This past week, I met with local leaders from the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce and several mayors and county commissioners from Brunswick County.  We had productive and insightful conversations as we discussed the unique needs and priorities of our communities.  I am always grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from the local leaders driving progress in our state.

I am committed to advocating for policies that support our local businesses and enhance the quality of life for families across Southeastern North Carolina.  These meetings serve as an essential reminder of the importance of collaboration between all levels of government.  

It has now been one month since President Trump was sworn into office.  Since then, he's put in place dozens of executive orders, signed meaningful legislation into law, and worked closely with Congress to bring America to the new Golden Age. 

House Republicans are moving President Trump's agenda forward to Make America Great Again.  Here are some bills we've passed so far in the 119th Congress:

• Laken Riley Act (Signed into Law By President Trump)
• International Criminal Court Act
• Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act
• Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act
• United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tac Relief Act
• Fix Our Forests Act
• Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
• HALT Fentanyl Act
• Protecting American Energy Production Act
• Midnight Rules Relief Act
• Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act

House Republicans are making America secure and competitive again.  We're working with President Trump to create jobs, protect our economy, and cut out waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal government. 

I joined several of my colleagues recently to introduce the Death Tax Repeal Act.  The bill would permanently repeal the death tax, which is an unfair and costly tax on the transfer of property, land, and other assets when a family member passes away. 

About 95 percent of small businesses, farms, and ranches across our country are owned by individuals and families.  The Death Tax Repeal Act would enable these multigenerational businesses to continue to be passed down from generation to generation without having to pay a devastating tax upon the death of a family member. 

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate, and I look forward to working together to get this commonsense legislation signed into law. 

With tax day around the corner, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) encourages taxpayers to make essential preparations and be aware of significant changes that may affect their 2024 tax returns.

Tips for Filing an Accurate Tax Return:

• To avoid mistakes and potential processing delays, you should refrain from filing until you have received all necessary tax documents.

• You should always carefully review documents for inaccuracies or missing information.

• You should immediately contact your employer or payer to request a correction if issues arise.

• The IRS recommends you create an IRS Online Account, which provides secure access to your tax information, including payment history, tax records and other key information

Changes for Tax Year 2024:

• For 2024, the standard deduction amount has been increased for all filers. The amounts are: 

  • Single or married filing separately — $14,600.

  • Head of household — $21,900.

  • Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse — $29,200.

• Beginning in 2024, the IRA contribution limit is increased to $7,000 ($8,000 for individuals aged 50 or older) from $6,500 ($7,500 for individuals aged 50 or older) the prior year.
• Payment apps and online marketplaces (i.e. Venmo, PayPal), are now required to report transactions when the amount of the total payments for those transactions in 2024 was more than $5,000.

Visit irs.gov if you have any question.  You can also contact my office if you're having any troubles.

For this week's good news story... I am recognizing Eugene Ashley High School English teacher Mattie Johnson, who was the recipient of the 2025 New Hanover County Schools Rookie of the Year award.  Johnson has taught at Ashley since 2022 after receiving a masters in Secondary Education English from UNCW.  She has made a big impact on her students and the school is incredibly proud of her achievement.  You can learn more about her here!