| Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day |
Seventy-five years ago on Thursday, the “Day of Days” commenced as the US launched the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare, preceded by an airborne assault, along the beaches of Normandy, France. As Operation Neptune unfolded, thousands of American and Allied troops courageously took to the beaches to fight – willing to sacrifice all – for freedom.
Only those who experienced it can truly fathom the bravery displayed by so many on D-Day as Allied forces victoriously took Normandy and turned the tide of the war. Eventually, this led to the liberation of Europe and the defeat of Nazi Germany.
This week, we remembered and thanked the heroes who stormed the beaches, piloted the planes, parachuted behind enemy lines, operated the thousands of ships, and fought valiantly to preserve the freedoms we cherish every single day. The weight of this sacrifice is as heavy now as it was in 1944. While the liberation of Europe came at a high price, it is a price America has always been willing to pay in the protection of freedom. (continues on the right)
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| More Than 144,000 Illegals Enter US in May |
More than 144,000 illegal aliens were apprehended crossing into the US in the month of May – an astonishingly high number AND a direct result of the Democrats’ refusal to address the very real crisis on our southern border. Unfortunately, this number doesn’t account for the thousands more that our exhausted Border Patrol Agents didn’t catch! Even worse, many of those in custody will be released into the interior of the US because the Democrats continue to block vital resources from going to our law enforcement on the border.
On D-Day, which remains the largest amphibious invasion in history, 156,000 American and Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. We have had more than twice that number of aliens cross our border illegally over the last three months alone. Let that sink in. We must address this crisis NOW. |
| Save Our Ship |
Nearly 75 years to the day after playing a major role in America’s victory over Nazi Germany during the D-Day invasion, the Battleship Texas faces a difficult battle. It has survived two World Wars, but now time and corrosion threaten this 105-year-old Texas treasure. To lose her to the scrapyard would be a national tragedy. One of my greatest privileges as the Congressman from District 36 was welcoming the US sailors and Marine veterans of the Greatest Generation who served on the Battleship Texas and participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima when they gathered on the ship’s decks for the 70th anniversary of that battle.
Recently the Texas Legislature sent a bill to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk that would provide $35 million to move the Battleship Texas from its home port at the San Jacinto Battleground Historic Site to a dry-dock in Mobile, Ala., for repairs. It is unclear whether or not the battleship will return to its current location in the San Jacinto Battleground park.
Read more of my Op-Ed, originally posted in the Houston Chronicle, below.
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| The Disasterous H.R. 6 |
While US Border Patrol agents continue to be overwhelmed by the number of illegal aliens flooding into our country, Democrats pushed the “American Dream and Promise Act” (H.R. 6) to the House floor for a vote on Tuesday. Instead of including provisions to FINALLY secure our southern border, protect American citizens, and reform our failed immigration system – if signed into law this bill awards amnesty to millions. How out of touch can Democrats be when it comes to the needs of our country and its people?
It seems all we are going to see in the 116th Congress is lofty bill titles that lack content, unwillingness to compromise, investigations and subpoenas that have no merit, the continued embrace of socialism and infanticide, and more attempts to block President Trump at every turn. The problems facing America are not being fixed because the Democrats continue this political theater despite the consequences that the American people must endure.
In a split Congress, no compromise equals no progress. It appears Democrats are just fine with that incredibly disappointing outcome. |
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| Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of D-Day (cont'd) |
Attending the D-Day commemoration ceremonies in Normandy, France, on the 75th anniversary was one of the most solemn and memorable experiences of my life.
I was able to meet many veterans of D-Day, walk along the beaches of Normandy, peer inside German pillboxes, and visit the graves of the nearly 10,000 soldiers who paid the ultimate price defending our liberty on June 6, 1944.
L to R: Rep. Roger Marshall, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Rep. Michael Waltz, me, and Rep. Barry Loudermilk. |
It was an honor to tread on such hallowed ground where so many heroes fell. I am incredibly proud to be an American, and am extremely grateful to those who have fought and died to ensure that our country, and its people, remain free.
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| The REDI Act |
As a dentist myself, I know firsthand how expensive graduate-level school is and how burdensome and overwhelming student loan debt can be. Medical and dental students accrue some of the highest student loan debt – and in turn interest – in the country because of the high cost of their schooling and the low pay they receive during their many years of internships, residencies, and subspecialty training. While interns and residents can typically postpone their loan payments until the completion of their programs, the interest on those expensive loans continues to accumulate, and the total can become overwhelming in no time. That’s why I introduced H.R. 1554, “the Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act.” This bill is an important step for student loan reform and will ensure that the fear of crippling debt doesn’t prevent any young, bright student from choosing to pursue their dreams of working in the medical or dentals fields.
Robert Ricketts knows this hardship all too well as his excitement about graduating from medical school rapidly turned to anxiety because of student loan debt. Read his story and how the REDI Act can help in Robert’s Op-Ed below.
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| Remembering Silsbee Firefighter Angie Brown |
I was very sorry to hear about the recent passing of Silsbee volunteer firefighter Angie Brown. I know that I join many in thanking Angie for her selfless service to Silsbee and its surrounding communities, and my prayers remain with her family and friends at this time.
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| POLL: Hold AG Bill Barr in Contempt? |
This upcoming week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Majority have scheduled a vote in the House to hold Attorney General Bill Barr in contempt of Congress. Should this be the Democratic Majority’s top priority or should they focus on issues like immigration and border security, health care, NASA, and infrastructure?
I want to hear from you! Take my poll below.
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| Photo of the Week |
Constituents and cousins from Lumberton, Elizabeth Thomas and Jack Grubbs, showed off their challenge coins on their way up to Washington, DC on Monday. It was great to visit with them and their families!
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| A Win for the Unborn |
I commend President Trump’s decision to ban government scientists from being able to obtain and use the fetal tissue from aborted babies for medical research. This is a victory for our unborn as we continue the fight to protect those who cannot yet speak for themselves.
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