Dear Friends,
Yesterday, I joined a GOP delegation in Eagle Pass, Texas to see first-hand the historic surge of illegal immigrants that are overwhelming law enforcement officials and making communities less safe across America. This border crisis falls directly at the feet of President Biden and his administration. In his first 100 days in office, he issued more than 90 executive actions on immigration, hampering the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to properly address illegal border crossings.
Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that there were 207,416 migrant encounters at our southern border in June, the most for any June on record. In the midst of this historic border chaos, Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas doubled down on his lie, again saying the southern border is “secure.” That assertion is simply not true.
During the visit, we stopped by the Eagle Pass Port of Entry where border technology is essential. Inspection technology has helped officers seize millions of dollars worth of drugs, weapons, and other contraband.
We then toured the Eagle Pass South Station Holding Facility, which is a 153,000 square foot facility that processes roughly 1,300 migrants every 36 hours. Each migrant at this facility is costing the American taxpayer about $1,000 for their 36 hour stay. Following the facility tour, we held a press conference. Click here to watch my full remarks.
Throughout the trip, we spoke in depth with local law enforcement and Border Patrol leadership.
The Republican Conference stands committed to restoring common sense border policies to ensure this historic crisis doesn’t continue to go unchecked.
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| Grand Opening of the Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic |
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On Friday, it was a pleasure to attend the grand opening of the Robert S. Poydasheff VA clinic in Columbus. The men and women of our military deserve the best and this state-of-the-art facility ensures veterans in our community receive timely and accessible care that meets their unique needs.
Robert S. Poydasheff served honorably in the U.S. Army for twenty-four years and retired at the rank of Colonel. He was a decorated soldier and following his retirement, he made Columbus his home where he was elected to the City Council and served as the Mayor of Columbus. He advocated for disadvantaged veterans and supported the location of this new VA clinic in Columbus. It’s a well-deserved honor for a remarkable man and we are very proud to forever enshrine Colonel Robert S. Poydasheff’s name and legacy on this new facility.
Click here to watch my remarks.
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| Committee Update |
Last week, Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee held a roundtable to discuss Biden's radical plans around forgiving student loans. As inflation rages across the country, the Biden administration is pursuing a regressive student loan policy that is nothing but a giveaway to highly educated college graduates. His student loan forgiveness agenda will only exasperate the rising cost of higher education rather than address it. Hardworking Americans are not responsible for paying off the student loan debt of others and the Biden administration’s big government proposal to cancel student debt unfairly comes at the expense of taxpayers.
During the roundtable, I discussed my bill, the Student Loan Accountability Act, which prohibits Biden from canceling student loan debt on a mass scale. Additionally, the bill prevents forgiven loans from being tax-exempt and blocks the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from sharing American’s tax data for the purpose of implementing mass loan cancellation. Click here to watch my full remarks.
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| Protecting Our Creative Community |
The Creative Rights Caucus hosted the “Anatomy of a Television Show: The Goldbergs” last Tuesday. We heard from a few of the show’s producers and I shared some remarks to those in attendance. As the co-chair of caucus, it is important to continue educating folks about the importance of preserving and protecting the rights of the creative community in the United States. American creators of motion pictures, music, software, and other creative works rely on Congress to protect their copyrights, human rights, First Amendment rights, and intellectual property rights.
I remain committed to protecting our creative community and supporting strong intellectual property protections. Nearly 2.1 million Americans work in this robust industry, and I’m grateful to represent many of these hardworking people and production studios in Georgia.
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| House Energy Action Team |
Under this administration, gas prices have hit historic highs and energy costs are continuing to soar as a result of the Democrat's radical and deeply flawed America last policies. Instead of picking winners and losers in the energy industry, Republicans stand united in supporting an “all-of-the-above” energy approach needed to ensure America is energy independent, and not subject to the uncertainty – and national security risks – of being reliant on foreign imports.
As a member of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), I was pleased to join Congressman Jeff Duncan, co-chair of HEAT, in his South Carolina district on Friday to learn about the work, research, and partnerships in the energy space taking place at Clemson University. We also toured a local hydro facility, the Oconee Nuclear Station, and the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. These energy programs and facilities are a prime example of how communities across America can utilize innovative solutions and natural resources to safeguard our energy sector.
Click here to learn more about the visit.
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| The Week Ahead |
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The House will consider the following pieces of legislation this week:
H.R. 6552 - Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 6845 - Commercial Remote Sensing Amendment Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 7569 - Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2022
H.R. 6933 - Cost-Share Accountability Act of 2022
H.R. 7289 - Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act, as amended
H.R. 3952 - NOAA Chief Scientist Act, as amended
H.R. 7361 - National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act
H.R. 3588 - Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act, as amended
H.R. 7180 - Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act
H.R. 7132 - Safe Connections Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 7624 - Spectrum Innovation Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 4990 - ITS Codification Act
H.R. 5313 - Reese’s Law
H.R. 4551 - RANSOMWARE Act
H.R. 3962 - SECURE Notarization Act of 2022
H.R. 8454 - Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act
H.R. 623 - Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0, as amended
H.R. 7734 - Timely Delivery of Bank Secrecy Act Reports Act, as amended
H.R. 1057 - Greatest Generation of Commemorative Coin Act, as amended
H.R. 310 - To posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal, collectively, to Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, in recognition of their contributions to the Nation, as amended
H.R. 5128 - Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act
H.R. 7981 - Public and Federally Assisted Housing Fire Safety Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 7733 - CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 4586 - Risk-Based Credit Examination Act, as amended
H.R. 6528 - Housing Temperature Safety Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 4590 - Promoting New and Diverse Depository Institutions Act, as amended
H.R. 4227 - Developing and Empowering our Aspiring Leaders Act of 2022, as amended
H.R. 3771 - South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2022 (Subject to a Rule)
H.R. 5118 - Wildfire Response and Drought Resiliency Act (Subject to a Rule)
H.R. 6929 - Susan Muffley Act of 2022 (Subject to a Rule)
H.R. 4040 - Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2022
H.R. 263 - Big Cat Public Safety Act (Subject to a Rule)
H.R. 7283 - STREAM Act, as amended
H.R. 5093 - Wind River Administrative Site Conveyance Act, as amended
Possible Consideration of Legislation Related to Investing in Domestic Semiconductor Supply
Possible Consideration of Legislation Related to Public Safety
Additional Legislative Items Are Possible
As always, I’m here to serve you. Please contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to keep track of upcoming legislation and events!
Sincerely,
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| FOLLOW US |
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| In This Edition |
- Eagle Pass Border Visit
- Grand Opening of the Robert S. Poydasheff VA Clinic
- Committee Update
- Protecting Our Creative Community
- House Energy Action Team
- The Week Ahead |
| Top News |
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House GOP Plans Multiple Probes of Biden Administration
Newsmax
But Rep. Drew FERGUSON, R-Ga. chief deputy whip for the House GOP, said: "We've got to focus on fuel, food, crime, education, border."
Ferguson Speaks at Press Conference Following Visit to the Southern Border
The Jolt
AJC
U.S. Rep. Drew FERGUSON joined with other Republican House members for a trip to the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday. The itinerary included meetings with local law enforcement, Border Patrol agents and business owners, along with a site visit to the border entry point in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Rep. Drew Ferguson Lambasts Biden for Oil Relations with Communist China
The Tennessee Star
U.S. Representatives Austin Scott (R-GA-08) and Drew FERGUSON (GA-03) were among the delegation of American officials that met the Taiwanese Ambassador to the United States Hsiao Bi-khim at a China Task Force roundtable on Thursday.
The Jolt
AJC
The clinic was the result of a decade of lobbying from local leaders, including by U.S. Reps. Drew FERGUSON, R-West Point, and Sanford Bishop, D-Albany, who were both on hand for the grand opening.
Congressman Bishop Hosts Veterans Roundtable With VA Secretary, Attends Poydasheff VA Clinic Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Foreign Affairs
Congressman Bishop, along with Congressman Drew FERGUSON (GA-03) led the bipartisan effort to name the VA’s community-based outpatient clinic in Columbus, Georgia, after Bob Poydasheff, a former Army Colonel, Columbus mayor, and beloved veterans advocate.
Georgia Congressmen Introduce Beagle Brigade Act
AG Info
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives Wednesday by Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Congressman Drew FERGUSON (GA-03), Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03).
Ag groups back Beagle Brigade Act of 2022
Beef Magazine
More than 50 prominent agricultural, livestock, veterinary and trade organizations are calling for the passage of H.R.8432, the Beagle Brigade Act of 2022. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives Wednesday by Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Congressman Drew FERGUSON (GA-03), Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03).
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