June 16th, 2023: Weekly Newsletter

This week, I voted for H.J. Res. 44 as it passed the House, blocking the Biden administration’s unconstitutional pistol brace ban. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) issued a final rule in January declaring any pistol bearing stabilizing braces or other accessories as short-barreled rifles, which require a federal license to own. 

Historically, the ATF has recognized the important role that a pistol brace can provide for Americans who need assistance in controlling a gun. The pistol brace was created with disabled veterans in mind, helping disabled individuals shoot pistols more accurately by anchoring a gun to an individual’s arm. 

Now, the ATF is demanding that owners must destroy the braces or their weapons, register them with the ATF, or be subject to fines of $10,000 and 10 years in jail if owners do not turn over firearms to the ATF. This is both unconstitutional and tremendously unfair to many veterans who need these braces.

The AFT’s rule is a blatant overreach that will turn millions of law-abiding American gun owners into felons overnight. Furthermore, the ATF’s illegal registry of Firearm Transaction Records will help them find owners of pistol braces considering the digital database allows the ATF to search for guns by weapon type. In 2021, I led an investigation in the ATF’s efforts to build this illegal registry and introduced legislation that would terminate it. 

There is no reason for law-abiding American gun owners to be subjected to excessive scrutiny on the firearms they own by the federal government. The Second Amendment is clear: the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed. I will always fight to protect your rights from Washington D.C. overreach.

Watch as Rep. Hageman offered my amendment to the REINS Act.

This week, I also voted in favor of H.R. 277, the REINS Act, as it passed the House. The REINS Act would put in place meaningful checks on agency overreach by requiring congressional approval for major rules.

Federal agencies currently have the power to make “major rules” — ones that have an economic impact of $100 million or more — without the oversight of Congress or the signature of the president. The REINS Act ensures that every new major rule with a cost of more than $100M to be approved by Congress. Ultimately, your elected representatives should be the ones making laws — not unelected, unaccountable bureaucrats in Washington D.C. 

We were able to include an amendment in the bill that would ensure robust cost benefit analysis is performed in advance of new major rules being implemented.

Last weekend, I was honored to host the send-off dinner for the students from the 27th Congressional District who were nominated and received appointments to a United States Service Academy.

I had the privilege of speaking with the appointees and presenting them with flags that have flown over the U.S. Capitol. 

It is an honor to support our country’s next generation of leaders. We can all be proud of these amazing students and look forward to their success.

Individuals who have received an appointment:  

• Mr. Andres Garcia from Corpus Christi, TX has been appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

• Ms. Phoebe Huang from Port Lavaca, TX has been appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

• Ms. Anissa Farias from Corpus Christi, TX has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in USAF Academy, CO.

• Mr. Gage Spencer from Seadrift, TX has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in USAF Academy, CO.

• Mr. Tanner Woodring from Lolita, TX has been appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy in USAF Academy, CO.

NOTICE: Offices Closed in Observance of Juneteenth 

In observance of Juneteenth, our offices will be closed on Monday, June 19th. We will reopen at 9 A.M. on Tuesday, June 20th.

I was honored to throw the first pitch at the Corpus Christi Hooks game last Sunday. My family and I had a great time — and congratulations to the Hooks on their win! 

God Bless,

Rep. Michael Cloud

Member of Congress

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