The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key inflation index, came in "hotter" than expected at 8.3% from a year ago. Families are now paying 13.5% more at the grocery store compared to last year, the largest one-year jump since 1979. 

This is a disaster for hard-working Americans trying to make ends meet and put food on the table for their family:

• Grocery prices are up 13.5 percent since last August, the largest one-year increase since 1979
• Real wages are falling, a de facto pay cut for Americans struggling to afford the Biden economy
• Electricity prices are up 15.8 percent over the last year and nearly 20 percent since January 2021

Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress are to blame, and they have no plan to fix it. But what did Joe Biden and House Democrats do to address this crisis their out-of-control spending created? They took a victory lap for passing their Inflation Expansion Act which does nothing to address inflation in fact the Congressional Budget Office said the bill could slightly increase inflation in 2023.

Republicans are committed to fixing the economy. We will put an end to wasteful government spending that is driving inflation. We will continue to push pro-growth tax policies that increase take-home pay, reduce the cost of living, boost local business, and encourage innovation. And we will reconnect workers to jobs and end incentives that enable individuals to earn more by staying home rather than going to work. 

Vice President Harris claimed that there was no crisis at the southern border despite the fact that more than 3.2 million migrants have unlawfully entered the United States due to the Biden Administration's open-door immigration policies. Let's not forget that President Biden named Kamala Harris the "border czar," but she abandoned that title the day it was given to her. She still hasn't visited the southern border to address the crisis. 

Even more alarming, a study by the Federation for American Immigration Reform calculated that the illegal immigrants who have entered the U.S. since Jan. 2021 will add an extra $20.4 billion burden a year, in addition to the $140 billion existing illegal immigrants already cost. 

The analysis is based on an estimated 1.3 million released into the U.S. by immigration officials, as well as approximately one million "gotaways" -- or illegal immigrants who have slipped past overwhelmed agents. FAIR calculates that each illegal immigrant cost $9,232 a year to support.

Americans are already suffering due to President Biden and Democrats' out-of-control government spending. The American taxpayer shouldn't have to fork over an additional $20 billion yearly because this administration opens border policies.

Republicans have a clear plan to secure our border:

1. Combat illegal immigration by requiring proof of legal status when applying for a job and restricting welfare benefits that incentivize illegal immigration.
2. Confront the national security crisis at the border by ending catch and release‒allowing DHS to detain those who illegally enter our country while their immigration cases are pending.
3. Require Remain in Mexico and allow Title 42 authority to be used to confront the public health emergency created by the fentanyl crisis.
4. Finish building the wall, fully fund ICE and border patrol and deploy technology to stop the humanitarian crisis at the border.

I spoke on the House floor this week to honor Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Deputy James Lee, who tragically passed away on July 9, leaving behind a legacy of service to Jefferson County. He was known as a someone who enjoyed going to work to protect his community, who was tough but always showed compassion. Though he may be gone, I know that Deputy Lee is still watching over his beloved community and family.

Please join me in recognizing the extraordinary life and service of Deputy James Lee.

Last week, Team Weber attended the League City Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Hap's Cajun Meats & Markets and the Patriot Awards Luncheon to honor First Responder's hard work and dedication to protect and serve our community. We also presented a flag to Army SGT Preston Kaplan for his service to our country and congratulated him on his new home from Homes for our Troops.

Legislation cosponsored:

• H.R. 8731 - Protect Children’s Innocence Act
• H.R. 8814 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 8820 - To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit governmental discrimination against certain health care providers with certain objections to abortion.
• H.R. 8203 - To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 651 Business Interstate Highway 35 North Suite 420 in New Braunfels, Texas, as the "Bob Krueger Post Office".
• H.R. 8835 - To prohibit the use of Federal funds to implement Executive Order relating to reproductive health services.
• H.R. 8868 - To repeal the sunset provision of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, and for other purposes.

God Bless you and God Bless Texas!