On Wednesday, I chaired a House Space Subcommittee hearing titled 60 Years of NASA Leadership in Human Space Exploration: Past, Present, and Future, where I introduced the Leading Human Spaceflight Act (H.R. 6910).
My bill reaffirms Johnson Space Center’s leadership role as the home of American human spaceflight, as it has been for more than five decades, while also recognizing that it is the logical center to serve a lead role in program management, systems engineering, program integration and operations for NASA’s human space exploration program—particularly those outlined in the Human Space Exploration Campaign. This bill also promotes policy that will lead to maintaining continuous U.S. human presence in low-Earth orbit, authorizes NASA to operate ISS until 2030 and more!

To read my full press release, click here.

The bill promoted by the caucus, Rep. Babin’s H.R. 6111, authorizes an expanded interstate route across Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana, using the general pattern of existing roads and highways but, importantly, leaves the final route determination to state and local officials. The bill builds upon the designation secured by Rep. Babin in the 2015 FAST Act highway bill, the original authorizing legislation for I-14, establishing the Central Texas Corridor as the future I-14, and does not eliminate any currently authorized routes. The route could eventually extend across Alabama to Georgia.


"Our interstate highway system truly connects our nation from coast to coast and represents American ingenuity at its best, but as populations shift and new economic and military centers emerge, the need to strengthen those connections requires action,” said Rep. Babin. “The economic boost from this interstate highway will extend far beyond the designated route to strengthen communities throughout the surrounding regions, and I am pleased that my colleagues have committed to work together to see this highway constructed and its many benefits realized. I-14 will provide significant advancements to better integrate ports and military installations with our existing infrastructure network and is already known as the ‘Forts to Ports’ highway. I am particularly pleased the bill includes a nonstop interstate connection from Goodfellow Air Force Base in West Texas to the strategic seaport in Beaumont, Texas. (To read more click here)

Click here to view the bill text.

Last Reminder: Service Academy Deadline is Tomorrow

It was great to have my House colleagues Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, Chairman Kevin Brady, and Chairman Michael McCaul in Baytown (Texas’ 36th District) on Monday to participate in a workforce development policy roundtable discussion and grand opening at S&B Engineers and Constructors’ Craft Education and Skills Enhancement Center.
Our country needs more advanced educational options besides the traditional path to a 4-year degree, and this new center of workforce development offers just that. I enjoyed meeting many men and women with real-life success stories who are receiving the training they need to provide for their families and live the American Dream.