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/2023/12/senator-wicker-statement-on-creation-of-operation-prosperity-guardian,Senator Wicker Statement on Creation of “Operation Prosperity Guardian”,2023-12-18,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s decision to launch “Operation Prosperity Guardian” in an effort to counter continued Houthi aggression on international commerce and the United States Navy in the Red Sea: “How much longer can we tolerate these attacks without a proper response? What exactly would a task force accomplish? Until the Biden administration takes clear steps toward restoring deterrence, nothing will change in the Red Sea,” Senator Wicker said. “The continuing threat posed to American sailors and freedom of navigation could soon lead to a catastrophe unless the Biden administration acts with the resolve that it has so far sorely lacked. We cannot let terrorists dictate the flow of global trade in the world’s largest shipping lane.” “I call on the Biden administration to give our regional commanders the freedom of action they require to ensure that continued Houthi aggression stops once and for all.” KEY FACTS: Several international shipping firms, including British Petroleum, Maersk, MSC, CMA, CGM Group, and Hapag-Lloyd, have halted all routes through the Red Sea because of recent attacks on commercial vessels. Over the weekend, USS Carney shot down another 14 projectiles launched by the Houthis, bringing the total intercepted by the one guided-missile destroyer to 36.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-secures-key-military-investments-and-conservative-victories-for-the-united-states-and-mississippi-in-congressional-defense-bill,Wicker Secures Key Military Investments and Conservative Victories for the United States and Mississippi in Congressional Defense Bill,2023-12-14,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., secured major military investments and conservative priorities in the annual congressional defense bill that passed both chambers of Congress. The legislation, the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (FY 24 NDAA), which passed 310—118 in the House and 87-13 in the Senate, will now head to the President’s desk to become law. Senator Wicker, as the highest-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, fought to secure a wide a range of projects that support Mississippi’s role in our national defense and promote conservative values. “It has been a great honor to oversee the NDAA as the senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee and work to enact policies that help Mississippi and protect our military,” Senator Wicker said. “Enemies of freedom are growing more dangerous and capable by the day. “Our bill should signal to China, Russia, and others that we will not accept a world where America does not have the best fighting force. While I would have preferred to send the President a substantially larger proposed investment in our industrial base, he now should approve the monumental investments Congress intends to make in our service members, warships, submarines, aircraft, and technology.” Senator Wicker also highlighted several major conservative victories in the legislation. The NDAA includes elements of his MERIT Act, which is designed to target the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda at the Department of Defense, and his FINISH IT Act, which would force the Department of Defense to allow millions of dollars’ worth of unused border panels already owned by the U.S. government to be used to extend the wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. The legislation contains several of Senator Wicker’s top national defense priorities, such as: Authorizing significant resources to ensure the United States military can prevail against adversaries in multiple theaters, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Enacting Senator Wicker’s proposal to take on unaccountable Biden bureaucrats at the Pentagon by slashing pay for DEI personnel. Taking care of our troops and help the DOD stay competitive with the private sector by providing for a 5.2 percent pay raise. Supporting Senator Wicker’s proposal to expand JROTC programming by requiring the operation of 3,400-4,000 units nationwide, reforming oversight authorities, and revising instructor pay scales. Prioritizing stability and consistent demand signals for the defense workforce by authorizing block buys and multiyear contracting authority as a tool to improve industrial base stability for a range of critical programs, including munitions. Directing a review of the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) procedures following a significant failure in tracking and destroying the Chinese spy balloon that traversed the continental United States. Helping secure the homeland in the strongest NDAA on the border ever, including Senator Wicker’s FINISH IT Act. Enabling the DoD to confront the cartels in cyberspace. Requiring a Department of Defense strategy to counter fentanyl trafficking after another record year in drug trafficking at the southern border. Unleashing American support for Israel through the provisioning of resources for aircraft and joint training with the Israeli military. Standing up a Special Inspector General for Ukraine to identify any waste, fraud or abuse of U.S. assistance. The legislation also included many provisions beneficial to Mississippi: Gulf Coast Authorizes more than $1 billion in funding to procure the San Antonio-class Amphibious warship, LPD-33, which would be constructed by Huntington Ingalls in Pascagoula. Adds $72 million for the procurement of another APL-67 class of berthing barge, which would be constructed at Bollinger Shipyards in Pascagoula. Boosts Columbia-class submarine full-scale shaft procurement at Seemann Composites in Gulfport. Secures $6 million for continued operation of the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) in Hancock County. Authorizes $2 million for planning and design to build a new air traffic control tower at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. Authorizes $5 million for aluminum-lithium alloy solid rocket motors, supporting work in McHenry. Urges the Office of Naval Research to partner with public universities on optoelectronic technology related to solar cells. Research on this matter is already being conducted at the University of Southern Mississippi and would secure microelectronic manufacturing jobs in the state. Authorizes $2.2 million for rail loading capacity and railcar storage improvements at Camp Shelby in Hattiesburg. Authorizes another $5.4 million to complete a Maneuver Area Training Equipment site at Camp Shelby. Authorizes $8 million for various autonomous surface and underwater vessels, supporting work for multiple companies in Gulfport. Central Mississippi Adds $8 million to construct a fire and crash rescue site for the 172nd Air Wing at the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers airport in Jackson. Adds $3 million in funding to support research on pavement repair materials for military missions, affecting the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg. Includes language to accelerate Pentagon efforts to partner with industry on bioprocessing for rare earths and critical minerals, supporting existing work at ERDC in Vicksburg. Authorizes nearly $2.2 million for an Army Aviation Support Facility in Meridian. North Mississippi Authorizes $33 million for the construction of a combat readiness center for the MS Army National Guard in Southaven. Authorizes $30 million to begin work on a ground-based training system facility for T-7A aircraft at Columbus Air Force Base. Adds $9.5 million for a T-7A Unit Maintenance Training Facility at Columbus Air Force Base. Authorizes $5 million in funding to support artificial intelligence and machine learning applications to tactical warfare, supporting work being done in Starkville, in consultation with Mississippi State University. Prohibits retirement of T-1A training aircraft until the new undergraduate pilot training program is certified to be as effective as the previous program at Columbus Air Force Base, protecting jobs on site. Mandates a Pentagon report evaluating the long-term sustainment, research and development, and procurement plan for (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected) MRAP vehicles, which are built by Navistar Defense in West Point.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/legislative-session-border-security,LEGISLATIVE SESSION--Border Security,2023-12-13,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 205 (Senate - December 13, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to once again call attention to the crisis at our southern border--the very crisis the Biden administration refuses to acknowledge and in not doing so, fails the American people. It is a simple fact: There is no national security without border security; and everyone knows our border is anything but secure. We have the numbers to back it up. For starters, more than 8.2 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border since Biden took office. To kick off fiscal year 2024, there were over 240,000 illegal immigrant encounters in October, the highest monthly total ever recorded. This comes after a record-setting fiscal year 2023, which saw more than 2.4 million encounters. Of the 2.4 million, at least 169 individuals are on the Terror Watchlist. But what is really frightening is that these numbers only reflect the known encounters and doesn't even include all of those who evaded law enforcement--the ""got-aways."" Border officials estimate that there were 1.7 million ""got-aways,"" any number of which could be on the Terror Watchlist living in our country with who knows what intentions. Even with all of this information available, the administration continues to break all the wrong records. In the last several weeks, daily records have been smashed time and again with known daily encounters ranging from 10,000 to 12,000. For context, President Obama's DHS Secretary said that 1,000 a day ``overwhelms the system.'' We have heard from officials such as FBI Director Wray expressing his concern regarding the ability of terrorist organizations to exploit any port of entry, including our southwestern border. Warnings such as these should not be ignored, and yet it appears this administration will continue to do exactly that. But encounters are only part of the ongoing crisis. In October, over 1,300 pounds of fentanyl and over 9,500 pounds of meth were seized--and that is only what was seized. Estimates show that this is only 5 to 10 percent of the illicit drugs coming across the border. These drugs continue to run rampant in our communities at a devastating cost, including in my rural State of Mississippi. The CDC says overdose deaths are up from last year, meaning more and more families and communities are being broken apart by the circulation of dangerous drug smugglers across the border. And even worse than the drugs being smuggled across the border are the humans the cartels are smuggling. I have spoken before about my trip to the border--the one earlier this year--and the horrific stories of girls, 12- to 16-years old, being smuggled against their will, has stayed with me. The human trafficking industry has grown in the last several years to a $13 billion industry. And this will only continue to grow if the border continues to be an access point for traffickers. I do not blame the brave men and women working to do their best to help patrol the border. I blame solely--all of this--on the Biden administration and Democrats for their unwillingness to work in a serious manner to help secure the border and keep criminals and drugs out of our communities. Border Patrol agents are not given the resources they need to stop the never-ending onslaught of migrants, drugs, and traffickers. Even the border security's provision in the President's emergency supplemental request amount is just more money to process illegal immigrants with no real policy or enforcement reforms. I am hearing from law enforcement back home in Mississippi and how the crisis is affecting my State. As many have said, today, every State is a border State because of this crisis. On January 18, 2023, a Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper made a routine traffic stop. In the vehicle was an illegal immigrant driving without a license and an additional three illegal adult males and one 7-year-old migrant child. After Homeland Security Investigations was contacted, the driver attempted to flee on foot and was captured. The HSI determined the child was not related to anyone in the vehicle. Charges are pending on the driver and HSI is attempting to identify the child and reunite him with family. In another incident on October 9, 2023, a Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper identified another illegal immigrant driving on I-10 in Jackson County with no ID. A passenger, also an illegal immigrant, revealed that they were on their way to Houston, TX, to pick up another man, a woman, and three or four children. After a legal search of the vehicle, items consistent with human trafficking were discovered. A Border Patrol agent was notified, and, turns out, the driver was a repeat offender, illegally reentering the United States after deportation. If I am hearing from law enforcement in my State, I know that my colleagues are too. I applaud the efforts of the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the U.S. Border Patrol for taking action, but the fact remains that if the resources were already at the border, this would have never happened. Senate Republicans have shown Americans time and time again that we are ready to take steps to stop the growing threat at the southern border. Unfortunately, our Democratic colleagues will not take action with us, appearing afraid to anger their radical base. Giving our Border Patrol agents the means to do their job is not radical. Fortifying our border by ending catch-and-release, closing asylum loopholes, finishing the wall, and supporting law enforcement officers is key to our national security. And we owe our citizens no less. I, along with my Republican colleagues, will continue to work toward solutions; and I invite Senate Democrats and the administration to join us so we can finally secure our borders and keep the American people safe and alleviate the Biden-caused humanitarian crisis at the border. I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-blasts-department-of-defense-abortion-policy-in-floor-speech,Wicker Blasts Department of Defense Abortion Policy in Floor Speech,2023-12-12,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, took to the Senate floor to slam the Department of Defense’s abortion travel policies and urged the Biden administration to reverse course. In his remarks, Senator Wicker disputed claims from the Biden administration and Department of Defense that there is any linkage between overall military readiness and changes in abortion policy. “Our precarious situation makes it irresponsible for anyone to fear monger about readiness in order to advance a political agenda. Yet that is what we must conclude the president’s appointees at the Department of Defense have done,” Wicker said. “They contend that the Dobbs decision hurts readiness. So, in response, Republicans have repeatedly asked for proof that Dobbs harms readiness… And the administration has refused to provide that evidence. In truth, that is because the evidence does not exist.” As further evidence undermining claims from the Biden administration that there is a connection between readiness and abortion policy, Senator Wicker also noted that he has obtained information suggesting only 12 women have used the authorities available from the abortion policy change. “Despite the administration’s stonewalling, I obtained information indicating that just twelve women during this entire time have taken advantage of the reimbursement. Just twelve,” Wicker said. “Over a million Americans serve in our armed forces, but twelve – not twelve thousand or even twelve hundred, but twelve – have so far used this abortion travel reimbursement program. So, the Biden administration cannot provide proof that Dobbs precipitated a crisis for our national defense.” The Mississippi senator additionally raised the illegal and wrongheaded abortion policy in the context of growing politicization of the armed forces and noted Republican efforts to reverse that trend in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. “We do, Mr. President, have evidence that other administration priorities are harming our armed forces. The United States military faces a recruiting challenge. But the Biden administration is making it worse. The president has instituted a woke diversity, equity, and inclusion bureaucracy at the DOD that is souring service members’ views of the military…In this year’s national defense legislation, Republicans successfully included provisions curbing that woke agenda.” Read Senator Wicker’s remarks as delivered below. Watch them here. Mr. President, a major item in the news last week was that the senior senator from Alabama, Senator Tuberville, released holds on over four hundred military promotions. As usual, media reports framed the situation in the same way that the Biden administration had. Both the president and the press focused on the holds instead of the policy the holds protested. They claimed my colleague manufactured a crisis. The truth is that it has been the President’s political appointees that have been manufacturing a crisis from the start. Let’s go back. In the summer of 2022, the Supreme Court handed down its landmark Dobbs ruling. Almost immediately, the then-Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel claimed the decision would have, and I quote, “significant implications...for the readiness of the force.” Again, he claimed that the Supreme Court’s decision, which essential returned abortion decisions to the states, would have, “significant implications…for the readiness of the force.” Let’s all agree that readiness is vital to our success. Military readiness is our number one job. The United States faces the most dangerous national security situation in decades. China’s military strength is growing at an alarming rate. Russia has brought war to Europe. Iran is actively attacking our troops, and North Korea continues to develop dangerous weapons. In the face of such a complicated web of threats, we must take military preparations seriously. Our precarious situation makes it irresponsible for anyone to fear monger about readiness in order to advance a political agenda. Yet that is what we must conclude the president’s appointees at the Department of Defense have done. They contend that the Dobbs decision hurts readiness. So, in response, Republicans have repeatedly asked for proof that Dobbs harms readiness. I, as ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, have personally asked for proof that Dobbs harms readiness. And the administration has refused to provide that evidence. In truth, that is because the evidence does not exist. At this point, it is pretty clear that Biden officials are avoiding the question because they do not like the answer. It is difficult not to see that the president, not my colleague from Alabama, is the one trying to manufacture a crisis. To solve this imaginary emergency, the administration released what they called a “reproductive health policy.” The creative title failed to disguise what is a clear attempt to illegally use taxpayer dollars for abortion, contrary to the Hyde Amendment. Under the rule, service members are granted compensated time off, as well as reimbursement for travel costs incurred, to receive an abortion. This policy violates popular opinion just like it violates the law. Most Americans oppose late-term abortion. But a DOD official begrudgingly admitted to me in testimony that the policy would facilitate abortion at the very latest stages of pregnancy, in the eighth or ninth month. The provision applies to abortions conducted mere days before a child’s due date. That’s just a fact. Again, the administration claims this policy is necessary to solve a readiness problem created by Dobbs. But if Dobbs is such a threat, we could reasonably expect wide usage of the travel policy. Despite the administration’s stonewalling, I obtained information indicating that just twelve women during this entire time have taken advantage of the reimbursement. Just twelve. Over a million Americans serve in our armed forces, but twelve – not twelve thousand or even twelve hundred, but twelve – have so far used this abortion travel reimbursement program. So, the Biden administration cannot provide proof that Dobbs precipitated a crisis for our national defense. We do, Mr. President, have evidence that other administration priorities are harming our armed forces. The United States military faces a recruiting challenge. But the Biden administration is making it worse. The president has instituted a woke diversity, equity, and inclusion bureaucracy at the DOD that is souring service members’ views of the military. A survey of active duty troops found that seven in ten are concerned about politization of the military. The same percent said that politicization would affect whether or not they encourage their children to enlist. We know family ties are the number one way we recruit new service members. When the Biden administration injects politics into the armed forces, it weakens that recruiting channel. And we see the results of that weakening. In this year’s national defense legislation, Republicans successfully included provisions curbing that woke agenda. But regrettably, Democrats blocked our efforts to end the DOD’s illegal abortion travel policy. We will continue in future Congresses to resist that travel policy. Last year’s Dobbs decision was a monumental victory for the Constitution, our country, and the unborn. It was the culmination of decades of dedicated work by pro-life groups, and I salute them. These groups understood how the framers built our political process, and they patiently used their voices to advocate for their unborn in our democratic system. They were rewarded for their faithfulness that they exhibited nearly fifty years after Roe. During this time, the Biden administration refused to play by those rules. And they it grasped for ways to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling. We intend, in the next phase of our effort, to promote a culture of life and refocus the Pentagon on its national defense mission. The pro-life movement has always been a coalition of energetic volunteers, resilient advocates, and elected officials. We will continue to work together to fight for the unborn.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-casey-garamendi-wittman-introduce-legislation-that-prioritizes-u-s-ship-production-and-energy-exports,"Wicker, Casey, Garamendi, Wittman Introduce Legislation that Prioritizes U.S. Ship Production and Energy Exports",2023-12-12,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Bob Casey, D-Penn., introduced the Energizing American Shipbuilding Act. This legislation would increase the United States’ exports of liquified natural gas (LNG) and crude oil on American built, flagged, and crewed vessels, and, subsequently, it would expand our domestic shipbuilding industrial base. U.S. Congressmen John Garamendi, D-Calif., and Rob Wittman, R-Va., introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. ""Energy security is national security. There is a global energy demand and if the United States does not step up to the plate, our adversaries will fill the void. The United States — and Mississippi — can lead the way,"" Wicker said. ""South Mississippi is home to a significant portion of our country’s shipbuilding industry. This bill would support American shipbuilding and pay dividends for the Magnolia State. It's a win-win for our economy and jobs."" “From Philadelphia to Erie, Pennsylvania shipyards have produced many of the vessels that have made our maritime industry and our Navy strong,” Casey said. “Requiring an increasing share of natural gas and oil exports to be transported aboard American-built, American-crewed ships is an investment in our national defense, the economic competitiveness of American shipbuilders and mariners, and the communities they call home.” “I am pleased to again partner with Senators Wicker and Casey and my House colleagues on this critical bill. While I support the long-term transition to a global economy powered by clean energy, I believe strongly that any continued U.S. exports of petroleum and natural gas should be on American-built vessels. American shipyards and mariners are ready for the job, and our bipartisan bill ensures they are no longer expected to compete against heavily subsidized foreign shipyards in Korea, China, and elsewhere,” Garamendi said. ""In 1995, Congress required that all crude oil exported from Alaska’s North Slope be transported on U.S.-flagged vessels to preserve the tanker fleet essential to our national defense. It was good policy then, and it is good policy now."" ""The Energizing American Shipbuilding Act is a decisive step toward securing America's future,” Wittman said. “By prioritizing U.S. shipbuilding and manufacturing in exporting liquefied natural gas and crude oil, we break free from foreign subsidy competition and revitalize our merchant fleet. This bipartisan, bicameral effort is a beacon for job creation, national defense, and sustained American economic strength."" The bill would require that vessels built in the U.S. transport 15 percent of total seaborne LNG exports by 2043 and 10 percent of total seaborne crude oil exports by 2035. If enacted, the bill is expected to spur the construction of dozens of ships, supporting thousands of good-paying jobs in American shipyards, while also boosting domestic vessel component manufacturing and maritime industries.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-announces-35-million-in-federal-funding-for-critical-freight-corridor,Wicker Announces $35 Million in Federal Funding for Critical Freight Corridor,2023-12-11,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., announced a grant for a 10-mile critical freight corridor between Bentonia and Yazoo City made possible by a $35 million federal investment. The funding stems from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Senator Wicker helped negotiate as a top Republican in the U.S. Senate. Senator Wicker sent a letter of support to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for this project. The effort will rehabilitate a portion of the existing 4-lane rural freight corridor on US 49, which will improve regional transportation and promote commercial activity. “Infrastructure investments for rural areas are a top priority. Mississippians need access to safe, reliable transportation and an equal opportunity to draw more economic development. This grant funding is an investment in Yazoo County’s future,” Wicker said. About the federal funding and Senator Wicker’s involvement: The grant, which will be administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, is part of the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, also known as the “Rural” grant program.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-fischer-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-protect-rural-seniors,"Wicker, Fischer, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Rural Seniors",2023-12-07,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., joined Senator Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and his colleagues in introducing the Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act. The legislation would prohibit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary from finalizing a proposed nursing home staffing rule that would hurt rural facilities and could force many to close. On September 1, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a rule that would mandate new minimum staffing standards for long-term care (LTC) facilities. According to CMS, 75 percent of nursing homes would have to increase staffing to comply with the proposed standards. This standard will be even harder to meet in rural areas, which already face historic staffing shortages. “The Biden administration recently proposed a national plan to address healthcare provider shortages, a challenge which especially hurts rural areas. But what works in one state may not work in Mississippi,” Wicker said. “Closing our rural-urban healthcare gap will require tailored solutions designed by those who know their communities best – local leaders. This legislation empowers them to make decisions they believe are best for their towns while rejecting the Biden administration’s one-size-fits-all approach.” “Nursing homes across the country face historic staffing shortages, and nowhere are those challenges more real than in rural states like Nebraska. This mandate from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would force many facilities to reduce their number of patients or even close their doors for good. My legislation will stop this staffing rule and allow time to find a fairer solution that protects rural facilities across our state,” Fischer said. The legislation would also establish an advisory panel on nursing home staffing that includes voices from both urban and rural communities. The panel would submit a report to Congress that analyzes workforce shortages and makes practical recommendations to strengthen the workforce. While CMS estimates the cost for this rule is $4 billion, LeadingAge, the association for nonprofit providers of aging services, believes that the CMS proposed budget is significantly underestimated. LeadingAge estimates that the rule’s staffing requirements will cost providers nearly $7 billion in the first year alone. In addition to Wicker and Fischer, co-sponsors include U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, R-Kan., James Lankford, R-Okla., Jon Tester, D-Mont., Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine. The House-version was introduced by U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., in September. The bill is endorsed by over 90 organizations.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-cassidy-colleagues-sound-alarm-on-resurgence-of-bds-movement-threatening-israel-s-right-to-exist,"Wicker, Cassidy, Colleagues Sound Alarm on Resurgence of BDS Movement Threatening Israel’s Right to Exist",2023-12-06,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., joined 14 of his Republican colleagues in a letter to the Biden administration expressing concern over the resurgence of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement on college campuses. The stated goal of the BDS campaign is to economically weaken Israel and threaten the nation’s right to exist. Led by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., the senators also argued that President Biden’s 2022 environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) rule could empower left-wing activists to insert BDS policies into retirement plans, politicizing Americans’ retirement savings with the intention of hurting Israel. “We are deeply concerned that, in this environment of unrest, there is likely to be a resurgence in the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which will be used to economically harm and delegitimize the state of Israel,” wrote the senators. “Although student government resolutions are not binding, support for these initiatives can lead to a divisive atmosphere on campus.” “Furthermore, if the sentiments expressed in these resolutions are shared by a college or university system’s trustees, the institution’s affirmation of a pro-BDS position would have very real consequences for Israel, a military and cultural ally,” continued the senators. “The American people must be confident that pension investors will not override the economic goals, or personal views, of beneficiaries to pursue their own political agenda.” Wicker and Cassidy were joined by U.S. Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, James Risch, R-Idaho, Ron Johnson, R-Wis., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Katie Britt, R-Ala. Read the full letter here and below. Dear Acting Secretary Su: On October 8, the day after Hamas terrorists invaded Israel, killed 1,400 Israelis, and kidnapped at least 203 people, most of whom were civilians, anti-Israel activists flocked to rallies at college campuses across the United States where speakers and attendees openly celebrated these brutal attacks. We are deeply concerned that, in this environment of unrest, there is likely to be a resurgence in the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which will be used to economically harm and delegitimize the state of Israel. Over the last decade, supporters of the BDS movement have focused their U.S. campaign on college campuses. While reaching a high of 44 BDS votes during the 2014-2015 school year, the popularity of such petitions had steadily declined. However, since the October 7 attack on Israel, there have been at least three instances where student protestors have urged their college to adopt a pro-BDS stance: Arizona State University (ASU), Vassar College, and Grinnell College. The ASU chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) intends to deliver a petition to the ASU Dean of Students Office and Undergraduate Student Government calling on ASU to boycott Israel and divest from companies supporting the country. Similarly, Vassar College’s SJP chapter staged a walkout on October 25, demanding that the college divest from weapons manufacturers arming Israel while publicizing its independent contractors’ investments, boycott two study abroad programs in Israel, and call for an end to the blockade and U.S. funds to Israel. The protestors also asked the Vassar Student Association to reintroduce pro-BDS legislation. On October 27, Grinnell College’s SJP leaders similarly demanded the college immediately divest from any and all investments that financially support Israel or its military and release a statement calling for an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. Although student government resolutions are not binding, support for these initiatives can lead to a divisive atmosphere on campus. Furthermore, if the sentiments expressed in these resolutions are shared by a college or university system’s trustees, the institution’s affirmation of a pro-BDS position would have very real consequences for Israel, a military and cultural ally. While there are valid and varied views about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and some who want their investment portfolio to reflect their political views, BDS campaigns tend to be heavy-handed, one-sided, and will place the onus for changed policies and behaviors only on Israel. The Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) administers and enforces the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). Among other things, ERISA requires plans to provide participants with information regarding plan features and funding and to provide fiduciary duties of care and loyalty for those who manage and control plan assets (e.g., trustees and members of a plan’s investment committee). Under ERISA, the primary responsibility of fiduciaries is to run the plan solely in the interest of participants and beneficiaries and for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits and paying plan expenses. ESG factors can only be considered if they are appropriate for retirement savings and are in the best interest of plan participants, and cannot be considered solely for ancillary political or social reasons. Complicating matters, a 2022 Biden DOL rule, entitled Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Analyzing Shareholder Rights, empowered fiduciaries to consider ESG factors in their risk-return analysis of potential investments and use impact issues as a “tie breaker” when choosing between equally competitive funds. This rule may allow activist university trustees to target Israel and companies doing business with Israel, thereby politicizing the retirement savings of our nation’s educators. The American people must be confident that pension investors will not override the economic goals, or personal views, of beneficiaries to pursue their own political agenda. Therefore, in order to understand DOL’s approach to this potential problem, we request you answer the following questions, on a question-by-question basis, by January 2, 2024: What effect does the Biden rule have on retirement plan trustees/fiduciaries considering BDS (a factor unlikely to relate to benefitting plan beneficiaries) when evaluating potential investments? What steps, if any, would DOL’s EBSA take to investigate complaints regarding BDS-informed investment strategies using teachers’ pensions? Has DOL’s EBSA received any complaints regarding BDS-informed investment strategies using teachers’ pensions? If so, how many? And, from which university? Does DOL plan to publish any proactive guidance or technical assistance to discourage trustees/fiduciaries from capitulating to the BDS movement and improperly imposing their own political viewpoints on plan beneficiaries? If so, when do you anticipate releasing such guidance or technical assistance?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/pro-life-lawmakers-oppose-proposed-hhs-rule-targeting-pregnancy-centers,Pro-Life Lawmakers Oppose Proposed HHS Rule Targeting Pregnancy Centers,2023-12-04,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representative Michael Guest, R-Miss., today joined Representative Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., and their colleagues in bicameral opposition to a proposed rule that targets the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding by pregnancy centers and alternatives to abortion programs. The comment letter, which was signed by 11 Senators and 19 Members of Congress, denounces the proposed Strengthening TANF as a Safety Net and Work Program rule and asks Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to withdraw it immediately. “Women deserve better than abortion and should receive support when they choose life for their babies. For decades, pregnancy centers have stood in the gap and generously provided free assistance to women, babies, and families in their moments of need—actions aligned with TANF’s purposes,” the lawmakers wrote. “The Proposed Rule, however, would undermine the TANF program and threaten to strip millions of dollars in support for pregnant women and their unborn babies through pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and alternatives to abortion programs. We urge you to withdraw the Proposed Rule immediately.” In the proposed rule, HHS singles out “entities sometimes known as crisis pregnancy centers or pregnancy resource centers,” which receive funding through “programs that only or primarily provide pregnancy counseling to women only after they become pregnant,” an apparent reference to alternatives to abortion programs. HHS states these programs “likely do not meet the reasonable person standard because the connection to preventing and reducing out-of-wedlock pregnancies is tenuous or non-existent.” In their letter, the lawmakers point out that HHS is overlooking the full extent of services offered by the more than 2,700 pregnancy centers across the country, which alone helped nearly two million women and families in 2019. Alternatives to abortion programs offer services and material assistance to women and families, such as parenting classes, life skills training, care coordination, housing and support services through maternity homes, job search assistance, and more. “Chillingly, HHS suggests TANF support for pregnancy centers should be steered toward family planning programs more typical of the business models of Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry instead. Specifically, HHS states TANF funds should be directed to ‘comprehensive sex education, family planning services, pregnancy prevention programs, and community mobilization services for at risk youth that increase access to pregnancy prevention programs for teens,’” the lawmakers wrote. “This seems to be another attempt by the Biden administration to funnel taxpayer dollars to the abortion industry.” In addition to Wicker and Hyde-Smith, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Steve Daines, R-Mont., Mike Lee, R-Utah, J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Mike Braun, R-Ind., James Lankford, R-Okla., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., John Kennedy, R-La., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., and Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. In addition to Guest and Smith, the letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Debbie Lesko, R-Ariz., Erin Houchin, R-Ind., Mary Miller, R-Ill., Alex X. Mooney, R-W.Va., Jeff Duncan, R-S.C., Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., John Moolenaar, R-Mich., Larry Bucshon, R-Ind., James R. Baird, R-Ind., Jim Banks, R-Ind., Clay Higgins, R-La., Keith Self, R-Texas, Garret Graves, R-La., Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., and Eric Burlison, R-Mo. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Family Research Council, Americans United for Life, CatholicVote, Heartbeat International, Care Net, National Right to Life, March for Life Action, Ethics and Public Policy Center HHS Accountability Project, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Family Policy Alliance, Live Action, and the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates support the lawmakers’ effort.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-scott-colleagues-demand-answers-from-biden-administration-on-latest-iran-sanctions-waiver,"Wicker, Scott, Colleagues Demand Answers from Biden Administration on Latest Iran Sanctions Waiver",2023-12-04,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., and 23 other senators in calling out the Biden administration’s lack of a cohesive Iran strategy and its decision to extend a sanctions waiver. The November 13 waiver will provide Iran access to approximately $10 billion as Israel continues to battle Iranian-backed Hamas and the regime’s proxies increase their attacks against U.S. personnel in the region. ""A strong signal of deterrence—utilizing military, economic, and diplomatic tools—is needed if we want to stop the attacks against U.S. personnel and prevent the war in Gaza from expanding into a protracted regional conflict. Unfortunately, the administration’s military and economic responses to Iran and its proxies have not only been disproportionate, they appear to be completely disjointed,” the senators wrote. Wicker and Scott were joined by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Ted Budd, R-N.C., J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Bill Cassidy, R-La., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., John Hoeven, R-N.D., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Tom Cotton, R-Ark., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Deb Fischer, R-Neb. On August 18, 2023, Wicker joined Scott and 24 of their Republican colleagues in demanding answers from the administration after it released approximately $6 billion in frozen assets to Iran in exchange for American prisoners. Read the full letter here and below: Dear Secretaries Blinken, Yellen, and Austin: On August 18, 2023, we wrote to express our concern over the administration’s decision to release $6 billion worth of frozen Iranian assets in exchange for the return of American detainees. This decision reinforced an incredibly dangerous precedent of providing ransom payments to the world’s greatest state sponsor of terrorism and put a price on the life of every American overseas. Understanding the grave error of the unfreezing of Iranian assets and the danger this action poses to U.S. lives and interests, it is therefore alarming to hear that the administration is doubling down on its appeasement strategy by actively working to provide Iran with access to billions more in funding. On October 7, 2023, Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, brutally killing an estimated 1,200 civilians and taking over 200 hostages. In response, the administration reached an agreement with Qatar on October 12 to temporarily prevent the unfrozen assets—now held at Qatari financial institutions—from being expended. Based on information from your administration, it is our belief that with the current lack of safeguards, Iran will soon access this $6 billion and use the funds to continue to expand its malign proxy activities. Since October 7, Hamas and fellow Iranian proxy, Hezbollah, have continued to launch attacks against Israel as it fights to defend its sovereignty and protect its people. As we continue to stand with our greatest ally in the Middle East, other Iranian proxies have increased their attacks against U.S. personnel in the region. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria have conducted over seventy attacks against U.S. personnel since October 7. United States forces have responded only three times. However, at the same time, your administration has inadvisably taken steps to unlock tens of billions of dollars for Iran to fund additional terrorist activities that directly threaten American lives. On November 13, 2023, the U.S. Department of State extended a sanctions waiver pursuant to Section 1245(d)(5) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 and Section 1244(i) and 1247(f) of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012, finding that a sanctions waiver to allow Iraq to pay Iran for electricity was in the national security interest of the United States. Public reports have held that there is roughly $10 billion in Iraqi payments for Iranian electricity currently being held in escrow accounts in Iraq.[1] The decision to extend this waiver and allow Iran to convert Iraqi Dinars to Euros was signed the day after U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out its latest strike against facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other Iranian proxy groups in Eastern Syria, in response to their attacks against U.S. personnel. Such timing signals to Iran that despite attacks on U.S. service members and our allies, it is business as normal on the economic front. As we said in August, money is fungible. Combined with the $10 billion waiver extension, the administration has provided Iran with access to roughly $16 billion in assets over the past four months; assets that can be used—now or in the future—to offset the cost of the Iranian regime’s increase in destabilizing activities across the region. A strong signal of deterrence—utilizing military, economic, and diplomatic tools—is needed if we want to stop the attacks against U.S. personnel and prevent the war in Gaza from expanding into a protracted regional conflict. Unfortunately, the administration’s military and economic responses to Iran and its proxies have not only been disproportionate, they appear to be completely disjointed. We therefore request that your departments provide us with a classified assessment on the administration’s plan to deter Iranian aggression and prevent the escalation of conflict in the Middle East. This assessment should include an estimation of how Iran has already leveraged—and could in the future leverage—against U.S. persons and interests the tens of billions in assets it now has access to due to your administration’s use of U.S. sanctions waivers and is to be provided in a member or staff-level briefing no later than December 7, 2023.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-delivers-floor-speech-on-slipping-american-deterrence-efforts,Wicker Delivers Floor Speech on Slipping American Deterrence Efforts,2023-12-01,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, yesterday took to the floor to discuss the findings of the recent Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States, which studied on a bipartisan basis the state of deterrence efforts across platforms and domains. In his remarks, Senator Wicker suggested that the findings of the report are “stunning,” as they measure up the implications of mission requirements for the United States military to deter both China and Russia at the same time. Wicker ensued that every Senator would personally receive a copy of the report given the gravity of its findings. “The report comments on an array of military issues, but it distills its findings to a single, alarming fact. China and Russia are increasingly able to match our military might, and if we do not act now, the consequences will be seismic. Not only could we fail to deter a war; we might actually lose the next war,” Wicker said. “The report finds that we are not prepared for what is coming. And here’s what’s coming: For the first time, we must stand up to the ambitions of two nuclear-armed peer adversaries, in multiple regions of the world, at the same time. That stunning conclusion means this report should be required reading for each of my colleagues.” Specifically, the Mississippi senator highlighted efforts by China and Russia to competitively invest in technologies that have previously guaranteed the United States battlefield dominance, such as space-based communications, cyber warfare, and nuclear modernization. “China and Russia watched as we shuttered our shipyards and ammunition plants, as we let our ships rust, and as we neglected to replace our aging Cold War nuclear arsenal…They built the kinds of weapons needed to take us on in a conventional fight and keep us at bay in a strategic one,” Wicker said. “The autocrats who rule China and Russia began paying attention to more than our guns and ships. When our satellites and next-generation communications capabilities gave us an unbeatable edge in the Gulf War they took notice. We could see, communicate, and shoot from farther away than anyone else…Cutting-edge technology, not mere masses of metal, would win the final argument of nations. The leaders of Russia and China soon came to recognize this.” To offset gains made by China and Russia, Wicker mentioned the need to expand the defense industrial base for producing B-21 aircraft, Columbia-class submarines, as well as attack submarines to fulfill the AUKUS agreement. To this end, the Mississippi senator recommend the establishment of a third public shipyard for submarine maintenance, investments in missile defenses and theatre nuclear forces, as well as acceleration of the sea-launched cruise missile program. While costly, Wicker noted that these investments could vastly improve American defenses in short time. “Of course, these actions come with a price tag, but we have always found our defense investments to be both expensive and priceless,” Wicker said. “It will cost money to deter China and Russia from threatening us, but it will cost much, much more – in money and in lives – if we do not. In the words of former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, “America can afford survival.” Watch the full speech here or read it below. Read more about Senator Wicker’s recent work on national defense here. Access a copy of the Commission’s report here. Madam President, this is a difficult topic to discuss because it is so serious and because there is so much catching up to do. Two years ago, Congress created the bipartisan Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States. We gave the job of: examining the strengths and weaknesses of our national security position. The Commission’s report, was released just last month. The report comments on an array of military issues, but its findings can be distilled to a single, alarming fact. China and Russia are increasingly able to match our military might, and if we do not act now, the consequences will be seismic. Not only could we fail to deter a war; we might actually lose the next war. The report finds that we are not prepared for what is coming. And here’s what’s coming: for the first time, we must stand up to the ambitions of two nuclear-armed peer adversaries, in multiple regions of the world, at the same time. That stunning conclusion means this report should be required reading for each of my colleagues. And so, Madam President, I have directed my staff to deliver a copy personally to every Senator, and I hope we take its message to heart. The American military – in particular, our nuclear deterrent – has been one of the principal guarantors of global security since the late 1940s. Our power crested at the end of the 20th century when the Berlin Wall crumbled and we emerged as the world’s sole superpower. Instead of maintaining that competitive edge, we allowed it to slip away in both conventional and strategic deterrence. China and Russia watched as we shuttered our shipyards and ammunition plants, as we let our ships rust, and as we neglected to replace our aging Cold War nuclear arsenal. Then, as successive presidential administrations let defense assets deteriorate, China and Russia poured more funds into their weapons stores. They built the kinds of weapons needed to take us on in a conventional fight and keep us at bay in a strategic one. This is not one senator saying this, Madam President. This is the bipartisan commission that we tasked with investigating this thoroughly. The autocrats who rule China and Russia began paying attention to more than our guns and ships. When our satellites and next-generation communications capabilities gave us an unbeatable edge in the Gulf War, these adversaries of ours took notice. We could see, communicate, and shoot from farther away than anyone else. When we deployed these tools, we inaugurated new ways to protect ourselves. Cutting-edge technology, not mere masses of metal, would win the final argument of nations. But the leaders of Russia and China soon came to recognize this also. They began to meet our advances and ensure we could never to do them what we had done to Saddam Hussein’s military in 1991. Among the Commission’s direst findings is the fact that China and Russia have largely succeeded. China has built strike complexes of their own that make the prospect of war increasingly perilous. Their fleet of anti-satellite weapons and cyber warfare capabilities could render our military blind, deaf, and mute in a potential conflict over Taiwan. United States victory, and therefore deterrence, was once a fait accompli; today, we risk war that would shake the foundations of everyday American life, and the foundations of global peace. The consequences of our negligence together with Chinese and Russian investment are most acute when it comes to our nuclear position, which has been the foundation of our deterrence capability. Russian submarines are becoming much more advanced, and China is rapidly bringing missile silos online. Meanwhile, our Air Force personnel are still using floppy discs to operate missiles that are older than their parents, and they are flying bombers older than their grandparents. Our nuclear submarines – the crown jewels of U.S. military power – are having to remain at sea longer as our fleet shrinks. Workforce problems and maintenance delays hold the fleet back from its potential. The AUKUS agreement is a tremendous diplomatic achievement that can be a game changer, but it must be implemented correctly. And right now, we are short of the attack submarines that are clearly needed. China and Russia now clearly realize that joining forces can help each reach their goals. China wants to occupy Taiwan, and their leader has said they need to be ready to do that as soon as 2027. Russia wants to puncture NATO’s iron wall. They want to help each other do both. Their sinister intent and increasing capabilities make this the most dangerous national security moment we have faced in 75 years. Paul Nitze, the Pentagon official whose strategic wisdom helped us win the Cold War, once said, “Our fundamental purpose is more likely to be defeated from lack of the will to maintain it, than from any mistakes we may make.” In other words, the future is ours to lose. But the future is still ours. This report recommends several policies that can help us end the damaging defense cuts of the past three decades and begin making investments we need. The Commission’s first is that we rebuild and expand the defense industrial base, including the National Nuclear Security Administration’s nuclear weapons production infrastructure. In particular, Congress should partner with the administration and the Navy to establish a third public shipyard to conduct submarine maintenance. Again, this is the recommendation of a completely bipartisan commission of experts. The second proposal builds on the first. We need educational institutions and a talent pipeline to bring skilled tradesmen to this industrial base. These high-paying, stable, and long-term jobs do not require master’s or bachelor’s degrees. They can advance both national security and expand economic opportunity. Finally, the report recommends a series of products we should prioritize. We need more conventional forces, and we should increase procurement of strategic nuclear capabilities like the B-21 and Columbia-class submarine. We need improved missile defenses and rapidly-deployable theater nuclear forces like the sea-launched cruise missile. Delivering these products would put our adversaries on notice and reassure our allies at the same time. Of course, these actions come with a price tag, but we have always found our defense investments to be both expensive and priceless. It will cost money to deter China and Russia from threatening us, but it will cost much, much more – in money and in lives – if we do not. In the words of former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, “America can afford survival.” The good news is that we have done this before. In the late 1970s, the Pentagon sowed the seeds of our defense technological revival, even as the Carter administration shrank from the world stage. But then in 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. That attack was a wake-up call. It taught Washington there is no substitute for superior military might. Paul Nitze, helped form an organization that educated Congress, the Carter administration, and the American people about the Soviet Union’s threat. The result was the Reagan defense buildup that won the Cold War. Madam President, we can do that again. But we must abandon the status quo and start thinking big again. The shocking warnings in this report should spur us to abandon our inertia and take bold actions that will lead us into the next American century.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/12/wicker-hyde-smith-urge-biden-admin-to-address-rising-rates-of-antisemitism,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Urge Biden Admin. To Address Rising Rates of Antisemitism",2023-12-01,2023,2023-12,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., are among 32 Republican senators urging the Biden administration to address antisemitism toward Jewish children in K-12 schools amid rising rates in the aftermath of Hamas’ deadly attacks against Israel. In a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, the senators asked that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act be enforced to ensure the protection of Jewish students from growing antisemitic harassment. The lawmakers also requested a briefing on the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights compliance reviews and investigations based on harassment or violence complaints in K-12 schools. “We are deeply concerned that the Department of Education is not ensuring American K-12 schools are fostering a safe learning environment for all students following the terrorist organization Hamas’ violent attack on civilians, including Americans and Israeli citizens,” the senators wrote. “Parents should feel confident that their children’s school will be safe and the focus will be on education,” the senators continued. “Instead, parents are beginning to fear that not only is school not safe for their students, but school officials are actively working to undermine the safety of their children.” “Some schools seem unwilling or unable to uphold their legal obligations under Title VI,” the senators wrote. “Therefore, the Department should use its full resources to enforce the law.” Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Department of Education has a responsibility to ensure schools that receive federal funds maintain a safe learning environment for students. While the administration has since announced new efforts to address antisemitism in schools, these actions do nothing to ensure schools are responsibly handling these events and working to prevent them in the first place. The letter cites several antisemitic incidences at K-12 schools following the Hamas attack on Israel, including: Shortly after the October 7 attacks, an 11-year-old in Manhattan Beach, Calif., told four Jewish girls at his school that “all Israelis and Jews should be killed.” On October 9, the Revere, Mass., Public Schools superintendent sent an email to school staff promoting resources that claimed, “Israeli terrorism has been significantly worse than that of the Palestinians.” On October 17, a New York City middle school teacher and United Federation of Teachers’ (UFT) school representative sent an email to teachers’ union members deriding the UFT’s official statement denouncing the October 7 attack and calling on the unions’ retirement system to “divest from weapons and other companies that are complicit in violations of Palestinians’ civil and land rights.” On October 18, students in San Francisco marched through the hallways of their high school chanting anti-Semitic slogans. “Examples are continuing to surface of K-12 teachers using materials that perpetuate antisemitism,” the senators noted. “There is a trend of school districts establishing courses under the guise of ‘ethnic studies’ that are aimed to force a political agenda on students and that uniquely target Jews, alleging that all Jews are white or ‘white adjacent’ and illegally occupy Israel. The Zinn Education Project, whose history curriculum is used by 155,000 teachers, declared that the October 7th attack was ‘the direct result of decades of Israeli occupation.’” The letter was led by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D., R-La., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. In addition to Wicker and Hyde-Smith, it was also signed by Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Susan Collins, R-Maine, John Cornyn, R-Texas, Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., John Hoeven, R-N.D., Ron Johnson, R-Wis., James Lankford, R-Okla., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Roger Marshall, M.D., R-Kan., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Rick Scott, R-Fla., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, John Thune, R-S.D., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:14:16Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/u-s-senate-passes-ole-miss-175th-anniversary-resolution,U.S. Senate Passes Ole Miss 175th Anniversary Resolution,2023-11-29,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate late Tuesday approved a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., that commemorates the 175th anniversary of the University of Mississippi. Passed by unanimous consent, the resolution (S.Res.477) highlights the growth and accomplishments of Mississippi’s flagship university since it opened its doors on Nov. 6, 1848. It celebrates the growth of Ole Miss into a diverse Southeastern Conference powerhouse in academics, research, the arts, and athletics. “After 175 years of service, the University of Mississippi has a lot to celebrate. This institution has grown from a small college in north Mississippi to a premier research institution that attracts students from around the world. I look forward to seeing many more years of excellence from Ole Miss,” Wicker said. “The University of Mississippi has been and continues to be a huge part of our state’s history and culture,” Hyde-Smith said. “Our resolution commemorating this notable 175-year milestone recognizes and celebrates the fact that thousands of students of all races, creeds, backgrounds, and beliefs flock to Ole Miss to receive a world-class education.” “As we celebrate the University of Mississippi’s 175th anniversary, I’m reflecting on the wonderful memories Billy and I made at Ole Miss as graduate students,” said Shaheen. “I have carried these experiences with me throughout my career, and I’m proud to see Ole Miss continue to prepare its students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.” Read the text of the resolution here or below. RESOLUTION Commending the University of Mississippi for 175 years of service to the State of Mississippi and the United States. Whereas the University of Mississippi began its first session on November 6, 1848, with a 4-member faculty offering a liberal arts curriculum to 80 students; Whereas the University of Mississippi established one of the first State-supported law schools in the United States in 1854, and it was the first university in Mississippi to establish a school of engineering in 1900; Whereas, in 1882, the University of Mississippi became one of the first universities in the South to admit women and, in 1885, was the first university in Mississippi to hire a female faculty member; Whereas, in 1903, the University of Mississippi began providing medical education on the Oxford campus; Whereas the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi— (1) was established by the Mississippi Legislature in 1950; (2) became the first and only academic medical center in Mississippi when it opened in 1955; and (3) was the site of the first lung and heart transplants into a human in the world, in 1963 and 1964, respectively; Whereas, in 1962, the University of Mississippi broke a racial barrier by admitting its first African-American student, James Meredith, who remains a source of inspiration today; Whereas, from its first class of 80 students, the University of Mississippi has grown to host more than 23,000 students participating in 120 programs of study across 7 campuses, including a medical center; Whereas thousands of students of all races, creeds, backgrounds, and beliefs receive world-class education at the University of Mississippi; Whereas the University of Mississippi advances academic excellence through the activity of the faculty and staff in departments and more than 75 academic, research, and community service centers; Whereas, in 2016, the University of Mississippi received a classification of “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, an honor bestowed on the top doctoral research universities in the United States; Whereas the University of Mississippi has produced 55 Fulbright Scholars, 27 Rhodes Scholars, 44 Boren Scholars, 18 Truman Scholars, 24 Goldwater Scholars, 8 Portz Scholars, and 11 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellows; Whereas the University of Mississippi has played a significant role in producing future public service leaders; Whereas, in 2008, the University of Mississippi hosted the first presidential debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, which was the first presidential debate held in Mississippi; Whereas, for 14 years, the University of Mississippi has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For”, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, in addition to earning honors in all 10 categories of recognition; Whereas the University of Mississippi is dedicated to supporting the academic success of student-athletes while striving for on-field success; Whereas the Ole Miss Rebels are composed of 18 men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic varsity teams that represent the University of Mississippi; Whereas the University of Mississippi, a charter member of the Southeastern Conference, claims 5 collegiate team national championships, and Ole Miss Rebel student-athletes have captured 25 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 individual titles; and Whereas the University of Mississippi has produced notable alumni in the fields of government, public policy, research, medicine, business, education, literature, the arts, journalism, athletics, and more: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) commends the University of Mississippi for its 175 years of service to the State of Mississippi and the United States; (2) recognizes the University of Mississippi for its academic, research, cultural, and athletic excellence; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to— (A) the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, Dr. Glenn F. Boyce; (B) the Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics of the University of Mississippi, Mr. Keith Carter; and",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-opens-national-defense-bill-conference,Wicker Opens National Defense Bill Conference,2023-11-29,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today delivered opening remarks at the “Pass the Gavel” ceremony to formally begin conference proceedings on the fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In his opening remarks, Wicker highlighted several of his priorities for the annual defense bill, which include procuring new platforms and munitions for service members, deterring adversaries, and refocusing the Department of Defense on its primary mission of warfighting. “Our weaponry is not where it should be. Our ships and airplanes – and particularly our submarines – are not where they ought to be,” Wicker said. “We are also concerned about the wokeness that seems to pervade the Department of Defense and military at this time, taking effort and attention away from most of what we need to be doing.” Read Senator Wicker’s remarks as delivered in full below. Thank you, Chairman Rogers, and thank you all. I agree with much of what has been said by my three teammates in this process already. My Chairman, Chairman Reed, mentioned China, Russia, Iran – I would also mention North Korea – these adversaries of the United States are in it together. It’s not just supposition on anyone’s part. The teamwork that they have been engaged in is public and open. And the Ranking Member Mr. Smith is correct: they have in common that they wish us ill. I join with the distinguished House Chairman in saying that Republican members on this side are not at all satisfied with how this administration has carried out the national defense responsibilities of the federal government. Our weaponry is not where it should be. Our ships and airplanes – and particularly our submarines – are not where they ought to be. We are also concerned about the wokeness that seems to pervade the Department of Defense and military at this time, taking effort and attention away from most of what we need to be doing. Clearly, Representative Smith is correct that our main goal should be the personnel in uniform who step forward to protect and swear an oath to the Constitution, who in a time of volunteerism, put themselves in harm’s way. So, it’s been a learning experience for me. I would point out that it has been a bipartisan process. Much negotiation took place. And here’s where I would thank the staff on both sides of the aisle and both sides of the Hill for the incredible amount of work and the late nights and long hours after members are able to adjourn and go home. Our hats are off to all the staff members. The result is that we the passed the bill in the Senate Armed Services Committee by a vote of 24-1 after amendments were added in the Chairman’s package. After 120 amendments were considered on the floor – most of them added – the NDAA passed the Senate by 86-11. So, this has been a bipartisan effort, though clearly there have been differences we have had to accommodate. Chairman Rogers is correct: I am not at all satisfied about some of the things we had to agree to, and neither are our Democratic friends. That said, I want to say a personal word of thanks to this negotiating team and say I look forward to hearing the discussion of others in the Senate and this House so that this NDAA can move to the full House and Senate and get it done before we leave here.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-hyde-smith-cosponsor-bill-to-protect-faith-based-child-welfare-providers,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Cosponsor Bill to Protect Faith-Based Child Welfare Providers",2023-11-28,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., have joined U.S. Senator Tim Scott, R-S.C., in introducing legislation to prohibit the federal government and states from discriminating against faith-based child welfare service providers, including adoption and foster care providers. The Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act (S.3344) would prohibit federal, state and local government agencies that receive federal adoption assistance funding from discriminating against child welfare service providers based on the providers’ unwillingness to act contrary to their religious beliefs. “Faith-based adoption and foster care providers do incredible work finding loving homes for our nation's orphans,” said Wicker. “It is deeply disturbing that certain states are seeking to drive these providers out of the marketplace because of their religious and moral beliefs, leaving children to pay the price. This legislation would protect federally-funded child welfare providers from discrimination based on their beliefs, allowing them to continue serving children in need."" “Child service providers who hold fast to their faith and find loving homes for children are an inspiration, and don’t deserve to be penalized or targeted by the Biden administration,” Hyde-Smith said. “This is reasonable legislation that protects religious freedoms and supports an all-hands-on-deck approach to ensuring the best welfare for vulnerable children.” “Faith-based foster care organizations have provided reliable, effective resources to countless families and children with nowhere else to go,” said Scott. “Despite their success, President Biden has caved to the far-left, making it harder for these organizations to provide critical services and leaving the kids who need them most out in the cold. I’m fighting back to protect religious freedom and support the incredible work of these invaluable organizations.” In addition to Wicker and Hyde-Smith, additional S.3344 cosponsors include U.S. Senators James Risch, R-Idaho, Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Roger Marshall, M.D., R-Kan., James Lankford, R-Okla., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and John Barrasso, M.D., R-Wyo. The legislation has been endorsed by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Heritage Action, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, and the Family Research Council.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-kaine-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-to-commemorate-90th-anniversary-of-holodomor-reaffirm-support-for-ukraine,"Wicker, Kaine Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Commemorate 90th Anniversary of Holodomor, Reaffirm Support for Ukraine",2023-11-28,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Tim Kaine, D-Va.., introduced a resolution commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Ukraine Famine of 1932-1933, known as the Holodomor, and underscoring the threat of Russia’s current war on Ukraine to the existence of the Ukrainian people and global food security. The resolution comes in advance of negotiations over a bipartisan supplemental funding package to support key national security priorities, including aid for Ukraine. “The Ukrainian people are no strangers to the cruel will of a Russian dictator. Ninety years ago, a Soviet-imposed famine killed millions. Today, Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked assault has not only brought hunger to millions but also threatened the very existence of Ukraine. As we mark the anniversary of the Holodomor, we also need to recognize Ukraine’s current peril and continue helping them win,” said Wicker. “90 years ago, millions of Ukrainians lost their lives because of Joseph Stalin’s forced famine,” said Kaine. “Today, Russia’s war on Ukraine is having devastating impacts on the Ukrainian people and global food supply. We must remember the victims and survivors of the Holodomor, condemn Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine and his weaponization of hunger, and continue to support Ukraine’s right to defend itself against Russian aggression.” Russia’s war in Ukraine has strangled Ukraine’s ability to export much-needed wheat. As the producer of roughly a fifth of the world’s high-grade wheat, Ukraine has historically played an outsized role in the global food supply. The ongoing war and Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Deal, which allowed international shipments of corn, wheat, barley, and other food products from three ports in Ukraine, is causing prices for grains to soar around the world, threatening to put millions of people in countries dependent on Ukraine’s food exports in danger, and devastating Ukraine’s economy. The number of people around the world facing acute food insecurity greatly increased from 193 million in 2021 to 258 million in 2022. Last year, approximately 35 million people experienced emergency levels of acute food insecurity, which is just one step away from famine. These figures are expected to worsen for 2023.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-statement-on-gaza-hostage-deal,Wicker Statement on Gaza Hostage Deal,2023-11-22,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the below statement following press reports of a hostage deal struck with Hamas in Gaza: “I am heartened to learn that at least fifty hostages whom Hamas terrorists seized on October 7, including dozens of children, will soon return to their loved ones. It is imperative that the Biden administration work to achieve the release of the remaining hostages, including women and children, until all are freed. “At the same time, I am deeply disappointed that this deal permits Hamas to benefit from its terrorism, including through the pause on Israeli action against the terrorist group and limitations on intelligence collection during the release process,” Wicker said. “It is further distressing to learn from media reports that Qatar, a major non-NATO ally, effectively served as Hamas’ lawyer during these events, allowing Hamas to set the terms for negotiating the release of young children. This is not behavior becoming of a friend of America. “It is now up to the Biden administration to ensure that the hostage releases happen as agreed while also holding Hamas accountable. This agreement cannot be an excuse to abandon Israel nor its mission of dismantling Hamas’ rule and terrorism capabilities in Gaza. This is Israel’s war of self-defense, and we must continue to stand strong beside our Israeli allies to ensure that Hamas can never repeat the horrors of October 7 again.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-hyde-smith-demand-answers-over-biden-s-unprecedented-pause-of-firearms-export-licenses,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Demand Answers Over Biden’s Unprecedented Pause of Firearms Export Licenses",2023-11-20,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., are among 46 Republican Senators demanding answers regarding a 90-day pause imposed by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) on the issuance of export licenses for firearms, ammunition, and certain accessories to most overseas markets. In a letter to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the senators pose a series of questions regarding the immediate pause announced by the DOC Bureau of Industry and Security on October 27, a move seen as the latest chapter in the Biden administration’s hostility toward the U.S. firearms industry. The pause, which includes exceptions for Israel and Ukraine, is expected to have a direct cost of at least $89 million and at least $238 million annually if it is made permanent. “As you know, firearms exports to non-government users in countries not covered by the exception constitute a significant percentage of overall U.S. firearm exports. This pause puts at stake U.S. commercial and economic interests, as well as those business interests of firearm exporters whose pending exports are now subject to pause, in addition to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests,” the lawmakers wrote Raimondo. “Finally, we are concerned the unmet demand created by this action will promote opportunities for less scrupulous, professional, or conscientious sources of supply to fill the void, thereby strengthening illicit arms markets,” the letter continued. The senators seek a response to their inquiry by no later than November 30. U.S. Senator Ted Budd, R-N.C., led the letter, which is available here and below. Dear Secretary Raimondo: We write regarding the October 27 announcement from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the Department of Commerce (the Department) that “[e]ffective immediately”, the Department “is pausing for approximately 90 days the issuance of new export licenses involving certain firearms, related components, and ammunition” as well as “the provision of new export assistance activities for such products to all non-governmental end users worldwide” with the exception of “those located in Ukraine, Israel, or a country in Country Group A:1 (Wassenaar Arrangement Participating States).” Further, this announcement stated that the Department will, during this “‘pause’ period”, conduct an urgent review of “current firearm export control review policies” in light of “U.S. national security and foreign policy interests” to “enable the Department to more effectively assess and mitigate risk of firearms being diverted to entities or activities that promote regional instability, violate human rights, or fuel criminal activities.” We recognize the crucial need for firearms for civilian self-defense in Ukraine and Israel, which are exempted from this pause, and note the actions by the Ukrainian and Israeli governments to fulfill those needs. For example, in response to the Hamas attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that part of the war against Hamas involves “encouraging civilians and helping civilians to arm themselves for their self-defence.” The Israeli Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, promised to distribute 10,000 free weapons, including 4,000 rifles to settlers in the West Bank, and has relaxed rules for permits to allow 400,000 new people to qualify to carry a firearm. Similarly, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on February 24, 2022, that the Ukrainian government “will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country.” By June 2022, Ukraine had distributed “tens of thousands” of firearms to civilians “for national defense”, according to Ukrainian Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky. However, we also recognize the significance of exports that are now put on pause by the Department’s announcement. As you know, firearms exports to non-government users in countries not covered by the exception constitute a significant percentage of overall U.S. firearm exports. This pause puts at stake U.S. commercial and economic interests, as well as those business interests of firearm exporters whose pending exports are now subject to pause, in addition to U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. According to a survey conducted by NSSF, the firearm and ammunition industry trade association, this decision would have a severe negative economic impact. As of today, the industry estimates a direct cost of at least $89 million associated with the 90 day pause and at least $238 million annually should the pause become permanent. Furthermore, it is our understanding that the Department has never before imposed such a 90 day pause on such a wide range of firearms exports. We have significant concerns about the justifications for and ramifications of this pause. Finally, we are concerned the unmet demand created by this action will promote opportunities for less scrupulous, professional, or conscientious sources of supply to fill the void, thereby strengthening illicit arms markets. Thus, for the purpose of congressional oversight regarding the Department’s announcement we ask that you respond to the following questions and requests by November 30, 2023:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-statement-on-china-s-continuing-aggression,Wicker Statement on China’s Continuing Aggression,2023-11-18,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement in regard to recent reports of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy action using sonar against Australian divers: “The Chinese military’s decision to injure Australian divers by using hull-mounted sonars on its destroyers is unacceptable. Only days after President Biden met with Chinese Communist Party General Secretary Xi Jinping, Beijing is once again harassing U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. While the Biden Administration celebrates hollow U.S.-China “working groups” as meaningful progress and Xi Jinping receives a standing ovation from American CEOs, the United States and our allies need to continue the hard work of bolstering deterrence in the Indo-Pacific,” Wicker said. “The Chinese Communist Party respects only strength, and only through strength will they refrain from such unacceptable behavior.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-hyde-smith-call-on-biden-to-enforce-congressionally-mandated-sanctions-on-iran,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Call on Biden to Enforce Congressionally-Mandated Sanctions on Iran",2023-11-17,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss. have joined Republican colleagues in calling on President Biden to immediately enforce oil sanctions on Iran as mandated by Congress. Wicker and Hyde-Smith are among 18 Senators who signed a letter to Biden that also urges the administration to permanently freeze the $6 billion funding mechanism established in September’s hostage agreement with Iran. The letter was spearheaded by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn. “For far too long, Iran has evaded consequence for its complacency in funding radical terror,” the senators wrote. “To prevent further atrocities and to fulfill our promise of providing unwavering support to our most important ally in the Middle East, we urge your administration to take the necessary means in severing financial avenues available to Iran, specifically cracking down on oil exports.” The letter cites a September 2023 Bloomberg Report that indicates U.S. officials “have privately acknowledged a gradual relaxation of enforcement on Iranian oil sales.” “Any relaxation of Congressionally-mandated sanctions against Iran while funding flows to terror organizations is wholly unacceptable,” the senators wrote. “The world is now seeing the direct result of allowing Iran’s oil revenues to grow and unfreezing billions of dollars in its extraterritorial bank accounts. Congress has a responsibility to ensure sanctions are not only on the books but enforced to their fullest extent. As our trusted ally Israel endures devastation, we must prioritize enforcing all economic sanctions and restricting Iranian oil revenue.” The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Shelley Moore Capito, R- W.Va., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, John Hoeven, R-N.D., James Lankford, R-Okla., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., John Kennedy, R-La., Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C. The full letter here and below: Dear President Biden: We write to you during a time of global outrage and sorrow following Hamas’s unprecedented massacre in Israel which has left 1,400 dead, including at least 33 Americans. Iran’s fingerprints are all over the events of October 7th and ensuing escalations across the Middle East. Its leaders have provided Hamas and Hezbollah hundreds of millions of dollars in funding, weapons, and training, bolstering terrorists on Israel’s borders. For far too long, Iran has evaded consequence for its complacency in funding radical terror. To prevent further atrocities and to fulfill our promise of providing unwavering support to our most important ally in the Middle East, we urge your administration to take the necessary means in severing financial avenues available to Iran, specifically cracking down on oil exports. We ask that you take immediate action to permanently freeze the funding mechanism established in September’s hostage deal with Iran. This $6 billion would free up money for Iran to use not for the well-being of its own people but for nefarious purposes in the region and beyond. Blocking the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism from accessing this $6 billion – rescinding or revising all waivers and licensed involved – will hinder the regime’s ability to support the death and destruction of our allies. We also demand that you take immediate action to fully enforce U.S. oil sanctions and interdict Iranian oil exports. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated that exports of crude oil and condensate from Iran fell from 2.5 million barrels per day in 2017 to a mere 400,000 in 2020 amidst the “maximum pressure” campaign. But that pressure campaign evaporated in 2021 and today is practically non-existent. Iran’s crude exports alone surged to more than 2 million barrels per day in August reportedly as part of the administration’s nuclear deal with Iran. That’s an estimated $26 to $30 billion in additional annual revenue for Tehran. A September 2023 report from Bloomberg indicates that U.S. officials “have privately acknowledged a gradual relaxation of enforcement on Iranian oil sales.” Any relaxation of Congressionally-mandated sanctions against Iran while funding flows to terror organizations is wholly unacceptable.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-peters-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-strengthen-commercial-space-industry-policy-and-competitiveness,"Wicker, Peters Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Commercial Space Industry Policy and Competitiveness",2023-11-17,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Gary Peters, D-Mich., introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen commercial space policy and promote industry competitiveness by establishing a Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee within the Office of Space Commerce. This legislation enables the advisory committee to share important insights into non-governmental space activity and empowers its members to inform and shape federal policy and programs. “The commercial space industry is growing rapidly, and it is important for government to help it continue,” Wicker said. “Establishing a new advisory committee staffed by subject matter experts across industry, academia, and policy will help us guide this industry into the next era.” “As connected technologies continue to evolve, space-based assets will only become more critical to our safety and national security,” Peters said. “This bipartisan legislation would give our space industry leaders a seat at the table to help shape federal space policy and ensure the United States is at the forefront of commercial space development.” The Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee would be comprised of 15 members who make recommendations on various priorities, including: Identifying challenges relating to international obligations and export controls that affect the commercial space sector. Addressing the need to access adequate, predictable and reliable radio frequency spectrum. Reviewing best practices for U.S. entities to avoid harmful environmental impacts to both earth and space. Providing recommendations on matters related to space sector development and other activities the advisory committee considers necessary. The Commercial Space Activity Advisory Committee Act is supported by Commercial Spaceflight Federation and ATLAS Space Operations.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-statement-on-national-defense-authorization-act-conference-proceedings,Wicker Statement on National Defense Authorization Act Conference Proceedings,2023-11-16,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the below statement following the official proceeding of conference action on the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): “I appreciate my colleagues for recognizing the need to ensure that this year’s national defense legislation receives a strong conference in accordance with precedent and the good working order of Congress,” Wicker said. “Senate Republicans worked hard to include several key provisions in this year’s bill related to improving military readiness, eliminating toxic social policies, and accelerating procurement of the ships, aircraft, and munitions we need to deter China and other adversaries in the years ahead. It would be a disservice to these efforts to dispense with the traditional conference process. “I look forward to working with Chairman Reed, Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith and the rest of our conferees to deliver a strong final product to the President’s desk. During the most dangerous national security moment since World War II, we cannot afford anything less. During the floor debate of the Senate’s defense legislation, more than 900 amendments were considered and 120 amendments were adopted – the most amendments adopted to the Senate NDAA in years. The bill passed the full Senate 86-11. Prior to floor debate, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted 24-1 to advance the bill from markup, with 445 amendments considered and 286 adopted. The 63rd annual NDAA supports a total of $886 billion in fiscal year 2024 funding for national defense. Within this topline, the legislation authorizes $845 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) and $32 billion for national security programs within the Department of Energy (DOE). NDAA highlights include: Provides for a 5.2 percent pay raise for both military servicemembers and the DOD civilian workforce, and helps lower housing, healthcare, and childcare costs for military families. Supports requested funding for the procurement of naval vessels, combat aircraft, armored vehicles, weapon systems, and munitions. Authorizes the full budget request for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative (PDI) and the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI). Establishes the Indo-Pacific Campaigning Initiative to facilitate increased U.S. military exercises, freedom of navigation operations, and partner engagements in the region. Establishes a comprehensive training, advising, and institutional capacity-building program for the military forces of Taiwan. Supports the development of the security partnership among Australia, United Kingdom, and the United States, known as AUKUS. Fully funds and extends the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) through fiscal year 2027. Streamlines the acquisition of defense stocks related to Ukraine and authorizes additional munitions for multiyear procurement contracts. Authorizes improvements to the quality and oversight of military enlisted barracks, including the replacement of substandard barracks. Authorizes increased funding for the military services' recruiting and advertising activities. Authorizes significant funding for game-changing technologies like microelectronics, hypersonic weapons, and unmanned aircraft systems. Enhances deterrence by recapitalizing and modernizing the U.S. nuclear triad; ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, delivery systems, and infrastructure; increasing capacity in theater and homeland missile defense; and strengthening nonproliferation programs. Provides predictability and stability for the nation’s supply chain and industrial base workforce to move forward with critical programs and acquisitions.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/senators-introduce-ole-miss-175th-anniversary-resolution,Senators Introduce Ole Miss 175th Anniversary Resolution,2023-11-15,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., joined Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., today introduced a resolution commemorating the 175th anniversary of the University of Mississippi. The resolution highlights the growth and accomplishments of Mississippi’s flagship university since it opened its doors on Nov. 6, 1848. The measure celebrates the growth of Ole Miss into a diverse Southeastern Conference powerhouse in academics, research, the arts, and athletics. “After 175 years of service, the University of Mississippi has a lot to celebrate. This institution has grown from a small college in north Mississippi to a premier research institution that attracts students from around the world. I look forward to seeing many more years of excellence from Ole Miss,” Wicker said. “The University of Mississippi has been and continues to be a huge part of our state’s history and culture,” Hyde-Smith said. “Our resolution commemorating this notable 175-year milestone recognizes and celebrates the fact that thousands of students of all races, creeds, backgrounds, and beliefs flock to Ole Miss to receive a world-class education.” “As we celebrate the University of Mississippi’s 175th anniversary, I’m reflecting on the wonderful memories Billy and I made at Ole Miss as graduate students,” said Shaheen. “I have carried these experiences with me throughout my career, and I’m proud to see Ole Miss continue to prepare its students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.” Read the text of the resolution here or below. Whereas the University of Mississippi began its first session on November 6, 1848, with a 4-member faculty offering a liberal arts curriculum to 80 students; Whereas the University of Mississippi established one of the first State-supported law schools in the United States in 1854, and it was the first university in Mississippi to establish a school of engineering in 1900; Whereas, in 1882, the University of Mississippi became one of the first universities in the South to admit women and, in 1885, was the first university in Mississippi to hire a female faculty member; Whereas, in 1903, the University of Mississippi began providing medical education on the Oxford campus; Whereas the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi— (1) was established by the Mississippi Legislature in 1950; (2) became the first and only academic medical center in Mississippi when it opened in 1955; and (3) was the site of the first lung and heart transplants into a human in the world, in 1963 and 1964, respectively; Whereas, in 1962, the University of Mississippi broke a racial barrier by admitting its first African-American student, James Meredith, who remains a source of inspiration today; Whereas, from its first class of 80 students, the University of Mississippi has grown to host more than 23,000 students participating in 120 programs of study across 7 campuses, including a medical center; Whereas thousands of students of all races, creeds, backgrounds, and beliefs receive world-class education at the University of Mississippi; Whereas the University of Mississippi advances academic excellence through the activity of the faculty and staff in departments and more than 75 academic, research, and community service centers; Whereas, in 2016, the University of Mississippi received a classification of “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, an honor bestowed on the top doctoral research universities in the United States; Whereas the University of Mississippi has produced 55 Fulbright Scholars, 27 Rhodes Scholars, 44 Boren Scholars, 18 Truman Scholars, 24 Goldwater Scholars, 8 Portz Scholars, and 11 National Science Foundation Graduate Fellows; Whereas the University of Mississippi has played a significant role in producing future public service leaders; Whereas, in 2008, the University of Mississippi hosted the first presidential debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, which was the first presidential debate held in Mississippi; Whereas, for 14 years, the University of Mississippi has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For”, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education, in addition to earning honors in all 10 categories of recognition; Whereas the University of Mississippi is dedicated to supporting the academic success of student-athletes while striving for on-field success; Whereas the Ole Miss Rebels are composed of 18 men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic varsity teams that represent the University of Mississippi; Whereas the University of Mississippi, a charter member of the Southeastern Conference, claims 5 collegiate team national championships, and Ole Miss Rebel student-athletes have captured 25 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 individual titles; and Whereas the University of Mississippi has produced notable alumni in the fields of government, public policy, research, medicine, business, education, literature, the arts, journalism, athletics, and more: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— (1) commends the University of Mississippi for its 175 years of service to the State of Mississippi and the United States; (2) recognizes the University of Mississippi for its academic, research, cultural, and athletic excellence; and (3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to— (A) the Chancellor of the University of Mississippi, Dr. Glenn F. Boyce; (B) the Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics of the University of Mississippi, Mr. Keith Carter; and",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-hyde-smith-pfluger-colleagues-file-supreme-court-brief-in-ongoing-challenge-to-fda-chemical-abortion-actions,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Pfluger, Colleagues File Supreme Court Brief in Ongoing Challenge to FDA Chemical Abortion Actions",2023-11-15,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., joined Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representative August Pfluger, R-Texas, in filing an amicus brief in support of the U.S. Supreme Court considering initial “approval irregularities” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in its 2000 approval of chemical abortion drugs. Seventeen U.S. Senators and 92 members of the House of Representatives signed the amicus brief, including U.S. Representatives Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Mike Ezell, R-Miss. Americans United for Life authored the brief in support of the Conditional Cross Petition filed by Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. The cross petition asks the Supreme Court to consider the FDA’s 2000 drug approval should the court decide to hear challenges to a Fifth Circuit Court stay of the FDA’s 2016 and 2021 actions to broaden access to chemical abortion drugs. “As pro-life elected representatives, Amici are committed to protecting women and girls from the harms of the abortion industry. By approving and then deregulating chemical abortion drugs, the FDA failed to follow Congress’ statutorily prescribed drug approval process and subverted Congress’ critical public policy interests in upholding patient welfare,” the brief stated. “Amici support the Fifth Circuit’s reinstatement of common-sense patient safeguards, which include in-person dispensing of mifepristone as well as an in-person follow-up examination to ensure a woman has not suffered complications or retained fetal tissue. Accordingly, Amici support Cross-Petitioners’ opposition to the FDA and Danco’s petitions for a writ of certiorari, which have asked this Court to reconsider patient safeguards that protect women and girls seeking chemical abortion drugs,” the brief continued. The lawmakers’ brief makes these arguments: The FDA exceeded its Subpart H authority by approving mifepristone. The FDA misclassified pregnancy as a “life-threatening illness.” Chemical abortions do not provide a “meaningful therapeutic benefit” over surgical abortions. The FDA’s approval of mifepristone subverted patient health and safety safeguards within federal laws. The FDA’s failure to adhere to the FDCA’s drug approval process has created grave health and safety risks to women and girls. The FDA endangers pregnant adolescents seeking chemical abortion drugs by subverting the pediatric study requirement. Organizations supporting the amicus brief include Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, March for Life, Students for Life of America, National Right to Life, Live Action, Catholic Vote.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-hyde-smith-call-on-dod-to-rescind-abortion-travel-policy,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Call on DoD to Rescind Abortion Travel Policy",2023-11-14,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., are among 27 senators demanding that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) rescind its policy of paying the travel expenses of those servicemembers and dependents seeking abortions, including late-term abortions. The Mississippi lawmakers signed a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that outlines how the policy exceeds any authority granted to DoD by Congress. The letter, initiated by U.S. Senator Ted Budd, R-N.C., called on Austin to, “Do the right thing. Rescind the Policy now.” “Congress never authorized the Department to expend funds to facilitate abortions and, until the Policy was issued, the military never facilitated abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother would be endangered if the unborn child were carried to term. Now taxpayers—many of whom have deeply-held religious and moral objections to abortions—are on the hook to facilitate the very abortions they fundamentally oppose,” the senators wrote. “Rather than respect the Supreme Court’s decision, you decided to engage the Department, and our men and women in uniform, in a policy debate properly reserved for the legislature. You did so by claiming that Dobbs had ‘readiness, recruiting, and retention implications for the Force.’ By your own officials’ admissions, however, the Department has no data to support that claim, and few servicemembers or dependents have utilized the Policy,” the letter continued. In addition to Wicker and Hyde-Smith, the Budd letter was signed by U.S. Senators Mike Lee, R-Utah, Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Mike Rounds, R-N.D., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Rand Paul, R-Ky., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rick Scott, R-Fla., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, John Cornyn, R-Texas, John Boozman, R-Ark., John Thune, R-S.D., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska. Read the signed letter here and below. Secretary Austin: You have broken your promise to the American people not to politicize the military, and your actions have harmed and threaten to further harm institutional norms within our democracy. On June 28, 2022, four days after the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, you issued a memorandum to senior leaders in the Department of Defense (“Department”) stating that the Department is authorized to pay for government funded, official travel for active duty personnel to receive abortions outside of the state in which they are stationed. On October 20, 2022, you issued the memorandum Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services, properly referred to as the Department’s abortion travel policy (“Policy”), which directed the Department to pay travel expenses not only for active duty personnel to receive abortions, but for their dependents to receive abortions as well. Importantly, on July 19, 2023, at a hearing on the Department’s abortion travel policy, the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness confirmed that this policy extends to late term abortions. All legislative power is vested in Congress, and the Executive branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing the law. While the Department may issue regulations, it can only do so under the laws authorized and enacted by Congress. But, Congress never authorized the Department to expend funds to facilitate abortions and, until the Policy was issued, the military never facilitated abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother would be endangered if the unborn child were carried to term. Now taxpayers—many of whom have deeply-held religious and moral objections to abortions—are on the hook to facilitate the very abortions they fundamentally oppose. Indeed, a Marist poll in January 2023 found that 60% of Americans strongly oppose the use of taxpayer dollars to pay for an abortion, consistent with polls taken throughout recent years. Rather than respect the Supreme Court’s decision, you decided to engage the Department, and our men and women in uniform, in a policy debate properly reserved for the legislature. You did so by claiming that Dobbs had “readiness, recruiting, and retention implications for the Force.” By your own officials’ admissions, however, the Department has no data to support that claim, and few servicemembers or dependents have utilized the Policy. After multiple inquiries from Congress on this question, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness finally confirmed that “The Department does not have any data on women being deterred from joining the military for fear of being stationed at an installation or base in a state or nation that has restrictive abortion laws.” Finally, a recent letter from the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee revealed that only 12 women have taken advantage of the Policy since its inception, which undercuts your argument that Dobbs has significant recruiting and retention implications. Our men and women in uniform deserve Senate-confirmed leadership but the current situation began with your original sin of promulgating the Policy. Much has been made in the press about one Senator’s decision to try and stop your egregious wrongs, without acknowledging the Senate Majority Leader’s refusal to bring general and flag officer nominations to the floor until forced to by Republicans. Seeking to circumvent the Senate prerogative of the informal “hold” practice without addressing the underlying causes—the novel Policy and the subsequent refusal of the Majority to bring these nominees to the floor—will not ultimately reconcile this matter. It could create a toxic precedent with lasting negative effects on future military nominations. Your decision to issue the Policy politicized the military and placed the wants of a few over the needs of the entire nation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-risch-colleagues-biden-xi-meeting-should-bring-concrete-deliverables-not-more-concessions,"Wicker, Risch, Colleagues: Biden-Xi Meeting Should Bring Concrete Deliverables, Not More Concessions",2023-11-14,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today joined Senator Jim Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and other Republican colleagues in releasing the following statement ahead of the Biden-Xi meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. “President Biden’s planned meeting with Xi Jinping is a clear message that this administration will pursue an economic reset with China above fortifying the national security of the United States. The administration’s belief that a solid economic relationship will stabilize the entire U.S.-China relationship is dead wrong, and exactly what the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) wants us to believe. “There is no such thing as ‘healthy’ economic competition with China. That reality should be obvious to the casual observer after decades of China’s rampant intellectual property theft, massive subsidization of key industries, and coercive treatment of U.S.-based and international firms. “The United States should not throw any sort of economic lifeline to Xi Jinping after the mess he has made of the Chinese economy. If we are serious about competing with China, we should focus on hardening our economy against China’s abuses and on pursuing initiatives with willing partners that actually create opportunity. China wants not only to harm U.S. national security, but also to undermine our economic prosperity. For the CCP, there is no distinction. The Biden Administration’s belief otherwise shows it thinks we can still change China – a belief that is divorced from reality. “Biden agreeing to another Xi meeting without the release of wrongfully detained Americans and any commitments by China on fentanyl is astounding. Lopsided economic engagement should not be of greater priority than securing the release of Mark Swidan, David Lin, and Kai Li. These men have suffered for far too long and deserve to come home to their families immediately. The parade of Biden Administration officials through China in the nine months since it sent a surveillance balloon across the United States has not yielded the release of these Americans – and sadly it does not appear that the Biden-Xi meeting will yield their release either. “Finally, it is paramount that Biden and his administration don’t give an inch on U.S. policy on Taiwan. We have seen this before, and it would be one more grave error in the competition between the United States and China. Few issues are more urgent than ensuring Taiwan has the capabilities and training it needs to deter Chinese aggression. Vital U.S. national and economic security interests, and the future of the entire Indo-Pacific region, are both at stake here.” Joining Wicker and Risch are U.S. Senators Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Katie Britt, R-Ala., Rick Scott, R-Fla., John Hoeven, R-N.D., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., John Cornyn, R-Texas, Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., and Tim Scott, R-S.C.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/recognizing-50th-anniversary-intercessors-america,RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA,2023-11-09,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 186 (Senate - November 9, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 50th anniversary of Intercessors for America--IFA--a ministry that has faithfully served believers by encouraging effective prayer and fasting for the Church, our Nation, and our elected leaders, including those of us elected to Congress. At the time of IFA's founding, the Watergate scandal, the Vietnam war, pervasive drug use, and the Supreme Court's tragic decision to legalize abortion on demand in Roe v. Wade had shaken the moral foundations of our Nation. In the 50 years since, IFA's ministry has been important in rebuilding a society that once again respects the Judeo-Christian principles and moral values that lie at the heart of America. The founding leaders of IFA, including Derek Prince and John Beckett, began their first activities at a large dining table where John Talcott and his wife Roselyn wrote a prayer letter, which was mailed to a group of like-minded people who recognized the need for God to intervene to heal our Nation. Over the past 50 years, IFA has grown from these beginnings to inform, connect, and mobilize intercessors across America, in churches and communities nationwide, to pray for our Nation and our leaders. In its work, IFA follows the teaching of the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:1-3: ``I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.'' Nowhere could this impact of the power of prayer, including the prayers of many IFA intercessors, be better seen than the Supreme Court's historic decision in 2022 in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization to overturn the moral stain of Roe v. Wade. This moment was a testament to God's faithfulness, and underscores the importance of the work we have ahead of us to rebuild a culture where God's gift of life is respected and cherished.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/tribute-jack-rutland-jr,"TRIBUTE TO JACK RUTLAND, JR.",2023-11-08,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 185 (Senate - November 8, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, it is an honor to pay tribute to Mr. Jack Rutland, Jr., of Lincoln County, MS, who for more than 10 years has shown an inspiring dedication to sharing the stories and memories of armed service veterans in Mississippi. By conducting radio interviews with veterans, their experiences can be appreciated by citizens all across Mississippi. Mr. Rutland has shown that his appreciation and respect for the men and women who have served in our armed forces goes beyond that of an average citizen, and America needs more people like Jack. Jack Rutland, Jr., was born on May 20, 1948, in Birmingham, AL, while his father was stationed at an Air Force base there. His father, Jack Rutland, Sr., enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps prior to World War II, and he served during the war for 3 years in countries like England, North Africa, and Italy. During his World War II service, the senior Mr. Rutland earned five battle stars. Upon the completion of the war, he remained in the Air Force for over 20 years. Once he retired, the family returned to Lawrence County, MS. From experiencing his father's patriotic dedication to our Nation, Jack grew up with a sincere reverence for the veterans who served to defend the United States of America. In 2003, the Military Memorial Museum in Brookhaven, MS, opened to inform the public of local veterans and the town's service history through artifacts, newspaper clippings, and other memorabilia. The museum is operated completely by volunteers, one of them being Jack Rutland, Jr. On the 10-year anniversary of the Military Memorial Museum's opening, Jack interviewed four veterans. His interviews were captivating and respectfully executed, leading the public to want more. Today, Jack has conducted more than 50 interviews with veterans, some as recently as a few weeks ago. These interviews can be heartbreaking, like the story of World War II veteran Mr. Howard Britt who had to leave his beloved lieutenant in the field after he had been wounded. While in enemy territory, there was no time to wait. A story from Mr. Don Hemphill was similarly moving, detailing his arrival on the beaches of Normandy on the evening of D-day and seeing the wreckage of equipment left behind, as well as American soldiers who had not made it. The scene was so harrowing that Mr. Hemphill still could not talk about it when he was interviewed. In addition to these poignant interviews were inspirational recollections, like Mr. Hoyte Case who saw the iconic flag raised on Iwo Jima atop Mount Suribachi from his ship as he left the battle. Mr. Herbert Savell recounted his long journey home from the Pacific following the end of the war, traveling by cattle car to return to his small hometown in the Mississippi Delta. Walking down the aisle of the church and sitting in the pew beside his mother was how he returned. Each interview shows another side of the tragedies and triumphs faced by veterans. The work that Jack has done is necessary to help younger generations understand the commitments and sacrifices made by our Nation's veterans. Preserving the oral histories of those who served helps us better understand the challenging circumstances they underwent and the emotional impacts they experienced during that time. These veterans had immense influence on our country from their brave and selfless duty of protecting our Nation's values and freedoms. Through the diligent work of Jack Rutland, Jr., we can learn a bit more about the Nation we are today from those who served in the armed forces for us. My life has truly been enhanced by knowing Jack and his wife Shirley, who reside in my corner of the world. They have an outstanding family that includes their daughter Jamie, son-in-law Joshua Grosshans, and three grandchildren: Avery Rose, Jack Seton, and Alice Faye.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-rogers-mccaul-on-russia-withdrawing-from-the-conventional-forces-in-europe-treaty,"Wicker, Rogers, McCaul on Russia Withdrawing from the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty",2023-11-08,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today released the following statement in response to Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and the United States’ subsequent decision to “suspend” its participation in the treaty: “Russia’s withdrawal from the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) is just another example of Vladimir Putin’s efforts to tear down the European security architecture that has existed since the Cold War ended. Putin clearly has no intention of stopping until Russia dominates its neighbors from the Black Sea to the Baltic. “While we welcome the Biden administration’s decision to stop providing Russia with valuable information on U.S. military forces, this move is too little, too late. The administration’s response has been nothing but a superficial half-measure. As the recent Strategic Posture Commission report suggests, it is time for the U.S. to take bold, decisive action to deter China, Russia, and North Korea. That means restoring economic competitiveness and building up a military capable of meeting modern threats without delay.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-joins-efforts-to-re-designate-houthis-as-foreign-terrorist-organization,Wicker Joins Efforts to Re-Designate Houthis as Foreign Terrorist Organization,2023-11-07,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., last week joined his colleagues in legislation to re-designate the Iran-backed military organization called Ansarallah, more commonly known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). Led by U.S. Senator Steve Daines, R-Mont., the “Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act,” would impose that designation. Wicker also joined a letter led by U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the administration re-designate the Houthis as an FTO. “We have all seen the brutal devastation of Iran-backed terrorism in Israel. It is time to send a clear signal that we will not tolerate further aggression from the Ayatollah’s proxies,” Wicker said. “In increasingly hostile conditions, the world must know that the U.S. will not negotiate with terrorists.” The Trump administration designated the Houthis as an FTO in January 2021, which the Biden administration reversed only a month after assuming office, citing humanitarian concerns. The Houthis have one of the most sophisticated arsenals of ballistic missiles and drones among Iran’s allies and proxies, which they have used to target U.S. partners and interests. On October 19, 2023, the Navy destroyer U.S.S Carney was forced to intercept both cruise missiles and UAVs launched from Yemen by the Houthis. In addition to Wicker and Daines, co-sponsors of the Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act include U.S. Senators John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Susan Collins, R-Maine, Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., John Kennedy, R-La., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. The full text of the legislation can be found here. In addition to Wicker and Hagerty, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Bill Cassidy, R-La., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, James Lankford, R-Okla., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-risch-rogers-mccaul-to-biden-finish-the-job-on-atacms,"Wicker, Risch, Rogers, McCaul to Biden: “Finish the Job on ATACMS”",2023-11-02,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jim Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representatives Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, yesterday sent a letter to President Biden demanding that he send long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine in addition to the full inventory of the shorter range anti-personnel variants of the same munition. The legislators noted that ATACMS missiles featuring a unitary warhead have a capability to strike deeper at Russian targets in Crimea, including Black Sea fleet assets. Furthermore, the lawmakers pressed the President to send the remainder of U.S. stocks of the Anti-Personnel/Anti-Materiel (APAM) variant of the missile, which has no current use in the U.S. military and which has already been sent in limited quantities to Ukraine. The full provisioning of these capabilities, the legislators argued, would help alter the balance in Ukraine’s counteroffensive. “The job on ATACMS is only half-done,” the legislators wrote. “We urge you to provide the unitary warhead variant of ATACMS which has a substantially longer range than the APAMS…. Ukraine’s requirement for deep-strike capability remains urgent, particularly to range targets throughout Crimea. Recent successful strikes on Russian targets in Crimea, including on Black Sea Fleet assets, demonstrate the strategic significance of long-range strike options and the relevance of the longer range ATACMS. Wicker, Risch, Rogers, and McCaul additionally requested an immediate update on domestic ATACMS inventory and our own military’s requirements. “The bottom line is this: Ukraine has requested long-range ATACMS,” the legislators wrote. “The United States has an arsenal of long-range unitary warhead ATACMS, a hot production line to backfill them, and affordable and executable paths to speed up delivery of the Precision Strike Missile follow-on capability. Clearly, it is time for you to finish the job on ATACMS.” Read the letter in full below or here. November 1, 2023 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Biden: We welcome reports that your administration has finally provided some limited range Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine. We remain concerned that the transfers of these shorter-range ATACMS occurred more than a year after Ukraine's public request for this capability, and we believe it demonstrates that your administration's reticence toward arming Ukraine continues. Although this transfer is a positive step, the job on ATACMS is only half-done: the United States has only provided a small number of the Anti-Personnel/Anti-Materiel (APAM) variant of ATACMS and these have a shorter range. We urge you to provide the unitary warhead variant of ATACMS which has a substantially longer range than the APAMS. In addition, we call on you to deliver the balance of U.S. APAMs given the Department of Defense's repeated inability to articulate a clear, current requirement for this weapon. Ukraine's requirement for deep-strike capability remains urgent, particularly to range targets throughout Crimea. Recent successful strikes on Russian targets in Crimea, including on Black Sea Fleet assets, demonstrate the strategic significance of long-range strike options and the relevance of the longer range ATACMS. It is a sad reflection that Ukraine had to rely, in part, on long-range missiles provided by allies to reach these targets in the face of your administration's continued self-deterrence. Ukraine must have the ability to break Russia's logistics network for Ukraine's offensive operations to truly be successful. We also regret that the administration has yet to provide Congress with the definitive status of the ATACMS inventory and warfighting requirements. We have received at least three documents from the Pentagon with substantively different numbers. Given the bipartisan congressional support for providing long-range ATACMS, we cannot understand the Department of Defense's inability to articulate ATACMS requirements. The bottom line is this: Ukraine has requested long-range ATACMS. Ukraine has demonstrated the ability to employ long-range missiles in a responsible and effective manner. Allies have already provided Ukraine with these capabilities, and Russia has clearly declined to escalate upon usage of deep-strike missiles. The United States has an arsenal of long-range unitary warhead ATACMS, a hot production line to backfill them, and affordable and executable paths to speed up delivery of the Precision Strike Missile follow-on capability. Clearly, it is time for you to finish the job on ATACMS. The costs of failing to do so not only risks stalemate on the battlefield and the further protraction of this war, but also threatens further global instability as our adversaries conduct influence operations around the globe.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/11/wicker-urges-support-for-aukus-agreement-after-australian-visit,Wicker Urges Support for AUKUS Agreement After Australian Visit,2023-11-01,2023,2023-11,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today took to the Senate floor to discuss his support for the historic Australia-U.K.-U.S. submarine agreement after a state visit from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. In his remarks, Senator Wicker praised the agreement and called upon the Biden administration to do more support investment in the domestic submarine industrial base. “The AUKUS agreement is vital. But there is more work to do,” Wicker said. “We have yet to take the actions necessary to ensure that our industrial base can support both the United States and Australia. The basic fact is this: Our defense industrial base is not where it needs to be...Our first step is clear. We must enact into law the nearly $3.4 billion in submarine funding included in the defense supplemental Congress is considering. We need every bit of this funding increase and more.” Specifically, the Mississippi senator pressed Biden to release a Department of Defense-directed study examining the submarine industrial base so that legislators can make the case for further investment to assist Australia and the Navy. “The Biden administration commissioned the Submarine Industrial Base 2025 study to examine the best way to execute AUKUS. From what I understand, the study will document what we already know: We need significant additional funding to fulfill Australia's needs alongside those of our fleet...Until the elected members of the United States Senate and the House see this study, Congress cannot make its strongest argument for submarine investment,” Wicker said. “I led a letter signed by a bipartisan group of defense leaders asking the administration to send the study without delay – and this was a bipartisan letter. Friends from both sides of the aisle joined me on that. We are an equal part of the government, we have authorized this study, and for heaven’s sake, the elected Senators and representatives of the people need to see this.” Wicker concluded by challenging the U.S. to take a lesson from its success during the Cold War and build an unparalleled submarine fleet. “The strength of our free enterprise system, the clarity of the mission set by our federal leaders, and our collective appreciation of the Soviet threat gave us a focus, a singular focus. It allowed the American system to unleash our arsenal of democracy, and we prevented war with the Soviet Union by maintaining our naval supremacy. We will need to unleash that arsenal again,” Wicker said. “In the words of Rickover, ‘we shall let nothing deter us from building a nuclear Navy in the shortest possible time.’ Once more, we cannot let anything deter our skilled shipbuilders from cutting the steel and constructing the fleet that will safeguard America for a generation to come. We have submarines to build. Let’s get to work.” Watch the full speech here or read it below. Read more about Senator Wicker’s recent work on national defense here. I rise today to follow on with the importance of national defense. And in that regard, to speak specifically about the historic Australia-United Kingdom-United States agreement known as AUKUS. This pact builds upon a bond forged in the First World War – between the United States and Australia – and made unshakable in the Second. That bond remains strong today as we face the greatest challenge of our lifetime, the Chinese Communist Party. And the senator from Alaska just spoke about the importance of building our defenses in the Indo-Pacific, and that is exactly what the AUKUS agreement is designed to address. Our military leadership has made the stakes clear. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall recently said that “the intelligence couldn't be clearer...China is preparing for a war and specifically for a war with the United States."" Now is the time for free nations across the Pacific to prepare for this sobering possibility. The AUKUS deal will help prevent it from happening. Indeed, the AUKUS agreement is vital. But there is more work to do beyond that. We have yet to take the actions necessary to ensure that our industrial base can support both the United States and Australia. The basic fact is this: Our defense industrial base is not where it needs to be. Workforce shortages, a shrinking base of contractors, and insufficient resources have damaged our military readiness. Year after year, we have deferred maintenance on our surface ships – even as these ships are spending more days deployed and the fleet continues to shrink. Our capabilities are stalling as we hurtle toward a ‘window of maximum danger’ with the Chinese Communist Party. The story for our submarines is no better. We are not prepared to fulfill our own Navy’s submarine construction and maintenance needs, let alone the prospective commitments in the critical AUKUS agreement. Our Navy’s requirement is to have 66 attack submarines at 80 percent readiness. We currently have 49 attack submarines at 67 percent readiness. Let me say that again, Madam President: we need 66 attack submarines, we only have 49. We need them to be at 80 percent readiness, they are only at 67 percent. We should be building 2 attack submarines a year, but we really are building 1.2. The demands of the AUKUS agreement would push this requirement higher – to above 2.3 attack submarines per year. We should do that, but we can’t meet that challenge right now. To meet this challenge, our defense industry will need to handle more demand than ever before. Since the so-called ‘peace dividend’ of the 1990s, we have closed two nuclear submarine repair yards and one construction yard. COVID-19 took a sledgehammer to an already-declining workforce. And our government is expecting that same inexperienced workforce to meet deadlines not just on our Virginia-class submarines but also the critically important, nuclear-armed Columbia-class submarines. Our submarine fleet, just like our surface fleet, is still living off the Reagan-era defense buildup. Many vessels are in a deteriorating state and will soon need to be retired. But replacements are not waiting in the wings. The remaining ships will face longer deployments and fewer opportunities for maintenance. This is not a blueprint for American command of the seas. Nor does it put us in a position to provide our Australian friends the submarines which they need. These cascading problems create what some have called a ‘death spiral’ of submarine construction and readiness. This spiral keeps us from hitting our shipbuilding targets. Moreover, today’s threats mean the current targets are actually too small. China’s navy is now the world’s largest navy. Russia is increasing its nuclear submarine activity in the Atlantic. Keeping up with these challenges means raising our shipbuilding goals in the first place, then expanding our industrial capacity to meet them. According to our acting Chief of Naval Operations, Virginia-class construction needs to nearly double. This is the person that we put in charge and will confirm to let us know about the readiness of our Navy. I am grateful for past congressional and executive branch efforts to fund this work. Otherwise, we would construct fewer than one Virginia-class submarine each year. But even those funding increases have not matched our need. At the current rate, we will be at least nine submarines short by 2030. Our defense policy cannot continue to hinge upon a hope and a prayer. To make good on AUKUS and to stand by our friends in Australia, the administration and Congress need to make the investments necessary to improve submarine construction. Our first step is clear. We must enact into law the nearly $3.4 billion in submarine funding included in the defense supplemental Congress is considering. We need every bit of this funding increase and more. These funds will be dispersed throughout our industrial base, inside the United States, employing American workers. They will modernize our shipyards, accelerate maintenance on our existing submarine fleet, and put capital investments in place for future submarine components to be built in our country. They will put Americans to work, showing that economic development and national security go hand-in-hand. This additional funding is a welcome first step. But we must do more to tell our allies and U.S. industry – and our adversaries – that we can meet the obligations of the AUKUS agreement without putting our own submarine fleet in jeopardy. We should sustain investments in our shipbuilders, public shipyards, and the nearly 16,000 suppliers – many of them, most of them small businesses – across the nation. This industry network supports American undersea supremacy and prevents conflict on the seas. But it needs more long-term investment to stay afloat. We already have some sense of what this investment should look like. And I want to emphasize this, Madam President: the Biden administration commissioned the Submarine Industrial Base 2025 study to examine the best way to execute AUKUS. From what I understand, the study will document what we already know: We need significant additional funding to fulfill Australia's needs alongside those of our fleet. But here’s the problem: we commissioned the study. But inexplicably, the Biden administration has yet to let Congress actually see the specifics of this study. Not members of the Democratic leadership, not members of the Republican leadership. Until the elected members of the United States Senate and the House see this study, Congress cannot make its strongest argument for submarine investment. I led a letter signed by a bipartisan group of defense leaders asking the administration to send the study without delay – and this was a bipartisan letter. Friends from both sides of the aisle joined me on that. We are an equal part of the government, we have authorized this study, and for heaven’s sake, the elected Senators and representatives of the people need to see this. If the president desires the same success for the AUKUS deal that many of us here in Congress do – and I believe he does, given the funding request included in the defense supplemental – then he ought to release the study promptly. They ought to release that study today, Madam President. This study is just one element of strengthening AUKUS. Of course, the most crucial element is increasing overall American sea power. For years, I have cast a vision for restoring American maritime supremacy, following President Reagan’s own defense buildup. And again, this is not something that sprung from the brow of Senator Wicker. These are requirements given to us by the top Navy and Marine leadership across the nation, in particular. AUKUS ought to be a part of that buildup. This vision will require historic investment to ensure we have the necessary shipbuilding capacity. This is not an easy task, but history suggests it would underwrite and protect American security for decades. It will also include strengthening the U.S.-Australian alliance throughout the 21st century. This alliance is symbolized by Australian Prime Minister Albanese’s travel to Washington last week. I was honored to meet with several times during that visit. The bond between our two peoples is deep and abiding. It stood the test of World War II, and it will continue to stand as we confront the challenge of Xi Jinping’s Communist Chinese fleet. I can think of no action more emblematic of our bond than the AUKUS agreement, which, again, I fully support. I know the Australians do. They told me last week. They show this by committing $3 billion to our industrial base. The best way to honor our special relationship would be to back AUKUS with funds of our own. Australia’s economy is a tenth the size of ours, and the United States should commit a proportional investment. The current plan does not get us there. We have never pursued a defense technology partnership at this scale and this level of sophistication. But we have moments in our history to draw upon that inform our path forward. Since its invention in the American midcentury, our nuclear navy has been second-to-none because we have never accepted anything less. Our adversaries knew this. When Admiral Rickover – the founding father of our nuclear navy – travelled to discuss nuclear submarines with Soviet premier Nikita Khruschev and his aides, Admiral Rickover boasted, “although the United States is a democracy it can act fast…Can’t Russia act as fast as the United States?” The answer was that Russia could not act as fast as we could. The strength of our free enterprise system, the clarity of the mission set by our federal leaders, and our collective appreciation of the Soviet threat gave us a focus, a singular focus. It allowed the American system to unleash our arsenal of democracy, and we prevented war with the Soviet Union by maintaining our naval supremacy. We will need to unleash that arsenal again. In the words of Rickover, “we shall let nothing deter us from building a nuclear Navy in the shortest possible time.” Once more, we cannot let anything deter our skilled shipbuilders from cutting the steel and constructing the fleet that will safeguard America for a generation to come.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T01:01:09Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/miss-delegation-medgar-evers-deserves-presidential-medal-of-freedom,Miss. Delegation: Medgar Evers Deserves Presidential Medal of Freedom,2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss, Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Mike Ezell, R-Miss., today sent a letter to President Joseph R. Biden urging him to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers. Evers was assassinated outside his home in Jackson, Miss., on June 12, 1963, as a result of his work to promote social justice, racial equality, and voting rights. “Mr. Evers dedicated his life to the defense of civil rights in Mississippi and the United States,” the legislators wrote. “His sacrifice inspires Americans to this day, and he furthered the cause of freedom for all humankind.” The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest U.S. civilian honor awarded to individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.” Awardees are selected by the President. President Harry S. Truman selected the first Medal of Freedom recipient in 1946. Mississippi natives who have received the Presidential Medal of Freedom include: civil rights activist James Earl Chaney (2014); Representative G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery (2005); Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise (1970); historian Dumas Malone (1983); musical artists Leontyne Price (1964) and B.B. King (2006); writers Eudora Welty (1980) and Tennessee Williams (1980); and media mogul Oprah Winfrey (2013). See the full letter text here or below. Dear President Biden, We are honored to encourage you to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously to heroic civil rights leader Medgar Wiley Evers. Medgar Evers first served our nation as a member of the U.S. Army during World War II. Afterward, he took up leadership roles in civil rights groups, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Mr. Evers became the first Field Secretary for the NAACP’s work in Mississippi. He recruited volunteers, led demonstrations, and organized voter-registration drives. In everything, he fought to end racial discrimination and promote equal rights. Mr. Evers paid the ultimate price for his heroic efforts. He was tragically assassinated in the driveway of his Jackson, Mississippi, home on June 12, 1963. Mr. Evers dedicated his life to the defense of civil rights in Mississippi and the United States. In recognition of his role in the Civil Rights Movement, he was posthumously awarded the NAACP Spingarn Medal for outstanding achievement, and he is featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. His sacrifice inspires Americans to this day, and he furthered the cause of freedom for all humankind.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-blasts-pentagon-on-abortion-policies,Wicker Blasts Pentagon on Abortion Policies,2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to the Secretary of Defense again asking for information to support the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy. Wicker’s request follows a new report that indicates the Pentagon has little data to support the claim that a national abortion policy change would have a deleterious impact on readiness. Specifically, Wicker wrote in response to a notification from the Department of Defense regarding a study that it intends to conduct related to “service members’ experiences with family planning,” as the Department currently has insufficient information on abortion policies and their impacts. The Mississippi senator expressed that it is completely contradictory to be searching for data on abortion while also making the assertion that abortion policy changes have impacted readiness. “The Biden Administration’s repeated assertion that that there is force-wide readiness challenge due to limited abortion access cannot possibly be true if, simultaneously, the Department of Defense admits that it needs to study ‘areas related to family planning that may threaten the DOD’s ability to field a ready and lethal force.’ If the Administration were actually committed to maintaining an apolitical military, a study such as this should have been undertaken months before you promulgated this divisive and inflammatory policy,” Wicker wrote. “The resulting politicization of our armed forces has been shameful and completely self-inflicted. It is incumbent upon this administration to retract these unsubstantiated abortion-related readiness claims.” The letter follows other similar letters drafted by Senator Wicker to the Department on abortion policy. In July 2022, Wicker joined his Republican Senate Armed Services Committee colleagues on a letter asking for data to support the claim from the Department that recent policy changes had put negative pressure on military readiness. On September 15, Wicker sent a similar letter to the Department of Defense, adding that he had received information suggesting only 12 women had utilized the authorities granted by the abortion policy implemented by the Biden administration. Read the full letter here or below. October 27, 2023 The Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1000 Dear Mr. Secretary: I am once again requesting information related to the abortion policies instituted by your department in February 2023. The Senate Armed Services Committee discovered your department is seeking public comment on proposed focus groups and surveys to be conducted with military personnel to “highlight areas related to family planning that may threaten the DoD's ability to field a ready and lethal force.” In other words, over a year after you stated unequivocally that the Dobbs ruling has “readiness, recruiting, and retention implications for the Force” the Department of Defense is still searching for evidence to support this baseless claim. The same notification for the department’s proposed study also states that “there is little existing research on service members' experiences with family planning.” The intention to study this topic in the fashion described in the public notice– as well as the concession that little data exists on the issue–completely undermines previous statements made repeatedly by you and other senior Defense officials about the necessity of your abortion travel policy. On June 28, 2022, then-Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Cisneros claimed the Supreme Court’s ruling “will have significant implications for…the readiness of the Force.” In comments you made on June 25, 2022, you mentioned access to abortion directly in the context of “ensuring the readiness and resilience of our Force.” In an October 20, 2022 press call, an unnamed senior department official claimed that the “the Dobbs decision has diminished access to reproductive healthcare with...readiness impacts across the force.” The Biden Administration’s repeated assertion that that there is a force-wide readiness challenge due to limited abortion access cannot possibly be true if, simultaneously, the Department of Defense admits that it needs to study “areas related to family planning that may threaten the DOD’s ability to field a ready and lethal force.” If the Administration were actually committed to maintaining an apolitical military, a study such as this should have been undertaken months before you promulgated this divisive and inflammatory policy. The resulting politicization of our armed forces has been shameful and completely self-inflicted. It is incumbent upon this administration to retract these unsubstantiated abortion-related readiness claims, suspend this divisive policy, and take an unbiased approach to collect the necessary data to determine whether any force readiness challenges may be correlated to the recent change in law due to Dobbs. I earnestly await your prompt reply to this letter as well as those I sent to you on March 1, 2023 and September 15, 2023. Sincerely, Roger F. Wicker",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-hyde-smith-praise-8-7-million-investment-in-port-of-rosedale,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Praise $8.7 Million Investment in Port of Rosedale",2023-10-31,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today celebrated an $8.7 million U.S. Department of Transportation grant to improve infrastructure at the Port of Rosedale. The grant was issued by the Maritime Administration through the Port Infrastructure Development Program. “This is great news for Mississippi and the Port of Rosedale,” Wicker said. “This funding will support ongoing work to expand capacity and spur economic development. Multimodal improvements like this are the future of transportation along the Mississippi River.” “The capacity improvements supported by this grant will help create more certainty for Delta agriculture producers and industries that rely on the Rosedale port to ship and receive supplies efficiently. I look forward to continuing to support these upgrades,” said Hyde-Smith, ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee. The project includes relocation and reconstruction of an inbound loading conveyor and the rehabilitation of an outbound conveyor on a new tower rather than a floating platform. The new components will be used to transload between barges, trucks, and storage, and they will be built with the capability to transload cargo between barges and rail once rail service is restored. The conveyors currently face capacity limitations and are unable to effectively handle commodities. The grant funding will help complete the first two phases of a three-part multi-modal expansion project at the port.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/icymi-george-will-in-the-washington-post-complacency-and-neglect-weaken-the-navy-amid-growing-threats,ICYMI: George Will in the Washington Post: “Complacency and neglect weaken the Navy amid growing threats”,2023-10-27,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Conservative columnist George Will today penned a column for the Washington Post discussing U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and his efforts to improve the United States’ naval deterrent against China. In his column, Will highlights Wicker’s work on growing and maintaining the United States Navy’s fleet of surface ships and submarines. “Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, wants you to be as alarmed as he is about this: If deterrence, which failed regarding Ukraine, fails regarding Taiwan, this might be because adversaries understand that U.S. leaders have allowed the nation’s defense industrial base to become shockingly short of capacities commensurate with the world’s multiplying threats,” Will wrote. “The U.S. Navy — the nation’s principal means of power projection; the answer to the “tyranny of distance” in the Indo-Pacific — is Wicker’s foremost concern. Production of stealthy, lethal attack submarines, which Wicker calls “the crown jewels of U.S. military power,” should, he says, be doubled. The Navy has only 49, and Wicker says nearly 40 percent cannot be deployed because of maintenance delays.” Will also cites Wicker’s assessment of the strategic situation. The Mississippi senator has said frequently in speeches, columns, and opening statements this year that “we are in our most dangerous security moment since World War II.” “President Xi Jinping has reportedly directed China’s military to be able to attack, blockade or otherwise subdue Taiwan by 2027. Unless the defense industrial base is urgently enlarged, America’s military will be, as some policy experts have observed, like a great football team that can play only through the first quarter,” Will wrote. “Hence, Wicker’s conclusion: ‘We are in our most dangerous security moment since World War II.’” Read George Will’s column on Senator Wicker’s efforts here or below. Read more about Senator Wicker’s recent work on navy issues here, here, and here. Complacency and neglect weaken the Navy amid growing threats October 27, 2023 By: George Will “This stadium reminds us of the great battles in which those who came before you fought to defend democracy. Belleau Wood. Guadalcanal. Iwo Jima. Inchon. But what you don’t see here is all the battles that never occurred, all the wars that never erupted — because American Sailors and Marines showed up. They deterred conflict. They kept the watch.” — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, U.S. Naval Academy commencement, 2023 Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, wants you to be as alarmed as he is about this: If deterrence, which failed regarding Ukraine, fails regarding Taiwan, this might be because adversaries understand that U.S. leaders have allowed the nation’s defense industrial base to become shockingly short of capacities commensurate with the world’s multiplying threats. The U.S. Navy — the nation’s principal means of power projection; the answer to the “tyranny of distance” in the Indo-Pacific — is Wicker’s foremost concern. Production of stealthy, lethal attack submarines, which Wicker calls “the crown jewels of U.S. military power,” should, he says, be doubled. The Navy has only 49, and Wicker says nearly 40 percent cannot be deployed because of maintenance delays. So, crews endure grueling operation tempos. Retention falls. Just to fulfill the 2021 AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) commitment without reducing the U.S. supply of attack submarines, U.S. production would have to be 2.3 to 2.5 submarines a year. Since before the AUKUS agreement, Congress has been providing funds for two a year, but only 1.2 are being built. Today’s total U.S. fleet is not quite 300 ships. The fleet has generally been under that number for 20 years. A 355-ship fleet, is the fleet size at the end of the Obama administration, is a statutory aspiration, but would be 100 too few. A just-published study by Jerry Hendrix, a retired Navy captain now with the Sagamore Institute, notes that although a Biden administration document endorses 381 ships, the Navy’s shipbuilding budget is consistently much too low to meet proclaimed goals. A ship’s life is about 30 years. More than half the Navy’s battle force has been in the water for more than 20 years. This, Hendrix writes, “drives dramatically increased costs to maintain the fleet in good repair. Thus, despite increased budgets, maintenance has crowded out money for new construction.” Shipbuilding facilities sufficient to fulfill the aspirations do not exist and cannot be quickly created. China, Wicker says, has more productive capacity in one shipyard than exists in all U.S. shipyards combined. Such is the U.S. maintenance backlog, one attack submarine was idled for five years. Another, after a 2021 accident in the South China Sea, probably will not be operational until 2026. Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Wicker and former senator Phil Gramm (Tex.) note: “Like David’s smooth stone that slew Goliath, two Ukrainian Neptune missiles sank the flagship of the Russian navy in the Black Sea. With 400 U.S. Harpoon missiles, costing only 0.3 percent of its GDP, Taiwan could imperil any Chinese warship in the Taiwan Strait.” But munitions inventories are radically inadequate to sustain high-intensity warfighting. The U.S. military is experiencing the worst recruiting shortfall in 50 years. Wicker thinks this is related to “the injection of hyperpolitical culture into our fighting forces.” Imagine what the Chinese military thinks when a Navy secretary says climate change is as important a challenge as recruiting. (The Navy missed this year’s recruiting goal by 7,000 sailors.) The word “climate” appeared 63 times in the Biden administration’s 48-page 2022 National Security Strategy. The military’s alarming material deficits are perhaps matched by intellectual ones. President Xi Jinping has reportedly directed China’s military to be able to attack, blockade or otherwise subdue Taiwan by 2027. Unless the defense industrial base is urgently enlarged, America’s military will be, as some policy experts have observed, like a great football team that can play only through the first quarter. Hence, Wicker’s conclusion: “We are in our most dangerous security moment since World War II.” Winston Churchill wrote that early in 1942, “the foundation of all our hopes and schemes was the immense shipbuilding programme of the United States.” “Immense” is no longer applicable. The ubiquity of wars throughout history, and the menacing nature of this moment, strongly suggest that we are living in what historians will describe as yet another span of “interwar years.” History will not kindly judge national leaders who, while complacently producing $2 trillion annual budget deficits, were parsimonious regarding the preparations for war that are necessary, if not always sufficient, for preventing war.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-rogers-statement-on-b61-13-gravity-bomb,"Wicker, Rogers Statement on B61-13 Gravity Bomb",2023-10-27,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, R-Ala., Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement following an announcement by the Department of Defense on the B61 gravity bomb. “While we welcome the step of creating a variant of the B61, which will better allow the Air Force to reach hardened and deeply-buried targets, it is only a modest step in the right direction. The B61-13 is not a long-term solution, but it will provide our commanders, particularly in INDOPACOM and EUCOM, with more flexibility against these target sets. As the Strategic Posture Commission recently noted, China and Russia are in a full-on arms race, and the U.S. is running in place. Dramatic transformation of our deterrent posture – not incremental or piecemeal changes – is required to address this threat.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-risch-rubio-press-biden-for-decisive-response-to-chinese-aggression-in-south-china-sea,"Wicker, Risch, Rubio Press Biden for Decisive Response to Chinese Aggression in South China Sea",2023-10-26,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, yesterday joined Senate Foreign Relations Committee ranking member Jim Risch, R-Idaho, and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence vice chairman Marco Rubio, R-Fla., on a letter to President Biden urging support for the Philippines following repeated aggressive incidents from Chinese maritime assets in the South China Sea. In the letter, the Senators recount actions beginning in August from the People’s Republic Coast Guard and maritime militia intended to interrupt Philippine resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre, a ship grounded on a reef in the area and manned by Philippine sailors. China’s Coast Guard and maritime militia have fired water cannons and threatened to ram supply ships in an attempt to stave off replenishment of the vessel. “China is on the verge of willfully triggering a humanitarian crisis by blocking the resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre. Its actions will eventually starve Filipino sailors on the vessel. China’s main purpose, of course, is to force the Philippines to abandon Second Thomas Shoal and take de facto control of this territorial feature,” the senators wrote. “Doing so would expand further its unlawful maritime claims – just as Beijing did with Scarborough Shoal over a decade ago. Each new claim of maritime sovereignty gives China another platform to hold allied territory (and U.S. military assets) at greater risk.” The Senators asked President Biden to outline a full list of plans to support the Philippine mission on the Sierra Madre – including defense and non-defense related options – while also pressing Biden to signal resolve in the face of Chinese aggression. Failing to do so, the senators argued, would enable even further malign action. “Your administration has repeatedly stated that an attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces – including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea – would invoke the U.S. mutual defense commitments... China’s actions are testing the credibility and value of these commitments, and we must respond with strength,” the senators wrote. “We request your administration provide us with a full list of plans, branches, and sequels or other diplomatic or non-defense options developed by the Departments of State and Defense to support the Philippines and ensure the resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre.” Read the full letter here or below. October 25, 2023 President Joseph R. Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. Dear President Biden, We write to express our grave concern regarding the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) hostile and unlawful actions in the South China Sea, particularly against the Philippines, and to request your administration move quickly to support the Philippines in countering China’s aggressive behavior. On October 22, the Philippines attempted to resupply the BRP Sierra Madre, a Philippine vessel grounded on a reef in the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The PRC’s Coast Guard and maritime militia— once again—obstructed this mission by intentionally interfering with the Philippine vessels’ exercise of high seas freedom of navigation. This flagrant conduct jeopardized the lives of Filipino crew members and impeded critically needed supplies from reaching service members stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre. China is on the verge of willfully triggering a humanitarian crisis by blocking the resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre. Its actions will eventually starve Filipino sailors on the vessel. China’s main purpose, of course, is to force the Philippines to abandon Second Thomas Shoal and take de facto control of this territorial feature. Doing so would expand further its unlawful maritime claims – just as Beijing did with Scarborough Shoal over a decade ago. Each new claim of maritime sovereignty gives China another platform to hold allied territory (and U.S. military assets) at greater risk. Your administration has repeatedly stated that an attack on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces – including those of its Coast Guard in the South China Sea – would invoke the U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. China’s actions are testing the credibility and value of these commitments, and we must respond with strength. We request your administration provide us with a full list of plans, branches, and sequels or other diplomatic or non-defense options developed by the Departments of State and Defense to support the Philippines and ensure the resupply of the BRP Sierra Madre. We look forward to your response and working with your administration to ensure that the Philippines can successfully resupply its sailors and fend off PRC encroachment into its sovereign territory.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-hagerty-colleagues-introduce-legislation-to-resupply-israel-s-iron-dome-missile-defense,"Wicker, Hagerty, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Resupply Israel’s Iron Dome Missile Defense",2023-10-23,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., joined Senator Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., in introducing the Emergency Resupply for Iron Dome Act of 2023. This legislation would require the executive branch to transfer the U.S. foreign assistance that the U.S. Department of State plans to send to Hamas-controlled Gaza and redirect it to resupply Israel’s highly-effective missile defense interceptors. “The Iron Dome system has proven time and again to be one of Israel’s most important air defense capabilities,” Wicker said. “The United States should support replenishing Iron Dome and expanding our domestic industrial base to accelerate production.” In addition to Wicker and Hagerty, cosponsors include U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Marco Rubio, R-Fla., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Rick Scott, R-Fla.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-hyde-smith-back-bill-to-slam-brakes-on-radical-biden-electric-vehicle-mandate,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Back Bill to Slam Brakes on Radical Biden Electric Vehicle Mandate",2023-10-23,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., are cosponsoring legislation to slam the brakes on a sweeping tailpipe emissions rule and other Biden administration regulations that seek to limit consumer vehicle choice and push American drivers to buy pricey electric vehicles (EVs). Wicker and Hyde-Smith late last week helped introduce the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act (S.3094), which would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing its draft emission rule and stop other regulations that limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type. “President Biden has consistently pursued a radical environmental agenda at the expense of the American people,” Wicker said. “At a time of unprecedented inflation, taxpayers cannot afford another attack on their pocketbooks. This legislation would stop the administration’s misguided rule in its tracks.” “It’s no secret that Biden’s EPA habitually imposes standards that do more harm than good to industry, and this latest tailpipe emissions scheme is the most aggressive yet. It reeks of central government planning that would be more at home in a nondemocratic country,” Hyde-Smith said. “This legislation is our effort to check this executive overreach that would only further disrupt markets, add to an already injured supply chain, and limit consumer choices.” The EPA in April issued a draft rule titled Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles, which sets stringent emissions standards for criteria pollutants and greenhouse gasses for certain vehicles. It is the most aggressive tailpipe emissions proposal ever crafted and a de facto mandate for mass production of EVs. The EPA projected that, if finalized, over two-thirds of all new vehicles could be electric by 2032. The average price of an EV is over $17,000 more than the average price of a gas-powered vehicle, according to data from Kelley Blue Book. The administration’s continued push for EVs threatens to hurt everyday Americans and costs auto workers their jobs while simultaneously helping China, given that China continues to dominate the EV supply chain. Introduced by U.S. Senator Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, and Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., the CARS Act would: Prohibit the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing its proposed emissions rule; Prohibit the use of authority under the Clean Air Act to issue regulations that mandate the use of any specific technology or that limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine type. This includes any regulation prescribed on or after Jan. 1, 2021; Require the EPA to update any regulations since January 1, 2021, that result in the limited availability of new vehicles based on that vehicle’s engine within two years; and End the EPA’s radical agenda, which is driving up costs for people and handing the keys of America’s auto industry to China. Additional cosponsors include U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Katie Britt, R-Ala., Roger Marshall, M.D., R-Kan., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Mike Lee, R-Utah, John Barrasso, R-Wyo., John Boozman, R-Ark., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Bill Cassidy, M.D., R-La., John Kennedy, R-La., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Tim Scott, R-S.C., John Hoeven, R-N.D., Mike Braun, R-Ind., and Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved companion legislation (HR.4468) in early September and reported to the full House. S.3094 has been endorsed by, among others, the American Farm Bureau, National Automobile Dealers Association, American Petroleum Institute, American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers, National Propane Gas Association, National Association of Convenience Stores, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, Energy Marketers of America, American Energy Alliance, National Taxpayers Union, National Association of Small Trucking Companies, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Specialty Equipment Market Association, Heritage Action and Americans for Prosperity.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-statement-on-submarine-industrial-base-provisions-in-defense-supplemental-package,Wicker Statement on Submarine Industrial Base Provisions in Defense Supplemental Package,2023-10-20,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Armed Services Leader: Supplemental Helps Shipyards, Suppliers, Shipbuilders Meet Navy’s Sub Requirements, Fulfill AUKUS WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement in response to the Biden administration’s $3.4 billion in funding for AUKUS and the submarine industrial base in the national defense supplemental: “Inclusion of submarine industrial base funds is a welcome start to the process of fortifying our submarine maintenance and production capabilities, but it cannot stop here,” Wicker said. “As I have repeatedly said, our shipyards are under-resourced to meet the Navy’s urgent submarine requirements as well as meet the prospective demands of the AUKUS agreement. We must work to signal to both our allies and U.S. industry that we can meet the obligations of the AUKUS agreement without putting our own submarine fleet in jeopardy.” “Fundamental investments in our shipbuilders, public shipyards, and nearly 16,000 suppliers across the nation are needed to maintain American undersea supremacy. There is still much work to be done with the administration and Pentagon to expand our industrial base and add the necessary attack submarines to prevent conflict on the seas, but this package signals a positive first step toward that goal.” Read more about Senator Wicker’s work on national defense here. Read below a detailed timeline about relevant actions from Senator Wicker on AUKUS and the submarine industrial base. Read analysis of that work here and here. On March 15, Senator Wicker delivered a Senate floor speech calling for a “healthy submarine industrial base” to deter Chinese aggression. Also on March 15, Senator Wicker issued a statement on the FY24 U.S. Navy budget calling out a reduced Naval reactors budget despite “extreme strain on the American submarine industrial base” offered by the AUKUS agreement. On March 28, Senator Wicker observed to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that the submarine industrial base’s progress “has been too slow or nonexistent.” On April 18, Senator Wicker challenged Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday to articulate how the Navy can improve its production timelines to two attack submarines per year during a Senate Armed Services hearing. Also on April 18, Senator Wicker issued a statement on the FY24 Navy 30-year shipbuilding plan, in which he identified the future shirking force structure for Navy attack submarines. On May 3 in a Senate floor speech, Senator Wicker specifically called for the need to “increase investments in our submarine industrial base if we have any hope of implementing the AUKUS deal.” On July 16, Senator Wicker published an opinion column in the Wall Street Journal calling for the doubling of attack submarine production capability in U.S. shipyards to fulfill the promise of the AUKUS agreement. On July 21, Politico reported that Senator Wicker blocked submarine transfer proceedings on Pillar 1 of the AUKUS agreement in the FY24 defense bill until the administration articulated a plan that could “boost production enough to supply both the U.S. Navy and Australia, the industry needs more investment from the federal government. On July 27, Senator Wicker led 24 of his Senate and House colleagues on a letter to President Biden calling on the President to take immediate action to strengthen the U.S. submarine industrial base to solidify the foundations of the AUKUS agreement. On July 28, the Wall Street Journal editorial board issued an editorial praising Senator Wicker for his work on improving domestic submarine production capability. On September 14, Senator Wicker pressed nominee to be the next Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti for her plan to get the U.S. domestic production of submarines to the required 2.3-2.5 per year to meet Navy requirements and fulfill the AUKUS agreement in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing. On October 12, Senator Wicker led a bipartisan letter to the Biden administration requesting an update on Department of Defense-led analysis on the domestic submarine industrial base and what kind of investment might be required to fulfill the AUKUS agreement.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-leads-armed-services-republicans-in-nuclear-posture-hearing,Wicker Leads Armed Services Republicans in Nuclear Posture Hearing,2023-10-19,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a committee hearing examining the recently released report from the Congressional Commission the Strategic Posture of the United States. In his opening remarks, Wicker noted the expansion of Chinese military power and how it exposes a lack of American defense preparedness in response. “We are not even close to where we need to be. Over the past two years, this committee has watched China’s military grow,” Wicker said. “Beijing has more than doubled the size of its nuclear arsenal. It has expanded its shipbuilding capacity so that the capacity to build ships is now more than 230 times that of the United States’ – 230 times. And it has increased its space-based military capabilities. All of this shifts the orbital balance of power."" Wicker also discussed the implications of the report for future congressional action, particularly in modernizing nuclear forces and domestic shipbuilding. “We simply cannot accept complacency if we want to prevail in long-term competition with China and Russia. To prevent war and keep the peace, it is incumbent upon legislators to commit – today – to a program of sustained innovation and investment. This is the only way we can reclaim lost ground,” Wicker said. “Events even in the last week suggest that a national policy of “peace through strength” is still a blueprint for success. It is time to begin making the national defense investments required to deter the conflicts looming ahead.” Read Senator Wicker’s full opening statement below or watch it here. Thank you very much, Mr. Reed. And thanks very much to our witnesses today and for their longtime service. We owe you our deepest thanks for your lifetime commitment to America’s security. This is as serious a topic as we will hear about this year. It has been nearly 15 years since the previous Strategic Posture Commission sat before this committee. They outlined their cautious, but hopeful, recommendations for how the United States should structure its national security policies. They shared an optimistic outlook for how U.S. policymakers could work with other nations to reduce global threats and work to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Today, we see that world events have unfolded much differently than envisioned 15 years ago. The threats we face today are far more complicated and dangerous than they foresaw. Indeed, senior flag and general officers continue to testify before this committee that we are entering the most dangerous national security moment since World War II. Major conflicts have erupted in Europe and the Middle East. The U.S. economy is reeling with inflation and instability. We face the unprecedented prospect of two nuclear-armed peer adversaries in Russia and China. This Strategic Posture Commission report offers a stark description of the dangers we face today and over the next ten years. It also lays bare just how much work we have to do before we can meet these threats. We are not even close to where we need to be. Over the past two years, this committee has watched China’s military grow. Beijing has more than doubled the size of its nuclear arsenal. It has expanded its shipbuilding capacity so that the capacity to build ships is now more than 230 times that of the United States’ – 230 times. And it has increased its space-based military capabilities. All of this shifts the orbital balance of power. More than 600 days ago, Russia launched the first invasion of a European country since World War II. The Kremlin has tested a variety of new nuclear weapons capabilities and threatened to resume nuclear explosive testing. Meanwhile, it actively provides enriched uranium to China to support Beijing’s nuclear buildup. The North Korean nuclear arsenal continues to advance virtually unchecked. It could soon be capable of overwhelming our ballistic missile defenses. Iran may now be as little as a matter of days away from possessing enough material for a nuclear weapon. At the same time, the regime supports Hamas terrorists in a brazen attack against our longtime friend, Israel. Our government should be addressing these threats more urgently. We need fundamental reassessment of national security assumptions and strategies. From that, we would realign our national resources to meet these historic and troubling developments. Instead, we see more of the same. We see complacency and an unwillingness to proactively confront the cold reality staring us in the face. The Departments of Defense and Energy repeatedly delay the critical programs which would modernize our nuclear deterrent and restore the basic industrial capabilities needed to produce nuclear weapons. The administration ignores persistent calls to adequately invest in domestic shipbuilding. They do this despite clear evidence that even the White House’s signature foreign policy initiative, the AUKUS agreement, may struggle to get off the ground without additional resources. We simply cannot accept complacency if we want to prevail in long-term competition with China and Russia. To prevent war and keep the peace, it is incumbent upon legislators to commit – today – to a program of sustained innovation and investment. This is the only way we can reclaim lost ground. Events even in the last week suggest that a national policy of “peace through strength” is still a blueprint for success. It is time to begin making the national defense investments required to deter the conflicts looming ahead. That is why the work of this commission is so timely. This report, first and foremost, is a bipartisan call to action. We very much appreciate that. It compels us to preserve the global order and the American way of life. It should be required reading for everyone working on national security issues. I wholeheartedly endorse the recommendations the commission makes within its pages. So, we would like to hear from you, our witnesses, about how you can help create a sense of national urgency so we can restore America’s ability to compete and to rebuild the strategic forces our country needs to win in the coming decades.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-leads-armed-services-republicans-in-hearing-supporting-veterans,Wicker Leads Armed Services Republicans in Hearing Supporting Veterans,2023-10-18,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today participated in a joint committee hearing with the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee examining military to civilian transitions for service members. In his opening remarks, Wicker noted that successful outcomes continue to be significant for veterans after their military careers as they acquire key skills during their service. “There are improvements that need to be made in our veterans’ experience and our military experience, but the truth is that the vast majority of our military veterans are highly successful in their post-military careers and personal lives,” Wicker said. Wicker also discussed how Congress can maintain support effective veteran transition programming through legislation. “Congress has capitalized on that momentum. We have identified the success of these transition programs and expanded these opportunities,” Wicker said. “The Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act required broad reforms to make the Transition Assistance Program even stronger. Today, we will find out if we can improve on that. Congress must keep faith with our veterans through these initiatives, which I will continue to support.” Read Senator Wicker’s full opening statement below or watch it here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I’m glad to be here today joining with three of my distinguished colleagues. I’m particularly proud that I share a leadership role on the Armed Services Committee with a fellow veteran, Senator Jack Reed. His career in the military is far more distinguished than mine, but I’m proud to be a veteran, proud to have served, and proud to be here with three very distinguished supporters of our military and our veterans’ community. There are improvements that need to be made in our veterans’ experience and our military experience, but the truth is that the vast majority of our military veterans are highly successful in their post-military careers and personal lives. And I do appreciate Chairman Reed making that point and making the very positive point about military service during the active duty time and as a veteran. As our economy struggles with inflation and rising interest rates, reporting from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that veterans and their families have consistently achieved higher standards of living than non-veterans. This is over the past 40 years. The veteran unemployment rate is lower than the non-veteran unemployment rate. Both can be improved, but that is a significant statistic. This has been true nearly every month since January 2003, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics began tracking this information. This impressive fact is no surprise to those of us who understand how valuable veterans are to civilian employers. Between 2005 and 2015, a recent study from the University of Akron found that military veterans earned higher average wages than non-veterans. These facts demonstrate what those of us in the military community have known for years: Most veterans are doing well. The skills and character we developed during our time in service lead to desirable outcomes. Our witnesses should be congratulated for the superb work that they and their Departments have been doing in this area over the past decades. Our veterans show that joining the military is a great way to improve future career and life prospects. This is true regardless of sex, race, or national origin. As I have said, and echoing others, the United States military is the greatest civil rights program in history. The success of veterans from minority communities proves this. Researchers studied households headed by racial or ethnic minorities with low education experience. In that study, researchers found that households headed by veterans had significantly higher standards of living than those headed by non-veterans. And in 2017, the median annual incomes of black and Hispanic veteran households were more than $20,000 higher than those of minority non-veteran households. So as you can see, I am not only proud to be a veteran, I support military service and encourage many young Americans to follow this type of service. We have also learned that effective pre-separation transition programs are helping to prepare service members for life after their military careers. The programs set these veterans up for civilian life, and their communities notice their success. In particular, young Americans see that military service can have very positive effects. This helps recruiting efforts. In this way, these transition programs act as a force multiplier. The Transition Assistance Program has been operating for just over thirty years. But it has a lot to show from that relatively brief tenure. Today, it supports around 200,000 service members every year. Congress has capitalized on that momentum. We have identified the success of these transition programs and expanded these opportunities. The Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act required broad reforms to make the Transition Assistance Program even stronger. Today, we will find out if we can improve on that.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-stands-with-israel-calls-for-defense-package-to-help-israel-win,"Wicker Stands with Israel, Calls for Defense Package to Help Israel Win",2023-10-18,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor discussing the national security crisis underway in Israel and what Congress should do to support our Israeli allies. In his remarks, Wicker delivered a “message of unwavering support” for Israel as they undergo the worst terror attacks they have suffered in their national history. “We have all seen the devastation from Hamas’ brutal attacks. We need to send this clear signal from both sides of the aisle, and both sides of this building: Israel has a right self-defense, just as we in America have a right to our self-defense. And Israel is entitled to our full support,” Wicker said. Wicker, as lead Republican on the Armed Services Committee, called for renewed attention to American defense industrial capacity, suggesting that the crisis in Israel underscores the need for a strong military. Wicker requested that the Biden administration provide Israel with Tamir missile interceptor systems for the Iron Dome as well as precision-guided munitions. “This episode again highlights that our national defense is far behind where it needs to be,” Wicker said. “Some of us have been raising this point for a long time. I have been making this point long before I became the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. The administration must send Congress a funding request that fully resources the U.S. military for a rapidly worsening threat environment in Israel, in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in Europe, and the Western Pacific.” Wicker also highlighted Biden administration officials’ connections to an Iranian government operation, mentioning a letter he led alongside 30 colleagues to demand accountability. The Mississippi senator concluded with a message of overwhelming support for Israel from the people of his home state. “I can say with confidence that the people of my state are with Israel. My office has received a remarkable outpouring of support for Israel from people across Mississippi,” Wicker said. “They express that support in word and in deed. The 3 flagship Navy corvettes of the Israeli battle fleet were built by the skilled craftsmen of our Mississippi shipyards. Think about that – Mississippi-made hulls carrying the flag of the Star of David are being used to protect the Israeli people from further attack. This is just one example of our common cause. With the people of Mississippi – and the overwhelming majority of senators on both sides of the aisle – I call upon all of us to stand united in support of Israeli victory.” Read Senator Wicker’s full remarks below or watch them here. Madam President, I join with my overwhelming bipartisan majority of Senators and House colleagues in delivering a message of unwavering support for our friends in Israel. And I want to congratulate my friend, the senior senator from Oklahoma, for his very fine speech just now and to associate myself with every single remark that he made. And I congratulate him on making it so eloquently. We have all seen the devastation from Hamas’ brutal attacks. We need to send this clear signal from both sides of the aisle, and both sides of this building: Israel has a right self-defense, just as we in America have a right to our self-defense. And Israel is entitled to our full support. Madam President, the weeks ahead will require decisive action from Congress and the White House. We must ensure our allies are armed to the teeth as they enter what amounts to a Hamas fortress across the border in Gaza. They also must receive the tools they need to keep Hezbollah in the north, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad at bay. Finally, we must stand united against Hamas’ patron, the Islamic Republic of Iran. Israel needs more Tamir interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome system. They need them immediately. We have several hundred in inventory, and the administration should use its drawdown authority immediately to send these missiles without delay. We need to pass a supplemental appropriations bill to accelerate Tamir production in Israel, even as the U.S. builds our own Tamir factory – here in the United States – by 2025. Congress should also support the delivery and production of more precision-guided munitions and ammunition for Israeli ground forces, as well as expansive intelligence sharing. And there are many questions, Madam President about intelligence failures and shortcomings leading up to this attack. This episode again highlights that our national defense is far behind where it needs to be. Some of us have been raising this point for a long time. I have been making this point long before I became the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee. The administration must send Congress a funding request that fully resources the U.S. military for a rapidly worsening threat environment in Israel, in the Middle East, in Ukraine, in Europe, and the Western Pacific. For over seven and a half decades, Israel has made every effort simply to be a peaceful democracy in a dangerous area of the world. Hamas wants to end the nation of Israel. That is part of their charter. It’s in writing. That is part of their goal. And our fellow citizens are also victims of this violence. We have lost more than 20 fellow Americans to these terrorists, and of course we know that some are held captive. Millions of Americans pray so that they come home. The people of Israel know that there can be no return to the pre-war status quo. The pre-war status quo – the October 7 status quo – is over. Israel must destroy Hamas, no matter how long it takes. As it pursues this goal, no nations should give Hamas terrorists safe haven. Iran must not give Hamas terrorists safe haven. Tehran’s support for this war makes one thing clear: We successfully deter bad actors only through unmistakable signals of American strength. We need to return to the “maximum pressure” policies of the previous Trump administration. And we can match that financial pressure with a heightened defense posture in the region. We must also examine why Iran and its proxies believed that they could get away with this heinous massacre. We know, for example – and it brings me no pleasure to say this Madam President – we know that the Biden administration’s Iran policy was led by individuals who were actually part of an Iranian government information operation. One of those individuals has been relieved. Another of these individuals –Dr. Ariane Tabatabai – remains in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Thirty senators have joined me in a letter asking for answers on this. We need answers – now – on why this is still allowed to happen, and what steps the administration will take to remediate it. We should support the continued Arab-Israeli peace efforts, which President Trump initiated through the Abraham Accords. While I disagree with many aspects of the Biden administration’s Middle East policy, I strongly support the recent Saudi-Israeli peace initiative. Hamas clearly hopes their terrorist attacks will grind this progress to a halt. I am grateful that many of our Arab partners – even in the face of extreme pressure and hardship – still see the true nature of Hamas today. They understand that it is an Iranian-backed terrorist organization who wants to wipe Israel off the face of the map. Many of our Arab partners have fought and defeated similar organizations in their own borders. So, I urge the Biden administration to emphasize this shared Arab-Israeli interest in Hamas’ defeat so that Arab-Israeli peace efforts can continue to progress. And finally, let me this Madam President. I can say with confidence that the people of my state are with Israel. My office has received a remarkable outpouring of support for Israel from people across Mississippi.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-leads-bipartisan-effort-to-receive-aukus-update,Wicker Leads Bipartisan Effort To Receive AUKUS Update,2023-10-17,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee recently joined his Armed Services colleagues Senators Tim Kaine, D-Va., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H. on a letter to President Biden requesting an immediate update on the administration’s plans to implement the landmark AUKUS agreement. Specifically, the Senators reaffirmed their commitment to AUKUS and expressed their eagerness to receive a vital industrial base study from the administration. The study analyzes what kind of additional investment in the domestic submarine industrial base would be required to advance the agreement in the most effective fashion. The study, which was conducted by the Department of Defense’s Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation office, would prove pivotal to informing Congress’ future plans for supporting the AUKUS agreement. The Senators asked for an update on the study no later than October 31. “It is critical that the administration articulate a detailed plan for instituting necessary enhancements to the submarine industrial base,” the senators wrote. “This is a crucial first step in posturing the United States to effectively address existing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and essential for fully realizing the potential of the AUKUS agreement.” Read the letter in full here or below. October 12, 2023 President Joe Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear President Biden, We write to express our strong support for advancing the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) partnership. The collaboration across the U.S. government over the last several months has enabled significant progress in the development of the legal authorities necessary for AUKUS implementation, and we are eager to see those authorities be signed into law this year. To realize the full potential of AUKUS, the American defense industrial base will require significant resources to improve submarine construction and maintenance rates. The volume of submarine tonnage the industrial base must produce to meet the Navy’s own requirements and fully implement the AUKUS agreement will require historic and sustained investments in the submarine workforce and supplier network. To achieve such capacity, Congress must have a comprehensive understanding of the current status of the submarine industrial base as well as the future resource investments necessary to meet our nation’s requirements. We understand that a Submarine Industrial Base 2025 (SIB-25) study from the U.S. Navy and the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation is complete, but that the administration does not plan to share its findings with Congress until the President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2025 is released, sometime early next year. However, understanding the scope of the generational investment required for the SIB’s viability is critical for development of AUKUS-authorizing legislation this year and for robust Congressional oversight as the United States charts the future course of AUKUS. Therefore, we ask the administration to provide the cost estimates contained within the SIB-25 study to Congress no later than October 31, 2023, to inform Congressional consideration of any AUKUS-associated legislation. It is critical that the administration articulate a detailed plan for instituting necessary enhancements to the submarine industrial base. This is a crucial first step in posturing the United States to effectively address existing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and essential for fully realizing the potential of the AUKUS agreement.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/miss-lawmakers-call-out-biden-administration-s-extreme-abortion-agenda,Miss. Lawmakers Call Out Biden Administration’s Extreme Abortion Agenda,2023-10-13,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Senate Pro-Life Caucus Chair Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Trent Kelly, R-Miss., and Michael Guest, R-Miss. this week signed a letter to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sounding the alarm on the agency’s attempt to impose an abortion mandate on employers through the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Signed by 20 Senators and 41 House members, the letter asserts that the proposed rule not only goes against the text and purpose of the PWFA, but it also exceeds the EEOC’s authority. “As Members of Congress, we support policies to ensure women are provided with access to necessary accommodations in the workplace during pregnancy to support the health of both the woman and her unborn child. This was the goal of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and we write to share our strong opposition to the illegal imposition of abortion mandates in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed regulations, published on August 11, 2023, to implement the PWFA,” the members wrote. In the proposed rule, the EEOC inaccurately determined abortion is included in the definition of “pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition.” The rule would mandate employers provide a “reasonable accommodation” for abortion, including paid leave, unpaid leave, or transfer to a position in another state, to seek an abortion at any stage in pregnancy up until birth, even for employers in states that prohibit most abortions. “In these regulations, the EEOC has moved far beyond the power delegated by Congress. The Commission was directed to implement a bipartisan law designed to provide accommodation protections for pregnant women in the workforce. Instead, it has sought to impose an unconstitutional nationwide abortion mandate on employers,” the members continued. “We urge you to remove abortion mandates from the scope of this rule, protect employers with religious and moral objections, and finalize a rule that accurately reflects the congressional mandate to promote healthy pregnancies and childbirth, not abortion.” U.S. Senator James Lankford, R-Okla., and U.S. Representative Chris Smith, R-N.J., coordinated the letter to EEOC Executive Officer Raymond Windmiller. It was submitted as a part of the public comment process on the EEOC proposed rule. Read the full letter here or below. Dear Mr. Windmiller: As Members of Congress, we support policies to ensure women are provided with access to necessary accommodations in the workplace during pregnancy to support the health of both the woman and her unborn child. This was the goal of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and we write to share our strong opposition to the illegal imposition of abortion mandates in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) proposed regulations, published on August 11, 2023, to implement the PWFA. We urge the Commission to modify the regulations to reflect clear congressional intent by removing the abortion and other anti-life mandates from any final rule. The Commission must also clarify that pro-life and religious employers are exempt from making any accommodations under the PWFA that violate their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act did not include abortion, and the EEOC has illegally imposed an abortion mandate. Abortion is not included under the PWFA. The exclusion of abortion is clear in the plain meaning of the Act’s text, and the legislative intent has been reiterated by the sponsoring Members. The PWFA was signed into law on December 29, 2022, through H.R. 2617, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023. It requires employers with 15 or more employees to make “reasonable accommodations to the known limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions” of an employee. The accommodations in this bill are intended to help female employees maintain employment while supporting their health and the health of their babies during pregnancy and childbirth, as well as after involuntary loss through miscarriage and stillbirth. The PWFA does not include abortion. In fact, abortion is antithetical to the Act’s purpose because it is intentionally anti-pregnancy and anti-childbirth. Abortion is not health care. It ends the lives of unborn children through suction, dismemberment, or chemical poisoning, and it can lead to significant physical complications and mental health risks for women. The bill sponsors further clarified that the bill was not intended to address abortion. During floor debate, Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), the lead Democrat cosponsor in the Senate, said, “I want to say for the record, however, that under the act, under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the EEOC could not — could not — issue any regulation that requires abortion leave, nor does the act permit the EEOC to require employers to provide abortion leave in violation of state law.” Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the lead Republican cosponsor, said, “I reject the characterization that [the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act] would do anything to promote abortion.” The EEOC has acted, without congressional authorization and directly contrary to congressional intent, to impose an abortion mandate on employers throughout the United States. Despite the Act not mentioning abortion once and clear congressional statements to the contrary, the EEOC has inaccurately claimed that abortion is included in the definition of “pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition.” If finalized, the EEOC’s Proposed Rule would now mandate that employers provide a “reasonable accommodation” for abortion. Such accommodations could include the use of paid leave, unpaid leave, or transfer to a position in another state, to seek an abortion at any stage in pregnancy up until birth, even for employers in States that prohibit most abortions. Employers could also be required to provide women seeking abortions with access to employer-provided transportation. Congress enacted a law to support mothers during pregnancy and childbirth, protecting and benefiting the health of the mother and her unborn child. Issuing regulations to implement this law that mandates employers facilitate abortions flips that pro-pregnancy, pro-childbirth law on its head. It neglects the plain text of the law, and if finalized, it would have the opposite intent of the bipartisan law Congress enacted. An abortion mandate for employers was not present in this legislation and has no place in any implementing regulations. The Proposed Rule Exceeds EEOC Authority. The PWFA delegated regulatory authority to the EEOC only to develop regulations to implement the goals defined in the PWFA. Promoting abortion is not one of those goals. Agencies may not issue regulations with vast political significance unless clearly directed by Congress, as the Supreme Court has affirmed under the major questions doctrine. The EEOC does not have the legal authority to create an abortion mandate for employers in defiance of statutory text and congressional intent. The Proposed Rule Violates Religious Liberty. During consideration of the law, Congress deliberated protections for religious entities extensively. Based on the strong jurisprudence of the religious organizations exemption in Title VII, Congress tied Title VII’s exemption to the entirety of the law through the rule of construction and concluded that such language would ensure the religious organization exemption in Title VII would apply to all accommodations and other claims covered by the law. Further, in line with the statutory text, Congress continues to understand Title VII’s religious exemption to “encompass the entire employment relationship, not merely limited to hiring and firing.” As Courts have held, in Title VII, Congress “painted with a broader brush, exempting religious organizations from the entire subchapter of Title VII with respect to employment of persons of a particular religion.” Title VII broadly defines religion to include “all aspects of religious observance and practice as well as belief.” It is this broad understanding of religion that Congress had in mind when it included the religious organizations exemption to the PWFA. Congress intended the rule of construction to protect religious entities from making any accommodation that would conflict with any aspect of their religion. As such, the EEOC must make explicit in the final rule that any objection to an accommodation for an activity that conflicts with the entity’s religion is to be respected and protected by the rule of construction. In addition to the Title VII protections, the EEOC should also continue to recognize the application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in its final rule. As the proposed rule acknowledges, RFRA applies to the underlying statute. Congress would have had to expressly exclude RFRA for RFRA’s protections to be waived, which it did not. RFRA is an important shield for people and organizations from being forced to violate their faith, which will happen under the proposed expansive interpretation of this Act. The Proposed Rule Ignores Conscience Objections. Under the EEOC’s proposal, the regulations would impose an abortion mandate on other employers who are pro-life based on religious or moral conviction but are not formally affiliated with a religious organization. It would force these employers to express views and to act in ways that violate their religious and moral convictions. It would also violate the objecting employer’s constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expressive association by requiring them to inaccurately present abortion as health care and as comparable to pregnancy and childbirth. Further demonstrating the EEOC’s expansive interpretation exceeds statutory authority, there are no protections for pro-life employers and entities. The proposed rule includes abortion, contraception, and IVF while remaining silent on the implications this creates for individuals with moral, ethical, medical, or other objections. Even without the PWFA, many pro-life employers and organizations have already implemented employment practices that support pregnant mothers and their unborn children. The proposed rule ignores the presence of the unborn child and instead steamrolls employers into promoting or being complicit with abortion and other items or actions employers may reasonably object to or even find antithetical to the organization’s mission. This is not what Congress intended and not the PWFA Congress passed. The EEOC must make it clear in the final rule that the undue hardship defense protects pro-life employers and entities from having to make accommodations that would be contrary to the mission of the organization. Conclusion In these regulations, the EEOC has moved far beyond the power delegated by Congress. The Commission was directed to implement a bipartisan law designed to provide accommodation protections for pregnant women in the workforce. Instead, it has sought to impose an unconstitutional nationwide abortion mandate on employers.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-welcomes-final-report-of-u-s-strategic-posture-commission,Wicker Welcomes Final Report of U.S. Strategic Posture Commission,2023-10-12,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement after the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States released its final unclassified report: “Ensuring the United States military is able to protect and defend our country is one of Congress’ most solemn responsibilities. We appreciate the work of the commission to provide a clear-eyed assessment of our strategic posture. It is apparent from the report that there is much more that we should be doing to ensure our military, and particularly our nuclear forces, are capable of deterring two near-peer nuclear adversaries at the same time. “The findings of this bipartisan report detail the gravity of the situation we face and emphasize that the current trajectory of the U.S. strategic forces are insufficient to deter the looming Chinese and Russian threat. The report is also a stark reminder of the significant work needed to expand our nuclear submarine industrial base to increase production and reduce repair time. The details of this report should serve as a wakeup call for our armed forces and the national security community as a whole. “It is essential that Congress move forward quickly with a plan to provide our military with the resources necessary to restore our nuclear deterrent and rebuild the capacity to fight and win two wars if necessary. Passing a defense supplemental in the near-term and guaranteeing real growth in the annual defense budget will help us meet this moment. Failing to make these investments now will leave the United States weaker and invite costly new threats from our adversaries.” BACKGROUND: The Fiscal Year 2022 (FY 2022) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) established the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States (Commission), and tasked it with examining the long-term strategic posture of the United States. The Commission’s report includes a comprehensive review of the current and projected threat environment; an assessment of our current nuclear deterrence, missile defense, space, cyber, and conventional military forces and strategic posture; and recommendations for the most appropriate strategic posture and nuclear deterrence strategy. The bipartisan Commission is led by Madelyn Creedon, who most recently served as Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration from 2014 to 2017, and former U.S. Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona. KEY EXCERPTS: “DOD should increase shipbuilding capacity, by working with industry to establish or renovate a third shipyard dedicated to production of nuclear-powered vessels, with particular emphasis on nuclear-powered submarines.” “The nuclear force modernization program of record is absolutely essential, although not sufficient to meet the new threats posed by Russia and China.” “The current modernization program should be supplemented to ensure U.S. nuclear strategy remains effective in a two-nuclear-peer environment.” “A number of commissioners believe it is inevitable that the size of the U.S. nuclear stockpile and the number of delivery systems should increase.” “The size and composition of the nuclear force must account for the possibility of combined aggression from Russia and China. U.S. strategy should no longer treat China’s nuclear forces as a “lesser included” threat. The United States needs a nuclear posture capable of simultaneously deterring both countries.” “The U.S. theater nuclear force posture should be urgently modified to: Provide the President a range of militarily effective nuclear response options to deter or counter Russian or Chinese limited nuclear use in theater. Address the need for U.S. theater nuclear forces deployed or based in the Asia-Pacific theater.” “The Commission recommends Congress fund an overhaul and expansion of the capacity of the U.S. nuclear weapons defense industrial base and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) nuclear security enterprise, including weapons science, design, and production infrastructure. Specifically: Congress should fund the full range of NNSA’s recapitalization efforts, such as [plutonium] pit production and all operations related to critical materials.” “The United States develop and field homeland integrated air and missile defenses that can deter and defeat coercive attacks by Russia and China, and determine the capabilities needed to stay ahead of the North Korean threat.” “The Commission’s assessment is that the United States must consider the possibility that Iran will become a nuclear state during the 2027-2035 timeframe.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-statement-on-israel,Wicker Statement on Israel,2023-10-07,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today reacted to the wave of attacks on Israel by Iranian-backed Hamas militants: ""I stand with Israel in the face of this unprovoked attack by Iran-backed Hamas militants. As our best ally and friend in the Middle East, the safety and security of Israel must always be our priority. I strongly condemn these acts of terror and fully support Israel's right to defend itself. I am praying for Israel today."" “Today’s attacks underscore the Biden administration’s naïve approach to Iran. President Biden’s lenient policy has sent billions in cash to Iran to continue its funding of terrorists and has jeopardized our closest regional partner, Israel. I will continue holding this administration accountable to support Israel and deter Iran.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/10/wicker-to-biden-build-the-wall-today,Wicker to Biden: Build the Wall Today,2023-10-05,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today commented on the Biden administration’s decision to build 20 miles of border wall along the U.S.-Mexico border after spending millions of taxpayer dollars to store and auction off existing border wall materials. “If the president is serious about returning to border security like we had during the Trump administration, he should immediately enact what I have put in my FINISH It Act,” Wicker said. The Mississippi senator is the author of the FINISH IT Act, which has been included in the Senate’s fiscal year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The provision would compel the Biden administration to use thousands of existing border panels for wall construction. Wicker has led Senate efforts to hold the Biden administration accountable for the waste of these panels, which the administration was moving quickly to sell at auction before Wicker’s legislation could be implemented. “I would say to the president, we've got sections of the wall right now that could be installed today, that could be installed tomorrow. Mr. President, quit selling those sections of the wall for scrap metal. Erect them and let's do the wall the way that it was intended to be,” Wicker said. Read more about the FINISH IT Act and other border legislation Senator Wicker has led here. Watch his recent speech on border security here. Read more about the Biden administration’s misuse of taxpayer dollars at the southern border here and here. See the full transcript of Senator Wicker’s comments below. If the president is serious about returning to border security like we had during the Trump administration, he should immediately enact what I have put in my FINISH It Act, which is to take those sections of the wall that are already manufactured and ready to be put in place and erect them on the border. Instead, his administration has -- for months now -- been selling these already manufactured parts of the border wall off for pennies on the dollar, having them turned into scrap metal rather than using them for the purposes.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/remembering-jack-h-lucas,REMEMBERING JACK H. LUCAS,2023-10-04,2023,2023-10,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 163 (Senate - October 4, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, I am honored to pay tribute to the memory of a true American hero, Jacklyn ``Jack'' Harrell Lucas. Jack, a long-time resident of Mississippi, and the youngest marine to ever receive the Medal of Honor, left an indelible mark on American history. During the Battle of Iwo Jima, Jack jumped between two live grenades to shield three of his fellow marines from the explosion. This act of heroism caused him significant injuries. Even after his time in the military, Jack continued to inspire generations through his commitment to veterans' causes and his advocacy for those who suffered in service to their country. Jack Lucas took his final salute on June 5, 2008, in Hattiesburg, MS, leaving behind his wife, their five children, and a legacy of patriotism and service to this Nation. On October 7, 2023, the Navy will commission its first Arleigh Burke Flight III guided-missile destroyer. DDG-125 will bear the name of this distinguished son of Mississippi, Jack. H. Lucas. The USS Jack H. Lucas was built at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, MS, further highlighting Mississippi's commitment to the defense of the United States.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:49:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-votes-to-avoid-shutdown,Wicker Votes to Avoid Shutdown,2023-09-30,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today voted to advance legislation that would fund federal government operations for 45 days. The proposal, known as a “continuing resolution (CR),” would maintain the status quo for federal funding to allow Congress more time to negotiate full-year appropriations bills that would lower federal domestic spending and support national security and border security. “It is regrettable that Congress has not been able to enact legislation in time to fund the federal government. Passing this short-term bill, though not ideal, will allow both the House and Senate time to move forward with funding negotiations without the effects of a damaging shutdown. Congress should proceed quickly with the remaining appropriations bills so that we can get back to work on other important priorities, such as national defense,” Wicker said. Wicker also commented on the particular impact of a shutdown on military readiness, border security, and the U.S. economy.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-colleagues-demand-accountability-on-iran-linked-dod-official,"Wicker, Colleagues Demand Accountability on Iran-Linked DoD Official",2023-09-29,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a letter signed by 30 of his Senate Republican colleagues demanding a full accounting of actions taken by a senior Pentagon official who has close links to the Iranian government. Ariane Tabatabai, the chief of staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, was reportedly engaged in an Iranian government-linked initiative to bolster the Iranian government’s image and reinforce Tehran’s national security views. Leaked emails show Tabatabai asking the Iranian government for input on her speaking engagements and offering to consult with the Iranian government on a congressional briefing that she was invited to give. In the letter, the senators suggested that it is “unconscionable” for Tabatabai to continue holding a sensitive national defense-related position and called for the immediate suspension of her security clearance. “Iran continues to threaten U.S. military personnel in the Middle East and remains intent on assassinating American citizens here in the United States. Given these facts, we find it simply unconscionable that a senior Department official would continue to hold a sensitive position despite her alleged participation in an Iranian government information operation,” the senators wrote. “While we note that Assistant Secretary of Defense for SOLIC Christopher Maier, who is Ms. Tabatabai's current supervisor, testified before the House on Thursday that the Department is “actively looking into whether all law and policy was properly followed in granting my chief of staff top secret special compartmented information,” we urge you to suspend Ms. Tabatabai's security clearance immediately pending further review, as the State Department did with her former supervisor, Robert Malley.” The senators also posed a range of questions related to the nature and extent of Tabatabai’s involvement with the Iran-backed initiative, demanding answers within a week of transmitting the letter. Senators Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Katie Britt, R-Ala., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., Todd Young, R-Ind., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, John Kennedy, R-La., Ron Johnson, R-Wis., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, John Cornyn, R-Texas, Thom Tillis, R-N.C., James Lankford, R-Okla., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., and John Thune, R-S.D. joined the letter. The letter follows a similar oversight effort led by Wicker following reports that a former senior Iranian official participated in a speaking engagement at a Department of Defense-sponsored symposium. Read more about Senator Wicker’s work on national security here. Read the full letter here or below. Honorable Lloyd J. Austin II Secretary of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1000 Dear Mr. Secretary: We are concerned that an individual who allegedly served as part of an Iranian Foreign Ministry information operation is currently serving in a senior Department of Defense position. We urge you to take immediate action to ensure that the Department has not been compromised. On Tuesday, September 26, Semafor reported that Ariane Tabatabai, who currently serves as chief of staff to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict (SOLIC), was part of a so-called Iran Experts Initiative that “senior Iranian Foreign Ministry officials initiated [in] a quiet effort to bolster Tehran's image and positions on global security issues - particularly its nuclear program.” According to communications that Semafor reviewed, Ms. Tabatabai agreed to join the Iranian government-linked Initiative in early 2014, after meeting a Germany-based Iranian diplomat in Prague. On at least two occasions, Ms. Tabatabai “checked in with Iran's Foreign Ministry before attending policy events.” The report details one occasion in which an Iranian think tank chief, who acted as an apparent liaison to the Iranian Foreign Minister, dissuaded Ms. Tabatabai from participating in a conference in Israel when she asked for his feedback. The report also indicates that Ms. Tabatabai potentially sought the Iranian government's input on a congressional briefing that she was invited to give in July 2014. Concerns about Ms. Tabatabai are not new. In March 2021, shortly after Ms. Tabatabai was appointed senior adviser in the Office of the Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Iranian dissidents noted Ms. Tabatabai's long history of echoing the Iranian regime's talking points. In April 2021, several House members requested a review of Ms. Tabatabai's security clearance. In response, the Biden administration dismissed these allegations as “smears and slander.” The latest allegations reported in Semafor, however, indicate that Ms. Tabatabai may have been engaged in a relationship with the Iranian regime well beyond what even her strongest critics alleged. The fact that the Department initially responded to these latest allegations by rushing a full-throated defense of Ms. Tabatabai, rather than taking the time to ensure that our national security has not been compromised, suggests that you are protecting hiring missteps rather than prioritizing national security. Iran continues to threaten U.S. military personnel in the Middle East and remains intent on assassinating American citizens here in the United States. Given these facts, we find it simply unconscionable that a senior Department official would continue to hold a sensitive position despite her alleged participation in an Iranian government information operation. While we note that Assistant Secretary of Defense for SOLIC Christopher Maier, who is Ms. Tabatabai's current supervisor, testified before the House on Thursday that the Department is “actively looking into whether all law and policy was properly followed in granting my chief of staff top secret special compartmented information,” we urge you to suspend Ms. Tabatabai's security clearance immediately pending further review, as the State Department did with her former supervisor, Robert Malley. In addition, we ask that you provide answers to the following questions no later than October 6: 1. On what date did the Department of Defense learn that Ms. Tabatabai had served as part of the Iranian government-linked Iran Experts Initiative? 2. On what date was Ms. Tabatabai granted a security clearance, and what was the sponsoring agency that made the determination to grant Ms. Tabatabai a security clearance? 3. Has Ms. Tabatabai’s security clearance been subjected to a periodic reinvestigation and, if so, on what date was Ms. Tabatabai’s most recent periodic reinvestigation completed? 4. Was Ms. Tabatabai subjected to any additional counterintelligence screening, to include a polygraph investigation, as part of her security clearance investigation or any subsequent review of her eligibility to hold a security clearance or access restricted or special access information? 5. On her Standard Form-86, did Ms. Tabatabai list her contacts with: a. Former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif; b. Academic Adnan Tabatabai; c. Mostafa Zahrani, the head of the Iran think tank IPIS; and/or d. Former Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh? 6. Was Ms. Tabatabai read into any special access programs (SAPs)? a. If so, was she subjected to enhanced security vetting, per SAP security policy, or was she granted a waiver? b. If she was granted a waiver to be read into SAPs, which DoD official approved the waiver?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-hyde-smith-honor-jimmy-buffett,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Honor Jimmy Buffett",2023-09-29,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today introduced a resolution in honor of the late singer-songwriter, James “Jimmy” William Buffett, who passed away earlier this month. “One of the great Mississippi-born musicians, Jimmy Buffett taught a generation of Parrotheads how to pass time in Margaritaville and enjoy paradise,” Wicker said. “Jimmy was a generational talent and entrepreneur who made his native state proud. With this resolution, we raise a glass to honor the life and legacy of this musical pioneer.” “Jimmy Buffett was a true Southern storyteller who was generous enough to share his piece of paradise with the world,” Hyde-Smith said. “In honoring him, we celebrate the man who, through his music, brought us with him on many of his adventures around the sun, from the Pascagoula Run, to the shores of paradise, and we are all the better for it. I have no doubt his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.” Buffett was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi on Christmas Day, 1946, and he graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1966. Over his 50-year career, Buffett released over 30 albums, wrote three books, was nominated for two Grammys, and opened over 30 restaurants. See the full text of the resolution here or below: Honoring the life, legacy, and contributions of James William Buffett. Whereas, James William ‘‘Jimmy’’ Buffett was born on Christmas Day, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the first of James Delaney Buffett, Jr., and Mary Lorraine Peets Buffett’s three children; Whereas, Mr. Buffett grew up in Mobile, Alabama, attending grade school at St. Ignatius Catholic School and the McGill Institute, an all-boys school, where he served as an altar boy; Whereas, Mr. Buffett acquired a love of music, sailing, and aviation, a child of the sights and sounds of south Mississippi; Whereas, in 1964, Mr. Buffett attended Auburn University for one year, was initiated into Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Epsilon-Nu Chapter, learned how to play the guitar from a fellow student, and then transferred to Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Mississippi; Whereas, in 1966, Mr. Buffett transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and, in 1969, graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in history and journalism; Whereas, in 1970, Mr. Buffett moved to Nashville, Tennessee, carrying with him his dream to be a country singer and releasing his first album, ‘‘Down to Earth’’; Whereas, Mr. Buffett pioneered his own ‘‘Gulf and Western’’ genre of music, blending country, folk, and pop to celebrate life by the sea; Whereas, in 1975, Mr. Buffett formed his touring group of singers and songwriters, The Coral Reefer Band; Whereas, in 1977, Mr. Buffett released the hit song, ‘‘Margaritaville,” and his first platinum album, ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’’; Whereas, in 2003, Mr. Buffett received his first Country Music Award for his song, ‘‘It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere’’; Whereas, Mr. Buffett contributed songs to the films ‘‘Summer Rental,” ‘‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High,’’ ‘‘Urban Cowboy,’’ and ‘‘FernGully: The Last Rainforest’’; Whereas, Mr. Buffett appeared in films and television shows, including ‘‘Repo Man,’’ ‘‘Hook,” ‘‘Sesame Street,’’ ‘‘Hawaii Five-O,’’ ‘‘Jurassic World,’’ ‘‘NCIS: New Orleans,’’ and ‘‘The Beach Bum’’; Whereas, Mr. Buffett’s commercial success brought ‘‘Gulf and Western’’ into mainstream country music, shaping the styles of stars like Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, and Zac Brown; Whereas, along the way, Mr. Buffett opened the first Margaritaville Cafe on Duval Street in Key West, Florida, which was so successful it led to 23 Margaritavilles, one JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, and seven 5 o’clock Somewhere Bar and Grills; Whereas, Mr. Buffett extended his business activity, investing in beer brands, partnering with casino companies, owning sports teams, releasing a video game, and building retirement communities, among other endeavors; Whereas, Mr. Buffett had a third career as a writer, authoring best-selling books, including— (1) ‘‘Tales from Margaritaville’’; (2) ‘‘Where is Joe Merchant’’; and (3) ‘‘A Pirate Looks at Fifty’’; Whereas, over the course of his 50-year recording career, Mr. Buffett gave life to over 30 studio albums that sold over 20,000,000 copies worldwide; Whereas, Mr. Buffett was nominated twice for Grammy Awards by the Recording Academy of the United States; Whereas, Mr. Buffett’s entrepreneurial spirit created thousands of jobs and led to levels of financial success rare among musicians; Whereas, Mr. Buffett’s songs, restaurants, and stories resonated with generations of grateful fans, ‘‘Parrotheads,’’and casual listeners alike; Whereas, Mr. Buffett offered escapist experiences that helped fans worldwide delight in life’s simple pleasures; Whereas, Mr. Buffett was philanthropic, giving his time, finances, and music to support the troops of the United States, disaster relief efforts, conservation activities, and more; Whereas, Mr. Buffett died on September 1, 2023, and is preceded in death by his parents, Mary Lorraine Peets Buffett and James Delaney Buffett, Jr.; and Whereas, Mr. Buffett is survived by his wife, Jane Slagsvol Buffett, and three children, Cameron Marley Buffett, Sarah Delaney Buffett; and Savannah Jane Buffett: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Senate— (1) honors the life and legacy of James William ‘‘Jimmy’’ Buffett for his contributions to music, his State, and his country; (2) extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Buffett; and",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-hyde-smith-reintroduce-bill-to-boost-economic-growth-in-underserved-low-income-communities,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Reintroduce Bill to Boost Economic Growth in Underserved & Low-Income Communities",2023-09-29,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., joined Senators Mark Warner, D-Va., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Gary Peters, D-Mich., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., in reintroducing bipartisan legislation to promote lasting economic prosperity in low-income, minority, and rural communities. The Community Development Investment Tax Credit Act would help unlock more equity and long-term financial capital for community development financial institutions (CDFIs). CDFIs often serve as a backbone for underserved communities including small and disadvantaged businesses, which tend to have fewer banking relationships and less access to credit. “Our country was built by small business, but many in low-income areas have trouble accessing the financing they need to launch and grow their businesses,” Wicker said. “CDFI investments play a pivotal role in bridging these gaps. The proposed tax credit in this legislation would help address the challenges faced by small business owners and provide an alternative to predatory loans.” “We know access to capital is more challenging in low-income areas unfortunately, which makes it harder for ambitious Mississippians and Americans in these areas to start up or grow their businesses,” Hyde-Smith said. “CDFIs have proven valuable in directing support to these small business owners, and this proposed tax credit would do even more to spur investment in underserved communities.” This bill will help direct support to lenders that focus on underserved communities by creating a CDFI Tax Credit for private sector investors that make equity, equity-equivalent investments, or long-term patient capital available to CDFIs. The bill would benefit CDFIs of all types, including banks, credit unions, venture capital CDFIs, and loan funds, while providing institutions with the maximum flexibility and financial support they need to increase wealth in low and moderate-income communities. This legislation has the support of a number of organizations, including the American Bankers Association, Opportunity Finance Network, Inclusiv, Community Development Bankers Association, Independent Community Bankers of America, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Community Development Venture Capital Alliance, and the CDFI Coalition.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-promotes-border-security-in-national-defense-legislation,Wicker Promotes Border Security in National Defense Legislation,2023-09-29,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, yesterday delivered a speech on the Senate floor discussing the national security crisis at the southern border and provisions he offered in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would address the challenge. In his remarks, Wicker noted that the crisis at the southern border has put the U.S. homeland at risk, as drug traffickers, extremists, and foreign spies take advantage of the lax security. “Bad actors continue to exploit our porous southern border to funnel criminals, fentanyl, and even suspected terrorists into the country…it is clear that the situation is out of control,” Wicker said. “The Senate Armed Services Committee has received testimony suggesting that even our adversaries see our broken border as a strategic advantage. Russia certainly does. The former Northern Command (NORTHCOM) chief reports that there are more Kremlin agents in Mexico than in any other country. They are there because of the open border policies of this administration. The Chinese Communist Party is also aware of this vulnerability – constantly looking the other way as Chinese criminal elements sell fentanyl components to cartels, helping fuel our national drug crisis.” Wicker, as lead Republican on the committee, included strong border provisions in the NDAA. In his speech, the senator mentioned his work on the FINISH IT Act, which would force the Biden administration to either restart construction of the border wall or sell unused materials to state governments. “As we move through the conference process, we must retain the border provisions we fought so hard to include. One such measure is the FINISH IT Act. The legislation, which I authored, would continue construction of the border wall,” Wicker said. “The previous administration purchased high-quality steel wall panels. But when President Biden took office, he chose to spend $130,000 per day to store these materials rather than using them to secure the border. That amounts to tens of millions of dollars spent to do absolutely nothing, all while cartels continue to traffic drugs and people across our southwest border.” Wicker also highlighted several measures in this year’s bill that would use Department of Defense resources to confront the cartels, including enhancing cooperation with Mexican security forces and using the military’s cutting-edge cyber capabilities. “Other measures address the threat posed by cartels. These criminal gangs bribe law enforcement and terrorize the innocent. The cartels have military-grade tools, and they use them,” Wicker said. “Our bill unlocks resources that empower the Department of Defense to take the fight to these dangerous organizations.” Read Senator Wicker’s speech as delivered below, or watch it here. Wicker recently wrote an op-ed for Fox News discussing the same topic. Read that here. Today, I rise to address the crisis at our southern border. And to say that we have a good opportunity with the Senate-approved National Defense Authorization Act is a remarkable opportunity for this body to strengthen homeland security by increasing border security. Mr. President, bad actors continue to exploit our porous southern border to funnel criminals, fentanyl, and even suspected terrorists into the country. Just this week, Customs and Border Patrol released staggering figures. In this fiscal year, Border Patrol has handled nearly three million border encounters. Of urgent concern is the fact that more and more of those crossing are terror threats. In this fiscal year, 160 migrants were found to be on the terror watchlist, up from 100 in 2022. A smuggler with ties to ISIS shepherded a dozen migrants from Uzbekistan across the border. This alarming incident raises questions about terrorists gaining access to our country. It also highlights the increasing number of asylum seekers from Central Asia. Mr. President, the situation is clearly out of control. The Senate Armed Services Committee has received testimony suggesting that even our adversaries see our broken border as a strategic advantage. Russia certainly does. The former Northern Command (NORTHCOM) chief reports that there are more Kremlin agents in Mexico than in any other country. They’re there because of the open border policies of this administration. The Chinese Communist Party is also aware of this vulnerability – constantly looking the other way as Chinese criminal elements sell fentanyl components to cartels, helping fuel our national drug crisis. President Biden refuses to act, but Congress will. The good news is that we have already taken steps to do so. This summer, the Senate passed our version of the NDAA. We did so on an overwhelming bipartisan basis, Mr. President. In my role as the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I led my colleagues as we crafted a defense bill that aligns with our current national defense needs. The bill supports our troops and enhances our warfighting capabilities. The bill also recognizes the border as the national security challenge it is. And I note that more and more people on the mainstream media – on network news, on television, not just the cable shows – are calling this what it is: a border crisis. In an impressive display of bipartisanship, the Senate passed our legislation with an overwhelming margin – 86 to 11. This sweeping endorsement puts the Senate in a strong negotiating position as the House and Senate reconcile the two defense bills in conference. And I certainly hope we can do that, and get it to the President soon. As we move through the conference process, we must retain the border provisions we fought so hard to include. One such measure is the FINISH IT Act. When we say “FINISH IT,” I mean the border wall. The legislation, which I authored, would continue construction of the border wall. The previous administration purchased high-quality steel wall panels. But when President Biden took office, he chose to spend $130,000 per day to store these materials rather than using them to secure the border. The high-quality steel panels are there. Our President is spending money to store them, rather than use them for their intended purpose. That amounts to tens of millions of dollars spent to do absolutely nothing, all while cartels continue to traffic drugs and people across our southwest border. The fact that we are spending taxpayer money to store these sections of the border wall, rather than erect them, is uncontested. It is a fact. And it’s one of the reasons that Senators visit the border – to find out things like this. We on the Armed Services committee inquired about this waste. We found the administration to be hastily auctioning off the panels and doing so for pennies on the dollar – quite obviously an effort to circumvent congressional intent. The administration sees this administration coming, they see the overwhelming 86-11 vote, and they want to get as many of these sections of the wall auctioned off as government surplus before the legislation takes effect. In one instance, the government sold $4.4 million worth of materials for a mere $156,000 – a 96 percent discount. $4.4 million in border wall segments, sold for only $156,000. Again, this is uncontested fact. The administration is also still unable to account for $255 million worth of materials. The FINISH IT Act, which is in the NDAA, passed by the Senate, would compel the Biden administration either to use the existing border panels or sell them to states capable of building the wall themselves. Border states grasp the severity of this crisis in ways that the president dismisses. Senate Republicans successfully shepherded this provision through the Democrat-led committee and secured wide bipartisan support from the Senate, as evidenced by the 86-11 vote. It is not difficult to discern why – under this administration, really every state is a border state. Just ask the Mayor of New York City, which used to like to be called a sanctuary city, he suddenly sounds almost as concerned as the Governor of Texas. The FINISH IT Act represents just the first of several border security provisions in this year’s defense legislation. Other measures address the threat posed by cartels. These criminal gangs bribe law enforcement and terrorize the innocent. The cartels have military-grade tools, and they use them. Our bill unlocks resources that empower the Department of Defense to take the fight to these dangerous organizations. We passed a provision which would help strengthen Mexican security forces. It would establish a pilot program designed to provide top-tier U.S. military training to law enforcement in Mexico. This would enhance bilateral cooperation against threats, including cartels. Another provision, Mr. President, helps confront cartels in cyberspace, and another improves coordination between defense, intelligence, and homeland security officials. These proposals harness the full array of U.S. technological and logistical capabilities to target work we can do from our side of the border. The border crisis shows no sign of abatement. Illegal crossings continue to surge, and fentanyl’s devastating effects reach into more and more American neighborhoods, and into every state. What affects the border affects us all. I am sure there will be a strong discussion as the House and Senate move to conference. There will, of course, be disagreements. Yet, I remain hopeful that the integrity of our borders can be an area of agreement.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-kelly-introduce-legislation-to-keep-u-s-merchant-marine-academy-open,"Wicker, Kelly Introduce Legislation to Keep U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Open",2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., introduced legislation to keep the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) open through any possible future lapse in federal appropriations. “There is no reason Congressional brinksmanship should derail our future maritime leaders from joining the workforce. Keeping the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s doors open is not only a matter of national security, but also a commitment to keeping our economy strong,"" Wicker said. The USMMA is one of the five federal service academies. However, because it is the only academy operated by the Department of Transportation, most of the faculty are subject to furlough in case of a lapse in government funding. Any gap in instruction could be highly disruptive to students because midshipmen must adhere to a strict academic schedule to meet the requirements to graduate with a Coast Guard Merchant Mariner license. If there is a lapse in government funding and USMMA is closed, midshipmen risk potential Coast Guard licensing issues. Wicker and Kelly are both members of the Board of Visitors for the USMMA.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-leads-republicans-in-senior-pentagon-nominees-confirmation-hearing,Wicker Leads Republicans in Senior Pentagon Nominees Confirmation Hearing,2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today participated in a full committee hearing examining the nominations of Derek Chollet to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy and Cara Abercrombie to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. In his remarks, Wicker noted the strategic environment the United States faces, suggesting that any nominees to senior Pentagon postings must act with urgency to improve deterrence. “Recently, the Marine Corps Commandant, General Eric Smith, noted that our country is in something of an “interwar period.” He’s right, and if we continue on our current course, we risk transforming this moment into a “pre-war period.” We need to act – and act quickly – to prevent a war,” Wicker said. “As we face a growing threat from Communist China, we need to pursue a policy of ‘peace through strength.’ Unfortunately, when it comes to addressing our deterrence gaps, the current administration demonstrates a lack of urgency.” Wicker also observed the need to repair relations with Congress among senior leaders at the Department of Defense following the tenure of Chollet’s predecessor, Dr. Colin Kahl. The senator asked that Chollet commit to a stronger working relationship with legislators. “Mr. Chollet, the recent Under Secretary of Defense for Policy repeatedly deflected House and Senate oversight efforts, made partisan comments unbecoming of his station, and demonstrated low regard for the authorities under the constitution of the legislative branch…Members on my side of the aisle have many questions still unanswered from his tenure,” Wicker said. “Mr. Chollet, I would like you to articulate what you understand your relationship with Congress ought to be and how you intend to repair the degraded relations with Congress, particularly on this side of the aisle.” Read Senator Wicker’s full opening statement below or watch it here. Watch his exchange with the nominees here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, we are here to consider two positions that are among the most important in the Department of Defense. I want to welcome you, Ms. Abercrombie, as well as your family. I also welcome Mr. Chollet and your wife and children. First, it is worth setting some context. Recently, the Marine Corps Commandant, General Eric Smith, noted that our country is in something of an “interwar period.” He’s right, and if we continue on our current course, we risk transforming this moment into a “pre-war period.” We need to act – and act quickly – to prevent a war. As we face a growing threat from Communist China, we need to pursue a policy of “peace through strength.” Unfortunately, when it comes to addressing our deterrence gaps, the current administration demonstrates a lack of urgency. It was George H.W. Bush who said, “When it comes to national defense, finishing second means finishing last.” I agree with our former president. And right now, we are finishing last when it comes to the military balance in the Western Pacific. So, we must act quickly. Ms. Abercrombie, you have been nominated to the post of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. You have had decades in the Pentagon to prepare yourself for this position. I am hopeful I can receive your commitment to work together to accelerate many of our most important procurement programs. For example, we need to work together on Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Mr. Chollet, you have been nominated to serve as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, the third-ranking position at the Department. You will advise the Secretary on some of our most sensitive national defense matters, and you will apprise Congress of the Department’s work. Mr. Chollet, the recent Under Secretary of Defense for Policy repeatedly deflected House and Senate oversight efforts, made partisan comments unbecoming of his station, and demonstrated low regard for the authorities under the constitution of the legislative branch. Many of his patterns of conduct were foreseeable, given his public record. The Senate Republican Conference subsequently voted against his confirmation. Members on my side of the aisle have many questions still unanswered from his tenure. Mr. Chollet, I would like you to articulate what you understand your relationship with Congress ought to be and how you intend to repair the degraded relations with Congress, particularly on this side of the aisle. The important post to which you have been nominated requires someone with discretion and sound professional judgment. Mr. Chollet, you exhibit an indisputably impressive record of public service. Yet I need to note that you have also made several comments in the past that cause me some concern, and I hope you can clarify them for me today. You have trivialized the situation at our southern border, you have claimed that the institutional military is infected by systemic racism, and you’ve suggested that our decision to leave Afghanistan was strategically sound, and these are just some of the disturbing comments. As this process moves forward, Senators are going to have to consider whether these views are appropriate. Many senior general and flag officers have told this committee we are in the most dangerous moment since World War II. I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these comments with you in more detail and receive a full accounting of your views and qualifications.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-reintroduces-puerto-rico-status-act,Wicker Reintroduces Puerto Rico Status Act,2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., recently reintroduced the Puerto Rico Status Act, legislation which would provide Puerto Ricans the full range of options for a future referendum on the island’s status as a commonwealth. Wicker has been a longtime advocate for a fair selection process for Puerto Ricans who wish to remain a commonwealth of the United States. Other pending legislative proposals would force Puerto Ricans to abandon their current status and choose among statehood, independence, or “Sovereignty in Free Association.” “The people of Puerto Rico deserve a voice in shaping their political destiny without being forced into a false choice between statehood or independence,"" Wicker said. ""Pending legislative proposals from my colleagues do not acknowledge the fact that many Puerto Ricans prefer to maintain their current status and want the freedom to decide on their own terms. ""After extensive deliberations with Puerto Rican leaders, I have proposed an alternative plan that avoids favoring any particular outcome, is consistent with guidance from the Department of Justice, and empowers Puerto Ricans to determine their future through a fair and democratic vote. "" Among other provisions, Wicker’s legislation would authorize a binding plebiscite vote on four options: independence for Puerto Rico, sovereignty in free association with the United States, statehood, or retaining the status of Puerto Rico as a Commonwealth.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-reviews-coast-guard-mission-in-southcom-visit,Wicker Reviews Coast Guard Mission in SOUTHCOM Visit,2023-09-28,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, this week returned from a visit to U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) at Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S) in Florida where he engaged with senior Coast Guard Leadership on their drug interdiction mission. On the visit, Wicker met with Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan and director of JIATF-S Rear Admiral Mark Fedor, with whom he discussed Coast Guard requirements to fulfill their mission. The Coast Guard interdicted more than 150,000 kg of cocaine and 60,000 kg of marijuana last year and has removed substantial amounts of fentanyl this year. “The national security crisis exacerbated by the cartels is not limited to our southern border. The administration’s weak enforcement policies are causing unprecedented drug trafficking by sea,” Wicker said. “Our Coast Guard is on the front lines of the fight. I appreciated the opportunity to visit with our senior Coast Guard leadership and hear how Congress can help the service meet its mission.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-sullivan-cruz-introduce-bill-to-guarantee-military-pay-in-event-of-government-shutdown,"Wicker, Sullivan, Cruz Introduce Bill to Guarantee Military Pay in Event of Government Shutdown",2023-09-26,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON?– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined his colleagues Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, along with 11 of their Senate colleagues, in introducing legislation to ensure America’s military service members—Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and Space Force—are paid in the event of a government shutdown in Fiscal Year 2024. Titled the Pay Our Military Act of 2023, the legislation would appropriate funds to pay members of the Armed Forces, including reservists, if a temporary or full-year federal funding bill is not passed and signed by October 1. The measure would also fund the pay of civilian Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel and contractors whom each department’s respective secretary determines are “providing support to members of the Armed Forces.” “Our military service members dedicate their lives to their country, and the least we can do is ensure their paychecks arrive on time.” Wicker said. “Extending pay for our service members would demonstrate that legislators mean it when they say ‘thank you for your service,’ and it would ensure that military readiness does not become a casualty of Congressional negotiation.” “We have entered the most dangerous period in American history since the end of World War II—a new era of authoritarian aggression led by the dictators in Beijing and Moscow,” said Sullivan. “All Americans count on our military members to be ready to respond to threats to the homeland, wherever and whenever they may arise. The last thing our brave men and women in uniform need to be worrying about is whether they will get a paycheck, and whether their families are taken care of back home. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to come together and pass our commonsense legislation to alleviate those concerns as we face a potential government shutdown. Senators and congressmen often like to say how much they support our military members—now they have an opportunity to show it.” “Following the blockage of my bicameral, bipartisan legislation, the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, by some Senate Democrats, it has become apparent that there are politicians in this chamber who intend to leave parts of our military unfunded in the event of a government shutdown,” Cruz said. “Defunding our military dangerously undermines our national security and hinders the men and women who bravely protect Texas and our great nation. I urge all of my colleagues—on both sides of the aisle and in both chambers—to pass this legislation expeditiously and pay our military in the event of a government shutdown.” Other cosponsors of the bill include Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Rick Scott, R-Fla., J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va. has introduced companion legislation in the House. Last week, Senators Cruz and Sullivan attempted to pass the Pay Our Coast Guard Act, legislation to ensure Coast Guard personnel receive pay and allowances in the event of a government shutdown if the other members of the Armed Forces receive pay and allowances. However, the bill was blocked by Senate Democrats.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-hyde-smith-welcome-enactment-of-organ-donation-reform-bill,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Welcome Enactment of Organ Donation Reform Bill",2023-09-25,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today welcomed the enactment of legislation they backed to break up the monopoly contract that manages the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). President Biden on Friday signed the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act (HR.2544), which passed the Senate on July 27. Wicker and Hyde-Smith cosponsored S.1668, the Senate companion bill to HR.2544. “I am glad to see this legislation signed into law,” Wicker said. “These reforms will expand competition and improve management of the organ donation network. Every Mississippian deserves access to life-saving care.” “The demand for transplant organs grows every year. Unfortunately, the system to ensure fairness and efficiency in distributing those organs isn’t working well, often to the detriment of patients in the South. This new law provides the tools to begin fixing those shortcomings,” Hyde-Smith said. The new law provides the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) with clear authority to expand competition for contracts related to the operation of the OPTN in order to improve management of the organ transplantation system in the United States. It expressly authorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award multiple grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to support the operation of the network. Enacting the legislation is urgent and timely in that it will allow HRSA to implement a new contract procurement process before the current OPTN contract expires. The Mississippi Organ Recovery Agency supported the legislation, which was prompted by evidence of consistent mismanagement and underperformance by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the sole organization running the transplant system since its inception decades ago. In early 2022, Wicker and Hyde-Smith signed a letter asking HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to reverse the Biden administration’s flawed national liver distribution policy, citing the disproportionate harm the liver distribution policy causes patients in the South and Midwest.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-hyde-smith-back-bill-to-stop-use-of-public-health-emergency-to-infringe-on-second-amendment-rights,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Back Bill to Stop Use of ‘Public Health Emergency’ to Infringe on Second Amendment Rights",2023-09-22,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – With threats of federal or state efforts to promote gun control through emergency declarations, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., again cosponsored legislation to ensure that law abiding Americans do not arbitrarily have their rights stripped in the name of any irresponsible “public health emergency” declaration. Wicker and Hyde-Smith are original cosponsors of the Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2023, legislation that would prevent the President, Secretary of Health and Human Services, or other government officials from declaring certain emergencies or disasters for the purpose of imposing gun control. It was reintroduced by U.S. Senator Mike Braun, R-Ind. “Americans have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and no disaster or emergency declared by bureaucrats can circumvent that right,” Wicker said. “I will fight any attempt by this Administration to make an end run around the Constitution.” “No emergency declaration will fix the senseless policies that are fueling the violent crime surge in blue cities and states. The use of such a declaration would be an abuse of the power to declare emergencies, violate the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners, and, worse, further erode public confidence in those who govern them,” Hyde-Smith said. “Many said that public health emergencies would not be abused to impose gun control, but after we saw the vast expansion of executive power during COVID and the New Mexico Governor use a public health emergency to effectively suspend the 2nd Amendment in her state, no one can doubt that this needs to be addressed,” said Braun. “We need to set into law that no one can remove the right to defend ourselves and our families with the stroke of a pen.” The Washington Post this week reported that the Biden administration will create a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention in response to “stalled” progress in Congress. A high-profile activist from the Community Justice Action Fund will serve a key role for the new office: an organization dedicated to declaring a national gun violence public health emergency as one of its three policy planks. Additionally, a federal judge last week suspended a “public health emergency” declaration issued by the liberal governor of New Mexico to infringe the rights of law-abiding citizens to have open and concealed carrying firearms. The Protecting the Right To Keep and Bear Arms Act (S.2911) would: Prohibit the President or designee, from declaring an emergency pursuant to the National Emergencies Act or major disaster pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act in order to impose gun control. Prevent the Secretary of Health and Human services from declare public health emergency pursuant to the Public Health Service Act for the purpose of imposing gun control. Prevent any government official from prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition during a disaster or emergency. Additional original cosponsors include U.S. Senators Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, John Hoeven, R-N.D., Steve Daines, R-Mont., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., John Thune, R-S.D., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and J.D. Vance, R-Ohio. Wicker and Hyde-Smith also cosponsored this Braun measure in the 117th Congress.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-blasts-biden-administration-for-more-atacms-delays,Wicker Blasts Biden Administration for More ATACMS Delays,2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON?– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement in response to press reports that the Biden administration has decided to withhold Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) from military aid to Ukraine: “Does the Biden administration want Ukraine to win, or not?” Wicker said. “Every delay in supplying Ukraine with the tools it needs to secure victory has cost unnecessary lives and prolonged the war. Instead of leading from the front, the President held back for months after Britain and France provided deep-strike missiles. This is yet another example of the dangerous drip-drip-drip approach by the Biden administration, which has failed to give Ukraine a bigger advantage.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-hyde-smith-praise-96-million-u-s-army-contract-for-taylor-defense,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Praise $96 Million U.S. Army Contract for Taylor Defense",2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today praised a $96,851,697 U.S. Army contract award to Taylor Defense Products, LLC. of Louisville to support the Rough Terrain Container Handler (RTCH) Modernization program. The award follows a competitive process that selected Taylor Defense to modernize the Army’s existing machines, which are used to transfer heavy shipping containers in the field. “Taylor Defense is a world-class company that makes some of the best heavy duty-equipment for our U.S. military,” Wicker said. “This award is a testament to their work and our state’s expanding role in supporting our service members.” “This sizeable contract represents a true vote of confidence in the terrific work done by Taylor Defense in support of our armed forces. I’m confident the Army will be well-served as this Mississippi company gives it the equipment it needs to move loads effectively,” Hyde-Smith said. Wicker and Hyde-Smith previously praised Taylor Defense for winning a contract to produce the prototype for the modernized RTCH in 2021. The company will work to incorporate new technology to increase RTCH capabilities and extend the system service life of the vehicles. This contract will support the production of field kits and modification kits and transportation, travel, training, and all other ancillary services in support of the program.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-praises-230-4-million-award-to-expand-rail-service-in-mississippi,Wicker Praises $230.4 Million Award to Expand Rail Service in Mississippi,2023-09-21,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today praised the award of $178,435,333 from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to provide crucial funding to restore passenger rail service along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. A second award of $52,000,000 will help reestablish freight rail service along a 35-mile segment of the Gloster Southern Railroad. The two awards totaling $230,435,333 were made possible by yearly appropriations and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Wicker helped negotiate as the lead Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee. ""I am thrilled to announce this $178.4 million federal grant to restore passenger rail service along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This is a significant milestone, representing years of dedicated efforts to reconnect our communities after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Restoring passenger rail service will create jobs, improve quality of life, and offer a convenient travel option for tourists, contributing to our region's economic growth and vitality. I appreciate the work of all who have worked tirelessly to bring this project to this point. I look forward to getting this plan across the finish line in the near future with the support of our state and local officials,” Wicker said. “The $52 million award for the Gloster Southern Railroad is another major win for the state of Mississippi. This rail line will support business development in the area, and it is exactly the kind of hard infrastructure investment that is necessary for economic growth,” Wicker added. John Robert Smith, chairman of Transportation for America and former mayor of Meridian, also commented on the award, “For nearly a decade, Senator Wicker has been instrumental in the effort to bring passenger rail to the Gulf Coast. We applaud him for his leadership in creating this source of federal funds to expand and improve our nation’s rail networks. We’re now on the cusp of seeing that dream become reality for the people of the Coastal South.” Southern Rail Commissioner Knox Ross said, “The Southern Rail Commission is excited to see the years of work by all of our partners culminate in the CRISI grant award. This does not happen without the tireless work of Senator Wicker and his staff’s leadership in establishing this grant program, and his leadership on the Commerce Committee. There are so many federal, state, and local leaders that have played indispensable roles in today’s announcement. We look forward to starting this service very soon and doing our part to keep the Mississippi Coast as a premiere vacation and business destination.” Senator Wicker has been a strong advocate for restoring passenger rail service to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, bringing together federal, state, and local officials to support investments along the southern rail corridor and to address regulatory concerns with restoring passenger service. In 2015, he led the effort to create and fund the Gulf Coast Working Group which provided a report with input from the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, the Southern Rail Commission, CSX, and local communities along the proposed route. In 2016, Wicker joined a group of officials on an inspection trip to examine existing infrastructure and the opportunities that intercity rail service could provide to the area. The trip, which began in New Orleans, made several stops in Mississippi before continuing on to Florida. Those stops included Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. In 2018, Wicker repeatedly pressed federal officials to commit to a series of safety and service improvements that would be necessary for Gulf Coast passenger rail service. In 2019, Wicker announced the award of $33 million from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to fund major infrastructure and capacity improvements along the Gulf Coast. In 2020, members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, including Wicker, announced a $5.45 million grant to support operating costs for the first three years of passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast. In 2021, Wicker shared his strong support for restoration of passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast in a letter sent to the chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The STB, which is an independent federal agency that oversees railroads, was considering a petition from Amtrak to restore service along the route.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-risch-collins-mcconnell-commend-selection-of-lead-ukraine-inspector-general,"Wicker, Risch, Collins, McConnell Commend Selection of Lead Ukraine Inspector General",2023-09-20,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jim Risch, R-Idaho, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Susan Collins, R-Maine, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., today offered the following comments in response to the appointment of Hon. Robert P. Storch as the lead Inspector General for the oversight of Ukraine aid: ""Taxpayers must have confidence that U.S. aid to Ukraine is being used to support the national interest. I appreciate that the Department of Defense has responded to repeated calls from Senate Republicans to match military aid with significant oversight. Appointing a lead Inspector General will help ensure that Congress supports Ukraine's defense in the most responsible and effective way possible,” Wicker said. “At our insistence, the inspectors general at the State Department, USAID, and Department of Defense are doing a tremendous job at overseeing our assistance to Ukraine,” said Risch. “The appointment of a lead inspector general, which I have advocated for, will enhance the important transparency and accountability work they are doing and ensure no resources are wasted.” “Maintaining strong oversight of U.S. aid to Ukraine is critical to ensuring taxpayer dollars are being well spent while providing Congress with timely, fact-based information,” said Collins. “Congress has appropriated nearly $50 million towards oversight of assistance provided to Ukraine, and hundreds of oversight professionals are working in support of that effort. The appointment of a lead Inspector General will continue such comprehensive and coordinated oversight, helping to increase transparency and provide Ukraine with what it needs to defend and take back its sovereign territory.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-comments-on-gao-barracks-report,Wicker Comments on GAO Barracks Report,2023-09-19,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON?– U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement in response to a recently released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report examining the state of American military barracks: “This report’s findings are shameful and troubling for the future of our force,” Wicker said. “Our servicemembers deserve a safe place to live and work. Failing to provide this basic necessity harms readiness and discourages recruitment and retention. ?This year's Senate NDAA would add increased oversight, establish basic habitability standards, and add targeted funding to help address some of these challenges. Rest assured that we are committed to ensuring these changes are implemented through conference.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-demands-information-from-pentagon-on-abortion-policy,Wicker Demands Information from Pentagon on Abortion Policy,2023-09-19,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has called on the Secretary of Defense to support claims made by the Department of Defense regarding their policy of using taxpayer money to fund travel for service members who want to have abortions. Recent unconfirmed reports have suggested that only 12 service members have used the authorities provided by the new abortion policy, despite earlier claims from the Department that reversing the rule would have “significant implications” across the services. “To date, we have yet to receive any substantive data to support these assertions,” Wicker wrote. “I now ask again for the specific data considered by the Department of Defense.” Wicker urged the secretary to end the policy and shift his focus back to deterrence within the military. “The United States is at a pivotal moment for national defense, and there is no time for distractions. When the Department of Defense becomes sidetracked by divisive political sideshows, the missions of deterrence and readiness are the first to suffer,” Wicker wrote. “The Department of Defense’s focus should always be our national defense, not on circumventing Federal law to facilitate abortions. I ask you to rescind these policies immediately.” Read the whole letter here or below. Read more about Wicker’s efforts to keep the military focused on deterrence here. Read previous correspondence with the Department of Defense on their dubious readiness claims related to abortion here and here. Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301-1000 Dear Secretary Austin: I request information on the use of the abortion policies concerning reimbursed travel and authorized absence that your department implemented in February 2023. I received information that the total number of women who have been granted administrative absence and reimbursed travel pursuant to this policy is approximately 12. Can you please confirm whether this information is correct? If not, please provide me the number of women who have been granted administrative absence and reimbursed travel pursuant to the policy. Additionally, I request information on the potential use of this policy to facilitate late-term abortions. Through a plain reading of the policy, it appears that an eligible woman in the eighth month of her pregnancy could travel at the expense of the Department of Defense from a state such as Mississippi and obtain an abortion in a state such as Oregon where abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy. Is this interpretation correct? If not, please clarify how I have misinterpreted the policy. Finally, in our letters dated July 17, 2022, November 21, 2022, and March 1, 2023, my Republican colleagues and I asked you for evidence to support the Department of Defense’s claim in a June 28, 2022, memorandum that the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization would have “significant implications” for the “readiness of the Force.” To date, we have yet to receive any substantive data to support these assertions. I now ask again for the specific data considered by the Department of Defense in arriving at the above claim. As I have previously stated, the United States is at a pivotal moment for national defense, and there is no time for distractions. When the Department of Defense becomes sidetracked by divisive political sideshows, the missions of deterrence and readiness are the first to suffer.?The Department of Defense’s focus should always be our national defense, not on circumventing Federal law to facilitate abortions. I ask you to rescind these policies immediately.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-comments-on-foreign-military-financing-reprogramming-for-taiwan,Wicker Comments on Foreign Military Financing Reprogramming for Taiwan,2023-09-14,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released the following statement in response to press reports regarding President Biden’s decision to reprogram some $55 million in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) from Egypt to Taiwan: “The Biden administration’s decision to provide $55 million in foreign military financing to Taiwan is a pittance compared to Taiwan’s enormous needs for self-defense and the United States’ clear national interest in supporting Taipei,” Wicker said. “It is doubly disappointing that rather than requesting standalone FMF funding for Taiwan, as I have repeatedly challenged the administration to do, the president chose to source these funds from a different security partner. This is especially counterproductive since Egypt has proven receptive to this administration's human rights concerns.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-urges-navy-nominee-to-keep-focus-on-china-shipbuilding-aukus,"Wicker Urges Navy Nominee to Keep Focus on China, Shipbuilding, AUKUS",2023-09-14,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led his colleagues in a full committee hearing examining the nomination of Admiral Lisa M. Franchetti, USN, to become the next Chief of Naval Operations. In his remarks, Wicker observed that China’s naval buildup and the United States’ shrinking navy leave our national defense as unprepared as it was in 1941. “While China builds its maritime strength, American command of the sea is increasingly at risk …This crisis is nothing short of historic,” Wicker said.?“We are as unprepared for a strategic surprise from China as our Pacific fleet was for a Japanese attack on the eve of Pearl Harbor in 1941. We need to act.” Specifically, Wicker outlined the need for substantial investment in the defense industrial base. Wicker has been a strong advocate for improving submarine construction and maintenance availabilities, especially in light of the Australia-United Kingdom-U.S. (AUKUS) agreement to share U.S. submarine technology. Wicker also raised ongoing challenges with surface ship repairs and amphibious warship procurement. “We should be producing somewhere between 2.3 to 2.5 attack submarines a year to fulfill our own requirements as we implement AUKUS,” Wicker said. “Instead, we are down to building 1.2 attack submarines per year, as compared to the required 2.3 to 2.5. The path back toward 2 per year is based on hopes and wishes.”? In his exchange with Admiral Franchetti, Wicker discussed the need to meet the navy’s submarine requirements while also fulfilling prospective AUKUS obligations. The Admiral agreed that the Navy is currently far from meeting minimum submarine requirements. Wicker also pressed the nominee for a commitment to advocate for block-buys of amphibious warships, an acquisition strategy that would save considerable amounts of taxpayer money, which she failed to provide. Click here to view Senator Wicker’s exchange with Admiral Franchetti. Read Senator Wicker’s remarks as delivered below. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And thank you Admiral, for being here. Certainly, a welcome to your family – it’s good they were able to be with us today. Your nomination comes at a pivotal moment for our Navy.?The National Defense Strategy rightly identifies China as our pacing threat, as the Chair just said. But as China grows its fleet to historic levels, our naval forces continue to shrink, and our readiness levels decline. As the Chairman just said, when you add the numbers up, it amounts to our fleet going in to the wrong direction. A recent memo from the Office of Naval Intelligence office suggests that China’s shipbuilding capacity is more than 230 times larger than our own – I can hardly believe I’m speaking these words – 230 times larger in shipbuilding capacity. These are not comforting thoughts when we consider the growing number of general and flag officers who warn that China could be capable of invading Taiwan in the next two to four years. While China builds its maritime strength, American command of the sea is increasingly at risk – and you and I have discussed this in our private meeting. So far, we have not made progress toward the statutory goal of 355-ships that I proposed and that was signed into law six years ago. Of course, we now know that we are being told by experts at the Department of Defense – both civilian and flag officers – that that number is more than 355 ships. Additionally, surface ship maintenance delays and cost overruns are so routine that they are factored into our planning timetables. There are even some ships – like the USS Vicksburg – that have been in repair and modernization for seven years. It is as if the Navy never really means to get the Vicksburg back in action.?Chairman Reed is exactly right about the competing demands that we face. I am particularly pleased that he mentioned attack submarines and the need for Littoral Combat Ships. The story of our attack submarines is this:?a recent press report revealed that over a third of the Navy’s attack submarines are unavailable as they enter repair cycles—that’s a third of our attack submarines. We should be producing somewhere between 2.3 to 2.5 attack submarines a year to fulfill our own requirements as we implement AUKUS. Instead, we are down to building 1.2 attack submarines per year, as compared to the required 2.3 to 2.5. The path back toward 2 per year is based on hopes and wishes. This crisis is nothing short of historic.?We are as unprepared for a strategic surprise from China as our Pacific fleet was for a Japanese attack on the eve of Pearl Harbor in 1941. We need to act. And let me say this, Admiral: I cherish our Constitution and our longstanding principle that goes back to George Washington, our uniformed military – which the Chairman and I were both a part of – are answerable to civilian elected leadership in this country, and that’s as it should be. It’s one of the shining examples. But also, the Constitution gives the power of the purse to the Congress. And so we sit here, under the Constitution, able to make decisions about purchasing power. The power of the purse does not rest in the Office of Management and Budget in the White House. There’s a competing interest there, and so I take this opportunity of your hearing today, to remind my colleagues also that it is we who have the responsibility to find the money you need to get you the Navy that will protect us and keep us at peace. Admiral Franchetti, you served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations and as commander of the Sixth Fleet. These experiences make you deeply qualified and familiar with the problems our Navy faces. You also know just how damaging these delays are. In addition to the questions the Chair mentioned, I would appreciate your thoughts today on a way forward – especially for our submarines following the AUKUS agreement – as well as your commitment to work with this committee on the vital issue of ship maintenance. A second challenge our Navy faces is fielding new technical solutions at what former Secretary of Defense Mattis called the “speed of relevance,” in other words within a time window speedily enough that keeps us ahead of our adversaries. Industry and naval research have made major breakthroughs in unmanned warfare, additive manufacturing, and maritime mines in only the past few years. If we have any hope of shoring up our eroding deterrence in the Western Pacific, it will take the rapid integration of these capabilities at scale in the next two years or so. Again, Admiral Franchetti, I would like to hear from you how the Navy plans to achieve this integration at the speed of relevance. The Navy has always been our first line of defense, keeping the peace by deterring war and protecting the national interest. This goes as far back as our founding. Admiral Franchetti, I know that you agree with these sentiments, and I am hopeful you will keep them mind as you stand for this important position. I look forward to your testimony and hearing more about your vision for our Navy’s future.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/legislative-session,LEGISLATIVE SESSION,2023-09-13,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"LEGISLATIVE SESSION Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 148 (Senate - September 13, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased the Senate is beginning consideration of the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bills. Let me begin my remarks by thanking Chairman Murray and Vice Chairman Collins for their strong leadership in advancing these bills through committee and now to the Senate floor. This returns to regular order, which is long overdue and is a testament to what we can accomplish through a committed bipartisanship. I also want to thank Senator Schatz, the chairman of the T-HUD Subcommittee. He has been a delight to work with and has been very, very pleasant to go through this and help me. The fiscal year 2024 Transportation, Housing, Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill is a bipartisan and fiscally responsible bill that has passed unanimously--a 29-to-0 vote in July-- by the full Appropriations Committee. There are a few important aspects of the bill that I would like to highlight. First, I want to stress that this bipartisan bill incorporates input and requests from more than 80 Senators from both sides of the aisle. The bill provides adequate resources for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to administer the many important programs and activities under their jurisdictions. These programs protect public health and safety, promote economic growth, and improve the overall quality of life for all Americans. The bill includes $28.5 billion for DOT and $73 billion for HUD, as well as funding for small independent Agencies like the Federal Maritime Commission and the National Transportation Safety Board. With this bill, we are continuing to foster and grow the safest and most reliable transportation system in the world. The bill makes key investments in our transportation infrastructure, including $800 million for the popular RAISE Grant Program, and nearly $1.2 billion for the important bridge repair and rehabilitation program. We also fully fund critical aviation needs, such as funding for 1,800 new air traffic controllers and for modernizing our legacy airspace systems. The popular Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program is funded at $500 million, and Amtrak is funded at $2.5 billion, which will continue to provide upgrades and service to rural communities, as well as the Northeast corridor. In addition to transportation programs, this bill maintains existing rental assistance for more than 4.6 million households. This includes working families, seniors, people with disabilities, and those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Additional investments are made to support ending veteran and youth homelessness, as well as to develop more permanent supportive housing. Ending cycles of dependency requires promoting self-sufficiency and financial literacy tools, and I am pleased that the bill includes $198 billion for HUD's self-sufficiency programs. Finally, the bill continues to fund the CDBG Program at $3.3 billion, which continues to be one of the most requested programs in this bill by Members from both parties to help State and local governments across the country promote economic development and job creation. In closing, given the wide array of projects and activities funded by this bill, the subcommittee received a substantial amount of Member requests and has worked to try to address as many Member priorities as possible. The fiscal year 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bill is worthy of consideration and passage by the full Senate. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the investments in this bill to support families and communities across this country, as well as the Military Construction, VA, and Agriculture bills that make up this minibus.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-hyde-smith-encourage-students-to-apply-for-u-s-senate-youth-program,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Encourage Students to Apply for U.S. Senate Youth Program",2023-09-13,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"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 2024 U.S. Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The highly-selective USSYP will provide $10,000 college scholarships to two Magnolia State delegates, who must be juniors or seniors and elected or appointed student officers for the 2023-2024 academic year. The delegates from Mississippi will join 102 other delegates to attend the 62nd Annual Washington Week from March 2-9, 2024. “For 62 years, the U.S. Senate Youth Program has provided the incredible opportunity for students to see their government and policymaking firsthand,” Wicker said. “I encourage all eligible Mississippians to apply to represent our state.” “There are so many young leaders across our state and I hope many of them will apply to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate Youth Program. This well-established and respected program offers chances for students to meet with national leaders and network with peers from across the country,” Hyde-Smith said. The U.S. Senate established the USSYP in 1962 to introduce student leaders to the federal government and public policy. It is fully funded and administered by the nonprofit Hearst Foundation. Washington Week activities include meetings with U.S. Senators, cabinet members, State and Defense Department officials, senior members of the national media, and other policymakers. Interested students can review the USSYP 2024 Washington Week brochure and visit https://www.ussenateyouth.org for more information. The Mississippi Department of Education has set a September 29 deadline for applications to the program. The Mississippi USSYP application is available here. To apply, students should also contact their high school principal or Mississippi’s state selection administrator: Mrs. Sandra Hilliard Coordinator of Recognition Programs Office of Teaching and Learning, Division of Educator Effectiveness Mississippi Department of Education",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-promotes-competition-in-va-acquisition-process,Wicker Promotes Competition in VA Acquisition Process,2023-09-13,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today introduced the Vetting for Equal Treatment of Small (VETS) Business Act, which would require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit a report to Congress about competition among suppliers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The legislation would encourage the VA to ensure small businesses can compete fairly for federal contracts. “Promoting competition and access to federal opportunities for small businesses is critical, especially at the Department of Veterans Affairs,” Wicker said. “Strong supply chains depend on a diverse group of suppliers to keep costs low. The VETS Business Act is focused on promoting competition, supporting small businesses, and ensuring cost savings for the American taxpayer."" This legislation is in response to issues regarding the VA’s acquisition process. In May, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) admitted that the VA is struggling to manage that process effectively, placing a burden on U.S. taxpayers. Small business VA suppliers have also expressed concerns about their capability to compete for VA medical supply contracts. The VETS Business Act would require a report modeled after the 2022 report of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment entitled “State of Competition within the Defense Industrial Base.” The report would determine problems and provide recommendations for reform.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/remembering-jimmy-buffett-executive-session,REMEMBERING JIMMY BUFFETT (Executive Session),2023-09-12,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 147 (Senate - September 12, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to the remarkable life of a legendary native of Mississippi whose music is synonymous with the spirit of summertime and enjoying life: Jimmy Buffett. Born in Pascagoula, MS, Jimmy Buffett's journey began in the heart of the South. His music touches the heart of those well beyond Mississippi or the South, but there is no denying Jimmy's music embodies the very essence of the South, with its warm hospitality, vibrant culture, and distinctive charm. Jimmy's early years were filled with the sights and sounds of Mississippi. The Sun shining over the Gulf of Mexico and many other beautiful experiences of the South would later inspire some of his most beloved songs. But it was Jimmy's great appetite for adventure that ultimately propelled him to worldwide fame. He embarked on a journey that would take him to the Florida Keys, the Caribbean, and beyond those changes in latitudes. Amid more than 40 musical tours throughout his career, he churned his talents into a diverse business empire and charitable works. As we reflect on the legacy of this son of a son of a sailor, we cannot help but be inspired by Jimmy Buffett's unyielding commitment to following his dreams and embracing life. His songs transport us to sandy beaches, where the stresses of life fade away. He reminds us that sometimes we all need to kick back, relax, and take a moment to savor the simple pleasures of life. As Jimmy would put it, ``it's 5 o'clock somewhere.'' In honoring Jimmy Buffett, we celebrate the man who, through his music, brought us with him on many of his adventures around the Sun, from the Pascagoula Run to the shores of paradise, and we are all better for it. I have so much gratitude for the joy, laughter, and the inspiration that Jimmy Buffett brought into so many Americans' lives. His music is a timeless reminder that no matter where we come from, we can all find a bit of paradise within ourselves, and, come Monday, it will be all right. Jimmy Buffett is a true southern storyteller who was generous enough to share his piece of paradise with the world. I have no doubt his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-hyde-smith-back-bill-to-block-biden-attack-on-school-hunting-archery-programs,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Back Bill to Block Biden Attack on School Hunting, Archery Programs",2023-09-08,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., today cosponsored the Allowing for Recreational Resources for Outdoor Wellness (ARROW) Act to stop the Biden administration from withholding funding for elementary and secondary schools with hunting and archery programs. The legislation would clarify that the prohibition of the use of federal education funds for certain weapons does not apply to the use of funds for sports clubs, teams, trainings, or related activities provided for students. “It is outrageous that the Biden administration would cut hunting and archery programs that help decrease gun-related hunting accidents,” Wicker said. “The ARROW Act would preserve these important programs, which train students how to practice their Constitutional right responsibly.” “The Biden Education Department’s kneejerk liberal anti-gun policy demonstrates just how much it does not understand or appreciate the valuable lessons instilled in youth who take part in hunter education and archery programs,” Hyde-Smith said. “I fully support this legislation to protect these programs and to stop these misguided threats to withhold funding to schools that offer them.” U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., introduced the ARROW Act in response to the Biden administration’s blatant misinterpretation of a gun control law to justify blocking funding for schools with hunter education and archery programs. The bill follows a Barrasso-led letter signed by Wicker and Hyde-Smith that encouraged President Biden and his administration to withdraw any plans to block funding for schools with hunting and archery programs. The National Rifle Association, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Safari Club International, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and other organizations support the ARROW Act. Every year, more than 500,000 students participate and are certified through hunter education courses. These programs have decreased hunting accidents by over 50 percent. According to the National Archery in Schools Program, 1.3 million students in more than 8,000 schools across the country participate in archery programs annually. Nearly 40 percent of students who participate have reported being more engaged in the classroom. Additional ARROW Act cosponsors include U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., John Thune, R-S.D., Roger Marshall, M.D., R-Kan., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, John Kennedy, R-La., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Ted Budd, R-N.C., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:35:26Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/9/wicker-rogers-press-stratcom-for-answers-on-iranian-propagandist-speaking-invitation,"Wicker, Rogers Press STRATCOM for Answers on Iranian Propagandist Speaking Invitation",2023-09-01,2023,2023-09,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, today issued a letter to United States Strategic Command (STRATCOM), demanding a full accounting of why an Iranian propagandist and former regime official participated as a keynote speaker in a STRATCOM-sponsored event. Press reports and a STRATCOM official statement indicate that Seyed Hossein Mousavian, a former spokesman for the Iranian nuclear negotiating team and a former senior staffer for the regime’s Supreme National Security Council, was a featured participant in the August 2023 STRATCOM Deterrence Symposium. In addition to Mousavian’s former posts supporting the regime, he continues to demonstrate sympathy and support for the adversarial government. In 2020, Mousavian termed Iranian terrorist Qassem Soleimani a “hero fighting terrorism” and has repeatedly mocked American officials living under the threat of assassination by Iranian-backed actors because of their role in formulating tough-on-Iran policies. The Armed Services leaders criticized the decision to allow Mousavian to engage in the forum, expressing concern that it suggests insufficient focus on the increasingly pressing nuclear threats from American adversaries – including Iran. “Providing Mousavian with an officially sanctioned U.S. Government platform for spreading historical falsehoods and Iranian regime propaganda is profoundly ill-advised,” the lawmakers wrote. “The decision to invite Mousavian to address its Deterrence Symposium calls into question the judgement of any personnel involved in such a decision, and leads us to question whether the command is appropriately focused on meeting the rapidly growing strategic threats to the United States and its allies.” Read the full letter here or below. August 31, 2023 General Anthony J. Cotton U.S. Strategic Command 900 SAC BLVD Offutt Air Force Base, NE 68113-6020 Dear General Cotton, We write with deep concern regarding the appearance of a notorious Iranian propagandist and former senior regime official, Seyed Hossein Mousavian, as a keynote speaker to the 2023 STRATCOM Deterrence Symposium on August 17, 2023. A propagandist of the regime since 1980, Mousavian served as the Iranian regime’s Ambassador to Germany in 1992 when the regime’s intelligence operatives assassinated four Iranian dissidents in Berlin. In response, German authorities forced Mousavian to leave the country along with several other Iranian “diplomats” and intelligence operatives. In the subsequent decades, Mousavian served as spokesman for the Iranian nuclear negotiating team and as a senior staffer for the regime’s Supreme National Security Council. Despite Mousavian’s past claims that he is an exile of the Iranian government, former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif stated in 2016 that Mousavian has remained a loyal friend of the Iranian regime and “continued to, and continues to, work hard for the [Islamic Republic of Iran].” Recent actions and remarks by Mousavian demonstrate his continued support for the Iranian regime. For example, in 2020, Mousavian attended the funeral in Iran of Qassem Soleimani, the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force that was responsible for the deaths of at least 603 U.S. servicemembers in Iraq. Mousavian claimed that Soleimani was “a hero fighting terrorism”. Mousavian has also repeatedly mocked U.S. officials under assassination threat from the Iranian regime. In a 2022 documentary paying homage to Soleimani, Mousavian smiled while referring to Iranian death threats against former Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook. He gleefully said [in Farsi]: “An American told me that Brian Hook’s wife can’t sleep, and she cries and trembles as they say they’ll kill Hook…that is how shaken they are!” While we appreciate the importance of improving our understanding of adversary perspectives and motivations in formulating deterrence policies, providing Mousavian with an officially sanctioned U.S. Government platform for spreading historical falsehoods and Iranian regime propaganda is profoundly ill-advised. The decision to invite Mousavian to address its Deterrence Symposium calls into question the judgement of any personnel involved in such a decision, and leads us to question whether the command is appropriately focused on meeting the rapidly growing strategic threats to the United States and its allies. We request answers to the following questions by September 29, 2023. 1. Please provide the names and positions of all officials responsible for approving the invitation to Mousavian. 2. Did STRATCOM provide compensation for transportation, lodging or a per diem to Mr. Mousavian? Was Mousavian provided with an honorarium? If so, how much?",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:37:48Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/8/wicker-travels-mississippi-to-meet-with-constituents,Wicker Travels Mississippi to Meet With Constituents,2023-08-31,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"JACKSON, MISS. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released a new video highlighting his recent travel throughout Mississippi in the month of August. “By the end of the month, we will have been in every corner and region of the state,” Wicker said about his travel. Wicker hit the road in August to meet with Mississippians and highlight his recent work on economic development and national security. The video features footage from a joint meeting with the Forest Rotary and Lions Club, visits to the 172nd Airlift Wing and Tougaloo College, and a groundbreaking in Madison County. Senator Wicker has also highlighted other stops across the state on his social media, including a joint Farm Bill roundtable with U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and John Boozman, R-Ark., visits to local businesses like Robert St. John’s Loblolly Bakery, and several celebrations like the 20th Anniversary of Airbus Helicopters in Mississippi. “The opportunity to meet Mississippians face to face where they live and work and hear their concerns is one of my most important duties,” Wicker said. See below for a full transcript of the video. TRANSCRIPT: SENATOR WICKER: By the end of the month, we will have been in every corner of the state. And it’s an opportunity to meet with state leaders, but also a lot of small towns, a lot of county seat courthouses, all over the state. I really appreciate the opportunity to listen to the people and see what they’re thinking. We’ve got inflation. Biden came in and he pushed through $2 trillion in stimulus. We wouldn’t have the situation we have now if he hadn’t made those mistakes. The fact that I have an opportunity to provide jobs for Mississippians, to have a leadership role in one of the most important committees of our Senate, the Armed Services Committee, the committee where the legislation originates to keep our citizens safe. Also at the same time, send a signal to our adversaries not to try anything.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/8/wicker-celebrates-economic-development-projects,Wicker Celebrates Economic Development Projects,2023-08-29,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"JACKSON, MISS. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released a new video highlighting his work on economic development projects in Mississippi. The video features the senator’s recent visits to Hattiesburg and Madison County for the groundbreaking of two infrastructure projects supported by federal funds. During the video, the senator highlighted the benefits of long-term investments for growth in Mississippi. Senator Wicker, along with other members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, has been a champion of both the Hall Avenue West Overpass and Madison County Reunion Interchange projects. The senator has been a strong advocate for hard infrastructure projects in the state. Both projects will ease traffic for the communities, increase safety, and support job creation. See below for a full transcript of the video. For more information on these projects, see Senator Wicker’s column here. TRANSCRIPT: NEWS ANCHOR: Drivers in Madison will soon have an easier way around the city. Reunion Parkway will connect I-55, Highway 51, and Bozeman Road. SENATOR WICKER: This means jobs for Mississippians. This means safety. And this will save lives. SENATOR HYDE-SMITH: This is a growing area, and this is so needed for this area. And the people of Madison County have just turned out today to celebrate progress, prosperity. But it’s vision from this county that has brought us here. SENATOR WICKER: This is the kind of federal program that the taxpayers see a benefit in. This is going to get us back on track. NEWS ANCHOR: Big day for Hattiesburg. Construction of the western portion of the city’s Hall Avenue overpass project has begun. MAYOR BARKER: Gone are the days when these neighborhoods are completely cut off from other parts of the city, when a train is across the tracks. And the biggest reason we are here today is because of a statesman named Roger Wicker.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/8/wicker-armed-services-republicans-call-for-halt-to-border-wall-material-auctions,"Wicker, Armed Services Republicans Call for Halt to Border Wall Material Auctions",2023-08-22,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led all Republican members of the Committee in demanding the Department of Defense halt the sale of border wall construction materials after reports that the Department was moving quickly to dispose of the parts before the provisions of Wicker’s FINISH It Act could be implemented. “We are deeply disappointed to learn that rather than using construction materials that were purchased to secure the southwest border for that purpose, the Department of Defense has begun auctioning these materials off for other purposes,” the senators wrote. “These auctions represent a brazen attempt to circumvent the FINISH IT Act, which was included in both the House and Senate FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act.” Wicker, as ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, worked with Republicans to insert the legislation, which would force the administration to allow the materials to be used to complete sections of the southern border wall, in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA passed the Senate with a broad bipartisan majority, and the provisions of the FINISH It Act were also included the House-passed version of the NDAA. In addition to halting all further auctions of border wall materials and requesting detailed information on the current sales, the letter calls for the administration to direct the Department of Defense Inspector General to investigate Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Melissa Dalton for her failure to provide Congress accurate and timely information about the use of these border wall construction materials. The Senate Armed Services Committee Republicans pledge not to consent to a confirmation hearing for the nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Policy until the senators’ concerns are addressed. Senators who signed the letter include Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Mike Rounds, R-S.D., Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., Rick Scott, R-Fla., Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., Ted Budd, R-N.C., and Eric Schmitt, R-Mo. See the full letter text to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin here, or below. Dear Secretary Austin: We are deeply disappointed to learn that rather than using construction materials that were purchased to secure the southwest border for that purpose, the Department of Defense has begun auctioning these materials off for other purposes. These auctions represent a brazen attempt to circumvent the FINISH IT Act, which was included in both the House and Senate FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act. The FINISH IT Act requires the Department to use these construction materials to secure the southwest border as originally intended, or to transfer them to border states for that purpose. While we gather more facts about the Department’s disposal, and apparent plans to dispose, of approximately $260 million worth of border wall construction materials, we demand that you take the following steps immediately: 1. Suspend all auctions of border wall construction materials, including those that have been scheduled for August 23 and 30, 2023, according to media reports; and 2. Direct the Department of Defense Inspector General to investigate Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Melissa Dalton’s failure to provide Congress accurate and timely information about the Department’s plans regarding the use of these border wall construction materials, despite multiple inquiries about the border wall construction materials from both Senate Armed Services Committee members and staff. Finally, no later than September 5, 2023, we expect you to provide: 1. A full account of the Department’s disposal of border wall construction materials thus far. For each sale of materials, the Department should include: the price that the U.S. Government originally paid to procure the materials, the price for which they were sold by the Department of Defense to a third party, the identity of the third-party purchaser of those materials, and the purchaser’s intended use of those materials. 2. A full account of the Department’s payments thus far to store the border wall materials, including the total amount that the Department has paid for storage, the precise locations where they were stored and/or are still being stored, and a full list of individuals and entities that received payment to store the materials.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/8/wicker-hyde-smith-join-colleagues-in-calling-out-biden-s-attack-on-school-hunting-archery-programs,"Wicker, Hyde-Smith Join Colleagues in Calling Out Biden’s Attack on School Hunting, Archery Programs",2023-08-16,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., joined 17 of their Republican Senate colleagues in a letter to President Biden urging his administration to withdraw its plans to block funding for elementary and secondary schools with hunting and archery programs. Led by U.S. Senator John Barrasso, R-Wyo., the letter condemns the Biden administration’s purposeful misinterpretation of last year’s gun control bill to justify blocking funding for schools with these outdoor recreation programs. More than 500,000 students participate and are certified through hunter education courses each year. These important programs help students learn how to handle firearms safely — in turn, decreasing firearm-related injuries and accidents. In the letter, the senators urge President Biden to withdraw this guidance immediately and support hunter education and archery programs in schools across the country. “While the administration claims to be eliminating dangerous activities, this guidance will, in fact, have the opposite effect. These programs provided thousands of students with the opportunity to learn proper instruction for firearm and archery safety,” the senators wrote. “By including hunter education in schools, students are given the tools to be safe and responsible hunters. It is now clearer than ever that the Biden Administration will use the bill to attack the constitutional rights of Americans.” In addition to Wicker, Hyde-Smith, and Barrasso, co-signers include U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., John Thune, R-S.D., Roger Marshall, R-Kan., John Kennedy, R-La., Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Rick Scott, R-Fla., Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, Steve Daines, R-Mont., Mike Braun, R-Ind., Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Rand Paul, R-Ky., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Josh Hawley, R-Mo., Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. The full text of the letter can be found here or below. Dear President Biden, We write to express our deep concern about the Biden Administration’s attempt to use the gun control bill passed last year to block funding for elementary and secondary schools. In April, the U.S. Department of Education provided a guidance prohibiting Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) funds for hunter education and archery programs. Since the guidance was issued, there have been reports of schools canceling plans to include archery or hunting education in their curriculum. We write to urge the administration to immediately reverse this misguided decision and ensure funding for these vital programs is not withheld. While the administration claims to be eliminating dangerous activities, this guidance will, in fact, have the opposite effect. These programs provided thousands of students with the opportunity to learn proper instruction for firearm and archery safety. Over 500,000 students participate and are certified through hunter education courses each year. Learning to safely handle firearms results in a decrease in firearm-related injuries and accidents. In fact, hunter education programs have decreased hunting accidents by over 50% since the program’s development over 50 years ago. By including hunter education in schools, students are given the tools to be safe and responsible hunters. We voted against the gun control legislation. It is now clearer than ever that the Biden Administration will use the bill to attack the constitutional rights of Americans. Hunting and archery are strongly connected to the traditions and heritage of America. This outrageous overreach is an attack on hunters and outdoor recreation that must be addressed.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/8/wicker-calls-out-lack-of-aukus-support-in-defense-supplemental-request,Wicker Calls Out Lack of AUKUS Support in Defense Supplemental Request,2023-08-11,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today commented on the omission of submarine industrial base funding from a proposed supplemental funding request submitted to Congress by the White House: “This request unwisely neglects the necessary submarine industrial base investments to ensure the success of the AUKUS agreement,” Wicker said. “President Biden has missed a near-term opportunity to send a clear signal of deterrence to China and a show of commitment to Australia. “If we hope to realize the full potential of the AUKUS deal, it is imperative that the president articulate an achievable plan of action to increase American submarine production that meets both American and Australian needs. The enhanced security of the United States and our partners depends on our mutual collaboration and cooperation.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/8/wicker-celebrates-defense-bill-passage-with-visit-to-mississippi-base,Wicker Celebrates Defense Bill Passage with Visit to Mississippi Base,2023-08-10,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"JACKSON, MISS. – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today released a new video highlighting his work on the annual National Defense Authorization Act, which recently passed the U.S. Senate. The video features the senator’s visit to the Mississippi Air National Guard’s 172nd Airlift Wing, which is based in Jackson. During his visit, the senator highlighted a 5.2% pay raise for service members and funding for the tools and capabilities necessary to support the military. The senator has been a strong advocate for increased military funding in his role as ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. See below for a full transcript of the video. Soundtrack-free video and B-roll is also available for download here. For more information on this year’s National Defense Authorization Act and its expected impact on Mississippi, click here. TRANSCRIPT: NEWS ANCHOR: The National Defense Authorization Act passed in the Senate. The NDAA authorizes ten new Navy ships and provides a 5.2% pay hike for military personnel. SENATOR WICKER: This is my first meeting with actual servicemen and women since the passage in the Senate the other day of the National Defense Authorization Act. It's a great chance for me to be back in Mississippi and to talk to the actual people who step forward to join the military and our all-volunteer force and agree to put themselves in harm's way. This is the sort of thing that we need more of and the sort of thing that we try to provide funds for. It is part of our peace through strength effort worldwide. We have more support for the Air National Guard in the NDAA bill. Those of us on my side of the aisle are making the case that we're really not where we need to be in terms of aircraft, ships, amphibious ships, submarines.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/8/icymi-wicker-efforts-hold-military-service-academies-accountable-for-woke-instruction-training,"ICYMI: Wicker Efforts Hold Military Service Academies Accountable for ‘Woke’ Instruction, Training",2023-08-08,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON– In case you missed it, this weekend the Washington Examiner editorial board highlighted recent oversight work by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, into the use of toxic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies at national military academies. After learning that the United States Air Force Academy had been improperly classifying DEI instruction materials to prevent their disclosure to the public, Wicker pressed the Academy to end the practice so that the American public could have a full accounting of the scope, scale, and content of DEI instruction. The effort follows the passage of Wicker’s MERIT Act in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act, which also included several other provisions that keep the military focused on its primary mission of warfighting, not wokeness. The Washington Examiner applauded Wicker’s oversight efforts in an Aug. 6 editorial, calling it “good news” for American taxpayers interested in accountability at our service academies. Read the full editorial below or here. Read more about Wicker’s MERIT Act and other important deterrence-focused provisions in the FY24 NDAA here. The DEI threat to our military academies August 6, 2023 By: Washington Examiner Editors The U.S. military’s failure to prepare adequately to protect the nation’s security is perhaps most evident in the military academies. Here, young cadets are supposed to be trained for a career of service to the country as officers. These once-venerable institutions, which claim to prioritize ""duty,"" ""honor,"" ""country,"" and ""excellence,"" have become vectors for leftist ideology. Today, they all too often emphasize diversity over honor, equity over excellence, and inclusion over duty. We know this because of multiple reports exposing divisive DEI curricula in the academies and firsthand accounts from current cadets. Two Air Force Academy cadets, for example, wrote about their experiences confronting this divisive ideology in op-eds for the Washington Examiner as part of our recent ""Military Unreadiness"" series. The cadets shared how mandatory DEI training has devastated morale among their peers, leading many to question whether the military is still an institution worthy of their service and lives. The cadets also revealed that, following media exposure, the Air Force Academy went to great lengths to prevent additional scrutiny over its DEI trainings, marking some of these materials as controlled unclassified information, or CUI, to prevent them from being made public. Cadets who share materials marked as CUI could face reprimand, suspension, and even expulsion from the academy. Though overclassification is an ongoing problem within the military, this appears to have been a deliberate decision on the part of academy administrators to avoid further criticism for imposing leftism on its students. We reached out to the Air Force Academy to ask which administrators made this classification, but the academy did not respond to a request for comment. This failure to respond is incompatible with the academy's first stated ""core value"" — namely, ""Integrity First."" The academy did, however, respond to congressional oversight. After reading the Air Force Academy cadets’ accounts in the Washington Examiner, the Senate Armed Services Committee and ranking member Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) asked the academy to explain its justification for marking DEI materials as CUI. Administrators claimed some elements of the training met the Defense Department’s standard for ""privacy"" regarding ""student records,"" which is described as ""personally identifiable information from records directly related to a student."" But under pressure, they admitted that there were no legitimate student records that would justify classifying the training materials, according to a Senate aide. As a result, the academy is now reviewing its DEI training materials to reduce or remove the use of CUI. This is good news for policymakers and citizens who have a right to know what the military’s future ranking officers are being taught, and for current cadets who have been unfairly pressured into staying silent. Unfortunately, the military’s lack of transparency regarding its DEI policies is a widespread problem that will take much more effort to correct. The academies routinely stonewall and outright ignore Freedom of Information Act requests that target their use of DEI materials. Last year, for example, Judicial Watch was forced to take the Air Force Academy to court after administrators delayed acknowledging an FOIA request regarding its use of critical race theory for nearly two years. Current law requires the government to acknowledge receipt of an FOIA request within 20 days. The Pentagon uses a similar strategy to hinder congressional oversight, which is why we applaud Senate Republicans for passing a version of the National Defense Authorization Act that prevents the Defense Department from expanding its DEI offices until a thorough audit of the agency’s DEI workforce can be conducted by the Government Accountability Office. Military resources should not be wasted on an ideology that distracts from the armed services’ primary mission and undermines the readiness of our fighting forces, and the public deserves to know just how extensive the Defense Department’s commitment to this ideology has become. Of course, the military’s efforts to avoid answering these important questions raise another one: If the DEI agenda is as vital to the military’s success as Pentagon and military academy leadership claims, then why try to hide it? Why prevent cadets from publicly speaking about their DEI trainings or ignore public requests to access the curricula? We’d love an explanation, but again, the Air Force Academy declined a request for comment.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.wicker.senate.gov/2023/8/wicker-statement-on-unprecedented-combined-china-russia-naval-exercise-near-alaska,Wicker Statement on Unprecedented Combined China-Russia Naval Exercise Near Alaska,2023-08-07,2023,2023-08,Republican,Senate,MS,Roger F. Wicker,W000437,www.wicker.senate.gov,wicker,https://www.wicker.senate.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today commented on the ongoing combined China-Russia naval exercises near Alaska: “The scale and complexity of this Russian and Chinese naval deployment is unprecedented,” Wicker said. “While I am glad the U.S. Navy deployed four destroyers and a P-8 aircraft to monitor the fleet, the exercise serves as a stark signal that generational investments in U.S. shipbuilding and ship maintenance to maintain deterrence are more necessary than ever. “President Biden has a near-term opportunity to send a signal to both Beijing and Moscow by including funding to implement the AUKUS deal fully in his upcoming supplemental request. I look forward to seeing a comprehensive plan to improve America’s ability to manufacture and maintain our most important conventional capability, the Virginia-class submarine.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:30:18Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/150th-anniversary-us-army-corps-engineers-vicksburg-district,150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS VICKSBURG DISTRICT,2023-07-23,2023,2023-07,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 130 (Senate - July 27, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased to recognize the Vicksburg District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--USACE--for 150 years of exceptional service to the people of Mississippi and our Nation. Founded in 1873 when Captain William Henry Harrison Benyaurd created a USACE office in Monroe, LA, the Vicksburg District now covers 68,000 square miles in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana; nine major river basins; 278 miles of the Mississippi River; and 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees. In 1884, the first permanent Vicksburg office was formed by Captain Eric Bergland. Vicksburg National Military Park was largely constructed by the Vicksburg District in the early 1900s. In response to the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and as directed by the Flood Control Act of 1928, the Vicksburg District designed and implemented an extensive flood control program, commonly referred to as the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries--MR&T--project, which continues to serve the people of Mississippi to this day. The benefits the Vicksburg District brings to Mississippians and the Nation are hard to quantify, but should not be taken for granted. The average annual benefits of the MR&T project alone are valued at $1.46 billion, but the positive impacts associated with the many watersheds, ports, locks and dams, reservoirs, and flood control structures the district manages go far beyond any dollar amount.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:18:03Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/unanimous-consent-request-s-631,UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 631,2023-06-21,2023,2023-06,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 108 (Senate - June 21, 2023) PDF The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there an objection? The Senator from Mississippi. Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, this bill presents a solution in search of a problem. Unfortunately, it appears that the intent of this legislation is to treat abortion as healthcare, to prevent pro-life entities from sponsoring ads designed to help provide women and girls with trustworthy support during pregnancy, and to make it harder for States to enforce their own laws protecting life and the most vulnerable. When it comes to ensuring patient privacy and healthcare, I believe there are bipartisan solutions to be found that we can all agree on. One-sided efforts to promote abortion are not the way for us to find common ground on this issue. I would also like to point out that this bill has not received a hearing or markup in the Commerce Committee, which would be a great opportunity to have. I would like to turn now to recognize that this Saturday will mark the first anniversary of the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. I am incredibly proud that this victory for the pro-life movement, reversing the moral stain of Roe v. Wade, came out of my State of Mississippi. I am amazed and grateful that in God's sovereign plan, a law introduced by my friend, Mississippi State Representative Becky Currie, ultimately achieved what I and so many have prayed for, for 50 years now, to restore the sanctity of life. My friend, Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch, our State's solicitor general, Scott Stewart, and the many others in the AG's office worked tirelessly to represent our State's direct challenge to Roe. After a draft of the Dobbs majority opinion was shamefully leaked, the conservative Justices resisted disgraceful intimidation tactics and threats to their own lives. They stayed true to their judicial oaths to uphold and defend the Constitution. The Supreme Court recognized correctly in Dobbs that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion and that Roe was ``egregiously wrong and on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided.'' While the Dobbs decision did not end abortion in America, it took a monumental step in returning the issue back into the hands of the people and their elected representatives. Today, as a result, 14 States are protecting unborn children through all 9 months of pregnancy. Several others now protect babies at the point where they have a heartbeat, at 6 weeks, and still others at 12 weeks. One recent study found that there were more than 24,000 unborn children saved from abortion in the first 9 months since Dobbs. That is 24,000 miracles, because that is what a child is--a miracle. But it is not just the States that can protect life after Dobbs. We in Congress also have a responsibility to protect life and stop the Democrats' extreme pro-abortion agenda. It saddens me deeply that Democrats in Congress continue to advocate for appalling legislation that would impose legalized abortion on demand up until to the moment of birth across all 50 States. Their legislation is even more radical than Roe was and would eliminate even the most modest pro-life protections, like parental involvement laws and bans on sex-selective abortions. Democrats cannot name a single limit on abortion they support--not one. The American people, however, reject this extreme position. A new Tarrance Group poll this month found that three-fourths of voters oppose allowing abortions through all 9 months of pregnancy and support at least some limits to abortion. More Americans continue to reject abortion when they learn more about the child in the womb--when they can hear the child's heartbeat, when they can see them suck their thumbs and yawn in an ultrasound, and when they learn that they can feel pain. Despite this, the Biden administration's FDA and Department of Justice continue to allow the abortion industry to obstruct the will of pro-life States by illegally flooding the mail with do-it-yourself abortion pills, turning post offices into abortion centers. These actions not only endanger women's lives and their health, but they violate longstanding Federal laws that clearly prohibit the mailing of abortion drugs. Finally, we also must advance policies to support pregnant mothers in choosing life. In particular, we need to support the work of pregnancy centers. More than 2,700 pregnancy centers across the country provide critical medical and material support for women and families facing unplanned pregnancies to choose life rather than abortion. This is the promise of the Declaration of Independence: that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with the inalienable right to life. Thanks to the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs, 1 year ago this week, we can finally begin the hard work to make good on the promise for unborn Americans too. Finally, I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The objection is heard.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T00:08:25Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/india-executive-session,INDIA (Executive Session),2023-06-15,2023,2023-06,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 105 (Senate - June 15, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to extend a warm welcome to His Excellency Narendra Modi, the esteemed Prime Minister of the Republic of India. Next week, we will be honored to have him address a joint meeting of Congress underscoring the significance of the relationship between the United States and India. The bond between India and the United States is not just an alliance, it is a strategic and global partnership. Our two nations' relationship is built on the strong foundation of shared values--democracy, freedom, and respect for the rule of law. India and the United States have long recognized the power of collaboration and fostering peace, prosperity, and global stability. United States-India diplomatic relations have only grown since India gained its independence 75 years ago. In the face of global challenges ranging from education to energy to agriculture and health, Prime Minister Modi has worked with the United States to address these issues, and continues to work toward solutions that benefit not just our countries but the entire world. Prime Minister Modi's visit to Washington, DC, is an occasion to celebrate that progress and to reaffirm our commitment to further strengthen this vital partnership. I have had the opportunity to learn more about this partnership from Dr. Kulkarni, who is the Indian Consulate General in Atlanta, and a friend of mine. And she is also a friend of my State director, Umesh Sanjanwala. So Prime Minister Modi's visit is an opportunity to deepen our collaboration in areas such as trade, defense, technology, and healthcare, which will shape the future trajectory of our nations. I encourage my colleagues to join me in extending a warm welcome to the Prime Minister as he visits our great Nation. I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:15:57Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/tribute-wade-litton,TRIBUTE TO WADE LITTON,2023-05-18,2023,2023-05,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 84 (Senate - May 18, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased to commend Mr. Wade Litton of Greenwood, MS, for his service and contributions to the State of Mississippi while serving as the 87th president of Delta Council. Organized in 1935, Delta Council plays an important role in uniting agricultural, business, and economic development leadership to solve problems and promote greater opportunities in the Mississippi Delta region, which encompasses 19 counties in northwest Mississippi. Mr. Litton has worked tirelessly this year to advance the priorities of Delta Council, including healthcare, farm policy, economic development, flood control, and education. He is also the third generation of his family to serve as president of Delta Council. Mr. Litton is the chief executive officer of Wade, Inc., a fourth- generation company that operates 14 John Deere dealerships in the Mississippi Delta. As a businessman, Mr. Litton and his company are at the forefront of evolving farm technology tools that enable producers to become more efficient and productive. Mr. Litton's priorities in leading Delta Council have been to continue the work of the organization and to build stronger relationships with the people of the Delta to help improve the economy and quality of life for all citizens. He is deeply involved in industrial and community development, including the Delta Strong regional economic development association. Mr. Litton assumed the role of Delta Council president during unprecedented times characterized by rising inflation, rural healthcare disruptions, the after effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, and a multitude of other challenges. Wade Litton has been a steady and calm leader over this past year and has contributed his vast knowledge and service to many critical issues during his tenure as president. Outside of his time spent running his business and serving Delta Council, Mr. Litton contributes his time to many other important organizations. He serves as a commissioner for Greenwood Utilities, a member of the Young Presidents' Organization, and is involved with the Greenwood-Leflore Chamber of Commerce, the Greenwood United Way, the Boys and Girls Club of Leflore County, the Agribusiness Industry Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, and the Greenwood Rotary Club. He is also a youth soccer and baseball coach. Mr. Litton, his wife Meagan, and his three children Kennan, Robert, and Elizabeth are members of the First Presbyterian Church, where he serves as an elder.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/national-police-week-0,NATIONAL POLICE WEEK,2023-05-16,2023,2023-05,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 82 (Senate - May 16, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, this week our Nation commemorates the 2023 National Police Week and honors the brave men and women of law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. As a nation, we will pay tribute to those who have given their lives to protect our communities and join in mourning their loss with their families and loved ones. As we recognize National Police Week and remember these fallen officers, we must acknowledge the critical role that law enforcement officers play in keeping our communities safe. They leave their homes and families every day not knowing if they will return. The amount of courage, dedication, and passion that demands cannot be overstated. It is important to remember, too, that their families also demonstrate exceptional courage, as they support their loved ones knowing the circumstances are sometimes life and death. My State of Mississippi is blessed with amazing law enforcement. These men and women in blue are not only hometown heroes, but also are an integral part of our communities. Every loss of an officer is deeply felt by all. I would like to specifically remember and honor the nine fallen officers from Mississippi whose names have been added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year. These officers died heroes in service to their communities, and we will forever be grateful for their sacrifice. We remember: Steven Michael Robin and Branden Paul Estorffe of the Bay St. Louis Police Department, who were shot and killed while conducting a welfare check, and Marzell Jerome Brooks of the Brookhaven Police Department, who passed from COVID-19 during the commission of his job duties. We remember: Myiesha Breanna Stewart of the Greenville Police Department, who was shot and killed during a vehicle pursuit of a suspect who fled the scene after a shooting; Lee Dan Vance, Jr., of the Hinds County Sheriff's Office who died after contracting COVID-19 during an outbreak among employees and inmates; and Robert Edward Moak, Sr., of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, who was killed by a suspect who he had testified against in court. We remember: Kennis Winston Croom of the Meridian Police Department, who was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call, and Jeffrey Ray Turney of the Pontotoc Police Department, who succumbed to COVID-19 after contracting the illness during the commission of his job duties. Lastly, we remember Johnny Raymond Patterson of the Verona Police Department, who was struck by a vehicle while directing traffic. To honor their memory, we must put our words into actions by ensuring our officers have the resources and tools they need to do their jobs safely and effectively. It is critical they have adequate support for training, equipment, and technology, as well as policies that prioritize officer safety and well-being. For my part, I will continue to be an advocate for law enforcement professionals and provide support where possible and do all I can to honor the legacy of those lost in the line of duty.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:55:44Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/faith-month,FAITH MONTH,2023-04-19,2023,2023-04,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"FAITH MONTH Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 65 (Senate - April 19, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, Americans across the country, led by Concerned Women for America, the Nation's largest public policy organization for women, and other faith-based organizations continue to celebrate April as Faith Month. I commend this noble effort calling all people of faith to join in prayer, thanksgiving, and celebration of their faith. The United States of America was born of the unanimous Declaration that we are ``endowed by [our] Creator with certain unalienable Rights,'' based on ``the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God,'' ``appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world,'' and acknowledging our ``reliance on the protection of divine Providence.'' We are a people of faith, which is why religious freedom is known as America's first freedom, as laid out in the Establishment and the Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment and also supports America's unique focus on freedom of expression, including in matters of faith. America's Judeo-Christian founding promotes religious diversity and tolerance. Our motto, ``In God We Trust,'' further emphasizes the importance of faith in our Nation's founding. From our first President to the last, we have always acknowledged America's faith. President George Washington recognized ``it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.'' Preserving our religious freedom, which strengthens our country's appreciation of all peoples, regardless of faith, requires eternal diligence. Sadly, attacks on religious liberty and people of faith are growing, with some religious charities forced to betray the tenets of their faith in order to participate in certain government programs. We must actively reject all efforts to criminalize or cancel religious beliefs as somehow incompatible with our democracy. Religious organizations in America have a rich history of charitable engagement by helping the sick, poor, and afflicted. Their presence in my State of Mississippi following devastating and fatal tornadoes in March has been a blessing to those trying to rebuild their lives. Their service demonstrates why these organizations should be celebrated, not maligned, for their contributions to improve life. According to the Pew Research Center, more than 75 percent of Americans practice some type of religious faith. This rich, diverse religious heritage is to our credit and should be encouraged.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:44:29Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/government-funding-executive-calendar,GOVERNMENT FUNDING (Executive Calendar),2023-03-15,2023,2023-03,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 48 (Senate - March 15, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to also express my disappointment in the fiscal year 2024 budget submitted to Congress by President Biden. As a fiscal conservative, I have serious concerns about the direction this budget proposes to take our country. It fails to address the real needs of our Nation and instead doubles down on failed policies. Americans continue to suffer from the worst inflation since the Carter administration--inflation set off by President Biden's reckless tax-and-spend agenda. Consumer prices have risen 15 percent since Biden took office. These are real numbers. People in my home State of Mississippi and across this country continue to see their hard-earned savings dwindle and their paychecks stretched thin by higher prices for everything from groceries to gasoline and basic utilities. After 2 years of trudging through this economy, Americans truly need help. However, President Biden's budget will do anything but help. The President's $7 trillion budget for 2024 will result in massive spending increases that will further exacerbate our already significant debt and deficit problems. Remember, reckless spending is the major reason prices took off in the first place. We simply cannot afford to spend at this level and continue passing on the burden of our current and growing debt to future generations. What is more, this proposal includes $4.7 trillion in new or increased taxes--the largest tax hike since the 1960s. These tax hikes would stifle economic growth, discourage investment, and ultimately harm the very people the President's budget is supposed to help. The President is asking Congress to hike the individual Federal income tax rate up from 37 percent to 39.6 percent, not including the surtaxes with that. This proposal would push tax increases on even more hard-working Americans. Make no mistake, this proposal does not ``tax the rich,'' as my colleagues across the aisle love to say; it raises taxes on middle-class Americans. The President's proposed tax increases may raise revenue in the short term to support his big spending, Big Government schemes, but they amount to distraction and to only gimmicks. There is little chance these massive tax increases will see the light of day, but even if they did, the Biden tax hikes would not address the underlying issues of our ballooning national debt. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projects that the Federal Government will spend over $10 trillion on interest alone in the next 10 years. Think about that for a moment--$10 trillion on interest payments alone. Unbelievable. As we pay more and more on debt interest payments, there will be less available to use on critical and important priorities like Senator Hoeven mentioned: national defense, infrastructure, healthcare, or education. I recently reintroduced a constitutional balanced-budget amendment because I am very concerned about the future of this great Nation. In contrast, President Biden's 2024 budget plan sends a clear signal that he and his administration are not serious about controlling the national debt or even reducing annual deficit spending. He may talk about it, but this budget says otherwise. It is our responsibility as elected officials of the American people to strengthen our Nation, not to leave it saddled with unsustainable debt that puts everything at risk, including entitlement programs that hard-working Americans have paid into their entire lives. President Biden's budget is a disappointment and falls short in addressing serious challenges, such as getting our fiscal house in order, securing the border, unleashing American energy, and so much more. We all know the President's budget was received dead on arrival, but it signals the starting point to the annual budget process. It is my hope that wiser minds on both sides of the aisle will prevail as Congress embarks on the 2024 budget and appropriations process. Americans are already pinching pennies, taking on debt, and struggling to pay their bills, and they deserve much, much more. They deserve relief, and our Nation needs relief in the form of tried-and- true just pure fiscal responsibility. I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/disapproving-action-district-columbia-council-approving-revised-criminal-code-act-2022,DISAPPROVING THE ACTION OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COUNCIL IN APPROVING THE REVISED CRIMINAL CODE ACT OF 2022,2023-03-08,2023,2023-03,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 44 (Senate - March 8, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I rise to express my support also for the resolution of disapproval of the new soft-on-crime law approved by the District of Columbia City Council. The resolution represents my chance to say: Enough is enough. Today, Americans feel increasingly unsafe. It is not hard to understand why, since it has become impossible to disregard or dismiss the unraveling of law and order across the country over the past few years. Whether it is the lack of law enforcement on the border, anti-police rhetoric, or weakened punishments for the violent crimes, Americans know the shift away from law and order, right and wrong, is tearing all the fabric of their communities. Crime is at a 25-year high across the entire country. Unfortunately, my home State of Mississippi is not immune from this trend. Our capital, Jackson, has recorded more than 100 homicides for 3 consecutive years. It is the same song, different verse in our Nation's very own Capital, where overall crime is up 25 percent since last year. In fact, Washington, DC's murder rate is 34 percent higher today than this time last year. Auto thefts are up 110 percent in this city. What has the response been from the Democratic leadership? Well, it certainly has not made public safety a priority. There is a good reason the Senate is considering a resolution of disapproval against the DC Council's Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. With DC's growing record of lawlessness, the city council voted to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences and reduce penalties for crimes like robbery, carjacking, home invasion, burglary, and more. These are violent crimes that leave victims traumatized, injured, or worse--dead. So why is the instinct to protect the criminal--to signal that the penalties for violating the law are being eased? This law will put residents, constituents, tourists, Federal workers, and elected officials directly in harm's way. Rather than holding them accountable for their own actions, the DC Council would prefer to let these violent criminals go back to the streets and commit the same violent crimes. Is it any wonder Washington, DC, has a police recruitment and retention problem? At the same time, those responsible for enforcing our justice system seem more interested in carrying out ``justice'' based on politics. The Biden administration's Justice Department, for example, appears to be laser-focused on parents at local school board meetings, pro-life Americans exercising their right to protest, and spying on Catholic Americans, while taking a nothing-to-see-here approach to threats of violence against sitting Justices at the Supreme Court or attacks on pregnancy centers. If things continue this way, Americans will start to wonder if their safety and protection is determined by their political affiliation. Mr. President, public safety should not be a political issue. It is not virtue signaling to lessen punishments for violent criminals; it is just dangerous. It is not progressive to pretend the breakdown in border security and subsequent flood of fentanyl aren't contributing to the surges in the crime and death; it is nonsensical. Americans who live in the greatest Nation in the world at the very least deserve to feel safe. We deserve to live in a country of law and order. Yes, it is time to say ``enough is enough'' to the radical policies embraced by the Democratic Party that have only resulted in more crime, more fear and more tragedies. I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T23:30:02Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/inflation,INFLATION,2023-02-01,2023,2023-02,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"INFLATION Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 21 (Senate - February 1, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, in less than a week, President Biden will deliver his State of the Union Address to the Nation. In the buildup to that speech, we are already seeing the President and his administration spinning a tale about just how wonderful things are in this country, particularly after they took power and racked up more than $3 trillion more in spending. Unfortunately, those tall tales do not reflect the reality for the people in my home State of Mississippi or across the Nation. In the 2 years since President Biden took office, we have seen his administration fail the American people time and time again. Inflation was 1.4 percent in January of 2021, but the policies the President has forced on this Nation since then have made daily living unaffordable for families. Today, a strong majority of Americans--more than 70 percent--believe that the country is on the wrong track, and it is easy to understand why. Too many workers and families now live paycheck to paycheck, trying to keep the lights on, put food on the table, get gas in their cars, and stock up on everyday essentials that they have to have. President Biden's inflationary runaway spending is a root cause of the skyrocketed prices we are paying for all goods and services. Not a single industry is spared the cost of this inflation. Since Joe Biden took office, higher prices have cost families an additional $10,000, and there seems to be no end in sight. Prices have gone up across the board to 13.5 percent, and grocery costs have jumped 18.6 percent. Just look at the price of essential staples: Chicken breast prices have gone up by 33 percent, and ground beef, whole milk, and bread have gone up by 21 percent. Unlike President Biden, I actually have to take a trip to the grocery store to feed my family. I do all of my own shopping, and I see firsthand how these price increases affect the people of Mississippi. In the checkout line, I have watched a mother forced to put something back on the shelf after realizing that she can't afford everything in her cart. I have seen a retired husband grabbing only the barest necessities for the week. Up and down the aisle, as I push my buggy, the conversation is constant on ``Can you believe how much the price of groceries has increased and how expensive it is?'' It breaks my heart to see the individuals in my community and the Nation struggling to get by. It shouldn't be this way, but in Joe Biden's America, you are forced to weigh priorities on buying groceries, prescription medicine, or putting gas in your car. When it comes to energy prices, the hardship continues for many Americans. This pain is 100 percent self-inflicted by the Biden administration's stubborn refusal to maximize American energy production. According to census data, about 22 percent of American households could not pay their energy bill last year. When families were actually able to pay, they had to sacrifice other necessities, such as groceries, their medicine, or their gasoline. This winter isn't bringing any relief either. Compared to last winter, the average household will spend upwards of 28 percent more to heat their home with natural gas, according to the Energy Information Administration. Electricity rates are also expected to continue to rise due to lower domestic supply of liquefied natural gas as well as labor shortages and the cost of materials. But this should come as no surprise since the attack on American energy began on day one of the Biden Presidency. In fact, this administration's regulatory overreach also contributes to rising costs across our economy. Despite record-high prices, Joe Biden wants to further regulate the agriculture industry. The Food Safety and Inspection Service, for instance, is studying line speeds of poultry plants with the ultimate goal of just slowing them down, which will affect costs and supplies in the grocery stores. In addition, the EPA recently unveiled its new waters of the United States rule, which will further hamper the ability of farmers to grow food because the Federal Government will have the ability to regulate ditches and low spots on private land. It is a basic fact that it is expensive to comply with overly burdensome regulations. The Biden administration's desire to overregulate everything makes it seem as if the President wants Americans to struggle to afford food. Madam President, the American people are smart, and they understand when things aren't going well. The rosy stories the White House will barrage us with before the State of the Union Address won't change the fact that the American dream seems further from attainable for hard-working families because we just cannot afford Joe Biden. My colleagues and I want to get our economy back on track to relieve the financial stress that families are experiencing. We must stop the irresponsible government spending, unleash American energy production, cut regulations, and embrace pro-growth commonsense policies. The American people deserve that. I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T17:47:45Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/border-security-1,BORDER SECURITY,2023-01-25,2023,2023-01,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"BORDER SECURITY Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 16 (Senate - January 25, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Madam President, I started the new year by joining Senator Blackburn of Tennessee and our new colleague Senator Britt of Alabama on a recent tour of the Del Rio Border Sector in Texas. We traveled to the border to gain more firsthand knowledge of the ongoing mass migration of illegal immigrants into our Nation, to hear from Border Patrol agents about how they are handling this crisis, and to, perhaps more powerfully, hear from young women and girls who are victims of President Biden's careless border and immigration policies. We learned more how States are taking action to protect their citizens and their borders when the administration won't. Few States are affected more than Texas, which instituted Operation Lone Star in March of 2021 to counter illegal immigration and drug trafficking. We looked on as a family led by a coyote crossed the Rio Grande in dangerously cold waters and witnessed the family's struggle to help their grandmother wade through rushing waters to enter our Nation illegally. She made it safely across, but, sadly, that is not always the case for many people, including children who have drowned making the same trek under the misguided belief that our borders are open. We visited a massive migrant processing center where illegal immigrants were taken upon arrival. An astonishing fact about this processing center is that it costs U.S. taxpayers $16 million a month to operate, and that is just one of five on the southern border. Let me say that again. It is costing American taxpayers $16 million per month to process illegal immigrants at just one of these five centers. What was especially gut-wrenching to me was hearing directly from human trafficking victims. We heard from one young lady who was trafficked from the age of 12 to the age of 16. She told a story I will never forget, and there are thousands of stories just like hers. Yes, we learned about the true severity of the crisis. We learned how Border Patrol agents simply cannot carry out their jobs. We learned how States are forced to use up resources on border security and migrants-- resources meant for U.S. citizens. We learned how ranchers and U.S. property owners are being overwhelmed and in constant fear of being robbed and assaulted by smugglers. We learned how all of this affects our entire Nation--not just the unbelievable pricetag, but in the incidences of human trafficking across the country and tens of thousands of overdose deaths linked to fentanyl smuggled across our border. And, heartbreakingly, we learned of the wickedness of the cartels. They are thriving, thanks to President Biden's apathetic attitude toward his own country's border. This should not be a political debate. People and children are dying in an attempt to enter our country illegally. Drug cartels are taking control of not just the border towns on the Mexican side of the border but on the American side too. Human trafficking is now a $13 billion industry. How did we get here? Why do they come? Well, because our President basically invited them. Immediately after President Biden was sworn in, he started dismantling vital policies like ``Remain in Mexico'' and restarted catch-and-release, halted construction on the border, and, essentially, set up a big neon sign on the southwest border that read ""Vacant."" The rest is history: 4.5 million border apprehensions with an estimated 1.5 million undetected got-aways, a staggering increase in the number of women and children who are being subject to assault and domestic violence, fentanyl flowing into our communities and skyrocketing deaths. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to go and listen to Border Patrol agents. Hear the stories of the cartel victims. See for yourself the heartbreaking scenarios the greatest country in the world is allowing to unfold. I learned much from my visit to the border, but perhaps the worst thing I learned is this: The Biden administration is not lacking any resources or authority to address this crisis. No, it can support our Border Patrol and border States. It can secure our border. It can save children from dying and drowning in the Rio Grande or 14-year-old girls from being sold. But it won't, either through incompetence or, worse, by design. I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T17:41:40Z https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/march-life,MARCH FOR LIFE,2023-01-24,2023,2023-01,Republican,Senate,MS,Cindy Hyde-Smith,H001079,www.hydesmith.senate.gov,hydesmith,https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom,scraper,"Congressional Record Vol. 169, No. 15 (Senate - January 24, 2023) PDF Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, this past Friday, tens of thousands of pro-life Americans came to Washington, DC, to march for the 50th consecutive year to be a voice for the voiceless. They marched because the pro-life movement did not end with the overturning of Roe v. Wade last summer. They marched because the end of Roe v. Wade represents a new beginning. Thanks to the Supreme Court's decision in Mississippi's Dobbs case, for the first time in 50 years, the fate of the lives of millions of unborn children now rests not in the hands of unelected Federal judges but in the American people and their elected representatives. I am grateful for the more than a dozen States that have answered the call, including my State of Mississippi, where babies in the womb are now legally protected even at their earliest and most vulnerable stages. But the fight for life also continues here in our Nation's Capital and here in the U.S. Senate. That is why it makes sense that, this year, the March for Life's route ended not at the U.S. Supreme Court, as in years past, but here in Congress. As the chairman of the Senate Pro-Life Caucus, I am committed to fight for compassionate legislation to protect unborn children and their mothers. We will be a firewall against the radical abortion agenda of Senate Democrats and hold the Biden administration accountable for its reckless and illegal pro-abortion policies. The contrast could not be clearer. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would guarantee the same basic medical care to babies who are born alive after an attempted abortion as would be given to any other baby born in any other circumstance. I am appalled that 210 House Democrats voted against this humane legislation. Apparently, even infanticide is no longer a bridge too far. In addition, this month, the Biden administration's FDA rubberstamped the reckless distribution of chemical abortion drugs by mail and telemedicine, as well as retail pharmacies, without ever seeing a doctor in person. This decision turns retail pharmacies and post offices into abortion clinics. The FDA's action provides no safeguards to screen by ultrasound for dangerous ectopic pregnancies and abandons pregnant women to suffering life-threatening complications alone. These can include severe bleeding, infection, potential surgical intervention, and even death. The FDA's promotion of dangerous do-it-yourself abortions is not only unsafe, it is illegal. Specifically, the decision violates longstanding Federal criminal laws that clearly prohibit the mailing of abortion drugs. This decision puts the profits and political agenda of the abortion industry over the science and clear evidence that abortion drugs present grave dangers to pregnant mothers and certainly their unborn babies. Later this week, I will introduce the SAVE Moms and Babies Act to reverse the FDA's reckless and illegal action and, at minimum, restore the basic health and safety requirement for these dangerous abortion drugs, which should never have been approved. The issue of abortion gets to the heart about what it means to be human. Who counts as one of us? Why can brutally killing a baby before birth be justified simply because the baby is inconvenient, imperfect, unwanted, unplanned, or dependent on her mother? Rather than answer these questions about the humanity of the child in the womb--the child sucking her thumb, the child whose heart is beating, and the child whose sonogram pictures are cherished as proof of life--the abortion industry wants you to look away from the baby. Over the past year, we have witnessed millions of dollars of political advertisement spent to promote lies and fearmongering about the pro-life movement and pro-life laws and that try to pit unborn children against their own mothers. As a mother, a woman, and a Senator, I know we must refute these lies, because each unborn child is not a threat but a blessing, a unique and unrepeatable individual created in the image of God. In addition, the pro-life movement cares for both pregnant moms and their unborn babies. More than 2,700 pregnancy centers across the country provide critical medical and material support for women and families facing unplanned pregnancies. Several of my colleagues have already introduced commonsense measures to support pregnant moms and families, including through pregnancy centers. As we move on from this year's March for Life and into a post-Roe era, we will never rest and we will never stop fighting until every unborn child is protected under our laws from the lethal violence of abortion. I yield the floor.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T17:41:40Z