DALLAS, Texas, July 1 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following news release: Earlier this morning, the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released a comprehensive framework of climate policy recommendations called, "Solving the Climate Crisis: The Congressional Action Plan for a Clean Energy Economy and a Healthy, Resilient, and Just America." Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) made the following   more

DALLAS, Texas, July 3 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following news release: The Department of Commerce's Inspector General Peggy Gustafson sent a memo to Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross expressing concerns over the Department's obstruction of a completed Office of Inspector General (OIG) report. The OIG report examines a statement issued on September 6, 2019, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric   more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus issued the following news release: Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino in Congress, led a group of colleagues in introducing a bicameral resolution recognizing June 2020 as "Immigrant Heritage Month," a month to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions immigrants and their children have made to the United States. "As the prou  more

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, June 30 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, issued the following statement on June 29 on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 1425): "Today the House of Representatives took an important step by expanding access to quality, affordable health care, including for DACA recipients. In the middle of this pandemic, it's critical that Congress ensures DACA recipients--including over 200,000 Dreamers serving as   more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- The House Homeland Security Committee issued the following information for a virtual hearing: "Examining the National Response to the Worsening Coronavirus Pandemic" at noon on July 8: Witnesses: * Jay Robert "J. B." Pritzker, Governor, Illinois * Jason Shelton, Mayor, City of Tupelo, Mississippi * Umair Shah, M.D., M.P.H., Executive Director and Local Health Authority of Harris County Public Health, Texas  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued the following statement on June 30 after the House unanimously adopted Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's, D-Texas, resolution that recognizes June 19 as this year's Juneteenth Independence Day: "I was proud to support Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's resolution today marking the observance of Juneteenth on June 19, 2020. "I applaud her efforts to recognize Juneteenth in the House and make it a federal holiday - an effort I support. R  more

DALLAS, Texas, July 4 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following news release on July 3: Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding the July 1 memorandum sent to Secretary Ross by the Department of Commerce's Inspector General, Peggy Gustafson. The memo expressed concerns over the Department's efforts to obstruct the publication of a completed O  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32), a member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, introduced the bipartisan Veterans Claim Transparency Act. The bill reinstates and codifies "the 48-hour rule" which allows a veteran's representative to review VA's preliminary determination of a veteran's benefits 48 hours before finalizing the benefit determination. The VA moved to end the rule earlier this year. The bill  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) voted to pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, a bill that provides a comprehensive investment in our nation's transportation infrastructure. Allred is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and helped secure many provisions in the bill that would help North Texas, including his bipartisan legislation with Senator John Cornyn called the RAPID Act. "With our  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) voted to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, a bill that would lower costs, further secure protections for people with pre-existing conditions, negotiate lower drug prices and expand coverage. Allred is a cosponsor. "The need to deliver results to lower costs and expand coverage is clearer than ever," said Allred. "Every day North Texans experienc  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, issued the following statement in response to the House passage of the INVEST in America Act (H.R. 2): "H.R. 2 was packed full of radical Green New Deal policies that I could never support. "Overall, this bill fails to provide the funding and resources to the appropriate areas and programs to meet America's infrastructure needs. This was merely another important bill that Democrats hijacked to push their socialist agenda. "However, I'm reliev  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Arizona, issued the following news release: Congressman Andy Biggs, along with Representatives Chip Roy (Texas), Ralph Abraham (La.) and Greg Steube (Fla.), sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, expressing concerns with reports that the VA has issued new guidance that is limiting access to health care choices for veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration in contravention of the VA MISSION Act of 2018 acce  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following floor remarks in opposition to a health care bill (H.R. 1425) on June 29: "Republicans support children, seniors, and patients with pre-existing conditions. "We created the popular Children Health Insurance Program that millions of families rely on today. "We created the prescription drug program in Medicare to help seniors get the medicine they need. "We  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following floor remarks in opposition to the State Health Care Premium Reduction Act (H.R. 1425) on June 29: "We're in the middle of an unprecedented national pandemic. Americans are worried about their health and their jobs. "Yet here we go again in the Democratic House: Another partisan bill with no input from Republicans, but lots of input from campaign operatives an  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement marking the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement's entry into force: "The new USMCA is crucial to the economic future of America and Texas. "President Trump's achievement in negotiating a modernized and effective trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, our largest trading partners, has opened more opportunities for American goods and services and created a mo  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Labor Department's June jobs report: "Reopening the economy responsibly is vital to help Americans return to their lives. "With 4.8 million jobs added in June on top of the 2.7 million jobs added in May, we've smashed expectations and are on the right track. "States and local businesses can work together to achieve healthy lives an  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, issued the following statement after voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 1425): "Since being signed into law, the Affordable Care Act has proven to be unaffordable. "H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act is a partisan bill that serves no purpose other than a tenth anniversary present to the Affordable Care Act." "Since the passage of this law, my constituents have   more

WASHINGTON, June 29 -- Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright (PA-08) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and several Republican attorneys general filed briefs in California v. Texas before the Supreme Court, asking that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) be struck down in its entirety as the U.S. continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic. A new report shows th  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, joined Congressman John Curtis (R-UT), in leading a bipartisan coalition to introduce the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act, w  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement on July 1 as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement entered into force: "USMCA goes into effect today, and this is welcome news for American agricultural producers who have weathered a 6-year slump in the farm economy. "USMCA will provide better market access and much needed certainty for our farmers and ranchers. "I'm grateful to President Tru  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Diputado Mario Martin Delgado Carrillo, Co-Chairs of the US-Mexico Interparliamentary Group (IPG), hosted a virtual meeting to discuss the United States- Mexico- Canada Agreement (USMCA) and ways to improve upon the current relationship between the U.S. and Mexico governments. The U.S.-Mexico IPG has been held regularly since 1961 to bring together legislators from both co  more

ENCINAL, Texas, July 2 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $183,000 in federal funds for La Salle County through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Operation Stonegarden Grant Program (OPSG). The Stonegarden Program increases operational capabilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The funds for La Salle County will support law enforcement through funding equipment, over-time pay and suppor  more

TILDEN, Texas, June 30 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $183,000 in federal funds for McMullen County through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Operation Stonegarden Grant Program (OPSG). The Stonegarden Program increases operational capabilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The funds for McMullen County will support law enforcement through funding equipment, over-time pay and suppor  more

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas, June 30 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $2,276,857 in federal funds for Starr County through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Operation Stonegarden Grant Program (OPSG). The Stonegarden Program increases operational capabilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The funds for Starr County will support law enforcement through funding equipment, over-time pay and s  more

LAREDO, Texas, June 30 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $3,805,000 in federal funds for Webb County through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Operation Stonegarden Grant Program (OPSG). The Stonegarden Program increases operational capabilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The funds for Webb County will support law enforcement through funding equipment, over-time pay and support inte  more

ZAPATA, Texas, July 2 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $333,000 in federal funds for Zapata County through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Operation Stonegarden Grant Program (OPSG). The Stonegarden Program increases operational capabilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The funds for Zapata County will support law enforcement through funding equipment, over-time pay and support int  more

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, June 30 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced that the City of San Antonio will receive a $3.5 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FY20 Urban Area Security Initiative to expand and improve homeland security preparedness. In addition, non-profits in the San Antonio area have received $424,380 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) FY20 Nonprofit Sec  more

MISSION, Texas, June 30 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $4,909,500 in federal funds for Hidalgo County through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Operation Stonegarden Grant Program (OPSG). The Stonegarden Program increases operational capabilities of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The funds for Hidalgo County will support law enforcement through funding equipment, over-time pay and suppo  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release on June 29: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) took bold action to build on the Affordable Care Act to lower health costs and prescription drug prices for all Americans by voting for and helping pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. Today's vote comes days after the Trump Administration filed a brief asking the Supreme Court to strike down the entirety of the ACA. "In the midst of a   more

WASHINGTON, June 29 -- Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Connecticut, issued the following statement: Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that Louisiana's admitting-privileges law was medically unnecessary and significantly limited access to abortion: * * * "The Supreme Court of the United States' ruling to uphold the constitution is an incredible victory not only for women but for our entire nation. This case should have  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, issued the following statement: U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, released the following statement regarding Gilead's announcement this morning that it will charge about $3,120 for a treatment course of remdesivir per patient with commercial insurance in the United States. * * * "An outrageous price for a very modest drug, which taxpayer funding saved from a scrapheap of failures  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, issued the following news release: As this pandemic wreaks catastrophic unemployment and millions struggle to pay rent--and yet corporate lobbyists press for more windfalls--U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (TX) and Senator Sherrod Brown (OH) were joined by Sen. Whitehouse (RI), and Reps. DeLauro (CT) and Cohen (TN) in leading over 100 lawmakers to urge House and Senate leaders to reject wasteful corporate tax breaks in the next relief legisla  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis unveiled the Solving the Climate Crisis report, a comprehensive congressional climate action framework that highlights Congresswoman Veronica Escobar's (TX-16) H.R. 2759, the Department of Defense Climate Resiliency and Readiness Act, as a critical tool in the effort to solve the climate crisis. The Department of Defense Climate Resiliency and Readiness Act,  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) voted to pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. This sweeping legislation invests more than $1.5 trillion to rebuild America's infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying jobs, combatting the climate crisis, and addressing disparities in communities in Texas throughout the country. The legislation includes two amendments offered by Congresswoman Escobar to im  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following news release on June 29: Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) voted for H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. This legislation builds on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to lower health costs and prescription drug prices for all El Pasoans. Today's vote comes days after the Trump administration filed a brief asking the Supreme Court to strike down the entirety of the ACA. "In the midst o  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following news release on July 2: Late last night, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and her House Armed Services Committee (HASC) colleagues unanimously advanced the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 which includes several key provisions introduced and championed by Congresswoman Escobar. "This year's NDAA comes at a pivotal time for our nation, and I am proud to have worked to craft and suppor  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following statement on the reports that Russia offered bounties to Afghan militants for killing U.S. troops: "The reports that a Russian military intelligence unit offered to pay Afghan militants to kill American soldiers are incredibly disturbing and must be taken seriously. "The President of the United States must publicly and unequivocally state that such hostilities will not be tolerated and must also show it with action to pr  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted in support of H.R. 1425, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, legislation to strengthen the Affordable Care Actand make health care and prescription drugs more affordable. This legislation passed with bipartisan support, 234-179. "For people across our district, concerns about health care are paramount. We need to continue building on the p  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, voted to pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, legislation to rebuild America's infrastructure. Congresswoman Fletcher secured several bipartisan amendments in this bill to improve infrastructure resiliency, expand federal support for natural gas and propane as alternative fuels, and ensure high-speed rail proj  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, issued the following transcript on July 1: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) joined the family of missing Army Private First Class Vanessa Guillen at a press conference at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. Pfc. Guillen has been missing since April of this year when she disappeared from Fort Hood in Texas. In the weeks that followed, it was revealed that she had been sexually harassed within her unit, which she shared with friends, family, an  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following statement on June 29 commending the Supreme Court's decision in June Medical Services LLC vs. Russo: "Today's Supreme Court decision is a major win for women across our great country. I applaud the five Supreme Court justices who today rightfully struck down a Louisiana law that would have required doctors at clinics that perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. "The Court held that this law im  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following statement on July 2: Yesterday, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led members of the Texas Democratic Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to Mike Morath, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner, to express their disappointment with TEA's decision to use CARES Act funds to offset state losses instead of disbursing funds directly to local school districts. * * * "Students and teachers across Texas readily a  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release on June 29: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) voted in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, a bold piece of legislation that builds on the Affordable Care Act to lower health costs and prescription drug prices for all Americans. Today's vote comes days after the Trump administration filed a brief asking the Supreme Court to strike down the entirety of the ACA. "It's unconscio  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Members of the Texas Congressional Delegation urged Governor Greg Abbott to take additional steps to allow cities and counties to institute enforceable stay-at-home orders at their discretion. Governor Abbott has pursued one of the most aggressive economic reopening strategies in the United States that has resulted in skyrocketing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced the locations of mobile COVID-19 testing sites in Hidalgo and Live Oak Counties in the 15th District of Texas. Testing for the Hidalgo County locations will continue tomorrow, Thursday, July 2 and testing in Live Oak will begin tomorrow, Thursday, July 2. In order to receive testing, individuals must be experiencing at the least one symptoms of COVID-19 and se  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced the return of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) to South Texas. Following months of work, Congressman Gonzalez cemented a deal between PBS and Entravision to broadcast in the Rio Grande Valley. Community members and stakeholders were pivotal to bringing back PBS programming to the Rio Grande Valley's nearly 1.5 million people. PBS can be found throughout m  more

WASHINGTON, July 4 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, issued the following e-newsletter: While Fort Worth may be nicknamed 'Cowtown' for cattle drives and stockyards, our planes and pilots have played just as large a part in our city's legacy. Seven miles west of downtown Fort Worth is the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, where the roar of aircraft engines has been a familiar sound for generations. Our city's base and its important role in defending our national security dates back   more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Al Green released the following statement in support of H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act. This infrastructure bill includes verbiage that embraces Congressman Green's bill H.R. 169, the Driver and Officer Safety Education Act. "H.R. 2 has significant goals which I proudly support. During this time of unrest as a result of different tragic encounters with police officers, I am especially proud of the inc  more

HOUSTON, Texas, June 29 -- Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, issued the following news release on June 28: Congressman Al Green released the following statement. "Today, we lost a timeless leader in the Ninth Congressional District - Mayor Leonard Scarcella. The longest-serving mayor in our nation, Mayor Scarcella was a stalwart in his effective, more than 50-year leadership of the City of Stafford. He will be sorely missed," Congressman Al Green stated. The Congressman - who represents southwest Houst  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Rep. Steven Horsford, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: On Friday, June 26, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, Judge Dolly Gee of the United States District Court of the Central District of California ordered Department of Homeland Security U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to release all children who have been detained for more than twenty days at Berks Family Residential Center in Berks County, Pennsylvania (Berks), Karnes Resident  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, issued the following statement on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement: "America's economy will only grow stronger now that USMCA goes into effect this week. This trade deal will help Texas farmers, small businesses and manufacturers. The promise of increased free trade in our region will help us today, tomorrow and far into the future. "This deal will also strengthen North American competitiveness, which will help the U.S. and our allies as we compet  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced her support for the Supreme Court decision in June Medical Services v. Russo, which declared that the Louisiana admitting privileges law is unconstitutional, thus preserving access to critical reproductive care for over one million women of reproductive age across the state. "The possibility of considering abortion restrictions is a major concern for my c  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson voted to pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, House Democrats' sweeping legislation to invest more than $1.5 trillion in modern, sustainable infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying jobs, combating the climate crisis and addressing disparities in communities across Texas and throughout the country. "Enactment of H.R. 2 will allow our Nation to move forw  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Rep. Barbara Lee, D-California, issued the following statement on June 29: Pro-Choice Caucus Chairs Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) released the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in June Medical Services v. Russo to overturn the Louisiana law requiring physicians who provide abortion care to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of a clinic. This law is identical to the Texas state law overturned 4 years ago in Whole Woman'  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement: Congressman Michael McCaul, Republican Leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement applauding the Senate for passing multiple bipartisan bills that will hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable for their harmful behavior and calling on House Democrat Leadership to bring them to the floor this week. "Over t  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement: A nationwide vote in Russia has approved constitutional changes that hand President Vladimir Putin the right to stay in power until 2036. House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul released the following statement on the news. "Vladimir Putin held a sham vote - which had no legal basis and was rife with voter coercion and ball  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement: July 1st marks the 23rd anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to the Chinese Communist Party. The anniversary comes the day after the CCP enacted a sweeping new law cracking down on the rights promised to Hong Kong under the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Congressman Michael McCaul, Republican Leader on the House Foreign Affairs Committee,  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement regarding the need to renew the expiring United Nations arms embargo on Iran: McCaul previously co-led a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed by 387 House Members encouraging robust diplomacy to prevent the expiration of the embargo and of U.N. travel restrictions on Iranians engaged in proliferation activities. * * * "Even under the e  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, issued the following statement on June 29 after the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that June Medical Services vs. Russo, Louisiana's abortion admitting privileges law, is unconstitutional: "Today the Supreme Court once again affirmed that abortion access is a constitutional right. Louisiana's admitting privileges law is identical to a Texas law that the Court struck down just four years ago. "These laws are part of a national coordi  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release on June 30: House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), and House Administration Committee Ranking Member Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) at today's leadership press stakeout to discuss Speaker Pelosi's 'My Way or the Highway Act' which prioritizes ra  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after the committee passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 2021 by a vote of 56-0: "Providing for the common defense is Congress's first job. For sixty years members of both parties, putting our troops first and politics second, have come together to pass the NDAA and give our troop the resources, equipment, training, and policies   more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) released the following statement after the House Armed Services Committee unanimously voted to name H.R. 6395, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, the 'William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act.'Chairman Adam Smith offered this amendment in honor of Congressman Thornberry's tenure as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.   more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) and Members of the Texas Congressional Delegation urged Governor Greg Abbott to take additional steps to allow cities and counties to institute enforceable stay-at-home orders at their discretion. Governor Abbott has pursued one of the most aggressive economic reopening strategies in the United States that has resulted in skyrocketing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Texas.  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, issued the following news release on July 1: Congressman Marc Veasey joined his colleagues to pass the Moving Forward Act, a bill to invest more than $1.5 trillion in modern, sustainable infrastructure while creating millions of good-paying jobs, combatting the climate crisis and addressing disparities in urban, suburban and rural communities across North Texas and throughout the country. The comprehensive bill, which the Congressman cosponsored,  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Veasey (TX-33) joined his colleagues to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act--a bold legislative package that builds on the Affordable Care Act to lower health costs and prescription drug prices for all Americans. The legislation includes provisions to increase health care access and includes a measure similar to one led by Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) that would incent  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Filemon Vela (TX-34) announced the U.S. House Armed Services Committee passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. After more than 12 hours of deliberations in committee, the bill, which authorizes $741 billion in national security spending and sets policy for the Pentagon, was adopted by a vote of 56-0. "I had the proud honor to participate as a member of the House A  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Filemon Vela joined 233 of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in passing H.R. 1425 the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. The legislation would reduce the overall cost of health care for Americans, while ensuring communities have access to the quality care they need. Further, the bill would lower prescription drug prices, expand Medicaid coverage, combat inequa  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas, issued the following statement after the reports indicated that a Russian spy operation targeted coalition troops in Afghanistan, including bounties on American soldiers: "This weekend's revelations that Russia has been paying bounties to Taliban-linked militants for the killing of U.S. servicemembers are despicable. "As more details come to light, the Trump Administration must be transparent about the findings of our intelligence community.   more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, issued the following statement on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement: "I am very proud to have partnered with President Trump to pass this once-in-a-generation historic agreement that revitalizes our trade and puts America first. The USMCA is a victory for Texan farmers, manufacturers and businesses in the 25th District - and it will continue supporting nearly 1 million jobs in our home state that depend on trade with Canada and Mexico. I was   more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following joint statement on June 29 with House Republican Conference Chair and Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, on a briefing at the White House regarding Afghanistan: "After today's briefing with senior White House officials, we remain concerned about Russian activity in Afghanistan, including reports that they have targeted U.S. forces. "It has been clear for some time  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following news release: On Wednesday, Ranking Members Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Greg Walden (R-Ore.) joined Republican Whip and Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Steve Scalise (R-La.) to set the record straight in response to the release of Senate Democrats' report (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__republicanwhip.us13.  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20),Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-5), urged USAID to rescind its appointment of Mark Kevin Lloyd as USAID Religious Fre  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Filemon Vela (TX-34) urged Governor Greg Abbott to immediately assign National Guard forces to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) to address the spiraling COVID-19 crisis in the region. Demand for intensive care unit (ICU) beds has surpassed capacity in counties on the U.S.-Mexico border. Lacking space for COVID-19 patients in ICUs, emergency rooms across the Lower Rio G  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia released the following statement to express opposition to the Texas General Land Office's (GLO) proposal to eliminate the direct allocation of homeowner assistance, multifamily rental, and economic revitalization program funds to the City of Houston: Congressman Al Green stated, "Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on the City of Houston nearly three years ago and re  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: House Foreign Affairs Committee Republican Leader Michael McCaul and Chairman Eliot Engel, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman James Risch and Ranking Member Bob Menendez, released the following statement in support of diplomatic negotiations at the United Nations to maintain the two current cross-border humanitarian operations and   more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on June 29 with Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Illinois, after attending a classified briefing at the White House on media reports that Russia put bounties on U.S. and coalition troops in Afghanistan: "Today, we received a classified briefing on the media reports that Russia offered bounties to Afghan militants to kill U.S. and coalition troops from top A  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Illinois, after attending a classified briefing at the White House on media reports that Russia put bounties on American and coalition troops in Afghanistan: "Today, we received a classified briefing on the media reports that Russia offered bounties to Afghan militants to kill U.S. and coalition troops from top Administration officials, including the Director of National Inte  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: On Wednesday, Ranking Members Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Greg Walden (R-Ore.) joined Republican Whip and Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Steve Scalise (R-La.) to set the record straight in response to the release of Senate Democrats' report blaming the Trump Administration for America's nursing home crisis in clear ignorance of the facts. "Senate Democrats' latest report  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, on Afghanistan briefing at the White House: "After today's briefing with senior White House officials, we remain concerned about Russian activity in Afghanistan, including reports that they have targeted U.S. forces. It has been clear for some time that Russia does not wish us well in Afghanistan. "We believe it is important to vigorously pursue any information related to  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Filemon Vela and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez urged Governor Greg Abbott to immediately assign National Guard forces to the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) to address the spiraling COVID-19 crisis in the region. Demand for intensive care unit (ICU) beds has surpassed capacity in counties on the U.S.-Mexico border. Lacking space for COVID-19 patients in ICUs, emergency rooms across the Lower Rio Grande Val  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following op-ed, published in the Dallas Morning News: Following roundtable discussions this month with community and law enforcement leaders in Dallas and Houston, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the Dallas Morning News on how we can promote trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve: How We Can Police Our Communities Better Senator John Cornyn Dallas Morning News June 29, 2020 Th  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news release: This week, the Senate will pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. You can read the legislation here https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/S4049%20-%20FY%202021%20NDAA.pdf, and below is a summary of its impact on Texas. * Raises troops' pay by 3%. * Authorizes $285 million for military construction projects in Texas, including: - a barracks, flight simulation sys  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following statement on the nomination of Doug Benevento to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: "The price of RINs has more than quadrupled since the beginning of the year, and now sits around $0.50. These sky-high prices coupled with the energy and economic crises caused by the coronavirus pandemic have wreaked havoc on America's small refineries and blue-collar workers. "Time and time again, the EPA has had   more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following statement in advance of Independence Day: "This weekend, we celebrate the birth of our nation and the gift of independence. Throughout the history of mankind, freedom has been the exception. And yet, here in America, freedom has been delivered and defended for every man, women, and child. "Each day, our brave men and women in uniform risk life and limb here at home and across the globe to preserve and defend that freedom. It is  more

WASHINGTON, June 29 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, issued the following statement on June 29 regarding the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision striking down Louisiana's restrictive abortion law: "The Supreme Court today ruled that a Louisiana law restricting women's access to abortion care is unconstitutional. "This was the right decision and a strong reminder that a woman's right to access abortion free of undue burdens goes back decades. "The Supreme Court four years ago struck down an i  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, issued the following statement on the data related to coronavirus cases in California: "It's alarming to see cases of coronavirus surge across California. The situation in Los Angeles is of particular concern, but 24 counties now have reported more than 1,000 cases of the virus. "Across the country we're seeing similar spikes, with many states experiencing record-high figures. Florida has seen a fivefold increase in just two weeks, an  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) applauded the Department of Education's approval of 10 additional career and technical education (CTE) plans, including the state of Oklahoma. Arizona, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin are the latest states, along with the District of Columbia, to have their CTE plans approved under the new, bipartisan Strengthening Career and Techn  more

WASHINGTON, June 30 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following statement on June 29 regarding the Supreme Court's decision in June Medical Services LLC vs. Russo: "Four years ago, I applauded the Supreme Court's decision to overturn a thinly veiled attempt to effectively ban abortion in Texas. "Today, I applaud the Court for continuing to uphold a woman's constitutional right to make her own health care choices. Judges must respect precedent regardless of their own personal views, an  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. Robert Menendez, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the highest-ranking Latino in Congress, and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, led a group of colleagues in introducing a bicameral resolution recognizing June 2020 as "Immigrant Heritage Month," a month to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions immigrants and their children have made to the United States. "As the pro  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee issued the following testimony by Robert Lanham, president of Williams Brothers Construction Co. Inc., testifying on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America, at a hearing entitled "Better, Faster, Cheaper, Smarter, and Stronger: Infrastructure Development Opportunities to Drive Economic Recovery and Resiliency" on July 1: My name is Bob Lanham. I am a highway and bridge builder from Houston, Texas and curren  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the Loan Interest Forgiveness for Taxpayers Under a Pandemic (LIFT UP) Act, legislation that would expand the eligibility for debt forgiveness provided in the CARES Act to small businesses that received Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans. "There is no quest  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Increasing Access to Biosimilars Act, which would address the high cost of prescription drugs for seniors by promoting competition, increasing access to biosimilar medications, and encouraging physicians to prescribe biosimilars with lower out-of-pocket costs. "Seniors have been hit hard by skyrocketing costs for the prescription drugs th  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, issued the following news release: Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announced they have cosponsored Senator Josh Hawley's (R-Mo.) amendment to the National Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to remove the congressionally-mandated renaming of names of military bases and installations, instead creating a on  more

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced that they will offer the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act as an amendment to this year's National Defense Authorization Act. The Military Justice Improvement Act would professionalize how the military prosecutes serious crimes by moving the decision over whether to prosecute them to independent, trained, pro  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) introduced the Loan Interest Forgiveness for Taxpayers Under a Pandemic (LIFT UP) Act, legislation that would expand the eligibility for debt forgiveness provided in the CARES Act to small businesses that received Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans. "Small businesses are the backbone of our  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, issued the following news release: Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) applauded Senate passage of their Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, a bipartisan bill that would prevent online sales of electronic cigarettes to minors by applying the same safeguards already in place for traditional cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. "We must confront the growing youth vaping crisis. One ke  more

WASHINGTON, July 3 -- Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined his colleagues Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in announcing that they will offer the bipartisan Military Justice Improvement Act as an amendment to this year's National Defense Authorization Act. The Military Justice Improvement Act would professionalize how the military prosecutes serious crimes by moving the decision over whether to prosecute  more

WASHINGTON, July 1 -- Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representatives Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), ranking member and chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement in support of diplomatic negotiations at the United Nations (  more