| Biden's Border Crisis |
Dear Friends,
The Biden Administration might not admit it, but we are in the midst of a full-blown crisis on the southern border. It’s an undeniable and direct consequence of the open border agenda of the far-left.
Thousands of migrants, including bad actors exploiting vulnerable women and children, are trying to enter the U.S. illegally. The surge in numbers follows the implementation of President Biden’s reckless executive orders, which include halting border wall construction, refusing to enforce immigration laws, and reimplementing Catch-and-Release.
You don’t have to take my word for it—the data speaks for itself. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is seeing record spikes. Last month, CBP encountered over 100,000 individuals seeking to cross the southwest border, a 28% increase in just one month and more than 170% higher than the same time a year ago.
Despite President Biden's gag order to censor CBP agents, reports have also shown that facilities are completely overwhelmed. Local law enforcement and city officials are calling for help, and the administration awarded $86 million to cover hotel costs for migrants at the border in Texas and Arizona.
Furthermore, the realities of "coyotes" and cartels taking advantage of young and vulnerable children, as well as reports that people on the terror watch list may have been apprehended, make it very obvious what this situation is.
It’s a humanitarian and national security crisis.
The Democrat response? Mass amnesty legislation. D.C. Democrats are more focused on prioritizing those who have violated our laws than on securing our border and fixing an overwhelmed system. This is the party that advocated abolishing the agencies that defend our border, stop drugs and dangerous criminals from entering our country, and enforce our immigration laws—and called for dangerous sanctuary city policies that have allowed illegal criminals to be released back into our communities instead of deported.
Last week, House Democrats passed H.R. 6, which would allow for mass amnesty for millions – including gang members and other criminals. In fact, the bill specifically prohibits the use of gang databases to track gang participation. Democrats even blocked an amendment that would ensure gang members are not eligible for benefits—including a pathway to citizenship. They think illegal immigrant gang members should be eligible to receive amnesty. What kind of message does that send?
Additionally, this bill did nothing to address the pressing immigration crisis we face. In fact, this legislation would only further incentivize illegal immigration and exacerbate the dire situation at the border.
The bill puts illegal immigrants in line for citizenship ahead of those who have waited years to enter legally. It includes no consequences for immigration fraud and zero resources for border security. Furthermore, it is estimated that this policy would cost U.S. taxpayers nearly $35 billion. Taxpayer dollars shouldn’t go towards programs that encourage illegal immigration and exacerbate an already strained system.
There is no doubt our current immigration system isn’t working, but any real reform must begin by completely securing our border. In the absence of this critical first step, history will repeat itself.
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| Legislative Action |
The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
As a practicing dentist for nearly 25 years, building better smiles was my career, and it continues to be a top priority of mine in Congress. Last week, I introduced the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act alongside Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) to ensure health insurance coverage for much-needed oral and dental treatment and procedures for individuals born with congenital anomalies or birth defects. This life-changing bill will give families the opportunity to save for their children’s futures by addressing a loophole that denies these claims for medically necessary treatments. Learn more about the bill here.
The Saving Us from Pandemic Era Resistance by Building a Unified Global Strategy (SUPER BUGS) Act
One emerging health threat – the growing rates of infections that antibiotics cannot cure – could become tomorrow’s pandemic if we fail to take swift and decisive steps to improve our readiness. Each year in the United States, at least 2.8 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and more than 35,000 of them die from these infections. We cannot solve problems like these alone; we also need other countries and the international community to do their part.
That is why I am proud to join Congressman Mike Levin in introducing the SUPER BUGS Act to encourage the development of a strategy for collaboration with our global partners. We must better support pandemic preparedness efforts to get ahead of a potential crisis before it’s too late. Read more about the bill here.
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| Questioning IRS Commissioner Rettig |
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Last Thursday, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig to discuss the 2021 tax filing season.
Far too often, fraudulent tax filers prey on vulnerable individuals and communities. During that hearing, I asked Commissioner Rettig about what actions the agency is taking to protect everyday folks from this type of deception and hold these bad actors accountable.
Click here to watch our Q &A.
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| Tax Day Extended to May 17th |
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The IRS announced last week that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. Folks are encouraged to e-file their returns and use direct deposit to receive refunds. To those taxpayers who have not previously used e-file, the IRS emphasizes using it this year to avoid paper-related processing delays.
Even with the new deadline, the IRS urges taxpayers to consider filing as soon as possible, especially those who are owed refunds.
Helpful Tax Resources:
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| An Honor to Serve You |
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One of my highest priorities is to ensure that my staff and I are available to help with whatever federal assistance you may need. Whether it’s local governments, civic organizations, small businesses, or Georgia families who need federal assistance, my staff and I are ready to serve you.
If you need help, please contact my Newnan District Office at (770) 683-2033, and we will do everything possible to find a solution. If you have a policy question, call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-5901.
As always, it’s an honor to serve you. Please contact my office with any questions, comments, or concerns. Be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep track of upcoming legislation and events!
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Sincerely,
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| FOLLOW US |
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| In This Edition |
- Biden's Border Crisis
- Legislative Action
- Questioning IRS Commissioner Rettig
- Tax Day Extended to May 17th
- An Honor to Serve You |
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| Top News |
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How the American Rescue Plan Robbed the State of Georgia
Newnan Times-Herald – 3/18
It is called the American Rescue Plan, but on multiple fronts this package jammed through by President Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Georgia’s Senators Warnock and Ossoff, and Congressional Democrats is robbing Georgia of our resources and relief. As a concerned member of the Georgia delegation, it is important for me to outline the fatal flaws of this so-called “rescue plan.”
Congressman Drew Ferguson Announces 2021 Congressional Art Competition
Columbus CEO – 3/15
U.S. Representative Drew FERGUSON (R-Ga.) today launched the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for high school students across the Third Congressional District.
Drew Ferguson considers 2022 Senate bid against Warnock
AJC – 3/16
U.S. Rep. Drew FERGUSON, one of the top Republicans in the House, is considering a challenge to Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock next year. Allies of the West Point Republican said he was consulting with national and state GOP figures about a campaign against Warnock, who defeated U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler in a January runoff special election and faces a 2022 contest for a full six-year term.
Prevent Cancer Foundation Leads More Than 300 Organizations in Support of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Screening Coverage Act of 2021
AP News – 3/17
Today, Representative Sewell introduced the Medicare Multi-Cancer Screening Coverage Act of 2021 joined by her colleagues Representatives Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Drew FERGUSON (R-Ga.), Ron Kind (D-Wis.), Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).
AAOMS advocates for legislation to provide insurance coverage for congenital craniofacial anomalies
PR Newswire – 3/17
The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act – championed by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) – was re-introduced March 16 by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) along with U.S. Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) and Drew FERGUSON (R-Ga.), who also is a dentist.
ADA supports Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act
ADA News – 3/17
In March 17 letters to Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, and Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and Drew FERGUSON, R-Ga., ADA President Daniel J. Klemmedson, D.D.S., M.D., and Executive Director Kathleen T. O’Loughlin, D.M.D., thanked the lawmakers and said they believe the bill will positively impact the quality of life for patients with congenital anomalies.
The messy search for the next FDA chief
POLITICO – 3/18
FIRST IN PULSE: BIPARTISAN BILL TARGETS ‘SUPERBUGS’ — Reps. Mike Levin(D-Calif.) and DREW FERGUSON (R-Ga.) will debut legislation today that would direct HHS and the State Department to draw up plans for negotiating agreements with foreign countries focused on developing new drugs, to ensure future investment in defenses against future pandemics and drug-resistant pathogens.
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