Dear John,
I’ve been back and forth from Columbus to Washington the last two weeks, and I want to let you know what I’ve been working on. Keep scrolling for updates.
Back in Ohio:
Last week, I made stops in and around Columbus to meet with constituents and businesses to listen to their concerns so I can take that perspective back to Washington.
Click on the links below to see more about my time back in Ohio:
- On Friday, March 21, I spoke at the MORPC State of the Region Event.
- Also on that Friday, I met with the family of a World War II aircraft gunner who turned 100 last year.
- On Thursday, March 20, I visited Community Action Center of Fayette County and met with leaders and read to some of the children there.
- On Wednesday, March 19, I toured the ongoing restoration of the Columbus YMCA that is being converted into affordable housing.
- On Tuesday, March 18, I met with the Messer Construction Company to discuss their ESOP business model.
Legislative Update:
This week, I also introduced two new bills that can help needy families and promote economic development.
First, I introduced the Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act, legislation to expedite the disbursement of payments to families in need through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF). Delays in TANF fund distributions can threaten critical assistance to low-income families trying to make ends meet for their children. My bill would streamline the process to make sure these resources reach their intended target without getting held up by delays in the states.
Second, I introduced the Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act, bipartisan legislation that would incentivize the conversion of existing vacant and underutilized commercial properties into new housing. High costs of living have driven up housing prices for working families and it is cutting into families’ budgets. This bipartisan bill will allow communities to expand their supply of housing by lowering taxes on projects that upgrade existing buildings, allowing American downtowns and main streets to thrive with new investments.
In Case You Missed it:
On Wednesday, I joined WTVN Radio to give an update on my work in Washington and to announce my upcoming telephone town hall event on Tuesday, April 1 at 5:30 pm. Stay tuned on my social media channels for more details on the day of the event.
You can listen to my whole interview by clicking here.
Deadline Soon: Congressional Art Competition:
I'm not sure if you heard, but I am inviting high school artists who reside in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District to participate in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition!
This annual nationwide contest showcases the creativity of young artists, and the winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for an entire year, plus they will also receive a trip to Washington, D.C. for the national celebration. As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Humanities Caucus, including the next generation of artists to share their talents on Capitol Hill is personally important to me. The deadline to submit is Monday, April 14 at 5 pm.
For more details on rules and how to apply, click here.
Interested in Attending a Service Academy?
As a Member of Congress, it is my job to nominate young Ohioans to serve in our nation’s prestigious service academies each year. And as a veteran myself, it is a responsibility I take very seriously.
If you or someone you know is interested in attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, please join staff from my office, as well as representatives from other Congressional and Senate offices at St. Charles Prep School in Columbus on Thursday, April 24th for an informational seminar.
More information is available on my website here.
Want to be a Congressional Intern?
My office is always looking for driven students with a passion for public service and a desire to learn more about the legislative process. If you or someone you know is interested in a congressional internship, click here to apply.
Staying in Touch:
It is a privilege to Ohio in Congress, and I want to make sure you can keep up with all the news here in Washington. If you haven’t already, follow me on X, Facebook, and YouTube for updates on my work for Ohio’s 15th District, visit my website to see what services my office offers, and please share this newsletter with a friend and encourage them to sign up here for regular updates. If you have a problem we can solve or a question you’d like answered, feel free to call my office at 202-225-2015 (Washington D.C.) or 614-927-6902 (Columbus).
Sincerely,
