It was another busy week in Washington for lawmakers representing Johnson County at the U.S. Capitol.
An extended version of this story can be found at dailyjournal.net. Here’s an abbreviated look at what they did:
HOUSE
Shreve advances election integrity bill
U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve, R-Indiana, voted to advance legislation his office says safeguards American elections. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act passed the U.S. House with strong Republican support. It aims to ensure that only U.S citizens vote in our elections, according to a news release.
The SAVE Act upholds and strengthens current law by requiring in-person proof of citizenship to register to vote in Federal elections. The SAVE Act also requires states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. It allows for more than six types of identification to prove U.S. citizenship.
In the Hoosier state, election officials have striven to purge voter rolls of deceased citizens. The SAVE Act will serve as a tool for the state to better support election integrity and verify that only U.S. citizens may participate in federal elections.
“Non-citizens should not vote in our elections. The SAVE Act puts safeguards in place to protect the voice of American citizens and prevent non-citizens from voting,” Shreve said. “Elections are a part of our country’s democratic process. It’s our responsibility to ensure they’re secure — and for U.S. citizens only. This election integrity bill is common sense.”
Shreve joins efforts to expand education savings plans
Shreve joined the effort to expand the use of 529 education savings plans to cover expenses for trade schools, apprenticeships, and aviation-focused programs. This will help more Hoosiers obtain and retain well-paying jobs that don’t require a traditional four-year degree, according to a news release from his office.
The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, co-sponsored by Shreve broadens the scope of qualified expenses under 529 savings plans to include postsecondary training and credentials, including licenses and non-governmental certifications. The bill will provide tax-advantaged resources to families, students, and workers — regardless of whether they possess a college degree. This bill was introduced by Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Virginia.
The Aviation Workforce Development Act, co-sponsored by Shreve, makes training at Federal Aviation Administration-certified commercial pilot schools and aircraft maintenance technician schools a qualified expense for 529 savings plans, encouraging Americans to become skilled pilots and mechanics, furthering our aviation workforce. This bill was introduced by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Georgia.
“As a member of the Aviation Subcommittee, I recognize the urgent need to strengthen our aviation workforce,” Shreve said. “While expanding opportunities for all Hoosiers pursuing hands-on careers. These bills ensure that 529 savings plans work for everyone. Indiana is a leader in apprenticeship programs — and these commonsense bills allow our skilled workers to adequately invest in their futures.”
529 funds are tax-advantaged investment accounts that are a tool for parents or guardians to save for their child’s education. Allowing 529 funds to cover alternative education opportunities is a critical investment in America’s skilled workforce with zero increased cost to taxpayers. Indiana ranks among the top five states for the highest number of people in active apprenticeships, according to a news release.
SENATE
Young introduces bill to improve access to infrastructure funding for Great Lakes ports
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in introducing legislation aimed at ensuring that Great Lakes ports receive a fair share of existing federal funding available for port infrastructure upgrades and repairs.
From 2019 to 2024, Great Lakes ports received as little as two percent of all available Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) awards, with Gulf Coast ports receiving as little as six percent of that same funding. Meanwhile, ports along the East and West Coasts of the United States were awarded almost 70 percent funding available. The Securing Smart Investments in Our Ports Act would help address this imbalance by directing the Maritime Administration to consider fair regional distribution of PIDP funds when awarding grants, according to a news release.
“Indiana’s ports are critical to our state’s economy and connect Hoosier businesses and farmers to the world. This bill will better ensure ports in the Great Lakes region have access to existing programs meant to improve their infrastructure, safety, and efficiency,” Young said.
The PIDP is a competitive federal grant program administered by the Maritime Administration that provides funding to improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of our nation’s ports – including investments to reconstruct docks, improve access to key transportation routes, expand storage capacity, and more.
Young, colleagues introduce sanctions against the Russian Federation
Young joined 49 of his Senate colleagues in introducing primary and secondary sanctions against the Russian Federation and actors supporting Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
These sanctions would be imposed if Russia refuses to engage in good faith negotiations for a lasting peace with Ukraine or initiates another effort, including military invasion, that undermines the sovereignty of Ukraine after peace is negotiated. The legislation also imposes new penalties on countries that buy Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products, according to a news release.
Young introduces bill to support American leadership in emerging technology
Young and Sens. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, and John Hickenlooper, D-Colorado, reintroduced a bill to establish a nonprofit foundation that would support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) by bolstering public-private collaboration on U.S. technological innovation and competitiveness.
The Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness (EPIC) Act would establish a foundation to help NIST achieve its goal of promoting U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness in science and technology. Congress has established similar foundations to support other federal agencies, according to a news release.
“Maintaining and encouraging research and development in the U.S. is critical to winning the technological race against China and other adversaries,” Young said. “Our bipartisan legislation will support these efforts by establishing an independent foundation to identify and foster innovative public-private partnerships across the country and strengthen the American economy.”
Emerging Biotechnology Commission urges swift action to protect national security
Earlier this week, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) delivered its major report and action plan to Congress. Young is chair of the commission.
The Commission’s top assessment is that urgent Congressional action is needed to bring the full weight of American innovation to bear on the biotechnology challenge and maintain U.S. global leadership in this transformative area. For decades, the U.S. has been the global leader in biotechnology innovation. Now, the commission finds that the U.S. is dangerously close to falling behind China, according to a news release.
“The United States is locked in a competition with China that will define the coming century. Biotechnology is the next phase in that competition. It is no longer constrained to the realm of scientific achievement. It is now an imperative for national security, economic power, and global influence. Biotechnology can ensure our warfighters continue to be the strongest fighting force on tomorrow’s battlefields, and reshore supply chains while revitalizing our manufacturing sector, creating jobs here at home,” Young said in a news release.
The commission’s report lays out six pillars for action and makes 49 recommendations. Read the full report at biotech.senate.gov/final-report
Young gives statement on Trump’s shipbuilding executive order
Young released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to support shipbuilding in the United States:
“President Trump understands that we need to build more ships here in the United States. This executive order recognizes the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to reinvigorate the U.S. shipbuilding and maritime industries, sharing the same goals as the SHIPS for America Act.
“America’s maritime industry and shipbuilding capacity have dangerously lagged behind over the years, allowing China to get ahead and pose a serious threat over the oceans. Today’s action by the Trump administration shows they see the same threat and the urgent need to reverse course to strengthen our national security and grow our economy. I am encouraged that many of the provisions in the executive order mirror parts of the SHIPS for America Act.
“In the coming weeks, we will reintroduce the SHIPS for America Act with renewed support to provide the congressional authorizations needed to truly revitalize the American shipbuilding and maritime industries, and work with the Trump administration to get it passed.”
Young and Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, first introduced the SHIPS for America Act in December 2024. The bill is expected to be reintroduced in the coming weeks.