The first duty of Congress is to provide for the common defense of the nation – it’s a constitutional mandate that we are charged with upholding. This week, the House passed the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, legislation that works to equip America’s armed forces with the resources and tools they need to remain the most capable and lethal fighting force in the world. The NDAA is a critical piece of legislation that helps the men and women who defend our nation achieve their mission whether by land, sea, or air. You may be interested to know that this is the 65^th time that Congress has advanced this pertinent piece of legislation.

Specifically, the FY26 NDAA:

• Cuts bureaucratic red tape that threatens our nation’s competitive advantage on the world stage.
  
• Works to improve the quality of life for the nation’s service members with a 3.8% pay raise and improved benefits for military families.
  
• Yields $20 billion in savings, including $15 billion in targeted reforms that have been identified as of this year.
  
• Makes commitments to deter aggression from China, Russia, Iran, and foreign terrorist organizations that pose a serious threat to America’s national security and our way of life.

The House Armed Services Committee has put together an informative document that highlights the important provisions in this legislation – I highly encourage you to read through it. I was proud to ensure swift passage of the FY26 NDAA through the Rules Committee, and to have voted in favor of it on the House floor. Congress has yet again advanced this critical legislation that reaffirms our commitment to those who serve this nation with bravery and honor. 

We’re Demanding Accountability

This week, I joined my Republican colleagues in the North Carolina delegation in sending a letter to Chief District Judge Roy Wiggins demanding formal removal proceedings for Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes, who released a repeat offender who went on to brutally murder a Ukrainian woman on the Charlotte light rail. The entire nation has seen the horrific, violent act of this repeat offender that took the life of Iryna Zarutska – it is as enraging as it is saddening. Judge Stokes failed this young woman, and she failed the citizens of our state. She cannot be allowed to hold her position any longer – that much is abundantly clear.

To read more about our letter, click here. 

A Piece of American History

Ahead of America’s 250^th anniversary, the White House has compiled an informative video series that tells the story of our nation, and how American independence was achieved. In partnership with Hillsdale College, this video series covers pivotal moments in our nation’s history such as:

• The Battles of Lexington and Concord.
  
• The Foundation of the Army.
  
• The Battle of Bunker Hill.
  
• And much more.

To view the video series, and to learn more about important pieces of American history, click here to visit the White House’s website.

Quote of The Week

“One of the reasons the American people have turned to us is that we don't waver from our commitment to do what's necessary to keep our country safe and to secure the blessings of liberty for our children and our children's children.”

-Ronald Reagan

 Have a blessed weekend,