Press Releases | Page 3 | Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

ICYMI: RVIA: Congresswoman Walorski On The Importance Of The Great American Outdoors Act Ahead Of Next Week’s Vote By The House

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) this week authored a guest post for the RV Industry Association on the Great American Outdoors Act. The House is expected to vote next week on this bipartisan legislation to support RV manufacturers and workers, promote conservation, and revitalize our national parks.

RV Industry Association
Congresswoman Walorski On The Importance Of The Great American Outdoors Act Ahead Of Next Week’s Vote By The House
By Congresswoman Jackie Walorski
July 15, 2020

For generations, our nation’s public lands have been treasured sources of respite, enjoyment, and beauty available to every American. The great outdoors also plays a critical role in our economy, with the $778 billion outdoor recreation industry supporting 5.2 million American jobs.

In northern Indiana, we know that better than most: 80 percent of the nation’s RVs are produced here. It’s why Elkhart, which I represent in Congress, is proud to be known as the “RV Capital of the World.”

… Next week, the House will consider the Great American Outdoors Act, which recently passed the Senate. This legislation will support RV manufacturers and workers, promote conservation, and revitalize our national parks – such as the Indiana Dunes, which last year became Indiana’s first national park.

By investing in long-delayed maintenance projects, the bill will modernize aging infrastructure across our public lands. By permanently funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, it will protect our nation’s most precious natural resources. And by enhancing access to our nation’s public lands, the Great American Outdoors Act will further drive outdoor tourism and recreation, boosting this vital industry and supporting the jobs of countless hardworking Americans.

The full post can be found here.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski, Peterson Introduce Bill to Extend China Tariff Exclusions

Measure Would Grant U.S. Businesses One-Year Renewal of Existing Product Exclusions from Section 301 Tariffs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) today introduced bipartisan legislation to provide American businesses another year of relief from Section 301 tariffs by extending product exclusions currently in effect.

“China has a long record of unfair trade practices, and we need to continue holding them accountable while at the same time protecting American farmers, manufacturers, workers, and families,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “The product exclusion process has brought much-needed relief to those paying the cost of tariffs, but many U.S. companies will face serious economic harm if their exclusions are not renewed before they expire. Extending these exclusions for another year is a commonsense way to provide businesses with the long-term certainty they need, especially during the coronavirus crisis.”

“Minnesota manufacturers have been weathering all sorts of disruptions to their business over the past year,” Congressman Peterson said. “We need to do all we can to offer them some flexibility to stay competitive with foreign manufacturers. This effort to extend China tariff exclusions will put manufacturers in a better position to continue to recover and rebuild by extending needed tariff relief.”

BACKGROUND

H.R. 7665 would extend for one year any Section 301 tariff product exclusions currently in effect, unless the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) finds the product is strategically important or related to “Made in China 2025” or other Chinese industrial programs and extending the exclusion would cause severe harm to the United States. In such cases, USTR would be required to provide detailed justification of the determination.

The bill text is available here.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski Bill to Boost Made-in-America PPE Included in Bipartisan Legislation to Overhaul National Stockpile

Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act Would Boost Domestic Manufacturing of Critical Medical Supplies

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today announced she is an original cosponsor of the bipartisan Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act, which aims to boost domestic manufacturing of critical medical supplies and make much-needed improvements to the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The legislative package includes Walorski’s bill to strengthen domestic supply chains for personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Health care workers on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus risk their lives to care for patients and protect our communities,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “This bipartisan legislation is a major step toward ensuring they have access to the personal protective equipment they need to keep themselves and others safe. It also includes my bill with Congresswoman Dingell to modernize the Strategic National Stockpile and strengthen domestic manufacturing of PPE so our country is better prepared for the next public health crisis.”

“The coronavirus crisis has shined a light on cracks in our society and economic foundations,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.). “Cracks in the supply chain and decades of weakening domestic manufacturing left us unable to respond in a quick and efficient manner. We must address issues with the Strategic National Stockpile. My bipartisan legislation will enhance medical supply chain manufacturing domestically and improve our national security.”

BACKGROUND

The Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act combines several bipartisan bills previously introduced to spur domestic manufacturing and strengthen the stockpile, a repository of critical supplies and medicines maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to respond to public health emergencies.

The legislation includes the Medical Supplies for Pandemics Act, which Walorski and Dingell introduced in April. Their bill would enhance medical supply chain elasticity, improve the domestic production of PPE, and partner with industry to refresh and replenish existing stocks of medical supplies.

If enacted, the Strengthening America’s Strategic National Stockpile Act would:

Make sure stockpile items are in good working order and ready to use if and when a crisis hits. Will ensure items in the stockpile are in good working order and aren’t expired by requiring regular maintenance.
Increase manufacturing of critical supplies in America. Will boost domestic production of critical supplies by establishing a $500 million pilot program to diversify sources of personal protective equipment and partnering with industry to replenish existing stocks.
Improve stockpile financial security and reduce waste by allowing the transfer of stockpile items nearing their expiration dates to other federal agencies.
Bring transparency to past stockpile allocations. Will require the administration to report to Congress on all state, local, tribal and territorial requests for stockpile supplies during the pandemic and the response to each request.
Bring transparency to process for stockpile allocations. Will require development of improved, transparent processes for distribution of goods from the stockpile and provide the states with clear, transparent guidelines on how to request distributions from the stockpile.
Take steps to return money to taxpayers when companies profit off of SNS products. Will explore the possibility of further strengthening the stockpile financially by requiring a Government Accountability Office study on implementing a user fee to reimburse the stockpile for items such as antitoxins, for which it is the sole provider and for which health care providers or others may charge patients.
Support states’ readiness in a public health emergency. Will establish a pilot program to support state efforts to expand and maintain their own stockpiles.
Put more resources behind the SNS. This legislation will also provide increased resources for the stockpile by raising annual authorized funding for its operations from $610 million to $705 million for fiscal years 2020 through 2023.

Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), Earl L. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), David McKinley (R-W.V.), G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Tom Malinowski (D-N.J.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Kim Schier (D-Wash.), Greg Gianforte (R-Mont.), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), and Michael Burgess (R-Texas) are original co-sponsors on the bill.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski Introduces Bill to Help Working Families Access Child Care

Would Allow Parents to Contribute More to Dependent Care FSA for Child Care Expenses, Roll Over Unused Funds

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today announced the introduction of legislation to provide working families more flexibility to pay for child care by allowing parents to contribute more to their employer-sponsored dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) and roll over remaining funds to the following year.

“Hoosier workers and families are facing unprecedented challenges amid the coronavirus pandemic, and access to child care is among parents’ biggest concerns,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “As we work to safely reopen and rebuild our economy, we need to find commonsense solutions that empower working families and help them thrive. Giving parents more flexibility to save their hard-earned money for critical child care expenses will make it easier for them to navigate these uncertain times.”

BACKGROUND

H.R. 7436, the Working Families Childcare Access Act, would allow parents to contribute up to $15,000 per year to their employer-sponsored dependent care FSA. It would also allow any funds remaining at the end of the year to be rolled over to the following year without penalty.

A dependent care FSA is a cafeteria plan benefit that allows pretax dollars to be used to pay for dependent care services. Eligible expenses include preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or adult daycare. Currently, annual contributions are limited to $5,000, and any unused funds are forfeited at the end of the year.

Congresswoman Walorski, the top Republican on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, recently spoke at a subcommittee hearing about the importance of access to affordable, high-quality child care for working families as America’s economy safely reopens. More information on the hearing, including video of Walorski’s opening statement, is available here.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski Statement on USMCA Entry Into Force

Deal to Modernize North American Trade Dismantles Barriers for Manufacturers and Farmers, Levels Playing Field for American Workers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) entered into force:

“America is facing unprecedented challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic, but our nation is resilient and our economy is safely reopening. With USMCA entering into force today, we are now in an even better position to recover and rebuild. President Trump’s deal to modernize North American trade will dismantle barriers for Hoosier manufacturers and farmers, level the playing field for our workers, and expand markets for made-in-America exports. This is a major victory for the American people.”

BACKGROUND

USMCA replaces the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with a modernized, improved set of rules for trade with Canada and Mexico. The new agreement:

Includes a new chapter on digital trade that sets a global standard to ensure American innovators and e-commerce businesses can compete fairly;
Expands exports of agricultural commodities, including soybeans, corn, and pork;
Opens access to the Canadian market for American farmers to sell dairy, poultry, and eggs;
Streamlines customs procedures in order to reduce inefficiencies and get American products to market faster;
Levels the playing field for American workers by requiring Mexico to overhaul its labor system; and
Ensures the U.S. can hold Mexico and Canada accountable through strong enforcement mechanisms.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski Joins House Republicans in Pressing State AGs to Probe Governors’ Deadly Nursing Home Orders

Nursing Home Residents, Just 0.6 Percent of U.S. Population, Account for 43 Percent of Coronavirus Deaths

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) on Thursday joined fellow Republicans on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis in urging the attorneys general of New York, California, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to investigate these states’ orders requiring long-term care facilities to accept COVID-19 patients and the impact of these policies on vulnerable nursing home populations. Letters sent to the attorneys general can be found here.

In a hearing of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, Walorski on Thursday also called on the governors of these states to answer tough questions about these deadly policies. Nursing home residents make up only 0.6 percent of the U.S. population but account for 43 percent of the nation’s coronavirus deaths.

“Regardless of the state, each and every one of these deaths is a tragedy, but it’s clear that some states mismanaged the response and ignored the warning signs,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “These misguided policies deserve close scrutiny, and the leaders who put them in place have a lot of tough questions to answer. Now is not the time to look the other way. Now is the time to look closely at this response and figure out what went wrong.”

Video of Walorski speaking at the Ways and Means subcommittee hearing is available here. Her remarks as prepared for delivery is below.

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thanks to our witnesses for being here.

“The coronavirus pandemic has affected the whole world, but there is no question its impact has been felt more severely in some populations than others. Nowhere is that more evident than in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity estimates that, although nursing home residents make up only 0.6 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 43 percent of coronavirus deaths. Some who track these numbers put that percentage even higher. The U.S. is not alone, with this relatively small percentage of the population accounting for 49 percent of coronavirus deaths in Sweden and 82 percent in Canada.

“It’s easy to see why this is such a challenge. Coronavirus spreads most easily indoors and at close quarters, and it is deadliest among the elderly and those with underlying conditions. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are a perfect storm of the biggest risk factors and thus require a higher level of care. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo likened the spread of coronavirus in these facilities to “fire through dry grass.” Which makes it all the more puzzling that his state forced nursing homes to admit patients who tested positive for coronavirus. This policy effectively seeded burning embers into dry grass.

“New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Illinois pursued some form of these policies, too, with devastating effects. These seven states account for 60 percent of our nation’s nursing home deaths. According to a recent ProPublica article, Michigan has lost about 5 percent of its total nursing home residents to coronavirus. In New Jersey, that figure is a staggering 12 percent.

“By contrast, California had a forced transfer policy, but reversed it after two days and was able to limit its deaths in nursing homes to 2 percent. Florida banned these transfers from the start and has lost 1.6 percent of its nursing home residents.

“Regardless of the state, each and every one of these deaths is a tragedy. But it’s clear that some states mismanaged the response and ignored the warning signs. These misguided policies deserve close scrutiny, and the leaders who put them in place have a lot of tough questions to answer.

“Pennsylvania’s top health official took their mother out of a nursing home as the state was forcing nursing homes to take these positive patients. That’s scandalous.

“Three days after Michigan reported its first coronavirus cases, the state nursing home association recommended to Governor Gretchen Whitmer that the state use empty facilities as quarantine centers. That was ignored.

“Governor Cuomo scrubbed any mention of his failed nursing home directive off the state’s website, manipulated New York data to understate the true scope of deaths, and at every step tried to wish away any responsibility for this utter failure.

“Now is not the time to look the other way. Now is the time to look closely at this response and figure out what went wrong.”

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski Announces Winner of 2020 Congressional Art Competition

John Glenn High School Student’s Artwork Will Hang in U.S. Capitol for a Year

Congresswoman Walorski informs first place winner via video call with competition judge Michael Beatty.

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today announced Salem Slater, a senior at John Glenn High School in Walkerton, as the winner of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition for Indiana’s 2nd District. Salem’s winning artwork, “Hanging Pangolin,” will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for the next year alongside other winners from across the country. Salem was also the winner of the 2019 Congressional Art Competition.

“Salem’s winning artwork showcases her incredible talent, skill, and dedication to creative expression,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “I can’t wait for this piece to be displayed in our nation’s capital for visitors from across the country to see. This year our competition looked a little different due to the coronavirus crisis, but Hoosier students’ entries were as impressive as always. I want to thank each and every artist who participated, and congratulations to Salem on this well-deserved recognition!”

Congresswoman Walorski announced the winner via video call. Walorski also awarded second place to Taylor Przybysz, a student at Penn High School in Mishawaka. Her artwork, “Cubistic Trees,” will be displayed in Walorski’s Mishawaka District Office for the next year.

Nineteen high school students from throughout Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District submitted entries, and a judging panel of local artists helped select the winning entry.

The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to recognize the artistic talents of high school students in their districts. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski: Access to Child Care for Working Families Is Key to Rebuilding Economy

Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Child Care and the Coronavirus Pandemic

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), the top Republican on the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, at a hearing Tuesday emphasized the importance of access to affordable, high-quality child care for working families as America’s economy safely reopens.

“Millions of Americans want to return to work, and in order to do so they must be able to rely on child care providers to keep their children safe and healthy throughout the work day,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “With states safely reopening, child care providers now face many new challenges. These include restrictions on group and class sizes, social distancing guidelines, and other health and safety protocols that are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These new requirements and ongoing concerns the pandemic presents are making it hard for providers to recover and maintain a thriving business. I hope we can work together to find ways to support and strengthen child care for working families.”

Secretary of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Jennifer Sullivan, M.D., M.P.H., testified at the subcommittee hearing on child care and the coronavirus pandemic.

“High quality, affordable childcare is a key component of achieving well-being for our kids and opportunity for their parents, and that is even more true during our comprehensive response to COVID-19,” Dr. Sullivan said. “Our nation’s long-term well-being depends on a child care infrastructure that works for every family. This committee has a unique opportunity to help reset the future of child care by providing funding to states to take what they have learned through this pandemic to build a more robust child care infrastructure that can stand future disasters and create a workforce that supports large scale economic growth.”

Video of Walorski’s opening statement at the subcommittee hearing is available here, and her remarks as prepared for delivery are below.

Video of Walorski introducing FSSA Secretary Dr. Sullivan is available here.

Video of Walorski questioning Dr. Sullivan is available here.

“Thank you, Chairman Davis.

“I appreciate you holding this hearing today on child care and the coronavirus crisis. I share your interest in this topic and believe child care is key to making America’s recovery stronger.

“I want to thank all the witnesses for taking the time to join us.

“Millions of Americans want to return to work, and in order to do so they must be able to rely on child care providers to keep their children safe and healthy throughout the work day. Even before this crisis, we knew there were challenges to ensuring Americans had access to affordable, high-quality child care.

“The pandemic has only exacerbated those concerns, with the child care industry hit hard by this crisis. Many providers – which largely operate on break-even margins – could remain closed, making it harder for families to find child care.

“Republicans and Democrats have consistently worked together to address these issues. In the last five years, Congress has doubled funding for the child care and development block grant and included billions of dollars in much-needed support to providers and essential workers in the CARES Act.

“With states safely reopening, child care providers now face many new challenges. These include restrictions on group and class sizes, social distancing guidelines, and other health and safety protocols that are necessary to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These new requirements and ongoing concerns the pandemic presents are making it hard for providers to recover and maintain a thriving business.

“Yesterday, I had the privilege of talking to four child care center directors in my district. In Indiana, child care was deemed an essential service. All the providers I talked to have gone above and beyond to keep their businesses afloat and make sure their teachers and children are in a safe environment.

“One provider said she spent $20,000 to stock her two centers with face masks, cleaning materials and individual sets of learning materials for children. Another provider needed to put in a new handwashing sink, and another was hiring a cleaning service to take some of the burden off her staff. They talked about the need to hire quality teachers so they can have smaller class sizes and consumer education so parents can feel comfortable bringing their kids back. In my district, the manufacturing industry relies heavily on these providers and it’s a battle every day to keep their doors open.

“Thankfully, these and many other child care providers in Indiana are receiving extra support through grant awards from Early Learning Indiana as part of its “Come Back Stronger” campaign, which was launched in early May with the support of a $15 million grant from the Lilly Endowment. Since then, Early Learning Indiana has awarded 155 early education providers more than 2 million dollars for health and safety-related expenses and hiring teachers.

“From the beginning of this crisis, Indiana acted to prioritize working families by using funds from the CARES Act to provide rapid response grants directly to child care providers. I have tremendous respect for the state and local leaders who stepped up and worked hard to help families impacted by the pandemic. I am thrilled to have Dr. Sullivan with us today to talk about these initiatives.

“Traditionally in these discussions, the needs of child care centers take center stage. But I also want to highlight small, home-based providers. Many family child care homes played an important role throughout this crisis by remaining open to provide child care for essential workers, particularly those working nontraditional hours. Family child care arrangements are often more affordable and provide flexibility for working parents. Many parents prefer family child care because it offers smaller scale, mixed age care that allows for close and lasting bonds with a caregiver.

“As we continue to deal with this public health emergency, we should ensure the availability of child care settings that serve small groups of children, which can be a reassuring option for parents concerned about exposure to COVID-19. These family child care providers are also just the kind of small business that our economic recovery will depend on.

“I hope we can work together to find ways to support and strengthen child care for working families. If a large portion of our nation’s providers are forced to permanently shut down, parents in all industries will be unable to return to work, significantly slowing our economic recovery. Child care is exactly the type of smart investment we should be prioritizing as we safely reopen and rebuild America’s economy.

“I look forward to our discussion. With that, I yield back.”

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski: Back-to-Work Bonus Could Help American Workers, Boost Economic Recovery

Calls for Bipartisan Proposals to Support Safe Reopening, Incentivize Return to Work

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) this week called for bipartisan proposals to support safely reopening our economy and to incentivize Americans who return to work, such as replacing temporary supplemental unemployment benefits with a back-to-work bonus.

“Businesses are reopening and rehiring, and they shouldn’t have to compete with a temporary government benefit,” Congresswoman Walorski said. “That’s why Ways and Means Ranking Member Brady and myself have supported looking at a back-to-work bonus proposal that would make work pay by allowing workers to keep up to two weeks’ worth of that additional benefit after accepting a job, essentially amounting to a $1,200 hiring bonus.”

Walorski is a cosponsor of the Reopening America by Supporting Workers and Businesses Act, which would turn temporary supplemental unemployment benefits into a back-to-work bonus. Workers would be allowed to keep up to two weeks of the benefit after accepting a job, comparable to a $1,200 hiring bonus.

Video of Congresswoman Walorski speaking at Thursday’s hearing of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis can be found here, and her remarks as prepared for delivery are below.

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thanks to our witnesses for being here.

“The CARES Act provided $600 per week in temporary supplemental unemployment benefits to support public health by allowing businesses and workers to get through closures and stay-at-home orders and to flatten the curve. This was a necessary step back in March. But if we want a V-shaped recovery as states and cities safely reopen, we need to take a different tack on this benefit so that it doesn’t inadvertently disincentivize people from returning to work.

“For instance, in my home state of Indiana, workers receiving the $600 federal supplement would be getting about three times as much as they otherwise would on unemployment. Factor in the comparatively low cost of living in my district, and in many cases a worker would make more on unemployment than they would if they returned to work. In fact, the University of Chicago estimates that over two-thirds of unemployment insurance recipients nationwide are in this situation, and that over 20 percent are receiving double their salary.

“I want to be clear: I have no issue with any worker who took this benefit. Congress made it available at a time when much of the economy was going to be shut down for an undetermined amount of time. That additional benefit helped workers pay rent, put food on the table, and have peace of mind as they found themselves unemployed or furloughed through no fault of their own.

“But now businesses are reopening and rehiring and shouldn’t have to compete with a temporary government benefit. That’s why Ways and Means Ranking Member Brady and myself have supported looking at a back to work bonus proposal that would make work pay by allowing workers to keep up to two weeks’ worth of that additional benefit after accepting a job, essentially amounting to a $1,200 hiring bonus. We also want to make sure that states provide clear notice to unemployment claimants about return to work obligations and good cause exceptions.

“This is a better policy than the Democrats’ partisan bill, the HEROES Act, which would extend the $600 work disincentive through January 2021. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said that doing this would weaken incentives to work, decrease economic output, and decrease employment. In short, it would kill our economic recovery.

“Another misguided policy in the partisan HEROES Act is restoring unlimited deductions for State and Local Taxes, or SALT. The non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation has found that only 1 percent of the benefits of this policy would go to those making less than $100,000 a year. Instead, over half of the projected benefits would go to those with annual incomes of $1 million or more. This does nothing to rebuild our economy. It gives the wealthiest a whole cake, while the middle class is stuck with crumbs.

“Tax experts on the left and right agree that restoring an unlimited SALT deduction is bad policy. Just a few weeks ago, Mr. Furman, who is with us today, reportedly said restoring SALT was a “waste of money” that would not help economic recovery.

“As we climb out of this crisis, we need serious, substantive, bipartisan proposals that incentivize people to get people back to work and rebuild our economy, not bloated, partisan bills that disincentivize work and provide giveaways to the rich.”

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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Walorski Cosponsors JUSTICE Act to Address Police Reform

Comprehensive Legislation Would Improve Police Tactics, Training, Transparency, and Accountability

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) today released the following statement after cosponsoring the JUSTICE Act, comprehensive legislation to reform police tactics, training, transparency, and accountability:

“There is no place for police brutality in our society, and it’s time for Congress to act to keep our communities safe and fulfill our nation’s promise of liberty and justice for all.

“The JUSTICE Act will increase transparency and accountability, improve training, expand the use of body cameras, and end the practice of chokeholds. Most importantly, it will help build stronger relationships between law enforcement and the communities they are duty-bound to serve and protect.

“Unlike misguided efforts to defund or abolish the police, this commonsense, comprehensive bill will put our nation on a path to greater healing, unity, safety, and justice. I hope Congress moves quickly to send this vital legislation to the president’s desk.”

BACKGROUND

Congresswoman Walorski is an original cosponsor of the Just and Unifying Solutions to Invigorate Communities Everywhere (JUSTICE) Act, the House companion to legislation introduced in the Senate this week by U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.). The legislation offers real solutions to increase transparency, accountability and performance so our nation’s law enforcement officers are better prepared to protect and care for the communities they serve.

The JUSTICE Act would:

Improve law enforcement transparency through additional reporting, including annual reporting on the use of force and reporting on no-knock warrants;
Ensure law enforcement agencies and officers are held accountable by developing accessible disciplinary records systems;
Provide $500 million for state and local law enforcement agencies to equip all officers with body cameras, improve the use of body cameras, and store and retain footage;
Ban the use of chokeholds except for in situations where deadly force is authorized;
Improve officer training by directing the Attorney General to develop training curricula related to the duty to intervene and de-escalation and appropriating funds to pay for costs associated with new training requirements;
Include the Justice for Victims of Lynching Act, making lynching a federal crime; and
Create a bipartisan commission on the social status of black men and boys to issue a report to Congress on conditions affecting black men and boys, including education, health care, financial status and the criminal justice system.

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

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