Protecting Jobs and Protecting Life
Friends,
The White House set a record last week, but not one that we should be proud of. President Joe Biden signed 32 Executive Orders and actions in his first week in office, shattering the record of the next highest number by a modern president- 5 signed by President Obama.
I have been outspoken on my willingness to work with President Biden on policies that rebuild our economy, reopen schools, increase vaccine deployment and on other areas where there is bipartisan support. However, the executive actions signed last week are the opposite of bipartisan solutions.
Unfortunately, many orders signed by President Biden last week targeted our energy sector. Expanding America's energy independence is good for our national security and economy. President Biden's executive actions to block the Keystone XL pipeline, rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement, and ban federal oil and gas leasing will put thousands of good-paying jobs at risk and cause energy prices to rise. As millions of hard-working Americans are out of work and desperately trying to put food on the table due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Biden administration is putting forth policies that are killing American jobs and raising consumers' energy bills.
Not only does this have a direct impact on the American energy economy, but it also negatively impacts our partners overseas. When we allow bad actors like Russia, Iran and China to fill the void America leaves, we allow Vladimir Putin to increase his grip on the European Union. Should Europe refuse Russian demands, Russia could easily cut off energy exports, leaving Europe in an energy crisis. Our allies shouldn't have to operate under fear of Russian retaliation and blackmail.
I oppose these actions from the Biden administration that jeopardize American jobs and energy supplies around the world. I will work with my colleagues to support our energy sector, grow our economy, and protect national security at home and abroad.
In addition to targeting our energy economy, President Biden also took aim at the unborn.
On Thursday I sent a letter to the President urging him to reverse a new executive order also signed last week that forces U.S. taxpayers to fund abortions on demand in foreign countries, as well as looks to reverse the Trump administration's Title X Rule that ensured tax dollars for family planning do not fund abortions. These anti life executive actions are not the right priorities for our country now, or ever, and I will continue to oppose them.
That's why last week I also sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urging them to ensure the Hyde Amendment and other pro-life budget provisions remain in place. The Hyde Amendment has protected tax dollars from going to abortions for 40 years and I believe we must not allow it to be disregarded by the new administration and Congress. Because of these principles, last week I was honored to receive an A rating from the Susan B. Anthony List – one of the largest pro-life organizations in the country. This is very important to me not only as representative of our community, but as a dad.
The Declaration of Independence lists life as our first unalienable right endowed by our Creator. And for me, this foundation is guided by Psalms 139: 13-14 which states: "You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Every life is a gift from God and deserves dignity and respect.
As I have said, I want to work with President Biden to produce results and policies that improve Americans lives. Unfortunately, these recent partisan executive actions do nothing to meet the monumental challenges before us and only further divide us. Rest assured, I will continue to oppose measures like these and will always fight for our shared values and common sense solutions.
Until next week,
Richard Hudson
Member of Congress