Opinion Pieces by Rob

With just two legislative weeks left before Congress adjourns for August recess, the U.S. House of Representatives has only passed four of the 12 government funding bills that must be completed before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30. And the Senate has yet to pass a single government funding bill for the upcoming fiscal year. When members of Congress return on Sept. 9, we will only have three legislative weeks to pass the remaining eight funding bills.

Virginia's 1st District encompasses some of the most unique transportation challenges in the country. From congested highways to strained commuter rail systems and deteriorating roads and bridges to sediment-filled waterways, our infrastructure faces significant hurdles. This is particularly evident in Virginia's Northern Neck and the Middle Peninsula, where residents depend heavily on a robust network of roads, bridges, rivers, and channels for transportation integral to our local economies.

Driven by decades of technological advancements that have drastically altered the trajectory of education and workforce development systems, Virginia stands at the forefront of the shift toward science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The commonwealth is prepared to propel American innovation to new heights through a world-class education system and innovative industries.

I was horrified to learn of the terrorist invasion of Israel earlier this month. Like so many of you, I am heartbroken by the unspeakable violence against Israeli civilians at the hands of Hamas. We have witnessed gut-wrenching images of this terrorist group's brutality that has left families torn, babies parentless and innocent civilians missing.

The U.S. Army must move faster to deter near-term threats. Although the Army has a strategy to modernize the force by 2030, that is just seven years away and potentially four years too late if the Chinese Communist Party attempts to retake Taiwan by force by 2027, as our military commanders suggest.

To effectively deter Chinese President Xi Jinping, the U.S. Army must develop a clear and coherent strategy to fill the gap between now and 2030.

In recent years, the United States has witnessed a shift in global trade dynamics and supply chain vulnerabilities. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the risks of relying heavily on foreign suppliers for critical goods and materials. It is now more crucial than ever that we prioritize domestic manufacturing and strengthen our supply chains to ensure our nation's economic and national security.

As the United States grapples with the challenges of energy production, economic growth, and national security, the time has come to unleash the true potential of nuclear energy. Increased zero-carbon emission nuclear power is necessary for an "all of the above" domestic energy solution to the 21st century's environmental and energy challenges.

Virginia, a longtime leader in nuclear technology, is poised to lead this renaissance of safe, reliable nuclear power.

Since the beginning of the 118th Congress, House Republicans have made great strides in reducing government spending, addressing the crisis at the southern border, rolling back burdensome regulations, and supporting domestic energy production. Although we have made significant progress in addressing these critical issues, there is still much work to be done.