Pandemic Preparedness
Juneteenth Day
Today is Juneteenth, a day that signifies the end of slavery. June 19, 1865 was the day the last remaining slaves heard the news of their freedom. The Wisconsin capitol is flying a Juneteenth flag today.
Milwaukee has hosted large Juneteenth Day celebrations since 1971. While the official celebration had to be canceled this year due to COVID, Wisconsinites are finding other ways to mark this important recognition of freedom.
Learn more here.
White House Panel on Race Relations
ICYMI: I encourage everyone to watch this panel discussion on race relations held at the White House earlier this month. President Trump invited black leaders and media personalities from around the country to participate.
Popular Sirius XM radio host Sonnie Johnson had several valuable points on topics from education to criminal justice reform.
You can watch the entire roundtable here.
Read about the event in Red State.
COVID Response Strategies
My committee held a hearing with FEMA, Department of Defense, and Department of Health and Human Services to discuss the government's procurement and distribution strategies in response to COVID-19.
It is evident that our preparedness enterprise, resources, and supply chains were stressed past the capacity required to meet a nationwide pandemic. We have faced challenges predicting the future demand of personal protective equipment, diagnostic tests, and other medically- necessary equipment, and to meet actual demand with timely, sufficient supply.
We can and must find ways to encourage and assist states to be better prepared for pandemics and other disasters in the future.
The men and women of FEMA and the Department of Health and Human Services have worked tirelessly for many months to help save Americans lives. We owe them a great deal of gratitude for their service.
Watch the hearing here.
COMING UP: June 24 hearing on the role of the Strategic National Stockpile.
How to Fix the Paycheck Protection Program
We've already disbursed $511 billion through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), and the proceeds have been spent on payroll and other qualified expenses. Still, it has left many businesses asking what they'll do next. The program was designed to help small businesses bridge short-term shutdowns. It isn't suited to long-term suspensions. If the U.S. economy is to recover as rapidly as possible, we need to redesign and repurpose a portion of the $2.9 trillion already passed. One glaring example: We should stop paying people more to stay unemployed than they made working.
Read more of my Wall Street Journal op-ed.
In the Media 
Discussing the Russia probe on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.
Charlie Kirk Podcast: Lengthy discussion on my committee's subpoenas issued against Blue Star Strategies.
CNBC Squawk Box: Discussing the importance of reopening the American economy and the need to ensure stimulus funding makes it to the workers and businesses who need it most.
