John: 

The past few weeks have been jam-packed with votes, crafting legislation, and prioritizing the voice of West Texans.  

Last week, I voted in support of several bills that support our law enforcement.

-- H.R. 2494, the POLICE Act, would protect those who enforce the law and make assaulting a police officer a deportable offense. We must allow the police to do their jobs and remind criminals that there are consequences for their actions.    

-- H.R. 3091, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, is commonsense legislation to allow law enforcement officers to buy their government-issued handgun from the government when they retire.  

-- H.Con.Res. 40 expresses support for local law enforcement officers and condemns efforts to defund or dismantle local law enforcement agencies. 

I have also introduced legislation to protect law enforcement officers, hold rioters accountable, and restore order throughout the nation by increasing penalties for rioting and assaulting federal officers. The David Dorn Act of 2023 doubles the maximum imprisonment for rioting in the US code, 18 USC Section 210, and establishes a mandatory fine. The Patrick Underwood Act increases the penalties for assault on a federal officer by increasing fines and establishing mandatory prison time for assault with a deadly weapon.

Speaking of introducing legislation, I am proud to have reintroduced the Book Minimum Tax Repeal Act, which would reverse the punitive new tax which will fall on U.S. manufacturers, energy producers, and job creators amid historic inflation and economic uncertainty.  

I also introduced the Mission not Emissions Act, which would prohibit the Biden Department of Defense (DoD), General Services Administration (GSA), and NASA from mandating a climate rule on federal contractors that will harm our defense, manufacturing, and energy industries.

As you may know, the past couple of weeks have also been filled with discussions about the debt ceiling, forcing Congress to face the reality of a massive, and rising, national debt. The looming debt ceiling was the topic of a Joint Economic Committee hearing, where I argued that President Biden should do what the American people have been forced to do: tighten their belts and change their spending habits.

I also joined "Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business to discuss these ongoing negotiations to responsibly lift the debt ceiling as the deadline grows closer. Click here to watch the interview.  

It's an honor to serve as your voice in our nation’s capital. Your insights are invaluable to me as I work to solve the problems that face our country and advance the values and interests of West Texas.

If you would like to receive regular updates on important policy issues and know how I am fighting for West Texas, please follow my Facebook page, or visit my website and sign up for my e-newsletter.