Mike Ezell

Ezell Applauds Navy Investment in Ingalls Shipbuilding to Advance Next-Generation Frigate Program

Position: Congressman Ezell supports federal investment in the Navy's next-generation frigate program at Ingalls Shipbuilding, citing benefits to national defense, industrial capacity, and regional economic growth.

Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) welcomed the U.S. Navy’s announcement of a $283 million contract award to HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding Division in Pascagoula, Mississippi, to support the development of the Navy’s next-generation guided missile frigate program. The contract will fund long-lead time material procurement, continued design adaptation work from the U.S. Coast Guard’s Legend-class National Security Cutter to the Navy’s FF(X) platform, and initial pre-construction activities for the first ship. “This is a major win for Mississippi and for our nation’s maritime strength,” Ezell said. “Ingalls Shipbuilding has long been a cornerstone of our shipbuilding industrial base, and this investment reinforces its critical role in delivering the next generation of naval capability. It also means good-paying jobs and continued economic growth for our region. Ensuring our Navy has the ships it needs to meet evolving threats starts with a strong industrial base. This program will not only strengthen our national defense, but it will also expand shipbuilding capacity across the country through a competitive, distributed approach.” The award represents a key step in accelerating the Navy’s frigate program, with plans to move forward with full construction of the first two ships later this year, pending congressional authorization and appropriations. The Navy has indicated it intends to transition to a competitive procurement process for future frigate orders, leveraging Ingalls’ leadership as a “lead yard” to deliver a build-ready design and support production across the broader industrial base.

Ezell, Carter, Higgins, Figures Introduce Bipartisan Offshore Parity Act to Expand Gulf State Boundaries

Position: The representatives support legislation to extend offshore jurisdiction boundaries for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama from three to nine nautical miles, matching the boundaries of Texas and Florida, to provide greater state control over energy and marine resources.

Today, Representatives Mike Ezell (MS-04), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Clay Higgins (LA-03), and Shomari Figures (AL-02) introduced the Offshore Parity Act, bipartisan legislation to establish equal offshore boundaries for Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama—bringing them in line with Texas and Florida. Under current law, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama have jurisdiction over three nautical miles offshore, while Texas and Florida maintain nine nautical miles. The Offshore Parity Act would extend the boundaries of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama to nine nautical miles, providing greater access to energy and marine resources and increasing state-level control. “For too long, Mississippi and our Gulf Coast neighbors have operated under an outdated and unequal system,” Ezell said. “This bill is about fairness. Expanding our offshore boundaries will strengthen our economy, support energy production, and give our state the same opportunities already afforded to Texas and Florida.” “This is a critical step toward equality, ensuring that Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have the same authority over their waters as Texas and Florida,” said Carter. “This bill will empower us to manage our energy resources, protect our coastal communities, and strengthen our fisheries—securing economic benefits for our states.” “This bill ensures that states are on equal footing regarding offshore boundaries," Higgins said. "The expansion from three to nine miles of state waters would provide Louisiana with greater control and economic benefit from its offshore resources. My office will continue to advocate for our coastal communities and industries." "There's no reason Alabama should have less access and control of our shores than Texas and Florida have over theirs," Figures said. "This bipartisan bill levels the playing field by making a commonsense update that ensures all gulf states have equal offshore boundaries." The Offshore Parity Act proposes amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to reflect the expanded boundaries and align fisheries and resource management accordingly. This legislation builds on prior efforts introduced in the previous Congress and continues longstanding advocacy from Gulf Coast states seeking equal treatment under federal law. The current disparity dates back to the Submerged Lands Act of 1953, which granted Texas and Florida expanded offshore boundaries while limiting Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama to three nautical miles. By establishing parity, the bill is expected to enhance economic development, increase state revenues, and provide greater local control over coastal resources.

Ezell Joins Bipartisan Effort to Address Rising Homeowner Insurance Costs

Position: The representatives support creating a bipartisan commission to study natural disaster insurance affordability and market challenges, with the goal of developing policy recommendations to address rising costs and coverage gaps.

Congressmen Mike Ezell (MS-04), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Gabe Evans (CO-08), and Troy A. Carter Sr. (LA-02) introduced the bipartisan Commission on Natural Disaster Risk Management and Insurance Act, a bill to create a nonpartisan commission to study natural disaster insurance affordability and report policy recommendations to Congress within two years. As economic losses from natural disasters have increased, homeowners’ and business insurance costs have risen. Meanwhile, availability has declined, leading to a growing insurance coverage gap. “As communities like those along the Gulf Coast know all too well, natural disasters don’t just threaten lives — they threaten livelihoods,” said Ezell. “Families and small businesses are facing rising insurance costs and fewer coverage options, creating real financial uncertainty. This bipartisan commission will help us take a closer look at the challenges in our insurance markets and identify practical solutions to ensure Americans can access affordable, reliable coverage when they need it most.” “As extreme weather drives insurance costs higher and pushes coverage out of reach for too many families and small businesses, the bipartisan Commission on Natural Disaster Risk Management and Insurance Act will give Congress the clear roadmap we need to strengthen access to affordable, reliable insurance,” Carbajal said. “The increasing frequency of billion-dollar natural disasters demands that we proactively confront the growing insurance coverage gaps, and this bipartisan effort is an important step toward doing exactly that.” “Across Colorado, homeowners are facing rising insurance prices as providers are driven out of the state and forced to pull back coverage — leaving behind thousands of families in high-risk natural disasters areas searching for new plans. I'm proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to combat the surge in expensive policies and help protect access to affordable, reliable insurance that Coloradans and Americans deserve,” Evans said. “Louisiana families and businesses are facing a crisis of rising homeowners and flood insurance premiums, worsening our housing affordability issues. We've seen premiums skyrocket, forcing families to make impossible choices between protecting their homes and paying for groceries, healthcare, or their children's education. This expert commission will provide Congress with data and recommendations needed to tackle this emergency so that generations of Louisianians can afford to work and live in the place we proudly call home,” Carter said. Read the full text of the legislation here. The Senate Joint Economic Committee reported that roughly 70% of Americans stated that their community experienced an extreme weather event in 2023. Between 2019 and 2023, the average annual cost of billion-dollar disasters in the United States was $120.6 billion, more than double the 44-year inflation-adjusted annual average. For many Americans whose home or small business is their largest financial asset, growing insurance gaps and reduced coverage pose a vital risk to their financial health. Underinsurance also poses a risk to local governments whose tax bases rely largely on property values. The Commission on Natural Disaster Risk Management and Insurance Act would represent a step toward protecting homeowners, small businesses, and local governments from the growing insurance gaps. In developing the report, the commission would be directed to: The commission’s membership would include representatives from:

Ezell, Hyde-Smith Sign Amicus Brief to SCOTUS Opposing New York Attempt to Undermine Federal Firearms Law

Position: The lawmakers support upholding the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and oppose state efforts to circumvent federal firearms protections through public nuisance lawsuits against gun manufacturers.

Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) and U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) are among 77 lawmakers who have signed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a Second Circuit ruling and uphold the Second Amendment by preventing New York from bypassing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). Signed by 22 U.S. Senators and 55 U.S. Representatives, the brief argues that a New York state public nuisance law improperly undermines protections established by Congress in the PLCAA, which generally shields gun manufacturers and sellers from lawsuits when criminals misuse firearms that were legally sold. The New York law allows lawsuits against gun industry members based on broad claims that they contributed to conditions endangering public safety. “Law-abiding Americans have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and that right should not be undermined by backdoor attempts to target lawful manufacturers,” said Congressman Ezell. “The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act ensures firearm manufacturers are not held liable for the criminal actions of others. Efforts to bypass that law threaten both the Second Amendment and the stability of an industry that supports American jobs and constitutional freedoms. I stand with my colleagues in urging the Supreme Court to uphold federal law and protect the rights of responsible gun owners.” “Our brief is part of the ongoing work to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens from leftist states run by anti-gun activists. These states shouldn’t be allowed to erode the constitutional protections established by Congress by law,” said Senator Hyde-Smith, author of the Gun-owner Registration Information Protection (GRIP) Act. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Representative Russell Fry (R-S.C.) led the amicus brief, which supports the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s petition seeking certiorari before the Supreme Court. Read excerpts from the amicus brief below and the full brief here. “The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution ensures law-abiding and peaceable American citizens the right to keep and bear arms. But no one besides accomplished gunsmiths could exercise that right if a citizen could not lawfully purchase a firearm because the firearm industry had become insolvent. Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to prevent that outcome by placing firearm manufacturers on equal footing with other American manufacturers. Under the Act, so long as a firearm is properly made and properly transferred into commercial channels, a manufacturer is generally not liable if a criminal later misuses that firearm in the commission of a crime. In particular, the PLCAA forecloses the imposition of liability under flexible and indistinct common-law standards that provide firearm manufacturers with no notice of the precise conduct that is required or to be avoided. Indeed, that was the statute’s core purpose. “The State of New York is unhappy with any impediments to its ability to bankrupt lawful arms manufacturers based on the actions of New York criminals whom the State is unable or unwilling to control. In the State’s view—adopted by the Second Circuit—the PLCAA is a paper tiger that any state legislature may tame by simply codifying vague and unpredictable common-law standards and explicitly applying the new code provisions only to the firearms industry. “The State and the court below are too clever by half. This case presents an issue of exceptional importance with regard to the states’ ability to circumvent the preemptive force of federal legislation. The PLCAA is not a mere Kabuki feint designed to encourage its own circumvention. Rather, the Act was designed to, and does, preempt efforts to impose hazy common-law liability standards whether or not codified by a state legislature to target the firearms industry. This Court should intervene now before the Second Circuit’s decision, directly or through its influence, further undermines the Second Amendment and congressional will.”

PASSED BY HOUSE: Ezell Bill to Strengthen Coastal Monitoring and Resilience

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) announced that his legislation, H.R. 2294, to reauthorize the Integrated Ocean Observation System (IOOS), passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night. The bill ensures the continued operation and modernization of a critical national system that provides real-time data on ocean conditions, weather patterns, and coastal hazards—supporting communities, industries, and emergency response efforts across the Gulf Coast and the nation. “As a representative of a coastal district, I understand firsthand how important accurate, real-time data is for protecting lives, supporting our fishermen, and strengthening our coastal economy,” Ezell said. “Reauthorizing IOOS ensures that our communities have the tools they need to prepare for severe weather, safeguard our marine resources, and keep our ports and waterways operating efficiently. I will continue working with my colleagues in both chambers to get this important legislation across the finish line. Mississippi’s Gulf Coast and coastal communities across the country are counting on it.” The Integrated Ocean Observation System plays a vital role in forecasting hurricanes, monitoring harmful algal blooms, supporting maritime navigation, and informing disaster response. Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, these capabilities are essential to protecting livelihoods, infrastructure, and natural resources. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) praised the legislation, stating, “Rep. Ezell has been a consistent leader in advancing science-based coastal management. Reauthorizing the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System ensures communities, fishermen, and emergency managers have reliable data to protect lives, infrastructure, and marine resources. This bill reinforces the importance of accurate information for coastal resilience and economic stability.” H.R. 2294 now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Ezell Statement on the U.S. and Israel's 'Operation Epic Fury'

Position: Congressman Ezell supports U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran, characterizing it as a necessary response to Iran's nuclear ambitions, support for terrorist organizations, and regional threats.

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) released the following statement regarding the United States and Israel's "Operation Epic Fury" mission on the Iranian Regime: "Iran is facing the consequences of its dangerous and destabilizing actions. For decades, the regime has pursued nuclear ambitions while supporting terrorist organizations and threatening American lives, our allies, and stability across the Middle East. "President Trump and his Administration have pursued diplomatic solutions, but protecting American citizens and service members must remain the top priority. "We pray for the safety of our brave men and women in uniform and for our allies in the region. May God protect them and continue to bless the United States of America."

Ezell Responds to President Trump’s State of the Union Address

Position: Congressman Ezell supports the President's priorities including tax relief on tips and overtime, border security and immigration enforcement, strategic tariffs to protect domestic manufacturing, and a strong national defense. He criticizes Senate Democrats for delaying Department of Homeland Security appropriations.

Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) released the following statement in response to President Trump's State of the Union Address: “Tonight, the President highlighted priorities that matter to families and workers across Mississippi — lowering taxes, rewarding hard work, and strengthening our nation’s security. Eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay puts more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans, while securing our borders helps protect our communities from crime, drugs, and human trafficking. “Mississippi families expect leadership that delivers results, and that is what President Trump has delivered in the first year of his second term. Republicans are advancing pro-growth policies that ease burdens on workers and small businesses, strengthen our economy, and keep opportunity within reach for the next generation. “Securing our border remains a national security priority. Strong enforcement and policies that stop illegal crossings and combat fentanyl trafficking are essential to protecting American communities and supporting law enforcement on the front lines. “The President also emphasized fair trade policies that put American workers first. Strategic tariffs, when used responsibly, help level the playing field, protect domestic industries, and strengthen supply chains vital to our national security. For coastal communities like ours, supporting American manufacturing and shipbuilding protects jobs and strengthens our economy. “Maintaining a strong national defense rooted in peace through strength is equally important. When America leads with strength, supports our allies, and maintains the world’s most capable military, we deter aggression and promote stability. “Unfortunately, Senate Democrats are holding up the Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, resulting in a partial shutdown impacting FEMA, DHS, TSA, and the United States Coast Guard. Delaying funding for these agencies creates unnecessary risk and uncertainty. The Senate must act quickly to ensure these critical operations continue. “While we have made progress, our work is not finished. I will continue working to strengthen our economy, support our military and veterans, protect Social Security and Medicare, and ensure government remains accountable to the American people. “The people of Mississippi’s Fourth District want safe communities, economic opportunity, and responsible leadership, and I remain committed to helping the Trump Administration delivering results on those priorities.”

Ezell Receives Main Street Policy Impact Award for Leadership Supporting Small Businesses

The award recognizes extraordinary efforts at the federal level to support revitalization of downtown districts and commercial corridors through the Main Street movement. Across the country, more than 1,200 communities in 45 states participate in Main Street programs focused on preservation-based, asset-driven economic growth. “I’m honored to receive the Main Street Policy Impact Award,” Ezell said. “Main Street businesses are the backbone of communities across South Mississippi. From Pascagoula to Hattiesburg to Gulfport, our local businesses drive job creation, preserve our unique character, and fuel economic opportunity. I will continue working to advance policies that help our small businesses grow and thrive.” Ezell has been a strong advocate for Main Street programs throughout Mississippi’s Fourth District. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he has supported efforts to dedicate federal resources toward economic development initiatives that benefit local business districts. In May 2025, Ezell joined Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02) in introducing the Capacity Building for Business Districts Pilot Program, legislation designed to streamline support for local business district organizations and strengthen small business development efforts. The award was presented during the Main Street on Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C., where leaders from across the nation gathered to celebrate the impact of Main Street revitalization efforts on small business growth, community preservation, and civic infrastructure. Ezell remains committed to championing policies that empower local communities, support entrepreneurs, and strengthen Mississippi’s economy from the ground up.

Ezell Applauds Passage of 11 Appropriations Bills, Securing Wins for Mississippi’s Fourth District

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) applauded Congress for advancing 11 of the 12 appropriations bills, a major step toward funding the federal government through regular order and delivering critical investments for national security, border enforcement, disaster readiness, and local priorities — including key wins for Mississippi’s Fourth District. “For the first time in years, Congress is moving appropriations the right way,” Ezell said. “Passing 11 of the 12 appropriations bills restores accountability, reduces wasteful uncertainty, and ensures taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly. These bills support the men and women who keep our country safe, respect the hard-earned tax dollars of American families, and reflect what I hear back home — protecting our coast, supporting our workforce, strengthening public safety, and making sure Washington works for Mississippi, not the other way around. I look forward to the final bill moving forward and to President Trump swiftly signing these measures into law to complete the return to regular order in Congress.” Through the appropriations process, Ezell secured targeted funding that will be directed to communities across Mississippi’s Fourth District, supporting local governments, institutions, and critical infrastructure.

Ezell Earns A+ Rating on Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America National Pro-Life Scorecard

Position: Congressman Ezell supports policies that protect unborn children, uphold conscience rights for healthcare providers, and provide resources to women and families, as reflected in his A+ pro-life scorecard rating.

Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) earned an A+ rating for 2025 on the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America National Pro-Life Scorecard, recognizing his strong, consistent record defending the sanctity of life. The scorecard evaluates votes and actions of every Member of Congress during the first session of the 119th Congress, measuring support for policies that protect unborn children, women, and families. “I’m honored to receive an A+ rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America,” Ezell said. “Protecting innocent life is not just a political issue—it’s a moral responsibility. I will always stand up for the most vulnerable and work to advance a culture that values life at every stage. As a former law enforcement officer and sheriff, I’ve spent my career standing up for those who cannot protect themselves. That commitment doesn’t end in Washington.” The National Pro-Life Scorecard is widely regarded as the gold standard for measuring lawmakers’ commitment to pro-life principles, holding Members accountable for both their votes and leadership actions. Ezell has consistently supported legislation to protect unborn children, uphold conscience rights for healthcare providers, and ensure women and families have the resources they need.