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United Senate Republicans Push To Change Biden’s Disastrous Border Policies | Republican Leader

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11.15.23

The Biden Administration’s Border Security Failures Are Drawing Record Numbers Of Illegal Aliens From All Over The World, Leaving American Law Enforcement Overwhelmed

SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “It is impossible to ignore the crisis at our southern border that’s erupted on Washington Democrats’ watch: Back-to-back record-setting years that saw millions upon millions of illegal arrivals at the border. And historic quantities of fentanyl and other lethal drugs pouring across to decimate American communities. Let’s remember where this crisis came from. President Biden campaigned on open-borders policies. His message was so compelling that crowds literally showed up at the southern border with his campaign logo on their shirts. As one put it back then, the President had, quote, ‘promised us that everything was going to change.’” (Leader McConnell, Remarks, 11/15/2023)

  • LEADER McCONNELL: “[T]his is the Administration that canceled commonsense policies like ‘Remain in Mexico,’ shelved DHS resources meant for border wall construction, and abandoned overstretched border enforcement personnel to contend with a tidal wave of mass migration. Today, cleaning up this Administration’s mess at the southern border is matter of urgent national security. And I’m grateful to the group of Senate Republicans including Senator Lankford, Senator Graham, and Senator Cotton who have been working in good faith on substantive policy reforms to bring the crisis under control. The goal here is simple: Slow the flow; and stop the catch-and-release asylum system that’s overrunning border communities and blue cities, alike. This crisis isn’t crying out for boatloads of new taxpayer dollars. Just commonsense policy reform. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats do not appear ready to admit this reality. They’re apparently not ready to seriously address asylum abuse.” (Leader McConnell, Remarks, 11/15/2023)

Senate Republicans Are Committed To Fighting For Commonsense Border Security Reforms

SENATE REPUBLICAN WHIP JOHN THUNE (R-SD): “[T]he president’s recent supplemental funding request has not left me hopeful that the administration is suddenly going to become more effective. Potentially billions in reimbursement for blue states struggling to house illegal immigrants won’t do a single thing to solve the crisis we’re facing at the border. And while the president’s proposal does include some funding that would actually go toward security, funding alone is not enough. We need meaningful policy changes…” (Sen. Thune, Remarks, 11/01/2023)

SENATE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE CHAIR JOHN BARRASSO (R-WY): “Joe Biden and the Democrats refuse to admit that we have an urgent crisis at the southern border. They refuse to admit that the crisis and the weakness is brought upon by the fact that they have ignored or reversed rules and activities that have worked in the past to secure the border.” (Sen. Barrasso, Press Conference, 11/14/2023)

SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair: “Targeted funding must be accompanied by policy changes that ensure our borders are secure…” (Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing, 11/08/2023)

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SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM (R-SC), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member: “I reject the idea this is a global phenomenon problem. I think you’re misdiagnosing the problem. This is policy changes you all instituted that I told you wouldn’t work and we now need to fix that. Trend lines: 2020, 458,000 encounters. 2023, 2.5 million. We need to change that don’t we? That trend line.”

SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY ALEJANDRO MAYORKAS: “We most certainly do.” (Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing, 11/08/2023)

SEN. JAMES LANKFORD (R-OK): “Republicans in the Senate this past weekend released a very simple proposal to deal with what we all know are the problems. Closing the loopholes in the law that have been exploited. And yes it deals with asylum and yes it deals with withholding because those are the areas that are being exploited. … The question is, do Democrat senators see it. That’s really the issue now. Everyone else seems to see it and admit to it.” (Sen. Lankford, Remarks, 11/06/2023)

SEN. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO (R-WV): “We are trying, I think, to offer the administration, we being the Republicans here in the Senate, offering the administration substantive policy changes that will bring these numbers down.” (Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing, 11/08/2023)

SEN. KATIE BRITT (R-AL): “When we talk about this, we don’t have to manage the border as it says in one of your requests here, we actually need to secure it.” (Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing, 11/08/2023)

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Border Encounters With Illegal Aliens ‘Hit The Highest Ever Number For October’

“Migrant encounters at the southern border hit the highest ever number for October last month, with more than 240,000 people encountered…” (“Migrant Encounters At Southern Border Set New Record For October: Data,” Fox News, 11/14/2023)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS: “[C]rossings remain unusually high…” (The Associated Press, 11/14/2023)

Illegal Aliens Now Run Towards Law Enforcement, ‘Knowing That They Will Likely Be Released In A Few Days To Await Court Dates That Could Be Years Away’

“For years, migrants who crossed illegally into the United States would often run away from law enforcement, but now once reaching the US most run to authorities, according to observers. They’re eager to be processed, knowing that they will likely be released in a few days to await court dates that could be years away…. Most of the migrants entering San Diego County appear familiar with the process, as though they’ve been prepared by others who’ve successfully arrived before them. They gather at various spots on the US side and await CBP officials … [B]uses first take them just a few miles to area detention centers to be processed over a few days. They’re then transported north to transit hubs in San Diego, where county officials say the vast majority travel to other cities.” (“They Live Near San Diego. Migrants Pass Through Their Back Yards Almost Nightly,” CNN, 11/13/2023)

The Draw Of Easy Illegal Entry Into The United States Has Resulted In Huge Numbers Of Migrants Overwhelming Countries From Panama All The Way Through Mexico

“The southwestern border of the U.S. has struggled to cope with increasing numbers of migrants from South America who move quickly through the Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama before heading north. By September, 420,000 migrants, aided by Colombian smugglers, had passed through the gap in the year to date, Panamanian figures showed.” (“Caravan Of 3,000 Migrants Blocks Highway In Southern Mexico,” The Associated Press, 11/08/2023)

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THE WASHINGTON POST: ‘U.S.-Bound Migrants Are Overwhelming Mexico’ (The Washington Post, 10/20/2023)

  • “[Mexico] is struggling with a migration crisis of its own, as historic numbers of asylum seekers cross its southern border. As many as 6,000 migrants a day have lined up outside government offices in southern Mexico — some seeking refuge in this country, but many others headed for the United States. That’s up to 10 times as many as in the spring. Security forces have pulled more than 27,000 undocumented migrants off trains in the past month alone.” (“U.S.-Bound Migrants Are Overwhelming Mexico,” The Washington Post, 10/20/2023)

“Until recently, the migrants reaching the U.S. border were mostly Mexicans and Central Americans. Now there’s a global outpouring of economic and political refugees funneling through Mexico. The number of South American migrants reaching Mexico this year has surpassed the number of Central Americans for the first time since record-keeping began. Mexico went from logging fewer than 2,000 South Americans a year for most of the past decade to more than 176,000 in the first eight months of 2023. Many are traveling with families.” (“U.S.-Bound Migrants Are Overwhelming Mexico,” The Washington Post, 10/20/2023)

‘The Southern Border Has Just Become A Staging Ground For Migrants From All Parts Of The World To Come To The U.S. Most Quickly’

“‘The Southern border has just become a staging ground for migrants from all parts of the world to come to the U.S. most quickly,’ said Muzaffar Chishti, a lawyer and the director of non-partisan research group Migration Policy Institute’s New York office.” (NBC News, 11/14/2023)

“Border Patrol agents struggle communicating with many of them, instead relying on hand signals or smartphone translation apps – assuming the cell signal is strong enough. Spanish and English are no longer sufficient, as local volunteers have documented people from more than 40 countries crossing in recent months, including China, Turkey and Uzbekistan.” (“They Live Near San Diego. Migrants Pass Through Their Back Yards Almost Nightly,” CNN, 11/13/2023)

Apprehensions Of Illegal Aliens From Asia And Africa TRIPLED During The Last Fiscal Year

“Hundreds of thousands of migrants from all over the world are making their way to the Southwest border, with U.S. and Mexican authorities reporting a surge in apprehensions of people from Asia and Africa as human smuggling networks widen their reach across the globe. Arrests at the Southwest border of migrants from China, India and other distant countries, including Mauritania and Senegal, tripled to 214,000 during the fiscal year that ended in September from 70,000 in the previous fiscal year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Fewer than 19,000 migrants from Asia and Africa were apprehended in the fiscal year ended September 2021.” (“Migrants Are Flocking to the U.S. From All Over the Globe,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/04/2023)

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  • “Travelers say they exchange information and share videos of U.S.-bound routes on Tik Tok and Facebook, while smugglers offer lodging and travel agencies advertise transport services. Most Asian and African migrants make multiple airport stopovers in what are coming to be known as ‘donkey flights’ to reach countries such as Brazil, Ecuador or Nicaragua, which have few or no visa requirements for some nationalities. Once they set foot in Latin America, they move north in buses or cars and stay at hotels booked by smuggling organizations. Many wear bracelets similar to those of an all-inclusive resort, with inscriptions that identify the organization that coordinated and charged them for the trip, Mexican authorities say.” (“Migrants Are Flocking to the U.S. From All Over the Globe,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/04/2023)

“For the second year in a row, arrests by the Border Patrol at the U.S. Southern border surpassed two million. Most of them, almost nine out of 10 apprehensions, are of migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean. But the surge in so-called extracontinental migrants poses a challenge for the U.S. because deporting migrants to Africa and Asia is time-consuming, expensive and sometimes not possible.” (“Migrants Are Flocking to the U.S. From All Over the Globe,” The Wall Street Journal, 11/04/2023)

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SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

Related Issues:

Immigration,

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Atlanta, GA

Rise Up Tonight | Week 17

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Rise Up Tonight | Week 17


FOX 5 Rise Up Tonight gives you the latest Falcons team news, updates, and in-depth breakdowns with host Kelly Price and Atlanta Falcons beat reporter Tori McElhaney. Follow along as the Falcons hope to close out preseason with a bang at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. New episodes Thursday nights at midnight. Presented by AT&T.



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Augusta, GA

Eagles QB Kenny Pickett expects to be ‘ready to go’ vs. Cowboys

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Eagles QB Kenny Pickett expects to be ‘ready to go’ vs. Cowboys




















Eagles QB Kenny Pickett expects to be ‘ready to go’ vs. Cowboys | Nfl | wfxg.com

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Washington, D.C

Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D.: December updates from Eastern North Carolina and Washington, D.C. — Neuse News

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Rep. Greg Murphy, M.D.: December updates from Eastern North Carolina and Washington, D.C. — Neuse News


Merry Christmas, Eastern North Carolina! As we spend these next few weeks setting up decorations and shopping for last minute presents, I hope you are able to spend this time with family, friends, and loved ones. This season of giving also provides many opportunities for folks to extend a helping hand to those in need. With so many wonderful organizations like Toys for Tots and blood donation drives making a difference in our community, I encourage you to take a moment amidst all the festivities to join in and spread the Christmas spirit. 

As we approach the end of the 119th Congress, I have stayed busy these past two weeks in Washington, hosting my 4th Annual Campus Free Speech Roundtable, working to pass meaningful legislation that strengthens our national security and improves the quality of life of our service members, as well as meeting with local stakeholders on issues important to our district. During my time back home this weekend, I had the honor of participating in the Wreaths Across America (WAA) Ceremony at the New Bern National Cemetery. WAA honors those who have served our country and have passed away by laying a wreath on their tombstone that will stay there until the second week in January. Their motto is “Remember, Honor and Teach.” 

I will continue fighting for the values of North Carolina’s Third Congressional District. If you wish to stay more engaged and aware of what is happening in Washington and our District, please follow me on my socials linked above or here: Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts in Western North Carolina

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Three months ago, Hurricane Helene made landfall in our mountain communities, disrupting the livelihoods of families and leaving neighborhoods unrecognizable. In October, I had the opportunity to visit Western North Carolina to hear from local leaders and emergency personnel on the ongoing recovery efforts. Since then, I have remained dedicated to the recovery process and consistently communicate with federal, state, and local authorities, making it a priority in Washington to ensure our neighbors receive the federal assistance they need.  

This holiday season, we have seen Eastern North Carolina step up for those suffering in remarkable ways. We understand how challenging hurricane recovery can be, so it has been heartwarming to see countless volunteers travel west to help. Just this weekend, Greenville’s Capital Electric employees spent their Friday assembling care packages, so families in Western North Carolina can enjoy the Christmas season. The stories emerging from this difficult time reflect our tireless commitment to supporting those affected. 

FEMA, NC Emergency Management, and the NC Department of Transportation continue to assist folks on the ground. The State Emergency Response Team in Raleigh, the Joint Field Office in Hickory, and the Joint Field Branch Offices in Asheville, Wilkesboro, and Charlotte also continue to support those affected. Multi-agency Shelter Transition Teams are actively working in affected counties to assist those displaced, and nonprofits and volunteer groups have been essential in supporting survivors and feeding individuals in need. 

Access is steadily being restored to state-maintained roads, and power is being restored in affected areas. As the state rebuilds transportation routes, damage sites, bridges, and culverts are being addressed in the process. Hundreds of dump trucks, backhoes, and other heavy equipment are actively assisting with debris cleanup. Additionally, disaster recovery shelters remain open for affected residents with numerous federal assistance services available as well.  

In Washington, I remain dedicated to ensuring Western North Carolina receives the support it needs, so they can rebuild and heal in dignity. Our communities need this assistance now, not later. I am committed to supporting the necessary funding needed to repair and rebuild and will continue to keep you updated.

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House GOP Discussion with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy 

I attended an excellent discussion with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to hear about their vision for DOGE to improve government efficiency and reduce costs.

Click here to hear my thoughts or on the video below. 

Urging Congress to Take Action Against Pharmacy Benefit Managers

American patients and local pharmacies are paying the price because of the extortion and greed of insurance companies through pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs). As a physician of over 30 years, there have been countless times I have gotten calls back from patients, who I prescribed life-saving medicine to, saying their insurance does not cover it and it is too expensive. A prescription for long-term disease can give a life back, yet patients’ lives are being ruined because insurance companies want an extra dollar.

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Our rural communities are being affected the worst by current PBM practices. Far too many pharmacies are closing because of rising drug costs and PBM’s interference with supply chains.

I will not let up my fight for policies that put patients first so they can get the help they need at an affordable price.

Read the press release here.

Hosting 4th Annual Campus Free Speech Roundtable

It was an honor to host a successful 4th Annual Campus Free Speech Roundtable! This year’s event brought together lawmakers, stakeholders, and students to discuss challenges to free expression on college campuses and solutions to support the First Amendment.

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Congress plays a role in shaping higher education and must be attentive to the rapidly changing dynamics on campuses across the country. Free speech at American colleges and universities is critical to cultivating tolerant learning environments and well-rounded individuals.

I greatly appreciate everyone who attended, including my colleagues, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx and Congressman Burgess Owens, and our collective efforts to protect free expression at institutions of higher education.

If you missed the event, click here to watch!

Read the press release here.

Meeting with North Carolina Community Health Center Association on Affordable Healthcare 

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Thank you to the North Carolina Community Health Center Association for stopping by my office. In our meeting, we discussed ways Congress can support our health centers and their patients.

The association supports services at over 500 clinical health center sites in 88 counties across the state. Many of the patients the organization serves are in medically underserved communities, and a number of them were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Affordable health coverage is crucial in supporting disaster recovery, especially in our state.

Statement on the Passage of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act

I am pleased that Congress has passed a National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that empowers our military to safeguard the United States and takes care of our troops. This package robustly funds and modernizes our armed forces to prepare us against threats abroad, improves the quality of life for service members and their families, and refocuses the Pentagon’s mission on our national security and away from political distractions.

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It is an honor to represent some of our nation’s greatest warfighters at Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River. North Carolina’s 3rd District will benefit greatly from the $208 million in funding secured for military construction projects on our bases and $50 million in Impact Aid that will help our military community

Read the press release here and watch me speak on the floor in support of the bill here.

Fighting for the Improvement of Our Service Members’ Living Conditions

I am proud to join Congressman Joe Courtney in advocating for the bipartisan Healthy at Home on Base Act, which will improve the living conditions for our service members. Specifically, the bill will tackle the unacceptable mold problem in military housing.

This bill provides a much-needed solution to the hazardous conditions reported in a 2023 Army inspection, which identified mold in over 2,000 facilities. The U.S. Government Accountability Office also reported that service members from twelve groups indicated mold as a concern in the barracks. One individual even had to visit the emergency room three times for respiratory issues caused by the mold.

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Our service members sacrifice so much for our safety and we must ensure our enlisted troops receive the support they require during service.

 

Meeting with UNC School of Civic Life and Leadership’s Dean Atkins

It was a pleasure to meet with UNC’s Dean of the School of Civic Life and Leadership, Jed Atkins, to discuss his vision for the school’s future. Free speech has been under attack, especially on college campuses, for many years now. Some college presidents, university chancellors, and faculty have abused their positions of authority to make students afraid to speak freely, especially if they are conservative. Dr. Atkins and I spoke about the school’s work, its alignment with national priorities on civic education, and how SCiLL’s approach prepares students for meaningful engagement in public life.

Congratulations Dean Atkins! I look forward to seeing the success you achieve.

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In the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, we held a hearing with VA leadership, to investigate the VA’s reported budget shortfalls. This year, the VA requested and received $2.88 billion from Congress to address a claimed benefits funding shortfall, only to later disclose that the funds were unnecessary and unspent. Additionally, the VA initially requested $12 billion to address a healthcare budget shortfall expected for fiscal year 2025, but subsequently reduced that request to $6.6 billion.

The VA’s budgetary mismanagement and their leadership’s lack of transparency regarding funding are completely unacceptable. As a representative of over 76,000 veterans, I share the frustrations of many in my district regarding the VA’s management.

I questioned the panelists, specifically Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Shereef Elnahal, about the VA’s inaccurate funding predictions and recommended a comprehensive forensic audit by an outside accounting agency to ensure proper financial management. We need an outside agency to come in and see what is happening with all the resources given to the VA.

Veterans receiving the benefits and care they deserve is contingent on a competent department and until the VA’s financial practices are fully addressed, I will continue to demand accountability.

Meeting with Duke Energy on Expanding American Nuclear Energy

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Last week, I met with Duke Energy CEO, Lynn Good, to discuss the importance of American nuclear expansion. The United States must become a leader in nuclear energy production to power our future. We are facing a huge increase in energy needs in the future, especially with the demands for energy that Artificial Intelligence requires. I am a big proponent of nuclear energy. It is safe, clean and reliable.

Meeting with Monolith CEO on the Company’s Recent Innovations 

It was great meeting with Monolith CEO, Rob Hanson, and learning about recent developments in sustainable manufacturing. Specifically, their cutting-edge process called methane pyrolysis, which harnesses renewable electricity to create cleaner carbon products.

As a leader in sustainable energy solutions, Monolith’s commitment to developing clean hydrogen technology and promoting American energy independence is crucial for the future of manufacturing.

It was a pleasure hearing about the strides Monolith is achieving in manufacturing innovation.

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Meeting with General Motors to Discuss the Challenges Facing the Automobile Industry

Last week, I met with General Motors to discuss the economic environment of our automobile industry.

Based in Detroit, Michigan, GM is a significant player in transportation, employing over 165,000 people across six continents. The company is well-known for owning and manufacturing Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac.

As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, the tax writing committee in Congress, I am committed to ensuring our tax code benefits all U.S. industry, so the industries can flourish and compete on a level playing field with foreign competitors.

Meeting with Ascension Health on Medicare Reform

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I enjoyed meeting with Ascension Health to discuss the environment of our healthcare system, particularly the significant reductions in physician reimbursement.

The Medicare system needs substantial reform. Physician reimbursement has been cut, inflation adjusted, close to 30% over the last 20 years, driving doctors to retire early or be acquired by hospitals, insurance companies, or private equity. As someone who ran a surgical practice for many years, it became increasingly impossible to keep the practice solvent. I will continue advocating for our physicians and access to high-quality affordable care for patients.

 Meeting with Biogen Inc. on the Importance of Affordable Medicine 

It was a pleasure meeting with Biogen Inc. to discuss the impact their innovative therapies and medications are making in the lives of patients struggling with critical diseases.

Americans deserve access to life-saving innovations at an affordable price.

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Meeting with Paragon Health Institute on the Need for Medicare Advantage Reform

It was wonderful to meet with Paragon Health Institute President, Brian Blase, to discuss the urgent need for policies that reform Medicare Advantage.

Originally intended to reduce costs and enhance care for beneficiaries, the Medicare Advantage program has evolved into a system that primarily benefits insurance companies and denies access to quality care. It is my top priority to ensure patients are put first. Several Medicare Advantage plans upcode claims and bilk the Medicare system out of hundreds of billions of dollars. We cannot keep allowing this nonsense to occur.

Meeting with DG Fuels CEO to Discuss Potential Production Facility in NC

It was great meeting with the CEO of DG Fuels, Michael Darcy, to discuss North Carolina’s role in sustainable aviation and the growth potential a new production facility could offer to the state’s economy.

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We discussed the importance of U.S. investment in domestic fuel sources and the economic impact that expanding biofuels could bring to our rural communities.

Meeting with Lt. Gen. David Tabor on F-15s at Seymour Johnson

U.S. Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Lieutenant General David Tabor, stopped by my office to provide an update on the F-15 aircraft training at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

This week, the House voted on the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes a provision that fully prohibits the Air Force from divesting the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft at the base. I proudly voted YES on the bill so that America can stay the strongest military force in the world.

The F-15 is essential for national security, and I will continue fighting for their presence at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. I appreciate Lt. Gen. Tabor’s assistance in ensuring the aircraft are here to stay.

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