U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree

On Tuesday, I was proud to take part in the tradition of lighting the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. This is a special year because the tree is a beautiful North Carolina red spruce. Helping to bring the spirit of Christmas to Washington was a great Tenth District family-owned business, Hardy Brothers Trucking in Siloam, and the husband-and-wife team of Ed and Deborah Kingdon who drove the tree around the state and to its final destination, the Capitol. Click here to learn about the event Hardy Brothers Trucking hosted with Surry County Schools to start the tree on its journey to Washington. Students learned not only about "Ruby" the 78 foot red spruce that is this year's Capitol Christmas tree but also the importance of agriculture here in North Carolina. Thank you to everyone who helped make this special moment happen!

Doubling Down on Failed Housing

Policies is Not the Answer

This week, the House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on housing inflation. Whilewhere House Democrats advocated for dumping more taxpayer dollars into ineffective programs and an already overheated housing market. While well intentioned, this would do nothing to help lower the cost of housing or increase our housing supply. Instead, we need common sense solutions to make homeownership more accessible by expanding our housing supply. Click here or on the image below to watch my opening statement at Wednesday's hearing.

A Tribute to a Friend and Colleague

This week, I was proud to vote for the Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Acts, legislation that not only renews Congress's commitment to help mothers and babies thrive but is also a fitting tribute to my friend and colleague, Rep. Jackie Walorski who we lost in a tragic accident earlier this year. This bill—which passed the House on Friday with a 390-26 vote—will increase funding for services that aid new parents and their children from pregnancy through kindergarten with in-home support that has been proven to improve maternal and child health, family safety and stability, child development, and school readiness. Click here to learn more about this bill courtesy of the House Ways and Means Committee Republicans.

What I've Been Reading

Iredell County Veterans Treatment Court starting soon for veterans with low-level criminal offenses

Iredell Free News

I am grateful to see that the Veterans Treatment Court for Iredell and Alexander Counties, offering a diversion program for veterans struggling with substance abuse, will soon be starting. This program is an excellent example of the Tenth District community coming together to find alternative solutions besides jail for our nation’s veterans struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. Recently, I was in Iredell County to celebrate a U.S. Department of Justice Byrne Grant, in the amount of $697,727, that will support this program. While there, I heard first-hand how important this program could be for local veterans.