This week, the House Committee on Homeland Security held its first impeachment hearing of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Under the Biden Administration, nearly nine million illegal migrants have entered our country, including known and suspected terrorists and convicted criminals. For comparison, only eleven states in America have a population of over nine million.
I take no pleasure in these proceedings. Congress must use its power to provide accountability to the American people because of Secretary Mayorkas' failure to secure the homeland and to follow the rule of law.
As part of the hearing. I questioned attorney generals from the states of Oklahoma, Montana, and Missouri about how their states have suffered from the border crisis. Every state is now a border state. Watch here or below for my remarks.
The EPA Did Not Consult Midland, Texas
As a member of the Energy and Committee Subcommittee on Environment, I questioned Joseph Goffman about the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) anti-fossil fuel agenda. Goffman was appointed by President Biden to shut down energy production across the United States, like the Permian Basin.
During my questioning, he could not provide a clear answer on if EPA consulted industry leaders and companies in the Permian Basin about its harmful methane regulations. Not only will these so-called "regulations" increase energy costs for Americans, but they are detrimental to smaller energy producers.
There was, however, one thing we agreed on: the fact that there is strong leadership in the Permian Basin. Goffman credited Permian producers for their reduction in methane emissions over the past five years: “What that sounds like is what we have is leadership in the industry in the Permian Basin.” He is right about that. Private companies have exceeded benchmarks in lowering harmful emissions without burdensome government regulations.
The United States is the world leader in reducing emissions. Shutting down American-made energy and relying on foreign adversaries for our energy needs is a national security threat. Watch here or below for my full line of questioning.
West Texans Testifying in Washington
We were fortunate to have Mike Oestmann, the President and CEO of Tall City Exploration, testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee about the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulatory overreach this week.
Mike gave an impactful first-hand account of how private companies from small to large producers are already leading the way in lowering harmful emissions without the heavy hand of the federal government.
Under Mike's leadership, Tall City Exploration has grown from three employees and no production in early 2012, to 35 employees producing 25,000 barrels of oil equivalent in 2023. Mike knows better than most how private industry is leading the way to lower harmful emissions without the heavy hand of the federal government.
Pictured from L-R are Mike Oestmann, Cathy Oestmann, Ben Sheppard, the President of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, and Angela Staples, the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Tall City.
Op-ed in the Midland Reporter-Telegram
I authored an opinion column in the Midland Reporter-Telegram over Secretary Mayorkas' failures at the southern border.
Secretary Mayorkas knows the border is not secure, and that the American people are ultimately paying the price. Read it here.
Hunter Biden Agrees to Sit for a Deposition Before House Oversight
The House Oversight Committee passed a resolution to hold Hunter Biden in Contempt of Congress this week. This resolution will now advance to the full House with an expected vote next week.
Hunter Biden failed to adhere to a Congressional subpoena regarding selling his father President Joe Biden as the "brand" in his foreign business dealings.
I fully supported opening an impeachment inquiry into President Biden due to the overwhelming amount of evidence the committee has uncovered. Conducting oversight of the White House is a fundamental duty of the U.S. House of Representatives. This is a solemn responsibility that I do not take lightly.
Congressional subpoenas are not a suggestion, but a legal responsibility. We will not provide Hunter Biden with special treatment solely because of his last name. House Republicans will continue to follow the evidence in the investigation of President Biden's impeachment inquiry.
Secretary Austin's Dereliction of Duty
I led a letter with fellow members of the MACH-1 Caucus, a group of former fighter pilots who are now lawmakers in Congress, to President Biden regarding the delayed notification of the hospitalization of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
As a former combat commander, I know how important it is to have secondary layers of authority in place during times of absence. These contingency plans have life-or-death implications. Secretary Austin has weakened our military from day one – by advocating for a woke and weak military and now by abdicating his post without properly appointing a proxy or notifying the President of the United States or the National Security Council.
This is a complete dereliction of duty. Read more in Fox News here or below.
Safeguarding America's Networks
The internet is an essential tool that millions of Americans use each day and it is essential that we protect our networks from foreign adversaries. I questioned witnesses on how safe networks pertain to the energy sector and the stability of national security. Watch here or below for my line of questioning.
Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me onFacebook,Instagram, andTwitterfor daily updates.
