This past week was a somber and challenging week for our nation. We witnessed the tragic consequences of political violence, learned of a cold-blooded murder in Charlotte late August, had a school shooting by a teenager in Colorado, and paused to remember the lives lost 24 years ago on September 11th, a day that forever changed America. In 1 Peter 5:8, scripture says that Satan roams the Earth seeking to devour. Indeed he does. We live in a spiritual world of good and evil every single day. Amid the solemn moments last week, Congress achieved a significant milestone by passing the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, a critical step toward strengthening our national security and supporting our service members. You can read more about it below.
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This past week, with my support, the House passed H.R. 3838, the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (FY26 NDAA). H.R. 3838 delivers on House Republicans Peace Through Strength agenda while ensuring America's service members and their families have the resources they need. I proudly voted for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. This critical legislation ensures our Armed Forces remain the strongest and most advanced fighting force in the world. It provides our service members with the tools, training, and resources they need to keep America safe at home and abroad. I’ll continue working to ensure North Carolina and the nation remain secure, resilient, and prepared. Highlights included in the FY26 NDAA: - A 3.8% pay raise for service members and new benefits for military families.
- Full funding for President Trump’s top defense priorities, including the Golden Dome, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships, and autonomous systems.
- Additional authorities for the Department of Defense to support border security.
- Major reforms to the Pentagon’s acquisition process to deliver innovative technology to the battlefield faster.
- Provisions codifying over a dozen of President Trump’s executive orders and legislative requests, including efforts to root out DEI mandates and restore the military’s focus on lethality and accountability.
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Included in the final package of the FY26 NDAA was legislation I introduced to provide full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Inclusion of this language in the House version of the NDAA was an historic effort not just for the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina but for justice long overdue. I’m proud to stand with the Lumbee people as the House passed legislation to grant them full federal recognition. This is about dignity, opportunity, and honoring the rich heritage of one of North Carolina’s proudest communities. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for bringing the Lumbee people one step closer to receiving the same rights and protections as every other federally recognized tribe across the country. I look forward to the Senate's consideration. Ahead of the vote, I took to the House Floor to once again speak in strong support of giving the Lumbee Tribe full federal recognition. You can watch my full remarks below.
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Background:
The Lumbee Tribe consists of 55,000 members, making it the largest American-Indian tribe east of the Mississippi River and the ninth largest tribe in the nation. Members of the Lumbee Tribe reside primarily in Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland Counties. In 1885, the State of North Carolina formally recognized the Lumbee Tribe. In 1956, Congress recognized the Lumbee as an Indian Tribe when they enacted the Lumbee Act, but the bill unfairly and purposely and specifically denied the Lumbee any federal services and benefits associated with such recognition. Since then, the Lumbee have continued to fight to rectify this. During the 118th Congress, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and I introduced companion legislation in the House and Senate. The House secured passage of the bill on December 17, 2024, but it failed to receive floor consideration in the U.S. Senate.
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Iryna Zarutska was a 23-year-old refugee from Ukraine. She had just gotten off of work and was riding the train in Charlotte when Decarlos Brown Jr., a man with more than a dozen prior arrests stabbed and killed her. This murder was completely preventable. Decarlos Brown Jr. should have never been free on the streets. Because of soft-on-crime policies, a young woman with a bright future lost her life.
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Iryna Zarutska, 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee |
My North Carolina Republican colleagues in the House and I called for Magistrate Judge Teresa Stokes to be removed from her position for releasing this repeat offender. Magistrate Stokes' rulings highlight exactly why soft-on-crime policies are failing our communities locally and nationwide. When lenient laws meet lenient judges, public safety takes a back seat.
You can read the letter here.
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31-year-old Charlie Kirk, a husband, a father of two young children, a Christian, and conservative activist was shot and killed at Utah Valley University this past Wednesday. Charlie fervently believed in God and country. He was courageous in his Christian faith and was a true and great patriot who loved America. Charlie traveled to college campuses across the country to engage in civil debate with all of those who wanted to participate, just as he was doing when he was shot and killed. He drew large crowds where students would challenge him with their own beliefs. Charlie simply told the students why he disagreed in as respectful a way as anyone could. My heartfelt prayers will continue to be with Charlie’s wife, children, and loved ones. He was a courageous voice for faith, freedom, and conservative values. His legacy will live on and grow ever stronger with each passing day.
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There is no place for political violence in our country. No matter what your political beliefs, you should never have to be concerned for your life because of them.
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It doesn’t seem like it, but it's been 24 years since one of the darkest days in our nation's history. September 11th stands as a solemn reminder of both the fragility of our freedoms and the unbreakable spirit of America. On 9/11, our nation was brutally attacked, but we responded with resolve. We must continue to honor the memory of the brave first responders, the innocent lives lost, and the families forever changed by recommitting ourselves to the principled values that made America great. On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, we are reminded of the devastating consequences when our enemies find vulnerabilities in our national defense. The NDAA we passed last week makes historic investments in intelligence, cybersecurity, border security, and counterterrorism efforts, helping ensure a tragedy like 9/11 never happens again.
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For this week's good news story, I'm highlighting Island Montessori Charter School in Carolina Beach for winning a national award from Building Hope, a nonprofit supporting charter schools. They received $20,000 and top honors in Community Engagement at Building Hope’s Impact Summit in Miami, chosen from nearly 200 schools for its innovative service learning and strong volunteer culture. Head of School Alicia Rheel said the award reflects their commitment to embedding service into daily learning. You can read more about the school here.
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“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.” — Winston Churchill
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