Floor Statements

Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of Mr. Obernolte's amendment to the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

From Navy missile systems to Air Force aircraft, the might of the American warfighter can often be traced to the testing and development that occurs in my congressional district. The last thing that the remarkable individuals at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Edwards Air Force Base need to worry about is whether the hospital doors supporting these communities remain open.

In Ridgecrest in the Indian Wells Valley, a hospital that supports China Lake and the Ridgecrest community is struggling financially.

At Edwards Air Force Base, significant growth is anticipated, but it is unclear whether the installation has the supporting healthcare system in place.

This amendment would require the Secretary of Defense to explore this critical healthcare issue for the installations within the R-2508 airspace in the Western United States and report back to Congress. This would ensure that we have the information needed so that we can best support this critical endeavor.

We need to ensure that we have a stable healthcare system so that the workforce at these legendary installations remain open to the creativity and the innovative spirit that has kept America safe for generations.

Mr. Chair, I thank Mr. Obernolte for his leadership on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

Mr. Speaker, it is my great privilege to stand before you as the Representative of the 20th District of the great State of California. I am truly honored, humbled, and grateful to be given this opportunity by the voters to serve and be a strong voice for our region.

It is truly more special to have been sworn in with my family here in the gallery. I thank my wife, Amanda, for her love and support. I thank my parents, my mother-in-law, my sister, and all of our family for always being by my side. I especially acknowledge my niece, Evie, who is celebrating her ninth birthday with us today.

I also especially thank my mentor and friend, Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He has worked tirelessly for decades on behalf of the constituents of the Central Valley of California and our Nation.

In traveling the 20th Congressional District, listening to my neighbors, constituents, and friends throughout Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties, I know that our concerns are very familiar with the concerns that all of you have heard: We must do more to find solutions and to deliver results. We need to address the border crisis, stop the rising costs of everyday essentials that are squeezing our family budgets, and work to keep our communities safe. We must strengthen our crumbling infrastructure, find long-term solutions to water and energy resources, especially out West, and create more career and educational opportunities. We must support our military installations.

I personally thank the men and women at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the Indian Wells Valley, Naval Air Station Lemoore, Edwards Air Force Base in the Antelope Valley, and the Fresno Air National Guard for their service and sacrifice defending our great Nation.

I certainly anticipate passionate discourse that is expected of us. There is certainly no shortage of challenges facing our Nation, my State of California, and my district, but this is also the moment where we together can make the most positive impact.

I was born and raised in the Central Valley, the son of a local pharmacist who moved his family to Bakersfield, California, for new opportunities, never imagining that one day he would witness his son speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives. Our region is known for its grit, its perseverance, and its generosity driven by faith, family, and patriotism. I am blessed to call it my home.

In closing, I look forward to serving and working alongside all of you to address our Nation's challenges and to ensure that the voices of the congressional district my neighbors have entrusted to me are heard every single day in these Halls of Congress.

We can tackle these challenges head-on and leave a better and stronger America for future generations.