Dear East Texas,

I am proud to share that I was appointed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) to serve on the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The CCP poses ongoing threats to East Texas and all Americans, and it is the greatest external national security threat to our country. I look forward to working with Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI-02) and my colleagues on the Committee to counter the CCP’s threats and strengthen America’s standing as the world’s superpower.

Established in 2022 by the Republican majority, this Committee has done substantial work to address China’s national and economic security threats, including drafting legislation to screen Chinese investments, counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, and combat the CCP’s expanding global influence.

Even before joining the Committee, I worked to combat threats from China by introducing the No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act, which passed the House in the last Congress. This bill ensures the U.S. does not fund projects using slave labor and prevents taxpayer dollars from benefiting China’s exploitation of its own people in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). The CCP’s blatant disregard for human rights and enslavement of the Uyghur people is appalling.

America remains a beacon of liberty—a City on a Hill, as President Ronald Reagan stated so eloquently. We must act accordingly. I will continue fighting for our East Texas values and keeping you updated on our efforts to stand up to the threats of the CCP. To learn more from the Tyler Morning Telegraph about the critical work of the Select Committee on the CCP, click here.

On Friday, I voted for Congressman August Pfluger’s (R-TX-11) Protecting American Energy Production Act. This legislation delivers on President Trump’s promise to unleash American energy by preventing executive overreach from restricting the use of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) unless explicitly authorized by Congress. Over the past four years, the Biden Administration crippled American energy production through a series of executive orders and regulatory handcuffs that put a strain on American energy producers, increased gas prices at the pump, and undercut America’s goal of energy dominance. The fracking process is a proven, efficient, and environmentally safe method of extracting natural gas and oil from the earth. It has created thousands of good-paying jobs, strengthened America’s energy position globally, and fueled immeasurable economic growth domestically. I proudly voted to support Congressman Pfluger’s bill to ensure that Americans are protected from any future President unilaterally banning this important technology.

The House passed the legislation by a vote of 226 to 188.

To read more about the Protecting American Energy Production Act, click here.

I had the privilege of meeting with members of Texas A&M University-Texarkana and their industry partners on the TAMU-T Campus. The roundtable discussion provided a valuable opportunity to engage with local leaders and discuss strategies to strengthen our regional economy, foster job growth, and support our institutions of higher learning as well as the East Texas business community. I look forward to continuing to work with the leaders of the Texarkana community to deliver results to grow our economy.

Congratulations to Nirav Neupane, a 9th grader from Texas High School in Texarkana, for winning this year’s Congressional App Challenge with his appropriately named app, ServeSmart! This AI-powered app helps schools, communities, and individuals organize and participate in fundraisers from start to finish. By streamlining the often-tedious process of fundraising, ServeSmart provides a well-rounded experience for both organizers and participants.

Last week, I visited the site of the new facilities for the Smith County Road and Bridge Department – a project that has been years in the making. In May 2024, the Smith County Road and Bridge Department moved into its new facilities off Loop 323 in Tyler. This past Friday, those facilities officially opened their doors to the public.

The old facilities had been in use since 1948, and during my time as Smith County Judge, we recognized the need for a new facility to better serve the taxpayers of Smith County.

This investment brings significant benefits to our community:

• Better roads that improve transportation and safety.
• Stronger facilities that enhance efficiency and service.
• A commitment to smart, responsible investment that ensures taxpayer dollars are used effectively.

Infrastructure improvements like this drive economic growth, enhance public safety, and provide long-term value for our communities. Smith County remains committed to making strategic investments that benefit residents today and for generations to come, while maintaining the best value for the taxpayer.

To learn more from KLTV about the new facility and the dedicated team behind its completion, click here.

It was great to meet with Texas members of the Fraternal Order of Police to discuss their priorities for the 119th Congress. I proudly stand with our law enforcement and remain committed to supporting the brave men and women who risk their lives daily to keep our communities safe.

Click here for more information on our Staff Mobile Office Hours!

Moran in the Media