July 30, 2022

THE "BIDENCESSION"

This week, it was reported that the GDP fell .9% in Q2. When the GDP falls for two consecutive quarters, that is the definition of a recession. No matter which way the Biden Administration tries to spin it, Americans are shouldering the weight of the Biden's failed economic policy. It's proving too heavy of a burden to bear. Inflation is costing the average American worker over $3,000 in annual income. It's also hitting Oklahomans disproportionately hard. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the nation is 9.1%, however it is 14.9% for Oklahoma specifically. It's time for Democrats to reign in the reckless spending and bring back American energy independence. It is the only way we'll get through this. 

THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF THE ICE FUNDING SHORTFALL

This week, I led nine of my House Republican colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) Director Tae Johnson, urging them to address the $345 million ICE budget shortfall and to consider the detrimental affects this will have on the already deteriorating southern border. There has been a dangerous increase in human smuggling and drug cartel violence on the U.S. side of the border. The Biden Administration must answer for the mess they have made. It's costing human life. Click here to read the letter. 

SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED

The Second Amendment clearly states, "the right to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Despite this, the House took up a vote on Friday on the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022. Neither Joe Biden, nor his Democrat allies in Congress, can define the phrase "assault weapon." Unsurprisingly, the sponsor of the bill itself revealed his complete lack of knowledge by claiming that a pistol brace magically transforms a pistol into a machine gun. We have been down this road before. The Clinton-era 1994 assault weapons ban did not meaningfully affect gun crime. I will never stop fighting against the Lefts' attempt to strip Americans of this fundamental right. 

NATIONAL KOREAN WAR VETERANS ARMISTICE DAY

Wednesday marked the 69th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice. On this and every day, we honor the service of our Korean War veterans and join together to ensure their courageous sacrifice in defense of freedom is never forgotten.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH

Amid skyrocketing inflation, historic national debt, and talks of a recession, Joe Biden is flipping to yet another page in his failed economic playbook: student loan forgiveness.

Student loan payments have been on pause since the start of COVID-19 spread back in March 2020. As the August 31^st expiration date nears, there are talks the Biden Administration will not only extend this freeze, but also forgive at least $10,000 worth of student loans per borrower, most of which would go to wealthy, liberal elites.

More than 80 percent of Americans do not have student loans. For those who do, 60 percent of student loan debt is held by households that earn more than $74,000 annually and 56 percent is held by households with additional graduate degrees. Just twelve percent of student loans are held by low-income households.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. We do not need farmers and ranchers, small business owners, and teachers in Oklahoma paying the debts of Ivy League lawyers and doctors across the United States.

This would place undue burden on those already suffering due to the weight of Biden’s failed economic policy and it would only worsen our national debt. If the Biden Administration goes through with this proposal, it would cost taxpayers at least $230 billion. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Budget has called this proposal, “regressive and inflammatory.” It’s downright offensive if you ask me.

This is a band-aid solution for bad policy. It ignores the very problems most Americans are facing and will do nothing to make college more affordable. We cannot start this trend of debt bailouts and allow future generations to aimlessly borrow from the government under the assumption they will not have to pay it back.

I believe we are only as good as our word. There is value in the hard work that comes with paying off student loan debt. It is not up to the federal government to take this responsibility from us. When we choose to undertake an investment in ourselves, it’s the least we can do to responsibly pay the institution that backed us just as generations have sacrificed to do before us.

WORKING IN WASHINGTON 

It's an honor to fight for Oklahoma's conservative values here in Washington. We had a busy week, but as always, I am grateful for the time spent with constituents who share the goal of bettering not just our state but also our nation.

It is now more important than ever that we empower girls and women in sports. It was great to meet with Wrestle Like a Girl Founder and CEO Sally Roberts yesterday and discuss the ways her organization is doing just that.

I had the chance to catch up with representatives from Ferra Aerospace in Grove, Oklahoma and hear about their new ownership and recent activities. Aaron, who is pictured to my right, had the chance to participate in the Farnborough International Airshow just last week. 

On Wednesday, I had an insightful conversation with representatives from Oklahoma Community Health Centers to hear updates on their health centers in Eastern Oklahoma. 

I had a great meeting with Oklahomans for Independent Living from Pittsburg County. We discussed ways to increase personal independence and empower Oklahomans, regardless of their disabilities, to live freely and happily. 

Thank you to the Association of Oklahoma Narcotics Enforcers for stopping by this week. As drug overdose deaths topped 100,000 for the first time ever this past year, I could not be more grateful for those who work day in and day out to keep our communities safe from these dangerous substances.

WEEKLY WRAP UP

If you change the definition of "recession," it doesn't take away the pain Americans are feeling. Just like when you change the name of a $700 BILLION spending bill to the "Inflation Reduction Act," it doesn't change the fact this bill is terrible for our economy. You can watch this week's wrap up on Facebook, Twitter, or Youtube.

Thank you for reading my weekly e-newsletter! You can stay in touch by visiting my Facebook and Twitter pages and as always, don’t hesitate to contact me if I can help in any way. Watch 

Votes for the week of July 25th, 2022:

H.R. 6552 Frederick Douglass Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act (YES)

H.R. 7289 Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act (YES)

H.R. 3588 Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act (NO)

H.R. 7180 Brycen Gray and Ben Price COVID-19 Cognitive Research Act (YES)

H.R. 8454 Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (NO)

H.R. 7734 Timely Delivery of Bank Secrecy Act Reports Act (NO)

H.R. 6929 Susan Muffley Act (NO)

H.R. 3771 South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act (NO)

H.R. 4040 Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act (YES)

Senate Amendment to H.R. 4346 CHIPS-Plus (NO)

H.R. 5118 Wildlife Response and Drought Resiliency Act (NO)

H.R. 263 Big Cat Public Safety Act (NO)

H.R. 1808 Assault Weapons Ban (NO)

H.R. 7283 STREAM Act (YES)

S. 3451 A bill to include certain computer-related projects in the Federal permitting program under title XLI of the FAST Act (YES)