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.

BOLSTERING NATIONAL AND BORDER SECURITY

Last week, I voted for three strong budget bills to provide for our national defense, secure our border and protect our communities. The House has now passed four of the 12 annual budget bills. Predictably, the Senate has yet to pass any.

DEFENSE BUDGET BILL – Bolstering Our National Security & Supporting Our Troops

• Funds a 4.5% pay raise for all military personnel and 15% pay increase for junior enlisted servicemembers;
• Expands the Pacific Deterrence Initiative;
• Fully funds U.S.-Israel cooperative missile defense programs, like Iron Dome and David’s Sling; and
• Invests in next-generation fighter aircraft, helicopters, tactical combat vehicles and submarines.

Click here to learn more.

HOMELAND SECURITY BUDGET BILL – Ramping Up Border Security & Stopping Illegal Migration

• Allocates $600 million to construct the Southern Border wall and $300 million for border security technology;
• Ensures wall funding is only used to build physical barriers by attaching stricter conditions and shorter timelines;
• Provides $822 million to fund transportation and removal operations for immediate deportations; and
• Sustains funding for 22,000 Border Patrol agents.

Click here to learn more.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND FOREIGN OPERATIONS BUDGET BILL – Deterring Our Adversaries & Supporting Our Allies

• Provides $2.1 billion for U.S. national security interests in the Indo-Pacific;
• Prohibits funding any gain-of-function research and labs in adversarial nationals, like the Wuhan Institute of Virology;
• Prevents the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps from being removed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization; and
• Prohibits funds to implement a nuclear agreement with Iran.

Click here to learn more.

COMBATING THE FENTANYL CRISIS

The crisis at the southern border has allowed dangerous cartels to continue flooding our communities with fentanyl. This deadly drug is the number one cause of drug overdoses in the country, with deaths exceeding 74,000 in 2023 alone. That's why I voted for H.R. 2789, the American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act, to increase cooperation between law enforcement, business and civic leaders, NGOs and faith-based organizations on both sides of the border to combat trafficking of fentanyl. Click here to learn more.     

CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION WINNER IN NATION'S CAPITAL

It was a pleasure having FL-18’s 2024 Congressional Art Competition winner, Marina Barrientos-Allende, in Washington last week. She was honored at an awards ceremony and able to see her artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol. Congratulations to Marina for her stellar achievement. To learn more about the Congressional Art Competition, click here. 

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

The Statue of Liberty was a gift to the U.S. from which country?

A. Germany
B. England
C. Italy
D. France

Last Week's Question

Who is the only person to serve both as President of the United States and Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?

A. William McKinley
B. Andrew Johnson
C. William Howard Taft - Correct answer
D. Millard Fillmore

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