1. December's Record Month at the Border.

     2. The Lack of Accountability on Afghanistan.

     3. My Support For Medicare Advantage. 

     4. Weekly Roundup.

     5. My Contact Information.

On his first day in office, President Biden dismantled numerous effective immigration policies that helped secure our border. A year later, we are experiencing an unprecedented border crisis that serves as a national security threat and endangers the safety of American communities nationwide.

Typically, the number of people trying to cross the southern border illegally fluctuates depending on the season. During the summer and winter, fewer people will attempt to illegally enter the U.S. because of the extreme temperatures. In the spring and fall, however, these numbers rise because of milder temperatures.  

Last year, however, the Biden Administration’s policies broke the mold and produced a surge that was sustained throughout the year. To close the book on 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has just reported the highest number of illegal encounters at the southern border of any December on record, 178,840. That total is significantly larger than the previous three Decembers combined. 

Additionally, Border Patrol agents' frustration with the Biden Administration’s policies came to light this week during a meeting with DHS Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas. In the meeting, Secretary Mayorkas even admitted that the policies of the Biden Administration are not popular with agents. Despite this, he and the President have not acted to improve conditions at the border or adequately support agents. So, after this meeting, Border Patrol agents continue to be left without the proper tools to do their job and enforce our laws.

Through President Biden's poor choices he has created and then ignored the border crisis. He is empowering cartels, neglecting Border Patrol, and encouraging illegal migration. It is time for President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Secretary Mayorkas to step up and address this crisis of their making. 

For months, I have been calling on House Oversight Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) to hold a hearing to conduct meaningful oversight of President Biden’s disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. To this day, the committee has not held a hearing on the events preceding, during, or after our sudden and chaotic withdrawal.

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, Americans are naturally left with many questions regarding the abandoning of American citizens, military equipment left behind, and the intelligence presented to President Biden.

This week, Oversight Committee Ranking Member Comer (R-KY) and I renewed our request for a public hearing on President Biden’s botched Afghanistan withdrawal.

Medicare Advantage provides care to nearly 30 million adults, including many with disabilities. I am working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to preserve and strengthen this program for elderly Americans who rely on it. Through Medicare Advantage, tens of millions of older adults have access to comprehensive, affordable health coverage choices. 

As your Representative, I will always fight to protect Medicare and Social Security. As the Department of Health and Human Services considers updates to this critical program, I was proud to sign this bipartisan letter urging the agency to maintain a patient-centered approach to Medicare Advantage coverage.

This week, I met with DSM Nutrition, a manufacturer of vitamin D3, to discuss the benefits of vitamin D, how it helps keep a healthy immune system, and why this is critical in mitigating the effects of COVID-19.

Thanks to Lee Beverage in Oshkosh for the tour of your facility. Getting to see your storage room was the icing on the keg!

Last week, I made many new friends on my visit to MToxins Venom Lab in Oshkosh. I also learned about the research on animal venoms conducted by the employees to produce antivenoms. Thank you for what you do!