Congressional Update from U.S. Congressman Andy Barr

Rejecting Pelosi’s America Concedes to China Act

Today, I voted against the America Concedes to China Act in the House (you can watch my full speech on the House floor by clicking the image above. The $350 billion deficit spending sends almost $10 billion to the Green Climate Slush Fund without any restrictions on funding projects that use slave labor in China.  You can read my full statement on the vote here. 

Incredibly, the bill does nothing to hold the CCP accountable for or restrict funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, the likely source of the COVID-19 virus that killed over 800,000 Americans.   Additionally, the bill completely disregards the work done by the House China Task Force that I serve on.  CTF issued a report with over 400 forward leaning recommendations, two-thirds of which were bipartisan.  The fact that the American Concedes to China Act ignored the Task Forces’ report underscores how unserious it is as a legitimate product. 

Taking on the Border Crisis

Just over one year into President Biden’s term, our southern border is in crisis:

• Migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border are at a 21 year high—over 2 million encounters since Biden took office. The Department of Homeland Security estimates about 400,000 illegal migrants crossed the border undetected last year.
• Illegal immigrants are coming from all over the world. While Mexico is the most common origin country for migrants encountered, 63% of migrants encountered were from countries other than Mexico.
• Multiple terrorists on the FBI terror watch list were apprehended at the southern border in 2021.
• More than 913,000 pounds of drugs were seized by CBP in FY21. Over 11,000 pounds of fentanyl were seized at border in FY21—enough to kill every man woman and child in America 8 times over—and that is just what was seized.
• The U.S. topped 100,000 overdose deaths last year because of Biden’s open border policies.
• Biden’s policies directly caused this crisis:
  • Reversed the Remain in Mexico policy until a federal court order in November forced him to reinstate it.
  • Halted all construction of the border wall.
  • Canceled asylum agreements with Central American countries.
  • Promised to provide free healthcare to all illegal immigrants during his Presidential campaign.
  • Stopped all deportations upon taking office until a federal judge blocked this decision in Feb of 2021.
  • Didn’t require anything from illegal immigrants to enter the country during the COVID delta and omicron surges.

This is unacceptable and I am taking action to stop Biden’s open border policies.  Here is some of the legislation I have cosponsored to secure our southern border:

• The Border Security for America Act of 2021:
  • Requires the federal government secure to renew border wall construction contracts, investment in advanced technologies to protect the border, and bolster support for federal law enforcement officers and specialists.
• HALT Fentanyl Act:
  • Cracks down on fentanyl by permanently making fentanyl-related substances Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
    • The current temporary scheduling of fentanyl-related substances is scheduled to expire on February 18, 2022.
  • Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2021:
    • This bill would make President Trump’s “Remain in Mexico” policy permanent.
    • Illegal immigrants seeking entry into the U.S. are returned to Mexico to wait outside the U.S. for the duration of their immigration proceedings. Mexico will provide them with all appropriate humanitarian protections for the duration of their stay.
  • Immigration Transparency & Transit Notification Act
    • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is secretly transporting illegal immigrants to communities in our country without notifying or consulting with state or local authorities.
    • That’s why I am cosponsoring this bill to require the DHS and the Department of Health and Human Services to notify the relevant Federal, State, and Local officials about the transportation, by bus or plane, and placement of illegal immigrants or unaccompanied alien children (UAC) in their state before the process begins.
    • Under the bill, Governors can object to placement of illegal immigrants in their state.
  • Affirming states’ sovereign power to defend themselves against invasion:
    • J. Resolution 50 affirms the states’ sovereign power to defend themselves against invasion. President Biden’s open-border policies, the federal government’s failure to respond, and the opportunism that followed by cartels has left our southern border states vulnerable unless states use their constitutional power to defend themselves and protect their citizens.

Breaking Down Inflation on Fox Lexington

On Monday, I joined Fox 56 Morning News to discuss the fallout for Kentucky families with Paul Jones.  Inflation cost the average family $3,500 more for the same goods and services in 2021 vs 2020.

For a Kentucky family living off $50,000 a year, that is a 7% pay cut because of inflation! I am fighting against reckless overspending that is fueling this inflation surge and pushing the Federal Reserve to gradually normalize interest rates and monetary policy.

Barr Media Mentions

Joining WTVQ Good Day Kentucky to Talk Inflation and CHIPS

Congressman Andy Barr speaks on inflation, veterans issues with The Winchester Sun

Talking America Concedes to China Act on Bloomberg TV

Sincerely,

Congressman Andy Barr