Latest on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Today, the first fatality was reported in Indiana as a result of the coronavirus. According to state officials, the death occurred in Marion County at a Community Health Network hospital. The individual was reported to be over the age of 60 with underlying health issues.
My deepest condolences and prayers are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time. It is important that all Hoosiers continue to remain vigilant and listen to the experts. We all have an important role to play in protecting our fellow Hoosiers. Practice social distancing, look out for our elderly, and take precautions to avoid inadvertently spreading the virus.
Governor Eric Holcomb announced additional steps today slow the spread of coronavirus. Indiana will adhere to the CDC guidance for large events and mass gatherings, including no in-person events of more than 50 people. Indiana bars, nightclubs and restaurants are also required to close to in-person patrons and may provide take-out and delivery services through the end of March. More here.
My Senate colleagues and I are working to find bipartisan measures to help contain and prevent the spread of coronavirus and minimize its economic impact. I voted to pass $7.7 billion in emergency funding, and President Trump has declared a national emergency to free up more federal aid for state and local governments. I have introduced bipartisan legislation to provide immediate assistance to workers who are ill, or caring for sick loved ones, so that they can take time off from work without the threat of financial harm. This temporary relief would help workers comply with public health guidance and safeguard the health of their families and our communities. I will continue working with our federal, state, and local leaders to ensure Indiana has the resources it needs to respond.
My website is being updated regularly with the latest information on Indiana’s coronavirus response. Click HERE for the latest updates. Click HERE for the latest information from the CDC.
Last week, I spoke about steps being taken to protect Hoosiers, prevent the spread of the disease, and minimize the economic impact. Click HERE or the image below to watch.
OTHER NEWS:
Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act
It is time for the world, both governments and industry, to stand up for those oppressed in Xinjiang, China. Uyghur Muslims are already suffering in forced re-education camps, modern day concentration camps, and now the Chinese government and western companies are taking advantage of them by exploiting forced labor practices. It is unconscionable that companies would benefit from modern day slavery.
These human rights atrocities must stop and I was glad to work with my bipartisan colleagues to shine a light on these abuses. Last week I introduced a bipartisan bill to ensure that goods made in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) imported into the United States are not made with forced labor. Learn more here.
My Bill Addressing Child Care Access
For working families across the United States, accessing affordable and high quality child care has become increasingly difficult particularly in rural areas. According to federal metrics, families depending on child care providers spend 40 percent more than what is considered affordable. To put these statistics in perspective, in 33 states and the District of Columbia, infant care costs exceed the average cost of in-state college tuition at public four-year institutions. In addition, only 11 percent of child care providers are considered high quality.
My bipartisan bill supports the role of apprenticeships in improving child care affordability and provides professional development opportunities to potential child care workers. This is especially critical in rural areas, including many communities in Indiana, where finding affordable child care is particularly challenging.
The Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in Syria
Last week, I participated in two events regarding the ongoing conflict in Syria - a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the war in Syria, with witness testimony from Caesar, a Syrian military defector for whom the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act was named, and an event hosted by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum regarding the Syrian crisis that has killed more than 500,000 civilians and displaced 12 million individuals.
I remain very concerned about the ongoing conflict in Syria that the Assad regime brought on and continues to fuel at great loss to the Syrian people. I look forward to working with our allies to help bring humanitarian assistance and peace to Syria and the broader Middle East.
STOP for School Buses Act
In 2018 in Rochester, Indiana, a driver struck and killed three young siblings and injured a fourth student while they were boarding a school bus. This tragedy is unimaginable, and my heart breaks for the parents of those young children. We cannot allow this to happen ever again. The Stop for School Buses Act will help prevent the illegal passing of school buses and keep our children safe on their way to school and would require a comprehensive evaluation of methods to prevent the dangerous and illegal passing of school buses at loading zones.
Last week, I joined NSTA’s the Bus Stop podcast to discuss this important legislation.
 : Photo Review
For an overview of the last week in photos, click here or the image above.
Social Media Recap:
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