Crime is one of the biggest societal ills that America confronts every day. Unfortunately, when we turn on our televisions, pick up the newspaper, or even tune into the news on the radio, this issue is not put in the spotlight as much as it should be. What if I told you that record crime rates are sweeping across the country, and that policies to stop lawlessness in its tracks are failing? In fact, the circumstances are much worse than people may realize. Let me paint the picture for you.

Last year, we heard a chorus of shameful “defund the police” rhetoric that was directed at police departments in our communities – at the very people who show up to work every day and ensure that our streets are safe, our communities can flourish, and that law and order will be upheld without delay. What you may not know is that in 2021, over a dozen major U.S. cities had record high homicide rates. In some areas, these rates were more prevalent than other crimes such as burglary. These results are exactly what you can expect when law enforcement officers are facing calls to be defunded while soft-on-crime policies are being pushed.

The following facts that will help shed light on this are staggering:

• In 2021, 346 officers were shot in the line of duty, 63 of whom were killed by gunfire.

• In 2021, there were 103 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers, a 115% increase from 2020.

• Homicide rates in major American cities increased by five percent compared to 2020.

There are some members of Congress who will argue until they’re blue in the face that law enforcement must be defunded, but I say different. Law enforcement officers must have our strong, unwavering support. These are two simple facts that you and I agree upon. You can rest assured that I will always fight to uphold law and order, and especially for the men and women of law enforcement. We will always be grateful for their service to our communities, and they should always be commended.

Parents Deserve To Know

Recently, I led a letter with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) to Secretary Cardona demanding answers regarding the Department of Education’s application of Title IX. Our letter follows reports 12-year-old girl’s suicide attempt on her public-school campus after the school concealed from the girl’s parents that it was conversing with her about a gender transition. Here is a short excerpt from our letter:

“Actively concealing vital health information from parents ‘effectively prevents’ parents from accessing information to which they are entitled. Again, the Department must clarify this point for states and schools and must immediately investigate any schools that are not in compliance with the requirements under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).”

To read coverage of our letter from Fox News, and for more details, click here.

The ROBO COP Act

Last week, I reintroduced my bill, the ROBO Calls Off Phones Act (ROBO COP Act) to stop the intrusion of political robocalls in homes across the country. This legislation will expand the types of unsolicited calls restricted by the national “Do Not Call Registry” to include political robocalls. From interruptions at dinner to even bedtimes, robocalls are an annoyance that everyone can attest to. My legislation is about ensuring fairness that will bring some much-needed peace and quiet to North Carolina homes during election years.

To read more about my bill, click here.

Quote of The Week

“Evil is powerless if the good are unafraid.”

-President Ronald Reagan

Have a blessed weekend,