New Bill: RESTART Act to Support Hardest-Hit Businesses
The Paycheck Protection Program has been a tremendous asset, providing nearly $10 billion in loans to Indiana recipients, and saving more than 50 million American jobs. However, after speaking with some of the hardest hit businesses, it’s clear more is needed to help job creators navigate this pandemic. The RESTART Act addresses these issues by providing longer-term loans and more flexibility so that the businesses who have suffered the greatest economic hardship can resume operations. The RESTART Act will jumpstart the next phase of recovery to allow businesses to reopen, paychecks to continue, and people to get back to work.
Learn more about my RESTART Act in my interview with Fox News by clicking here or on the image below.
Click here or on the image below for my joint interview on Morning Joe with Senator Bennet.
Additionally, last week I joined Senate Republican leaders to discuss responsibly reopening the economy and my RESTART Act, as well as Nancy Pelosi’s unworkable $3 trillion partisan bill. Click here or on the image below to hear my remarks.
New Video: Honoring our Nations Fallen for Memorial Day
In honor of Memorial Day yesterday, I asked that all Hoosiers join me in remembering and honoring the brave souls who laid down their lives protecting our country. We can never repay our debt to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, but we can keep their memory alive. Thank you to all of our nation’s heroes and God Bless.
I also spoke on the Senate floor last week to honor Hoosier veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we all may be safer and more secure. Hoosiers like Alec, James, Charles, and Christopher. Click here or on the image below for my full remarks.
Designation of Opha May Johnson Post Office in Kokomo
Last week, I joined Senator Mike Braun to introduce legislation to rename the post office in Kokomo after Opha May Johnson, the first woman to join the Marine Corps who was born in Kokomo. Opha began her service on August 13, 1918 during World War I and continued serving until her retirement in 1943.
As a fellow Marine, I’m proud to recognize Opha May Johnson, a great American and Hoosier. Her service during a critical time in our nation’s history deserves to be honored. I hope that this designation coinciding with Memorial Day will inspire more Hoosiers to learn her story and be encouraged to serve.
Urging Investigation of Improper Paycheck Protection Program Funding for Planned Parenthood
The Paycheck Protection Program established by the CARES Act was designed by Congress to help struggling small businesses and nonprofit organizations by giving them access to low-cost loans for expenses like keeping their employees on payroll during this pandemic. It was not designed to give government funds to politicized, partisan abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. The funds in the program are not unlimited, and were depleted once already because of high demand. Planned Parenthood fraudulently taking tens of millions of dollars that were intended to help keep those small businesses and nonprofit organizations afloat cannot stand and must be addressed.
Last week, I joined 26 Senators in sending a letter to Attorney General Bill Barr urging the Department of Justice to investigate whether dozens of Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country applied for and received loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) despite knowing they were ineligible to apply. I also joined a letter to the Small Business Association calling for further investigation into this matter.
Battling the Opioid Crisis: Bill to Help Veterans Safely Dispose of Unwanted Medication
Last week, I introduced a bill along with Senator Braun to create a safe, anonymous, and continuously available way for veterans to easily dispose of unwanted medications: the VA Directly Returning Opioid Prescriptions, or DROP Act.
The opioid epidemic continues to impact some of our most vulnerable in the veteran community. The DROP Act will ensure veterans have access to a way to safely and anonymously dispose of unused or unwanted medications. As Congress works with our state and local partners to address the opioid crisis, this bill will help prevent opioids from being abused or ending up in the wrong hands.
Constituent Spotlight
Hoosier senior Robert Bates has survived coronavirus at the age of 98. He overcame severe symptoms, becoming one of the few people his age to conquer the virus. Not only did Robert beat coronavirus, he was also one of three individuals from his company who survived the attack on Pearl Harbor 79 years ago.
When asked how he survived the virus, Bates said, “God and the love of my family keep me going every day. Life is a blessing and I still have some living to do!”
I wish him and his family all the best as he continues to make strides in his recovery.
Social Media Recap
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