Protecting Family Values

I believe my values are shared with most Mississippians. As a Southern Baptist, I am a strong supporter of Christian family values.  I do not support gay marriage and believe in the traditional definition of marriage. 

Wicker Supports Resolution Celebrating Adoption

Bipartisan Measure Recognizes National Adoption Day, Month

November 20, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., is supporting a Senate resolution to help promote national awareness of adoption and highlight the needs of thousands of children awaiting families. The measure, S.Res. 315, also commemorates the month of November as National Adoption Month, and November 21 as National Adoption Day.

“We have a responsibility to protect our young people and provide them with the support and love they need to succeed later in life,” Wicker said. “Every child deserves to grow up in a stable and caring home. This holiday season is an opportune time to reaffirm our commitment and celebrate the gift of family.”

The bill was introduced by Senators Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., co-chairs of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. Wicker is also a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption and the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth. The resolution backs a national effort that started in 1995 to raise awareness about the more than 100,000 children in foster care waiting to find permanent, loving families.  In total, National Adoption Day has helped nearly 53,800 children move from foster care to a forever family.

According to Mississippi Families for Kids, the state has more than 3,000 children in need of adoptive parents. In October, Wicker recognized Mag Holland of Long Beach as one of the 2015 “Angels in Adoption” for her extraordinary work on behalf of neglected, abused, and displaced children in Mississippi.

Wicker Statement on Passing of Leon Bramlett

Miss. Senator Issues Statement on Loss of Distinguished Mississippian

October 19, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., issued the following statement regarding the death of Leon Bramlett:

“We have lost one of our most distinguished Mississippians. Leon represented the best of the greatest generation – the kind of patriot that made America great. At the Naval Academy he was an All-American football player and decorated boxer. He served his country as a Marine Corps officer and spent his life dedicated to serving our state. He was a pioneer for the two party system in Mississippi. I believe that Leon would have made an outstanding Governor. Gayle and I extend our deepest sympathy to his family.”

Wicker Encourages Mississippians to ‘Find Your Park’

National Park Service Launches Campaign to Celebrate 2016 Centennial

October 19, 2015

Fall foliage and milder temperatures make this season a wonderful time to spend outdoors with family and friends. We live in a country with spectacular natural resources and a rich history. From woodlands and monuments to seashores and battlefields, more than 400 sites and 84 million acres are included in the National Park System for Americans to discover.

America’s parks are a treasured part of our national identity. The preservation of public parks, wilderness areas, and monuments – and the right of the public to access to those lands – is a proud American tradition that sets us apart from many other countries, where open spaces and wilderness are often locked up in private ownership.

Next year marks the centennial of the National Park Service, which has already launched a new “Find Your Park” campaign to celebrate the milestone. The campaign encourages Americans of all ages to explore and learn about our nation’s public lands and waters. This year’s fourth-graders have an extra special reason to visit: For the 2015-2016 school year, an “Every Kid in a Park” pass gives them free access to all federal sites, such as parks, forests, and wildlife refuges. To learn more, please visit everykidinapark.gov.

Discovering Our History

Mississippi offers a number of opportunities for families to take part in the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary celebration. The 444-mile Natchez Trace stretching from Natchez to Nashville, for example, is a true remnant of history, with landmarks like Emerald Mound and the Mount Locust Inn. Fort Rosalie, where the French settled in the city of Natchez, is one highlight of the Natchez National Historical Park. Like the National Park Service, Natchez is also celebrating a big milestone next year with the 300th anniversary of its founding.

As for those interested in seeing vibrant wildlife and sandy beaches, they need look no further than the Coast’s barrier islands, which make up part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Meanwhile, history buffs can wander former battlegrounds at the Tupelo National Battlefield and Vicksburg National Military Park. From Pontotoc to Pascagoula, Mississippians can find awe-inspiring scenery and reminders of the past in nearly every corner of the state.

Earlier this year, I received the National Park Heritage Award from the National Parks Conservation Association. The award recognizes the “Champion Hill, Port Gibson, and Raymond Battlefields Addition Act,” which I introduced with Sen. Thad Cochran in 2013. In expanding the Vicksburg National Military Park to include these battlefield sites and historic homes, we can preserve a more complete picture of the Vicksburg campaign for future generations to enjoy. It is our responsibility to ensure that these stories are not lost.

Remembering Medgar Evers and Teddy Roosevelt

This year I have joined Sen. Cochran in an effort to designate the Medgar Wiley Evers Home Museum in Jackson as a National Park Service unit. Our legislation would authorize the National Park Service to conduct a special resource study evaluating the home’s national significance. Companion legislation sponsored by Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson has already passed the House of Representatives.

Any mention of national parks cannot overlook the impact of President Theodore Roosevelt, who championed the preservation of our natural resources. His memorable hunting trip near Onward, Mississippi, also inspired today’s stuffed “teddy bear.” A true visionary, Roosevelt created the United States Forest Service, doubled the number of national parks, and signed legislation to protect America’s cultural and historic landmarks. His lifelong stewardship of our public lands and waters remains an enduring example to us today.

For more information about the National Park Service’s centennial events, please visit nps.gov/2016.

Wicker Honors Mag Holland as ‘Angel in Adoption’

Long Beach Adoption Advocate Accepts Award in Washington

October 7, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today presented Mag Holland with the 2015 “Angels in Adoption” award for her commitment to foster care and adoption. Wicker nominated Mrs. Holland for the award because of her extraordinary work on behalf of neglected, abused, and displaced children in Mississippi.

“Mrs. Holland has taken in nearly 40 foster children in Mississippi over the past 13 years,” said Wicker, a strong advocate for adoption issues. “She and her husband, Marty, have also generously accepted children into their home for emergency placement at only a moment’s notice. After Hurricane Katrina, they volunteered to turn their home into an emergency youth shelter. Mrs. Holland’s compassion and dedication should inspire us to find a caring family for every child in need.”

Because of the shortage of licensed foster parents able to take emergency placements, Mrs. Holland often accepts upwards of three children at a time, as frequently as every other weekend and at all hours of the night. She and her husband have raised six children. They adopted their two youngest – girls ages 12 and 16 – after caring for them as foster children.

A native of Long Beach, Mrs. Holland works for the Harrison County Board of Supervisors as director for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. She also holds numerous leadership positions supporting adoption and foster care. Currently, she serves on the board of the Mississippi Chapter of North American Council on Adoptable Children and as vice president of the Mississippi State Association for Youth, Foster, Adoption, & Kinship Care. Mrs. Holland is the foster care chairman for the state of Mississippi. She also serves as a board member for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Harrison County and as president of the Resilience of Coastal Kids, Inc.

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), which sponsors the “Angels in Adoption” program, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to raise awareness about the needs of children without families and to remove policy barriers that hinder children from knowing the love and support a family provides. CCAI, which does not receive government funding, was established in 2001 as an outgrowth of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption.

Wicker, Cochran Call for Investigation of Planned Parenthood Fetal Tissue Practices

Miss. Senators Sign Letter to HHS Requesting Independent Audit

October 6, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators  Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Thad Cochran, R-Miss., today joined an effort urging Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Daniel Levinson to conduct an investigation of all fetal tissue research supported by the department, particularly as it relates to Planned Parenthood. The letter specifically requests an independent audit of the department’s supervision of third parties and their compliance with the laws governing medical tissue research.

“The American people deserve to know whether HHS is upholding the law and providing rigorous oversight of groups like Planned Parenthood,” Wicker said. “Any possible wrongdoing concerning the procurement of fetal tissue is a serious issue that demands accountability.”

“The disturbing Planned Parenthood videos raise serious questions about the legality of that organization’s practices and overall compliance with federal laws governing fetal tissue research,” Cochran said. “The Congress and the American people have valid questions that deserve to be answered with a thorough and independent audit.”

The letter, signed by a group of 35 senators, led by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., reads in part: “Federal laws make it unlawful to knowingly acquire, receive, or accept a donation of human fetal tissue for valuable consideration. … The videos not only raise questions about Planned Parenthood’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but also highlight potentially significant problems with HHS’s oversight of practices in this market in general.”

Senator Paul’s letter also references a July 22 letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking an internal review of Planned Parenthood’s compliance with laws and regulations related to fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions. Cochran and Wicker were among a group of 49 Senators who signed the letter to Sec. Burwell. The Department responded to the senators on August 14 but failed to address many of the substantive questions posed by the letter.

Wicker and Cochran also voted on August 3 in favor of legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. That legislation failed to receive the 60 votes necessary for further consideration. Cochran was the chief architect of an appropriations bill recently considered by the Senate to keep the government open while also defunding Planned Parenthood. That legislation, which Wicker supported, also failed to receive the 60 votes necessary to advance in the Senate.

Wicker: Funding Bill Adheres to Budget Caps

Miss. Senator Highlights Pro-Life Provisions Reaffirmed by Spending Measure

September 30, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today announced that the Senate has approved a measure, H.R. 719, to fund the federal government through December 11. The funding extension was needed because Senate Democrats, despite their previous support, have blocked efforts to bring individual appropriations bills to the Senate floor for consideration.

“Earlier this year, Congress passed a tough budget resolution that set strict caps on government spending,” Wicker said. “The proposal that passed the Senate today adheres to those limits. Combined with the spending cuts that we have made over the past few years, it keeps us a path toward making Washington smaller and more accountable.

“This temporary measure gives us additional time to work on more long-term spending bills that comply with the budget and fight the egregious executive overreach of the Obama Administration.”

Wicker has consistently supported efforts to redirect federal funding for Planned Parenthood to women’s health programs and community health centers. More than 190 community health centers are located throughout Mississippi to help address health needs, compared to only one Planned Parenthood site.

“The fight to end federal support of Planned Parenthood is not over. I remain committed to holding Planned Parenthood responsible for its actions and shielding taxpayers from funding it. I am pleased that this bill reaffirms important pro-life protections, such as the Hyde Amendment.”

Senator Wicker was among a group of 49 Senators who signed a letter in July to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking an internal review of Planned Parenthood’s compliance with laws and regulations related to fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions. Last month, he also voted in favor of S. 1881, which would have redirected federal funding for Planned Parenthood to alternative programs that support women’s health.

Wicker has a pro-life A-rating from the Federal National Right to Life Scorecard.  He is also a lead author of S. 582, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” which he introduced with Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., in February 2015. The measure would enact a permanent, government-wide prohibition of taxpayer funding for abortion.

Wicker Unveils Bill to Fight Alzheimer’s

‘EUREKA Act’ Would Encourage Breakthroughs With Prize Competitions

September 28, 2015

September is World Alzheimer’s Month and a prime opportunity to draw attention to this devastating disease. It is estimated that Alzheimer’s affects more than 5 million Americans, including some 51,000 Mississippians. The toll in human suffering reaches even further, as families watch loved ones struggle and ultimately succumb to this fatal disease.

On Sept. 22, I introduced the “EUREKA Act,” which stands for “Ensuring Useful Research Expenditures is Key for Alzheimer’s.” My bill would create prize competitions for research breakthroughs, such as the identification of Alzheimer’s biomarkers or the repurposing of existing drugs for treatment. “EUREKA” would not replace other funding and research but add to efforts aimed at meeting the national goal of preventing and treating Alzheimer’s by 2025. It would offer a way to harness both public and private funds toward Alzheimer’s research.

A Proven History of Competitions

America has always been the home of groundbreaking innovation, and my bill seeks to channel this pioneering spirit with prize-able benchmarks that can bring us closer to a cure. Prize competitions are a proven strategy. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh won a $25,000 prize for the first nonstop flight between New York and Paris. More than 300 years ago, Great Britain established a prize for determining a ship’s longitude, resulting in John Harrison’s marine clock. The “America COMPETES Act” has given federal agencies the broad authority to conduct prize challenges. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has already completed dozens of them.

Moreover, prizes pay only for success. Under “EUREKA,” authorized government funds would expire if no prizes are awarded by 2025.

Great Potential for Long-Term Savings

Breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s would not only make a monumental difference in people’s lives but could also drastically impact federal spending. At a cost of $226 billion this year, Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America. According to the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit group, the direct costs of Alzheimer’s are greater than those associated with cancer and heart disease combined. In fact, one in five Medicare dollars will be spent on Alzheimer’s this year.

These numbers are expected to skyrocket in the coming years. By 2050, Alzheimer’s could cost $1.1 trillion annually, increasing Medicare and Medicaid spending on the disease by 500 percent. With the federal debt at $18 trillion and rising, efforts to fight Alzheimer’s could lead to significant long-term savings.

Broad Support From Lawmakers, Researchers

I am pleased that my bill has already received Democratic, Republican, and Independent cosponsors in the Senate. It also has the support of researchers, including those at the MIND Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, as well as organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association, Us Against Alzheimer’s, the XPRIZE Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, BrightFocus Foundation, Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease, and Eli Lilly and Company.

It is my hope that “EUREKA” will be a game-changer in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Americans have never shied away from the world’s most difficult problems. We need the best and brightest minds searching for an Alzheimer’s cure. The possibilities are truly endless when people with all kinds of expertise work together.

Wicker Votes to Fund Gov’t, End Federal Support of Planned Parenthood

September 24, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today voted in favor of a spending measure that would fund the federal government until December 11. The legislation would have also redirected federal dollars from Planned Parenthood to community health centers and women’s health programs. The bill required 60 votes to move forward to a final vote but was blocked by Senate Democrats.

“Under Sen. Cochran’s leadership, the Senate Appropriations Committee has passed all 12 spending bills this year,” Wicker said. “That has not been accomplished in the Senate since 2009. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats, despite their overwhelming support of these spending measures in the committee, have blocked us from sending these bills to the President’s desk. They have left us with little choice but to try to pass a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government open and working for the American people.

“I strongly support the provision in the bill to defund Planned Parenthood, and I remain committed to fighting for the rights of the unborn and shielding taxpayers from funding this organization. I share the feelings of many Mississippians who have called and written in to my office to express their disgust with the lack of compassion shown by Planned Parenthood executives as well as the gruesome practices they carry out. Although the measure was blocked by Senate Democrats, this debate is far from over.”

Senator Wicker was among a group of 49 Senators who signed a letter in July to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking an internal review of Planned Parenthood’s compliance with laws and regulations related to fetal tissue and partial-birth abortions.

Senator Wicker has a pro-life A-rating from the Federal National Right to Life Scorecard.  He is also a lead author of S. 582, the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act,” which he introduced with Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., in February 2015. The measure would enact a permanent, government-wide prohibition of taxpayer funding for abortion.

Wicker: Senate Democrats Wrong to Block Troop Funding

Miss. Senator Also Comments on Arrival of Pope Francis to the United States

September 23, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., is urging Senate Democrats to stop obstructing appropriations legislation to fund the Department of Defense and the nation’s military. Wicker’s comments came during a Senate Republican leadership press conference.

“At the Senate Armed Services Committee, we had the opportunity to hear Gen. David Petraeus give us his assessment of the situation in the Middle East. I think people on both sides of the dais could agree that Gen. Petraeus showed a lot of wisdom when it comes to looking at the situation and deciding what needs to be done going forward. Petraeus said that ISIS is ‘spewing instability and extremism over the region and the rest of the world.’

“At this time, we need to pass the defense appropriation bill and get it on the President’s desk. I do not understand why Senate Democrats would prevent us from taking up a bill that was passed by the Appropriations Committee by a vote of 27-3. I would also point out that President Obama sent a budget request earlier this year asking for $612 billion in defense funding. The Senate appropriations bill gives the President that exact amount. So why are Senate Democrats filibustering an attempt to bring this bill forward? It is something our troops need. We need to pass it.”

Wicker also weighed in on Pope Francis’s visit to Washington. The Pope is scheduled to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress on Thursday, September 24.

“I hope that we can show a little more decorum to the Pope than we sometimes do at the State of the Union addresses. It is our hope that we can avoid the dueling ovations – the jack-in-the box standing for this and for that. Listen to one of the most famous and one of the most respected voices on the face of the earth with the respect and decorum that is due someone in his position.”

Wicker Discusses EUREKA Act with Mississippi Public Broadcasting

September 23, 2015

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., spoke with Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Sid Scott about his new initiative to create prize-based incentives to encourage more public-private collaboration in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia.  Click here or on the linked file below to hear more about his “EUREKA” Act.