Dear Friends,

It’s been a busy month, with some great tours and visits in Kentucky and legislative action in Washington, D.C., delivering results for the American people.

This week, the House voted on and passed H.R. 1048, the DETERRENT Act, which if signed into law would counter foreign adversaries’ influence on American college and university campuses by increasing transparency and accountability for foreign gift contributions. I want to hear from you – how would you have voted on this bill?

Attending President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

On March 4th, President Trump outlined his vision for the country during his first Joint Address to Congress since returning to the White House, alongside a Republican House and Senate. His speech outlined many reasons why our nation has so much to be optimistic about over the next four years and beyond.

In just the past two months, our nation has seen a 15-year low number of illegal border crossings, began unleashing American energy dominance, prohibited biological males from competing in women's and girls' sports, and experienced a surge in military recruitment. For me, one of the most special parts of the President’s address was when he announced that Jason Hartley, the son of a police officer killed in the line of duty, received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. As a graduate of West Point, I know what an honor it is to receive that news. Congratulations to Jason, we are all pulling for you!

In the coming months, Congress has much more work to do to deliver results for the American people. I am confident that as Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and your Representative in Congress, I can work with my colleagues to deliver meaningful results for Kentucky’s Second District. 

Over the past month, I have been busy working alongside my colleagues on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce to unleash American energy and make life more affordable for all Americans. Throughout the month, the House voted on and passed several legislative items within the committee's jurisdiction, some of which you can read about below! 

• H.J. Res. 35 – Repealing the Biden-Harris Administration’s Natural Gas Tax 
  • After being passed by both the House and Senate with bipartisan support, this was signed into law by President Trump on March 14, 2025. It overturned the rule implementing the Biden-Harris Administration’s Waste Emissions Charge (WEC)—also known as the natural gas tax—which was established in the Inflation Reduction Act. On top of creating a burdensome regulation, this rule imposed fees on American energy producers, lowering output and increasing costs for families and businesses. 
• H.J. Res. 20 – Rescinding Biden Department of Energy’s Limiting Natural Gas Water Heaters
  • This passed the House by a vote of 221 to 198 to 2. If signed into law the bill would overturn the Biden-Harris DOE rule that expanded regulations on the types of water heaters available to consumers. This restriction in choice raised costs for new water heaters, hurting American families in the process. 
• H.J. Res. 61 – Overturning Biden Environmental Protection Agency Rubber Tire Manufacturing Regulations
  • This was passed by a vote of 216 to 202. If signed into law, the bill would overturn the Biden Administration’s regulations that imposed burdens on rubber tire manufacturing facilities, increasing costs for domestic consumers. 

Hosting Kentuckians in D.C.

Some of the groups I met with included the brave men and women in the Kentucky National Guard, municipal leaders from Daviess and Warren Counties, and the Kentucky Association of Broadcasters. I look forward to continuing working with these groups to carry out our shared goals of serving the Commonwealth to the best of our abilities.

I also had the honor to speak with Kentucky farmers who were in town for the Annual Kentucky Farm Bureau Breakfast to discuss the priorities they are hoping to see enacted in the Farm Bill and ways Congress can support our nation’s food security. 

Meeting with McLean County Judge-Executive Curtis Dame

I recently sat down with McLean County Judge-Executive Curtis Dame to talk about FEMA’s response to flooding, which is still impacting many in our district, and how I can work to ensure that all Kentuckians fully recover from these natural disasters.

A Busy Week Visiting with Kentucky’s Future Leaders

Last week, I visited with students from Owensboro Catholic School and Bremen Elementary in Muhlenberg County. It was great to discuss the legislative process, the separation of powers, and the importance of civic engagement.

I also had the chance to head to Hebron Middle School in Bullitt County to present winning Louisville area student groups their awards for the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. I am so proud to see the hard work and thoughtfulness that our local students put into designing their apps. In total, more than 30 student groups from across our district showcased immense ingenuity in their submissions. From developing ways to increase access to mental health resources, improving physical health, and deepening an individual’s relationship with God, these students solved real-world problems using modern technology. I know that all these students have a bright future ahead and our nation is in good hands with the next generation!

Celebrating Incredible Kentuckians in Edmonson County

I recently had the honor of attending the Edmonson County Annual Hall of Distinguished Alumni Dinner. 

This year, the dinner honored the contributions of great Kentuckians Regina Byrd, Dion Houchins, and Michael Meredith. Thank you for your dedication and service to our communities.

Touring the Goodwill West Louisville Opportunity Center

This month, I had the opportunity to meet with the team for a tour of the Goodwill West Louisville Opportunity Center to learn more about the work they do to support Kentucky workers and families. 

It was great to learn about their efforts to provide job training and job placement to those who need it most in our community. Thank you for all you do and for showing me around your facility! 

Last month, I authored an Op-Ed in the Owensboro Times to talk about the work I have done to combat the devastating impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Like so many others, my family has dealt with the terrible effects of Alzheimer’s, having lost a family member in 2023 after a years-long battle with the disease. Bringing relief to families and caregivers across our communities will continue to be a top priority of mine. 

In 2018, I worked with a bipartisan group of my colleagues in getting the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act signed into law. This law created programs to support prevention, detection, treatment, and care for patients with Alzheimer’s and related neurological diseases. I worked hard to recently reauthorize this law, making changes to best support the important work being done in this area. You can read my full Op-Ed by clicking here or on the image above.