Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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1,447 rows where chamber = "Senate", party = "Republican" and year = 2021 sorted by date descending
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| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-statement-on-fdic-chairman-mcwilliams-resignation/ | Senator Scott Statement on FDIC Chairman McWilliams’ Resignation | 2021-12-31 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Chairman Jelena McWilliams’ resignation after a politically-motivated attempt to undermine the independence of the agency. “I am thankful for Chairman McWilliams’ service as FDIC chairman,” said Senator Scott. “She played an instrumental role in the implementation of rules to alleviate regulatory burdens on community banks and helped guide the industry through pandemic-related economic uncertainty. Her strong and fair leadership will be greatly missed. “Over the course of her career, Chairman McWilliams has established an impressive reputation as a good faith negotiator and dealmaker, all while staying true to her core principles. Moreover, throughout her FDIC tenure, she has been a consummate consensus builder. The fact that Biden administration regulators have seemingly failed to conduct board business through the standard procedural channels in an open and honest manner with a regulator as well known for her integrity as Chairman McWilliams speaks volumes. I remain deeply concerned that the flagrant, politically-motivated efforts to appropriate the authorities granted by FDIC bylaws to the agency’s Senate-confirmed chairman represent a dangerous attempt to politicize the independent and historically apolitical practice of federal bank regulation.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-colleagues-call-on-president-biden-to-withdraw-nomination-of-dr-david-weil-for-wage-and-hour-administrator/ | Senator Scott, Colleagues Call on President Biden to Withdraw Nomination of Dr. David Weil for Wage & Hour Administrator | 2021-12-29 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) in urging President Biden to formally withdraw the nomination of Dr. David Weil to be Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division. In a letter, the senators cited that the Senate’s HELP Committee was unable to report Dr. Weil’s nomination favorably when it was considered this year and listed concerns with actions Dr. Weil took while serving as Wage & Hour Administrator during the Obama administration, including implementing job-killing rules, arbitrarily constricting the standard for who is considered an independent contractor, and presiding over a 93% increase in litigation due to an expansion of the “joint employer” definition. “Small business entrepreneurs in this country deserve a Wage and Hour Division Administrator that will work constructively alongside them,” the senators wrote. “The Senate has spoken this year that Dr. Weil is not the right fit for this position. We appreciate your responsiveness to this request, and ask for prompt confirmation that the nomination of Dr. David Weil is formally withdrawn.” Click here to download or read the full text of the letter below: Dear Mr. President, We write to urge you to formally withdraw the nomination of Dr. David Weil, of Massachusetts, to be Administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division, Department of Labor, vice Cheryl Marie Stanton. Dr. Weil’s track record is hostile to employers, unproductive to the employees served by such employers, and the actions he took at the federal level were mired in costly litigation. The United States Constitution divides the responsibility for populating top positions in the federal government between the President and the United States Senate. The appointments clause (Article II, Section 2) empowers the President to nominate “by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate”. The role of the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/-murkowski-wishes-alaskans-a-merry-christmas-and-happy-holidays | Murkowski Wishes Alaskans a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays | 2021-12-25 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=39 | scraper | U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) shared the following message with Alaskans: Click here for video of Senator Murkowski. “The holidays are a special opportunity to share traditions and enjoy time with those we hold close. As I take pause to think about the many blessings I have in my own life – my family, friends, and the opportunity to represent the great state of Alaska – I am reminded of all we have collectively to be thankful for. As Alaskans, we get live in a beautiful state, with incredible outdoor opportunities in our back yard. We have a unique home, rich with history and culture. We are surrounded by Alaska’s natural bounty. And we have each other – Alaskan neighbors, showing up for one another during the best and worst of times. That is the true spirit of our great state. “Regardless of how you choose to celebrate the season, I encourage us all to take time to reflect on the good things in our lives. And, as we transition into to the New Year, I hope each of us will commit to being the best neighbors to one another that we possibly can. 2022 will be better and brighter for us all if we do. “From my family to yours – Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/king-cove-murkowski-mark-eight-years-and-157-medevacs_since-rejection-of-life-saving-road | King Cove, Murkowski Mark Eight Years and 157 Medevacs Since Rejection of Life-Saving Road | 2021-12-23 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=39 | scraper | U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today issued the following statement on the eight-year anniversary of the Department of the Interior’s rejection of a short, one-lane, gravel, life-saving road needed to connect King Cove, Alaska to the all-weather airport in nearby Cold Bay. The single-lane road is crucial to providing reliable emergency medical access for all who live in King Cove. Two days before Christmas in 2013, former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell announced she would not allow the simple road – approved by Congress on a bipartisan basis, but conditioned on a public interest determination – to be built to connect two existing roads on either side of the 315,000-acre Izembek National Wildlife Refuge. Since then, King Cove has been forced to endure an additional 157 medevacs. Most occurred in dangerous weather conditions and many had to be carried out by the U.S. Coast Guard, risking the lives of crews and patients alike. “Sally Jewell made a horrible decision eight years ago, and it is the good people of King Cove who have paid the price ever since. A single medevac is too many, let alone 157. It is simply unconscionable that the federal government has failed to protect these Alaskans’ health and safety, especially in the midst of a global pandemic that has made emergency medical access all the more critical,” Murkowski said. Murkowski reiterated her request to current Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland – who has prioritized tribal consultation – to visit King Cove and finally address this decades-long environmental injustice. “I am calling on Secretary Haaland to visit King Cove to see the need to protect local residents’ health and safety as soon as possible. The federal government has a trust responsibility to the Tribes of King Cove, but it has been broken for decades. I also urge her to consider alternatives that could help us construct this road in an environmentally sound manner sooner than litigation will allow. As governments, Tribes must deliver a wide range of critical services, incl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-announces-disbursement-of-cares-act-funding-to-alaskas-fisheries | Murkowski Announces Disbursement of CARES Act Funding to Alaska’s Fisheries | 2021-12-23 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=39 | scraper | Alaska set to receive the highest possible allocation in fishery relief U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today announced that $50 million in fishery assistance, secured through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security (CARES) Act, will be disbursed this week to Alaska’s commercial harvesters, sport fishing charters, and seafood processors. This funding comes as a result of the efforts of Senator Murkowski to make direct assistance available to subsistence, commercial, and charter fishery participants, processors, fishery-related businesses and fishery-dependent communities that have been negatively affected by the economic and other impacts of COVID-19. “Alaska’s fisheries and seafood sector are a critical driver of our State’s economy, employing more than 58,000 people and producing billions of dollars in economic output in our state each year. Unfortunately, I continue to hear from Alaska’s seafood industry about the numerous ongoing challenges they are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As I worked to help craft the CARES Act, I was adamant that robust funding was included for those who bring Alaskan halibut, salmon, and countless other seafood products to market. I recognize that the time between allocation and distribution has been frustrating and long, but I’m encouraged to know that those checks are officially hitting the mailboxes of hardworking Alaskans. The positive impacts this funding will have will be felt not only here at home, but across the nation as it boosts our economy and allows Alaska’s world class seafood to continue to be enjoyed around the globe,” said Senator Murkowski. “This CARES Act funding is serving as a vital source of support for fishermen. We appreciate that Congress recognized the need to support those in our seafood supply chain that are experiencing losses, through this and other support programs,” said Chris Barrows, President of Pacific Seafood Processors Association. “Alaskans from all fishing sectors owe a debt of gratitude to Lisa and Dan for directing s… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/as-inflation-soars-scott-stands-up-for-farmers-and-ranchers/ | As Inflation Soars, Scott Stands Up For Farmers and Ranchers | 2021-12-23 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.), Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), and several of their colleagues in urging federal financial regulators to provide community banks, credit unions, and Farm Credit institutions with the regulatory flexibility they need to responsibly work with their agriculture clients as the profit margins of farmers and ranchers shrink from higher input costs. The senators are also requesting that federal financial regulators monitor how inflation and inflationary-related pressures are affecting the agriculture industry and, in turn, the community financial institutions that serve it. “The destructive impact of inflation has already affected individuals, families, and businesses across the nation, and no one is immune from these price increases,” the senators wrote. “Caused in large part by an unprecedented increase in federal government spending, in addition to supply chain bottlenecks, these higher prices are not just increasing grocery bills and home heating costs, but they are also raising costs on businesses, including on our nation’s farmers and ranchers.” The letter was also signed by Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Senator Scott is committed to investigating and pushing back against any actions taken by the administration that contribute to inflation, which takes its greatest toll on low-income Americans. Read the full letter here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-scott-talks-dem-spending-2021-highlights-and-2022-agenda/ | ICYMI: Scott Talks Dem Spending, 2021 Highlights and 2022 Agenda | 2021-12-23 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Leyla Gulen on Fox24 Charleston. Sen. Scott slammed Democrats’ spending, talked legislative highlights of 2021, and laid out his agenda for 2022. Click to watch part one of the interview On Dem Spending … “Well, if you think about their plan, the Build Back Broker (BBB) as I prefer to call it, frankly that’s three trillion dollars of unpaid spending if those programs continue for all 10 years and the likelihood of that is good if they can get it passed. …I hope [what] we’ll see over the next several weeks is no passage of the BBB. That is good news for the American people.” “Leyla throughout South Carolina whether you’re in Charleston, Union, [or] McCormick South Carolina, the one thing you know is that gas prices have exploded — a 70 percent increase throughout our state. Utilities are up 25 percent if not even more. That is caused by reckless spending from Washington having a negative impact on every single household in the great Palmetto State. We can stop that from exploding again by not spending money we do not have, buying things we simply cannot afford.” Click to watch part two of the interview On 2021 Highlights … “Another really impressive issue this year frankly — is our bill that stopped the IRS from being able to peer into our financial accounts. That has been great news frankly — having all 50 Republicans get on that bill in less than 24 hours and then having Joe Manchin and a couple of other Democrats come out and say we can’t do that that’s just ridiculous.” On His Areas of Focus for 2022 … “I’m sticking with the less is better agenda. So, we’re going to continue to fight against certain provisions in the BBB — things like that childcare component that I talked about earlier. The average family cannot afford an 80 percent increase in the childcare cost. If we can defeat that provision specifically, we will have empowered parents to keep making the choice for their kids. Education opportunity — this is the closest thing to a civil … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-wins-stand-off-with-white-house-over-ninth-circuit-nominees | Sullivan Wins Stand-off with White House Over Ninth Circuit Nominees | 2021-12-23 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | Biden White House had been preventing Senator’s meetings with circuit court nominees ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) announced on Sunday that he had met via phone with several nominees to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, with jurisdiction over Alaska, ending a blockade by the Biden White House, which had been denying the senator the opportunity to meet with the judges prior to voting on their confirmation in the Senate. In his remarks on the Senate floor on December 13th, Sen. Sullivan argued that by withholding these meetings, the White House was subverting the “advice and consent” duties senators have under the Constitution. He also noted that this policy was a marked shift from the previous administration, which had facilitated meetings between senators and judicial nominees upon request. Sen. Sullivan delivered the news on Sunday Night in America on Fox News Channel, hosted by former Congressman Trey Gowdy. Transcript of the senator’s interview: GOWDY: Senator Sullivan joins us now. Thank you for joining us, Senator. I actually watched your conversation with Senator Whitehouse from Rhode Island on the Senate floor. It was cordial, as most Senate conversations are, but I do not understand the explanation for why you cannot meet with judicial nominees whose decisions impact your very state. SULLIVAN: Well, Trey, listen. I'm really glad you're raising this topic and, by the way, Merry Christmas. It’s great to be on the show. But here's the thing. This administration with some Democratic allies in the House and the Senate has been smashing key constitutional norms. As you know, they're trying to pack the Supreme Court. Look at what Elizabeth Warren just announced. They're trying to kill the filibuster. And then this one comes up—trying to undermine the advice and consent role that the U.S. Senate has with regard to nominees, especially, as you mentioned, judges who have life tenure. I've been fighting this and I'm actually glad to report right now that we finally have a victory… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-wishes-hoosiers-a-merry-christmas/ | Young Wishes Hoosiers a Merry Christmas | 2021-12-23 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) released a video message today to wish Hoosiers a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year this holiday season. Click here to watch Senator Young’s full remarks. Full transcript of the video: As we enter the Christmas season and 2021 draws to an end, it’s easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of the season and forget how lucky we are to be here. We live in a beautiful country, where we have the freedom to choose how we celebrate this season and the opportunity to spend time with the people we love. I’m also thinking about those who cannot be in-person with their loved ones today. To the brave Hoosiers serving our country, thank you for your sacrifice this holiday season. I am sending my thoughts to you and your families during this time. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=9C81807A-19D9-439F-9708-50C1DC32AABA | McConnell and Comer Help Secure Over $3.3 Million for Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Improvements | 2021-12-22 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Representative James Comer (KY-01) announced today the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will distribute $3,320,000 to the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority (PMCRA) to fund infrastructure improvements at the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport. DOT distributed these funds through their Port Infrastructure Development Program’s competitive grant process. Senator McConnell and Representative Comer wrote letters to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation in support of PMCRA’s grant application. PMCRA will use the funds allocated through this grant to modernize the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport’s material handling equipment, repair damaged facilities, and upgrade site conditions at their bulk yard. These upgrades will ensure reliable throughput for agriculture and construction supply chains, bolstering economic development in the quad-state area. “The Paducah-McCracken County Riverport is one of the most important transportation hubs in all of Kentucky. Situated at the heart of America’s inland waterway system, the port forms a vital link in the supply chains that serve consumers and businesses across the Commonwealth. It is more important than ever to be able to move much-needed materials in and out of our state efficiently,” said Senator McConnell. “Today’s grant announcement is a major step forward in the modernization and improvement of Kentucky’s river infrastructure. I was proud to stand alongside Congressman Comer and the Paducah-McCracken County Riverport Authority in advocating for this grant’s approval.” “The Paducah-McCracken County riverport is vital to safely transporting the commodities America’s economy relies on. Given its strategic location and key role in the shipment of goods, Paducah is the perfect recipient of this competitive grant to improve economic development and inland waterway transportation in the United States,” said Congressman James Comer. “I’m eager to see this quality investment in Kentuc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F00C6AD6-8591-47DD-B6E3-C53B74363344 | McConnell: Democrats Have Little to Show for 11 Months Running Pandemic Response | 2021-12-22 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the Biden Administration and COVID-19: “Every American is rooting for our country in the continued fight against COVID-19. But 11 months into the Biden Administration, we need an honest accounting. “In 2020, then-candidate Biden promised he would ‘shut down the virus.’ Now new cases in our major cities are breaking records. When the virus had killed 220,000 Americans, then-candidate Biden said ‘anyone who’s responsible for that many deaths should not remain as President of the United States.’ Now we have lost 800,000 and counting. “Last week, Vice President Harris said their Administration was surprised and caught off guard by new variants such as delta and omicron. But new variants were public knowledge before this Administration took office. “Democrats’ springtime ‘rescue plan’ spent just 9% on the health fight and 91% on other issues. The Biden Administration has also taken hundreds of millions of dollars from COVID testing and the Strategic National Stockpile and diverted it to their border crisis. “As a result, eleven months into this Administration, we are still woefully short on rapid and affordable testing. Americans seeking tests before the holidays are facing massive lines and empty shelves. “Eleven months in, we are still short on important treatments such as monoclonal antibodies. “Eleven months in, a promising new antiviral pill was only belatedly approved today by the FDA and the Biden Administration preordered too little, too late. “Eleven months in, with a predictable seasonal surge threatening hospitals, the Administration has inexplicably only just begun releasing funding that Congress set aside for health providers. “Months ago, Senate Republicans wrote the Biden Administration asking why they were limiting important treatments and if they had any plans to guard against future variants. They never responded. “Washington Democrats spent 2021 chasing unrelated far-left … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-dr-rand-paul-releases-2021-festivusreport-government-waste/ | Dr. Rand Paul Releases 2021 ‘Festivus’Reporton Government Waste | 2021-12-22 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Rand Paul | P000603 | www.paul.senate.gov | paul | https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/ | scraper | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2021 Contact: Press@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), chairman of the Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight (ETSO) Subcommittee for the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee (HSGAC), released his 2021 “Festivus” Report, totaling over $52,598,515,585 billion in government waste. This marks Dr. Paul’s and the subcommittee’s seventh edition of the Festivus Report as he continues working to alert the American people to how their federal government uses their hard-earned money. Sections are broken down into COVID-19 spending, Afghanistan, and Miscellaneous. You can find Dr. Paul’s 2021 Festivus Report HERE. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-finance-republicans-demand-treasury-analysis-of-oecd-agreement/ | Scott, Finance Republicans Demand Treasury Analysis of OECD Agreement | 2021-12-22 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), along with Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and all other Senate Finance Committee Republicans, wrote to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen renewing requests for information regarding international tax negotiations. To date, the Department of the Treasury (USDT) has been unwilling or unable to fully engage with Congress to provide details on the negotiations, which will have a significant impact on American workers, businesses and revenue. The senators raise concerns with how the negotiations may negatively impact U.S. competitiveness; the commitment from the United States to increase its global minimum tax before any other country; and suggestions that USDT could implement the agreement without the advice and consent of the Senate, bypassing the treaty process. “The Administration’s rush to reach a political agreement, tied to its domestic spending plans and pursuit of revenue, has come at the expense of thorough analysis and meaningful engagement with Congress and the business community, and may ultimately put U.S. businesses at risk. . . . Given this agreement’s potential to jeopardize U.S. competitiveness, we continue to have concerns with the lack of detail underlying the approach being proposed under Pillar One and its lack of foundation in any discernible tax principles,” the senators wrote. “Further troubling is Treasury’s continued insistence that the United States once again move first by significantly increasing the U.S. global minimum tax. . . . As Pillar Two does not require other countries to adopt a global minimum tax, we are not confident that our biggest foreign competitors, like China, will enact and implement a global minimum tax on the same terms or on the timeline agreed to at the OECD. … “Finally, suggestions that the United States could fully implement Pillar One without the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate through the treaty process are highly problematic. . . . [A]ny suggestion that Pillar One can be impleme… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-joins-finance-republicans-to-demand-treasury-analysis-of-oecd-agreement/ | Young Joins Finance Republicans to Demand Treasury Analysis of OECD Agreement | 2021-12-22 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Senate Finance Committee Republicans in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to renew requests for information regarding international tax negotiations. To date, Treasury has been unwilling or unable to fully engage with Congress to provide details on the negotiations, which will have a significant impact on American workers, businesses and revenue. The senators raise concerns with how the negotiations may negatively impact U.S. competitiveness; the commitment from the United States to increase its global minimum tax before any other country; and suggestions that Treasury could implement the agreement without the advice and consent of the Senate, bypassing the treaty process. From the letter: “The Administration’s rush to reach a political agreement, tied to its domestic spending plans and pursuit of revenue, has come at the expense of thorough analysis and meaningful engagement with Congress and the business community, and may ultimately put U.S. businesses at risk… Given this agreement’s potential to jeopardize U.S. competitiveness, we continue to have concerns with the lack of detail underlying the approach being proposed under Pillar One and its lack of foundation in any discernible tax principles. … Further troubling is Treasury’s continued insistence that the United States once again move first by significantly increasing the U.S. global minimum tax… As Pillar Two does not require other countries to adopt a global minimum tax, we are not confident that our biggest foreign competitors, like China, will enact and implement a global minimum tax on the same terms or on the timeline agreed to at the OECD. … Finally, suggestions that the United States could fully implement Pillar One without the advice and consent of two-thirds of the Senate through the treaty process are highly problematic… [A]ny suggestion that Pillar One can be implemented absent treaty ratification is a dramatic shift from past precedent and calls into question the binding nat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/alaska-delegation-welcomes-additional-h-2b-visas | Alaska Delegation Welcomes Additional H-2B Visas | 2021-12-21 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=39 | scraper | DHS, DOL Announcement Paves Way for Robust Seasonal Workforce U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young, all R-Alaska, welcomed an announcement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) that a joint temporary final rule will soon be implemented to ensure an additional 20,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas will be made available nationwide for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022. “This announcement recognizes the significance of H-2B visas for Alaska and is vitally important for our state’s seafood industry. Despite their dogged efforts to find local seasonal workers – which must always be the preference – Alaska employers, particularly in seafood processing, often struggle to find enough workers to keep their operations running. These additional visas, which will be issued in the first half of the Fiscal Year for the first time ever, will help our seafood industry ensure a robust labor pool as we head into the 2022 season,” said Senator Murkowski. “I made it a priority early on with this administration to elevate this issue—not only for a need to raise the cap, but for a long-term solution. I thank the administration for making this a priority and will push the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security to issue needed visas in a timely manner.” "A perpetually challenging issue for our seafood industry is ensuring sufficient seafood workers so that when our great Alaska fishermen harvest their world-class product they can get it to market. I appreciate the focus on this issue, and the commitment to solutions for Alaskan fishermen who are going out to sea early in the new year and rely on this program,” said Senator Sullivan. “It is vital that our state’s ongoing economic recovery is not further threatened by labor shortages. Access to sufficient nonimmigrant seasonal H-2B visas is essential for Alaska’s seafood processing industry. Filling these jobs with Alaskans continues to be my goal, but a lack of workers would have catastrophic impacts … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=2374FC54-6733-4A44-9EBD-E9E2EB0294F1 | McConnell Helps Secure Over $115 Million in Pandemic Relief Funding for Kentucky Healthcare Providers | 2021-12-20 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will distribute more than $115 million in pandemic relief funding to 897 Kentucky healthcare providers through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These funds will be distributed as Phase 4 of the Provider Relief Fund, which was established through the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Senator McConnell secured a total of $178 billion for the Provider Relief Fund through several bipartisan COVID-19 relief packages he led to Senate passage last year. This September, the Senator also wrote a letter to the HHS Secretary advocating for Kentucky’s healthcare providers to receive these funds. Previously, this Administration had not released any of the allocated Provider Relief Fund despite its availability throughout 2021. Kentucky’s relief funding comes as part of a nationwide, $9 billion payment to more than 69,000 healthcare providers who have experienced revenue loss or expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The nationwide average payment is $58,000 for small providers, $289,000 for medium providers, and $1.7 million for large providers. “Nobody has felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as acutely as our healthcare providers, who have been on the front lines of this crisis since day one. Now, as many of these same heroes mobilize to assist with Kentucky’s tornado recovery efforts, they are also dealing with extensive pandemic-related expenses and revenue loss. Today’s relief funding announcement will go a long way toward easing that financial distress,” said Senator McConnell. “I was proud to lead several bipartisan COVID-19 relief bills to passage last year and help our healthcare providers receive the relief funding they need to survive. Kentucky and America simply cannot allow our healthcare providers to flounder while we still work to defeat the pandemic.” “These funds will help cover the heavy losses that B… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-colleagues-in-filing-amicus-brief-in-pending-clean-air-act-supreme-court-case/ | Scott Joins Colleagues in Filing Amicus Brief in Pending Clean Air Act Supreme Court Case | 2021-12-20 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) today joined 47 senators and 45 House members—including Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.)—in filing an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the petitioners in the pending case West Virginia, et al. v. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The members agree that the EPA acted outside its congressionally-authorized authority by issuing significantly overreaching rules—namely the Clean Power Plan—to attempt to transform the nation’s power sector through emissions regulations under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. “If Congress had intended to give the EPA such sweeping authority to transform an entire sector of our economy, Congress would have done so explicitly. An administrative agency like the EPA may decide issues of such vast economic and political significance only when the agency can point to ‘clear congressional authorization.’ “Decisions regarding greenhouse gas emissions and the power sector are major policy questions with vast economic and political significance. Only elected members of Congress, representing the will of the people, may decide these questions. The EPA’s attempt to issue expansive regulations cannot stand in the absence of clear congressional authorization. “Congress knows how to address greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, Congress has decided to pass transformative laws that incentivize reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from a wide range of industries, including the electric power sector,” the brief states. Senate cosigners of the brief include Senators Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mitch McCo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-commits-to-vawa-reauthorization- | Murkowski Commits to VAWA Reauthorization | 2021-12-17 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=39 | scraper | U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) yesterday spoke on the Senate floor about the need for a bipartisan reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. This speech dovetails an announcement made by Senator Murkowski and her colleagues, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL), that they have developed a bipartisan framework to modernize and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. The framework agreement includes provisions that strengthen rape prevention and education efforts and services and protections for young survivors, closes the dating partner loophole, and includes an Alaska pilot program which will empower a limited number of Tribes to exercise special criminal jurisdiction over certain crimes that occur in Alaska Native villages. Click here for video of Senator Murkowski Speech Excerpts: Murkowski speaks on a path forward to a bipartisan reauthorization of VAWA: “It has been years in the making. The last time we had a VAWA reauthorization was VAWA 2013, and so we are high past time to be addressing this very significant matter.” “No compromise is perfect, but what has been developed through this framework is a proposal that will really help to prevent violence, to support our survivors, to hold perpetrators accountable.” “We all want to get to that next step which is filing the legislation so that we can get it moving through this process. I look forward to doing that in the new year.” “There is an ongoing public safety crisis in rural Alaska and across Indian Country, but we have an opportunity in this Congress to work together, across the aisle, to find solutions and restore justice.” “We must let our women, children, and families who have been affected by devastating violence know – you are heard and we stand with you.” Murkowski speaks to the disproportionate victimization of Native people: “As a Senator for Alaska, this is an extraordinarily pressing issue in my home state. As the Vice Chairman of the Indian Affairs Committee, I can affirm that th… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/sullivan-and-murkowski-introduce-alaska-salmon-research-task-force-act | SULLIVAN AND MURKOWSKI INTRODUCE ALASKA SALMON RESEARCH TASK FORCE ACT | 2021-12-17 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=39 | scraper | U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska) introduced the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act, legislation that would form a panel of Alaska’s salmon stakeholders and research experts to study Pacific salmon trends and create a coordinated research strategy for Pacific salmon in Alaska to support salmon management. The Research Task Force would be directed to conduct a comprehensive review of Pacific salmon science relevant to understanding and managing salmon returns in Alaska, and publish a report, within one year of convening, to provide recommendations identifying knowledge and research gaps and further research priorities for salmon in Alaska. “It is difficult to overstate the importance of salmon to Alaska, our communities, our economy and our traditional way of life. Over the past several years, Alaskans in some parts of the state have witnessed strong, historic runs of salmon, while Alaskans in other regions have seen shocking and unprecedented declines,” said Sen. Sullivan. “Our existing management system, with the state’s authority to manage Alaska’s salmon harvest and the federal government managing federal fishery salmon harvest and much of the at-sea research, has created a clear gap in research and research prioritization that urgently needs to be addressed. This crisis warrants the combined attention of our state and federal governments, and the expertise of our greatest scientific minds, as well as the indigenous communities that have harvested salmon for millennia. With this legislation, we would establish a body to expand our understanding, identify knowledge gaps, and ultimately drive us toward concrete policies and management decisions that we hope will bring increased abundance and stability to our salmon stocks for the benefit of all Alaskans.” “It has been said that the summer season doesn’t arrive in Alaskan coastal and in-river communities until the salmon do. In some regions we are seeing not just a decline in salmon runs, but a crash that is damaging to not only t… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-banking-republicans-call-on-president-biden-to-rebuke-fdic-coup-attempt/ | Senator Scott, Banking Republicans Call on President Biden to Rebuke FDIC Coup Attempt | 2021-12-17 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and fellow Senate Banking Committee Republicans are calling on President Joe Biden to rebuke Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Director Marty Gruenberg for their illegitimate attempt to violate the FDIC’s 88-year tradition of working independent from partisan political influence. In a letter, the senators also urged President Biden to immediately replace Director Gruenberg—whose term expired three years ago and is serving in a temporary capacity—and nominate an individual to fill the vacant Republican seat on the FDIC board. “As a public servant who spent nearly four decades serving in the U.S. Senate, we believe you understand and hold deep respect for historical precedent, institutional norms, and courteous treatment of your colleagues—even in the face of political disagreement,”the senators wrote. “America’s independent financial regulators are respected the world over for their professionalism and integrity, and we fear the actions of Director Chopra and Director Gruenberg, if left unchecked have the potential to weaken faith in our financial institutions and markets.” On December 9, CFPB Director Chopra and FDIC Director Gruenberg published a joint statement to the CFPB’s website claiming the FDIC approved a request for information (RFI) on bank mergers. Shortly thereafter, the FDICclarifiedthat no such document had been approved by the FDIC and that there was no valid vote by the FDIC board. “Director Chopra and Director Gruenberg’s statement and actions make clear that they violated FDIC procedures with the apparent goal of usurping the powers of the chairman and inhibiting her ability to carry out her official duties and responsibilities,”the senators continued. “In addition to violating the FDIC bylaws and processes, their actions upended an 88-year tradition of the FDIC board working on a collegial basis with its chairman as well as working independent from partisan political … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senators-scott-and-hassan-introduce-bill-to-expand-educator-tax-deduction/ | Senators Scott and Hassan Introduce Bill to Expand Educator Tax Deduction | 2021-12-17 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) introduced a bill to extend the educator Expense Tax Deduction to K-12 athletic coaches and administrators. This bill will amend the tax code to allow K-12 coaches to be classified as “eligible educators” in order to be eligible for tax deductions for out-of-pocket expenses relating to instructional expenses. “Coaches and athletic administrators are often integral to the success of students both in and out of the classroom,” said Senator Tim Scott. “It is only right that we expand the tax code to ensure that they receive the same benefits as they continue to personally invest in the future of students across America.” “Athletic directors and coaches across New Hampshire play an important role in setting students up for success, including by fostering health and wellness and helping student-athletes get on the road to college,” Senator Hassan said. “It is nonsensical that coaches are left out of getting tax cuts to help cover out-of-pocket costs for supplies when all other teachers have that option. I am glad to introduce this bill with Senator Scott that would include athletic directors and coaches in the group of educators who can get certain out-of-pocket expenses covered, and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this legislation.“ Several organizations have expressed support for this bill including Nike, Inc, adidas America, Inc, Sports and Fitness Industry Association, and the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). “We thank Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) and Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) for this bill that directly offers a positive benefit to interscholastic athletic administrators,” said NIAAA Executive Director Dr. Mike Blackburn. “Just as the original 1986 IRS code allows deductions for out-of-pocket educator costs, this bill offers the same financial option to those in the profession of high school and middle school athletic administration and coaching. We appreciate our supportive member… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-and-murkowski-introduce-alaska-salmon-research-task-force-act | Sullivan and Murkowski Introduce Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act | 2021-12-17 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska) introduced the Alaska Salmon Research Task Force Act, legislation that would form a panel of Alaska’s salmon stakeholders and research experts to study Pacific salmon trends and create a coordinated research strategy for Pacific salmon in Alaska to support salmon management. The Research Task Force would be directed to conduct a comprehensive review of Pacific salmon science relevant to understanding and managing salmon returns in Alaska, and publish a report, within one year of convening, to provide recommendations identifying knowledge and research gaps and further research priorities for salmon in Alaska. “It is difficult to overstate the importance of salmon to Alaska, our communities, our economy and our traditional way of life. Over the past several years, Alaskans in some parts of the state have witnessed strong, historic runs of salmon, while Alaskans in other regions have seen shocking and unprecedented declines,” said Sen. Sullivan. “Our existing management system, with the state’s authority to manage Alaska’s salmon harvest and the federal government managing federal fishery salmon harvest and much of the at-sea research, has created a clear gap in research and research prioritization that urgently needs to be addressed. This crisis warrants the combined attention of our state and federal governments, and the expertise of our greatest scientific minds, as well as the indigenous communities that have harvested salmon for millennia. With this legislation, we would establish a body to expand our understanding, identify knowledge gaps, and ultimately drive us toward concrete policies and management decisions that we hope will bring increased abundance and stability to our salmon stocks for the benefit of all Alaskans.” “It has been said that the summer season doesn’t arrive in Alaskan coastal and in-river communities until the salmon do. In some regions we are seeing not just a decline in salmon runs, but a crash that is damaging to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-honors-shari-daugherty-as-alaskan-of-the-week | Sullivan Honors Shari Daugherty as “Alaskan of the Week” | 2021-12-17 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | WASHINGTON—On the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday, Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) recognized Shari Daugherty, of Homer, who founded “Share the Spirit” back in 1992, a community-driven nonprofit that provides all of the ingredients of a proper Christmas celebration—including a full meal and presents—for less-fortunate families and children. Daugherty is retiring from the program and from her job as a medical biller at South Peninsula Hospital this year, but will be handing on the reins for “Share the Spirit” to a new generation of leaders. Daugherty was recognized as part of Sen. Sullivan’s series, “Alaskan of the Week.” Tribute to Shari Daugherty Mr. President, it is Thursday. The Senate is still very busy here. We have a lot of work to do, as we are all trying to get home for the holidays. And I thought it was still the appropriate time to come down and talk about somebody who is making our State such a great State, somebody who is contributing to the community, somebody who I refer to as our Alaskan of the Week. Now, we have been doing this for, gosh, going on almost 6 years, maybe 5 years. But it is always one of my favorite times of week, even when the speech is late. So I appreciate the majority leader and the Presiding Officer letting us stay open here for one more speech. And I know the pages--I mean, they love the Alaskan of the Week. So this is a little bit of a treat. But I always start this speech with a little bit of an update on what is going on in Alaska. So right now, Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow--that is Point Barrow. That is the northern most community in North America. They haven't seen the sun in nearly a month. The sun went down, and it is not rising again until January 23. So they get a lot of darkness. There are 66 days of darkness. Great people up there. Wonderful people up there. I love it up there. We have had some pretty significant cold spells already. That, for now, doesn't seem to be lifting. It was 40 below 0 in Fairbanks yesterday. In Anchorage, the high was 4 degree… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-recognizes-50th-anniversary-of-alaska-native-claims-settlement-act | Sullivan Recognizes 50th Anniversary of Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act | 2021-12-17 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska) yesterday introduced S. Res. 482, a resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and the lasting impact of this landmark law on Alaska and Alaska Native people. ANCSA, the largest land claims settlement in U.S. history, transferred 44 million acres of federal land to 12 newly formed Regional Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs) and more than 200 Village and Urban ANCs, fostering economic development through managing and developing the land for the benefit of their Alaska Native shareholders. “It is a story of self-determination and, in many ways, heroism, and it is a story for the ages,” said Sen. Sullivan. “I am honored to represent these wonderful people—many of the leaders who are still alive who made this happen fifty years ago—and their children and grandchildren. We have more work to do, but fifty years ago, on December 18, 1971, it was the start of a new, positive, innovative chapter in the history of Alaska.” Transcript of remarks Mr. President, today I introduced a resolution with Senator Murkowski celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act--ANCSA, as we call it back home in Alaska--which was an enormously consequential piece of legislation that, after years and years of debate right in this body, passed the House, then passed the U.S. Senate, and then was signed into law by President Nixon on December 18, 1971, almost exactly 50 years ago to this day. It was a great day for Alaska. I know Senator Murkowski was on the floor earlier talking about ANCSA and why it is so important and why in Alaska, right now, we have been celebrating 50 years of this important piece of legislation. I want to go back in time a little bit to help explain, because part of what Senator Murkowski and I do here is we are constantly talking about and educating our colleagues about this very unique legislation, which happened right here in the U.S. Senate. If … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=EC68FBA6-2836-4DFB-92F8-FA79B970F99C | Graham Pushes For Senate Hearing On Rising Crime Rates | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Lindsey Graham | G000359 | www.lgraham.senate.gov | graham | https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) wrote to the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman to call for a hearing on the drastic rise in violent crime in the United States. The letter was signed by all Republican members of the committee. “As you know, reducing violent crime is a topic about which many members of the committee are deeply passionate,” wrote the senators. “Beginning in the summer of 2020, the country has experienced a sustained and unprecedented 30% increase in murders. This spike has correlated with a move toward depolicing, after the eruption of over 500 riots nationally.” While the Trump Administration took steps to combat violent crime, the senators noted that the Biden Administration’s plan is more focused on targeting lawful firearm owners. “In June of 2021, the Biden Administration unveiled its own strategy to reduce violent crime,” wrote the senators. “We were troubled to see how much of the President’s strategy focuses on lawful gun acquisition and lawful gun owners. For example, one of the tenets of the President’s plan is finding ways to sue legal gun manufacturers, an initiative that would do much to interfere with Americans’ access to guns but nothing to target murders or reduce crime…Legally owned firearms play an important role in allowing Americans to protect themselves during a violent crime surge. A 2013 CDC-commissioned study found that as many as millions of people a year defend themselves with a firearm.” The senators wrote to Chairman Durbin following a field hearing on reducing violent crime in Durbin’s hometown of Chicago that Judiciary Committee Republicans were blocked from participating in virtually. The senators noted that a spike in violent crime has impacted cities across the nation and a national focus on the issue is of great importance. “We therefore request that you hold a full committee hearing in Washington, D.C. on the spike in murders and the challenges that law enforcement is facing. Ineffective bail policies, cumbersome restraints on pol… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=4297A267-3E1E-4C68-BEC7-D2FFC98CE74A | McConnell Helps Secure $40 Million in Annual Funding for Kentucky Airports Over Five Years | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will distribute $40 million annually to fifty-one Kentucky airports over the next five years. These funds are made available through the Airport Infrastructure Grants program, which was established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act earlier this year. Senator McConnell supported the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and helped it pass the Senate this year. In total, the bipartisan bill allocated $25 billion to our nation’s airports, more of which will be distributed to Kentucky in the coming months. The funding announced today was allocated through a formula described in the legislation. “Kentucky’s airports don’t just connect our citizens to the rest of the country and the world; they also form a critical part of America’s supply chain. It is more important than ever that our airports have the funds needed to operate effectively,” said Senator McConnell. “I supported the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act earlier this year because of programs like this, which will help overhaul Kentucky’s transportation systems and revive our decaying roads, bridges, tunnels, railways, and river ports. This is just the kind of program Kentucky needs to compete in the 21st-century global economy.” “We appreciate the support of Senator McConnell for the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “This funding will go a long way in supporting the continued improvements at SDF including our $400 million terminal modernization program and on-going sustainability initiatives such as our geothermal project to reduce our carbon footprint. These improvements allow us to provide a better, more accessible experience for the traveling public and support the needs of our airline partners while maintaining SDF as a crucial link in the nation’s aerospace system.” “I am grateful for the hard work of… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=515E8CB4-DE74-4F36-ACFB-2235A323E76F | Americans’ Christmas Wish: Stop the Reckless, Inflationary Far-Left Spending | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree: “Two in three Americans want the federal government to ‘cut back on spending and printing money.’ “But our Democratic colleagues spent the last several months trying as hard as possible to do the opposite. “Washington Democrats have spent months trying to borrow, print, and spend trillions more dollars, right into the teeth of the worst inflation in almost 40 years. “They’ve sought to turn their monthly welfare entitlement with no work requirements from a temporary COVID measure into a permanent policy. Cash welfare with no work requirements, forever. “76 percent of Americans say these handouts haven’t helped their families at all, yet Democrats want to dump in many billions more. “Just step back and look at all the ways their left-wing wish list could hurt a young family in middle America. “First, they’d need to cross their fingers that the private or employer-sponsored insurance they chose to meet their family’s specific needs isn’t shoved off a cliff in Democrats’ latest lurch toward more socialized medicine. “And they’ll have to hope their war on the medical innovation sector doesn’t prevent the development of lifesaving cures their family might have relied on some years down the road. “Say the family’s got one or two young kids. Maybe their ideal arrangement is church-based daycare. They’d need to say a prayer their faith-based center isn’t sued and chased out of business thanks to Washington Democrats’ toddler takeover. “Their plan would give nothing to full-time parents, grandparent caregivers, nanny-shares, or neighborhood co-ops. It would push faith-based providers out of the public square by design. And it could inflate daycare costs by about $12,000 or $13,000 per child per year. “If Democrats get their way, let’s hope neither parent is one of the many Americans who work in our domestic energy sector. Our colle… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E2180E9A-3CEC-442A-A810-1089BBD7D963 | Denied $4.9T Spending Spree, Democrats Call for Breaking the Senate and Packing the Court | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding governing institutions: “As cracks keep forming in the Democrats’ reckless taxing and spending spree, some of our colleagues seemed to channel their frustration into even more radical attempts to attack our governing institutions. “In the span of a few hours, one Senate Democrat had renewed calls to ‘nuke’ the Senate and break the rules, and another published a national op-ed arguing that Democrats should attack the rule of law and pack the Supreme Court. “Two frontal assaults on two branches of government, proposed in the space of about two hours! “Entire generations of statesmen would have seen either one of those unhinged proposals as Armageddon for our institutions. Apparently, today’s Democrats try both at once and just call it Wednesday! “We’ve heard false claims that the Senate obeying our rules to address the debt limit somehow paves the way for radicals to break the rules. “And Madam President, I’d ask consent that an additional statement on that subject appear at a different place in the record. “So, look — we have discussed over and over again why Democrats will not be allowed to federalize our elections and lord over all 50 states like a self-appointed board of elections on steroids. “My colleagues across the aisle have pushed absurd bills that would do things like neuter Voter I.D. laws… make every state legalize ballot harvesting… turn the Federal Election Commission into a biased, partisan body… and even send taxpayer money to political campaigns. “It isn’t about quote-unquote ‘voting rights.’ It’s a naked power grab. “Democrats have been pushing the same kinds of bills for years, even as their stated justifications have changed wildly. When Republicans win elections or start polling well, Democrats and the media say our democracy badly broken, on death’s door and needs a radical overhaul. The answers presented are these policies. “When Democrats win… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=F1A27B4D-CE25-4F0D-AA23-05BECBA22B13 | McConnell Updates Senate on Kentucky Tornado Recovery | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the tornadoes in Western Kentucky: “Western Kentucky is still reeling from last weekend’s devastating storm. But support is rolling in from around the Commonwealth, our region, and the country. “Yesterday I spoke with the CEO of LifePoint Health. They operate ten hospitals in Kentucky including one in hard-hit Mayfield. “Miraculously, their Jackson Purchase Medical Center survived the tornado mostly intact. Now, it is offering much-needed medical services. “Nurses and doctors have worked day and night. “LifePoint Health shipped water tankers to their facility to bolster local supply. And the company has pledged $1 million to help Kentucky rebuild. “Across our region, individuals and companies are opening their hearts, homes, and wallets to help. “We’ve received important assistance from here in Washington as well. “Yesterday, the President announced the federal government will fund the entire cost of debris removal and emergency protective measures in the eight counties hardest hit by this storm for the next month. Local officials won’t need to worry about overstretched budgets. They can just focus on rebuilding. “My team and I are working hard to continue connecting Kentuckians with the resources they need. “I’ve set up a portal on my Senate office website to help my constituents access government assistance. It has a full list of services provided by our disaster response agencies. “Because of the federal government’s swift action in the past week, victims of these tornadoes can access housing assistance, legal aid, crisis counseling, and more. I recommend every impacted Kentuckian take advantage of these resources. My office is here to help you navigate. “I’ll travel back to Kentucky tomorrow to visit several of the communities that were hit hardest and meet with local leaders who are spearheading recovery efforts. “I’ll listen to their concerns and bring thei… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/act-for-als-act-unanimously-passes-senate-heads-to-president-biden-for-his-signature | ACT for ALS Act Unanimously Passes Senate, Heads to President Biden for His Signature | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=39 | scraper | Following passage in the House, the Senate unanimously passes landmark investigational therapy bill for ALS patients Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies (ACT) for ALS Act, legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.). The bipartisan, bicameral bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week. The ACT for ALS Act would fund essential research into fast-progressing rare neurodegenerative and terminal diseases, like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and early access to promising investigational therapies for patients suffering from them and would authorize $100 million annually to implement these priorities. ALS affects 1 in 300 people, often leaving patients with no more than three years to live following their diagnosis, and disproportionately impacts U.S. military service members. ACT for ALS authorizes new grants to support expanded access and research programs. This expansion will bring investigational treatments for rapidly progressing diseases beyond their ongoing clinical trials to patients with diseases for which effective therapies don’t already exist and allow for additional research into the effectiveness of those interventions. It also creates a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Rare Neurodegenerative Disease Grant Program to support other research and development on ALS and other life-threatening or severely debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. “Tonight, because of the tireless work of so many ALS advocates, the Senate unanimously passed the ACT for ALS Act and sent it to President Biden’s desk,” said Senator Coons. “Thanks to this legislation and the crucial research into ALS it will fund, countless Americans and their families who face down this cruel disease every day can go to sleep tonight with a renewed sense of hope. I am grateful to Senator Murkowski and Representatives Quigley and Fortenberry for the… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/feinstein-ernst-durbin-murkowski-agree-on-bipartisan-framework-to-modernize-reauthorize-violence-against-women-act | Feinstein, Ernst, Durbin, Murkowski Agree on Bipartisan Framework to Modernize, Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=40 | scraper | Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today released the following joint statement after reaching an agreement on a bipartisan framework to modernize and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act: “After nearly three years of negotiations, we have reached an agreement on a bipartisan framework to strengthen, modernize and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. This important legislation will help prevent violence, support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable for their violent actions. “We are committed to introducing a bipartisan, modernized VAWA reauthorization next month. Every day that goes by without action puts lives at risk, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that this framework becomes law as soon as possible.” The framework includes the following provisions: Strengthens rape prevention and education efforts and services and protections for young survivors; Expands access to emergency housing support for survivors; Expands and authorizes programs to ensure that VAWA provides access to survivors in rural areas, survivors requiring culturally specific services, LGBT survivors and survivors who seek voluntary, community-based restorative practice services; Provides support for legal services funding and trauma-informed law enforcement responses; Aligns the current law with VAWA’s original intent by ensuring that individuals who are convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against a dating partner are prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms or ammunition (the provision would apply only to protective orders and convictions issued after the VAWA reauthorization’s date of enactment); Improves the response to sexual violence, including through grants to promote the training of sexual assault forensic examiners; and Builds on the 2013 reauthorization to expand special criminal jurisdiction by tribal courts to cover non-Native perpetrators of sexual assault, child abuse co-occurring with domestic … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-congratulates-conocophillips-on-gmt2-production | Murkowski Congratulates ConocoPhillips On GMT2 Production | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=39 | scraper | Supported Permits for Now-Producing NPR-A Project U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today applauded ConocoPhillips for achieving first oil production at its Greater Mooses Tooth #2 (GMT2) drill site, located in the northeast part of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The project received final approval from federal officials in late 2018. “Congratulations to ConocoPhillips and their dedicated team for bringing more Alaska oil to market to help refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and create hundreds of well-paying jobs in our state. I greatly appreciate their continued commitment to, and investment in, Alaska,” Senator Murkowski said. “GMT2 again shows that Alaska has plenty of resources to responsibly develop, for the good of our nation and the world, even as we adhere to stringent environmental and labor standards. All we need is federal permission, and an administration that prefers Alaska over OPEC+.” At peak production GMT2 is estimated to yield approximately 30,000 barrels of oil per day. During the past three winter seasons, ConocoPhillips estimates the project created around 700 jobs, resulting in more than 600,000 direct construction manhours. Murkowski strongly supported approval of the GMT2 project beginning with ConocoPhillips’ application for permits to drill in 2015. She worked with former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and former Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Joe Balash to move the project forward. More information about GMT2’s approval in 2018 is available here and here. The NPR-A is administered by the federal Bureau of Land Management and covers more than 23 million acres on the western North Slope of Alaska—an area roughly the size of Indiana. The area is specifically designated for oil and gas development and production, which will hopefully soon include ConocoPhillips’ larger Willow project. Related Issues: Energy | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-defense-authorization-bill-will-bolster_alaska-national-security | Murkowski: Defense Authorization Bill Will Bolster Alaska, National Security | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=40 | scraper | U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted in favor of S. 1605, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), helping it to pass the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 88-11. This year’s NDAA authorizes $768 billion for national defense, including $740 billion for the Department of Defense’s (DOD) annual budget to ensure the Pentagon can compete and thrive amid strategic competition. The bill prioritizes military members and their families, training and readiness, strengthening defense technology, addressing high rates of suicide among the military community, and more. As in previous years, Senator Murkowski was able to prioritize Arctic security provisions. “The NDAA is one of the most critical pieces of legislation that Congress passes each year, ensuring our troops have the training, equipment, and resources needed to carry out their missions. This year’s bill includes a well-deserved raise for our troops and prioritizes improving the lives of our servicemembers and their families. It will improve military healthcare, aid spouses’ access to meaningful employment, and provide much-needed reform for military justice. “We provide resources to maintain a strong and robust global presence—including for our force posture in the Indo-Pacific—improve and increase readiness, and bolster the capabilities of our allies, such as Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, to counter the growing aggression of Iran, Russia, and China. “I’m pleased this bill supports my efforts to build out America’s leadership as an Arctic nation. I thank Senator Sullivan and Congressman Young for their efforts to boost the defense budget and to help include provisions to create an Arctic Security Initiative, reduce suicides on rural, remote, and isolated installations, and authorize construction on a new National Guard Readiness Center,” said Senator Murkowski. Murkowski pointed out the many provisions that she and the Alaska congressional delegation added to the FY22 NDAA. “This bill specifically helps troops in Alaska. It d… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-representative-norman-lead-effort-to-protect-faith-based-child-welfare-providers/ | Senator Scott, Representative Norman Lead Effort to Protect Faith-Based Child Welfare Providers | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Representative Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) led a bicameral letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, condemning HHS’s recent reversal of protections for faith-based adoption and foster care agencies. “For decades, faith-based child welfare agencies have provided safe and loving homes for our nation’s children,” said Senator Scott. “Rather than celebrating that work, Secretary Becerra and President Biden’s recent steps will force many providers to choose between abandoning their religious beliefs or closing their doors. This is not only an attack on religious liberty—it’s also a disservice to the 400,000 children who depend on the work of these providers.” “Faith-based child welfare agencies are doing incredible work throughout our nation and here in South Carolina, and it is unconscionable that government bureaucrats would seek to roadblock their efforts. By withdrawing non-discrimination waivers and cutting out the Office for Civil Rights’ authority to review religious freedom complaints, this appears to be a deliberate attempt by this Administration to devalue religious liberties, making them a mere footstool to elevate their far-left agenda. On behalf of countless faith-based agencies and the families they serve, I want to know exactly how HHS and Secretary Becerra have reached these alarming decisions, and what the Secretary intends to do to reaffirm and protect religious freedoms,” said Representative Norman. “We find it disturbing that one day before it released its 2021 AFCARS report, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—with your express approval— announced the rescission of waivers that were previously granted to faith-based adoption and foster care agencies in Michigan, Texas, and South Carolina,” the members of Congress wrote in their letter. “As you know, rescinding the waivers puts providers in these states in the untenable position of choosing between serving children under the Title IV-E foster care program … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-sullivan-van-hollen-foreign-service-families-act | Senate Passes Sullivan-Van Hollen “Foreign Service Families Act” | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), co-founders of the bipartisan Senate Foreign Service Caucus, announced the passage of their Foreign Service Families Act yesterday as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The legislation will help ensure that the Foreign Service is able to attract and retain a world-class diplomatic corps by providing expanded career options and services to eligible family members. For many of these family members, the process of finding employment isn’t easy—frequent moves, language barriers, and limited options pose significant challenges. The legislation will address those issues in order for the Foreign Service to continue to serve the best interests of Americans at home and abroad. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) are also original cosponsors of the Foreign Service Families Act. “Our country relies on Foreign Service officers to engage with governments, businesses and individuals around the world, all with the aim of promoting America’s interests, strengthening our national security, and assisting U.S. citizens,” said Sen.Sullivan. “Two ways we can better support our Foreign Service officers is to prioritize their access to State Department opportunities at the conclusion of their service, and also expand private sector employment opportunities for the family members of officers where they serve. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for moving us one step closer to providing that support and for recognizing the exemplary service of this crucial diplomatic corps.” “America’s Foreign Service is vital to maintaining and advancing American diplomacy around the world. But for Foreign Service families, overseas postings often come with hardships for family members that can take a lasting toll. That's why I’m proud that today – as part of the National Defense Authorization Act – the Senate passed our bipartisan Foreign Service Families Act, to help expand employment opportuniti… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-whitehouse-provision-in-defense-bill-aimed-at-cracking-down-on-pirate-fishing | Sullivan-Whitehouse Provision in Defense Bill Aimed at Cracking Down on Pirate Fishing | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) today announced passage of their maritime security proposal as part of the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which has now cleared Congress and is expected to be signed into law by the President. The senators’ amendment requires the Secretary of the Navy to produce a report on maritime security measures related to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. “As the largest producer of seafood in the nation—roughly sixty percent of American seafood comes from our waters—Alaska is undoubtedly the super power of seafood for our country,” said Sen. Sullivan, honorary co-chair of the Senate Oceans Caucus. “I intend to do all I can to keep it that way, including ensuring that we have an all-of-government effort to crack down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. This provision will help protect America’s fishing fleet, as well as the seafood industry across the globe, against bad actors, particularly as China continues to use its fishing fleet to project power in the Indo-Pacific and, increasingly, around the world. I look forward to continue working with Senator Whitehouse on pirate fishing and on cleaning up our oceans. Our work together is a model for how two senators, from different sides of the aisle, can work together to get big things done for our nation.” “We need to protect Rhode Island’s hardworking fishing industry by rooting out unfair competition from illegal pirate fishing,” said Sen. Whitehouse, a co-founder of the Senate Oceans Caucus. “I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Sullivan and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.” The amendment will require the U.S. Navy to share information about steps taken to support the dissemination of unclassified information and data to regional partners, best practices learned from public-private partnerships, and any new authorities or capabilities needed to support counter-I… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7B26D4FE-4F29-4B6B-8AD5-199840F776FA | Thune, McClain Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Protect Toddlers From Federal Mandates | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) and U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) today introduced the Preventing Mandates on Toddlers Act. This bicameral legislation would nullify an interim final rule (IFR) that was published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that requires universal masking for all individuals in a Head Start facility above the age of two, including all staff, volunteers, and contractors. The IFR also requires toddlers to wear masks while they are outside on the playground, and it mandates staff and volunteers to be vaccinated by January 31, 2022. “The long arm of the federal government should not extend to the kickball field at our kids’ and grandkids’ playground,” said Thune. “A toddler mask mandate highlights everything that’s wrong with Washington, which is why I introduced this common-sense bill that would prohibit the Biden administration from enforcing or implementing this intrusive, one-size-fits-all Washington rule. It would ensure these decisions can continue to be made by individual Head Start programs and families who know these kids best – as they have been doing since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.” “The science shows masking is detrimental to early child development. It’s time we start following the science, not the political science, and put policies into place that are beneficial to our toddlers and children,” said McClain. “This commonsense legislation ensures not a single dollar of taxpayer money will go to enforcing the HHS rule that is detrimental to our future generations.” “South Dakota Head Start programs have successfully implemented appropriate COVID-19 mitigation strategies, and the majority have been open and safely functioning since June 2020,” said Katie Sieverding, executive director of South Dakota Head Start Association. “We thank Senator Thune for his work to protect our children and families from blanket masking mandates and keep these important decisions at the local level where they are best made.” This legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Sen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=7D725F3A-9221-4ECB-B4C7-DC861CA961BE | As Inflation Soars, Thune, Boozman Lead Colleagues in Standing up for Farmers and Ranchers | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), a longtime member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, this week led several of their colleagues in urging federal financial regulators to provide community banks, credit unions, and Farm Credit institutions with the regulatory flexibility they need to responsibly work with their agriculture clients as the profit margins of farmers and ranchers shrink from higher input costs. The senators are also requesting that federal financial regulators monitor how inflation and inflationary-related pressures are affecting the agriculture industry and, in turn, the community financial institutions that serve it. “The destructive impact of inflation has already affected individuals, families, and businesses across the nation, and no one is immune from these price increases,” the senators wrote. “Caused in large part by an unprecedented increase in federal government spending, in addition to supply chain bottlenecks, these higher prices are not just increasing grocery bills and home heating costs, but they are also raising costs on businesses, including on our nation’s farmers and ranchers.” The letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). Full letter below: The Honorable Jerome Powell The Honorable Jelena McWilliams Chairman Chairman Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation 20th Street and Constitution Avenue Northwest 550 17th Street Northwest Washington, D.C. 20551 Washington, D.C. 20429 The Honorable Michael Hsu The Honorable Todd Harper Acting Comptroller of the Currency Chairman Office of the Comptroller of the Currency National Credit Union Administration 400 7th Street Southwest 1775 Duke Street Washington, D.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E36AC76F-CCC9-4A83-9207-1BCB700CF120 | Thune: Reckless Tax-and-Spending Spree Highlights Democrats’ Big-Government Vision for the Future | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the radical proposals in the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spending spree highlight the massive difference between the two parties when it comes to their vision for the future of America. Thune noted that preserving liberty is a fundamental purpose of government, and the Democrats’ policies would transfer some of Americans’ decision-making power over to politicians and Washington bureaucrats. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, Democrats’ push to pass their tax-and-spending spree continues to throw into sharp relief the difference between Republicans’ and Democrats’ vision of government. “And it’s about a lot more than just the amount of money we want to spend. “Of course the amount of money we’re spending matters. “But it’s also about what that money represents. “In general, more money means more government. “And more government usually means less freedom. “And Republicans don’t oppose Democrats’ tax-and-spending spree just because it would cost a lot of money, or drive up our national debt. “It would do both of those things, of course, with negative consequences for our economy and the prosperity of American families. “And the negative economic consequences alone are sufficient reason to oppose Democrats’ Build Back Bankrupt plan. “But it’s about a lot more than the excessive spending. “With their Build Back Bankrupt plan, Democrats envision a society in which government is intimately involved in nearly every aspect of Americans’ life – from, to quote a New York Times article, ‘cradle to grave.’ “And that’s not a vision Republicans share. “Primarily because a government that is intimately involved in nearly every aspect of your life is a government that is going to exert control over your life. “More government inevitably means more government control. “Take Democrats’ child care plan in their Build Back Better legislation. “To hear Democrats talk about it, you might think this plan involves nothing more than cutting … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/letter-young-braun-call-for-action-on-port-congestion-that-harms-hoosier-businesses/ | LETTER: Young, Braun Call for Action on Port Congestion that Harms Hoosier Businesses | 2021-12-16 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.)sent a letter to the Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force regarding the port congestion and shipping delays that are jeopardizing Midwest businesses struggling to receive timely access to inputs and inventory. “The businesses located in Indiana are particularly impacted by these supply chain barriers, most urgently at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Some have products stuck in container ships on the water, some have containers stacked in inaccessible environments, and some cannot find proper storage space or available methods for transport. “The combination of these factors has led to an incredibly strenuous environment for our constituents, one that they cannot withstand much longer. We must identify measures to increase productivity, unkink the chain, and finds ways to be efficient before even more businesses go under,” said Senators Young and Braun in the letter. The letter requests written responses from agency heads to ensure the public has full knowledge of current and ongoing efforts to take action at the ports. The Indiana Senators sent the letter after repeated outreach from struggling small and medium sized businesses in Indiana that are dependent on efficient supply chain processing at our nation’s coastal ports. Read the full letter here or below. December 14, 2021 Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Members of the Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force: We write to you expressing deep urgency regarding the port congestion and shipping delays that are wreaking havoc on our constituents and jeopardizing businesses all across the Midwest. We have heard countless stories and fielded requests from small and medium sized businesses that have led us to inquire about your actions to minimize harm resulting from this crisis and your plans to address it with urgency. The businesses located in Indiana are particularly impacted by these supply cha… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-braun-introduce-bill-to-curb-reliance-on-chinese-pharmaceuticals | Cotton, Braun Introduce Bill to Curb Reliance on Chinese Pharmaceuticals | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AR | Tom Cotton | C001095 | www.cotton.senate.gov | cotton | https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353 December 15, 2021 Cotton, Braun Introduce Bill to Curb Reliance on Chinese Pharmaceuticals Washington, D.C. — Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Mike Braun (R-Indiana) today introduced the Anyone But China Safe Drugs Act, or the ABC Safe Drug Act, legislation to track active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), prohibit pharmaceutical purchases from China, and create transparency within the medical supply chain. Bill text may be found here. “Shortages in the medical supply chain are a matter of life and death, and we cannot rely on China for our citizens’ survival. Our bill will encourage pharmaceutical production in friendly countries and end dependency on the Chinese Communist Party,” said Cotton. “The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly demonstrated why we cannot continue to rely so heavily on communist China for lifesaving medications. I am proud to join Senator Cotton on this legislation that will ban the use of federal funds for the purchase of drugs manufactured in China and add more much-needed transparency to our drug supply chain,” said Braun. The ABC Safe Drug Act would: Require the Food and Drug Administration to create a registry of all drugs and corresponding APIs that are produced outside the United States and are determined to be critical to the health and safety of Americans. Require that the Department of Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and all other federally qualified health facilities purchase pharmaceutical products that have no APIs produced in China. This requirement will be phased in over two years. The FDA may issue waivers if the APIs are only available in China, however, no waivers may be issued after 2027. Require drug companies to list the APIs and their countries of origin on the labels of imported and domestically produced finished drug products. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-passage-of-the-ndaa | Cotton Statement on Passage of the NDAA | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AR | Tom Cotton | C001095 | www.cotton.senate.gov | cotton | https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353 December 15, 2021 Cotton Statement on Passage of the NDAA Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement on the National Defense Authorization Act: “Democrats tried to use this defense bill to draft America’s daughters and force their radical social ideologies onto our troops. Thankfully, they failed, and this year’s defense bill largely does what it should: support and strengthen our troops. By increasing our defense budget, fully funding our nuclear weapons, giving the troops a raise, and investing substantially in our Navy, this bill is an important step to providing our military with the resources it needs to protect the United States. But there’s more work to do, and I’ll stay dedicated to supporting our troops and not letting Democrats use the military for left-wing social engineering.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=521CBC38-BA20-4E47-A64B-0BFB69199433 | Senate Passes McConnell’s NDAA Amendment to Support Democracy in Burma | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) led the U.S. Senate to include his bipartisan Burma amendment in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate and will now be sent to the president for his signature. Senator McConnell secured important provisions in this bipartisan amendment, which requires senior Administration officials to present to Congress within sixty days a strategy to impose costs on the military junta, legitimize representative organizations like the National Unity Government, restore democratic governance, and foster national reconciliation. The amendment was cosponsored by Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). “Earlier this year, Burma’s illegitimate, unelected military junta launched a coup against the country’s democratically-elected government. I strongly condemn these actions, as well as the indiscriminate violence they continue to commit against civilians and the show trials they have launched against their political opposition. To address this crisis, I led a bipartisan effort to reaffirm American support for democracy in Burma through the NDAA process. I’m proud my amendment was included in the final NDAA bill that passed the Senate earlier today,” said Senator McConnell. “Restoring Burma’s democratic development will require the United States to pursue a comprehensive and coordinated strategy to keep meaningful pressure on the junta and secure international recognition for Burma’s true, democratically-elected government. This amendment will ensure our Administration articulates and then advances a real strategy to hold the regime accountable and support democratic actors like the National Unity Government.” “Senator McConnell has listened closely to our community and stood alongside us every step of the way as we work to restore demo… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=58A130D8-507D-419C-B690-0691648309AD | Democrats’ Reckless Spree: Steep Costs, and Bad Policy, Too | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree: “I described yesterday how inflation is hurting families across the country. “Since then, yet another key economic indicator has set an unfortunate record: In the last year, wholesale prices grew at their fastest pace on record. “Anyone with a shred of sense knows this is the absolute wrong time to unleash a multi-trillion-dollar taxing and spending spree. Every single day brings new evidence our Democratic colleagues should give the country a break. “But the cost of Washington Democrats’ latest obsession isn’t the only problem. The content of what they want to pass is just as bad. “We’ve known since the start of the COVID pandemic that Democrats saw it as an opportunity to transform American society. They’ve said so in public. “And the reckless taxing and spending spree they’re writing behind closed doors is a Trojan horse to let the radical left dictate intimate details to American families. “There’s a long list of policies inspired by the authors of the Green New Deal. A whole slew of new programs and mandates aimed at fitting the entire country’s systems for producing and consuming energy into a California-shaped box. “Special subsidies for expensive lifestyle choices like electric vehicles and electric bicycles. “New red tape to strangle the most reliable and affordable sources of American energy. “Subsidies for supply chains that China dominates, so America borrows in order to Build Back Beijing. “And don’t forget the so-called ‘Civilian Climate Corps.’ Just what we need at a time of inflation and labor shortages — a Potemkin make-work program for liberal activists. “Of course, Washington Democrats intend to grab greater control over the development of America’s young people long before they’re eligible for made-up green jobs. “Their spree contains a massive ‘Toddler Takeover’ that insults the diversity of America… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=6636AA03-D7B8-40DD-8B7D-709528296721 | Bipartisan Defense Legislation Will Bolster Kentucky and the Country | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the National Defense Authorization Act: “Today, the Senate will pass this year’s National Defense Authorization Act by a big, bipartisan margin. “I’ve talked for weeks about the importance of this legislation given the global threats and international challenges that face our nation — from China to Russia to the fight against terrorists in the Middle East. “But I will also be proud to vote for this bill because of the enormous impact it will have on my home state. “The proud servicemembers based in Kentucky play an outsized role in our national defense. “From deploying across the world, to fighting COVID-19 here at home, they do amazing work to keep America safe. In the past week, they have stepped up to provide critical support as Kentucky deals with the aftermath of devastating tornadoes. “Our Commonwealth’s heroes and their families deserve our full support and I am proud that this year’s National Defense Authorization Act delivers for them. “Nearly $1 billion for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program that supports the chemical munitions destruction mission at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Robust funding to deter Russia in Europe, the mission of Fort Knox’s Fifth Corps Headquarters. “Continued investments in research and modernization that will guarantee our soldiers, including those at Fort Campbell, are prepared to counter emerging threats like China. “We’ve also built on our previous efforts to lift up Kentucky’s military families. The bill provides additional funding for modern, high-quality child care facilities, including $27 million for a new child care development center at Fort Knox. It authorizes an across-the-board 2.7% pay raise for our troops. “This bill is critically important to the servicemembers who make immense sacrifices to keep our nation safe. I am proud to support it and help cement the Commonwealth’s role as America’s most milita… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=90E740AC-8DFC-4BDC-B1D8-64D6D4ABA7E9 | Amid Devastation and Grief, Kentuckians Lighting Beacons of Hope | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the tornadoes in Western Kentucky: “In the aftermath of Western Kentucky’s devastating tornado outbreak, I’ve maintained close contact with state and local officials. My staff has been on the ground since the outset of this crisis, helping residents access federal resources and keeping me up-to-date with any developments. “Toward the end of the week, I will travel back to Kentucky to meet with my constituents and visit the areas affected. “The stories coming out of Kentucky are harrowing. But in recent days, we’ve also heard about the generosity, hard work, and hope that are helping our state recover. “Kentuckians desperately need help to rebuild. So our universities, normally bitter rivals on the court, are rallying together to raise money and gather supplies for relief efforts. “This Christmas is shaping up to be exceptionally difficult for children across Western Kentucky. So churches are organizing toy drives to help make the holidays a little bit brighter. “Western Kentucky community organizations are stretched to the limit. So businesses based in the Commonwealth, from distilleries, to car manufacturers, to insurance companies, have stepped up to donate millions. “Remarkable stories of survival and resiliency have trickled out of the disaster zone. “Last weekend’s storm destroyed much of First Christian Church in Mayfield, Kentucky. But the congregation discovered their communion table and altar cross fully intact while picking through the rubble. A symbol of hope and rebirth survived amid so much pain. “Across town, the Mayfield Health and Rehabilitation nursing home was physically devastated when it took a direct hit from the tornado on Friday night. But all seventy-four of the facility’s elderly residents survived with only minor injuries. As one staff member said, it was ‘truly a miracle.’ “And in Bremen, Kentucky, when a man visited the wreckage of his ho… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-ndaa-including-rounds-south-dakota-priorities | Senate Passes NDAA, Including Rounds’ South Dakota Priorities | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON– U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and ranking Republican member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, today issued the following statement on the Senate’s passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022. It now heads to the president’s desk for signature. “This year’s NDAA includes many wins for South Dakota – including victories for Ellsworth Air Force Base, Dakota State University and Raven Aerostar,” said Rounds. “Additionally, a lot of work has been done to remove radical pieces of legislation – like red flag laws and selective service requirements for women – that were included in the House version of this bill. Providing our troops with the tools they need to complete their missions fulfills one of our most fundamental duties: to provide for our national defense.” Earlier today on the Senate floor, Senate Armed Services Ranking Member Jim Inhofe noted Rounds expertise on cybersecurity. “We have…not just experts on the outside,” said Inhofe. “Senator Mike Rounds probably knows more about cybersecurity than any of the advisors that are out there.” South Dakota Wins Included: Authorizes the following construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base: - $41M for B-21 2-Bay Low Observable Restoration Facility. - $24M for B-21 Addition/Alteration to the Existing Flight Simulator. - $47M for B–21 Field Training Detachment Facility. - $70M for B–21 Formal Training Unit/Aircraft Maintenance Unit. - $36M for B–21 Mission Operations Planning Facility. - $65M for B–21 Wash Rack & Maintenance Hangar. $2.87 billion for continued B-21 development. Strengthened the university cyber consortium of academic institutions which are designated as Cyber Centers of Academic Excellence, including Dakota State University. Authorized $6.5 million for stratospheric balloon research. Directly impacts a successful manufacturer based in Sioux Falls, SD, Raven Aerostar which develops and deploys stratospheric balloon technology. Authorizes $9.8 mi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-scott-talks-inflation-blasts-dems-spending-on-americas-newsroom/ | ICYMI: Scott Talks Inflation, Blasts Dems’ Spending on America’s Newsroom | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino on Fox News’s “America’s Newsroom.” Sen. Scott slammed the Democrats’ reckless spending, which has driven inflation to a record high, and he discussed how to combat America’s rising prices. Click to watch the full interview On record-level inflation … “There’s no doubt that, when you think about inflation—this bone-crushing, life-changing, hope-stealing, job-killing inflation—there’s no doubt in my mind that I’m thankful that it’s no longer considered transitory. Finally, Chairman Powell is speaking the truth, which is [that] this is unprecedented. The last time inflation was this high, I had an afro. That is a long time ago. That’s early 1980s. “The truth is that we have to find a way to forge forward by reducing spending from the federal government and allowing raises to increase in the private sector. That means that we have to pull back on this ‘Build Back Broker’ plan that the Democrats are still trying to weave together.” On inflation’s effect on service members … “[In South Carolina] we actually make marines at Parris Island; we train the army folks at Fort Jackson. So if you think about [a service member] who may even be eligible for public assistance because they get paid so little—[working] paycheck-to-paycheck—they drive up to the gas station and now gas is up almost 75 percent. … Can you imagine someone who’s serving our nation … and they simply cannot put gas in their cars while they defend our nation? On the path forward … “Median income in this country is around $35,000 a year. When you think about what this inflationary impact is on folks living paycheck-to-paycheck, it means that you have to choose between sometimes your health care, sometimes your energy, and sometimes the utilities in your house. … We can change that by [stopping reckless spending] in Washington and [allowing] the American people to catch up. That means putting more focus on an incentive-based economy where we let the private sector do w… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-calls-out-democrats-destructive-child-care-proposals-at-press-conference/ | Scott Calls Out Democrats’ Destructive Child Care Proposals at Press Conference | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) led their Republican colleagues at a press conference calling out the destructive child care proposals in the Democrats’ reckless spending bill. Click to watch the senator’s remarks Senator Scott’s remarks as delivered: Thank you, Senator Burr, for leading this important press conference on an issue that is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue. It’s simply an American issue. Imagine, if you will, households across the country and specifically those households in South Carolina—[like the one] I grew up in when I was a kid. Single-parent [households are] waking up to the sense of desperation because your gas prices are up nearly 75 percent, so instead of spending less than $2 a gallon in 2020, you’re now spending over $3.30 a gallon in 2021. Imagine, if you will, turning your heat up or, likely, turning your heat down to conserve money because your utilities are up 25 percent. And then you wake up to the BBB—as I call it, the “Build Back Broker” plan—and you realize that the bone-crushing, life-changing, hope-stealing, job-killing aspects of the BBB include increasing your child care costs, as Senator Burr said, by $13,000. To understand the actual impact of the $13,000, you have to first understand that the current cost is over $15,000. So, said in a way that everybody in our nation can understand, with median income around $34,000, you take taxes out, [and] the cost of child care is now more than your take-home pay. Literally, providing child care for one kid is more than the take-home pay of the average income in our nation. And somehow, we are to celebrate this notion that the government is here to do something for you, when in fact, you know the government is taking something from you. And what are they taking? Your hope, your future, your plans. And so, while we may think of this as an exercise of political philosophy [or] one side versus the other … this is literally an attempt to fundamentally transform what it means… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-statement-on-passage-of-the-national-defense-authorization-act/ | Senator Scott Statement on Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on his vote to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “At a time of growing and evolving global threats, it is unthinkable that the Biden administration asked for tens of billions of dollars in cuts to our military,” said Senator Scott. “I am proud to vote for this bipartisan authorization to increase U.S. defense spending by $25 billion more than the Biden plan and give our troops a well-deserved pay raise. I remain committed to ensuring our men and women in uniform are fully equipped to keep our country safe and prosperous.” BACKGROUND The FY22 NDAA authorizes $777.7 billion to support U.S. national defense and includes a pay raise for armed forces for the third year in a row. The bill includes Senator Scott’s amendment to increase funding from the president’s original request of $31 million for the Department of Defense’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities program to $73 million in the final NDAA. The bill also contains multiple wins for South Carolina championed by Senator Scott, including: $59 million, Joint Base Charleston $55 million, Fort Jackson $130.3 million, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort $6 million, Marine Corps Reserve Depot Parris Island $18.8 million, McEntire Joint National Guard Base $1.7 billion, Savannah River Site ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/commerce-committee-advances-sullivans-visit-america-act-in-tourism-omnibus | Commerce Committee Advances Sullivan’s “Visit America Act” in Tourism Omnibus | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | Bill would initiate a federal strategy for the struggling U.S. tourism & travel industry WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today thanked his committee colleagues for advancing his Visit America Act as part of the larger Omnibus Travel and Tourism Act of 2021. The bill would set a visitation goal of 116 million annual international travelers to the United States by 2028, formally authorize the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, and create a high-ranking position within the Department of Commerce focused on bolstering America’s travel and tourism industry and coordinating a strategy across multiple federal agencies. The Visit America Act would also require the development and implementation of a strategy to assist the travel and tourism industry to quickly recover from the COVID–19 pandemic. Original cosponsors of the Visit America Act include Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). “Travel and tourism are critical engines of our national economy, supporting millions of jobs and generating billions of dollars for communities across the country, including in Alaska. Those jobs and revenues were absolutely decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many have still not returned,” said Sullivan. “In order to realize a full recovery from the pandemic, the tourism industry—like other major economic sectors—deserves an advocate at the highest levels of the federal government to coordinate a whole-of-government strategy. This is an idea my team and I came up with five years ago, and I appreciate Chairwoman Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and my committee colleagues for incorporating the Visit America Act into the committee’s bipartisan ‘Tour Bus’ package. I am hopeful we can get this legislation to the President’s desk soon and support the hard-working small business owners in the travel and tourism economy.” The United States is the only member of the G… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-senate-pass-defense-bill-that-takes-care-of-our-troops-and-makes-america-more-secure | Sullivan, Senate Pass Defense Bill That Takes Care Of Our Troops and Makes America More Secure | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | Bill includes Sullivan-Authored Arctic Security Initiative, Other Alaska Provisions WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), voted today to pass the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which would raise the Department of Defense’s (DOD) budget by $25 billion beyond President Joe Biden’s defense budget proposal, a level consistent with the recommendations of the National Defense Strategy Commission, and includes numerous Arctic and Alaska priorities championed by Sullivan. The bill now goes to the President’s desk for his signature. “Republicans and Democrats in Congress today soundly rejected Joe Biden’s dangerous, dead-last prioritization of the U.S. military, passing an authorization that robustly invests in our nation’s defense and provides our troops with the resources they need to fulfill a wide array of critical missions,” said Sen. Sullivan. “We were also able to work on a bipartisan basis to remove provisions championed by far-left members of the House and the President that sought to conduct social engineering experiments in our military ranks and detract from the readiness and lethality of our fighting force. This NDAA also invests heavily in defense technologies and weapons that will help us keep pace with our adversaries, like Russia and China, as they continue to threaten democracies and upend the global rules-based order. “Additionally, this NDAA includes numerous provisions for Alaska, including approximately $155 million dollars for military construction, and a new Arctic Security Initiative I authored that will, at long last, ensure the Arctic is properly resourced and integrated into our larger defense strategy—where it belongs. The independent assessment this initiative requires will ultimately mean more focus, personnel, vessels, infrastructure, aircraft and investment being directed to America’s Arctic—to Alaska—in defense of our nation’s interests in this critically-important region. With my provision … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/speeches/speech-fy-2022-national-defense-authorization-act | SPEECH: FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | Mr. President, I want to come down to the Senate floor and commend a number of Senators, but I want to particularly commend the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Reed, and the ranking member, Senator Inhofe, and their staff, and all the staff on the Armed Services Committee for the exceptional work they have done over the last several months to produce the strong National Defense Authorization Act that just passed in a very strong bipartisan vote here on the floor of the U.S. Senate. That vote was 88 to 11. I think it is a prime example of something that I mention a lot back home; and that is that there is a lot more bipartisan work that gets done here in the Senate that isn't often recognized, and there is nothing more important than having Senators from both sides of the aisle come together with regard to national defense and supporting our troops and their families. We have been doing that over 60 years in a row, where we have passed the National Defense Authorization Act--one of the most important bills that comes to the floor of the Senate and the House and the Congress. And, once again, we have passed it. And I think Chairman Reed and Senator Inhofe--Ranking Member Inhofe--deserve a lot of the credit. So I just want to touch on a couple of the key provisions here, a lot of what was in it, and then mention a few things. A lot of times it is important to recognize, actually, what is not in a bill because that can be just as important as what is in it. But I would start with the No. 1 issue here, and it is the top-line budget increase for the Department of Defense. I have been outspoken on the disappointment and damage that President Biden's budget, which he proposed, with regard to the Pentagon, supported, unfortunately, by many here--the majority leader, the budget chairman--that that was unacceptable--unacceptable. Why was it unacceptable? Because our Nation is facing many threats right now. Just read the paper every day--China, Russia, Iran. Yet that budget that was actually provided b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=80DDCE38-5243-48CF-993D-1660E77CF464 | Thune Applauds Senate Passage of Annual Defense Bill, Ellsworth Funding | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | Clickhere to watch the video. U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today applauded the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022. Thune noted that the bill contains numerous priorities that benefit South Dakota and the future B-21 bomber mission at Ellsworth Air Force Base. NDAA priorities for South Dakota include: $2.87 billion for B-21 development $47 million for a B-21 Field Training Detachment Facility $36 million for a B-21 Mission Operations Planning Facility $65 million for a B-21 Washrack and Maintenance Hangar $24 million for a B-21 additions to the flight simulator facility $70 million for a B-21 Formal Training Unit/Aircraft Maintenance Unit $41 million for a B-21 two-bay Low-Observable Restoration Facility $9.8 million for an F-16 Mission Training Center at Joe Foss Field $15 million for a South Dakota Guard Readiness Center in Sioux Falls Preservation of B-1 maintenance and operational squadrons through at least fiscal year 2023 or until their replacement by B-21 units Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, I am pleased that today we will finally move to a vote on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. “Thanks to Democrats’ focus on their reckless Build Back Better tax-and-spending spree, consideration of the NDAA – one of the most important bills we consider every year – was delayed for months. “And of course once we finally got onto the bill, Democrats rushed the process. “Senators of both parties filed a total of 1,000 amendments on this bill, but not one of those amendments received a vote on the Senate floor. “But at least we’re finally here, set to pass this critical legislation. “And I am pleased that Republicans were able to strengthen this bill in committee and in the so-called pre-conference negotiations. “This includes removing troublesome provisions like “red flag” laws that would summarily suspend the Second Amendment rights of our men and women in uniform. “Thanks in large part to Republic… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-young-discusses-rising-cost-of-child-care-under-democrats-build-back-better-plan/ | VIDEO: Young Discusses Rising Cost of Child Care under Democrats’ Build Back Better Plan | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined a press conference with his Senate GOP colleagues to discuss provisions in Democrats’ Build Back Better plan that would reduce child care options for parents, raise child care costs, and hinder child care providers’ ability to operate and retain workers. “In the great state of Indiana … child care costs actually exceed the cost of higher education. This issue has not received enough attention. “The worst thing we could do is to put out of business our existing child care providers, which is precisely what the Build Back Better plan would do,” said Senator Young during the press conference. According to a left-leaning think tank, the Build Back Better plan would increase child care costs by $13,000 per year per child. By increasing demand for child care without addressing the already limited supply of providers, Build Back Better will make it more difficult for parents to find and afford child care. Additionally, faith-based providers would have to meet extra requirements, likely putting some out of business. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-votes-to-pass-final-defense-authorization-to-prioritize-troops-strengthen-national-security/ | Young Votes to Pass Final Defense Authorization to Prioritize Troops, Strengthen National Security | 2021-12-15 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, after months of unnecessary delays, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) voted to approve the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The bill passed by a vote of 89-10 and included provisions that will benefit our military and make Americans safer and more secure. “While Democrats haggled over their reckless tax-and-spend proposal, this vital defense bill has been on the back burner receiving little attention. Though it’s later than it should have been, the version we passed today is far better than President Biden’s original plan. It gives our troops a pay raise and puts real resources behind countering the aggressive actions of Putin’s Russia and the Chinese Communist Party. “I’m proud to have secured several key provisions in this bill, including provisions to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation with Israel, invest in emerging technologies, and create a bipartisan commission to examine our two decades of war in Afghanistan. The bill also includes a plan I worked on with members of the Burmese community in Indiana to support the restoration of democracy in Burma,” said Senator Young. As passed, this NDAA gives our troops a 2.7 percent pay raise and provides a 3 percent increase over the previous year’s military budget. This increase is more for our military than President Biden’s proposal, which would have slashed defense spending. This increase is critical to keep pace with the Chinese Communist Party which has averaged ranged between 7.2 percent and 8.1 percent increases in year-over-year growth since 2016. Senator Young, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Marine who serves on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, worked to ensure the bill would strengthen our military, while keeping Americans safe amidst threats from coronavirus, Russia, and the Chinese Communist Party. The NDAA was also a success for keeping liberal priorities out of the final bill. The compromise legislation rejected distractions that would have impacted the rights of Hoosier gun owners and would … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=8A2FB8CC-1343-406B-B01B-EC64790E25F5 | Graham, Shaheen Call For Humanitarian Assistance For Afghans | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Lindsey Graham | G000359 | www.lgraham.senate.gov | graham | https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) today issued the following statement following a meeting with Angelina Jolie. “We had a very productive meeting with Angelina Jolie regarding the plight of Afghan women and religious minorities. “Our nation and the international community need to work together to avoid a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan. “We will be working with our colleagues and Administration officials to develop a coordinated U.S. response, hopefully in conjunction with the international community, to help the Afghan people through this winter and beyond. “We appreciate all the work Ms. Jolie has done and her dedication to help the long-suffering Afghan people.” ##### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=91F827D5-BBA9-4FCF-ADC3-9635CABE09E1 | Yuma, Arizona Forced To Declare State Of Emergency | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Lindsey Graham | G000359 | www.lgraham.senate.gov | graham | https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today reacted to news that the mayor of Yuma, Arizona declared a State of Emergency in response to the surge of illegal immigration encountered in the region. Graham visited Yuma in October. He warned: “Yuma, Arizona is going to be the next Del Rio [Texas]. Word is out. They are sending people away from Del Rio and coming here. Most of the people who come here are not from Mexico or the Northern Triangle countries. Just about everybody we saw was from Venezuela, Brazil, and Cuba.” Senator Lindsey Graham – https://bit.ly/3EV3bRH Yuma, Arizona – October 12, 2021 Graham today made this statement on Yuma, Arizona declaring a State of Emergency: “I was disappointed to hear that the mayor of Yuma, Arizona was forced to declare a State of Emergency because of the dramatic increase in illegal immigration in the Yuma Sector. “I traveled to Yuma to meet with the mayor in October. I also met with Border Patrol officials and other community leaders. It was apparent then that the problems we were seeing in Texas would come to Arizona. It appears that time has now arrived. The latest report from the Yuma Sector states that since October 1 of this year, the flow of illegal immigration has already reached fifty percent (50%) of all of fiscal year 2021. “Whether in Texas or now in Arizona, it seems all too often local officials like the mayor of Yuma have to do the work and are stuck with confronting the problems of illegal immigration in order to protect their local communities. They are forced to sound the alarm and clean up the mess after the Biden Administration drops the ball. This is a nightmare for the people of Arizona. “I want to help these local communities suffering under the pressure of illegal immigration and help our Border Patrol who are working around the clock to manage the problems created by the Biden Administration. “Since taking office, the Biden Administration has been AWOL about unprecedented problems along our southern border. They refus… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=4DC9A980-7CE3-4DCB-8E21-077A44AF0314 | McConnell Continues to Work with Local, Federal Agencies to Provide Kentucky Tornado Relief | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the tornadoes in Western Kentucky: “Kentucky is working to recover from the deadly storms and tornadoes. Each day brings new challenges. “Tens of thousands are still dealing with water, gas, or power outages. Families are in shock and grief over the loss of loved ones. “Rebuilding the areas of Kentucky leveled by this storm will take months, if not years, to complete. “Amid this pain, though, bright lights of hope shine through. In the face of tragedy, Kentuckians are still as strong and as generous as we’ve always been. “Yesterday I spoke with the Taylor County Judge-Executive. He told me that seventy families in his county had lost their homes in the storm. Emergency responders made shelters available — but folks were quickly taken in by family, friends, or neighbors. “That’s just the kind of people we have in Kentucky. “In Mayfield, residents are already beginning to rebuild, only days after the storm leveled full city blocks. “Churches hosted Sunday services this past weekend. “Locals brought their chainsaws and cleared debris from city roads. People from nearby counties and states have flooded in to help. “One man, Jimmy Finch, has struck a chord with Americans’ heart across the country. He had no connections to Mayfield. He’s from Clarksville, Tennessee. But after the disaster, he borrowed a big meat smoker, got into his car, made the hour-and-a-half journey in the dead of night, and started serving up food the next morning. “On Sunday morning, for hours, he fed chicken, hot links, and burgers to hungry residents who had been without heat or power for days. “Western Kentucky’s radio and TV stations have kept operating throughout this crisis delivering vital information even amid roving power outages. State parks opened their doors to residents who lost their homes. Businesses, individuals, and charities have been generous with food, water, and shelter. “Ken… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=BFC3754C-5797-465F-A4EA-9CFE4E298C9E | Biden Administration’s Mistakes Raise the Stakes for 2021 Defense Bill | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the National Defense Authorization Act: “For months, while our colleagues have been writing their reckless taxing and spending spree behind closed doors, the Democratic majority let the National Defense Authorization Act sit in limbo. “This week, four and a half months after it was cleared by the Armed Services Committee, the Senate should finally finish this legislation. “Unfortunately, those who mean America harm haven’t been waiting around for us to act. Threats to our national security are grave and getting graver. “Since the Biden Administration’s disastrous retreat from Afghanistan, according to our top commander in the region, the U.S. military has but a small fraction of the actionable intelligence they had before the coalition withdrew. “But the predictable, avoidable resurgence of terrorist networks has continued apace. “We also know that more Americans citizens and permanent residents remain stranded under Taliban rule than the Biden Administration admitted. “Meanwhile, the threat of further Russian aggression toward Ukraine is testing whether this White House and our allies in Europe will avoid misguided half-measures to deter and defend against grave and growing threats. “So, at the risk of stating the obvious: the United States needs to follow through with promises of urgent, substantive assistance to Ukraine and encourage other NATO allies to do the same. This should not be controversial. Only in the warped world of Kremlin propaganda is giving Ukraine the means to defend itself considered provocative. “These real threats to national security, and others too numerous to name, should serve as a reminder of the need for America to lead by example and commit to modernizing our own military capabilities. Which in turn means taking the NDAA seriously. “So I’m glad that the Senate is finally set to vote on this crucial legislation. While the process has bee… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=E2AF432A-7D8E-4C60-BAE7-4302DD0B02A1 | The Worst Inflation in Four Decades | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree: “Washington Democrats’ printing, borrowing, and spending addiction is directly hurting American families. “Two thirds of the American people — a supermajority — are worried about inflation. “About half the middle class and 70 percent of low-income families say soaring prices have personally hurt their household. “And it isn’t getting better, like the Biden Administration promised it would. It’s getting worse. “Last Friday, the Labor Department released a jaw-dropping report: The Consumer Price Index has shot up 6.8% over the past year. Six point eight percent inflation. The worst inflation in almost 40 years. “Now, it’s true that the average American worker has gotten pay increase since 2020. But rising prices have more than wiped that out. “We have a remarkable situation where American workers are earning raises, but their bigger paychecks buy their families even less than what their smaller paychecks bought before the Democrats took power. “The net effect is a nearly 2% pay cut for the average American. “Our citizens know what’s happening. 67% of the country says Washington needs to ‘cut back on spending and printing money.’ “But here in Washington, leading Democrats want to plow ahead and double down on the reckless taxing and spending that got us here. “They want to respond to this stunning inflation report by printing, borrowing, and spending trillions upon trillions more on new entitlements and far-left programs. “And if that weren’t bad enough, on Friday, a new report showed their socialist shopping spree could cost the country trillions more than Democrats admit. “You see, as one of our Democratic colleagues explained last month, his party’s bill is packed full of ‘shell games’ and ‘budget gimmicks.’ “For example, their bill pretends that major new entitlements would simply expire after a few years. “Of course… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-prevent-democrats-big-government-lending-scheme/ | Scott, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Prevent Democrats’ Big Government Lending Scheme | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and John Kennedy (R-La.), along with Republican colleagues, introduced the Protecting Access to Credit for Small Businesses Act. The bill is designed to prevent Democrats from turning the Small Business Administration (SBA) into a direct lender, as they are attempting to do in their tax-and-spend reconciliation bill. “Forcing community banks and local credit unions to compete with a massive government agency is inefficient and wrong,” said Senator Tim Scott.“Funneling tax dollars through the federal government in order to loan it back to small business owners with interest makes no sense. This is just another example of Democrats’ misguided plan for a big government takeover of virtually every aspect of American life and private institutions.” “Fraud and inefficiency characterize the Small Business Administration’s history in direct lending,” said Senator Kennedy. “The government shouldn’t encroach on a space where private lenders are already doing a good job getting funds to the small businesses that need them. I’m proud to partner with Sen. Scott to stop the SBA from replacing community and other private lenders with bureaucrats.” The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Steve Daines (R- Mont.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.). BACKGROUND In October, Senator Scott and several colleaguessent a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and House and Senate Small Business Committee Chairs Ben Cardin and Nydia Velázquez warning against their plan to make the SBA a direct lender through the Democrats’ reckless tax and spending bill. The SBA Office of the Inspector General estimates that the federa… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senate-passes-scott-booker-resolution-raising-sickle-cell-awareness/ | Senate Passes Scott, Booker Resolution Raising Sickle Cell Awareness | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – This week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker’s (D-N.J.) resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month. “Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black Americans,” said Senator Scott. “Yet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. With this resolution, we commit to raising awareness and seeking out legislation that will help our medical community fight—and one day, cure—this painful disease.” “Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country, and yet research, treatment, and awareness efforts for the disease still lag far behind other chronic illnesses,” said Senator Booker. “More work and research remains to be done, and we must continue to raise awareness of sickle cell disease and ensure that communities that are largely affected by this condition have equitable access to care and treatments that help improve their health. I am proud to lead the Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month resolution with Senator Scott and I will continue to champion federal initiatives to raise awareness, improve access to care, and help find a cure for this disease.” Senator Scott’s sickle cell legislation, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act, was signed into law in 2018, and the senator continues to advocate for the sickle cell community today. The resolution was cosponsored by Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Todd Young (R-Ind.) Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). Read the full resolution here. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-questions-fda-nominee-on-the-future-of-mrna-and-crispr-technologies/ | Senator Scott Questions FDA Nominee on the Future of mRNA and CRISPR Technologies | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) questioned Dr. Robert Califf, President Biden’s nominee for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, on the future of mRNA and CRISPR technologies and their potential to treat and cure rare diseases like Sickle Cell Anemia. Click to watch the senator’s questions A full transcript is below. Senator Scott: Thank you, Dr. Califf, for spending some time with us today and talking about some really important issues that we could all spend a day talking about. I only have five minutes, [which is] good news for you. My first question is: You’re coming into a very important position in the midst of, really, headwinds in the public health space. And I appreciate the enormity of your responsibilities if you are confirmed to lead the FDA. How do you view the FDA’s role in granting Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the new, as well as repurposed, products to address the COVID-19 pandemic? Should the FDA use a wider latitude to ensure multiple avenues—for instance drugs like budesonide, as well as COVID-19 testing kids—making sure that they’re available to combat the pandemic? Dr. Califf: Thanks senator, it’s good to be here with a fellow South Carolinian. … You’re well aware, and it was during my tenure that the EUA guidance was written that the potential benefits need to be weighed against the potential risks. That’s the authority the FDA is given. So there’s a lot of latitude on the types of things that you mentioned, yet I would still point out we need to have enough evidence that we can make a fair assessment of what the potential is, and we need a system in this country, as I’ve emphasized over and over, that produces the evidence more quickly because under that framework, it’s possible you could get it wrong. It’s different if you’ve actually measured the benefits and risks and then you’re confident about it. And so it’s finding that right balance that’s really in play for the FDA. Senator Scott: No doubt. I would suggest that, based on the severity … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=1153CDC3-77C3-4C1F-A718-7843F7FF364C | Thune: Democrats Double Down on Failed Policies That Have Created Record-High Inflation | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed how the Democrats’ plan to double down on their failed policies and pass their reckless tax-and-spending spree would worsen the already record-high inflation and continue to hurt families in South Dakota. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, the latest inflation numbers came out on Friday, and the news was not good. “Inflation is currently at its highest level in nearly 40 years. “40 years. “The last time inflation was this bad, E.T. and Rocky III were in theaters, and the Packers were being coached by Bart Starr. “Mr. President, high inflation is taking a major toll on American families. “Gas prices are at a seven-year high. “The price of used cars and trucks is up 31 percent. “31 percent. “Propane, kerosene, and firewood are up 34 percent. “Food prices have increased significantly. “Ground beef is up 14 percent. “Apples are up 7.4 percent. “Pork is up 17 percent. “Eggs are up 8 percent. “Baby food is up 6.7 percent. “Bacon and related products are up 21 percent. “And the list continues. “Mr. President, rent prices are up. “Utility prices are up. “Furniture prices are up. “And on and on. “Inflation is so bad that despite wage growth this year, Americans have seen a de facto pay cut, with real average hourly earnings down 1.9 percent for the year. “Mr. President, inflation is what happens when you have too many dollars chasing too few goods and services. “And a big reason for our current inflation situation is Democrats’ decision to pour a lot of unnecessary government money into the economy earlier this year – despite being warned that their partisan $1.9 trillion ‘American Rescue Plan’ spending spree could stoke inflation. “And you don’t have to take my word for it. “Here’s what former Obama economic adviser Jason Furman had to say recently when discussing our inflation problem: ‘The original sin was an oversized American Rescue Plan. It contributed to both higher output but also higher prices.’ “That quote fr… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=A24CCD99-391D-4F8F-8186-5270884D0593 | Thune, Smith, Rounds, Tester Introduce Legislation to Encourage Homeownership Across Indian Country | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) today introduced the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act. This bipartisan legislation would create statutory timelines in which the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) would be required to process and approve mortgages involving property located on tribal trust land. Additionally, it would enhance the ability of certain federal agencies to operate their tribal housing programs and improve communication between the BIA and tribes, tribal members, and lenders through the establishment of a realty ombudsman within the BIA who can communicate with relevant parties. “Affordable housing opportunities on tribal trust land can be hard to come by in South Dakota and across the nation, due in part to the BIA’s challenging mortgage approval process, which can complicate lenders’ ability to provide financing and participate in federal tribal housing programs,” said Thune. “My bipartisan legislation would expedite this mortgage approval process and encourage more lenders to provide mortgages across Indian Country, which would, in turn, expand tribal members’ opportunities for homeownership.” “Without a safe, affordable place to live, nothing in your life works,” said Smith. “The Indian Home Loan Guarantee program is a key federal tool to help Native families buy a home, but for too long, the program has been plagued by bureaucratic delays that have left families waiting months to complete home purchases, especially on Tribal trust lands. Our bipartisan legislation seeks to cut through the red tape and help Native homebuyers acquire homes in a timely manner.” “As a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, I strongly support this legislation that benefits home and business ownership opportunities for tribal members,” said Rounds. “This bill is a product of many discussions with tribal entities, lenders and the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition. The Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act will hold the BIA accountabl… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=D63BBE7C-0452-4E29-82C3-B2CA9036F979 | Thune, Smith Bill to Provide Financial Stability to Federally Impacted School Districts Unanimously Passes Senate | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today issued the following statements after the Senate unanimously passed their Supplemental Impact Aid Flexibility Act last night. This bipartisan legislation would allow school districts that participate in the Impact Aid Program to use previously reported student headcounts on their Impact Aid applications for the 2022-2023 school year due to ongoing, yet temporary, enrollment fluctuations stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s critical for school districts in South Dakota that participate in the Impact Aid Program to have the funding stability and certainty they need,” said Thune. “I’m glad the Senate unanimously passed this important legislation to help ensure these schools have the necessary resources for next school year.” “As the pandemic continues to hit many Minnesota school districts hard, it’s important that districts receiving Impact Aid maintain reliable, stable funding so students can keep learning,” said Smith. “I’m glad we could once again deliver on this and ensure that while the pandemic continues to affect school operations, our Impact Aid districts won’t have to recalculate their student headcounts.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-young-highlights-democrats-efforts-to-supersize-the-irs/ | VIDEO: Young Highlights Democrats’ Efforts to Supersize the IRS | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined a press conference with his Senate GOP colleagues to discuss a provision in Democrats’ Build Back Better plan that would supersize the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). “The American people deserve to know: The Democrats propose spending eighty billion in their tax, borrow, spend, and regulate Build Back Better Plan. Eighty billion dollars towards the IRS. “… Even worse, we have been told by the President of the United States – he campaigned on a platform of ensuring taxes would not be increased … We know that most of this eighty billion will be used to enhance the ability of the IRS to target middle Americans. That promise will be broken. Yet another. Nearly six months since ProPublica leaked private, legally protected taxpayer information, at a time when there is a peak level of distrust of the Internal Revenue Service, Democrats want to increase the power of the IRS to insinuate themselves into the private lives of ordinary Americans. “Now look, this is the wrong idea at the wrong time. We are in the middle of a pandemic. We have supply chain problems. We’re experiencing cost inflation across a range of consumer goods. We’ve got so many challenges, and once again the Biden Administration and Democrats in the United States Senate are out of touch with the real challenges and experiences of everyday Americans,” said Senator Young during the press conference. Two weeks ago, Senator Young joined Republican colleagues on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee in sending a letter to IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig to press the agency on its weak responses to the massive apparent leaks of private taxpayer information to ProPublica. To view the full letter, click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-braun-romney-blackburn-hagerty-inhofe-introduce-legislation-to-empower-state-innovation-within-medicaid-program-2/ | Young, Braun, Romney, Blackburn, Hagerty, Inhofe Introduce Legislation to Empower State Innovation Within Medicaid Program | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the Let States Innovate Under Medicaid Act. This legislation authorizes a framework to allow innovation under Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration project waivers. Specifically, it would include “work or community engagement requirements” as an acceptable practice that furthers the objectives of the Medicaid program, thereby prohibiting the CMS administrator from denying a 1115 waiver on the basis that work or community engagement requirements do not further the objectives of the Medicaid program. “Medicaid should ideally be available as a temporary option, with a goal of preparing individuals for a life of dignity in the workforce. Work and community engagement activities, such as those that Indiana previously had in place, are designed to improve quality of life over the long term and help individuals transition to full employment. CMS’s decision earlier this year to revoke Indiana’s ability to set these expectations for some Medicaid recipients treats work as a punishment and discourages efforts to transition to self-reliance. That’s why I joined my colleagues to introduce the Let States Innovate Under Medicaid Act to allow states the opportunity to innovate under the Medicaid program, with the objective of preparing individuals for a life of independence in the workforce,” said Senator Young. In February 2021, at the direction of the Biden Administration, CMS began efforts to withdraw work requirement waiver authorities in several states that had either been previously approved, or had a pending application, to implement work requirements. CMS is continuing to review some states’ work requirement waivers, but has already withdrawn waiver authorities in nine states— Indiana, Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin. Additionally, other states have voluntarily withdrawn work require… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-braun-romney-blackburn-hagerty-inhofe-introduce-legislation-to-empower-state-innovation-within-medicaid-program/ | Young, Braun, Romney, Blackburn, Hagerty, Inhofe Introduce Legislation to Empower State Innovation Within Medicaid Program | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) introduced the Let States Innovate Under Medicaid Act. This legislation authorizes a framework to allow innovation under Section 1115 Medicaid demonstration project waivers. Specifically, it would include “work or community engagement requirements” as an acceptable practice that furthers the objectives of the Medicaid program, thereby prohibiting the CMS administrator from denying a 1115 waiver on the basis that work or community engagement requirements do not further the objectives of the Medicaid program. “Medicaid should ideally be available as a temporary option, with a goal of preparing individuals for a life of dignity in the workforce. Work and community engagement activities, such as those that Indiana previously had in place, are designed to improve quality of life over the long term and help individuals transition to full employment. CMS’s decision earlier this year to revoke Indiana’s ability to set these expectations for some Medicaid recipients treats work as a punishment and discourages efforts to transition to self-reliance. That’s why I joined my colleagues to introduce the Let States Innovate Under Medicaid Act to allow states the opportunity to innovate under the Medicaid program, with the objective of preparing individuals for a life of independence in the workforce,” said Senator Young. In February 2021, at the direction of the Biden Administration, CMS began efforts to withdraw work requirement waiver authorities in several states that had either been previously approved, or had a pending application, to implement work requirements. CMS is continuing to review some states’ work requirement waivers, but has already withdrawn waiver authorities in nine states— Indiana, Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, and Wisconsin. Additionally, other states have voluntarily withdrawn work require… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-menendez-introduce-the-end-tuberculosis-now-act-of-2021/ | Young, Menendez Introduce the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2021 | 2021-12-14 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) today introduced the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2021, comprehensive legislation to bolster U.S. efforts to combat the global TB pandemic. The bipartisan legislation, which for the first time addresses the major impact COVID-19 has had on global TB control efforts, directs the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to boost its bilateral tuberculosis programs and activities to account for new goals established by the international community. In 2018, the United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) set a new target of successfully treating 40 million people with Tuberculosis by 2022, including 3.5 million children. TB is now ranked as the second worst infectious killer in the world after COVID-19, with the World Health Organization estimating 1.9 million tuberculosis deaths in 2020 alone, underscoring the need to take urgent action. “Tuberculosis (TB) is a preventable, treatable, and curable disease. More than 25 years after it was declared a public health emergency, TB still remains the second most deadly infectious health threat next to COVID-19, and goes undiagnosed in many countries,” said Senator Young. “We must demonstrate U.S. leadership by passing our End Tuberculosis Now Act to find and treat TB, reduce the stigma, and better target this curable disease.” “I am proud to introduce the End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2021 to overhaul the United States’ response to the global tuberculosis pandemic to ensure this deadly and entirely preventable disease is placed at the forefront of our global health priorities,” said Senator Menendez. “As we begin to grasp the magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic’s widening of gaps in global health equity, the spread of tuberculosis has intensified among vulnerable populations, with approximately one fourth of the world currently affected. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the coming months to secure passage of this critical legislation and to recommit the United States as a l… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=3EA711E4-1F01-4491-97E8-40E7721F73E4 | McConnell on Devastating Kentucky Tornado Damage | 2021-12-13 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the tornadoes in Western Kentucky: “The tornadoes that hit Kentucky this past weekend were some of the most widespread, severe, and devastating in our state’s history. “It is still difficult to comprehend the vast scope of this storm. Nearly forty tornadoes touched down across six states. One tornado in Kentucky stayed on the ground for over 200 miles. This was potentially the longest continuous path of any tornado in U.S. history. “Towns have been reduced to rubble. Families are picking up pieces of their shattered lives. Most tragically, our Governor announced today that more than 60 Kentuckians are confirmed to have lost their lives. Many more remain unaccounted for. “This is the worst storm to hit Kentucky in my lifetime. The tornadoes caused considerable damage in fifteen counties across the Commonwealth. Thousands lost their homes. Tens of thousands are still without power. “This was, in the words of one meteorologist, ‘the worst-case scenario’ for destruction. And it came during the Christmas season. Families are supposed to be gathering soon for rest, relaxation, and reunion. Now so many Kentuckians are facing just the opposite. *** “The whole country is becoming acquainted with Mayfield, Kentucky, likely our hardest-hit city. “Mayfield is a town of ten thousand in the Jackson Purchase. It’s been known for the beautiful Greek-revival façade of the Mayfield First United Methodist Church. “Now First United is completely gone and the town is leveled to the ground. “Mayfield’s candle factory was operating in full swing this weekend to keep up with Christmas demand. It was once a mainstay of the community, employing hundreds. “On Friday night, the factory was turned into a scene of absolute horror. Many of the employees who were working that evening are feared dead. Rescue operations are ongoing. At least forty employees were rescued initially. One was saved aft… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/klobuchar-murkowski-collins-sinema-legislation-to-honor-justices-ginsburg-and-oconnor-with-statues-in-the-capitol-passes-senate | Klobuchar, Murkowski, Collins, Sinema Legislation to Honor Justices Ginsburg and O’Connor with Statues in the Capitol Passes Senate | 2021-12-13 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=40 | scraper | Capitol currently holds 252 male sculptures and 14 female sculptures Legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee, along with U.S. Senators Murkowski (R-AK), Collins (R-ME), and Sinema (D-AZ), to place statues of former Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor in the U.S. Capitol or on the U.S. Capitol grounds to honor their service and dedication to our country passed the Senate unanimously. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor were trailblazers long before reaching the Supreme Court, opening doors for women at a time when so many insisted on keeping them shut. The Capitol is our most recognizable symbol of Democracy, a place where people from across our country have their voices represented and heard. It is only fitting that we honor their remarkable lives and service to our country by creating statues in the Capitol,” Klobuchar said. “This legislation honors two women who have had a tremendous impact on our nation. Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg in their own right each made a mark on American history. I am proud to ensure that their legacies live on by establishing monuments of these two matriarchs in our United States Capitol. From Justice O’Connor’s being the first female justice on the Supreme Court to Justice Ginsburg’s efforts on equal citizenship rights—their leadership has made a difference for women and families for generations to come. By passing this legislation, we honor the service of these two justices and give thanks to two women who transformed the legal profession,” Murkowski said. “Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg will always be known as dedicated public servants, fierce champions for equality, and accomplished Americans who broke countless barriers in the field of law. Statues in the nation’s capital honoring the first two women to serve on the highest court in the land will serve as fitting tributes to their invaluable contributions to our coun… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/speeches/speech-ninth-circuit-nominees | SPEECH: Ninth Circuit Nominees | 2021-12-13 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | Madam President, this week, the Senate is going to take up three Ninth Circuit judges, three Federal judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. And in the process, the Biden administration is going to smash an institutional and constitutional norm between the executive and legislative branches, particularly the executive branch, the White House, and the U.S. Senate that every U.S. Senator--all 100 of us--should be concerned about. Let me explain. This is a really important issue. Article II, section 2, of the U.S. Constitution says the following: [The President] shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States. Now, that includes Federal circuit court judges, Throughout this, article II, section 2, provision of the Constitution, it says: ``[W]ith the Advice and Consent of the Senate.'' We are ``of the Senate,'' right here. And this week, we will be voting on three U.S. court of appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Now, this provision in the Constitution, like so many which gives the U.S. Senate the exclusive right for the advice and consent power, was the result of compromise. If you look at the history in Federalist Nos. 75 and 76, Alexander Hamilton argued that this provision afforded a necessary means of checks and balances against the executive branch, against the President. The Constitution--according to the U.S. Senate history that I am quoting from--``also provides that the Senate shall have the power to accept or reject presidential appointees to the executive and judicial branches.'' This was born of compromise, as I mentioned: In debating the issue, the framers addressed concerns that entrusting the appointment power exclusively to the president would encourage monarchial tendencies. A… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=3F834F2B-7FEB-4298-88FB-8B8C7442AC61 | McConnell Statement on Tornadoes and Severe Weather in Kentucky | 2021-12-11 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the overnight tornadoes and severe weather in Kentucky: “I am praying for the lives lost and communities impacted by the tornado devastation throughout the Commonwealth. Thank you to the first responders and the National Guard for their brave efforts amid this tragedy. As I continue to get reports from my staff, local and state officials, we will work with the entire Kentucky federal delegation to support Governor Andy Beshear's request for federal assistance in order to aid these hard-hit communities with the funding and resources they need to rebuild.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=8AE017AF-B7E7-4CD1-9979-604736DBD1E9 | Kentucky Congressional Delegation Supports Governor’s Request for Disaster Declaration | 2021-12-11 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Kentucky's federal delegation, including U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Rand Paul, and Representatives Hal Rogers (KY-05), John Yarmuth (KY-03), Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Andy Barr (KY-06), Thomas Massie (KY-04), and James Comer (KY-01) sent a joint letter today to President Joe Biden expressing their support for Governor Andy Beshear's request for a disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky regarding the overnight tornadoes and severe weather. “We write to draw your attention to the December 11, 2021 letter from Governor Andy Beshear requesting a disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of Kentucky due to the severe weather events…We strongly support this request and ask for your timely consideration,” the delegation stated in their letter to the President. “Unfortunately, at least 50 deaths have been reported across multiple counties in the Commonwealth as a result of these tornadoes. The Kentucky National Guard and Kentucky State Police have been mobilized to provide support to Kentuckians, but emergency response has also been hampered by the storm damage.” Initial reports indicate that this was the longest tornado touchdown in the Commonwealth’s history. The tornadoes have caused significant destruction of property, dangerous road conditions, significant vegetative debris, power outages for thousands of Kentuckians, and severe impacts to transportation and infrastructure. A federal disaster declaration would release funding and resources to aid Kentucky communities hardest-hit by the tornadoes and severe weather. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-latest-numbers-show-dangers-of-reconciliation-spending-spree | Murkowski: Latest Numbers Show Dangers of Reconciliation Spending Spree | 2021-12-11 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=40 | scraper | U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) today released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released reports showing the harm being caused by the Biden administration’s energy and social spending policies. BLS reported that inflation is at a 39-year high, while CBO projected that the ‘Build Back Better’ agenda would add $3 trillion to the deficit over a single decade if made permanent. “These reports make it abundantly clear that President Biden is on the wrong track,” Murkowski said. “Instead of completely blowing the roof off of federal spending, the Biden administration should set aside this partisan social spending agenda and focus on allowing the energy industry to produce more here at home. That would help families and businesses by reducing inflation and bringing prices back to more reasonable levels. It’s time to stop pumping air into the balloon instead of seeing how much more it can take before it explodes.” BLS reported that the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased by 0.8 percent in November 2021. The inflation index has risen by 6.8 percent over the past year – the largest annual increase since 1982 – and by an annualized rate of 8.9 percent over the past three months. Energy commodity prices have risen by 57.5 percent over the past 12 months, contributing significantly to economy-wide inflation, as the administration has refused to approve major projects and called for punitive policies that will further reduce domestic output. CBO reported that extending provisions within the Build Back Better Act – the partisan budget reconciliation package passed by the House and now pending in the Senate – would increase the deficit by $3.0 trillion over a decade if extended for that duration. Setting aside timing gimmicks within the current bill that hide its true costs, CBO found the package would cost a staggering $4.9 trillion over a 10-year period. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-dr-rand-paul-releases-statement-devastating-kentucky-storms-sends-letter-president-biden/ | Dr. Rand Paul Releases Statement on Devastating Kentucky Storms, Sends Letter to President Biden Requesting Assistance | 2021-12-11 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Rand Paul | P000603 | www.paul.senate.gov | paul | https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/ | scraper | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2021 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator and physician Rand Paul (R-KY) released the following statement following devastating storms and tornadoes across Kentucky: “Our hearts are broken for all those suffering from last night’s horrific storms. As daylight comes and we begin to fully understand the severity of the devastation, we mourn and we pray,” said Dr. Paul. “I and my team will do all we can to assist our local and state officials as they lead the immediate response, and we will aggressively help families, businesses, and officials access the federal recovery resources.” Dr. Paul also immediately sent a letter to President Biden requesting expeditious approval of the Governor’s requests for federal assistance. The letter is attached HERE, and you will find text of it below: Dear President Biden, Last night and early this morning devastating storms swept across multiple states, including Kentucky. A single tornado from that system may have been on the ground for over 200 miles, and a large swath of the Commonwealth has been severely hit. As the sun comes up this morning we will begin to understand the true scope of the devastation, but we already know of loss of life and severe property damage. The Governor of the Commonwealth has requested federal assistance this morning, and certainly further requests will be coming as the situation is assessed. I fully support those requests and ask that you move expeditiously to approve the appropriate resources for our state. Sincerely, Rand Paul, M.D. United States Senator If you are a Kentuckian and need assistance with lost or damaged documents such as Social Security cards, VA records, military medals and records, and tax paperwork, please contact our office by going to paul.senate.gov and by calling our Bowling Green office at (270) 782-8303. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cotton-statement-on-bidens-crushing-inflation | Cotton Statement on Biden’s Crushing Inflation | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AR | Tom Cotton | C001095 | www.cotton.senate.gov | cotton | https://www.cotton.senate.gov/news/press-releases | scraper | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353 December 10, 2021 Cotton Statement on Biden’s Crushing Inflation Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) released the following statement regarding the growing inflation rate in the United States: “President Biden promised never to raise taxes on middle class and working-class Americans—President Biden lied. He allowed the cruelest tax of all, inflation, to skyrocket. Today, we learned that inflation is at the highest level in more than a generation. This is a direct result of President Biden’s trillion dollar spending binges, his appointment of an inexperienced and absentee Transportation Secretary who mangled our supply chains, and his anti-energy policies that have driven up the price of gas. The President should immediately reverse course, apologize for his undeniable and unforced failures, and end his extreme agenda.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=550C23F3-D04E-4622-A0BF-D58D12C1473B | McConnell: Inflation Is Out of Control on the Democrats’ Watch | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement regarding updated inflation numbers released this morning: “This morning’s numbers confirm what every American family already knows: Inflation is out of control on the Democrats’ watch. “6.8% inflation is the worst in almost 40 years. The costs of essentials have skyrocketed. Wages have not even come close to keeping pace, so the average American has gotten a pay cut. It is exactly what experts warned Democrats’ reckless spending would cause. “Now Washington Democrats are a broken record that’s gotten stuck on the worst possible response: More borrowing, more printing, more reckless spending. Trillions upon trillions more. They want to double down and attempt to inflate their way out of inflation. “The American people cannot take another reckless taxing and spending spree that hurts their families and helps China. It is unthinkable that Senate Democrats would try to respond to this inflation report by ramming through another massive socialist spending package in a matter of days.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=A42339C3-817E-4396-8CE0-027EDC5E1B66 | $4.9 Trillion: Without Budget Gimmicks, Cost of Democrats’ Reckless Taxing and Spending Spree Skyrockets | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding the recent CBO report: “As a Democratic Senator explained last month, the reckless taxing and spending spree is full of ‘shell games’ and ‘budget gimmicks’ meant to mask the pain it would cause our country. “Democrats want permanent new entitlements. To create a fake lower price tag, their bill pretends much of the spending would stop in a few years. To be clear, Democrats do not claim this would actually happen. “The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office just announced that if you ignore this fake accounting and admit the spending would continue, Democrats’ reckless taxing and spending spree would actually cost a staggering $4.9 trillion in the first decade alone. It would balloon deficits by $3 trillion in just 10 years. “This red ink tsunami would be irresponsible at any time. During the worst inflation in almost 40 years, it would be insane. “The same Democrats who falsely promised this bill would cost $0 now say they would offset future extensions, so nobody should worry. It’s comical. Either this plan would explode our debt or Democrats intend to raise taxes by trillions and trillions more than they’re admitting, beyond the massive tax hikes in the bill. “It was clear yesterday and it’s even clearer today: Washington Democrats must not force through their gigantic, reckless taxing and spending spree.” | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/act-for-als-act-passes-house-cosponsored-by-majority-of-the-senate | Act for ALS Act Passes House, Cosponsored by Majority of the Senate | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=40 | scraper | House passes landmark investigational therapy bill for ALS patients as Senate companion reaches critical threshold of support This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies (ACT) for ALS Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.). The passage of the bill in the House comes just as the companion bill reaches 55 cosponsors in the Senate, with Senators Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) having been the 50th and 51st co-sponsors. This legislation would create the infrastructure necessary to fund early access to promising investigational therapies for patients suffering from fast-progressing rare neurodegenerative and terminal diseases, like ALS, and would authorize $100 million annually to implement these priorities. ALS affects 1 in 300 people, often leaving patients with no more than three years to live following their diagnosis. ACT for ALS authorizes new grants to support expanded access and research programs. ALS also disproportionately impacts U.S. military service members. This expansion will bring investigational treatments for rapidly progressing diseases beyond their ongoing clinical trials to patients with diseases for which effective therapies don’t already exist and allow for additional research into the effectiveness of those interventions. It also creates a new FDA Rare Neurodegenerative Disease Grant Program to support other research and development on ALS and other life-threatening or severely debilitating neurodegenerative diseases. “I’m excited to see our colleagues in the House pass this necessary legislation at the same time that we reach a critical milestone of support in the Senate,” said Senator Coons. “ACT for ALS will create critical new programs to improve coordination and collaboration on ALS, support additional research, and help more patients access promising investigat… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/grant-roundup-senator-murkowski-announces-federal-grants-to-alaska- | Grant Roundup: Senator Murkowski Announces Federal Grants to Alaska | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=40 | scraper | U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the senior Senator for Alaska, announced the following grants to organizations, Tribal entities, and communities in Alaska: Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium: $184,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to create or expand programs to identify sources of lead in drinking water in tribally operated schools and childcare facilities. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium: $199,991 from the National Science Foundation to collaborate with tribal health organizations to better understand vaccine decision-making in rural and remote communities in Northwest Alaska. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium: $181,447 to the Ryan White Title III Outpatient Early Intervention Services Program from the Department of Health and Human Services. Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government: $485,152 from the Department of Education to promote American Indian resilience in education for Native communities during the pandemic. Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association: $755,743 to support the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association Head Start program. Anchorage: $1.43 million for Lake Hood Airport runway rehabilitation from the Department of Transportation. Anchorage: $700,000 to Alaska Growth Capital BIDCO, Inc. from the Native American Community Development Financial Institutional Program (NACA Program) to be used for lending, capital, loan loss reserves, capital reserves, financial services and, development services to achieve at least one of the following NACA Financial Assistance, objectives: Increase volume of products or services, provide new products or services, expand operations into new geographic areas, service new targeted populations.. Anchorage: $331,000 to Cook Inlet Lending Center, Inc. from the Native American Community Development Financial Institutional Program (NACA Program) to be used for lending, capital, loan loss reserves, capital reserves, financial services and, development services to achieve at least one of the following NACA Financial Assist… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/murkowski-votes-to-overturn-vaccine-mandate-for-private-businesses | Murkowski Votes to Overturn Vaccine Mandate for Private Businesses | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=40 | scraper | Senate Passes Measure to End Rule for Private Employers U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) this week voted to overturn President Biden’s vaccine and testing mandate for private employers. After cosponsoring S.J.Res. 29, a resolution of disapproval against the vaccine mandate, she helped the Senate pass it on a bipartisan vote of 52-48. “The Senate voted to overturn the President’s mandate and I hope the House will follow suit. I question the constitutionality of this mandate and believe it sets a dangerous precedent. It is within a private employer’s right to require their employees to be vaccinated or regularly tested, but it is an overreach for the federal government to force them to do so,” Senator Murkowski said. “I strongly support vaccinations and recognize they are safe, effective, and the best available option to limit the spread of the virus and the harm it causes. I continue to urge Alaskans to get vaccinated, but a personal health decision must be a personal choice. My conversations with employers and employees across Alaska—many of whom are also pro-vaccine—only reinforced my concerns about the negative impacts this mandate would have on them, their workforce, and Alaska’s economy.” The Congressional Review Act (CRA) establishes a process through which Congress can nullify rules from the executive branch by passing of a joint resolution of disapproval. If such a resolution is approved by a majority in both chambers of Congress and signed by the President, or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto, the rule in question is invalidated. S.J.Res.29 seeks to overturn the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS), which requires private-sector workers at companies with more than 100 employees to receive a vaccine or be frequently tested. Last month, Senator Murkowski joined Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), Ranking Member of the HELP Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, and all of her Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the mea… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/release/vice-chairman-murkowski-takes-action-to-address-violence-occurring-in-alaska-native-communities- | Vice Chairman Murkowski Takes Action To Address Violence Occurring in Alaska Native Communities | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Lisa Murkowski | M001153 | www.murkowski.senate.gov | murkowski | https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/press/press-releases?PageNum_rs=40 | scraper | SCIA Leaders Release Discussion Draft of Tribal Title for VAWA This week, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) held an oversight hearing focused on “Restoring Justice: Addressing Violence in Native Communities through VAWA Title IX Special Jurisdiction.” Concurrent with the hearing, Vice Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Chairman Brian Schatz (D-HI) released a discussion draft of the tribal title for the upcoming Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization for public comment. During her opening remarks at this week’s hearing, Murkowski spoke about the importance of the tribal title in the 2013 VAWA and the jurisdictional challenges that Indian Tribes continue to experience in Alaska and across Indian Country. Federal and tribal witnesses, including Michelle Demmert of the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center, testified on the need for more resources and protections to reduce the incidence of violence, particularly against Native women. Pictured: Senator Lisa Murkowski at SCIA Oversight Hearing on December 8, 2021 “While issues of tribal jurisdiction are confusing and esoteric, I want to emphasize that the impacts on the ground in Native communities, particularly in places like rural Alaska, are very real and very tragic. In 2019, we had the Attorney General come to a small Native village. He looked around, he talked to the people, he left and declared a law enforcement emergency. It was based on the fact that Alaska has the highest per capita crime rate in the country and we face a unique jurisdictional landscape. Jurisdictional complexity should not deny safety or justice, and that is what we are seeing,” said Vice Chairman Murkowski on the unique tribal jurisdiction in Alaska. “I believe we have a moral imperative here in Congress that we take action to further restore and improve the implementation of this special tribal criminal law jurisdiction over non-Indians who commit violent crimes in our Native communities. I firmly believe that by empowering tribal courts in this way we can help … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/senator-scott-statement-cfpb-director-chopras-attempted-political-power-grab/ | Senator Scott Statement on CFPB Director Chopra’s Attempted Political Power Grab | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released the following statement on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board Member Martin Gruenberg’s attempt to politicize the FDIC by circumventing Chairwoman Jelena McWilliams. “I am shocked and disappointed by the blatant disregard CFPB Director Chopra and FDIC Board Member Gruenberg have shown for the leadership of FDIC Chairman McWilliams,” said Senator Scott. “Their actions are an affront to the FDIC’s status as an independent financial regulator and deserve rebuke from Republicans and Democrats—including the Biden White House. The decision to hold this illegitimate vote has upended the FDIC’s decades-long commitment to respect and collegiality between board members, regardless of political affiliation, to instead pursue an egregious and possibly illegal political power grab.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-historic-inflation-increase-and-5-trillion-cbo-price-tag-for-build-back-better-should-kill-bidens-socialist-agenda-save-christmas | Sullivan: Historic Inflation Increase & $5 Trillion CBO Price Tag for ‘Build Back Better’ Should Kill Biden’s Socialist Agenda, Save Christmas | 2021-12-10 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | Sullivan Says Inflation Spike is Biden’s ‘Lump of Coal’ for Every American WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) issued the following statement in response to the Labor Department’s announcement today that U.S. inflation hit a 39-year annualized high of 6.8% at the end of October, and the Congressional Budget Office’s assessment released today that President Joe Biden’s so-called “Build Back Better” legislation would cost $4.9 trillion and add $3 trillion to the national debt—rebutting the administration’s absurd claim that the bill will cost “zero.” Sen. Sullivan says the inflation increase is largely a result of the Biden administration’s far left policies and would only be further exacerbated by the $4.9 trillion reconciliation bill recently passed in the House and currently being considered in the Senate. “The inflation numbers announced today are a lump of coal in every American’s stocking this Christmas,” said Sen. Sullivan. “This shocking increase in inflation just makes more evident what we already know—this administration’s war on affordable energy, coupled with the out-of-control spending being pushed by President Biden and the radical far left in Congress, is inflicting real pain on America’s working families, who are paying much more for their holiday presents, and at the gas pump, grocery store, and to heat their homes this winter. Enough is enough. These inflation numbers should be the final nail in the coffin of the Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spending spree, which would pump trillions more in wasteful deficit spending to fund a liberal wish-list. Let’s be clear: Despite the Democrats’ incredible claim that their socialist tax-and-spending bill costs ‘zero’ dollars, the President’s plan will super-charge inflation even more and do real, lasting damage to our economy. Building back to the Jimmy Carter malaise of the 1970s is not what any American wants and is definitely not what our nation needs.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=033307FC-C707-4D24-9954-B5DA5ABF6571 | Senator McConnell Statement on President Bendapudi | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) released the following statement today regarding President Neeli Bendapudi’s tenure at the University of Louisville: “When President Neeli Bendapudi personally informed me of her decision to leave the University of Louisville, I was excited for her but saddened to hear the news. I remember meeting her in 2018 when she was named the 18th president of the university. I knew right away that she was the best person for the job - a premier academic and administrator with a passion for higher education. When she arrived, the university faced struggles in both its academic and athletic departments. She made it her top priority to turn these struggling programs around and make the school competitive once again. “I was greatly impressed by the energy, enthusiasm, and strong vision she had for UofL and enjoyed watching her become an expert in raising the “L.” Dr. Bendapudi deserves much credit for her many accomplishments during her tenure at UofL, and I want to thank her for her impressive leadership and work on behalf of the university and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. I also appreciate her strong support of the McConnell Center scholarship program, as well as the McConnell Chao Archives. “I’m sure her decision to leave was a tough one, and I know that UofL will always have a special place in her heart. I join the university’s students, faculty, staff and fans – along with all my fellow proud Cardinal alums - in wishing her well. Elaine and I will greatly miss seeing her during our frequent visits to campus.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=1D0E79AB-C734-4F5A-9AB4-8657C8089EB0 | Democrats’ Toddler Takeover Cuts Choices, Raises Costs, & “Insults the Diversity of American Families” | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree: “On Tuesday, I shined a spotlight on Washington Democrats’ proposed ‘toddler takeover.’ “They want to spend hundreds of billions of dollars in order to upend families’ arrangements… create massive inflation in daycare costs… and attack faith-based providers. “Democrats say their plan would not hurt faith-based providers because it wouldn’t explicitly block them upfront. “But that’s only a small part of the story. “The reckless taxing and spending spree might not ban faith-based providers on day one. But their scheme of mandates and subsidies would slowly and quietly push them out. “Democrats’ bill would deny religious providers an extra funding stream for upgrading their facilities which their secular competitors would get. “And their proposal would let woke bureaucrats persecute faith-based groups unless they leave their values at the door. “If a Jewish daycare wants to prioritize Jewish families, they could get thrown out of the Democrats’ scheme for discrimination! “A Catholic facility could be kicked out if families who are registered parishioners get first dibs! “If a faith-based provider decides not to hire somebody who fundamentally rejects their teachings, left-wing bureaucrats and lawyers could come after them. The woke mob that stalks cake-bakers and florists is now coming for church daycare. “Twenty-one organizations representing hundreds of thousands of faith-based daycares and preschools signed an open letter to the Senate. Catholics, Protestants, Jews, and Muslims all wrote this to Chairwoman Murray and Senator Burr. “‘The Build Back Better Act will suppress, if not exclude, the participation of many faith-based providers…’ “‘[P]rovisions in the bill text make it virtually impossible for many religious providers to participate.’ *** “Now, the far left says that if you don’t support this toddler takeover,… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=87B7072F-BB8B-4DF8-90E2-44ED10EFF2EE | McConnell Delivers Rotunda Tribute to Senator Bob Dole | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today paying tribute to Senator Bob Dole: “On April 14, 1969, Senator Bob Dole delivered his first floor speech. “He said, ‘the task ahead is monumental.’ “And this was before Bob knew he’d end up leading a conference of 53 Senators! “Years later, after he had become Leader, Bob described his Senate management challenges with his trademark wit. “‘If I’d known,’ he said, ‘we were going to win control of the Senate… we’d have run better candidates!’ “I swear, Bob could have made it as a stand-up comic. “But in that maiden speech, Bob was earnest. “He was already championing a signature cause: helping Americans with disabilities. “‘The task ahead is monumental,’ he said, ‘but I am confident that there are forces in America ready and willing to meet the challenge.’ “Bob Dole himself was certainly proof of that. *** “That maiden speech came 24 years to the day after he sustained his combat wounds in Italy. “Bob had already risen to a monumental task. He’d taken the fight to the Nazis. And he’d nearly paid for it with his life. “Through all his decades in public service, Bob Dole knew exactly where he came from. “A son of Dustbowl hardship — who was laser-focused on food security and rural issues. “A wounded warrior — who spent decades carrying fellow veterans and Americans with disabilities on his shoulders. “Bob was the last of the Greatest Generation to run for president. But he was never stuck in the past. “His roots ran deep… but he was always looking to new horizons. “From that first speech… through his years in leadership… “Through Bob’s incredibly active retirement-in-name-only… “He built brighter futures for millions. *** “Bob was blessed with long life to watch this legacy take effect. “But that was no accident! “Bob liked to joke that he planned for longevity by closely studying our most senior colleagues. “He had a whole comedy routine about how he’d tried to copy Strom Thurmond’… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.paul.senate.gov/news-dr-rand-paul-republicans-musnt-enable-bidens-overspending-waiving-paygo/ | Dr. Rand Paul: Republicans musn’t enable Biden’s overspending by waiving PAYGO | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Rand Paul | P000603 | www.paul.senate.gov | paul | https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/ | scraper | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2021 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343 WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an op-ed for the Washington Examiner today, U.S. Senator and physician Rand Paul made clear his opposition to raising the debt limit and waiving PAYGO. “For months, Republicans gave President Joe Biden’s social spending bill the accurate label: “the Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree.” Republicans, in unison, opposed the $2 trillion spending spree Democrats passed this spring. But now, Republican leadership is pushing a bill to forgive all that spending,” stated Dr. Paul in the piece. “According to the law that governs Congress’s budget process, this spending has to be offset by equal cuts from somewhere else. The law is called PAYGO. But Republican leadership and Democrats are going to waive PAYGO, allowing Biden’s spending spree to become debt instead of being offset by spending cuts.” You can read Dr. Paul’s entire op-ed HERE or below. *** Republicans musn’t enable Biden’s overspending by waiving PAYGO By: Dr. Rand Paul December 9, 2021 https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/republicans-musnt-enable-bidens-overspending-by-waiving-paygo There’s a palpable chill in the air in Washington this week, and I’m not talking about the weather. I’m talking about the icy forecast of our country’s fiscal stability and the possibility that Republicans could be complicit in creating such treacherous conditions. For months, Republicans gave President Joe Biden’s social spending bill the accurate label: “the Democrats’ reckless tax and spending spree.” Republicans, in unison, opposed the $2 trillion spending spree Democrats passed this spring. But now, Republican leadership is pushing a bill to forgive all that spending. According to the law that governs Congress’s budget process, this spending has to be offset by equal cuts from somewhere else. The law is called PAYGO. But Republican leadership and Democrats are going to waive PAYGO, allowing Biden’s spending spree to become debt ins… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/rounds-announces-nominations-for-us-service-academies-for-2022-2023-school-year | Rounds Announces Nominations for U.S. Service Academies for 2022-2023 School Year | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | Mike Rounds | R000605 | www.rounds.senate.gov | rounds | https://www.rounds.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today announced that he has nominated three students for appointments to the nation’s service academies. Rounds nominated Luke Jegeris of Rapid City as his principal nominee to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; Aiden Kasten of Brandon as his principal nominee to the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis; and John Costello of Sioux Falls as his principal nominee to the U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs. “It’s a privilege to nominate our nation’s future military leaders to U.S. service academies,” said Rounds. “The U.S. service academies are among the most elite educational institutions in the world. After receiving a top-notch education, these South Dakotans will courageously serve our country as active-duty military members. We’re proud of Luke, Aiden and John for their desire to answer the call of duty to serve our nation.” “I am blessed to be receiving a principal nomination to the United States Military Academy from Senator Mike Rounds,” said Luke Jegeris. “It has always been my dream to have an occupation where I am in a position to serve others. Serving in the Army will grant me this opportunity, and will allow me to be part of a team that strives for perfection.” "Receiving a nomination from Senator Rounds is a great honor to me and my family,” said Aiden Kasten. “My grandfather served our country during Vietnam and inspired me to pursue a military career path. Going to the United States Naval Academy and becoming a commissioned officer would truly make my country and grandpa proud." “To me, serving in the armed forces is about contributing to a higher purpose in life,” said John Costello. “Defending our country through service in the Air Force is a part of my desire to put service before self." Each year, Sen. Rounds nominates South Dakota students to the U.S. service academies. Each academy then gives full and fair consideration to these nominations when selecting applicants. Students interested in attending a service academy go through a rigorou… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-joins-colleagues-on-legislation-to-prevent-settlement-payments-for-illegal-immigrants/ | Scott Joins Colleagues on Legislation to Prevent Settlement Payments for Illegal Immigrants | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SC | Tim Scott | S001184 | www.scott.senate.gov | timscott | https://www.scott.senate.gov/media-center/press-releases/jsf/jet-engine:press-list | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) and 28 Senate colleagues in sponsoring the Protect American Taxpayer Dollars from Illegal Immigration Act, to prevent settlement payments for individuals who crossed the U.S. border illegally. Despite the crisis consuming our southern border, President Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) wants to give out payments of $450,000 per person to immigrants who broke our laws by coming here illegally—putting their lives and their children’s lives at risk. If successful, President Biden’s DOJ could pay out hundreds of millions of dollars to illegal immigrants while hardworking American taxpayers are struggling under Democrat’s reckless tax-and-spend policies. “With far more than a million illegal crossings this year alone, there is a clear humanitarian and national security disaster at our border,” said Senator Scott. “Yet—even as hardworking Americans struggle to buy gas and groceries in the face of roaring inflation—Democrats want to give nearly half-a-million dollars to individuals who broke our nation’s laws. This is wrong not only for Americans, but also for the migrants who don’t need another incentive to cross our border illegally and put their families in harm’s way.” “Our southern border is a disaster, and President Biden’s failed policies have continued to fuel this ongoing crisis,” said Senator Tillis. “We are seeing the most illegal immigration this year alone than ever recorded, and now President Biden wants to give illegal immigrants a payout, further rewarding lawlessness and chaos. These $450,000 settlements are an insult to all hardworking Americans who will subsequently be funding these large settlements with their hard-earned tax dollars. I am proud to work with my colleagues to make sure this doesn’t happen.” “While American families are struggling anxiously just to keep pace with President Biden’s inflation, the President now wants to make millionaires out of people who crossed the border illegally. It’s beyond parod… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sullivan-requests-ig-investigation-of-senior-biden-interior-officials-targeting-alaska | Sullivan Requests IG Investigation of Senior Biden Interior Officials Targeting Alaska | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | AK | Dan Sullivan | S001198 | www.sullivan.senate.gov | sullivan | https://www.sullivan.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases?PageNum_rs=36 | scraper | Senator decries Biden administration’s “War on Alaska” with 20 executive actions WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, yesterday sent a letter to the inspector general (IG) of the Department of the Interior (DOI) requesting an investigation of four senior political appointees in the department who are allegedly working on matters directly related to and benefitting their previous clients and work. The officials mentioned by Sen. Sullivan are Nada Culver, deputy director of policy and programs at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM); Natalie Landreth, deputy solicitor for lands at DOI; Laura Daniel Davis, deputy assistant secretary for land and mineral management at DOI; and Robert Anderson, solicitor at DOI. In his letter, Sullivan alleges that the officials have clear conflicts of interest, violating federal ethics laws, having worked to halt certain resource development projects in Alaska in their prior positions with environmental advocacy groups, and subsequently working to halt those same projects as executive branch employees. The Alaska projects described include the Willow Project in the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska (NPR-A), the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) oil and gas leasing program, and the Ambler Road project—all projects that have been slowed or stopped by the Biden administration DOI. In addition to requesting the ethics investigation, Sen. Sullivan has requested a series of documents, within 30 days, from the DOI IG, including signed and dated ethics pledges for each official, recusals or ethics waivers issued by or to any of the officials, and any communications between the DOI officials and their former employers or clients since their appointments. Sen. Sullivan announced his letter in a speech on the Senate floor last night. In his remarks, Sullivan decried an ongoing “anti-Alaska agenda” and “war on Alaska working families” by the Biden administration through its issuance of 20 executive orders and ac… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=0E345A0F-FC75-43A1-A9E9-E3B5F38FD057 | Thune, Luján Lead Fight For Cattle Producers, Demand Halt of Brazilian Fresh Beef Imports | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today led a bipartisan group of senators in expressing support for the cattle industry’s recent requests for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately suspend fresh beef imports from Brazil. In 2017, Brazilian fresh beef imports were suspended due to food safety concerns, and USDA allowed these imports to resume in 2020. The senators are concerned with Brazil’s recent failure to quickly disclose two cases of atypical spongiform encephalopathy – a neurological disease of cattle – which could pose a significant threat to the health and safety of the U.S. cattle herd. “Cattle producers across the country work hard to produce the highest quality beef in the world,” the senators wrote. “This industry should not be jeopardized by Brazilian beef imports that may contaminate U.S. herds and our food supply. We support the requests to suspend Brazilian fresh beef imports until a thorough investigation can be made into Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply food safety review process.” In February 2020, Thune led a bipartisan group of his colleagues in sending a letter to USDA questioning the department’s decision to lift the U.S. ban on Brazilian beef imports. This letter was also signed by U.S. Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). Full letter below: The Honorable Tom Vilsack Secretary U.S. Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C., 20250 Dear Secretary Vilsack: We write to express support for the cattle industry’s recent requests for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to immediately suspend fresh beef imports from Brazil. As you know, b… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=B13808AF-6156-4553-86BD-0DF5ECB1F2BB | Thune Questions Industry Experts on Big Tech’s Use of Persuasive Technology and Secret Algorithms | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), ranking member of the Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, today questioned industry experts on technology companies’ use of algorithms and artificial intelligence at a subcommittee hearing titled, “Disrupting Dangerous Algorithms: Addressing the Harms of Persuasive Technology.” Yesterday, Thune questioned Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, about the company’s use of secret algorithms that work to keep users on their platform for a longer period of time. Thune also pressed Instagram on giving consumers more options, and in response, Instagram announced it would provide users with the ability to select a feed displayed in chronological order on its platform. At both hearings, Thune expressed deep concern about social media platforms’ use of persuasive technology and their ability to manipulate users’ experience while online. Thune highlighted two bills he reintroduced earlier this year: the Platform Accountability and Consumer Transparency (PACT) Act and the Filter Bubble Transparency Act, which would help increase transparency for consumers and accountability for big tech. Thune recently questioned representatives from TikTok, Snap Inc., and YouTube about social media platforms’ ability to manipulate users’ experience through algorithms. Thune also questioned Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen about the dangers of big tech’s use of algorithms. Thune’s opening remarks below (as submitted to the hearing record): “Thank you, Chairman Lujan. “In 2019, six months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I served as chairman of this subcommittee, and convened a hearing on the use of algorithms and persuasive technology on internet platforms. “During that hearing, I noted that former Google Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt, once said modern technology platforms “are even more powerful than most people realize, and our future will be profoundly altered by their adoption and successfulness in societies everywhere.” “Now we are near the end of 2021, and it seems… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=E277E1BE-7E4C-4723-B394-191EDDDA3C09 | Thune: Democrats Move to Double the Size of the IRS, Jeopardize Taxpayers’ Privacy | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | SD | John Thune | T000250 | www.thune.senate.gov | thune | https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases | scraper | U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) today discussed the Democrats’ desire to double the size of the Internal Revenue Servicein order to pay for their reckless tax-and-spending spree. Thune noted that the agency’s poor reputation and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars would further jeopardize the privacy of South Dakotans’ personal information. Thune’s remarks below (as prepared for delivery): “Mr. President, the one thing you can say for Democrats’ so-called Build Back Better plan is that it provides a never-ending supply of bad proposals to talk about. “And the bad Build Back Better measure I want to discuss today is Democrats’ plan to double the size of the IRS. “Yes. “Double the size of the IRS. “Mr. President, the IRS is not exactly the most popular government agency. “And with good reason. “The agency has gained for itself a reputation for poor taxpayer service and, most seriously, for mishandling the confidential taxpayer information it has access to. “In fact, the IRS was subject to a massive leak or hack of private taxpayer information mere months ago – information that somehow ended up in the hands of advocates at ProPublica. “And neither Treasury nor the IRS has provided meaningful follow-up about the data breach, much less any accountability. “For months, Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee have pressed the administration for details about the breach of private taxpayer information. “I would have hoped that my friends on the other side of the aisle would have shown similar concern for taxpayers’ privacy. “And who could forget the IRS scandal during the Obama administration, when the IRS targeted a number of organizations based on their political beliefs. “Mr. President, those are two notorious examples of IRS misconduct. “But there are plenty of others. “The Treasury inspector general for tax administration has repeatedly found instances of IRS agents violating taxpayer rights. “And then there’s the agency’s record of irresponsibility or incompetence – or both. “Losing track of lapto… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/video-young-gives-nightmare-before-christmas-speech-on-us-senate-floor/ | VIDEO: Young Gives ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ Speech on U.S. Senate Floor | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) gave a speech on the U.S. Senate Floor today highlighting some of the “gifts” included in the Democrats’ Build Back Better Act that could cost American families this Christmas season. “It seems that Democrats want our children and grandchildren to pay for this bundle of goodies through the lay-away plan. GDP is projected to fall because of Build Back Better. “Colleagues, the best present all of us can give the American people is to do whatever is in our power to stop the Build Back Better Act,” said Senator Young during his speech. Click here to view the Senator’s full speech. See Below for the Senator’s Full Remarks as Prepared for Delivery: In case anyone was wondering, there are 16 shopping days left before Christmas. I know I still have some shopping to do myself, but it seems as though President Biden and my Democratic colleagues here in Congress have already done most of their shopping. That’s good thinking. You can’t start too early with the supply chain as bad as it is. So let’s gather around the Christmas tree to see what gifts Democrats are prepared to pass out on Christmas morning thanks to their reckless tax-and-spend bill. To left-wing labor unions – Democrats are gifting billions of dollars in handouts to strengthen this core constituency of theirs. While they’re letting charitable tax deductions expire in Build Back Better, they have giftwrapped an above-the-line tax deduction for union dues. And as a special Christmas surprise, they’re putting under the tree a shiny new tax credit for electric vehicles – but only if those vehicles are made in a union shop. You see, if you are naughty and buy an electric vehicle from a non-union shop like those in my state of Indiana, you will miss out on the Democrats’ $4,500 holiday give-away in this bill. Apparently, during this Christmas season, the impact of EVs on climate change only matters if the workers’ contracts are collectively bargained. Which brings us to China, the tax hikes on businesses l… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/young-colleagues-urge-ssa-to-reopen-field-offices-to-the-public/ | Young, Colleagues Urge SSA to Reopen Field Offices to the Public | 2021-12-09 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | IN | Todd Young | Y000064 | www.young.senate.gov | toddyoung | https://www.young.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/ | scraper | WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, in sending a letter urging Acting Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi to immediately reopen the SSA’s field offices to the public. Senator Young’s office has received numerous complaints from constituents unable to schedule in-person appointments in a timely manner and from Hoosiers – often elderly – who have had difficulty navigating the online options. “Social Security is a bedrock of our nation’s social safety net, especially for our nation’s seniors aged 62 or older who comprise more than four-fifths of all Social Security beneficiaries. … On March 17, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) suspended in-person services because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This suspension created a disruption to the millions of new applicants and beneficiaries receiving Social Security benefits,” the senators wrote. “On behalf of the nearly 70 million Americans who receive benefits from SSA, we reiterate the need to reopen the field offices as quickly as possible. Our nation’s seniors and beneficiaries of SSA programs deserve no less.” Nearly 21 months ago, the SSA suspended in-person services because of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the SSA reportedly submitted its reentry plan to the Office of Management and Budget in July of 2021, the SSA still has failed to fully reopen its offices to the public. This has resulted in disruptions to the millions of applicants and beneficiaries receiving Social Security benefits, including: Challenges for individuals, especially seniors in rural areas, who do not have reliable telephone or internet access; A reduction in Supplemental Security Income awards and disability benefit approvals; and Mail backlogs and delays in providing benefit payments. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
| https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases?ID=202EF3FA-1EE2-494D-A62A-219C6465C950 | President Biden’s Illegal Vaccine Mandate is “Blatant Overreach” | 2021-12-08 | 2021 | 2021-12 | Republican | Senate | KY | Mitch McConnell | M000355 | www.mcconnell.senate.gov | mcconnell | https://www.mcconnell.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/pressreleases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the vaccine mandate: “For the last two years, as the country has battled COVID-19, I have been a strong and constant advocate of following the science and taking precautions. “That’s included strong support for the safe and effective vaccines that have helped millions of Americans substantially lower their risk of death or serious illness. “I took advantage of these modern medical miracles as soon as I could. I’ve received a booster. I’ve encouraged Kentuckians and all Americans to take full advantage as well. I have recorded public service announcements. “I’m a survivor of childhood polio. I’ve watched vaccines obliterate polio in our entire country in my lifetime. Trust me, there is no bigger proponent of vaccination. “But here’s the thing, Mr. President. The United States of America is a free country. The federal government, elites in Washington, cannot micromanage citizens’ personal choices without a legitimate basis in the law and the Constitution. And that goes double for Presidents going far beyond the bounds of their office and their authority. “President Biden’s absurd private-sector vaccine mandate is blatant overreach. It is illegal. The Administration has already lost in federal court and had it blocked. “Washington Democrats have lashed themselves to a mast that is very simple: Unvaccinated people should be fired. That’s what they want. They don’t trust individuals, families, doctors, employers, and customers to sort things out for themselves. They want every worker at a medium-sized business and up to either get this shot or get fired by President Biden. And buried in the illegal mandate is a call to explore whether it should expand to all businesses. “This is not how things work in America. Period. “Workers are not happy. Medium-sized businesses are not happy, especially not in the middle of this worker shortage. “And frankly nobody who understands ou… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T20:37:48Z |
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