Representative Mike Ezell

Dear [salutation],

It's been another good week fighting for our conservative South Mississippi values. Here are a couple of the things my team and I have been working on:

Putting Our Veterans (Not Politics) First

Last Friday, I sent a letter to Biden's VA Secretary, Sec, Denis McDonough, and the interim director of the Biloxi VA Medical Center, Dr. Stephanie Repasky, asking them to remove a rainbow pride flag that was flying in place of an American flag at the Biloxi VA's Pass Road entrance.

If you haven't read it already, you can read that letter below:

Letter to Sec. McDonough and Dr. Repasky

While I believe everyone should be treated with respect, I take serious issue with any flag flying at a VA facility that promotes social policy positions or political statements. Our VA should be focused on serving and providing quality care to veterans, not on pushing a social or political agenda.

Unfortunately, this administration doesn't agree. They've made a habit out of politicizing our veterans and they don't want to stop now.

Thankfully, I'm not in this fight alone.

Our Mississippi Republican delegation is united to stand against the Biden Administration and put veterans above politics. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Congressmen Trent Kelly (MS-01) and Michael Guest (MS-03) helped draft a second letter to Sec. McDonough that I was proud to sign.

And while our Mississippi delegation is leading the fight in our state, House leadership is pushing to hold the VA accountable all across the country. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost (IL-12), himself a Marine veteran, led a group of members asking the VA for answers about how these flags directly violate VA policy.

The Biden Administration seems to hope that if they ignore us, we'll just go away, but I have news for them: I will never quit fighting to ensure that our VA is focused on serving veterans, not promoting a left-wing agenda.

Supporting Our Colleges and Universities

Leadership from all three of Mississippi's largest universities was in Washington this week to talk about the incredible work our schools are doing and ways Congress can support college athletics.

I met with Dr. Joe Paul to discuss some of the amazing research being conducted by Southern Miss students and faculty, as well as our alma mater's historic baseball season—which will continue with this weekend's super regionals in Hattiesburg.

Southern Miss's presence in the Pine Belt and on the Gulf Coast are critical to building our workforce and bringing more industry to South Mississippi. Every day is a great day to be a Golden Eagle, and I'm proud to support the university in Washington and at home.

I also had the privilege of joining our delegation for a briefing with both academic and athletic leadership from Ole Miss and Mississippi State. We talked specifically about name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules and how state and federal laws impact student athletes.

MS Delegation with Ole Miss and Mississippi State officials

Mississippi is blessed to be home to so many outstanding colleges and universities. I'll always be supportive of them because their success directly impacts the future success of our great state.

Putting a Stop to Mayorkas's Inaction

Next week, the House Committee on Homeland Security will be holding a hearing on Biden's Border Crisis and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas's dereliction of duty. You can read all about it here.

I've been to the southern border, I've met with Border Patrol Agents, and I've seen the challenges they're facing. They need and deserve top-level leadership that is supportive of their mission, and they clearly don't have that right now.

Best of luck to the Golden Eagles this weekend as they aim to clinch a trip to Omaha for the College World Series. It's an incredible opportunity to show off the amazing people, culture, and food that make Hattiesburg and all of South Mississippi special.

Thank you for allowing me to serve you and your family in the United States Congress.

If I can help you with a federal agency or if you have questions about legislation, please call one of my offices below or contact us on our website at ezell.house.gov. For more frequent updates, you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Sincerely,

Mike Ezell
Member of Congress

Putting Our Veterans (Not Politics) First

Supporting Our Colleges and Universities

Putting a Stop to Mayorkas's Inaction

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