A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to vote in favor of Medicaid work requirements included in H.R. 1. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that 7.8 million individuals will no longer be eligible for Medicaid, including:
- 4.8 million able-bodied adults who choose not to work,
- 1.4 million individuals residing in the United States illegally, and
- 2.2 million individuals who do not meet the legal qualifications for Medicaid
It’s simple: illegal immigrants and the able-bodied who choose not to work should not receive taxpayer-funded benefits. You can listen to my full remarks on the matter here.
Historic Federal Tax Credit for School Choice Established in H.R. 1
H.R. 1 provides a historic win for school choice and educational freedom, establishing the first-ever school choice tax credits at the federal level. This legislation provides a tax incentive for individuals to donate to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGO) that assist families with expenses related to private school tuition, homeschooling, tutoring, and a variety of other educational programs. Taxpayers who donate up to $1,700 to an eligible SGO will receive a 100% federal tax credit for their contribution, meaning each dollar donated will result in a dollar reduction in their federal income taxes. This tax incentive is available to families earning up to 300% of their area’s median income, and states may choose to opt in or opt out of the program.
Parents know the unique needs of their children better than anyone else, and this provision will empower families of all financial backgrounds to make the best possible decisions on their education needs.
Recent Supreme Court Decisions Defend Faith, Life, and Freedom
The Court delivered a powerful message of support for religious freedom in the 6-3 decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor, restoring a parent’s authority to decide what their child learns in the classroom. As Justice Alito wrote for the conservative majority, an American’s First Amendment rights, which includes their faith, are not “shed…at the schoolhouse gates.” This case stems from the decision of a courageous group of parents in a Washington, D.C.-area public school who chose to opt their children out of books featuring content that conflicted with their religious beliefs. The Court wrote in the majority decision that public schools, like all government institutions, cannot place unconstitutional burdens on religious exercise. The parents assert the Board’s introduction of certain storybooks, combined with its decision to withhold notice and opt-outs, unconstitutionally burdens their religious exercise.
In another landmark case, the Court found that states can remove Planned Parenthood from their list of Medicaid providers. The 6-3 decision in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, ruled that states can halt taxpayer dollars from flowing to Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid provider, recognizing state authority to direct Medicaid spending in a manner consistent with their commitment to protecting life. This case marks a victory for President Trump’s agenda to return abortion policy decisions to the states and to reduce federal funding for abortion providers.
Finally, a major victory in the fight for age verification was delivered in the 6-3 decision in Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. Paxton, where the Court upheld a 2023 Texas law protecting children from explicit online content. The Texas law requires pornographic websites to verify users are 18 and older, shielding minors from viewing sexually explicit content online. This ruling is vital in the larger debate of age verification online and stands in defense of parental rights and state sovereignty.
Together, these landmark decisions reinforce the constitutional principles of religious freedom, parental rights, and state sovereignty.
Preventing Federal Surveillance of Financial Transactions During Crypto Week
Last week, I voted in support of the Anti-CBDC Act to protect American financial privacy. This legislation, of which I am a cosponsor, prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This will directly prevent federal surveillance of Americans’ financial transactions and government misuse of the digital dollar.
