Federal agencies should disclose every taxpayer dollar they spend, especially as our national debt approaches $35 trillion. Other transaction agreements (OTAs) are legally binding but not standard contracts, cooperative agreements, or grants. Authorized government agencies can use OTAs, which are exempt from certain federal acquisition laws and requirements. That is why my colleague, Rep. Panetta and I introduced the  Stop Secret Spending Act of 2024 to ensure that all federal agency expenditures are easily accessible to the American people on USAspending.gov. 

I'm pleased to announce that my amendment to the  2025 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill has passed the House of Representatives. This amendment demonstrates our Congressional disapproval and allows for greater oversight of the Transportation Security Administration's new policy on expanding facial recognition technology at American airports. I firmly believe that facial recognition encroaches on the privacy of American citizens, providing the government with unprecedented surveillance capabilities to track individuals in real-time. As I stated on the House floor, "We should not give our weaponized government another inch when it comes to mass surveillance—especially without a sophisticated system of checks and balances." This amendment is a critical step towards protecting our privacy and maintaining our freedoms. 

I'm excited to share that I, along with Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA), have introduced the Advocates for Families Act of 2024  in Washington, D.C. This crucial piece of legislation will provide families with access to a family advocate throughout all levels of administrative and legal proceedings, ensuring they can navigate the child welfare system more smoothly. Our goal is to reduce the trauma and instability that children face when they are temporarily removed from their homes and placed in foster care. By decreasing the duration of out-of-home placements, we hope to reunite children with their parents or relatives more quickly. This bill addresses the needs of over 600,000 children who enter the United States Foster Care System each year. It will improve negotiations between families and the system, streamline processes, reduce stress on foster children and their families, and ultimately save taxpayer dollars by decreasing our reliance on federal funding. 

This month, I voted to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress for delaying the release of the recordings of President Biden's interview with Special Counsel Robert Hur about his alleged mishandling of classified documents. As a member of Congress, one of our most vital duties is oversight, ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels of government. Special Counsel Hur's conclusion—that President Biden's memory is too poor for prosecution—raises serious concerns. This vote is about ensuring accountability and upholding the integrity of our oversight responsibilities.

Earlier this month, I voted in favor of H.R. 8070, the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act , to significantly improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and their families. This bill includes a 19.5% pay raise for junior enlisted members and a 4.5% raise for all other servicemembers, boosts funding for military housing, and expands access to childcare for military families. It also incorporates my amendment, ensuring the Department of Defense notifies state senators and members of Congress if funds are reprogrammed away from a military installation. This bill focuses on prioritizing our servicemembers' needs and strengthening national defense while ensuring transparency and support for our military communities. 

I recently co-sponsored H.R. 8282, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which imposes sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who investigate or prosecute citizens of the United States and our allies, including Israel. This legislation, is a direct response to the ICC's recent request for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The bill also revokes visas for any ICC employee or associate attempting to take action against our citizens or those of allied countries. The ICC's condemnation of Israeli officials for defending their country is unacceptable. Israel has every right to hold Hamas accountable for the heinous murder of 1,200 innocent civilians on October 7th and for its ongoing mission to disrupt life in Israel. This legislation sends a clear message against the ICC's overreach and defends the sovereignty of nations outside its jurisdiction. 

Last week, my bipartisan amendment to the  2025 Department of Defense Appropriations legislation passed the House with a 210-201 vote. Co-sponsored by Rep. Dale Strong (AL-05), this amendment will redirect $4.91 million from climate change research to enhance Army unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs). These UGVs have proven their worth on the battlefield by performing critical reconnaissance, logistics, and explosive ordnance disposal without endangering the lives of American servicemembers. By prioritizing the safety of our servicemembers and upgrading our unmanned systems, we're making a tangible difference in improving the Army's lethality. 

My office is looking for a Veteran, Gold Star family member, or Active-Duty spouse to work as a Green & Gold Congressional Aide in one of my district offices. The candidate for the special position will serve as a constituent advocate and community relations representative for constituents, local organizations, and federal, state, and local agencies.

This month, Students for Life Action awarded me an A+ rating for my pro-life voting record this congress and recognized my dedication to protecting life!