Congress’ number one responsibility is to provide for the defense of our nation, and House Republicans remain laser focused on meeting that mandate. This week, we passed H.R. 5009, the FY25 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation fully funds our nation’s national defense, improves the lives of our servicemembers and their families, who sacrifice so much to protect our nation, and takes important steps to address the security threats America faces from adversaries including China, Iran, and foreign terrorist organizations. Our adversaries will stop at nothing to undermine our national interests, so ensuring the nation’s military is prepared to combat new and serious threats is paramount.

Below are just a few important provisions of this legislation that I want to highlight for you. Specifically, H.R. 5009:

• Increases the pay for junior enlisted servicemembers by 14.5% and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers.
  
• Continues the United States’ ironclad support for Israel to defend itself from rogue terrorist regimes.
  
• Stops universities and researchers from receiving Department of Defense research funds if they work with certain Chinese Communist Party academic institutions.
  
• Saves taxpayers $31 billion by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy.
  
• Prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military, including at service academies and Department of Defense schools.

I was very pleased to join my colleagues in casting a strong “YES” vote on H.R. 5009. By passing this legislation, our nation’s armed forces will be equipped with the necessary tools to keep America safe. You can always rest assured that my longstanding support for providing for the defense of the nation will continue without delay or compromise.

Fighting Communist Influence

Recently, the House passed the bipartisan Crucial Communism Teaching Act, legislation that makes optional educational materials available through the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to help educate high school students about the dangers of communism and totalitarianism – and how those systems are contrary to the founding principles of freedom and democracy in the United States. It’s not a radical idea to say that American values should be taught in American schools. But at a time when nearly a third of Gen Z are in favor of communism, it’s clear that we’re falling short when it comes to educating young people about the history and dangers of that twisted ideology. The Crucial Communism Teaching Act is an important step in making sure the future leaders of our great nation have the tools and knowledge to protect capitalism and freedom for the next generation.

My Tenure As Chairwoman

Recently, I spoke with Rick Hess of the American Enterprise Institute to discuss my tenure as Chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. From protecting parents’ rights to lowering college costs, from promoting school choice to combatting rampant antisemitism, and everything else in between, the Committee has been hard at work delivering upon the priorities of the American people. The work we have done for students and workers across the nation has not always been easy, but it certainly has been rewarding.

To read our interview, click here.

Quote of The Week

“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”

-General Douglas MacArthur

 Have a blessed weekend,