Honor Senator Bob Dole's Legacy with Results
Friends, Last week we paused to mourn the passing of a man who embodied the "Greatest Generation," Senator Bob Dole. Like the sacrifices of those who lost their lives 80 years ago at Pearl Harbor, Dole’s own life of service on the battlefield in World War II and in the halls of Congress inspired generations of Americans. Senator Dole’s final opinion piece in the Washington Post can also inspire many of us. In it he wrote, “When we prioritize principles over party and humanity over personal legacy, we accomplish much more as a nation.” I have always believed that same philosophy, and we need it now more than ever before. Inflation just rose to a new 40-year high. Nearly 2 million illegal immigrants and record amounts of lethal fentanyl have crossed our southern border this year. The number of open jobs just reached a record 11 million as folks aren’t returning to the workforce. And countries like China and Russia continue to up their aggression around the world. There are plenty of challenges facing our nation right now. However, instead of addressing many of those head on, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has all but decided to wrap up Congress’ work in Washington for the year. While many Washington Democrats have ignored our challenges and simply pushed for trillions in new spending and tax increases, I have tried to live up to Bob Dole’s legacy by remaining focused on getting things done for our community and our nation. I began last week by hosting a roundtable discussion on military spouse employment. The discussion focused on how Congress can help connect military spouses with job opportunities and encourage military spouse remote employment and entrepreneurship. On Friday, I introduced legislation to provide military families additional support by ensuring children of active-duty service members have access to school meal programs. Our service members and their families have enough challenges to worry about and putting food on the table should not be one of them. To further support our troops, last week we also passed our nation’s annual defense bill. As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, I was proud to secure provisions that help military families in our community. This bill authorizes $27 million for construction projects I advocated for at Fort Bragg. It includes a much-deserved pay increase for service members, invests in family housing and childcare, and creates a pilot program to establish employment fellowship opportunities for military spouses. This bill also includes funds for border security, invests $517 million to address PFAS chemicals, and builds on legislation I sponsored to combat sexual assault in the military. The NDAA also challenges the Biden administration. I led 160 House Republicans urging the removal of red flag provisions from the bill. We succeeded and the red flag provisions were not included, ensuring our Second Amendment rights remain protected. This bill also demands accountability for the Biden administration’s failed Afghanistan withdrawal and includes safeguards against vaccine mandates for service members. Last week I also introduced legislation to protect our Strategic Petroleum Reserve and strengthen our nation’s energy security by requiring the Secretary of Energy to increase American oil and gas production. A resolution I introduced will end the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for health care workers. The HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently make fentanyl a Schedule I substance, critical for so many families who have lost a loved one to fentanyl. Finally, last Thursday, two health care-related bills I introduced passed the House. The first will increase the capacity of the NIH and FDA to develop new vaccines and treatments faster by working with the private sector. The Improving the Health of Children Act reauthorizes the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities through 2026. Families that rely on the Center deserve stability and funding for these programs that work to address birth defects, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, child development, newborn screening, autism, and other diseases. I am working on delivering results on these issues and so many others. It’s true, our nation is facing many challenges. Yet as Senator Dole wrote, I believe we can come together to solve them by focusing on the things that truly matter to you and your family. This week, join Renee and me in continuing to pray for our friend, Senator Elizabeth Dole, and their entire family. And together, let’s remember his words and strive to better our nation. Until Next Week,
Image  Richard Hudson Member of Congress |