Latest on Coronavirus

Over the weekend, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) confirmed the first cases of coronavirus in Indiana. Under the leadership of Governor Holcomb and the state department of health, we were prepared and ready to respond. To further help our state and local governments in the days to come, I voted to pass $7.7 billion in emergency supplemental funding which has now been signed into law. I urge Hoosiers to continue following ISDH’s guidance to prevent the transmission of coronavirus, including washing your hands and staying at home if sick. I will continue to work closely with our state and local officials as the situation unfolds.
 
For the latest information on the coronavirus in Indiana, click here.

Inaugural Richard G. Lugar Lecture at Indiana University

The same adage heard on basketball courts around Indiana applies equally to geopolitics –
The best defense is a great offense. On Friday, I delivered the inaugural Richard G. Lugar Lecture at Indiana University’s Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies in Bloomington where I talked about America’s role in the world and confronting the challenges of the 21st Century, including the need for America to take more shots at the basket to confront China.
 
To read my full remarks, click here.
 
For additional coverage of this event, click here.

Wrongful Detentions in Turkey

Last week, I joined my colleagues in writing a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging the State Department to sanction Turkey over the wrongful detention of locally employed staff at U.S. diplomatic missions in Turkey.
 
Learn more, here. 

Last week, I joined a letter with 19 of my colleagues expressing concerns for funding eligibility for more than 800 rural, low-income schools.
 
Since 2002, rural schools across the nation have relied on these additional flexible funds to purchase supplies and make technology upgrades, expand curricular, fund transportation, and support professional development activities.
 
I commend the Administration for taking swift action to prevent any harm to schools potentially impacted by this change.

Why the Olympic Committee Should Move 2022 Olympic Games Out of China

The People’s Republic of China is a Communist state and it is outrageous to reward bad behavior by allowing them to host the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Currently in China, millions of Uighur Muslims are being held in secret re-education camps against their will, millions of babies have been aborted at the government’s direction, and the police are using force to crack down on those in Hong Kong exercising their basic rights.

In light of these and other ongoing abuses, I joined a bipartisan group of Senators on a resolution instructing the International Olympic Committee to abandon plans for the 2022 Games in China and seek out a new host country that respects and protects human rights.
 
For more, watch my interview on Fox News last week.

China Should Not Lead U.N. World Intellectual Property Organization

Given China’s persistent violations of intellectual property protections, including trade secret theft, corporate espionage, and forced transfer of technology, the letter argues that China’s intent to lead the World Intellectual Property Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, poses a significant threat to both U.S. economic security and the integrity of international IP rights and standards.

Hoosiers know that preserving strong intellectual property rights are at the root of economic success. Last week, I joined a bipartisan group of Senators to oppose China’s bid to lead the U.N.’s World Intellectual Property Organization ahead of their Director general election last week. I am glad POTUS supported my calls to back candidate Daren Tang of Singapore.

Constituent Spotlight

I had the pleasure of meeting with Tammi Davis from Gary, Indiana, last week during the Great Lakes Congressional Breakfast. I enjoyed learning about her work to improve water quality in northwest Indiana and how coordination benefits both public and private sectors.

 : Photo Review 

For an overview of the last week in photos, click here or the image above.

Social Media Recap 

Join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for regular updates.

Thank you for the continued privilege to serve you in the U.S. Senate. My mission is to fight on behalf of Hoosiers and the interests that are unique to our state. I look forward to working with you, and sharing our progress, in the days ahead.

In Service,