Dear Friend,
House Republicans promised to pass legislation to change how Washington works and to improve the lives of all Americans. With the start of the 118th Congress this week, we followed through on several key promises. I proudly helped pass conservative solutions, including implementation of a more transparent legislative process designed to get federal spending under control. We put an end to proxy voting, which requires members of Congress to show up and do their job. We voted to protect life and those who stand for it as well as approved a bill to prevent Communist China from buying from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve. We also passed a bill rescinding the funding for 87,000 new IRS agents. I look forward to continuing to work on many more commonsense solutions to strengthen America and to protect and improve the lives of all.
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Honored to preside over the House Floor during one of the opening sessions of the 118th Congress.
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This past week, as our first order of business, House Republicans passed the 118th Congress Rules Package which includes key reforms to create a more open, transparent, and accountable House of Representatives. House Republicans are returning the chamber to the way business used to be done by empowering Members, committees, and the constituents we represent. The new House rules package... Restores the People's House: The new rules end the use of proxy voting and remote committee proceedings, ensuring all Members actually show up in person to fulfill the jobs they were elected and expected to do. I never voted by proxy, and I proudly voted to abolish the practice. The rules also open up the Capitol again to the public. Encourages meaningful debate: Lawmaking should be open to all Members, not just a select few. Individual appropriations bills will now be considered under “open rules,” which allows any member, Republican or Democrat, to offer any number of amendments to any appropriations bill and make their voice heard. Forces the federal government to get its fiscal house in order: While entitlement spending is on autopilot, comprises 75% of the total federal budget and is the primary driver of the debt, everyone knows there is plenty of waste in the other 25% of the budget that Congress has direct control over. One reason is because some lawmakers have been able to hide spending increases in larger bills or through procedural gimmicks. The new House rules prevent this by requiring lawmakers to hold a separate vote on these items. Another provision also makes it easier for lawmakers to target waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal bureaucracy by eliminating single executive branch offices and their salaries. The only way to get the attention of some bureaucrats at the highest level: take their money. Builds a transparent and effective body: Far too many times, the American people witnessed Congress release transformative legislation in the dark of night, only to be voted on hours later. Few would know the specifics of the bill until weeks later. Now, House Republicans have mandated there be at least 72 hours between the time of release of the bill text and a final vote, giving all Members ample time to read legislation before its consideration. Additionally, every bill must be on a single subject.
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The IRS should be focused on taxpayer services and upgrading their dilapidated computer systems, not targeting hardworking Americans.
This week, House Republicans passed legislation to repeal funding for the 87,000 new IRS agents that the Biden Administration is currently trying to hire. Instead of hiring an army of auditors, the IRS should work to ensure more productive and better use of their resources to get through the massive tax return backlog and improve their service to American taxpayers. I was proud to vote yes to prevent this extreme overreach by the federal government. I will always advocate for a government that works for you — not against you.
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House Republicans hit the ground running on our work to protect and strengthen America against the rising threats we face from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). First, the House voted to create the bipartisan China Select Committee which will provide policy recommendations on how the U.S. can win the economic and technological battle with the CCP. The China Select Committee will investigate the CCP for: - Its role as supplier and producer of fentanyl and its failure to stop or control what is coming out of China
- Deceptive trade practices
- Supply chain risks and vulnerabilities
- Acquisition of farmland in America
- Pursuit of advanced technologies at the expense of U.S. intellectual property
Second, with my support, the House passed H.R. 22 – Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act. This bill would stop our emergency fuel supply from being sold to China when President Biden taps it to generate more supply, which he has done previously for the purpose of lowering fuel prices. America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve is there to protect our country during national emergencies — not artificially lower the price at the pump. Yet over the past two years, Biden has drained the SPR to record low levels in his effort to lower the price at the pump because his war on American energy production drove prices higher than they otherwise would have been. Draining America's emergency fuel supply and allowing it to be sold to foreign adversaries must be stopped.
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This past week, I also helped pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act along with a resolution condemning the nearly 80 documented attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches following the leaked draft ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act: This legislation requires appropriate medical care for children who survive abortion procedures and imposes criminal penalties for failure to provide such care. Additionally, the bill gives the mother of the abortion survivor a civil cause of action against the abortionist and protection from prosecution, recognizing that women are the second victims of abortion and promoting the dignity of motherhood.
Resolution in support of crisis pregnancy centers following recent attacks by radicals: Following the historic Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court ruling, House Democrat leadership and the Biden Administration refused to properly condemn and address political attacks against crisis pregnancy centers, churches, and pro-life organizations by radical Left-wing activists. Crisis pregnancy centers provide crucial assistance to mothers, babies, and families in need, and these attacks drain their resources used to save lives. This resolution rightfully condemns these political attacks and stands with those who defend the right to life.
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The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has directed Chemours to conduct sampling to determine if there are PFAS compounds, including GenX, from the company’s facility in private drinking water wells in counties around the Fayetteville Works Facility and downstream. At this time, Chemours is required to sample private drinking water wells in Bladen, Cumberland, Sampson, and Robeson Counties and in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, and Pender counties. DEQ is encouraging residents to have their wells sampled if they are eligible. There is no cost to residents and doing so will help find the homes that qualify for replacement water supplies.
If you live in Bladen, Cumberland, Sampson, or Robeson County, CLICK HERE for additional information. If you live in Brunswick, Columbus, New Hanover, or Pender County, CLICK HERE for more information. Residents can also call Chemours at (910) 678-1100 or complete the online form to request well sampling.
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Bladen County resident Ms. Lula Margaret Coatney McKoy recently celebrated her 100th birthday on January 8th. According to the Bladen Journal, "Lula says your best shot to make it to one hundred years old is 'to put the Lord first in your life and to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' Lula celebrated a century of life surrounded by her loved ones and with her favorite Bible verse in her heart: “Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51)." Please join me in wishing Lula a very happy and blessed 100th birthday!
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"It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger." – Theodore Roosevelt |
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