Scott Franklin

Today, I had the solemn honor of attending the memorial service for U.S. Army Major Cody A. Khork, one of Polk County’s own who paid the ultimate price for our freedom during Operation Epic Fury. ...

Today, I had the pleasure of hosting a luncheon with two outstanding Polk County students who received nominations from my office and have now earned appointments to attend U.S. Service Academies. ...

Earlier this week, we recognized some of FL-18’s most talented high school student artists in the annual Congressional Art Competition. Congratulations to our winners and all 67 who participated! ...

It was a pleasure meeting with this year’s Florida Governor’s Fellows and hearing about the work they’re doing across state government. These are some of Florida’s top students, getting hands-on ex...

Honored to welcome home the veterans of Polk County Flight to Honor Mission #11 after their visit to our nation’s capital. Our community showed up in a big way to give these heroes the welcome ho...

We had the honor of celebrating the 100th birthday of my neighbor, John A. Causey, this week. John proudly served our nation in the United States Navy and was stationed at U.S. Naval Air Station M...

If you’re planning a trip to Washington, D.C., our office is always glad to help. We work with families, students and visitors from FL-18 to schedule tours of the U.S. Capitol so you can experience...

Over 40 years ago, as an oceanography major at the United States Naval Academy, I met Dr. Robert Ballard when he addressed our class about his discovery of the Titanic. Yesterday, we met again, thi...

We have better maps of Mars than over half of our own waters, an area larger than five Louisiana Purchases. The U.S. Economic Exclusion Zone holds vast quantities of critical minerals vital to our...

AI is rapidly re-shaping our lives. This week, I sat down with Jim VandeHei of Axios to talk about what that means for our country. We already have the edge, and we cannot afford to lose it. That...

Today, I had the solemn honor of attending the memorial service for U.S. Army Major Cody A. Khork, one of Polk County’s own who paid the ultimate price for our freedom during Operation Epic Fury. ...

This National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we honor the extraordinary courage, sacrifice and resilience of the Americans who endured captivity in service to our nation. Their strength in...

My statement on tonight’s vote to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security.

America’s water systems are under growing cyber threat from foreign adversaries and ransomware gangs, putting public health and critical infrastructure at risk. I chaired a House Committee on Scie...

I was honored to welcome U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Terry P. Richardson to our Lakeland District Office today. CSM Richardson was recently awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Do...

In yesterday's House Committee on Appropriations Energy & Water budget hearing with Secretary Chris Wright , the focus was straightforward: energy policy affects costs, reliability and our nationa...

Today, on Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honor the memory of the six million Jews lost and the strength of the survivors. As we remember their lives, we must ensure that the promise of "Never Again"...

Yesterday, I chaired the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Republicans Environment Subcommittee hearing on NOAA’s FY27 budget request. I’m encouraged to see targeted investments in ...

Earlier this week, we recognized some of FL-18’s most talented high school student artists in the annual Congressional Art Competition. Congratulations to our winners and all 67 who participated! ...

I appreciated the conversation today with Ze’ev Orenstein about the work underway at the City of David, especially after visiting earlier this year. The discoveries there are helping bring Jerusale...