July 15, 2024: Weekly Newsletter

Friends,

This weekend, our nation was shaken by the assassination attempt on President Trump while at a rally in Pennsylvania. I am grateful to hear that President Trump is doing well, but also ask that you keep the families of those who were killed and injured in your prayers at this time.

This is a stark reminder that there is evil in our nation that must be countered and that we must rise above the voices that are at work seeking to foster hate and division.

There should be little doubt the failed attempt on President Trump is a “God shed His grace on thee” moment for our Country.  I pray that from this we will arise a nation more united that recognizes our founding truths that we share are greater than the temporal issues that separate us.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." – Matthew 5:9

 "…in the evil day, having done all to stand. Stand therefore…" – Ephesians 6:13 – 14

I am happy to share that last week, the House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a crucial step in ensuring the integrity of our elections. This bill, introduced by my fellow Texan, Congressman Chip Roy, requires proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. It amends the National Voter Registration Act to ensure that states obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity, whether individuals register at the DMV, voter registration agencies, or by mail. Polling shows that 81% of Americans support ID verification for voting. This legislation aligns with Americans’ demand for common-sense measures to protect our elections.

Unfortunately, DC Democrats fought hard against this bill, and 198 voted against it, continuing their efforts to dismantle voter ID laws and undermine the will of the American people. Their resistance to these common-sense measures is troubling, to say the least.

I am honored to have co-sponsored this legislation and commend Congressman Roy for his leadership on this critical issue.

It’s surreal that this even needs to be said – but only American citizens should vote in American elections.

I am excited to share some great news for the South Texas community. The Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority (CCRTA) has been awarded a substantial federal grant for its natural gas bus project. This achievement is a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance our local transportation infrastructure and services.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has granted CCRTA $5,888,040 from the Fiscal Year 2024 Low and No Emission Grant Program. These funds will allow CCRTA to replace its aging fleet with new natural gas buses, benefiting areas with high ridership. The project will also include workforce development training to build a skilled and enduring fleet of drivers dedicated to serving our community for years.

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with CCRTA’s in supporting their grant applications over the past three years, advocating for this vital funding to improve transportation in the 27th District. Our collaborative efforts highlight our commitment to securing available federal resources that benefit our community.

This week, I voted YES to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in inherent contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena demanding the release of the Hur tapes involving the President.

Inherent contempt is a power rarely used that allows Congress to directly enforce compliance with its subpoena's without involving the judicial branch. When administration officials refuse to comply with subpoenas, it obstructs our ability to perform congressional oversight and keeps the American people in the dark.

Although the vote to hold AG Garland in contempt ultimately failed, we remain committed to demanding transparency and holding our leaders accountable.

Transparency is non-negotiable. During our full committee hearing on the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill last week, I introduced an amendment that mandates the ATF disclose the number of records it currently possesses and how many have been digitized. This would address significant privacy and accountability concerns. The ATF’s lack of transparency and record-keeping practices threaten our Second Amendment rights.

Last month, Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and I visited the ATF headquarters to gather more information on these issues. Our visit highlighted the urgent need for oversight and informed the drafting of this amendment. This action builds on my ongoing efforts to prevent the ATF from overreaching its authority, including my reintroduction of the No REGISTRY Rights Act, which aims to dismantle any potential federal firearms registry.

I was honored to receive the “Taxpayers’ Friend Award” from the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) for my voting in support of limited government, economic freedom, and low taxes during the 2023 Congressional session. I was one of 38 members of the House to earn this recognition.

Receiving this award is a great honor. As a firm believer in the principles laid out by our Founding Fathers, I have always strived to uphold the rights of American citizens and defend against overreaching government power. This recognition is a testament to our collective efforts to ensure the federal government remains limited and accountable to the people it serves. I am dedicated to continuing this work and fighting for fiscal responsibility in Washington.

You can read the entire scorecard here.

I joined Breitbart News Daily to discuss the need to dismantle so-called “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs. We discussed the impact of these initiatives on our nation's unity and the importance of restoring merit-based practices. We must focus on policies that uplift all Americans and preserve our republic's foundational values.

God Bless,

Rep. Michael Cloud

Member of Congress

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