| Babin Votes NO on Omnibus Spending Bill |
Without question, the two greatest accomplishments of the United States Senate since President Trump took office have been confirming Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court and passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. What did these two accomplishments have in common? They both were achieved by sidestepping the Senate “filibuster” and allowing the majority to rule. However, because the Senate refuses to change its rules for equally important legislation, like bills that fund the federal government or deal with national security, monstrosities like this Omnibus spending bill are what we end up getting.
The American people did not elect Donald J. Trump as President just to see his agenda thwarted by Chuck Schumer and at least eight of his Democrat colleagues, but that’s what will continue happening until Senate Republicans have the courage to change their broken, arcane rules - which they can do right now with just 51 votes. While there were some good things in this bill that I supported, including excellent levels of funding for our military and NASA, on balance it included too many misguided policies and too much misdirected spending for me to vote for it.
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| It's Time The U.S. Senate Acts on Trump's NASA Administrator Nominee |
Acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot recently announced his retirement effective April 30th. I joined Federal News Radio to talk about his retirement and the need for the U.S. Senate to act quickly and approve Congressman Jim Bridenstine, Trump’s nominee, to head NASA.
This week, I led a bipartisan letter (below) that was sent to Senators Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer urging the Senate to swiftly consider and confirm Jim Bridenstine as the new NASA Administrator. The letter below was signed by all GOP members of the Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Committee and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC)—including the Chairman of SST, Lamar Smith, and the Chairman of HASC, Mac Thornberry, in addition to the Chairman of Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Mike Turner, and its Ranking Member, Jim Cooper.
| Commending Law Enforcement for Solving Austin Bombings |
I commend Texas law enforcement officials and their federal counterparts for their hard work and success in finding the man responsible for the Austin bombings. Let’s keep in our prayers those who were injured and the families of those killed in this senseless act of violence.
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Students Selected for White House Easter Egg Roll Design
I congratulate Hardin-Jefferson High School students, Zoe Bjerke, Faith Herman and Hannah Fontenot, for having their “Texas Strong” egg design selected for the 2018 White House Easter Egg Roll. I am proud the great state of Texas will be represented by the fantastic design these students have created.
To read article, please click here.
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Constituent Visit
I had the pleasure of visiting with Sheila Faske (L) from Rose City, TX and Janis Holt (R) from Silsbee, TX while they were in Washington this week.
Sheila is a small business owner and Janis is a teacher and member of the Silsbee ISD School Board.
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| Soyz MS-08 Launch Success |
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Congratulations to the NASA and the International Space Station (ISS) team on this week's successful launch of the Soyuz MS-08 from Kazakhstan. Two NASA astronauts, Ricky Arnold and Drew Feustel, as well as Russian Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev, will begin their 5 month stay aboard the ISS, continuing scientific research that benefits us on Earth and advances human space exploration.
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| Mornings with Maria on Fox Business |
I joined Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business, this week, to discuss multiple issues, including the spending bill, immigration, border security, and sanctuary cities. We have got to control our nation’s spending, secure our borders, and disband the “sanctuary” (criminal fugitive) cities that endanger the lives of law-abiding American citizens.
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Americans Continue to Climb the Economic Ladder
Two million Americans moved from welfare last year. An improved economy, good jobs, and higher wages helped millions of Americans climb the economic ladder.
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