Brad's Newsletter

Better late than never! It took almost six months longer than it should have, but on Friday, the House finally passed the last six of the twelve appropriation bills to fully fund the government for Fiscal Year 2024. The Senate needed until 2:00 AM Saturday to complete their part, and President Biden swiftly signed it Saturday afternoon. Mind you, the fiscal year started last October 1! 

With all the tumult in Congress last month, it’s been a while since I last wrote, so I thought I would offer some general reflections on some of my work in February, both in Washington and here at home.

First, whether you tuned in to root for the Chiefs or ‘Niners, or your thing was watching for the commercials, the Usher halftime show, or simply to see Taylor Swift, Sunday’s Super Bowl was one for the history books. Record for the largest TV audience. Record for longest Super Bowl game. Record for longest field goal (55 yards), and then another record for longest field goal again (57 yards)!

The big news this past week is that Congress again narrowly avoided—for the third time since September—a government shutdown by passing a last-minute temporary spending bill. While I am relieved we avoided an irresponsible, unnecessary, and costly shutdown, I am frustrated that House Republicans still refuse to honor the agreement then Speaker Kevin McCarthy made last June with President Biden and continue to block the House and Senate from passing the necessary legislation to fund the government for the full year.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a nice holiday and that 2024 will be a year filled with the blessings of peace, good health, and happiness. I enjoyed spending my holiday with my family and traveling around the district.

First, winter is here (at least according to the calendar, if not the thermometer). To those celebrating on Monday, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. To those who recently marked the Festival of Lights, a belated Happy Hanukkah. For all those who celebrate next week, Happy Kwanzaa. And to everyone, I wish you a Happy 2024! May the new year bring good health, peace, and surprises that are only pleasant and welcome.

Happy December. The holiday season officially kicked off last week, and I hope you and your family had a nice and plentiful Thanksgiving. Julie and I were blessed to have both sons come home for the first time in several years, which was a treat.