As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to share some of the progress I have made on some of the issues impacting Central Washington. Representing Washington's 4th Congressional District is a responsibility I take very seriously, and this year, from working to solve the fentanyl crisis to increasing domestic energy production and de-risking economically from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), I have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring a common-sense approach to these issues.

As a member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the CCP, I led the charge to prevent further encroachment by the CCP on our land, supply chains, and national security. In September, the House of Representatives passed my legislation, the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, which adds the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for transactions that could be considered a threat to national security. This is a huge step forward in the fight to protect our national security interests from a foreign adversary who has been known to undermine our institutions, but there is still more work to be done in the new year.

Part of the CCP's malicious efforts include directly funding the fentanyl epidemic. In communities across the nation, fentanyl is the leading cause of death for people ages 18-45, and Central Washington is no exception. This year, I led the Select Committee's Fentanyl Policy Working Group in crafting common-sense legislation to crack down on the CCP's influence here at home, and this week, I introduced the final piece of legislation from the group, the Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2024, to pool resources from across agencies and strengthen our hand in this battle.

This year, I have also been working to protect one of our most efficient forms of energy-hydropower. In Central Washington, we are fortunate to have the Lower Snake River Dams keeping our grid secure during high-demand times. Collectively, they provide the Pacific Northwest with nearly 90% of its renewable energy, but rather than applauding this clean, reliable, and affordable resource, the current administration has supported efforts to breach the dams. Throughout my time in Congress, I have consistently been the voice for residents and stakeholders in our region, and while the current administration has been working behind the scenes to undermine our hydropower production, I am optimistic the incoming administration will understand how critical the Lower Snake River Dams are for energy generation and other important benefits.

One of the most important parts of my job in Congress is resolving issues constituents have with federal agencies. Dealing with the bureaucratic red tape of Washington, D.C. can be tough, but this year, my office was able to successfully solve 2,890 individual cases with IRS, Social Security Administration, and Department of Veterans Affairs. We also returned over $1,509,805 owed to constituents by the federal government. I am proud of the work we have accomplished this past year, and I look forward to finding new ways we can help even more people in the years to come.

The last few years have been tough on the country, but I am looking forward to working with the incoming administration to make sure Central Washington has an effective voice in Congress. From achieving energy dominance and getting our fiscal house in order, to advocating for our farmers that need a Farm Bill, we have a lot of work to do. To accomplish these goals, I am proud of my committee assignments for the 119th Congress which include the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, Subcommittee on Homeland Security, House Select Committee on Strategic Competition Between the United States and the CCP, and the House Committee on Agriculture, where I will have a seat at the table to fight for Central Washington's priorities. I look forward to working on behalf of Washington's 4th Congressional District and wish you and your family a blessed and happy holiday season.