October 11, 2023: Weekly Newsletter

Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, came under attack this past weekend when the terrorist organization Hamas fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza at Israeli civilians and infiltrated Israeli neighborhoods to massacre innocent civilians. Israel has rightly responded with air strikes and continues to defend itself from Hamas' evil attack. This immoral and unprovoked attack on Israel should not be tolerated, and I am heartbroken over the innocent men, women, and children who are being subjected to Hamas' heinous violence. Hamas' terrorist attacks are unconscionable—injuring thousands of innocent civilians, kidnapping women and children, and killing hundreds of innocent Israelis—as well as 22 Americans.

As I’ve long said, our alliance with Israel is critical, and Israel has every right to defend themselves against this horrific attack from Hamas terrorists. For 75 years, Israel has stood as a beacon of freedom in the Middle East. The United States must continue to back Israel in its right to defend itself from terrorists obsessed with destroying the Jewish People. We must condemn Hamas for committing such atrocities and reaffirm our nation's commitment to stand with Israel. 

My thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims and their families. May God bless them. 

As I’m sure many of you saw last week, the House adopted a motion to vacate which removed Kevin McCarthy as the Speaker of the House. Soon after, former Speaker McCarthy announced he will not run again and there will now be a new election for a Speaker of the House. 

I voted against the motion to vacate because we had concerns that making a leadership change would blow up our current effort to cut wasteful spending and pass strong conservative policy through our single subject, individual spending bills by the November 18th deadline. 

As many of you remember this past January, I was one of the 20 members that fought tooth and nail to ensure that the groundwork was laid out to make the House work better for the American people by improving the institution, specifically on process, transparency, and accountability. The reforms that I fought returned power back to the elected representatives that House leadership had consolidated during Nancy Pelosi’s time as Speaker. Despite these improvements, many issues still persist, including working through the appropriations process.

We have been diligently working in the Appropriations Committee for the past several months to restore the regular order of our spending process and pass 12 single issue spending bills to break free from the status quo. This would allow us to make responsible cuts to wasteful programs and avoid a massive omnibus bill. Funding our government through an unreadable 2,000 page trillion dollar “omnibus” bill at the end of the year would be unacceptable. We must continue to do the hard work of passing single subject spending bills one at a time that cut spending and rein in the Washington bureaucracy.  

What I want you to know is my focus will stay where it always has been: doing what’s best for our district and for the American people. I didn’t come to Washington D.C. to stick to the status quo. It’s time to end Washington’s addiction to bloated spending, put our country back on a path towards fiscal sanity, and get Congress working again for you, the American taxpayer. I refuse to keep kicking the can down the road that will be a burden we will pass on to our kids and their future generation. 

Recently, I joined Chris Salcedo on Newsmax to discuss how the new leader in the House needs to be someone who is serious about passing the 12 single issue spending bills and will guide us towards a path of fiscal sanity. You can watch the interview HERE. 

Thank you to all the great folks who attended the Coastal Bend to DC Kick Off! It is always great to see familiar faces and friends. I had the opportunity to speak to the group about the important challenges that our nation currently faces and deliver an update on a few priorities I am working on that benefit TX-27, including expansion of military housing, improving energy resources, and making sure we allow small businesses to grow freely without government interference. 

It’s a privilege to serve and represent our part of Texas in Washington. As a representative, I am committed to amplifying your voice and values in the Capitol. While I know these times can be difficult, we are fighting to get America back on track and working again. 

Thank you to all who made this trip happen!

My team and I were blessed to host a special event to bring together pastors and ministry leaders from all over TX-27! I am very appreciative of all the work these faith leaders are doing.

I’m reminded of Proverbs 11:14, which says “in a multitude of counselors, there is wisdom.” How true that is - and it’s why events like this one are such a tremendous blessing. With all our country faces during this time, we still know Who holds the future – and I’m thankful to be surrounded by such wonderful fellowship encouraging each other in the Lord.

May God bless these leaders as they continue in their ministry.

Thank you to Shoreline Erosion Control Solutions for giving me a tour! Shoreline Erosion Control Solutions has created new technology to protect shoreline erosion in Rockport, Texas. My team and I were glad to get a first hand look at the great work they do preserving our region’s shorelines for generations to come.

Wade and Carter Radio: I joined the Wade and Carter Show to discuss some of the issues that our nation is facing and the House adopting a motion to vacate. You can watch the episode HERE. 

Bob Jones: I also joined Bob Jones on 1440 Keys to give an update on a few issues going on in Washington D.C and discuss the upcoming election for a new Speaker of the House. You can listen to the interview HERE. 

God Bless,

Rep. Michael Cloud

Member of Congress

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