Latest Update on Strengthening Aviation Operations and More...

Dear Friend,

Renewed growth in air travel means many Americans have firsthand experience with the challenges facing our aviation industry. To improve the flying experience and overall passenger safety, I was proud to join my colleagues in the House in passing the bipartisan 2023 FAA Reauthorization bill to strengthen American aviation and to improve reliability for passengers taking to the skies.

I also joined my colleagues in introducing legislation to help our farm families that produce fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops access important USDA conservation programs. Keep reading below for more information!

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This Week in DC

Strengthening Aviation Safety and Operations

This week, with my support, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act, which reauthorizes, improves and strengthens the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with a primary focus on aviation safety and infrastructure programs.

Since the Wright Brothers made history on the shores of North Carolina with the first successful flight in history, the United States has maintained global leadership in aviation safety and innovation. The 2023 FAA reauthorization makes many advancements to strengthen American aviation and to improve reliability for the increasing amount of passengers taking to the skies.

I am very pleased provisions that I authored and promoted were included in final passage of the legislation, including my amendments to help alleviate the pilot shortage, to encourage the placement of Narcan in on-board emergency medical kits to improve passenger safety, and to end the purchases of drones manufactured by China and Russia that are currently used by the Department of Transportation and the FAA.

The bipartisan legislation also provides significant support for the smaller airports serving our small and rural communities so they can better service local economies well into the future.

Introducing Legislation to Help Specialty Crop Farmers

North Carolina farm families who produce fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops should be able to access important USDA conservation programs designed to benefit both the environment and producers alike.

Yet despite implementing best practices and meeting the incentive-based goals of USDA conservation programs, specialty crop producers are often prevented from participating in such programs because of outdated limitations set years ago.

To fix this issue, I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in introducing the Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act. This bill would reduce barriers producers face in accessing agricultural conservation programs to ensure our farm families can continue to produce the world’s most abundant and affordable food supply. Read more here.

Meeting with the NC National Guard

It was an honor to meet with NC National Guard Adjutant General, Major General Todd Hunt, who stopped by my office this week. Major General Hunt has commanded the NC National Guard since assuming duties as the adjutant general on December 1, 2019. He commands nearly 12,000 citizen soldiers and airmen of the NC Army and Air National Guard.

We discussed the recent passing of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which contains a 5.2% pay raise for servicemembers. Thank you to all who serve in the NC National Guard for your service to our state and nation!

This Week's Good News Story

For this week's good news story, I'm happy to recognize the 25th anniversary of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center proudly located in Surf City, NC. Twenty-five years ago, mother-daughter duo Jean and Karen Beasley filed articles of incorporation with the State of North Carolina. According to their website, on July 21, 1998, the North Carolina Secretary of State approved their articles of incorporation and they officially became a legally-recognized, not-for-profit organization! "Since our founding, we have protected over 2,627 sea turtle nests, treated over 1,288 sick or injured sea turtles, and educated hundreds of thousands of people about sea turtles and the importance of conserving them."

Please join me in congratulating the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center on this great achievement and click here to learn more about their efforts!

Closing Thoughts...

“On matters of style, swim with the current; on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” ―Thomas Jefferson