During a busy legislative session in Washington last week, House Republicans remained focused on addressing the top issues facing our country. Front and center is the continuing crisis at our border that continues to wreak havoc on the American people and our communities. We also continue to stand on the edge of a fiscal cliff that we must face head on to avoid passing the burden onto future generations. Hunter Biden also came to Capitol Hill and gave his testimony for the House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry. There were also strides for Veterans by passing legislation that expands their healthcare. We also celebrated National Read Across America Day, promoting literacy and the joy of reading to children. Rest assured, I will continue to champion the issues that are most important to residents of the Sixth District. I will continue to be your voice, your advocate, and your representative in the halls of Congress.
Biden’s Border Crisis Rages On
The ongoing border crisis under Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and President Biden is a significant concern for many across the Sixth District and throughout America. Last week, Biden visited the Southern Border for just the second time since he took office, even though month after month sets another record as hundreds of illegal immigrants flood across the border.
The situation at our border has reached a critical point, propelled by Biden and Mayorkas’ failed policies that have had widespread consequences for American communities and families. In just Virginia alone, illegal immigration cost Virginia taxpayers $2.84 billion in 2023, which amounts to a burden of $873 per household annually. In a recent poll, it was reported that now Biden’s border crisis is the number one issue about which Americans are concerned. For the past three years, Biden has not only ignored the crisis, but is directly responsible for it.
Since his first day in office, Biden has worked to implement failed open border policies, which have turned every community into a border community and destroyed countless American families who are dealing with the consequences of millions of illegal immigrants coming across our border. House Republicans know that border security is national security, which is why we passed the strongest border security bill in history and voted to impeach DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Sounding the Alarm on Big Government Spending
The fight to keep the government funded continued this past week. But to no one’s surprise, the House passed yet another Continuing Resolution that continues the same Biden-Pelosi-era bloated budget until this Friday and March 22nd. I could not support continuing these spending levels that kick the can down the road and will only sink our country deeper into debt and increase prices for hardworking families across Virginia.
As we’re all painfully aware, the past several years, Congress has been on a $6 trillion spending spree and left the American people with the bill. That bill has come due, and every American and their families are the ones being asked to pay the price through rising cost, taxes, and high inflation. It’s unacceptable.
With over $34.4 trillion in debt and adding $1 trillion roughly every 100 days, if we are going to leave anything for future generations, balancing our budget and reforming our budgetary process to ensure greater accountability has to be our highest priority. Virginia’s Sixth District did not elect me to go along with the broken system that has led to trillion-dollar deficits and massive debt. I will continue fighting to pass spending bills that adequately cut spending and make life easier on the American taxpayer by reining in out-of-control spending, restoring economic freedom, and unleashing prosperity in America once again.
Hunter Biden’s Deposition
House investigators have continued to follow the facts into President Joe Biden’s involvement in his family’s business dealings over the past year. In January, Hunter pulled a publicity stunt by continuing to defy orders and appearing at the Oversight Committee’s markup of his contempt resolution. However, last week, Hunter Biden appeared on Capitol Hill for a roughly six-hour deposition as part of our impeachment inquiry.
During the deposition, Hunter admitted to receiving millions of dollars from Communist China, that he put his father then Vice President Joe Biden on speakerphone many times in front of business associates, and that he invited his father to appear at lunches, dinners, or other social events with business associates.
Hunter’s testimony is an important part of the impeachment, but the impeachment inquiry does not end here. The House Oversight Committee and House Judiciary Committee remain committed to following the facts and evidence wherever they may lead as we continue our impeachment inquiry into President Biden, which has already shown Joe Biden’s knowledge of, participation in, and benefit from his family’s influence peddling schemes. No one is above the law, even if your last name is Biden.
Helping Our Veterans Get The Care They Earned
In what will be one of the biggest expansions on VA Health Care, it was announced that starting March 5th, all Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during military service – whether at home or abroad– will be eligible to enroll directly in VA Health Care. In one of the largest expansions ever for Veteran health care, all Veterans who served in the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Global War on Terror, or any other combat zone after 9/11 will be eligible to enroll directly in VA health care without first applying for VA benefits.
Additionally, Veterans who never deployed but were exposed to toxins or hazards while training or on active duty in the United States will also be eligible to enroll.
By expediting enrollment, it will potentially provide life-saving healthcare access to millions of veterans up to eight years earlier than initially legislated by the PACT Act. VA encourages all eligible Veterans to visit VA.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 to learn more and apply for VA health care beginning March 5. Rest assured, I will continue working for the Sixth District of Virginia to make sure our Nation’s heroes are receiving the care and support that they fought for and deserve.
Celebrating National Read Across America Day
On National Read Across America Day, we’re reminded of the power books hold to ignite imaginations and unlock potential. Reading is the cornerstone of education and a habit that serves us well throughout life.
A big thank you to all the teachers, librarians, and families across the Sixth Congressional District who are dedicated to nurturing a passion for literacy. Let’s all grab a book and explore the worlds within its pages.
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.
For the latest updates from Washington and across the Sixth District, please follow my Facebook and Twitter pages.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.