I represent working coastal communities that were hit very hard by Hurricane Harvey – communities that are vital to our nation’s energy security. Coastal energy and petrochemical refining facilities like those I represent in TX-36 cannot function without a steady and reliable workforce, and that workforce cannot exist without a stable housing market. I am grateful that my House colleagues saw the need to reauthorize this vital program, and I look forward to continuing our effort to reform the NFIP before it expires toward the end of the year.

Watch my remarks on the House floor in support of the legislation here. 

Congress recently advanced important legislation that will improve health care for hardworking Americans. I voted for the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2018 (H.R. 184), which repealed Obamacare’s harmful medical device tax, a mandate that has been driving up the cost of life-saving medical equipment and killing innovation and jobs. This action will help to lower costs for American families, and make way for more jobs and greater advances in medical research. 

I also voted for the Restoring Access to Medication and Modernizing Health Savings Accounts Act of 2018 (H.R. 6199). This bill expands the flexibility of health savings accounts (HSAs), allows for other health-related savings and spending accounts to be converted to HSAs, repeals restrictions Obamacare placed on the purchasing of over-the-counter medications with HSAs, and allows for certain qualified sports and fitness expenses to be treated as qualified medical expenses.

While there is clearly more work to be done, I was proud to be a part of the work this week help lower the cost of health care and medicines for Americans, and provide relief from some of Obamacare's crushing taxes and mandates.