This week, my bill, the War Crimes Rewards Expansion Act, was signed into law. For far too long, the United States’ policy has elevated international tribunals over the work of national governments when prosecuting the world’s worst culprits: those engaging in genocide and war crimes. The International Criminal Court has recently utilized its time and resources in investigating the United States and Israel all while failing to hold our adversaries accountable. China’s genocidal campaign against the Uyghurs continues unabated, North Korea continues to engage in crimes against humanity with impunity, and ISIS fighters guilty of genocide continue to blend into populations without ever facing justice. The United States needs to end this reliance on international tribunals and display true leadership, and the reforms made by my bill will empower our government to do so.

By focusing our resources on prosecutions by national governments – including by utilizing U.S. laws already on the books – our government can track down perpetrators like members of ISIS swiftly and without the bureaucratic entanglements of international tribunals. I am immensely pleased to see my bill’s passage in the United States Senate and its subsequent signing into law. Without question, this bipartisan effort sends a robust, rock-ribbed message to the entire world: the United States is determined to protect its sovereignty and its interests with every tool necessary.

Standing Up For Parents

Recently, I sent letters to Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra and multiple hospitals that conduct gender-transition interventions to children about policies that deny parents the opportunity to be involved in life-altering medical decisions impacting their children. Here’s a short excerpt:

“While some states have safeguards in place to protect children from these unsafe medical protocols, several states have adopted broad nondiscrimination policies based on gender identity that jeopardize parental rights. … One of the most harmful actions occurs when government agencies intervene between children and parents, as when CPS removes a child from the custody of his or her parents because the parents will not consent to their child undergoing these experimental treatments.”

To view all six letters that I have sent on this issue, click here.

The $1.7 Trillion Omnibus

Last week, the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill was rammed through Congress right before Christmas. The Democrat-led House and Senate decided to go shopping for as many stocking stuffers as they could get their hands on – and they used the hard-earned money of American taxpayers to do so. As you may know, this bill was packed to the gills with pet projects, earmarks, and everything including the kitchen sink. This was not a thoughtful and good-faith effort – it was highway robbery in 4,155 pages of legislative text.

During the 117th Congress, congressional Democrats have rammed through numerous spending bills without any concern for what havoc they might wreak upon this country. This bill was no different, and it was a last-ditch effort to buoy their political allies before Republicans take the majority in January. Every American will surely feel the sharp sting of the slap in the face that this sham bill will render. Rest assured that I cast a strong NO vote against this monstrosity.

Quote of The Week

"Conservatism is the antidote to tyranny precisely because its principles are our founding principles."

­-Mark Levin

Have a blessed weekend,