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Transparency in Congress and a well-informed electorate are vital to preserving our self-governing Constitutional Republic. My constituents deserve to know how their members of Congress vote, which is why I have explained every vote I have cast in Congress since I was first elected.
To read more about my votes and see the full list with explanations of all the legislation considered this week by the House, please click here.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7463, Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (FY24). Over the past few months House Republicans have been deep in negotiation with Senate Democrats to fund the federal government for the remainder of the 2024 fiscal year and to undo many of the harmful Biden Administration’s policies that are harming our nation. However, even though Congress is close to a finalized deal, it will most likely still take a week to draft text and current funding for many federal agencies expire on Friday March 1st. In response this bill avoids a short-term government shutdown by extending funding for the USDA, FDA, HUD, Veterans Affairs, and the US DOT thought March 8th and extending the remaining government departments though March 22nd. In addition to these funding extensions, this bill also blocks the Biden Administrations unilateral and costly Pell Grant expansion to 280,000 new borrowers, saving taxpayers billions of dollars. My hope is Congress can soon release text for a FY24 funding deal that can secure much needed wins for the American people. This bill passed the House by a vote of 320-99.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7102, the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act. For years, the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs has worked to advance small businesses run by members of Indian tribes and to promote economic development in Indian country. However, it has not yet been authorized by Congress. To address this, H.R. 7102 brings the office under congressional control and requires it to be overseen by an existing SBA function. These reforms will allow this office to continue to do its work under adequate oversight, ensuring it is achieving its mission while responsibly using taxpayer resources. H.R. 7102 passed the House by a vote of 402-16.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 7454, the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2024. H.R. 7454 extends various expiring Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) programs and authorizations until May 10, 2024. This will ensure our local airports have the funds they need to improve and grow, while keeping our airspace safe. In addition, H.R. 7454 gives Congress more time to negotiate a long-term extension of these authorities so we can improve air travel and innovation for years to come. H.R. 7454 passed the House by a vote of 401-19.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 4984, the D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium Campus Revitalization Act. This bill would transfer the jurisdiction of RFK stadium, which is currently controlled by the National Park Service, to the District of Columbia government. This allows Washington, DC to revitalize this land for economic growth, and saves the federal government thousands of dollars in environmental and maintenance costs. Importantly, this bill also prohibits any federal funds from being used to build another stadium on this land. This bill passed the House by a vote of 348-55.
I voted “Yes” on H.R. 6544, the Atomic Energy Advancement Act. This bill would reform to current regulations set forth by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to accelerate growth in the nuclear energy industry as a clean, reliable, and affordable source of power. For far too long the construction of new nuclear reactors and new nuclear technologies have been held up in red tape, resulting in billions in extra costs and countless canceled projects. This is even though nuclear power is one of the safest and most reliable sources of power known to humankind. In response to these challenges, the bill will update the NRC’s mission statement to state that it cannot unnecessarily limit the potential of nuclear energy to improve the general welfare, give the NRC direct hiring authority to help expand the nuclear workforce, lower annual fees for advanced nuclear reactor license applications, and establish a pilot program for nuclear power purchase agreements. Additionally, the bill will include policies designed to expedite the approval of construction and operation permits needed for nuclear reactors. Finally, the bill will allow the NRC to deny licenses based on whether covered fuel is sourced from China or Russia, as well as lift the prohibition on licensing nuclear reactors to foreign individuals, corporations, or governments—in select circumstances. These reforms will help create a stronger and more innovative American nuclear industry that can benefit both current and future Americans with clean and reliable power. This bill passed the House by a vote of 365-36 with 1 voting present.
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