Defense and National Security

Providing for the common defense was a key component to the creation of our federal government. I am committed to keeping America safe and will continue to focus my efforts on:

PROVIDING AMPLE RESOURCES WHILE MAKING SMART CHOICES

Our troops are committed to defending and sacrificing for the American people. When they go into battle, they deserve the best training, equipment, and resources to accomplish their mission to uphold the foundational principles of America. In July 2018, I voted in support of legislation which gave our troops the largest pay increase in 9 years and provides the funds needed in order to rebuild our military.

While ensuring our troops have the necessary tools, we must also make smart choices that reduce wasteful and unnecessary spending. During the House’s consideration of H.R.5293, the Fiscal Year 2017 Department of Defense Appropriations Act, I successfully offered a bipartisan amendment to cut off taxpayer dollars from going toward wasteful infrastructure projects in Afghanistan, which the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction has found to be wrought with waste, susceptible to fraud, and unsustainable over the long term.

FIGHTING TERRORISM

As American military forces continue their missions in Afghanistan and around the world, we must remain vigilant in our cause to defend freedom abroad when necessary. The advances made by ISIL not only destabilize the Middle East, but threaten our national security. The United States must have a robust and comprehensive strategy to continue degrading and ultimately defeat ISIL and keep them from committing more heinous acts of terrorism. Additionally, I was a cosponsor of legislation that would place sanctions on countries that directly fund Hezbollah, most notably Iran, and supported legislation that would encourage all European Union countries to designate Hezbollah as an international terrorist organization.

MONITORING ROGUE NATIONS

Congress must stand firm against provocations that threaten the security of our citizens and our allies around the world. In April 2018, I voted in support of H.R. 4744, the Iran Human Rights and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act, which would allow the United States to impose property-blocking and visa-denial sanctions on Iranian officials or their family members responsible for illegal detentions of U.S. citizens or Iranian expatriates. In addition, I have voted to support the rights of the people of Ukraine to hold free elections and condemn Russia for its interference in Ukraine.

SECURING THE HOMELAND

In light of the terrorist attacks that have taken place across the country, it is clear that protecting our nation from threats is a multi-front mission. Thwarting future terrorist attacks requires that we secure our borders, share intelligence effectively and efficiently, protect our critical infrastructure and key resources, enforce our immigration laws, and safeguard our cyberspace.