Congressional Update from U.S. Congressman Andy Barr
Responding to President Biden’s Inflation Plan in the Wall Street Journal
Inflation is only getting worse. Gas prices topped $5 per gallon nationwide. On Friday, May inflation numbers were released and confirmed that the inflation crisis is only getting worse: consumer price index spiked 8.6% and core inflation (stripping out food and energy costs) rose by 6%. Last year, inflation cost the average American family $3,500, according to the University of Pennsylvania. With inflation worsening, how much will it cost the average family this year?
I wrote a piece in the Wall Street Journal last week that lays out my vision to fix this inflation mess. It is a direct response to President Biden’s column in the same paper on May 31, in which the President blamed the Federal Reserve for inflation and suggested providing subsidies to green energy companies to get energy costs under control. You can read my full piece here.
Voting to Enhance School and Public Safety, Against Restrictions on Law-Abiding Gun Owners
Moms and Dads across America are still shaken by the horrific, senseless and evil shooting at a Texas elementary school last month. As the father of two young daughters, I’m sickened and outraged, and I join all Americans in profound grief for the innocent victims and their families. On Wednesday, I voted for the Secure Every School and Protect Our Nation’s Children (STOP II) Act to enhance public safety and oppose restrictions on law-abiding gun owners. The STOP II Act reprograms $7 billion in unspent COVID funds to harden schools, place more mental health counselors in schools and hire new school resource officers throughout America to intervene before a troubled individual resorts to violence.
Rather than passing this common-sense legislation to enhance public safety, the House passed a series of bills to restrict law-abiding gun owners from possessing or acquiring firearms. These proposals are a sad attempt to politicize tragedy and do absolutely nothing to address our nation’s mental health crisis or close loopholes in the existing background check system that enable troubled individuals like the Uvalde shooter to pass a check and purchase firearms and ammunition. These bills also fail in every respect to improve safety in our schools. You can see watch my full statement here.
Honoring First All-Female Veterans Honor Flight and Heroes from America’s Greatest Generation
I was honored to participate in an amazing send off for the Commonwealth’s first all female honor flight to Washington on Saturday. It was great to see all of these American patriots, including Ashley Hawkins, the first woman ever to receive a Bronze Star with Valor. God bless Honor Flight Kentucky and all of these veterans.
Additionally, Mt. Sterling resident and World War II hero George Garrett turned 100 years old on June 7. Mr. Garrett served honorably in WWII and was awarded five Bronze Stars for his extraordinary service. I recognized Mr. Garrett's service to our country through a Congressional Record recently.
Hosting Fayette County Public School Students in Washington
Great to host students from Fayette County Public Schools in Washington recently. These students are part of the Close Up Foundation, a nationwide organization that fosters student awareness and involvement in government. It was an honor to show these students the Capitol and welcome them to the people’s House!
Sincerely,
Congressman Andy Barr
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