Protecting the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes are an important part of Indiana’s ecosystem and economy. 

This week, I joined with a bipartisan group to introduce the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2024, which would extend the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for another five years through 2031. The GLRI is the most significant investment ever made to restore and protect the Great Lakes. It is a results-driven program that addresses the most serious issues threatening the wellbeing of the Great Lakes basin, including toxic substances, pollution, debris, and invasive species. 

The GLRI has focused federal and nonfederal efforts to stop the spread of carp and other invasive species, restore coastline and habitats connecting our streams and rivers, clean up environmentally damaged Areas of Concern, and prevent future contamination. Reauthorizing this program will continue to protect and preserve these lakes for generations to come.

Our bill has broad support among Great Lakes advocates, including the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition, Great Lakes Commission, Alliance for the Great Lakes, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, National Parks Conservation Association, The Nature Conservancy, National Audubon Society, American Sportfishing Association, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and American Great Lakes Ports Association.

Read more about this effort here.

"Elephant in the Room" Podcast

I joined the Senate Republican Conference’s weekly “Elephant in the Room” podcast and discussed a range of topics, including meeting Margaret Thatcher, serving on the southern border, the possibilities of artificial intelligence, and my fondness for Taco Bell.

You can listen to the conversation on Spotify here, Apple Podcasts here, and YouTube here.

Main Street Act Unlocks Capital for Small Business

I recently reintroduced the Investing in Main Street Act to increase investment in small businesses by permitting banks to invest up to 15 percent of their capital in Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC).

The Small Business Administration launched the SBIC program in 1958 to facilitate and regulate investment from privately owned companies to small American businesses. This program has successfully allowed more small businesses across America to expand their competitive edge, hire more workers, and contribute to the local economy. 

The SBIC program has provided critical support to countless Hoosier small businesses. Over the last 5 years, SBICs have invested nearly $554 million in 107 small businesses throughout Indiana. This bill would help spur further investment in innovative startups and unlock capital for existing, high-growth small businesses across Indiana and America. 

Read more here.

Visit with Statehouse Interns

I enjoyed meeting with the Statehouse interns in Indianapolis earlier this week. The future is bright for these young Hoosiers.

Bill to Boost Student Success and Career Readiness

Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and I serve as co-chairs of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, and we recently reintroduced the bipartisan Assisting Community Colleges in Educating Skilled Students (ACCESS) to Careers Act. The legislation would boost student success and career readiness by increasing work-based learning opportunities and apprenticeships, ensuring students have access to support services like career navigators and counselors, and creating career pathways to meet the changing skill demands of the U.S. economy.

From life sciences to semiconductors to pharma to ag, many exciting things are made in Indiana by Hoosier workers. We need to support the ingenuity and talent of our Hoosier workforce by increasing work-based learning opportunities and apprenticeships. Our bipartisan bill will help provide greater access to the training and education needed in our modern economy.

Read more about this bill here.

Local News

Hoosier Ag Today: Senator Young on Mexico’s GMO Corn Ban, Priorities for the Next Farm Bill

WLFI: NSF director, U.S. Sen. Young to join Purdue president for Presidential Lecture Series event

The Courier Times: Young, Braun, colleagues introduce bill about foreign ag land ownership

Ripon Advance: Young, Carter offer bill to reauthorize support programs for healthcare workforce

Thank you for the continued privilege to serve you in the U.S. Senate. My mission is to fight on behalf of Hoosiers and the interests that are unique to our state. I look forward to working with you, and sharing our progress, in the days ahead. 

In Service,