This week the House of Representatives passed the Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Acts. Responsible National Security Funding This week the House of Representatives passed the Homeland Security, Department of Defense, and State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Acts. As a member of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I am proud of the legislation we were able to pass. Throughout the entire appropriations process, I have worked hard to ensure that both packages include conservative priorities that keep our nation safe while cutting wasteful spending. In the Defense bill, we were able to increase pay for all military personnel, fight the CCP’s attempts at infiltrating our institutions, and refocus the Pentagon’s core mission to delivering combat-ready military forces to deter war and ensure national security. In the Homeland Security bill, we made major investments in fighting the crisis at our southern border. When I was at the border in February, Border Patrol told us the wall works, so we appropriated funds to build it. These bills bolster our national security at home and abroad, and our nation will be better for it. Combatting the CCP's Fentanyl Operations This week, I led the first session of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) Fentanyl Working Group. We heard testimony from Bill Evanina, the Director of the National Counterintelligence Security Center and Ray Donovan, the former Chief of Operations for the Drug Enforcement Agency. Our job is to take a hard look at this issue based on the evidence, including what we have uncovered as part of our groundbreaking bipartisan investigation and report unveiled last April. We are all in agreement that too many Americans have died for us to waste time on political theater. On this issue, there are no Republicans or Democrats. We must face this particularly disturbing aspect of the CCP threat together as Americans. The objective of this Fentanyl Working Group is to ensure the Select Committee policy recommendations are enacted into law as well as ensure tangible and attainable solutions are achieved. SCOTUS Takes Power from Unelected Bureaucrats Yesterday, the Supreme Court voted to overturn Chevron v. National Resources Defense Council, a massive 1984 decision that increased the regulatory power of federal agencies. The Court decided 6-3 to overturn the decision that gave agencies across the federal government leeway to interpret ambiguous laws. Dubbed the Chevron deference, it employed judges to defer to the agencies when the law is ambiguous. This decision by the Supreme Court reiterates the Constitutional premise that Congress is tasked with making the laws of the land, interpreted by the courts, and not the executive branch by way of unelected bureaucrat. By ending deference, regulators are stripped of their ability to skew Congressional intent and must execute the laws as they are written, rather than enact their own agendas. I applaud this decision which will return the power back to those elected by the people and prevent future regulations from being bent to the whims of federal agencies. Federal Investment Coming to Richland and Wenatchee Airports This week, I announced that two federal grants from the fiscal year 2024 Appropriations bills included significant infrastructure improvements for Richland and Pangborn Memorial airports. These projects are crucial for both the safety and service of our airports that already contribute so much to our economy here in Central Washington. Grants like these go a long way in local projects, and I am looking forward to seeing these two come to fruition. The Port of Benton will receive funds for Richland Airport for Phase 2 of their project, which will be used to reseal 8,010 feet of existing runway, and the Chelan Douglas Regional Port Authority will receive resources to acquire a replacement rotary snow blower to keep the airport serviceable during snow periods and aid in efficiency and safety operations. NOW OPEN: The 2024 Central Washington Congressional App Challenge I am pleased to announce the launch of the annual Central Washington App Challenge! The App Challenge is open to all middle and high school students who reside in or attend a school in Washington’s 4th Congressional District. Students may participate individually or in a team of students up to four. The Congressional App Challenge is an event I look forward to every year and a wonderful opportunity for students in Central Washington to demonstrate their technical skills. I strongly encourage any student with an interest in STEM or computer science to get creative, build an app, and show off your skills on the national stage! The competition will run until October 24, 2024, and applicants are welcome to submit their application any time during this period. The winning app will be featured in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on house.gov, and on the Congressional App Challenge website. Winning students will also be invited to the #HouseofCode reception on Capitol Hill and may be awarded additional prizes, to be announced later. Visit My Website for More Information Meeting with Associated Homebuilders On Wednesday, I met with the Associated Builders and Contractors. In the meeting, we discussed workforce development, project labor agreements, and the Employee Rights Act. This legislation would prioritize our small businesses, independent contractors, and would protect workers' rights to choose what is best for their own careers. I look forward to our continued discussions! Western Caucus Corner This week, I introduced legislation alongside Western Caucus Executive Vice Chair Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), and Vice Chair Tom Tiffany (WI-07) to nullify President Biden’s Executive Order 14072 and prevent the U.S. Forest Service from finalizing the Old-Growth Amendment Plan’s draft Environmental Impact Statement. The proposed Old-Growth Plan Amendment is out of touch with the needs of rural America. By limiting timber harvesting and proper forest management, the risk of catastrophic wildfires increases. I’m proud to join Western Caucus Executive Vice Chair LaMalfa on this important legislation to overturn this attack on common sense forest management and to ensure forest managers have access to the tools needed to do their jobs. Read More on the Western Caucus Website Services My Office Provides Having trouble navigating the bureaucratic red-tape of a federal agency? Need assistance with VA benefits? Looking to book a tour of our nation's capital? Visit my website to see all the services my office provides. Seeking Paid Fall Interns 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 Fall 2024 term. The internships are in-person and will run from September to the end of November. Dates are flexible. Visit My Website to Apply   It is an honor and a privilege to serve you in Congress. To stay up to date on how I am working to represent Central Washington, I encourage you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. You can also find regular updates on my website. Sincerely, Dan Newhouse Contact Me     Rep. Dan Newhouse | 504 Cannon House Office Bldg. | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice