Dear Oklahoma Friends and Neighbors, 

After being in Oklahoma for two weeks for a state work period around Passover and Easter, Congress returned to Washington with major issues to tackle. Thank you for allowing me to update you on what is happening in Washington and for the honor of serving you. 

We Remember

Last weekend, we remembered the 168 souls that were taken 20 years ago in the violent domestic terrorist attack at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Oklahomans marked the 20th anniversary through acts of service, and the ‘Oklahoma Standard’ transcended as we remembered. We continue to show America that our spirit cannot be broken and that we will forever remember those who were lost on April 19, 1995. 

Iran Nuclear Negotiations

The more Americans learn about the Iran nuclear weapons agreement, the more concerns we have with the current negotiations allowing Iran possession of a nuclear bomb. As Iran becomes a greater threat in the region, it is essential that the American people speak out. 

The only way to remove the present authority to waive sanctions and make a nuclear agreement, is through the passage of legislation by a veto proof majority.

Last week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee unanimously approved legislation allowing Congress to review and potentially reject President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran. The strong bipartisan support of this bill reflects the major concerns Americans have with the nuclear negotiations with Iran. Next week, the Iran sanctions bill, S.615, will come before the full Senate.

To read more about my thoughts on the Iran nuclear weapons deal, CLICK HERE.

#CutRedTape Initiative

In March, I launched the #CutRedTape Initiative with my Democrat counterpart on the Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, Senator Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND). The purpose of this initiative is to allow American families and business owners the opportunity to effectively communicate how federal regulations impact them. 

As the Nation’s federal rulemaking process has become overly complicated and unaccountable, burdensome regulations have increased. For years, there hasn’t been a way for the general public to communicate examples of harmful regulations to the Senate, but with the #CutRedTape Initiative, Americans will have an online portal to share their stories and insight.

The goal of the #CutRedTape initiative is to finally give a voice to the American people to share their stories with relevant federal agencies, and bring common sense ideas that will improve the regulatory process.

I want to hear your story. How do federal regulations impact you? How can we cut red tape in your life or place of work? To submit an entry, visit the #CutRedTape Initiative website HERE.

Medicare Reimbursement Formula

Since Republicans have assumed the majority in the Senate, we’ve made real progress. Recently, we debated a two decade-old problem that pushed doctors and other providers out of Medicare. 

Last week, the Senate passed a bill that modernizes and fixes the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate, commonly referred to as SGR or the doc-fix. The measure, signed by President Obama on April 17, 2015, will ensure seniors on Medicare will not lose access to their doctors because the reimbursement formula isn’t working. This is a permanent solution to a 20 year old problem.

Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act

This week, the Senate approved the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. The bill improves law enforcement’s ability to target traffickers purchasing sex or labor from a victim and hold them accountable under this law. The bill also creates a fund to increase the resources available for victims and formally recognizes child pornography production as a form of human trafficking. 

If you have followed this bill in the media, you are aware that Democrats stalled debate on the bill because of a provision prohibiting the use of federal funds to pay for abortion procedures, which has been a part of federal legislation since 1976. After six weeks of delay, the bill finally had the support to come to the floor for a vote.

It’s estimated there are more than 14,000 sex and labor trafficking victims each year in America. These victims face unspeakable abuses. The bill adds protective measures to support the victims, and creates a Human Trafficking Advisory Council composed of survivors to provide recommendations to the federal government.

I’m pleased this important legislation cleared the Senate and that a consensus could finally be amicably reached.

Keeping You In The Loop

• Next week, I will chair a hearing on the Regulatory Judicial Review Process. The hearing will focus on the proper role of Judicial Review within the federal regulatory process. To learn more, CLICK HERE. 

• In two weeks, our D.C. staff will finally have an office space, which will be located in the Hart Senate office building, room 316. New Senators normally wait about five months for permanent office space, as the rooms are transitioned from previous Senators.

• Last week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP Committee) unanimously passed the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA Reauthorization), a measure that will repeal and replace the No Child Left Behind Act.  To learn more, CLICK HERE. 

• Thursday, I questioned HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell at an Appropriations Subcommittee hearing. To watch the question and answer, CLICK HERE.  

• On Tuesday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals announced they would determine whether the President’s unilateral changes to immigration laws through executive order will stand. It appears the Circuit is ready to reject the Administration’s request to remove the injunction, which was issued by a federal district court in Texas in late February. I authored a letter pressing President Obama after his comments suggesting “consequences” for federal immigration officials who continue deportations. To read the letter I wrote to President Obama, CLICK HERE. You can listen to the oral argument recording HERE. 

• Monday, I chaired a hearing on the “2020 Census: Challenges for Facing a Modern, Cost-Effective Survey”. To learn more, CLICK HERE. 

How can I help?

To ensure your summer international travel preparations are stress free, visit www.travel.state.gov for information on obtaining a passport. The website can also offer travel notifications if you are going abroad. If you have any problems or questions, please contact my office.

Stay Connected! 

If you would like more information on these topics or any other legislation currently before the U.S. Senate, please do not hesitate to call my D.C. office at (202) 224-5754. My Oklahoma City office can be reached at (405) 231-4941 and my Tulsa office at (918) 581-7651. You can also follow me on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram for updates on my work in Congress.

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