Positioning America to Lead
Last week, I spoke on the Senate Floor about my Endless Frontier Act, bipartisan legislation that will strengthen America’s leadership in scientific and technological innovation and combat China through increased investments in emerging technologies. Until now, we have primarily focused on defensive countermeasures to thwart aggression by the Chinese Communist Party: blocking Huawei, tightening export controls, and improving foreign investment rules. These are important and must remain in place. But if America is to lead the world in the 21st century, it is neither realistic nor practical to build an economic iron curtain around China. We are not in a 20th Century cold war. But we can learn and apply lessons from the Cold War. Just as we did in the 20th Century, we must not simply contain a competitor but instead out-innovate and out-grow them.
To meet these new challenges, we must once again show the entire world the resiliency and dynamism of the American people, American economy, and the American project itself. And to do this, we must not simply advance again towards the Endless Frontier, but accelerate into it. The Endless Frontier Act will provide the rocket fuel for America’s innovators and visionaries.
Click here or on the Image above to watch my full floor speech.
Paycheck Protection Program Helping Businesses Reopen
On Tuesday, during a press conference with Senate Republican Leadership, I discussed the latest jobs report, which shows that the historic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is helping millions of small businesses reopen and remain solvent.
Additionally, I highlighted the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act that extends the forgiveness period for PPP loans from eight weeks to 24 weeks to provide recipients with more time to spend the PPP funds, providing much-needed relief to Hoosier businesses. I proposed a similar measure in my RESTART Act last month.
Click here to watch my full remarks.
Refuge for Hong Kongers Fleeing Chinese Communist Party
I joined my colleagues on a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo encouraging the United States to work with the United Kingdom and Australia to welcome Hong Kongers seeking refuge outside of Beijing’s authoritarian rule after recent actions effectively ended Hong Kong’s autonomy from China.
I stand in solidarity with Hong Kongers as they fight to defend their basic democratic rights and remain free from the oppression that Beijing seeks to impose. While evaluating next steps for a broader response to the evolving situation in Hong Kong, we must recognize the immediate concern that some Hong Kongers are no longer safe living there and are seeking refuge outside of the region. As China becomes increasingly assertive, we must provide an alternative for those who desire to live in a land that shares their democratic values, protects human rights, and upholds the rule of law.
Learn more via The Ripon Advance and Bloomberg News.
Constituent Spotlight
Jim Jarvis, the USS Indianapolis’ oldest survivor, recently passed away at age 98. Mr. Jarvis lived through one of the most harrowing survival stories of World War II. From the torpedo that broke ship into two, to the shark attacks that followed, the USS Indianapolis’s crew optimized those in the Greatest Generation. The crew’s bravery and heroism showed the world what the strength and resiliency of the U.S. Navy.
I wish Mr. Jarvis, and his family, fair winds and following seas.
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