Press Releases
Hawley Delivers National Security Speech ‘China and Ukraine: A Time for Truth’
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) delivered remarks at the Heritage Foundation in a speech entitled, “China and Ukraine: A Time for Truth.” The discussion focused on developing a defense policy that prioritizes our biggest threat, China; challenges to the consensus on Ukraine; and safeguards for Americans at home. Remarks as prepared can be found below. China and Ukraine: A Time for Truth Three years ago, in October of 2019, I went to visit Hong Kong. It wasn’t a standard, ceremonial sort of visit. In fact, the State Department wasn’t a big fan of my going there at all. I went there in the midst of major protests against the Chinese government. Beijing had originally promised the people of Hong Kong that, once the city passed into Chinese control, it would keep its...
Hawley Sends New Letter Demanding Answers on Federal Funding of Washington University Pediatric Transgender Clinic
As part of his ongoing investigation, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a new letter to Washington University in St. Louis Chancellor Dr. Andrew Martin and BJC HealthCare President and CEO Richard Liekweg today, requesting information about the receipt and use of federal funds in connection with The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital. "I appreciate the University’s promise to investigate these claims thoroughly and accommodate congressional oversight requests," wrote Senator Hawley. "I now write to request specific information and records relevant to the receipt and use of federal funds in connection with the Transgender Center." He continued, "Federal taxpayer dollars should never be used to perform...
Protect Our Kids from Child Abuse: New Hawley Bill Holds Youth Trans Clinics Accountable
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Protecting Our Kids from Child Abuse Act, new legislation that would allow those who were harmed by gender-transition procedures as minors to bring lawsuits against the participating individuals and entities. "What the American people are seeing take place at pediatric gender clinics in St. Louis and across the nation is appalling,” said Senator Hawley. “Children who are harmed by these dangerous procedures, which are often irreversible and sterilizing, will now be able to fight back against those who perpetrated their abuse. And federal taxpayers will no longer be forced to foot the bill for abusive treatment.” Last week, Senator Hawley announced an investigation into whistleblower allegations of child abuse...
Hawley Resolution to Condemn China and Demand Transparency over Spy Balloon Incident Passes Senate
Tonight the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution led by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) to condemn the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for its blatant violation of U.S. airspace and call for transparency regarding the Chinese surveillance balloon incident. “China’s decision to send a surveillance balloon into U.S. airspace was a gross violation of American sovereignty and it will not be tolerated. We must send a message – and get the facts from this administration about what’s going on in our skies, while we’re at it," said Senator Hawley. Last week, Senator Hawley sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security requesting information on China’s spy activities, and called for transparency regarding the Chinese surveillance balloon incident. Full text of his...
NEW: Hawley Introduces Two Bills to Protect Kids Online, Fight Back Against Big Tech
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced two bills to protect kids online and prevent harm by social media companies. The Making Age-Verification Technology Uniform, Robust, and Effective Act (MATURE Act) would enforce a minimum age requirement of 16 years old for all users on social media platforms, and the Federal Social Media Research Act would commission a government report on the harm of social media for kids. “Children suffer every day from the effects of social media. At best, Big Tech companies are neglecting our children’s health and monetizing their personal information. At worst, they are complicit in their exploitation and manipulation. It’s time to give parents the weapons they need to strike back,” said Senator Hawley. “That...
NEW: Hawley Introduces Bill Requiring Cleanup of Jana Elementary, Testing for Entire Hazelwood School District
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Justice for Jana Elementary Act, new legislation that would require the cleanup of Jana Elementary School and order the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to test all Hazelwood School District properties. "Hazardous radioactive contamination has no place in schools,” said Senator Hawley. “Students and parents of Jana Elementary and the Hazelwood School District deserve to know that their schools are safe. Federal authorities created this problem years ago and refused to fix it. Now the federal government must take responsibility and make things right." Senator Hawley has consistently advocated on behalf of the students and families of the Hazelwood School District. Two weeks ago, during the...
Senator Hawley to Introduce Resolution Recognizing Kansas City Chiefs as Super Bowl Champions
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) will introduce a resolution congratulating the Kansas City Chiefs on their Super Bowl victory. The resolution – cosponsored by U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) – honors the team, the dedicated fans, and the Kansas City community. "The Chiefs had a remarkable season, finishing strong with a hard-fought and well-deserved Super Bowl win. The Kansas City community could not be more proud of this team's accomplishments, and we look forward to their continued success into the future," said Senator Hawley. Senator Hawley introduced a similar resolution in January 2020 following the Kansas City Chiefs' first Super Bowl win in more than 50 years. The text of the resolution can be found here and below. RESOLUTION...
Hawley Announces Investigation into St. Louis Pediatric Gender Clinic
Following recent news revealing egregious abuses and potential malpractice regarding minors at the Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital, today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will launch an investigation into the medical center:
Hawley Reintroduces Bill to Protect Kids, Toughen Sentences for Child Porn Offenders
Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) reintroduced the Prosecutorial Remedies and Other Tools to end the Exploitation of Children Today (PROTECT) Act, a bill that both toughens the sentence for possessing child pornography and stops judges from sentencing offenders below the federal guidelines. The epidemic of child pornography in the United States has exploded. Just over a decade ago, the number of images of child sexual abuse material online was less than 1 million. That number grew to 45 million in 2018, and to 85 million in 2021. “We need to do more to protect our children. The problem of child pornography has grown exponentially worse over the years – in part because the existing penalties are too weak, and because too many judges are issuing lenient...
Hawley Outlines Investigation of Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital: ‘Accountability is coming’
Following the announcement by U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) today that he is launching an investigation into potential malpractice regarding minors at The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children's Hospital, Senator Hawley has sent a new letter tonight to the university chancellor, hospital president, and the center’s co-directors. “Starting immediately, your institutions must take steps to preserve all records, written and electronic, regarding gender-related treatments performed on minors since the opening of the Center,” the Senator wrote. “Additional oversight inquiries and outreach will follow.” His letter went on to reference additional reporting about the Center’s practices, saying today’s report “builds on...