Dear John,

Recent News

During this recession, on Tuesday, August 16th, the President signed the Democrat's so-called "Inflation Reduction Act" into law. This bill aims to have the IRS collect $20 billion from lower-and-middle-income earners and small businesses. It also adds an additional $740 billion in government spending and higher taxes. It also gives the IRS $79.6 billion over the next ten years, and $45.6 billion of that will be directed towards enforcement.

The "Inflation Reduction Act" will have minimal to no impact on the economy's current state of inflation. Instead of helping Americans during a time when we're paying over 4.00 dollars a gallon for gas, this bill spends taxpayer money to hire 87,000 NEW IRS agents. Under the "Inflation Reduction Act," audits of taxpayers making under $400,000 is estimated to cause Americans to pay as much as $20 billion more in taxes over the next decade. During the deliberation of this bill, Senator Mike Crapo, a Republican from Idaho, introduced an amendment to prohibit any use of funds to audit Americans with taxable incomes below $400,000. Democrats, on a party-line vote, rejected this amendment.

Democrats say they will tax the upper class and cut taxes for the middle and lower class but don't, they say they will reel in wasteful government spending but don't, and they say they will calm the rampant inflation, but they only add fuel to the fire. Instead, Democrats push a bill that raises taxes on the middle and lower class by increasing funding for the IRS and equipping them with the ability to use lethal force.

D.C. Update

• H.R.7900, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, passed the House with bipartisan support. I voted YES. Our federal government's first and foremost duty is to protect its citizens from foreign adversaries. This bill will modernize our navy, deter China through our Pacific Deterrence Initiative, extend the prohibition of a dishonorable discharge for servicemembers who refuse the COVID-19 vaccination, support Taiwan, and give a pay raise to our troops. In addition, I offered an amendment requiring the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit a report to Congress regarding VA disability claims and our servicemen detaching from the military. We must close the gaps servicemembers experience when transitioning from active duty to civilian life. The amendment was adopted the amendment and is now part of the House version of the NDAA for FY 23.

• H.R. 8294 is an appropriations bill for Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food, and Drug Administration, Energy, and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior and Environment, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. I voted NO on this Democrat partisan appropriations bill, which will expand the size and scope of the federal government, contribute to inflation, increase regulation, and decrease our economic competitiveness. This package will restrict offshore oil and gas drilling, allow tax dollars to be used to fund abortions, increase spending on non-defense programs by 14%, and will encourage illegal immigration.

• H.R. 8408 - On July 19th, I introduced the Federal Mask Mandate Limitations Act, which limits the power of the Federal government and their ability to institute mask mandates on modes of transportation. In 2021, President Biden issued the "Executive Order on Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel," which required masks on planes and trains. This was an overreach of executive authority as a federal judge ruled against the mask mandate. My bill ensures that the elected representatives of the people, not unelected bureaucrats, are making laws.

District Update

Well, school is back. Summer is just about a wrap. It was a busy time in the district throughout the past few months.

Whenever I am home, I have the privilege of meeting so many remarkable people. So much so that each week my office sends out dozens of recognition letters highlighting some of their achievements. I wanted to find a way to highlight the people of our district in a more personal way. After looking at all of these letters going out to the people of Tarrant, Ellis, and Navarro Counties, it reminded me of growing up back home in Perryton, Texas, where my pastor would start off every Sunday service; with what he called "Joys and Concerns." During this, he would highlight some of the remarkable things that members of the church are doing and some of their many accomplishments. He would also take this time to bring up prayer requests. To unite as a congregation to pray for our community and those in need. On July 12th, I had the privilege of doing this on the House Floor.

If you know of a neighbor, friend, or family member that is going above and beyond for our community, please call my office or visit my website https://ellzey.house.gov/joys-and-concerns and tell me about it. I want to honor those individuals on the House Floor. Or, if someone you know is struggling and needs someone to pray for them, I will do so on the House Floor.

As the summer comes to a close, I hope you made some new memories. I want to say good luck to all of our teachers, administrators, support staff, families, and teachers as a new school year unfolds. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for assistance should you need it. Thank you to all our educators and your dedication to our communities. You are valued and appreciated.

Walk with Jake

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Sincerely,





Jake Ellzey
Member of Congress