Providing for our nation’s defense serves as a key pillar of House Republicans’ Commitment to America. In adherence to our commitment, this week, House Republicans brought the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to the House floor for a vote. Alongside provisions to provide for the needs of servicemembers and their families – such as a 5.2 percent pay increase, improved housing, and increased access to healthcare – this legislation takes meaningful steps to address pressing issues related to our nation’s national security posture. Allow me to highlight a few topline points.

Wokeness in our nation’s military will be put on the chopping block. Funding for Critical Race Theory (CRT) teachings, as well as funding for any Department of Defense advisory committee that oversees CRT will be prohibited. Further, the Department of Defense would be required to report to Congress on how much time – and how many taxpayer dollars – have been wasted on CRT-related education. Further, the Left’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the military would be gutted as well.

Communist China’s aggression is confronted in the NDAA. The Department of Defense would be required to identify and mitigate harmful encroachment near our nation’s military installations – especially land purchases made by entities within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). To protect our homeland and military assets this bill accelerates the deployment of advanced radars to track high-altitude surveillance balloons and other threats from the CCP. Loopholes that enable Department of Defense funds to be dispersed to universities operating CCP fronts like Confucius Institutes would also be closed.

On the fiscal side, taxpayers will save $40 billion by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons, and unnecessary bureaucracy. I highly encourage you to read this fact sheet by the House Committee on Armed Services that provides extensive details on the provisions that are folded into the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA. Today, I was proud to cast a strong “Yes” vote for this package to support America’s national defense capabilities and the countless men and women who work around the clock to protect us.

ICYMI: My Latest Op-Ed

Employers across the nation are feeling the immense strain caused by President Biden’s failed economic policies as they struggle to retain skilled workers they need. More and more, job creators are removing degree requirements and shifting to skills-based hiring to broaden the talent pipeline and fill in-demand, good-paying careers. Yet society has perpetuated the idea that baccalaureate degrees are the only pathway to the middle class and a good-paying job. In my latest op-ed in the National Review, I dispel the college degree-for-all myth and highlight the importance of celebrating competencies, regardless of how or where they are obtained.

To read my op-ed, click here.

Recognizing Bill Fisher

Today, a familiar voice to many in the High Country, Bill Fisher of WATA, hung up his headset one final time and entered a well-deserved retirement. For years, I’ve been fortunate enough to join Bill on the radio to talk about issues ranging from the local to national levels. No matter the topic or issue of the day, Bill has always taken the time to inform people of the developments that matter most. Those who have regularly tuned into Bill’s show on the commute to work, on the way to grocery store, and everywhere in between are grateful for the innumerable contributions he has made to our community. May God bless Bill and his family as he enters this new and exciting chapter of his life.

Quote of The Week

“If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.”

-George Washington

Have a blessed weekend,