Introducing Legislation: H.R.7862, National Flood Insurance Program Clarification Act of 2026

I introduced H.R 7862, National Flood Insurance Program Clarification Act of 2026, legislation designed to restore the program’s core mission of protecting human life and property from flood risk.

The bill clarifies that the Endangered Species Act (ESA) cannot be applied through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This is critical because the ESA has increasingly been used to impose land-use restrictions through a program that was never intended for that purpose.

Communities that rely on flood insurance deserve clear, workable rules. Too often, decisions with lasting impacts on housing, development, and local economies are driven by regulatory interpretations that create uncertainty for homeowners, builders, and local governments. My legislation restores certainty by ensuring flood insurance is not used as a vehicle for sweeping federal land-use mandates.

Flood insurance exists to protect people and property, not to dictate local zoning decisions. This bill ensures that floodplain management under the NFIP remains focused on safety and risk reduction, while allowing communities to responsibly plan, build, and grow.

Introduction of Legislation: “Bonneville Power Leadership Recruitment Act”

I just introduced the “Bonneville Power Leadership Recruitment Act”, legislation intended to modernize compensation for the Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). If enacted, this bill would allow the Secretary of Energy to set the Administrator’s salary to make it competitive with compensation paid to executives of similar businesses. The salary currently being paid is far, far, lower than that which is being paid for similar positions in the electrical utility business. I have spoken with representatives from the White House about my bill several times and the Administration is enthusiastically supportive of the bill. A competitive salary is also seen as essential by the Secretary of Energy (I asked him about this in a hearing just last week) because it is needed if the Department of Energy is to attract a pool of highly qualified applicants for the job of Administrator.

The Northwest is already facing a growing energy shortfall. Demand is rising, transmission systems are aging, demands on our “baseload power” (firm, not intermittent power) continue to increase, and what you pay for energy continues to skyrocket. There are no simple solutions.  We need billions in increased investment in both generation and in transmission, and we need to make sure that the “hyperscalers” (data farms) pay their way while, in addition, help pay for improvements to the grid and generation system that benefit every user.

If we want serious, experienced, qualified leadership, able to lead almost 3000 employees at the BPA, able to negotiate billion dollar deals, able to convince Congress to increase borrowing authority, able to juggle market demands, and able to fight off federal judges intent on taking out our dams, compensation must reflect the scale of the job. My bill makes the position more competitive so we can attract candidates with the level of experience this role demands.

The legislation comes as utilities across the Pacific Northwest warn of increasing strain on the region’s power supply driven by population growth, electrification, and rising demand from energy-intensive industries. The bill is designed to improve the Secretaries’ ability to find experienced leadership capable of maintaining reliable electrical service for the region and its people.

Read my full press release, here.

Securing $80 Million for Kingsley Field F-35 Training Center in Presidents Budget

Kingsley Field Air National Guard Base, located just east of Klamath Falls, has operated as a military base since 1942. Its primary mission is to train air-to-air combat pilots, formerly using the F-15C and now transitioning to the F-35.  It is  integral to our nation’s air defense. The inclusion, in the President’s budget, of $80 million dollars for construction of facilities needed to house the F-35 full mission simulators, is based on the importance to our nation of Kingsley Field.  This investment also recognizes that Kingsley’s flight instructors and Kingsley’s location, in the wide open area of Oregon, are needed to train our fighter pilots further reflecting our nation’s commitment to maintaining the highest level of national security. Kingsley Field is central to this mission and will continue to play a critical role in fully training and preparing those who will face the risks of war.

The inclusion of this investment in the President’s budget indicates that Kingsley Field remains a critical site for pilot training and an essential part of the nation’s air defense mission.

Tax Day: Working Families Tax Cuts 

Tax Day has passed and many Oregon taxpayers have already received refunds, thanks in part to the Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC) passed by Republicans last summer, which, as compared to what would have happened if the 2017 tax cuts had not been extended by that bill, puts money back in the pockets of hardworking Oregonians. For many workers, families, seniors, farmers, and small businesses, that relief shows up directly at tax time.

• A permanently doubled standard deduction, used by roughly 90 percent of taxpayers, making filing quicker and simpler.
• Lower tax rates and brackets were made permanent, preventing, had we allowed the 2017 tax cuts to expire, what would have been the largest tax increase in American history.
• An expanded Child Tax Credit of 2200 per child.
• No federal tax on up to 25,000 in tips and no federal tax on up to 12,500 in overtime pay.
• A 6000 dollar deduction for seniors on Social Security, with income of less than 75,000 (a phase out of this deduction begins at that level of income) with 88 percent of seniors age 65 and older expected to owe nothing on their Social Security income.
• Enhanced deductions and bonus depreciation for small businesses.
• An estate tax exemption was raised to $15 million per individual to protect family farms from the Death Tax.
• Trump Accounts, giving every child born between 2025 and 2028 a $1,000 federal deposit that builds a savings nest egg over time for each young life.
• To learn more, click HERE.

Committee Work: Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy

As a Member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I participated in a discussion just a few days ago regarding the FY27 Department of Energy budget with Secretary of Energy Wright.

During this hearing I discussed the opportunity to select a strong leader to lead the Bonneville Power Administration as well the need to ensure competitive compensation for the BPA Administrator. I also raised the importance of advancing biomass energy, including converting the overgrowth forest into fuel, similar to converting corn into ethanol.

Talking Civics with Arlington District School

On Wednesday, I had visitors from Arlington District School in Gilliam County, where I met with Mr. Foster's students. Talking with students from Oregon is one of the more positive things that I get to do in D.C., especially when the topic is how our government works.

These students came prepared. They shared what they thought of cell phones in classes, the impact of AI, places they had visited during their days in D.C., their favorite monument (Lincoln) and current issues before Congress. Their curiosity, civil behavior, and candor reminded me of the importance and value of educated, thoughtful, young people. I left the meeting much more optimistic about the future.

Votes and Legislation 

H. Con. Res. 40 - Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran

Voted NO. This resolution, which had it passed, would have directed the President of the United States to remove United States Armed Forces from any hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran other than elements of the Armed Forces that may be necessary to defend the U.S., or an ally or a partner of the U.S. from imminent attack. This resolution was brought under a provision of the The War Power Resolution Act of 1973.  As an aside, this act provides the President 60 days to engage in military conflict, and then 30 days to safely withdraw.  As of right now, we are on day 47 of the 60 days.

I voted NO because: I support the President’s decision to initiate military force to destroy Iran’s nuclear capabilities, its ballistic missiles and missile manufacturing capacity, and its funding of proxy terrorist organizations. The military and negotiation process initiated to achieve these goals is not yet complete.

H.R. 1011 – Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025

Voted YES. This bill revises the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) to expand eligibility for payments to agricultural producers and owners of forest land impacted by natural disasters. The bill also provides additional options to receive an advance on cost-sharing payments before carrying out emergency measures. The bill expands advanced ECP payments to include payments for the rehabilitation of farmland or to repair or replace a farmland or conservation structure. Producers may receive an advance on cost-sharing payments for 75% of the cost of the replacement or rehabilitation and 50% of the cost of the repair. Current law limits advanced cost-sharing payments to 25% of the cost of the repair or replacement of fencing.

Meeting with Sierra Pacific Industries

It was great to meet with Mark and Catherine Emmerson and to discuss issues of importance to their company, Sierra Pacific Industries.  Mark, as CEO of Sierra Pacific (and as a CPA) and his wife, Catherine, as an attorney and previous appointee to the EPA, bring a wealth of knowledge to any conversation regarding forestry and wildfire. We discussed wildfire prevention and the work SPI is doing in Southern Oregon and Northern California constructing fuel breaks on Forest Service and private land.

Deschutes Basin Board of Control 

I met with the Deschutes Basin Board of Control last week. We discussed the importance of water management, the HCP (Habitat Conservation Plan), attempts by environmental groups to ignore and supplant water rights, and the investment of millions of dollars in the piping of the Deschutes Basin’s irrigation systems. We also reviewed how federal investments in the basin have resulted in infrastructure that conserves water and helps species recover. The Deschutes Basin remains a trailblazer, demonstrating how smart investments can secure a stable water supply for growing communities while supporting native ecosystems.