On Thursday, House Republicans passed a bill to send critical aid to our allies in Israel — and we did it without increasing federal spending. Instead, we funded it by cutting disastrous spending from the so-called "Inflation Reduction" Act.

Our legislation provides Israel with advanced weaponry, supports the Iron Dome defense system, and replenishes the military stockpiles this administration has depleted.

President Biden and Senate Democrats don't like our plan because it doesn't include additional spending for Ukraine and it would cut funding for the president's massive IRS expansion.

But that's exactly what the American people want.

We shouldn't be tying Israel and Ukraine aid together, and we shouldn't be passing spending bills without cutting waste and working to lower our national debt.  

I appreciate the 12 Democrats who were willing to buck the president and their party to stand with Israel and against Hamas. I'm always glad to work with members of both parties to do good, including to support Israel's right to self-defense.

I hope President Biden and Senate Democrats change their mind and decide to put our alliance with Israel ahead of their political agendas — but I'm not holding my breath.

I had the chance to speak to the House Committee on Natural Resources this week about an issue that matters to many Mississippians: support for the shrimping industry.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is the nation's fourth-largest seafood provider. For decades, Mississippians have been providing shrimp and other fresh seafood to restaurants and family tables across the country.

Unfortunately, many Gulf Coast families who have shrimped for generations are being put out of business by other countries' illegal business practices. Shrimpers in nations like India, China, and Thailand undermine domestic shrimpers by artificially lowering their costs.

According to the International Trade Commission, these practices have cost American shrimpers more than $4 billion and led to the loss of thousands of good American jobs.

As a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I know many people who rely on the shrimping industry to support their families. We can't allow other nations to break the rules and put hardworking Americans out of business.

You can watch my testimony here:

Earlier this year, I joined other Members of Congress from the Gulf Coast states in asking the US Secretary of Commerce and US Trade Representative to investigate and take action to stop these illegal trade practices.

I also joined Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) and Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) to introduce the bipartisan AQUAA Act. Our bill would establish a nationwide permitting system for American aquaculture so American companies and small businesses can better compete against foreign industry. It would create blue economy jobs along the Gulf Coast while protecting our most precious resources.

I'm glad to have other Members from coastal districts fighting these fights with me, and I'll continue working to support our Mississippi shrimpers so we can deliver high-quality seafood to dinner tables across the country.

House Republicans are continuing to work to fund the government as our founding fathers intended. This week, we passed more appropriations bills that cut billions in wasteful spending and prioritized public safety and efficiency over the woke agenda.

Next week, we'll continue this process, and I'm optimistic that we'll be able to get all 12 bills passed through the House before the government funding runs out on November 17th. We're doing our part to keep the government open and create a more responsible fiscal future for our kids and grandkids.

As always, if you have questions about pending legislation or need help with a federal agency, please visit my website or contact one of the offices below.

It's an honor to serve you and your family in Washington.

Sincerely,