The Shadow
It was a final push this week to get things done before the District Work Period. The Republican-led House Judiciary Committee demanded answers on the FBI’s unwarranted investigation into the 2016 Trump campaign and nonexistent “Russia collusion,” and pressed government officials on colluding with Big Tech to censor Americans. I also secured a big win in the appropriations process to protect U.S. interests against China. As always, it was a pleasure to meet with constituents and organizations on the Hill, and discuss the issues that are most important to them. As I return home for the recess break, I look forward to seeing the great people of Virginia’s Sixth District whom I am honored to fight for in Congress every day.
Bringing Transparency on Abuses of Government Power by U.S. Intelligence Agencies
In October of 2020, Special Counsel John Durham was empowered to examine the origins and justifications of the FBI’s investigation against then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. The 306-page report, which Durham released last month, found that the FBI lied to the American people and abused its power to prove nonexistent Russia collusion and prevent the former president from winning the 2016 election.
During a Judiciary Committee hearing this week, I questioned Special Counsel Durham on the FBI’s entirely unwarranted and politicized investigation. Every American should be outraged by this corruption, which is why House Republicans will continue working to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and bring an end to the weaponization of our intelligence agencies.
Demanding Oversight on Big Government Censoring Free Speech
For weeks, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has been stonewalling the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee’s requests for information related to the Committee’s investigation into how the federal government coerced and colluded with private companies and other third-party groups to censor speech. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight, I pressed the CISA official for answers on why they have not produced adequate documents pertaining to our investigation, and I won’t stop demanding answers in the fight to protect Americans’ First Amendment rights.
Fighting to Protect U.S. Interests From China
As the largest Federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences, the Department of Energy’s taxpayer-funded grant programs are targets for bad actors, particularly those who participate in China’s talent recruitment companies. Through this, China has systematically and strategically stolen information and intellectual property from the U.S., making us less competitive and putting our national security at risk.
With our Nation in nearly $32 trillion in debt, we cannot allow China to benefit from our tax dollars at the expense of U.S. interests. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was proud that my amendment passed out of Committee this week, which stops the Department of Energy’s grant money from going to Chinese companies and protects our intellectual property.
Condemning Housing Illegal Immigrants in School Facilities
As Biden’s border crisis rages on, the migrant surge is overwhelming communities across the United States. As part of an effort to deal with the massive influx of migrants, sanctuary cities like New York City have been turning public school gyms into housing centers for illegal migrants, which poses a significant safety risk to the young students at those schools and disrupts their learning environment.
Schools should be focused on providing the best opportunities to their students, who are already suffering from post-pandemic learning loss, not taking away their access to safe physical education and extracurricular activities. That is why this week, House Republicans passed legislation to condemn this madness and protect children in schools from suffering because of President Biden’s failed border policies.Otis – The Congressional Art Competition Winner
Every year, my office participates in the Congressional Art Competition, which is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and is open to all high school students in Virginia’s Sixth District. The winning artwork is displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside other pieces from across the country and is also featured the Congressional Art Competition’s website.
This year’s winner was “Otis,” painted by Tyson Robertson, a student at James Wood High School in Winchester. Tyson’s painting was a portrait of his dog, Otis, lying on the bed and waiting for attention, and it was a pleasure to meet and congratulate both Tyson and Otis on the Hill.
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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