This fiscal year, there have been more than 2.37 million illegal crossings at our southern border and 2.76 million illegal crossings nationwide. Since President Biden took office less than two years ago, 3.8 million illegal aliens have been apprehended at the southern border as well. The media seldom covers these facts, but there’s something more pressing that does not get the attention it should: the surge in violent crime perpetrated by illegal aliens that puts every American and their families at risk. Instead of addressing this issue with both diligence and urgency, President Biden continues to sit on his hands and pretend that this problem does not exist.

This serious lapse in leadership has led to the cataclysmic failures at the southern border. That’s the simple truth. Since the President is unwilling to act, I’ve introduced new legislation, the Justice for Victims of Open Borders Act, alongside my colleagues Representative Mayra Flores (R-TX) and Representative Greg Steube (R-FL). Their commitment to upholding law and order, and to protect every American citizen, is highly commendable.

The Justice for Victims of Open Borders Act is a viable solution to address the influx of illegal aliens and rising crime due to open border policies – two issues that the federal government, and especially President Biden, have failed to address. Since this is a federal failure, a federal remedy is necessary, and Congress has the prerogative to encourage the states to help themselves. Specifically, this bill would:

• Require states to consolidate crime data to create an accurate system of reporting.
• Direct every State Attorney General to certify with the Department of Justice and the Attorney General that their respective state gives priority to victims of crimes committed by people “who do not have lawful status in the United States.”
• Yield more transparency to the American people through the public accounting of crimes committed by illegal aliens in the United States.

To learn more about our legislation, click here to read exclusive coverage from Fox News.

Our Letter To HHS

This week, I led a letter alongside Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Republican Leader Rick Allen (R-GA) to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra HHS to withdraw its proposed rule, titled “Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities,” which radically reinterprets the definition of “sex” to include gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy termination under the guise of nondiscrimination. Here is an excerpt:

“Attempts by the Biden administration to redefine ‘sex’ represent another front in Democrats’ ongoing culture war, whose casualties already include too many boys and girls who have been permanently harmed by this administration’s actions. The Left’s blatant and intentional attempts to redefine our sons’ and daughters’ identities by questioning biology has already done significant harm to our children and society. We categorically oppose discrimination on the basis of sex.”

To read our full letter, click here.

Honoring Veterans

On Monday, I was proud to host a pinning ceremony honoring citizens of the 5^th District who served in our nation’s armed forces during the Vietnam War-era at the VFW Blue Ridge Mountain Post 1142 in North Wilkesboro. The Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin is a commemorative pin presented to Vietnam War veterans across the country as a lasting memento of the nation’s thanks for their service and sacrifice. These heroes deserve the commendation and the official welcome home that they never received, and that’s precisely what this ceremony was all about.

To learn more about the event, click here to read an article published in the Wilkes Record.

Quote of The Week

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

— Benjamin Franklin

Have a blessed weekend,