Dear Friend,
Every August, Congress is out of session and Members head back to their respective districts. For many, the word “recess” signals a break, a chance to escape, but for my staff and me it was anything but. Last month, I drove over 1,500 miles across Nevada’s Second Congressional District for the chance to hear about the issues that matter most to everyone at home, and to discuss what we have accomplished in the House of Representatives this year.
DAVIS FIRE UPDATE
First and foremost, I know the Davis fire is at the top of many of our minds. First responders on the front lines are working tirelessly to keep our community safe, and I can’t thank them enough for their efforts. I will continue to be in direct contact with local, state, and federal officials to offer support and will do everything in my power to make sure the necessary resources are in place for those affected by the fire.
Northern Nevadans know all too well that the late-summer and fall are fire season, and we must always be vigilant of the threats wildfires pose to our community. After the Davis Fire broke out in Washoe Valley on September 7, my staff and I have been keeping in regular contact with representatives from the local, state, and federal agencies fighting the fire. On Friday, September 13, I joined the morning briefing for all fire crews and ground operations, followed by a survey of the burn areas and perimeter with Governor Lombardo.
At the time of this posting, the Davis Fire has currently burned 5,824 acres and is 92% contained. FEMA also approved the State of Nevada’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on the day of ignition, which provides a 75% federal cost share to the state and local agencies in fighting the fire. After Nevada had previously been disproportionately declined FMAG declarations in the past, I was proud to lead the effort to ensure our state and local agencies have the tools they need to submit qualified applications, and that FEMA gives a full and fair consideration of each request for assistance.
As Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, I continue to make sure this is the case. If you or a loved one has been affected by the Davis Fire and needs assistance, please contact the Red Cross of Northern Nevada (1-800-733-2767) for shelter and essential services. You can also track the fire through the websites PerimeterMap and AlertWildfire. Additionally, please do not hesitate to call my Reno office at 775-686-5760 if there are resources you cannot find or need further assistance.
DISTRICT WORK PERIOD
During this August district work period, I spent time in every corner of CD-02 and the state as a whole meeting with Nevadans, visiting with local businesses, and engaging with federal agencies. Our mission is to ensure we are doing all that we can to improve the lives of Nevadans. Thank you to those in Winnemucca, Elko, Ely, McGill, Eureka, Fallon, Reno, Carson City, Minden, Hawthorne, Silver Peak, etcetera—great to see you all again.
At my direction, the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee staff also joined me in Nevada to ensure they have the firsthand knowledge of agencies’ jurisdiction and impact in Nevada. These agencies include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The discussions were informative and will lead to firsthand experience right here at home that will improve an over $60 billion bill under my jurisdiction.
I was glad to welcome Transportation Security Administrator, David Pekoske, to the Reno Airport. It was an honor to have him at my home airport. We discussed the impending deployment of advanced technology across the nation to further their mission of keeping the Homeland safe.
Further, I led a roundtable discussion with the CISA Director Jen Easterly to discuss the changing risk landscape posed by China to American cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. China remains the most persistent threat to America’s critical infrastructure, and disruptive cyberattacks are a growing threat to our national security. These potential attacks can affect government agencies, global corporations, and small businesses through direct or cascading risks. It’s crucial to understand when, where, and how these attacks may occur, and how cybersecurity teams can get ahead of future threats. In addition to discussing the risk dynamic and best practices to protect against China’s threats, representatives from CISA’s Region 9 presented available cyber and physical security service to companies in the region to test their readiness and resilience. This roundtable was also attended by several business and agency leaders in Nevada, including the Adjutant General of the National Guard, the Chief of the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, the Clark and Washoe County Sheriffs, leadership from the Reno-Tahoe and Las Vegas airports, the CEO of NV Energy, and leaders from other public utilities and major industries in our state.
SOUTHERN BORDER TRIP
In early August, I concluded a trip to our southern border to get a sense firsthand of the crisis at our feet. Though Nevada doesn’t touch Mexico, every state has become a border state under the Biden Administration.
I heard directly from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers as active crossings were attempted. One thing was clear: the border wall is working where it is complete. Now more than ever, we need to invest in its finalization.
As the flow of fentanyl into the country explodes, officers must be more vigilant than ever as they expose the methods of delivery into the country. This drug tunnel was heavily trafficked before discovery and highlighted the need for more resources on the ground immediately.
CBP is also responsible for monitoring the U.S – Mexico southwest maritime border, in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard. In an average year, Sector San Diego seizes approximately $2.5 million worth of narcotics and apprehends 1,200 illegal migrants.
All this to say, my bill, H.R. 8752, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which passed the House on June 26, will prioritize investments in combating these issues. Unfortunately, neither the Senate nor White House has shown any interest in moving the ball forward. The bill:
ACCOUNTABILITY
Now with two assassination attempts on Former President Trump, it’s evident that there is a clear and present danger to his life. I look forward to the rigorous oversight the Secret Service will go through in the coming months to ensure this never happens again.
Before breaking for the August district work period, the House voted unanimously to establish a bipartisan congressional task force to investigate the attempted assassination of President Trump. This task force will have subpoena power and will attempt to answer myriad questions about what went wrong on the day of the attempted assassination, including how a breakdown in communications and security allowed a gunman to open fire from a rooftop right on the security perimeter.
We must ensure accountability and prevent another security failure going forward. The resignation of Kimberly Cheatle as Secret Service Director is a step in the right direction, but how can it be that no one who was on the ground making decisions that day in Butler, Pennsylvania has been fired? Who made the decision to not have someone on the roof where the gunman was ultimately killed? Who managed radio communications? How was it that more than 25 minutes passed between the time the shooter was identified as a suspicious person and the time shots were fired? Who failed to keep President Trump from taking the stage that day? There must be individual accountability.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
The House Appropriations Committee has approved all 12 funding bills, five of which have already passed the full House: Defense; Homeland Security; Interior and Environment; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.
The most recent House-passed appropriations bills, the FY25 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, reigns in bureaucratic overreach, unleashes American energy and mineral production, and combats devastating wildfires. This legislation:
I am proud that the House has passed 75% of government funding for the upcoming fiscal year and look forward to continuing to responsibly fund the government before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2024.
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most. For additional information, please visit my website at Amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760, or Elko phone: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Every August, Congress is out of session and Members head back to their respective districts. For many, the word “recess” signals a break, a chance to escape, but for my staff and me it was anything but. Last month, I drove over 1,500 miles across Nevada’s Second Congressional District for the chance to hear about the issues that matter most to everyone at home, and to discuss what we have accomplished in the House of Representatives this year.
DAVIS FIRE UPDATE
First and foremost, I know the Davis fire is at the top of many of our minds. First responders on the front lines are working tirelessly to keep our community safe, and I can’t thank them enough for their efforts. I will continue to be in direct contact with local, state, and federal officials to offer support and will do everything in my power to make sure the necessary resources are in place for those affected by the fire.
Northern Nevadans know all too well that the late-summer and fall are fire season, and we must always be vigilant of the threats wildfires pose to our community. After the Davis Fire broke out in Washoe Valley on September 7, my staff and I have been keeping in regular contact with representatives from the local, state, and federal agencies fighting the fire. On Friday, September 13, I joined the morning briefing for all fire crews and ground operations, followed by a survey of the burn areas and perimeter with Governor Lombardo.
At the time of this posting, the Davis Fire has currently burned 5,824 acres and is 92% contained. FEMA also approved the State of Nevada’s request for a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) on the day of ignition, which provides a 75% federal cost share to the state and local agencies in fighting the fire. After Nevada had previously been disproportionately declined FMAG declarations in the past, I was proud to lead the effort to ensure our state and local agencies have the tools they need to submit qualified applications, and that FEMA gives a full and fair consideration of each request for assistance.
As Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee, I continue to make sure this is the case. If you or a loved one has been affected by the Davis Fire and needs assistance, please contact the Red Cross of Northern Nevada (1-800-733-2767) for shelter and essential services. You can also track the fire through the websites PerimeterMap and AlertWildfire. Additionally, please do not hesitate to call my Reno office at 775-686-5760 if there are resources you cannot find or need further assistance.
DISTRICT WORK PERIOD
During this August district work period, I spent time in every corner of CD-02 and the state as a whole meeting with Nevadans, visiting with local businesses, and engaging with federal agencies. Our mission is to ensure we are doing all that we can to improve the lives of Nevadans. Thank you to those in Winnemucca, Elko, Ely, McGill, Eureka, Fallon, Reno, Carson City, Minden, Hawthorne, Silver Peak, etcetera—great to see you all again.
At my direction, the House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee staff also joined me in Nevada to ensure they have the firsthand knowledge of agencies’ jurisdiction and impact in Nevada. These agencies include the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The discussions were informative and will lead to firsthand experience right here at home that will improve an over $60 billion bill under my jurisdiction.
I was glad to welcome Transportation Security Administrator, David Pekoske, to the Reno Airport. It was an honor to have him at my home airport. We discussed the impending deployment of advanced technology across the nation to further their mission of keeping the Homeland safe.
Further, I led a roundtable discussion with the CISA Director Jen Easterly to discuss the changing risk landscape posed by China to American cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. China remains the most persistent threat to America’s critical infrastructure, and disruptive cyberattacks are a growing threat to our national security. These potential attacks can affect government agencies, global corporations, and small businesses through direct or cascading risks. It’s crucial to understand when, where, and how these attacks may occur, and how cybersecurity teams can get ahead of future threats. In addition to discussing the risk dynamic and best practices to protect against China’s threats, representatives from CISA’s Region 9 presented available cyber and physical security service to companies in the region to test their readiness and resilience. This roundtable was also attended by several business and agency leaders in Nevada, including the Adjutant General of the National Guard, the Chief of the Nevada Division of Emergency Management, the Clark and Washoe County Sheriffs, leadership from the Reno-Tahoe and Las Vegas airports, the CEO of NV Energy, and leaders from other public utilities and major industries in our state.
SOUTHERN BORDER TRIP
In early August, I concluded a trip to our southern border to get a sense firsthand of the crisis at our feet. Though Nevada doesn’t touch Mexico, every state has become a border state under the Biden Administration.
I heard directly from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers as active crossings were attempted. One thing was clear: the border wall is working where it is complete. Now more than ever, we need to invest in its finalization.
As the flow of fentanyl into the country explodes, officers must be more vigilant than ever as they expose the methods of delivery into the country. This drug tunnel was heavily trafficked before discovery and highlighted the need for more resources on the ground immediately.
CBP is also responsible for monitoring the U.S – Mexico southwest maritime border, in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard. In an average year, Sector San Diego seizes approximately $2.5 million worth of narcotics and apprehends 1,200 illegal migrants.
All this to say, my bill, H.R. 8752, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act, which passed the House on June 26, will prioritize investments in combating these issues. Unfortunately, neither the Senate nor White House has shown any interest in moving the ball forward. The bill:
- Provides $600 million for construction of the southern border wall and $300 million for border security technology, a record level of funding;
- Forces construction of physical barriers immediately; and
- Supports counterdrug activities to slow the flow of fentanyl.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Now with two assassination attempts on Former President Trump, it’s evident that there is a clear and present danger to his life. I look forward to the rigorous oversight the Secret Service will go through in the coming months to ensure this never happens again.
Before breaking for the August district work period, the House voted unanimously to establish a bipartisan congressional task force to investigate the attempted assassination of President Trump. This task force will have subpoena power and will attempt to answer myriad questions about what went wrong on the day of the attempted assassination, including how a breakdown in communications and security allowed a gunman to open fire from a rooftop right on the security perimeter.
We must ensure accountability and prevent another security failure going forward. The resignation of Kimberly Cheatle as Secret Service Director is a step in the right direction, but how can it be that no one who was on the ground making decisions that day in Butler, Pennsylvania has been fired? Who made the decision to not have someone on the roof where the gunman was ultimately killed? Who managed radio communications? How was it that more than 25 minutes passed between the time the shooter was identified as a suspicious person and the time shots were fired? Who failed to keep President Trump from taking the stage that day? There must be individual accountability.
GOVERNMENT FUNDING
The House Appropriations Committee has approved all 12 funding bills, five of which have already passed the full House: Defense; Homeland Security; Interior and Environment; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.
The most recent House-passed appropriations bills, the FY25 Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, reigns in bureaucratic overreach, unleashes American energy and mineral production, and combats devastating wildfires. This legislation:
- Prioritizes funding for Wildland Fire Management and includes a permanent pay fix for wildland firefighter pay.
- Expands access to critical minerals, reducing our domestic reliance on the Chinese supply chain.
- Protects access to our public lands by limiting weaponization of the Endangered Species Act against land users and energy producers.
- Fully funds the Indian Health Service.
I am proud that the House has passed 75% of government funding for the upcoming fiscal year and look forward to continuing to responsibly fund the government before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2024.
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most. For additional information, please visit my website at Amodei.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760, or Elko phone: (775) 777-7705. To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and in Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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