This week, in advance of Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s address to Congress, I introduced a resolution supporting the State of Israel that passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The resolution clearly states that: The State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state; Congress rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia; and the United States will always be a staunch partner and supporter of Israel.
Unfortunately, radical Members of the Democrat party have hijacked their platform and refuse to stand with Israel. I am extremely disappointed that 10 members of the Democrat party refused to vote against antisemitism and affirm that Israel is not a racist state.
Watch my remarks in support of Israel here or below.
Welcoming Israeli President Herzog
Israel is our most important strategic partner in the Middle East. It was a privilege to welcome Israeli President Herzog to the U.S. Capitol for his address to Congress and affirm that Congress stands with Israel and the unwavering partnership between our democracies.
Stopping Taxpayer Funder Gender Transition Surgeries for Children
The Committee on Energy and Commerce held a hearing to reauthorize funding for children’s hospitals across the nation this week. I am proud that this legislation includes critical provisions to ban funding from going to hospitals that administer gender transition surgery for minors. Watch below or here for my comments on this startling surgery process and the importance of protecting our children.
Christians United for Israel (CUFI)
It was great to see Texas-11 Members of Christians United for Israel, the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States in Washington. We discussed the continuation of a strong relationship between both countries. It was an especially timely meeting given the House passed my resolution supporting Israel and Israeli President Herzog’s address. Thank you all for being a strong voice for Israel!
Exposing Biden Family Corruption
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released an unclassified FBI-generated record describing an alleged criminal scheme involving then-Vice President Joe Biden and a Ukrainian business executive. Grassley acquired the record, an FD-1023, via legally protected disclosures by Justice Department whistleblowers.
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) shared the FD-1023 FBI document with the public — revealing that the Biden family was paid $10 million dollars by a Ukrainian oil company named Burisma. The payments occurred when President Biden was serving as Vice President. Hunter Biden was serving on the board of directors at Burisma, which he had no experience or qualifications to do so.
Thanks to the leadership of Senator Grassley and Rep. James Comer, the American people can read the report for themselves. We will continue working to expose corruption up to the highest levels of our government.
Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act
This week I also introduced the Gray Zone Defense Assessment Act. This bipartisan legislation directs the United States to develop a playbook to properly counter gray zone aggression and strengthen U.S. national security.
For two decades, U.S. warfighters have primarily been engaged in countering the threats posed by violent extremists. Asymmetric tactics utilized by these extremist groups have shown our near-peer adversaries in the great-power competition that our nation is susceptible to threats that fall outside of the traditional means of conflict.
Since the shift from countering violent extremism to the great power competition, Russia has used private military companies to illegally seize territories, the People’s Republic of China is employing coercive economic practices through their Belt and Road Initiatives, and Iran is using proxies throughout the world to export terrorism and launder money for the regime. All these actions are used as an attempt to secure national objectives in what is now known as the “Gray Zone.”
Although the definition of the gray zone is fluid, it is widely described as geopolitical, economic, military actions and cyber and information operations that go beyond regular diplomatic and economic activities but fall below the use of kinetic military force. Gray zone aggression has become the preferred method of adversarial governments because it exploits the weaknesses of Western nations and provides plausible deniability to the hostile actor. Tactics utilized in the gray zone include but are not limited to:
Information warfare;
Encouraging internal strife within targeted countries;
Subversive economic practices;
Support for domestic and international proxies;
Coercive investment and bribery for political aims;
An industrial policy designed to monopolize a strategic industry or to destroy such an industry in other nations;
Military and paramilitary provocations and operations short of war;
Hostage diplomacy;
Changes in internationally recognized borders;
The Gray Zone Defense Act requires the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate and evaluate our nation’s capacity to respond to gray zone aggression. In addition, the bill requires the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence to conduct an annual assessment of the gray zone threats posed by the People’s Republic of China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Syria pose to the United States.
The future of warfare is evolving, We risk falling behind the curve if our nation fails to adapt and identify unconventional threats like information warfare, coercive investments and bribery, malign industrial policies, and more. The Gray Zone Defense Act is a critical first step in ensuring that the United States is prepared to assess and counter all threats to our national security.
Upcoming Town Halls
I will be in the district hosting multiple Town Hall events in August. I hope to see you there!
Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily updates.
