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.

BIG WINS FOR AMERICAN ENERGY 

Last week, House Republicans fought back against the war on American energy that has crippled our economy. From killing the Keystone XL pipeline, to depleting our strategic petroleum reserve, these misguided polices have raised costs across every imaginable sector. Here are key measures the House passed and I voted for to reduce skyrocketing costs and rebuild our energy independence:

• H.R. 1121, the Protecting American Energy Production Act, to prevent the president from unilaterally banning fracking and blocking states' rights over their own oil and natural gas production;
• H.R. 6009, the Restoring American Energy Dominance Act, to require the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw the proposed rule to halt oil and gas leases; 
• H.R. 7023, the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act, to streamline the permitting process for energy producers, farmers, builders, water utilities and others to complete crucial projects for their communities; and
• H.R. 1023, the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Repeal, to cut $27 billion in wasteful spending to combat energy inflation. 

DEMANDING FSA ACCOUNTABILITY 

The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has offices across the country which distribute financial relief to farmers, ranchers, businesses and communities affected by natural disasters. Unfortunately, local offices are understaffed and lack the resources needed to navigate red tape from Washington.

Last September, I wrote a letter urging the Biden Administration to improve operations at local FSA offices and provide resources needed to help our producers get back on their feet. Last week, I pressed Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on these issues. Click here to watch the exchange.

ENSURING VA PERSONNEL INTEGRITY

In a 2016 House Veterans Affairs Committee (HVAC) hearing, the panel discussed a “recurring practice.” The VA often pursues settlements with resigning employees under review for disciplinary actions, instead of following personnel procedure to completion. Between 2014 and 2016, HVAC found that 96% of the settlements they reviewed did not reflect the disciplinary action proposed or taken against the employee in their permanent record form.

Recently, HVAC was alerted to sexual harassment allegations by credible whistleblowers. Employees connected to the incidents were permitted to resign or retire without accountability.

VA staff must not be allowed to hide behind settlement agreements and other bureaucratic loopholes to evade accountability for misconduct. That's why I introduced H.R. 7734, the Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act, to require the VA Secretary to make a permanent note of any investigation and its findings in the record of resigning employees. Click here to learn more, and click here to watch my remarks. 

SANCTUARY CITIES MUST COOPERATE WITH ICE

Cities across the country protect illegal immigrants from law enforcement, putting their communities at risk of preventable crime. Dangerous gang members from MS-13 and Tren de Aragua are being set free on our streets. Safe harbors for violence must be torn down to restore public safety. I joined my colleagues to urge the Biden Administration to force sanctuary cities to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and discourage them from providing refuge for criminal illegal immigrants. Click here to read the letter.

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

Which of the following is a power of the executive branch?

A. Appoint federal judges
B. Declare acts of Congress unconstitutional
C. Ratify treaties
D. Impeach and remove judges

Last Week's Question

Which service is performed by local government?

A. Delivering mail
B. Granting teacher certificates
C. Minting quarters 
D. Providing fire protection - Correct answer

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