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Friends,
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
We are all familiar with this phrase from the Declaration of Independence. It's been ingrained in our minds from civics classes to speeches, especially around each Independence Day – and rightfully so. Since our nation's founding, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness have defined the American dream.
I am and will always be incredibly proud to be an American, and I am grateful for all those who fought and sacrificed for the freedoms we hold so dear. As your Congressman, I will always defend your rights and values enshrined in both our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Unfortunately, many of these are under attack, including our Second Amendment. That’s why throughout my time in Congress, I have been a strong and vocal advocate for protecting your Second Amendment rights. Recently, I have championed legislation to stop Big Government from attempting to infringe on your right to keep and bear arms.
Last year, President Biden’s ATF imposed a new pistol brace ban which forced millions of Americans who rely on pistol stabilizing braces - specifically combat wounded veterans - to surrender their firearm or register on the federal registry. This was a deliberate attempt to turn law-abiding citizens into felons for simply exercising their Second Amendment rights.
In yet another attempt to come after your right to keep and bear arms, President Biden’s Department of Commerce issued a new rule on gun exports that prohibits law-abiding businesses from selling American-made firearms overseas. From the small businesses that sell firearms, ammunition, and components, to the manufacturers and shippers that make and deliver them, the rule will make it nearly impossible for many gun shop owners to make a living.
From the pistol brace rule to gun exports rule, it’s clear President Biden and his radical gun grabbing bureaucrats are trying to target your Second Amendment rights. That’s why a few weeks ago, I was proud to help lead the fight to stop them and reaffirm the House of Representatives’ continued support for the Second Amendment.
This administration has even taken its war on the Second Amendment to our youth by attempting to ban any government funds to schools that offer archery and hunting courses. These courses teach future generations the important skills of public safety, confidence, and comradery, and these benefits should be fully recognized. I led common sense legislation to protect these programs, and I was glad to see it pass Congress with a bipartisan vote in the House and Senate and become law - a further safeguard for you and your Second Amendment rights.
As Congress’ leading defender of the Second Amendment, I will continue to focus on solutions that protect our Constitutionally-protected freedoms and get Big Government out of the way.
President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where people were free.”
While there are many things that can divide us, being an American unites us all and it's up to us to preserve our nation for the next generation.
Independence Day is one of the most important holidays in our country. It serves as a reminder to never lose sight of the blessings of freedom, and always remember those who have served our nation in uniform and paid the price for our liberty.
As we commemorate the founding of our nation, Renee and I hope you are able to spend time with family and friends to celebrate our cherished freedoms that make our country the greatest on Earth.
May God Bless America.
Until Next Time,
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