E-Newsletter

During the recent election season, many congressional candidates who voted against various spending bills were criticized by their opponents for voting against those bills and yet working to get money for their districts from programs authorized by said bills. I submit to you, it is not disingenuous but a misunderstanding of the role of Congress. This may require you to remember your… Read more »

As we approach the end of the year, multiple foreign summits gather and deliberate. The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit took place in Peru, where President Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping were in attendance. APEC is a partnership focused on economic growth in the Pacific and regional integration of the member country’s economies. President Biden then visited… Read more »

Households throughout the Ninth District, our greater commonwealth and the country are preparing for Thanksgiving. Discussions are occurring over the method of cooking the Thanksgiving turkey and ensuring enough of the right food is available. The dining room table is organized for a feast, and maybe even a guest bedroom or couch is tidied up for incoming family. On Sundays around… Read more »

After the election of President-elect Trump, one change expected for the incoming Administration is the reversal of the Biden-Harris Administration’s open borders policies. During Trump’s first term, securing the border was a priority. Thanks to the institution of policies like the Migrant Protection Protocols, better known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, Trump stemmed the tide of… Read more »

November 11, 2024, is when Americans will celebrate Armistice Day, more commonly known as Veterans Day. The roots of this day date back to 1918, when the world was engulfed in a great war. The Alliance of the United Kingdom, France and Russia was pitted against the Central powers comprised mainly of Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. The United States exercised relative… Read more »

The United States is close to existing for 250 years, in which we have exercised stable and relatively peaceful government. Due to the unjust and tyrannical British throne, our American ancestors engaged in a series of conflicts and disputes that culminated in the American Revolution. With the help of Virginian leaders like George Washington and Patrick Henry, among others, the American… Read more »

As of this newsletter, two American astronauts are stranded at the International Space Station (ISS). This June, astronauts Butch Whitmore and Suni Williams took part in a mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule to go to the ISS. The mission seemed to be going ok when they got to the ISS. But it was then discovered the Starliner’s thrusters failed during docking, leaving Whitmore and… Read more »

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Carter Family Fold. The Fold has preserved the Carter Family legacy, its roots to Southwest Virginia and documented the family’s impact on Country music. In August, I traveled to the Fold for their 50th anniversary celebration. The event in Hiltons in Scott County featured A.P. Carter’s granddaughter, Rita Forrester. Speaker Johnson recently… Read more »

Some work in DC does not get the attention of national and local media outlets. At the beginning of 118th Congress, I was asked to serve on the House Administration Committee and specifically the Subcommittee on Oversight because of my legal background. In the 117th Congress, the U.S. House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack was established. Then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi… Read more »

Helene Hurricane Helene ravaged communities in Appalachia. The storm raced through the Southeast on its way to Virginia. Our area was hit hard! Localities in the Ninth District were a target of fierce storms, tornado watches and flash flood warnings. Two deaths were confirmed. Over the past week, I met with so many people impacted by the storm and its aftermath. Even in… Read more »