The People’s House is returning to regular order. This week, House Republicans advanced two more important appropriations bills that will fund the priorities of the American people and the entire nation. H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026, will accelerate entrepreneurship and economic prosperity, guard our nation’s national security posture and apparatus, and further cement true, unyielding American leadership on the international stage. I will also note that this legislative package contains NO POISON PILLS and cuts foreign aid by 16 PERCENT – roughly $9.3 BILLION.

What’s more, Republicans have erased incompatible mandates and provisions cooked up by the previous administration that would have severely weakened America’s trajectory to greatness. Here are just a few additional, important facts about this two-bill appropriations package – that passed the House with strong bipartisan support – courtesy of the House Appropriations Committee. H.R. 7006:

• Empowers implementation of President Trump’s priorities, including advancing the “Make America Safe Again” agenda and supporting the Executive Branch in carrying out the mandate of the American people.
• Restores American strength and deterrence, reasserting peace through strength and ending Biden-era weakness on the world stage.
• Forces accountability at the United Nations by conditioning assistance, imposing funding cuts, and withholding resources until meaningful reforms are delivered.

I’m very much looking forward to advancing the four final appropriations bills next week out of the Rules Committee and voting in favor of them when they come to the House floor. Indeed, regular order is being restored in the People’s House – this is certainly a welcome development. We’re doing the right things for the right reasons, and the results speak for themselves. 

Relief Is Coming

On Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced nearly $40 million in FEMA Public Assistance grants for counties across the 5th District that were devastated by Hurricane Helene. I am grateful to Secretary Noem and her team at DHS for working with me to get these funds out to Western North Carolina. I would also like to applaud Senator Ted Budd, Chairman Michael Whatley, as well as my Republican colleagues within the North Carolina delegation for their staunch advocacy so that communities in the 5th District and across North Carolina can receive the necessary assistance that they so desperately need in rebuilding. As I have since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina over a year ago, I will continue to do everything I can to support the recovery efforts back home.

Our Newest Letter

Recently, I joined my Republican colleagues in the North Carolina delegation in sending Governor Stein a letter following a failed federal audit of the state’s commercial driver’s license program. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, approximately 54% of non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses reviewed in North Carolina were improperly issued, including licenses granted without proper verification of lawful presence or issued beyond the expiration of legal status. This development is indeed shocking, and it reveals the dangers posed to countless North Carolinians on the roadways. Governor Stein should immediately address this issue and correct this serious lapse of oversight.

To read our letter, click here. 

A Piece of American History

North Carolina’s influence when it came to the founding of our nation is important to recognize and learn about. Recently, David Larson of the Carolina Journal published a great article on how North Carolina’s involvement in the ratification of the Constitution led to the creation of the Bill of Rights. At the time, the state’s leaders were adamant that the Constitution include a “declaration of rights”, and as such, refused to ratify this sacred document until that demand was satisfied. This, in turn, put pressure on the First Congress to promise the creation of a Bill of Rights.

To read the article, click here.

Quote of The Week

“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.”

—Albert Einstein

 Have a blessed weekend,