Notes from Mike's Desk

Hello, friends! Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter highlighting what's happening on Capitol Hill and in Louisiana's 4th Congressional District. I'm always grateful when you recommend this resource to others.

IN THE HOUSE

This week is National Police week, and House Republicans passed a number of bills and held multiple events to show our support for the men and women of law enforcement. To kick off police week, we hosted a candlelight vigil in the U.S. Capitol to honor the more than 24,000 police officers who have fallen in the line of duty.

These men and women - all of our law enforcement - are the men and women who pursue justice, maintain order, and guard the safety of our communities from crime and chaos. And those who have given their lives for this noble and necessary cause are buried with honor and, of course, with heartache. We mourn because they were taken too soon, but, in their supreme sacrifice, these officers have shown the greatest form of love: the act of laying down one's life for others.

In response to the troubling news that the Biden Administration is withholding critical ammunition to Israel, the House this week passed the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. With the passage of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, we sent a clear message of solidarity and support to Israel and demand the urgent delivery of defense weapons to our most important ally in the Middle East.

The President’s threat to veto this legislation and Leader Schumer’s refusal to bring it to a vote in the Senate are acts of betrayal to our closest ally in the region. What’s more alarming is the 184 House Democrats that joined them in siding with the radical, pro-Hamas wing of the Democratic party. Security assistance to Israel is an urgent priority that must not be delayed. Click here to watch my remarks from our press conference demanding Biden stand with Israel.

Last week, I delivered an address at the Days of Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. The event is America's annual commemoration of the Holocaust, and this year also featured remarks from President Biden, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. Ambassadors, and Holocaust survivors. Click here to watch my address.

Following the event, my office released a video honoring Holocaust victims and survivors. Watch below:

Last week, the House voted overwhelmingly to table an attempt to plunge this institution into chaos and vacate the Speakership. I appreciate the show of confidence from my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort and am focused on doing the job my colleagues in Washington elected me to do. I spoke to the press after the vote, watch here:

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

On Thursday, I had the distinct honor of hosting an unveiling ceremony for a statue depicting Reverend William “Billy” Franklin Graham Jr. of North Carolina. Billy Graham preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ to more people than any single person in human history. While Graham’s primary focus was to preach the Gospel to the world, he also provided spiritual counsel to presidents, championed desegregation, and was a voice of hope and guidance in times of trial. He was one of America’s greatest citizens and enduring heroes.

Click here to watch my remarks, where I share the story of the Graham's 1951 Shreveport revival, at the unveiling ceremony.

Last week, the House passed multiple pieces of legislation to fortify American elections, ensure the census only counts American citizens, and remove burdensome regulations for consumer products like household appliances.

At a press conference on the House steps, we announced the introduction of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Amid the worst border crisis in American history, the SAVE Act would ensure that only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections by requiring proof of citizenship to register.

It is critical that we pass the SAVE act to safeguard our federal elections and ensure that only Americans get to decide American elections.

After the press conference, the House passed Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) Equal Representation Act, legislation that would require the decennial census to include a citizenship question and exclude noncitizens from the population in which the apportionment of each state’s U.S. House representation and electors are based.

The only influence illegal immigrants should have in U.S. elections is to motivate American citizens to vote out the politicians who allowed them in. We should not reward states and cities that violate federal immigration laws and maintain sanctuary policies with increased Congressional representation. Common sense dictates that only American citizens should be counted for electoral apportionment, and the Equal Representation Act ensures that.

IN THE MEDIA

Amid our work in Congress over the last two weeks, I joined The Record on Newsmax with Greta Van Susteren, CNBC's Squawk Box and Fox News's Fox and Friends to discuss President Biden turning his back on Israel, the growing threat of antisemitism on college campuses, the SAVE Act, the Billy Graham statue unveiling and the failed motion to vacate, among other topics.

The Record w/ Greta Van Susteren

Squawk Box

Fox and Friends

LAGNIAPPE

Last week, the House unanimously passed legislation to designate the United States Postal Office in Rayville, LA as the “Luke Letlow Post Office Building.” Congressman Letlow, elected to represent Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District in December 2020, tragically lost his life due to complications from COVID-19 before being sworn into office.

He had spent his entire professional career serving the people of Louisiana in the Governor’s office and our Congressional delegation. There was no greater ambassador of Louisiana culture and values, and I have no doubt that he would have been a leading member of our delegation and of Congress.

It was my honor to speak in support of the legislation on the House floor, and I am grateful to our entire Louisiana delegation for coming together to honor Luke's memory.