John – This week, we saw yet another disastrous consequence of Joe Biden’s weak foreign policy and lack of strong deterrence as three service members were killed in the Middle East at the hands of Iran-backed proxies. I outlined what the correct response from the United States should be and explained what people on both sides get wrong about deterrence. I also highlighted a rare moment of bipartisanship in Congress as the House advanced major tax legislation. Our primaries here in Texas are just a month away, and I need your help. I’m running for re-election because I still think America is worth fighting for even in our toxic political climate. But I cannot win re-election without the support of patriots like you from across the country. Small-dollar donations fuel my campaign, and if you can contribute any amount before our March 5 primary it will help ensure I continue fighting on the issues that matter most to you. You can donate here: SUPPORT MY 2024 RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN Thank you for your continued support. Now, here’s your brief. IRAN IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR KILLING AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS CLICK HERE TO WATCH Joe Biden’s foreign policy can be summed up in one word: weakness. Weakness is not a virtue in foreign policy. In fact, weakness often invites chaos and aggression from our adversaries because they view the United States as unwilling to do what is necessary to protect our interests abroad. We saw the tragic consequences of that weakness with the deaths of three service members who were killed in a drone strike launched by Iran-backed proxies. Make no mistake - Iran is directly responsible for the deaths of these service members. Iran is a puppet master, getting others to do their bidding so their hands remain “clean”. We see this for what it is — surrogate warfare. Iran has a track record all over the Middle East for training and equipping radical groups to get what they want. Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, to name a few. There’s only one way to handle this kind of warfare: hit the puppets and the master harder. Our enemies should always believe that when they come at us, we come back at them with ten-times the force. That is the only response to the deaths of three Americans and it is the only way we will prevent further deaths. DETERRENCE IS THE ONLY STRATEGY FOR PEACE CLICK HERE TO WATCH The statement above - that we must hit our enemies with 10x the force when they hit us - causes a lot of heated rhetoric from both sides, especially online. We saw this from the left after President Trump killed Soleimani and we’re seeing it now from some on the right in the aftermath of the attack on our service members in Jordan. When Soleimani was killed under Trump, World War III didn’t materialize like the leftist pundits said it would. Instead we entered a period of peace because we displayed strength. Strong deterrence has never started a war, but it often prevents them. Isolationists on the left and right still like to argue that deterrence will lead to war if we’re too aggressive. So let’s look at the inverse. What happens when we don’t establish strong deterrence, like we’ve seen time and time again under Joe Biden? Americans get killed. That is the strongest incentive to always strike harder. There’s always going to be a risk assessment when we respond to foreign adversaries. My advice: choose a response that makes you just a little uncomfortable. When you do this, you choose a disproportionate response. You’re choosing to hit harder than they hit us. That’s the only way to establish deterrence when we’re dealing with countries like Iran. We always need to hit harder, faster, stronger. Iran is scared right now — that’s good. We need to use that to our advantage with our response. Biden has waited way too long to react. That’s a huge problem. He should take my advice and deliver a strategic, forceful response. Anything else is a failure on his part, and we ultimately suffer in the long run. BIPARTISAN TAX DEAL PASSES HOUSE CLICK HERE TO READ Every once in a while, Congress can come together like adults and pass legislation that’s good for the American people. Thankfully, that happened this week with the passage of a major bipartisan tax package through the House. This bill makes the tax code better for businesses and families through a number of provisions: Research and development expensing so businesses of all sizes can immediately deduct the cost of their U.S.-based R&D investments, encouraging American innovation and improving our competitive position versus China. Restores full and immediate expensing for investments in machines, equipment, and vehicles. Expands small business expensing cap by increasing the amount of investment that a small business can immediately write off to $1.29 million. Expands access to the child tax credit and eliminates penalties for larger families by ensuring the tax credit applies fairly to families with multiple children. There’s a lot more in this legislation, but it is a bipartisan win that will ease the tax burden on many businesses and families. ORDER THE LIMITED EDITION CRENSHAW EYEPATCH My custom eyepatch is back in stock - with options for left or right eye. Durable, strong, and comfortable. It’s the same eyepatch I wear everyday. ON SOCIAL MEDIA NEWS WSJ: Justice Department Investigating Democratic ‘Squad’ Member Cori Bush NATIONAL REVIEW: The Deadly Capital Crime Wave FOX NEWS: House Republicans push Biden to fix border 'catastrophe' through executive action That’s it for this week’s campaign brief. Thank you for reading and staying informed. In Service, Dan Crenshaw STAND WITH DAN CRENSHAW. SUPPORT THE 2024 CAMPAIGN. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here to get the latest updates on the fight in Washington direct from me. 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