Bipartisan Braun bill adds more oversight to protect American agriculture from foreign adversaries
Braun, Tuberville, Manchin, Cotton, Tester, Marshall, Fetterman, Grassley, Blackburn, Ricketts, Barrasso, Britt, Baldwin, Young, Fischer, Ernst, and Lummis lead Senate version of bill expected to move in House this week
Sen. Fetterman, Sen. Grassley, Sen. Blackburn, Sen. Ricketts, Sen. Barrasso, Sen. Britt, Sen. Baldwin, Sen. Young, Sen. Fischer, Sen. Ernst, and Sen. Lummis introduced the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 to add the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to add another layer of scrutiny on foreign acquisitions of U.S. farmland and agricultural industries and, specifically, flag farmland purchases by foreign adversaries like China, North Korea, Russia and Iran for CFIUS. This will add much-needed extra oversight in this process. According to the USDA, over 43.4 million acres of U.S. agricultural land is foreign-owned.
Rep. Dan Newhouse introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives is expected to move on this legislation this week.
The House Rules Committee met about this bill Monday, September 9.
“Chinese ownership of American farmland increased more than 20-fold in the past decade. The amount of American soil in the hands of our foreign adversaries will only go up if we do not implement restrictions and oversight, especially on nations that compromise our national security and agricultural supply chains. I’m proud to lead this effort to protect American farms and food security.”— Sen. Mike Braun
“Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have bowed to China every chance that they get—even when it comes to our agriculture industry. In the last decade alone, we have seen a surge of over 35% in foreign land purchases—including in my home state of Alabama. We can’t give our adversaries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran room to negatively influence our agricultural supply chains and food production. Food security is national security, which is why I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Senator Braun that ensures the Secretary of Agriculture has a seat at the table on CFIUS and the opportunity to push back on proposed foreign ag investments.” – Sen. Tommy Tuberville
Allowing foreign adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party to purchase American farmland and agribusiness poses an unacceptable risk to our food security and national security,” said Tester. “Congress needs to act, and our bipartisan bill will secure much needed oversight to help stop bad actors who want to undermine our country. I’ll keep working with my Republican colleagues to fully prohibit the Chinese Communist Party from purchasing a single inch of American farmland.” – Sen. Jon Tester
“The purchase of American land by our adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party drains our country of resources and puts our national security at risk. We should not allow anyone working on behalf of hostile foreign powers to own a single inch of American soil.” – Sen. Tom Cotton
“The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 is an essential tool for safeguarding our nation’s agricultural resources from foreign threats. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a troubling surge in foreign ownership of American farmland, posing serious risks to both our national security and food security. This commonsense bill gives the Secretary of Agriculture a permanent review role on CFIUS to prevent adversaries who don’t share our values from gaining control over American agricultural assets, which will protect our farms in West Virginia and across the country.”—Sen. Joe Manchin
“When adversarial foreign governments buy up U.S. farmland, it undermines economic opportunities for families across America’s Heartland and presents obvious national security threats. The federal government’s number one job is to protect its citizens. Our legislation would support that fundamental responsibility by taking commonsense actions to address current vulnerabilities.” – Sen. Chuck Grassley
“The Chinese Communist Party has proven over and over again they cannot be trusted. They are our adversary, not our ally. All Americans should be alarmed by the amount of American farmland China and other foreign entities own. Giving our adversaries any control over our agricultural resources is a direct threat to our national and food security. Senator Braun’s legislation will help protect America’s farms and safeguard our food supply.” — Sen. John Barrasso
“Food security is national security and that requires America’s farmland be protected from foreign adversaries, like China. I believe one acre of American farmland owned by the Chinese Communist Party is one acre too many,” said Senator Britt. “To protect Alabama and America’s farmland from being purchased by malign actors, the Secretary of Agriculture must have a seat at the table. This commonsense legislation ensures the Secretary of Agriculture is made a permanent member of CFIUS in order to weigh in on the needs of America’s agriculture industry when reviewing foreign investment and ownership.”—Sen. Katie Britt
“Nearly two-thirds of land in Indiana – and more than half of all land in the United States – is farmland. Recent efforts by China and other adversaries to buy agricultural land across the country could present a national security threat. Indiana is a leader in restricting these purchases, but Congress must act to ensure permanent safeguards are in place in all fifty states.” – Sen. Todd Young
“Food security is national security, and for too long, the federal government has allowed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to put our security at risk by turning a blind eye to their steadily increasing purchases of American farmland. It is not enough to just discuss this issue—we must take immediate action to stop the CCP from further encroachment. By adding the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS, we can ensure much-needed oversight of agricultural land purchases by foreign adversaries, which will protect American farmers and the industry as a whole. The Chinese Communist Party has long sought to undermine our institutions and very way of life, and I am proud to lead this effort to support farmers in Central Washington and across the nation.”— Rep. Dan Newhouse
The Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2024 would:
- Permanently include the Secretary of Agriculture as a member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) with respect to covered transactions involving agricultural land, agricultural biotech, or the transportation, storage, and processing of agricultural products.
- Authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to report both agricultural land transactions that involve foreign persons of China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran, and transactions that require AFIDA reporting to CFIUS.
This bill is sponsored by the Indiana Farm Bureau, American Farm Bureau, Indiana Soybean Alliance, and the Indiana Corn Growers Association.
Trailblazers sweep Lincoln Trail on Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University volleyball team kept their Region 24 winning streak alive Friday night at the Physical Education Complex, hosting Lincoln Trail College on Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night.
VU secured their 43rd straight win over a Region 24 opponent by defeating the Statesmen 26-24, 25-20, 25-18.
Vincennes got off to a slow start in set one with Lincoln Trail quickly grabbing an 8-5 lead.
VU would battle back to regain the lead at 12-11 before the Statesmen rallied with three unanswered points.
Lincoln Trail would grow their lead to four points at 23-19 and look to have the Blazers on the ropes in the first set before VU rode a wave on encouragement from the home crowd to close out set one on a 7-1 scoring run and take the opening set 26-24 in overtime.
Vincennes continued to ride this momentum into set two, gaining an early 7-4 advantage and later growing their lead to 18-10.
Lincoln Trail would continue to battle however, cutting the deficit down to three at 19-16 but were unable to overcome the deficit as VU took set three 25-20 to earn a 2-0 match lead.
The Trailblazers looked determined early in set three to finish off another Region 24 sweep, scoring the first four points of the set before the Statesmen would rally to even the score at 8-8.
Vincennes would again find themselves holding an 18-10 lead as Coach Sien began to empty his bench.
Lincoln Trail would look to close the margin late in the third set but were unable to complete the comeback as VU picked up set three 25-18 to complete the three set sweep over the Statesmen.
“Every year we always enjoy having Faculty and Staff Night,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “When you talk about the student athlete, we obviously talk a lot about the athlete part, but I always feel we need to talk about the student part more. Tonight we got to see that these faculty and staff members really mean a lot to our athletes and it was great to recognize that and the big part that they play in their lives. There are a number of professors that told me that they still keep in touch with our athletes from years back, even going back to my first year in 2016.”
“Having the long recognition before the game I think got us off to a slow start tonight,” Sien added. “We really were slow the entire first set and it felt like we were playing catch up. We were down 19-23, we got Brooklyn in there and she is just a real spark off the bench. She always comes in and makes a big serve, a big serving run or a couple of big digs. She may be quiet vocally, but she is loud when it comes to her play.”
“After that comeback to take set one we definitely used that m
USI Social Work Department celebrates major milestones in 2024
New online master’s degree now available
September 14, 2024
University of Southern Indiana social work faculty are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable milestones of the USI Social Work Program—50 years of social work at USI, 40 years of the Bachelor of Social Work degree and 30 years of Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, alongside the inaugural year of the University’s online MSW option. These achievements represent not just a long-standing commitment to excellence in social work education but also a profound dedication to making a positive impact in the Evansville community and Tri-state region.
For five decades, the USI Social Work Department, housed in the College of Liberal Arts, has been a cornerstone in shaping compassionate and skilled social work professionals who are dedicated to improving lives and fostering social justice. In 1974, shaped from increasing needs in the community and advocacy from community leaders, social work at USI began as a concentration in sociology. Ten years later in 1984, the Bachelor of Social Work degree emerged with a dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable populations. The MSW program, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, has built upon this foundation, preparing advanced practitioners to tackle complex social issues with expertise and empathy.
This year, the 50th anniversary, is particularly exciting as the College of Liberal Arts introduces its online MSW option. The online MSW expands access to our high-quality education and allows faculty to reach a broader audience. This new format reflects the University’s commitment to adapting to the needs of students and the ever-evolving landscape of social work.
“The Social Work Department at USI plays a crucial role in the Evansville community, providing essential services and support through our undergraduates and graduates who work tirelessly to address social challenges, advocate for vulnerable populations and drive meaningful change,” says Dr. Jay Dickerson, Chair of the Social Work Department. “As we mark these significant milestones, we celebrate the legacy of our past, the achievements of our present and the promising future of social work education at USI. Our journey is a testament to the strength and resilience of our community and the transformative power of social work.”
The Social Work program, in collaboration with the local community, trains students to help others help themselves through teaching theory and skills in the classroom and in the field. It is also designed to ingrain compassion and empathy in all students so they can effectively help their community and learn to adapt to new social issues that arise.
“My time in the Social Work Department has been a profound journey of growth, compassion and purpose,” says Aaron Pryor BSW ’10, M ’14, Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services and Adjunct in Social Work. “From where I stand, the future looks bright, and it will continue to do so as long as programs like the one at USI empower those they serve.”
This Spring, social work faculty, students and alumni will gather for the annual Social Work Conference to celebrate these milestones and learn from other social work professionals and organizations.
Punishing K-12 students for ‘misgendering’ peers is unconstitutional & undermines all parents, Attorney General Todd Rokita proves
Attorney General Todd Rokita is standing up for young people’s First Amendment rights in a brief arguing that government cannot compel students to use other people’s “preferred pronouns” in violation of their own deeply held beliefs. Rokita and a likeminded coalition of attorneys general have taken on rogue school administrators across the country, who now use “anti-harassment” rules to force students into navigating and conforming to the bizarre world of transanity – or face very real consequences.
“Exerting government force to require students to speak certain words or affirm certain beliefs is about as Orwellian as it gets,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Many people believe that a person’s sex — either male or female — is a matter of biological fact rather than a matter of personal choice. Whether led to that conclusion by faith or science, the First Amendment protects an individual’s right to espouse such a view and to use pronouns that align with it.”
In an amicus brief, Attorney General Rokita and 21 other attorneys general take issue with a policy adopted by a school district near Columbus, Ohio, that requires students to use preferred pronouns no matter their personal beliefs. The attorneys general argue that the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit should rehear the case after a three-judge panel from that court ruled 2-1 in the school district’s favor.
Forcing kids and parents in Ohio to disregard their personal beliefs is an issue which easily bleeds across state lines.
“The First Amendment does not allow school officials to coerce students into expressing messages inconsistent with the students’ values,” the brief argues. In fact, it’s the opposite. “The First Amendment stringently limits a State’s authority to compel a private party to express a view with which the private party disagrees.”
Missouri Valley Conference Announces Tournament Coming to the Ford Center
- Doors open at 11:00 a.m
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Press conference begins at 11:30 a.m
IT’S COMPLICATED
GAVEL GAMUT
By Jim Redwine
www.jamesmredwine.com
(Week of 16 September 2024)
IT’S COMPLICATED
In the 1967 movie Cool Hand Luke Paul Newman played petit criminal Luke Jackson who was sentenced to two years in a southern prison. Strother Martin portrayed a prison captain who was determined to force Luke to strictly comply with all the prison regulations, sensible or arbitrary.
Luke found it hard to simply “go along to get along”; he preferred to endure the Captain’s sadistic whippings and beatings to compromising his resistance, what Luke saw as principles. As seen from the outside, neither man’s actions and reactions made sense. The Captain ironically explained the conflict between this contest of wills as, “What we have here is failure to communicate.”
Cool Hand Luke came to mind when I saw the bystander and police bodycam videos of professional footballer Tyreek Hill’s and Miami policeman Danny Torres’ altercation on Sunday, September 8, 2024. As with most human conflicts, the “truth” of this incident varies depending upon perspective. Just as Luke and the Captain viewed their own actions as righteous, Hill and Torres saw the situation differently.
Somethings are fairly straight forward. Hill is a thirty-year old Black man who was driving to his job when Torres and two other policemen stopped Hill for speeding. Torres estimated Hill was going sixty miles per hour in a thirty zone. Hill was driving a McLaren 720S coupe with heavily tinted windows. The 720S was manufactured in England and had a MSRP of half a million dollars. Hill has a contract that pays him thirty million dollars per year to play football for the Miami Dolphins. Torres is of Hispanic heritage and has been on the police force for twenty-seven years. According to the Internet, a Miami policeman earns between 42,000 and 86,000 dollars per year.
When Hill stopped, Torres approached his car and tapped on the driver-side window telling Hill to roll it down. Hill lowered the window far enough to hand Torres his driver’s license and told Torres to not tap on his window. This is about the point where the alter egos of Luke and the Captain appeared. Torres told Hill to lower the window all the way but Hill did not comply. Torres began to raise his voice and ordered Hill to get out of the car. From this point on perspective is important and facts are whatever that perspective believes.
Hill’s version includes questions of racism and Torres’ version includes questions of privilege. Hill said he would not have been pulled from his car, thrown on the hot pavement and handcuffed if he had not been Black. Torres asserted that if Hill had simply complied with reasonable orders the matter could have been handled as a routine traffic stop. Torres has not said so but it is possible he resented Hill’s fancy car and attitude.
We do not know what truly motivated the unreasonable actions of Hill or Torres. What we do know is that each of us has been involved in situations where our obstinance has been unreasonable and has led to bad outcomes, maybe not like handcuffs for Hill and a suspension for Torres, but other unpleasant results for us.
Perhaps Hill did react to the original stop as a violation of his status as a wealthy sports superstar. Or maybe Torres did resent Hill’s status and wealth. We do not know and probably will not find out. However, what we do know is that just as Luke, the Captain, Hill and Torres, our own stubbornness and temper have led to results that just with a little more positive behavior and an attitude that the world is not our enemy, could have saved us, and others, from heartache.
For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com
EPA Releases Proposed Updates to Recommendations to Help Buyers Find Sustainable Products
EPA Releases Proposed Updates to Recommendations to Help Buyers Find Sustainable Products
WASHINGTON – Today, Sept. 10, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a proposed update to the agency’s Recommendations of Specifications, Standards and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing (Recommendations), which help federal government purchasers and other buyers utilize private sector standards and ecolabels to buy products that are more sustainable and climate-friendly and contain safer chemical ingredients. This is the first time in nearly 10 years that EPA has comprehensively evaluated standards and ecolabels to determine whether to add them to the Recommendations.
The Recommendations help to identify thousands of products and services across 35 categories that conserve energy or water, include more recycled content, or reduce the use of PFAS and single-use plastics. By helping federal purchasers identify and procure environmentally preferable products and services, the Recommendations can save taxpayers money, reduce climate impacts, and prevent pollution.
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability direct federal agencies to maximize the procurement of sustainable products and services and to prioritize products and services that meet EPA’s Recommendations.
The update proposes adding 14 standards and ecolabels to the Recommendations across three new product categories, covering healthcare, laboratories, and clothing and uniforms, and expanding the existing food service ware sub-category.
“With hundreds of ecolabels in the marketplace, EPA’s Recommendations cut through the clutter and give federal purchasers and other sustainability-conscious consumers confidence when making purchasing decisions. The ecolabels and standards that EPA includes in the Recommendations have demonstrated that they can truly help us achieve sustainability at scale,” said Jennie Romer, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention in EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Updating the Recommendations ensures the power of federal procurement, which accounted for more than $700 billion in annual spending last year alone, continues to advance the federal government’s effort to purchase products and services that are sustainable and climate friendly.”
If finalized, the updates to the Recommendations would give federal purchasers and other buyers new guidance and options for purchasing sustainable products and services in four categories, which EPA proposes to divide into nine sub-categories, including by expanding the existing sub-category for food service ware. The Recommendations currently include only one recommended ecolabel in the food service ware sub-category, which covers compostable products. If finalized, the updated Recommendations would include three additional standards and ecolabels for food service ware, covering products that are reusable, certified compostable, and certified recyclable. EPA is also providing a new resource that outlines current best practices for the procurement of food service ware sub-categories, which is available on EPA’s website.
EPA assessed the environmental sustainability of the third-party standards and ecolabels under the Framework for the Assessment of Environmental Performance Standards and Ecolabels, and also assessed for a third-party certification program to verify product conformance.
In April 2022, EPA announced stronger eligibility criteria for including standards and ecolabels in the Recommendations, which require each standard and ecolabel to have a competent third-party verification program and a current directory of qualifying products and services. EPA is proposing to remove seven standards or ecolabels because they do not meet these new requirements, are discontinued, or are no longer required by regulation.
EPA will accept public comments on the proposed updates to the Recommendations for 30 days after publication via docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2022-0835 at Regulations.gov. EPA will use feedback it receives from public comments to inform the final updates to the Recommendations.
UE men’s soccer hosts Drake to begin conference play
The Purple Aces return to Arad McCutchan Stadium on Saturday night
SEPTEMBER 14, 2024
The Purple Aces return home after a tough stretch on the road with back-to-back losses to Lindenwood and Butler. UE struggled against the Bulldogs on Tuesday night, allowing four goals in the loss. UE moves forward by beginning Missouri Valley Conference play on Saturday night with the same team from starting 2023 Valley play, the Drake Bulldogs. Evansville is looking to avenge a close 2-1 loss from 2023 back on their home field where Drake scored in the final five minutes of the match.
The Bulldogs come into Saturday’s game with a three-game win streak and an overall record of 4-2. Two of Drake’s three recent wins came at home with their only road win of the season at DePaul by one goal. The Bulldogs are led on offense by junior midfielder Damien Segura with nine points from four goals and one assist for a breakout start to the season.
Graduate forward Sami Owusu scored his second-season goal on Tuesday night for Evansville’s only goal at Butler. Owusu scored in the 69th minute with a wide-arching right-footed shot off a defensive Butler play. Despite the tough road trip, UE still leads the Missouri Valley Conference in shots per game. Evansville averages 14.83 shots per game, leading Western Michigan by over 1.5 shots. The Aces are 32nd in the nation in shots per game nationally.
Freshman goalkeeper Michal Mroz (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove HS) is one of the country’s most active goalkeepers through the season’s non-conference portion. With 540 minutes played, Mroz is second in the country in goalie minutes played while leading the Valley.
Volleyball falls in opening two contests in Morehead, Ky.
Volleyball falls in opening two contests in Morehead, Ky.Aces face Eagles in Saturday’s finale
MOREHEAD, Ky. – Two hard-fought matches on Friday saw the University of Evansville volleyball team drop a 5-set match to Eastern Michigan before losing a 3-0 decision to Duquesne in the Comfort Inn-Vitational at Johnson Arena.
Match 1 – Eastern Michigan 3, UE 2
Giulia Cardona posted 26 kills, but Kaili Doctor had 17 to pace Eastern Michigan to a 5-set win over the Purple Aces in Friday’s opener. Along with her dig total, Cardona added 20 digs and five blocks. Melanie Feliciano added 13 kills while Madisyn Steele had eight and Jenna Heidbreder finished with six. Lexi Owen had 47 assists and 12 digs while Maddie Hawkins chipped in 12 digs and three aces. Cardona picked up five aces of her own.
Set 1 – EMU 25, UE 20
Things got started with a close battle in the opening frame. Four in a row by the Aces broke a 7-7 tie as Feliciano notched two kills and a block. The Eagles fought back with four in a row before a late 3-0 stretch broke a 16-16 tie. EMU did not look back as they took the set by five points.
Set 2 – UE 25, EMU 19
Evansville had the upper hand to begin with a kill from Steele capping a 3-1 start. Eastern Michigan knotted the score at 5-5 and wrestled away a 9-7 edge. The turning point for UE came with the score tied at 15-15. Back-to-back service aces from Heidbreder gave the Aces the lead for good.
Following a time out, EMU scored to make it a 17-16 game, but the Aces countered with four in a row and would cruise to the 6-point win.
Set 3 – EMU 28, UE 26
Another strong start saw Evansville open a 4-1 lead with Cardona adding a pair of kills to her total. She added two more kills and consecutive aces to solidify a 7-3 advantage. EMU slowly made its way back, getting within a point on multiple occasions before an ace by Krystell Pappas put UE in front by a 17-14 margin.
The Eagles stormed back with a 5-1 run to go up 19-18, however, two more Cardona aces put UE on top, 23-21. Eastern Michigan quickly tied the score at 23-23 before an error gave Evansville set point. Unfortunately, the Eagles were able to take the 28-26 win.
Set 4 – UE 25, EMU 22
For the third set in a row, UE had the early momentum, recording the first three points. An ace from Maddie Hawkins extended the early lead to 6-2. Once again, EMU chipped away before eventually tying the score at 14-14 before taking their first lead of the frame at 20-19.
After the Eagles took a 22-21 edge, the Aces took control as they scored the final four points to force a fifth set. Hawkins picked up another ace while Heidbreder had the clinching kill.
Set 5 – EMU 15, UE 10
Steele and Cardona combined on a block to give UE an early 2-0 lead while Eastern Michigan fought back with a 6-1 stretch to take a 6-3 lead. Three in a row by the Aces tied the score, but EMU came back with a pair to go up 8-6. Evansville once again came back to tie it up, but the Eagles changed the course of the match with a 6-0 run before clinching the match with a 15-10 win.
Match 2 – Duquesne 3, UE 0
For the second time on Friday, Giulia Cardona led the Purple Aces with 13 kills but it was Duquesne taking the match by a 3-0 final. Melanie Feliciano recorded 9 kills and a team-best 13 digs while Lexi Owen posted 22 assists. Madisyn Steele was credited with three solo blocks and two block assists.
Set 1 – DU 25, UE 23
Madisyn Steele had an early solo block to give Evansville a 2-0 advantage while Maddie Hawkins had an ace to make it a 4-2 game. The Dukes rebounded with the next three tallies to take their first lead at 5-4. From there, the squads battled it out with UE looking to take control when an ace from Lexi Owen made it a 19-16 game.
A kill from Cardona set the Aces up with a 23-20 lead, but Duquesne had one final rally left, reeling off the final five points to take the set.
Set 2 – DU 25, UE 20
Another back-and-forth contest ensued as the teams battled to multiple tie scores throughout the majority of the frame. Duquesne was the first to take a multi-point edge, going up 17-15. Evansville rallied back when an ace from Melanie Feliciano put the Aces on top at 19-18. Another late rally by the Dukes saw them score five in a row before taking a 2-0 lead with a 25-20 decision.
Set 3 – DU 25, UE 22
After the Dukes held an early 7-5 lead, a kill from Steele tied the score at 7-7. Duquesne scored the next two and would hold the lead for the remainder of the set. An ace gave them their largest advantage at 21-16 before UE closed to two points when a block from Chloe Cline and Angelica Gonzalez made it a 22-20 game. Duquesne got back on track to win the match with a 25-22 decision in the third set.