A Message from
Mike: Defending Democracy
On February 24,
Russia’s authoritarian leader Vladimir Putin launched an
unwarranted and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign and
independent nation.
I have taken a number
of actions to counter Russian aggression, including:
- Introducing
legislation to suspend normal trade relations with both
Russia and Belarus, and ban the import of energy products from Russia
(you can read more on my website HERE);
and
- Co-sponsoring
Senator Jim Risch’s Never Yielding Europe’s Territory
(NYET) Act, which will impose additional real costs on Russia
and result in massive economic consequences to Russia’s economy
(you can read more on my website HERE).
Other actions I have
taken to empower and provide Ukraine with the resources it needs to
continue fighting for its freedom include:
-
Co-signing a letter to
President Bidenrequesting he expedite the transfer of MiGs and
other air assets to Ukraine (you can read the full letter on
my website HERE;
and
- The NYET Act
mentioned above also includes monetary support to provide
Ukraine with lethal critical capabilities like air defense, anti-armor
and anti-ship capabilities.
Regaining
Energy Independence
Energy independence is
a matter of national and economic security. As the United States
deters Russia’s aggression by banning energy imports, we must
secure our energy independence by replacing it with American oil and
gas production.
I recently shared a
video message stressing the need for the Administration to end its
attacks on American oil and gas production. Watch the video
below:
Actions I have taken
to promoteAmerican energy independence and ensure energy security for
the United States and its allies include:
-
Co-sponsoring
the American Energy Independence from Russia
Act, which would require the president to submit an
energy security plan and reverse a number of President Biden’s
onerous actions against the American oil and gas
industry;
- Co-sponsoring
the Keystone XL Pipeline Construction and Jobs Preservation
Act, which would authorize the continued construction of
the Keystone XL Pipeline; and
- Co-sponsoring
the Protecting Our Wealth of Energy Resources (POWER)
Act, which would prohibit the president from blocking energy
or mineral leasing and permitting on federal lands and waters without
Congressional approval.
I will continue to
support efforts to bolster American energy independence, deter further
Russian aggression and help Ukraine in its fight against this barbaric
regime.
Addressing
Inflation
Inflation continues to
hit highs not seen in 40 years. Unfortunately, the
Administration’s reckless spending and misguided energy policies
have led to broad-based price spikes, which are eating away at
Americans’ household budgets. While Russian aggression is
sure to push prices even higher, skyrocketing inflation has been more
than a year in the making.
For most Americans,
runaway inflation has outpaced increases in wages, making it more
difficult to afford basic necessities like gas, groceries and
housing.
I recently issued a
column titled, “Congress Must Stop Fueling Inflation
Fire,” which emphasizes the need for Congress to abandon
reckless tax-and-spend proposals that will only add more fuel to the
inflationary fire. You can read the column on my website
HERE.
Providing for
Veterans
Our nation is indebted
to the brave individuals who have served in the Armed Services and
risked their lives to defend our nation. The Senate’s
unanimous passage of the Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans
Act would provide health care and disability compensation to
veterans suffering from exposure to toxic burn pits. Included in
this package is the Toxic
Exposure Training Act, a bill I introduced with U.S.
Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), which would require the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide health care personnel
with improved education and training to identify, treat and assess the
impact of illnesses related to toxic exposures.
I will continue to
lead and support legislative efforts to ensure our country's
courageous veterans have access to the highest quality of care our
medical professionals can provide.
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