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ISIS Leader is Dead
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is dead. At this watershed moment in the battle against terrorism, we thank the special operation forces who carried out the mission and the thousands of men and women who have led the fight against ISIS. We think of Hoosier Marine Jordan Spears and his family, who represent the great sacrifice by many of our nation’s finest, and their families, to defeat ISIS. We also remember Hoosier Peter Kassig and his family, who represent the unspeakable human toll that ISIS’ top leader brought to our fellow American citizens and their families, and to countless innocent men, women and children. Americans, all of them, none to be forgotten. Semper Fidelis.
Kenzie Academy Roundtable on Income Share Agreements
I recently introduced the bipartisan ISA Student Protection Act to help provide an innovative financing option for students to pay for higher education. I had the opportunity to share more about ISAs during an interview with Steve Hilton on Fox News.
On Friday, I visited the Kenzie Academy, an online and in-person technology school in Indianapolis that helps students complete the program debt-free through Income Share Agreements.
I heard from Mark, a student from the east side of Indianapolis. Mark was formerly incarcerated. While in prison, he decided to make some changes in his life. But when he was released, he faced barriers impacting his ability to pay for education and be eligible for a loan. Income Share Agreements offered at Kenzie Academy allowed him to enroll at no upfront cost. He’ll only pay back his tuition as a small percentage of his salary when he gets a job.
I also heard from Tamika. Tamika is a 10-year Navy veteran and mother of four. She wanted a new career in technology but knew she could not afford tuition payments or loans with high interest rates. Kenzie’s ISA program allows her to continue caring for her family without relocating outside of Indiana.
We need to support policies like mine that will expand access to ISAs so more workers can prepare for the jobs of tomorrow without burdening themselves or taxpayers with more debt.
National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Last week marked the one-year anniversary of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act being signed into law.
I was proud to have six of my bills included in the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, and we’ve already seen these provisions making a difference in Indiana. Since most abused drugs are obtained from the home medicine cabinet, one thing all Hoosiers can do to help combat this scourge is to adequately dispose of unused or unwanted prescription medications. I’m proud of the Hoosiers who took part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day this weekend.
STOP for School Buses
Last week, during National School Bus Safety Week, I joined a live demonstration of technologies aimed at preventing illegal passing of stopped school buses.
This Wednesday will mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic deaths of three young Hoosiers in a bus-related crash in Fulton County. We cannot accept accidents like this. Last week’s demo of school bus safety technology was an opportunity to raise support for the Stop for School Buses Act and spread awareness for the much-needed review of existing safety laws surrounding our school buses.
ABC 57, WATE, KOTA, and School Transportation News covered the event.
USMCA Trade Deal
The one thing that remains unfinished business as we look forward is the USMCA trade deal. This is an important priority for Indiana, since we are the most manufacturing intensive state in the country. One out of four manufacturing businesses in Indiana export directly to Canada or Mexico, resulting in roughly 60,000 jobs.
This agreement will modernize the 24-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and support freer markets, fairer trade, and robust economic growth in North America. With tens of thousands of Hoosier jobs supported by exports to Canada and Mexico, I support ratifying this important trade agreement as soon as possible.
Click here or on the video above to hear my full remarks from last week’s Senate GOP Leadership Press Conference.
Social Media Recap
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