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Answering a Question Posed by a Constituent
Recently, a constituent who is unfamiliar with the complexities of the House Appropriations process raised a question about why I serve as chair of just one subcommittee. I thought it was important to address this with all of you:
The role of a subcommittee chair is more significant than it might initially appear. Securing funding is one of Congress's most critical responsibilities, as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
As chair of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I hold a position that is historic for Nevada. There have only been four Representatives from Nevada on the House Appropriations Committee since Nevada became a state in the 38th Congress, only two of whom were Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs, also known as Cardinals, during their tenure. I am also proud to have been one of the few Cardinals to successfully pass both of my funding bills in the House, which is quite the feat given the difficulties of passing bills in the 118th Congress.
Beyond seniority, this role carries hefty responsibility. The Homeland Security Subcommittee oversees a $64.81 billion budget, nearly 12 times the size of Nevada’s state budget. Those who hold such roles wield tremendous influence over federal government operations, which is particularly important for a state like Nevada, where 80% of its land is federally owned.
In addition to this role, I serve on two other key subcommittees: the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, and the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee. Since joining the Appropriations Committee, I have secured funding for over 96% of all Nevada infrastructure projects, thousands of language and programmatic requests, and built meaningful relationships with federal agencies that enable me to have a direct line of communication where Nevada’s needs and interests are met swiftly.
Lastly, my seat has jurisdiction over agencies like ICE, CISA, FEMA, CBP, USSS and more, all of which will play pivotal roles in executing the Trump Administration’s first 100-day agenda.
Given these factors, I can’t think of a better spot for Nevada’s lone Republican member in the federal delegation to be in, which projects a powerful voice in Washington and ensures our state’s interests are not only represented but advanced at the highest levels.
Update on White Pine County Hydropower Project
Last month, I attended a public scoping meeting in Ely hosted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a proposed pumped storage hydropower project in White Pine County.
Unfortunately, the meeting raised more questions than it answered. I will continue to work with both the local community and project proponents to ensure that if this moves forward, the review process is thorough and addresses any concerns that the residents of White Pine County may have.
Website Update - Fire Resources on my Page
I am grateful for the quick response of our fire crews who effectively controlled the Callahan Fire, which spread rapidly across Washoe County. Your safety is our top priority, and having access to helpful tools and resources can significantly enhance your ability to protect yourself and your family during times of crisis.
By clicking here, you can explore the wildfire resources section that was recently added to my website.
Nevada Day Parade
I had the privilege of joining one of Carson City’s greatest traditions — the Nevada Day Parade, a celebration that has been uniting our community since 1938 and proudly stands as the nation’s largest statehood observance.
This year’s theme “All for Our Country” reflects the passion, loyalty, and pride Nevadans have shared since our state's founding in 1864.
This parade is a great opportunity to connect with neighbors to honor the legacy and rich heritage of the Silver State. Thank you to all the volunteers and participants who had a hand in making this event possible. Happy 160th birthday, Nevada!
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