U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from all members of the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate as well as the House and Senate leadership and House and Senate committees.
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Sen. Wyden, Rep. Jayapal Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Alternatives to Incarceration for Parents, Caregivers to Keep Families Together, Children Out of Foster Care
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., today reintroduced legislation to create an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents and caregivers and provide them the resources they need so their children can stay safely at home instead of entering the foster care system
The Finding Alternatives to Mass Incarceration: Lives Improved by Ending Separation Act (FAMILIES Act) would allow federal judges to divert parents and caregivers from incarceration
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., today reintroduced legislation to create an alternative to incarceration for eligible parents and caregivers and provide them the resources they need so their children can stay safely at home instead of entering the foster care system
The Finding Alternatives to Mass Incarceration: Lives Improved by Ending Separation Act (FAMILIES Act) would allow federal judges to divert parents and caregivers from incarcerationinto a comprehensive program that would better serve them, their families and society by offering resources, services and training to meet their unique needs. The legislation is modeled after successful programs in Oregon and Washington state that have kept hundreds of families together and been key to reducing recidivism.
"While families thrive together, the American criminal justice system is tearing too many loved ones apart, leaving irrevocable damage in its wake," Wyden said. "Pacific Northwesterners know this truth about the carceral state, and that's why there are successful programs in Oregon and Washington that clearly demonstrate keeping families together helps reduce recidivism rates and rebuild lives. Investing in these kinds of programs nationwide will make communities everywhere safer."
"As we work to urgently reform a broken criminal justice system that disproportionately impacts Black and brown families, we must prioritize policies that deliver humane alternatives to mass incarceration, shrink the world's largest prison population, and strengthen communities," said Congresswoman Jayapal. "Proudly modeled after Washington's successful program that reduced recidivism, the FAMILIES Act establishes a new federal program that diverts parents and caregivers from incarceration while keeping families together and investing in their wellbeing by offering resources, services, and trainings to meet their individual needs."
Joining Wyden in reintroducing the bill in the Senate were U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Ed Markey, D-Mass., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii and Reverand Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. Joining Jayapal in the House were U.S. Reps. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., Gwen Moore, D-Wisc., Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., Adam Smith, D-Wash., David Trone, D-Md., Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., and Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa.
"Every time a family is separated by incarceration, we risk traumatizing vulnerable children," said Merkley. "We must do everything we can--including establishing alternative programs for eligible parents and caregivers--to keep families together. Another benefit of programs like these is that they've shown to lower rates of recidivism, a crucial step forward to help strengthen the safety and well-being of all of our communities. That's a win-win, and I'm urging my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in bringing this commonsense reform to every community across America."
"If someone is convicted of a crime, it should not sentence their child to a life of instability. The FAMILIES Act addresses this issue by allowing kids to stay in their homes and allowing parents to maintain their caretaker roles while completing an alternative sentencing solution. We should be taking steps like those in the FAMILIES Act to lower the rate of recidivism and finally dethrone the United States as the global leader in incarceration of its people," Markey said.
"It's time to end the international embarrassment of the U.S. locking up more people than any other country on Earth. We must finally put an end to mass incarceration and invest in alternatives, like the FAMILIES Act, that keep families together, strengthens communities, and rebuilds lives instead of destroying them," Sanders said.
"Too many children grow up with the emotional scars of missing a parent or caregiver because those loved ones are incarcerated. When appropriate, we should aim to keep families together and offer them the resources they need to thrive," said Durbin. "We should implement alternatives to incarceration in our federal system like the successful, comprehensive programs in Oregon and Washington that unite families and work alongside them to address the cycle of recidivism and underlying needs of our communities."
"Too often, America's criminal justice system separates families, when children and their parents would be better helped by a system that provides humane, effective assistance that includes education, employment services, parenting skills, mental health, and substance abuse services. The FAMILIES Act will keep communities strong by investing in families to reduce recidivism," Hirono said.
The FAMILIES Act establishes a FAMILIES diversion program that includes education, employment services, parenting skills, mental health and substance abuse services. It also addresses basic needs of the individual and their family by connecting them with health care, housing assistance and other potential public benefits.
An eligible individual must be pregnant, a parent of a minor child, a caregiver for a minor child or other minor relative, a caregiver for an individual with disabilities or a caregiver for an elderly family member. When considering eligibility for the FAMILIES program, courts will take into account the individual's significant parental or caregiver responsibilities, their history of justice involvement, the safety of their family and a family impact statement describing the impact that a prison sentence would have on the family of the defendant. Judges will receive training in implementing the FAMILIES program including training on trauma-informed decision making, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse and addiction, and mental health.
A summary of the FAMILIES Act is available here: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/download/families-act-of-2021-bill-text
Legislative text is available here: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/download/families-act-of-2021-one-pager
The Sentencing Project Director of Strategic Initiatives Kara Gotsch: "In the United States the incarceration of mothers and fathers can result in numerous negative outcomes for children, ranging from depression and anxiety to anger and aggression. Initiatives, like the FAMILIES Act, will protect public safety and keep families together by diverting parents from incarceration and providing them the services and programming they need to be successful. The Sentencing Project is pleased to support this critical legislation."
Justice Strategies Director Judy Greene: "The devastating impact of mass incarceration on families requires effectively-tailored approaches that both reduce prison populations and assist children. Parental incarceration can result in negative outcomes for children as they grow into adulthood including mental health problems, school failure and antisocial and delinquent behavior. Washington and Oregon among other states -- are providing a solution. Judges are empowered to allow people charged with criminal offenses who are responsible for care of minor children to avoid imprisonment, instead placing them under community supervision with treatment and services that promote good parenting and healthy child development. The FAMILIES Act will help more states implement this important program saving funds and helping parents, children and their communities thrive."
Isabel Coronado, a child of incarcerated parents, a citizen of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation, and a policy entrepreneur at Next100: "For too long, criminal justice reform has only focused on the incarcerated; we need to focus on the children of the incarcerated who are too often treated as an afterthought. The Families Act does just that. The Families Act is an encouraging example of moving past traditional forms of punishment that inflict years of needless trauma on children, and look to alternatives that keep families together. Through this legislation, we can invest in the next generation and give millions of children the opportunity to thrive despite their parents' conviction."
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt: "Public safety is much more than making arrests and getting convictions. When the criminal justice system separates a mother, father or guardian from a child because of a non-violent offense we are simultaneously handing down a life-altering sentence to the child. We must do everything to prevent irreparable harm to families and to support parents by providing treatment, services and enhanced community supervision. I strongly support the FAMILIES Act and commend U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal for their initiatives on supporting families and protecting and advancing public safety."
Partnership for Safety and Justice (Oregon) Deputy Director Shannon Wight: "The criminal justice system tears families apart when parents and caregivers are incarcerated. Building off local initiatives from Washington and Oregon, the FAMILIES Act is a step in the right direction for the nation. We can prevent this painful and unnecessary practice of separating families and instead provide support to families so they can grow and thrive."
Washington Defender Association Executive Director Christie Hedman: "The Washington Defender Association (WDA) is thrilled to support a federal effort to divert parents from prison. Washington was the first state to implement an alternative sentencing program for parents--allowing parents to remain in the community with their children, recognizing that individuals can be held accountable outside of prisons, and the importance of keeping families together in order to reduce negative impacts on children. It's success led WDA and our community partners to urge legislators to expand eligibility in 2020 so that more parents can participate in this critical program. It is our hope that more states will adopt this option that not only to supports parents and children, but also the long-term well-being of our entire community."
The Insight Alliance Founder and Director Anna Debenham: "The Insight Alliance has championed the FAMILIES Act since we first learned about it. Keeping families together and providing parents with training and resources is essential to strengthening our communities. This legislation is an important step for our country in addressing the devastating impacts mass incarceration has had."
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July 26, 2021
To: The Honorable Dick Durbin, Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee, 711 Hart Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Jerrold Nadler, Chair, House Judiciary Committee, 2138 Rayburn Building, Washington, DC 20515
The Honorable Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member, Senate Judiciary Committee, 135 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
The Honorable Jim Jordan, Ranking Member, House Judiciary Committee, 2142 Rayburn Building, Washington, DC 20515
Dear Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Grassley, Chairman Nadler, and Ranking Member Jordan:
On behalf of the Campaign to Keep Families Together and Our Communities Safe, the undersigned organizations urge you to support the FAMILIES Act, the first federal legislation seeking to create a Parental Diversion Program with collaboration between the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services which is being introduced in the House and Senate on July 21st. The bill will provide programs for education, employment services, parenting skills, mental health and substance abuse services while creating a State grant program and contributing to the research base on these programs.
It is currently time to end unnecessary family separations by the criminal justice system. The United States incarcerates the parents of 2.7 million children at this very moment. Over 10 million children and adult children have experienced parental incarceration in their lifetime.
* Black children are seven times and Latino/a children are two times more likely to have a parent in prison than white youth. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the data for Native children of incarcerated parents is not known nationally, but in Oklahoma, data shows Native children are twice as likely as white children to have incarcerated parents; while in both Dakotas, they are about five times more likely.
* Incarceration of parents creates substantial drops in income for families, increases anxiety, mental health difficulties, and reduces educational achievement for children.
* Incarcerating parents decreases life expectancy by 2.6 years for children according to the Prison Policy Initiative.
Fortunately, we already know how to solve this problem. California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Oregon, and Washington have created successful programs that divert parents from receiving sentences. These programs provide eligible parents with community custody including extensive programming and treatment by providing stability to children, ensure family success, reduce crime, and increase community vibrancy. Washington State's program has a 71% successful completion rate. Only 8% of participants who successfully complete the program return to prison compared to 30% for the overall incarcerated individual population.
There is also momentum at the federal and state levels to support family alternatives to sentencing. For example, President Biden's Plan for Strengthening America's Commitment to Justice includes language to review programs for non-violent incarcerated individuals to serve sentences at home. It acknowledges the impact of incarceration on families and states, "We can and must reduce the number of people incarcerated in this country while also reducing crime," and they intend to, "Expand other effective alternatives to detention." Likewise many conservative criminal justice focused organizations support family preservation. Additionally, bipartisan-supported language funding for a grant program to replicate family-based alternative sentencing pilot programs passed Congress in FY'21 and we are hopeful funding will be increased this year. The program received bipartisan support and support from both progressive and conservative criminal justice organizations.
To that end, we urge you to support the FAMILIES Act and create a new program that helps ensure families receive the support that they need to stay together and help ensure that the community is safer as a result.
See co-signers here: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FAMILIES%20Act%20of%202021%20Stakeholder%20Letter.docx.pdf
Sen. Klobuchar Bill to Rename Wayzata Post Office in Honor of Ex-Rep. Ramstad Passes Senate
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release:
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that her legislation to rename the Wayzata Post Office in honor of former Minnesota Representative Jim Ramstad has passed the Senate. The bill will now head to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.
The legislation is led in the House of Representatives by Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN), who currently holds the seat Representative Ramstad once held. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and John Hoeven (R-ND),
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release:
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that her legislation to rename the Wayzata Post Office in honor of former Minnesota Representative Jim Ramstad has passed the Senate. The bill will now head to President Biden's desk to be signed into law.
The legislation is led in the House of Representatives by Representative Dean Phillips (D-MN), who currently holds the seat Representative Ramstad once held. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Tina Smith (D-MN), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and John Hoeven (R-ND),as Ramstad was born in North Dakota.
"Last year, Minnesota lost a friend and hero - former Representative Jim Ramstad. He was a true mentor to me on how to work with both Democrats and Republicans to get things done," Klobuchar said. "A faithful public servant, his personal struggle with addiction guided his life's work to help those facing substance abuse and mental health challenges. Now that this bill has passed the Senate, we are one step closer to renaming the Wayzata Post Office in Jim's honor and helping Minnesotans remember him for generations to come."
Representative Jim Ramstad served in Congress from 1991 until 2009. He was a Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Health and Trade Subcommittees and Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee. Ramstad also served on the House Small Business Committee and co-chaired the Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus, Medical Technology Caucus, Law Enforcement Caucus and Disabilities Caucus.
Representative Ramstad was co-sponsor of the landmark Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Parity Act which became law in 2008.
Sen. Kaine Announce Small Community Air Service Development Program Grant for Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia, July 28 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), as well as Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both of Virginia, announced the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) has been awarded a $847,646 grant from the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Specifically, this grant will provide funding to expand service at PHF with a new United flight to
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NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia, July 28 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), and Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), as well as Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both of Virginia, announced the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) has been awarded a $847,646 grant from the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Specifically, this grant will provide funding to expand service at PHF with a new United flight toWashington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
"This grant will not only provide vital air service between the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) and Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), but benefit the entire Greater Peninsula area," said Congressman Rob Wittman. "By returning United Airlines to PHF with regular service for the first time since the early 1980's, this grant allows PHF to meet the regions' growing business demands through vital connections to overseas destinations. I am proud to have advocated on behalf of this funding for the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, and look forward to watching as this project improves the economy and quality of life across coastal Virginia."
"Providing an additional direct flight from Newport News/Williamsburg to Washington Dulles Airport is critical to meeting the transit and economic needs of the over 500,000 residents of the Peninsula," said Congresswoman Elaine Luria. "Time after time, I have voiced the importance of investing in our regional infrastructure, and I am proud to have helped secure this victory alongside the Virginia delegation on behalf of Peninsula residents."
"This grant will greatly benefit the Commonwealth by providing regular air service between Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport (PHF) and Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)," said Congressman Bobby Scott. "This will help reduce congestion on our roadways, boost our economy, and provide more connection to overseas destinations. I am thankful for the bipartisan effort to secure this grant funding and look forward to seeing its implementation."
"We are glad to see this vital funding go toward supporting travel throughout the Commonwealth, while also promoting greater economic opportunities for the surrounding areas," said Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.
"The Peninsula Airport Commission and its staff are grateful for the tremendous amount of public and private support our community provided us during the application process," said Michael Giardino, Executive Director of the Peninsula Airport Commission. "We are committed to bringing reliable commercial air service to the Virginia Peninsula."
This grant announcement follows a series of letters sent by Representatives Wittman, Luria, and Scott, as well as Senators Warner and Kaine, to the United States Department of Transportation recommending the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport be awarded this grant from SCASDP. You can find these letters attached to this release.
Sen. Burr Statement on Death of Ex-Sen. Enzi
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, issued the following statement on July 27, 2021:
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Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today released the following statement on the passing of former Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi:
"The news of Mike Enzi's sudden passing is devastating for all of us who served with him in the U.S. Senate. Mike was a true problem solver, working across the aisle to build consensus on issues important to Wyoming and the nation.
"I had the honor of working alongside him to pass pandemic and biodefense preparedness legislation, a priority we both shared as members
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Sen. Richard Burr, R-North Carolina, issued the following statement on July 27, 2021:
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Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today released the following statement on the passing of former Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi:
"The news of Mike Enzi's sudden passing is devastating for all of us who served with him in the U.S. Senate. Mike was a true problem solver, working across the aisle to build consensus on issues important to Wyoming and the nation.
"I had the honor of working alongside him to pass pandemic and biodefense preparedness legislation, a priority we both shared as membersof the Senate HELP Committee.
"Mike served the people of Wyoming with integrity, never wavering from his commitment to his principles, to family, to country, and to God. Brooke and I extend our deepest condolences to Diana and the entire Enzi family."
Reps. McEachin & Langevin, Sen. Duckworth Introduce Legislation to Strengthen the Americans With Disabilities Act & Increase Small Business Accessibility
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-Virginia, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
Reps. A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Jim Langevin (RI-02), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the bicameral Disabled Access Credit Expansion (DACE) Act to provide tax credits for small businesses to update their buildings and websites, helping them comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and increasing access for people with disabilities.
The DACE Act builds upon the existing Disabled Access Credit (DAC), which helps businesses pay for renovations to comply with
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. A. Donald McEachin, D-Virginia, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
Reps. A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Jim Langevin (RI-02), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced the bicameral Disabled Access Credit Expansion (DACE) Act to provide tax credits for small businesses to update their buildings and websites, helping them comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and increasing access for people with disabilities.
The DACE Act builds upon the existing Disabled Access Credit (DAC), which helps businesses pay for renovations to comply withADA standards, by doubling the maximum credit and expanding eligibility by broadening the definition of small business. The bill also invests in programs that mediate ADA-related disputes to avoid additional litigation and help individuals and businesses better understand the ADA.
"No one, including the 61 million Americans living with disabilities, should be denied access to a public space because of who they are," said Rep. McEachin (VA-04). "Our legislation allocates important federal resources to assist small businesses in providing reasonable accommodations while minimizing the risk for increased threats of litigation. I am proud to introduce the bicameral Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act to take meaningful steps to bolster the Americans with Disabilities Act, provide resources to help our nation's small businesses become ADA-compliant, and honor our commitment to fairness and equality for all."
"The ADA was a landmark piece of legislation, yet 31 years after it was signed into law, Americans with disabilities still face substantial barriers throughout the course of everyday life," said Rep. Jim Langevin, co-chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus. "The Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act will help small businesses comply with ADA regulations, so we can continue building a country that is fully accessible for all Americans."
"I'm proud to work with my colleagues on this important legislation to strengthen the ADA and give Americans with disabilities increased opportunity to fully participate in our society," Duckworth said. "This bill will help more small businesses across the country comply with a nearly 30-year-old law that protects the rights of people with disabilities, who have spending power yet are still all too frequently denied access to public spaces."
The bicameral DACE Act aims to improve access for Americans with disabilities while also helping small businesses by:
* Expanding the Disabled Access Credit (DAC): Increasing eligible expenses businesses can write off to $20,500, doubling the maximum credit from $5,000 to $10,125, expanding the definition of small businesses to companies with gross receipts of $2.5 million or less from $1 million or less, and indexing the credit to keep pace with inflation.
* Increasing the Funding for the ADA Mediation Program: Increasing funding for the Department of Justice's (DOJ) ADA Mediation Program to train contracted mediators and increase personnel to help individuals with disabilities and businesses reach a resolution without increased litigation.
* Collecting ADA Information Line Data: Requiring DOJ to provide a report to Congress on the specific types of calls the ADA Information Line receives in order to improve the ways individuals with disabilities and businesses learn about their rights and how facilities can become ADA-compliant.
Read the Disabled Access Credit Expansion Act one-pager (https://mceachin.house.gov/sites/mceachin.house.gov/files/DACE%20Act%20One-Pager%20vF.pdf), full bill text (https://mceachin.house.gov/sites/mceachin.house.gov/files/DACE%20Act%20Bill%20Text%20vF.pdf), and section-by-section summary: https://mceachin.house.gov/sites/mceachin.house.gov/files/DACE%20Act%20SxS.pdf
Reps. DeFazio, Western State Lawmakers Push for More Relief Following Historic Wildfires, Droughts, Heat
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
Congressman Peter A. DeFazio (OR-04) joined a bipartisan, bicameral effort to secure more relief for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture producers in the western United States affected by historic wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat. In a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the lawmakers urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to open relief programs up to more producers that have lost crops and livestock to the ongoing droughts, extreme heat, and wildfires.
In
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Oregon, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
Congressman Peter A. DeFazio (OR-04) joined a bipartisan, bicameral effort to secure more relief for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture producers in the western United States affected by historic wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat. In a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the lawmakers urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to open relief programs up to more producers that have lost crops and livestock to the ongoing droughts, extreme heat, and wildfires.
Inaddition to droughts and wildfires, an extreme heatwave hit the Pacific Northwest in June with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In response, Secretary Vilsack issued several disaster designations, unlocking vital federal resources. However, many of the producers who suffered the greatest heat-related losses were either located in counties not covered by the drought designations, experienced losses not covered by drought assistance programs, or both.
"Although the extent of damages relating to the extreme heat has yet to be fully determined, agricultural producers expect these impacts to be severe," the lawmakers wrote. "We respectfully request USDA explore all potential flexibilities for additional relief within existing programs and identify other options to deliver federal relief to producers in our states so they have the resources to overcome the extreme drought and heat crisis."
Reports across the Pacific Northwest and Western states indicate berry crops, tree fruits, grain and pulse crops, potatoes, hops, dairy products, forage crops, wine grapes, nursery crops, poultry, beef cattle, and general livestock experienced excessive heat impacts to yield and quality. Specific examples of the impact of these extreme weather events include:
* Raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry farmers are reporting widespread losses of 20 to 80 percent of their crops and harm to the canes that will produce next year's crop.
* Cherry growers in the west have so far lost an estimated 20 percent of their overall crop.
* Early modeling for shellfish suggests an estimated 1 billion sea creatures died along the Salish Sea's coastline with reported mortality rates for certain shellfish farmers up to 90 percent.
* For crops including apples and pears, the full extent of losses may not be known until harvest in the fall, or even later if damage manifests in storage.
The letter also encourages USDA to work with Congress to provide technical assistance as lawmakers craft additional authorities and appropriations to address the 2020 and 2021 seasons that include wildfire, drought, and excessive heat-related losses.
The letter is signed by Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Kelly Armstrong (ND-At Large), Cliff Bentz (OR-02), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Liz Cheney (WY-At Large), Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Doris Matsui (CA-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Jerry McNearney (CA-09), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Devin Nunes (CA-22), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Matt Rosendale (MT-At Large), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Mike Simpson (ID-02), Adam Smith (WA-09), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Mike Thompson (CA-05), and Senators Patty Murray (WA), Maria Cantwell (WA), Kevin Cramer (ND), Mike Crapo (ID), Steve Daines (ID), John Hoeven (ND), Jeff Merkley (OR), James E. Risch (ID), Jon Tester (MT), and Ron Wyden (OR).
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July 27, 2021
To: The Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250
Dear Secretary Vilsack:
Thank you for your recent disaster designations for droughts for many counties across the Western states. These designations are vital to helping agricultural producers work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine disaster impacts and apply for federal relief. We also commend your efforts with the formation of the Interagency Working Group between USDA and the U.S. Department of the Interior to address significant droughts in the West for our farmers, ranchers, tribes, and communities impacted by worsening drought conditions.
In addition to ongoing droughts, low soil moisture, and wildfires, an extreme heat wave hit the Pacific Northwest in June, with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, many of the producers who suffered the greatest heat-related losses were either located in counties not covered by the drought designations, experienced losses not covered by drought assistance programs, or both. Additional heat waves are expected to hit the Western and Central states in late July and droughts are predicted to last through October. Due to the severity of the ongoing situation, we believe that additional federal assistance will be needed beyond what can be offered through current USDA drought relief programs. Therefore, in an effort to provide financial and other assistance to these producers, we respectfully request USDA explore all potential flexibilities for additional relief within existing programs and identify other options to deliver federal relief to producers in our states so they have the resources to overcome the extreme drought and heat crisis.
Although the extent of damages relating to the extreme heat has yet to be fully determined, agricultural producers expect these impacts to be severe. Reports across the Pacific Northwest and Western states to date indicate berry crops, tree fruits, grain and pulse crops, potatoes, hops, dairy products, forage crops, wine grapes, nursery crops, poultry, beef cattle, and general livestock experienced excessive heat impacts to yield and quality. Specifically, raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry farmers are reporting widespread losses of 20 to 80 percent of their crops due to excessive heat, and such heat also impacted the canes that will produce next year's crop./1,/ 2 Cherry growers in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Utah have so far lost an estimated 20 percent of their overall crop due to the extreme heat wave./3 In the northern plains, ranchers have been forced to cull significant shares of their herds, over half in some cases, due to a severe shortage of feed. Early modeling for shellfish suggests an estimated 1 billion sea creatures including clams, oysters, mussels, and geoducks died along the Salish Sea's 4,000 miles of coastline during the heat wave, with reported mortality rates for certain shellfish farmers up to 90 percent./4 For crops including apples and pears, the full extent of losses may not be known until harvest in the fall, or even later if damage manifests in storage. As producers continue to assess losses over the next 18 months, it is likely that the total impact of the heat wave will be much higher than current estimates.
In addition, we respectfully invite USDA to work with Congress and provide technical assistance as we craft additional authorities and appropriations to address the 2020 and 2021 seasons that include wildfire, drought, and excessive heat-related losses. We thank you for your continued response to these natural disasters and stand ready to work with you on efforts to provide additional relief to agricultural producers facing wildfire, drought, and heat-related losses.
See co-signers and footnotes here: https://delbene.house.gov/uploadedfiles/wildfires_droughts_heat_wave_letter.pdf
Rep. Owens Introduces the Say No to Indoctrination Act
WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Say No to Indoctrination Act, which prevents the use of federal funds to advance discriminatory concepts informed by Critical Race Theory.
"From the Tulsa Race Massacre to Jim Crow and Juneteenth, young Americans deserve to learn about all significant events in our country's history," said Owens.
"Critical Race Theory, however, teaches students that America is irredeemably racist and intrinsic characteristics like race, color, and national origin define
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WASHINGTON, July 28 -- Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, issued the following news release on July 27, 2021:
Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Say No to Indoctrination Act, which prevents the use of federal funds to advance discriminatory concepts informed by Critical Race Theory.
"From the Tulsa Race Massacre to Jim Crow and Juneteenth, young Americans deserve to learn about all significant events in our country's history," said Owens.
"Critical Race Theory, however, teaches students that America is irredeemably racist and intrinsic characteristics like race, color, and national origin defineyou. As we strive to address injustice, I'm proud to introduce the 'Say No to Indoctrination Act' to keep taxpayer dollars from funding discriminatory practices and divisive worldviews."
Read the full text of the bill here: http://owens.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/owens.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Owens%20Say%20No%20to%20Indoctrination%20Act_xml.pdf
