Hern, Kevin RSS Articles

Hern Releases Statement Following the Elimination of Ayatollah Khamenei

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 23:37:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement after confirmation that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, was eliminated by American and Israeli forces:

"Ayatollah Khamenei led a regime committed to the destruction of the United States and was responsible for the death of thousands, including hundreds of Americans, and the oppression of anyone opposed to his evil dictatorship. His death marks a historic occasion and delivers justice for his aggression against the free world and the Iranian people over many decades. I am praying for the continued safety and success of our brave U.S. military personnel as they continue this daring mission."

###

Hern Statement on U.S. Strikes on Iran

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 17:23:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement on the U.S. strikes carried out on Iran:

"As the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism, the Iranian regime is an active threat to the United States, our allies, and stability across the Middle East. Iran’s refusal to accept a deal left President Trump with no choice other than to take decisive action to ensure the regime never possesses a nuclear weapon. There is no peace without strength, and the United States will not sit by while this regime pursues their nuclear ambitions, fuels their terrorist proxies, and brutalizes the Iranian people.

"I’m praying for our brave troops in the region. May God bless them, and may God bless the United States."

###

Hern Statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Hern released the following statement after President Trump’s State of the Union address:

“Tonight, President Trump reaffirmed that when we put America first, America wins. At an unprecedented pace, he’s reversed the damage caused by four years of reckless Biden-era policies that sent our nation down the wrong path. Families are now seeing historic tax relief, lower inflation, a secure border, and peace around the world – this is only the beginning. I’m proud to stand alongside President Trump as we continue our work to lower costs, put more money in Americans’ pockets, and strengthen the American Dream for families across the country.”

###

Hern Votes to Restore Election Integrity

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) voted today in support of the SAVE America Act, which protects the voice of every lawful American voter by requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID when voting in federal elections, and ordering states to remove noncitizens from their lists of eligible voters.

“Only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections,” said Rep. Hern. “By closing loopholes and reinforcing accountability, we help ensure Americans' voices are accurately represented when they cast their ballots. The overwhelming majority of Americans support requiring ID to vote, and I’m proud to have cosponsored and helped pass this commonsense legislation out of the House so we can begin restoring trust in our elections.”

The SAVE America Act permits various forms of documentation to confirm citizenship when registering to vote, as well as various forms of photo identification when voting. There are also provisions to account for name changes and mismatches between different forms of identification.

Read the full bill here.

###

Hern Announces U.S. Service Academy Nominees for Class of 2030

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

TULSA, O.K. – Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) announced the names of outstanding students from Oklahoma’s First Congressional District who received nominations to the United States Service Academies for the Class of 2030.

“These young men and women represent the very best of Oklahoma,” said Rep. Hern. “They have demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and a commitment to service. Earning a nomination to one of our nation’s service academies is a tremendous honor, and I am confident they will serve our country with distinction.”

“I congratulate each of these students and their families on this incredible achievement,” Rep. Hern added. “Their willingness to pursue a path of service speaks volumes about their character and dedication to our nation.”

Each year, Members of Congress are authorized to nominate a limited number of students to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Final appointment decisions are made by the academies.

The following students from Oklahoma’s First District have been nominated by Rep. Hern:

Benjymin Barrett – Adair High School

• U.S. Air Force Academy

Austin Bitting – Holland Hall

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point

• U.S. Naval Academy

Jake Brown – Rejoice Christian School

• U.S. Naval Academy

Yeunwoo Chang – Union High School

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Tyler Christensen – Berryhill High School

• U.S. Air Force Academy

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point

• U.S. Naval Academy

Jeffrey Emmons – Jenks High School

• U.S. Naval Academy

Logan Flowers – Broken Arrow High School

• U.S. Air Force Academy

Abby Gourd – Porter High School

• U.S. Air Force Academy

• U.S. Naval Academy

Owen Govier – Bishop Kelley High School

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point

• U.S. Naval Academy

Leonidas Holmsley – University of Central Oklahoma

• U.S. Air Force Academy

Aiden Hoskin – Jenks High School

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point

• U.S. Naval Academy

Allyson Houck – Tulsa Community College

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point

Kaleb Langston – Charles Page High School

• U.S. Naval Academy

Grayson McClurg – Coweta High School

• U.S. Naval Academy

Kim Deih Piang – Tulsa Community College

• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Charles Ribaudo – Metro Christian Academy

• U.S. Air Force Academy

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point

• U.S. Naval Academy

Abril Sanchez – USAF Preparatory School

• U.S. Air Force Academy

Tanner Thach – Bishop Kelley High School

• U.S. Air Force Academy

• U.S. Naval Academy

Connor Veldstra – Victory Christian School

• U.S. Air Force Academy

• U.S. Naval Academy

Jeffry Williams – Union High School

• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Luke Wimberley – Owasso High School

• U.S. Military Academy at West Point

###

Protecting our kids from foreign influence in the classroom

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

When parents send their children to school, they expect classrooms that encourage critical thinking, open dialogue, and learning without political influence. But these principles are threatened when foreign governments like the Chinese Communist Party set themselves up in our education system. This is why I introduced the Promoting Responsible Oversight To Eliminate Communist Teachings (PROTECT) Our Kids Act.

The PROTECT Our Kids Act prohibits federal dollars from going to any elementary or secondary school that receives direct or indirect support, whether funding or operational support, from the CCP. The influence of the CCP in the American education system is often found in the form of “Confucius Classrooms” — programs that are backed by the Chinese government and implemented directly inside our children’s schools. This allows the CCP to staff classrooms, provide curriculum, and require teachers to sign contracts ensuring they do not damage the national interest of China.

The goals of the CCP’s Confucius Classrooms are not to simply teach children Chinese history and Mandarin — these classrooms are a part of a larger global strategy known as the Belt and Road Initiative. The BRI has been used by the CCP to spread its malign influence for over a decade with one goal in mind: increasing the CCP’s economic and political dominance over the U.S. and the rest of the free world.

The issue of CCP influence in our education system may seem alarmist, but the CCP has spent over a decade embedding itself in our elementary and secondary schools with the establishment of Confucius Classrooms and Confucius Institutes at our colleges and universities. Thankfully, Congress has taken critical steps over the years to mitigate CCP propaganda at the postsecondary level, but the CCP has since turned their attention to our K-12 schools where our children are the most susceptible.

This legislation is only concerned with educational programs that are funded and supported by the CCP — it does not prevent schools from teaching students Chinese culture and language independently. Exposure to different languages and cultures helps students succeed in an increasingly interconnected world, and this bill does not limit that learning in any way.

What does the PROTECT Our Kids Act do then? It prevents the CCP from using cultural education as a façade to push propaganda sponsored by one of our greatest adversaries that has documented human rights violations and an authoritarian agenda that is the antithesis to the democratic principles our country was founded on. These values should never be promoted in a U.S. classroom.

For schools actively hosting a CCP-funded Confucius Classroom, they have a full year to come into compliance before losing federal funding. This timeline provides flexibility while making clear that CCP influence in our schools is unacceptable.

Our classrooms should be environments that foster learning and growth while preparing today’s students to be our future leaders. Oklahoma families deserve confidence that when they send their children to school, they’re taught material that reflects American values, not the values of adversarial, foreign nations that stand against everything that makes our country great.

Protecting our children from foreign influence should not be a partisan issue, and it is encouraging that members from both sides of the aisle joined together to pass the PROTECT Our Kids Act out of the House.

I look forward to the further advancement of my legislation so we can ensure classrooms remain places of education – not indoctrination.

Congressman Kevin Hern represents Oklahoma’s First Congressional District, serving as chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and a member on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Read the full piece here.

Hern Statement on ACA Subsidies Extension Bill

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) released the following statement on his vote against House Democrats’ unaffordable healthcare proposal.

“We need to lower healthcare costs for all Americans, not just a few. This bill spends billions in taxpayer dollars on a COVID-era bailout for insurance companies, and recommitting three more years to a failed program won’t lower costs or expand care access for families. Instead, my Democrat colleagues should work with Republicans to advance real, long-term solutions to make healthcare more affordable for everyone, whether they’re on the exchange or an employer-sponsored plan. It’s time to put patients back in the driver's seat so they can choose the plan that works best for them.”

In December, the House passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All American Act, which improves coverage options, expands patient choice, increases transparency and competition in the healthcare system, and lowers costs for all Americans. Included in the bill was Rep. Hern’s Choice Arrangement Act. The Choice Arrangement Act helps small businesses offer healthcare options through tax-advantaged funds, strengthening employer-based coverage and empowering Americans to be in control of their healthcare decisions.

###

Hern Commends Longtime District Director, Announces Staff Changes

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) announced changes to his D.C. and District staffs for the second session of the 119th Congress.

Robert Aery will transition to the role of Senior Advisor and Counsel as he explores part-time professional opportunities outside the office. Aery joined Rep. Hern’s staff in 2018 as District Director and later as Deputy Chief of Staff in 2020.

“Robert has been an essential part of our team, serving the people of Oklahoma’s First District with unwavering commitment and integrity,” said Rep. Hern. “His contributions have been integral to our team’s success over the past seven years. I’m grateful for his leadership and incredibly proud as he moves into this next phase of his career.”

Jefferson Willis – Deputy Chief of Staff

Willis has been on Rep. Hern’s legislative team since 2021, serving as Legislative Director since 2023 and covering the tax portfolio.

Madison Johnston – District Director

Johnston has been on Rep. Hern’s district team since 2022, starting as Field Representative and most recently as the Constituent Services and Outreach Director.

Meg Maykoski – Senior Legislative Assistant

Maykoski joined Rep. Hern’s team in 2023, serving as Legislative Assistant and covering the healthcare portfolio.

Chase Gurey – Legislative Aide

Gurey joined Rep. Hern’s team as Staff Assistant in 2023 and then as Legislative Correspondent.

###

Democrats have no policy, GOP lawmaker says

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., discusses growing concerns over a possible shutdown come January on 'Kudlow.'

(watch)

Hern Votes to Increase Healthcare Options, Lower Costs

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kevin Hern (OK-01) voted to pass the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, legislation that improves coverage options, expands patient choice, increases transparency and competition in the healthcare system, and lowers costs for all Americans.

The package includes Rep. Hern’s Choice Arrangement Act, which makes it easier for employers to offer healthcare coverage through tax-advantaged funds and provides more options for Americans to choose a healthcare plan that works best for them.

“Healthcare has become unaffordable for everyone,” said Rep. Hern. “All Americans – whether they’re on the exchange, an employer-sponsored plan, Medicare, or Medicaid – deserve better choices and lower premiums. This bill is a crucial step toward lowering prices, increasing transparency, and putting individuals in the driver’s seat when selecting their healthcare plan. These are real solutions to the skyrocketing costs driven by the Unaffordable Care Act that have left too many Americans behind.

“I’m proud that my Choice Arrangement Act was included in this package. By helping small businesses offer healthcare options, we strengthen employer-based coverage, increase access to plans, and empower Americans to be in control of their healthcare decisions.”

Prior to the bill’s passage, Rep. Hern spoke on the House Floor in support of the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act. Click here to watch.

###