In a 6-3 decision on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) reinstated the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” policy, otherwise known as the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP).  This policy requires asylum seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are evaluated.  In their ruling, the justices said the Biden administration likely violated federal law by attempting to end the MPP.

This latest development stems from a ruling last week from Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, of the Northern District of Texas, that the Biden administration violated the law by ditching the “Remain in Mexico” policy.  The administration appealed this ruling to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of both Texas and Missouri, arguing that releasing migrants into the U.S. puts a burden on states because the migrants use state services, such as issuing drivers licenses, educating migrant children, and providing hospital care.  The administration further appealed to the Supreme Court, which declined Biden’s request to temporarily pause Judge Kacsmaryk’s ruling.

The Biden administration’s mishandling of the influx of migrants at our southern border has resulted in significant increases in both human trafficking and drug smuggling.  Furthermore, Biden’s persistent opposition to border security—beginning at the district court level and throughout the appellate process—clearly demonstrates that he has no plan to remedy the crisis at the border.  Although the SCOTUS ruling is a step in the right direction, President Biden still has an executive responsibility to secure our border.  He needs to do his job.

H.R.4 – John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021

If signed into law, H.R. 4 would amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to require “covered” states, and subdivisions thereof, to obtain preclearance from the federal government for any change to election law or practice.  Generally, states and subdivisions with a moderate number of voting rights violations within 25 years—whether substantiated or not—would be subject to preclearance.  The bill also creates a nationwide preclearance requirement for otherwise commonsense measures such as photo I.D. laws.

Furthermore, the U.S. Attorney General would have the power to file a grievance in federal court against any state or subdivision’s policy.  Like many of my colleagues, I am deeply concerned that H.R. 4 severely undermines the principles of federalism.  In the Shelby v. Holder decision, Chief Justice John Roberts argued that “… the Framers of the Constitution intended the states to keep for themselves, as provided in the Tenth Amendment, the power to regulate elections.”  Furthermore, the notion that the federal government can maintain an express veto over state law was expressly rejected during the ratification of the United States Constitution.  Even more concerning, H.R. 4 also contains more expansive preclearance policies than those confronted by the Supreme Court in Shelby v. Holder.  Notably, this bill requires unprecedented nationwide preclearance for specific electoral reforms.

I am even more concerned that H.R. 4 would impose transparently partisan interests on the states, effectively giving the federal government a nationwide veto over conservative policy goals.  For instance, this bill would severely hamper a state’s ability to require photo identification to vote, a policy supported by a wide majority of voters.  The bill would also frustrate efforts by states to make voting easy and cheating hard, by requiring federal approval for state laws against ballot-harvesting and other potentially fraudulent practices currently favored by the Majority.

Most importantly, as outlined under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it is already explicitly illegal to discriminate against race in voting laws and practices.

I voted NO.

H. Res. 601 – The Rule, setting the parameters for the House to consider S.Con.Res.14 (the partisan Budget Reconciliation bill), H.R. 4 (see above), and the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3684 (the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).

I voted NO.

S.325 - A bill to amend the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children Act to extend the deadline for a report by the Alyce Spotted Bear and Walter Soboleff Commission on Native Children, and for other purposes.

I voted YES.

S.272 – Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act of 2021

S. 272 would amend 31 U.S.C. 6101 to require that the heads of agencies, along with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), regularly publish updated information related to agency funding and spending on their agency websites.  Agencies would also be required to post information regarding their annual budget justification, as part of the budget process.

I voted YES.

Recent Co-Sponsored Legislation

• H.R. 3413 - Agricultural Security Risk Review Act
• H.R. 5079 - To provide liability protection for elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and for other purposes.
• H.Res. 599 - Expressing the need to safely evacuate United States citizens
• H.R. 3173 - Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2021
• H.R. 5091 - To establish certain requirements with respect to the appointment of the Attending Physician, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 5092 - To prohibit the federal government from requiring any citizen to be vaccinated, including federal agencies from requiring its employees to take any vaccination, without the citizen being fully advised in writing of all known potential risks from the vaccine and consultation with a physician followed by the voluntary informed consent of the citizen, and for other purposes.
• H.Res. 607 - Condemns President Biden's failure to heed the advice of military and intelligence advisors about the speed and nature of the Taliban offensive, leading to a disorganized, chaotic, and abrupt evacuation of United States personnel and Afghan allies.

Last week, alongside my colleagues in the House Freedom Caucus, I spoke out against President Biden's disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan.  The abhorrent situation unfolding in Afghanistan is a catastrophic failure.  Thousands of Americans and our Afghan allies are trapped in Afghanistan with no clear path of evacuation.  And now, for the first time in 18 months, we’ve experienced the tragic loss of U.S. servicemembers in Afghanistan:  13 Marines and a Navy corpsman.

Let me be clear:  This failure lies squarely with the Commander-in-Chief, not the brave men and women serving on the front lines of our military.  After nearly 20 years of fighting in our nation’s longest war, I agree that it is time to bring our military home.

However, the presumption was always that we would do so responsibly.  To leave behind American citizens and endangered Afghan allies, not to mention multiple weapons, vehicles, and sensitive equipment—practically gifting it to the Taliban—is an utter disgrace.

The situation is deteriorating in Afghanistan, and President Biden continues to rely on the “good graces” of the Taliban—whom we already suspect of some complicity in Thursday’s security breaches and ensuing devastation.  Why are we negotiating with terrorists?  Why negotiate with a ruthless enemy that mercilessly kills civilians, forces young girls into virtual bondage, and foments Islamic terrorism?

Instead of negotiating with terrorists, the Biden Administration must remind the Taliban that we will leave, on our timeline, when our citizens and our allies have been granted safe passage away from their murderous regime.  With American deaths on Thursday, the Taliban has demonstrated its duplicity; they would be wise not to test the mettle of our military, as American forces leave—voluntarily.

We should never tell the enemy our plans; Biden did.  We should never leave Americans in a hostile country to be taken hostage by extremists; Biden did.  We should never abdicate to our enemy; Biden did.

Every President should put America first.  Sadly, Biden won’t.

Friends, 

As the crisis in Afghanistan deteriorates day by day, I am very concerned that the Biden Administration will not be held accountable for their failed withdrawal policies.

Making sure our officials are held accountable for this disastrous situation should be a top priority for Congress in the coming weeks and months. This would be the first step in holding the President accountable. 

But, I want to hear from you! 

2021 Congressional App Challenge

I am pleased to announce that my office is hosting a 2021 Congressional App Challenge.

The Congressional App Challenge is a competition aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.

The House of Representatives knows how crucial these skills are and wants to encourage students to engage in these fields. By encouraging and recognizing our nation’s young programming talent, Congress hopes to shine a light on the growing importance of these skills.

This competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience. We strongly encourage students of all skill levels to participate, enabling them to learn how to create their own apps. Students are encouraged to register online and submit their apps by November 1st.

To learn more about the competition or to submit an app go to weber.house.gov.

Student Registration 

Rules
Learn to Code
Prizes 

For over 100 years, our great service academies have produced some of America’s greatest leaders.  Not only are these programs producing military leaders, they are also molding better citizens for America. They prepare our youth to be well-rounded leaders and agile thinkers who will take their lessons of discipline and leadership with them into both military and civilian careers.

Part of my responsibility as a Member of Congress is that I am authorized to nominate candidates for appointment to the U.S. Service Academies.  Every year, I look forward to reviewing those applications.  I am always impressed by the character, selflessness, and -- above all -- the devotion to the ideals of our great nation. 

The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

Each member of Congress may nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Below you will find all the information  to start the process, including checklists and important dates. This year's deadline is Friday, October 15, 2021. I would also encourage you to watch the videos linked here called “The Five-Pointed Star.” It’s a great overview of what each of the US Service Academies have to offer.

• 2021 Academy Day Nomination Application
• 2021 Academy Day Nomination Checklist
• 2021 Academy Day Nomination Personal Evaluation

To request a Military Academy Nomination from our office, please contact Jared Bargas, our District Representative for Veterans, at jared.bargas@mail.house.gov  or (281) 316-0231 for more information. 

Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country!