It was a short but disappointing week back in session, as business as usual won the day. As reckless spending policies continue to wreak havoc on our economy, driving inflation that hikes up costs for hardworking families, I voted against the $4 trillion debt limit increase “deal.” Additionally, our Governor announced the deployment of Virginia National Guard troops to help the State of Texas secure the southern border. I also honored the first graduating class of JMU’s Valley Scholars on the House Floor, and met with students and local organizations back in the district. The battle to rein in Biden’s out-of-control bureaucracy and restore fiscal sanity is just beginning, and I will continue to fight for the good people of Virginia’s Sixth District.
Standing Against Business-As-Usual Washington
The American people and Virginia’s Sixth District are currently feeling real, untold hardship from years of reckless spending policies, and have made it clear that Washington must change its habits. That is why House Republicans passed the Limit, Save, Grow Act (H.R. 2811) last month, which would raise the debt ceiling by $1.5 trillion, while also making serious spending reforms to stop the accumulation of even more debt in the future.Unsurprisingly, President Biden and congressional leadership’s “deal”, the Fiscal Responsibility Act (H.R. 3746), is a watered-down version of our original debt ceiling solution, allowing for a roughly $4 trillion debt limit increase beyond the 2024 election while excluding just about everything we had passed. That is unacceptable, and clearly fails to meet the seriousness of our fiscal moment.
America is in over $31.8 trillion debt because of reckless policies, and President Biden’s debt limit agreement just further rewards Washington’s bad spending habits. That’s why I voted against this deal. While I am disappointed that the House passed the bill, I will continue fighting for the people of Virginia’s Sixth District to cut inflationary spending, reduce out-of-control debt, and restore economic prosperity to our great Nation.
Fighting Biden’s Border Crisis
The ongoing border crisis facing our nation has turned every state into a border state, including the Commonwealth. Since October, there have been more than 1.7 million illegal crossings and more than 2.3 million in FY2022. Worse, record-high amounts of deadly fentanyl continues to flow across the border into our communities, impacting countless innocent lives every year. In Virginia, an average of five people die each day from the illicit narcotic.
That’s why this week, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced his plan to deploy 100 Virginia National Guard troops to the southern border to help the State of Texas protect the southern border and I commend him and the Guardsmen for taking action. While President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas refuse to enforce law and order, states like Virginia are answering the call to secure our southern border, reduce the flow of fentanyl, combat human trafficking, and address the humanitarian crisis.
Recognizing Valley Scholars
I was pleased to recognize the first-ever graduating class of James Madison University’s (JMU) Valley Scholars program. The program targets middle students from the surrounding public-school districts with academic potential who would be first-generation college students. Students participate in educational and cultural enrichment activities designed to build leadership skills and achieve academic excellence, with a goal to attend JMU and receive scholarship support. This spring, the first-ever cohort from the Valley Scholars program graduated from JMU this spring – 17 students from around the Valley. I was glad to congratulate these students on the House Floor for becoming the first college graduates in their families, and wish them success in their future endeavors.
Constituent Meetings
I was pleased to meet with AARP Virginia’s Associate State Director for Advocacy and Outreach, JessiKa Eglin, and the Volunteer State President, Joyce Williams.
It was a pleasure to present the plaque of the Congressional Record honoring the Salem High School Forensics Team for their state championship victory.
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.
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