Support Growing for RESTART Act in Next Coronavirus Relief Package
Last week, dozens of new cosponsors signed on to my RESTART Act, which I am working to secure in the next coronavirus relief package. The RESTART Act will help provide a lifeline for the hardest-hit small and mid-sized businesses.
The Paycheck Protection Program was very successful, but we’re learning that many PPP-eligible small businesses, and other mid-sized businesses that have slipped through cracks, are still struggling to stay open and pay their employees. The RESTART Act would provide a low-interest, partially forgivable, long-term working capital loan to get them through one of the most disruptive economic periods in our history.
Telehealth During the Coronavirus Pandemic
With coronavirus forcing many healthcare providers to rely on telehealth services, this pandemic has transformed the way patients receive care. Last week, I introduced the bipartisan COVID19 Emergency Telehealth Impact Reporting Act of 2020, which would require an analysis of the health outcomes and cost savings as a result of increased use of telehealth services. This information will help us to improve healthcare affordability and access beyond the pandemic. Click here to learn more.
Harnessing Federal Service Programs to Aid Coronavirus Response
I introduced the Volunteers in Contact Tracing or Recovery (VICTORY) Act that would authorize the use federal service programs, like AmeriCorps, in addressing the coronavirus pandemic. During this difficult time, we must harness America’s rich history of vibrant volunteerism. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, we should modernize our federal programs supporting military, national, or public services to adapt to these challenging times. Rather than spending billions of dollars or creating more big-government, my bill focuses on adding flexibility to existing federal programs and increasing volunteer slots in a targeted way to fill coronavirus response needs, including contact tracing.
60th Annual Defense Bill Passes Senate
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is one of the most important pieces of legislation the Senate considers each year. This year’s NDAA supports jobs in the defense workforce, and bolsters innovative research taking place in states like Indiana. It also provides a three percent pay raise for our troops, and establishes a Pacific Deterrence Initiative to deter the continued aggressive behavior emanating from the Chinese Communist Party. By caring for those in uniform, fully funding our defense, and deterring aggression during these unstable times, this NDAA is critical to our national security.
I sponsored an amendment to the NDAA that would preserve a Department of Defense position that is working to enact reforms and helping to save taxpayers billions of dollars. The job is currently held by Lisa Hershman, a Hoosier and the highest-ranking woman in the Department of Defense. Hershman was appointed to the position and confirmed by the Senate in December of 2019 and has already found enormous efficiencies. Now more than ever, federal agencies should be looking for ways to be more efficient with taxpayer money. This position is under attack because Lisa is challenging the status quo. Only in the Washington swamp can saving billions of dollars earn you a pink slip.
As a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and Marine who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I supported this year’s NDAA in order to keep Americans safe amidst threats from coronavirus, Russia, and the Chinese Communist Party. I spoke about the NDAA during a press conference last week. Click here or on the image below to watch my full remarks.
New Proposal to Support Indiana’s Child Care Providers, Families
During the height of coronavirus, 60 percent of child care centers were forced to shut their doors. As Hoosiers begin to return to work, we must make sure our child care providers are supported in order to reopen safely and meet demand. My Back to Work Child Care Grants Act will support the economic recovery of child care facilities so parents can return to work knowing their children are in safe hands. Learn more here.
Landmark Legislation to Compete with China
The Chinese Communist Party has presented the United States with a test unlike any other that we have faced as a country. Their actions challenge our values, our interests, and if able to lead, they will challenge our very way of life. That is why I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the STRATEGIC Act. This legislation represents a critical step forward as we confront Beijing while working to ensure that our universal values, our economy and our alliances are preserved for the next generation and beyond. This bill establishes a comprehensive strategy for U.S. competition with the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
Housing Program Goes in to Effect at HUD
Last week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) officially announced the creation of the Housing Choice Voucher Mobility Demonstration, a new federal program that has proven effective at the local level in breaking generational cycles of poverty. I am proud to have sponsored the legislation that authorized the program. All families deserve the chance to live in communities that best suit their needs, but many live in neighborhoods that perpetuate poverty across generations. This program aims to end this cycle and help families relocate to higher opportunity areas with lower crime, better education, and greater access to jobs, transportation, quality healthcare, and suitable housing.
Time to Upgrade Dated Unemployment Insurance Systems
Millions of Americans have filed claims for unemployment insurance (UI) as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. However, due to the age and rigidity of state UI systems, it took many states at least a month to update their systems and process unemployment benefits. It’s time to upgrade these decades-old UI systems to quickly process benefits, allow for more flexible emergency responses, and enable the data-sharing needed to reduce fraud in the UI program. Learn more about my bill to tackle these issues here.
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