On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 5515, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (NDAA) with a bipartisan vote of 351-66.  I was pleased to support this legislation to support our military’s job of protecting national security.  After years of negligence under the Obama Administration, our military suffers from a readiness crisis, leaving it underpaid, overworked and ill-prepared to face security threats from our foreign adversaries.  The FY19 NDAA equips America’s warfighters with the resources they need to defend our country, including authorizing the largest pay raise in nearly a decade.  While we can never truly repay the selfless sacrifices of our servicemen and women, I supported this bipartisan legislation to provide them with adequate funding and much-deserved compensation.

Banking Reform

On Tuesday, the House passed S. 2155, the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which was subsequently signed into law by President Trump on Thursday.  The heavy-handed regulations resulting from the 2008 Dodd-Frank Act have been detrimental to our nation’s small banks, killing jobs and stifling economic growth.  S. 2155 is a measured solution that will continue protections for consumers while reducing the burden of overregulation on the local financial institutions that are critical to our economy.

Bipartisan Prison Reform

While it is critical that the United States continues to strictly enforce our laws, it is also imperative that we take steps to reduce recidivism and prepare inmates to reenter the workforce.  That is why, on Tuesday the House passed H.R. 5682, the FIRST STEP Act.  The FIRST STEP Act will strengthen public safety, enhance prison security and provide inmates with the help they need to successfully reenter society.

Protecting Life

President Trump recently unveiled the Protect Life Rule.  This proposed rule will draw a bright line between family planning and abortion, in accordance with the intent of Congress.  When Congress created the Title X program in 1970, it made it clear that abortion was not family planning and forbade the use of Title X money in support of abortion and abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood.  I applaud President Trump’s decision and was proud to speak on the floor of the House of Representatives in support.  You can view my comments here.

North Carolinians in the Capitol

On this date in 1946, Eliza Jane Pratt became the first woman elected to represent North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives.

What’s Coming Up?

Next week, as we celebrate Memorial Day, I will be in the 5th District for a District Work Period.  I will be travelling around meeting with constituents, visiting local organizations, and attending community events.  I look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,