This week, the House began consideration of H.R. 2740, the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act. This partisan, $1 trillion bill does not address any of the important issues facing our country. Some of its many flaws include: failure to address the border crisis, cuts to vital defense and energy programs which would harm our military and reversal of pro-life policies.

H.R. 2740 does not include any funding for measures that would secure the border and reduce the flow of illegal immigrants into the country. Furthermore, it does not adequately fund the immediate requirements of caring for unaccompanied children as requested by President Trump. Additionally, it would cut defense spending and underfund defense research and development in favor of non-defense initiatives such as granting additional taxpayer dollars to the UN despite its failure to enact needed reforms. The last thing we need to do is undermine our ability to keep pace with rising threats such as China and Russia by limiting our capacity to maintain and modernize our weapons stockpile and counterterrorism operations. H.R. 2740 also prohibits pro-life provisions from going into effect, directs funds to groups that perform abortions and gives more money to Obamacare outreach programs proven ineffective.

Instead of working with Republicans to come up with solutions to these issues, Democrats yet again chose to operate in an ineffective, purely partisan manner.

A Pro-Life Victory

Democrats may try, but with our pro-life president in office, they will not succeed in advancing their pro-abortion agenda. Last week, HHS terminated the NIH’s $13 million contract with the University of California - San Francisco for research involving human fetal tissue from elective abortions. Click here or the image below for my take on the latest victory in the pro-life movement.
 

   

Stopping One-Ring Robocall Scams

  
Almost everyone I know has experienced the extreme annoyance of one-ring scammers, and many have even dealt with fees and fraud from calling them back. As a longtime proponent of greater regulation over robocalls, this week I was proud to work with my bipartisan colleagues to introduce the Ending One-Ring Scams Act of 2019. This legislation would ensure that the FCC seeks an effective regulatory solution to curb one-ring scams.
 

Recent Highlights

   

This week, Daniel Elmore came to shadow me in DC!

                                               

United States Transportation Alliance representatives came to the DC office, including Boone native, Ingrid Brown.

The Southeast Tourism Society came to the DC office for a meeting.

Met with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Presented Jack Semke with the Congressional Award bronze medal.

  

Celebrating Flag Day in East Bend

  
It seems this significant day is often forgotten or treated as a blip on the radar in between Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Not in East Bend!

242 years since the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed the Flag Resolution, the East Bend community and leaders celebrate Flag Day by honoring those who have sacrificed themselves to preserve the freedom for which our flag stands. It was an honor to join these patriots and express my heartfelt thanks to our veterans for their sacrifices and service today.

 
On June 12, 1886, founder of Hanes knitwear, James Hanes, was born. After graduating college, Hanes returned to Forsyth County and joined his family textile business. In 1965, Hanes Company merged with P.H. Hanes Knitting Company to become what is now known internationally as Hanes Corporation and remains a thriving business in Winston-Salem today. Click here read more about James Hanes, his life and his company.
  

Next Week

   
The House will continue to debate its Constitutional duty of passing appropriations legislation to fund the operations of the United States Government. Have a blessed weekend.

Sincerely,