Last week—after the RRAD tour—I had the opportunity to spend the afternoon touring the new VA Clinic in Texarkana and then meeting with the Texarkana Area Veterans Council, which is made up of veteran organizations from across the region. Together, we discussed efforts in Congress to support these heroes – including my support for the RELIEVE Act, the VA COST SAVINGS Act, the Wounded Warrior Access Act – all of which have been passed by the House of Representatives this year. In addition, I recently co-sponsored the Major Richard Star Act – a VFW priority that will allow medically retired combat veterans, with less than twenty years of service, to receive full VA disability and retirement payments from the Department of Defense. 

Thank you to those who have served our nation and to those who joined me last week. If you, or someone you know, is in need of assistance with the VA, please call my office at (903) 561-6349 or visit my website by clicking HERE.

To start this week, the House Judiciary Committee held a field hearing on Violent Crime in Manhattan, New York. Under Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, violent criminals are finding refuge. At best, only 1 in 5 felony offenders are ultimately convicted of a felony after Bragg refuses to charge some, reduces others to misdemeanors, and wins only about half of the felony cases that he ultimately takes to trial.

Rather than honor his responsibilities as the top prosecutor in New York, DA Bragg has utilized his office to pursue a political agenda that in no way, shape, or form protects the citizens he was elected to represent and protect. He is a prime example of what is happening across America in our largest cities where leaders are turning their backs on law enforcement and focusing, instead, on protecting criminals by failing to enforce laws nation. We must stand for law and order, and support those in law enforcement!

Under DA Bragg’s “leadership,” victims of crime in New York have been abandoned and forgotten while criminals are confident that they will not be held accountable for their crimes. This has created a dangerous, real-life “get out of jail free” card for every kind of criminal.

To learn more about the hearing, click HERE. My interview with Fox & Friends, previewing the hearing, is also available by clicking HERE or on the video below.

Early this month, the Biden Administration proposed a new Title IX rule prohibiting public schools from banning transgender male athletes from competing in sporting events with girls and women and eliminating the state policies that promote integrity in sports.

The Biden Administration has said that they are tying to level the playing field, but there is nothing “equal” about allowing biological men to compete in women and girls’ sports.

East Texans understand the biological differences between men and women, and this week, the House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act to counter this misguided rule and uphold the integrity of women’s sports and the true intention of Title IX.

This afternoon, my legislation – the Visa Overstays Penalties Act, was included in the Border Security and Enforcement Act of 2023 – a legislative package that fulfills House Republicans’ commitment to securing our southern border by reforming our asylum system, expediting immigrant processing, eliminating economic incentives for illegal immigration, and more.

My legislation will reclassify the act of overstaying a visa – currently just an immigration violation, as illegal entry into the nation. The amendment will increase punishment for those who commit this offense, disincentivizing those considering overstaying their visa by jeopardizing the future opportunities for these individuals to be re-admitted into the United States.

I was proud to support the passage of this legislation in the House Judiciary Committee, and I will continue working to bring this important bill to a quick vote in the full House of Representatives.

To learn more, click HERE.

The Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program is a comprehensive, two-year leadership program at Texas A&M University that focuses on agricultural policies and environmental issues. I was honored to lead this group of student leaders, led by Daniel Alders, through the U.S. Capitol during their visit to Washington this week, where student leaders had the opportunity to meet their elected officials and discuss agricultural policy at both a national and federal level.

With gratitude,