Legislative Update March 6, 2017 Provided by Katie Ross, Regional Director

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1 Legislative Update March 6, 2017 Provided by Katie Ross, Regional Director Seeking Return of Sacred Jewish Texts On February 27, Senator Nelson signed a letter with all 100 Senators to Russian President Vladimir Putin, requesting the return of the Schneerson Collection a collection of sacred Jewish texts to the rightful owners, Agudas Chasidei Chabad (Chabad). In 2010, U.S. courts ruled that the texts be returned to Chabad. Russian courts have previously demanded their return to Chabad, but the Russian Government has yet to follow through. Maintaining Sanctions against Russia On February 28, Senator Nelson became a cosponsor of S. 341, the Russia Sanctions Review Act of 2017, which would codify existing sanctions against Russia. The bipartisan bill would require Congressional approval before any sanctions imposed against Russia for its destabilizing activities in Ukraine and its attempt to influence the 2016 U.S. Presidential election can be lifted. Calling for More Protections against Future Russian Election Tampering On March 1, Senator Nelson urged the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to use its cybersecurity expertise to help the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) protect the nation's voting systems from future interference from Russia or any other foreign countries seeking to influence U.S. elections. In his letter to NIST, Senator Nelson cited the agency's existing relationship and ongoing work with the EAC to advise state election bodies on best practices to guard against cybersecurity vulnerabilities, privacy invasions, and fraud. Providing Veterans with Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure On March 1, Senator Nelson became a cosponsor of S. 422, a bill to amend title 38. United States Code, to clarify presumptions relating to the exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of the Republic of Vietnam. Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes a presumption of service connection and provides benefits to veterans exposed to Agent Orange while serving on the ground in Vietnam. This bill, known in the last Congress as the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, would extend that presumption of service connection to include service members that served in the territorial waters of Vietnam. Preventing Cuts to Medicare On February 27, Senator Nelson became a cosponsor of S.J.Res 16, a joint resolution to allow for fast track repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB.) The IPAB was established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to achieve savings through

2 the Medicare program if Medicare spending levels reached a certain target. The ACA allows for a one-time, fast-track process to discontinue the IPAB process. If the joint resolution is enacted by August 15, 2017, then the IPAB is discontinued. Senator Nelson also cosponsored S. 251, the Protecting Medicare from Executive Action Act of 2017 to repeal IPAB in its entirety. Protecting the Title X Family Planning Program On March 1, Senator Nelson joined Senators Murray, Cortez Masto and 43 other Senators in sending a letter to Leader McConnell concerning a resolution recently passed by the House of Representatives that would roll back a rule that protects providers access to the Title X Family Planning program. The Title X program is the only federal program dedicated to providing family planning services and preventive health services (e.g., HIV testing and breast exams) for low-income people. Title X providers service about four million low-income women and men each year. Combating the Opioid Crisis On March 2, Senator Nelson and nine other Senators reintroduced S. 523, the LifeBOAT Act, to help individuals with opioid addictions access the treatment they need. In 2015, over 2,000 Floridians died from heroin and opioid use. The LifeBOAT Act would create a stewardship fee to fund efforts to increase access to critical substance use disorder treatments and services. Updating Space Weather Capabilities On March 2, Senator Nelson became a cosponsor of S. 141, the Space Weather Research and Forecasting Act. Space weather events can have disastrous effects on human health and safety, while simultaneously having a large negative effect on the economy. The bipartisan bill would provide clear roles and responsibilities to the various federal agencies responsible for understanding, predicting, and forecasting space weather. Commenting on the Importance of Investing Now in Infrastructure for the Future On March 1, at a hearing of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senator Nelson stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure and asked Mayor Philip Levine of Miami Beach, who testified before the Committee, to explain why it is important to Florida cities to have the federal government invest in infrastructure. Senator Nelson said that with Florida growing at 1,000 people per day, we must be serious about an infrastructure plan that does not just rely on tolling all of our roads. To view the hearing, visit: Cosponsoring the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act On February 27, Senator Nelson joined a bipartisan group of 13 Senators in cosponsoring S. 382, the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act. The bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create and maintain a registry of firefighters in order to collect information that can be linked to data in the existing state registries. Creating a national database will help improve research and information regarding cancer in firefighters in order to create better occupational safety practices, as well as reduce cancer incidence rates in firefighters.

3 Taking Steps to Restore the Fort George Inlet On February 24, Senator Nelson sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers in support of a project to remove accumulated sediment in the Fort George Inlet in Jacksonville. In the letter, Senator Nelson stated that the project is a positive step towards restoring the Inlet and maintaining a natural flow of water to the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. Voting on Cabinet Nominations On March 1, Senator Nelson voted in favor of Representative Ryan Zinke to be Secretary of the Interior. The nomination was confirmed by a vote of 68 to 31. On March 2, Senator Nelson voted against the confirmation of Ben Carson to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. The nomination was confirmed by a vote of 58 to 41. On March 2, Senator Nelson voted against the confirmation of Rick Perry to be Secretary of Energy. The nomination was confirmed by a vote of 62 to 37. Fighting for Miners Health and Retirement Benefits On February 28, Senator Nelson, along with 12 other Senators, sent a letter to Senator Hatch requesting that S. 175, the Miners Protection Act of 2017, be attached to a waiver required for the nomination of Robert Lighthizer to be the United States Trade Representative (USTR). By attaching the bipartisan Miners Protection Act to the waiver, the United Mine Workers of America 1974 Pension Plan would remain solvent should the waiver be adopted. This would help ensure that retired miners and their widows, who lose health care benefits following the bankruptcy or insolvency of their employer, become eligible for the 1993 Benefit Plan, which provides health benefits to eligible mine workers and their families. Addressing the Crisis in Venezuela On February 28, the Senate passed S.Res. 35, a resolution cosponsored by Senator Nelson expressing concern over the situation in Venezuela. The resolution addresses the ongoing political, economic, and humanitarian crisis in the country; urges the release of political prisoners; and calls for respect of constitutional and democratic processes, including free and fair elections. Honoring Black History Month On February 27, Senator Nelson joined Senators Booker, Gillibrand, Cochran, Scott and 50 other Senators in introducing S.Res. 69, a resolution honoring Black History Month. This bipartisan resolution recognizes Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on U.S. history, recognize the contributions of African Americans, and better understand the experiences that have shaped the United States. It acknowledges that the United States began as a divided country and also calls for the U.S. to move forward as one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The resolution passed in the Senate the same day it was introduced.

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