Mark's Weekly Update

 Fighting Against the President's Executive Amnesty

Last week, I joined 170 of my Republican colleagues, led by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), to send a letter to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid demanding Senate Democrats allow debate on the House-passed bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On February 27th, current funding for DHS expires, leaving our border patrol agents and other critical security figures at risk of not receiving paychecks. The House-passed bill would fully fund DHS at previously agreed to levels, while withholding funding for President Obama's unlawful executive order granting amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants.

Senate Democrats aren't simply opposing the House-passed bill, they are refusing to even debate the bill or its potential amendments. If Senate Democrats have an issue with the version passed by the House, then they should make the revisions they would like to see through the formal Amendment process-- that is how our government is supposed to work. I fear that Senate Democrats are playing politics with America's national security in an effort to protect the President's unconstitutional executive action and to protect themselves from having to go on the record with their pro-amnesty positions.   

Making sure that DHS is properly funded is of the utmost importance. I hope that my colleagues in the Senate will do the right thing and listen to the American people. It's time to stop with the political games. It's time to lead. You can read the full letter here.

Remembering former Congressman Cass Ballenger

I was saddened to hear of the passing of former Congressman Cass Ballenger (NC-10) who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1986-2005. I'm grateful for his many years of service to the people of North Carolina. Mr. Ballenger represented North Carolina's 10th Congressional District, which at the time of his service incorporated parts of the 11th District. Mr. Ballenger will be remembered for his selfless service to his community, his commitment to providing top-notch constituent services, and his gracious nature that anyone who knew him could attest to. 

The people of North Carolina have lost a dedicated civil servant who set the bar incredibly high for those of us who have followed in his footsteps. All who knew him will remember his warm and gracious nature and the selfless way he assisted his community. I am grateful for the many ways he served – from his time on the Catawba Board of Commissioners to his years in Congress. Mr. Ballenger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Donna Ballenger, his three daughters, Lucinda Ballenger, Melissa Jordan, and Davis Weaver, and three grandchildren. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.You can read more about his life of service in the Asheville Citizen-Times here.

Standing with Israel

A new poll released last week found that the majority of Americans support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned speech before Congress next month. This should come as no surprise. The American people support free and open discourse and want to hear from our allies. The White House fears that the Prime Minister's speech will undermine the already deteriorating nuclear talks with Iran. My question for the President is: Why are you willing to negotiate with Iran and Cuba, but unwilling to support a speech by the Prime Minister of Israel before a joint session of Congress? I'm proud to support the Prime Minister and look forward to attending the speech to hear from one of our nation's greatest allies.