Why I'm Voting for Neil Gorsuch

This past week, Judge Neil Gorsuch underwent four days of confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee. I met with Judge Gorsuch face-to-face last month, and though I came away impressed, I pledged to wait for his hearing before determining if he was the type of jurist Hoosiers demanded last November.

Today, I can say without a doubt that Judge Gorsuch has met Hoosiers’ high expectations. I’m proud to say that I will be voting to confirm him on the floor of the U.S. Senate.

Read the rest of my column in the Indianapolis Star here.

A Bipartisan Chance to Save Millions from Starvation

20 million people are at risk of starving to death in four countries. Mr. Yves Daccord, the Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross, called the crisis “one of the most critical humanitarian issues to face mankind since the end of the Second World War”.  He warned that “we are at the brink of a humanitarian mega-crisis unprecedented in recent history.”

The scale and complexity of these crises might lead some to say the situation is hopeless.  We reject such a response as U.S. leadership can make an enormous difference, and we believe the Department of State can and should lead a diplomatic effort now to reduce the political barriers that are hindering the delivery of food to millions of starving people. I led the bipartisan request asking the Secretary to do just that.

Read the letter to Secretary Tillerson here.

Holding "RT News" accountable for Russian propaganda

Federal law requires agents of foreign governments to register with the U.S. Department of Justice, but some crafty organizations seek to skirt this law. RT News, formerly Russia Today, is a propaganda arm of the Russian government, but it has not registered under our existing laws.

Last week, I led a bipartisan effort to allow the Department of Justice to investigate RT for potential violations. When foreign governments attempt to deliberately evade our laws and disseminate propaganda in the United States, the American people have a right to know.  This legislation would provide the Department of Justice authority that the DOJ Inspector General and Government Accountability Office have said is necessary.

Hoosiers leading the way in supporting our troops and upholding Congress’ constitutional authority

Congress has a moral obligation to weigh in when America sends young men and women into battle. Recently, I introduced a new Authorization for the use of Military Force (AUMF) that gives the President guidance on how he can deploy our armed forces to fight ISIS and others who threaten the United States. The existing AUMFs have not been updated since 2002. Last week, Representative Jim Banks of Indiana’s 3rd district introduced an identical AUMF in the U.S. House of Representatives as well.

You can read my column on the issue here: http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2017/03/02/time_to_pass_an_aumf_targeting_isis_110889.html

You can read a column from Representative Banks on the issue here: http://www.news-sentinel.com/opinion/20170325/the_last_word_congress_must_reassert_its_defense_role

Hoosier Huddle

This week’s Hoosier Huddle had a robust turnout as individuals stopped by to discuss issues important to them, including treatment of Hoosiers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

You can find pictures from the event here: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorToddYoung/posts/1777861858905937

Thank you for the continued privilege to serve you in the 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. Until then…

In Service,

Todd Young