| Joining the Evening Edit with Liz MacDonald to Discuss Breaking News |
On Friday, President Trump reached a deal with Guatemalan President to allow those seeking asylum to apply for it in Guatemala first. We have to attack this crisis from every angle, and this will help stymy the influx of Central and South Americans crossing Guatemala to enter the U.S. and claim asylum. America cannot be the only nation caring for these immigrants. Every nation that is able must do their part. There is no reason why immigrants should not seek asylum in the first nation they come to instead of making the dangerous trek all of the way to the U.S. – putting their lives and the lives of their children at risk.
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| House Passes Babin's Alabama-Coushatta Fairness Bill |
I am proud to say that the House unanimously passed the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas Equal and Fair Opportunity Settlement Act (H.R. 759) yesterday evening! We have worked tirelessly for more than a year to pass H.R. 759 in the House of Representatives.
It is a privilege to have sponsored this piece of legislation that will put to rest years of uncertainty and turmoil experienced by the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribe of Texas. This has always been a fairness issue, plain and simple. The Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and Alabama-Coushatta deserve to have the same opportunity to run a Class II gaming facility as the Kickapoo – who have had this right for decades. Naskila Gaming provides hundreds of jobs and adds $140 million to the local economy each year. This is a great accomplishment, and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the U.S. Senate to get this bill signed into law.
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| Robert Mueller Testified...And Nothing Has Changed |
Wednesday’s House Judiciary and Intelligence Committee hearings with Robert Mueller yielded the same result that we all knew before – there was no collusion between Donald Trump and Russia. Will the Democrat majority EVER stop these meritless investigations and work to pass meaningful bipartisan legislation to better our country and its people, or will they continue to mislead all with this ongoing charade? The American people deserve better.
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| Meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers Secretary |
Friday morning, I sat down with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Secretary R.D. James to speak about the much needed dredging and widening of the Houston Ship Channel. This channel is one of the busiest in the nation and vital to the economy of Texas. We had a positive discussion, and I look forward to working with him to get this important task done.
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| The Border Crisis Will Continue Until Congress Takes Action |
The border crisis has been ongoing for far too long with no end in sight. Sadly, nothing will change until Congress finally secures the southern border, closes loopholes in our immigration laws, and allows ICE to carry out enforcement operations and deport the more than 1 million illegal aliens who currently have federal removal orders. The President is doing everything within his power to secure our border in order to protect our sovereignty and the American people. Instead of having meaningful debates about how to safeguard our borders, which is CONGRESS’S duty, Democrats would rather inject race and xenophobia into every discussion – leading to inaction and zero solutions for how to actually solve the problems facing our nation.
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| Department of Labor Awards San Jacinto College $12M Grant |
I was glad to learn that San Jacinto College was being awarded a $12 million grant to train thousands of new workers in IT fields.
These funds will help to establish new jobs and opportunities for the great people in Southeast Texas as well as the rest of the nation. No area could benefit more from this project than the 36th Congressional District of Texas – which is home to more petrochemical plants and refineries than any other region in the nation.
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| Remembering Chris Kraft |
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Christopher C. Kraft - a giant in our nation’s space program. As NASA’s first flight director, Mr. Kraft oversaw America’s first manned mission to space, our first manned orbital flight, and our first spacewalk. In a career spanning from before the Mercury program to the early space shuttle flights, his contributions to space exploration throughout his years at NASA have molded a legacy that will never be forgotten and will undoubtedly be missed.
I am proud to have known him and thankful for his counsel in my role in Congress. My prayers are with his loved ones at this time.
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| Meeting with the EPA Secretary Wheeler |
I had a great meeting with EPA Secretary Andrew Wheeler earlier this week. We discussed a variety of issues in preparation for a hearing that will take place in the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee next month.
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| Recognized by Vice President Pence at the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary |
I was honored to join Vice President Mike Pence, Administrator Jim Bridenstine, and Apollo astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Harrison Schmitt at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing last weekend at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Soon, we will be launching American astronauts in American rockets from American soil back to the Moon – as we push outward to Mars. What an amazing time to be a part of our nation's space program!
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| The DEFEAT Robocalls Act |
For far too long now robocalls and spoofing have become a hindering plague upon the phones of millions of Americans. I hear from folks on a daily basis about how their lives are habitually interrupted and how their cell phones have transformed from necessities to sources of frustration.
In many cases, the calls are dangerous and disguised, seeking to steal valuable information by tricking the unsuspecting. In other cases, these aggravating calls disrupt important business, intrude on leisure activities, disturb family dinners, and even worse, are not restricted by the time of day. I believe that this has gone on long enough.
That is why I have sponsored a bill called the Double the Enforcement and Fines of Everyone Associated with Terrible Robocalls Act, or for short, the DEFEAT Robocalls Act. This legislation outlines the harshest penalties for individuals who are caught making illegal robocalls and spoofing calls. Simply said, it takes all of the fines and penalties that those making robocalls currently face and doubles them. Watch my speech below!
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| Kountze 12's Win State |
I would like to congratulate the Kountze 12's on their huge accomplishment!
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| Photo of the Week |
It was a pleasure to welcome the Martinez Family from Mount Belvieu to our nation's capital this week. My staff and I enjoy visiting with constituents before their tour of the U.S. Capitol.
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