Dear John,

As part of my commitment to being transparent I will be sending out periodic updates on my votes and other legislative actions. The “Legislative Digest” will tell you what the legislation is, how I voted, a link to the bill, and a statement if one is available. I hope this serves as a method to keep you informed about what I am doing to fulfill my goals while serving in office. I apologize for the lengthiness, but feel it is important for you to know how I voted!

Last week, I voted in favor of H.Res. 107 which would establish the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program for the placement in offices of Members of the House of Representatives of children, spouses, and siblings of members of the Armed Services who are hostile casualties or who have died from a training-related injury.  Read my statement here.

I also voted to pass H.R. 4695, the Protect Against Conflict by Turkey Act (PACT Act), and H.Res. 296, Affirming the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide, and I am a cosponsor of H.R. 4695.

The PACT Act is bi-partisan legislation that will take action to impose sanctions on Turkey for their invasion of northern Syria, although it still requires Senate action and approval by the President. Read my thoughts here.

How was I expected to make a judgement in the impeachment hearings when we don’t know what was said in Rep. Schiff’s secret hearings? That is why I voted no on House Resolution 660, regarding impeachment hearings of the President of the United States. Here's my statement and my Twitter post on this issue.

I’m thankful to Congressman Gil Cisneros of California for joining me to reintroduce H.R. 4939, the STOP Straw Purchases Act, which will increase penalties resulting from the purchase of a firearm for a prohibited person. 

An illegal firearm purchase is a federal crime and applies to purchases for those who are knowingly prohibited by law from possessing a gun or do not want their name associated with the purchase. Read my statement here. 

In addition, four bills passed “Under Suspension” that I was an original co-sponsor or co-sponsor of. Bills that pass “Under Suspension” mean there is no objection.

 H.R. 886 Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019, as amended. I am a co-sponsor of this bill, which directs the Department of Justice to establish a Veterans Treatment Court Program to provide grants and technical assistance for state, local, and tribal governments to develop and maintain veterans treatment courts.

H.R. 1865 National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act. I am an original Co-sponsor of this bill, which directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins that are emblematic of the National Law Enforcement Museum in the District of Columbia and the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers throughout the history of the United States. These coins may be issued only during a one-year period beginning on January 1, 2021. All sales of such coins shall include specified surcharges, which shall be distributed to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, Inc., for educational and outreach programs and exhibits.

H.R. 2423 Women’s Suffrage Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. I am a Cosponsor of this bill, which directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 400,000 $1 silver coins that are emblematic of the women who played a vital role in rallying support for the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Such coins may be issued during the period beginning on January 1, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020. All surcharges received from the sales of such coins shall be paid to the American Women's History Initiative of the Smithsonian Institution.

H.R. 647 Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. I am a Cosponsor of this bill,  which would authorize the establishment of certain education and training grant and contract programs for palliative and hospice care.