Dear Friend,
I hope you’ve all had a strong start to the new year and are staying consistent with the goals you set on January 1. The beginning of this year has delivered plenty of new developments, and maybe even a few surprises. So, in the interest of saving you time, let’s dive right in.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN IRAN
For 47 years, the Iranian regime has sown seeds of terror and destruction against the West and our values, while viciously oppressing its own people. With every passing day that we fail to confront this radical regime and its proxy groups, they move one step closer to their goal of destabilizing the free world. As a leader of the free world, we have a responsibility not only to say that Iran cannot be nuclear-armed, but to promise that it never will be.
The time has come to make it clear that radical regimes seeking to undermine democracy, while enthusiastically chanting “Death to America”, will be met with the strength of America and its allies.
God bless our troops and our partners as they work to protect our nation and defend the freedoms we hold dear.
ONGOING DHS SHUTDOWN
On January 22, the House passed the FY26 Homeland Security bill which was reached through bipartisan, bicameral negotiations. While the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good are tragic, the investigations are ongoing and we will see what they produce. Shutting down DHS makes less than no sense when there are measures already in place to investigate any potential wrongdoings.
At a time of heightened unrest around the world, using policy disputes to shut down our own departments is beyond irresponsible, and the consequences could be serious. Now is the time for Congress to get off its hands and fully fund the agencies that protect our people.
THE STATE OF THE UNION IS STRONG
While we all know you should never say mission accomplished, the mission is going well.
What missions are you talking about you might inquire? The ongoing work by Congress and this Administration to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pockets.
Tax season is here, and this year you will see direct benefits from the Working Families Tax Cuts we passed last year. The average tax cut per filer is $3,750. According to the IRS, Americans are receiving an average refund of $4,000, an 11% increase.
With childcare costs still described as untenable and often exceeding housing payments, we delivered real relief by expanding the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 and making it permanent.
Purchased an American-made vehicle? You may qualify for up to a $10,000 tax credit. And not to mention No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Social Security.
At the grocery store, staples like eggs, cheese, milk, butter, and fresh fruits and vegetables are in far better shape than they were a year ago. We’re not ignoring the fact that there’s still work to be done on other items like coffee and beef.
So, how’s that gas mission looking? Whether you are driving to school, to work, or anywhere in between, and while we still have not fully solved the issue of being trapped by California refinery warfare, the average price in Nevada is a lot better than it was this time last year. In fact, drivers across the country are now paying less than three dollars a gallon for regular gas on average.
Housing supply and healthcare costs remain major challenges, but there is no doubt that the focus is squarely on those issues. We look forward to continuing the work to provide relief for all Americans, including the folks right here in Nevada. To see what Republicans in the House have done on these issues, check out H.R. 4317 and H.R. 1157.
While we have made real progress for working families, we will continue to keep an eye on issues and solutions that directly address affordability challenges.
EVERYTHING THAT GETS UBER POLITICIZED GETS DESTROYED
The Supreme Court dealt a blow to one of President Trump’s top priorities: tariffs. There’s no question we as a nation have been taken advantage of by unfair trade policies for years. One fact that is too often overlooked is that we are running the largest trade deficit in history. The goal of correcting that imbalance is something we should all be able to agree on. We want American industries, farmers, and businesses to compete and thrive. And that requires leveling the playing field.
Here in Nevada, our sheep producers are being pushed to the brink of extinction because trade conditions have allowed Australia to dominate the global sheep meat market, accounting for over 50% of total world exports as of 2023-2024. In 2024 alone, the U.S. imported over 309 million pounds of lamb which is a nearly 30% increase from the prior year. As a result, over 70% of lamb consumed in the U.S. now comes from foreign sources, while domestic production has dropped by over 60% since its peak in the 1990s.
I introduced a bill, which gives a voice to the concerns of our local producers, to impose a 30% tariff on lamb and sheep products from Australia and New Zealand, and we’re hopeful that consideration and awareness of this issue will give our folks a fighting shot.
While the President’s first play didn’t reach the end zone, that doesn’t mean the playbook is empty. His administration remains committed to pursuing negotiations with foreign leaders to secure equitable trade agreements. At the end of the day, it is not only risky for our economy to depend so heavily on imported goods, but also dangerous to build long-term reliance on products we are fully capable of producing ourselves.
KNOW ANYBODY WHO’S RETIRING?
Before you ask, no, I’m not terminal, and I can still run across the street to avoid getting run over. After 15 strong years representing CD-2, I thought it was the right time to pass the torch. We’ll see what the field looks like once the filing deadline passes, and I look forward to supporting the person who’s best qualified for the job.
It’s truly been the honor of my lifetime to represent you and the place I call home, but I still have work to finish before hanging up the cleats.
And for those of you wondering what I’ve got set up after I leave: simply nothing!
I hope you’ve all had a strong start to the new year and are staying consistent with the goals you set on January 1. The beginning of this year has delivered plenty of new developments, and maybe even a few surprises. So, in the interest of saving you time, let’s dive right in.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN IRAN
For 47 years, the Iranian regime has sown seeds of terror and destruction against the West and our values, while viciously oppressing its own people. With every passing day that we fail to confront this radical regime and its proxy groups, they move one step closer to their goal of destabilizing the free world. As a leader of the free world, we have a responsibility not only to say that Iran cannot be nuclear-armed, but to promise that it never will be.
The time has come to make it clear that radical regimes seeking to undermine democracy, while enthusiastically chanting “Death to America”, will be met with the strength of America and its allies.
God bless our troops and our partners as they work to protect our nation and defend the freedoms we hold dear.
ONGOING DHS SHUTDOWN
On January 22, the House passed the FY26 Homeland Security bill which was reached through bipartisan, bicameral negotiations. While the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good are tragic, the investigations are ongoing and we will see what they produce. Shutting down DHS makes less than no sense when there are measures already in place to investigate any potential wrongdoings.
At a time of heightened unrest around the world, using policy disputes to shut down our own departments is beyond irresponsible, and the consequences could be serious. Now is the time for Congress to get off its hands and fully fund the agencies that protect our people.
THE STATE OF THE UNION IS STRONG
While we all know you should never say mission accomplished, the mission is going well.
What missions are you talking about you might inquire? The ongoing work by Congress and this Administration to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pockets.
Tax season is here, and this year you will see direct benefits from the Working Families Tax Cuts we passed last year. The average tax cut per filer is $3,750. According to the IRS, Americans are receiving an average refund of $4,000, an 11% increase.
With childcare costs still described as untenable and often exceeding housing payments, we delivered real relief by expanding the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 and making it permanent.
Purchased an American-made vehicle? You may qualify for up to a $10,000 tax credit. And not to mention No Tax on Tips, No Tax on Overtime, and No Tax on Social Security.
At the grocery store, staples like eggs, cheese, milk, butter, and fresh fruits and vegetables are in far better shape than they were a year ago. We’re not ignoring the fact that there’s still work to be done on other items like coffee and beef.
So, how’s that gas mission looking? Whether you are driving to school, to work, or anywhere in between, and while we still have not fully solved the issue of being trapped by California refinery warfare, the average price in Nevada is a lot better than it was this time last year. In fact, drivers across the country are now paying less than three dollars a gallon for regular gas on average.
Housing supply and healthcare costs remain major challenges, but there is no doubt that the focus is squarely on those issues. We look forward to continuing the work to provide relief for all Americans, including the folks right here in Nevada. To see what Republicans in the House have done on these issues, check out H.R. 4317 and H.R. 1157.
While we have made real progress for working families, we will continue to keep an eye on issues and solutions that directly address affordability challenges.
EVERYTHING THAT GETS UBER POLITICIZED GETS DESTROYED
The Supreme Court dealt a blow to one of President Trump’s top priorities: tariffs. There’s no question we as a nation have been taken advantage of by unfair trade policies for years. One fact that is too often overlooked is that we are running the largest trade deficit in history. The goal of correcting that imbalance is something we should all be able to agree on. We want American industries, farmers, and businesses to compete and thrive. And that requires leveling the playing field.
Here in Nevada, our sheep producers are being pushed to the brink of extinction because trade conditions have allowed Australia to dominate the global sheep meat market, accounting for over 50% of total world exports as of 2023-2024. In 2024 alone, the U.S. imported over 309 million pounds of lamb which is a nearly 30% increase from the prior year. As a result, over 70% of lamb consumed in the U.S. now comes from foreign sources, while domestic production has dropped by over 60% since its peak in the 1990s.
I introduced a bill, which gives a voice to the concerns of our local producers, to impose a 30% tariff on lamb and sheep products from Australia and New Zealand, and we’re hopeful that consideration and awareness of this issue will give our folks a fighting shot.
While the President’s first play didn’t reach the end zone, that doesn’t mean the playbook is empty. His administration remains committed to pursuing negotiations with foreign leaders to secure equitable trade agreements. At the end of the day, it is not only risky for our economy to depend so heavily on imported goods, but also dangerous to build long-term reliance on products we are fully capable of producing ourselves.
KNOW ANYBODY WHO’S RETIRING?
Before you ask, no, I’m not terminal, and I can still run across the street to avoid getting run over. After 15 strong years representing CD-2, I thought it was the right time to pass the torch. We’ll see what the field looks like once the filing deadline passes, and I look forward to supporting the person who’s best qualified for the job.
It’s truly been the honor of my lifetime to represent you and the place I call home, but I still have work to finish before hanging up the cleats.
And for those of you wondering what I’ve got set up after I leave: simply nothing!
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