Dear Friend, I hope everyone's new year is off to a safe and prosperous start!  As we begin the second session of the 118th Congress, I'm grateful to serve the fine citizens of North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District.  I will continue listening to you and working for you.  Below, you will find the latest updates from this past week in Washington, including legislation I introduced to stop protestors (no matter their cause) from blocking public roads, and actions taken this past week to hold the Biden Administration accountable for the border crisis. If you received this newsletter from a friend, and you would like to continue receiving these email newsletters, you can subscribe here for updates or connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Representative David Rouzer


January 16, 2024


Dear Friend,


I hope everyone's new year is off to a safe and prosperous start!  As we begin the second session of the 118th Congress, I'm grateful to serve the fine citizens of North Carolina's Seventh Congressional District.  I will continue listening to you and working for you.  Below, you will find the latest updates from this past week in Washington, including legislation I introduced to stop protestors (no matter their cause) from blocking public roads, and actions taken this past week to hold the Biden Administration accountable for the border crisis.


If you received this newsletter from a friend, and you would like to continue receiving these email newsletters, you can subscribe here for updates or connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.




 

Last Week in DC

 

House Republicans Begin Impeachment Proceedings Against Secretary Mayorkas


Since Joe Biden took office, more than 6.7 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our Southern Border — and that is just what we know about.  The Biden Administration’s open border policies have emboldened dangerous drug cartels, filled our communities with deadly drugs, and prevented those seeking to immigrate to the United States legally from doing so.  Never have we seen such historic numbers of illegal crossings.

 

In response, the House Committee on Homeland Security conducted an in-depth investigation into the "causes, costs, and consequences" of the border crisis.  The report's conclusion confirms that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is "chiefly responsible" for the chaos we have seen over the last three years due to his willful disregard of the immigration laws on the books.

 

Articles of Impeachment of Mayorkas, of which I am a co-sponsor, were introduced last year.  This past week, the House Committee on Homeland Security officially started impeachment proceedings against Secretary Mayorkas.  Congress has a responsibility to hold executive branch officials accountable.  We must continue working to bring truth to light to the Biden Administration's role in facilitating the worst border crisis in American history.


Leading Legislation to Make Purposely Blocking Public Roads a Federal Crime


In response to the increasingly radical tactics of activists who intentionally blocked roads and highways across the country as a form of protest, I introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives to impose penalties on those who participate in such activity.  This applies to any protest on any issue or cause. 

 

Specifically, H.R. 6926, the Safe and Open Streets Act, would make it a federal crime to purposely obstruct, delay, or affect commerce by blocking a public road or highway.  Penalties include fines or up to five years of imprisonment.

 

It is not fair to the millions of law-abiding Americans who need to care for their families or commute to work to be held up on public roads their tax dollars maintain.  The recent behavior by protestors who have intentionally blocked major roadways across the country should not be tolerated.  It is not only inconvenient for motorists who are left stranded, it jeopardizes public safety and encourages even more lawlessness.

 

In November, radical pro-Palestine protestors blocked the Durham Freeway during the peak of rush hour traffic.  One week later, protestors shut down a section of Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh.  No arrests were made in either event.  Just this week, a confrontation occurred in New York City when protestors blocked a concerned father trying to reach his daughter.  Incidences like these will only continue and potentially escalate into violence if protestors are not held accountable.


Safe and Open Streets Act




 

Resources

 

2024 Tax Filing Season Set for January 29: The IRS announced Monday, January 29, 2024, as the official start date of the 2024 tax season when the agency will begin accepting and processing 2023 tax returns.  The IRS encourages taxpayers to take steps now to prepare to file their 2023 individual federal tax return.


Pre-Filing Season Awareness Events for NC Taxpayers: The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service is hosting two free events in North Carolina to teach important tax tips to prevent tax return processing errors and refund delays.  For event dates and locations, please visit the TAS Pre-Filing Season North Carolina webpage.




 

This Week's Good News Story

 

For this week's good news story, I'm highlighting Mrs. Reola Locklear who turned 100 years old on Saturday, January 6, 2024.  According to the Lumbee Tribe of N.C., "Mrs. Reola was born on the 6th day of January in 1924 in Robeson County, the daughter, and second eldest of ten children, of Pete and Luvenia McGirt. She married the love of her life, Emmon “Gonkey” Locklear, in August of 1950. Their union was blessed with ten children and approximately 100 grand, great grand, and great great grandchildren."  Mrs. Reola is a beloved pillar within her community, where she owned and operated a local grocery store for 55 years.  She is a dedicated member of Battle for Christ Church in Fayetteville where she enjoys singing in the choir.  Mrs. Reola is also a proud citizen of the Lumbee Tribe.  Please join me in extending warmest wishes to Mrs. Reola for a very Happy 100th Birthday!!


Mrs. Reola - 100 Birthday




 

Closing Thoughts...

 

"Your love of liberty—your respect for the laws—your habits of industry—and your practice of the moral and religious obligations, are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness." — George Washington in a letter to the residents of Boston, October 27, 1789


Sincerely,

David Rouzer Signature.
 
Representative David Rouzer
 
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