Dear Friend,

As we anticipate a decision on Mississippi’s pro-life case before the Supreme Court of the United States, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, I wanted to share with you various efforts I have supported throughout my time in both the 116th and 117th Congresses to protect the right to life of unborn children.

I have been constant in my support for pro-life issues. One of the first caucuses I joined as a new Member of Congress was the Pro-Life Caucus because I believe that fighting for those who cannot stand up for themselves is one of the primary responsibilities for Members of Congress. As a father and a Christian, I have continued to protect Mississippi values by supporting legislation that promotes the safety of the unborn.

I was proud to join the Mississippi Congressional Delegation and the House Pro-Life Caucus in leading more than 200 Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief supporting the State of Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the egregious abortion precedent set in Roe V. Wade. In total, 44 Senators and 189 Members of the House of Representatives signed the brief.

In the amicus brief, my colleagues and I asked that “the Court uphold Mississippi’s law as effectuating important state interests, or, alternatively, return this case to the lower courts for consideration on a full evidentiary record, recognizing that certain precedents [Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey] may be reconsidered and, where necessary, be wholly or partially overruled.”

I also spoke in favor of Mississippi’s case on the steps of the Supreme Court on the day that Dobbs v. Jackson was argued. I am prayerful the Supreme Court will support Mississippi’s pro-life law and return to the states the right to protect the life of an unborn child in its upcoming decision.

I am proud to be recognized by numerous pro-life and pro-family organizations for my efforts in Congress. I have received a grade of 100 from the National Right to Life Committee, an A+ rating from the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List, and a perfect score from the Family Research Council for my strong pro-life, pro-religious freedom, and pro-family record. 

In December 2020, I voted for H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which was signed into law by President Donald Trump on December 27, 2020. This bill provided funding for the entirety of the federal government for Fiscal Year 2021, including the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Agriculture, as well as needed coronavirus relief and other priorities for our nation. The legislation provided a three percent pay raise for members of the military and $1.4 billion for President Trump's border wall, and it maintained all pro-life protections for the rights of the unborn. In March 2022, I voted for the Security Division of H.R. 2471, the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations legislation. This portion of the bill included funding for the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and other critical national security functions of government. This legislation also included existing pro-life protections. However, I voted against the domestic healthcare portion of the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bill. Planned Parenthood is never mentioned in either H.R. 133 or H.R. 2471. While the organization can receive funds through the Title X program within Medicaid, Planned Parenthood is only able to use these funds for non-abortion family planning services.

I have fought tirelessly against Planned Parenthood through my work in Congress. Because I have never supported or voted for any legislation to support Planned Parenthood’s efforts, the organization has given me a zero rating on its scorecard. I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 541, the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2021, that would ensure that Federal funding is not given to a Planned Parenthood affiliate that performs abortions or gives money to entities that do. I have worked to ensure Planned Parenthood does not receive funding through annual appropriations measures Congress approves and that Medicaid funds are protected from Planned Parenthood by joining amicus briefs in the judicial system. I also have fought to ensure that Planned Parenthood is not benefiting from the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds and then to hold the Small Business Administration accountable for its failure to protect taxpayer dollars from going to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates. 

President Joe Biden and Congressional Democrats have attacked the Hyde Amendment, which is a longstanding policy included in annual appropriations that prevents Federal funding from covering abortions. The Hyde Amendment has saved millions of innocent lives and protected taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortions. I have fought against these horrible policies and am proud that the efforts did not prevail. The Hyde Amendment and various pro-life policies were included in the Fiscal Year 2022 annual appropriations package. 

Legislation that I have supported that promotes the safety of the unborn includes: 

H.R. 28, Protecting Life in Crisis Act

H.R. 188, Women’s Public Health and Safety Act

H.R. 243, Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act

H.R. 532, Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act

H.R. 534, Protecting Life is Foreign Assistance Act

H.R. 541, Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2021

H.R. 552, Second Chance at Life Act of 2021

H.R. 554, SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2021

H.R. 555, Protecting the Dignity of Unborn Children Act of 2021

H.R. 558, Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2021

H.R. 563, Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2021

H.R. 606, No Abortion Bonds Act

H.R. 619, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

H.R. 626, Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2021 (Rep. Ron Wright, R-TX)

H.R. 18, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2021

H.R. 1011, Life at Conception Act

H.R. 1080, Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

H.R. 2223, Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act

H.R. 2849, Abortion Providers Loan Elimination Act

H.R. 4607, Protecting Life on College Campus Act of 2021

H.R. 5136, Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2021 (Rep. Bob Good, R-VA)

H.R. 5995, Pregnancy Loss Mental Health Research Act of 2021

H.R. 6060, Conscience Protection Act of 2021

H.R. 6465, Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) Act of 2022

H.R. 6536, Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act of 2022

H.R. 6828, No Pro-Abortion Task Force Act

H.J.Res. 76, Providing for Congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to “Ensuring Access to Equitable, Affordable, Client- Center, Quality Family Planning Services”.

My Christian faith is the source of my sincere belief that life is precious and is a gift from God:  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” (Jeremiah 1:5). 

I will continue to stand up for this Biblical truth and fight for the lives of the unborn through my work in Congress.