One-party rule in Washington has led to crisis after crisis for our Nation. One year ago, President Biden’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan left thousands of Americans and Afghan allies stranded, and took the lives of 13 American service members. In July, inflation increased 8.5% over the year, while the Administration attempts to gaslight the American people and claim 0% inflation. Trillions in spending has already been eating away at the paychecks and savings of the American people. Yet Speaker Pelosi jammed through the “Inflation Acceleration Act” the other week that’s a slush fund for Democrats’ ‘Green New Deal’ agenda and hikes taxes on small businesses. Meanwhile, President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’ self-inflicted border crisis rages on unabated at our southern border, with another 200,000 crossings in July — a 300% increase since July 2020. However, the last few weeks of summer is also a reminder that there is hope for the future, as our children and grandchildren head back to the classroom. I extend well wishes to all the students, faculty, and staff of the school districts across the Sixth District. During these trying times, the people of western Virginia remain resilient, and as Congress is set to return this fall, I am preparing to continue to advance our interests in Washington.
A Somber Remembrance: the Fall of Afghanistan
Against the advice of his generals, the Intelligence Community, and counter to the tactful withdrawal plan that President Trump negotiated, President Biden executed a haphazard withdrawal from Afghanistan just one short year ago. One remembers the images: the Taliban inching closer to regaining control and imposing their deathly tyranny as Biden decided to pull out the troops first and abandon Bagram airbase, the desperate Afghan people clinging on to and falling off U.S. evacuation planes, terrorists closing in on Kabul eventually overrunning the capital, and the horrific deaths of 13 servicemembers, the deadliest attack on our troops in Afghanistan since 2011. Now the Taliban reign supreme in Afghanistan, with billions in left-behind military equipment and access to strategic airbases.
The fall of Afghanistan was a slap in the face to all who served and drew their last breath in defense of our Nation. This disastrous withdrawal and the weakness in the Oval Office has sent an emboldening message to dictatorial regimes around the globe and has made the world a more dangerous place.
The Biden Administration Crises Continue
The data from July sadly confirms what Americans already know: we’re paying the price for Democrats’ mismanagement of the country on multiple fronts. Inflation rose 8.5% in July. Compared to last year, the cost of meat is up 7.2%, eggs 38%, fish 8.7%, milk 15.6%, and the price of fruits and vegetables are up 9.3%. Worse yet, Democrats plunged the country further into the fiscal abyss as they jammed through the “Inflation Acceleration Act,” full of tax hikes for middle- and lower-income, hard-working Americans, ‘Green New Deal’ socialist handouts to rich environmentalists, and attacks on the oil and gas industry during a time of roughly $4 gas prices.
At the southern border, July saw another 200,000 illegal migrant border crossings, bringing the total number of illegal crossings to over 2 million since October 1, 2021, including an estimated additional 500,000 “got-aways”. When I visited the border Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was pleading for help from Congress, because the Administration’s halting border wall construction, reinstating Catch and Release, and after hard-fought litigation, their final and permanent termination of Remain in Mexico were the matches that sparked this forest fire. The American people are fed up with these self-inflicted crises by the Biden Administration, and Republicans are ready to offer solutions and get our economy, security, and Nation back on track.
Back to School
Virginia is home to some of the best schools, dedicated teachers and parents, and motivated students in the country. To all the students, faculty, and staff of public schools, parochial schools, private schools, and homeschools that have already started their school years or will be kicking off soon, including Warren, Augusta, Rockbridge, Shenandoah, Amherst, Bath, Botetourt, Page, Roanoke, Rockingham, Highland, and Bedford Counties, and Waynesboro, Staunton, Buena Vista, Lexington, Harrisonburg, and Roanoke Cities, I wish you the best year yet.
Connecting with Constituents
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It was great to tour L3 Harris Technologies’ Lynchburg facility recently and meet with leadership and employees. I was impressed by the communications systems they provide to the law enforcement and first responders, defense, and aerospace industries.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If my office can ever be of assistance, please contact my Washington office at (202) 225-5431.
