The House kicked off the 119th Congress in a big way: Eternalizing Laken Riley’s legacy.

As you well know, 22-year-old Laken Riley was brutally murdered last year in Athens by an illegal alien from Venezuela. Her tragic death shook our communities, our State, and our nation.

Laken’s murder was 100% avoidable – because her killer should have never been in our country in the first place. Now, lawmakers are working to avert additional avoidable heartbreak.

You see, Laken Riley’s murderer had a pattern of criminal history – one that started when he accepted Joe Biden’s invitation to illegally cross the southern border. He was then released into our country through the Biden Administration’s weaponized parole program. The following year, he was arrested in New York City for acting in a manner to injure a minor and for committing a major vehicle license violation. Just weeks after his encounter with the NYPD, this illegal alien went on to shoplift in Athens, Georgia.

Clearly, the Left’s open border policies failed Laken at every turn.

This illegal should have never been allowed to reside in our country illegally, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) should have immediately issued a detainer after he committed these crimes. Ultimately, if ICE had been made aware and properly issued such a detainer, then Laken would still be with us today.

Thankfully, the Laken Riley Act provides a commonsense solution to prevent more of these heartbreaking tragedies from devastating families and communities across the country. In short, this bill requires ICE to issue detainers and take custody of illegal aliens who commit crimes like theft, burglary, and larceny. 

On January 7th – three days before what should have been Laken Riley’s 23rd birthday, the House passed this critical legislation bearing her name.

Notably, the Laken Riley Act passed with bipartisan support. However, nearly 160 House Democrats still voted against this lifesaving legislation. Unfortunately, the radical Left continues to put illegals first and Americans last. Despite this shameful opposition, the Senate is poised to pass the Laken Riley Act later this week.

Following its passage in the Senate, the Laken Riley Act will be sent to President Trump’s desk – likely becoming the first bill he signs into law. Not only will this action adequately honor Laken’s legacy, but it will also save American lives in her memory.

While nothing can truly heal the wounds of Laken’s tragic death, I’m hopeful that this effort will deliver justice and comfort to her friends and family. After all, the most formidable way that Congress can offer accountability to the loved ones of Laken – and all Americans harmed by the hands of an illegal alien for that matter – is to enact change to prevent additional avoidable tragedies from victimizing more law-abiding Americans.

I want to hear from you!

Last Week’s Results:

94% do not support raising the debt ceiling without enforcing significant spending cuts.

During our first session week of the 119th Congress, I proudly cosponsored several key pieces of conservative legislation, including:

• The Laken Riley Act: This key bill, which the House passed with bipartisan support, requires ICE to issue detainers  and take custody of illegal aliens who commit theft-related crimes, such as shoplifting, as defined by state and local law. Additionally, the Laken Riley Act allows state attorneys general to sue the Secretary of Homeland Security for injunctive relief if immigration actions such as parole, violation of detention requirements, or other policy failures harm that state or its citizens.
• The Remain in Mexico Act: This vital legislation codifies President Trump’s successful “Remain in Mexico” policy, which requires migrants seeking asylum at the southern border to await their immigration proceedings in Mexico.  
• The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act: This pro-Second Amendment bill would provide nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry license holders, as well as for residents of Constitutional Carry states like Georgia.
• The SAVE Act: As you may know, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is essential to protecting the sanctity and integrity of our elections. This legislation requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, as well as instructs states to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls.  
• The FairTax Act: By replacing the federal income tax with a national consumption tax, known as the Fair Tax, this legislation provides a commonsense solution to eliminate the need for the weaponized IRS, simplify our tax code, and foster economic prosperity. 
• The Panama Canal Repurchase Act: This bill authorizes the purchase of the Panama Canal, which President Trump is interested in bringing back under American ownership to improve economic and national security.

I look forward to working with my House Republican colleagues to advance these critical bills in our effort to get our country back on track. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office if you have any comments or questions about my work for the Ninth District.

The Gainesville Times | Lanier Christian Academy marks new chapter with opening of first school building

Congratulations to Lanier Christian Academy on opening a campus of its own in Flowery Branch! Last week, the school held a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate its new three-story building. This milestone marks an exciting chapter for the school and a meaningful step forward in its mission to provide a Christ-centered education to students within our community. Once the full 34-acre expansion is complete – featuring academic buildings, sports fields, and a chapel, the school is projected to enroll up to 1,200 students. Lanier Christian Academy is not only meeting the demand for quality private education but also providing young minds with a firm foundation in the Gospel. I wish the parents, students, and staff the very best on this wonderful project, and I look forward to watching their mission flourish for many years to come.

In Case You Missed It

Rep. Clyde Urges Support for the Laken Riley Act

Lawmakers are back in Washington to consider the following pieces of legislation: 

• H.R. 28, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act: This commonsense legislation prevents schools from allowing biological males from competing in school athletic programs for women or girls by stating that sex in an athletic competition must be defined by genetics at birth. Additionally, H.R. 28 withholds federal funding from schools that facilitate athletic programs where biological males compete against biological women.
• H.R. 33, the United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act: This bill strengthens the U.S. economic alliance with Taiwan and enhances our competitive position by providing targeted and expedited relief from double taxation on cross-border investment between America and Taiwan through tax code changes and authorizing the President to broker and enter into a tax agreement relative to Taiwan.
• H.R. 30, the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act: This critical legislation amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make illegal aliens who are convicted of or admit to committing sex offenses or domestic violence inadmissible and deportable from the United States. 

For regular updates on the week ahead, please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Gettr, and X. Have a blessed week!