Our greatest ally in the Middle East is at war.
Over the weekend, Iran-backed Hamas terrorists launched a horrific, senseless, and unprovoked attack on Israel. The world has watched in horror as images and reports of barbaric acts of terror against innocent Israelis continue to reveal the depths of Hamas’ depravity. So far, over 800 Israelis have been slaughtered, thousands wounded, and more than 100 have been kidnapped. Many targets have included women, children, and elderly citizens.
Tragically, we’ve learned that at least 11 Americans have also been murdered — and others are being held hostage by Hamas terrorists. I forcefully condemn these brutal, evil, and unjust attacks, and I will continue to closely monitor the heartbreaking situation. As this war unfolds, the United States stands with Israel and fully supports its right to defend its citizens against all acts of terror, as well as hold those responsible to full account — wherever they may hide. |
Days before Kevin McCarthy was removed as Speaker of the House, Congress managed to avert a government shutdown — creating a new deadline for government funding. In case you missed these events on Capitol Hill, here’s a quick recap:
On September 29th, House Republicans voted on a short-term spending reduction bill with added border security policies from H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act. This legislation would have funded the government for 30 more days, providing lawmakers with both time and leverage in the ongoing appropriations fight. In addition to securing the border, this conservative stop-gap measure also included a 30% cut for all federal agencies — except the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs. I voted in support of this short-term spending reduction bill, as I believe it was the best viable option to cut wasteful spending, secure the southern border, and avert a government shutdown. However, this measure ultimately failed on the House floor.
Following this outcome, then-Speaker McCarthy resorted to putting a “clean” continuing resolution (CR) on the floor. While I did support the conservative short-term spending reduction bill with added border security, I could not lend my support to a so-called “clean” CR. Simply put, the American people didn't give House Republicans the majority to continue Nancy Pelosi's bloated spending levels or the Left's radical policies — which is exactly what the McCarthy-Jeffries CR does, and why I joined 89 of my House Republican colleagues in voting against this reckless spending measure.
Ultimately, the McCarthy-Jeffries CR passed the Senate and received President Biden’s signature, preventing a government shutdown and extending Washington’s runaway spending until November 17th. Although I’m glad that we avoided a government shutdown, I’m deeply concerned about our country’s financial future. With the national debt now topping over $33 trillion, it’s past time that Congress return fiscal sanity back to Washington. Please know that as the funding fight continues through the ongoing appropriations process, I remain committed to cutting woke, weaponized, and wasteful spending to ensure that our 12 single-subject spending bills are crafted in the most fiscally responsible manner possible. |
In case you missed it, House Republicans recently passed three more single-subject spending bills. I proudly voted for these conservative measures, and I look forward to advancing the remaining eight spending bills in the ongoing appropriations process.
Here are a few highlights from each of the three appropriations bills:
Defense - Innovates and modernizes the military by:
- Investing in next-generation fighter aircraft, helicopters, tactical combat vehicles, and submarines
- Empowering combatant commanders to quickly obtain the cutting-edge technology and weapons they need and to rapidly get them to the warfighter
- Funding the modernization of the nuclear triad: the B-21 Raider, the Columbia Class Submarine, and Sentinel
- Provides a pay increase to our service members
- Prohibits the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for our troops
- Eliminates funding for abortion services
- Ends funding for the Pentagon’s woke policies, including DEI
- Uses the Holman Rule to reduce woke Defense Secretary Austin’s salary to $1
- Includes my amendment to prohibit funds from being used to rename or demolish the Reconciliation Monument in Arlington National Cemetery, which commemorates reconciliation and national unity
Homeland Security - Secures our southern border by:
- Providing $2.104 billion for the construction of President Trump’s wall along the southwest border
- Providing $496 million for 22,000 Border Patrol Agents, the highest level ever funded
- Restoring border security technology funding to the FY22 level of $276 million
- Forcing Secretary Mayorkas to adhere to the law and build physical barriers immediately
- Removes dangerous criminals by:
- Providing $3.550 billion for custody operations, which is more than ever previously appropriated, to fund an average daily ICE detainee population of 41,500
- Providing $655 million to fund transportation and removal operations for removable illegal alien
- Counters China and bolsters our national security by:
- Providing $335 million to procure four additional Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters to counter China in the Indo-Pacific
- Providing $150 million for the purchase of a polar icebreaker to project U.S. sovereignty in the Arctic
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs - Prohibits funds for the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
- Supports religious freedom programs abroad and religious freedom protections for faith-based organizations delivering foreign aid
- Blocks funding for any Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion office, training, or program
- Allows only approved flags to be flown over federal facilities — barring woke flags, such as the “Pride Flag,” from being displayed over U.S. embassies and other federal facilities
- Strengthens congressional oversight of funds provided in the bill and restricts the Biden Administration’s ability to ignore congressional directives to fund its extreme agenda
- Uses the Holman Rule to reduce woke Secretary of State Blinken’s salary to $1
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I recently penned an op-ed in The Blaze explaining how Congress can protect the integrity of the 2024 election by including my amendments to prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to prosecute any major presidential candidate before the election next November in the Justice Department appropriations bill. I believe that it’s critical for Americans to understand the importance of and basis for these amendments as the ongoing appropriations process moves forward.
Here’s a brief excerpt:
"Americans are rightfully upset. No matter one’s views of Trump, attempting to use the power of prosecution to take down a political rival sets a perilous precedent for our nation.
Understandably, the American people are sick and tired of all talk and no action.
Given this grave miscarriage of justice unfolding before our very eyes, who can blame their outrage? It’s time to eliminate this corruption in order to protect the integrity of the 2024 election — a feat that only Congress can accomplish.
Special counsel Jack Smith, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis all receive federal funding. But Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars have no place funding politically motivated prosecutions."
Please click the button below to read my full piece. |
Rep. Clyde Joins Mornings with Maria to Discuss Government Funding, Biden's Border Crisis, and Biden Crime Family |
Lawmakers are back in Washington this week, as House Republicans are expected to hold a candidate forum and vote for a new Speaker of the House in the coming days. For regular updates on this week’s happenings, including the Speaker’s race, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Gettr, and Twitter. Have a blessed week! |
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