Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO OF THE FULL EXCHANGE IS AVAILABLE HERE
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today questioned President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy’s career has focused on touting disproven claims about vaccines, and he has a rapidly changing record on abortion rights.
Responding to Kennedy’s statements maligning Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, Sen. Warner said (0:05):
“Well, I have to tell you, for literally hundreds of thousands of Virginians, Medicaid is what prevents them from health crises on a daily and weekly basis. And some imaginary new plan? If there was a new plan, that was to be the basis of what Trump was going to do on repealing Obamacare… I would have thought by now we’d have seen it.”
Sen. Warner’s questions also follow an unlawful directive from President Trump on Monday night to freeze trillions in government grants, loans, and programs. While the action was successfully blocked until Feb. 3 by a federal judge, it could still go into effect at that point, directly threatening countless federal benefits, funding for public schools and community health centers, local domestic violence shelters, firefighters and law enforcement, and much more.
Kennedy’s campaign fundraised off this unlawful directive in an email to supporters, celebrating it as a way to “prevent unelected bureaucrats from further undermining our health freedom.” Kennedy’s unsuccessful presidential campaign is $2 million in debt, and the email was an attempt to garner donations from supporters to cover that shortfall. Questioning Kennedy on these decisions, Sen. Warner said (1:20),
“So the fact that you celebrate this freeze, do you think that was a good idea to put all of this on hold for 90 days, NIH funding, and any kind of further work in your research? I’d like you to explain to a domestic violence center in Richmond that’s saying, because of this freeze, they may have to close down… where are those battered women going to go? Or to a rural nonprofit I’ve got in the Shenandoah Valley saying that freeze is going to potentially shut down their ability to operate…”
Sen. Warner also pushed Kennedy on his pledge to remove 2,200 HHS employees, and asked what departments he might be firing people from. He also touched on President Trump’s questionably legal action to offer all federal employees a “buyout” (2:41):
“Now, you’ve said publicly you want to immediately get rid of 600 workers on job one on day one… When we had our meeting, you said you actually like to get rid of 2,200 people from HHS. Which offices are you going to start cutting and ripping these 2,200 workers from? … When we’re looking at this purge and we’re looking at laying off workers, when we’re looking at potentially the president’s illegal offer to try to buy out federal employees, which I would say to any federal employees, think twice… has this individual in his business role ever fulfilled his contracts or obligations to any workers in the past? … But if you are in this position, will you pledge that you will not fire federal employees who work on food safety, work on trying to prevent things like salmonella?”
While Kennedy refused to answer any specific departments he would protect or fire, Sen. Warner pushed him to see if his determinations on worthy departments would be at his discretion or based on President Trump’s ideas. When Kennedy responded that it would be his choice, Sen. Warner answered (5:09),
“So I guess that means a lot of folks who’ve had any type of views on vaccines will be out of work.”
Sen. Warner went on to question Kennedy about protecting funding for community health centers (5:20) and continue to push him on the federal funding freeze (6:00). His full comments can be watched here.
Kennedy will face additional questioning in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) tomorrow, before the Finance Committee eventually votes on his nomination.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO OF SEN. WARNER’S SPEECH IS AVAILABLE HERE
WASHINGTON – Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today spoke on the Senate floor about the recklessness of President Trump’s attempt to freeze all federal funding.
“President Trump got hired because he promised to bring down prices. None of this is going to bring down grocery prices. None of this is going to bring down consumer prices. None of this is going to make our government more efficient or effective… This is day 10 of the Trump administration. We have chaos on steroids… In the meantime, I implore the administration: get your act together. Don’t put out two separate statements totally contradicting each other. It just makes chaos and stress go up.”
Sen. Warner’s remarks follow an unlawful directive from President Trump on Monday night to freeze trillions in government grants, loans, and programs. The pause directly threatened countless federal benefits, funding for public schools and community health centers, local domestic violence shelters, firefighters and law enforcement, and much more.
On Tuesday evening, a federal judge halted the unlawful order. On Wednesday afternoon, OMB seemingly rescinded the order, before White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt added fuel to the fire with a confusing tweet that implied the freeze was not canceled. The battle, while paused for now, is currently working its way through the federal court system.
Sen. Warner’s full remarks as prepared are below:
Mr. President, I rise to the floor today amid a great deal of confusion.
Two days ago… the Trump administration issued an order to freeze all federal spending.
Earlier today… less than 48 hours later…that order was formally rescinded.
But the story doesn’t end there.
Shortly thereafter, the White House tweeted… that the federal funding freeze remains in place… and will be rigorously implemented.
So I ask… which one is it?
Unfortunately… I’m not the only one asking that question. And I’ve got a list of stressed-out Virginians to prove it.
In Virginia, federal funding supports countless programs that serve children… seniors… community infrastructure needs… and more.
Yesterday alone, my office was flooded with outreach from organizations and local governments.
I heard from firefighters in Southwest Virginia. They’re worried that they won’t be able to replace their tanker truck without the funding that was supposed to head their way.
I heard froman affordable housing organization in Northern Virginia. They’re worried that they will need to cease operations entirely.
I heard from law enforcement in the Valley… and the greater-Richmond area. These localities rely on federal funding to pay the salaries of several police officers.
That’s right… this federal funding freeze will take cops off the streets.
I also heard from a number ofdomestic violence shelters across the Commonwealth. Without funding… they’ll have to leave battered women and children without housing support.
You’ve also got meals for low-income seniors… child care for vulnerable kids… support for teens who have been trafficked… that’s what’s on the chopping block.
As someone who ran a business… as someone who ran the Commonwealth… this is unbelievable.
This is not the way to run the most important enterprise in the world: the American government.
And the truth is: Rescinded or not… these chaotic antics have real consequences.
I know of organizations in Virginia that had to call emergency board meetings yesterday.
I’ve heard from folks who are worried that they’ll have to lay off all their employees. Without federal funding… many organizations simply won’t be able to make payroll.
One Virginian wrote in, saying “the mental and physical damage is already immense.”
It’s not right to toy with people’s lives… or with the resources that keep folks fed… police employed… fire departments stocked… and domestic violence shelters running.
As long as I’m Senator, I’m going to keep fighting back against these antics, which frankly, make the President’s first term look organized.
With that, Mr./Madam President, I yield the floor.
Well, there was a bit of good news yesterday and don’t we all need it? Inflation is down. In fact, some economists are declaring the worst of inflation is behind us. The figures released yesterday have Australia’s underlying inflation rate at around 3.2 per cent. That’s a three‑year low, which is fantastic. And there’s further good news because, with the inflation down, it’s now more than likely that the RBA will offer a rate cut in February. Economists are suggesting that’s what will happen. And joining me on the line now to discuss it is the federal Treasurer, Jim Chalmers. Treasurer, a very good morning to you.
Jim Chalmers:
Good morning to you, Pete. How are you doing?
Fegan:
I’m very well, my friend. Before we get into the facts and figures of inflation and the economy, can I just briefly get your comments on yet another antisemitic attack in Sydney? This is abhorrent behaviour. Look, fingers crossed and touch wood, Treasurer, we haven’t seen a lot of it here in Queensland, but it is absolutely and utterly unacceptable in our society.
Chalmers:
Completely disgraceful, despicable, unacceptable, as you say, and unfortunately not the first time that we’ve seen this. This is why we work so closely with state governments, with the police, with the authorities, because there’s no place in a country like ours for antisemitism or for violence or for these kinds of incidents which have unfortunately become more frequent.
Fegan:
The underlying inflation rate is at 3.2 per cent. It was a great result. So, are you now confident, Treasurer, that economists are saying the RBA will offer some more mortgage relief? Are you confident, as Treasurer of Australia, that we will see that relief in February?
Chalmers:
I try not to make predictions about interest rates because the Reserve Bank will come to their view independently in the middle of February and they’ll announce their decision then. What I try and do is to focus on my part of this. We’ve got the same objective as the Reserve Bank to get this inflation down. We’ve made really quite substantial progress in the fight against inflation now and those numbers showed that. And my part of the job is to get inflation down, get wages up, and keep unemployment low, and on all 3 of those fronts Australians should be really proud of what we’ve been able to achieve together in meeting those objectives.
I know that when your listeners are listening to this, that many, if not most of them are still under a lot of pressure and that’s why we don’t get carried away when we get these great numbers. We know that these cost‑of‑living pressures haven’t disappeared, but they are easing and that’s the encouraging thing about yesterday’s numbers.
Fegan:
If the RBA doesn’t, will you demand that Michele Bullock provide a ‘please explain’ to Australians? I think we all deserve it because it has been so long now since we’ve had a rate cut. And as you mentioned, the cost‑of‑living crisis is hurting all of us, and mortgage holders are really feeling the crunch.
Chalmers:
I acknowledge that one of the big pressures on household budgets has been these higher interest rates. Interest rates haven’t gone up since November of 2023, but they’re still –
Fegan:
They haven’t gone down either.
Chalmers:
– so, they’re putting pressure on people. One of the things that I’m really pleased about, Pete, is one of the changes I made to the Reserve Bank with the support of Governor Michele Bullock – she actually explains every decision. She comes out publicly and makes herself available to explain a decision whether interest rates go up or stay steady or go down. And so, people can expect whatever the decision that they take independently in February, Governor Bullock will make herself available after that to talk people through it.
Fegan:
Treasurer, we’re not far off from an election. I’ve suggested it may be mid‑April. I’m sure you have some idea, but look, everyone’s keeping their cards close to their chest. I understand that. I’ve got a fair bit of –
Chalmers:
I’m not sure if you can hear me, Pete, but I can’t hear you, my friend. My phone is playing up today.
Fegan:
Have you got me there, Treasurer? You still got me. I can hear you. Treasurer, can you hear me?
Chalmers:
I’ve got you now.
Fegan:
Sorry, Treasurer.
Chalmers:
That’s on my end, I apologise.
Fegan:
No, that’s okay. No dramas. Just talking about the election. It’s upcoming. I think we suggest it might be in April sometime. You’re keeping your cards close to your chest. We understand that as Australians. So, that’s what politics is. I’ve got a little bit of feedback here, questions from our listeners to ask you, Treasurer, but I want to ask you this, and I think this is a very, very fair question. Is Australia in a better position than we were 3 years ago under a Labor government? And just hear me out here for a moment because we’re currently experiencing a cost‑of‑living crisis. National debt is at a record high, energy prices are through the roof, as most people have mentioned on the text line this morning. Household living standards for working Australians are down by about 18 per cent. A typical mortgage holder of that $600- and $700-thousand range is paying around $50,000 more in interest. That’s just to name a few so, Treasurer, is Australia in a better position than we were 3 years ago?
Chalmers:
Well, let’s run through each of those, Pete, because I think in running through each of those, you get a good answer. Think about inflation, that when we came to office it was higher than 6 per cent and rising. Now it’s got a 2 in front of it and it’s falling. Similarly with living standards – they were falling fast when we came to office. We’re seeing a recovery in living standards, acknowledging that people have still got a lot of ground to make up in their household budgets. You mentioned energy prices numbers that we got yesterday. Energy’s gone down a little over 25 per cent in the year.
Fegan:
But have our prices gone down, though, Treasurer? I mean, we were offered, we were promised at the election, promised that our energy prices would go down. And I know there has been some relief. I know the state’s offered some relief, but federally, I have to say that you’ve let us down.
Chalmers:
No, we’re offering relief as well, Pete. I think we need to acknowledge that. There’s energy bill relief at the federal level, not just the work of the –
Fegan:
Is that the $275 that’s gone missing, though?
Chalmers:
Three hundred dollars, $300 electricity bill rebate – and because of that, but not just because of that. If you look at yesterday’s numbers, one of the most heartening things is electricity went down I think 25.1 per cent. A lot of that is the rebates that we’re providing federally, but not all of that would have gone down without it. Happy to front up to your listeners and to you this morning, Pete, and say that I know that the cost‑of‑living pressures aren’t over, but what we’ve been able to do together as Australians is get that inflation down and get wages up and keep unemployment low. And that does give me a bit of confidence about the year ahead because a lot of these indicators which you ran through and then I ran through, were much worse in May of 2022 when we came to office. We’ve worked around the clock to try and turn things around, but we know that it’s not yet mission accomplished because so many of your listeners are still under the pump.
Fegan:
Just on some of those listeners, we’ve got some – this is just a fraction of what we’ve got here this morning, Treasurer, but it’s good to have this feedback because a lot of people do want to talk to you. And this is Mark at Park Ridge. He says ‘Hi, Peter. Can you please ask the Treasurer did they lose their plan to lower our electricity bills?’ John at Thornland says, ‘Morning, Peter. A question for the Treasurer. The drop in electricity prices was one of the stated reasons for the drop in rate of inflation, as this was artificially achieved by government’. Another one from Steve. This is just another one. It says, ‘Can you ask the Treasurer and ask him to be honest, no spin. Can he look Australians in the eye and say that we are financially better off under an ALP government?’ I mean, think they’re all very fair questions, Treasurer?
Chalmers:
Yep, yep. And one of the reasons I like coming on is because I like feedback questions. It’s one of the reasons why I perch myself outside the supermarket on a Saturday in my local community so that people can give me feedback in a characteristically blunt and Aussie way. I like that. Yeah, I welcome that. Welcome those questions. And so, if you run through the ones that I can recall from your list on energy –
Fegan:
It’s energy essentially.
Fegan:
Yes, energy bills. We did provide that $300 rebate. That’s the second time we’ve done that. But that’s not the whole reason that electricity prices have come down in that year to December. They would have gone down a bit even without our efforts, but I don’t see that as artificial, Pete. I think helping people with the bills which are putting pressure on family budgets, there’s nothing artificial about that. That’s what we’re doing proudly as a Labor government – helping people take some of the edge off these cost‑of‑living pressures, doing that at the same time as we get inflation down and get the budget in better nick. And so, for all of these reasons, whether it’s the progress we’re making together on inflation or employment or wages, 2 surpluses in the budget, less Liberal debt in the budget, rolling out this cost‑of‑living relief, we found a good combination of ways to deal with these cost‑of‑living pressures.
And I think we saw yesterday the progress that we’re making together, very welcome, very encouraging, but we don’t get carried away because we know, whether it’s people calling into your show or texting into your show or right around Australia that people are still under pressure. That’s why our cost‑of‑living help is so important. And that’s why it would be, I think, important that we remind your listeners that at the election, it’s a choice, really. We have been providing people with cost‑of‑living help and we want to build the future of this country. Our opponents didn’t want to see this cost‑of‑living help. And because of that, if Peter Dutton had his way, people would be thousands of dollars worse off and they’ll be worse off still if he wins and that’s because his nuclear insanity will push electricity prices up, not down.
Fegan:
Treasurer, thank you for your time this morning, and let’s chat before the election.
Welcoming the delivery from tonight of increased speed limits – an ACT coalition commitment – ACT Leader David Seymour says:
“Sensible speed limits are a triumph for common sense and democracy. Instead of being dictated to by a faceless bureaucratic minority, the people are in charge again.
“People often asked me where blanket speed limit reductions came from. Who asked for this, whose idea was it, why don’t my views count? The previous Government’s traffic engineering was thinly disguised social engineering that just made people mad.
“The government’s job is to make life easier, if a road is safe to drive 100, 110, or 120 km/h, people should be allowed to drive that fast. It sounds simple, and it is, but the last Government’s ideological anti-car project made life harder than it needed to be.
“The last government had an anti-car, anti-speed ideology. They didn’t care if they made life less convenient for the vast majority who drive to get around, in fact they seemed to relish slowing people down.
“Driving is important for New Zealanders. It liberates us from our homes and opens up the country for ordinary people to explore and do business. If we want productivity, we should be able to use roads we’ve paid for to their maximum safe capacity.”
We seek applications now, from experienced and adventurous artists for our 2025 park based artist’s residency. The selected artist will live by the sea, in Barr Cottage, Little Huia – an ideal base for exploring the surrounding Waitākere parkland.
The artist in residence will create site-specific art about a habitat, creature, character or feature of the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park. The artist’s residency work will be shared with our park visitors in some way – usually through a performance, event, workshop, exhibition, recording, publication or on-park storyboard.
Artists living within parks 24/7, witness things our visitors often miss. For eight weeks they delve into the nature of a place and get a sense of sites or species of significance. Embedded within a park, they serve as our ears and eyes and draw on what they see and hear to create art which reflects these immersive experiences.
This regional park residency offers a two month stay on the shores of the Manukau Harbour from November-December 2005 and is open to innovative, experienced and professional artists. We welcome proposals from writers, filmmakers, composers, choreographers, sculptors, painters, printmakers and other creatives.
View towards Manakau heads.
Applications close 21 February 2025. More information and documents to guide your application are available here.
Moon and sun prints
Kate van der Drift our 2024 artist enabled us to see ‘her park’, Waitawa, in a new light – with her suite of photos taken by the light of the moon. Some of Kate’s ethereal moonlit photos now grace the gritty façade of Magazine 4 (an old industrial explosives warehouse) at Waitawa Regional Park.
Kate van der Drift our 2024 artist in Residence.
Another tranche of Kate’s residency work, camera-less prints of plants, which harnessed the sun and water as ‘developers’ will be exhibited as part of the Festival of Photography in May 2025. One of Kate’s plant-based prints and interpretation of her experimental process to make it, will stay permanently where it was created – at the bach at Waitawa, for future users of the bach to enjoy.
Over three nights, Kate explored the park in this ethereal moonlight, and some of these photographs are presented here.
To see the range of projects artists have produced and the benefits to both artist and park visitor please visit here.
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress.
“Open season on renters has begun, as this Government for landlords creates more insecurity and pain for renters,” says the Green Party’s Housing spokesperson Tamatha Paul.
“No-cause evictions mean that renters can be removed from their homes without reason, undermining housing stability and perpetuating insecurity. It’s another cruel step which favours landlords and erodes renters’ rights in Aotearoa. There will be many families who will suffer acutely as a result of the uncertainty this creates.
“No-cause evictions have flow-on impacts for children of families who are plunged into housing instability – it undermines their health and education, and compounds mental health problems linked to inadequate housing and unhealthy homes.
“Landlords will be able to kick out renters on a whim – it may be because of the renter’s disability or even the way they dress – but the landlord doesn’t have to provide a reason, it’s open season.
“Housing is a human right, but this Government is treating it like a business. Housing forms the foundation for our communities to thrive, it is something we can afford to provide to everyone.
“The Government has ignored the overwhelming public opposition to this Bill. A massive 97 per cent of submitters on the no clause termination provision opposed it, including 53 per cent of landlords themselves.
“Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home. The Green Party will continue to fight for stronger renters rights, and that includes removing no-cause evictions,” says Tamatha Paul.
Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
BROADCAST-QUALITY VIDEO OF KAINE’S FLOOR SPEECH IS AVAILABLE HERE.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke on the Senate floor to discuss President Trump’s alarming pardon of Ross Ulbricht, the founder of Silk Road, the world’s largest online drug marketplace. Trump pardoned Ulbricht, who was serving life in prison, on his second day in office. In 2015, Ulbricht was convicted on seven counts, including distributing narcotics and conspiring to launder money, for his involvement with Silk Road. Government investigators identified six individuals whose lethal overdoses were caused by drugs purchased on the site, one of whom was 16 years old.
“On Inauguration Day, January 20, President Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border of the United States, and I want to read two sentences from that declaration,” said Kaine. “Hundreds of thousands of Americans have tragically died from drug overdoses because of the illicit narcotics that have flowed across the southern border…As Commander in Chief, I have no more solemn duty than to protect the American people.”
Kaine continued, “Those two sentences are why I was so surprised at an action the President took the next day, January 21, 2025: the pardon of drug kingpin Ross Ulbricht.”
“Mr. Ulbricht launched Silk Road in 2011 and turned it into one of the most popular outposts of the so called Dark Web, a hidden corner of the internet that people can access only through a special browser. Silk Road facilitated over 1.5 million transactions, generating more than $200 million in revenue from the sale of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other drugs,” Kaine said. “At least six deaths were attributed to drugs bought on Silk Road.”
“I just want to raise the obvious question. If illicit narcotics trafficking is sufficient to declare a national emergency, then why, one day later, was it a justifiable, appropriate, laudable use of presidential power to give a pardon to somebody who had set up an online global digital drug trafficking network that had generated $200 million in revenue, 1.5 million transactions of sales of illicit drugs, six overdose deaths of individuals, and other challenges?” Kaine asked.
“I would assert that the pardon of Mr. Ulbricht undercuts the legitimacy of the claim of what Mr. President Trump is worried about is drug trafficking,” Kaine concluded. “…If the only thing that can be done is to put it on the public record so that people can be aware, less than 24 hours after this emergency declaration, this drug trafficker was pardoned, I feel like that’s an important thing that needs to be made visible to the American public.”
It’s a new year and brand-new home for the New England Sickle Cell Institute and Connecticut Bleeding Disorders Center at UConn Health.
CEO Dr. Andy Agwunobi leading a round of applause for Dr. Biree Andemariam on Jan. 29.
The Institute held a large, festive celebratory grand opening and ribbon-cutting for leadership, supporters, and its patient community on January 29.
The newly renovated multi-million-dollar, patient-friendly 12,840 sq. ft. comprehensive care space is located on the fully renovated fourth floor of UConn Health’s Main Building in the Connecticut Tower of UConn John Dempsey Hospital.
Sickle cell and bleeding disorder patients at UConn Health now have a combined Institute as a dedicated place to call home for all their outpatient care needs. The Institute brings the latest innovative care, medications, supportive services, and clinical trials to its patients all in one space that patients can call their home away from home.
“Dedicating a new brick and mortar medical home– a place of healing, a place of nurturing, a place of expertise, a place of guidance, and, honestly, a place of love– will ensure that individuals with sickle cell disease and bleeding disorders will always have a safe place to receive top-notch care into the infinite future—including those not yet born!” shared Dr. Biree Andemariam, founder and longtime director of the Institute at the celebration event attended by over 400 guests including 150 patients and their family members.
Large patient room of New England Sickle Cell Institute and Connecticut Bleeding Disorders Center.
The new space marks a formal beginning of a joint home for the care of individuals with sickle cell disease as well as those with inherited bleeding disorders. Both conditions affect the blood, both are hereditary, both are relatively rare and largely without a lot of doctors and nurses and social workers with experience or comfort in taking care of them. Together, the two programs at UConn Health provide care for patients from all over Connecticut and serve as both a regional and national referral base from physicians across many disciplines, including other hematologists.
The new location has all new equipment such as apheresis technology used for blood transfusions, ultrasound, and EKGs. It has six large patient rooms, ten infusion rooms, and even a large common area for patients and their families to use.
The Institute, founded in 2009, has served the majority of adult sickle cell patients in the state. Part of the renovation project was supported with a $75,000 generous grant from CHEFA. Uniquely, the Institute with the help of UConn Health’s art curator Andre Rochester hand-selected original artwork of artists from across Connecticut to decorate and brighten its new hallway and room spaces. The artists hail from across the state in Hartford, Bloomfield, Bridgeport, New Haven, Wolcott, and beyond. Plus, one Oakland, California artist shared a beautiful terra cotta sculpture.
Dr. Genice Nelson embracing sickle cell patient Lola Odesina on Jan. 29.
“Our new Institute home is absolutely amazing, and the high-quality space definitely matches the high-quality care our patients always receive,” shared the Institute’s Nursing Director Dr. Genice Nelson. “The old hospital space has been completely renovated down to his studs to be a very modern, comfortable, patient-centered, and colorful, warm inviting space for our patients who often spend a great amount of time receiving therapeutic treatments here.”
“We sincerely thank Caryl Ryan, RN, COO of John Dempsey Hospital, Dr. Andy Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health, Dr. Pramod Srivastava, director of the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Bruce T. Liang, dean of the UConn School of Medicine. Without their strong leadership this new, dream home for our Institute would not be possible. Thank you!” says Andemariam.
Andemariam also pays tribute to her former UConn Health mentor Dr. Robert Bona who was a longtime director of the bleeding disorders program: “This year marks the 50th year since the start of UConn Health’s first Hemophilia Center. Without him, the bleeding disorders program would not have continued to thrive for so many decades, and I would not have been able to launch our sickle cell program back in 2009 without his support and encouragement.”
Dr. Biree Andemariam on Jan. 29 hosting the opening of the New England Sickle Cell Institute and Connecticut Bleeding Disorders Center.
UConn Health’s Bleeding Disorders Center is one of the longest-running specialty clinical programs in the institution’s history. In fact, it has long been recognized as a premier center for the care of patients with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders and one of only two adult bleeding disorder programs in the state.
“Biree is the visionary that has made this all possible! I want to thank everyone who has come together to make this Institute possible. The number and excitement of the people here today is a true testament to the work of the Institute,” shared Dr. Andy Agwunobi, CEO of UConn Health, in the full Keller Auditorium.
“This Institute opening is a major milestone for us. Congrats to Dr. Andemariam and all of your team,” shared Dr. Bruce T. Liang, dean of the School of Medicine. “For patients, and future patients, hope is right here, right now at UConn Health.”
In 2009, Andemariam first established at UConn Health the New England Sickle Cell Institute after witnessing first-hand the health care disparities experienced by sickle cell disease patients. The Institute is the first and only dedicated outpatient regional center of its kind for managing the painful inherited red blood cell condition to help adults combat the daily suffering associated with sickle cell disease and improve their overall quality of life.
Waiting room of the New England Sickle Cell Institute and Connecticut Bleeding Disorders Center.
Continued mentorship and support were vital to Andemariam’s ability to develop the world-class Institute, and she credits her chairman and mentor, Dr. Pramod Srivastava, for playing that role, “every single day and every step of the way.” She says, “Most hospital systems don’t have the courage to do what we have done. Dr. Srivastava assured me that we would find a way, and together, we did.”
Andemariam and her team have tirelessly worked to identify more and more sickle cell patients in the surrounding communities to help them better manage their health, reduce their pain symptoms and disease complication risks, and to keep them out of the hospital so they could enjoy their lives more.
The once small program has grown to serve the Institute’s hundreds of patients and has a national referral base. Plus, the Institute’s global collaborations have published evidence-based, best practice guidelines, and the research team is conducting clinical trial testing for promising experimental drugs aimed at reducing the disease’s trademark cell sickling, blood vessel blockages, organ damage, frequent hospitalizations, and premature deaths.
Andemariam concludes, “It was the willingness of UConn Health and School of Medicine leaders, Dr. Agwunobi, Dr. Liang, and Caryl Ryan, who heeded our call to do something extraordinary for the community of individuals with sickle cell disease who had long been abandoned by the medical community.”
Lola Odesina sharing her sickle cell success story at the celebration.
Patient Success
One of the many patient success stories of the Institute include Lola Odesina, 40, of Wethersfield. She was born with the painful, inherited red blood cell disease of sickle cell and has been treated by UConn Health since 2007. As a result of her regular, comprehensive care at the Institute she reports that she is thriving.
“In my adulthood I definitely have hit a stride with my health,” says Odesina. “It has a lot to do with the comprehensive care I have received at the Institute.”
Odesina is a pharmacist. Her career path was inspired by her health experience and to work in the health care world to help other people just like her.
“We are all so very excited for the Institute’s new home and the opportunity for sickle cell patients to be served in an enhanced way, and the greater capacity to serve even more patients,” says Odesina. “It is very reassuring to know people here at UConn Health care and always want to help. The Institute has an amazing supportive team that is always there for us and in anyway.”
Sickle cell patient Lola Odesina celebrating at the Institute’s grand opening. She is thriving thanks to the Institute’s longtime care.
Odesina is a mom of two young children. She is very grateful and credits the Institute’s care team for helping her safely through each of her pregnancy journeys with excellent coordinated care and communication with her maternal care providers.
For blood disorder condition care at the Institute’s Connecticut Bleeding Disorders Center, one of the many grateful patients is Robert Hoyt, 66, of Naugatuck. He has long turned to UConn Health’s expertise for his blood disorder care since 2008.
He was first diagnosed at 9 months old after hitting his head on his baby crib and the bleeding just wouldn’t stop. He has the most severe form of hemophilia called hemophilia A with inhibitor.
“I have the worst of the worst type of hemophilia. I spent half of my first 11 years of life in the hospital. Back then there were no good treatments. But I survived!” he happily shares. “At about 40 years of age I needed a knee replacement, but another center wouldn’t do the operation due to its dangers. So, I went to UConn and Dr. Andemariam and the care team guided me through. It was so successful I had my second knee replaced.”
Robert Hoyt sharing his successes thanks to the longtime care of Dr. Andemariam for his severe form of hemophilia.
Hoyt adds, “Dr. Andemariam is the doctor I have been looking for my whole life. I want to live life to the fullest, to do that you need to take chances. Her and the Institute’s care has allowed me to do that!”
“UConn Health is really on the cutting-edge of helping the bleeding disorder community,” Hoyt concludes. “With today’s medications and technology, life with hemophilia is much easier.”
Hoyt also shared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony other successful health news thanks to the close management of his bleeding disorder condition care by UConn Health’s Andemariam: “I had the first in the nation mitral valve clip repair at Mount Sinai for a hemophilia patient.”
He concluded, “We will see generations of patients succeed at this new clinic.”
Looking to the Future The Institute, in collaboration with the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program directed by Dr. Kapil S. Meleveedu, is working diligently to bring bone marrow transplant offerings to sickle cell patients.
Minister Shevalle T. Kimber, M.Div. sharing her invocation for the new Institute and its sickle cell and bleeding disorder patients.
Also, they are working in earnest to soon bring access to the newly FDA-approved sickle cell gene therapy currently available right now only at a few centers nationwide. They also have several clinical trials open at UConn Health.
Plus, the Institute will continue to train and educate the next generation of health care providers for sickle cell and bleeding disorders.
“We are going to take sickle cell disease treatment to new heights,” shared the Neag Cancer Center’s Dr. Pramod Srivastava with the large crowd of attendees.
The grand-opening event also included a special invocation for the Institute’s new home by the sister of Dr. Genice Nelson. Minister Shevalle T. Kimber, M.Div. shared a special blessing and prayer for all patients of the Institute to continue to thrive in 2025. Kimber is co-pastor of The First Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven and serves as the First Lady of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
“We are filled with gratitude and reverence,” shared Kimber. “We ask for your blessing on the lives these programs will touch. May this be a safe place of healing and hope.”
The doors are open at the New England Sickle Cell Institute and Connecticut Bleeding Disorders Center. It was opened by Dr. Genice Nelson, Caryl Ryan, RN, Dr. Andy Agwunobi, Janel Simpson, Dr. Pramod Srivastava, Dr. Biree Andemariam, and Dr. Bruce T. Liang (UConn Health Photo/Tina Encarnacion).
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid.
“In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says.
“As part of this process, Kāinga Ora specifically excluded woollen carpets from the tender’s scope. While they did so in an effort to be fiscally responsible, unfortunately this meant that suppliers of carpets using New Zealand wool did not have the opportunity to put their best foot forward as a cost-effective option.
“Although flooring choices for Kāinga Ora properties are operational decisions for the agency, I was disappointed to see woollen carpets ruled out unequivocally. The coalition Government is proudly pro-wool. It’s a fantastic fibre, and we support our wool farmers.
“I welcome Kāinga Ora’s decision to go back out to market to seek bids from all carpet suppliers, including woollen carpets. While it remains essential that Kāinga Ora delivers homes as cost-effectively as possible, it’s only fair that wool products are given the chance to compete for government contracts on an equal footing with nylon carpet suppliers.
“There is a commitment under the National-New Zealand First coalition agreement to direct government agencies to prefer wool where practical and appropriate. The Government is currently working through the finer details of this and once decisions have been made there will be more to say.”
“I welcome Kāinga Ora’s decision to change its tender approach. This is a great step toward ensuring wool, a sustainable and high-quality product, is given the fair consideration it deserves. It creates a level playing field, supports the wool industry and honours the coalition agreement,” Mr Patterson says.
“We encourage suppliers of wool carpets to consider participating in Kāinga Ora’s tender process.”
Over 100 Broadcast Cameras plus Extensive Production Equipment and Solutions will Enhance the Fan Experience on Football’s Biggest Day
Sony Corporation Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony, an official technology partner of the NFL, will have more technology than ever capturing this year’s Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles on February 9th in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In total, more than 240 Sony Cameras will be in and around the Caesars Superdome covering your favorite plays, replays, interviews, and celebrations – enhancing the fan engagement experience for the crowd on-site as well as the billions around the world that will watch the game and consume Super Bowl content after it is over. These cameras range from Sony’s professional broadcast models used by FOX Sports, the official broadcaster, to the various Alpha interchangeable lens cameras and E-mount lenses including G Master that The Associated Press and other sideline photographers will be using to create timeless Super Bowl imagery.
“The Super Bowl is not just the biggest game of the year, it is also the biggest production,” says Michael Davies, FOX Sports EVP Field Operations. “Our job is to tell the story of the game, capturing the energy within the stadium and keeping billions of viewers engaged, and Sony is a key tool in reaching that goal.”
Sony’s professional broadcast cameras have covered football’s biggest game for over a decade. This year FOX Sports, together with the production company Game Creek Video will deploy more than 100 cameras on-site for pre-game, in-game and post-game action as well as additional studio shows. FOX will also have Sony BVM reference level monitors on-site used for color gradation to bring the most accurate imagery to fans around the world.
Sony’s cameras will be positioned in each end zone, along both sidelines and in multiple positions throughout the stadium including the “SkyCam” over the field. There will be 14 Sony cameras specifically handling content for streaming.
“The Super Bowl is the most watched event of the year, and delivering an authentic and immersive experience for coaches, players, and fans requires a wide array of advanced technologies” says Gary Brantley, Chief Information Officer of the NFL. “Sony has been instrumental in enhancing the game-day experience with its innovative solutions, and we are proud to have Sony play a key role in making Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans unforgettable.”
“We are proud to play a critical role in Super Bowl LIX, drawing on our decades-long record of imaging innovation and production expertise to ensure that every fan watching on site or at home has the best seat in the house,” says Neal Manowitz, President and COO of Sony Electronics North America.
At Super Bowl LIX, in addition to all the broadcast and production cameras, FOX Sports will use Sony’s HawkREPLAY systems, a remote production and instant replay broadcast solution, to support the overall broadcast experience, and additional Hawk-Eye technology will also be supporting in-game officiating and replay services, as well as the overall production.
On the photography side, Sony has been the exclusive imaging products and support provider for The Associated Press – the definitive source for NFL imagery – since 2020. In total, AP will have 14 photographers and 9 editors on-site at the Super Bowl using Sony equipment to capture and share incredible imagery of the league’s most defining moments. NFL’s in-house photography team “NFL Focus” will also be using a variety of Sony Alpha cameras and lenses to cover the game as well. Sony’s Pro Support team will offer a pro photographer depot on-site to help service and support the professionals working the game, including offering loans of the brand-new flagship Alpha 1 II camera.
Both the Associated Press and the NFL in-house photography are also planning to utilize Sony’s PDT-FP1 transmitter device on-site to deliver photos + videos directly from camera to editors in real-time, streamlining their workflow and resulting in the fastest possible distribution to the public.
Each year the size and scope of the Super Bowl Halftime Show gets larger, including its production elements. For the fifth year in a row, the Funicular Goats will technically produce the Halftime Show and for the fourth straight year, the Goats are choosing the Sony VENICE 2 as their main camera alongside the Sony VENICE Extension System and the Sony BURANO for a total of 14 cameras.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is a challenge unlike any other project we’ve been a part of,” explains James Coker, Head of Engineering and Technical Management at Funicular Goats. “There are less than five minutes to set up and deliver a cinematic concert to millions of people, and the Sony Cinema Line cameras provide the perfect combination of full-frame sensor with broadcast compatibility to work seamlessly within the show’s structure and achieve this challenge.”
Below is a cumulative, high-level outline of all of the Sony cameras and related technologies that that are being used to cover Super Bowl LIX.
FOX Sports
97 Sony HDC Series Broadcast System Cameras
1 Sony FR7 Cinema Line PTZ camera
3 Sony FX6 Cinema Line Cameras
1 Sony Alpha 7 III Mirrorless Camera
1 Sony VENICE 2 Full-frame Digital Cinema Camera
Associated Press
55+ Sony cameras and a variety of lenses
NFL Focus Photography Team
8 Sony cameras and a variety of lenses
Funicular Goals – Super Bowl Halftime Show
13 Sony VENICE 2 Digital Cinema Cameras
1 Sony VENICE Extension System
1 Sony BURANO Digital Cinema Camera (for ASL camera)
Sony Imaging PRO Support
65 Sony Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras
140 Professional Lenses including 14x 600mm, 10x 400mm, 6x 300mm super telephoto lenses
*“Sony”, “SONY” logo and any other product names, service names or logo marks used in this press release are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Group Corporation or its affiliates. Other product names, service names, company names or logo marks are trademarked and copyrighted properties of their respective owners and/or licensors.
The Albanese Government is supporting the growth and development of Adelaide, investing $33 million in two new urban projects that will boost tourism and assist local amenity.
The two projects are funded under the Government’s urban Precincts and Partnerships Program (uPPP) which provides transformative investment in urban precincts that grow economies and support local communities.
Over $26 million will go towards the construction of a new Family Health and Wellbeing Hub in Elizabeth Vale to support residents of Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
The Hub will feature community spaces, education and health services, and short-term residential accommodation for new mothers.
Led by the Women’s & Children’s Hospital Foundation Inc., the project is a community partnership supported by the City of Playford, Flinders University, and the South Australian Government.
Almost $7 million will go towards a new arts and culture facility in Glenside to revitalise the south Adelaide precinct for visitors and locals alike.
The project will deliver a multi-use cultural facility featuring studios and galleries, a First Nations artist residential studio, educational spaces, a native edible garden and a social enterprise café.
Led by the Adelaide Central School of Art, the project is supported by partners including the Ananguku Arts and Cultural Aboriginal Corporation and the South Australian Government.
The urban Precincts and Partnerships Program focuses on a partnership approach, bringing together governments, businesses and communities to deliver multi-purpose urban precincts that unify places.
It is part of the Albanese Government’s plan to boost local economies and support community by investing in the infrastructure it needs to thrive. For more information on the urban Precincts and Partnerships Program, visit: infrastructure.gov.au/urban.
Quotes attributable to Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King:
“The Albanese Government is supporting local jobs, tourism and cultural opportunities in Adelaide, investing in the infrastructure the city needs to thrive.
“Elizabeth Vale’s new Hub will provide equitable access to healthcare and social services whilst promoting sustainable urban development.
“Glenside’s new arts zone will create opportunities for local Adelaide artists to develop and display their works.”
“Our investments are building better urban places for people across South Australia with new community facilities that create new opportunities.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for South Australia Marielle Smith:
“This project will preserve local heritage while supporting our thriving arts scene.
“The native gardens and a social enterprise cafe will provide spaces for artists and visitors to relax and connect with each other.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Spence Matt Burnell:
“The new, Family Health and Wellbeing Hub will provide essential accommodation and supportive services for those that need it most.
“Here in the North, families have been calling for additional support services, especially with the birth of a first child. I am proud to be part of a Labor Government that is delivering on this need.
“Since my election, I have been working tirelessly to improve health outcomes and access to vital services in the North to ensure our community is not left behind.
“This announcement builds on the establishment of an Urgent Care Clinic in Elizabeth, Headspace in Gawler, and a Medicare Mental Health Centre in Elizabeth, on top of our commitment to addressing bulk billing and cost of medicines.”
Allens has advised the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) Real Estate team and QIC’s inhouse legal team on QIC’s circa $900 million sale of Westpoint Shopping Centre in Blacktown, New South Wales, the largest individual retail asset transaction in Australian history.
Australian property investor Haben and US investment manager Hines have partnered to acquire the shopping centre and neighbouring Kmart centre.
At the time of opening in 1973, the complex was one of the biggest in Sydney’s west and now features approximately 104,000 square metres of core retail space, 270 retail stores, co-working facilities and 4378 parking spaces. QIC held the asset for 34 years.
‘It was fantastic to work with the QIC team on this sale, which enabled QIC to realise value for its clients at the perfect time. It demonstrates there is demand for well-managed retail assets in strategic locations like Westpoint,’ said lead partner John Beckinsale.
Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rand Paul (R-KY), Angus King (I-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) reintroduced the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, a bipartisan bill to direct the FDA to implement the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 (FDAMA 2.0), legislation passed by Congress to modernize drug testing protocols and improve patient outcomes.
The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 is a bipartisan effort to reduce unnecessary animal testing while advancing scientific innovation. By fully implementing FDAMA 2.0, drug development can be both more humane and more efficient, ultimately leading to faster and more reliable treatments for patients. An astonishing 90-95% of drugs that pass animal tests go on to fail in human clinical trials, wasting precious time for patients.
“It’s been over two years since Congress ended the statutory mandate that investigational new drugs (INDs) undergo mandatory animal testing before human clinical trials,” said Senator Booker. “We cannot allow the FDA to continue to delay on implementing this critical law. If passed, this bipartisan legislation will require FDA to finally update its regulations and will pave the way for more scientifically reliable and humane methods of drug development.
“The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 is aimed to do exactly what this bipartisan legislation is named to accomplish – modernize the FDA and remove overbearing animal testing mandates and regulations on new drugs. I am thankful for the support of my colleagues in helping to ensure passage, and I look forward to President Trump signing this legislation into law,” said Senator Schmitt.
“The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 builds on the critical reforms we achieved with FDA Modernization Act 2.0, ensuring that modern, humane, and scientifically advanced testing methods can finally replace outdated animal testing. For too long, bureaucratic inertia has delayed the implementation of these changes, which are vital to saving lives, reducing costs, and bringing life-saving treatments to patients more efficiently. This legislation sends a clear message: Americans deserve a regulatory system that embraces innovation, not one stuck in the past,” said Dr. Rand Paul
“The Biden administration had two years to implement the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, but it didn’t act. Congress should send this bill to Pres. Trump’s desk to help protect animals from mandatory testing at the FDA,” said Senator Kennedy.
“Modern technology has led to innovative medical solutions—it’s time we take advantage of them and move on from outdated, unnecessary animal testing. With the FDA Modernization 3.0 Act, we protect animals from often inhumane testing and update our drug testing protocols, paving the way for more accurate and reliable health care treatments,” said Senator Blumenthal.
“Congress has continued to press the FDA to modernize its research and shift away from testing on animals to more humane models that would expedite our drug development. However, there is more work to be done. I am proud to be a part of this bipartisan legislation to advocate for the FDA to abide by the directives Congress has passed into law,” said Senator Marshall.
In 2022, FDAMA 2.0 was signed into law by President Biden. This law removed the longstanding requirement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) that investigational new drugs (INDs) undergo mandatory animal testing before human clinical trials. Instead, the law provided FDA and drug developers the option to use advanced, non-animal methods such as cell-based assays, organ chips, computer modeling, and bioprinting.
Despite FDAMA 2.0 being enacted into law over two years ago, the FDA has yet to update its regulations to conform with the law, leaving numerous FDA regulations that continue to require animal testing. The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 seeks to resolve this by mandating the FDA to update its regulations within twelve months of the bill’s enactment. It also includes a technical correction to the statute by addressing a duplicated section heading.
To read the full text of the bill, click here.
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after the Senate Appropriations Committee fully organized, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) announced his full slate of committee and subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress.
Senator Reed will continue serving on four ‘A’ committees: Armed Services; Appropriations; Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; and the Select Committee on Intelligence. These assignments include two of the three ‘Super A’ Committees: Armed Services and Appropriations.
Senator Reed will serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and as the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), which has jurisdiction over a diverse group of agencies responsible for regulating the financial and telecommunications industries; collecting taxes and providing taxpayer assistance; providing small business assistance; overseeing the White House and judicial branch operations, and the District of Columbia; construction and management of federal buildings; and overseeing the Federal workforce.
With these assignments, Reed is well-positioned to deliver for Rhode Island while overseeing the U.S. Department of Defense and federal spending decisions through the appropriations process.
“These key committee posts help me fix our roads and bridges, strengthen our economy, deliver for Rhode Island, and chart a responsible fiscal path. My new assignment on the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee provides another tool to support small business growth, expand economic opportunity, boost Rhode Island’s broadband connections, and ensure the health and safety of our financial markets,” said Reed. “As Congress grapples with a range of complex challenges, I will do everything in my power to help lower prices for working families and ensure Rhode Islanders’ needs are met. I will continue to be a relentless advocate for our state and focus on the issues that Rhode Islanders care about. And I will promote and uphold the constitutional role of Congress, including Congress’s power of the purse. ”
ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
Senator Reed is the Ranking Member of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), military services operating across the domains of land, sea, air, cyberspace, and space, and all DOD agencies, including their budgets and policies, and national security aspects of nuclear energy. Each year, SASC is tasked with producing and passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
In 2024, under Reed’s leadership as SASC Chairman, Congress passed the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorized $883.7 billion for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the national security programs of the U.S. Department of Energy. The NDAA offers a blueprint to equip, supply, and train U.S. forces; provide for military families; and strengthen oversight of the Defense Department and military programs. The defense industry is a high-tech sector that contributes to Rhode Island’s economic growth, generates good-paying jobs, and has been a resilient segment of the state’s economy. According to the latest Rhode Island data, the defense industry generated over $4.3 billion in annual economic impact for Rhode Island and a total employment share of 6.2 percent of the state’s workforce.
In addition to his leadership on the Armed Services Committee, Reed is also a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which provides him with additional oversight responsibilities in determining how defense dollars are spent.
APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
Senator Reed will continue to serve as Rhode Island’s only member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which controls the funding of the federal government.
Senator Reed is the third most senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. He works tirelessly to direct federal funding to the Ocean State to create jobs, strengthen infrastructure, and support economic and community development initiatives.
Senator Reed will give up his leadership post on the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch in order to help lead the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee.
The FSGG subcommittee drafts the spending plan and oversees annual funding for financial-related agencies including the U.S. Department of Treasury; the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). It is responsible for funding the Executive Office of the President and federal election security initiatives. The panel also has jurisdiction over two dozen key agencies and programs that have a direct impact on Rhode Island, including:
– The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses with outreach and loans and also provides loans following federally-declared disasters.
– The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which helps ensure competition in broad sectors of the economy and helps protect consumers from false advertising and business practices.
– The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has jurisdiction over telecommunications and broadband matters.
– The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), which provides funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas nationwide and to Rhode Island.
– The Federal Election Commission (FEC), with has jurisdiction over federal campaign finance laws.
– The General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal properties in Rhode Island and nationwide.
– The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund which provides hundreds of millions annually to generate economic growth in local communities and provide access to credit and technical assistance to underserved areas.
Additionally, Senator Reed will serve on five other Appropriations Subcommittees: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS); Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H); Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA); and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD).
BANKING, HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS
A champion of affordable housing, consumer protection, and mass-transit, Senator Reed will continue serving as a key member of the Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee, which has broad oversight over our nation’s financial institutions, capital markets, consumer finance, monetary policy, and housing and mass-transit programs.
Senator Reed is the most senior Democratic member of the panel, but Senate rules dictate that members may only serve atop one full committee at a time.
Senator Reed has used his Banking Committee post to author Wall Street reform and consumer protection laws, including his ‘warrants law,’ which forced the return of over $10 billion dollars to taxpayers. He also successfully urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to focus greater attention on climate risk disclosures for public companies. The committee also oversees federal housing policy and authorizes mass-transit investments, and Senator Reed used his role on the committee led to create two affordable housing funds: the Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund.
It was Senator Reed’s leadership on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, coupled with his work on the Appropriations Committee, that earned him a spot as one of twenty members of the bipartisan working group that was tasked with developing the CARES Act (Public Law No. 116-136). Senator Reed was the driving force behind the successful effort to create the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) in the CARES Act and successfully secured a small state minimum of $1.25 billion in the law. Senator Reed continues to play an active role in pushing legislation to direct additional federal funds to states and local governments to help save lives and address the economic impact caused by the pandemic.
As America faces an affordable housing crisis, which worsened during the pandemic, Senator Reed will play a key role in providing relief for renters and homeowners, and helping to revitalize communities by expanding the supply of affordable housing. Reed will also use his seat on this committee to boost mass-transit infrastructure in order to help connect communities and more Americans to jobs and economic opportunity.
Senator Reed will serve on three key Banking subcommittees: Economic Policy; Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection; and Securities, Insurance, and Investment.
INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE
By virtue of his leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Reed is also an ex officio member of the high-profile Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees the U.S. Intelligence Community. As an ex officio member of the panel, Senator Reed regularly participates in open and closed-door briefings and hearings with top intelligence officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the National Security Agency (NSA), but he does not vote in committee.
The Intelligence Committee was established in 1976 to oversee the range of civilian and military agencies and departments that make up the U.S. Intelligence Community, and has wide influence over U.S. national security and foreign policy.
The President of the United States is required by law to ensure that the Intelligence Committee is kept “fully and currently informed” of intelligence activities. As a result, U.S. intelligence agencies must notify the Committee of its activities, including covert actions.
Police in Avondale caught up with two speeding vehicles within minutes of each other during the early hours of this morning.
Just after 2am, officers observed a Toyota Aqua driving at speed along Blockhouse Bay Road.
Auckland City West’s Area Commander, Inspector Alisse Robertson, says Police signalled for the vehicle to stop, however it fled.
“We elected not to pursue and engaged the Police helicopter, to provide commentary as the vehicle continued to travel around Auckland for about 40 minutes.
“The vehicle reached high speeds along the motorway and around surrounding residential areas before it was spiked on Ash Street.”
She says the vehicle then came to a stop and two occupants ran into nearby properties.
“The Police dog unit was able to locate both people quickly, with one receiving a minor dog bite.
“Thankfully no one was seriously hurt”
Two youths, aged 16 and 14, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.
Inspector Robertson says about 30 minutes later officers spotted another vehicle allegedly speeding while travelling on Blockhouse Bay Road.
“Officers attempted to stop the vehicle however it has failed to stop and continued on at speed.
“The vehicle was not pursued and was located by the Police helicopter down a driveway on Eastdale Road where the driver was taken into custody without incident.”
She says the driver was breath tested and allegedly blew 1200mcgs, more than five times the legal limit.
“This sort of driving behaviour is incredibly reckless, and unacceptable”
A 35-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with failing to stop, driving with excess breath alcohol and dangerous driving.
“Up until now, we’ve lacked information on the climate change impact on subantarctic islands,” Drew Bingham, DOC Principal Science Advisor says.
“We knew we had to take a deeper look and identify actions needed to ensure the survival of the taonga species that depend on the islands for their survival.”
The study focuses on 11,300-ha Campbell Island, 740km south of Dunedin. Its terrain is steep, rugged and covered in extensive peat. The highest point is 569m.
“Meteorological observations were made over 83 years, which was an excellent base to start with, and gave us confidence in identifying past trends,” Drew says.
“The pattern we’ve observed is a general increase across all climate indicators related to warmer conditions. This is expected to continue into the future.
“Increases in temperatures, rainfall and wind are projected for Campbell Island. Winter rainfall is expected to be particularly heavy, with a warmer atmosphere storing more water vapour and increasing the severity and intensity of downpours.”
Drew says these climate projections have implications for conservation management on Campbell and other subantarctic islands.
“Extensive rainfall events and slips will potentially have the biggest impact on nesting birds. We’d also like to find out more about how sea level rise and storm surges will affect sea lions.
“Increasing the resilience of the subantarctic islands and keeping them pest-free becomes even more important in the face of climate change, especially given the wealth of biodiversity on many of the islands.
“The project to remove pests from Campbell island’s neighbour, Maukahuka/Auckland Island, is a great example, and will boost the climate change resilience of Auckland Island and by extension, the surrounding Southern Ocean.”
Data from the study shows the following trends and records for Campbell Island’s climate:
An increase in the average daily temperature over the past 83 years.
A decrease in the number of cold days over the past 83 years.
An increase in annual rainfall since 1970 (an additional annual rainfall of 79mm per decade).
The three warmest years and four wettest years on record were after 2011.
Drew says further research is still needed to assess the impact of the projected weather on Campbell Island’s species in more detail.
“This climate report is a good start as we look at ways to help our taonga species on the subantarctic islands adapt to climate change.”
Visit DOC’s website to download the report on the study.
Campbell Island is part of New Zealand’s subantarctic World Heritage Site. It is the most southerly of the five New Zealand subantarctic groups.
Campbell Island is home to six species of albatross, including black-browed, grey-headed, light-mantled sooty and a small population of Gibson’s wandering albatross. Several critically endangered birds including the Campbell Island teal and Campbell Island snipe are found nowhere else. It has around 128 native vascular plants, which include several endemic herbs and grasses.
The island’s rat-free status was confirmed in 2006, following rat eradications in the early 2000s.
The Maukahuka project aims to eradicate feral pigs, feral cats and mice from Auckland Island so the island’s animals and plants can thrive. Visit DOC’s website for more information: Restoring Auckland Island – the Maukahuka project.
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today announced $20.8 million in funding to Western Power for the development of an end-to-end commercial solution focused on operating Distributed Energy Resources (DER) within the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) in Western Australia (WA).
ARENA CEO, Darren Miller said the Project (Jupiter) is vital for integrating DER into the SWIS at scale without compromising the reliability and security of Western Australia’s main power system.
DER are small-scale devices that can either use, generate or store electricity, and form a part of the local distribution system, serving homes and businesses. They include renewable generation (e.g. rooftop solar), energy storage, electric vehicles (EVs), and technology that consumers can use at their premises to manage their electricity demand.
“Australia has some of the highest levels of DER globally, with no signs of slowing down. This uptake presents a big opportunity to decarbonise while helping consumers get more value, but it also poses challenges to the grid if not integrated effectively.
““Project Jupiter will be the first live DER marketplace in Australia that is integrated with the wholesale market, marking an important milestone in Australia’s renewable transition.”
Customers with DER who join the program will have access to new retail products which can support better returns on their DER investments. More broadly, orchestrating a large pool of customers through the energy market can lead to more optimal energy and grid management, putting downward pressure on household energy for all consumers.
Project Jupiter builds on the recently completed Project Symphony, and is being undertaken over three years in partnership with Western Power, WA energy generator and retailer Synergy, Energy Policy WA (EPWA) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
About 40 per cent of households within the SWIS have rooftop solar panels, with around 30,000 new systems installed each year. Household battery systems are also being installed at an increasing rate, which enable clean energy to be stored for later use.
Using the findings and recommendations from Project Symphony, Project Jupiter will not only deliver the technical solutions to allow DER in the SWIS to be coordinated and participate in the market via virtual power plants (VPPs), but it will develop new customer products, tariffs and education programs to support customer participation and allow customers to gain more value from their DER investments.
Western Power Head of Distribution Energy Transition, Andrew Blaver said Project Jupiter will accelerate the opportunity for Western Australian households to join VPPs and earn value from their assets.
“This project will enable more consumers to join VPPs using their solar panels and home batteries, revolutionising how our energy system operates.
“By 2028, all new distributed energy resources (DER) connected to WA’s network will be able to participate in a VPP, allowing households to unlock greater value from their energy investments.”
ARENA has also supported over $200 million of DER projects and established the Distributed Energy Integration Program (DEIP) a collaboration of government agencies, market authorities, industry and consumer associations aimed at maximising the value of customers’ DER for all energy users.
Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that she has been named the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism. Senator Rosen was also named a member of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues; and the Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy.
“I’m grateful for the honor to serve as the leading Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism,” said Senator Rosen. “At a time of unrest throughout the Middle East, U.S. leadership is needed more than ever to support Israel, oppose Iranian aggression, and navigate political transitions in Syria and Lebanon. I look forward to working with Chairman Dave McCormick to tackle these complex challenges and maintain strong, bipartisan support for the US-Israel relationship.”
Senator Rosen has been a strong leader in maintaining U.S. support for Israel and our partners in the Middle East. Following the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, Senator Rosen has repeatedly taken action to ensure Israel receives the unconditional support necessary to defend itself, defeat Hamas, and bring the hostages home. Senator Rosen was also outspoken in pushing her own party to counter Iranian aggression, including by freezing its assets. She sent a bipartisan letter calling on President Biden to leverage the U.S. relationship with Qatar to secure the immediate release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza by Hamas and urged the Administration to designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
Washington (January 29, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today after the Trump administration rescinded a memo from the Office of Management and Budget directing the cut-off federal grants and assistance, while continuing to state that funding was still frozen.
“Trump’s administration isn’t governing—it’s careening from chaos to crisis that it created, leaving people guessing whether life-saving services, school lunches, home heating, health care, and public safety are going to be funded day by day. The collective outrage of literally everyone got them to rescind their latest directive to cut off federal money, but the Trump administration has made clear they intend to proceed with their callously cruel plan of stalling or stopping essential federal funding.
They’ll lie, disregard Congress, and now they’re bypassing the Courts. We’ll need all of our collective engagement to make sure that Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their unelected, unqualified henchmen keep our services going and don’t break the law.”
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
01.29.25
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today received commitments from Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Commerce, to visit Alaska, champion the interests of Alaska’s fishermen and seafood industry, help implement President Trump’s “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” executive order, and work to advance the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. Sen. Sullivan highlighted the serious challenges facing Alaska and America’s fishermen, including the decade-long unfair, non-reciprocal seafood trade relationship between the U.S. and Russia, which was fixed by executive orders Sen. Sullivan secured in 2022 and 2023. Sullivan noted the Commerce Department’s important role in enforcing the comprehensive ban on the import of Russian seafood and advocating for America’s fishing communities.
Sen. Sullivan posed his questions to Mr. Lutnick during his confirmation hearing before the committee.
[embedded content]
Below is a full transcript of Sen. Sullivan’s exchange with Mr. Lutnick.
Sen. Dan Sullivan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Lutnick, congratulations to you and your family. Thank you for that very powerful opening statement. I appreciated our meeting. I’m really enjoying this hearing, all the focus on fish. It’s great. In all seriousness, certain secretaries, most secretaries, in my view, have not embraced their role that they are really important to our fishing community. As you and I talked about, this is really important to my state. Alaska is the superpower of seafood. Over two-thirds of all seafood harvested in America—commercial, subsistence, sport—is harvested in Alaska’s waters. Over two-thirds. So we’re it. We’re the 800-pound gorilla. Tens of thousands of Alaskans are connected to this industry. We are a huge powerhouse in terms of American exports. Mr. Lutnick, the vice president, in his opening statement, called you a “product guy,” a “sales guy,” a “good dude.” That’s a quote from the vice president. Good dude. I want to also maybe give you the title of “Godfather of American Fishermen” or the patron saint of American fishermen…
Howard Lutnick: This is working for me.
DS: …to keep a focus on these communities, on these great Americans—just look at Deadliest Catch and things like that—and to be a leader on focusing on them. That does not always happen. As a matter of fact, it usually hasn’t happened with the Secretaries of Commerce. Can you commit to me on doing that?
HL: Well, I love to fish, and I’m happy to commit to you. The fishermen of the United States of America are one of our great assets. It’s easy for me to promise to take care of them.
DS: Great. Since you love to fish, this next question might be the easiest one you get all day. I need a commitment from you to come to Alaska. You can bring the family.
HL: As long as I can bring my family, we’re coming.
DS: You can go fishing—but to meet these great American fishermen who are my constituents. It’d be great for you to get up there soon to meet them. Can I get your commitment to do that as well?
HL: It’s my pleasure.
DS: Great. Let me mention—we already talked about it: The last four years have been tough on my state. This is a chart I’ve shown all over the place—the Last Frontier Lock Up, we called it. 70 executive orders and actions from the Biden administration singularly focused on shutting down Alaska. 70. Fortunately, this is now a thing of the past. We want to get rid of that. On day one, the President issued this executive order, President Trump. It’s called “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential.” It’s long, right? It’s very detailed. The Secretary of Commerce is mentioned in it. One of the lines in there: “It’s the policy of the United States”—this is from President Trump on day one—”to fully avail itself of Alaska’s vast lands and resources for the benefit of the nation and the American citizens who call Alaska home.” You’re mentioned in this, the Secretary of Commerce. Can I get your commitment to work with me on implementing every aspect of this really great Trump day one executive order?
HL: Yes.
DS: Great. Thank you. You mentioned disrespect for our fishermen. You and I talked about what we’ve been enduring for the last ten years. Russia instituted a ban on any exports of American seafood in 2014, and yet we had open borders essentially for them, for the last ten years, taking market share. Literally the most disrespectful, unfair trading situation I could see anywhere in the world. They were coming after our market share. Our fishermen in America could not export one fish to Russia. I worked really hard to get that changed. We got a ban, and then the Russians start sending their fish to China to essentially create a loophole, then to come into the U.S. We shut that down finally. Can you work with me to make sure we don’t have that incredibly unfair—Russia bans everything and they can import everything here. Ridiculous. Same with China. You’re a sales guy, a products guy. I want you to commit to me to promote American “freedom fish,” Alaska “freedom fish,” and don’t allow “communist fish” from Russia and China coming into our markets. Can you commit…
HL: We’ve got to get rid of those communist fish.
DS: So can I get a commitment on that?
HL: I do.
DS: Excellent. No “communist fish.” Freedom fish is what we want. Finally, Mr. Lutnick, the chairman is going to focus this committee a lot on energy, which I think is great. I know you care about unleashing our extraordinary energy potential. One of the big areas of focus of the Trump day-one EO on unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential is moving forward and finally getting done this massive Alaska LNG project that we’ve been working on for a number of years. We got all of the permits during the Trump administration. Of course, Biden blocked those. This would create thousands of jobs, would revitalize the American steel industry, would—estimates are—would reduce our trade deficit by about $10 billion a year. Can you commit to work with me, the President—who’s very focused on that in his EO, the secretaries of Interior and Energy, and other cabinet officials, including our Asian allies, to make this project a reality, which will be great for the country, great for our workers, great for our trade deficit, and really boost America’s national security?
HL: I can.
DS: Thank you.
Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) discussed the various challenges health care providers and patients in rural America face with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Specifically, Senator Barrasso and Mr. Kennedy discussed the threat of hospital closures and the lack of maternity services in rural and frontier communities. They also talked about the Biden administration’s shortsighted nursing home staffing mandate, which if implemented would result in nursing home closures in Wyoming and across rural America.
Kennedy’s confirmation hearing was held today by the Senate Committee on Finance.
On Challenges Facing Rural Hospitals and Patients:
“Thank you for taking the time to visit with me in my office prior to today’s hearing to talk about a lot of the important issues affecting health care in my home state of Wyoming, as well as the nation. I appreciate your willingness to serve our country.
“During our meeting, we discussed the challenges health care providers and patients are facing in rural America including: financial obstacles facing rural hospitals, workforce shortages, issues with OBGYN, and new regulations that are painful that came out of the Biden administration hurting our ability to provide nursing home staffing.
“Let me start off with rural hospitals and the closures of hospitals like that. There are a lot of challenges facing hospitals in rural communities and frontier areas.
“We have 33 hospitals in Wyoming. Twenty-six are located in various locations often hard to get to or weather impacts them. Six of the hospitals are at risk of closing, two are in immediate risk of closing in the next two years, and 10 have had to cut available services.
“This is a concern of rural hospitals both Republican and Democrat states. It’s bipartisan. It is critical that the financial, workforce challenges that we are facing are addressed.
“Can you commit to working with us on a plan to address this critical nationwide issue in rural healthcare?”
Follow-up on maternity services in rural areas:
“With financial strains on a local hospital, one of the common services to be cut in rural hospitals is maternity services. We have women in Wyoming having to drive over 100 miles to access care.
“Thirteen counties in Wyoming don’t have access to OB. Counties that are larger than the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware.
“Will you commit to working with my office to find solutions to help address these specific maternal health challenges?”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on rural hospitals and maternity services.
On Nursing Home Closures:
“Another issue we specifically spoke about is the harmful Biden administration rule that would have been really bad for our rural nursing homes.
“It is a rule that would triple the registered nurse requirements in nursing homes. There just are not enough registered nurses in our state to be able to comply with this. This would lead to nursing home closures across our state.
“Will you commit to working with me to fix this serious problem that would have been the result of a rule that came out by the Biden administration that clearly doesn’t understand rural America?”
Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on nursing home closures.
Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced that they are accepting applications for federal judicial vacancies in the Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas. These vacancies are located in Dallas, Houston, McAllen, Austin, and Waco. The Senators are also accepting applications for U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal vacancies in the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas.
“As a former judge and Attorney General of Texas, I know firsthand how critical it is for our state to have the best and brightest jurists sitting on the federal bench and working to uphold the rule of law,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I encourage qualified Texans who are interested in serving to submit their applications to our review committee.”
“Selecting lawyers to serve as federal judges is one of the most important duties I have as a U.S. Senator,” said Sen. Cruz. “Texans deserve principled, unwavering leaders who will defend the Constitution, honor the rule of law, and serve with integrity. Texas is home to some of the nation’s most brilliant legal minds, and Senator Cornyn and I will recommend exceptional candidates who embody those strengths.”
Senators Cornyn and Cruz have established the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC), a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas, which reviews applications, interviews candidates, and makes recommendations to the Senators to help fill judicial vacancies.
Application Information:
Sens. Cornyn and Cruz invite qualified candidates to seek appointment by submitting their resumes and completed questionnaires to both lawmakers’ offices. The questionnaire is available here. Completed application packets must be received at the below email addresses no later than March 3, 2025. Email is strongly recommended because of delays due to security procedures involving Congressional mail. Submitted questionnaires for judicial vacancies will be reviewed by the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee, and selected candidates will be invited to interview. Questions regarding applications may also be directed to the contacts listed below.
U.S. Senator John Cornyn
FJEC@cornyn.senate.gov
Attn: Franci Rooney Becker
U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
FJEC@cruz.senate.gov
Attn: Kenneth Lee
Covering period of Thu 30 Jan – Mon 3 Feb – Parts of New Zealand are in for a smattering of rain this weekend, this isn’t to be expected everywhere but cloud will be more widespread. However, MetService will be keeping a close eye on tropical developments around the Coral Sea.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris states; “It’s been a slow start to the tropical cyclone season around the South Pacific, but as we head through the weekend and into next week, we see the potential for a tropical cyclone to spin up. The area of interest is between Vanuatu and Australia, well away from Aotearoa giving us plenty of time to understand where any potential cyclone might track.”
Closer to home, the weather is more mundane. Risk of widespread severe weather is kept to a minimum by a large area of high pressure around our shores. However, a swathe of warm, humid air is producing a bit of rain around central parts of the country today (Thursday). This risk of rain appears to meander around the country over the weekend, but if you keep up with your local forecast you should be able to find a dry time to enjoy the outdoors, or hang the washing out. Finding a nice cloudless afternoon could prove a bit more challenging.
Current weather models forecast the area of high pressure to hold on through the first week of February, including Waitangi Day, but maybe breaking down towards the end of the working week. Temperatures are predicted to be around average for February, which might come as a relief to those along the east coasts who had a chilly run of southerly winds through January. Parts of Canterbury up to Gisborne have been 2°C to 3°C below their historic mean January temperature.
On the other side of the South Island, West Coasters have been warmer and much drier than usual. “Milford Sound has recorded a measly ~120mm of rain, over 500mm less than their average January! Moving north, Nelson Airport has recorded ~130mm, but it looks like Kerikeri was the wettest place this month with just over 200mm recorded,” Ferris said.
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the Hawke’s Bay Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion Project is made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It will result in a doubling in CT scan capacity, a new MRI scanner, and enable cancer specialist cancer treatment with a new Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine at Hawke’s Bay Hospital. This investment will deliver:
Faster cancer treatment – The new MRI and additional CT scanner will increase capacity and reduce wait times for patients needing a scan to diagnose cancer, or assist in a decision to treat, from 5 weeks to 2 weeks. Shorter stays in emergency departments – CT scans required for emergency patients will be able to be performed faster by transferring the cancer and routine work to the additional scanner. This will support much faster flow through the Emergency Department. Shorter wait times for first specialist appointments – The additional scanning capacity will also enable more imaging prior to specialist assessments, making the process faster and more efficient. This will also reduce outsourcing volumes. Shorter wait times for elective treatment – Additional scan capacity will provide faster imaging that supports the decision to treat, making the process faster and more efficient. Easier access to treatment – An estimated 500 fewer people will need to travel outside the province for specialist treatment due to the purchasing of a new LINAC machine.
“As we know, thousands of New Zealanders and their families are affected by cancer every year. Having more access to radiology services in Hawke’s Bay will mean shorter wait times and faster treatments,” Mr Brown says. “This investment will mean a doubling of scanning capacity, with a new CT scanner being able to deliver a further 6,000 – 10,000 scans per year. “The Government also welcomes Health New Zealand’s decision to invest a further $37.2 million project for the provision of a LINAC machine in Hawke’s Bay. “Linear Accelerators are critical to treating cancers using radiation treatment. The new machine will mean a significant improvement in access for Hawke’s Bay residents.“This will be the first publicly available LINAC for the district, meaning people can access radiation treatment closer to home. It’s expected that 500 people per year will be able to avoid having to travel for treatment because of this investment.“Linear Accelerator services will also be future proofed with a second bunker being constructed, so a second LINAC machine can be installed in the future as required.” Enabling works will commence this week on the Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion Project, and will see services expand into the building next door to its current space. Stage 1 of the Radiology Refurbishment and Expansion is expected to be completed by end of 2025, with Stage 2 mid 2027.
After 15 years and 5 elections, I am announcing that I won’t be standing for re‑election as the member for Whitlam.
I want to express my immense gratitude to my community for the faith and trust they have placed in me to be their representative since 2010.
I want to thank the members of the Australian Labor Party, whose values I hold dear and have always attempted to advance in my role as a Member of Parliament, Shadow Minister and Minister.
I want to thank the Prime Minister for his friendship and support over many decades and for the trust he has placed in me to be the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services in his government.
To my family and friends, whose love and support has enabled me to represent our great community with the dedication it deserves, I thank you wholeheartedly.
And to all the staff that have worked with and supported me over the last 15 years, there is a long list of accomplishments we have achieved both for the electorate of Whitlam and in my role as Minister, and I couldn’t have done it without you.
I have had the privilege to see the Illawarra and the Southern Highlands go from strength to strength. Growing up and living most of my life in this beautiful place I have seen many changes. We still mine coal and produce steel – but we are so much more. Our world class university educates and gives opportunity to thousands of locals every year. New suburbs have emerged from farmland, but we have not lost our ability to produce great athletes, artists, minds, and citizens.
Together over 15 years, we have achieved many things. We have connected every home and business to the NBN. We have established a National Disability Insurance Scheme. We are building new infrastructure for new suburbs, and we are restoring Medicare.
I am proud of the role I played in progressing marriage equality and gambling ad reform in my early years. I am also proud of the work we have done to secure the future of our steel industry, to rebuild TAFE and as Assistant Treasurer, fighting scams, protecting workers superannuation, making financial advice more accessible and affordable, and strengthening consumer protections for all Australians.
This great community deserves a representative who will continue to fight for the things that matter. A well‑funded TAFE system, a future for manufacturing, cheaper childcare, restoring Medicare, affordable housing, and better infrastructure for our growing suburbs.
I know Labor will choose a candidate that will do just that.
Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 29, 2025
Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with U.S. Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Angus King (I-ME), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Kennedy (R-LA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) reintroduced the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, a bipartisan bill to direct the FDA to implement the FDA Modernization Act 2.0 (FDAMA 2.0), legislation passed by Congress to modernize drug testing protocols and improve patient outcomes.
The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 is a bipartisan effort to reduce unnecessary animal testing while advancing scientific innovation. By fully implementing FDAMA 2.0, drug development can be both more humane and more efficient, ultimately leading to faster and more reliable treatments for patients. An astonishing 90-95% of drugs that pass animal tests go on to fail in human clinical trials, wasting precious time for patients.
“The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 builds on the critical reforms we achieved with FDA Modernization Act 2.0, ensuring that modern, humane, and scientifically advanced testing methods can finally replace outdated animal testing. For too long, bureaucratic inertia has delayed the implementation of these changes, which are vital to saving lives, reducing costs, and bringing life-saving treatments to patients more efficiently. This legislation sends a clear message: Americans deserve a regulatory system that embraces innovation, not one stuck in the past,” said Dr. Paul.
“It’s been over two years since Congress ended the statutory mandate that investigational new drugs (INDs) undergo mandatory animal testing before human clinical trials,” said Senator Booker. “We cannot allow the FDA to continue to delay on implementing this critical law. If passed, this bipartisan legislation will require FDA to finally update its regulations and will pave the way for more scientifically reliable and humane methods of drug development.
In 2022, FDAMA 2.0 was signed into law by President Biden. This law removed the longstanding requirement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) that investigational new drugs (INDs) undergo mandatory animal testing before human clinical trials. Instead, the law provided FDA and drug developers the option to use advanced, non-animal methods such as cell-based assays, organ chips, computer modeling, and bioprinting.
Despite FDAMA 2.0 being enacted into law over two years ago, the FDA has yet to update its regulations to conform with the law, leaving numerous FDA regulations that continue to require animal testing. The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 seeks to resolve this by mandating the FDA to update its regulations within twelve months of the bill’s enactment. It also includes a technical correction to the statute by addressing a duplicated section heading.
To read the full text of the bill, click HERE.
Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
January 29, 2025
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the serious consequences the Trump Administration’s plan to freeze federal assistance would have on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and medical research. NIH supports more than 400,000 jobs nationwide—jobs focused on conducting vital medical research that leads to new cures and treatments that improve and save lives. Each year, NIH awards nearly $38 billion in research grants to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. They support hundreds of thousands of jobs, generate $92 billion in economic activity, and facilitate life-saving medical research.
On Monday night, President Trump ordered a stop to federal grant funding, including at NIH. Today, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the White House Press Secretary sent out conflicting information related to whether or not the freeze had been rescinded.
Durbin said, “Because of work funded by NIH with taxpayer dollars, people with cancer are living longer and even being cured, HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, and groundbreaking treatments exist to slow the progression of neurological disorders such as ALS and dementia. Chances are, if you or a loved one take any medication, you have NIH to thank—because 99 percent of drugs approved over the past decade benefited from NIH research funding. And, chances are, if you or a loved one ever get sick and are wondering what options exist to save your life, your doctor will suggest a treatment developed with NIH funding.”
“Do you know what the leading causes of death are in the U.S.? The number one cause of death in the United States is heart disease,” Durbin continued. “But there are others. Cancer; unintentional injuries, such as drug overdoses; stroke; respiratory disease; Alzheimer’s; and diabetes. NIH researchers work every day to find breakthroughs to save lives in America from these leading causes of death in the U.S. When you freeze this agency’s work, when you tell your researchers to stay home and not to spend a penny because it can’t be compensated, it means you’re putting a stop to the research that critically is trying to keep us alive. You handicap our nation’s effort to develop new cures and treatments that address the top causes of death.”
Durbin continued, “NIH is considered the world’s leader in biomedical research—providing treatments and cures that other people across the world dream of. President Trump’s proposed freeze on NIH’s work is cruel and will have life or death consequences. If your parent has dementia, you want NIH’s work to continue. If your husband or wife has been diagnosed with glioblastoma, ALS, or Parkinson’s, you need NIH’s work to continue. If you have a child diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer or heart condition—you are desperate for NIH’s work to continue.”
“This should not be a partisan issue,” Durbin concluded. “Over the past decade, Congress has, on a bipartisan basis, increased NIH’s budget by 60 percent because we believe in their work. This federal freeze must not be allowed to take effect. I would hope my Republican colleagues would join me in calling on President Trump to reconsider this harmful policy. Lives depend on it.”
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
January 29, 2025
In his speech on the Senate floor, Durbin recounts the threats posed by insurrectionists who have been released by President Trump’s pardons just nine days ago
WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, rebuked President Trump for his pardon of approximately 1,500 January 6th insurrectionists, several of whom have already been rearrested or are wanted for vile crimes committed prior to January 6, 2021, including soliciting a sexual relationship with a minor. Because of President Trump’s pardons, dangerous individuals, who have recently made extreme statements calling for more violence, are threatening public safety.
Durbin began his remarks by recalling his own experience in the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
“I was in this chair when the mob that you’ve seen on television, in the videos over and over again, were taking control of this Capitol. Presiding over the United States Senate—we were all in our seats—was the Vice President of the United States. We were counting the electoral votes in each state to decide who was the official winner of the presidential election. It was happening right after President Trump had his rally not far from here and told his supporters and demonstrators [to] come up to the Capitol building, which they did in vast numbers,” Durbin began. “They didn’t just come here for a casual visit. They came to break down the doors and break down the windows and to invade this building.”
“The net result is a lot of brave men and women, who were part of the Capitol police force and the D.C. police force, stood in their way and tried to stop them and were beaten back. Over 140 of these officers were seriously injured by the demonstrators and the insurrectionists coming into this building. Several lost their lives. That was the reality of what happened,” Durbin said. “The net result was one of the largest prosecutions in the history of the United States, ultimately hundreds of them paid a price for that violent activity on January 6 and what they did to our police.”
During the siege of the Capitol that day, over 80 U.S. Capitol Police Officers were assaulted, as well as more than 60 officers from the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. As a result of the insurrection, five law enforcement officers died and at least 140 officers were seriously injured.
“The men and women, who were dedicated to their cause, did things that were outrageous in terms of desecrating this building. The United States Capitol Building, a symbol of America, they desecrated it, and they had to be stopped. A lot of brave men and women in uniform risked their lives, some gave their lives as a consequence of it,” Durbin said.
Last week, President Trump, who incited the violence, commuted the sentences of 14 individuals and granted full, complete, and unconditional pardons to approximately 1,500 others convicted of offenses related to the January 6th attack. Many of the perpetrators have shown a stunning lack of remorse following their violent assaults on the brave members of the U.S. Capitol Police and D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department who protected the Capitol that day.
“You would think these men, largely men, who had served time in jail, some of them for lengthy sentences up to 20 years, when they were released with this pardon by President Trump would go about their business and resume a normal, law-abiding life. That was not the fact,” Durbin continued.
Durbin then spoke about the vial crimes of insurrectionists who were released with President Trump’s pardon just nine days ago. At least one of the rioters has already returned to jail while another is wanted for a sex crime involving a minor.
“Matthew Huttle, released by President Trump by pardon, [was] shot and killed by the Indiana State Police earlier this week after a traffic stop when he resisted arrest while in possession of a firearm,” Durbin said. “Daniel Ball has already been rearrested since he was released with the Trump pardon, on gun charges related to past convictions for domestic violence by strangulation and battery against a law enforcement officer.”
“Andrew Taake, assaulted the police at the Capitol with bear spray and a metal whip, [is] now wanted in the State of Texas for soliciting a minor for sex, a felony carrying up to ten years in prison,” said Durbin.
“Enrique Tarrio, the head of the Proud Boys organization, a domestic terrorist group which has been identified for many years. He was convicted of seditious conspiracy on January 6 for his role in planning that riot. Here’s what he said after his release, ‘Success is going to be retribution. Now it’s our turn,’” Durbin continued.
“Stewart Rhodes, the head of the Oath Keepers, another domestic terrorist group, convicted of seditious conspiracy for his role in planning the riot, said after his pardon by Trump and release, ‘The people who did this, they need to feel the heat. They need to be put behind bars and they need to be prosecuted.’ He said January 6 should be remembered as ‘Patriots’ Day’ and said he has no regrets, ‘Because we did the right thing,’” Durbin said.
“Jacob Chansley, the so-called ‘QAnon Shaman’ posted on X after his pardon, ‘NOW I AM GONNA BUY SOME MF GUNS!!!’ and ‘EVERYTHING done in the dark WILL come to light!’”Durbin said.
Durbin concluded his remarks, noting that law enforcement may have to engage with these insurrectionists who violently attacked Capitol Police Officers on January 6, 2021.
“Sadly, for law enforcement officers across the country, they are going to face many of these people again,” Durbin concluded.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.
Earlier this week, Durbin joined more than 40 of his Senate colleagues in introducing a resolution condemning President Trump’s pardons of more than 1,500 individuals who were found guilty of assault Capitol Police Officers on January 6, 2021. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) brought the resolution to the floor, but its passage was blocked by U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, approximately 1,572 defendants have been federally charged with crimes associated with the attack of the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. This includes approximately 598 charged with assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement agents or officers or obstructing those officers during a civil disorder, including approximately 171 defendants charged with using a deadly or dangerous weapon or causing serious bodily injury to an officer. As proven in Court, the weapons used and carried on Capitol grounds during the January 6th attack include firearms; OC spray; tasers; edged weapons, including a sword, axes, hatchets, and knives; and makeshift weapons, such as destroyed office furniture, fencing, bike racks, stolen riot shields, baseball bats, hockey sticks, flagpoles, PVC piping, and reinforced knuckle gloves.
Last week, Durbin delivered a speech on the Senate floor further denouncing President Trump’s decision to pardon the violent insurrectionists.
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Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2
UK Science and Tech Secretary announces renewed push to turbo-charge UK-EU science and technology links, to tackle shared global challenges.
UK Science and Tech Secretary announces renewed push to turbo-charge UK-EU science and technology links, to tackle shared global challenges
Peter Kyle met colleagues in the European Commission, yesterday, to discuss how to strengthen and deepen European science and tech ties
New campaign to drive UK participation in Horizon Europe, and UK joins cutting-edge European research consortia
New plans have been unveiled to make Britain’s science and technology links with the EU stronger and deeper, following a fruitful visit to Brussels by the UK’s Science and Technology Secretary, to meet some of the new slate of European Commissioners.
Today (Thursday 30 January) the government is announcing the launch of a new nationwide advertising campaign to further boost UK participation in Horizon Europe, the world’s largest programme of research collaboration. The UK is also joining 4 European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERICs) to further boost collaborative ties between researchers, across the Channel.
The EU is an innovation powerhouse – spending over €380 billion on R&D in 2023(1) – and fostering deep and high-quality links between the continent’s brightest minds, and the UK’s, will be critical if we are to seize the promise for science and tech innovations to support the Government’s Missions to grow the economy, fix the NHS and improve health outcomes and deliver clean energy under the Plan for Change. As the plan sets out, promoting innovation and world-class research will be foundational to rebuilding the foundations of the economy, and kickstarting growth.
The recent AI Opportunities Action Plan – this government’s plan to unleash AI to deliver a decade of national renewal – also highlighted how close cooperation with our European allies on the latest technologies will be critical to our shared prosperity and wellbeing. An example of this is the UK’s involvement in the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, which is developing a world-class supercomputing infrastructure across the European continent.
Peter Kyle’s visit saw him hold high-level talks with Commissoners Zaharieva, Kubilius, and McGrath, to discuss how the UK and the EU can tackle some of the biggest problems facing the world, and grow our economies, by working together to seize the enormous potential of science and tech breakthroughs from AI to life sciences.
UK Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:
There is no question about it: we stand our best chance of tackling the great challenges of our era, from climate change to public health, to growing economies that work for everyone, by bringing the brightest minds from across the UK and the European Union, together.
The UK is determined to give our researchers, innovators and businesses the opportunities and platforms they need to bring their great ideas to life, to the benefit of us all – all of which is highlighted by our new Horizon ad campaign. I’m pleased to have had such fruitful conversations with my European friends and colleagues, on taking this vital partnership even further.
Recent, initial signs suggest UK association to Horizon is trending in the right direction. For instance, in the latest ERC Synergy Grants, in which the UK hosted 18 projects – the second highest number. But the government is determined to go even further to help our innovators seize this opportunity.
The advertising campaign will bring the potential benefits of Horizon participation to life by shining a light on examples of businesses and researchers, right across the UK, who have benefited from funding. That includes Nova Innovation, a company developing turbines for the tidal energy industry, and Electra Commercial vehicles, who are developing electric trucks that can go further without needing to recharge.
It is part of comprehensive action to support the effective uptake of opportunities in Horizon Europe, including events, financial and networking support. The roadshow events across the country have offered insights into bidding and networking opportunities, while Pump Priming grants, in collaboration with the British Academy and Innovate UK, are designed to support the establishment of consortia and development of high-quality applications.
There are further plans to help British business people and researchers network with potential European R&D partners, as Innovate UK will take UK delegations to Italy, Germany and Spain for a series of Horizon Europe Brokerage events. These events will also help those involved work on how to build the best possible bids for Horizon funding together with their overseas colleagues.
The 4 European Research Infrastructure Consortia the UK is joining are:
These partnerships will enable UK researchers to collaborate on projects ranging from historical research, to astronomy, to advanced river systems studies.
Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)
Padilla, Colleagues Call on Secretary Rubio to Immediately Restore Refugee Resettlement Services
Letter Calls on State Department to Restart Program Providing Basic Services to Refugees, Including Afghan Allies Who Supported U.S. Troops
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, and Border Safety, Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, urged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately restore vital services for refugees already resettled in the United States. The letter comes after the State Department abruptly halted services for refugees last week, despite the fact that resettlement agencies are vital in helping refugees settle into their new homes and contribute to the U.S. economy and to their communities.
“This unprecedented order threatens to deprive refugees already in the United States of the vital assistance known as Reception and Placement (R&P) services, which help them during their first three months in the United States as they rebuild their lives here,” wrote the lawmakers.
“We also call on you to do everything in your power to swiftly resume refugee processing and admissions—and restore this life-saving humanitarian program that advances U.S. security, foreign policy work, and diplomatic interests,” continued the lawmakers.
Since the start of Fiscal Year 2025, more than 32,000 refugees have arrived through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), thousands of whom remain eligible for R&P services. These refugees were forced to flee their home countries to escape war or persecution and were deemed eligible to resettle in the United States after undergoing thorough vetting. These services also provide temporary assistance to the approximately 10,000 Afghan nationals who are in the United States on Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), which they received after risking their lives to assist U.S. troops and U.S. government efforts in Afghanistan. These SIVs also remain eligible for such benefits.
The stop work orders undermine legal obligations that the State Department has entered into through its contracts with U.S.-based and intergovernmental organizations, increasing newly arrived refugees’ vulnerability to homelessness and food insecurity at a time when they still have no lifeline for support. The R&P program covers basic needs like rent, food, and clothes in the first few months after arrival, providing core services for refugees who often resettle with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Suspending R&P services causes undue, unnecessary suffering and hardship, while breaking a promise the United States made to refugees and Afghan allies after approving them for resettlement in America.
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
Dear Secretary Rubio:
Congratulations on your confirmation and extraordinary new position.
We write as the Ranking Members of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees and Immigration Subcommittees. We urge you to immediately revoke the stop work orders that the Department issued on January 24, 2025, to the 10 national resettlement agencies that provide services to refugees who were forced to flee their home countries in order to escape war or persecution and were deemed eligible to resettle in the United States after undergoing thorough vetting. This unprecedented order threatens to deprive refugees already in the United States of the vital assistance known as Reception and Placement (R&P) services, which help them during their first three months in the United States as they rebuild their lives here.
More than 32,000 refugees have arrived through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) to the United States since the start of FY 2025, thousands of whom remain eligible for R&P services. This is on top of the approximately 10,000 Afghan nationals who are in the U.S. on Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), which they received after risking their lives to assist U.S. troops and U.S. government efforts in Afghanistan; these SIVs also remain eligible for such benefits.
The stop work orders undermine legal obligations that the Department has entered into through its contracts with U.S.-based and intergovernmental organizations, increasing new arrivals’ vulnerability to homelessness and food insecurity at a time when they still have no lifeline for support. The R&P program covers basic needs like rent, food, clothes, and furnishing in the first few months after arrival, providing core services for refugees who often resettle with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. Barring R&P services, including Virtual R&P available to self-traveling SIVs, will cause undue and unnecessary suffering and hardship, breaking a promise we made to the refugees and SIVs when we approved them for resettlement in America.
Furthermore, the stop work orders are purportedly being issued as part of the Administration’s 90-day moratorium on “foreign development assistance.” But the R&P program is not “foreign development assistance” by any stretch of the imagination. R&P dollars are spent on refugees in the United States, to facilitate their entry and assimilation into our country. By accessing the minimal but critical support services offered through the R&P program, refugees build a foundation for a successful new life in America.
These actions are particularly troubling given your previous support for the refugee program. In August 2019, you joined a letter addressed to the Trump Administration in strong support of the refugee resettlement program. You also led the World Refugee Day Resolution in 2015. In support of the World Refugee Day Resolution, you stated: “Recent conflicts and persecution, especially religious persecution, have resulted in the largest number of displaced persons since World War II. The U.S. must continue to lead on this issue and work to ensure that refugees who flee war, torture and persecution are provided safe environments to live and thrive in.”
These harmful stop work orders follow the President’s Executive Order on “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” suspending the USRAP and grinding refugee processing and admissions to a halt, effective January 27, 2025. Beyond its powerful humanitarian logic, the U.S. resettlement program is a vital tool for advancing U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic interests. The sudden suspension of activities related to the program 24 hours later, even before the Executive Order’s effective date, threatens global security and countless lives.
During your confirmation hearing, you said: “Every dollar we spend, every program we fund and every policy we pursue must be justified with the answer to three simple questions: Does it make America safer? Does it make America stronger? Does it make America more prosperous?” Unequivocally, the U.S. resettlement program does all three. Welcoming refugees and newcomers makes America safer and stronger. The United States has welcomed refugees, including Albert Einstein, Madeleine Albright, Gloria Estefan, Sergey Brin, and Wyclef Jean, among many others, who enrich who we are as a nation. A record number of community supporters have worked alongside resettlement agencies to welcome, sponsor, and support refugees and Afghan SIVs upon their arrival to the United States. The federal government found that over a 15-year period, refugees and asylees contributed over $123 billion to the U.S. economy, including a $31.5 billion net benefit to the federal government. Our assistance to refugees strengthens America.
Therefore, we urge you to reverse course by excluding or granting a waiver to the R&P program from the definition of “foreign development assistance,” as used in the President’s Executive Order on “Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid,” revoking the stop work orders, and permitting a resumption in R&P services for all eligible populations, including refugees and certain SIVs.
We also call on you to do everything in your power to swiftly resume refugee processing and admissions—and restore this life-saving humanitarian program that advances U.S. security, foreign policy work, and diplomatic interests.
Sincerely,