Gohmert’s Statement on Hurricane Relief Funding Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement today regarding the vote in Congress to provide federal funding in the Disaster Relief Fund:

 

“Sadly, the dangerous path of Hurricane Harvey has displaced more than 43,500 people – most of which are currently living in shelters around the Texas area. It is apparent that those who experienced such physical losses such as the loss of clothing, housing, transportation, and worldly possessions should receive some assistance to get back on their feet.

 

“In the past, these ‘essential’ emergency spending bills have turned into pork laden spending and not actually true capital for the Disaster Relief Fund. I'm pleased this time unlike the Hurricane Sandy vote, which had about half the spending in the bill going for non-Sandy or non-emergency spending, this bill is just intended to keep FEMA solvent and address the emergency harm. That is an easy vote to take.”

 

“My thoughts and prayers continue to be with those in the Houston area as well as the entire Texas coast who were impacted by Hurricane Harvey and my prayers will also be extended to those who are now in the path of Hurricane Irma.” 

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Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-01) praised President Trump’s order restoring a program that provides local law enforcement agencies with certain, limited, surplus military gear. The Executive Order revokes an order previously issued by the Obama Administration that severely limited access to excess equipment, which included not just military gear, but items such as vehicles, protective clothing, and computers.

He released the following statement praising the action taken by the Trump Administration:

“I too do not want local law enforcement militarized. However, when I saw different times when local authorities were protected by using surplus military equipment like Sheriff JB Smith’s “Bubba I”  armored personnel carrier, I realized there are times when it can absolutely be a life-saving help. When law enforcement is dealing with multi-billion-dollar drug cartels with the latest, most powerful weapons, they need more than their Glock pistols. Under federal law, the U.S. military itself may not be used against American citizens except in extraordinary martial law type situations. However, local law enforcement is helped to avoid deadly massacre at the hands of sinister, well-armed criminals if they are at least equally armed. In hostage situations, for example, it can be an incentive for violent, armed criminals to surrender peacefully if they are clearly out-gunned.” 

“Actually, I am more concerned with federal departments, like the Department of Education and other federal departments and agencies who deal with non-violent issues, yet demand and get their own SWAT-styled teams. That’s how we can have a federal military-style assault on Gibson workers armed with guitars. That is where I would really like to see the militarization scaled back. When a shooters manifest themselves in another gun-free school zone, it is not the federal Department of Education that responds, it is local law enforcement.”

“Our local law enforcement officials are faced with the challenge of keeping our communities safe with ever-shrinking budgets. Access to the federal surplus vehicles and equipment can also be invaluable for local authorities as we have just seen in dealing with natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey. Smaller counties often don’t have money to buy the life-saving equipment they desperately need.  The only way many local government’s can afford it is through the 1033 program. Now, President Trump’s restoration of the program will help ensure that local authorities have the equipment they need to keep not only themselves but also our own families safe from malevolent criminals.”

Congressman Gohmert is the Vice Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee and the Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Prior to being elected to serve in Congress, he was elected to three terms as District Judge in Smith County, Texas and was appointed by then Texas Governor Rick Perry to complete a term as Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals.

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Texas congressman blasts anti-Trump Republicans for waffling on border-wall funding

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) blasted “some of the Republican leaders” for being “right there with the obstructionist Democrats,” in holding up funding for President Donald Trump’s signature border wall, during an interview Wednesday on “The Laura Ingraham Show.”

Although the House approved a budget bill with a $1.6 billion down payment on border-wall funding back in July, Senate Republicans have been wary of pushing to approve the funding out of fear of a government-shutdown clash.

Gohmert, who has called repeatedly for the construction of the border wall, noted that Trump blamed the “obstructionist Democrats” for blocking the border-wall funding during the rally Tuesday night in Phoenix, Arizona, but has withheld blasting the reluctance of Republicans or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to move on key agenda items.

"I had a problem with one thing in the Trump speech, and that was when he said, 'Now, the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it,' build that wall," the congressman said. "And I'm going, 'What about some of the Republican leaders that are right there with the obstructionist Democrats?' [Trump] was being so nice, I thought, last night."

"But, you know, we've got our own problems," Gohmert said of the GOP. "I'm so fed up with this."

During the Phoenix rally, Trump said of building the wall, "Now the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it. But believe me, if we have to close down our government, we're building that wall."

"Let me be very clear to Democrats in Congress who oppose a border wall and stand in the way of border security: You are putting all of America's safety at risk," the president added. "But believe me, one way or the other, we're going to get that wall."

Gohmert blasted his GOP colleagues for waffling on the wall and attempting to leave room for gutting the already modest $1.6 billion down payment.

"So I think that some of us may just have to say, 'We're going to vote against every rule until you agree to have money in there to build the wall,'" he said. "And, of course, that kind of position gets the Republican leadership upset. But I'm sick of this. This is ridiculous. The wall was one of the things that got President Trump elected, and I'm very grateful that he hasn't walked away from that."

The Texas congressman suggested that many establishment Republicans fear that Trump could, in fact, become a successful president, implement his agenda, and boost the economy.

"There are people in our party that want to stop [Trump]," he said. But I think there may be some concern by Establishment Republicans — 'Oh my gosh, if he gets the economy going like Reagan did … then he'll be unstoppable.'"

Now that Trump has threatened to bring about a government shutdown over the border-wall funding, Gohmert said that some anti-Trump GOP senators welcome that position from the president.

"I think that some of these guys — in the Senate Republicans, I mean — may welcome the president taking that position, thinking, 'Aha! If the president is admittedly causing the shutdown, then we can join the Democrats and blame the president, and then McConnell's prediction [Trump] won't be around that much longer will come true,'" he said.

"These guys have no idea — the country is not going to turn on Trump. They're going to turn on the people in the Senate that are not doing their jobs," Gohmert warned. "And if our leadership in the House turns on the president on the very issues that kept the majority and got Trump elected, I think they're going to be the ones that are in trouble."

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Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, complimented President Donald Trump on Wednesday for his speech in Arizona Tuesday night, saying it shows the qualities that got him elected.

"President Trump's speech in Arizona was a prime example of why he was elected: he calls it like he sees it. The American people respond to honesty," Gohmert told The Dallas Morning News in a statement.

Gohmert also voiced his support for Trump's plan for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, saying on "The Laura Ingraham Show" that "some of the Republican leaders" are "right there with the obstructionist Democrats" for holding back funding.

"I had a problem with one thing in the Trump speech, and that was when he said, 'Now, the obstructionist Democrats would like us not to do it,' build that wall," the congressman said, according to Lifezette. "And I'm going, 'What about some of the Republican leaders that are right there with the obstructionist Democrats?' [Trump] was being so nice, I thought, last night."

"So I think that some of us may just have to say, 'We're going to vote against every rule until you agree to have money in there to build the wall,'" he added. "And, of course, that kind of position gets the Republican leadership upset. But I'm sick of this. This is ridiculous. The wall was one of the things that got President Trump elected, and I'm very grateful that he hasn't walked away from that." Read More

House conservatives went all-in with promises to back border wall funding as they pressed for President Donald Trump to secure the border on the day the President is visiting the Yuma U.S. Customs and Border Protection station and holding a campaign-style rally in Phoenix.

Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows stated:

The President’s visit to Yuma, Arizona will be a critical step in highlighting the needs of our border patrol operations and evaluating the challenges they face in keeping our country safe. I applaud President Trump for his leadership on this issue and for his relentless commitment to keeping a promise that was central to his campaign. Congress would do well to join the President and follow through on our own promises by including funding for a border wall in upcoming spending bills–anything less will show that we are not serious about keeping our word to the American people.

Rep. Dave Brat said in support of securing the U.S. southern border:

The American people placed their trust in the President and Republicans in Congress last November with the expectation that we would finally take action to secure the border. Our country is the melting pot of the world and I support legal immigration, but legal immigrants and American workers should not have to compete with illegal aliens for jobs. Our country was founded upon the rule of law and it is important that we hold to those principles. It is time for Congress to step up and keep the promises we made to the American people by joining with the President to fully fund construction of a border wall and ensure the U.S. Border Patrol has the resources they need to secure our border.

Rep. Louie Gohmert likewise urged the U.S. to work with Mexico to secure the border between the two countries:

The best thing we can do for BOTH the United States and Mexico is to secure our border. Thankfully, we have a President who understands and is committed to that. A nation founded on laws that apply to everyone, where neither rich nor poor or supposed to be above the law, must have the law enforced to maintain its integrity, fairness, justice and opportunity. If we secure and enforce our border properly, Mexico’s drug cartels are reduced dramatically, which reduces corruption and lawlessness in Mexico, and, thereby, helps Mexico finally achieve its place as one of the top economies and vibrant countries in the world.

A good neighbor would help Mexico in this way, which also returns America back to being a nation where the law matters and where we can continue to allow more lawful entries into the United States than any other country in the world. Thankfully, we have a President who not only understands the importance of security and the rule of law, but is doing all he can to make such security, propriety, and opportunity a reality.

“Securing our borders is vital to maintaining the safety of our homeland,” added Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA). “I’m grateful that President Trump has brought this issue into the forefront and given it the attention it deserves. I remain firmly committed to supporting the President’s security initiatives on the southern border that will help improve our national security and ensure public safety.”

Rep. Jeff Duncan posted:

President Trump is visiting the southern border today for the first time since being elected President. When it comes to border security and immigration enforcement, President Trump has proven to be extremely effective and has shown just how much can be accomplished when we have a President who empowers those under him to enforce the laws already on the books, and follows through on those commitments (amazing, right?!?) Here are some facts to consider:

President Trump is touring facilities today in the Yuma sector, where illegal border crossings in have declined by 70 percent from 2006, when the Yuma Sector built more than 50 miles of border wall.

President Trump instituted tough immigration policies that have reduced illegal border crossings over the southwest border by 47 percent compared to the same period last year.

Illegal aliens removed due to ICE arrests have increased by over 32 percent, to 48,580 illegal aliens, compared to the same time last year.

71 percent of the more than 91,000 administrative arrests conducted by ICE since President Trump’s inauguration have involved convicted criminal aliens.

Of the illegal aliens arrested without criminal convictions, 74 percent were charged with a crime, were immigration fugitives, or were repeat violators.

So far in fiscal year 2017, ICE has removed over 2,700 criminal gang members, compared to 2,057 criminal gang members in all of fiscal year 2016.

During Project New Dawn, a nationwide, six-week operation, ICE officers and agents arrested 1,378 suspected gang members. 104 of those arrested were members or associates of MS-13.

Operation Matador in the New York City metropolitan area has led to nearly 140 arrests, the vast majority affiliated with MS-13.

One of President Trump’s first Executive Orders informed sanctuary cities that failure to fully abide by Federal immigration laws would jeopardize access to certain Federal grant money. As a result, Miami-Dade County reversed its years-long sanctuary policies.

The President ordered the hiring of 10,000 new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and 5,000 additional Border Patrol agents.

54 additional immigration judges have been hired since President Trump took office to speed up the removal of illegal aliens from the United States, and new immigration judges are hired every month.

President Trump ordered the creation of the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office at DHS, ensuring victims of criminal acts by illegal aliens are no longer ignored by the Federal Government.

Rep. Jim Jordan urged border wall funding for the good of the country:

Today President Trump will visit the U.S./Mexico border and reaffirm his commitment to securing our border. Under President Trump, the number of people trying to enter the U.S. illegally has dropped significantly. But we need to do more. I agree with the president that secure borders are a vital part of our national security. For the good of our country, Congress should include border wall funding in government funding legislation this fall. It’s what we ran on – we need to fulfill that promise.

Rep. Andy Biggs, who is joining Trump at Tuesday’s rally, stated:

I am pleased to welcome President Trump back to Arizona. We are privileged to host him in the Grand Canyon State.

Since President Trump took office in January, confidence in the economy has rebounded. Immigration laws have been enforced, and the number of illegal aliens pouring across our southern border has slowed. Onerous job-killing regulations have been slashed, freeing up major sectors of the American economy to revitalize job growth. Neil Gorsuch, a Constitutional constructionist, has taken his seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.  Law and order will no longer be ignored. Our military has been empowered to keep our nation safe through strength. Life has been protected.

President Trump has been successful in many of his quests to make America great again, and some of his battles are only beginning. As the President visits Yuma and the border today, I encourage the country – and our leaders – to renew our resolve to secure the border and to build the promised wall. The House of Representatives has already passed legislation providing border wall funding, and I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will do the same in September. We have no excuses for an unsecured border. President Trump realizes that, and the American people realize that. It is time for Congress to come to that realization when we reconvene.

Rep. Morgan Griffith stated:

A weak border has consequences for the whole country. National security is jeopardized when we don’t know who is entering and leaving. The rule of law is diminished. Opportunities for legal immigrants who follow the rules are closed.

Dangerous and addicting substances routinely cross the border. The 2016 National Drug Threat Assessment found that Mexican Transnational Criminal Organizations, which control smuggling corridors across the border, are the biggest criminal drug threat to the United States. Lax border security has fueled the opioid epidemic, the ready availability of meth, fentanyl, and the resurgence of cocaine. Parts of the country far from the border are in pain because the Federal Government didn’t do enough to control who or what entered our territory.

Fortunately, the Trump Administration has shown that it takes enforcement seriously. The proof is in the numbers. Apprehensions at the border from January 1 to July 31 of this year are almost half of what they were in the same period last year, a sign that many are choosing not to risk illegal border crossings.

We should build on this success to further guarantee the integrity of our borders. To that end, I supported the inclusion of funding for a border wall in the appropriations bill the House passed last month and urge that it be kept in any bill to fund the government.”

Rep. Paul Gosar posted that he believes Trump will make America safe again:

Securing our borders is absolutely vital to the well-being of our nation. President Trump’s visit to the AZ/Mexico border today is very encouraging. We need to make America safe again, and I genuinely believe POTUS wants to do just that.

Rep. Joe Barton called for securing the border:

I commend the President for taking the time to visit our southern border and to meet with crucial law enforcement officers and border security personnel. I support the President’s initiatives to help secure our borders and make our homeland safer.

Rep. Andy Harris, M.D. wrote:

In the first seven months of 2017, the United States Border Patrol saw a 46% decrease in the number of illegal border crossing attempts and apprehensions from the same seven-month window in 2016. I applaud the United States Border Patrol and Department of Homeland Security for their hard work in reducing the rate of illegal border crossings, and I am proud to support increased funding for securing our borders in the FY18 spending bill. Through increased border security and legislation like the No Sanctuary for Criminals Act, the Trump Administration and Congress are making great strides to end illegal immigration, making American citizens safer and more prosperous.

Rep. Warren Davidson stated:

In July, the #House passed appropriations bills to increase funding for border security. Every day our communities deal with the realities of our nation’s failure to secure our borders – perhaps most lethally with the heroin epidemic. Today, the border has become a partisan issue. But in 2006, border security was bipartisan when Congress authorized a 700-mile secure fence. While no one solution will secure our border, the status quo has been no solution and no action. It is time for#DeedsNotWords on our border. Results so far this year have been impressive, with more on the way. The far left will focus on the wall (ignoring 2006), but the Administration and Congress are using a multifaceted approach to#MakeAmericaSecureAgain. Sad to see national security divide our nation, but failure is not an option.

Rep. Ted Yoho wrote:

Today, President Trump will meet with US Border Patrol agents in Yuma, Arizona. Thank you to the brave men and women who patrol our borders and stop the flow of individuals illegally trying to enter the United States. Border security is vital for our national security and I applaud the president for his continued support of policies that are aimed at securing our southern border. His commitment to enforcing the immigration laws currently on the books and encouraging legal immigration is the right thing to do for our country.

Trump visited the U.S. Customs and Border Protection station in Yuma Tuesday for a tour of border equipment. Though he was within just a few miles of the actual border, plans for the President to visit the border itself were canceled. White House officials revealed the cancelation on Monday night, citing “security concerns.”

From Yuma Trump is traveling on to Phoenix where he will hold a campaign-style rally. It was a year ago this month that Trump held a similar rally in the city where he laid down a 10-step immigration reform plan. Trump and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto have continued to clash on Trump’s exclamation that Mexico will pay for a wall along the U.S. southern border. Meanwhile plans to have potential contractors start construction of border wall prototypes in San Diego, California, have been pushed back from summer to fall.

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Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement today regarding President Trump’s scheduled visit to Arizona to meet with Border Patrol officials and speak about his administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration:  

“The best thing we can do for BOTH the United States and Mexico is to secure our border. Thankfully, we have a President who understands and is committed to that. A nation founded on laws that apply to everyone, where neither rich nor poor or supposed to be above the law, must have the law enforced to maintain its integrity, fairness, justice and opportunity. If we secure and enforce our border properly, Mexico's drug cartels are reduced dramatically, which reduces corruption and lawlessness in Mexico, and, thereby, helps Mexico finally achieve its place as one of the top economies and vibrant countries in the world.”

“A good neighbor would help Mexico in this way, which also returns America back to being a nation where the law matters and where we can continue to allow more lawful entries into the United States than any other country in the world. Thankfully, we have a President who not only understands the importance of security and the rule of law, but is doing all he can to make such security, propriety, and opportunity a reality."

Congressman Gohmert is the Vice Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee and the Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Prior to being elected to serve in Congress, he was elected to three terms as District Judge in Smith County, Texas and was appointed by then Texas Governor Rick Perry to complete a term as Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals.

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Rep. Louie Gohmert said Sunday the Justice Department should investigate Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Charlottesville Mayor Michael Signer and “Unite the Right” rally organizer Jason Kessler for their roles in violent clashes that resulted the death of an anti-racism protester at last Saturday’s rally.

In an appearance on “Fox & Friends,” Mr. Gohmert said there should be a Justice Department investigation into who is responsible for what occurred in Charlottesville, where white nationalists and neo-Nazis clashed with anti-fascists counterprotesters. He appeared to place the blamed on the political left without offering any specific proof.

“They were [behind] the violence at Trump events, and they may have been behind this violence getting started,” the Texas Republican said.

Mr. Gohmert said Mr. McAuliffe and Michael Signer, both Democrats, previously had said there would be violence in Charlottesville.

“Then the witnesses and the photographs show they herded these groups to create violence so they could brag,” said Mr. Gohmert.

The Texas lawmaker also is calling for the Justice Department to look into Mr. Kessler, a nationalist blogger who helped organize the rally and heads a nonprofit called Unity & Security for America, aimed at protecting Western civilization.

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Leading members seek investigation into Democratic IT staffers access of congressional data     

Congressional leaders are interested in conducting their own independent investigation into a growing scandal surrounding IT staffers working for Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D., Fla.), who are accused of stealing sensitive computer equipment from House lawmakers' offices.

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Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement regarding the decision made by the United States Department of the Interior to rescind the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) hydraulic fracturing rule:

“The Department of Interior acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner – basing their rule on allegations that were disproved. It is great to have the Trump Administration and my Navy SEAL friend Secretary Zinke taking action to help create more jobs, raise critical funds from federal lands to help schools and local governments.”

“There are so many mutual benefits for everyone except the Russians who have pushed to prevent our fracking so people have to buy from Russia. This is one more of Obama's bureaucratic policies that helped Russia that needed to be struck down.”

Congressman Gohmert is the Vice Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee and the Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Prior to being elected to serve in Congress, he was elected to three terms as District Judge in Smith County, Texas and was appointed by then Texas Governor Rick Perry to complete a term as Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals.

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Longview, TEXAS (KETK) - The men and women we elect to office say hearing from their constituents is a vital part of democracy. But when there aren't town halls to attend, the only way to make your voice heard may be to call or write.

In an effort to see just how many local lawmakers actually take the time to call you back, the KETK team posed as constituents, and called every East Texas Representative and Senator. In all only two of our calls calls were returned.

But these type of calls to legislators may not happen as often as you expect. In an informal poll outside the Gregg County Courthouse, many people told us that although they often have policy concerns, they've never called their representative.

Celena Flores is one of the many people who said this. "There are things I believe in and feel I should reach out, but at the same time I feel like taking the time to reach out to someone like that is a waste of time nowadays, because there are so many things they are worried about - and its not necessarily the people they are serving," she says.

But elected officials say hearing from the people they serve does make a difference.

U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert of Texas District 1 says, "If they want somebody to get back with 'em we will, but leave a taped message let us know your opinions. It matters. It makes a difference."

Representative Gohmert's office was one of the two that called us back. They returned our calls, just one day after we left a message.

Rep. Louie Gohmert says that's standard practice. "We try to respond immediately, hopefully its that day. It may be if we get a huge wave of calls obviously we can't return hundreds that same day but we try to get em within the same week of anybody calling," he says.

The other person who called us back was a staff member from State Representative Jay Dean.

Jim Kramer, of the Gregg County Democratic Party says he was surprised so few local legislators called us back. "When you get into the federal level you're lucky to get a staffer to call you back," he adds.

Kramer says the more people a legislator represents, the less optimistic he is, about hearing back.

"Its a shame because they are supposed to be working for us. And when they don't respond to genuine inquiries from their constituents about something going on in Congress or state legislature or city hall, then I don't think they are doing their job," he says.

Other groups like "Grassroots America" have based their platform on the idea of people being represented fairly in Washington.

Grassroots America President Rick Eisenbach says, "I would think that a representative of the people would be anxious to hear what the people have to say and the questions they have."

He was was one of the many people who told us they were disappointed so few elected leaders called us back. 

"I think its vital if they are elected by the people they need to be in touch with the people and if they are not in touch with the people … they are in the wrong job," he says.

Laura Perryman, Vice President of Grassroots America agrees. "We have a representative form of government so if we can't talk with our officials and get a response back in a timely fashion then we have a problem. Someone's dropped the ball and that needs to be dealt with," she says.

If you have contacted an elected official but didn't hear back - experts recommend you try calling again. They say in-person visits to district offices are also effective.

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