Dear Friend,

I appreciate your reading this weekly update and continue to encourage you to forward to your family and friends. As always if you need anything from my office, you can reach us via our Contact Us page or by calling 202-225-5031.

Supporting our Troops

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is annual legislation authorizing spending and establishing policies for our military and defense-related matters. The NDAA is generally a largely bipartisan effort and has been successfully enacted annually for more than 60 years. At a time when the U.S. faces extraordinary threats from China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and others, it is critical that our nation enact strong national defense legislation to deter our adversaries. 

All of the Republican Members of the Mississippi Congressional Delegation voted in favor of the NDAA in a 310-118 vote in the House and 87-13 vote in the Senate.

Conservative Wins

Reins in Democrat efforts to inject wokeness into the military:
-Includes a Parents’ Bill of Rights at DoD schools
-Prohibits teaching, training, or promotion of Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the military
-Eliminates the Pentagon’s Countering Extremism Working Group
-Implements a hiring freeze and pay cap on the Pentagon’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs (essentially undercutting DEI initiatives at the Pentagon)

Provides a pathway to reenter the military for servicemembers discharged due to the DoD’s former COVID-19 vaccine mandate

Provides DoD support in securing the border:
-Requires DoD use or transfer border wall materials to border states
-Fully funds the deployment of National Guardsmen in support of Border Patrol activities

Support for Servicemembers to Combat Bidenflation

Supports members of the military and their families:
-Includes a 5.2% increase in basic pay, the largest pay raise in over 20 years
-Modifies the Basic Allowance for Housing to increase reimbursement for junior enlisted servicemembers amid soaring rental rates
-Authorizes a monthly bonus for junior enlisted members to counter the effects of inflation

Fighting for our Mississippi Military Priorities

-Authorizes funds to complete the updated Fire/Crash Rescue Station for the 172nd Airlift Wing in Jackson, which also provides fire support to the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.

-Authorizes funds for a Chinook hangar in Meridian and for improvements at Camp Shelby.

-Authorizes funds for another ship at Huntington Ingalls Industries on the Coast and to support Bollinger Shipyard’s work on the Auxiliary Personnel Lighter (APL-657) ship for the Navy.

-Promotes numerous other critical functions and research Mississippi entities provided to the DoD, building our Mississippi partnerships to support essential national security responsibilities.

Holding President Biden Accountable

This week, I voted to formalize the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The White House has consistently impeded the House investigation and stalled our efforts to seek the truth of President Joe Biden’s dealings with foreign influences. I voted for this resolution to reaffirm that the impeachment inquiry is authorized and to remind both the White House and the American people the seriousness of this investigation. House Republicans made a promise to the American people that we would fight corruption, and I am keeping my promise by voting to formalize the impeachment inquiry and to begin the process to hold President Joe Biden accountable for his actions.

Remembering the Life and Service of G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery

I want to thank the G. V. “Sonny” Montgomery Foundation for loaning my office Wyatt Waters’s watercolor painting of the final resting place of the Third District of Mississippi legend, Sonny Montgomery.  I am honored to have the opportunity to serve in the seat once held by such a great Mississippi public servant.

Fighting for Your Freedom

Last week, I voted to stop the Biden Administration from forcing Americans into electric vehicles. As Americans we thrive on freedom, and we should all have the freedom to choose whether to drive a gas-powered vehicle or an electric vehicle. President Biden should not be making that choice for you.

Keeping Mississippians Safe

I had a great meeting this week with the new CEO of the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority and the current Commissioners. I look forward to working with JMAA to ensure continued improvements and safety.