As you know, House Democrats are in charge of what pieces of legislation make it to the House floor for a vote. This week, I signed a discharge petition that, if signed by a simple majority of House Members (218), can bring H.R. 619 to the House floor – ultimately circumventing Speaker Pelosi and Democrat leadership.

I will continue to support policies in Congress that uphold the sanctity of life

Thanks to Augusta Rotary for inviting me to share a brief legislative update at this week’s meeting. It’s always a pleasure to catch up!

For nearly the last century, the MLB has enjoyed an antitrust exemption, essentially allowing it to operate as a monopoly and be shielded from competition. This week I co-introduced legislation to remove the longstanding antitrust exemption.

This week the House Education and Labor’s Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, where I serve as Lead Republican, held a hearing to discuss workers' access to behavioral and mental health care. Sadly, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns, this past year has been a very trying one for families across the country. Almost overnight, schools and workplaces closed, upending Americans’ lives, creating barriers to key mental health services, and ultimately increasing symptoms of anxiety and depression in the U.S. I want to empower America’s job creators to expand access to quality care and mental health services for workers and their families, and believe employers play a critical role in enhancing the system moving forward.

Thankfully, my colleague from New York, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, has a solution that will actually address pay discrimination and support women in the workplace. The Wage Equity Act, which I’m proud to cosponsor, protects workers’ privacy by encouraging voluntary pay analysis while bolstering women employment through the creation of a grant program for women in college or career and technical programs to provide negotiation skills education.

Also on the floor this week was H.R. 1195, a rushed, costly, top-down government mandate that prevents health care and social service workers who are at high risk of workplace violence from giving meaningful input, based on experience, on how to address this complex issue. I opposed this bill and encouraged my colleagues to address this from the bottom up by empowering healthcare workers, hospital leadership, the scientific community, and the public to have a say in the development of a new, comprehensive standard on workplace violence.

Congratulations to 2021 Masters Champion, Hideki Matsuyama – the first-ever Japanese professional golfer to win a men's major golf championship. Thank you to Chairman Ridley and members of the Augusta National for putting on a safe and memorable Masters Tournament.

Stay connected by signing up to participate in future telephone town halls! During these free calls you have the opportunity to ask me questions and answer some poll questions about issues important to you and your family. Sign up here.

Reminder that the deadline for high school students to enter the Congressional Art Competition is quickly approaching on April 26^th. For more info on rules and how to submit an entry, visit my website.