This week, I was honored to host Pastor Ryan Hodges of Rocky Face Baptist Church in Hiddenite the guest chaplain for the U.S. House of Representatives! The tradition of opening each day's proceedings with a prayer goes all the back to the chaplains of the First and Second Continental Congresses. Watch Pastor Hodges’ prayer here.

Click here or the image above to watch my remarks recognizing Pastor Hodges.

Corps to Increase Permit Fees

Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced the implementation of a revised fee schedule for dock and land-based facility permits in the South Atlantic Division (SAD). Under the revised fee schedule, which will go into effect on January 1, 2020, new dock or facility permits for W. Kerr Scott Lake and John H. Kerr Lake will increase from $400 to $835 and re-issue permits will increase from $175 to $835. I joined some of my colleagues in sending a letter to the Corps to request an explanation of how this decision was made and why no public input was considered. Full text of the letter can be viewed here.

Serving Our Veterans

On July 19th, from 2-4pm, at the National Guard Armory in Elkin, I will be hosting my annual Veterans Information Session. With the initial launch of the VA MISSION Act earlier this month, this information session will provide a timely opportunity to learn about the new ways VA healthcare beneficiaries can streamline their access to community care programs. Veterans Affairs Department representatives and veterans service organizations will be in attendance to discuss issues and benefits important to those who have served in America’s Armed Forces and their families.

Additionally, this month is dedicated to PTSD awareness. While the traumatic events of war often can't be forgotten, treatment can help veterans who suffer from PTSD cope with the symptoms. This month is an opportunity to understand PTSD better, recognize its signs and find ways to serve the heroes who suffer from it. Learn more here.

Recent Highlights

Allison Gambill, Paloma Garcia, Molly Kirkland and Zoe Schell were selected by their local NC Electric Cooperatives for their scholastic excellence and community involvement to be a part of the NC Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Great to meet them in the U.S. Capitol this week!

This week, Nicolas Stewart, from Boone, North Carolina, came to shadow me.

Took some constituents from Linville, North Carolina on a tour of the Capitol.

Jane Gardener and Linda Andrews from the North Carolina Farm Bureau came to meet with me in the DC office.

On June 16, 1903 the U.S. Patent Office registered the new trademark of New Bern, Pepsi-Cola. Pepsi was born in the Carolinas and continues to be the number one drink in our state. Click here to learn more about the history of Pepsi.

Next Week

The House will return to the appropriations process next week as it debates legislation to fund agencies related to financial services and general government operations. Have a blessed weekend.

Sincerely,