Notes from Mike's Desk from the Weeks of January 23 – February 3, 2023

Hello, friends! Welcome back to my newsletter highlighting what’s happening on Capitol Hill and in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District. Thank you for subscribing and please consider recommending my newsletter to a friend.

IN THE HOUSE

It’s no secret that the situation at our southern border has become a catastrophe. This week, the House Judiciary Committee used our first hearing of this Congress to examine the matter and discuss solutions. Since most of the mainstream media refuses to cover this emergency, we will lay the facts bare for the American people.

Last week, I was happy to be appointed by Speaker McCarthy to the newly formed and highly anticipated House Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government.

Since the beginning of the Biden Administration, several federal agencies designed to serve and keep Americans safe have instead been turned against them.

Finally, accountability is on the way, and we will follow the truth where it leads. Our first hearing is now set for next Thursday. Let the fireworks begin. 

Also last week, I was honored to be re-appointed as Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government.

After serving as Ranking Member over the past four years, I’m ready to hit the ground running as Chairman and work with our members and staff to help ensure that Congress is upholding the Constitution and protecting the civil liberties of all Americans, not just a favored few.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK

As we highlighted in our Judiciary Committee hearing this week, the Biden Administration has released 1.7 million illegal aliens into American communities. It’s a shame that our Democrat colleagues refuse to acknowledge the undeniable facts that everyone can plainly see.

Last Thursday, I joined my new Weaponization Committee colleagues Rep. Dan Bishop and Rep. Harriet Hageman on the Ingraham Angle to discuss some of our preliminary plans for the Committee. Unlike our Democrat counterparts on the January 6th Committee, we are beginning from a position of neutrality. This is a fact finding operation, and we plan to deliver truth to the American people. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Supreme Court recently announced its investigation was unable to identify the individual who leaked the draft opinion in the Dobbs case. This is a terrible development for the institution and for the country.

Congress should now follow through on the Supreme Court’s implicit endorsement of legislation to expressly prohibit such leaks, in order to better protect the future operations of our nation’s highest court.

As such, I’ve re-introduced the Leaker Accountability Act, a bill that would expressly prohibit Supreme Court leaks moving forward, and hold accountable anyone who aims to harm the institution of the Court for political gain.

The 20-page Supreme Court Marshal report makes specific mention of this bill, which I first introduced last Congress, saying “Consideration should be given to supporting such legislation.”

We are working to get this across the finish line, and I certainly hope it’s bipartisan!

LAGNIAPPE

Early Wednesday morning, it was my honor to help lead a solemn assembly of hundreds of Christian leaders and Members of Congress who joined together at the Museum of the Bible for a time of prayer and repentance for our nation. As we face today’s extraordinary challenges, we must acknowledge the answers exist beyond the halls of Congress. May God continue to bless America. Our survival depends upon it.

In case you missed it, last week Louisiana took over DC! As we approach Mardi Gras season back home, thousands of Louisianians – constituents, elected officials, community leaders and business leaders –made the trip to Washington last week to advocate for the issues that impact our state and communities.

Kelly and I were happy to play a role in once again bringing Louisiana’s distinct culture to our nation’s capital!

Thank you again for subscribing and reading. We’ll have more next week!

For freedom,