2015-08-06", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  As a new school year begins in Mississippi, U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today encouraged eligible Mississippi high school students to apply for the 2016 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP). Two Mississippi high school students will be selected to represent the state at the 54th annual USSYP Washington Week in Washington, D.C. The deadline to apply for the USSYP program is Sept. 30, 2015. High school seniors or juniors involved in student government at public or private schools are eligible for the week-long program. The selection process is, in part, based on academic achievement, leadership capabilities and public service. The U.S. Senate Youth Program provides a tremendous opportunity for students to learn firsthand about our federal government and public service, Cochran said. This prestigious scholarship program is a rewarding experience and I encourage all eligible students to apply.  This program helps students build important leadership skills early while educating them about the power of democracy, Wicker said. For young Mississippians, this opportunity aims to give them a better understanding of the guiding principles that make up our nations foundation. The program was established by the U.S. Senate in 1962 to expose student leaders to the federal government and the U.S. Senate. The Hearst Foundation fully funds and administers the USSYP, which includes a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship and week-long trip (March 5-12, 2016) to Washington for each of the 104 delegates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity. The USSYP Washington Week program includes meetings with a Supreme Court Justice, U.S. Senators, cabinet secretaries and other policymakers.  Mississippis 2015 Senate Youth Program delegates were Sidney Albritton of Carriere and Robert Grady Pickering of Laurel. Interested students can visit www.ussenateyouth.org for more information or access the 2016 USSYP brochure outlining the rules and selection process information here (http://1.usa.gov/1K5mK5w). Students may also contact their high school principal or Mississippis state-level selection administrator: Cerissa Neal  Executive Director, Office of Educator Quality  Mississippi Department of Education  (601) 359-3631  cneal@mde.k12.ms.us\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=b09dfcc1-3485-40d3-aeaf-663743b58300", "COCHRAN, WICKER ANNOUNCE $4.8 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR MISSISSIPPI AIRPORTS", "2015-08-06", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today announced that more than $4.8 million in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants will be split between three Mississippi airports.  The grants, totaling $4,861,684, will go to the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Kosciusko-Attala County Airport, and the George M. Bryan Airport in Starkville.  \"These grants represent a major investment to support the future growth of communities around Mississippi, said Cochran. In addition to improving safety and efficiency, infrastructure investments like these can help the long-term economic outlook for our state. These FAA grants to local airports will help promote economic development and improve the safety of those traveling to and from our state, said Wicker. The funds will support important projects for infrastructure growth and, specifically in Gulfport and Biloxi, give nearby homeowners the assurance of reduced noise pollution. The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport was the largest FAA grant recipient in the state, receiving $3,420,000 for noise mitigation measures for residences around the airport.  The Kosciusko-Attala County Airport will receive $760,710 to be directed toward runway rehabilitation. Starkvilles George M. Bryan Airport will receive $680,974 to improve the runway safety area.  The grants were funded in the FY2015 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Cochran serves as the chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Wicker serves as a senior member of the Senate Commerce Aviation Operations, Safety, and Security Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the FAA. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=1e9c8666-d2d3-4f68-99a8-e3de574576e9", "COCHRAN, WICKER TOUT MISS. NATIONAL GUARD AS ARMY COMMISSION MEETS AT CAMP SHELBY", "2015-08-04", "2015", "2015-08", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today welcomed the National Commission on the Future of the Army to Mississippi by promoting the states Army National Guard. The Mississippi Senators, in Washington on Senate business, offered support for the states National Guard as the commission conducts a field hearing at Camp Shelby. The commission is an independent, congressionally mandated panel directed to assess President Obamas recommendations for restructuring the Armys active-duty and reserve component force structures. The commission hearing coincides with a massive annual field training exercise at Camp Shelby, which this year involves active duty, reserve and National Guard units. Mississippi welcomes the commission to see firsthand that Mississippis National Guard units, including the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, are some of the most modernized and well-trained units across the entire National Guard. Were proud of our Guard, this base and its long history of helping to ensure that our servicemen and women are well trained and prepared to meet new and evolving threats to our national security, Cochran said. Our states National Guard units are counted among the best in the nation, Wicker said. In times of crises or prolonged conflict, there is no substitute for the Guards high-quality training or the caliber of character displayed by our citizen soldiers. In an increasingly dangerous and uncertain world, it is vital that we maintain the National Guards role as a ready, capable, and on-demand combat force for our combatant commanders. Cochran is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense. Wicker is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Cochran and Wicker, along with other congressional and state leaders, have registered their opposition to any Army National Guard reduction-in-force plan that targets the Tupelo-based 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, which is one of two armored brigade combat teams that have been identified for divestment. The independent commission, created in the FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act, is conducting field hearings as part of its mission to studying restructuring the Army and its guard and reserve components to meet future needs and declining budgets. Under the current Army total force reduction, the Army National Guard is expected to draw down its level of soldiers from 355,000 in 2015 to 335,000 by 2017. Those personnel levels could drop to an estimated 315,000 if sequestration funding levels are upheld.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=aa5afc6a-038a-47df-81f4-38f87af19727", "COCHRAN COSPONSORS LEGISLATION TO DEFUND PLANNED PARENTHOOD", "2015-07-31", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), a long-time pro-life advocate, today highlighted his support of legislation to prevent taxpayer dollars from funding Planned Parenthood Federation of America in light of video footage implicating the organization in the trafficking of organs from unborn babies.     The legislation, sponsored by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), would prohibit Planned Parenthood Federation of America or any of its affiliate organizations from receiving federal funding. The bill, S.1881, is expected to be considered by the full Senate during the first week of August.     The Planned Parenthood videos are deeply disturbing in their callousness toward women and infants, and in their disregard for the sanctity of human life, Cochran said. There are other more responsible organizations that can better use taxpayer resources help women and children.    While the Ernst bill would end federal funding for Planned Parenthood and its affiliate organizations, it would continue federal funding for many womens health services, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic laboratory and radiology services, prenatal and postnatal care, and immunizations. 44 Senators have signed on to the measure.    Cochran is a long-standing supporter of pro-life legislation restricting federal funds for abortions and late-term abortions, including the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015 and the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.    Earlier this month, Cochran joined with 49 Senators in asking the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate Planned Parenthood. (http://1.usa.gov/1LFr1AX)  \r\n###\r\n  LINK   S.1881 To Prohibit Federal Funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America available here (http://1.usa.gov/1JVFEM1) or below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e02cb66c-a6c5-44a4-9c93-f52494de69a4", "COCHRAN VOTES TO PASS SIX-YEAR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BILL", "2015-07-30", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today voted for a new six-year surface transportation bill that would direct more resources for transportation improvements in Mississippi while easing federal regulatory burdens. Cochran on Thursday voted for Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act, the longest multi-year highway and transportation bill approved by the Senate since 2005. The bipartisan Senate bill, approved 65-34, offers state and local governments a stable environment for planning for their transportation needs beyond short-term, stopgap measures enacted by Congress since 2009 when the last long-term bill expired. This multi-year transportation bill is an important step toward giving Mississippi and all states certainty and resources to be aggressive in fixing highways, bridges and other infrastructure. Our economic competiveness relies on improving the effectiveness and safety of Americas infrastructure, said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. With this legislation, we move away from six years of temporary stopgaps that have done little to improve the efficiency or safety of our roads and bridges, he said. I look forward to both houses of Congress working toward a final bill in the coming months. The DRIVE Act would reauthorize the federal aid highway program through 2022 with a formula-based program schedule that is expected to increase annual payments to states. The bill also establishes a formula-based program that would allow states to designate key freight corridors to improve the movement of goods beyond the primary highway freight system. The measure includes guaranteed funding for the next three yearsfunding that is fully offset without raising taxes or increasing the deficit. Bridge reconstruction and safety, a key issue for Mississippi, is strongly emphasized in the legislation by increasing funding specifically designed to shore up deficient bridges. According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 21 percent of bridges in Mississippi are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Additionally, the measure strengthens policies to make the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process for infrastructure projects more efficient and less burdensome on states. NEPA compliance requirements currently cause significant delay and added costs to project costs. The bill includes provisions from Transportation Alternatives Program Improvement Act, introduced by Cochran and U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), to improve the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Under TAP, local communities can apply for funds for a variety of local transportation needs, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, Safe Routes to School initiatives, community improvement activities, recreational trails and more. These funds help communities improve safety for their residents, create transportation options and become more economically competitive. Cochran also commended U.S. Senator Roger Wicker for the inclusion of his Railroad Reform Enhancement and Efficiency Act into the bill. This bipartisan measure would improve railroad safety, technology and infrastructure. In addition to passing the long-term reauthorization, the Senate on Thursday also approved a three-month extension of the current law in order to give the House of Representatives more time to approve its own long-term surface transportation legislation. This new extension is the 34th short-term reauthorization passed by Congress since 2009.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398681", "Palazzo Supports Bill to Fire Bad VA Employees", "2015-07-29", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) released the following statement today after the House passed H.R. 1994, the VA Accountability Act of 2015: \r\nMore than a year after learning that VA hospitals lied about patient wait times and veterans died waiting for an appointment, only three employees have been fired. The fact that our president and his administration neglected to hold employees accountable for their actions is outright disrespectful to our veterans. \r\n\"With passage of todays bill, the House took yet another step to make it easier for the VA to fire bad employees. Our veterans made great sacrifices to defend our nation and its' freedoms. Now we have to uphold our end of the bargain by ensuring they get the care they have earned and deserve. \r\nDocuments the Department of Veterans Affairs turned into the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in April of this year show that over 280,000 employees were reportedly involved in the scandal, but only three have actually been terminated. The VA Accountability Act holds those involved responsible by streamlining the removal process for employees with poor performance or misconduct as well as enhances whistleblower protections.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=e7aa2005-97a9-45a7-b2f6-fc0ecf70fdf6", "COCHRAN & WICKER APPLAUD TVA CHOICE, HOWORTH RE-NOMINATED TO BOARD", "2015-07-28", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today welcomed the nomination of Richard Howorth of Oxford to be a member of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors for a second term. Howorth was first appointed to the TVA Board of Directors in 2011.    Richard Howorth, in his first term on the board of directors, has demonstrated an understanding of the TVA, its future and its importance to Mississippi. I appreciate his good service and support his reappointment to serve a new term on the board, Cochran said.     This nomination would ensure that Mississippi continues to have a voice in the future of TVA for the next five years, Wicker said. Richard has been a steadfast advocate for ratepayers and supporter of the agencys economic development projects in North Mississippi. I look forward to the Senates swift approval of his nomination.    The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, of which Wicker is a member, could take action on Howorths nomination as soon as September. President Obama submitted Howorths nomination to the Senate on Monday. With Senate confirmation, Howorth would serve a term expiring in May 2020.    Howorth served two terms as the mayor of Oxford and is the founder and owner of Square Books. As mayor, he was chairman of the authority overseeing the Oxford Electric Department. He also served eight years as a director and officer of the North Mississippi Industrial Development Association and is a former president of the American Booksellers Association.     In 1934, Tupelo became the first city to receive electrical service from TVA and still prides itself as the First TVA City. For more than 80 years, TVA has played an important role in providing reliable power and promoting economic development in North Mississippi.  \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=2264a884-ef2c-47cc-b625-042df0455a62", "COCHRAN SCORES VICTORY TO MAINTAIN WIRELESS TELEPHONE & INTERNET ACCESS FOR RURAL MISSISSIPPI", "2015-07-24", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, on Thursday supported committee passage of a FY2016 spending bill that includes provisions protecting wireless broadband Internet service in rural Mississippi.The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved the FY2016 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Bill, which funds the U.S. Treasury Department, the federal judiciary, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Small Business Administration, Internal Revenue Service and other independent government agencies. The Senate bill, with support from Cochran, would prevent the FCC from making additional cuts to an important program used to expand internet service in rural areas of Mississippi and across the nation. Cochran pushed this effort on behalf of requests from the University of Mississippi Medical Center and citizens throughout Mississippi and its Delta region. The Universal Service Fund, as it stands now, is an important resource for maintaining and enhancing wireless broadband internet access in poor and rural areas of our state. This benefits Mississippis efforts to expand telehealth services, education programs, precision agriculture, weather monitoring and other capabilities in areas that would otherwise have inadequate wireless broadband availability, Cochran said. I am pleased that this appropriations bill would prohibit the Commission from diverting this funding for other uses until it comes up with a valid plan. In addition, the Senate bill includes policy provisions to rein in administration overreach, cut bureaucratic red tape, and protect the rights of the American people. To bring regulatory relief to small community banks, the appropriations bill incorporates the Financial Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015, which was approved by the Senate Banking Committee in May. The agencies funded by this bill touch the lives of every American household. This legislation makes responsible choices to help ensure that federal actions are helpful and not burdensome, Cochran said. Also of interest to Mississippi, the bill would prohibit the use of funding in the bill to implement the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, which would require higher base flood level elevations for federally funded investments, until the Congress is satisfied that the Administration has adequately considered public input. (http://1.usa.gov/16rmWiH)  This action is being taken because the flood risk management order was issued without consultation with the public, despite a provision in a previous appropriations act requiring the administration to consult with the public, Cochran said. Other areas of interest to Mississippi in the FY2016 FSGG Appropriations Bill include: Data Centers Consolidation  The bill contains language encouraging the General Services Administration to explore additional options for consolidation of existing data centers and available infrastructure to increase efficiency. In June, the committee approved the bill that funds NASA with instructions for that agency to continue to utilize and expand the National Center for Critical Information Processing and Storage, which is a national model for successful data center consolidation. Currently, the Department of Homeland Security uses the center as its primary national data center and reports the center will save billions of taxpayer dollars. The center is also home to the Navys top supercomputer and other federal data assets. Community Development Financial Institute (CDFI)  The bill provides $21 million in CDFI funding for the Bank Enterprise Award program, which supports FDIC-insured institutions that make significant investments in distressed communities. The measure includes language that encourages the CDFI to fund projects in non-metropolitan and rural areas, as well as those serving persistent poverty counties. Small Business Administration (SBA)  The bill provides funding for the SBA to provide assistance to small businesses, expand the economy, and increase job growth for unemployed and underemployed Americans. The bill fully funds business loans and provides funding for disaster assistance. The bill also funds several valuable programs, including $115 million for Small Business Development Centers and $11.45 million for veterans outreach programs. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)  The bill cuts IRS funding by $470 million, which will require the agency to streamline its activities and prioritize available resources, including user fees, to perform core agency duties. The bill increases funding for Taxpayer Services to significantly improve the handling of identity theft cases and IRS response rates to telephone calls and correspondence from taxpayers. To ensure greater IRS accountability and transparency, the bill also includes:   A prohibition on funds for bonuses or to rehire former employees unless employee conduct and tax compliance is given consideration;   A prohibition on funds for the IRS to target groups for regulatory scrutiny based on their ideological beliefs;   A prohibition on funds for the IRS to target individuals for exercising their First Amendment rights;   A prohibition on funds for the production of inappropriate videos and conferences. Other Legislative Provisions  The legislation contains several policy provisions, including:   A prohibition on funds for an increase in pay for the Vice President and other senior political appointees;    A prohibition on funding for grants or contracts to tax cheats and companies with felony criminal convictions;   A prohibition against the use of funds to paint portraits of federal employees, including the President, Vice President, Cabinet Members and Members of Congress; and   A requirement that departments and agencies funded by the bill link all contracts that provide award fees to successful acquisition outcomes, and a prohibition on funds to pay for award or incentive fees for contractors with below satisfactory performance.  \r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=197eae19-61cd-4b9e-b848-448cf8917c0e", "A FIRST IN SIX YEARS:  SENATE COMMITTEE COMPLETES WORK ON ALL 12 APPROPRIATIONS BILLS", "2015-07-23", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  The Senate Committee on Appropriations today cleared its final appropriations measure, marking the first time since 2009 that all 12 appropriations bills have been approved by the full committee.  Appropriations Committee Chairman Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) praised the committees work to make all 12 measures available for consideration by the full Senate. The Appropriations Committee took to heart the commitment that the new Congress would get back to work. For the first time in six years, weve fulfilled a basic responsibility by moving 12 bills through the committee. Senators should have a chance to debate these bills one at a time, offer amendments and advocate for issues that are important to their constituents, Cochran said. Our bills reflect thoughtful, responsible, and frequently bipartisan decisions about prioritizing funding to improve the operation of the government and, where necessary, rein in executive overreach. The bills deserve to be considered by the Senate and enacted into law. Chairman Cochran has done a masterful job getting all 12 appropriations bills through committee. These bills maintain the bipartisan fiscal discipline agreed to in the Budget Control Act while still providing the funding the President requested for defense. They also take important steps toward rolling back excessive regulatory burdens that hold back our economy. Nearly every one of these appropriations bills enjoyed bipartisan support in committee, which is why its so disappointing to see Democrats now working to filibuster them on the Senate floor as part of some Filibuster Summer game designed to extract a few more dollars for Washington bureaucrats. The new Senate is finally getting the appropriations process back on track, so Senate Democrats shouldnt stand in the way of that progress by holding funding for the troops hostage for unrelated political demands, McConnell said.    The committee-reported bills passed by a cumulative total of 277-83. Since January, the committee conducted numerous meetings and briefings, 56 oversight hearings, and seven full committee markups. The Defense Appropriations bill, which includes funding requested by the President for equipment and training, active-duty military pay and combatting ISIS, was filibustered by Senate Democrats on June 18. The minority has pledged to continue to block debate on all funding measures unless Congress agrees to increase federal spending.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=8ff4d471-4e4a-47f0-96ad-854122f75917", "MISS. SENATORS PUSH FOR FEDERAL HEALTH AGENCY COOPERATION ON INVESTIGATIONS OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD VIDEOS", "2015-07-23", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today pushed for the Obama administration to cooperate with investigations into whether Planned Parenthood Foundation of America is violating policies and laws restricting the sale of organs from unborn babies. The Mississippi Senators are among 49 Senators who signed a letter to Health and Humans Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking an internal review of Planned Parenthoods compliance with laws and regulations relating with fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions. The letter was prompted in part by video footage depicting senior Planned Parenthood executives discussing organ harvesting. In the letter led by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), the lawmakers assert that the video raises important policy questions associated with late-term abortions and asks Burwell to cooperate with congressional and other investigations stemming from the Planned Parenthood video footage. This video raises a number of questions about the practices of the organization, including whether they are in compliance with federal laws regulating both the use of fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions, the letter stated. Congress is undertaking efforts to address these questions, and we expect the Department of Health and Human Services to fully cooperate with ensuing investigations  including future requests for information and hearing participation. To that end, we further expect the immediate preservation of any and all Department electronic and paper records that could have any relevance to any ongoing or forthcoming lawful investigation, the Senators wrote. The Senators also asked Burwell to confirm that she has commenced or will immediately initiate a thorough internal review of the compliance of the Department and Planned Parenthood  one of the Departments grantees  with all relevant and applicable federal statutes, regulations, and other requirements. Please also include a description of the expected scope of the internal review, as well as an estimated completion date. Cochran and Wicker are both supporters of pro-life legislation restricting federal funds for abortions and late-term abortions, including Wickers No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2015 and the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. A copy of the letter is available below or here:http://1.usa.gov/1OofPYI.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=a214675a-a668-47aa-8def-5b335945d284", "DELEGATION TO FEDS: MISSISSIPPI UNFAIRLY TARGETED BY CARBON DIOXIDE RULE", "2015-07-23", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., along with U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Gregg Harper, R-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Trent Kelly, R-Miss., have issued a strongly-worded letter to three federal agencies that asserts the proposed Clean Power Plan goals are prohibitively expensive and unattainable by Mississippi, despite significant investments to improve air quality in the state.The congressional delegation letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) asks that they investigate whether carbon dioxide reduction goals associated with the Clean Power Plan are achievable at a reasonable cost  specifically for the state of Mississippi.  The letter reads in part: We believe Mississippi has been treated unfairly and disproportionately under the Clean Power Plan compared to the vast majority of states. EPAs goal is so difficult that Mississippi would have the third largest carbon cost recovery index and the third highest marginal cost of carbon reduction, according to Fitch Ratings Analysis.  Moreover, Mississippis energy production could be severely limited by the re-dispatching of generation resources to reflect a 70 percent natural gas combined cycle capacity factor. This requirement, when combined with the unattainable renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, places every coal-fired facility in Mississippi at risk of being prematurely shut down. Utilities in Mississippi have made significant investments over the past several years, substantially reducing the states carbon intensity, particularly at Grand Gulf and the Kemper facility. These early, strategic investments, which led to Mississippis ranking as the 13th best CO2 emission rate in 2012, are not only ignored by EPA but punished under the proposed rule. The rule would force Mississippi to have the 12th lowest (most difficult) goal among the states, even though this goal is much lower than the new source standard and national average. The letter concludes, We encourage a review of the rule as applied to Mississippi. We urge you to ensure that a full, factual investigation has been done to demonstrate that carbon reduction goals are achievable at a reasonable cost. Full text of the letter:  Dear Administrator McCarthy, Secretary Vilsack, and Director Donovan: We are deeply concerned about the White Houses attempt to regulate CO2 emissions from existing power plants without appropriate factual analysis. We believe Mississippi has been treated unfairly and disproportionately under the Clean Power Plan compared to the vast majority of states.  Utilities in Mississippi have made significant investments over the past several years, substantially reducing the states carbon intensity, particularly at Grand Gulf and the Kemper facility. These early, strategic investments, which led to Mississippis ranking as the 13th best CO2 emission rate in 2012, are not only ignored by EPA but punished under the proposed rule. The rule would force Mississippi to have the 12th lowest (most difficult) goal among the states, even though this goal is much lower than the new source standard and national average.  In fact, EPAs goal is so difficult that Mississippi would have the third largest carbon cost recovery index and the third highest marginal cost of carbon reduction, according to Fitch Ratings Analysis. Given the states low median household income and the percentage of income devoted to electricity costs, it is clear that EPA performed insufficient analysis on the rules impact at the state level.  EPA has touted the Clean Power Plans flexibility through its four Building Blocks used to calculate the state goal. However, the reductions associated with each individual building block are so stringent and aggressive that there is no ability to achieve any of them, discrediting the notion of flexibility. Moreover, Mississippis energy production could be severely limited by the re-dispatching of generation resources to reflect a 70 percent natural gas combined cycle capacity factor. This requirement, when combined with the unattainable renewable energy and energy efficiency targets, places every coal-fired facility in Mississippi at risk of being prematurely shut down. Many of these facilities have installed, or are currently installing, very expensive equipment in response to prior EPA rules. Under the new proposal, these pollution control assets could be stranded, with some possibly never being placed into service. A rural electric generation and transmission cooperative is one of the utilities in Mississippi that has a coal-fired facility at risk for early retirement. The forced shutdown of this facility could jeopardize taxpayer-backed Rural Utilities Service loans. If Mississippi ratepayers cannot pay the costs of complying with the Clean Power Plan, their entire loan portfolio may be at risk. There is a strong federal interest that exists for rural electrification, and it should not be sacrificed for EPAs goals. In closing, we encourage a review of the rule as applied to Mississippi. We urge you to ensure that a full, factual investigation has been done to demonstrate that carbon reduction goals are achievable at a reasonable cost.   \r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=aedaed31-faf5-41c0-9bd7-67b899762e03", "COCHRAN, WICKER ANNOUNCE $1.5 MILLION IN FAA GRANTS FOR MISSISSIPPI", "2015-07-16", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Thad Cochran, R-Miss., and Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today reported that airports in Gulfport, Oxford, and Lumberton will receive a combined total of $5,581,350 in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The grants are an important investment in the economic future of our state, said Cochran. These airport improvements can increase the access that businesses and residents of these Mississippi communities have to new markets and destinations. This funding will help advance air transportation services in these Mississippi communities, Wicker said. The projects financed by the FAA grants will increase revenues, bolster economic development, and improve safety.  The University-Oxford Airport, a general aviation facility owned by the University of Mississippi, received $4,226,350 in project funding. The grant provided is assigned for the construction of an airport apron  the area of an airport where the aircrafts are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled, or boarded. Harrison Countys Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport  a joint civil-military public-use airport serving Mississippis Gulf Coast  received a grant in the amount of $1,200,000. The funds will be used to restore the airports apron, taxiway, and terminal building, in addition to widening the taxiway.  The city of Lumberton has received a $155,000 grant that will provide federal funding for the I. H. Base Jr. Memorial Airport, a general aviation airport in southeast Mississippi. The project will fund the construction of a 7,500-square-foot hangar building to assist the airport in generating revenue.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=bbaa9d32-1197-4ea5-a6ee-2aaa91ce9bf6", "MISS. AGRICULTURE INTERESTS FUNDED IN SENATE APPROPRIATIONS BILL", "2015-07-16", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today supported committee passage of an appropriations bill that will support agriculture production, research, and conservation programs that are important to Mississippi.Cochran is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which approved the FY2016 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill on a bipartisan 28-2 vote. With its approval, the committee under Cochrans leadership has approved 11 of the 12 appropriations bills required of Congress annually. The purview of this bill includes many important programs that directly influence U.S. agriculture, public health and the quality of life in rural America. The bill adheres to our budget constraints, yet funds federal initiatives to improve agriculture production and research and to support rural economies, Cochran said. As a leader in agriculture production and research, Mississippi has a stake in the federal programs designed to improve production, enhance food safety and provide food to Americans and people around the world. Our universities play an important role in discovering how to maintain U.S. agricultures global leadership, he said. This Senate measure support U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agriculture, rural communities and cooperative conservation programs. It invests in food and drug safety, and provides essential nutrition assistance for children, families and seniors. In addition to preventing the closure of Farm Service Agency county offices, the legislation also rejects the Presidents budget request to terminate Agriculture Research Service (ARS) extramural research program research, including more than $8.0 million in research conducted at Mississippi State University, the University of Mississippi and the Jamie Whitten Research Center in Stoneville. The committee also approved $3.5 million ARS funding to support forest products research, which involves Mississippi State as the lead institution in a collaboration that also includes the University of Maine and Oregon State University. Other items of interest to Mississippi in the FY2016 Agriculture & Rural Development Appropriations Bill include: ARS Extramural Research Programs: The committee again rejects the Presidents budget proposal to eliminate ARS extramural research programs and continues funding for this research. In Mississippi, this research includes biophonics, Mid-South sustainable crop production systems, crop and animal byproducts integration, avian mycoplasmosis, and erosion and sediment control.    Food Safety and Inspection Service: $1.014 billion, approximately the same as the 2015 enacted level, for food safety and inspection programs. Per the Presidents budget request, a $2.8 million increase is provided to continue implementation of the Catfish Inspection Program. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): Within APHIS funding, $11.5 million is provided for Cotton Pests, $20 million for the national feral hog program, and an additional $600,000 to support aquaculture damage management and research efforts. Rural Development: Within USDA Rural Development, $3.0 million is provided for the Delta Regional Authority and $3.0 million is provided for a competitive grant program for rural health care services. To support overall rural infrastructure, the bill includes $1.25 billion for rural water and waste program loans, the same as the FY2015 enacted level, $496 million for grants and costs, and $7.5 billion for rural electric and telephone infrastructure loans. The bill makes up to $16.5 million available to the circuit rider program that benefits rural water associations in Mississippi. Food and Drug Administration: Within funding for the FDA, the committee maintains funding, $1.8 million, for the National Center for Natural Product Research Center for Excellence at the University of Mississippi for dietary supplemental research. This facility is the only one in the nation that conducts this research.\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=eac09dd3-f126-4f7a-876a-c25bd0a5034a", "SENATE APPROVES EDUCATION REFORM LEGISLATION", "2015-07-16", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "News Releases \n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today supported Senate passage of the Every Child Achieves Act (S.1177), a bill reauthorizing and reforming K-12 education policy.     The bipartisan Senate bill takes a step forward in restoring control of public education to schools and teachers in states and local school districts, ends the Common Core mandate, and offers additional help to states to improve low-performing schools. S.1177 passed the Senate with an 81-17 vote.     I support this bill because it reaffirms the integral role that states and local communities should play in education. It should help rein in the overly burdensome federal regulatory pressures that have troubled states and school districts in Mississippi and across the country, said Cochran, chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.    The measure reforms and reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by ending the federal test-based accountability system from No Child Left Behind and strengthening state and local control over education. Todays vote marks the end of a two-week Senate debate on the measure.    I am pleased that the legislation also seeks to address the unique and often overlooked needs of our rural schools. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to tackle the many challenges that we face in educating a new generation of Mississippians, Cochran said.     The bill includes several Cochran-sponsored provisions, including an amendment adopted by the Senate in a 98-0 vote. The amendment, written by Cochran and Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), would allow the use of federal funds to improve and modernize school libraries. Cochran spoke on the Senate floor in support of his amendment during debate on the bill (LINK: http://bit.ly/1JPu7mX).     Additionally, Cochran worked with U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) to include two provisions to ensure that the needs of students in rural areas receive due consideration from the U.S. Department of Education. One would require the Department to increase the consideration and participation of rural schools in its policy-development process. The second provision would add rural schools to the Secretarys Report Card. Their inclusion would ensure that data on student achievement in rural schools is available to guide policymakers. Over 50 percent of students within public elementary and secondary schools in Mississippi are served by rural schools.     S.1711 was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee in April, under the leadership of former U.S. Secretary of Education and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.).###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398671", "Palazzo Opposes Short-term Highway Funding Bill", "2015-07-15", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Opposes Short-term Highway Funding Bill \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        July 15, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) released the following statement today regarding his vote opposing a short-term highway funding bill: \r\nThe saying is as tired as I am of having to say itbut we cant keep kicking the can down the road on these important issues. This bill was yet another brief extension and lacked true spending offsets, relying on budget gimmicks to buy a few more months of time. \r\nInstead, we need a long-term, fiscally-responsible bill that funds our highway system and allows for the continuation of important infrastructure projects within our states and local communities. I cannot support legislation like this that not only fails to meet our conservative principles, but is a complete step backwards.\r\nMembers of the committee claim they need more time to hammer out a deal. Well lets cancel the August recess, roll up our sleeves, and get to work. This is vital to our country and South Mississippi, and it needs to be taken seriously.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=c7cb6dbf-d599-47c5-9191-cc13e510ef04", "COCHRAN COSPONSORS BILL PROTECTING RELIGIOUS LIBERTY", "2015-07-15", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced his support of legislation to allow individuals and organizations to act in accordance with their personal and religious beliefs regarding same-sex marriage.Cochran has cosponsored the First Amendment Defense Act (S.1598), a bill that would prohibit the federal government from infringing on the religious beliefs of individuals or organizations who acknowledge that marriage is between one man and one woman. Specifically, the legislation would allow religious institutions to freely choose their stance on the matter and protect them from being penalized by the government based on their beliefs. Religious freedom should be protected as much as other fundamental American rights, Cochran said. This legislation would help ensure that the Supreme Courts ruling on same-sex marriage does not in turn encroach on basic First Amendment rights and religious freedom. The bill, introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah), aims to address religious liberty issues arising from the 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which compels all 50 states to recognize same-sex marriage, regardless of the states duly enacted laws. The legislation Cochran has cosponsored would prohibit the federal government from denying tax exemptions, federal grants, contracts, accreditations or licensing based on a persons or organizations belief in the traditional definition of marriage or action taken in accordance with such belief. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee where it awaits further action. S.1598 is also cosponsored by Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), as well as Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Daniel Coats (R-Ind.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Michael B. Enzi (R-Wyo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), James E. Risch (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Richard C. Shelby (R-Ala.), Dan Sullivan (R-Ark.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and David Vitter (R-La).  \r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=a8f0f788-3a37-4005-b386-bb9580b2e2c3", "COCHRAN STATEMENT ON IRAN NUCLEAR AGREEMENT", "2015-07-14", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and its Subcommittee on Defense, today issued the following statement regarding the announcement of a nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran:Iran cannot be allowed to gain nuclear weapons capabilities, and I am skeptical whether the agreement reached by the Obama administration is truly verifiable and enforceable. Congress must cast a critical eye on this deal to ensure that it does not reward a nation that actively sponsors terrorism. I look forward to carefully examining the agreement to ensure that it protects our national security interests and our allies. Cochran in May supported passage of the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, which expands congressional oversight of the Iran nuclear deal.  \r\n ###\r\n  LINK:   Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act background paper available here (http://1.usa.gov/1Hv0oK6) and below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=5d7a072c-bc86-48a4-b551-d75d2ca14905", "COCHRAN WATCHFUL OF AVIAN FLU THREAT TO POULTRY INDUSTRY, EXPORTS", "2015-07-10", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) this week questioned agriculture officials on the federal response to avian flu and the effects of the outbreak on the export of U.S. poultry products, including broilers produced in Mississippi.Cochran is a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, which conducted a hearing titled, Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza: The Impact on the U.S. Poultry Sector and Protecting U.S. Poultry Flocks. Mississippi ranks 5th in U.S. broiler production, with more than 738 million broilers valued at $2.87 billion produced in 2014. The recent advance of avian flu raises many long-term questions about its effects on the American poultry industry, and how best to address the threat to producers, trade and our economy, Cochran said. At the Tuesday afternoon hearing, Cochran participated in the committees examination of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) actions to control the spread of the most recent strain of Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Cochran asked witnesses to discuss how the use of an HPAI vaccine would affect exports from poultry-producing states like Mississippi. I appreciate that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is carefully weighing the pros and cons of using vaccines to fight this disease, especially the prospect of foreign nations suspending poultry shipments from the United States if vaccinations take place, Cochran said. Mississippi poultry exports, both frozen and fresh, totaled $233 million in 2014, a decline from $295 million the previous year, according to the Census Bureau.  According to the APHIS, 223 avian flu detections affecting more than 48 million birds have been identified in the United States since December 2014, with Minnesota and Iowa being the hardest hit. The latest case was reported in Iowa on June 17, 2015. Other states currently affected include Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin. Existing cases are located within the Mississippi, Central and Pacific flyways or migratory bird paths, and affect wild birds, backyard and commercial poultry flocks. The outbreak of HPAI does not pose food safety or public health risks, according to government authorities.  \r\n ###\r\n  LINKS   USDA Avian Flu Findings: http://1.usa.gov/1JM8mEx   Mississippi State University Cooperative Extension Service Avian Flu: http://bit.ly/1LQkJib", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=34406407-37a0-4f0d-9f40-751edf4068a6", "COCHRAN ANNOUNCES $1.4 MILLION GRANT TO BILOXI FIRE DEPARTMENT", "2015-07-09", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D. C.  U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today reported that the Biloxi Fire Department has been awarded a $1.4 million federal grant to improve its emergency responsiveness. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant will be used to increase staffing and deployment capabilities to provide adequate protection from fire and fire related hazards. The grant program is administered by the Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As first responders, firefighters play a crucial role in protecting our communities. I am pleased these funds are available to help ensure the safety of our citizens and firefighters, said Cochran, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that has jurisdiction over FEMA.  The Biloxi Fire Department is one of 15 fire departments across the country chosen to receive grants, totaling $38.7 million, for this round of SAFER grant awards from FY2014 appropriated funding. SAFER grants provide funding directly to fire departments and national, state, local, or tribal organizations representing the interests of volunteer firefighters. These resources help communities reduce response time, increase the number of trained personnel at incident scenes, and fulfill traditional missions of fire departments. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cochran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ContentRecord_id=74957f45-b431-4bec-81d8-255204aedd1c", "SENATE APPROVES COCHRAN AMENDMENT SUPPORTING SCHOOL LIBRARIES MODERNIZATION", "2015-07-09", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Thad Cochran", "C000567", "www.cochran.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "VIDEO: Cochran Promotes Passage of His Amendment\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C.  The U.S. Senate today resumes consideration of major education reform legislation that got a boost Wednesday with unanimous approval of an amendment sponsored by U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) to allow the use of federal funds to improve and modernize school libraries. The amendment, sponsored by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Cochran, was added to the Every Child Achieves Act (S.1177), a bill reauthorizing and reforming federal K-12 education policy. The amendment was adopted 98 to 0. The Senate education reform bill also includes two provisions coauthored by Cochran to support rural education. Our amendment seeks to better equip school librarians to do their jobs by allowing schools throughout the country to use federal funds in the way they see fit to strengthen their libraries. My hope is that the use of these funds will improve education and literacy among children in Mississippi and throughout America, said Cochran, a member of the Senate Rural Education Caucus. Im pleased to see such overwhelming bipartisan support for this amendment. Multiple education and library studies have produced clear evidence that school libraries staffed by qualified librarians have a positive impact on student academic achievement, but results from a recent National Center for Education Statistics survey show that access to school libraries is lacking. Approximately 8,800 schools nationwide did not report having a library media center, and only about two-thirds of the traditional public schools that did have libraries reported having a full-time, certified librarian. One in five traditional public schools reported having no paid, state certified library staff at all.  The Every Child Achieves Act includes an authorization for competitive grants to help high-need schools develop and enhance effective school library programs. The Reed-Cochran amendment, which is based on stand-alone legislation they introduced in February (http://1.usa.gov/1DXpuQS), would build on the provisions in the underlying bill by giving states and school districts the option to use Title I funds to address the development of effective school library programs and to utilize Title II funds to support instruction provided through effective school library programs.  Elsewhere in the bill, Cochran worked with U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) to include two provisions to ensure that the needs of students in rural areas receive due consideration from the U.S. Department of Education. One would require the Department to increase the consideration and participation of rural schools in its policy-development process. A separate provision would add rural schools to the Secretarys Report Card to ensure that data on student achievement in rural schools is available to guide policymakers. Over 50 percent of students within public elementary and secondary schools in Mississippi are served by rural schools.  It is important that this legislation ensures that the voices of those who serve students in rural areas are heard. We should not overlook the often unique challenges facing the large number of students and educators in rural areas, and I am pleased that the underlying bill seeks to address some of these concerns, Cochran said. The underlying bill was unanimously approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. It would reform and reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act by ending the federal test-based accountability system from No Child Left Behind and strengthening state and local control over education. Senate debate on the bill is expected to last at least a week. The Every Child Achieves Act also mirrors policies in the Senate FY2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education (Labor-HHS) Appropriations bill, including a provision affirming that the federal government cannot mandate or incentivize in any way the adoption of any specific standards or assessments, including Common Core. Cochran serves as a senior member on that subcommittee and as chairman of the Committee on Appropriations that approved the FY2016 Labor-HHS funding measure in June. (http://1.usa.gov/1HLT6oJ) \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://benniethompson.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=833:congressman-thompson-urges-committee-on-house-administration-to-take-action-on-flag&catid=41&Itemid=148", "CONGRESSMAN THOMPSON URGES COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE ACTION ON FLAG", "2015-07-08", "2015", "2015-07", "Democrat", "House", "MS", "Bennie Thompson", "T000193", "benniethompson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thompson Statement on DHS Confirmation Vote\nDecember 5, 2017 (WASHINGTON)  Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement on news the Senate has confirmed Kirstjen Nielsen to be Homeland Security Secretary:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398669", "Palazzo Supports Bill to End Common Core", "2015-07-08", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Supports Bill to End Common Core \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        July 8, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4) released the following statement today regarding House passage of H.R. 5, The Student Success Act: We can no longer afford to allow this administration to continue imposing on our classrooms, our childrens education, and their future. \r\nThis bill takes huge strides on the federal level to eliminate bureaucrats from the classroom and gives our local officials and educators in the State more power and flexibility. It directly prohibits the Department of Education from coercing schools into adopting Common Core standards in order to receive funding.  Furthermore, it opens the door for our State-elected officials and educators to take measures into their own hands and eliminate Common Core once and for all without the looming threat of being punished.\r\nCongressman Palazzo also supported several amendments that further strengthened the bill and helped meet conservative priorities. These amendments were included in the final text of the bill and contained provisions that would: \r\n \r\n    Clarify that nothing in this bill can prohibit states from withdrawing from Common Core, and explicitly forbid the federal government from punishing states that withdraw from Common Core.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Allow parents to opt their child out of the testing required and exempts schools from being penalized in terms of schools participation requirements for that testing.\r\n \r\n \r\n    Shorten the authorization period from 6 years to 3 years, ensuring that Congress continues to revisit this legislation and make improvements.\r\n \r\n\r\nCongressman Palazzo believes education should be left up to the states and local school boards not the federal government. He supports completely eliminating the Department of Education and block-grant funding directly to the states. Todays bill is a step in the right direction towards empowering parents and teachers to have the final say in their childrens education.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://palazzo.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398670", "Palazzo Opposes Amendment to Ban Flag  at Federal Cemeteries", "2015-07-08", "2015", "2015-07", "Republican", "House", "MS", "Steven Palazzo", "P000601", "palazzo.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Palazzo Opposes Amendment to Ban Flag  at Federal Cemeteries \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        July 8, 2015\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Washington, DC  Congressman Steven Palazzo (MS-4)issued the following statement after the House passed an amendment to the FY2016 Interior Appropriations bill that would ban the display of the Confederate flag at federal cemeteries: I strongly oppose the inclusion of this amendment, which was slipped into the bill in the dead of night with no debate. Congress cannot simply re-write history and strip the Confederate flag from existence. Members of Congress from New York and California cannot wipe away 150 years of Southern history with sleight-of-hand tactics. I will fight to ensure that this language is not included in any bill signed into law.\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 285, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"chamber\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "House", "p1": "MS", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MS&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 247, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MS&year=2015&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 38, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MS&year=2015&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MS&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 285, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=MS&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MS&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "MS", "label": "MS", "count": 285, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MS&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 285, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MS", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-07-08,https~3A~2F~2Fpalazzo~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D398670", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?chamber=House&state=MS&year=2015&_next=2015-07-08%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fpalazzo~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D398670&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 112.54622600972652, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}