It was a busy week, but I’m back to keep you in the loop on how I am fighting for our conservative values.
I am deeply disappointed by the failure to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Make no mistake: The impeachment political process should never be abused—as Democrats did twice with President Trump. However, in the case of Secretary Mayorkas, he has shown a willful and reckless disregard for his duty to secure the border. His incompetence and inaction have allowed drugs, criminals, gang members, and suspected terrorists to cross both borders en masse. While Mayorkas escapes consequences, Congress must do everything in its power to secure the border and enforce the laws already in place.
This week, I co-signed a letter urging House and Appropriations Committee leadership to delist the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The gray wolf population has recovered since its initial listing in 1978, and the International Union for Conservation Nature's (IUCN) Species Survival Commission has reclassified it as a species with the least concern for extinction. The current overpopulation of gray wolves, particularly in northern Minnesota, is not only detrimental to the environment but also a threat to farmers. Activist groups and judges' efforts to block delisting ignore the fact that state governments can manage populations responsibly and meet the needs of local communities, ranchers, livestock, and wildlife.
On Thursday, I visited the southern border in Arizona and participated in an oversight field hearing of the House Natural Resources’ Subcommittee on Federal Lands. The hearing was titled “Biden’s Border Crisis: The Consequences of Failing to Secure Federal Border Lands” and examined the environmental consequences and national security implications of President Biden’s failure to secure our southern federal border lands. I appreciated the opportunity to hear first hand from the people directly impacted by this administration’s failures. Despite years of record illegal border crossings, I was inspired when Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels said that he was elected to promote the quality of life for the citizens of his county and enforce the rule of law. “The day I give up hope, that’s the day we're in a hell of a lot of trouble. And we'll never give up [on our people].” Cochise County is fortunate to have such dedicated public servants standing together on their behalf.
I’m pleased to share that Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, which is companion legislation to my bill that passed through the House last month. Our legislation aims to protect the use of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for pregnancy centers in response to a vindictive Biden administration rule that would restrict such funding in a disturbing attempt to cut off care and steer mothers toward abortion.
