December 10, 2024: Weekly Newsletter

I had the opportunity to meet with Mark Swidan upon his return home after enduring over a decade of unjust detention in China. Mark's extraordinary courage and steadfast faith through 12 years of unimaginable hardship serve as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Imprisoned for crimes he did not commit, Mark faced inhumane conditions with unshakable hope and determination. His eventual release and return to the United States is a victory for justice and a reminder of the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity.

As Mark begins the journey of recovery and freedom, I ask you to join me in praying for his recovery and the continued strength of his family during this time.

The House of Representatives has taken a significant step to honor the memory of Captain Robert E. "Bob" Batterson by passing my bill to name a post office in Corpus Christi in his honor. This tribute recognizes a man whose life exemplified dedication to his nation and his community. The bill now heads to the Senate.

Captain Batterson served our country with distinction for 35 years in the U.S. Navy. His service included surviving the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 and flying F6F Hellcats at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi. After retiring from the military, Captain Batterson devoted another 26 years as a volunteer at the U.S.S. Lexington Museum, further enriching the lives of those in Corpus Christi.

May this post office stand as a lasting tribute to Captain Batterson's legacy of service, and may his memory continue to bless his family and our community.

As a member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, I am glad to share the release of our final report—the most comprehensive review of the pandemic conducted to date. This report represents two years of rigorous investigation into the origins of COVID-19, the effectiveness of government mandates, and the far-reaching consequences of pandemic policies.

Key Findings Include:

• COVID-19 Origins: Evidence overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that COVID-19 likely originated in a lab in Wuhan, China. Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology reportedly fell ill with COVID-like symptoms months before the virus surfaced publicly, and the lab conducted high-risk gain-of-function research under inadequate safety conditions.

• Policy Failures: The report found no conclusive evidence that masks or social distancing effectively protected Americans. Notably, social distancing guidance was described by Dr. Fauci in closed-door testimony as something that "just sort of appeared."

• Impact on Americans: The economic and educational toll of pandemic policies was staggering. Lockdowns and mandates led to skyrocketing unemployment and erased decades of academic progress for our children.

This report serves as both an essential tool for accountability and a critical roadmap to ensure we are better prepared for future pandemics. By exposing failures and emphasizing evidence-based policies, we can avoid repeating the mistakes that caused harm to countless Americans. This report is important for government transparency, but accountability still must be had to those—like Dr. Fauci—who have yet to face any consequences for their part.

Read the report in it's entirety, here.

ICYMI, here is my questioning of Dr. Fauci from June, 2024:

I had the opportunity to engage with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as they presented their vision for the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Their focus on reducing wasteful spending and streamlining government operations is what the D.C. apparatus has been failing to do.

We’re going to have to have the backbone as Congress to make these tough, tough decisions, and the way the American people voted suggests they understand this is a moment for change.

These are not easy conversations, but I believe the American people recognize the importance of addressing government waste and ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.

I tackled the dreaded sloped roof we have heard a lot about this year—thankfully, I made it back down in one piece!

As we head into this Christmas season, it’s a reminder that we all face our share of ups and downs, but with faith and determination, we can overcome. My prayer for you and your family this Christmas is for peace, joy, and cherished moments together. Let’s take this time to reflect on God’s blessings and look forward to the new year with hope and gratitude.

God Bless,

Rep. Michael Cloud

Member of Congress

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