John,
It’s been a busy week standing up for our rural communities and veterans, but I wanted to take a moment to share an update on the important work we’re doing to advance conservative values.
On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of welcoming some of my fellow House delegation members, including Reps. Brad Finstad and Pete Stauber, at a Farmfest Forum in the southern portion of the district. Our panel, “Developing a Reliable Ag Safety Net,” featured a thoughtful discussion on crop insurance and the Title I provisions included in the recently passed reconciliation bill. We also addressed the Farm Bill and acknowledged that rural America may need another round of economic assistance later this year. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden joined us at this annual agriculture showcase to discuss the important work that is being done in his department. I’m proud of the work my colleagues and I are doing to ensure our farmers have the support they need to keep feeding our communities, our nation, and the world. That’s why I introduced the Investing in Rural America Act to further strengthen and uplift our rural communities. While we’ve made real progress through the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), there’s still more to do. I look forward to continuing to partner with our farmers, ranchers, and agriculture industry groups to deliver on the promises we’ve made.
I am proud to co-sponsor the Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act, introduced by my friend and colleague, Majority Whip Tom Emmer. This bill requires Veterans Affairs (VA) physicians or nurse practitioners to certify a veteran’s death within 48 hours of being notified. It is a straightforward change that addresses a serious and heartbreaking problem. Across the country, states and counties have reported significant delays in signing death certificates for veterans who pass away from natural causes. These delays can prevent timely military burials or access to the benefits that they earned through their service, extending the pain and grief for families who are already mourning. That is not just a bureaucratic failure; it is a moral one. Enacting this bill will ensure that those who served receive the respect they deserve and that their families can grieve without unnecessary obstacles. Our heroes were willing to give everything for us. The very least we can do is make sure they are honored properly at the end.
As your Representative, I know how important it is to hear directly from the people impacted by our work. That’s why my colleagues and I held a forum to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) and its impact on the service industry. We invited a range of participants, from restaurant servers to small business owners, and what we heard was clear. Hardworking Americans are excited about the bill’s tax provisions, especially the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime. These changes alone will save workers thousands of dollars and put more money into their pockets every year. Out of everyone who attended, only one person claimed this bill would hurt the middle class—a Democrat state senator currently campaigning for higher office. The contrast could not be clearer. After this forum, one thing is obvious: Republicans are the ones fighting to deliver real relief to America’s middle class. Time and again, Democrats get distracted by fringe issues like gender ideology, extreme climate policies, and open borders, while everyday Americans want higher pay, lower prices, good schools, and safe communities. I am proud of what the OBBB delivers, and I am confident that its tax provisions will make a real, positive difference in the lives of our workers and families.
Want to see how much you could save? Use the official Tax-Free Tips & Overtime Calculator to see your estimated savings under the One Big Beautiful Bill.
