PART 1
January 3 marks one year since I was sworn into the United States Congress, representing Illinois’ 15th Congressional District. It has been an honor to serve you in 2021 and uphold the America First Agenda!
Throughout the week, I will be sending recaps of my first year in Congress. While there is already so much we have accomplished in just one year, we have only just begun!
In Congress, my number one priority is that my team and I provide the best constituent services possible to the people of Illinois’ 15th Congressional District.
This last year, our office resolved over 460 cases and recovered over $5.5 million dollars for constituents including veterans who need help with VA issues, seniors who need assistance with Social Security or Medicare, farmers with questions for the USDA, and anyone who needs assistance with the IRS or federal agencies.
If you haven’t been receiving my regular email updates, make sure to sign up here for my Newsletter to stay updated on what I’m doing in D.C. and back home in Illinois.
AGRICULTURE
My family and I run a third-generation family farm, raising corn, soybeans, oats, wheat, hay, and Angus cattle. I know the challenges farmers face, which is why I am honored to serve on the House Agriculture Committee as your voice in Congress.
I introduced the Define WOTUS Act of 2021 this year, which would prevent Biden EPA policies from infringing on the rights of farmers and ranchers through “Waters of the United States” water regulations.
To hear more about dairy and meat processing issues, I hosted roundtables with farmers. These listening sessions are essential for me to best serve you as the House prepares to write the next Farm Bill.
I voted to support the bipartisan Broadband for Rural America Act, which provides funding for much needed broadband infrastructure to support businesses, schools, and telehealth services in rural areas, including the Illinois 15th. You can read more about my Broadband initiatives in a piece I wrote in the Washington Times.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
On October 20, 2021, I gave the following speech on the House Floor comparing Trump Administration policies with the Biden Administration, which you can see below:
“Under President Trump, we had a roaring economy, we were energy independent, our border was secure, and our enemies feared America’s resolve. Americans miss President Donald Trump!
Under the Biden Administration, we have a supply chain crisis, an energy crisis, a border crisis, an Afghanistan crisis, and an economic crisis that threatens the value of every paycheck and dollar in your bank account.
The radical left is attempting to destroy our economy and the American way of life, but every crisis created by the Biden Administration is a reminder of how great it was to have a President who put AMERICA FIRST.”
THE SECOND AMENDMENT
I will always stand up for your Second Amendment Right to keep and bear arms.
This Congress, I was one of only a few House Republicans who stood up to vote against H.R. 4350, the Biden Defense Authorization, which included “red flag” gun confiscation provisions I strongly oppose as a defender of the Second Amendment.
I also voted NO on H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446, which criminalized private firearm sales and would lead to the creation of a federal gun registry.
This Congress, I joined many conservatives and opposed the nomination of David Chipman to lead the ATF because of his views on gun confiscation. Strong opposition from fellow conservatives in Congress successfully forced the Biden Administration to withdraw Chipman’s nomination.
I joined a large group of Members of Congress in supporting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the unconstitutional restrictions on conceal-carry, a case that will now be decided by the Supreme Court (New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Corlett).
MILITARY & VETERANS
I supported our veterans by co-sponsoring the Veterans Access to Direct Primary Care Act which would give veterans the option to choose their own primary care provider and primary care services.
My constituents overwhelmingly opposed federal COVID vaccine mandates which is why I was proud to sign onto the Our Veterans Earned It Act. This bill would prohibit the federal government from denying any benefits to veterans simply because they chose not to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status.
I will always support our military and all those who have served while opposing President Biden’s policies to discharge service members for not taking the COVID-19 vaccine. I will always oppose efforts by the Biden Administration to weaken our national defense with their leftist political agenda. May God Bless our military and their families!
PROTECTING THE UNBORN
All children are created by God with a purpose, and that purpose begins at conception. The Left wants to strip the rights of parents in every way possible and put unrestricted abortion-on-demand at the top of their priority list – even if it puts minors at risk.
I spoke with Tony Perkins on his program, Washington Watch, to discuss the radical push for “abortion-on-demand” and the strength of the pro-life movement in Congress. I am proud to be a voice for the unborn and I will always stand up for parental rights.
This Congress, I helped introduce the Protecting Life on College Campuses Act with Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) and Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT). This bill prohibits federal funds from flowing to universities that provide unsafe chemical abortion pills to students.
Nearly 40% of abortions are committed with chemical abortion pills and the Biden Administration widely expanded the delivery of chemical abortion pills by mail during the pandemic, without requiring pre-screening or medical oversight. If that wasn’t enough, just before the end of the year, Governor Pritzker signed a law eliminating parental consent for minors to receive an abortion. As leftist policies push government control, I will always stand up for parental rights.
Additionally, I co-sponsored the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and led amendments to ban taxpayer funding for abortion.
This year has been full of crisis after crisis from the Biden Administration’s far left policies. However, I remain hopeful that God is in control and I am optimistic that America’s best days are still ahead of us!
I look forward to sending you more updates this week about our hard work in 2021 on a wide range of issues!
Blessings to all in the new year.
Sincerely,
Mary E. Miller
Member of Congress
