1) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR HALF THE GROWTH OF THE U.S. ECONOMY SINCE WORLD WAR II. WHAT ROLE, IF ANY, SHOULD GOVERNMENT PLAY IN STIMULATING INNOVATIVE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SO WE CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THEM?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

Federally funded research has spurred innovation and countless scientific breakthroughs that play an intricate role in our daily lives, from the internet and GPS to new medicines and beyond. I believe strongly that the U.S. must remain engaged in many facets of scientific research. Whether it is government scientists at NASA, NOAA, and our National Laboratories, or the strong partnerships that we have built with the elite research colleges and universities and private companies in New Jersey and across the country, the research that the federal government conducts and funds increases our well-being, keeps us safe, and helps us better understand ourselves and the world around us. Additionally, robust federal investment in science and technology remains critical to keeping the United States competitive in a global economy. That is why I have consistently supported funding for programs like the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health and the myriad other federal agencies that support science and scientific research. Without the profit-driven mindset of a private company, the federal government can invest in nascent technologies that are not yet primed for private commercial investment. I will continue to fight against proposed cuts to science-based programs, and hold the Trump Administration accountable when they ignore scientific research. Such an anti-science approach to policy endangers both public health and our standing in the world.

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2) WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND WHAT KIND OF ENERGY STRATEGIES WOULD YOU SUPPORT?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

My views on climate change are firmly grounded in the scientific consensus that the planet is getting warmer, storms are getting stronger and more unpredictable, and that human activities are behind this change. That is to say, my view is just the logical conclusion of vast amounts of data and analysis collected and conducted by qualified scientists that have undergone extensive scrutiny and peer review. Rather than denying the information in front of me, it is my job to translate this scientific research into sensible public policy that puts us on a path to a sustainable future. This means phasing down our reliance on fossil fuels and accelerating our transition to clean and renewable forms of energy.

As the ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee I have been a staunch supporter of continued U.S. involvement in the Paris climate agreement, and will continue to pressure President Trump to reconsider his reckless decision to withdraw from the agreement in November 2020. Additionally, I have introduced legislation to eliminate taxpayer subsidies for the largest oil companies, which they have enjoyed for over a century in some cases. I have also cosponsored legislation to phase out all fossil fuel production on federal lands and waters. On the renewable energy side, I have long supported tax credits for renewable energy like wind and solar as a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee. I am particularly excited to see us begin to harness some of the extraordinary potential of offshore wind power off the coast of New Jersey. There are myriad options to head off the worst impacts of climate change, but we have to act quickly. Unfortunately, in Washington, we are too often stuck arguing over whether climate change exists, rather than what to do about it. As such, I will continue to stand up against climate change deniers.

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3) WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON NEW JERSEY RIGHT NOW, OVER THE NEXT TWO DECADES, AND BY THE END OF THIS CENTURY? WHAT ACTIONS, IF ANY, SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKE IN RESPONSE?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

The fact is New Jersey is already seeing the impacts of climate change. While we don’t yet have the ability to attribute any particular weather event to climate change, Hurricane Sandy gives us an idea of what is to come. Stronger storms combined with rising seas can result in devastating storm surge and widespread flooding, damage, and even loss of life. However, while it might be the most dramatic and visible hazard from climate change, other subtle long-term changes are already threatening our shores and our state. We know that New Jersey and the northeast are especially vulnerable to sea level rise. Our fishermen can tell you that we are seeing fish migratory patterns change as they look for cooler waters. Moreover, ocean acidification is inhibiting the ability of shellfish to properly develop. These changes threaten to disturb the delicate balance that keeps our marine ecosystems healthy - ecosystems that, in turn, sustain our vibrant coastal communities. Moreover, we must also be mindful of increased heatwaves, drought, and extreme rainfall events. As we look 20, 50, or 100 years into the future, the range of outcomes becomes wider, but one thing is clear - we expect all of these problems to be exacerbated without decisive action. Choosing between devastating and catastrophic climate change is no choice at all. We have to act now.

I believe that climate change demands a multi-pronged approach from the federal government. First and foremost, if we are to avoid the worst impacts, we, as a global community, have to cut our greenhouse gas emissions, and the United States must be at the forefront of that effort. From the Clean Power Plan to better vehicle emission and fuel economy standards, all of the progress we have made in recent years is under attack.

Even with those regulations in place, it still would not have been enough to limit warming to 1.5-2 degrees above pre-industrial temperatures. Consequently, we have to keep fighting not only to protect the progress we have made, but to build diverse coalitions that are willing to meet our challenges head-on. We also have to understand that, even with immediate and decisive action to curb emissions, we are locked in to some impacts for the near-term. We have to implement adaptation strategies in addition to mitigation. I have championed efforts to restore coastal habitat like wetlands that help to absorb and lessen the impacts of flooding. I also recently introduced legislation with a number of my congressional colleagues to provide additional funding to living shoreline projects. These solutions not only make our communities more resilient and sustainable, but also provide critical habitat to fish, migratory birds, and other wildlife that are part of a healthy coastal ecosystem.

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4) WHAT WILL YOU DO TO PROTECT AMERICA FROM CYBER ATTACKS WHILE ALSO PROTECTING PERSONAL PRIVACY?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

So often we hear about the dichotomy between privacy and security - that we must either compromise our civil liberties or leave ourselves vulnerable to those that seek to do us harm. However, when it comes to cyber attacks, privacy and security often go hand-in-hand. With better security, we can better safeguard our personal data and prevent it from being exploited by bad actors - whether that means scammers looking to steal someone’s identity, or our adversaries looking to interfere with and harm the United States on a larger scale.

In 2016 we saw an unprecedented incursion into our elections by Russia. While we don’t believe they were able to alter vote totals, we do know that they targeted election systems in at least 21 states. In addition to pushing through new sanctions on those responsible, I also introduced legislation that will help states secure their election systems. My bill would (1) provide funding to states to increase the use of voting machines that create auditable paper ballots that accurately reflect voter intent, (2) conduct post-election risk limiting audits to help confirm the accuracy of election results, and (3) implement cyber security standards and best practices. In addition to our election systems, we have also seen attempts to infiltrate our power grid and other critical infrastructure. We must continue to invest in robust cyber security systems and research to stay ahead of the threats that we face.

On the personal data side, I believe that companies and institutions that we entrust with our data need to do more to protect it and should be held accountable when they don’t. That is why I introduced the Consumer Data Protection Act and reintroduced the Commercial Privacy Bill of Rights in the wake of the Equifax data breach that compromised the personal information of over 140 million Americans. These bills would (1) provide additional services to those that have their data stolen, (2) impose fines consumer reporting agencies that fail to protect data, (3) put limits on the types of data that companies can collect and how long they can store it, and (4) improve notification requirements, among several other provisions. With sensible laws and regulations we can ensure that our democratic systems and critical infrastructure are secure and our personal privacy and data are protected.

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5) HOW SHOULD THE SCIENTIFIC RESULTS OF PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH INTO GUN VIOLENCE BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY LEGISLATORS? SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAVE A ROLE IN FUNDING THIS RESEARCH?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

I believe strongly that the Centers for Disease Control and other relevant federal agencies should be allowed to conduct public health research into the causes of and remedies for the gun violence epidemic in this country. Indeed, Congress should supply ample funding for the CDC to carry out these studies. That is why I have consistently requested funding for gun violence research at the CDC, including calling for $50 million in FY19, which is enough funding for ten to twenty studies on the subject. For too long the NRA and other special interest groups have held Congress hostage and have prevented sensible research and policymaking. I am pleased that with my support, Congress finally lifted the Dickey Amendment in the FY18 omnibus, which allows public health research into gun violence to go forward for the first time since 1996. However, it should not have taken so many unspeakable tragedies to get us there.

In the interim, I also believe that other nations around the world that have enacted their own prudent gun safety measures can serve as a model for what might work here. I support universal background checks and closing the gun show and private sale loopholes. I also supported the first military-style assault weapons ban in the 1990s, and have cosponsored legislation to reinstate it. Additionally, I have introduced my own legislation to ban the use of high-capacity magazines that have no purpose other than to inflict maximum casualties in as short a time as possible. These measures shouldn’t be controversial. Likewise, I have fought the Trump administration to ensure 3D gun blueprints are not posted online since guns made of plastic pose a serious security risk.

I am more optimistic than I have been in a long time that we may finally be at a turning point on gun violence in this country, but we must keep pushing. And it bears repeating, public health research will be a critical piece of that push.

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6) MENTAL ILLNESS OFTEN LEADS TO DRUG ADDICTION, CRIME, AND SUICIDE AND COSTS AMERICA MORE THAN $300 BILLION A YEAR. WHAT MENTAL HEALTH POLICIES WILL YOU SUPPORT IF YOU ARE ELECTED?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

Mental health services are a lifeline for so many New Jerseyans and Americans, and we must do a better job of providing access to them. First and foremost, we have to do everything we can to get more people high-quality health insurance coverage. I stand ready to work with any of my colleagues, Democrat or Republican, to build upon the Affordable Care Act and make it work for more people. Unfortunately, all my Republican colleagues seem interested in is tearing down the ACA and ending Medicaid as we know it. Affordable and robust health insurance allows more people to be able to access mental health services when they need them.

I have also worked tirelessly to improve the federal response to the the opioid epidemic that is continuing to devastate too many families. As a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, I am proud to have authored five separate provisions in a comprehensive opioid response bill that recently passed the Committee, and am working to expeditiously advance this bill through the Senate. These provisions would (1) help keep families together as parents seek treatment, (2) provide better access to inpatient psychiatric care, and (3) facilitate increased research on substance use issues. I am also pleased that the recent FY18 omnibus spending bill included an additional $700 million for Title IV of the Every Student Succeeds Act. These funds can be used by states and school districts to provide better school-based mental health services to students, among other uses. Currently, Title IV has $1.1 billion in funding, and I have called for the program to be funded at its fully authorized amount of $1.6 billion.

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7) IN AN AGE DOMINATED BY COMPLEX SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, HOW CAN WE ENSURE THAT STUDENTS RECEIVE ADEQUATE STEM EDUCATION?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and it is vital that we give the next generation of Americans the tools to succeed in a modern, tech-focused economy. While most education funding comes from state and local governments, the federal government also plays a key role in ensuring that all children have access to a high-quality public education. I have long voted to increase funding for Title I, which gives additional resources to schools that serve low-income students, and was pleased to see that the FY18 omnibus significantly increased funding for Title IV, which can be used to both support a well-rounded education for students, as well as assist with the effective deployment of technology in the classroom. I was also encourage that Title IV funding increased from $400 million in FY17 to $1.1 billion in FY18 despite President Trump’s proposal to eliminate it. Of course, I will continue to push for Title IV to be funded at its fully authorized level. I have also supported funding for Title II and the STEM Master Teacher Corps, which help to ensure that we have highly effective and qualified teachers in the classroom. Through continued investment in programs like these, we can guarantee that a world class education is available to every American, which will equip our children with the tools they need to compete in a forward-thinking global economy.

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8) THE LONG-TERM SECURITY OF WATER SUPPLIES IS THREATENED BY AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, POLLUTION, CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND A GROWING POPULATION. WHAT SHOULD GOVERNMENT DO TO ENSURE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

Access to clean water is too often taken for granted in this country. The crisis in Flint, Michigan was a wakeup call to many, but the reality is that communities across the country, including many in New Jersey, have struggled with lead in the water for years. Our aging infrastructure endangers access to clean water for too many Americans. That is why I have long supported programs like the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund that provide resources to states and local communities to replace lead pipes and other outdated infrastructure, and to also undertake a wide range of other water quality projects. I have also joined several of my colleagues in calling for a comprehensive solution to our lead contamination problems, including additional testing for schools. This is essential since we know that children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. I have also championed the Superfund and Brownfields programs that help us to clean up our most contaminated toxic waste sites that can have negative impacts on soil and groundwater quality. Furthermore, I have introduced legislation with Sen. Cory Booker to reinstate the Superfund tax on polluting industries like oil and chemical companies to help us remediate these sites.

While New Jersey is more water secure in terms of supply than many other states, we still expect that climate change will lead to more short-term droughts and extreme rainfall events, so we must be prepared. To that end, I believe that we must preserve natural aquifers, reservoirs, and habitats that naturally store water and act as flood buffers. Additionally, as the United States Army Corps of Engineers works on flood mitigation and other water control projects, we must take into account the impacts that these projects will have on the natural environment and work to ensure that they will aid our ability to provide access to clean water as the impacts of climate change are amplified over time.

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9) HOW WOULD YOU MANAGE AMERICAN AGRICULTURE SO IT PROVIDES HEALTHY AND AFFORDABLE FOOD GROWN IN A JUST AND SUSTAINABLE WAY?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

People do not often think of New Jersey as a large agricultural state, but we are the Garden State for a reason. From cranberry bogs and blueberry farms to emerging vertical and urban farming operations to world class agricultural research (I’m looking at you, Rutgers tomato!), New Jersey has long been at the forefront of the agricultural industry. As populations continue to rise, both here in New Jersey and around the world, so too does demand for food and other agricultural products. However, we must be smart about how we meet this demand. We cannot afford to simply clear cut forest land or plow over our prairies. Instead, we must find innovative new and sustainable solutions - particularly as climate change increases drought in certain parts of the country.

I believe that vertical and urban farming has tremendous potential to supplement our traditional farms, providing fresh and healthy produce to those that often lack access to these options while also creating new jobs and economic opportunities here in New Jersey. While these operations can sometimes be more energy intensive than traditional farming, they help to solve many of the land and water use issues associated with traditional farming. Additionally, increased efficiency and optimization and decreased transportation emissions, coupled with the continued greening of our electrical generation, will help to alleviate energy and emission concerns. I am proud to have fought for the inclusion of provisions in the Senate version of the 2018 Farm Bill that will help urban and vertical farms better access loans, conservation programs, energy programs, and risk management tools. The Senate bill also establishes new soil testing and remediation assistance for urban growers and establishes a new urban agriculture research program with mandatory funding and a new grant program to support the development of urban agriculture. While I would have much preferred a funding increase for Farm Bill conservation programs, I am pleased that the Senate bill rejects the significant cuts imposed on these critical programs in the House Republican bill. The Senate bill will also refocus some of this funding to help leverage an additional $1 billion in private investment in conservation.

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10) WHAT SHOULD AMERICA’S GOALS BE FOR SPACE EXPLORATION AND EARTH OBSERVATION AND WHAT STEPS WOULD YOU TAKE TO ACHIEVE THEM?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

Since Neil Armstrong and New Jersey’s own Buzz Aldrin took that first giant leap for mankind, space exploration has captivated the nation. It has the power to unite us not only as Americans, but as humans staring up at the cosmos from the pale blue dot Carl Sagan always discussed. With every mission to space we push the bounds of human intellect and ingenuity, and challenge our understanding of the universe and our place in it. Right now we sit on the precipice of the next great chapter in that journey as we develop a new generation of launch vehicles and spacecraft the will carry us to Mars or even beyond. I am proud to support the development of NASA’s new deep space exploration systems - the Orion Spacecraft and Space Launch System - and have called on Congress to supply the funding necessary to keep the project on track for the scheduled unmanned test flight and first crewed mission in the coming years. I am also excited by some of the innovations I see coming out of the private sector that I believe can supplement, but not replace, a robust public space program.

Closer to home, I believe it is critical that the United States continues to have a strong presence in earth observation and other low-earth orbit research. These missions - primarily conducted by NASA and NOAA - provide critical data that helps to shape our understanding of climate change and other earth systems. While the Trump Administration has largely spared NASA from the steep top-line cuts that it has proposed for so many of our critical agencies, the President has eliminated funding entirely for five earth science missions in both of his budget requests so far. While it is ultimately Congress that makes funding decisions, we must remain more vigilant than ever to ensure that these critical missions continue. Even if we will be hard-pressed to force the Trump administration to take real action on climate change - or even just maintain the progress that we have already made - the data gaps that could occur if earth observation missions are discontinued could hinder scientific research and policymaking long after President Trump has left office. I will continue to support NASA and NOAA earth science programs that advance scientific research, help us to understand our planet better, and improve forecasting and modeling that makes us all safer and more secure.

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11) LARGE AREAS OF OUR OCEANS ARE POLLUTED, ACIDIFICATION IS DAMAGING CORAL REEFS AND OTHER HABITATS, AND OVERFISHING COULD WIPE OUT CERTAIN SPECIES AND DIMINISH THIS VITAL SOURCE OF FOOD. WHAT WILL YOU DO TO IMPROVE OCEAN HEALTH?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

As a coastal state, the health of our oceans is of particular importance to New Jersey. The Atlantic Ocean is the lifeblood of our vibrant shore communities that not only supports one of the largest recreational saltwater fisheries in the country, but is also the driving force of our thriving tourism industry. To ensure that the Jersey Shore remains an oasis for New Jerseyans for generations to come, we must do more to protect our oceans from the unprecedented challenges that they face from climate change, pollution, and other hazards.

I am currently leading the fight to prevent the Trump Administration from opening the Atlantic to oil and gas drilling, and have introduced legislation to permanently ban these activities. I am also leading the effort to fund critical coastal and estuarine programs that restore and protect critical habitats. Moreover, I am championing the BEACH Act to help monitor coastal water quality, and I helped defeat a proposal by President Trump to eliminate the program. Additionally, I understand that climate change is causing our oceans to acidify at an alarming rate, which is damaging ecosystems and coral reefs. I have commissioned several Government Accountability Office reports on the topic to help us better understand the consequences of acidification, and have supported funding for NOAA ocean observing systems that will help us monitor it. I am proud that the mid-Atlantic currently has no fisheries that are overfished, and believe that we must improve fishery data collection to ensure that our practices are sustainable. Our fishermen will tell you that fish migrations are changing as species struggle to adapt to warmer waters, and I believe that we must act quickly and decisively on climate change to head off its worst impacts.

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12) POLITICIANS ARE DISPUTING SETTLED SCIENCE AND FIRING GOVERNMENT SCIENTISTS FOR POLITICAL REASONS. HOW WILL YOU FOSTER A CULTURE THAT RESPECTS SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE AND PROTECTS SCIENTISTS?

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

As I stated in previous answers, it is not the job of politicians to dispute facts or deny a clear scientific consensus, but rather to utilize the best available science to make informed and reasonable public policy decisions. Too many of my colleagues refuse to see what is in front of them and choose instead to favor large corporations and special interests to the detriment of their constituents and the environment. Unfortunately, the situation inside the Trump Administration is particularly awful, with scientists fearing for their careers just because they are doing their jobs. I believe that this culture starts from the top. We have a President who has said that climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese, so it is not hard to see why political appointees at our government agencies believe they are free to suppress information that they find inconvenient. In the current political environment I understand why one might be discouraged and say that facts do not matter anymore. However, I remain confident that as long as we continue to be armed with data and science, reason will prevail.

In the Senate I will continue to support critical scientific programs and will always rely on facts and data to inform my votes. Additionally, I will work tirelessly to reassure our scientists and career staffers that most of their representatives have a deep appreciation for the work that they do, and that we will not sit idly by while this President and his administration undermine the integrity of our agencies. That is why the EPA’s Inspector General and I initiated an investigation into the hiring practices of administration officials who sought circumvent the Senate confirmation process in an attempt to hire industry lobbyists and political allies. Indeed, these jobs are meant to be reserved for scientists and other experts. Ultimately this investigation, coupled with several others, led to the resignation of EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. I have also successfully opposed the Trump administration's efforts to suppress or curtail scientific studies and information by demanding that the administration release a report from the Department of Health and Human Services that says that the chemicals PFOS and PFOA are dangerous to human health at much lower levels than the EPA had previously stated.

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13) SHARE ANY SCIENCE POLICY ISSUES INVOLVING MEDICINE, NATIONAL SECURITY, ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION, THE ECONOMY OR OTHER PRESSING TOPICS THAT IMPACT YOUR STATE/DISTRICT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND ON.

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+ Bob Menendez's Response

Wildlife and flora are facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change and other human activities. Fortunately, we have bedrock environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act (ESA) that gives the federal government the authority to protect species that are facing population decline and habitat loss. Healthy, thriving ecosystems not only provide benefits such as purifying our water and air and pollinating crops, but they also provide economic benefits - just ask local businesses in Cape May about the birders that come through every fall. In turn, it is in all of our interest to make sure that we utilize these tools and rely on sound science to enforce them. Unfortunately, the Trump administration and several of my colleagues in Congress are looking to gut the Endangered Species Act and erode its critical protections. This administration just proposed to eliminate baseline protections for threatened species that have been in place since 1978. President Trump is more interested in protecting Big Oil, mining, and other special interests when determining ESA listing decisions, instead of only considering sound science. Additionally, a number of my Republican colleagues in Congress have tried to legislatively delist certain species and change the language of the ESA to weaken its protections.

I have long defended the Endangered Species Act from these types of attacks, and believe that we must continue to rely on the best available science to make listing and conservation decisions. Following the death of Cecil the lion, I even introduced legislation that would curb trophy hunting of species that are proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act, but do not yet have their protections finalized. I have fought to keep our annual spending bills free of the anti-environmental policy riders that often look to attack the ESA, and I’m exploring other ways that we can strengthen the ESA and push back on the administration’s reckless decisions.