Latest Update from Rep. Rouzer: Wrightsville Beach, Border Security, National Police Week, and More

Dear Friend,

House Republicans made a commitment to push back on the Biden Administration's unwillingness to enforce border security measures by promising to fully fund effective border enforcement strategies, infrastructure, and incentivize the use of advanced technology to prevent illegal crossings and deadly drug trafficking. Last week, our Republican majority passed H.R. 2 which follows through on these agenda items.

Additionally, legislation I introduced to protect the resiliency of Wrightsville Beach received a hearing highlighting the needs it would address, and Congress honored our men and women of law enforcement for National Police Week. Keep reading below for more details!

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Supporting H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act

With Title 42 expiring, and the Biden Administration refusing to act, House Republicans passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act this past Thursday. H.R. 2 would codify the policies President Trump had in place to more effectively enforce our asylum laws, authorize the hiring of more Border Patrol agents and provide them with resources they need to enforce the law.

The Biden Administration’s open border policies have emboldened dangerous drug cartels, filled our communities with deadly drugs, and created a humanitarian crisis at our southern border. More than 58,000 children cannot be accounted for that are somewhere in the United States. It’s likely many — if not most — of them are being abused and sex-trafficked. This is truly despicable and it is all because of this Administration’s Open Border policies. The humanitarian crisis caused by these policies is horrific and so extensive we will never fully know the true scope and scale.

Securing our border is a matter of national security, and this Administration’s refusal to enforce our laws is jeopardizing safety in every city and state across the country. Because this Administration allowed Title 42 to expire this past week, our border patrol is being inundated with a massive influx of migrants. H.R. 2 is the roadmap for President Biden and his administration to follow. If adopted by the Senate, signed into law by the President and properly enforced by this administration, it would secure our border, curtail the importation of deadly fentanyl, and help keep Americans safe.

Specifically, H.R. 2:

Increases the number of Border Patrol Agents and provides bonus pay for their hard work and commitment to keeping America safe.
Prohibits Catch and Release.
Reinstates the "Remain in Mexico” provisions President Biden abandoned. Under this policy, upon arrival at the border, migrants were issued Notices to Appear for an immigration court hearing at a later date and returned to wait in Mexico.
Mandates construction of the border wall.
Strengthens current law to protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking.

Joining Speaker McCarthy and members of our Republican majority to highlight the passage of H.R. 2.

Wrightsville Beach Renourishment Bill Receives Consideration at House Natural Resources Committee

I was proud to highlight the importance of my legislation, H.R. 524, during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing last week.

Wrightsville Beach, which serves as one of North Carolina's most popular beaches, hosts visitors from all across the country and drives significant job growth and economic activity for our local communities. We also count on a strong, robust coastline as the first line of defense against powerful storms and it's worked by limiting the amount of flooding and damage inflicted.

Currently, the Biden Administration is prohibiting Wrightsville Beach from using their 50-year traditional borrow site for much-needed beach renourishment. My bill reverses this decision, thus allowing Wrightsville Beach to return to a regular, ecologically friendly, renourishment schedule. Doing so is imperative to enhance the community’s physical resiliency against future storms, to continue a healthy ecosystem, and protect the local economy.

Wrightsville Beach Mayor Darryl Mills testified before the Committee at my invitation. I thank him for joining me to provide testimony in support of this fix as we work toward our shared goals of renourishment and resiliency for our coastline.

Click here or on the image above to watch my remarks in support of my bill, H.R. 524.

National Police Week

During National Police Week, we honor our nation’s law enforcement officers for their service to our communities. Additionally, I joined my colleagues in co-sponsoring legislation honoring the 556 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty whose names were recently added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. These 556 officers include 224 officers who were killed during 2022. You can view the names of these brave heroes here.

The bill also expresses our steadfast support for National Police Week and highlights our appreciation for those who wear the badge and put their lives on the line every day to keep our families and communities safe. I proudly stand with America’s law enforcement officers and remain committed to protecting their ability to carry out their heroic service!

This Week's Good News Story

For this week's good news story, I'm congratulating Phu Khine from UNC Wilmington who just won her second PGA Works Women's Golf Individual Collegiate Championship on May 10th. As quoted in a WECT feature, UNCW Head Coach Cindy Ho said "I am so excited for Phu. What a great performance and battle down the stretch today. A wonderful way to cap off her collegiate career at UNCW and we’re so proud of everything’s she’s accomplished. She’s been a leader on our team for so long. She’s overcome injuries the last two years and has worked so hard on her mental game so I’m thrilled for her this week.” According to the PGA, the PGA Works Collegiate Championship was founded in 1986 to educate and inspire underserved and underrepresented Minority-Serving Institutions and student-athletes to pursue career opportunities in the business of golf. Congratulations, Phu!

Closing Thoughts...

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” —John D. Rockefeller