Dear Friends,

Kentucky’s Second District is home to brave service members and their families. Each month, and especially during Military Appreciation Month, I want to say thank you to our service members and their families at Fort Knox and around the world for your sacrifices to keep our nation safe.

Reversing the Border Crisis

While House Republicans are working to secure the border and restore law and order, President Biden this week let Title 42 border policy expire, which is resulting in a surge of migrants at the southern border. I’m calling on President Biden to reinstate the Title 42 border policy, and I have also previously voted to use Title 42 border policy to address the flow of fentanyl across the southern border. This week I took action to reverse the border crisis under the Biden Administration's border policies by voting for H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023.

President Biden’s border policies have fueled crisis after crisis.

An unsecure border is a national security threat:

In this fiscal year so far, there have been 80 encounters of people on the “watchlist” (Terrorist Screening Dataset) trying to get into the country between ports of entry. This is more encounters of people on the watchlist between ports of entry than fiscal years 2017 through 2021 combined.

An unsecure border creates a humanitarian crisis:

In addition to a national security threat, an unsecure border also creates a humanitarian crisis. I demanded answers from the Biden Administration after alarming reporting showed how the Biden Administration’s border policies have enabled migrant children to be exploited and be part of labor trafficking. Further, the Biden Administration’s policy of rushing through the vetting process for children’s sponsors has resulted in more than 85,000 children who came to the U.S. unaccompanied without family or a legal guardian being unaccounted for.

An unsecure border fuels the fentanyl crisis:

An unsecure border is making Kentucky a border state due to the flow of illicit fentanyl that is killing Kentuckians. From 2016 to 2021, the rate of overdose deaths due to fentanyl have nearly quadrupled, and fentanyl seizures at the Southwest border have more than doubled in fiscal year 2020 to 2021. In fiscal year 2023, alone, there have been nearly 14,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl seized at our southern border, almost matching the same amount seized for all of fiscal year 2022.

Rep. Guthrie examining the Southwest border with Border Patrol agents

I have been to the border and spoken directly to law enforcement there and know that they need the additional support that this bill would provide. I voted for the Secure the Border Act of 2023 that would:

• Resume construction for the border wall
• Expand the Border Patrol agent workforce
• End the catch and release policy
• Utilize technology at the southern and northern border
• Help prevent unaccompanied children from being trafficked

COVID-19 Public Health Emergency is Over

While I’m glad the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency finally ended this week, it was unnecessarily dragged out. I had been calling for it to end and introduced a bill, the Pandemic is Over Act, that passed the House to end the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. As the Chair of the Health Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I am leading the charge to ensure our country is better prepared for pandemics and threats, such as chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, cyberattacks, or another infectious disease outbreak. With these types of hazards, public health security is national security.

Congressman Guthrie chairing a hearing to review the federal government’s failures with the COVID-19 response to improve the response to future potential threats

I’m working to address the federal government’s failures in responding to COVID-19 to ensure the response is better in the future. I’m also working to restore trust in public health agencies by increasing these agencies’ accountability to the American people.

Congratulations South Warren High School student on USAFA Appointment

Please join me in congratulating Gavin Wilson for receiving an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy. With the guidance of the Second District Academy Board, I nominated Gavin to this service academy. I went to Gavin’s school to recognize him for this appointment in front of his family, friends, and educators. I’m proud of each of the students from the Second District who have received appointments this year.

Rep. Guthrie presenting Gavin Wilson with a certificate to recognize his appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy

Recent Meetings with Kentuckians

Rep. Guthrie presenting local Special Olympics athlete, Natalie Williams, with a gold medal from the 2007 Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai at a ceremony in Bowling Green City Hall. In December 2021, Natalie Williams’ gold medal was lost when a tornado hit her family’s home.

Rep. Guthrie observing the National Day of Prayer with local faith leaders, officials, and community members in Grayson County and receiving an update on local issues.

Rep. Guthrie visiting U.S. Army Human Resources Command and meeting with employees, including veterans, with InspiriTec. Rep. Guthrie discussed federal programs to support veterans in the workforce.

Rep. Guthrie providing an update on legislation moving through Congress to firefighters and EMTs at Leitchfield Fire Department.

How Can I Help?

My office and I are happy to help you. My constituent services team can help provide assistance with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies. Please click HERE or call 270-842-9896 or 202-225-3501 to contact my office.