Dear john,

This weekend, Americans will celebrate our 246th Independence Day. As we celebrate, we also remember the struggle for freedom that our forefathers waged with the blood, sweat, and toil of American patriots who stood defiantly against the overwhelming might of foreign tyranny.

At risk of losing their lives and fortunes, our founders delivered one of the greatest documents ever written to the British Empire. Our Declaration of Independence dissolved the ties that bound us to a King and declared this nation a free and independent state: 

“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…”

READ: The Declaration of Independence

Our brave founders continued, “That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

I am also reminded this weekend of the words of John Adams who said: 

“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.”

Jo and I are wishing you and your families a safe and happy Independence Day. Let us never forget the brave founders of this great nation who sacrificed their lives and fortunes in the hopes that this land might be free. May God continue to bless America.

LISTEN: Moment of Truth Podcast - Bishop's Battle in Washington

Life Wins, Now the Fight Begins

Last week, the Supreme Court delivered a tremendous victory for life, ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that there is no constitutional right to an abortion. After 50 years, and approximately 63 million lives lost, our nation has finally taken this necessary step to creating a more perfect union that recognizes the inherent dignity and right to life for all Americans. Now the fight begins, as it is up to the people's elected representatives to defend life in each of the 50 states. 

However, pro-abortion extremists refuse to accept this decision peacefully. In recent weeks, we have seen a tremendous uptick in criminal acts against churches, religious nonprofits, and pro-life institutions.

Groups like “Jane’s Revenge” have claimed responsibility for multiple attacks both in North Carolina and across the country. 

Democrats are not only doing nothing to stop the violence. In fact, they are encouraging it.

VIDEO: AOC “Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade is “illegitimate” and calls for people to get “into the streets”

Ever since the draft Dobbs v. Jackson decision leaked, there have been at least 40 documented attacks on pro-life organizations and churches, including burning a church to the ground in West Virginia last weekend.

In response, I led several of my colleagues in sending a letter to the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security demanding that Attorney General Garland and Secretary Mayorkas protect these institutions and investigate and fully prosecute every single attack against churches and pro-life groups.

READ: EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans Call On DHS, DOJ To Provide Them With Information About Threats On Churches

This administration must condemn these violent attacks. But it can’t stop with words -the Attorney General needs to prosecute these criminals, and the Secretary of Homeland Security must provide Congress with answers as to why these groups roamed free to burn and destroy. Citizens should never be afraid to attend worship services, it is time for President Biden's administration to step up to the plate and ensure the safety of every American family.

Book a Capitol tour!

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