September 27th, 2022: Weekly Newsletter

Open border policies are a national security crisis.

I joined Newsmax to discuss these disturbing developments at the border.

I also I joined a press conference with several sheriffs from around the country to discuss the border crisis, which you can watch HERE.

And In case you missed it:

Democrats blamed Putin for inflation.

They blamed oil companies for higher gas prices.

They blamed the crime crisis on the second amendment.

Now they expect you to believe Texas is to blame for the Biden Border Crisis.

Unbelievable.

The Biden administration is proving to be the criminal cartels’ greatest ally.

Cartels have complete operational control over every aspect of our southern border, yet the Biden administration still has the audacity to claim the border is secure.

Fentanyl pours into our country, terrorists cross in record numbers, and communities are destroyed—all while this administration turns a blind eye.

Article 4, Section 4 of the Constitution clearly states that the federal government must protect states from invasion. This administration is derelict in their duty to protect our homeland, and they must be held accountable.

One of the most disturbing developments is the amount of illegal immigrants crossing the border that pose a terrorist threat. Since October of 2021, 66 illegal migrants on the terrorist watchlist were apprehended. This is double that of migrants on the terrorist watchlist apprehended in the past 5 years. And these are only the ones that were caught.

This begs the question: How many got away?

Since the Biden administration took over, an estimated 900,000 illegal migrants entered our country undetected. Border security is national security, but under the Biden administration, we have neither.

Last week, the House Oversight and Reform Committee held yet another hearing to vilify American energy producers.

This is the third time Democrats have held this sort of hearing. All in an effort to continue their push for a Green New Deal agenda. A strong America leads to global stability and peace, which is exactly what we saw under the Trump administration. One of the best ways to do so is through our energy policy.

Texans stand ready to meet the world’s energy demands, however the Biden administration continues to stifle domestic energy production in favor of electric vehicles and intermittent energy such as solar panels. This is a catastrophic  mistake. Not only has the world’s transition to American natural gas led to the largest ever decrease in emissions, abandoning American energy in favor of intermittent energy and electric vehicles is an enormous step back in projecting American influence and promoting peace internationally.

One of the most dangerous consequences of Green New Deal priorities is an increasing reliance on China. China has a global monopoly on critical minerals. Moreover, they have been known to use child labor to mine them. Recklessly pushing ahead with this agenda, despite China controlling roughly 90% of the necessary resources, gives them immense leverage over the United States. And unlike the United States, they have no concern over the well-being of workers.

You can watch my FULL remarks HERE.

Furthermore, the Economic and Consumer Policy Subcommittee, of which I am the Ranking Member, held a hearing where Democrats blamed Biden’s inflation crisis on American businesses, accusing them of price gouging. 

Reckless spending and inept leadership have resulted in increased prices on basic goods nationwide, not price gouging by businesses.

Congress needs to use the committee’s resources to conduct oversight of the many problems created under this Administration’s watch, not gaslight the American people. 

You can watch my remarks HERE.

Summary

Democrats are pushing for a "green" agenda that lets China gain a huge advantage over the United States.

Then they held a hearing blaming fellow Americans for their own bad policy.

I called them out for both.

American energy independence promotes strength, and we MUST pursue it to protect our national security... 

WATCH BELOW:

Yet Democrats continue to demonize American oil and gas companies at every opportunity.

Meanwhile, this is the face of the

Green New Deal.

As you may have seen, President Biden appeared on 60 minutes and said that inflation has only “gone up an inch.” In reality, it has gone up a mile.

WATCH BELOW:

Recently, I led an investigation demanding answers from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding Head Starts’ mask mandate for toddlers in schools nationwide.

There is no reason for there to be any requirement of masks for toddlers in schools, period.

Numerous studies have shown how detrimental it is for children to be continually subjected to mask wearing. Imposing masks on young children impacts their ability to speak, develop social skills, and impairs their interpretation of the world at early ages. Many families are already seeing the ramifications of mask mandates in their children. 

While private schools nationwide allow students and parents to make decisions on whether their child should wear a mask, children in Head Start programs are put at an automatic disadvantage at a critical age by this policy. This is unacceptable.

Head start programs deliver schooling services through 1,600 agencies in local communities to more than 1 million children every year.

After my inquiry into the Head Start Program, HHS decided to rescind their mandate and unmask American children. This was a big win which will give children from low-income families a better opportunity to thrive in their learning and social development.

You can read more about it HERE.

Last week I co-led 43 Republicans in demanding Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough immediately rescind the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) new rule that provides abortion services through the VA healthcare system. 

This misguided decision by the VA is using taxpayer dollars to conduct the heinous act of abortion, which is a direct attack on the consciences of countless Americans, and goes against decades of precedent prohibiting taxpayer-funded abortions.”

This interim final rule is yet another attempt by the Biden administration to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs and disregard the wishes of the majority of American voters.

If Secretary McDonough refuses to rescind this reprehensible and unlawful rule, Congress must swiftly hold the Biden Administration accountable for this unprecedented overreach and abuse of power.

You can read the full letter HERE.

Great to be with the Victoria Economic Development Corporation (VEDC) again. It’s always helpful to hear from community members about issues facing our communities right now. 

We also discussed the need to secure our southern border, the importance of energy independence and supporting American energy producers, and the ways I am fighting against inflationary spending policies in Washington. Hearing from people in the community helps me to better serve our district and informs my position on issues.

Casework Update

• Constituent received 70% VA disability. His pay will be $18,359.40 a year.
• Constituent received 100% VA unemployability, his pay is $35.688 per year and 80% CRSC, his pay is capped at $8,256 a year.
• Constituent was able to receive an in-person appointment and receive her passport in time for travel within two days. 
• Constituent received his military and medical records from 1979-1988.

Last week I cosponsored a bill to end DHS catch and release policies, as well as cosigned a letter regarding Army vaccine exemption policies.

God Bless,

Rep. Michael Cloud

Member of Congress

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