Dear friend,

This week, we celebrated our independence and the precious freedom we have in America. Our country is like no other, with opportunities for everyone willing to work for it. We must ensure that those opportunities exist for future generations, which is why I'm working for you in Congress. 

With summer in full swing, I've been spending more time back home in Oklahoma, and I'll be spending even more time in Oklahoma over the next couple months. If there's an event you think I should attend - call my office and let us know! 

Here are some of the highlights from my last month: 

Rep. Hern addresses the Greater Tulsa Association of Realtors

Last week, I was appointed to the Healthy Futures Task Force, a team of Republican leaders working to shape the future of healthcare policy. 

While Americans are demanding leadership on health care, the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats are allowing the Obamacare system to fail. We need smart policymaking from the government to solve this problem for millions of Americans and make healthcare affordable, accessible, and - most importantly - effective.

This isn't a committee intent on performing political theater; our work happens away from cable news and social media. I'm excited to join the Healthy Future Task Force and be a part of a solution that is going to help all Americans. 

In May, I introduced a budget to reclaim our fiscal future and put us back on the path to fiscal health. 

I led a group of my colleagues for a special hour on the House floor, talking about the importance of fiscal responsibility and putting the policies included in our budget in place at the federal level. 

Rep. Hern speaks on the House Floor

I was happy to participate in the Oklahoma Press Association's Congressional panel this month. I always appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts and represent the values of my constituents with the press. I make a concerted effort to lead with facts and focus on policy instead of politics. 

In Oklahoma, we are blessed to have several local papers and other news sources that cultivate community by focusing on our schools, small businesses, and our neighbors - things that really matter. 

I introduced two new bills to the House this month, both updated versions of bills I introduced last Congress. 

First, the Energy Poverty Prevention Act (EPPA) ensures that every American has access to reliable, affordable energy. If new legislation or policies from the White House are going to impact our most vulnerable communities, we need to know about it before we vote. 

You can read more about EPPA here.

Next, I reintroduced the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act, a bill requiring the use of dynamic scoring on new spending bills out of Congress. Dynamic scoring looks at the macro-economic impact of legislation, such as how many jobs will be created or destroyed, increases to inflation, and wage growth. These economic factors are just as important as the price tag of a bill, so we need to know this information before we vote on it. 

You can read more about the Pro-Growth Budgeting Act here.

Congressional Internships in my Tulsa and DC offices provide valuable experiences for our future leaders. 

I had an exceptional group of interns for our first session this summer, and I look forward to working with others who have a heart to serve our community and our country. College and graduate level students who would like to work with me and my staff in future semesters can apply at Hern.house.gov. 

Top: Rep. Hern with interns in his Tulsa office. Bottom: Rep. Hern with interns from the Oklahoma delegation at the United States Capitol Building

Please let me know if there's anything my office can help you with. Call us at (202) 225-2211 in DC or (918) 935-3222 in Tulsa. As always, I keep everything up-to-date at Hern.house.gov and on my Facebook page, so you always know what's happening whether I'm in our nation's capital or at work in Oklahoma.