I had the privilege of recommending a talented group of Hoosiers for admission to the United States service academies this year. We received applications from 150 high school students, and a select group was interviewed by my advisory board. Out of 77 offered interviews, 51 exemplary young men and women from across Indiana received nominations.

A nomination does not guarantee admission to a service academy, but is required in order to be considered. Nominees are chosen based on personal merit. Criteria considered include evidence of character, leadership, academic excellence, physical aptitude, and extracurricular activities.

These young men and women are highly qualified to serve our country, and I’m very proud of their hard work. I wish them the best of luck in their application process.

Click here for a full list of the nominees.

I led a letter to the Biden Administration urging quick action to protect the millions of American jobs that rely on American whiskey and spirits producers. Without urgent action, the European Union (EU) will implement a 50% tariff on American whiskey imports on January 1, 2024, and American wine and other distilled spirits imports could see sharp tariff increases by 2026.
 
Retaliatory tariffs by the EU have cost domestic sprits distillers and winemakers billions of dollars since 2018, and the U.S. needs a permanent solution to safeguard over 1.7 million production, distribution, and hospitality jobs that rely on the industry. Here in Indiana, the distilled spirits industry supports over 26,000 Hoosier jobs and contributes more than $2.9 billion to the state’s economy. Among the top exporting states for distilled spirits, Indiana ranks sixth, with exports valued at approximately $89 million in 2022.
 
Click here to read more about our letter.

Happy Hanukkah 

Happy Hanukkah to all Hoosiers celebrating. May this holiday be filled with peace, love, and light.

My Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act was recently selected by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) for its 13th annual “No Brainers” list. NTU is an organization that advocates for responsible tax policy and spending reductions throughout the federal government. Each year, NTU selects ten “no brainer” bills that can bridge the partisan divide.

I’m proud that my Yes In My Backyard Act made NTU’s annual "No Brainers" list for Congress to pass. This bill is a common-sense, bipartisan solution that would eliminate barriers to much-needed housing by requiring transparency in local land use, zoning, and housing decisions.

Read more here.

Chinese diplomats in the U.S. have access to a wide range of American institutions, but the Chinese Communist Party limits both the movements and access of U.S. diplomats in China. This double standard can no longer be accepted.

I recently introduced the Countering Corrupt Political (CCP) Influence Act to increase transparency and reporting requirements of Chinese Communist Party officials in the U.S. conducting government business. This bill would build upon a Trump Administration policy to require the State Department to mandate that Chinese foreign missions notify the State Department in advance of all official meetings with state, local, and municipal officials and to educational and research institutions. The bill also applies to including Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Afghanistan. This bill would also require a monthly report of the notification logs from the State Department to the President, Senate Homeland Security Committee, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee to ensure transparency when foreign governments of concern are conducting business domestically.

Click here to read more about this legislation.

Enforce Iran Steel Sanctions

I joined with over 30 Republican senators in a letter to President Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging the Treasury Department to enforce existing sanctions on Iranian steel. Relaxed sanctions enforcement only fuels the ability of Iranian-backed terror proxies to continue barbaric attacks on innocent children, women, and men.

In the letter, we express the importance of “proactively and continuously” enforcing sanctions and the detrimental consequences of ineffective – or willfully negligent – enforcement. Iran is one of the largest steel producing countries in the world, with the industry generating significant funds via exports.

Click here to read more.

Local News

WISH TV: Young: Expect legislation on AI in early 2024

WIBC: Young Crafts Bill To End “Legacy Admissions” At Colleges and Universities

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Young recognizes Hoosier students who completed fall internship

AM 1050: U.S. Senator Young’s housing bill makes taxpayer advocacy group’s “No Brainers” list

Local News Digital: Senator Young names local students to US service academies

WIBC: Sen. Young & Others Want to Put a Stop to EU Tariffs on US Whiskey & Other Spirits

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,

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