Weekly Newsletters

• Secured additional funding for Interstate-81
• Tax season began and big returns are on their way
• Cosponsored a bill that strengthened our national security by invalidating commercial surrogacy agreements involving adversary nations
• Ensured the needs of our American rural and agricultural communities are met with the Bridge the Gap for Rural Communities Act 
• Helped a veteran and daughter recover their CHAMPVA coverage and resolved additional medical expenses

Secured an Additional $17 Million for Interstate-81 

     Recently, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2026 transportation appropriations bill, marking an important step toward securing an additional $17 million in federal funding for long-overdue safety and capacity improvements along Interstate 81. The measure advanced with strong bipartisan support from both the House and the Senate. Constructed more than 50 years ago, I-81 has struggled to keep pace with rising traffic and freight demands. For years, residents of Virginia’s Sixth District have consistently raised concerns about the increasing congestion and safety challenges on I-81. This funding brings us closer to delivering much-needed improvements that will make the interstate safer and better suited to serve commuters, families, and the truck drivers who help keep our regional economy moving. This progress represents a meaningful step toward providing the dependable interstate our communities along the I-81 corridor deserve.
     Interstate 81 remains one of the most critical transportation corridors in both the Commonwealth and the nation. Each year, more than 12 million commercial trucks travel this route. As traffic volumes continue to grow, the need to modernize the highway becomes even more urgent to reduce disruptions that affect our local community, local businesses, and national commerce. Increasingly frequent and unpredictable travel delays now affect both freight movement and daily travel for families throughout the region. The funding would allow for potential widening of bottlenecked segments of I-81, including projects to expand the roadway from two to three lanes. I hope to see this transportation funding bill come across President Trump's desk, where it can be signed into law. 

Kicking Off Tax Season: Big Refunds Are Coming!

     Tax season kicked off last Monday, Americans are poised to see meaningful savings and some of the largest tax refunds ever. These numbers and statistics represent real relief for American families, workers, and seniors who have worked hard and earned every dollar. H.R. 1, which I was proud to support last year, will deliver big savings in every state, including our Commonwealth, giving the average American taxpayer a return increase of up to $3,000 more in 2026. For middle-class families, the impact is even greater. That means more money to cover basic necessities, save for emergencies, or even save up for college for our children. In addition, senior citizens will see substantial relief from the elimination of taxes on Social Security. This allows retirees to keep more of the money they have worked for and contributed to throughout their careers. Similarly, service employees and those who benefit from overtime will save on taxes, tips, and overtime, keeping an extra average of $1,300 from tips and up to $1,400 from overtime each year.

     Beyond individual tax relief, families shopping for a new car can take advantage of Made-in-America auto tax breaks, which eliminate taxes on auto loan interest up to $10,000 for vehicles built in America. Additionally, parents will benefit from the permanent increase in the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 per child, a provision that helps more than 40 million families plan for their children’s future. Congressional Republicans fought for these policies to reward hard work and ensure families keep more of what they earn. I encourage all taxpayers to look out for these major savings that will effectively put more money in their wallets. 

Closing Alarming Loopholes in the Surrogacy Industry

     Foreign adversaries are increasingly exploiting America’s largely unregulated surrogacy industry to obtain U.S. citizenship for children who are then taken abroad. This growing abuse exposes serious gaps in federal law that bad actors are eager to exploit. In recent years, commercial surrogacy arrangements involving citizens of hostile nations have expanded with little oversight or accountability. As a result, unethical brokers have been allowed to operate freely, placing profits ahead of human dignity, the rule of law, and national security. Children born on American soil are being transferred overseas almost immediately, raising concerns about trafficking and potential exploitation. These practices could impact the integrity of U.S. citizenship and raise questions about the treatment of children. Additionally, U.S. surrogate mothers may face deception and exploitation by intermediaries who encounter few consequences for their actions.

     The lack of enforceable federal standards has resulted in a regulatory gap that, if left unaddressed, could allow foreign actors to manipulate U.S. laws while obtaining the privileges of citizenship without connection to the country. It also creates potential national security concerns by enabling actors from foreign nations to abuse American legal protections. This issue is ongoing, and delays may lead to more children facing risk and possible abuse. The SAFE KIDS Act addresses this by invalidating commercial surrogacy agreements involving citizens of foreign adversary nations and targets brokers who knowingly facilitate these abusive arrangements. Importantly, it protects surrogate mothers by holding bad-faith actors accountable rather than punishing exploited women. I was proud to cosponsor the SAFE KIDS Act because it strengthens national security, defends the integrity of U.S. citizenship, and protects vulnerable women and children. It sends a clear message: America will not allow its generosity to be exploited by hostile regimes. Congress must act now before this problem worsens. 

Meeting the Needs of Rural America

     For generations, America’s farmers have fed our nation and the world. They wake up before dawn, work the land throughout every season, and keep our communities strong. Now, when they need support most, Congress is stepping up to deliver it. The Bridge the Gap for Rural Communities Act provides immediate, commonsense relief by temporarily suspending payment limits for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs for the 2025 crop year. Even more importantly, it empowers farmers to elect a 50 percent partial payment by the end of the year rather than waiting until October 2026. That flexibility provides the breathing room farmers need to plan ahead with confidence and stability. As the representative for Virginia’s top agricultural district, I’ve seen firsthand the real challenges that our farming families face. These challenges demand real solutions. For years, rising input costs and declining commodity prices have squeezed farm budgets tighter and tighter. The numbers tell the story: since 2020, seed costs have risen by 18%, fuel and oil costs have jumped by 32%, and fertilizer costs a dramatic 37% more. Labor costs have climbed 47% while interest expenses have surged by a an additional staggering 73%. At the same time, commodity prices have struggled to keep pace. USDA projections for 2025 show significant per-acre losses across major crops like soybeans, wheat, corn, rice, cotton, sorghum, and peanuts.

     Congress has responded to these challenges head-on through a package which I voted for. Republicans made important improvements to the farm safety net by strengthening both PLC and ARC. We increased reference prices across covered commodities, updated the price escalator to better reflect market conditions, and improved ARC by raising revenue guarantees and increasing maximum payments. These essential reforms will take effect in October 2026, providing the long-term stability our farmers deserve. But farmers should not have to wait until October 2026 for the help we owe them. That’s why I was proud to cosponsor the Bridge the Gap for Rural Communities Act, which provides meaningful relief right now. This legislation improves cash flow, reduces interest costs, and gives farmers and lenders the certainty they need to plan for the next growing season with confidence. It’s about ensuring that the next generation can continue the tradition of feeding America and the world. When our farmers succeed, rural communities thrive, and our rich agricultural industry can continue to flourish for generations to come.

Building Generational Wealth with Trump Accounts

     No matter a child’s ZIP code or background, every American child deserves a real opportunity for financial success. That’s why President Trump’s new Trump Accounts make that possible by investing in our kids from day one. By doing so, Republicans are laying a strong financial foundation that puts families first and sets children up to succeed. Through this new initiative, every American child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, is eligible to receive a $1,000 contribution from the U.S. Treasury to a Trump Account held in the child’s name. Parents serve as custodians until the child turns 18, and no additional contributions are required. 

     In addition to the initial contribution families may choose to invest up to $5,000 per year to maximize long-term growth. Last week, I was encouraged to see five more American employers vow to match a dollar-for-dollar contribution to these accounts. This is just one meaningful way Republicans are restoring financial hope for the next generation. To put this in perspective, with just a single $1,000 investment, it can grow to roughly $5,800 by age 18, giving a child the ability to pay for community college and more than $200,000 by age 55. I will always stand for common sense initiatives that help propel financial independence for the next generation to ensure American children can build their version of the American dream. 

Casework Highlight of the Week 

     Recently, my Roanoke district office assisted a local veteran who faced a prolonged issue with the Department of Veterans Affairs that put his daughter’s education and health care coverage at risk. The veteran had spent four months trying to resolve an error involving his daughter’s school certification date, which had not been adequately updated in the VA system despite repeated attempts on their own to no avail. As a result, her CHAMPVA coverage was temporarily terminated. This lapse in coverage created serious hurdles for her after earning a full scholarship to attend college that  required her continued participation on her school’s sports team.

     Without active health insurance, her ability to remain on the team and keep her scholarship was in jeopardy. My office advocated for this family by initiating a congressional inquiry with the VA. In fewer than 2 weeks, her school certification was corrected, CHAMPVA coverage was reinstated, and more than 10 outstanding medical claims were resolved and resubmitted for payment. I’m encouraged that my staff was able to remedy the situation. My office remains focused on cutting through red tape and ensuring that those who have served our country, and their families, receive the benefits they have earned. If you or someone you know in our local community is having issues with a federal agency, I encourage you to contact the district office nearest to you in Winchester, Harrisonburg, Staunton, or Roanoke.