Commemorating National Police Week

This week, we commemorated National Police Week! Over the last three years, President Biden and many Democrats have repeated support for the Defund the Police movement. We've now seen a dramatic surge in violent crime across the country, and in many cases, against our brave law enforcement officers. During National Police Week, the House of Representatives passed numerous bills with my support that highlight House Republicans' support for the men and women in blue:

• H. Res. 1213: Condemns calls to defund the police, which has increased violence towards law enforcement officers
• H. Res. 1210: Condemns the Biden border crisis and the tremendous burdens law enforcement officers face as a result
• H.R. 7343, the Detain and Deport Illegal Aliens Who Assault Cops Act: Requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain any illegal immigrant who has been charged with or convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer
• H.R. 8146, the Police Our Border Act: Requires the Attorney General to report to Congress on how the Biden border crisis affects law enforcement at various levels
• H.R. 7581, the Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act: Ensures adequate data collection to address the rise in anti-police attacks

I am hopeful that the passage of these bills will serve as a reminder for the brave men and women in uniform that House Republicans will always back the blue. Watch my remarks on the House floor HERE.

Honoring Our Fallen Officers

Also in honor of National Police Week, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Republicans hosted a vigil to honor our fallen law enforcement officers and pray for their families. We placed American flags on the front lawn of the Capitol to honor the over 24,000 brave men and women who tragically died in the line of duty.

The Scriptures say the greatest love is to offer one’s life up for others. Our law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and for that, we owe them a significant debt of gratitude.

Protecting America's Retirees and Savers

Saving for retirement is crucial for American families, and sound financial advice when preparing for the future should be an easily accessible resource for hardworking Americans, not a bureaucratic nightmare. However, by muddying the waters with burdensome overregulation, the Biden Department of Labor's (DOL) recently finalized fiduciary rule does more harm than good to the very people it is claiming to protect – retirees and savers. If we do not act, this recycled Obama-era disaster will restrict access to valuable retirement guidance and impede prudent financial planning for millions of households. 

That's why I was proud to partner with Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) this week in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) Joint Resolution of Disapproval to overturn the DOL's fiduciary rule. The CRA enables Congress to disapprove of a final rule issued by a federal agency within 60 days of its publication and prevents the agency from issuing a “substantially similar” rule in the future unless authorized by Congress.

With the bipartisan, bicameral introduction of this resolution, we hope to safeguard Americans' access to financial planning.

Read my full statement HERE.

This week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced there were nearly 180,000 illegal immigrant encounters at our Southern Border in April. It was also announced that there have been more known ‘gotaways’ since Joe Biden took office than in the previous decade combined. House Republicans know that border security is national security, and we know the best way to secure our borders is by reimplementing President Trump's successful border policies. President Biden must reverse his executive actions which have undermined border security and encouraged illegal immigration, and put an end to this self-inflicted crisis.

That is also why we passed H.R. 2, the Secure The Border Act, the strongest border security bill in history. Read more about H.R. 2 HERE.

Energy and Commerce

Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee Hearing

“The Fiscal Year 2025 Environmental Protection Agency Budget”

Over the past three years, we have seen burdensome regulations coming out of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that will harm innovation and manufacturing, and increase energy prices for Americans across the country. During this hearing, I questioned EPA Administrator Regan about many of the agency's harmful rulemakings that will negatively impact Georgia farmers and consumers.

Watch my remarks HERE.

Communications and Technology Subcommittee Hearing

“The Fiscal Year 2025 National Telecommunications and Information Administration Budget”

During this hearing, I questioned our witness about concerns regarding the delivery of funds for rural broadband that I've heard from small broadband providers in rural areas, including those in Georgia's 12th District. I also asked about steps NTIA has taken to ensure internet traffic reaches its intended target and stays away from the prying eyes of adversary nations like China.

Watch my remarks HERE.

Education and the Workforce

Full Committee Hearing

“Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Health and Human Services”

During this hearing, my colleagues and I pressed Secretary Xavier Becerra about the misguided policies coming from the Department of Health and Human Services. As I have done many times before, I asked Secretary Becerra where exactly federal health care dollars are going, and he once again provided an unsatisfactory answer. The inefficiency at HHS is beyond comprehension. 

Watch my remarks HERE.

This Week's Office Visitors

It was a busy week of meetings in Washington! I met with several groups to discuss the issues that matter most to them.

Those pictured include:

• Society of Human Resources Management
• Georgia Society of Anesthesiologists 
• Georgia Oilmen's Association
• Sierra Club
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers