Supporting Working Hoosier Families

I recently introduced the Stronger Start for Working Families Act, which would provide a tax cut to 3.5 million working families with children by allowing them to begin receiving the full Child Tax Credit (CTC) starting with the first dollar they earn.

The CTC is one of our most effective tools for helping working families make ends meet and ensuring children have the stability they need to thrive. By starting refundability at the very first dollar earned, our bill will expand access to the Child Tax Credit for low-income parents while strengthening the incentive to enter or remain in the workforce. This is a practical, bipartisan step we can take to support families, reward work, and help more Americans climb the economic ladder.

Read more here.

Celebrating Hoosier Law Enforcement Officials

Last week, we recognized National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and the courage and dedication of all those who keep our Hoosier communities safe was celebrated across the state.

I stopped by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and Bargersville Police Department in my home county to express my appreciation.

Demanding Accountability for Taxpayers Following Rampant Child Care Fraud in Minnesota

I joined all of my Senate Republican colleagues in demanding accountability from outgoing Minnesota Governor Tim Walz amid widespread reports of fraud and abuse of federal child care funding in Minnesota. 

We wrote to express serious concern regarding recent reports and federal investigations alleging widespread fraud and misuse of federal funds within Minnesota’s state-administered child care assistance programs. The state’s apparent negligent management of federal funds raised significant concerns about the adequacy of the state’s oversight, verification, and compliance systems for safeguarding taxpayer dollars intended to support vulnerable children and working families. Unfortunately, the latest reports appear to reflect only the tip of the iceberg.

Read more here.

Honoring the Legacy of Wendell Willkie

Thank you to the Calvin Coolidge Foundation for the opportunity to discuss the legacy of Wendell Willkie, a proud Hoosier and champion of free enterprise.

Watch my remarks here.

Urging Action on Chinese Nationals Accessing American National Labs

I recently joined a group of Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Chris Wright urging action against Chinese foreign nationals accessing our DOE national laboratories and compromising American leadership in artificial intelligence innovation, especially after the creation of the Genesis Mission on federal AI research.

The Genesis Mission was launched to help the U.S. win the race with China for AI supremacy by harnessing untapped prowess in this space at our national laboratories. Continuing to give Chinese nationals access to the cutting-edge work performed at these laboratories directly undermines the purpose of the Genesis Mission.

We recommend that the threats to the Genesis Mission be mitigated by implementing a policy prohibiting the national laboratories from granting Chinese nationals access to any national laboratory site, information, or technology.

Read more here.

Helping Hoosier Small Businesses

AI is for small businesses too.

I want to help our Hoosier small businesses have access to guidance and training on any artificial intelligence tools they need to compete in today’s evolving digital economy. I recently introduced legislation that would provide support to American small businesses choosing to evaluate and implement AI.

The Small Business Administration established Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) nationwide to provide support and training to American small businesses. The AI for Mainstreet Act would expand the support and training from SBDCs regarding AI, including how to utilize AI to streamline business functions and operations, better plan for unexpected circumstances, protect data and intellectual property, and improve cybersecurity.

Read more about this bill here and here.

Help for Hoosiers 

Navigating federal agencies can be difficult. My staff and I are here to assist Hoosiers who are having trouble receiving benefits, have questions regarding a program or procedure, or have not heard back from these agencies in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we can help here.

Local News

Fox 59 - City of Beech Grove receives $17 million federal grant to make Emerson Avenue safer

Indiana Public Media - Indiana wins national drone test site designation

The Ripon Advance - Ernst, Young request SBA briefing on fraud investigations

TriStateHomepage.com - Senator Young explains vote on War Powers resolution

FedScoop - Quantum initiative reauthorization gets reboot in Senate

WOWO - Indiana Designated As One Of Its Newest Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Test Sites

WIBQ - New bill offers AI training for small businesses

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,