(Rep. Mark Amodei) – I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with loved ones, conquered Black Friday, and are gearing up to enjoy the rest of the holiday season.
I know this time of year can be busy, but issues with federal agencies shouldn’t be on your list of worries, please know my staff in both Reno and Washington are always here to assist you.
While the holidays aren’t quite over, the celebrations for Nevada’s Second Congressional Christmas Tree, the Silver Belle, have officially wrapped up.
It was great to see so many familiar faces gather to celebrate this special moment and show Washington all Nevada has to offer.
It’s been a sprint to the finish line in Congress, and while there’s still work to do before the year ends, last week we successfully passed the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, ensuring our troops have what they need to keep us safe.
This week, we will take the first step toward a plan to address rising health care costs.
As you know, things in Washington can shift quickly and change at a moment’s notice.
We expect additional developments as the week unfolds, so please stay tuned for updates from me on this front.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE TRADGEDIES OVER THE WEEKEND
This past weekend was marked by devastating tragedies around the world.
America lost three of our bravest in Syria, including two U.S. soldiers and one U.S. civilian interpreter, at the hands of a lone ISIS terrorist.
The President has been clear: if even a hair on the head of an American service member is harmed, there will be serious consequences.
Closer to home, a horrific shooting at Brown University claimed the lives of two students and injured nine others, just as students were preparing to turn in final exams and return home for the holidays.
This investigation remains in its early stages, and no reliable suspect is currently in custody.
While Rhode Island is far from us here in Nevada, tragedies involving our youth always hit close to home.
In Sydney, Australia, members of the Jewish community gathered on Bondi Beach to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah when two gunmen opened fire, killing at least 15 innocent people and hospitalizing an additional 40.
Among those killed was a Holocaust survivor.
Targeted acts of violence against people of the Jewish faith have undeniably surged around the world.
We have a responsibility, as individuals, communities, and nations, to confront this hatred head on and put an end to antisemitism.
Please join me in keeping the families, friends, and communities of all the victims in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate unimaginable loss and work to honor their loved ones’ legacies.
NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT
Last week, the House passed the FY26 NDAA, a major win that restores our military’s focus to a peace through strength posture.
Building on the momentum of the Working Families Tax Cut, this bill invests in our service members with a 3.8% pay raise and ensures they have the training and equipment they need to remain ready and capable.
Through smart budget reforms, the NDAA revitalizes our defense industrial base and empowers our military to prioritize innovation in AI and cyber, so we never fall behind our adversaries.
We sent this bill to the Senate with bipartisan support because nothing is more important than ensuring our troops are supported and equipped to deter global threats made against our nation and allies abroad.
Topline:
· Codifies all or parts of 15 of President Trump’s executive orders.
· Codifies 30 legislative proposals requested by the Trump Administration.
· Restores our military’s focus on lethality, meritocracy, and accountability.
· Fundamentally reforms the Department of War acquisition process.
· Improves the quality of life for our service members with a 3.8% pay raise.
· Supports President Trump’s top priorities, including the Golden Dome, F-47 fighter aircraft, submarines, warships, and autonomous systems.
· Authorizes, funds, and creates new authorities to revitalize the defense industrial base, grow defense manufacturing jobs, and onshore our defense supply chains.
NEVADA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD QUALIFICATION TRAINING RANGE GROUNDBREAKING
The Nevada Army National Guard has officially broken ground on a new, first-of-its-kind qualification training range.
Since 2019, more than 1,000 Soldiers a year have had to travel to neighboring states just to complete their marksmanship qualifications, a process that drives up costs quickly.
Having served in the Army myself, supporting this project feels like a full-circle moment.
Nevada’s Soldiers deserve access to quality training without having to cross state lines, and Hawthorne is the right place to meet that need.
With this range, our men and women in uniform have the tools they need right here at home to stay strong, focused, and mission ready.
TOUR OF NEVADA SEISMOLOGICAL LAB ON UNR’S CAMPUS
I had the opportunity to tour the University of Nevada’s Seismological Lab and discuss how the program will benefit from the ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning System, which will allow people in Nevada to be alerted of imminent earthquakes up to minutes before the ground actually starts shaking.
I successfully got Nevada to be included in the program in House Appropriations Committee and am working to ensure this is secured in law.
CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Watching a tree, grown in the heart of Nevada’s Second Congressional District, light up the West Lawn of the Capitol stands as one of the most memorable and meaningful moments of my service in Congress.
Nevadans know the beauty of our state, and this year, for the first time since this tradition began, that beauty was shared with the nation.
We were also lucky to have Virginia City’s very own, Grady Armstrong, deliver a powerful essay just moments before lighting the Silver Belle himself.
Being part of this process and helping Nevada take its rightful place in this national tradition was truly the honor of a lifetime.
We’re looking forward to the tree’s return home so future generations can enjoy it and remember this special moment in our state’s history.
One last surprise: For the first time ever, you can experience the Capitol Christmas Tree from the comfort of your own home.
Click here to explore the Architect of the Capitol’s interactive tour!
THANK YOU!
Every year, the Capitol Christmas Tree Team goes into overdrive to pull off this national tradition. From lights to lifting to ornaments, every detail is handled by true pros.
On behalf of Nevada’s Second Congressional District, thank you for making this year one to remember for our state!
KEEP IN TOUCH
Thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most.
For additional information, please call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, or Reno office: (775) 686-5760, or visit my website at Amodei.house.gov.
To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Amodei
Member of Congress
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views.
