Johnson County Congressional delegation updates: week of June 1 – dailyjournal.net

The U.S. Capitol is seen, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Washington.
The Associated Press File Photo
It was another busy week in Washington for lawmakers representing Johnson County at the U.S. Capitol.
Here’s a look at some news they shared with the media:
HOUSE
Shreve introduces scam prevention bill
With Indiana ranking number two nationwide for phishing scams, U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve, R-Indiana, introduced the Strengthening Targeting of Organized Predatory (STOP) Scammers Act to give federal law enforcement the tools needed to better combat large-scale scams. Shreve will spearhead congressional efforts against scams by introducing the STOP Scammers Act, according to a news release from his office.
Hoosiers have been the target of toll road scam texts and emails, making Indianapolis one of the top cities receiving toll road scam texts. Countless citizens fall victim to scams every year, the news release says.
According to the FBI, $16.6 billion was reported as stolen from Americans in 2024. However, the Federal Trade Commission estimates the real figure could be as high as $158 billion. Many of the losses stem from large, organized criminal networks operating across the globe. Indiana state agencies have also been the target of spam messages, with fraudulent messages claiming to be from official agencies. There is currently no clear path for federal agencies as to how to counter these large-scale foreign scam operations, according to the news release.
Shreve’s bill requires the U.S. Department of the Treasury to identify and designate foreign entities running large-scale scams on Americans as a Foreign Financial Threat Organization. Once designated, federal law enforcement agencies may track and seize funds sent to or from the foreign scam organization, block their access to U.S. telecom infrastructure, and take cybersecurity measures to disrupt scam operations. Shreve’s bill will task federal law enforcement with recovering and redistributing seized funds back to those targeted by fraud, the news release says.
“Hoosiers have been disproportionately targeted by these predatory scammers. There’s been no clear path as to how to counter them. Toll road fee texts, emails and phone calls are a common and costly occurrence for trusting Hoosiers,” Shreve said. “My bill sets up pathways to prevent these scams from preying on Hoosiers. This is a problem we can solve. We can better protect Americans from falling victim to fraudulent, large-scale foreign scamming operations.”
The bill has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, and Energy and Commerce. The full text of the bill can be found here.
SENATE
Young praises US Steel-Nippon announcement
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, issued the following statement last week regarding President Donald Trump’s announcement of a partnership between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel that will draw $14 billion in investment toward the American economy, including in Northwest Indiana:
“I just spoke to President Trump to thank him for this historic announcement. This is a huge win for Hoosier workers and the American economy. I commend the President, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and administration officials for carefully considering all aspects of this situation and conducting an impartial review, as I previously called for. This is a big day for American manufacturing,” Young said.
Young previously criticized former President Joe Biden’s decision to block the Nippon Steel deal.
Young reintroduces bill to address shortage of mental health providers in schools
Young and Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, and Kevin Cramer, R-North Dakota, reintroduced the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act to address the shortage of mental health providers in schools by boosting the pipeline of graduate students trained to become school psychologists, counselors, and social workers.
“Access to mental health resources improves the safety, well-being, and academic success of Hoosier students,” Young said in a news release. “Our bill will both support the school-based mental health workforce and address the critical need for these professionals.”
The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) recommends a ratio of one school psychologist per 500 students. However, the national average ratio is estimated to be approximately one school psychologist per 1,200 students, with wide variation among states. To help address this issue, the Mental Health Excellence in Schools Act seeks to increase the recruitment and retention of mental health services providers in schools, according to the news release.
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, and Jared Golden, D-Maine, introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House.
“The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) is proud to support the reintroduction of the Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act and deeply appreciates the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Fitzpatrick and Golden and Senators Cramer, Shaheen, and Young,” said Dr. Peter Faustino, NASP President. “Their continued commitment to student mental health reflects a growing recognition in Congress that schools play an essential role in ensuring the well-being and success of all children. This legislation is a needed step toward addressing critical workforce shortages, expanding access to comprehensive school-based mental health services—especially for students in underserved communities—and ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive.”
“As a practicing school psychologist, I see firsthand every day how urgently students need access to high-quality mental and behavioral health services where they can easily access them, in school,” said Dr. Julia Szarko, chair of NASP’s Professional Policy, Advocacy, & Credentialing Committee. “That’s why I’m so grateful to Representatives Fitzpatrick and Golden and Senators Cramer, Shaheen, and Young for their leadership in reintroducing this important legislation. The Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act strengthens the school-based mental health workforce and reflects the federal government’s essential role in supporting our nation’s youth. By expanding access to these services, we can help ensure that all students are empowered to thrive.”
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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