Mark's Weekly Update

Holding Federal Employees Accountable

Last week, my bill the Eliminating Pornography From Agencies Act, H.R.901, advanced through the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The legislation would prohibit federal employees from accessing pornographic or explicit material on government computers and devices. While it's appalling that it requires an act of Congress to ensure that federal agencies block access to these sites, it is, in fact, necessary. 

Last year, an Inspector General report revealed that one Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employee was viewing as much as 6 hours of pornography a day in his office on his government computer. The same federal employee was found to have downloaded as many as 7,000 pornographic files onto his government computer. To date, this employee has yet to be fired and we continue to learn of similar bad actors. 

I am committed to ensuring that American taxpayer dollars are not misused by misbehaving federal employees. You can read more about H.R. 901 here.

Meeting with the Israeli Ambassador

Chairman Jason Chaffetz of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, on which I serve, hosted Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer last week to discuss the critical issues important to both our nations. I've had the pleasure of meeting with Ambassador Dermer on numerous occasions during my time in Congress. He is always happy and willing to meet with Members of Congress to discuss the important relationship between the U.S. and Israel. 

President Obama has indicated that his administration is in the final days of the nuclear negotiations with Iran. I remain gravely concerned about any agreement that fully lifts existing sanctions on the Iranian regime and allows Iran to keep any of its existing nuclear infrastructure. I will continue to make my voice heard by both the Administration and those within Congress that the U.S. must oppose any deal that doesn't fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear capability and put first the safety and security of our nation and our ally, Israel. 

(L-R) Reps. Gary Palmer, Jim Jordan, Mark Walker, Ambassador Dermer, Jason Chaffetz, and Mark Meadows

Meeting with North Carolina Students In Washington

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with Douglas Draper, MSgt, USAF (Retired) and the North Henderson High AFJROTC. I spoke to them on the steps of the U.S. Capitol about the importance of civic engagement and making your voice heard by your elected leaders. I always enjoy meeting with young people from back home and showing them around the Capitol. Thank you to Sgt. Draper for organizing the trip, it was great speaking with all of you, and I hope you enjoyed your Capitol tour!

On Tuesday, my staff and I met with Temple Baptist High School students visiting Washington, D.C. from Asheville, NC. I took the students on the House Floor to give them a firsthand look at where the legislative process takes place. Nice meeting all of you! If you are traveling to D.C. with a school group, don't hesitate to reach out to my office to arrange a tour.

Temple Baptist High School students meeting with Congressman Meadows

Voting for a Budget that Helps Get Our Fiscal House In Order

This week, I cast my vote for a Balanced Budget for a Stronger America. The budget that ultimately passed the House, with my support, will balance our nation’s books in under ten years while calling on Congress to pass a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. It would boost funding for our nation’s defense, provide reforms to make Medicare sustainable, and repeal Obamacare. We must get our fiscal house in order and address the long term drivers of our debt. The House Republican Budget is an important step in the right direction that will help put our nation on a path towards a balanced budget while also properly funding important areas of our government like the Department of Defense. You can read more about the budget here.