Just over a year ago, I officially took the oath of office to serve South Mississippi in the United States Congress. 

It's been a whirlwind, but I'm proud of the way my office has served our district since January of 2023. We've helped more than a thousand people solve problems with the federal government, particularly social security and the VA, and we've recovered medals and records for military heroes.

I've helped lead key legislation in Washington, including bills to secure the border, combat fentanyl, and support our ports and harbors, and I've spoken up for South Mississippi on the issues that matter to our communities.

In year one, I was able to work with my colleagues to secure more than $3 billion in investment to support jobs and communities from Waynesboro to Pearlington and everywhere in between while cutting federal spending across the board.

It's been an honor to represent you in Congress, and I'm not done yet. As we begin year two, I have two things to ask from you:

First, stay in contact. I want to hear from you about the issues that matter so that my office can help.

Second, tell your family and friends. If you know other people in South Mississippi who want to know about what's going on in our district, please encourage them to follow my office on social media and to sign up for our newsletter. If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can sign up here to receive a copy in your inbox every week.

This week, the House Homeland Security Committee began impeachment proceedings against Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas for his dereliction of duty regarding our southern border.

Since the Biden-Mayorkas border policies began, millions of illegal immigrants have entered the country. In December 2023 alone, nearly 250,000 people crossed the border. It seems like a new record for border crossings is set every day, fentanyl and other drugs are pouring into our communities, and illegal immigrant crime is surging.

Mayorkas isn't enforcing the laws he was appointed to enforce. Instead, Border Patrol agents have their hands tied behind their backs while the cartels are in control. Policy differences are one thing; endangering our national security by refusing to do your job is another.

I joined Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on Washington Watch to talk about what I've seen and heard firsthand and the reasons why we're moving to impeach:

Democrats are working to give Mayorkas cover, but they're ignoring several key facts.

First, both liberal and conservative legal scholars agree that failure to complete duties is a legitimate reason for impeachment. In fact, the only cabinet member to ever be impeached (President Grant's Secretary of War), was charged with "criminally disregarding his duties." Sound familiar?

Second, Democrats voted for this process to play out. When articles of impeachment were first filed in November, I believed the House had already met the standards for impeachment. So did the vast majority of House Republicans. But Democrats and a few Republicans voted to send the articles to the Committee on Homeland Security instead. 

House Democrats can't defend Mayorkas's inaction, so now they're attacking the legitimacy of the process they voted to implement. It would honestly be funny if it wasn't for the seriousness of this border crisis.

At the same time the Homeland Security Committee was working to hold Mayorkas accountable with an impeachment inquiry, our colleagues on the Judiciary Committee and the Oversight Committee were working to hold Hunter Biden accountable by moving forward with a contempt charge.

Today, my friend and neighbor, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (LA-01), announced that the full House would vote to hold Hunter in contempt next week.

Hours later, Hunter's tune totally changed. He's made a show out of his refusal to testify, but his fun is over

Regardless of how this plays out next week, one thing is certain: Hunter Biden won't get special treatment because of his last name. He'll testify in front of the committee like he was subpoenaed to do, or he'll be held in contempt just like anyone else who refuses to testify.

I'm proud to be part of a Republican majority that's holding people accountable and standing for the rule of law.

If you need help with a federal agency or have questions about pending legislation, please contact my team via my website or at one of the offices below. For more frequent updates, make sure you're following my office on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

As always, it is a privilege and an honor to serve South Mississippi as your Congressman.

Sincerely,