Dear Friend,

In case you missed it, I spoke with Ryan Schmelz on the Fox News Rundown to discuss the ongoing border crisis, my recent trip to the border, and upcoming legislation to address the crisis. You can find the interview here starting at timestamp 00:21:47.

In the conversation, I discussed Republican-led legislation to designate Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations:

“I believe with the recent uptick in violence along the [southwest] border [and] with the drug cartels not only moving drugs, but they’re diversifying into human trafficking, I think it’s time that we take these groups seriously. We can see that the Mexican government is unable to deal with this problem, and it’s time we designate [Mexican drug cartels] as terrorist organizations and that we use every resource we have at our disposal to fight the drug cartels and the dangerous things they are ultimately allowing to occur in our country.”

I also discussed the possibility of using military assets in a limited capacity to undermine cartel activity:

“I would support limited military involvement… things such as using some of our Special Forces assets to gather intelligence, to work with law enforcement to try to apprehend individuals who are smuggling humans or drugs unto the country, to work to disrupt some of the manufacturing processes we know that occur in Mexico… For far too long, we fought this fight with one hand tied behind our back. I think it’s now time for us to come out swinging and to use every resource at our disposal to fight back against the cartels.”

Here is what I had to say about the upcoming border legislation that Republicans plan to introduce:

“What you’re going to see Republicans do in Congress is we’re going to take a two-pronged approach. Homeland Security will be dealing particularly with Customs and Border Patrol to make sure that they have the number of agents that they need, that they have the technology that they need, that we once again begin wall construction — which the Border Patrol Chief said that he disagreed with the Administration when they stopped wall construction when President Biden took office.

So we’re going to be dealing with those individual needs — infrastructure, personnel, technology — while at the same time the [House] Judiciary Committee is going to take up proposed legislation to try to fix the broken asylum process. Our hope is at some point we’re able to merge these two bills together, and that by putting these two pieces of legislation together that we will be able to once again provide CBP with … the policies they need to secure the border, but also with the manpower and the technology that they need.”

Protecting Parents' Right to Have a Say in their Child's Education

This week the House is scheduled to consider important legislation to establish a Parents Bill of Rights. The legislation is built on five core principles:

1. Parents have the right to know what their children are being taught.
2. Parents have the right to be heard.
3. Parents have the right to see the school budget and spending.
4. Parents have the right to protect their child’s privacy.
5. Parents have the right to keep their children safe.

Parents know what’s best for their children, and that’s why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this legislation to put them back in control of their son or daughter’s education. We are working to ensure parents know and have a say in what their children learn in school and that your tax dollars are used for education, not indoctrination.

Combatting Chinese Influence

Recently, I reintroduced the Unmanned Aerial Security (UAS) Act, which would  prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from entering into or renewing a contract for any unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones, manufactured in China or other adversaries. This bill aims to safeguard the sensitive data collected by these drones for homeland security purposes and combat Chinese aggression towards the U.S.

We know that drones made by our adversaries can be manipulated to undermine American security – a security risk that we cannot tolerate as the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) presents a continuous threat against our nation and our allies. The Department of Homeland Security utilizes drones for critical missions, and it is imperative that we are able trust the technology we are using. It is well known that the CCP has stolen our technology and information in the past. That's why this legislation is so important. It would help mitigate security risks by ensuring our drones are not manufactured by our adversaries – including those manufacturers influenced by the CCP. 

The U.S. Economy

The eyes of the financial world were on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell today as he announced a 25-basis point increase to the federal funds target rate following the Federal Open Market Committee meeting. 

Despite the efforts by the Federal Reserve, inflation remains elevated, fueled by the high levels of government spending we've seen under the Biden Administration. This sets the stage for the upcoming debt ceiling debate.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy has signaled that this is an important battle to reduce the federal deficit. High levels of government spending led to the current economic crisis our nation is experiencing. It only makes sense to cut that spending before any debt ceiling increases are approved.

In the News

• Mississippi Members Express Support for KC-46 Mission at Key Field to Secretary of Air Force
• Drug cartels likely caused migrant rush at El Paso border
• House Homeland Security Committee introduces bills targeting Chinese influence