Passing Bills to Deport Illegal Immigrants

Month after month, the state of our border security continues to deteriorate under President Biden's watch, and December was no exception. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, there were over 302,000 illegal immigrants encountered at the southern border in December alone—the highest number ever recorded for a single month. There is no denying that President Biden's radical open border policies have created unprecedented chaos. 

This is a national security and humanitarian crisis that the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats continue to ignore. That's why the House passed four bills this week with my support that impose stricter deportation penalties on illegal immigrants.

• H.R. 5585 – Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act: imposes criminal penalties for illegal migrants who evade U.S. Border Patrol agents or other law enforcement officers. If an illegal migrant is found guilty or admits to doing this, they will be deported and ineligible for asylum. 
• H.R. 6678 – Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act: creates a new law: if an illegal migrant is convicted of, or admits to committing social security fraud or identification document fraud, they will no longer be eligible for asylum, and will be deported. 
• H.R. 6679 – No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act: ensures that no members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad has refuge in the United States by making them inadmissible and removeable in the United States.
• H.R. 6976 – Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act: Ensures illegal migrants who have been convicted of driving while impaired are deportable. Currently, illegal migrants who are convicted of a DUI are free to stay in the U.S., putting Americans’ lives in jeopardy.

National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance

On Wednesday morning, I attended the National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance at the Museum of the Bible where Christian and government leaders gathered to pray for our nation. We are facing many challenges throughout our country and the world, and we must always remember that turning to the Word of God can help solve what ails us and strengthen the fabric of our society.

I was blessed to offer a prayer, and an excerpt is included below:

"Father, forgive us. Lord return us as you did with Joshua. 'Do not let your book of law depart from our lips, meditate on it morning and night. Be careful to do what it says, and the greatest promise is that we will be prosperous and successful.' Father, I pray for that awakening, I pray that you would have mercy on us, and I pray that you would again protect us and that you would continue your blessings on this nation, Lord, that you anointed long ago. It’s in the precious name of Jesus I pray these things, Amen."

2024 Youth Leadership Summit

REMINDER: This year's Youth Leadership Summit has been rescheduled for Monday, February 26, 2024. The goal of the summit is to equip and inspire the next generation of leaders by helping them hone their leadership skills as they prepare for the future.

The 2024 Youth Leadership Summit will be hosted at the Columbia County Student Support Complex and registration is now open for junior and senior high school students in Georgia's 12th District. Schools may send up to six students and two chaperones. Participants are encouraged to register on my website no later than Friday, February 9th.

Telephone Town Halls

One of the best ways for me to serve you in Congress is by hearing your thoughts and concerns. Throughout the year, I host live Telephone Town Hall meetings to connect with constituents throughout the 12th District.

These meetings are similar to a traditional town hall meeting but are conducted by phone, where you can dial in from the comfort of your own home. The meetings typically last around one hour, with time for you to ask questions, hear live answers, and participate in a number of poll questions that will aid my decision-making in Washington.

Don't miss the next one! Sign up by CLICKING HERE.

Education and the Workforce

Full Committee Markup

The Education and the Workforce Committee advanced H.R. 6951, the College Cost Reduction Act:

1. Ensures information about costs and return on investment is clear, accessible, and personalized for prospective students and families of all institutions of higher education
2. Holds institutions financially responsible for overpriced degrees that leave students with unaffordable debt 
3. Allocates federal funding for colleges based on student outcomes and lifts excessive regulations that further increase costs to families  

Energy and Commerce

Communications and Technology Subcommittee Hearing

“TV Timeout: Understanding Sports Media Rights”

This week's hearing focused on the role that sports content plays on the changing media market, consumer choice in sports media content, the structure and process of negotiating media rights, and the current state of the sports media landscape from the perspectives of analysts and providers.

Watch my remarks HERE.

Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Hearing

“Ensuring the Cybersecurity of America’s Drinking Water Systems”

This hearing focused on addressing cybersecurity issues and ways the water sector can work collaboratively with the EPA—within the framework of its existing statutory authorities—to address cyber threats. Georgia's 12th District is leading the way in cybersecurity, and with the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center located in Augusta, we have a monumental role to play in protecting water supplies for small and rural communities throughout our state.

Watch my remarks HERE.

This Week's Office Visitors

Burke County Chamber of Commerce Banquet

I enjoyed attending the annual Burke County Chamber of Commerce Banquet in Waynesboro to hear from local leaders about economic development in the area. As always, I am thankful for our public servants who contribute their time and energy to ensuring our communities thrive. Thanks for having me!