Dear Friend,

I appreciate your reading this weekly update and continue to encourage you to forward to your family and friends. As always if you need anything from my office, you can reach us via our Contact Us page or by calling 202-225-5031.

War in Israel

I condemn the Iran-backed Hamas terrorist attacks being carried out in Israel. Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East, and we must continue to show our unwavering support. Haley and I visited Israel last year and were able to meet the nation’s incredible people. What happened last week was an unprovoked attack on the State of Israel by Iranian-backed militants. Haley and I support Israel as it wages war on the terrorists who murdered hundreds of innocent people.

I am an original cosponsor of H. Res. 768, a resolution “Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.” I also have joined other efforts calling on the Biden Administration to freeze the $6 billion in assets it recently released to Iran, ensure American citizens are evacuated and returned home safely from Israel, and other initiatives in response to this crisis. I will continue to proudly stand with Israel.

The Romeike Family

I recently signed a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas urging them to grant asylum to the Romeike family who came to the United States from Germany more than a decade ago in search of the freedom to homeschool their children in alignment with their religious convictions. Religious freedom is a cornerstone of the foundation of our country, and I am in full support of granting this family asylum here in the United States. Our letter made an impact. We have learned that the family was granted a one-year extension to stay in the United States as we continue our work to grant them permanent residency. I am grateful for this good news.

Congressional App Challenge Competition

Reminder: middle and high school students are invited to participate in the 2023 Congressional App Challenge. I strongly encourage students of all skill levels to participate, enabling them to learn how to create their own apps. The winner from the Third Congressional District, chosen by a panel of expert judges, will be eligible to be on display in the U.S. Capitol, honoring the winners from across the country. Students entering the competition must submit their app here during the Competition Submission Period through November 1, 2023. For more information, please email Isabelle Boyd on my staff at [email protected].

Welcoming Our Fall Interns

This fall we have three new interns starting with us both in the Brandon district office and our D.C. office. This week we are excited to introduce Carl Dalton, our Washington, D.C., intern. Carl graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in psychology and a minor in political science. Carl’s favorite thing about the internship is his walk to work in the morning. He is thankful for this opportunity to serve the constituents of the Third Congressional District of Mississippi. Interested in interning with us?  Apply here.