Thank You, Veterans

As we stand on the precipice of Veterans Day, I am compelled to express my deepest gratitude for the unwavering dedication and sacrifice our military heroes and their families have made in service to our great nation. This day is not just a date on the calendar; it is a moment for our entire nation to come together and recognize the incredible contributions of our veterans.

Their commitment to defending our freedoms must not go unnoticed. On this Veterans Day, let’s pause to honor the courage, resilience, and selflessness that defines military service.

Veterans represent the best of America, and we owe all of our military heroes a debt of gratitude that can never truly be repaid.

In Congress, I am committed to ensuring that our government fulfills its duty to provide the support and care that veterans deserve. Whether it be improving healthcare services, expanding educational opportunities, or securing employment resources, I will continue to advocate for policies that honor your service and address the unique challenges faced by our veteran community. If you are a veteran or know one who is having trouble accessing their benefits or care, please reach out to my office or fill out a casework request here.

Let us use Veterans Day not only to reflect on the sacrifices made in the past but also to recommit ourselves to supporting our veterans in the present and future.

Join me in thanking all of the veterans in Texas-11 for their service, sacrifice, and enduring commitment to the values that make our country great. On behalf of a grateful nation, happy Veterans Day.

Santa Rita Elementary Veterans Day Celebration

Camille and I were honored to attend the Veterans Day Celebration at Santa Rita Elementary School this morning. The students performed renditions of the Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America, and our military service songs along with an incredibly moving reading of ‘America’s White Table’ and setting the Missing Man Table for our POW/MIA heroes.  

When I asked for veterans and family members of veterans to stand, nearly the whole room rose. We could not be prouder of our community and the people who make it welcoming, patriotic, and prosperous.

Blocking the Chinese Communist Party’s Influence on College Campuses

As Homeland Security Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Subcommittee Chairman, I introduced the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act, which passed out of committee markup this week.

This legislation prevents Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funds from flowing to American universities that host a Confucius Institute or maintain a relationship with a Chinese entity of concern. We must draw a line in the sand—either you support national security, or you do not. This is a straightforward bill that ensures universities that take money or have a relationship with the Chinese Communist Party do not get access to national security-related research or taxpayer resources.

Watch here or below for my remarks on the bill.

Expelling Hamas-Supporting Visa Holders from the United States

I introduced The Terrorist Inadmissibility Act to expel Hamas supporters with visas from the United States. This bill would expand current U.S. law to prohibit members, officers, officials, representatives, and spokesmen of Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Palestine Islamic Jihad from entering or remaining in the U.S. The bill would also apply to aliens who endorse or espouse terrorist activities conducted by any of these U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO). 

It is appalling to see thousands of people across the United States openly supporting the same Hamas terrorists who waged a brutal war on Israeli citizens. I am proud to lead legislation with Senator Rubio to ensure that no person who supports terrorism or who has connections to terrorist affiliates is granted entry into the United States. President Biden must take immediate action to ensure our borders are secure from those wishing harm against Americans. Read the full bill here.

In Memory of Peter Brower

The San Angelo District Office had the prestigious honor of presenting a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, a Congressional Certificate, and a challenge coin to San Angelo resident and Gulf War veteran Peter Brower upon obtaining his U.S. citizenship. Mr. Brower’s wish after tragically being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer was to become a U.S. citizen. He passed away just two days after becoming an American citizen.

Please join me in honoring Mr. Brower’s sacrifice and service to our country! His love for America was certainly inspiring.

Restoring Domestic Energy Dominance & Production 

I joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing the Alaska’s Right to Produce Act of 2023. This bill will reverse the Biden Department of the Interior (DOI)’s decision to prohibit oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). It would also reinstate leases that DOI has canceled within the non-wilderness Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). 

President Biden’s decision to block American energy producers from utilizing nearly 40% of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a continuation of his war on fossil fuels. Not only will this decision destroy the livelihoods of thousands of energy workers, but it will drive up costs for all Americans. Energy security is national security, and we should produce our energy here in the United States.

One Month of Fighting in the Middle East

This week marks one month since the brutal attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists. I hosted a bipartisan roundtable on the Israel-Hamas War to get an update on the conflict with the Jewish Institute for National Security of America, the Foundation for Defense Democracies, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Israel is abiding by the Law of Armed Conflict, while Hamas is repeatedly violating these laws. We will continue to stand with Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, as they fight Iran-backed Hamas terrorists.

Biden Family Subpoenaed by Congress

The Committee on Oversight and Accountability has issued subpoenas to Hunter Biden, James Biden, Rob Walker, and other Biden family members and associates. This is a huge break in the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and the alleged influence-peddling scheme of his family. I thank Chairman James Comer for his work on this investigation and for getting answers for the American people. Read more about the subpoenas here.