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.

SPOTLIGHT: CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans experience sudden cardiac arrest in public spaces, yet lifesaving defibrillation is often delayed or unavailable due to liability concerns. According to the American Heart Association, over 356,000 cardiac arrests occur outside of hospitals annually, with nearly 90% proving fatal.

Unfortunately, while all 50 states and the District of Columbia have some form of "Good Samaritan" laws, the inconsistency among them creates confusion and uncertainty. As a result, many individuals and businesses hesitate to own or use automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for fear of legal repercussions.

That's why I reintroduced the Cardiac Arrest Survival Act to establish uniform, nationwide protections for those who deploy AEDs in out-of-hospital emergencies. By creating a clear standard for civil liability protections, this bill will ensure Good Samaritans can act without hesitation, ultimately saving lives. I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass this critical measure. Click here to learn more.

BLOCKING ADVERSARIES FROM U.S. AGRICULTURAL LAND OWNERSHIP

Ensuring America’s food security is vital to our national security. Yet foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land continues to rise at an alarming rate. Our adversaries are strategically purchasing land near sensitive national security sites, posing a direct threat to our interests. Over 40 million acres of American farmland are already under foreign ownership, including more than 340,000 acres controlled by China. To protect our producers and our national security, we must close ownership and investment loopholes while strengthening enforcement and oversight. That’s why I cosponsored the Protecting America’s Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act, which will prohibit individuals tied to adversarial countries from purchasing or leasing U.S. farmland. This bill will also prevent those associated with foreign adversary governments from participating in certain U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. Click here to learn more.

CONSTITUENT CORNER: ACADEMY DAY

Last week, our office hosted another successful Academy Day. Parents and students gained firsthand insights into the application process, academy requirements and congressional nominations for U.S. Service Academies. Thank you to all the Academy representatives, liaison officials and everyone who attended for their expertise and engagement. I look forward to supporting future candidates on their path to service. 

Test Your Knowledge #CivicsWithScott!

The Constitution prohibited Congress from doing all of the following, EXCEPT:

A. Passing bills of attainder
B. Passing ex post facto laws
C. Taxing exports
D. Suspending writ of habeas corpus

Last Week's Question

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 failed to prohibit states from implementing which of the following provisions:

A. Literacy tests
B. Interpreting the Constitution
C. Poll taxes - Correct answer
D. None of the above

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