Dear East Texas,

It has been a busy few weeks as we officially embark on the 119th Congress. I returned to Washington last week after spending time with family and loved ones over the holidays—I hope you were able to do the same! With 2025 now underway, House Republicans are hitting the ground running as we begin to execute the mandate of the American people and President Donald J. Trump. In the first week of the new Congress, we certified the Electoral College results of President Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance, and we passed legislation to combat crime by illegal aliens and impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who investigate or prosecute the United States and its allies without due cause.

On Friday, January 3, 2025, House Republicans officially elected Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) as Speaker of the House for the 119th Congress. Immediately after Speaker Johnson was sworn in, Members of Congress were also sworn in to represent their districts for the 119th Congress.

On Monday, Congress certified the Electoral College results, confirming the decisive victory of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance on November 5th, 2024. As we prepare to officially inaugurate President Trump as the 47th President of the United States, Republicans are united and ready to deliver results for the American people. With a renewed focus on rebuilding our nation, we will prioritize securing the border, cutting wasteful spending, providing tax relief for families and small businesses, and driving forward bold reforms. The next chapter of American greatness begins now.

You can watch a quick video I recorded before Congress officially certified the results HERE.

On November 5, 2024, 77 million Americans gave House Republicans a clear mandate for change, demanding action. This week, we delivered by passing the Laken Riley Act as our first piece of legislation in the 119th Congress, sending a strong message to those who enter our country illegally to harm innocent American lives. The legislation passed with a 264-159 vote, including support from 48 Democrats—an acknowledgment that soft-on-crime policies have gone too far.

I was proud to support this crucial legislation to ensure that illegal aliens like Laken’s killer are detained and deported before they can harm other Americans. Laken should be alive today. While we cannot bring her back, we must ensure no other American suffers such a tragic and senseless fate. Unified in our vote, House Republicans are delivering on our promises to the American people.

I want to thank Congressman Mike Collins (R-GA-10) for leading this critical legislation to protect innocent lives. I also commend Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) for swiftly taking the procedural steps required by Senate rules to bring this important bill to a vote in the Senate as soon as possible.

To read more about the Laken Riley Act, click here.

Families and small businesses have suffered enough under burdensome IRS regulations. I'm proud to join Congressman Smith in championing this legislation to protect middle-class families from audits they cannot afford and prevent the IRS from using its massive infusion of taxpayer dollars to harass and squeeze more revenue out of American families and small businesses.

To read more about the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, click here.

This past week, the House passed Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX-21)’s Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, sending a strong signal to the world that America will reject unjustified investigations by international organizations that have no jurisdiction over the U.S. and its allies. This legislation would impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who investigate or prosecute the United States and its allies, including Israel. The Trump Administration was right to impose sanctions on ICC associates for targeting Americans or allies, and Biden's reversal of that policy was weak and misguided.

Moran in the Media