Dear Friend,
President Trump campaigned on a promise to change how Washington operates, promising to enhance transparency, accountability, and oversight of bureaucrats. After returning to the Oval Office, he quickly utilized his presidential power by signing hundreds of executive actions within just a few weeks of his presidency.
While some of these actions may be controversial, it is important to note that they have all been executed within the framework of our democracy. Once inaugurated, presidents have the authority to issue executive orders and actions to advance the agenda they campaigned on.
This administration is not playing around when we said we would hit the ground running. We are dedicated to delivering as much as we can for the American people during the first 100 days, and we plan to maintain this pace throughout the next four years.
HYPOCRISY AT ITS FINEST
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries circulated a rallying cry to his Democratic colleagues, urging them to stop at all costs the implementation of the agenda that President Trump presented on the campaign trail and was elected to carry out, even if it results in a government shutdown.
It’s interesting to observe how our minority counterparts let the wind blow them in whichever direction best suits their convoluted message. When it aligns with their narrative, government shutdowns are devastating for our economy, working families, seniors, veterans, and servicemembers. However, when it comes to policies they disagree with, they’re quick to be the ones to flip the government’s light switch off.
This week in Washington, they have led protests while shouting statements like, “Shut down the city,” “We are at war,” “We’re going to fight it in the streets,” and “This is what the beginning of a dictatorship looks like.”
Their extreme rhetoric and fear mongering do not resonate with Americans, which was clear in November and remains true today. I took an oath to defend Article I of the Constitution and recognize the importance of upholding those values every day. However, there is no active threat to it. The executive branch has the authority to evaluate how funds are allocated for executive branch agencies. Speaker Johnson stated, “So, it looks radical. It's not. I call it stewardship.”
Before discussing the executive orders and actions taken by the current administration, I want to highlight some executive orders authorized by President Biden during his term. These orders have been considered unconstitutional, with some even deemed to constitute presidential overreach by the Supreme Court.
I’m not bringing this up to suggest we should engage in a tit-for-tat feud but given the recent biased and theatrical reactions it’s something worth noting. Bottom line, if the executive branch steps too far into Congress's space, we will defend our Article I constitutional authority. We’re committed to working with the administration and its agencies to make sure everything stays in compliance with the law.
KEY PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS SO FAR FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid
This 90-day pause in foreign assistance fulfills President Trump’s commitment to ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. It is important to emphasize that this is not a permanent pause, and supporting our allies who are confronting terrorism and authoritarian regimes remains a priority. However, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has identified millions of dollars that were set to be wasted on initiatives that have little relevance to protecting our allies during times of crisis. This pause is intended to realign foreign aid disbursements with the values of American taxpayers and ensure full transparency in how their dollars are spent.
Below are a few initiatives funded through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under President Biden and Senator Chuck Schumer's watch:
$2.5 million for electric vehicles for Vietnam
Purpose:
“The United States foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values. They serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries.”
Read more from the White House here.
Securing Our Borders
A slightly obvious action the President took on the day of his inauguration, was signing an executive order to secure our borders. Over the past 4 years, our national security has been threatened like we’ve never seen before. President Biden and his Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, failed in their responsibility to protect our borders, allowing anyone to enter the country without conducting necessary background checks and procedures. Among those who have entered illegally are gang members, individuals with violent criminal records, and drug traffickers. This executive order represents a commonsense policy solution to restore order at our borders and strengthen our security against external threats.
Purpose:
“Over the last 4 years, the United States has endured a large-scale invasion at an unprecedented level. Millions of illegal aliens from nations and regions all around the world successfully entered the United States where they are now residing, including potential terrorists, foreign spies, members of cartels, gangs, and violent transnational criminal organizations, and other hostile actors with malicious intent.”
Read more from the White House here.
Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China
The border crisis has led to an influx of imminent dangers, such as fentanyl and criminal activity. President Trump has determined that Canada, Mexico, and China have all played a role in enabling this crisis and have not done enough to assist our efforts to control the situation. Below is a summary of the imposed tariffs:
Read more from the White House here.
Deferred Resignation for Federal Workforce
During the COVID-19 pandemic, employees from nearly all sectors transitioned to remote work. Now, five years after the pandemic, most companies have returned to in-person or hybrid work arrangements. However, only about 6% of federal employees are reporting to their offices in person. This is resulting in wasted dollars on vacant federal office buildings. Additionally, American taxpayers, who fund the salaries of federal employees, deserve a higher level of performance from those serving in their interest.
To address this issue, almost all federal employees were offered a buyout equivalent to eight months of salary if they accepted a deferred resignation by Monday, February 10, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
For more information and frequently asked questions visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website here.
HOUSE VOTES RECAP
HALT Fentanyl Act
Last fiscal year, 43 pounds of fentanyl were seized at our northern border which is enough to kill 9.8 million Americans. In comparison, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 21,000 pounds at our southern border which is enough to kill 4 billion people.
Synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, are extremely dangerous and are the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 years old. While we're working diligently to secure our borders, we need to simultaneously address this fentanyl crisis claiming the lives of so many Americans.
This bill permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act, ensures law enforcement has the necessary resources to keep these drugs off the streets, and permits further research on fentanyl-related substances.
Protecting American Energy Production Act
The previous use of hydraulic fracking has resulted in lower energy prices for Americans and has positioned our nation as a leading producer of natural gas and oil. Although the EPA under the Obama Administration found that fracking has not had "widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States," presidents have continuously threatened to end this method that has enhanced our energy independence.
The security of our energy supply is closely tied to our national security. This bill prevents any president from unilaterally banning hydraulic fracturing and grants states the authority to regulate energy production on state and private land.
EEP IN TOUCH
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most.
For additional information, please call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760, or Elko phone: (775) 777-7705 or visit my website at Amodei.house.gov.
To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
President Trump campaigned on a promise to change how Washington operates, promising to enhance transparency, accountability, and oversight of bureaucrats. After returning to the Oval Office, he quickly utilized his presidential power by signing hundreds of executive actions within just a few weeks of his presidency.
While some of these actions may be controversial, it is important to note that they have all been executed within the framework of our democracy. Once inaugurated, presidents have the authority to issue executive orders and actions to advance the agenda they campaigned on.
This administration is not playing around when we said we would hit the ground running. We are dedicated to delivering as much as we can for the American people during the first 100 days, and we plan to maintain this pace throughout the next four years.
HYPOCRISY AT ITS FINEST
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries circulated a rallying cry to his Democratic colleagues, urging them to stop at all costs the implementation of the agenda that President Trump presented on the campaign trail and was elected to carry out, even if it results in a government shutdown.
It’s interesting to observe how our minority counterparts let the wind blow them in whichever direction best suits their convoluted message. When it aligns with their narrative, government shutdowns are devastating for our economy, working families, seniors, veterans, and servicemembers. However, when it comes to policies they disagree with, they’re quick to be the ones to flip the government’s light switch off.
This week in Washington, they have led protests while shouting statements like, “Shut down the city,” “We are at war,” “We’re going to fight it in the streets,” and “This is what the beginning of a dictatorship looks like.”
Their extreme rhetoric and fear mongering do not resonate with Americans, which was clear in November and remains true today. I took an oath to defend Article I of the Constitution and recognize the importance of upholding those values every day. However, there is no active threat to it. The executive branch has the authority to evaluate how funds are allocated for executive branch agencies. Speaker Johnson stated, “So, it looks radical. It's not. I call it stewardship.”
Before discussing the executive orders and actions taken by the current administration, I want to highlight some executive orders authorized by President Biden during his term. These orders have been considered unconstitutional, with some even deemed to constitute presidential overreach by the Supreme Court.
- Loopholed his way around the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down his student loan plan, canceling student debt for 5.3 million borrowers, costing taxpayers $188.8 billion.
- Prevented landlords from evicting tenants who fail to pay rent.
- Infringed upon private employers’ rights by mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for their workforce.
- Declared the Equal Rights Amendment was the law of the land, implying it is already in the Constitution as the 28th Amendment, which doesn’t exist.
- Imposed a global tax deal that bypassed Congress, which has the sole authority to raise taxes, potentially costing the country over $100 billion in revenue.
- Directed federal agencies to use funds for voter registration, impacting the electoral process and distracting agencies from their mission to support vulnerable groups and hardworking Americans.
I’m not bringing this up to suggest we should engage in a tit-for-tat feud but given the recent biased and theatrical reactions it’s something worth noting. Bottom line, if the executive branch steps too far into Congress's space, we will defend our Article I constitutional authority. We’re committed to working with the administration and its agencies to make sure everything stays in compliance with the law.
KEY PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS SO FAR FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid
This 90-day pause in foreign assistance fulfills President Trump’s commitment to ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. It is important to emphasize that this is not a permanent pause, and supporting our allies who are confronting terrorism and authoritarian regimes remains a priority. However, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has identified millions of dollars that were set to be wasted on initiatives that have little relevance to protecting our allies during times of crisis. This pause is intended to realign foreign aid disbursements with the values of American taxpayers and ensure full transparency in how their dollars are spent.
Below are a few initiatives funded through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under President Biden and Senator Chuck Schumer's watch:
$2.5 million for electric vehicles for Vietnam
- $2 million for sex changes and “LGBT activism” in Guatemala
- Hundreds of thousands of dollars to a non-profit linked to designated terrorist organizations, even after an inspector general initiated an investigation.
- $47,000 for a “transgender opera” in Colombia
- $32,000 for a “transgender comic book” in Peru
Purpose:
“The United States foreign aid industry and bureaucracy are not aligned with American interests and in many cases antithetical to American values. They serve to destabilize world peace by promoting ideas in foreign countries that are directly inverse to harmonious and stable relations internal to and among countries.”
Read more from the White House here.
Securing Our Borders
A slightly obvious action the President took on the day of his inauguration, was signing an executive order to secure our borders. Over the past 4 years, our national security has been threatened like we’ve never seen before. President Biden and his Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, failed in their responsibility to protect our borders, allowing anyone to enter the country without conducting necessary background checks and procedures. Among those who have entered illegally are gang members, individuals with violent criminal records, and drug traffickers. This executive order represents a commonsense policy solution to restore order at our borders and strengthen our security against external threats.
Purpose:
“Over the last 4 years, the United States has endured a large-scale invasion at an unprecedented level. Millions of illegal aliens from nations and regions all around the world successfully entered the United States where they are now residing, including potential terrorists, foreign spies, members of cartels, gangs, and violent transnational criminal organizations, and other hostile actors with malicious intent.”
Read more from the White House here.
Tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China
The border crisis has led to an influx of imminent dangers, such as fentanyl and criminal activity. President Trump has determined that Canada, Mexico, and China have all played a role in enabling this crisis and have not done enough to assist our efforts to control the situation. Below is a summary of the imposed tariffs:
- 25% tariff on most goods imported from Canada and a 10% tariff on Canadian energy resources has been delayed for one month after Justin Trudeau negotiated with President Trump to strengthen their border patrol operations.
- A one-month delay on a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico, following an agreement with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to deploy 10,000 troops to enforce border laws.
- 10% tariff on imports from China.
Read more from the White House here.
Deferred Resignation for Federal Workforce
During the COVID-19 pandemic, employees from nearly all sectors transitioned to remote work. Now, five years after the pandemic, most companies have returned to in-person or hybrid work arrangements. However, only about 6% of federal employees are reporting to their offices in person. This is resulting in wasted dollars on vacant federal office buildings. Additionally, American taxpayers, who fund the salaries of federal employees, deserve a higher level of performance from those serving in their interest.
To address this issue, almost all federal employees were offered a buyout equivalent to eight months of salary if they accepted a deferred resignation by Monday, February 10, at 11:59 p.m. EST.
For more information and frequently asked questions visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website here.
HOUSE VOTES RECAP
HALT Fentanyl Act
Last fiscal year, 43 pounds of fentanyl were seized at our northern border which is enough to kill 9.8 million Americans. In comparison, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized 21,000 pounds at our southern border which is enough to kill 4 billion people.
Synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, are extremely dangerous and are the leading cause of death for Americans under 50 years old. While we're working diligently to secure our borders, we need to simultaneously address this fentanyl crisis claiming the lives of so many Americans.
This bill permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act, ensures law enforcement has the necessary resources to keep these drugs off the streets, and permits further research on fentanyl-related substances.
Protecting American Energy Production Act
The previous use of hydraulic fracking has resulted in lower energy prices for Americans and has positioned our nation as a leading producer of natural gas and oil. Although the EPA under the Obama Administration found that fracking has not had "widespread, systemic impacts on drinking water resources in the United States," presidents have continuously threatened to end this method that has enhanced our energy independence.
The security of our energy supply is closely tied to our national security. This bill prevents any president from unilaterally banning hydraulic fracturing and grants states the authority to regulate energy production on state and private land.
EEP IN TOUCH
As always, thank you for subscribing to the Amodei Report. I look forward to continuing to keep you up to date on the issues you care about most.
For additional information, please call my Washington office: (202) 225-6155, Reno office: (775) 686-5760, or Elko phone: (775) 777-7705 or visit my website at Amodei.house.gov.
To receive updates on what I am doing in Washington and Nevada’s 2nd District follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
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