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Thank you, Dan Coats
Yesterday, news broke that former Indiana Senator Dan Coats is departing his role as Director of National Intelligence. Throughout his many years of service in both the House and Senate, as U.S. Ambassador to Germany, and as Director of National Intelligence, Dan Coats has made Indiana proud. America is better and more secure thanks to his tireless service. On behalf of all Hoosiers, I thank Director Coats for his devotion to duty.
Mobile Office Hours
Hoosiers in Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Madison, and Marion counties: A member of my staff will hold mobile office hours in your area this week to hear about issues that are important to your communities and help with federal agencies. Details below.
Cap Federal Spending, Balance the Budget
As a father of four young children, one of my greatest concerns is our nation’s skyrocketing debt being passed down to the next generation. Last week, I helped introduce the Maximizing America’s Prosperity (MAP) Act with Senator Braun and Congressman Brady to mitigate our federal government’s out of control spending problem. We must get our fiscal house in order and rein in the true drivers of our debt. The MAP Act is a commonsense solution to help get us on the right track. Learn more here.
A Call for USDA Disaster Designation
Hoosier farmers in 88 counties are facing damages and losses due to adverse weather. That’s why I led a letter to the USDA last week in support of the state’s request for a disaster designation, and was joined by every member of the Indiana Delegation. With planting progress stunted due to rainy conditions this spring, I will not stop working to provide solutions for farmers. I was glad to catch up the Indiana Soybean Alliance this week to discuss this and other important issues for Hoosier farmers.
Improving Long-Term Recovery in Disaster-Struck Areas
During natural disasters, many people get displaced, creating the need for the federal government to provide relief housing. However, often time the funding lags and burdensome requirements prevent communities from quickly getting the resources they need. This is why I helped introduce the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act of 2019 to streamline, reform, and inject greater fiscal responsibility into disaster recovery.
Reauthorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
I was proud to cast my vote for our 9/11 first responders last week. In the years since September 11, 2001, thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors have become ill and many have lost their lives from exposure to toxins at Ground Zero. I was honored to help pass this legislation and will continue to support these American heroes and their families.
WIBC covers the story here.
Op-Ed: Reform Organ Donation to Save Lives
1,300 Hoosiers are currently in need of a transplant that may never come. Because the organ transplant system is so complex, most people don’t know how it works, or if patients are being protected. This issue is personal for me. My friend and fellow Marine, Dave ‘Gunny’ McFarland from Jeffersonville, died because his heart transplant never came.
Last week, I wrote an op-ed for The Hill outlining why the system is broken and how we’re going to fix it. Read it here.
AUMF Hearing in Foreign Relations Committee
As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, I called for a hearing to examine the role of Congress in Authorizing the Use of Military Force (AUMF). I have become increasingly concerned about Congress’s decreasing role in war powers and handing over our Constitutional obligations to the Executive Branch. With my urging, I was pleased to see this important issue discussed in the Committee last week.
Honoring Indiana Rangers on 50th Anniversary of Return Home
50 years ago, our brave Indiana Rangers returned home from Vietnam. I was proud to join the Indiana Delegation in introducing legislation to honor these Hoosier heroes who served our nation in one of America’s most treacherous wars. Tristate Homepage covers the story here.
Week in Review
For a photo recap of last week, click here.
Social Media Recap
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