Press Releases
The Republican Recap: Week of January 29, 2024
Washington,
February 1, 2024
Here’s a recap of what Republicans achieved on the House Floor this week:
Keeping Our Streets Safe from Intoxicated Illegal Immigrant Drivers ✅ Drunk driving is a dangerous crime that not only puts the driver at risk, but everyone else on the road. With the seriousness of the crime and the potential deadly consequences, you would think that if an illegal immigrant was caught driving under the influence, they would be deported and barred from reentering the country – unfortunately, however, that is not always the case. In a tragic incident earlier this month, a mother and son were killed in a car crash by an intoxicated illegal immigrant who had already been deported four times and arrested on three previous occasions for DUIs. In 2022, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 175 illegal immigrants who had multiple DUI convictions during a two month national operation. It’s common sense: Congress should uphold the rule of law and deport illegal immigrants who threaten the safety of our communities and pose a dangerous risk on the roads. H.R. 6976, the Protect our Communities from DUIs Act, introduced by Rep. Barry Moore, makes driving intoxicated or impaired a deportable offense for illegal immigrants and grounds to bar them from entering the country. “In the United States, someone dies in a crash with an impaired driver every 45 minutes. I lost two of my young newlywed constituents to an illegal immigrant driving under the influence of alcohol,” said Rep. Barry Moore. “I’m proud to join with my House Republican colleagues to protect American families from more of these tragedies by passing legislation to deport illegal immigrants who have been caught driving impaired.” What Members Said: “Because of my law enforcement background, Mr. Speaker, I am probably one of a very few members of Congress who has ever been to the scene of a drunk driving accident where there was a death – one of very few who has delivered death notices to unsuspecting families or victims. And I pray that none of you ever have to deliver or receive such heartbreaking news. At a minimum, Mr. Chair, we should keep illegal immigrants who drive under the influence of alcohol and put people's lives in danger out of this country,” said Rep. Pete Stauber. Rep. Troy Nehls slammed Democrats for putting illegal immigrant drunk drivers above Americans' safety by voting against H.R. 6976.
 Banning Hamas Terrorists From Entering the United States ✅ On October 7, 2023, over 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 taken hostage in the barbaric Iranian-backed Hamas attacks against Israel, making it the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. During these attacks, the terrorists chanted “Death to Israel” and “Death to America,” declaring themselves enemies of democracy and the United States. Now, because of President Biden’s disastrous immigration policies and raging border crisis, those same terrorists can cross into the United States through our southern border and plan attacks on the American people. In Fiscal Year 2023, 169 individuals on the terrorist watchlist were apprehended by Customs and Border Patrol attempting to illegally cross the border, and migrants from over 230 countries were arrested in the past year. We cannot allow these barbaric terrorists who hate our country and everything America stands for to cross our borders or live in our communities. House Republicans passed legislation to ensure Hamas terrorists are kept out of our nation. Rep. Tom McClintock’s legislation, H.R. 6679, the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act, makes illegal immigrants that are members of Hamas or participated in the October 7, 2023, attacks against Israel inadmissible to or deportable from the United States. “The No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act provides that any alien who carried out, participated in, planned, financed, afforded material support to, or otherwise facilitated any of the attacks against Israel initiated by Hamas beginning on October 7, 2023, be found inadmissible to and removable from the United States and ineligible for all relief under the immigration laws. It is imperative that Congress ensures that these bad actors will find no refuge in the United States,” said Rep. Tom McClintock. What Members Said: Rep. Chuck Edwards highlighted the need to pass H.R. 6679 to ensure terrorists are not allowed into the United States due to Biden's disastrous border policies.  Rep. Brandon Williams emphasized how H.R. 6679 prevents Hamas terrorists and others who participated in the October 7th attacks from receiving comfort in the United States.
 Protecting American Families from Social Security Fraud ✅ More and more, we are seeing illegal immigrants commit social security fraud and steal hard working Americans’ social security numbers: In 2017, there were 1.2 million cases where an illegal migrant used a stolen or fabricated social security number. Despite their crime and the devastating effects social security fraud can have on the victim, the current system fails to hold illegal immigrants who commit social security or identification fraud accountable, with removal proceedings dragging out over several years due to burdensome bureaucracy. Additionally, there is currently no guarantee that an illegal immigrant committing social security fraud can be deported or declared inadmissible to the United States. This is unacceptable: Illegal immigrants who steal social security numbers or create false ones should not be allowed to stay in the United States or enter our borders. H.R. 6678, the Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act, sponsored by Rep. Tom McClintock, makes social security fraud committed by an illegal immigrant grounds for deportation or barring them from admission into the United States. “Despite the harm of Social Security fraud, there is no guarantee that an alien convicted of or admitting to this crime can be found inadmissible to or removable from the United States. The Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act changes the arduous, counterintuitive, and lengthy process by streamlining the analysis and ensuring that criminal aliens can be held to account and quickly removed from the country for victimizing Americans for Social Security fraud and identification document fraud,” said Rep. Tom McClintock. What Members Said: Rep. Morgan Luttrell noted how H.R. 6678 ensures illegal immigrants who have committed social security fraud are inadmissible to the United States and streamlines the removal process.
 Rep. Cory Mills called attention to how Democrats claim to care about seniors and yet they voted against H.R. 6678, which cracks down on criminal migrants who steal social security benefits from American seniors.
 Cracking Down on High Speed Chases With Illegal Immigrants Fleeing Arrest ✅ On December 7, 2022, Border Patrol Agent Raul Gonzalez, Jr., was killed in the line of duty while pursuing illegal immigrants who were fleeing capture near Mission, Texas. High speed chases often result in tragic losses of life, whether it’s migrants in the cars when traffickers crash, Americans struck by illegal immigrants fleeing capture, or law enforcement officers in the line of duty. We must ensure that there are meaningful consequences in place for any illegal migrant who threatens the safety of our communities and lives of our citizens. In honor of Agent Raul Gonzalez, Jr., and his sacrifice while fighting to protect our southern border, House Republicans passed a bill that holds traffickers and illegal immigrants accountable and makes them think twice before fleeing arrest. Rep. Juan Ciscomani’s legislation, H.R. 5585, the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act, creates new criminal offenses for operating a vehicle within 100 miles of the southern border while fleeing from Border Patrol agents, or any law enforcement officer assisting the U.S. Border Patrol, including serious jail time and prohibition from ever receiving legal status in the United States. “Every day, high-speed chases initiated by smugglers jeopardize the safety of Arizonans,” said Rep. Juan Ciscomani. “For far too long, cartels and smugglers have not faced serious enough consequences when they blatantly endanger our communities. This bill signals to bad actors that we will pursue any action that threatens American lives to the fullest extent of our law. I’m thrilled that my House colleagues understand the necessity of this legislation, bringing it one step closer to being signed into law.” What Members Said: “This is a time for unity, not division. Supporting this life saving legislation means standing up for the rule of law and sending a clear message: Evading American law enforcement is a serious offense, and if it results in the death of an officer, the consequences will be severe," said Rep. Monica De La Cruz. "The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act is a pivotal step in ensuring our borders are not only safe, but respected. Let's honor the memory of this brave man and the countless others who have put their lives on the line every single day."
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis pointed to how H.R. 5585 holds illegal immigrants who evade law enforcement accountable in honor of Agent Raul Gonzales.
 Restoring Pro-Growth Tax Policies and Countering Bidenflation ✅ This week, House Republicans passed tax legislation that restores key pro-business, pro-growth, pro-family, and pro-America provisions from President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including Research and Development expensing, bonus depreciation, and interest expensing. The tax deal also enhances the Child Tax Credit to counter the harm Bidenflation has done to hardworking families by getting rid of penalties for larger families and adjusting the credit to account for raging inflation, all while maintaining work requirements. Furthermore, provisions in this legislation provide tax relief for families who have fallen victim to hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and wildfires, allowing them to stay afloat during their recovery. H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, sponsored by Rep. Jason Smith, promotes American business and economic growth, supports communities and families struggling under Bidenflation, and protects victims of natural and man-made disasters. “This tax package is pro-growth, pro-jobs, and pro-American. Both the $600 billion of pro-growth tax incentives that benefit job creators and the structure and work requirements of the Child Tax Credit in this legislation were first signed into law by President Trump. Last year, the Ways and Means Committee traveled the country and listened to small business owners and American workers about their ideas to make life better for themselves and their neighbors. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act is a direct response to their plea for relief. Because of this bill, working parents crushed by high prices will have an easier time putting food on the table, more things will be made here in America, and the nation will be more competitive with China,” said Rep. Jason Smith. “I am eager to get this bill passed by the Senate and signed into law. Millions of working families and Main Street businesses are counting on Congress to get this done. Let’s deliver.” What Members Said: “Agriculture is the economic engine of my district and our tax policies must help our farmers grow, invest, and compete with China. This legislation does exactly that. Our farmers will benefit from two key provisions in this bill: 100 percent bonus depreciation and the expansion of section 179 deduction limit. Our producers rely on these tools to buy farm equipment and invest in their operations. This legislation is a victory for our farmers and rural communities," said Rep. Randy Feenstra.
Rep. Michelle Fischbach highlighted how H.R. 7024 provides tax relief for families struggling to keep up with rising costs due to reckless government spending.
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