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Dear John,
Welcome back to my West Texas Wrap-Up. Please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of West Texas!
Foreign Aid
On Saturday, the House considered a number of foreign aid bills, most notably:
- H.R. 8036, Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
- H.R. 8035, Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
- H.R. 8034, Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024
With a record $35 trillion in debt and interest payments alone exceeding spending on all of national defense, I couldn’t support spending tens of billions in foreign aid without paying for it. We must recognize “peace through strength” is not just about our military prowess - it’s also about the strength of our balance sheet. Bankrupting America and losing our leadership in the world is in no one’s national security interest.
Furthermore, while America certainly has legitimate security interests around the world, it is imprudent to provide foreign aid without first addressing the most direct and imminent threat of our wide-open border. No nation worth its sovereignty would prioritize defending another country’s border before securing their own.
That said, I believe the importance of Israel as an ally in that region, the escalation of events in the Middle East, and the imminent risk and cost of drawing the United States into a broader regional conflict justifies supporting the Israel portion of this foreign aid package.
Prior to these bills being brought to the House floor, I went to the House Rules Committee and proposed an amendment that would have offset the costs of these foreign aid bills.
At a time when our national debt is skyrocketing, we are adding almost $8 billion to the debt every day, and we pay 62 cents on every dollar just to service the debt, Congress needs to take the path towards fiscal responsibility. Our current trajectory is unsustainable and is arguably the biggest threat facing our nation.
That's why I introduced this amendment that would have equalized Medicare payments for services that can be safely delivered in a physician's office, offsetting the costs of the foreign aid bills while also reducing spending, lowering health care costs for millions of seniors, and contributing at least $50 billion to deficit reduction.
Unfortunately, this amendment was rejected.
Not paying for our spending is not only irresponsible, it's irrational. We cannot continue to thrust the costs of things we think are important onto the backs of our kids and grandkids.
FISA Reauthorization
The House recently voted on the Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act (H.R. 7888), to reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
I voted YES on an amendment offered by Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05) to end warrantless searches on American citizens under FISA surveillance authority.
Unfortunately, the amendment failed to pass the House and was not included on the final bill.
That is why I voted NO on the reauthorization of FISA.
The FBI has abused its authority and violated the trust of the American people time and time again. Unaccountable and politically motivated bureaucrats have used their surveillance powers to conduct over 500 warrantless searches per day on U.S. citizens in violation of the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The Constitution is clear, "The Right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized."
Mayorkas Impeachment Dismissed
Last Tuesday, House Impeachment Managers delivered the Articles of Impeachment against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to the United States Senate. Watch my reaction below:
Just one day later, the Senate dismissed both articles.
Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats bowed to the Radical Left instead of standing for our Constitution and serving the American people.
Democrats' outright dismissal of the impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas - without even holding a trial - breaks with 200 years of precedent and is a slap in the face to countless communities across our nation that have suffered from the chaos and lawlessness at our southern border.
Our communities cannot suffer under Biden's broken border policies for another day.
That's why I'm calling on the House to immediately pass my H. Res. 50 to affirm states' sovereign right to secure their borders and protect their citizens when the federal government fails to do so.
Death Tax
On Tax Day, I introduced the Estate Tax Rate Reduction Act which would cut the estate tax - commonly known as the "Death Tax" - in half and provide tax relief to family owned-businesses.
The Death Tax is an unfair double tax that could force the next generation to sell their family business - on which they've paid a lifetime of taxes - to pay another tax simply because of a family member's passing. Penalizing Americans who work their entire lives, build successful businesses, and seek to pass down a better life to their children and grandchildren is the antitheses of the American Dream.
I am proud to introduce this legislation to cut this punishing and unnecessary financial burden.
God Bless Texas
On April 21, 1836, Sam Houston - outnumbered and outgunned - mowed down Santa Ana’s Mexican army in 18 minutes to win Texas’ independence.
The night before he told his troops the following inspiring, but sobering words:
"We view ourselves on the eve of battle. We are nerved for the contest, and must conquer or perish. It is vain to look for present aid: none is at hand. We must now act or abandon all hope! Rally to the standard, and be no longer the scoff of mercenary tongues! Be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father's name."
“…be men, be free men, that your children may bless their father’s name.” You gotta love it!
God bless Texas!
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It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to our fellow West Texans and encourage them to sign up here for this update.
Your friend and fellow West Texan,
Jodey C. Arrington
Member of Congress
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