Dear East Texas,
Last Tuesday, we celebrated Veterans Day. A moment to pause and reflect on the extraordinary service and sacrifice of the men and women who have worn our nation’s uniform. A single day will never be enough to thank them for defending our freedoms, but it’s an important reminder of what unites us as Americans. Our country remains the greatest in the world because we continue to uphold the ideals our Founding Fathers laid out.
Our veterans continue to strengthen our communities here at home. I had the honor of attending events across East Texas to celebrate their courage and contributions. |
Veterans Day Breakfast in Henderson |
I began Veterans Day with breakfast in Henderson, where I had the opportunity to share a meal and meaningful conversations with our incredible warriors. Listening to their stories reminded me that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. Each veteran continues to lead with humility, pride, and dedication. |
West Rusk High School Veteran's Program |
Later in the morning, I spoke to a large and enthusiastic crowd of K-12 students, parents, and staff at West Rusk High School. It was inspiring to see students, teachers, and veterans come together to honor those who have served. I reminded everyone that veterans make our communities stronger. They embody the values of liberty, perseverance, and service that make East Texas such a special place. |
Next, I stopped by Camp V’s Veterans Day Chili Cook Off. The fellowship, the laughter, and, of course, the chili, were all incredible. But what stood out most were the conversations and the stories—stories of bravery, brotherhood, and resilience, along with stories of veterans continuing to serve other veterans each and every day. |
Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Program |
The day concluded with a moving ceremony hosted by the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce, honoring veterans from every branch of service. I was joined by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Junior Tilley, Air Force Regional Vice President and the Honorable Neal Franklin, Smith County Judge. Their remarks and leadership reflect the deep respect this community has for our heroes. |
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How did you honor our nation’s heroes on Veterans Day?
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The federal government is officially back to business for the American people. Although my staff and I never took a break during the shutdown, it’s time for Congress to get back into action and govern—to do what you elected us to do. If you missed the action, over the past 40+ days, let me break down the chronology of legislative activity. - Senate Democrats blocked that clean funding bill proposal for almost two months, causing the federal government to shut down for more than 40 days (making it the longest government shutdown in American history). Despite Republicans best efforts, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led Senate Democrats to put politics ahead of the American people. Remember: In the Senate, 60 votes are required to pass a continuing resolution.
- On November 8th, a breakthrough happened. Eight Senate Democrats joined Senate Republicans to vote for a proposal that included three appropriations bills that had already gone through a formal conference between the Senate and the House (Agriculture, Military Construction/Veterans, and Legislative Branch), plus a clean CR for the remaining appropriations bills.
- On Wednesday, Republicans in the House of Representatives (joined by 6 Democrats) passed the Senate bill 222-209. The government is back open, but during the government shutdown, we saw SNAP and WIC benefits strained for those in need and we saw air traffic controllers and TSA agents go without paychecks, causing widespread travel disruptions. And, the government shutdown cost the American economy over $7 billion—falling on the shoulders of the American taxpayers. This is not the way government should work for the taxpayers.
I had the privilege to preside in the house during debate of the appropriations bill. That bill—now passed—continues government funding at current levels through January 30, 2026, for nine of the 12 annual appropriations bills, and provides full-year funding through September 30, 2026, for the other three annual appropriations bills: - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
- Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2026
- Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, Appropriations Act, 2026
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My office is open and eager to help our constituents. If you are unable to get a response from a federal agency in a timely fashion, or if you need someone to help you with a federal agency, our office may be able to help resolve a problem or help you obtain the information you need. Contact us through our website (moran.house.gov) or call our Washington (202-225-3035) and District (903-561-6349) offices. |
Throughout my life, I’ve sought opportunities to grow in my faith and to live it out in every aspect of my work. When I came to Congress, I was thrilled to join the Capitol Ministries Bible Study. It has been an incredible source of fellowship and thoughtful discussion with colleagues as we explore how to be effective lawmakers, while keeping Christ at the center of who we are.
Recently, I had the privilege of sharing my experience at the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Training Conference. The Capitol Ministries staff and those in training engaged in a meaningful conversation about the intersection of faith and public service, looking at how our spiritual leadership informs the way we lead our communities. It was truly an inspiring group to speak with.
I look forward to seeing how Capitol Ministries continues to grow, both here at the federal level and through leaders serving in state and local governments across the country. |
On November 15, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation, which served as the United States' first constitution. The Articles were sent to the states for ratification and were finally put into effect on March 1, 1781, when Maryland became the final state to approve the document. The Articles proved to be ineffective, leading to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, which drafted the U.S. Constitution to replace them. |
Dealing with federal agencies can be complicated, and my office is here to help. If you need help with Social Security, the IRS, passport renewals, the VA, or other federal agencies, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (903) 561-6349 or visiting my website.
It is an honor to be your voice in Congress.
With gratitude, |
Nathaniel Moran Member of Congress |
Answer to Last Week's Texas Trivia Question
⬇️ When was the last time ESPN's College GameDay was at Texas Tech? |
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This Week's Texas Trivia Question What fall treat is Texas the nation's top producer of, often showing up in pies around Thanksgiving? Check back next week for the answer! |
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