Hello Friends and Fellow West Texans, 

Welcome back to my West Texas Wrap-Up. Please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of West Texas!

Remembering Charlie Kirk 

Charlie Kirk was beloved for his willingness to engage in conversations with people who disagreed with him — he was a reformer in life and has sparked a revival in death.  

Read my latest opinion article, "Remembering Charlie Kirk." 

Shackleford vs Shanghai, Big Country vs Beijing – West Texas is Leading the Way in AI 

I was proud to welcome Sam Altman and the teams from OpenAI and Oracle to “Silicon Prairie” as we launch the future of American innovation right here in West Texas.  
 
From construction jobs to cutting-edge careers, this project means opportunities for our people, billions in private investment, and a powerful reminder that America - not China - will lead in the technologies of tomorrow.  
 
West Texas has always been the backbone of our nation’s food security and was at the forefront of the energy revolution - now we’re powering the next frontier of information technology.

Honored to Welcome Pastor Elliott Powell to Open the House in Prayer

Last week, I had the privilege of welcoming Rev. Elliott Powell of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lubbock to the U.S. Capitol to serve as Guest Chaplain for the House of Representatives, where he opened the House floor in prayer.

Advancing My Bipartisan Bill to Unlock Lifesaving Cancer Detection

The Ways and Means Committee recently advanced my groundbreaking cancer detection bill unanimously by a vote of 43-0, marking a significant milestone for this bipartisan legislation that will ensure seniors have access to cancer detection tests that will transform the way we treat, diagnose, and prevent cancer. 

With over 300 cosponsors in the House, 60 in the Senate, support from over 500 organizations across the country, and even Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, we are closer than ever to unleashing the power of early detection and saving millions of lives.  

Record Investment in Dyess Air Force Base

President Trump’s proven Peace Through Strength doctrine is rooted in an ironclad deterrence, a robust investment in our warfighters, and a laser focus on lethality over woke ideology.

This year’s National Defense Authorization (NDAA) bill delivers nearly $893 billion for national defense programs, fully funds the Department of Defense, and invests in critical technology like the B-21 Raider, while strengthening our ability to secure the homeland and support our service members and their families. 
 
I am especially proud to announce we secured $90.8 million for B-21-related construction projects at Dyess Air Force Base — the largest National Defense Authorization Act investment in Dyess history, more than triple last year’s historic $30 million allocation.

These funds will directly support the B-21's arrival and ensure Dyess remains the tip of the spear for America’s air arsenal. 
 
This NDAA also continues our mission to root out wasteful spending, eliminate radical DEI programs, and cut unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy, ensuring taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

Furthermore, by codifying key executive orders, we guarantee our troops have the resources, authority, and clarity needed to defend America and maintain our military’s unmatched readiness. 

Honoring Lubbock Native Caleb Smither, Enforcing Stronger Safety Protocols in Military

This year’s NDAA also included my amendment honoring Private Caleb Smither of Lubbock by requiring mandatory wellness checks for service members who are injured, ill, or on sick call.

Caleb lived his dream of serving as an Army paratrooper, but his life was tragically cut short due to preventable circumstances on base.

Because of the tireless advocacy of his mother, Heather, Caleb’s story will now bring about meaningful change for every soldier in uniform.

My amendment — the Smitty Check Act — requires the Department of Defense to conduct wellness checks for service members who are injured, ill, or on sick call.

These Smitty Checks will help ensure no soldier is ever left unaccounted for, and that the sacred promise to leave no man behind is honored not just on the battlefield, but in every barracks and base. 
 
Caleb embodied the best of West Texas — faith, courage, and an unwavering commitment to his country. Enforcing these checks in his legacy will save lives, strengthen accountability, and spare other families from enduring the same heartbreak. 

Protecting the B-1 Bomber at Dyess Through 2030

Another amendment I successfully included in this year’s NDAA extends protections for the B-1 Lancer fleet through 2030, while Dyess Air Force Base prepares for the arrival of the next-generation B-21 Raider. 
 
The B-1 Lancer has been the workhorse of America’s long-range strike force for decades, and it continues to play a vital role in our national defense as we transition to the B-21. 
 
Extending protections for the B-1 fleet through 2030 will ensure our airmen at Dyess and across the force have the resources, manpower, and support they need to keep this aircraft flying at full strength. 
 
This is about preserving readiness, preventing a dangerous gap in capability, and maintaining peace through strength.

As we prepare for the B-21 to come online, the B-1 will remain an indispensable part of America’s arsenal — and I will continue to fight for the airmen and families at Dyess who are the tip of the spear in defending our nation. 

Increasing Consequences for Repeat Illegal Border Crossers

The House passed H.R. 3486, the Stop Illegal Entry Act, legislation that establishes permanent consequences for individuals who illegally reenter the U.S. after removal — including fines, up to five years in prison, or both. 
 
For four years, President Biden abdicated his responsibility to secure the border and defend our sovereignty, blaming Congress for not providing the resources he claimed were needed.

Yet within just months of President Trump taking office, the border has been secured – proving the issue was never about resources, but about leadership and willpower. 
 
The Stop Illegal Entry Act establishes permanent consequences for illegal reentry, ensuring lasting border security no matter who sits in the White House. 

Fixing Medicare Advantage Delays to Protect Seniors and Rural Providers 

I introduced the Medicare Advantage Prompt Pay Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to improve Medicare Advantage’s billing practices, offer certainty for health care providers, and ensure that seniors aren’t stuck with unfair or delayed bills after receiving critical care. 
 
Medicare Advantage plans are delaying payments to rural hospitals and providers, resulting in service cuts, staff shortages, forced closures, and patients facing unexpected bills months or even years later.                                                                                       

My bipartisan bill fixes this by requiring plans to pay hospitals and doctors on time or face a penalty.                                                                                                                           

By holding plans accountable and making the process more transparent, this bill protects patients, supports providers, and ensures Medicare Advantage works as intended.  

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It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. Feel free to forward this newsletter to our fellow West Texans and encourage them to sign up here for this update.

Your friend and fellow West Texan,

Jodey C. Arrington
Member of Congress