Resolution to Honor National Police Week
Last week, I cosponsored a resolution recognizing May 10 16 as National Police Week 2020. Our police officers on the frontlines make sacrifices every day to keep Hoosiers safe. As they continue to do their job without hesitation during the coronavirus pandemic, this National Police Week is even more meaningful. I’m proud that the Senate passed this resolution in honor of our law enforcement heroes.
Additionally I co-sponsored The Confidentiality Opportunities for Peer Support (COPS) Counseling Act, which passed the Senate last week, to encourage the adoption of confidential law enforcement peer counseling programs to provide a mental health outlet for these officers.
The full text of the resolution can be viewed HERE.
Indiana to Receive $183 Million Boost for Coronavirus Testing, Mitigation Measures to Reduce Virus Spread
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Friday that they would distribute more than $183 million to Indiana to boost coronavirus testing and reduce further spread of the virus.
Enhancing testing capabilities is necessary to prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep Hoosiers safe. This additional funding to help our state and local governments purchase and administer tests is critical as we begin taking steps to safely reopen our economy.
The latest round of coronavirus emergency relief, which passed the Senate on April 21, provides the funding. Indiana has now received a total of more than $209 million from the CDC.
Coronavirus Assistance for Hoosier Livestock Industry during Pandemic
Livestock and poultry production is a vital part of Indiana’s economy with a $3.9 billion market value. Over 14,000 Hoosiers are employed by the pork industry, and another 7,000 are employed by the poultry industry. The impact of the coronavirus has been detrimental to supply chains as meat processing facilities cease operations to combat the spread of the virus. Livestock and poultry production is entirely dependent on exact timing, and disruptions due to temporary closures are extremely challenging for producers deeply concerned about animal welfare and economic stability.
I led Indiana’s Congressional delegation on a letter last week to assist our livestock and poultry production industries. The letter was to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter T. Gaynor in support of the state of Indiana’s request for FEMA assistance for depopulation activities resulting from coronavirus disruptions. The letter requests eligibility for existing resources under FEMA as livestock and poultry producers struggle to combat severe supply chain issues due to the coronavirus pandemic. Most affected is the pork industry, which includes 2,800 Hoosier farms marketing $1 billion worth of hogs every year.
Renewed Call for Transparency from China and World Health Organization
Last week, I again called for transparency from the Chinese Communist Party and the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the origins and transmission of the coronavirus. We need transparency from the Chinese government. We need transparency from the World Health Organization. We’ve received neither and that is essential if we’re going to come up with vaccines and better treatments as quickly as possible, and optimize our response to this horrible pandemic.
It is very important that Dr. Tedros, the Director General of the World Health Organization, appear before my subcommittee and answer some important questions. The only way we can prevent something like this from happening again is to make absolute certain we understand its origins, understand the nature of this virus, and all the circumstances surrounding this situation. We never want to encounter this damage again and the Chinese and the World Health Organization have been a major impediment to getting that sort of clarity.
Click here or on the image below for my remarks in full.
China Sanctions Legislation
The Chinese Communist Party’s mistakes enabled the coronavirus to grow from a local issue to a global pandemic. Instead of being transparent, Chinese diplomats are sharing propaganda. It is clear that China intends to use this crisis to their advantage by extending their influence around the world. We must not only hold China accountable, but get to the bottom of how this pandemic began and prevent it from happening again.
Last week, the COVID-19 Accountability Act was introduced by myself and a group of my colleagues to authorize the President to impose sanctions on China if China fails to cooperate and provide a full accounting of the events leading up to the outbreak of coronavirus.
Under this legislation, the President would be required to make a certification to Congress within 60 days that China has:
- Provided a full and complete accounting to any coronavirus investigation led by the United States, its allies or UN affiliate such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
- Closed all operating wet markets that have the potential to expose humans to health risks through the introduction of zoonotic disease into the human population.
- Released all Hong Kong pro-democracy advocates that were arrested in the post coronavirus crackdowns.
Without certification, the President would be authorized to impose a range of sanctions such as asset freezes, travel bans, visa revocations, restricting United States financial institutions from making loans or underwriting to Chinese businesses, and prohibiting Chinese firms from being listed on American stock exchanges
New Op-Ed: U.S. Needs Bipartisan Push for Scientific Research After Coronavirus
In a joint op-ed published by USA Today, I joined Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Representatives Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) to make the case for new legislation we will soon be introducing, The Endless Frontiers Act, to increase investment in scientific research and innovation and prevent China from outpacing the United States.
The Endless Frontiers Act proposes a renewed national investment in public research and development to strengthen our nation’s innovation ecosystem now and into the future. In the near-term, this means specific investments in the urgent research and production needed to confront COVID-19. This should involve dedicated investment for federal and university labs and technical facilities, paired with infrastructure investments like the broadband build out needed to tap the innovation potential of communities across America. This should also include investment in technical education. We must fund undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships, trainees and post-doctoral support in the targeted research areas.
Funding for First Responder Mental Health Programs in Future Coronavirus Legislation
Public safety officers across the country have described harrowing stories of responding to the pandemic, some referring to it as the most devastating work they have ever done and likening the environment to triage on a battlefield. It is crucial that we recognize the sacrifices of our first responders and acknowledge the psychological toll of protecting Americans during this time.
Future legislative measures to address the coronavirus pandemic must include additional funding for first responder mental health support. This includes additional funding for programs like the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Suicide Prevention Resource Center. These programs, which already provide critical support for law enforcement and first responder mental health, will be met with increased demand as we face the consequences of the pandemic. Which is why last week, I joined a letter calling for continued support for our first responders.
Floor Speech Honoring Hoosiers Fighting the Coronavirus Pandemic
Congress is sending every necessary support to workers and employers and much needed supplies to medical professionals and to hospitals. We are also removing red tape to help our economy withstand this virus and speed medical innovations to treat and eventually cure it. But though our government is sending relief, and will continue to do so, it’s really our citizens who are leading the fight outside of government. We are showing a spirit that is uniquely Hoosier and uniquely American.
Across our great state there are countless acts of courage and compassion, Hoosiers leaving groceries on a neighbor’s doorstep, or printing off 3-D face masks, even something as simple as calling an old friend maybe they live on their own and just need a word, a word so they won’t feel lonely.
Click here or on the image below to hear more stories from Hoosiers stepping up to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Support for Child Care Providers
It is critical we provide additional support for the child care sector to ensure providers can maintain operations, continue to meet the needs of essential workers, and remain viable going forward as our country moves toward economic recovery. Last week, I joined a bipartisan letter calling on the Senate to provide additional support to child care workers and providers across the country.
Even before coronavirus, one of the most common concerns we heard from parents, especially in rural areas, was the struggle to find child care. The coronavirus pandemic is undoubtedly worsening this situation and has led to a significant reduction in revenue for child care providers as many parents are now staying home with their children. Without additional support, the coronavirus will exacerbate child care deserts and eliminate what few options families have, even after the crisis. Americans in every state rely on child care centers. If a large portion of our nation’s providers are forced to permanently shut down, parents in all industries will be unable to return to work, significantly slowing our economic recovery as businesses begin reopening.
Constituent Spotlight
Throughout this pandemic, Hoosiers have been stepping up to help their neighbors and communities. With so many people struggling to it is inspiring seeing so many Hoosiers using their resources and talents to help combat this coronavirus crisis. Hoosier Jesse Johnson designed a booth to help local doctors limit coronavirus exposure and while being mindful of personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages. Learn more here.
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