When I was elected alongside President Trump in 2024, we made a promise to put the federal government back to work for the American people, preserve the vital programs that many Americans rely upon, and usher in a new American golden age. I’m pleased to report that Congressional Republicans are doing exactly that by passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law by President Trump on the Fourth of July.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers on many of the promises made by President Trump and myself during the last election. Among the many provisions in this bill, House Republicans and President Trump delivered historic border security measures by making the largest investment ever to secure our borders and give ICE the resources it needs to continue removing illegal immigrants from our country.
The bill allocates more than $46 billion to construct and finish the border wall, including 701 miles of primary wall, 900 miles of river barriers, 629 miles of secondary barriers, and replaces 141 miles of vehicle and pedestrian barriers. The bill also rebuilds the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) workforce by hiring 3,000 new Border Patrol agents, 5,000 new CBP officers, 200 new Air and Marine Operations agents, and 290 support staff.
We are also investing in cutting-edge border technology, including $6 billion in new tools to detect fentanyl, deploy border-surveillance technology, and enhance Air and Marine surveillance technology.
Crucially, the bill also stops a massive tax increase in the coming years. The American people do not deserve to foot the bill for Washington’s spending addiction. That’s why my colleagues and I made the tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent! American families and small businesses cannot afford a tax increase at this pivotal time. Allowing the Trump tax cuts to expire would have raised taxes for the average American family by approximately $1,700. By lowering tax rates and extending the Standard Deduction and Child Tax Credit, Republicans aren’t just putting America first – we are putting American families first.
Finally, with all the other major victories in the One Big Beautiful Bill, you may have missed one significant achievement that is crucial for our state. Florida is a hub for American space travel and innovation, which is why, earlier this year, I introduced the U.S. Leadership in Space Act. This legislation would encourage greater investments in American spaceports by allowing space facilities to qualify for municipal revenue bonds.
I am beyond proud to announce that the U.S. Leadership in Space Act was included among the numerous provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill! Florida communities are eager to expand investments in space infrastructure to maintain America’s competitive advantage. I am proud to have played a part in this massive legislative victory and to have one of my bills signed into law.
I’d like to thank Senator Ashley Moody for her support in getting this legislation into the final bill and President Trump for his leadership in getting it across the finish line.
There is still plenty of work to be done in Washington. However, passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is putting us one step closer to ushering in America’s golden age and putting us back on the path to prosperity.
As we continue crafting new public policy in Washington, I hope you will add your voice to the conversation by contacting my office and sharing your thoughts. If you have a comment about upcoming legislation or need assistance with a federal agency, please contact my office in Panama City at (850) 785-0812.
