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After nearly two years of investigation, it was no surprise to learn that Special Counsel Mueller’s robust investigation definitively showed there was no collusion by President Trump or his campaign with Russia. I was confident of that outcome and disappointed that so much division was fostered by the president’s opponents. Their manufactured outrage has misled the American people and done the very bidding of our adversaries, whose goal is to undermine faith in our political institutions and democratic process. With the investigation over, I hope Americans will be able to focus on keeping our country moving in the right direction by maintaining our strong economy and strengthening our national security.
The present state of our southern border is anything but the “manufactured crisis” that Democrats are calling it. On Tuesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detained more than 4,100 migrants, the highest one-day total at the border in more than a decade. At the height of the 2014 border crisis, agents apprehended over 68,000 immigrants in a month. In March, CBP projects it will detain more than 100,000—30 percent more than in February. The agency is literally running out of room for detainees and legal options to detain and release immigrants. Now, some immigrants are being released into our country without being turned over to ICE. What more proof do Democrats need for motivation to fix our broken system?
Equal work deserves equal pay, regardless of the sex of the employee. That’s undisputed here in Washington. However, working women deserve better than empty partisan promises in pretty pink packages. That’s exactly what Democrats brought to the floor this week with H.R. 7, the Paycheck Fairness Act. This bill is anything but fair. It places new and unprecedented restrictions on job creators, including women, by interfering with the hiring process and requiring employers to submit thousands of new elements of worker pay data to the government, broken down by race, sex and national origin. These mandates pose a serious threat to workers’ confidentiality and their right to pay data privacy. H.R. 7 is not for women – it’s for trial lawyers looking to score unlimited paydays, allowing them to pursue unlimited compensatory and punitive damages, even when the alleged discrimination is entirely unintentional. Click here to watch my opening remarks during debate on this sham “women’s legislation.”
On Tuesday, the Senate held a vote on the Green New Deal. This socialist resolution proposes to upgrade all existing buildings and construct new buildings in the country for maximum energy efficiency, water efficiency, safety, affordability, comfort, and durability in ten years’ time. This objective, among the resolution’s other utopian provisions, is a preposterous waste of money and egregious example of government overreach. Apparently, what sounded good on paper to the twelve Senators who cosponsored the legislation, didn’t sound quite as good when it came to debate its passage on the Senate floor. Not a single Democrat voted in favor; 43 instead voted “present.” Click here for my remarks on the Green New Deal during morning hour in the House this week.
AIPAC Conference |
High Country Health and West Caldwell Health Council |
The National Park Service is getting ready for park season by hosting two Blue Ridge Parkway Season Previews next week. National Park Service staff will be on hand provide a “behind the scenes” look into the Parkway. Community members are encouraged to attend to learn about upcoming projects, volunteer opportunities and ask any questions they have. See event details below. Read more about the Blue Ridge Parkway Season Previews here.
Wednesday, April 3
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
American Legion Building, 333 Wallingford Road
Blowing Rock, NC
Thursday, April 4
4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Virginia Horse Center Mezzanine, 487 Maury River Road
Lexington, VA
Also, save the date for Project Parkway on April 27! This single-day, park-wide volunteer project will provide hands-on service opportunities to restore and preserve the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
On March 28, 1880, Körner’s Folly furniture designer opened in Kernersville. Körner’s Folly remains an institution in the Triad community today, open for tours and used as a performing arts venue.
The House will debate legislation to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, and I look forward to continuing to stand strong for the reforms women need. Have a blessed weekend.
Sincerely,
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