Press Office of Kyle Van Horn (R-KY)

[TexAgRepublican]

Press Office

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release 

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) talked to the press about the future of the Supreme Court. 

“As a Senator, one of my duties is to advise and consent to the nomination of federal judges. Last year, a proposal was introduced by Senator Fakhouri – who is now the Senate Majority Leader – to amend the Constitution and allow for the direct election of Supreme Court judges. Some people might like this idea because they feel it puts more power into the hands of the people to decide important issues. However, I disagree with this proposal because it would make the Supreme Court much more politicized. One concept that is central to the foundations of our democracy is the protection of minority rights. Even when those who are in the minority opinion lose an election, their rights must still be protected. The Supreme Court – an unelected body – acts as the main guardian of those rights. It's all part of our system of checks and balances. Directly elected Supreme Court judges could be pressured to rule in ways that erode the God-given rights of the minority. 

“Now that Alex Fakhouri is the Senate Majority Leader, it will be interesting to see if this proposal is revisited. This is the type of radical proposal that could fundamentally transform our country in a damaging way, even thought it may sound good to some people. It will be the responsibility of Senate Republicans to scrutinize these proposals for the next two years.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release 

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) talked to the press after introducing the Fair Trade Act. 

“There’s been a lot of talk lately about trade and outsourcing, and you can’t have a conversation about this without mentioning currency manipulation. Currency manipulation is when countries artificially devalue their own currency to flood the global market with their own cheap goods and undercut American manufacturers. As recently as August 2015, China devalued the yuan and sent shockwaves through global financial markets to gain an unfair advantage in trade. While China is one of the most egregious actors, many countries are guilty of currency manipulation. A recent study published in 2012 found that more than 20 countries have engaged in currency manipulation, leading to the loss of over a million American jobs and a $200 to $500 billion increase in our annual trade deficit. 

“That is why today I introduced the Fair Trade Act. This bill authorizes the use of tariffs against countries that engage in currency manipulation. It gives us the tools to fight back against currency manipulation and protect American jobs. Currency manipulation is not free trade, and countries that engage in this practice should not be allowed to kill American jobs without any repercussions. Today, we fight back.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release 

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) talked to the press after introducing the Security Against Foreign Enemies Act, also known as the SAFE Act. 

“One of the big issues across the pond in Europe for the past two years has been the emerging refugee crisis. Nearly a million refugees entered Europe, mostly from war-torn places like Syria. This wave of mass immigration is putting economic and social pressure on Europe. I think we can learn a lot from their situation. 

“On one hand, the United States is a shining city on a hill. We’re a beacon of hope for people around the world seeking refuge from war-torn countries and oppressive regimes. On the other hand, we must do what is best for America. We can only take in so many people a time. Many of these refugees come from parts of the world seriously compromised by terrorism, such as Iraq and Syria. There’s always the risk that someone comes here with bad intentions. The threat of Islamic extremism is very real. We learned that after witnessing the horrors in Paris, San Bernadino, and Orlando. We must remain vigilant. 

“That is why I introduced the Security Against Foreign Enemies Act, also called the SAFE Act. The SAFE Act prevents terrorists from entering our country while posing as refugees. It requires multiple levels of screening and vetting by several different federal agencies. No refugee will be allowed entry into our country until the FBI, DNI and DHS all certify that the refugee is not a threat. 

“This might seem harsh, but we live in a harsh world. The safety of the American people is my highest priority as a Senator, and I will do everything possible to protect our country from terrorism.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release 

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) talked to the press after introducing the Legal Workforce Act.

“We need to start taking illegal immigration more seriously. That’s why I introduced the Legal Workforce Act. One of the biggest incentives for people to enter our country illegally is the employment magnet. We can’t allow unscrupulous employers to hire illegal immigrants under the table at cut-rate wages. American jobs must go to American workers. The Legal Workforce Act protects American workers by requiring that all employers use the proven e-verify system to verify the legal status of who they hire. If we’re serious about protecting American workers and securing our border, then we need to enact mandatory e-verify.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release 

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) talked to the press after introducing the Death Penalty for Cop Killers Act with Senator David Stewart (R-PA).

“Today I am proud to team up with Senator Stewart to introduce the Death Penalty for Cop Killers Act. The death penalty must remain an option for the most heinous crimes. One of the most heinous crimes is the murder of a police officer. Police officers protect our communities from lawlessness every day. It is important for America’s leaders to do everything we can to support our police. That is why Senator Stewart and I introduced this bill, which will make the murder of a police officer or any type of first responder eligible for the federal death penalty. We must support our police and first responders as they serve our communities.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Senator Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release

 

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) spoke to the press after he introduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act. 

 

“A lot of politicians back home talk about taking care of coal miners. Often times that means protecting their jobs from unnecessary regulations. While that is very important, it is also important to take care of our miners when their careers are over. One of the biggest challenges many miners face after their career ends is black lung disease. This is a debilitating and deadly disease that has caused more than 78,000 deaths since 1968. Miners who contract this disease can get benefits paid out by the Black Lung Benefits Act. Unfortunately, there is a backlog of cases and many miners are having trouble getting the benefits they are entitled to. Sometimes they even have to fight for their benefits in court. That is why I introduced the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act. This bill provides miners with better and more timely benefits by streamlining the black lung benefits process, reducing the backlog of benefits claims, restoring lost cost-of-benefit increases, ensuring cost-of-living increases are never withheld in the future, and helping claimants secure legal representation. The bill also improves miners’ access to medical evidence so that claims can be decided fairly in court. The bill requires full disclosure of medical information, prohibits unethical conduct by doctors and attorneys, and allows miners or their survivors to reopen previously denied cases. This bill will make it much easier for miners and their families to get the benefits they deserve in a timely manner.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release 

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) talked to the press after being appointed Senate Minority Whip by Senate Minority Leader Cliff Fleming (R-AL).

 
“I am new here to the Senate, but I’ve always answered the call to serve when people need me. Cliff asked me to step in here, and I agreed to do it. It’s not a job I was pursuing, but I’ve built relationships throughout the conference in my short time here. I think it will help bring the conference together.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release 

Washington, DC – Senate Minority Whip Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) talked to the press after introducing the EL CHAPO Act to the Senate. 

“The extradition of the drug lord El Chapo to the United States is a huge win for our country in its battle against drug cartels. It also presents an incredible opportunity to fund our border security. El Chapo has about $14 billion in drug profits and other assets related to his illegal activities. That money should be used towards securing our border. That is why today I introduced the EL CHAPO Act. This bill ensures that El Chapo’s ill-gotten gains will be used for security measures along the border, including the construction of a wall. It also ensures that profits and assets from other cartel members will be used for the same purpose when they are brought to justice.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release 

Washington, DC – Senate Minority Whip Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) talked to the press after introducing the No Sanctuary for Criminal Aliens Act.

“Immigration is one of my top priorities, and that continues by introducing the No Sanctuary for Criminal Aliens Act. This bill is very straightforward. It defunds sanctuary cities. Our immigration laws must be enforced, and we cannot allow rogue localities to circumvent federal law. This is non-negotiable. Illegal immigration is a crisis, and we need all hands on deck.”

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) spoke to the press after a bill that includes Senator Van Horn’s Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act was passed by the Senate. 

“Today we got one step closer to finally taking care of our retired coal miners. A bill that includes the Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act was passed by the Senate. Black lung is a debilitating and deadly disease that has caused more than 78,000 deaths since 1968. Miners who contract this disease can get benefits paid out by the Black Lung Benefits Act. The Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act will make it much easier for miners and their families to get the benefits they deserve in a timely manner.

“Today I ask Speaker Ryan to docket this bill so we can get it enacted into law. So many politicians love to talk about how much they care about the coal industry and coal miners. Well, here’s our chance to prove it. Here’s our chance to make life a little better for those who have sacrificed their health to keep our lights on.” 

[TexAgRepublican]

From The Office of Kyle Van Horn
For Immediate Release

Washington, DC – Senator Kyle Van Horn (R-KY) spoke to the press after introducing the RAISE Act. 

“When politicians talk about immigration, they are usually talking about illegal immigration. Make no mistake about it, stopping illegal immigration is very important. That is why I have introduced legislation such as the EL CHAPO Act, the Legal Workforce Act, and the No Sanctuary for Criminal Aliens Act to invest billions of dollars in border security and strengthen the enforcement our of immigration laws to keep out illegal aliens. 

“However, we must also focus on legal immigration because our system of legal immigration is badly in need of reform. Specifically, we must move away from mass-immigration policies that weaken the national and economic security of our nation and instead switch to a merit-based immigration system that emphasizes a smaller number of highly-qualified immigrants who have the skills and abilities America needs. 

“That is why today I introduced the RAISE Act. This bill will move our country to the merit-based immigration system that we need. The RAISE Act will reduce the number of green cards issued in half, impose a cap of 50,000 refugees per year, end chain migration, end the diversity visa lottery, and implement a points-based system for new immigrants.”

“There is no reason for our country to bring in over a million green cards a year. We can’t properly vet that many people. We can’t properly assimilate that many people. And we can’t ensure that such high levels of immigration won’t have a negative effect on working-class Americans, especially younger workers who haven’t had the opportunity to acquire many skills yet. These workers are the ones who are the most impacted by our current system of rudderless mass-immigration. We can do better, and the RAISE Act will ensure that America brings in the best and brightest from the around the world with the skills and abilities that our country needs for the future.”