url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=83538FEE-49F2-4A43-BBB8-A2667FEE95FA,Wickers Investigation Reveals FAA Failures,2020-12-28,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Each year, millions of Americans take to the skies to be with their loved ones for the holidays. Those who board a commercial flight place their trust in the pilots, the aircraft, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which regulates the American aviation industry. That trust is warranted because our aviation system is among the safest in the world. Yet it is not without flaws. Recent findings of a Senate investigation revealed some troubling patterns within the FAA that require accountability and reform.
In March 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft was grounded worldwide after two crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia killed 346 people. After the second crash, investigators found that a design flaw contributed to both crashes. Soon, whistleblowers within the FAA and the aviation industry began reaching out to me to share information. As chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees air travel, Ilaunchedan investigation into the concerns being raised. Our 20-month investigation uncovered evidence of undue coziness between regulators and aircraft operators, violations of pilot testing standards, and a failed FAA management culture that punished whistleblowers for voicing safety concerns. I recently published the 101-page investigation report on the Commerce Committee website.
FAA Failed to Answer Many Questions
During the investigation, our committee received information from 57 whistleblowers with backgrounds in government, academia, and the aviation industry. Unfortunately, the FAA has not cooperated fully with the committee's constitutional oversight. I have sent seven letters to the FAA with 30 specific requests. To date, the FAA has failed to answer more than half. In addition, the FAA has failed to comply with interview requests, allowing only nine FAA employees to interview with the committee out of the 21 that I requested. The evidence we collected revealed inconsistencies, contradictions, and in one case, a possible lack of candor.
Although the 737 MAX crashes had initially prompted this investigation, whistleblower claims highlighted lapses in FAA oversight well beyond our initial scope of inquiry. For example, the committee found that between 2013 and 2017, the FAA permitted Southwest Airlines to operate dozens of aircraft that were not inspected properly. Whistleblowers alerted FAA managers about the issue, but the managers failed to act. Even after an internal audit urged the FAA to ground the aircraft until proper inspections were completed, the unapproved planes were allowed to continue flying passengers for months.
Other lapses occurred in Hawaii, leading to a series of preventable fatalities in recent years. After one crash killed 11 people, inspectors voiced long-held concerns regarding improper maintenance. Whistleblowers called for the implicated mechanic to have his license revoked, yet the FAA refused. In 2020, a second plane the same mechanic had worked on crashed, killing two people. Yet days later, the FAA renewed his license.
Holding FAA Accountable
The revelations of this report are troubling. The FAA has a solemn duty to protect the flying public and ensure the safety of U.S. aircraft. The failures uncovered in this investigation cannot continue.
Days after I published the report, Congress approved legislation I authored to overhaul the aircraft certification process. This bill will give the FAA more authority over private-sector aviation workers, like those from Boeing, who are involved in aircraft certification. It will take steps to protect against manufacturers placing undue pressure on employees during the certification process. And it will strengthen vital protections for whistleblowers. These measures should help restore the safety culture in the FAA, ensuring that America remains the safest place in the world to fly.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1BE26969-1D88-4D9B-851A-E86422A92088,Wicker Supports Coronavirus Relief Package,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement ahead of a vote to advance a coronavirus relief package. The legislation will be included as part of a year-end agreement that will fund the government through the end of the fiscal year.
After months of unnecessary delays, Congress is working to deliver much-needed relief to the American people, Wicker said. Although this is not the legislation I would have written, it represents a strong, bipartisan compromise that will help millions of Americans through what I hope are the final months of this pandemic.
This package boosts resources for vaccine distribution and our frontline health workers. It also extends and improves upon the Paycheck Protection Program, providing a lifeline to our smallest businesses and local restaurants. The temporary expansion of unemployment benefits and another round of direct payments should help many families who continue to struggle through no fault of their own. With this additional targeted support, I am confident we are on the path to beating this virus and restoring our economy.
Among other provisions, the final coronavirus relief package would:
 
Accelerate vaccine development and coronavirus response efforts by providing $68 billion in additional support for front-line providers, vaccine distribution, and testing and tracing efforts.
Add $284 billion to the highly-successful Paycheck Protection Program and make key modifications to the program to make it work better for small businesses with high-operating costs and low margins, including local restaurants.
Extend additional federal unemployment insurance payments at a rate of $300 per week.
Include a one-time direct payment of up to $600 each for legal residents, including adults and children.
Extend aid to key transportation sectors, including airports, passenger rail, motor coaches, passenger vessels, transit, and highways.
Include $82 billion to help schools and institutions of higher learning cover expenses necessary for safe reopening and continued learning.
Include $10.25 billion to support child care providers.
Provide $11 billion to support agricultural producers impacted by COVID-19.
 
As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Wicker led provisions to:
 
Provide $7 billion for broadband expansion, including telehealth and supply chain security.
Continue support for the Payroll Support Program, which provides support to keep thousands of aviation industry employees employed.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=77CCF5AC-76F5-40FF-A555-75D53FA62099,Wicker: FCC Award Will Expand High-Speed Internet in Rural Mississippi,2020-12-21,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Mississippi scored an important victory this month in our effort to connect rural communities to the internet. On December 7, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) announced the results of a competitive auction in which private-sector companies bid for the opportunity to supply broadband to rural communities. Mississippi received an award of $495 million for these efforts  second only to California, the nation's most populous state. This means one out of every 18 dollars from this auction will go to Mississippi's broadband deployment efforts.
This investment is a major step forward for our state. The FCC estimates 435,000 Mississippi residents will gain access to reliable, high-speed internet because of this award. Still, the buildout will take time, and some communities may have to wait longer than others. I am taking steps to try to speed up this process as much as possible.
Deployment Set to Begin This Spring
Broadband is critical to our nation's economy and way of life. The pandemic has made the internet even more crucial, as many Americans are now attending school, going to work, and receiving health care online. Yet 18 million Americans, largely in rural areas, are still unconnected. The FCC recognized this disparity last year by launching the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF), a program aimed at closing the digital divide between rural and urban America. This fund will provide $20 billion to deploy broadband in rural communities over the next decade.
Deployment funds are awarded to private-sector companies through two separate auctions. These bidding contests allow taxpayers to get the best value for their money. Funding from the first auction will be put to use starting this spring and will focus on areas with no broadband coverage at all. The second auction will benefit a wide range of underserved areas, and I am working to have this auction conducted as soon as possible.
Speeding Up the Process
As chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees broadband policy, I have made access to high-speed internet for all Americans a top priority. In June, I wrote a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai about the need to accelerate the distribution of federal funds to eligible providers, like the Rural Electric Cooperative Consortium in Mississippi. I have also introduced legislation that would offer incentives for providers to complete their buildout obligations in half the time. This would extend internet access to more homes and businesses sooner.
Earlier this year, Congress passed and President Trump signed the Broadband DATA Act, a law I authored to improve the way broadband data is collected. For years, the FCC has used flawed data maps that showed many parts of Mississippi having connectivity, when in fact they did not. My legislation requires the FCC to collect more accurate and granular data, providing a better picture of the gaps in broadband coverage. I am working to ensure these improved maps are in place before the second RDOF auction. If accurate data is being used, Mississippi should receive another substantial award to support broadband construction in our rural communities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8A4D8913-0B54-483C-8868-401D05AF3EEC,Wicker Statement on the Passing of William Forrest Winter,2020-12-19,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the passing of former Mississippi governor and education reformer, William Forrest Winter: 
Mississippi has lost a giant, and my family has lost a friend and neighbor, Wicker said. Another courageous member of the greatest generation joins the great cloud of witnesses.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-november-2020-edition,Thompson Report November 2020 Edition,2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Democrat,Senate,MS,Bennie Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Welcome...  
	To The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.
  
	Spread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.  
	Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2564B279-544A-472D-AC72-8DA151F25762,"Congress Adopts Wicker Plan to Improve Hurricane Forecasting, Storm Damage Claims, and Flood Mapping",2020-12-17,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today cheered Senate passage of S. 914, The Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act. Among other provisions, Wicker's legislation would renew support for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ocean data collection network used to predict hurricanes and would improve the flood insurance claims process for homeowners suffering a total loss of their homes after a hurricane.
After withstanding the most active hurricane season on record, our nation needs continued advances in tracking, measuring, and reporting on the impact of severe weather and flooding, Wicker said. The Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act will build on our existing data collection efforts and help homeowners recover insurance funds when all that remains of their homes after a hurricane is a concrete slab. I hope the new efforts authorized by my proposal will make a marked difference for communities that are affected by storms.
Wicker's legislation reauthorizes and makes targeted improvements to the national Integrated Ocean Observation System (IOOS). IOOS strengthens ocean observation efforts by coordinating a network of people and technology to generate and distribute a continuous feed of standardized data, information, models, products, and services from the coastal and marine environment across the U.S. The data is used to provide the nation with better predictions of hazardous events such as hurricanes by improving forecasting.
S. 914 also includes provisions to help NOAA and FEMA implement Wicker's COASTAL Act of 2012, which was written to help homeowners recover insurance funds for their property if losses could not be determined to be caused by wind or water. These so-called indeterminate loss or slab properties created many legal disputes after Hurricane Katrina between private home insurance providers, the National Flood Insurance Program, and their policyholders. NOAA has been developing advanced weather hindcast models to create post-storm assessments after catastrophic weather events that would be available for use by homeowners and insurance providers to determine responsibility for damage to properties where no other evidence is available.
Wicker's legislation also formally authorizes the National Water Center (NWC) within the National Weather Service at NOAA. The NWC will be tasked with coordinating all water prediction activities from global to local levels. It will be capable of simulating and forecasting how water moves throughout the nation's rivers and streams, providing hourly forecasts. These new, more granular forecasts will help communities, first responders, and industries make better-informed decisions about water management and how to prepare for and respond to extreme water events.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=F8F7EFF4-75B5-40E1-AF62-A0773E3D793E,Wicker Celebrates Recent Foreign Policy Achievements,2020-12-14,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Congress took an important step for national security this past week by passing the National Defense Authorization Act, a bipartisan bill that will unlock critical funding for our military. This milestone provides a good opportunity to assess international challenges and reflect on America's recent foreign policy achievements.
Putting America First
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have seen firsthand that our nation is facing new military threats around the world. Over the past four years, I have helped write legislation to strengthen our Armed Forces. We have grown each branch of the military, equipped the Navy with more ships to counter global threats, and created the Space Force to protect American space assets. At the same time, we have successfully persuaded our allies to shoulder more of the financial burden of our mutual defense.
President Trump has made important decisions to protect American workers. I supported the order to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, a job-killing agreement that would have severely hurt America's energy sector and done little to help prevent global warming. I also supported the negotiation of a new trade deal with Canada and Mexico, which will help save American jobs.
For many years, our southern border was porous and insufficiently protected. Over the last four years, Congress has boosted resources for border security, and more than 400 miles of new border wall have been built. President Trump also convinced Mexico to deploy 27,000 of their own troops south of our border, helping bring migration under control at no cost to American taxpayers.
Peace Advances in Middle East
President Trump made the right call to withdraw from President Obama's disastrous Iran nuclear deal, which Congress never approved. That agreement would not have stopped Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and the missiles necessary to launch them. We have now imposed heavy sanctions on Iran, which are pressuring that radical regime to behave responsibly. And the U.S. military took out Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, who was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of American troops and attacks on our Embassy in Iraq.
Our position in the Middle East has been further strengthened by the decisions to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem and to recognize the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. These bold steps have encouraged Arab countries to make peace with the Jewish state. This year, three Middle Eastern nations have signed historic peace agreements with Israel.
In 2017, the U.S. military stepped up its campaign to destroy ISIS and roundly succeeded. We should now be vigilant to prevent any resurgence of this terrorist group, which has threatened America and our allies.
Holding China Accountable
For decades, China has broken international trade rules and stolen intellectual property from U.S. companies. President Trump imposed huge tariffs on Chinese products and issued an executive order to block Huawei, a telecom giant loyal to Beijing, from doing business in America. I led the effort in Congress to pass legislation helping American companies replace Huawei equipment with secure alternatives.
It is clearer than ever that China is a long-term adversary. We need to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for failing to contain the spread of COVID-19. I am also concerned about China's persecution of Uighurs and Falun Gong practitioners, and the loss of freedom in Hong Kong. We cannot afford to weaken our stance toward Beijing. Curbing China's influence should remain a top national security priority as we enter 2021.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=AAB6F525-AF57-49D3-8ECA-7C95869EBF3A,Wicker Votes to Advance National Defense Bill,2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today praised passage of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. Among other provisions, the critical legislation will authorize all funding for the U.S. military, including troop pay and benefits, equipment and munitions procurement, and operational expenses.
Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act for the 60th year in a row is a huge win for America's military men and women, Wicker said. This legislation guarantees a well-deserved pay raise for our troops, while also making the investments in military manufacturing and research that will be critical to defending America's interests and ensuring our military might remains unrivaled. This proposal will also support the livelihoods of thousands of Mississippi residents who build and support the ships, aircraft, vehicles, munitions, and other equipment our troops use every day.
The legislation would authorize a topline figure of $740.5 billion for national defense, consistent with the 2019 bipartisan budget agreement. Among other provisions, it would also provide a 3 percent pay raise for all members of the Armed Forces and $23.4 billion for the U.S. Navy's shipbuilding plan.
The defense proposal will:
 
Support the implementation of Wicker's SHIPS Act, which made it the policy of the United States to acquire a 355-ship fleet as soon as practicable.
Reauthorize the U.S. Coast Guard and provide retirement pay parity for Coast Guard members and their families.
Reauthorize key parts of the Maritime Administration, which is responsible for America's waterborne transportation system and provides logistical support for the U.S. Armed Forces.
Support military family readiness by advocating for the employment of military spouses and ensuring the Department provides high-quality and accessible child care.
 
 
Support the whole-of-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure troops have adequate diagnostic equipment, testing capabilities, and personal protective equipment.
Ensure that previous reforms to the military privatized housing program are implemented.
 
 
Improve how the Pentagon manages its budget and make the process more transparent and accountable to Congress and the American people.
Strengthens America's national defense supply chain and reduces reliance on foreign adversaries like China for mission-critical components like microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Include a Wicker-led amendment to create a whole-of-government response to spectrum management.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D1231088-E4A0-43D7-B23A-B1412D802698,"Wicker, Cardin, Kaine Commend Passage of Organization of American States Legislative Engagement Act",2020-12-11,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Ben Cardin, D-Md., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., this week lauded passage of the Organization of American States Legislative Engagement Act (S.1310). This legislation would improve the Organization of American States (OAS) by increasing the participation of elected national legislators from across the Western Hemisphere within the organization. The bill reaffirms United States support for the OAS' efforts to safeguard human rights, increase regional good governance, and combat corruption in the region. By using the success of legislative participation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE PA) as a model, this bill would enhance the representation and effectiveness of the OAS. Senator Wicker is Co-Chair and Senator Cardin is the Ranking Senate Democrat of the U.S. Commission on Security and cooperation in Europe (CSCE).
I appreciate that my colleagues have shown their support for strengthening the Organization of American States and fighting corruption abroad, Wicker said. Much as the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly has promoted democracy, human rights, and good governance in Europe, I hope a new assembly of legislators within the OAS would advance better governance and help our nations confront pressing challenges throughout the Americas.
The OAS is vital for upholding democracy, reducing corruption, and protecting human rights in our Hemisphere, Cardin said, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere. Responding to these challenges requires multilateral cooperation and engagement not only from heads of state, but also from those who were elected to legislate in their nations. I am proud to support this bill that would further strengthen the OAS's ability to engage national representatives in these efforts.
The Americas face critical challenges today: corruption, narrowing political freedoms, the democratic crisis in Venezuela, Kaine said. The OAS plays an essential role in bringing the region together to find solutions, and improving our ability to work with legislators from across the Hemisphere will only strengthen our efforts.
The full bill text can be found here. The legislation will next be considered by the House of Representatives.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=3B229ABB-3089-46E0-B01C-DB1912E7D7D0,Wicker Endorses Bill Cook to Serve on Tennessee Valley Authority Board,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today introduced Charles William Bill Cook, President Trump's nominee to serve on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), at a meeting of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety.
I wholeheartedly support President Trump's nomination of Bill Cook for this positon. He brings a wealth of private-sector experience that would serve him well on the TVA Board of Directors, Wicker said. Having spent 30 years in the telecommunications and broadband infrastructure industry, Mr. Cook understands the resources that communities need to prosper in the 21st century.
He currently serves as the president of Cook Consulting in Oxford, Mississippi, which provides guidance on telecommunications issues. Cook has acquired a wide range of expertise, having served as a senior director of engineering and construction, director of project management, vice president of network development, and CEO for various companies throughout his career.
TVA is the nation's largest public utility. It has locations in 36 Mississippi counties and serves more than 346,000 households across the state. Between 2015 and 2020, TVA created or maintained nearly 25,000 jobs in Mississippi and invested $3.4 billion in the state's economy.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8830AC60-C559-4C53-B1E8-E27B6A7CD319,Wicker: Presidents 30-Year Shipbuilding Plan Would Help Renew American Seapower Superiority,2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today commended President Donald J. Trump and Acting Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite for releasing a long-awaited update to the U.S. Navy's 30-year shipbuilding plan.
Our nation's ability to counter emerging threats from abroad is increasingly dependent upon a stronger Navy. The 30-year shipbuilding plan the President and his team released today sets a strong benchmark for a growing U.S. fleet. It addresses current challenges and prepares for the future. I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to ensure our U.S. Navy remains the unrivaled leader of the seas, Wicker said.
As the author of the SHIPS Act, which made it the policy of the United States to reach a 355-ship Navy as soon as practicable, Wicker has been a strong supporter of a larger fleet.
The plan sets the Navy's priorities for shipbuilding, force structure, and modernization efforts to meet future combat and security needs. Congress uses the plan as a guide for setting budgets and authorizing construction of new vessels from year to year.
Among other provisions, the 30-year shipbuilding plan would:
 
Provide a battle force of 355 vessels within 10 years and nearly 400 within 20 years, up from 296 ships today;
Boost ship procurement quantities by 26 ships over the next four fiscal years;
Increase shipbuilding budgets by $39 billion through FY 2026;
Significantly increase investment in unmanned vessels to provide additional sensing and firepower capabilities at a lower cost; and
Support construction of three classes of ships built in Mississippi, including two Arleigh-Burke class destroyers (DDG) per year for the next five years, one San Antonio-class amphibious landing platform dock ship (LPD) every other year, and the third America-class large deck amphibious ship (LHA 9).",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=AA29F202-A024-4C0E-BBC5-94CFA9DD9E15,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, and Thompson Commend Park Service for Designating Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home as a National Monument",2020-12-10,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., today commended the National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of the Interior for officially designating the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home in Jackson as the 422nd unit of the National Park System. The announcement fulfills the requirements of the lawmakers' legislation to designate the Evers Home as a national monument within the NPS system.
The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home serves as a permanent reminder of the legacy of the Evers family, whose contributions advanced the cause of justice in our nation, Wicker said. I was proud to champion legislation with Representative Bennie Thompson and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith to designate this historic site as a national monument and preserve it for future generations. I appreciate President Trump, the National Park Service, and the Department of the Interior for their work to make this designation a reality.
The national monument designation represents a great honor for the Evers family and their sacrifices and accomplishments for the cause of civil rights. This new national site will also stand in recognition of the overall pursuit of equality and justice in Mississippi and our nation, Hyde-Smith said. I am proud to have worked with Senator Wicker and Congressman Thompson to secure this designation.
I, like many others, was inspired by the magnitude of determination Mr. Evers showed by dedicating himself to others and fighting against adversity, said Thompson. The designation of his home is an everlasting tribute to his legacy. The importance of protecting the heritage and important artifacts for the enjoyment of all, and historical understanding, cannot be overstated. As many members of communities, their existence contributes to local economies directly and indirectly. After working on this legislation diligently for 16 years, I am honored that the legacy of an icon in American history, Medgar Wiley Evers, will forever be preserved. His widow Myrlie Evers-Williams was instrumental in helping us achieve this goal. Mr. Evers was an inspiration to all Americans by dedicating his life to others and fighting against racism and discrimination.
The lawmakers introduced their legislation in an effort to bring additional federal resources to the site. The proposal was signed into law by President Trump as part of the John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act (S. 47) in March 2019.
The national monument designation is reserved for sites of great cultural, historical, or natural significance to the United States. It provides permanent protection by Congress under the Antiquities Act.
The Evers home, acquired by Tougaloo College in 1993 and labeled a museum in 1997, is a designated Mississippi landmark under the State Antiquity Law and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E4B12A59-4BE2-4A78-8AD4-D416AEBFCAEE,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, & Kelly Announce $24.3 Million Project to Renovate Aberdeen Courthouse",2020-12-09,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Representative Trent Kelly, R-Miss., today announced that Congress has approved a $24.3 million plan by the General Services Administration (GSA) to renovate the Thomas G. Abernethy Courthouse in Aberdeen, Miss. The building was deemed uninhabitable in 2017 because of mold and moisture infiltration.
This is an outstanding outcome for the federal courthouse in Aberdeen, Wicker said. This long overdue project will allow the GSA to complete decades of deferred maintenance, ensuring the health and safety of the public and federal workers for years to come. I am glad to have partnered with members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, Judge Sharion Aycock, and community leaders to get this project the attention it deserved.
The repair to the Aberdeen courthouse means it can become a fully functional federal facility to serve North Mississippi, particularly for the federal judiciary system.I'm pleased with the GSA plan to reprogram existing dollars to undertake this extensive project, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee.I credit Chief Judge Sharion Aycock and her team for their determination to get this project done and resume public services from the courthouse.
""This project will ensure a safer environment for our community and hardworking court officials, Kelly said.
The GSA, which maintains the building, will support the project using excess funds from other repair and construction projects. Congressional committees with authorization and appropriations jurisdiction over the GSA approved the agency's plan to reprogram existing funding to repair the facility. A GSA project prospectus indicates a design and construction schedule beginning in 2021 with work completed in 2024.
The project will include:
 
HVAC replacement;
Building envelope repair;
Electrical, fire protection, and life safety upgrades;
Associated demolition; and,
Hazardous materials (mold, lead-based paint) abatement.
 
The Thomas G. Abernethy Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse is a 64,000-square-foot, three-story building built in 1973 in downtown Aberdeen, Miss. Before being abandoned in February 2018, the building housed the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Marshal Service, and the GSA.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=2E73C7BB-AFEE-4490-A2A0-C28932B78198,Wicker Celebrates Award of $495.7 Million to Expand Internet Access in Mississippi,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today celebrated the award of $495,725,799.60 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand high-speed broadband internet access in Mississippi. The funding, which is being made available to Internet Service Providers in Mississippi through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase I auction, is the highest amount awarded to any state except California.
This first round of funds from the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will make an incredible difference in the state of Mississippi as we work toward connecting every person to reliable high-speed internet, Wicker said. There is much more work left to do, but this strong showing for our state's internet providers is good news. I will continue working to improve internet access for all Mississippians and ensure the next phases of aid are awarded where they are most needed.
The funding will support broadband infrastructure construction over a 10-year period. Providers have to meet periodic buildout requirements that will require them to reach all assigned locations by the end of the sixth year.They are incentivized to build out to all locations as quickly as possible.
Wicker introduced legislation earlier this year to provide additional incentives for providers to complete their RDOF buildouts earlier. This followed public and private efforts by Wicker to urge the FCC to expedite their award of broadband support to help Americans get online during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction is part of a broader effort by the FCC to close the digital divide in rural America and focus limited universal service funds on unserved areas that most need support. In October 2020, the Commission adopted rules creating the 5G Fund for Rural America, which will distribute up to $9 billion over the next decade to bring 5G wireless broadband connectivity to unserved areas in rural America.
More information on the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction is available at https://www.fcc.gov/auction/904, including complete auction results and a map of winning bids.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=BECD075E-B791-403B-B762-5FD8D82F20E0,Wicker Reflects on Accomplishments of 116th Congress,2020-12-07,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"This year has brought challenges that few could have imagined. The coronavirus pandemic has upended daily routines and claimed more than 275,000 American lives. Last month, however, we received some positive news with the announcement that several vaccines are effective and safe for use. With vaccine distribution beginning later this month, Americans can take heart that this dark season may soon be behind us.
The coronavirus has consumed much of Congress's attention this year. As we enter the final weeks of the 116th Congress, it is worth reflecting on the major actions Congress has taken both before and during the pandemic.
Wicker Chairs Commerce Committee
Two years ago, I became chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee. This committee oversees a range of issues affecting our economy, including the internet, broadband, transportation, oceans, space, and the Coast Guard. Since I became chairman, the committee has passed nearly 20 bills that have become law, and dozens more are nearing completion. We have also helped shape many laws written by the House.
One of our major achievements was the Broadband DATA Act, a law I authored to make sure broadband is deployed in unserved rural communities. We also crafted a law to protect U.S. telecommunications networks from Chinese espionage. We approved a law ratifying the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement, a pivotal treaty that will help protect American jobs. And we have led the way in fighting online censorship and bias. I convened the CEOs of Facebook, Twitter, and Google for a hearing on this issue and have introduced legislation to encourage the protection of free speech online.
Another proud moment this Congress was getting Medgar and Myrlie Evers's home in Jackson established as a National Monument. I am glad his brother Charles lived to see this important recognition take place before his passing a few months ago.
COVID-19 Legislation Leads to Vaccines
Soon after the pandemic began, Congress passed the CARES Act to provide relief for families, workers, and businesses across America. This included relief checks for individuals and forgivable loans for small businesses. I helped write a section of the law that gave a critical lifeline to airlines and airports, which are vital in connecting our economy. I also worked to include a provision expanding telehealth services for Medicare patients, and I supported investing billions in vaccine research and development. Because of this crucial investment, Operation Warp Speed is developing vaccines at a record pace for distribution to the public soon.
Senate Delivers on Long-Term Priorities
In 2017, lawmakers recognized the need for a bigger Navy by passing my SHIPS Act, which requires the Navy to have 355 ships as soon as possible. The current Congress has made progress toward that goal by authorizing the construction of 13 new ships in 2020 and seven additional ships in pending legislation. Several of these vessels will be built by our expert shipbuilders in Mississippi.
One of the most important legacies of this Congress will be a strengthened judiciary. The Senate has confirmed 144 judges in the last two years and nearly 230 judges since President Trump took office. These include three Supreme Court justices and three judges from Mississippi. Because of the Senate's work, more than one-quarter of all federal judges serving lifetime terms are Trump appointees. These conservative judges will help preserve our constitutional freedoms and the rule of law for decades to come.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=1B9AA5BC-D7AD-4C32-97ED-645E128EE09A,Legislators Urge Congressional Leadership to Support RESTAURANTS Act,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Representatives Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., todayled a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to include a $120 billion revitalization fund for small and independent restaurants in any future COVID-19 relief package or year-end spending bill. The proposal, which has earned the support of 50 senators and passed the U.S. House in October, was introduced in June as the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020.
In their letter, the legislators cited a wave of new restrictions on restaurants as coronavirus cases surge across the nation.
For the second time this year,restaurantsand barsare having tolimitoperations or closetheir doors completely,raising concerns about their ability to survive the long winter ahead.They need quick relief tokeep their workers employed and hold onto their businesses. Congress needs to act speedily andpass the RESTAURANTS Act to help save local restaurants across the country and the millions of workers they employ, the legislators wrote.
We urge you to pass the RESTAURANTS Act quickly as part of a COVID-19 relief bill or a year-end spending bill. We look forward to partnering with you to save local restaurants across America.
In addition to Wicker, Sinema, Blumenauer, and Fitzpatrick, the letter is signed by 159 other legislators, totaling 25 senators and 138 members of the House.
Read the full text of the letter here and below.
Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy:
America faces its most difficult phase in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). COVID-19 case numbers are spiking across the nation, with more than one in 400 Americans testing positive in the last week alone. This unprecedented increase has prompted a wave of new restrictions ranging from nighttime closures and restrictions on indoor dining in New York, North Dakota, and Maryland to takeout-only in Oregon and stay-at-home orders in New Mexico. For the second time this year, restaurants and bars are having to limit operations or close their doors completely, raising concerns about their ability to survive the long winter ahead. They need quick relief to keep their workers employed and hold onto their businesses. Congress needs to act speedily and pass the RESTAURANTS Act to help save local restaurants across the country and the millions of workers they employ.
The restaurant industry has been uniquely devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one in four jobs lost from the pandemic were those of restaurant and bar workers. The food and beverage industry is still down 2.3 million jobs since the pandemic began, a number that is sure to rise with increasing infection rates and new restrictions. Despite bearing the brunt of this economic crisis, independent restaurants have received no directly tailored federal aid. Many independent restaurant owners did not benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) because the program did not match their business model or needs.
The restaurant sector is the second-largest private employer after health care, and for countless Americans they provide the first opportunity for a job. These businesses are the beating heart of communities across America, but the pandemic puts their survival in jeopardy. This threat affects restaurants and their employees and every other link in the $1 trillion restaurant supply chain. The food supply chain touches every corner of the country and supports tens of millions of livelihoods, including farm workers, fishermen, and truck drivers. A new round of restaurant closures is likely to have dire effects on the entire food supply chain.
The RESTAURANTS Act would create a restaurant revitalization fund that can be used for a wide range of expenses, including payroll and benefits, food, utilities, rent, maintenance, and supplies. This legislation has gained bipartisan support in Congress, as well as backing from restauranteurs and a large coalition of industries that rely on restaurants. It passed the House of Representatives on October 1, 2020, in H.R. 925 (Section 607, Division O). A June 2020 study on the legislation found it would generate at least $183 billion in primary benefits and $65 billion in secondary benefits  more than double the amount of the fund itself. This type of economic multiplier is needed now more than ever. 
We urge you to pass the RESTAURANTS Act quickly as part of a COVID-19 relief bill or a year-end spending bill. We look forward to partnering with you to save local restaurants across America.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EDB28546-D983-4A4A-BB7C-CE163FD57089,President Trump to Receive Bill to Name Brookhaven Post Office for Fallen Officers,2020-12-04,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  The United States Senate has passed legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Congressman Michael Guest, R-Miss., to name a Brookhaven post office in honor of three local law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The legislation, which U.S. Senator Roger Wicker cosponsored, was approved by unanimous consent late Thursday, clearing it for President Trump's signature. The bill, passed by the House of Representatives on Sept. 14, 2020, designates the U.S. Postal Service facility at 201 West Cherokee Street, Brookhaven, as the Deputy Donald William Durr, Corporal Zach Moak, and Patrolman James White Memorial Post Office Building.
Every single day, our law enforcement officers risk their lives to protect and serve their communities, Wicker said. Renaming the Brookhaven Post Office is a small but fitting tribute to the sacrifices of Deputy Durr, Corporal Moak, and Patrolman White.I hope this renaming will serve as a powerful reminder of all those men and women who wear the badge.
Brookhaven is my home and the loss of these officers continues to break the hearts of so many in our community.Senate passage of our legislation puts us a step closer to ensuring their service is honored and remembered, Hyde-Smith said. I commend Congressman Guest for his good stewardship in getting us to this point.
Mississippi respects our law enforcement officers, and we are grateful for the risk they take on in the line of duty.For this reason, it's important to commemorate those we've lost in remembrance of their sacrifice.It's my hope that our efforts will preserve the memory of Deputy Donald William Durr, Corporal Zach Moak, and Patrolman James White, who demonstrated John 15:13 in their heroism: Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.'I'd like to recognize Senator Hyde-Smith and Senator Wicker for their commitment to honoring these fallen officers, Guest said.
Hyde-Smith and Guest introduced companion bills (S.1182 and HR.2246) in April 2019 to honor the fallen officers.U.S. Senator Roger Wicker cosponsored the Senate measure.
Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff William Durr was killed while responding to a domestic dispute in May 2017.A veteran law enforcement officer, he previously served with the Brookhaven Police Department.
Brookhaven Police Officer James Kevin White and Corporal Walter Zachery Marshall Moak lost their lives in a standoff in September 2018.Moak served with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Department before serving with the Wesson and Brookhaven police departments. In addition to serving as a police officer, White served in Iraq with the Mississippi National Guard where he sustained a serious injury.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FC6260E7-1F78-4179-927F-3AD3C08BD2A7,Miss. Delegation Requests Federal Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Zeta,2020-12-03,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  The Mississippi congressional delegation, which includes U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to approve Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves's request for a major disaster declaration for Hurricane Zeta.
The damage from the October 28 storm has put an additional strain on the state's emergency response capability in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, warranting a federal response. If approved, the disaster declaration would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts.
The delegation letter referenced initial damage reports indicating two confirmed deaths and at least 135 injuries. The state has also reported at least $79 million in damage to public infrastructure and more than $10 million in damage to homes and businesses. Storm surge levels reached eight feet in some counties and spanned the entire Mississippi coastline. More than 200,000 Mississippians reported power outages across 38 counties, and many did not regain power for more than a week. The full text of the delegation letter is below:
Dear President Trump,
In light of the significant damage that resulted from Hurricane Zeta, a Category 2 storm that hit the State of Mississippi on October 28, 2020, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act for individual and public assistance, as well as U.S. Small Business Administration assistance.
We appreciate the continued efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and anticipate expeditious assistance from the agency to support state and local officials in Mississippi who are responding to the devastating effects of Hurricane Zeta and other storms while simultaneously working to mitigate COVID-19 in our state.
As Governor Reeves indicated in his request, current reports indicate that at least 135 people were injured and two Mississippians lost their lives as a result of these storms. Damage also severely devastated local communities, homes, and public infrastructure. Joint Preliminary Damage Assessments found an estimated $79 million in damage to public infrastructure and more than $10 million in damage to homes and businesses.
In addition to damage caused by sustained winds of 104 miles per hour, storm surge levels reached eight feet in some counties and spanned the Mississippi coastline. Over 200,000 Mississippians reported power outages across 38 counties, and many did not regain power for more than a week.
On October 28, 2020, Governor Reeves declared a State of Emergency in Mississippi to assist in the recovery and requested a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration ahead of the storm. Members of the Mississippi delegation also sent a letter in support of Governor Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration. The request was not granted.
State resources are already strained by the ongoing effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the quantity and severity of multiple federally declared disasters this hurricane season, including Hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Sally. In addition, the State continues to support efforts to recover from 10 federally declared disasters that have impacted citizens within all 82 counties in Mississippi during 2020. Without significant additional federal resources, we are concerned that Mississippi may not be able to recover.
We are determined to help Mississippi recover by supporting the affected local communities and the State as they work to rebuild from these devastating weather events.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.
Sincerely,
Roger F. Wicker, United States Senator
Cindy Hyde-Smith, United States Senator
Bennie G. Thompson, Member of Congress
Steven Palazzo, Member of Congress
Trent Kelly, Member of Congress
Michael Guest, Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=02BAFEA9-85FC-4761-9908-8DC60EB9574F,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Celebrate Confirmation of Taylor McNeel to Serve as U.S. District Judge",2020-12-01,2020,2020-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today hailed Senate confirmation of Taylor B. McNeel of Pascagoula to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. McNeel will be the 228th federal judge confirmed to a lifetime appointment by the Senate since President Donald J. Trump took office in January 2017.
Taylor McNeel's academic, judicial, and personal qualifications are beyond reproach, Wicker said. He has distinguished himself as a practitioner of the law and demonstrated that he will interpret the law as written. His extensive experience will serve him well as a federal judge. I am delighted with Mr. McNeel's bipartisan confirmation vote.
I am delighted the Senate has confirmed Taylor McNeel of Pascagoula to be a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi, Hyde-Smith said.Taylor's extensive litigation experience made him a promising and well-qualified candidate for service on the federal judiciary.He is well-prepared to excel as a federal judge, and I am confident Taylor will serve the people of Mississippi with honor and distinction.
McNeel was an Eagle Scout, student body president, and an all-state quarterback in high school and was elected Governor of American Legion Boys State. He graduated cum laude from Ole Miss in 2005, where he was a member of the football team for two seasons and served as senior class president. In 2008, he graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi Law School where he was a member of the Mississippi Law Journal.
McNeel is a partner in the law firm of Brunini, Grantham, Grower, and Hewes, where he heads the Mississippi Gulf Coast office and has led a number of cases before the Mississippi Supreme Court, Mississippi Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
He is an elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula and has served as president of the Harrison County Bar Association. Additionally, McNeel has held several leadership positions in the Mississippi Bar Association.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=ECF1E7FB-D2C2-48B3-8A97-505702BE2156,Wicker Welcomes News of COVID-19 Vaccines,2020-11-30,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Americans received uplifting news recently in our fight against the coronavirus. Two American drug companies, Pfizer and Moderna, announced that their newly developed COVID-19 vaccines were highly successful in late clinical trials and are safe for use. Pfizer's vaccine was 95 percent effective in producing immunity against the virus, and Moderna's vaccine posted a similar success rate of 94.5 percent. These results are the clearest signs yet that Congress's multi-billion dollar investment in vaccines this year is paying off. Americans can be encouraged that victory against this virus may finally be on the horizon.
Vaccine Distribution Should Start by December
As clinical trials reach the finish line, drug companies are going ahead with mass-production of their vaccines so they can be deployed quickly if approved. Moderna, for example, is ramping up production and is ready to begin shipping vaccines immediately once the FDA issues an emergency authorization. Pfizer has set up a massive distribution network and says it can deliver vaccines anywhere in the U.S. within days. Meanwhile, four other drug makers are making steady progress through clinical trials and expect to distribute their vaccines early next year. One of those vaccines, developed by AstraZeneca in England, shows the potential to be 90 percent effective.
The federal government has agreed to purchase hundreds of millions of vaccine doses, which Americans will receive free of charge. States will receive the vaccine in proportion to their population, and state governments will be allowed to prioritize which groups are vaccinated first. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that frontline health care workers and first responders be immunized first, followed by the elderly and those with preexisting conditions. Health experts estimate most Americans will receive the vaccine by June of next year.
Government Harnessed the Power of Private Innovation
Vaccines normally take years to develop, go through clinical trials, receive FDA approval, and become available to the public. These COVID-19 vaccines were produced in record time because of Operation Warp Speed, a public-private partnership devised by the Trump Administration and funded by Congress. In March, Congress passed legislation to invest billions in vaccine research and development, streamline the approval process, and pre-purchase millions of vaccine doses.
As a result of Operation Warp Speed, the U.S. government will own the first 100 million doses of the Moderna vaccine as well as the first 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Officials estimate there will be enough doses to immunize 20 million American adults by the end of 2020, and at least 25 million more each month after that. Vaccinations will be made available at major drug stores, pharmacies, and shopping centers. I am pushing Congress to provide additional funding to help states prepare for and manage vaccine distribution.
These COVID-19 vaccines are a triumph of American ingenuity and scientific genius. They are a testament to what our nation can accomplish when we work together to meet an urgent need. But even as we celebrate, we cannot let our guard down. In recent weeks we have seen a spike in coronavirus cases, with deaths and hospitalizations reaching new highs. Until the vaccines are approved and widely distributed to the general public, we all need to keep taking health precautions to slow the spread of the virus  wearing masks, standing six feet apart, and washing hands frequently. Taking these steps, even with the end in sight, can save lives.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=699DC833-3547-49AE-8839-3CD17536E046,Wicker Marks 400th Anniversary of Mayflower Arrival,2020-11-23,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"On a cold November day in 1620, a small ship appeared off the coast of present-day Massachusetts. The English settlers on board were tired and hungry but grateful to be alive. Their daring voyage across the Atlantic had been rocked by violent storms that damaged and nearly crippled their vessel. As they came ashore, the Pilgrims knelt to thank God for bringing them to dry land. Unfortunately, many would not survive the first winter. But with the help of Native American neighbors, the Pilgrims learned to build a new life on the American continent.
The Pilgrims took this extraordinary risk in pursuit of a better life and the freedom to live out their faith. In the process, they launched a new experiment in self-government. The Mayflower Compact, which the Pilgrims signed upon arrival, achieved a new high-water mark for self-government. This document would eventually bring us government of, by, and for the people secured by the U.S. Constitution. It is just as important as ever that we give thanks for those pioneering Pilgrims who planted the seeds of our freedom 400 years ago this month.
Religious Freedom Is Under Threat
The Pilgrims understood that government has no rightful claim over the human soul. Our Constitution's Bill of Rights enshrined this truth into our system of government by protecting not only freedom of worship, but also the free exercise of religion. This freedom has attracted millions of people to America since our nation's founding.
Unfortunately, religious freedom is increasingly under attack today. Government is trying to force businesses, artists, and even religious groups to do things that violate their religious beliefs. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that will determine whether a Christian adoption provider can continue operating according to its sincerely held religious beliefs. These are troubling developments. These cases highlight the importance of having faithful judges and justices in our federal courts who will defend our constitutional freedoms. The Senate has made historic progress on this front, confirming more than 220 of President Trump's judicial nominees to lifetime appointments.
Churches Singled Out in COVID-19 Restrictions
During the coronavirus pandemic, many churches in Mississippi and across the nation have felt that government restrictions on worship services have gone too far. One of those churches, Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., sued the District's mayor for prohibiting them from gathering as a church body while allowing other groups, such as protesters, to congregate. I led a group of 34 U.S. senators in writing a legal brief to the court in support of the church. A federal judge ruled in favor of the church, and they are now allowed to meet, albeit outside, within the District of Columbia. This ruling sent an important signal to officials across the country that the pandemic cannot be used to discriminate against people of faith.
I am also concerned about encroachments on religious freedom in the military. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have fought to preserve the right of chaplains and others in uniform to live by their religious convictions despite political pressure. It is essential that religious freedom protect views and beliefs that may be unpopular.
The freedoms we have inherited are always being tested under new circumstances. I am committed to making sure that religious freedom weathers this pandemic and other cultural changes. In defending our first freedom, we honor the legacy of our Pilgrim forbearers and protect an American birthright for future generations.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=95E71D93-1DFA-444D-91A1-CE93EB5DEDE8,Wicker Urges Senate to Pass Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act,2020-11-20,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., praised House leaders for passing the bipartisan Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act (H.R. 5408) led by Representatives Joe Wilson, R-S.C., and Emanuel Cleaver II, D-M.O. Senator Wicker and Senator Shaheen, D-N.H., led the companion bill in the Senate (S. 3064) along with eight other senators.
This vote in the House is a major step forward for international religious freedom and for the rule of law, Wicker said. Russia's government should be held accountable for brutal crackdowns on people of faith by the forces and illegal aggressors that it commands in Ukraine's territories. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass this bill and hold the Kremlin accountable for these vicious abuses.
The Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act would require the President of the United States to consider particularly severe abuses of religious freedom such as torture, prolonged detention without charges, abduction, and killings in Russian-occupied or otherwise controlled territory when determining whether to designate Russia as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for such abuses.
The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 requires the President to designate CPCs when their governments engage in or tolerate particularly severe abuses of religious freedom in their countries. The Ukraine Religious Freedom Support Act ensures that the President can also hold Russian officials accountable for abuses in Ukrainian territory they illegally occupy or control, not just for abuses inside Russia's internationally recognized borders.
Russian forces invaded Crimea in southern Ukraine in February 2014 and continue to occupy it illegally in an attempt to annex it. The Russian government has also established control over parts of the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine through armed groups and illegal entities it created, commands, and supports. Under the binding laws of war, Russia is responsible for religious freedom abuses in these territories. The International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 requires the President to ban responsible officials from entering or remaining in the United States and to take one or more of 15 specific actions, or comparable actions, against CPCs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=26060291-B8EF-4650-8189-98AB230678CA,"Wicker Recognizes Asya Branch, Miss USA 2020",2020-11-19,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., took to the Senate floor torecognize and congratulate Mississippi resident Asya Branch, who was recently crowned Miss USA 2020. In 2019, she became the first African American woman to win Miss Mississippi USA and is now the first Mississippi state titleholder to win the Miss USA crown. In 2018, she won the title of Miss Mississippi under the Miss America Organization. She is only the seventh person to hold both state titles.
It gives me great pleasure to rise this afternoon to commend an outstanding young American Miss Asya Branch, Wicker said. She has gained wide recognition because she is beautiful, well-spoken, and she's a gifted vocalist, but also there is a serious part of her platform  and a serious personal story of Asya's in overcoming adversity She speaks openly about her father's 10 years in the state prison, resulting in his absence for much of her upbringing. That difficult period shaped who Asya Branch is and gave her strength and a unique perspective on incarceration.
In his remarks, Wicker shared how Branch has devoted her time to her platform, which includes criminal justice reform and support for children who have incarcerated parents.
During her year as Miss Mississippi, she was part of a White House roundtable where she discussed criminal justice reform, prison reform, and the First Step Act with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, and other lawmakers.
Branch plans to continue advocating for criminal justice and prison reform throughout her year as Miss USA. She will represent the United States at the Miss Universe Pageant in 2021.
She's made Mississippi proud. I think she's going to make the United States proud as she moves forward next year to the Miss Universe pageant, where I'm sure she'll do well. I encourage all Americans to root for her next year as we will certainly be doing at my house, Wicker concluded.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B74FB4ED-F6D4-43A7-B170-81EE3A3FF62E,Wicker Gives Thanks to Americas Veterans,2020-11-18,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  In advance of the Thanksgiving holiday, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today took to the Senate floor to recognize and give thanks to America's veterans.
One of the things that we are most thankful about in this nation is the service of our veterans who have stepped forward in uniform to give us the free country that we enjoy today It is a proud recognition that we make as members of Congress to take care that the promises we made to armed services members that have stepped forward, donned the uniform, and then gone on to other service, that those promises are kept Members of the Senate are working hard today to make our National Defense Authorization Act a reality again for the 60th straight year and to serve those veterans and future veterans who have done so much to make our country free, Wicker said.
Wicker's remarks follow a column he wrote for Veterans Day outlining progress Congress has made in supporting veterans and their families.
Wicker cited efforts to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by passing laws like the VA MISSION Act and the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. These laws have reduced wait times, expanded access to telemedicine and private care, and allowed the VA to fire employees for poor performance.
The Senate recently passed legislation authored by Wicker and Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., that would designate September 30 as National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day in response to the troubling rise in veteran suicides during the coronavirus pandemic.
Wicker has also sponsored legislation that would provide compensation to veterans who were forced to retire early because of disabilities.
Wicker, who is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, is the son of a World War II veteran and the father of an Air Force officer.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FE966612-D63D-44A6-AB86-50FE26E388A8,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Celebrate Senate Confirmation of Kristi Johnson to be U.S. District Judge",2020-11-17,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today hailed Senate confirmation of Kristi H. Johnson of Brandon to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Mississippi. Johnson, who will be the first female jurist for the Southern District of Mississippi, is a native of Hurley and served most recently as the first Solicitor General of Mississippi.
Kristi Johnson's confirmation is good news for Mississippi and the United States as a whole, Wicker said. She has a unique record of accomplishment as a public servant, a private attorney, a scholar, and a professor. She will make a great judge, and I know Mississippians will join me in congratulating her on this accomplishment.
I am thrilled the Senate has confirmed Kristi Johnson to be a U.S. District Judge. She is well-prepared and well-equipped to take her seat on the federal bench, and I'm proud she is making history to be the first woman judge to serve in the Southern District, Hyde-Smith said. I am confident that she will serve Mississippi and our nation with distinction as she upholds the Constitution and the rule of law.
Johnson is the 223rd federal judge to be confirmed to a lifetime appointment by the Senate since President Donald J. Trump took office in January 2017.
Johnson earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and a law degree from Mississippi College, where she graduated summa cum laude and served as executive editor of the Mississippi College Law Review. She served as a law clerk for the Honorable Sharion Aycock with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi and for the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Johnson has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Mississippi, an adjunct professor at Mississippi College, and as Treasurer and Secretary of the Mississippi Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=D3DDD401-A034-472C-8E31-180AB90225F7,Wicker: Senate Resumes Work on Major Priorities,2020-11-16,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"With less than two months remaining in the 116th Congress, the Senate is working to complete several important priorities for Mississippi and the nation. These include an annual military authorization bill and funding for the federal government. We are continuing to confirm Trump-nominated judges to lifetime appointments on the federal bench. And the Commerce Committee, which I chair, is finalizing several important bills that I hope will be considered by the full Senate before January.
Funding the Federal Government
House and Senate leaders are negotiating a final version of the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual bill that funds our military. This year's legislation would fund the construction of several new ships, which would strengthen our naval fleet and keep Mississippi's shipbuilders busy. As this bill comes together, I am pushing for additional measures to protect our defense industrial base and provide certainty to military suppliers. We cannot let the pandemic jeopardize our national security.
Congress will also need to fund the federal government into the new year. Government funding is set to expire on December 11, and I hope congressional leaders can reach a long-term agreement. In the future, Congress needs to get back to the practice of passing individual appropriations bills on time. Threats of government shutdowns, short-term bills to continue funding at current levels, and massive last-minute agreements have become the norm in recent years. Getting back to regular order would result in smarter policies, benefit our national security, and protect taxpayers.
Commerce Committee Advances Key Bills
As chairman of the Commerce Committee, I am working to bring several important bills to completion. One of those bills is NASA reauthorization. This legislation would advance NASA's deep space exploration program and maintain the Stennis Space Center as the world's premier rocket testing facility. We are also moving legislation to speed up broadband deployment in rural areas. We have approved substantial funding for the Coast Guard, which is vital to protecting American commerce at sea.
Another important question before the committee is what to do about the growing number of states that now allow college athletes to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness. The various state laws have created a patchwork of different rules that could put some student athletes at a disadvantage and give some schools an unfair recruiting edge. I will soon introduce legislation to set national standards for college athletes who earn money through private contracts and endorsements. This legislation is needed to ensure a level playing field across the country for all college athletes and prevent corruption in college athletics.
Confirming President Trump's Nominees
In the last four years, the Senate has made historic progress in confirming more than 220 of President Trump's judicial nominees. That number is set to expand as the Senate takes up new nominations in the final weeks of this Congress. Two of the President's nominees  Kristi Johnson and Taylor McNeel  are Mississippi natives who have been selected to serve on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. Both individuals bring impressive records of experience and a conservative judicial philosophy. I believe they will serve our nation well for many years to come.
The final weeks of the legislative calendar are always busy, and this year is no exception. I am confident we can use this time to yield lasting benefits for the American people.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=7B5C94C6-FE12-4262-A0BA-FC73302F8B30,Wicker Honors Americas Veterans,2020-11-09,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Each year on November 11, our nation honors those who have served in the U.S. military. We show our appreciation through parades, ceremonies, and simple words of thanks. The opportunity to cast ballots in the recent election is one reason to be thankful for those who have defended our freedoms. As we continue to deal with the coronavirus, Veterans Day celebrations may look different from previous years, but our gratitude for our veterans has not changed.
Not long ago, I was privileged to help a family recognize their father, a World War II veteran, with a Bronze Star Medal on his 100th birthday. This man, Bill Allen, served as an Army platoon leader in Europe and fought courageously under enemy fire. When his family contacted my office earlier this year, my staff and I assisted with their application, and he received the medal in a surprise ceremony in Ridgeland. Mr. Allen and veterans like him deserve our praise and recognition.
Keeping Promises to Our Veterans
One of my top priorities in Congress has been improving the quality of life for our veterans. This has come into focus recently as many of our nation's retirement homes, including the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, have grappled with the coronavirus. I am determined to make sure federally-run retirement homes have the resources needed to keep our retired veterans safe.
I have also worked to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs, which for years failed to provide veterans with the care and respect they deserve. I supported the VA MISSION Act to improve health care access for our veterans. This law has reduced wait times by cutting red tape and removing restrictions on telemedicine and private care. I also supported the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, which allows the VA to fire employees for bad performance. More recently, I have supported bills to boost benefits for World War II veterans, expand mental health services for all veterans, and provide compensation to veterans who were forced to retire early because of disabilities.
I have been deeply concerned about the growing number of suicides among veterans and service members, which have continued to spike during the pandemic. In 2015, I wrote a law requiring service members to receive yearly mental health screenings, providing early help for at-risk individuals. And this year I led a bipartisan effort with Sen. Tim Kaine to designate September 30 as National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day. We need to raise awareness about the invisible wounds suffered by our veterans.
Supporting Military Families
We also have an obligation to meet the practical needs of military families. This year, I helped write the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which the Senate passed for the 60th year in a row. This legislation, which awaits action by a House-Senate conference committee, would give a three percent pay raise to our troops, expand services for military children with special needs, and make it easier for military spouses to gain employment in licensed professions. I also support the military's decision to create a bill of rights for those living in military housing. Military families, like those experiencing mold problems at Keesler Air Force Base, should benefit from this new policy.
I will always work to put our veterans and military families first. As an Air Force veteran, the son of a World War II veteran, and the father of an Air Force officer, I appreciate the sacrifices our service members make to keep us safe. As we approach Veterans Day, I join all Mississippians in thanking our veterans for their service.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-october-2020-edition,Thompson Report October 2020 Edition,2020-11-06,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MS,Bennie Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Welcome...  
	To The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.  
	Spread the word and share this newsletter. Click here to read the newsletter.  
	Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5AF7F45B-B1C1-4C7B-A1F3-3232F4D7A0F1,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Palazzo, Kelly, Guest Call for Transparency and Accountability in 2020 Election Count",2020-11-06,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss, Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the 2020 election:
Americans should have confidence in our voting system and that all ballots have been submitted correctly and legally. This is precisely what President Trump and his legal team are seeking.
Any allegations of voting irregularities, including ballot tampering or voting by ineligible persons, should be investigated and adjudicated to the fullest extent of the law.
It is essential to our democracy and the integrity of our elections that this process be allowed to play out in full view of the American people, and that election observers from both sides of the aisle be allowed to participate.
Neither the media nor states should rush to declare a winner in closely contested states until all legally-cast ballots have been counted and all legal challenges and required recounts have been resolved.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=10861BDB-3F0E-477A-BF5B-6879A587A674,Mississippi HBCUs Support Reaching Americas Rural Minority Businesses Act,2020-11-05,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  Last week, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., introduced the Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act of 2020 (S.4873), which would authorize the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) within the Department of Commerce to establish up to 10 business centers at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to serve rural and underserved communities. MBDA's existing Minority Business Centers are concentrated in select urban areas in 18 states, leaving vast swaths of the country without easy access to MBDA's services.
Wicker's legislation was praised by all of Mississippi's HBCUs, including Alcorn State University, Coahoma Community College, Hinds Community College-Utica, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College, and Tougaloo College.
Here is what they are saying:
Alcorn State University  As America's most-rural HBCU land-grant, Alcorn State University and our surrounding communities would greatly benefit from the establishment of a business development center focused on helping rural, minority entrepreneurs. Recent reports indicate small businesses in rural communities of color experience unequal access to federal assistance, yet thrive when provided more tailored support, education and outreach. Alcorn fully supports the distinct opportunity this legislation presents to address longstanding challenges for rural, minority-owned businesses. The Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act firmly aligns with our robust mission to successfully prepare a well-rounded community of high character leaders for the the 21st century global marketplace, said Dr. Felecia M. Nave, President.
Coahoma Community College  Coahoma Community College is excited to learn of your efforts to create rural Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) business centers so that Mississippi small businesses can position themselves to receive assistance that has been previously limited to businesses located in nonrural areas. As an HBCU in the Mississippi Delta, we anticipate opportunities that will come from the Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act to serve small businesses in our surrounding communities. We fully support the efforts of Senator Roger Wicker, said Dr. Valmadge T. Towner, President.
Hinds Community College  Utica - Hinds Community College is extremely excited about the Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act, specifically the potential allocation of resources through the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) to support economic development of minority businesses in rural America. The Utica Campus of Hinds CC, a dedicated HBCU, would certainly realize a deeper impact on community and workforce development through the establishment of a dedicated business center to work directly with minority students and community members, especially small business owners. These minority entrepreneurs and leaders in rural Mississippi, particularly within the African-American community, are poised to create opportunities for better lives for our citizens  all that is needed is the training and technical support that the community college can deliver, said Dr. Stephen Vacik, President.
Jackson State University  This Act means that Jackson State University will now have the resources to make systemic changes for our local communities. The creation of Rural MBDA Minority Business Centers and the funding provided allow us to help rural minority businesses by improving pathways for global competition, uncovering new streams of commerce that are forthcoming in the import/export business, both interstate and globallyThis is also a significant opportunity for our institutions to continue producing tomorrow's business leaders who are critical thinkers that address societal issues effectively, said Thomas K. Hudson, J.D., Acting President.
Mississippi Valley State University - We are pleased with the added resources and incentives that the Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act will bring to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) like Mississippi Valley State University. This legislation is designed to utilize HBCUs as a vehicle to help foster entrepreneurship among rural minority populations and will position us to better serve our respective communities, said Dr. Jerryl Briggs, President.
Rust College  As the President of an HBCU located in a rural community, I am aware first-hand of the challenges that exist for minority owned businesses in this area. These challenges, and the lack of resources for overcoming these challenges have become more apparent as many businesses fight to survive during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Establishing rural-focused business centers at HBCUs, through partnership with the MBDA, would provide opportunities for our institutions to serve as hubs for collaboration while sharing MBDA resources, our expertise, connections, and innovative ideas with the surrounding community, said Dr. Ivy R. Taylor, President.
Tougaloo College  We are excited about the potential resources and training provided by Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act (RARMBA). Through this initiative, Tougaloo College and other HBCUs will have the ability to prepare its graduates and local communities to be productive in their time and lead the change for a better world. Partnerships between the Minority Business Development Agency and HBCUs would facilitate long-term economic growth in rural communities across Mississippi, said Dr. Carmen J. Walters, President.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-2345000-awarded-mississippi-second-congressional,"Congressman Thompson Announced $2,345,000 awarded to Mississippi Second Congressional District Business",2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Democrat,Senate,MS,Bennie Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI  Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development has awarded $2,345,000 in funds through the Business and Industry Loan Guarantee Program to Grande Delta Corporation located in Isola, Mississippi. 

This Rural Development loan guarantee investment will be used to purchase manufacturing equipment to produce healthy chips produced from catfish skins which will be provided by Consolidated Catfish.

For more information contact Lawrence Johnson at 415-380-8932.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=6F290443-0140-4687-817A-F1522B941287,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Announce $1.8M in Support for Mississippi Delta Health Care",2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today praised the award of $1,803,058 for two healthcare training and workforce development projects in the Mississippi Delta. The Delta Health Care Services Program grants will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development.
The University of Mississippi's ALERT Program and Mississippi State University's Delta BroadReach Healthcare project will help to expand high quality health care training and workforce development across the entire Mississippi Delta, Wicker said. I appreciate USDA Rural Development and the Trump administration for continuing to invest in programs that will improve quality of care and patient safety for Mississippians.
These grants will apply the expertise of UMMC and Mississippi State to address healthcare disparities in the Delta and improve services overall. I'm excited that USDA Rural Development is investing in projects to implement training and best practices to affect healthcare in our state, Hyde-Smith said.
The USDA Rural Development grants for Mississippi will support the following projects:
 
University of Mississippi Medical Center - $1,000,000 to help create the Advancing Local Emergency Responder Training (ALERT) program, which will provide a wide range of low to no-cost medical education classes and emergency response training programs throughout the entire Mississippi Delta Region.
Mississippi State University - $803,058 to help establish the Delta BroadReach Healthcare project, which will train healthcare professionals, telehealth providers, and entry-level EMTs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=F493EC7E-1422-49CD-9163-8127104DCB73,Wicker Convenes Tech CEOs to Discuss Online Censorship,2020-11-02,2020,2020-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"This past week, I convened the CEOs of Facebook, Twitter, and Google for an important hearing addressing censorship and political bias on their platforms. These companies control the vast flow of news and information online and have faced growing criticism for restricting conservative voices and the free spread of information. The hearing, which I chaired in the Senate Commerce Committee, gave senators the opportunity to challenge these executives on their content moderation practices and discuss what reforms are needed to bring accountability to this powerful industry.
Much of our discussion centered on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which Congress passed in 1996. Section 230 protects online platforms from liability in removing content they find objectionable. These protections have been pivotal in shielding tech companies from potentially ruinous lawsuits and promoting the growth of the internet. But they have also given Big Tech free reign to censor content as they see fit without facing consequences for their actions. Their decision-making processes remain largely hidden, and users have few options when they are censored or restricted.
Big Tech's Double Standard
During the hearing, I pressed the witnesses for answers about the recent suppression of a news story involving Joe Biden and his son Hunter. On October 15, the New York Post published a story that included damaging allegations against the former Vice President, who is now the Democrat nominee for President. Almost immediately after publication, Facebook and Twitter took steps to block or limit access to the story. Facebook suppressed the story's distribution pending a third-party fact check. Twitter went further and blocked all users from sharing the content. It even locked the Post's account, claiming the story included hacked materials and was potentially harmful.
The CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, admitted in our hearing that his company had made a mistake. Both he and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said they have no evidence that the story came from Russian disinformation. Even so, the Post's Twitter account remained locked when we held the hearing almost two weeks after the fact.
It is worth noting that Twitter and Facebook have not been consistent in censoring illegally obtained materials. For example, when the President's tax returns were leaked without his permission in September, neither company acted to restrict access to the information. Similarly, social media companies have allowed the now-discredited Steele dossier to be shared widely without fact-checking or disclaimers. And Twitter routinely allows foreign dictators, such as Iran's Ayatollah, to post anti-Semitic and threatening tweets, which Mr. Dorsey dismissed as mere saber rattling.
This double standard would be appalling under normal circumstances, but selectively censoring the New York Post story during an election cycle is beyond the pale. It is no wonder many conservatives accuse tech companies of hypocrisy and election interference.
Time to Reform Section 230
In the 24 years since Congress passed Section 230, tech companies have become enormously powerful. I am concerned that they have become unchecked referees determining what is true and what information Americans can access. The time is ripe to revisit Section 230
With this goal in mind, I recently introduced the Online Freedom and Viewpoint Diversity Act to clarify Section 230 and make the law less prone to abuse. This legislation would place a check on powerful tech giants while still preserving the core aspects of Section 230 that have allowed the tech industry to thrive and innovate. Congress needs to strike a reasonable balance, but it is clear that tech companies should no longer receive a free pass for acts of political bias.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=0C220D03-3333-4985-9DA0-3C56B767DD3E,Mississippi Delegation Supports Governors Request for Disaster Declaration in Advance of Hurricane Zeta,2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to approve Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration in advance of Hurricane Zeta. The storm is expected to have a severe impact on the southeastern portion of Mississippi, including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes.
In their letter, the lawmakers note that under a federal emergency declaration the Federal Emergency Management Agency would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures and direct federal assistance for 13 Mississippi counties, including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson.
See the full text of the letter below:
Dear President Trump,
In anticipation of landfall of Hurricane Zeta, we request your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves's request for a Pre-Landfall Disaster Declaration under Section 501 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Under the requested federal emergency declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be authorized to provide emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding for thirteen Mississippi counties including Clarke, Jones, Wayne, Lamar, Forrest, Perry, Greene, Pearl River, Stone, George, Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson.
As noted in the Governor's request, Mississippi is forecasted to face devastating impacts in the southeast portion of the State including heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and possible tornadoes.
This declaration would provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.
Sincerely,

Roger F. Wicker
United States Senator

Cindy Hyde-Smith
United States Senator

Steven M. Palazzo
Member of Congress

Michael Guest
Member of Congress",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=752123FB-4890-4AF1-936C-6969BC18A4E4,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Welcome $25.9M for Water & Wastewater Upgrades in Rural Miss.",2020-10-28,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., todaywelcomed the award of more than $25.9 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funding to improve water and wastewater systems in 10 rural Mississippi communities.
The funding for several communities and rural water associations is provided through the USDA Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program. The total $25,980,300 award consists of $23,677,300 in low-interest loans and $2,303,000 in grants.
Safe water and strong public utilities are essential to the health and wellbeing of our communities,Wickersaid. This additional USDA funding will support much-needed upgrades to public water and wastewater infrastructure across our state.
The delivery of reliable water and wastewater service requires consistent maintenance and upgrades, which can be challenging for rural communities. Congress appropriates funding to support these USDA loans and grants to ensure rural residents, like so many in Mississippi, can receive those basic utilities, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.
The Water and Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program is focused on eligible rural populations of 10,000 or less. It provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses.
The following loan and grant awards are going to Mississippi:
 
South Central Water Association, Inc., Terry  $13,904,000 loan to support drilling a 3,000-gallon-per-minute (GPM) well. The project also includes an elevated tank, distribution improvements, and construction of a shop.
Hermanville Community Water Association Inc., Hermanville  $128,000 loan and $383,000 grant to support upgrading water lines, installing automatic meter-reading systems, replacing all water meters, and installing a backup generator. Funds will also support installing automatic transfer switches at well sites, replacing chlorination equipment, and installing a new supervisory control and data acquisition and system.
Young's Water and Sewer District, Inc., Coffeeville  $490,000 loan and $268,000 grant to support installing a 150 GPM well to replace an old well, which was near maximum capacity and beyond its useful life.
Delta City Utility District #2, Delta City  $73,000 loan and $208,000 grant to support installing approximately 44,000 linear feet of water main pipes and upgrading the distribution system to serve new residents and resolve low water pressure issues throughout the system.
Hurricane Creek Water Association, Inc., Abbeville  $396,000 loan and $984,000 grant to support construction of two water supply wells and a water treatment plant.
City of Nettleton  $1,330,000 loan to support replacing the original water distribution lines built in 1935 with a system that incorporate erosion control, hydrants, service reconnections, and other improvements.
City of Columbia  $3,886,300 loan to support installing a new gravity sewer main, new sewer manholes, a triplex sanitary sewer pumping stations. The project also includes rehabilitation of three sanitary sewer lift stations and construction of new water main and waterworks operation building.
Sebastopol Water Association, Sebastopol  $2,740,000 loan to support drilling a 500 GPM well, a 380,000-gallon elevated tank, a 435,000-gallon ground storage tank, and distribution improvements.
Green Acres Water Association, Inc., Clarksdale  $352,000 loan to support installing new eight-inch sanitary sewer lines and new service connections on the existing sanitary sewer collection system in the Lane Acres Subdivision.
East Chickasaw Water Association, Inc., Okolona  $378,000 loan and $460,000 grant to support drilling a new well at a new site near Highway 32 to alleviate existing pressure and supply issues in the western portion of the system.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4BF2DF53-450D-4722-8090-CB06F62E022E,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Announce $9.3M in Support for Mississippi Communities",2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today praised the award of $9,317,500 for 41 community improvement projects in Mississippi. The Community Facilities Program grants will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development.
These targeted investments from theUSDARural Development program will help fund much needed equipment in communities across our state, Wicker said. The projects will enhance quality of life and improve safety for thousands of Mississippians.
These USDA Rural Development grants will help fulfill the need for vehicles, equipment, and projects required by small, rural communities to better serve their residents.These federal resources are backed with local funding, which makes these projects a welcomed collaborative effort, said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.
The USDA Rural Development grants for Mississippi will support the following projects:
 
City of Holly Springs, Marshall County - $6,378,300 to replace 28.38 miles of cast iron pipe with 60 psig maximum allowable operating pressure pipe.
Union County - $700,000 to help upgrade the current 911 system.
City of Port Gibson, Claiborne County - $629,500 to help fund construction of a new law enforcement facility.
Grenada County Board of Supervisors, Grenada County  $455,400 to help purchase law enforcement vehicles, patrol vehicles, a tractor, rotary cutter, a dump truck, a compact track loader, a tractor mower, a cab, a cassis truck, a backhoe loader, and a track type tractor.
Mississippi Main Street Association, Inc., Hinds County - $150,000 to help provide technical assistance and training. 
Prentiss County Board of Supervisors, Prentiss County - $100,000 to help purchase two new fire trucks.
City of Louisville, Winston County - $50,000 to help purchase a patrol vehicle, mini excavator, and chipper; and a second $29,800 grant to help with improvements to facilities.
Town of Tishomingo, Tishomingo County - $50,000 to help purchase a sewer jetter and a second $30,200 grant to help purchase a tractor.
Carroll County Board of Supervisors, Carroll County - $50,000 to help purchase a large truck and a second $27,800 grant to help purchase a mini excavator.
City of Calhoun City, Calhoun County - $36,300 to help purchase an excavator for the public works department and a second $27,700 grant to help purchase two trucks for public work.
Webster County Board of Supervisors, Webster County - $50,000 to help purchase a vehicle for the Sheriff's Department.
Coahoma County Board of Supervisors, Coahoma County - $50,000 to help purchase patrol cars.
City of Kosciusko, Attala County - $49,900 to help purchase patrol cars.
Town of Friars Point, Coahoma County - $46,900 to help with improvements to facilities.
Town of De Kalb, Kemper County - $44,600 to help purchase a bush hog, excavator, and mower.
Town of Brooksville, Noxubee County - $43,500 to help purchase a pickup truck and chipper.
Wayne General Hospital, Wayne County - $42,000 to help purchase a portable x-ray system.
Town of Sumner, Tallahatchie County - $39,700 to help purchase a law enforcement vehicle.
Town of Derma, Calhoun County - $37,400 to help purchase a new Jaws of Life.
Town of Kilmichael, Montgomery County - $34,000 to help purchase a new dump truck.
City of Water Valley, Yalobusha County - $30,500 to help purchase a warning siren.
East Mississippi Community College, Kemper County - $28,600 to help purchase a patrol car.
Town of Myrtle, Union County - $26,600 to help purchase a patrol car and a second $21,300 grant to help purchase a public works vehicle.
Jefferson Davis Board of Supervisors, Jefferson Davis County - $21,800 to help purchase a new fingerprint machine, pepper spray guns, and portable radios for the Sheriff's Department.
Town of Artesia, Lowndes County - $19,500 to help purchase a warning sign.
Town of Tutwiler, Tallahatchie County - $16,200 to help purchase a debris removal truck.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E49A8FE2-FBF1-4399-872D-6915AE816CB3,"Wicker, Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Minority Business Support to Rural Areas",2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., along with U.S. Senators Tim Scott, R-S.C., Chris Coons, D-Del, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., introduced the Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act of 2020 (S.4873) which would authorize the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) within the Department of Commerce to establish up to 10 business centers at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to serve rural and underserved communities. MBDA's existing Minority Business Centers are concentrated in select urban areas in 18 states, leaving vast swaths of the country without easy access to MBDA's services.
The Minority Business Development Agency has been a lifeline for many minority business owners and entrepreneurs seeking to start and grow their businesses, Senator Wicker said. This bill would help extend these resources to more of rural America, leveraging the expertise and innovation of our nation's historically black colleges and universities. I am glad to work alongside Senators Tim Kaine, Tim Scott, Chris Coons, and Thom Tillis to help make this expansion possible.
MBDA centers have long been integral in supporting minority-owned businesses, but many rural businesses face challenges tapping into these federal resources, Senator Kaine said. This difficulty is particularly devastating amid the ongoing economic crisis brought on by COVID-19. By combining the talent and expertise of HBCUs and MBDA centers, this bill will offer vital means for rural minority-owned businesses, helping them thrive and expand.
As a former business owner, I find it crucial that we deploy resources to our young people  especially in minority communities  to ensure that they have access to opportunity, said Senator Scott. I am proud to help draft and cosponsor the Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act, and I look forward to seeing more minority-owned businesses across the nation.
It's urgent that Congress deliver comprehensive relief to small businesses struggling to survive the pandemic, but we must also ensure that ongoing recovery efforts reach underserved communities, Senator Coons said. This new bill would allow the Minority Business Development Agency to utilize the reach and relationships of HBCUs like Delaware State University to deliver the tools for growth to minority-owned small businesses. This is one of many ways we can prioritize equity and access as we chart the economic recovery.
This bipartisan legislation is a big win for rural and underserved communities in North Carolina, said Senator Tillis. North Carolina's HBCUs have the potential to become education, support, and training hubs for the rural minority businesses in the communities they support, and this legislation makes long-term future success possible for so many businesses and is a great way to focus on each individual need. I am proud to have worked on a bipartisan basis to introduce this legislation and applaud the administration for their continued investment in North Carolina's HBCUs and our rural communities.
The legislation would authorize $10 million a year for the creation of up to 10 rural business centers at HBCUs. Eligible institutions would not have to be located in a rural area, but would need to demonstrate how they would serve a rural or underserved minority population.
HBCUs would also be able to form a consortium with other HBCUs or institutions of higher learning, which would strengthen the capacity of an established center and broaden its outreach.
The rural business centers would provide education, training, and technical assistance to rural minority businesses. Specifically, the centers would assist with:
 
Adoption of broadband internet service, digital literacy, and e-commerce;
Promoting manufacturing in the United States;
Meeting gaps in the supply chain of critical supplies and essential goods and services;
Improving transportation and logistics;
Promoting trade and export opportunities; and
Facilitating entrepreneurship in rural areas.
 
In Mississippi, the legislation has been endorsed by all of the state's HBCUs, including Alcorn State University, Coahoma Community College, Hinds Community College-Utica, Jackson State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Rust College, and Tougaloo College.
Click here to read a one-page summary of the legislation.
Click here to read the full bill text.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=FB027FBC-A48C-4155-91D4-A23FBBE72753,Wicker Receives Guardian of Small Business Award,2020-10-27,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., received the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business award. The award is given to members of Congress who achieve a record of 70 percent or more on the NFIB scorecard, which includes votes on key legislative issues for America's small businesses.
Small businesses drive job creation and economic growth in our country, Wicker said. As our nation recovers from the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic, I will continue to support pro-growth policies that allow small businesses to thrive.
Wicker has been a strong supporter of the Paycheck Protection Program that has allowed more small businesses to access critical relief funds for their employees. The program was authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economy Security (CARES) Act.
Wicker has also led legislation to establish a $120 billion revitalization fund to help independent restaurants deal with the long-term structural challenges facing the industry because of COVID-19. In whole, the recovery fund provided by the RESTAURANTS Act would generate at least $183 billion in primary benefits and $65 billion in secondary benefits.
The NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award is awarded to lawmakers who small businesses can truly count on, said Kevin Kuhlman, NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations. These Members of the U.S. Senate are dedicated supporters of the key issues that our members are concerned about and have proven themselves to be real champions for small business. Our policy positions are driven by our members, and we report NFIB Key Votes back to our membership. We are proud to recognize the Senators from the 116th Congress who earned this distinction by taking pro-small business votes supporting financial assistance programs and opposing increased labor costs. Small business owners across the country need their support now more than ever during these unprecedented times, and we are grateful to these lawmakers for their leadership.
For more information on the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Awards, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=61E3C075-3E7A-4564-A644-9E13C4F7AD06,Wicker Votes to Confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement after voting to confirm Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court:
I have never seen a more talented, more articulate nominee for the United States Supreme Court than I have in this new justice, Amy Coney Barrett.
I think she will make us all proud. We have no idea the specific decisions that she will make, but I do know she was taught under the guidance of Justice Scalia, one of the great heroes of the Supreme Court. I think she will interpret the law as it is written by the legislative branch, and I think she will interpret the Constitution as it was written by our Founding Fathers.
This is a very significant day. I could not be more delighted in the outcome, and I give my best wishes to Justice Barrett.
Justice Barrett is the third justice to be confirmed to the Supreme Court during President Donald J. Trump's presidency.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=FCB76183-509D-43A2-A1E1-5B228F078E50,Wicker Welcomes Plan to Expand Navy,2020-10-26,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper announced a plan to equip the U.S. Navy with the ships we need to stay competitive with China and other adversaries. As a longtime advocate for a bigger Navy, I was delighted with the goals he outlined. His proposal calls for 500 manned and unmanned ships by the year 2045. This goal builds on the progress we have made since Congress passed my legislation in 2017 requiring 355 ships as soon as practicable. The Navy's newest ships will carry improved missile and sensor technology, cost less to build and maintain, and require fewer sailors to operate.
Most encouragingly, Secretary Esper began a department-wide effort to find savings to put toward these ships. He is asking Congress for as much as an 18 percent boost to the Navy's shipbuilding budget. This would bring spending on ships to a level not seen since President Ronald Reagan. I wholeheartedly welcome this funding goal, but the details of how the money is spent will be critical. I look forward to working with the Navy to ensure we purchase the right combination of ships, including those built in Mississippi.
Military Should Invest in Proven Technologies
Our future fleet needs to rely on proven technology. New unmanned ships show great promise, but they have a long way to go before they are battle-ready. A shift to these new technologies too quickly could result in production delays and higher costs. They should be integrated carefully and gradually and should not displace the tried and true core of our naval fleet.
Mississippi shipbuilders have led the nation in building these ships, which include guided missile destroyers and amphibious warships. I am working to ensure these vessels remain a core priority in future Navy purchases.
With a larger fleet, the Navy will also need expanded maintenance capacities. The Navy already faces significant maintenance delays, which pose a danger to sailors and result in fewer ships being deployed. Because of delays, the Navy requires a minimum of 11 aircraft carriers to keep just three carriers active at all times. I hope the Navy considers options to reduce the maintenance backlog, such as bundling ship maintenance contracts and working with industry to establish clear expectations for work.
Strengthening Our Industrial Base
To reach the Secretary's 500-ship goal, we will also need a strong and stable industrial base. I have worked for years to deliver more resources to our shipyards, but there is more progress to be made. The Department of Defense and Congress need to give shipbuilders earlier notice on contracts and guarantee production rates for major classes of ships, such as destroyers and aircraft carriers. Military leaders should make more use of block buys to purchase several ships at a time. These changes would allow shipyards to save money, reduce the time it takes to build ships, and keep more workers on the payroll.
Although we are now entering an economic recovery, COVID-19 continues to have a disruptive effect on businesses  including defense manufacturers. These businesses face production delays and financial uncertainty, threatening our economy as well as our national security. I have proposed new relief to help these manufacturers retain their workforce, which I hope the Senate will pass as part of a larger relief package. We cannot overlook this vital sector of our economy as we work toward a nationwide recovery.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5D9EB464-77FA-44A1-97D8-212B90AE72E7,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Celebrate Committee Approval of Mississippi Nominees for District Court",2020-10-22,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today hailed committee approval of the nomination of Kristi H. Johnson of Brandon and Taylor B. McNeel of Pascagoula to serve as U.S. District Judges for the Southern District of Mississippi. The Senate Judiciary Committee approval clears their nominations for consideration by the full Senate. The Committee also advanced the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.
Kristi Johnson and Taylor McNeel are outstanding picks for the federal bench in Mississippi. They will both bring an impressive record of experience and a strong conservative judicial philosophy to their work. I look forward to seeing their nominations considered by the full Senate without delay, Wicker said.
Judiciary Committee approval of the Kristi Johnson and Taylor McNeel nominations sets the stage for the Senate to fill vacancies on the federal bench in Mississippi. They are both exceptional attorneys and are well qualified to serve as federal judges, Hyde-Smith said. I look forward to the full Senate confirming these outstanding Mississippians as soon as possible.
Wicker and Hyde-Smith introduced Johnson and McNeel at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to consider their nominations.President Trump selected Johnson in March and McNeel in June.
Johnson, a native of Hurley, serves as the first Solicitor General of Mississippi. If confirmed, she would also be the Southern District of Mississippi's first female jurist.
Johnson earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and a law degree from Mississippi College, where she graduated summa cum laude and served as executive editor of the Mississippi College Law Review. She served as a law clerk for the Honorable Sharion Aycock with the U.S. District Court of the Northern District of Mississippi and for the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Johnson has also served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Mississippi, an adjunct professor at Mississippi College, and as Treasurer and Secretary of the Mississippi Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
McNeel was an Eagle Scout, student body president, and an all-state quarterback in high school and was elected Governor of American Legion Boys State. At Ole Miss, he was a member of the football team for two seasons and served as senior class president. In 2008, he graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi Law School where he was a member of the Mississippi Law Journal.
McNeel is a partner in the law firm of Brunini, Grantham, Grower, and Hewes, where he heads the Mississippi Gulf Coast office and has led a number of cases before the Mississippi Supreme Court, Mississippi Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
He is an elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula and has served as president of the Harrison County Bar Association. Additionally, McNeel has held several leadership positions in the Mississippi Bar Association.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=BB21C2EF-26E9-4816-BAD4-F4531A18FFA6,Wicker Supports Judge Amy Coney Barrett,2020-10-21,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today took to the Senate floor to speak in support of Judge Amy Coney Barrett's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In his remarks, Wicker touted Barrett's character and respect for the rule of law:
I have never witnessed a more impressive display of poise and knowledge and temperament in a candidate for the Supreme Court than I have witnessed during the confirmation process of [Judge Amy Coney Barrett]
I have five granddaughters, the oldest one is 10. I think Justice Amy Coney Barrett will prove to be an inspiration to these five granddaughters and to my grown daughters also
I couldn't be more delighted, I couldn't be more enthusiastic, I could not be more awe-inspired with a candidate for the Supreme Court. I will, with great honor and privilege, vote in favor of her confirmation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=A1EAD34A-68B7-4DCF-9EDF-B25ACFFEE9A2,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Back Constitutional Amendment & Legislation to Block Supreme Court Packing",2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today joined U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Martha McSally, R-Ariz.,and Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., to introduce two proposals to protect the number of justices on the U.S. Supreme Court and prevent future partisan manipulation of the Court's size. The senators launched the legislative effort in response to recent threats from national Democrats to pack the U.S. Supreme Court by expanding its size and adding reliably-liberal justices under a possible future Democrat-led government.
Proposals to pack' the Supreme Court and add seats to change its ideological balance should concern every American, Wicker said. There have been nine seats on the Supreme Court for more than 150 years, providing stability and trust in the rule of law. These two proposals would protect the independence of our federal judiciary and ensure our nation's highest court is not subject to political games.
Having nine justices on the United States Supreme Court has worked for more than 150 years. Today, the long-standing checks and balances that are the foundation of our democracy would be thrown into crisis if threats to pack the court are successful. Packing the court is all about politics and power, not principle, Hyde-Smith said.The legislation we introduce today would keep our democracy intact and isolate the judiciary from the political whims of our colleagues across the aisle.
Thefirst proposal, also known as the Keep Nine amendment, would amend the U.S. Constitution to prevent the expansion or contraction of the Supreme Court and codify the current nine-member court. Thesecondproposalwould require a supermajority (two-thirds) vote before any legislative effort to modify the size of the Court could be considered in the Senate. If enacted, the two proposals would provide a substantial barrier to future attempts to change the composition of the Supreme Court. Currently, the number of justices on the Court could be modified with a simple majority vote in Congress and the approval of the President.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=970DBBDE-5E87-4713-98A0-C08F4160EBB4,Wicker Opposes Calls to Pack Supreme Court,2020-10-19,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Last year, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave what would become her last major interview, reflecting on the Supreme Court and her long life of service. At one point she was asked about court packing, the practice of adding new seats to the Supreme Court to guarantee favorable rulings. She flatly rejected the idea. If anything would make the court look partisan, it would be that, she said. Instead, the number of justices should remain the same: Nine seems to be a good number. It's been that way for a long time.
Justice Ginsburg is now gone, but her wise words continue to ring true. Indeed, for decades both parties have denounced court packing because it would undermine the separation of powers and confidence in our legal system. But in recent years, some Democrats in Congress have suggested court packing as a way to counter the growing number of Republican-appointed justices on the Supreme Court.
For example, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, said a future Democrat-led Senate should immediately move to pack the court. Likewise, Senator Ed Markey called on Democrats to abolish the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court. Even Chuck Schumer, the Senate Minority Leader, said nothing is off the table if Democrats win the presidency and control of the Senate in November.
Adding seats to the court to change its ideological balance should concern every American. There have been nine seats on the Supreme Court for more than 150 years, providing stability and trust in the rule of law. To protect this tradition, I am supporting several measures in the Senate that would help prevent a change to the number of seats on the Supreme Court.
Court Packing Effort Backfired on FDR
Court packing was last attempted by President Franklin Roosevelt in the 1930s. The Supreme Court had struck down several laws that were part of Roosevelt's New Deal. Unable to win on the merits of his proposals, he attempted to change the court. In 1937, he launched an effort to add up to six new justices.
Americans rallied against the plan, understanding that an independent judiciary was vital to our system of government. Even Roosevelt's own Vice President, John Nance Garner, came out against it. The Democrat-led Senate defeated the proposal by a 70-20 vote.
Roosevelt would end up appointing eight Supreme Court justices  not because of court packing, but because he filled vacancies in a constitutional manner during his 12 years as President. Winning at the ballot box was the appropriate way to have an impact on the judiciary. The same lesson holds true today.
Supreme Court Is Not a Super-Legislature
Like FDR, those who urge court packing today are looking to federal judges to produce certain outcomes. But this goal misses the point of having a representative government. It is the job of Congress and the President, not judges, to make policy for our nation. Judge Amy Coney Barrett said it best in her recent hearing on Capitol Hill: The policy decisions and value judgments of government must be made by the political branches elected by and accountable to the people. The public should not expect courts to do so, and courts should not try.
Elections have consequences, and the winners have the authority to nominate and confirm judges and justices to the federal bench. Regardless of the outcome in this year's contests, the President and the Senate should use this authority only as vacancies occur. Packing the court is a dangerous idea that should once again be rejected by all parties.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B4475450-CA49-4CE2-B406-F29C95C07471,Wicker Praises Army Corps Action on Yazoo Backwater Pumps Project,2020-10-16,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today praised the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for releasing a draft of an updated supplemental environmental impact statement that outlines the need for a pumping station to alleviate repeated flooding in the Yazoo Backwater Area. The new draft follows an announcement from the Corps in April that they would be considering an update to a 2007 environmental impact statement that formed the basis of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) veto of the Yazoo Pumps Project in 2008.
This is a positive step forward for the residents of the South Mississippi Delta who have long been pleading for relief. The Army Corps of Engineers's new report represents the latest data on the impact of backwater floods that have devastated wildlife, destroyed crops, and damaged homes throughout the Yazoo Backwater Area. While this project is still far from the finish line, I am encouraged that the Corps has listened to the people of Mississippi and seen the impact of the floods on our state and our environment, Wicker said.
The Corps's draft report is based on new environmental data from the Yazoo Backwater Area, and specifically the Yazoo Study Area.
Recent evidence has shown that prolonged periods of flooding in the South Delta have adversely affected the aquatic and terrestrial environment and demonstrate[d] the need to complete the Yazoo Area Pump Project.
The decision to move forward with a new environmental impact statement comes after Wicker and Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith invited leaders from both the Corps of Engineers and the EPA to visit the area. After seeing the damage firsthand, the leaders expressed an interest in finding a solution for the flooding.
The Draft Addendum can be viewed online at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Vicksburg District website at: https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/missions/programs-and-project-management/project-management/yazoo-backwater-report/
Because of COVID-19, USACE will host virtual public meetings to provide information on the project and to receive verbal public comments; times and meeting details will be provided in subsequent media release and advertisements.
USACE will accept written comments through Nov. 30, 2020.Comments on the Draft Addendum should be sent by e-mail toYazooBackwater@usace.army.milor by mail to the following address:

District Engineer
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Vicksburg District
4155 Clay Street
Vicksburg, Mississippi39138-3435",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9CB6CED1-A614-443C-9763-70DB2BE69774,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Encourage Students to Apply for U.S. Senate Youth Program",2020-10-15,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today encouraged Mississippi juniors and seniors involved in student leadership to apply for the 2021 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP), an educational program that will provide $10,000 college scholarships to two delegates from the Magnolia State.
A Dec. 1, 2020, application deadline has been set for the program's 59th annual Washington Week, March 14-18, 2021. Because of COVID-19 concerns, the USSYP 2021 Washington Week ONLINE will be virtual.
The 2021 U.S. Senate Youth Program is adapting to our current environment and going virtual. This year's program will provide a unique opportunity for our state's young leaders to engage with our nation's highest levels of government, said Wicker, who serves on the USSYP Senate Advisory Committee. I encourage every eligible student to apply for this special opportunity.
Even as a virtual experience, the Senate Youth Program offers student leaders a chance to get firsthand exposure to our nation's leaders and the workings of the government. I encourage Mississippi's talented students to look at this valuable program and apply for the 2021 Washington Week, Hyde-Smith said.
Applicants must be juniors or seniors and elected or appointed student officers for the 2019-2020 or the 2020-2021 academic year. Because of COVID-19, students unable to serve in qualifying leadership positions for the 2020-2021 academic year may use positions held in the previous year.
The selected Mississippi delegates will be among 104 student delegates overall. The Hearst Foundation fully funds this program, which provides a $10,000 college scholarship to each delegate.
The 2021 Washington Week ONLINE, like previous in-person programs, will connect USSYP delegates with the highest-level officials from each branch of government, including their Senators, the President, cabinet secretaries, a justice of the Supreme Court, senior members of the national media and other key policymakers.
Interested students can visit https://www.ussenateyouth.org/ for more information. The USSYP 2021 Washington Week ONLINE brochure is available here. To apply, students should also contact their high school principal or Mississippi's state selection administrator:
Mrs. Sandra Hilliard   Education Specialist, Sr.   Mississippi Department of Education   shilliard@mdek12.org  (601) 359-2213
https://mdek12.org/OTL/OTC/USSYP
Mississippi's 2020 USSYP delegates were Bobby Current of Olive Branch and Alex Stradinger of Ridgeland.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=AD55FF18-7D2B-4671-861A-AF5026A2DF8A,Wicker: Time to Remove Obstacles to Intercountry Adoption,2020-10-12,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"I am fortunate to have grown up in a home with two loving parents. They gave me the care, stability, and training I needed to succeed. But not every child is so fortunate. Across our country, and especially abroad, there are countless children who have no mom, no dad, no family, and no relatives to take them in and care for them. These children often reside in deplorable conditions, in orphanages, and as wards of the state.
Americans have always had a heart for these children. For decades, Americans have led the world in welcoming orphans from abroad into a forever family. As a result, there are more than 150,000 children adopted from foreign countries growing up in America today. These children and their adoptive families are examples of America at its best. Some of them are now part of my extended family; others go to church with Gayle and me.
Unfortunately, this great legacy of compassion is at risk. U.S. adoptions from foreign countries have sharply declined in recent years. In 2004, Americans adopted 23,000 children from foreign countries. Last year, that number fell below 3,000  an 87 percent drop over 15 years. One reason for the decline is that some countries, like Russia, have shut their doors to adoptive parents. But the most troubling cause of the decline comes from within our own government.
State Department Is Biased Against Adoption
For years, the U.S. State Department and its adoption accrediting entity have been hostile to intercountry adoption. They have obstructed the adoption process with fees and red tape. And they have put crushing regulations on adoption-providing agencies, making it almost impossible to stay in business. The result has been devastating. Over the last year and a half, more than 30 adoption agencies have stopped providing intercountry adoptions, and some have had to shut down completely. Tragically, this means more orphans each year will remain in institutions rather than with a loving family.
These troubling developments can be traced to the State Department's Office of Children's Issues. This office was created by Congress to promote international adoption, but under misguided leadership, it is doing the exact opposite. In 2018, for example, it directly intervened to prevent three well-respected adoption agencies from having their accreditation renewed. In 2019, it issued a public letter threatening the future of intercountry adoption. It even hosted a public forum last year that featured radically anti-adoption speakers.
The Office of Children's Issues has managed to fly under the radar for years. I have raised my concerns with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and I hope he will take a close look at what has happened and restore this office to its pro-adoption mission. These bureaucrats need to be held accountable to the American people.
Congress Works to Restore Intercountry Adoption
In recent weeks, I have called on the Senate to investigate the Office of Children's Issues and hold hearings to expose their misuse of authority. In addition, I have co-sponsored legislation requiring the State Department to give an account for their actions and explain how they are working to make intercountry adoption more feasible. The bill would also help prospective parents get the information they need to pursue adoption abroad. This legislation has passed the House and Senate unanimously and now awaits the President's signature.
It is a shame that federal bureaucrats have gotten in the way of thousands of American families who are seeking to adopt. Their actions are out of step with congressional intent, American values, and basic morality. I am committed to making sure the government respects our great tradition of adoption and makes it easier, not harder, to welcome children in need.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/newsletter-archive/thompson-report-september-2020-edition,Thompson Report September 2020 Edition,2020-10-09,2020,2020-10,Democrat,Senate,MS,Bennie Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"Welcome...
To The Thompson Report on the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. Inside you will find information about the district, grants, legislative actions and more. My monthly newsletter will be distributed by email to constituents.


Thank you.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=56DD24CC-EA32-4DFE-9A26-55E28FF6E9CC,Wicker Leads Amicus Brief in Support of Religious Freedom in Nations Capital,2020-10-07,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., filed an amicus brief on behalf of 34 Senators supporting Capitol Hill Baptist Church's lawsuit against the Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser. Mayor Bowser has permitted and participated in several mass protests in recent months. However, the city's COVID-19 regulations prohibit a religious gathering of more than 100 individuals outdoors. The Senators argue that the selective enforcement of the District's rules violates the church's First Amendment rights and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).
The Senators argue in part, Whether viewed as a matter of free speech, the freedom of assembly, or the free exercise of religion protected by the Constitution and RFRA, the result is the same: The Mayor's discrimination against houses of worship rests on a mistaken, and unconstitutional, premise that one particular exercise of free speecha church's desire to gather together and worship their Godis subordinate to other First Amendment-protected activities. This Court should enforce the First Amendment's promise of free speech for all by issuing a preliminary injunction to prevent the Mayor and the District of Columbia from prohibiting outdoor religious services that adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.
In addition to Wicker, the amicus brief was signed by U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., John Thune, R-S.D., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., James E. Risch, R-Idaho, Roy Blunt, R-Mo., Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, John Boozman, R-Ark., John Hoeven, R-N.D., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Rand Paul, R-Ky., Tim Scott, R-S.C., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Bill Cassidy, R-La., James Lankford, R-Okla., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Steve Daines, R-Mont., David Perdue, R-Ga., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Ben Sasse, R-Neb., John Kennedy, R-La., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Mike Braun, R-Ind., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga.
Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) has been meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., every Sunday for over 142 years. The only previous interruption in Sunday worship was for three weeks in October 1918 during the Spanish flu. When Mayor Bowser issued her original order in March 2020 prohibiting large gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CHBC complied and discontinued worship services.
The Mayor's order continues to ban outdoor church services of more than 100 people, regardless of social distancing and mask wearing. At the same time, the Mayor and the District have supported an array of outdoor protests and gatherings by various groups since June 2020.
In June 2020 and again in September, CHBC applied for a waiver of the 100-person limit in order to hold church services outdoors in the District. The District denied the application, stating that waivers for houses of worship were being categorically denied.
CHBC filed a complaint on Tuesday, September 22, 2020.
Click here for a PDF copy of the amicus brief.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D8BAE6C1-DCE8-483E-9869-28924A730074,Wicker Receives Highest Honor from National Guard Association of the United States,2020-10-06,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"Click here to download photos of the event
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., received the Harry S. Truman Award for Distinguished Service in Support of National Defense from the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS). The award, which recognizes individuals who have made sustained contributions of exceptional and far-reaching magnitude to the defense and security of the United States, is the top honor an individual can receive from the Association.
America's National Guard is an integral part of our Armed Forces, allowing soldiers to serve their state and nation in uniform while they remain active in their communities, Wicker said. I have been proud to work alongside these service members and lend a listening ear as they fight for the benefits that they deserve. It is an honor to accept the Harry S. Truman Award from the National Guard Association of the United States in recognition of this work. 
The NGAUS recognized Wicker in part for his work on the National Guard and Reserve Forces Benefit Parity Act of 2018, which was signed into law as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 and 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation represented the final piece of a years-long effort to ensure National Guard and Reserve members were entitled to the same benefits as their active-duty counterparts while deployed.
Past recipients of the Truman Award include Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush and Mississippi statesmen Senator Trent Lott, Senator John C. Stennis, Rep. G.V. Sonny Montgomery, and Rep. Gene Taylor.
Wicker has been a longtime supporter of the National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces, serving now as the second-highest ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Wicker served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force for four years and then joined the Air Force Reserve. He retired from the Reserve in 2004 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=64F4C9FB-8B96-4026-9651-1421C635A0F1,Wicker: Amy Coney Barrett Is Outstanding Pick for Supreme Court,2020-10-05,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"President Trump struck gold with his selection of Amy Coney Barrett for the Supreme Court. She is an outstanding pick who has the right character, temperament, and philosophy to serve on our nation's highest court. As an accomplished professor and judge, Barrett has shown that she understands the role of a judge is to set aside personal views and be bound by our laws and Constitution. Her intellect and philosophy are so strong that during her previous judicial nomination, she received the endorsement of the entire faculty at Notre Dame Law School, where she taught for 15 years.
Recently I had the chance to meet with Judge Barrett. We covered a number of topics during our approximately 25-minute chat. She showed the same gracious spirit all of us had witnessed at her announcement ceremony the previous Saturday. I especially enjoyed hearing about her upbringing in Metairie, Louisiana, and her undergraduate education at Rhodes College in neighboring Memphis.
Judge Barrett was already a familiar face in the Senate before her recent nomination. It was only three years ago that senators vetted her, questioned her, and confirmed her to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. I supported her confirmation, as did every Senate Republican and three Democrats. The Judiciary Committee will soon hold another hearing for Judge Barrett, allowing her to share her record and philosophy with the American people.
Judge Barrett Is Committed to the Constitution
Judge Barrett has spent her entire adult life in service to our Constitution and founding principles. Her legal career began in 1997 when she graduated at the top of her class from Notre Dame Law School. As a professor, she became a strong advocate for the conservative legal philosophy of her late mentor, Justice Antonin Scalia.
Judge Barrett has followed that approach as a circuit judge. She has authored dissenting opinions defending the Second Amendment and certain Trump Administration immigration policies. She has been a leading defender of due process rights for the accused. And when her court struck down two pro-life laws in Indiana, she disagreed and defended the state's right to tighten abortion regulations.
Amy Coney Barrett could be the most important addition to the Supreme Court in a generation. She is already President Trump's third Supreme Court pick in four years  a remarkable feat. But more importantly, she would be the first conservative to replace a liberal on the court since 1991. If she is confirmed, six of the court's nine justices will have been appointed by Republicans. At just 48 years old, Barrett could shape the court for decades to come.
Barrett Reflects American Values
For many years, the Supreme Court has lacked voices from the American heartland. Every sitting member of the court attended law school at Harvard or Yale, and all except for Neil Gorsuch grew up on the East or West Coast. Judge Barrett brings a different background. She hails from Middle America and would bring a much-needed perspective to the nation's highest court.
Born in the Deep South, Barrett has spent most of her adult life in Indiana, a state known as the Crossroads of America. She is the daughter of a longtime deacon and the oldest of seven children. Today, she has seven children of her own, including two adopted from Haiti and one with special needs. She has already balanced many challenges as a mom, a professional, and a public servant. As a grandfather to five young girls, I believe Barrett's service on the Supreme Court  like that of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg  will be an inspiration to my granddaughters and others of their generation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=C16CEEF4-7450-45C6-9BAD-A22D73ECAAF8,Wicker Meets with Judge Amy Coney Barrett,2020-10-01,2020,2020-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement after meeting with Judge Amy Coney Barrett, President Donald J. Trump's pick to replace the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the U.S. Supreme Court:
Judge Amy Coney Barrett is exceptionally qualified to be our nation's newest Supreme Court Justice. Our meeting confirmed to me why so many of her former colleagues and students have praised her nomination. Judge Barrett was gracious, warm, and sharp, and she expressed a deep love for our country and our Constitution. I look forward to supporting her through the Senate's confirmation process.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=E5D142B1-4B15-42CF-BF9E-7F2869DE46BF,Wicker Statement on Continuing Resolution,2020-09-30,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement after voting to advance legislation to fund the federal government through December 11, 2020:
In recent months, it has become clear that the gaps between the House and the Senate on our nation's financial priorities are too large to overcome before the end of the fiscal year. Though I am glad that today's vote averts the possibility of a government shutdown this week, a continuing resolution is no substitute for a full appropriations package.
I hope members of Congress can come back to the negotiating table in the coming weeks and work in a spirit of cooperation to pass a comprehensive funding bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=5AFCACCC-E674-4CC9-81AF-E8F473501596,"Wicker, Kaine Introduce Legislation Recognizing National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day",2020-09-29,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Tim Kaine D-Va., members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today introduced bipartisan legislation that would designate September 30thas National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day. According toreports, overall military suicides have increased by approximately 20 percent compared to this time last year. The senators' resolution would highlight the invisible wounds sustained by many service members and recognize the families of veterans who have died by suicide. The resolution is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Jerry Moran, R-Kansas.
Our nation's veterans deserve our best care and support, including for their mental health and well-being. On National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day, we will raise awareness of this far too common occurrence and recommit to our goal of reducing suicides among our service members,Wicker said.
While we must continue working on ways to address this crisis, we must also take the time to recognize the troops we've lost and their families,said Kaine.I'm hopeful this bill will bring more necessary attention to this issue and offer support and community to more military families who've had to endure the tragedy of a veteran suicide.
According to data released by the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, an average of nearly 20 current or former service members die by suicide each day. Additionally, an estimated 135 individuals are affected by each suicide, including family members, friends, and coworkers.
The resolution is supported by the Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors, American Counseling Association, American Group Psychotherapy Association, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, National Association of Social Workers, American Art Therapy Association, American Association of Suicidology, Eating Disorders Coalition, The Kennedy Forum, American Psychological Association, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, American Dance Therapy Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare.
You can read the full text of the resolutionhere.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=1117227F-8CA5-48A8-94C9-03CEE05CFDE5,Wicker Pushes for New COVID-19 Relief Measures,2020-09-28,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"When the pandemic began, few could have imagined how hard it would hit our communities. Yet over the past six months, Americans have done a remarkable job adapting to the challenges we have faced. Protective health measures have allowed more schools, businesses, and churches to reopen safely, and we are making steady progress toward a recovery.
Congress acted swiftly this past spring to send relief to families and workers in need. Since then, Congress has replenished the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses keep employees on the payroll. Now this program needs additional funds, and Americans across all sectors urgently need a fresh round of support.
Congress has considered new relief measures, but bipartisan talks have broken down. I am pushing several proposals that I hope Congress will enact immediately.
Most Vulnerable Sectors Include Airlines, Restaurants
Restaurants have been among the hardest-hit businesses during the pandemic. They have faced drastic revenue losses, and public health restrictions continue to limit seating capacity. Many restaurants could not take advantage of federal assistance. The Paycheck Protection Program required businesses to spend 60 percent of their loan money on labor costs for their loans to be forgiven. However, restaurants typically spend most of their budgets on fixed costs like food, rent, and utilities. I have introduced the RESTAURANTS Act to fill this critical gap in support and help restaurants survive. This aid would benefit restaurant employees as well as the many farmers, fishermen, and distributors who supply restaurants.
The air travel industry is also hurting given the significant drop in passengers. This year, I led the effort to provide a lifeline to aviation workers through direct payroll assistance, which saved over 700,000 jobs. Unfortunately, this relief has run out. Without new aid, airlines will begin mass layoffs in the next few days. I am pushing to extend airline payroll support through March of 2021. This would save thousands of jobs in a sector that helps connect our nationwide economy.
Our military supply chain also remains vulnerable. The U.S. military relies on thousands of businesses and manufacturers to remain well supplied and keep our nation safe. The pandemic has caused production delays and brought financial uncertainty, particularly in the shipbuilding and aircraft manufacturing sectors. I am urging Congress to provide relief to our defense industrial base, which is key to our economic recovery and national security.
Help for Local Governments
The economic slowdown has left local governments short on revenue. I have introduced legislation to help local tax dollars go farther. The LOCAL Infrastructure Act would allow state and local governments to take advantage of lower interest rates through advance refunding of bonds. I have also introduced the American Infrastructure Bonds Act to create a new category of direct-pay taxable municipal bonds. Both of these proposals would make it less expensive to invest in hospitals, roads, and schools and would help attract private investment for public projects.
In view of our nation's increased humanitarian need, I have introduced the CORPS Act to expand national service positions in organizations like AmeriCorps and the Senior Corps. These organizations have a proven track record of partnering with communities to meet specific needs during times of crisis. The CORPS Act would multiply their efforts and complement the work of nonprofits and churches that are providing food, health services, and education support.
These are a few of the ways Congress can act on a bipartisan basis to help our nation continue to recover. But time is of the essence. Leaders of both parties need to come together in the coming days to provide our economy with the support it still needs.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=703A8B6F-5822-4D75-8C60-1777A9AFBFE0,Wicker Welcomes Nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to U.S. Supreme Court,2020-09-26,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to serve as an Associate Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States:
Amy Coney Barrett is an outstanding judge and an even better person. A mother to seven children, she was subjected to unfair attacks on her religious faith and judicial philosophy during her previous confirmation process. Her grace under pressure and long-standing commitment to the rule of law indicate that she has the right temperament to serve on the Supreme Court and go through a highly-charged confirmation process. I commend President Trump on another exceptional pick for the high court, and I hope to meet with Judge Barrett soon.
Judge Barrett was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on October 31, 2017. Wicker supported her confirmation, as did all Senate Republicans and three Senate Democrats.
A native of New Orleans, La., Barrett graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. She attended Notre Dame Law School, where she was executive editor of the Notre Dame Law Review and graduated summa cum laude. She clerked for Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, and for the late Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia.
Barrett joined the faculty of her alma mater, Notre Dame Law School, in 2002 teaching courses on federal courts, constitutional law, and statutory interpretation. She was named Distinguished Professor of the Year three times. President Trump nominated Barrett to the Seventh Circuit in May 2017.
Judge Barrett lives in South Bend, Ind., with her husband, Jesse Barrett, and their seven children.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://benniethompson.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-thompson-announced-200590-awarded-coalition-citizens-disabilities-0,"Congressman Thompson Announced $200,590 Awarded to Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities",2020-09-22,2020,2020-09,Democrat,Senate,MS,Bennie Thompson,T000193,benniethompson.house.gov,,,legacy,"BOLTON, MISSISSIPPI  Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced the U. S. Department of Education has awarded $200,590 under the Parent Training and Information Centers Program to Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities in Jackson, Mississippi.

For more information contact Leslie Junkin at (601) 969-0601.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/weekly-report?ContentRecord_id=E59D7B5E-6A94-47E0-933B-10CF937F2446,Wicker Celebrates Historic Middle East Peace Agreement,2020-09-21,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"It is always an important day when the Israeli Prime Minister visits our nation's capital, but his arrival at the White House on September 15 was something truly momentous. Hosted by President Trump, the Prime Minister signed a historic peace deal with leaders from two Arab nations  the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. This agreement, known as the Abraham Accords, is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal to be signed in more than 25 years. It is especially significant given that only two Arab countries had previously recognized the Jewish state. This agreement strengthens Israel's standing among Arab nations and gives Israel new economic partners in the region.
This landmark achievement makes possible a new era of Arab-Israeli cooperation. It paves the way for other countries, like Saudi Arabia and Oman, to follow suit and recognize Israel. Such a development would have been impossible to imagine a generation ago, when memories of the Six-Day War and Yom Kippur War were still fresh. In both conflicts, Israel was surrounded by enemies but emerged victorious. Even in recent years, most Arab nations have refused to acknowledge Israel's legitimacy. The signing of the Abraham Accords signals a strong desire to turn the page on old hostilities.
President Trump Set Aside Conventional Thinking
President Trump deserves praise for bucking the conventional wisdom and brokering this deal. For decades, many analysts argued that Israel would have to strike a deal with Palestinian leaders before peace could be achieved in the region. This meant Israel would have to cede land to the Palestinian Authority, which is controlled by the terrorist group Hamas. This nave approach ignored the fact that Palestinian leaders showed little interest in striking a peace deal, having rejected generous offers in the past.
President Trump brought a fresh approach to the situation. Instead of undermining Israel, he boosted Israel by moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing the Golan Heights as Israeli territory. These actions strengthened Israel's position and sent a message that the Jewish state was not going anywhere. This signal encouraged the UAE and Bahrain to come to the table and negotiate a durable peace.
Iran Poses a Common Threat
One of the most dangerous threats to Israel continues to be Iran. Since Islamic revolutionaries seized power in Tehran in 1979, Iran has become the world's leading state sponsor of terror. Iran has also continued working to develop nuclear weapons. A treasure trove of documents captured by Israeli intelligence in 2018 showed that Iran lied to the world about its nuclear activities.
More recently, Iran launched an attack on Saudi oil fields in 2019 and shot down an American drone in international airspace. New reports have surfaced that Iran has plotted to assassinate the American ambassador to South Africa, which would be a brazen act of war.
The Abraham Accords could spark a power shift in the Middle East that will create a bulwark against Iran. Arab countries are realizing that Iran is the greatest threat to regional stability and that cooperation with Israel is in their interest. Such partnerships would boost Israel's security and would serve American interests by reducing the need for U.S. troops in the region.
I continue to support President Trump's sanctions on Iran to put pressure on the regime to change its malicious behavior. Even as we continue to exert influence in the Middle East, I hope these budding partnerships between Israel and more Arab nations will counter Iran's influence and bring much-needed stability to a turbulent region.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=EE9395D5-3237-4BB6-9723-96E4531E3A63,Wicker Supports Effort to Confirm Next Supreme Court Justice this Year,2020-09-19,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today issued the following statement in support of confirming a new Supreme Court Associate Justice this year:
President Trump and Senate Republicans promised to confirm well-qualified, conservative judges and justices to the federal courts. We should continue to fulfill this promise and our constitutional duty for all vacancies as long as we are in office. I look forward to consideration of the President's nominee by the full Senate.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=9A72D4D6-458A-430C-B9B9-216D138D2CF8,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Announce $6.22M Grant for Grenada Railroad Project",2020-09-18,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON  U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today announced the award of a $6,221,020 grant to Grenada Railroad, LLC., to complete the final phase of a project to refurbish a rail line between Canton, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn.
Wicker and Hyde-Smith, strong supporters of the Grenada rail line, wrote letters of support for this grant, which will focus on work on northern segments of the line. Improvements to a 90-mile segment between Canton and Grenada have already been completed.
This grant is a major step forward for Mississippi, Wicker said. After years of neglect, the Grenada Railroad will once again provide a strong rail link between our state's centers of commerce and the rest of the U.S. I was glad to support this project, which I expect will promote economic development, create jobs, and improve safety for our residents.
This is more good news for the revitalization of a rail line that faced extinction not too long ago. Federal grant funds, combined with nonfederal resources, will support additional safety and infrastructure improvements to the Grenada Railroad. This extensive work will allow the rail line to continue boosting economic vitality across the region, Hyde-Smith said.
The project will rehabilitate the remaining segment of the rail line from Grenada to Memphis, including upgrading 25 bridges, replacing 88 miles of railroad ties, installing cross ties in 84 curves, and improving 11 bridges and track conditions on the Water Valley Spur Line. This project would also repair three tracks in the Durant rail yard and construct a locomotive pit for employees working under the locomotives. Once complete, the project will restore full speed service on the line, improving safety, transit times, and congestion issues that arise from reduced speeds.
Grenada Railroad is providing a $4.97 million match for the project, which is expected to cost a total of $12.44 million. The grant is being awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.
Today's grant announcement brings the total level of federal funding for the Grenada rail line to $13.68 million, following a $7.46 million INFRA grant announced by Wicker and U.S. Senator Thad Cochran in 2017 to rehabilitate a 90-mile stretch of track between Grenada and Canton.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=F7AC144C-55F6-4BB3-9752-2A296CEAD78C,Wicker Statement on Passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg,2020-09-18,2020,2020-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released the following statement on the passing of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
I was sad to learn of Justice Ginsburg's passing. Her sharp intellect and passion for equality left a significant impact on the court and made her an icon for millions of Americans. I have disagreed with many of Justice Ginsburg's opinions, but I never questioned her sincerity or motivations. In fact, her close friendship with the late Justice Antonin Scalia is a powerful example of how we can all work with and respect others. Gayle and I send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and many admirers around the country.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z