Hello Friend,

Welcome to my e-newsletter, the Ready Room. As a retired Naval Aviator, the Ready Room is special to me because it’s where fellow aviators meet to brief and debrief missions. This is my weekly briefing to you on my mission in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how my team and I are working to serve you in Congress.

RESTORING AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE

America is blessed with an abundance of liquified natural gas (LNG) to provide our energy independence and help our allies abroad reduce their reliance on hostile regimes. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration has paused LNG exports, which harms our economy and increases reliance on adversaries to meet our needs. 

We must rebuild American energy independence to strengthen our economy and help our allies. That's why I voted for H.R. 7176, the Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act, to reverse the misguided pause on natural gas export projects and ensure the U.S. can rise to the growing energy challenges of the coming decades. I urge swift Senate action on this measure.

SUPPORTING UYGHURS IN THE FACE OF CCP OPPRESSION  

The Chinese Community Party is committing atrocities and genocide against the Uyghurs and other minorities for their ethnic, religious and cultural differences. Uyghurs in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are imprisoned, tortured and used for forced labor as modern-day slaves. That's why I voted for two important bills to oppose China's egregious human rights violations:

• H.R. 2766, the Uyghur Policy Act, creates a comprehensive, multilateral strategy to raise international awareness of the persecution of Uyghurs and directs the State Department (DOS) to effectively respond to human rights challenges in the XUAR; and
• H.R. 4039, the No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act, prohibits funds to the DOS or the United States Agency for International Development to finance international projects in partnership with entities that import products mined, produced or manufactured in the XUAR.

CONSTITUENT CORNER

Attention all 8th - 11th grade students interested in attending a U.S. Service Academy! Academy Day is this Saturday, Feb. 24, at Polk State College from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about the application process, academy requirements and congressional nominations. Liaison officials from each Service Academy will also be present for personalized guidance. 

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

A more informed society comes from which constitutional protection?

A. Trial by jury
B. Due process
C. Right to bear arms
D. Free speech

Last Week's Question

Which viewpoint was common among Anti-Federalists?

A. There is no need for a separate Bill of Rights.
B. The Constitution does not give enough power to the states. - Correct answer
C. The Constitution will not strengthen the government.
D. A strong national government will protect the people in times of crisis.

It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. Please take a moment to fill out my latest constituent survey here. Your feedback helps me better represent you. For more information on constituent services, current legislation, and to sign up for my e-newsletter, please visit my website at franklin.house.gov. 

Best regards,

C. Scott Franklin
Member of Congress