This week, the Biden Administration released their final package of actions and commitments in the Columbia River System Operations mediation.

This final package, which would make our region’s dams effectively defunct, confirms what we’ve all known for years. The Biden Administration is catering to the wishes of extreme environmental activists that do not understand both the importance of the dams to our region, and the consequences of their proposed actions.

For the duration of this process, key stakeholders’ positions have been widely ignored in favor of secret closed-door meetings.

The Biden Administration has consistently ignored the science and doubled down on the fraudulent claim that salmon and the dams cannot coexist—a fact that his been disproven multiple times, most recently in the 2020 Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement.

This package is a slap in the face to the residents of Central Washington under the guise of protecting salmon and I will not stand for it.

I have said it before, and I will say it again—Congress alone has the authority to breach the Lower Snake River Dams, and as long as I am your representative, I will fight to ensure our dams remain in place.

It has been a busy year in Washington, D.C., and I have spent it working to bring the priorities of Central Washington to the halls of Congress.

While the attack on our Lower Snake River Dams continues, I am fighting to protect our source of clean, reliable, and affordable energy. To keep costs low for families across the Pacific Northwest, I introduced the Northwest Energy Security Act to stop attempts to breach our dams.

With the fentanyl crisis raging in Central Washington, I started the Central Washington Fentanyl Task Force for an all-hands-on-deck approach to tackle this epidemic. I also introduced the SAFE Act, Law Enforcement Officers Preventing Overdose Deaths Act, and the Stop Overdose in Schools Act to ensure our local authorities have the resources they need to combat this deadly drug.

As a third-generation farmer, I understand the issues our producers face. This year I introduced the Agriculture Export Promotion Act of 2023, the AGRITOURISM Act, and other legislation to protect crops from wildfires, prevent federal land grabs, and promote trade and market access for Central Washington farmers.

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) most recent tactic of buying American farmland poses risks to our food supply chains and economy—which is why I have introduced numerous pieces of legislation to combat the issue. My amendment to the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations bill was adopted, which prohibits the purchase of U.S. agricultural land by foreign adversaries. I also introduced the Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People’s Republic of China Act, to ban the purchase of public or private agricultural land by foreign nationals associated with the CCP.

I am proud to represent the people of Central Washington in Congress, and I look forward to continuing to fight for your priorities in 2024.

This week, I spoke at the Solidarity for Israel event where I voiced my unyielding support for the sovereign state of Israel.

In the wake of the horrific attacks carried out by Hamas, the United States must advance its resolve in support of our closest friend and ally in the Middle East, Israel. Israel’s fight to maintain freedom has persisted for generations, and it is imperative that this conflict ends with an Israeli victory.

While the calls for a ceasefire continue, antisemitism is on the rise, especially on our college campuses.

During last week’s congressional hearing on antisemitism, my colleague, Representative Elise Stefanik, questioned the presidents of Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania on their stance regarding anti-Semitic demonstrations occurring on their campuses. These presidents all refused to condemn their own students calling for the genocide of Jews. 

I am appalled that in 2023, Jewish students at our institutions of higher education feel threatened walking to class, participating in after school activities, and even eating in Kosher dining halls. We must do better, which is why I voted YES on H. Res 927— Condemning antisemitism on University campuses and the testimony of University Presidents in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

I have watched the October 7th footage showing the unspeakable carnage that the Hamas terrorists inflicted, and I have seen firsthand the inhumanity of their crimes. I am horrified that humans could carry out that level of evil. While legislation sadly cannot bring back the lives of the over 1,330 Israelis who were murdered, I will remain a staunch supporter of Israel’s right to defend itself and continue advocating for it in Congress.

Are you a currently an undergraduate student or recent college graduate interested in learning about the legislative process firsthand in the heart of our nation?

If so, I am currently seeking paid congressional interns for the Spring 2024 term. The internships are in-person and will run from January to the end of March. Dates are flexible.

Ideal candidates will have a positive attitude, strong work ethic, attention to detail, ability to conduct research, strong writing skills, and be able to work in a fast-paced work environment. District ties will be considered however are not required.