Welcome to “From Combat to Congress,” a new series designed to quickly highlight my work in Washington. Last week, I outlined President Biden’s self-inflicted border crisis and explained why House Republicans’ “Secure the Border Act” is the best solution to fix this catastrophe.

As Americans slept last Thursday night, Title 42, a beneficial tool that allows for the immediate expulsion of illegal aliens, ended — causing chaos to erupt at the southern border. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden and “Border Czar” Kamala Harris are nowhere to be found, as they intentionally created this catastrophic invasion. Yet despite the Biden Administration’s absence and failed leadership, House Republicans passed a comprehensive border package hours before the end of Title 42.

The “Secure the Border Act” forces the Biden Administration to resume construction of President Trump’s border wall, deploys vital technology to both the southern and northern borders, increases the number of Border Patrol agents, and requires transparency from the Department of Homeland Security regarding illegal alien crossings. Additionally, this legislation strengthens current law to protect unaccompanied minors from human trafficking, ends catch and release, and eliminates the abuse of executive immigration authority. By passing this border security package, House Republicans have taken a major first step in delivering on our promise to provide a nation that’s safe. Please know that I will continue working with my colleagues to fight for secure borders, combat illegal migration, and put Americans first.

As you know, the Biden Administration continues to falsely claim that House Republicans’ debt ceiling solution, the “Limit, Save, Grow Act,” cuts veterans’ benefits. Our plan has zero cuts to veterans’ benefits — and the White House knows this. Yet in a desperate attempt to deflect from the President’s inaction, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is shamelessly spreading this baseless lie in order to advance a dangerous political narrative. As a 28-year Navy combat veteran, I’m severely disgusted and disappointed that the President is exploiting the brave men and women who fought for our freedoms to promote a brazen, fear-inducing falsehood.

Given the severity of these egregious allegations, I led 65 of my House Republican colleagues in sending a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough expressing outrage over the VA’s misleading claims. Additionally, we demanded the immediate removal of the VA’s April 21st press release containing this dishonest allegation, as well as an apology to our nation’s veterans. Please know that in addition to working with my colleagues to responsibly address the debt ceiling, I will continue protecting our veterans and holding the Biden Administration accountable for these unwarranted lies.

Ahead of National Police Week, Speaker Kevin McCarthy held his third annual Back the Blue Bike Tour last week. Starting at the U.S. Capitol building, he led a group of House Republicans and law enforcement officers on a bike ride through Washington, D.C., finishing at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. As you may know, this memorial honors the more than 23,000 law enforcement officers who have been killed in the line of duty since 1786.

At the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, I honored Jackson County Deputy Lena Marshall, who tragically lost her life in November 2021 after responding to a domestic violence call that spiraled into a shootout. Last year, I laid a wreath at the memorial to commemorate her selfless sacrifice.

Additionally, I enjoyed visiting with law enforcement officers during Speaker McCarthy’s event. I thanked each of them for their unwavering bravery, selfless sacrifice, and dedication to public service

After defeating the Westminster Wildcats earlier this month, the Johnson High School Boys Soccer Team took home the 2023 Georgia High School Association 4A State Championship title — becoming back-to-back state champions! Combined with their 5A championship titles from last year and 2018, this latest victory marks the Knight’s third title in the last five completed seasons

Last week, I congratulated the Johnson Knights on an exciting win and on becoming back-to-back state champs! Check out my remarks below

Additionally, the University of North Georgia (UNG) Softball Team won its ninth straight Peach Belt Conference (PBC) regular-season and tournament titles! Boasting the No. 1 seed in the Southeast Region, the Nighthawks continue to knock the competition out of the park, as they advanced to the NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional. Be sure to tune in this week (May 18th-19th) as the team battles it out with No. 2, the Wingate Bulldogs.  

In Case You Missed It

Rep. Clyde Urges Senate to Pass H.J.Res. 42 to Block DC Council's Anti-Police Law

CLYDE: House to Block ATF's Unconstitutional Pistol Brace Rule

Rep. Clyde Joins the Advancing the Agenda Podcast to Discuss Border, Debt Ceiling, and More

The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra, the Second Oldest in the State of Georgia, Held its Spring Concert Season Finale on May 7th & Will Hold its Annual Independence Day Concert on June 25th at Lake Taccoa

This week in Washington, House Republicans will commemorate National Police Week by considering several pro-police pieces of legislation, including: 

• H.Con.Res. 40: This resolution expresses support for local law enforcement officers and condemns efforts to defund or dismantle law enforcement agencies. 
• H.R. 2494: The “Protect Our Law enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement Act,” or the “POLICE Act,” ensures that any alien who assaults a law enforcement officer is deported.
• H.R. 3091: This legislation, the “Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act,” establishes a program for federal law enforcement officers to purchase a retired handgun from the federal agency that issued the weapon.

For regular updates on the week ahead, please follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Gettr, and Twitter. Have a blessed week!