| An Update on the Coronavirus |
Although coronavirus (COVID-19) has dominated the news this week – there is no need to panic.
On January 29, I sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary, Alex Azar, urging him to take every precaution necessary to ensure the protection of American citizens, and I can say with absolute certainty that this is being done. President Trump, Vice President Pence, and the Administration continue to make sure Americans remain safe from this global health threat. President Trump’s request for $2.5 billion is a respectable start, and like him, I believe that we must spend whatever amount needed to combat this epidemic and keep our country safe. In the coming days, I will be working with my colleagues in Congress to figure out an appropriate amount of funds. Viruses are not contained by borders, so we must act quickly – there’s no time for political games.
As of now, COVID-19 has spread to multiple countries, including the U.S., and has killed close to 3,000 people worldwide – mostly in China where the disease originated. I advise you to take the proper precautions as you would during flu season and not travel to any country impacted by COVID-19. The likelihood of catching COVID-19 is low at this time, but a CDC official has stated that it will be a matter of “when,” and not “if” coronavirus spreads in our communities. Again, I encourage all to exercise caution and treat this situation seriously, but please do not panic.
Remember, the best and most qualified people are on the front lines to guarantee we all remain safe and healthy. If I find anything has changed in this regard, I will alert you immediately. |
| Participating at CPAC 2020 |
On Friday, I joined thousands at the Conservative Political Action Conference or CPAC in Washington. I was able to participate in a number of podcasts and interviews with different national media outlets from the Heritage Foundation to Sirius XM to talk about immigration and border security among other issues.
Later, I sat on a Second Amendment panel with several of my colleagues, former colleagues, and members of the NRA. We discussed the ramifications that socialism would have on our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Looking back at socialist dictators throughout history, the first thing to happen after they took power is the government's disarming of its citizens.
We cannot allow that to EVER happen in America.
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| Socialism Extinguishes Freedom |
Thanks to the Republican policies implemented under President Trump, Americans are living under the best economy our nation has seen in half a century. Knowing this, why would ANYONE put their trust in Liberal socialist policies that would reverse every ounce of this success?
Socialism extinguishes freedom, and if it wins, America will lose.
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| Senate Democrats Refuse to End Infanticide |
To say I’m disappointed with Tuesday’s Senate vote is an understatement. Protecting innocent babies born alive after a botched abortion should never be a difficult or partisan vote. It’s truly shameful that the majority of Senate Democrats do not seem to care about protecting our nation’s most vulnerable.
We have a moral obligation to stand in defense of those who cannot yet defend themselves. While Democrats continue to ignore this serious issue, I will not stop fighting to end infanticide and protect the sanctity of every human life.
Read my full press release below.
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| New Public Charge Rule to Restrict Green Cards Takes Effect |
This is a no-brainer. Congratulations to President Trump and the Administration for implementing the public charge rule after several unwarranted roadblocks. This rule is NOT anti-immigrant, it’s pro-conserving our assistance programs for the truly needy and pro-hardworking American taxpayers.
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| Babin Requests Taiwan Be Included in the World Health Organization |
Earlier this week, I sent a letter to the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) Ambassador to the United States, Cui Tiankai, expressing serious concern over the exclusion of Taiwan from the World Health Organization (WHO), especially in light of the growing global threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
The ongoing exclusion of Taiwan from the WHO during this epidemic has put people in Taiwan, the PRC, and around the world at greater risk while harming both the integrity of the WHO and the security of member states.
Hazardous and unpredictable communicable diseases such as COVID-19 require global unity and coordination. Neither Taiwan nor the international community is served by restricting Taiwan’s access to timely information and important resources that protect public health.
Read my full press release below.
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| Sitting Down with the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol |
I enjoyed sitting down with the Texas Wing of the Civil Air Patrol on Thursday. They brought me up to speed on all they had accomplished in 2019 and conveyed their goals for 2020. Great things are in store!
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| Bernie Praises A Murderous Tyrant |
I watched in horror last Sunday as Bernie defended his 1985 comments glorifying communist dictators like Fidel Castro. Despite the destruction left by the authoritarian regime, he seems perfectly fine praising murderous tyrants instead of working on realistic solutions to help Americans, including the lives of Cuban Americans.
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| Court Sides with President Trump on Sanctuary Cities' Grant Fight |
This is a major win for President Trump as the fight to end the dangerous policies enforced by sanctuary cities continues. If these cities do not adhere to federal law, they shouldn’t receive federal grants. Period.
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| Vice President Pence to Lead Coronavirus Task Force |
Wednesday, President Trump showed great leadership in selecting Vice President Pence to head the coronavirus task force. He will do an exceptional job ensuring America stands ready to combat this outbreak and take every necessary precaution to protect U.S. citizens.
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| Visiting with Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz |
U.S. Shuttle astronaut, Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz, stopped in for a visit this week. We remembered many of his past successes and discussed America's bright future in space.
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| Attending the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce Banquet |
It was great to be in Dayton on Tuesday evening at the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet. I had the opportunity to award Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition to each of the award winners and take a few minutes to address those in attendance.
World War II Navy and Coast Guard veteran, Earl Randolph (pictured below), was named Dayton Citizen of the Year. Mr. Randolph is 97 years of age, remains very active in his church, and has been a long-time community leader. I was more than grateful to have the chance to make his acquaintance and express my appreciation for his service to our nation.
Councilwoman Diane Huddleston (pictured below), was named Liberty Citizen of the Year for her decades of civic and community involvement across Liberty County.
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| Meeting with USMC Veteran Michael Jernigan |
It was a pleasure to visit with U.S. Marine veteran, Michael Jernigan, earlier this week.
While on deployment overseas in 2004, Mr. Jernigan was near an improvised explosive device (IED) when it suddenly detonated, causing him to lose his eyesight. We must never miss a moment to tell America's veterans that we are thankful for their service as well as their many sacrifices. |
| American Citizens Once Again Placed at Risk by An Elected Official |
This is shocking and shameful. Local elected officials are repeatedly breaking federal law and getting away with it scot-free. This program endangers the very people who are being forced to pay for it!
Once again, American citizens are being placed at risk and put secondary to criminal illegal aliens by Liberal Democrat elected officials. It’s a damn shame! |
| The Democrats' Plan for Your Health Care |
Do you like having the ability to choose your own health care plan? Well, elections have consequences. If the Democrats achieve their goal of socialized medicine, you'll no longer have any choice. Career politicians will decide what your care will look like, then force you to abide by it.
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| The Chambers County Sheriff's Department Boat Christening |
It was an honor to be asked by my good friend, Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, to help christen the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office’s new 29 ft. SAFE Boat on Tuesday afternoon.
This technology-packed asset will help deputies respond to calls across the vast waterways of Chambers County including Galveston Bay, the Trinity River, and a 14-mile portion of the Houston Ship Channel.
I am proud that the U.S. Coast Guard's Port Security Grant allowed the County to purchase this boat at no cost to local taxpayers!
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| Silsbee's Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet |
I'm glad that Roxanne (pictured below on the far right), my wife, and Rachel Iglesias (pictured below to Roxanne's left), Regional Director on my staff, were able to attend Silsbee's Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Thursday evening.
I'd like to offer a special congratulations to Michelle Brewer (pictured above in the center) for being awarded Silsbee Citizen of the Year! |
| 184th Anniversary of William Travis' "Victory or Death" Letter |
Monday marked the 184th anniversary of the “Victory or Death” letter that William Barret Travis composed at the beginning of the 13-day siege during, what would soon be known as, the Battle of the Alamo.
As a former board member of the Texas Historical Commission, and lifelong student of history, I believe that William B. Travis, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and the many other Alamo defenders remain some of the finest Texans and Americans to have ever walked this planet.
Click below to read Travis' letter:
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