Tuesday - May 7, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Texas Newsletter for Sunday March 31, 2024 ( 37 items )  

ACES Caucus Co-Chairs Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher and Congressman Mark Amodei Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Reaffirming Strong U.S.-Canada Relationship
WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02), Co-Chairs of the American Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, introduced a bipartisan resolution Reaffirming the deep and steadfast United States-Canada partnership and the ties that bind the two countries in support of economic and national security, H.Res. 1053. "For more than a century, the United States and Canada have  more

Arrington Celebrates His Legislation to Name Ports-to-Plains Corridor "I-27" Being Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) celebrated his bipartisan legislation to rename the interstate-designated segments of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor to "I-27." This legislation being signed into law marks an important step in the project that connects the ports of South Texas to the plains of West Texas and beyond, stimulating substantial economic growth and providing a competitive edge to producers   more

Blackburn Witnesses Biden's Border Crisis In Eagle Pass, Texas
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: EAGLE PASS, TEXAS - Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, visited the southern border in Eagle Pass, Texas, amid the sovereignty battle between the Biden administration and the state of Texas over the enforcement of the nation's immigration laws. "After taking office, President Biden issued 94 executive actions in the first 100 days to open up the  more

Burgess Receives UT Health Houston Distinguished Alumni Award
WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Budget Committee Health Care Task Force, spoke at the McGovern Medical School 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award Ceremony and received the UT Health Houston Distinguished Alumni Award. Since 1987, the Distinguished Alumni Award honors alumni of the McGovern Medical School who made significant contributions in medical science education, preve  more

Burgess, GOP Doctors Caucus Urge CMS Take Action in Regards to Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Budget Committee Health Care Task Force, and the Congressional Doctors Caucus members sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) urging them to take immediate action after the Change Healthcare ransomware attack on February 21st. The letter urges CMS to hold those responsible for the attack accountable, address vulner  more

Congressional Research Service Issues Insight White Paper on District Court Ruling on MBDA Business Development Program
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following Insight white paper (No. IN12338) on March 25, 2024, by economic development policy analysts Julie M. Lawhorn and Adam G. Levin: * * * District Court Ruling on MBDA Business Development Program In a March 2024 decision, Nuziard et al. v. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) et al., the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas found the MBDA's presumption of social disadvantage for certain prog  more

Congressman August Pfluger Introduces EARLY Minds Act to Address Youth Mental Health Crisis
WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: - In response to the growing mental health crisis in America, Congressman August Pfluger is proud to announce the introduction of the Early Action and Responsiveness Lifts Youth (EARLY) Minds Act. Co-led by Representatives Kathy Castor, John Joyce, and John Sarbanes, this crucial bipartisan legislation aims to provide early intervention and prevention services to children and adults struggling with mental h  more

Congressman Ellzey Co-Sponsors H.R. 5403 - CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act
WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Jake Ellzey, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: On March 26, 2024, Congressman Ellzey Co-Sponsored Majority Whip Tom Emmer's CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act. This bill forbids Federal Reserve banks from providing products or services directly to individuals, holding accounts for individuals, or issuing a central bank digital currency (such as a digital dollar) to individuals, either directly or indirectly. Additionally, the Board of Gover  more

Congresswoman Escobar Statement on the Confirmation of Leon Schydlower as U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Texas
WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following statement on March 23, 2024: * * * Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement on the confirmation of Leon Schydlower as United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas by the United States Senate: "Congratulations to El Pasoan Leon Schydlower for his confirmation to serve as the United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas by the United States Senat  more

Crenshaw Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Advance Personalized Medicine
WASHINGTON, March 30 -- Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 29, 2024: Today, U.S. Representatives Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) and Eric Swalwell (CA-14), introduced bipartisan legislation to better address drug-gene interactions to ensure that all Americans have access to treatment personalized to their needs. The Right Drug Dose Now Act will enable the use of evidence-based pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing to prevent adverse drug events and help ensure that patients re  more

Crenshaw Pushes Back Against EPA's Overreach With Its RMP Rule
WASHINGTON, March 30 -- Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 29, 2024: Today, Congressman Dan Crenshaw filed a Congressional Review Act Joint Resolution to roll back the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest Risk Management Program Rule, which requires burdensome reporting requirements on facilities working with and housing hazardous substances. The Congressional Review Act allows Congress to hold a vote to revoke a regulatory rule if the Joint Resolu  more

Crenshaw, Houlahan Introduce Enhancing Intelligence Collection on Foreign Drug Traffickers Act of 2024
WASHINGTON, March 30 -- Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 29, 2024: Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), both members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, introduced the bipartisan Enhancing Intelligence Collection on Foreign Drug Traffickers Act of 2024. "Drug traffickers like the Sinaloa cartel and CJNG are a national security threat, and yet we are purposefully tying our own hands in the fight agains  more

Crockett, Goldman Introduce Abortion Care Awareness Act of 2024 to Combat Anti-Abortion Misinformation
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) and Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) introduced the "Abortion Care Awareness Act of 2024," legislation that would increase access to medically accurate information about abortion, medication abortion, and abortion-related health services. Specifically, this legislation would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a coordinated national p  more

Eight Committee Republicans Pen Letter to SBA Over Work From Home Policy
WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, chairman of the House Small Business Committee, issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Today, Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, and Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO), led a letter along with Reps. Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Meuser (R-PA), Van Duyne (R-TX), Stauber (R-MN), Ellzey (R-TX), and Bean (R-FL) to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), Isabella Guzman, regarding   more

Guadalupe, Jim Wells, Karnes, Live Oak, and Wilson Counties Receive Federal Disaster Area Designations, De La Cruz Announces
WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz was recently notified that Guadalupe, Karnes, Live Oak, and Wilson Counties in the 15th Congressional District of Texas have been declared primary federal natural disaster areas due to the recent drought. Jim Wells County was designated as a contiguous natural disaster area. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack declared the disaster on Tuesday, March 25th, 2  more

House Budget Committee Chairman Arrington, House Oversight & Accountability Committee Chairman Comer Issue Statements on GAO Improper Payments Report
WASHINGTON, March 27 (TNSres) -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the House Budget Committee, and Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, issued the following statements on March 26, 2024: * * * House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY), co-leaders of the Improper Payments Working Group, issued statements today on the Government Accountabili  more

House Committee Chairs Comer, Arrington Issue Statements on GAO Improper Payments Report
WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) and House Committee on the Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), co-leaders of the Improper Payments Working Group, today issued statements on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) report, "Improper Payments: Information on Agencies' Fiscal   more

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul on CBS 'Face the Nation'
WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: Today, Chairman McCaul joined Margaret Brennan on CBS' "Face the Nation" to discuss topics including security assistance for America's international partners, Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) for America's Afghan partners abandoned during the Biden administration's disastrous 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, and threats coming from the country under Taliban   more

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul on Deteriorating Condition of Taliban Prisoner Ryan Corbett
WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement on Ryan Corbett, an American citizen taken hostage by the Taliban. The Biden administration has done little to secure Ryan's release despite continued reports of his deteriorating health while held in deplorable conditions. "The Biden administra  more

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul on One-Year Since Putin Detainment of U.S. Journalist Evan Gershkovich
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on March 28, 2024: Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement ahead of the one-year mark since Putin's wrongful detainment of Evan Gershkovich, an American reporter working in Russia. On Tuesday, a Russian court extended Evan's detainment based on politically motivated espionage charges. "Friday marks one  more

House Science, Space & Technology Committee Chairman Lucas Issues Opening Statement at Hearing on Weather Forecasting, Modeling
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following opening statement at the Environment Subcommittee hearing on March 6, 2024, entitled "Winning in Weather: U.S. Competitiveness in Forecasting and Modeling": * * * I want to thank the gentleman from Ohio, Chairman Miller, for holding today's hearing. This hearing couldn't come at a more crucial time. Last week, the Smokehouse Creek fire burned over 1 million  more

ICYMI: Rep. Cuellar Secures Wins for Working Families in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: In case you missed it, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted last week to pass an FY24 government funding bill that prevents a costly government shutdown. In the FY24 government funding bill, Dr. Cuellar championed provisions that will lower the cost of child care, expand access to affordable health care, and support working families by h  more

ICYMI: Rep. Cuellar Stops New Money for Border Wall in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: In case you missed it, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, voted on Friday to pass the remaining six government funding bills to keep the government open. In this bipartisan package, supported by the National Border Patrol Council, Ranking Member Cuellar successfully fought to prohibit new funding for border wall construction  more

ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Discusses Impact of His I-27 Numbering Act Becoming Law
WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: MIDLAND, Texas - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) participated in a press conference yesterday, hosted by the Midland Odessa Transportation Alliance (MOTRAN). Sen. Cruz joined local leaders and stakeholders to discuss the I-27 Numbering Act of 2023, which passed the Senate unanimously and was recently signed into law by President Biden. During the press conference, Sen. Cruz said, "Every day in the Senate I view my   more

McCaul, Impeachment Managers, Speaker Johnson Demand Schumer Schedule Public Trial of Mayorkas
WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) -- a House impeachment manager in the trial of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas -- joined the other impeachment managers and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, calling on the Senate to expeditiously schedule an impeachment trial. In the letter, the members also announc  more

Pfluger Calls for Public Trial of Alejandro Mayorkas, Announces Date of Transmission of Impeachment Articles
WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman August Pfluger joined Speaker Mike Johnson and the House impeachment managers in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer calling on the Senate to expeditiously schedule an impeachment trial of Department of Homeland Secretary (DHS) Alejandro Mayorkas, following the House's vote to approve two articles of impeachment against Secretary Mayorkas. The impeachment managers ar  more

Rep. Tony Gonzales Joins Reps. Stefanik, Kelly, Langworthy, and Zinke in Calling on Mayorkas to Address Record Illegal Northern Border Apprehensions
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, March 28 -- Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: This week, Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) joined Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Co-Chairs of the Northern Border Security Caucus, along with Northern Border Security Caucus members Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and House Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY) in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressing "serious concer  more

Rep. Weber Leads Letter Holding Biden to Account for Illegal Alien Charter Flights
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) led 17 of his colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas demanding answers regarding reports that, throughout 2023, the Biden Administration flew over 300,000 illegal aliens from foreign airports into the United States. "Given your complicity in the worst border crisis in American history, we should not have been surprised to learn that your Administ  more

Rep. Williams Leads Letter to Director Chopra Condemning the CFPB's Overbearing Data Collection Rule
WASHINGTON, March 28 -- Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, issued the following news release on March 27, 2024: Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), led 17 members in a letter to CFPB Director Chopra expressing significant concern about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) "Auto Finance Data Project" and requesting that he refrain from proceeding with this new information collection. "By expanding data collection without a clear explanation of how it serves to protect consumers,   more

Reps. Casar, Doggett Deliver $4M EPA Recycling Grant to City Austin
AUSTIN, Texas, March 30 -- Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, issued the following news release on March 29, 2024: This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the City of Austin will receive a Solid Waste Infrastructure Grant (SWIFR) of $4,000,000 to construct and maintain a new reuse warehouse. The warehouse will be an onsite space for redistributing used furniture and building materials and hosting programming. As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, this grant  more

Reps. Castro, Cherfilus-McCormick and Senators Murphy, Kaine Introduce Bill to Curb U.S. Firearms Trafficking to the Caribbean
WASHINGTON, March 25 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, along with Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Senator Chris Murphy (CT), and Senator Tim Kaine (VA), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights & Global Women's Issues, have in  more

Sen. Cruz: "Proud of Bipartisan Work" as I-27 Numbering Act Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement after his bipartisan legislation naming the Ports-to-Plains Corridor between Laredo, Texas, and Raton, New Mexico as the future Interstate 27 was signed into law. About the bill signing, Sen. Cruz said, "I'm so proud to have successfully worked with the community leaders and business owners along the I-27 corridor who have helped to make today a reality  more

Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Cruz Responds to Editor: Dems Don't Want to Defend Mangi on His Record, So They Accuse Critics Of Islamophobia
WASHINGTON, March 30 -- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following news release on March 29, 2024: * * * Re: An Islamophobic Smear Campaign Is Dividing Democrats, Column From U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) The New York Times March 21, 2024 Ms. Polgreen blames Islamophobia for Adeel Abdullah Mangi's difficulty in getting confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and she accuses me of conducting "bad fait  more

Sens. Cornyn, Hassan Introduce Bill to Improve Fentanyl Detection at Southern Border
WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news on March 25, 2024: On Friday, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced their Contraband Awareness Technology Catches Harmful (CATCH) Fentanyl Act, which would help improve the process for inspecting cars, trucks, and cargo containers for fentanyl and other forms of contraband at the southern border by requiring U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to test new detection pilot projects whi  more

Sens. Cruz, McConnell, Graham Lead Colleagues In Blasting Senate Democrats Political Meddling in Oil, Gas Mergers
WASHINGTON, March 29 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, issued the following news release: U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are leading 35 of their Senate Republican colleagues in calling on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a fair and unbiased review of recently a  more

Speaker Johnson Meets With Gov. Abbott in Texas State Capitol
AUSTIN, Texas, March 30 (Rep.) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release on March 28, 2024: Today, Speaker Johnson met with the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, and expressed his steadfast support for the Governor's efforts to secure the Texas-Mexico border. The two also discussed ways to hold the Biden administration accountable for its refusal to enforce laws intended to protect Americans from national security threats coming across the southern border. Spe  more

What They Are Saying - Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act Would Improve How Congress Estimates the Benefits of Preventive Health Care
WASHINGTON, March 27 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release on March 26, 2024: Last week, the House of Representatives advanced by voice vote H.R. 766, The Dr. Michael C. Burgess Preventive Health Savings Act (PHSA), to the Senate. The historic accomplishment marks the first time in history that a bipartisan bill with sole Budget Committee jurisdiction has been brought to the House Floor and passed under suspension of the rule  more