Congressman Mark Amodei

Great joining Phil MacDougall at the National Automobile Museum for the What Drives Reno podcast. We talked about my time in Congress and, of course, our shared love of cars.

Whether you’re a Reno local or visitor, it’s well worth a stop. Huge credit to the staff and volunteers who’ve made it such a success since 1989.

What Drives Reno: Interview with Congressman Mark Amodei On this episode of What Drives Reno, your host Phil MacDougall interviews Congressman Mark Amodei!

While the House passed the FY26 Homeland Security bill for the second time yesterday, only 4 Democrats joined us in the effort to end the shutdown.

Its fate now rests in the Senate, and I urge our colleagues in the chamber next door to vote YES.

This shutdown does nothing but weaken our security preparedness and leave thousands of employees and servicemembers without paychecks.

Opinion | Remember the Department of Homeland Security? The agency remains mostly unfunded despite a heightened terror threat.

🚨 Americans in the Middle East who need consular assistance can call the U.S. Department of State 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444.

After years of unchecked illegal immigration, our communities are facing new risks at a time of heightened global unrest. The FBI has made clear we must remain vigilant at home and abroad.

This week, we’ll again give Democrats the opportunity to end the Homeland Security shutdown and fully fund the agencies that protect our people in moments like this.

If you oppose ICE or Border Patrol, that’s your prerogative, but DHS funds far more than immigration enforcement.

Shutting it down puts core national security functions at risk and does nothing to impact interior immigration enforcement.

The consequences fall elsewhere.

Today, the Homeland Security Subcommittee held a hearing on the impacts of a potential shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security: https://appropriations.house.gov/news/press-releases/facing-reality-democrats-ignore-facts-heading-dhs-shutdown

Proud to partner with the University of Nevada, Reno to secure $34.85 million to expand ShakeAlert earthquake early warning systems to Nevada.

This investment provides the tools needed to implement a proven system that keeps Nevadans safe and communities prepared for seismic activity.

Read the full press release here: https://amodei.house.gov/news-releases/amodei-secures-funding-nevada-shakealert-program

Serving the people of Nevada has been the honor of my lifetime. Please see statement below:

Today, we’re proud to announce that the Tahoe Water for Fire Suppression Partnership has secured new federal funding that marks a major milestone for Lake Tahoe’s wildfire resilience and emergency preparedness efforts.

Included in H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior & Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, this legislation provides more than $20 million in federal funding for long-standing Lake Tahoe Restoration Act (LTRA) priorities, including watershed protection, forest health, aquatic invasive species mitigation, water infrastructure improvements, and climate resilience projects that reduce wildfire risk and protect water quality.

For the first time, this legislation now includes a specific line-item appropriation, totaling $2.125 million, to support Water Infrastructure/State Fire Capacity Grants in Lake Tahoe, recognizing the critical role of water infrastructure in helping build wildfire-resilient communities in the Lake Tahoe Basin.

We commend Lake Tahoe’s congressional delegation (CA/NV) and their professional staff for working together to secure funding for projects and programs authorized by the Lake Tahoe Restoration Act.

We extend specific appreciation and thanks to Congressman Mark Amodei - - of Nevada for his longstanding leadership on this issue and unwavering commitment to Lake Tahoe.

Learn more about the Tahoe Water for Fire Suppression Partnership and our work to create fire-resilient communities in the Lake Tahoe Basin at the link in our bio.

A pivot to ICE’s core mission in Minnesota is needed. Prioritizing the most dangerous criminal aliens and focusing enforcement on individuals who have gone through due process and have final orders of removal is the stated core mission. Over the past 60 days, we’ve been compiling data to better understand the internal culture and operational decisions that existed prior to the recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis.

The fact that Tom Homan, along with CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott and former Deputy CBP Commissioner and Acting ICE Director Ron Vitiello, have been sent to assess the situation is an encouraging indicator that a pivot is happening; led by career law enforcement professionals, who have served under both Republican and Democratic Administrations. Those are the people who are now in charge in Minnesota. Additionally, Governor Walz talking on the phone with the President to coordinate efforts is another step in the right direction. What we’ve seen in the last 72 hours looks completely different from before, and that shift must continue. I look forward to the shooting investigation results in both instances in a timely manner.

That said, there is another player in the room who has not been exemplary, and that is the local agitators and politicians who have encouraged the continued interference with immigration enforcement operations. They share equal responsibility for creating a warzone mentality on the ground. State, local, and federal agencies must unify their efforts, leveraging their distinct authorities and resources to restore safety and order in Minnesota.

For those calling to shut down the Department of Homeland Security under the belief that it would be wise for the nation, I beg to differ. It is beyond reckless to shut down FEMA during unprecedented winter weather events that affect approximately 30 states. Sidelining the Secret Service, impeding Coast Guard operations, disrupting TSA during an already strained travel environment, and weakening CISA, who is responsible for critical cyber security protection, would defy logic and public safety.

The loss of any American life is tragic, and my thoughts are with the loved ones of both Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti. As the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, I expect thorough and transparent investigations into what went wrong and immediate actions to ensure something like this never happens again.

I look forward to having bipartisan conversations with Mr. Homan and his team in the coming days.

Chairman Congressman Tom Cole is leading an effort many doubted was possible: restoring regular order in the appropriations process.

This package delivers America First results ➡️ economic growth, protected taxpayer dollars, and a stronger national security.

More to come next week!

It was great catching up with University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval to discuss investments I helped secure for the university through the FY26 appropriations process and the future of the new Reno VA hospital.

Sadly, the deadline passed for me to renegotiate my undergrad GPA.

Subscription traps have become an accepted inconvenience for American consumers. Too many companies rely on deceptive business models that force people to jump through hoops just to cancel.

Today, I helped reintroduce the Unsubscribe Act, which strengthens consumer protections by requiring companies to provide a clear, simple, and transparent cancellation process.

House Democrat and Republican to reintroduce ‘click-to-cancel’ bill Exclusive: Unsubscribe Act, to be reintroduced in the House on Tuesday, would ban complex subscription cancellations