March 29th, 2023: Weekly Newsletter

I am actively monitoring the Trump indictment saga. Manhattan District Attorney (DA) Alvin Bragg should be focusing on the rampant violence and crime in his district instead of abusing the power of his office in an attempt to pull off a political stunt. 

Watch my remarks about our budget cuts proposal.

Our nation is $31.4 trillion in debt — this is unsustainable. We are seeing the disastrous effects of this unchecked spending and debt through record inflation and historic prices on everyday goods, yet the Biden administration released a budget that doubles down on needless and wasteful spending. That’s why recently I, along with other Freedom Caucus Members, released our plan to Shrink Washington, Grow America. Despite the fear-mongering from the Biden administration, our plan is committed to getting America back on a fiscally responsible path and providing relief for the American people. 

Our plan would return federal ‘domestic discretionary’ spending to pre-COVID levels, saving trillions over the next decade. We would use ‘authorized’ but unspent dollars (for things like COVID, or the hiring of 87,000 IRS agents) to help meet urgent needs and ensure default is not an option. And we’ll defund the mission creep that has expanded woke and weaponized agencies within the federal government and work to return Government to the essential functions of governing.

Many of our government programs started off with the right intentions to address crucial issues, but have turned into failing and needlessly wasteful government programs. Yet, many of these ineffective and inefficient programs are given bigger budgets every year, costing American taxpayers even more. For too long the federal government has mistaken “wants” for “needs” while American families have had to make tough decisions to make ends meet.

The American people should not be made collateral for more reckless Government borrowing. I remain committed to putting our Government on a path toward fiscal responsibility and sound governance.

You can read our statement HERE.

Watch my remarks during the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing.

The only thing more shocking than the truth are the lies told to cover it up.

Recently, the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic held a landmark hearing to uncover the true origins of COVID-19. Both the FBI and the Department of Energy are now concluding that COVID-19 was most likely created in a Chinese Lab, despite Big Tech, the mainstream media, and even the federal government having spent years censoring the lab leak theory. From the outset, the most logical answer was that the virus was man-made, which of course raised many more questions, such as whether we were funding it or not. 

To me, the most important question to be asked is why was this theory met with such fierce pushback from tax-payer funded “experts?” According to leaked documents, Fauci personally ordered the creation of a publication to disprove the lab leak theory. This was then used to censor opposing viewpoints. Fauci’s intentional suppression of evidence to support the lab leak theory is why I’m an original cosponsor of the COVID-19 Origins Act, which just forced the Biden administration to declassify all documents related to the origins of COVID-19. I look forward to our continued efforts to investigate the origins of COVID-19 and eagerly await our next hearing.

Recently, I voted in favor of a resolution that would undo the Biden administration’s proposed Water of the United States (WOTUS) rule. In practice, the rule’s definition of a water of the United States is far too vague. This would require farmers and landowners to pay for lawyers and environmental consultants to determine whether they need to get a permit from the EPA for their land, let alone obtain that permit. 

This would have disastrous consequences for farmers and agriculture workers and is a perfect example of why out-of-touch Washington bureaucrats should not be entrusted to make laws. Furthermore, this rule has been issued while the Supreme Court is reviewing Sackett v. EPA, a case that will help determine how WOTUS should be defined. Instead of waiting on the Supreme Court’s decision, the Biden administration has forged ahead knowing that it will require a long, drawn-out legal process to overturn. 

At a time of high inflation,  it is crucial that we refrain from imposing burdensome regulations on farmers and business owners. It is my hope that the Senate will take a vote on this resolution and send it to the President’s desk. 

• I am glad to see that the courts have struck down Biden's catch and release policies that have exacerbated an already dire situation at the border.

• The 2023 Congressional Art Competition is underway! This annual competition highlights talented students from across the country, and I want to spread the word in our communities. I am looking forward to seeing our students' creativity! Any high school student in Texas' 27th Congressional District may submit art to either my Victoria or Corpus Christi office for consideration. The deadline for submission is April 24th at 5:00 PM. Visit my website HERE for more information. 

God Bless,

Rep. Michael Cloud

Member of Congress

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