Last week, I voted against the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). As we have witnessed over the last few years, FISA has been abused to spy on American citizens, violating their right to privacy and protections granted under the Fourth Amendment.

Originally intended to keep our country safe from potential terrorist attacks, Section 702 of FISA allows the United States government to collect any digital communications of foreigners living outside of the U.S. Unfortunately, FISA has been abused beyond its original noble purpose and American's right to privacy has been caught in the crossfire. In 2021 alone, the FBI conducted 3.4 million warrantless searches of Americans. Members of Congress, local political party leaders, donors to Congressional campaigns, and more have all been illegally spied on through the use of FISA. This is a clear violation of Americans' constitutional Fourth Amendment right which protects the right of the people to be secure from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.

Despite these major concerns, this FISA reauthorization bill did not include a requirement for a warrant, and I could not in good conscience support its passage.

Click here or the image below to hear my floor remarks during the FISA debate.

This week, the House is voting on a series of supplemental foreign aid packages to send to Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific as well as an additional bill to secure our border.

It is the responsibility of the United States to stand up for our ally Israel as they fight to defend themselves and their sovereignty. Because of President Biden's release of over $6 billion in sanctioned funds along with his complacency on the global stage, Iran felt emboldened to launch an unprecedented attack on our greatest ally in the Middle East. In these uncertain times, we must unequivocally stand with Israel as they continue their campaign to eradicate Hamas.

I cannot support any additional aid sent to Ukraine with no clear path to victory. So far, the United States has sent over $120 billion to fund their war. In this latest aid package, there is $7.9 billion dedicated to funding the government salaries of Ukrainian bureaucrats, an unacceptable use of hard-earned taxpayer funds. It lacks a clear requirement for an audit of the funds we are sending, and also lacks a cost-matching mechanism to force European countries to contribute their fair share in this war effort. We need to focus on our own national security at the southern border before we send any more money to fund their war.

I offered up the following amendments to make sure we are safeguarding our own national interests, supporting our allies like Israel, and ensuring responsible use of our funds.

Amendments Offered:

• H.R. 8035- Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act:
  • To require an audit conducted by the Pentagon on funds allocated to Ukraine.
  • To strike $7.9 billion from the act designated to pay government salaries and pensions for Ukraine bureaucrats.
  • To prohibit any of the funds from being used for salaries or pensions.
  • To prohibit any allocation of funds in the act until President Biden submits a path to victory plan to Congress.
  • To require that the United States can only provide as much funds as European countries are contributing to Ukraine.
• H.R. 8034- The Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act
  • A sense of Congress that Israel has the right to defend itself and that Hamas is to be ardently condemned for its attacks on Israel.
  • Exclude Haiti from the list of 'vulnerable countries' receiving taxpayer-funded aid until the State Department can certify they are a functioning democratic government.
• H.R. 3602- End the Border Catastrophe Act
  • To prohibit illegal immigrants from being able to access the Child Tax Credit, saving Americans $3 billion a year.
  • To prohibit the distribution of any type of government ID to illegal immigrants.
  • A sense of Congress that illegal immigrants should not have access to Medicare and Medicaid.

Last week, I spoke on the House Floor to honor the life of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller after he was tragically murdered in the line of duty.

Under Joe Biden, we have seen crime in our cities rise at extraordinary rates. Yet, he continues to do nothing about it. Under his weak-on-crime policies, career criminals roam our streets and continue to hurt innocent Americans. The left has continued to vilify our police officers and ignore our laws meant to keep the American public safe. Tragically, it cost Jonathan Diller, an American hero, his life.

Click here or the image below to watch my full remarks.

Last week, I met with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Inspector General (IG) Rae Oliver Davis to discuss the inhumane living conditions at Stanley Holmes Village in South Jersey. 

Under the management of the Atlantic City Housing Authority (ACHA), Stanley Holmes Village has endured an ongoing health and safety crisis, with residents living without heat and hot water. As the ACHA makes no strong effort to improve these conditions, I have called for a federal takeover by HUD of the operation.

In my meeting with IG Davis, she reassured me just how seriously she is taking this issue. The Office of the Inspector General safeguards HUD's programs from fraud, waste, and abuse, and in doing such, ensures health and safety standards in HUD-assisted housing. I look forward to collaborating with her in the next steps of this process.

Click here to read my full statement on the issue.

This week, I joined Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo to discuss the upcoming House foreign aid packages, the rising pressure on Speaker Johnson with a motion to vacate on the table, and the House Judiciary Committee's findings into the abuse of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

Click here or the photo below to watch the full interview.

Last week, I presided over the House floor as Speaker Pro Tempore during debate on the FISA reauthorization.

It is always an honor to preside over the floor of the People's House!

Last week, I introduced a package of legislation— the Bridge Protection Act and the Francis Scott Key Bridge Disaster Taxpayer Reimbursement Resolution — geared towards strengthening America's infrastructure system and ensuring that the financial burden of disasters caused by private entities does not fall completely on the shoulders of hardworking Americans.

Following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26th, 2024, it was clear that we needed to take proactive steps to make sure disasters like this can never happen again. That is why I introduced this legislation, to protect our taxpayers and to ensure our infrastructure systems are second to none in the world.

Click here to read the text of the Bridge Protection Act.

Click here to read the text of the Francis Scott Key Bridge Disaster Taxpayer Reimbursement Resolution.

Click here to read my full statement on the issue.

I had the honor of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Lutheran Church of Redeemer in Vineland, South Jersey. Redeemer has been a place of worship and fellowship for the last century for the people of South Jersey, opening its doors to everyone.

The incredible outreach through the church allows its members the opportunity to have a lasting impact on those in need in their own communities, whether that is assisting with assembling care packages for soldiers or renovating the Cumberland Family Shelter. It was a wonderful day of reflection and celebration, and it was my honor to be able to celebrate this tremendous milestone with the church.

Watch my full remarks here or click the photo below.

In case you missed it, last week, Spirit Airlines announced that they would be closing their crew base at Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) in South Jersey. It is important to note that this will have no impact on the regular flight operations of the airport but instead will result in the loss of 157 jobs in the area. The pilots and flight attendants who call this airport their home base will no longer be able to operate from ACY.

I am very concerned about the impact this decision will have on the local community and that is why I requested a meeting with the CEO of Spirit Airlines, Ted Christie, to urge him to reconsider this decision and discuss alternative solutions.

Click here to see my full statement on the issue.