Aloha, Friend. Charlie Kirk. The premeditated murder of Charlie Kirk is about more than the senseless loss of a husband, father, friend and fellow citizen. It is about whether democracy as we’ve dreamed and largely known it can still work. While we don’t know the full why, all indications are that Charlie Kirk was killed because he was exercising his rights to free belief and free speech. What he believed and said and how he was killed is not the issue. The issue is that the response to his beliefs and speech was violence. Politically-motivated violence is not new to our country. Why is this one different? Because it forces us all to face the stark reality that too much division and polarization and anger in our society matter. That how we express our beliefs and views matter. That it matters whether we treat our fellow citizens with whom we may disagree as enemies or as a national ‘ohana. Like freedom, democracy is not free. It won’t just be there forever automatically, regardless of what we as fellow citizens say and do. Democracy like freedom requires commitment and sacrifice for the common good, for today and the next generations. That means treating fellow citizens as one of our own, listening to views, considering different beliefs, and disagreeing with respect and consideration, not anger and violence. That is very hard today, but it’s the only way forward.  Charlie Kirk’s tragic death is unfortunately being twisted by some to match their own agendas. But all that really matters is that a fellow citizen was killed for expressing himself. That cannot be accepted, and we are all responsible not only for rejecting it, but for doing our part in our own speech and conduct to listen to views, consider different beliefs, and agree or disagree with respect and consideration. I pledge that, as your U.S. Representative, directly representing over 720,000 fellow citizens from all walks of life with all different backgrounds, circumstances and beliefs, I will continue to try as hard as I can to do my part.  September Update. As we complete eight months of the second Trump administration and approach the end of our federal fiscal year, Capitol Hill remains uncertain and intense. As I have reported back to you throughout this year, I have supported the administration where I can. One recent example is its initiative to crack down on out-of-control prescription drug advertising on TV, radio and other media. Many countries in the world do not allow or seriously restrict such advertising, and there is no good reason we shouldn’t do the same. But I have opposed the Trump administration and its Congressional followers across a whole range of issues because I believe, and I believe most of my constituents believe, that they are the wrong policies for our country both domestically and internationally and are further undermining the foundations of our democracy. Here is an updated summary of my actions, ranging from my legislation, votes, joint letters and speeches to lawsuits and more: https://tinyurl.com/3epwnxv6.  As our September 30th fiscal year end approaches, the threat of another federal government shutdown looms again. This is largely because the current administration and Congressional majority have not led the necessary bipartisan completion and passage of our normal appropriations (federal funding) measures for the upcoming fiscal year. Another shutdown would be devastating and must be avoided, requiring bipartisan compromise to keep our government open and functioning at all levels (and our economy with it). I am working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle toward a short-term continuing resolution (CR) which will continue to fund government while we complete regular appropriations.  Pending that, as a now-seven year member of our House Committee on Appropriations, responsible for funding our government, my major focus for months now has been on molding and completing the twelve measures through which we direct annual funding. This has been a difficult process with mixed results. For while many of my request to fund federal efforts important to our Hawai‘i and Indo-Pacific have been included in all twelve bills, yielding billions of continued federal funding to our state and region, the overall measures proposed by the administration and my majority colleagues have not reflected the right priorities and directions for our country. I am hopeful that, as we pursue these measures through the remaining legislative process, these positive results will be retained, and the measures will be improved to where I can support them.