Dear [salutation],
It was nice to welcome several folks from North Carolina to Washington, DC this week, including officials from Bald Head Island and Holden Beach. I also had a great meeting with Chancellor Aswani Volety of UNC Wilmington as well as representatives of Coastal Transplants.
With my support, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure advanced the ALERT Act out of Committee with a unanimous vote. The ALERT Act implements all of the recommendations of the National Transportation Safety Board, which were developed in response to what has been learned from last year’s tragic crash at DCA Airport. I also penned an op-ed in The Washington Times on the importance of funding our nation’s roads and bridges. You can find the link to my article and more information below.
If you received this newsletter from a friend, and you would like to continue receiving these updates, you can subscribe here or connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Last year’s tragic collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a UH-60 Black Hawk at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has left 67 families grieving an unimaginable loss. This year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a comprehensive list of safety recommendations to prevent such a disaster from ever happening again.
This week, with my support, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure unanimously passed H.R. 7613, Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026. This legislation addresses all fifty safety recommendations from the NTSB and provides a data-driven path forward for aviation safety that will protect all Americans.
The ALERT Act will now move to the House Floor to be considered by the full chamber.
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Congress is actively working to renew the country’s surface transportation programs for new roads, bridges, and highways.
As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, I recently wrote an op-ed for The Washington Times, "Keep America Moving with Vital Infrastructure Investments," which was included in this week’s special Transportation and Infrastructure issue. The publication included columns from several Representatives and Senators sharing their infrastructure prospectives and priorities for this Congress. A small excerpt below:
“Our nation’s infrastructure impacts the lives of all Americans. It is what connects us, unites us and facilitates our everyday activities, both personal and business. With our roads and bridges rapidly aging past their intended lifespans, reauthorization of the highway programs is imperative. The current law, known as the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill and also referred to as the “Highway Bill,” is set to expire on Sept. 30, 2026. As chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, my top priority is enacting a new Highway Bill that makes smart, targeted investments in traditional infrastructure focusing on roads, bridges and freight corridors to keep our country competitive, our economy growing and Americans connected.”
You can read the full op-ed here.
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President Trump is continuing negotiations with Iran and has demanded the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is one of the most critical trade routes for global oil and gas supplies.
Earlier this week, the Department of Defense announced the deployment of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, including a brigade combat team, to the Middle East. Based at Fort Bragg, this unit is known for its rapid-response capabilities and extensive training for operations in high-risk environments. We should all keep these soldiers, and all servicemembers currently deployed, in our thoughts and prayers.
The Department of State continues to take significant steps to assist American citizens wishing to leave the Middle East and return home. Since February 28, more than 70,000 Americans have departed the region and safely returned to the United States. If you plan to travel, I recommend staying up to date with Department of State travel advisories you can find on Travel.State.Gov to monitor tensions in the region.
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Village of Bald Head Island
It was a pleasure to talk with Mayor Quinn and the folks from the Village of Bald Head Island to discuss issues important to our constituents, including disaster mitigation and coastal resiliency.
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UNC Wilmington
I welcomed Chancellor Volety to the office this week to discuss exciting things happening at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington as it relates to their School of Health Sciences. A major focus of this effort is a proposed medical school aimed at addressing healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in our rural communities.
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Coastal Transplants
I had the opportunity to meet with Coastal Transplants, a Bolivia, North Carolina based environmental and horticultural company doing important work to protect our coastline. Their focus on coastal revegetation, using native and wetland plants, helps preserve the natural beauty of our shores while strengthening them against the impacts of storms and erosion.
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If you are experiencing difficulties with a federal agency, my office may be able to help! I offer monthly Mobile Office Hours throughout the district to better serve those who are unable to travel to one of my district offices. Please stop by if there is anything my team can assist you with. Here are some of my office’s upcoming dates and locations in April!
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I have great news to share! Honey, the 1-year-old Mini Goldendoodle who was looking for a foster home while her owner is away on military deployment, has found a loving temporary home.
This program, known as “Operation Foster,” helps military personnel place their pets in foster homes until they can be reunited following deployment. If you're interested in becoming a foster home, for dog like Honey in the future, click here to learn more.
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“The best way to predict your future is to create it.” — Abraham Lincoln |
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