The federal government shutdown forced by Senate Democrats threatens essential government services. Meanwhile, the peace deal between Gaza and Israel offers new hope for a better future. I also introduced important legislation to improve safety on our roads.
Below is more information on these issues and more updates on what’s happening in Washington and North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District.
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Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is the ringleader of this shutdown. This past week, he did an interview with Punchbowl News where he said, "Every day gets better for us." When he says "us,” we all know who he means — and it is not our military families, veterans, farmers or anyone else working hard every day.
As an example, here is how the Schumer Shutdown is impacting veterans: - In-person and virtual transition assistance programs (TAP) and career counseling have ceased.
- The education benefits support call center has suspended the hotline for GI bill inquiries (1-888-GIBILL-1).
- Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) career planning services are halted.
- Investigations into misconduct, retaliation, or poor performance at the VA are suspended.
- The National Cemetery Applicant Assistance (1-800-697-6947) hotline, which helps veterans and families applying for National Cemetery eligibility and aids with burial arrangements, is closed.
- All VA benefits regional offices are closed. These offices are the primary contact points for veterans to apply for and receive assistance with VA benefits. They also process disability and pension claims, provide education services, issue home loans, and offer vocational rehabilitation and employment services.
- Public Affairs and outreach to veterans have ceased, including social media, VetResources e-mails, and responses to press inquiries.
- Grounds maintenance and placement of permanent headstones at VA cemeteries have ceased.
As a reminder, House Republicans, Senate Republicans, and President Trump are all on the same page with the clean funding bill (the Continuing Resolution). We're waiting on seven Democrats to put American citizens first. My previous newsletter broke down the process of passing this clean CR and why we need Democrats to get on board. You can read it here.
House Committee on Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) was recently on Bloomberg News explaining how that the clean CR has already passed the House and has bi-partisan support in the Senate. We are five votes short of reaching the necessary 60 vote threshold to end debate and move to a vote in that chamber. Senate Majority Leader John Thune was also on CNBC recently talking about his conversations within the Senate and why Democrats need to vote for the clean CR.
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Hamas’s brutal and unprovoked attack on Israel was an act of evil that shocked the world. In response, Israel, under Prime Minister Netanyahu, has shown great strength in dismantling Hamas’s terror network the past two years.
Now, thanks to the leadership of President Trump, a historic peace deal is underway. This agreement, which demands the full release of all hostages and the end of Hamas’s control over Gaza, is a major victory for Israel’s security, American leadership, and stability in the Middle East.
President Trump’s negotiation of this deal shows what peace through strength looks like. As the agreement is implemented, the continued leadership of President Trump and Secretary Rubio will be vital to ensuring as many of the deceased hostages are identified and brought home as possible
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I recently introduced H.R. 5688, the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act, to protect Americans’ safety, support American workers, and restore order to our commercial trucking licensing system. This critical legislation ends the reckless policy of granting Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) to immigrants who lack the English proficiency and road-rule knowledge needed to safely operate massive commercial vehicles on our highways.
The bill comes in the wake of multiple fatal crashes involving non-domiciled drivers that could have been avoided with proper vetting and safety standards in place. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has identified at least five fatal crashes this year linked to non-domiciled CDL holders — killing 12 people (including two children) and injuring 15. At least two of these drivers were improperly issued a CDL, while others held CDLs they would have been ineligible for under this legislation.
We’re closing dangerous loopholes and restoring accountability. We must never, under any circumstance, jeopardize public safety by allowing those here illegally to get behind the wheel of a big rig.
This summer, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Americans on the road by signing an Executive Order on Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers. President Trump and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have made it clear: Our roads aren’t a testing ground for dangerous loopholes or politically driven neglect. They are lifelines of our economy, and the safety of every American who travels them must come first.
You can read H.R. 5688 here.
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I held my annual Youth Leadership and Entrepreneurial Conference this past week in Southport. The goal of the conference is to provide two juniors from every high school in NC-07 with the opportunity to meet with entrepreneurial leaders from the area, discuss ways to achieve success and develop the necessary personal and professional skills to achieve their goals. The panels discussed some of the challenges the speakers faced, and lessons learned on their journey to success.
Thank you to the students and the guest speakers for participating in this great event!
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Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) received a generous boost to its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive thanks to Capital Ford of Wilmington, which donated over 500 pounds of food, including 528 items from the CFCC Food Pantry’s wish list, worth $1,046.
The donation was inspired by a CFCC student who works at the dealership and shared how the pantry helps students. In response, Capital Ford provided hundreds of holiday essentials to support CFCC students and their families.
The CFCC Food Pantry serves up to 100 students monthly and will provide customized Thanksgiving bags to students in need this holiday season. You can read the full story here.
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“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.” — Tom Peters
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