Fellow Patriot,

It is the honor of a lifetime to serve you in the United States Congress, and I am deeply grateful for the trust you have placed in me to represent our community. Following the special election, our team immediately began working to ensure a smooth transition. We assumed office the very next day, are now staffed, and are actively engaged in both legislative work and constituent services. If we can ever be of service, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at Patronis.House.Gov.

The Blue Angels have been a staple of Pensacola and the Emerald Coast for 70 years. To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Blue Angels calling this region home, I was proud to file an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Act today that simply ensures that no funding will be used to transfer the Blue Angels from their historic base in Pensacola. The Defense Appropriations Act is expected to be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives soon. While there is no known risk of them leaving the Pensacola area, I wanted to take the extra step to make sure the Blue Angels remain here forever. The Blue Angels are awesome, creating economic opportunities and fostering a sense of pride throughout the community. I look forward to joining all the families in Northwest Florida to enjoy the airshow this weekend and see America’s best in action. The Defense Appropriations Act funds our military’s essential functions, including military personnel, operations and maintenance, Research and Development, and more. I’m proud to represent one of the largest military districts in the country, and numerous military facilities. As written, this year, the Defense Appropriations Act provides funding to increase the base pay for our military servicemembers by 3.8%. These men and women defend our country 24/7/365, and I’m grateful to Congress for showing some appreciation for our heroes in uniform and the sacrifices they make for our country.

With the final passage of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill last week, Congress and President Trump have delivered a historic win for the American people. Thanks to the leadership of Speaker Johnson and President Trump, this legislation will extend and make permanent many of the Trump Tax Cuts, reignite America’s economy, and restore the American dream for working families. This bill has lots to love, but as tourism is a huge economic driver for our region, no taxes on tips will benefit families all throughout the Panhandle. It also secures the border by providing $175 billion, the largest border security investment in history. Also, the bill provides important funding for Coast Guard readiness and increases American military superiority around the world. The Democrats who voted no for this bill supported cutting the Child Tax Credit in half and increasing taxes for the average American by 22 percent. I was proud to vote alongside the majority of my Republican colleagues to ensure that Floridians and small businesses in our district experience lower taxes, higher wages, and safer communities. The One, Big, Beautiful Bill is ushering in the Golden Age of America and making America wealthy, safe, proud, and great again!

June was a busy month in our nation's capital. I was proud to vote alongside my fellow Representatives in the U.S. House to pass H.R. 3944 – The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026. This bill puts America’s veterans, active-duty military, and their families first by providing historic funding that increases the readiness of our troops and ensures that our veterans and military families receive the care and support they need back home. It fully funds veterans’ health care programs, veterans’ benefits, and VA programs, providing more than $452 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. That’s more than $82 billion above the enacted level for Fiscal Year 2025.It also bolsters our national security, enhances border protections, and prevents any efforts to undermine veterans’ Second Amendment rights. This Military Construction and Veteran Affairs bill allocates $75 million for the design and planning of future barracks, $2 billion for military family housing, and fully funds veterans’ medical care at more than $131 billion, which will go towards veterans’ benefits and toxic exposure-related needs. I’m also pleased to report that this funding measure includes more than $970 million for the Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program, which is an initiative dedicated to ending veteran homelessness. Our heroes in uniform put their lives on the line 24/7/365, and this bill honors both their sacrifices and those of our nation’s veterans. To learn more, click HERE .

On June 12, I filed H.R. 3902 – Restoring Federalism in Clean Water Permitting Act. This bill mandates that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator review regulations relating to the Clean Water Act that allow states to assume the environmental approval processes. Many states, like Florida, have the ability to conduct environmental reviews of projects and do so in a timely manner. What we saw under the Biden Administration, however, was the federal process being used to sandbag good projects. Reform is clearly needed. With H.R. 3902, Congress will direct the Administrator to conduct a deep dive on the 404 processes, so important projects, like schools, that aren’t harmful to the environment can get greenlighted without having to deal with bureaucratic or judicial red tape.

Finally, I had the opportunity to honor the life of former Speaker, State Senator, and FSU President John Thrasher on the floor of the U.S. House. Speaker Thrasher’s story is the kind we don’t see enough of anymore. A U.S. Army Veteran who served in Vietnam, a lawyer, a leader, and someone who never forgot where he came from. He rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential public servants our state has ever known. To those of us who knew him, Speaker Thrasher was more than a résumé. I was proud to call him a friend, and I admired the way he led — with grace under pressure, and with an unshakable love for Florida and our country. The state of Florida mourns with Speaker Thrasher's wife Jean, their children, and grandchildren. Thank you for sharing John with us. For more, click HERE.