“For we are given power not to advance our own purposes, nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people.”
This quote from former President George H.W. Bush reminds us that the sole purpose of political leadership is to serve the people and develop solutions to the problems most important to you. Unfortunately, many of those who have been entrusted with leading this nation have forgotten this responsibility and have instead used their positions to pursue their own agenda.
President Joe Biden and Democrats in Washington have failed to take appropriate action to address the most pressing issues facing your family and our country. Instead, Washington Democrats have largely ignored challenges or pushed leftist policies that have crushed our economy, made you less safe, threatened your freedom, and made the federal government bigger and less accountable.
Last week, we learned inflation remains up 8.3% from last year. The cost of daily essentials like electricity, groceries, and transportation remain sky high, up 15.8%, 13.5%, and 11.3%, respectively. Despite the hardship these price hikes are causing, Washington Democrats continue to prioritize liberal, inflation-driving policies such as their so-called “Inflation Reduction Act,” a measure that will raise your taxes, grow federal bureaucracy, and make inflation worse. Biden’s student loan plan will also unfairly force you to pay for others’ student loans. At a time when folks are struggling just to pay for the basics, the last thing you need is more taxes and more reckless government spending.
However, these bad decisions are not limited to the economy. Since President Biden took office and opened our southern border, nearly 4 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended coming across. In July, there were 199,976 illegal immigrant encounters – the 17th straight month over 150,000 and almost the entire population of the city of Fayetteville.
Even in the face of these facts, officials like Vice President Harris and Press Secretary Jean-Pierre claimed last week that the “border is secure.” The truth is that President Biden and House Democrats’ open border policies have created a migrant crisis and jeopardized public safety across the country. The greatest threat comes from allowing deadly drugs like fentanyl to flood our communities.
Overdose deaths, primarily from fentanyl poisoning, hit an all-time high last year and are now the leading causes of death for Americans aged 18-45. This epidemic is plaguing communities across the country, including in North Carolina. Last week, I met with a mom from Sanford who tragically lost her son to an accidental encounter with fentanyl. She has courageously turned this tragedy into motivation to help other families, but we must do more to ensure no one has to endure the same heartache.
Why do Democrats in Washington continue to ignore these crises? Last week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Congress back to Washington after a 6-week recess. However, House Democrats did not bring forward any legislation related to stopping inflation, securing the border, or promoting public security. Instead, their focus was on making the census process less transparent.
It doesn’t have to be this way. House Republicans have a plan to turn things around called a “Commitment to America.”
Our commitment is to get our economy back on track by cutting needless government spending, lowering taxes, and building an economic environment that encourages growth and lowers costs. We will also enact proven measures to secure our border and stop the flow of drugs like fentanyl by keeping “Remain in Mexico” in place, maintaining Title 42 authority, giving Customs and Border Patrol the resources it needs, and finishing the wall.
In addition to economic and border security, we are also dedicated to protecting public health. Just last week, my bipartisan MOBILE Health Care Act advanced in Congress to expand access to health care in rural and underserved communities. These are the kinds of commonsense solutions you deserve.
Whether it’s the economy, border security, or public health, Democratic leadership has neglected their obligation to serve the people – but I never will. Through our plan, the “Commitment to America,” I will continue to work hard to hold those who dodge their responsibilities accountable and to produce real solutions to the problems facing you and your family.
Richard Hudson is serving his fifth term representing North Carolina’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He currently serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and in House leadership as the Republican Conference Secretary.
