Baird, Jim RSS Articles

Congressman Baird Introduces Bill to Give States, Territories, and Tribes a Stronger Voice at EPA

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced H.R. 9663 the State Standing Committee Act. This bill establishes a State Standing Committee to advise the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The committee would give on-the-ground experience from each state and region counseling EPA decisions.

"The federal government always does better when local input is paramount in its decision making," said Congressman Baird. "The EPA is no different, and this State Standing Committee can provide the key information, context, and expertise that only come from the states, territories, and tribes where much of the EPA’s work originates. I strongly urge my fellow committee members to pass the State Science Committee Act. Local experts should have input in the decisions directly affecting their own communities."

The State Standing Committee (SSC) would serve as a complementary body to the Science Advisory Board (SAB), which is tasked with providing the EPA Administrator national-level scientific counsel. However, unlike SAB members, who are appointed based on a broad range of backgrounds and qualifications, SSC members would be employees of state, territorial, or tribal agencies. By creating a formal mechanism for submitting region-specific scientific and technical advice, the SSC would help ensure that local expertise is represented and more effectively integrates local perspectives into federal policymaking and regulatory actions. When appropriate, SSC members could convene working groups to address regional or multi-jurisdictional issues.

Additional Background:
The State Standing Committee would include one member from each state, federal district, federal territory, and federally recognized tribe to advise the EPA on agency decisions.

The bill also expands the Science Advisory Board's authority to receive matters not only from the EPA Administrator but also appropriate congressional committees.

Member Qualifications:

Reside within their respective state, federal district, federal territory, or federally recognized tribe.

Be employed by a government agency within their respective jurisdiction responsible for environmental protection, natural resources, agriculture, or regulatory compliance with environmental standards.

Possess relevant education, training, or professional experience to evaluate scientific or technical information.
To avoid conflicts of interest, State Standing Committee members may not simultaneously serve on or be employed by the EPA’s Science Advisory Board.

Members would be selected jointly by the EPA Administrator and the Science Advisory Board through an open, competitive, and merit-based process. Service would be voluntary, unpaid, and performed on an ad hoc basis. Any vacancies must be filled within 90 days using the same selection process.

Read the full bill text here.

Congressman Baird Joins President Trump for Medal of Honor Ceremony for Major Nicholas Dockery

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) recently joined President Donald Trump as he awarded Major Nicholas Dockery with the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Congressman Baird sponsored the Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act to award Major Dockery with the highest military decoration of the U.S. Armed Forces. This legislation was signed into law by President Trump on March 26, 2026. Dockery is an Indiana native and is the sole Army officer and one of only two U.S. officers to receive two Silver Stars for gallantry in the post-9/11 era.

“Major Dockery has demonstrated exceptional heroism, going above and beyond the call of duty and selflessly risking his own life multiple times to save his soldiers while serving in Afghanistan,” said Congressman Baird. “I was proud to join President Trump as he presented Major Dockery with the Medal of Honor. Major Dockery represents the very best of our nation and our Armed Forces, and I could not be more pleased to join him and the president at this historic ceremony recognizing his extraordinary acts of valor.”

Additional background on Major Dockery can be found here and here.

###

Congressman Baird Applauds USDA for Land-Grant University Funding

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcing the opening of funding opportunities for the Research Facilities Act program, which received $125 million in annual funding through the Working Families Tax Cuts:

“Our land-grant universities are among the best in the world and provide cutting-edge research and innovation that strengthen our agriculture industry,” said Congressman Baird. “That includes my alma mater, Purdue University, which has been a pioneer in research and food security. I was proud to help secure this important funding opportunity for our land-grant universities through the Working Families Tax Cuts last summer, and I thank President Trump, Secretary Rollins, and USDA for their efforts to support our farmers who feed and fuel our nation.”

This funding opportunity will be administered through the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. For more information, click here.

###

Congressman Baird Supports Legislation to Take Care of Veterans

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Baird released the following statement after serving as an original cosponsor of the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, comprehensive and bipartisan legislation to modernize and reform U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services for veterans, sponsored by House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chair Mike Bost (IL-12):

“This year, we celebrate our nation’s 250^th birthday, and it is an opportunity to renew our promise to our veterans and their families,” said Congressman Baird. “As a Vietnam combat veteran, I am pleased to support this tremendous package to give veterans better access to healthcare, strengthen benefits for veterans and survivors, and reform outdated, bureaucratic processes at the VA that cause delays. We want to make the VA work for veterans again and make sure our country properly takes care of those who served our country. I’m also proud to see that the package contains the Major Richard Star Act, a priority for numerous Hoosiers and veterans in our district. I thank Congressman Bost for his leadership, and I will work with him to deliver this victory for our veterans.”

Additional information on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act can be found here.

###

Congressman Baird Votes to End Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Federal Programs

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act (H.R. 8464), the Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act (H.R. 8312), and the No Aid for Ghost Students Act (H.R. 7892), which passed the U.S. House this week:

“Hoosiers’ tax dollars should be spent wisely, and our federal resources should go to those who truly need assistance the most. I am working with my colleagues to end the waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal programs across the country. From Minnesota’s child care centers to fraud in our federal food and education programs, we are stopping illegal immigrants and criminal fraudsters from exploiting federal funds, robbing billions of dollars from taxpayers and American citizens who rely on these programs. I was proud to pass these bills out of the U.S. House to implement further guardrails, provide more oversight of our federal programs, and hold fraudsters accountable. I will continue to work with my colleagues to protect the integrity of Hoosiers’ tax dollars and ensure such widespread fraud never happens again.”

###

Congressman Baird Votes to Pass Secure America Act, Keep Hoosiers Safe

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Secure America Act to fund the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through Fiscal Year 2029:

“Congressional Democrats have repeatedly demonstrated a reckless disregard for our border and national security,” said Congressman Baird. “They shut down DHS for 75 days, leaving law enforcement officers, disaster response personnel, and cybersecurity officials without proper funding to defend our country and help Americans in need. I will not allow Hoosiers to go without disaster aid or be left vulnerable to dangerous criminal illegal immigrants and illicit, deadly drugs because of an unfunded DHS. I was proud to vote for the Secure America Act, which provides our brave CBP and ICE agents with the funding and tools they need to carry out their mission. These men and women work tirelessly every day to secure our borders and protect innocent Americans. Hoosiers’ safety and security remain my top priority, and I will continue to stand with our ICE and CBP officers who keep Indiana and our nation safe.”

###

Congressman Baird Introduces Bill to Accelerate Commercial Biotechnology

Thu, 21 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Bioindustrial Infrastructure for Open Scale-up, Commercialization, and Accelerated Launch Ecosystems (BIO-SCALE) Act. This legislation will establish three or more product-agnostic, nonprofit, pre-commercial scale-up facilities for the scaling of non-pharmaceutical biotechnologies.

“We must continue to lead the world in biotechnology, and the United States remains a premier place to scale biotechnology,” said Congressman Baird. “However, widespread use of life-changing innovations is often stalled because of roadblocks to the commercial production of biotech products. This legislation will help remove these roadblocks and create the tools necessary to bring biotechnologies to market by authorizing a network of pre-commercial facilities. I am proud to lead this legislation to help advance biotechnology to market and keep America at the forefront of innovation.”

“Breakthrough science is just the first step--biotechnology innovators must also prove their products can be scaled,” said National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology Commissioner Alexander Titus. “The BIO-SCALE Actwill help fill a critical gap between transformative ideas and a new biotech product coming to market, giving biotech entrepreneurs a real shot at unlocking private investment and turning promising discoveries into competitive products.”

Background:

While the U.S. has abundant feedstocks, reliable utilities, extensive transportation infrastructure, and proximity to consumers, the U.S. currently lacks sufficient biomanufacturing capacity to make here what we innovate here. A major roadblock for U.S. biotechnology is proving that products and processes will work at commercial scale.

The BIO-SCALE Act requires the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to submit a plan detailing criteria for an open competition, such as site selection, cost-sharing plans, approach to stakeholder engagement, and integration with existing infrastructure.

These facilities would have two to three years for fund expenditure, based on whether a facility has prior existing infrastructure and resources. The BIO-SCALE Act sunsets funding after 10 years from the enactment date. Facilities could continue if deemed successful by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

Read the bill text here.

###

Congressman Baird Votes to Support Indiana Farmers and Make E-15 Available Year-Round

Wed, 13 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act:

“For states like Indiana and districts like mine, this legislation is not just about fuel policy. Year-round E-15 nationwide will support the countless corn farmers in my district, strengthen our rural economies, and lower energy costs for hardworking families. This legislation will provide a strong, reliable market for corn farmers in Indiana, giving them more confidence to plan for the future. E-15 is also an American-made fuel that will help us reduce our dependence on foreign energy while supporting domestic manufacturing and agriculture. This is key to unleashing American energy dominance and reducing prices at the gas pump. I was proud to join with my House colleagues to pass this legislation, and I strongly urge the Senate to quickly take up and pass this critical bill so it can be signed into law.”

###

Congressman Baird Congratulates 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winner

Mon, 04 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after announcing Bristol Presley, a student at Crawfordsville High School, won the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District. Her painting, Grandma and Grandpa’s Road, will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

“I am pleased to congratulate Bristol on winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition,” said Congressman Baird. “Her painting showcases the beauty of Indiana’s rich agricultural landscape, and she should be incredibly proud of her work. Every year, I look forward to the Congressional Art Competition that showcases outstanding artistic talent that exists in our district, and this year was no exception. I also want to thank every student who participated in this year’s competition, and I encourage all eligible students to participate next year.”

Winner: Bristol Presley

School: Crawfordsville High School

Artwork Title: Grandma and Grandpa’s Road

Type: Acrylic Painting

###

Congressman Baird Votes on Resolution to Unlock Funding for Homeland Security, Prioritize Safety

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of S. Con. Res. 33, the budget resolution to begin the process of fully funding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“Hoosiers’ safety and the security of our nation are top priorities of mine, which is why I was proud to vote for this resolution to create a vehicle to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security,” said Congressman Baird. “For 75 days, congressional Democrats have refused to fund DHS, depriving thousands of critical employees of their paychecks and the funding necessary to do their jobs. This directly impacts Americans’ safety. Republicans are ensuring vital agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Border Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service are wholly supported. These agencies provide disaster relief to communities in times of need, safeguard our maritime and border security, strengthen our cybersecurity, and protect the president and members of the Cabinet. In light of another assassination attempt against President Trump and growing threats from our adversaries, the number one priority of Congress must be the safety and security of the American people.”

###