October 15, 2022

September CPI reports came in hotter-than-expected with inflation now at an 8.2% increase from last year. Whichever way the White House spins it, hard-working Americans are suffering and the Biden Administration is to blame. While everything from energy costs, grocery bills, and utility fees has increased, housing costs are absolutely crushing Americans. U.S. mortgage rates surged to the highest in 20 years, reaching 6.92%. This will make owning a home substantially more difficult for working-class Americans, and will prevent many from purchasing their first home entirely. Not to mention, for those who do not own a home, annual rent is up 10% from last August. Americans can't afford Joe Biden's new normal, but they're paying for it regardless.

DEFINING CHARACTER WITH CONGRESSMAN MARKWAYNE MULLIN

This week I had the honor of joining my friend and former South Carolina Congressman Trey Gowdy on FOX News Radio. I got to share a little about my family and upbringing, and how that has shaped my time in Congress. Click below to listen to the full episode.

APPLYING FOR A NOMINATION TO A U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY

As a Member of Congress, I have the honor of nominating students from the Second District to our country’s prestigious service academies. The decision to apply to a service academy is an incredibly personal and courageous one, and I am humbled to be a part of the process.

Nominations are available for the U.S. Military Academy, U.S Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. As these academies prepare the next generation of commissioned officers in the branches of our armed forces, they look for individuals who not only answer the call of duty, but who are also willing to go above and beyond. Students at the academies undergo intense academic work, physical training, and character development to prepare them for military service. In addition to meeting the minimum eligibility requirements, I recommend that each applicant excel academically and demonstrate involvement in extracurricular activities through their schools and in their communities.

The decision to apply for a nomination is not one to take lightly. However, I encourage you to consider if this path is right for you. The honor of attending a service academy comes with an obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. At that time, individuals receive a bachelor’s degree and are commissioned as military officers. No matter the branch, rank, or role, each of our men and women in uniform play an important part in maintaining our national security and defending our way of life.

To apply for a nomination from my office or to learn more about the process, please visit www.Mullin.House.Gov/ServiceAcademy. You must complete both the online form and the Academy Application to be considered. From there, you can mail or deliver a printed copy of the application to my McAlester office at 1 E. Choctaw, Suite 175, McAlester, OK 74501. All applications must be received by Friday, November 4, 2022.

After applications are submitted, selected nomination applicants will interview in front of a board of retired military members for final selection. Once the interviews are complete, my office will begin the notification process for applicants.

Receiving a nomination from my office is just the first step in the process of attending a service academy. A nomination does not guarantee admission. If an individual receives a nomination from my office, next, they must receive an appointment from the service academy.

My team and I are here to help in any way we can. If you have questions about the application or the process, please do not hesitate to call my McAlester office at (918) 423-5951. I look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best with the application process.

HONORING OUR VIETNAM VETERANS

This week I had the privilege of presenting Drill Sergeant William "Taco" Stewart and the family of the late Green Beret SGM Victor Kriesman with their respective medals from their service in Vietnam. It was an honor getting to meet these brave men who risked and sacrificed so much to protect our freedom. 

Drill Sergeant William "Taco" Stewart

Family of the late Green Beret SGM Victor Kriesman

ADDRESSING RURAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

I want to thank the Oklahoma Medical Equipment Providers Association for having me at their legislative conference this week. We discussed how Congress can best address the specific challenges facing rural Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers.

Thank you for reading my weekly e-newsletter! You can stay in touch by visiting my Facebook and Twitter pages and as always, don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help in any way.