Last week, I was sworn in as a member of the 119th Congress. Please know I consider it an honor and privilege to continue to represent Michigan's 5th Congressional District. My office is here to serve you, and we have a team of dedicated caseworkers eager to help constituents resolve issues with federal agencies, including the VA, IRS, Social Security Administration, and more. For casework assistance or to have your voice heard in Washington, please contact my office at (517) 780-9075 or walberg.house.gov.
In the 119th Congress, I will serve asChairman of the House Committee on Education and Workforce and as a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources. During these next two years, I look forward to working with my colleagues to reduce wasteful spending, strengthen our economy, secure our borders, and unleash American energy production. As Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, we will work to uphold parental rights, protect worker freedom, and ensure that Americans develop the right skills needed to keep our nation competitive. It's time to deliver results for the people of Michigan!
On Monday, in a Joint Session of Congress, we certified President-elect Donald J. Trump as the 47th President and Vice President-elect JD Vance as the 50th Vice President of the United States of America. The American people have spoken loud and clear, and we must follow their mandate to deliver on the agenda of the incoming Trump administration.
In February 2024, Laken Riley, a college student, was murdered by an illegal immigrant in Georgia. Laken's convicted killer, Jose Ibarra, was a criminal who had been arrested previously, and was released rather than held by authorities. In response, this week, the House passed the Laken Riley Act, which holds the Biden administration accountable for the impacts of their open border policies, mandates that the Department of Homeland Security detain illegal immigrants who commit theft, and empowers states to legally challenge the federal government for neglecting parole enforcement. The passage of this bill is an important shift, reversing the Biden administration's course and protecting our communities.
We celebrated Law Enforcement Appreciation Day this week, and I had the pleasure of presenting a tribute to Branch County Sheriff John Pollack to recognize and honor him for his 41 years of service in law enforcement. I wish him the best of luck in his retirement. I also would like to offer law enforcement officers everywhere my deepest gratitude for the sacrifices they make each day to protect our communities. Please know that I will always support law enforcement officers.
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