1. Conducting Oversight on Withdrawing from Afghanistan.

     2. Vitamin D's Impact on COVID-19.

     3. Weekly Roundup. 

     4. My Contact Information.

As Ranking Member on the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on National Security, I am dedicated to ensuring that the interests of the American people are upheld on the world stage. This Subcommittee has jurisdiction over national security, homeland security, and foreign operations, including the relationships of the United States with other nations.

In the aftermath of our chaotic and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan, Americans are left with many questions. 

• Did President Biden and his Administration conceal any intelligence from Congress and relay different information to the American people than the intelligence suggested related to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan? 
• Why were U.S. assets and military equipment abandoned during the withdrawal and left for the Taliban?
• How many Americans remain in Afghanistan, and is there a plan to return them home safely?
• When did President Biden notify our allies of the plans to withdraw and did our allies express concerns? 
• How did a U.S. drone strike kill civilians?
• What steps are being taken to recover the $169 million of taxpayer dollars that was stolen by Afghan President Ghani, and what steps are being taken to criminally prosecute him for embezzlement?

Finding answers to these questions is of utmost importance to ensure a disaster of this magnitude never occurs again. Following this botched withdrawal, our allies lost faith in the United States and the American people lost trust and confidence in President Biden and our military leaders. 

Without accountability, this abandonment of the Afghan Armed Forces will remain a stain on the United States. Moreover, the last time the Taliban attacked the United States, it resulted in the most deadly attack on our homeland in six decades.

This week, I opened our National Security Subcommittee hearing by questioning why my Democratic colleagues on the House Oversight Committee refuse to hold a hearing on President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. This should not be a partisan issue. Conducting oversight of this catastrophic withdrawal is critical to ensure the Biden Administration is transparent and held to account because the American people deserve to know what happened.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, I have shared research about the possible benefits of Vitamin D for COVID-19 prevention, referencing medical research studies out of Northwestern University, University of Chicago, and Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, to name a few. These studies show a strong correlation between Vitamin D deficiencies and negative COVID-19 patient outcomes, including severe symptoms, hospital stays, ICU admittance, and overall mortality rate. Furthermore, the studies suggest those with healthy Vitamin D levels are likely to fare much better against COVID-19 infection because of the benefits Vitamin D intake can have for overall respiratory health and immune response.

Last year, Dr. Anthony Fauci endorsed Vitamin D by sharing that he takes Vitamin D supplements himself. That said, along with several other leading voices for COVID-19 guidance, Dr. Fauci has not been a vocal advocate of Vitamin D.

There is overwhelming evidence that sufficient Vitamin D levels lead to a strong immune system, which can help decrease the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Moreover, studies show a correlation between Vitamin D deficiencies and negative outcomes for COVID-19 patients. Because our government's top public health agencies refuse to pursue this credible lead, I took to the House floor to underscore the importance of Vitamin D as we head into the winter season, where Vitamin D deficiencies are exacerbated by the lack of time spent outside in the sunlight.

Last weekend, I was in Grafton for Chili for Charity to raise money for the Family Sharing Food Pantry. Thank you for having me! 

Thank you to wonderful folks of Mishicot for a lovely time at the Christmas in the Village celebration at Holy Cross Catholic Church last week!

Last weekend, it was a pleasure joining the Jewish community of Mequon and Thiensville to celebrate the first night of the Festival of Lights at Chanukah in the Village in Thiensville. Chag Sameach!

I stopped by the Port Washington Cookie Walk last weekend for some delicious cookies fresh from the 6th District at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Thanks for the warm welcome!