E-Newsletter

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 »

During the last week of September, the United National General Assembly welcomed several high-profile heads of state. President Biden, Brazilian President Lula Da Silva, and Argentinian President Javier Milei were among the speakers who addressed the UN body. Also in the speaker lineup was Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For his speech, Zelenskyy encouraged Western powers to… Read more »

For those who go to Virginia Tech football games, you will notice jerseys that hang in the north end zone of Lane Stadium. The numbers signify the retired jersey numbers and names in the history of Virginia Tech football. Everybody knows #7, Michael Vick. As a Hokie, Vick finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting for the 2000 season. He was selected as the number one draft pick… Read more »

Early voting starts on September 20th in Virginia, and because there is some discussion in the press about the SAVE Act, I want to detail my involvement with the bill. The SAVE Act prohibits non-citizens from voting by requiring states to obtain proof-of-citizenship when registering individuals to vote in federal elections. Earlier this year I was one of six Members of the House who… Read more »

As an elected representative from our part of Virginia, I see various local organizations receive recognition and praise for their efforts in improving the care and health of our rural communities. Food City, in partnership with the nonprofit United Way, has welcomed me on multiple occasions for their celebrity food bagging event. Most recently, I was a celebrity bagger at the Food City… Read more »

August 26th marked the anniversary of the killing of 13 American servicemembers in Afghanistan. As you recall, the Biden-Harris Administration in April of 2021 announced a decision to withdraw our troops. In that announcement, the withdrawal was to conclude by September 11, a symbolic tribute to the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks carried out by the Taliban. I had supported an… Read more »

As the final quarter of the 118th Congress is underway, there are pressing issues that will come to federal lawmakers’ attention. Of issues that will likely be addressed, government funding for fiscal year 2025 is on the docket. Outside of Washington D.C., I am proud to reflect on the work my district team has done this Congress to assist our constituent service operations. My mission… Read more »

Virginia’s Ninth District is home to an array of nationally iconic items. Previously, one of my columns discussed the significance of the Crooked Road and the D-Day Memorial. These monuments demonstrate that our regions have profound roots in country music and service to the U.S. military. What is lesser known to some is this District has deep ties to the soft drink industry. The… Read more »