The Week in Review

Happy Friday!

Even though the House was not in session for most of the week, it was still very busy. From voting against the Democrats’ reckless Inflation Reduction Act to investigating the unprecedented FBI raid on President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence,  I hope you’ll read below to learn about the important happenings from the week: 

Voting Against the Democrats’ Reckless Inflation Reduction Act

Today, I voted against Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) misnamed Inflation Reduction Act--a massive spending bill that will not reduce inflation and includes a wish list of radical priorities from the Democrats. This legislation--endorsed by President Joe Biden--raises taxes, spends more money we don’t have, and will hurt most Americans.

There are a number of egregious elements in this bill. Analysis from the Penn Wharton Budget Model concludes that the legislation’s “impact on inflation is statistically indistinguishable from zero" – not exactly the “reduction” promised in the bill’s title. The Joint Committee on Taxation finds that it raises taxes on middle-class workers by $16.7 billion over a decade. That is unacceptable.

One of the worst provisions of this bill hires 87,000 IRS armed agents to target middle-class Americans. In 2021, more than 75% of IRS audits targeted Americans making under $200,000 per year. We could certainly use 87,000 Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to help address Biden’s Border Crisis, but the Democrats refuse to do so and instead want to hire more IRS agents. 

Other provisions of the bill worsen American healthcare, spend money on woke climate programs, and punish American manufacturers.

Unfortunately, this egregious bill passed and will negatively affect our future for generations.

IRS Amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act

Today, I introduced an amendment to the Inflation Reduction Act that prohibits agents of the IRS who are hired through the Act to initiate a new audit of a taxpayer until the tax return backlog of the IRS has been resolved. 

The Inflation Reduction Act hires 87,000 new agents to complete audits of mostly middle-class Americans even though the IRS still owes Americans their tax returns. 

The backlog is unacceptable and it's simply hypocritical to hire more agents. I will continue to hold the IRS accountable. 

FBI Raid at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Home

This week, Joe Biden’s FBI raided Mar-a-Lago--President Trump’s private residence. The FBI reportedly seized fifteen boxes containing everything from newspaper clippings to memorabilia.

The FBI has virtually done nothing with the Hunter Biden computer for years, allowed Hillary Clinton to skate when she violated numerous laws, and continues to target President Trump and conservative Americans.

Democrats continue to assert that this was not a raid nor was it unjust. But it is obvious that this was an abuse of power against an opponent. For 250 years, America has avoided such corruption, but it is now endemic in our government departments and agencies.

The documents, if there are documents, that the FBI desired were not in imminent danger of being destroyed. The FBI wanted to demonstrate its power against the former President. 

I will keep you all posted with any new information I receive. I will not let these institutions go unchecked.

Memorial Service for the Late Honorable Jackie Walorski

Yesterday, I attended the memorial service for the Late Honorable Jackie Walorski. Congresswoman Walorski was tragically killed in a car accident in Indiana along with her communications director, Emma Thomson, and her district director, Zachery Potts.

Congresswoman Walorski represented Indiana’s Second Congressional District and was a principled leader who fought for America First policies. She worked tirelessly to hold the Democrats accountable and was widely respected by our congressional colleagues.

This is nothing short of a tragedy and my thoughts and prayers are with her family and the families of her staffers.

U.S. Service Academy Nomination 

If you or someone you know is interested in attending a U.S. service academy, I can help. As a member of Congress, I can nominate individuals to attend each of the service academies, including: 

U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY.

Click here to apply or to find more information. 

Letters and Legislation

Letters Cosigned

Oversight letter to the National Archives and Records Administration to determine their involvement in the FBI raid of President Trump’s home. 

Top Media Appearances of the Week

I joined Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt to discuss the FBI raid on President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago private residence and how the FBI and the DOJ have become weaponized. Click below to watch some of the segment. 

I joined Fox News radio’s Jason Chaffetz to analyze the Democrats’ egregious Inflation Reduction Act and the crisis at our southern border.

I joined WakeUp! Tucson’s Chris DeSimone to share my thoughts on the FBI raid on President Trump’s private residence and what needs to be done to hold the FBI more accountable. Click below to hear the full segment.

Top Op-Eds of the Week

I wrote a column for The Hill that discusses how Americans are not free under President Joe Biden’s leadership. In countless ways, the Biden government has been weaponized to take away our freedoms and give the national government more power. This has led to high crime, a sinking economy, and a porous southern border for the nation.

The Hill piece may be read here.

I also wrote a column for Townhall that examines the FBI raid at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence. Not only was this type of raid not seen in 250+ years, it also sets a dangerous precedent where any American with opposing political beliefs of a presidential administration can face the consequences from its federal police apparatus.

The Townhall piece may be read here.

What’s the Biggs Idea? Podcast w/ Rep. Jim Jordan

This week, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) joined me on my podcast “What’s the Biggs Idea?”.

Congressman Jordan is the Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, serves on the House Oversight Committee, and is the former chair of the House Freedom Caucus. He represents Ohio’s 4th Congressional District. We discussed the FBI’s unprecedented raid on President Trump’s home, egregious provisions found in the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act, and House Oversight and Judiciary hearings under Democratic leadership.

We’ll be posting more episodes soon. Check out our social media pages for updates.

Click below to view the podcast. Or visit my website to watch previous episodes. 

Top Tweets of the Week

Definition of the Week

Joe Biden and the Democrats continue to assert that the FBI raid on President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence was not a raid nor was it unjust. But it is clear that this was an abuse of power against an important political opponent.

Inspired by Joe Biden and Democrats’ false narrative, here’s the definition of the week:

Mar-a-Lago Raid (NOUN): A wrongful and partisan incursion on the private residence of President Donald J. Trump.