This week, I attended the public comment session at the Okanogan County Fairgrounds, where hundreds of Washingtonians came out to express their opposition to the ill-conceived grizzly bear introduction plan.

While I'm grateful we were given the chance to speak out, it seems that the concurrent release of the draft EIS and the 10(j) proposal means that NPS and USFWS have already made up their minds and plan to bring the grizzlies to our communities.

It's clear the Biden Administration knows that grizzlies can—and probably will—move out of the zone in which you drop them in, yet rather than letting common sense prevail, are continuing to push forward with this dangerous plan.

What's the plan for dealing with crop loss and livestock depredation that is inevitable? What's the timeline for issuing lethal permits? And how much will citizens have to lose before they can defend themselves from this predator in their backyard?

Since being elected to Congress, I have consistently advocated on behalf of the people of Central Washington against introducing grizzly bears to our communities, and I remain committed to doing everything in my power to keep them out of Washington State.

The public comment period on the Draft EIS runs from September 28 - November 13, 2023. If you are interested in leaving a public comment, this is your last chance and you can do so here.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is working around the clock to infiltrate and influence our institutions. From purchasing farmland to mishandling viruses, the CCP strives to root itself within our economy, national security, and livelihoods so as to weaken us as a nation and a people. This is the reality we face, and if we ignore it, we do so at our own peril. 

The CCP has launched a multi-tiered campaign to control assets within our nation and collect sensitive information.

Last month, we learned of a pattern of Chinese nationals breaching military installations and sensitive sites within the U.S. With over one hundred incidents that officials describe as potential forms of espionage, these actors often sought out sites in rural areas and posed as lost tourists when confronted by authorities. In most cases, the Chinese nationals were photographing the sites, and officials believe them to be testing security practices on bases and sensitive federal locations.  

These “incidents” are becoming all too common, and it is imperative we put a stop to them now to ensure the future security of our nation. 

I am proud of the work Congress has already accomplished, and I will remain vigilant and continue to fight for aggressive policies against our nation’s adversary. I look forward to continuing to bring the voices of Central Washingtonians to the fight against those that seek a world without liberty. 

This week, the House of Representatives continued its work in funding the government by passing, the Interior Appropriations bill, the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, and the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act.

As a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, it is imperative that I help deliver on our promise of transparency in the spending process. We are restoring regular order to this process, and we’re delivering results.

The Interior Appropriations bill reins in wasteful spending and bureaucracy by limiting abuse of the Endangered Species Act, rightsizing agency funding levels, expanding access to critical minerals, limiting job-killing regulations, and prioritizes funding for public safety and critical operations by increasing funding for Wildland Fire Management.

The Legislative Branch Appropriations bill is one that keeps Congress working for the people. From increasing the budget of Capitol Police to reigning in millions of taxpayer dollars on overfunded programs, this bill is a strong statement on the kind of spending we want to see in the House.

It is an honor to continue my work funding our government as a House Appropriator, and I am looking forward to passing the last five bills.

I have been and remain a staunch advocate for Israel and her interests. The violence we have seen from Hamas in the past weeks is unconscionable and is a direct reflection of the radical interests of this group.

To aid in Israel's defense, I proudly cosponsored the Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum (SHIP) Act and H. Res 798, both aimed at condemning these violent attacks and ensuring our allies have the resources they need.

I also co-sponsored the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides $14.3 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations – fully offset – to provide military assistance to our great ally Israel and ensure the safe return of American citizens impacted by the attacks on Israel.

This will allow Israel to replenish the Iron Dome, counter-short range rockets with the Iron Beam defense system, and enhance production and development of artillery and critical munitions.

I am proud to stand with my colleagues in Congress working to support the sole true democracy in the Middle East and pass these vital pieces of legislation while Israel fights to defend herself from the violence of Hamas.

Recently, I introduced the Urban Canal Modernization Act to address the increasingly difficult task of maintaining and modernizing our urban canal systems.

This crucial legislation allows the Bureau of Reclamation to authorize a 35% non-reimbursable cost share to help repair and rehabilitate “urban canals of concern,” canals through urban areas that would cause significant property damage or possible loss of life if the canal were to fail.

As these structures continue to age, it is crucial to supply local managers with the resources needed to protect both property, and people, from a potential disaster. 

I know how vital access to these waterways is to Central Washington, and confidence that those systems remain healthy and reliable is crucial to those that depend on it every day.