July 9, 2022

CONGRATULATIONS TO SPECIALIST FIVE DWIGHT BIRDWELL

Adair County and Cherokee Nation's very own Specialist Five Dwight Birdwell received the Medal of Honor this past week for going above and beyond the call of duty while serving in Vietnam. After graduating from Stilwell High School, Birdwell entered the military in 1966. He was recognized for not one but two instances of extraordinary bravery and valor while engaged in combat. In both instances, Birdwell put himself in the line of enemy fire to save his men and evacuate wounded Americans to safety. I am incredibly grateful for his extraordinary service to our country.

PRESERVING OUR FREEDOM

On July 4^th, 1776, our Founding Fathers daringly took steps of defiance to separate the colonies from the British monarchy and tyrannical government. They had a vision of a nation governed by the people, for the people.

Their idea of self-governance was seen as unimaginable at the time, and many thought they would fail. Nevertheless, our Founding Fathers and our nation’s earliest patriots risked their own lives and those of their families in order to publicly declare and fight for their independence from the world’s strongest empire. They knew freedom would always triumph over tyranny.

Though the Declaration of Independence laid the foundation for our freedoms, it is the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who fight to preserve them. It is their courage and sacrifice that allows us to live in the greatest country in the word. 

Oklahoma is home to more than 300,000 veterans. While their sacrifice is a debt too great to ever repay, we can remain relentless in our attempts. High quality, accessible health care for our veterans is a great place to start.

With news that the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center in Muskogee will remain open, it is an answered prayer for veterans across Eastern Oklahoma who rely on the facility for their primary care.

The Muskogee VA currently serves over 52,000 veterans across 25 counties in Eastern Oklahoma. The facility will soon celebrate its centennial, having provided nearly 100 years of service to our veterans. This center is crucial for our veterans from rural communities who do not have the luxury of traveling hours to Tulsa for care. I want to extend my gratitude to those who advocated for the facility to remain open and who devoted their time and effort towards this cause.

After the fireworks, trips to the lake, and family barbeques, it is imperative we recognize and remember those who have worn, and continue to wear, the cloth of our nation. As Independence Day comes and goes, may we always carry the patriotic spirit with us in everything we do.

BIDEN IS PUTTING AMERICA LAST

Over the past month, Biden has sent 5 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to Europe and Asia with no plan to replenish our reserves. There is no reason our supply should be sent to places like China, compromising our energy security and national security in doing so. We have now weakened our stockpile to help our biggest adversary.

BIDEN'S GUN CONTROL AGENDA WILL NOT MAKE US ANY "SAFER"

On Thursday, I sent a letter to President Biden in response to his call for more federal gun control laws like the ones in blue cities where mass shootings have recently taken place. Clearly this approach is not working. I urge Biden to seek different solutions than his Democrat colleagues and to do what he can to promote lawful carriage outside the home.  Click here to read the letter.

SUMMER TRAVEL COSTS ARE SOARING UNDER BIDEN

Those in the Second District who are planning for summer travel will find the prices of everything from transport to lodging skyrocketing under Biden. As Americans struggle to provide for their families, millions are wiping their savings to keep up with prices and one and four are forced to delay their retirement. Despite this, the president continues to push trillions in federal spending and place the blame on everyone but himself.

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