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.

ENSURING MILITARY LETHALITY 

America faces a scope and scale of global threats not seen since World War Two. With Iranian proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis terrorizing the Middle East, China’s malign influence growing here at home and throughout the world, Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, and North Korea developing nuclear weapons capable of reaching the U.S., as well as sending troops into combat in Europe, this Axis of Evil is a rapidly escalating threat to global security. Simultaneously, we’ve allowed our military’s capabilities to atrophy and its leadership to focus more on social engineering than war fighting. We MUST refocus our military on lethality and ensure our troops are properly supported. That's why I voted for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to strengthen our national security and equip our warfighters with the tools necessary to fight and win. The NDAA eliminates DEI and CRT training distractions while authorizing a historic 14.5% pay increase and improved benefits for junior enlisted servicemembers. The 2025 bill also saves taxpayers $31 billion while strengthening our deterrence capabilities across geographic and functional combatant commands. Click here to learn more.

PROVIDING CRITICAL DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE

Local governments and electric cooperatives often experience financial strain as they await federal assistance after hurricanes. It takes tremendous resources and cashflow to rebuild electric infrastructure and other public goods after natural disasters. Congress should provide help to local entities fronting the costs of repairs. That's why I voted for H.R. 2672, the FEMA Loan Interest Payment Relief Act, which directs FEMA to reimburse local governments and electric cooperatives for interest on loans incurred for repairs. The bill would apply retroactively to loans taken within seven years, addressing ongoing challenges for communities impacted by previous disasters. Click here to learn more.

ADDRESSING FEDERAL JUDICIAL COURT BACKLOGS

Civil and criminal filings in federal district courts have increased 28 percent since 1993. However, the number of federal judgeships provided by Congress to handle the growing caseload is virtually unchanged in this same two-decade period. This has resulted in overworked judges and frustrating backlogs in our justice system. I voted for S. 4199, the JUDGES Act, to add 66 new federal judgeships to address case filing increases and ensure Americans have access to speedy resolutions to legal matters. The measure heads to the president's desk to be signed into law. Click here to learn more.

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

If the federal government prosecutes a company for using unfair methods of keeping competitors out of the market, which of the following laws would it be enforcing?

A. USA PATRIOT Act
B. Taft-Hartley Act
C. Sherman Antitrust Act
D. Civil Rights Act of 1964 

Last Week's Question

What type of congressional committee is permanent?

A. Conference
B. Select
C. Constitutional
D. Standing - Correct answer

It's 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