The COVID-19 pandemic has killed more than 174,000 long-term care residents over the past year.

Widespread vaccinations within long-term care facilities is our most effective tool in protecting workers and residents, so we must eliminate any barriers that are impacting vaccine uptake at this critical time.

I introduced the bill that Senator Young talked about. It is a bipartisan bill with him and Senators Cortez Masto, Portman, and Sasse.

I think there are many opportunities for better collaboration both on the administration of benefits and on the fight against fraud.

I think it absolutely will be a priority for me and for the Department.

I believe we also have to work to protect retirement accounts from potential cyber security threats.

Our bill would expand the R&D tax credit for new and small businesses by doubling the cap on the startup credit.

I do think this connects to Senator Kaine and Senator Murkowski, the points about that we have an opportunity now to look at the unemployment insurance system, how it works and how it doesn't.

I do not see any reason why we would want to go from what is seen as the world's standard today to the most regressive treatment of R&D going forward.

Because this has to be a joint effort, and it's critically important to the economic security of so many Americans, right?

Together, these provisions will help secure U.S. supply chains, boost the economic recovery from COVID-19, and increase our competitiveness with China.

I strongly support these efforts.