Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is an abysmal failure and President Joe Biden is even worse. Thanks to their treasonous open border policies, our country has become decidedly more dangerous.
Biden ensured this would happen in his first days in office with a set of executive orders that reversed most of President Trump’s border policies. With these actions, he essentially invited the cartels into our country with unfettered access – bringing deadly fentanyl, crime, and human trafficking with them.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I do not believe the Statue of Liberty has “Give me your tired, your poor, your career criminals yearning to fuel the opioid epidemic” inscribed on it.
The fact is that Biden’s border policies enrich the cartels. Smuggling illegal immigrants makes the cartels an estimated $13 billion a year. There have been over 5 million illegal crossings since Biden took office.
Worse still, they’re not just smuggling people across the border.
This year alone, there have been over 14,000 pounds of fentanyl seized at the southern border – more than enough to kill every US citizen. Last year, there were 98 people stopped at the border who were on the terror watchlist. These numbers would be troubling enough if we caught most illegal border crossers.
Yet, according to the best estimates, Border Patrol agents catch about half of those entering the country illegally at the southern border. Still, Secretary Mayorkas insists that his agency maintains operational control of the border. That is a lie.
Now with Title 42 expired, our border will face an even larger surge of illegal migrants due to Biden’s unwillingness to act. I want to be clear – Title 42 is not the sole answer to our country’s border security problem. Border control – including the completion of President Trump’s border wall – is the right answer.
However, the Biden Administration’s far-left policies destabilize our nation instead of
protecting our sovereignty.
House Republicans are using our new majority to come up with real solutions. H.R. 2 is a multi-faceted, common-sense approach to addressing the border crisis. This legislation will immediately give border patrol the tools necessary to gain operational control of the border.
It will finish President Trump’s border wall and strengthen laws to protect children from vile human traffickers.
Make no mistake about it, Joe Biden’s open border policies are a direct threat to our sovereignty, security, rule of law, and children’s futures. House Republican’s H.R. 2 would help seal our border.
Hopefully, Joe Biden will finally put America First and support H.R. 2 as well.
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Saks) is chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.
Joe Biden’s time in the White House has been an unmitigated disaster. He has presided over one failure after another with the crisis at our southern border ranking high among them. Joe Biden and his socialist handlers are solely responsible for this crisis that is threatening the safety of every American.
President Trump made border security a top priority for our country. He worked to make sure that our brave ICE and Border Patrol agents had every resource they needed. President Trump put a halt to the ridiculously relaxed immigration policies that blatantly circumvented our nation’s laws. By starting construction of his famous wall, President Trump put America back in charge of its borders and sovereignty and most of all he put America FIRST!
Then, starting January 20, 2021, Joe Biden undid all our progress in pursuit of his “Open Border” socialist dream.
Where have Joe Biden’s open border policies gotten us? Deportations of illegal immigrants dropped by over 68% since 2020 to the lowest level in 26 years. At the same time, the number of illegal border crossings skyrocketed. Since Joe Biden took office, over 2 million illegal immigrants have tried to cross our border.
To make matters worse, in fiscal year 2021 alone, over 11,000 pounds of fentanyl have been seized at the border. That is enough of the deadly drug to kill every single American seven times over. Fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 45. Most fentanyl smuggled into the United States comes across the southern border and Joe Biden is simply ignoring it – Just imagine how much deadly fentanyl gets through undetected.
The facts are clear: open borders are a threat to American sovereignty, open borders are a threat to our safety and security, and open borders are a threat to our economy. Yet, Joe Biden and his administration continue to ignore the pain that their open border policies have caused American families across our nation.
Under President Trump, I worked every day to help him build the wall and enforce our immigration laws. Today, I continue my fight in Congress for President Trump’s America First policies and against Joe Biden’s open border socialism. We must secure our borders once and for all.
Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) serves in the United States House of Representatives, where he is the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee
The harm to our economy caused by Joe Biden’s socialist wish list is growing worse every day. Self-inflicted crises have dominated the first 15 months of the Biden administration. From inflation skyrocketing to a 40-year high, to violent crime running rampant through major cities, to soaring gas prices, to a wide-open lawless border letting millions of illegal immigrants and deadly fentanyl onto our streets, to endless federal mandates threatening our individual liberties, the Biden administration is a disaster.
When President Trump was in office, he made America energy independent. He unleashed America’s can-do attitude to build the Keystone XL pipeline. He also opened our vast abundance of natural gas and oil and allowed responsible drilling on federal lands. At the end of President Trump’s term, gas was a little over $2.00 a gallon.
Biden’s policies just don’t make sense. One of his first acts as president was to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline and to stop drilling on federal lands. He then removed all of President Trump’s sanctions on Russia’s Nord Stream II pipeline. I have repeatedly pushed President Biden to ban Russian energy imports and support American energy production. Yet, according to reports, after banning Russian oil imports President Biden is now looking at buying oil from anti-American regimes in Venezuela and Iran. It seems like Joe Biden would rather beg Venezuela and Iran for oil than simply buy American.
Under Biden, the national average for gas has soared to over $4.00 a gallon with estimates for it to be even higher by Memorial Day. Think about it, if you usually spent a hundred dollars a month of your family’s budget on gas, now you are spending over $200. That’s a big hit for folks.
Every Alabamian is feeling the pain when they go to the gas station. High energy prices caused by Biden’s reckless policies are a tax on every hard-working family in Alabama. The more we must spend on gas the less we can spend other necessities.
The radical left that really runs the Biden administration are determined to push their socialist agenda on every American family, and America is currently suffering because of it.
We will not let that happen. As President Trump famously said, “America will never be a socialist country.”
Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) serves in the United States House of Representatives, where he is the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee
China is the most devious and all-encompassing threat facing the United States today. With communist China’s influence throughout the world being so pervasive, the defense of our great nation is not to be compromised or shortchanged in any way.
There is no second place when it comes to a fight for our freedom. If we were to get in a war, we must not only win but make sure our enemies don’t even stand a chance.
That effort starts in Congress with the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). It will take a multi-year effort to invest in our national defense to outpace China while also dealing with all the other threats we face around the world. Though some Democrats in Congress prefer to argue about social issues in the military, as the Republican leader on the House Armed Services Committee, I will always put the defense of our nation first.
It is important to understand that the threat from the Communist Chinese Party (CCP) includes a broad range of adverse actions that target almost every facet of our economy. Decades of bad trade deals made under the false belief that incorporating China into the global economy would make them less of a threat have failed miserably. Instead, China used them as an opportunity to infiltrate and take over key portions of the American economy and supply chain.
China now dominates much of the world’s manufacturing and financial sectors. China has embedded itself so deeply in our economy that everything from major sports leagues, to the entertainment industry, to some of the largest American manufacturing giants kowtow to China. Let’s make some things clear, China steals intellectual property, manipulates financial markets for gain, commits grave human rights abuses, and utilizes slave labor. Short-term profits are not worth the long-term harm that the CCP will cause.
In 2017, President Trump began the process of detangling the complex web of Chinese infiltration in our economy. Through his get-tough approach, we began to make progress. President Trump’s America First policies were making an impact and then the global pandemic hit.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw China continue its usual campaign of deception. While the pandemic began in China under highly questionable origins, the CCP has continued their manipulation of the global markets and supply chain for their own gain. Unfortunately, the new Biden administration has abandoned President Trump’s tough policies and the Chinese Communist threat continues to lurch forward practically unabated.
In addition, the CCP is rapidly modernizing its military capacity and becoming more aggressive militarily throughout the world. Currently, China has the largest Navy and Army on the planet. The CCP has also begun matching us with advancements in emerging technologies and weapon systems – we saw that last year with their test of a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile. We’ve also seen China use its military to push out its borders and gain footholds on new continents.
Fortunately, the fiscal year 2022 (FY) National Defense Authorization Act is laser focused on preparing our military to deter, and if necessary, prevail in conflict with China. The FY22 NDAA increases funding by over $25 billion from what the Biden Administration proposed. This will go for new ships, submarines, hypersonic weapons, and space systems capable of crippling and defeating our enemies. With many of these weapon systems, defense companies in Alabama lead the way.
Our supply chain is one of the most critical areas that we must protect from Chinese manipulation. I was proud to champion provisions in the FY22 NDAA to remove China from our defense supply chain. The bill prohibits DoD purchases of goods from Chinese forced labor camps and from acquiring personal protective equipment from China. It requires the DoD to prioritize domestic production of critical minerals and pharmaceuticals and requires the DoD to map its supply chain to identify and mitigate risks from foreign interference. It is unacceptable that the CCP could be involved in any parts of our critical defense supply chains. The NDAA further closes the door on China’s efforts to infiltrate our national security.
But more work is to be done. This year I will continue to lead our efforts to build and maintain the greatest military of Earth and to get China out of our business once and for all.
Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) serves in the United States House of Representatives, where he is the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee
President Biden’s socialist policies are continuing to harm middle class families across our nation. Americans everywhere are being faced with skyrocketing gas and energy prices. In fact, hardworking American families are paying 61% more nationally for a gallon of gas. In Alabama it is even worse. According to Yellowhammer, “Alabamians on average are paying $3.20 per gallon for regular gasoline, representing a 69% increase from last year’s average cost of $1.89 per gallon during the same time period.”
As we head into winter – home heating costs could rise by as much as 54% for American households this winter.
Make no mistake this crisis is of President Biden’s own creation. President Trump made our nation energy independent, but after less than a year in office, Biden is begging Middle Eastern countries and Russia for more oil. Why? Because one of the Biden administration’s first actions in office was to give in to far-left Green New Deal activists and deny the permit to the Keystone pipeline, which would have strengthened American energy production. The Administration has also banned oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters.
What all has President Biden done to solve this crisis? Nothing. In fact, his administration has only continued to push leftist policies that will further harm American energy production. His “Build Back Socialist” plan not only forces businesses and constituents in my district to invest in unreliable green energy initiatives but also would cost the American taxpayers trillions of dollars.
Weeks ago, Biden announced that that the Department of Energy would release 50 million barrels of oil held in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. That’s barely two and a half days of gas. To make matters worse, Biden’s own Energy Secretary had no idea how much oil the U.S. uses each day… that really inspires confidence…
This crisis would have never happened if President Biden had not played politics with American energy independence. Unlike Biden, President Trump made American energy independence a priority. It’s time for Biden to look at the facts and the crisis facing our nation and put American families ahead of socialist politics.
Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) serves in the United States House of Representatives, where he is the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee
President Trump made strengthening the American economy one of the biggest focuses in his presidency and the results were clear. From middle-class tax cuts to rolling back job-killing regulations – President Trump’s America First agenda created a growth-oriented economy that benefited all Americans.
Less than a year in office President Biden and his Democrat supporters in Congress have set their sights on destroying our economy. His Build Back Socialist agenda will hurt our economy and burden Alabama families for years to come.
This year we’ve seen the disastrous economic consequences of the far-left’s agenda. Inflation has gone up every month of Joe Biden’s presidency. Americans are paying more for just about everything from the grocery store to the gas station – Biden’s failed policies mean more money is coming out of your wallet. It is hidin’ Biden’s hidden tax.
Their multi-trillion-dollar socialist agenda is crushing small businesses by overly extending unemployment benefits and fueling worker shortages. President Biden is actually paying people not to work.
As we enter the holiday season Biden’s policies are going to hurt Americans at the checkout line. Even the New York Times had to admit that, “Thanksgiving 2021 could be the most expensive meal in the history of the holiday…Nearly every component of the traditional American Thanksgiving dinner, from the disposable aluminum turkey roasting pan to the coffee and pie, will cost more this year.” And it is not only your supper that costs more, but local schools are worried about food options for their students – some going so far as to warn that they may not be able to cover some meals.
As we near Christmas, skyrocketing inflation and supply chain issues have led to a perfect storm of economic distress with Americans being warned by the Biden White House that “There will be things that people can’t get.” Meanwhile, the Biden White House have mocked Americans concerns over the supply chain crisis. According to the Washington Times, Jen Psaki, a senior White House official laughed when asked about supply chain issues and said, “The tragedy of the treadmill delayed.” Ron Klein, President Biden’s chief of staff agreed with an opinion that inflation and supply chain issues were “high class problems.”
Well, I would invite the Biden White House officials to leave their luxury D.C. homes and come to Alabama to see first-hand the economic hardship that families in our community will be facing this holiday season. While the wallets of Biden administration officials won’t feel the impact of more expensive holiday meals and presents, those outside of the swamp will be forced to make hard decisions at what is supposed to be a cheerful time of year.
Congressman Mike Rogers (AL-03) serves in the United States House of Representatives, where he is the ranking member of the Armed Services Committee
Nineteen years ago, America awoke on a tranquil Tuesday morning only to have that peace destroyed by terrorists. We pause today to remember the nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. We rise to honor the brave first responders who ran into harm’s way. We mourn with the thousands of Americans who lost loved ones that dreadful day.
We stand with our troops who have taken the battle to our enemies. We remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in this fight. Every day is a reminder of the debt we owe to our service members and their families.
On 9/11, America promised to fight back against the incarnation of evil. Our military, intelligence community and law enforcement have done just that. We could not be prouder of their efforts and results, which have led to the death of Osama Bin Laden, the dismantling of ISIS, and the thwarting of numerous plots against the homeland. President Trump and his administration have continued that work and made national security a focal point of his presidency. I’m proud to work with the president and his team to secure our borders, take out terrorists, and reclaim America’s dominance on the global stage. (more…)
In July of last year, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched a new initiative to help young adults in underprivileged communities. President Donald Trump’s pledge to help those who need it most through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative reaffirms that commitment.
The FYI initiative helps vulnerable young adults find housing as they age out of foster care, instead of being left out on the street. It offers housing vouchers to public housing authorities to assist young men and women who leave the foster care system without a home to go to. In a pivotal moment in their lives, these vouchers can mean the difference between a life of homelessness, crime and addiction verses becoming a contributing member of our community.
I was pleased to see first steps made in the great State of Alabama this year, as the Birmingham Housing Authority received over $16,000 for this initiative. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Our nation is under attack from an invisible enemy. We are at war with the coronavirus. It has brought our powerful economy to a halt and millions have lost their jobs. It has closed our schools and forced almost every American to live under state government mandated stay at home orders. Worse, it has taken the lives of tens of thousands of our loved ones and sickened many more.
In this war, the front lines are all around us. Our warriors are our healthcare workers, doctors and nurses. Our grocery store clerks, truck drivers, delivery staff, farmers and producers, first responders and law enforcement. And so many, many more that strive to keep our lives as normal as possible.
Make no mistake: Our nation will come back from this fight stronger than ever. And we must learn the tough lessons from it. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats’ embrace of radical socialism is almost complete. The combination of socialism and Trump Derangement Syndrome has caused many Democrats to completely go off the rails.
Case in point is Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) behavior on the steps of the Supreme Court building as the high court takes up a major abortion case. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As many folks may have seen recently in the news, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced last Saturday that the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston would be used as a quarantine center for some Americans exposed to Coronavirus.
I was floored when I learned of the plan on Saturday around lunchtime and immediately started working with local officials, Governor Ivey, Senator Shelby and President Trump to stop it.
As Alabamians, we are and have always been compassionate people. We pride ourselves in helping our fellow brothers and sisters, but in this case, bringing these infected individuals to Anniston would have been a recipe for disaster – both for Anniston and for the infected individuals. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On February 4, I was honored to be on the House Floor as President Donald J. Trump delivered one of the most moving and remarkable State of the Union addresses in American history.
In a speech titled, “The Great American Comeback,” President Trump highlighted not only our booming economy and strengthened military, but what makes America truly shine. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In this new year and decade, the world remains a very dangerous place.
Recently, President Trump had the opportunity to take out a very bad actor who wished harm on Americans and was responsible for the deaths of 600 U.S. soldiers.
In Baghdad, Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian commander, was killed by some of our brave men and women serving in uniform. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Each Christmas season, I like to highlight a few of the kind things folks across East Alabama are doing for others.
Below is a small sample of ways our fellow Alabamians have cared for each other over the past year.
In Clay County at Central High School, a teacher, Amanda East, gathered the school supplies that were going to be disposed of from the locker clean out. Those items are now set up to donate to students who need them. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — What a waste of time. Any and all work on behalf of the American people has come to a screeching halt as House Democrats continue their push their impeachment hoax.
After holding secret meetings behind closed doors, that all Americans and most members of Congress were denied entry, Democrats are set to hold public hearings.
Chairman Adam Schiff, who is running the show for Nancy Pelosi, has demonstrated time and again that he has a hard time with truth, fairness and openness when it comes to a transparent hearing. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As most folks have seen on the news lately, House Democrats are continuing their behind closed doors drive toward impeachment.
As they try to tear down and remove our president from the highest office in the world, every day Americans are left in the dark, only to hear bits and pieces that the Democrats leak to the media. Democrats refuse to share any of their findings or testimony with other members of Congress. This sham witch hunt is making a mockery of fairness and the rule of law. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The big story in Washington right now is happening behind closed doors.
House Democrats continue to conduct this sham of an impeachment in a manner that is not open to the public or the media. The only news every-day Americans are allowed to have is cherry-picked by the radical Democrats and then filtered through the prism of the left-leaning media. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — With so many accomplishments, it is difficult to believe President Trump has been in office less than three years.
Like many of you across East Alabama, I strongly support the “America First” agenda. Despite what you may see on the mainstream media, the facts demonstrate President Trump’s achievements. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When it comes to the business of the People’s House, it seems Democrats just cannot focus in on what matters to the American people like a booming economy, job creation and securing our porous border.
Over four months have passed since Attorney General William Barr announced there was no collusion nor obstruction in the Mueller report, but somehow this week Democrats are having Robert Mueller on Capitol Hill to try to waste even more time and taxpayer dollars to try to do whatever they can to make President Trump look bad. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The push for a socialist agenda is alive and well in Washington and it is causing major problems within the Democrat party.
Members, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, are offering ideas like the Green New Deal which would cost American taxpayers over $90 trillion over 10 years. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As we celebrate Independence Day, I always like to reflect on how very blessed we are to live in America.
The American flag is the symbol of our freedom – throughout wars, hard times, terrorist attacks – the flag is what gives us hope, inspiration and reminds us of the sacrifices made over the past 233 years for our liberty. Our American flag should be honored, respected and revered.
I cannot fathom why any American would kneel at the National Anthem much less burn our flag.
Recently, I signed on as a cosponsor to H.J Res. 65, a bill that would propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As folks across East Alabama know all too well, we have a serious national security and humanitarian crisis at our Southwest border with Mexico that worsens every day.
Because Democrats are so dug in against President Trump, they are choosing to play political games over keeping our homeland safe and dealing with these families and children who enter our country illegally.
Just in the month of May, the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encountered over 144,000 illegal migrants on the border. Many of these migrants are in terrible condition and arrive in desperate need of care and medical attention. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Recently in the halls of Congress, it’s become a much too common practice for some Democrats to spew hatred and anti-Semitism.
From Representative Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez to Representative Rashida Tlaib to Representative Illhan Omar, their words cut deeply. Their spreading of anti-Semitism is harmful to all Americans.
On the world stage, we have also seen the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement gaining traction and trying to hurt Israel. The BDS movement is cover for some of the world’s worst anti-Semites. The movement is ultimately devoted to the destruction of the state of Israel.
I am a strong supporter of Israel. Not only is Israel fundamental to my Christian faith, it is one of our greatest allies. (more…)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the humanitarian and national security crisis continues unabated at our southern border, Democrats refuse to acknowledge what is really happening. Unfortunately, this is becoming a pattern for them.
They even go as far to say it is a manufactured crisis by the Trump administration. Before President Trump took office, those same folks that are completely against solving the crisis now, were in favor of helping solve it then.
Numbers don’t lie. Just in March, border apprehensions were up 450 percent compared with March of 2017 — 450 percent! (more…)