February 27, 2026

President Trump’s Historic State of the Union Address

On Tuesday, I attended President Trump’s powerful State of the Union address, and I was immensely grateful to be joined by one of my daughters in our nation’s capital for this historic moment as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary this year. 

President Trump said it best in his address: our country is stronger than ever before, and that strength is showing up in results. President Trump did what Washington said was impossible, what the media said would never happen, and what radical Democrats prayed he couldn’t do. We have a military that is feared and respected again, a border that is secure again, and families who are finally starting to see relief after years of being crushed by four years of Democrat-driven inflation.

During his speech, President Trump asked Congress to stand if they agree that the first duty of the American government is to protect Americans first, not illegal aliens. This is a basic, fundamental principle elected leaders in our country must follow, and it is disappointing that my Democrat colleagues could not stand up for this, along with many other common-sense wins that are good for all Americans.

I am confident that President Trump is moving our country in the right direction. There’s still more work to be done, and I am committed to working alongside this administration to secure results for the hardworking men and women in Texas-11. This is only halftime, and the second half is where we finish the job. House Republicans are ready, the agenda is clear, and we are not done fighting for the families who sent us here.

Meeting the U.S. Men’s Olympic Gold Hockey Team

Good as GOLD! It was a pleasure to spend time with members of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Team this week and learn more about their experiences representing our nation on the world stage.

I especially appreciated catching up with Connor Hellebuyck, who started his professional hockey career with the Odessa Jackalopes. I am very proud of these young men for the way they represented our country at the Olympics, and I applaud them for their bold patriotism that has set a great example for young Americans across the country.

Trump Accounts Give Our Next Generation a Bright Financial Future

Ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union Address, I authored an op-ed on one of the most consequential achievements from the Working Families Tax Cuts that is delivering real results for American families: Trump Accounts. In the piece, I outlined how this landmark policy is strengthening financial security, expanding opportunity, and putting the American Dream within reach for the next generation.

Since January 1, 2024, every child born in the United States has arrived with $1,000 already invested in the U.S. stock market in their name. Over time, this will become a significant investment that can be used for a house, small business, vehicle, and much more. I was proud to vote for the creation of this program so that the next generation can afford their American Dream.

Read the full op-ed in the San Angelo Standard Times here or by clicking the image below.

Enrolling Your Child for a Trump Account: If you are a new or expecting parent, I highly encourage you to take advantage of this incredible opportunity while filing your taxes. Be sure to fill out IRS Form 4547, or learn more about opening an account for your child here.

Meeting Medal of Honor Recipient Captain E. Royce Williams

At this week’s State of the Union, President Trump recognized and presented Navy Captain E. Royce Williams, Ret., with a Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award for valor. Following this remarkable moment, I had the distinct honor of meeting Captain Williams at the United States Capitol.

Captain Williams is a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, whose distinct, extraordinary heroism unfolded in the skies over the Sea of Japan on November 18, 1952. His indomitable courage under fire and heroism for the ages in one of the most remarkable air combat engagements in history remained classified for more than half a century. Now that the truth is no longer a secret, his story can finally be told in full.

Meeting Captain Williams face-to-face was a humbling honor I will remember forever. His patriotism, courage, and humility remind us what it means to be an American and the importance of honoring those who have put everything on the line for our freedom. It is American heroes like Captain Williams who inspire future generations of Americans to serve our country.

Increasing Security Collaboration Ahead of FIFA World Cup & America’s 250th

The United States is gearing up to host several high-profile events, such as America’s 250th birthday, the FIFA World Cup, and the LA28 Olympics. As we prepare and plan for these momentous events, America’s homeland security must be top of mind.

As Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, I questioned witnesses in a hearing on heightened security risks and the essential role of Fusion Centers in sharing intelligence across all levels of the government. We must ensure that qualified I&A personnel are deployed to these centers to counter terrorism on American soil.

Watch my full line of questioning here or by clicking the image below.

Ensuring Access to Safe Drinking Water for West Texas

During a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Environment hearing this week, I strongly advocated for rural communities in West Texas that often face challenges to securing safe drinking water due to limited rainfall, population growth, and burdensome federal regulations.

Access to reliable, clean drinking water is a necessity, but far too often, “one-size-fits-none” mandates from Washington hinder rural areas from providing this fundamental resource to their communities. I will always champion policies that recognize the individual needs of rural areas so they can provide safe drinking water to Americans, and I look forward to turning what we discussed in this week’ss hearing into commonsense, meaningful legislation.

Watch my full line of questioning here or by clicking the image below.

Michael Knowles Addresses RSC Member Meeting

I was thrilled to host Michael Knowles of the Daily Wire at this week’s Republican Study Committee member meeting. Michael was one of the largest conservative media voices inside the Capitol for President Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.

During the member meeting, he encouraged conservatives to lean into restoring law and order, which has led to historic successes at the southern border. His perspective and thoughts were impactful as we continue to bypass the legacy media to tout our historic wins for hardworking Americans.

Strengthening Long-term Accountability at the FCC

For too long under previous administrations, license reviews at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have gotten tangled up in slow, opaque processes with no clear end in sight. Without firm deadlines or meaningful transparency requirements, reviews can drag on for years, discouraging the very investment needed to close the digital divide in underserved regions and leaving businesses, workers, and consumers in limbo.

That’s why I introduced legislation this week to ensure greater transparency and accountability in the FCC’s license review process. Thankfully, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and the Trump administration have been working tirelessly to modernize the FCC’s review process to encourage investment, lower costs, and expand access to better serve communities that have been left behind for too long.

The Keep It Moving Act supports this goal and ensures that the FCC reviews applications based on the facts and acts within a reasonable timeframe for years and administrations to come. Proud to lead this legislation alongside Rep. Gottheimer to help deliver better service and lower costs for hardworking families across West Texas and the rest of the country.

Read more about this legislation in the Broadband Breakfast here or by clicking the image below.

ICYMI: Recapping State of the Union on the KWEL Morning Show

I joined the KWEL Morning Show hosted by Craig Anderson to recap President Trump’s State of the Union Address. Listen to my thoughts on his plan to keep moving our country in the right direction here or by clicking the image below.

Meeting with Texans in Washington

This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with several Texas community leaders and partners in Washington. Thank you all for taking the time to discuss how we can implement smart, commonsense policies to strengthen Texas-11 together.

2026 Congressional Art Competition

Attention all parents, students, and teachers in TX-11! My office is now accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. This competition gives high school students from across Texas-11 the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building.

This year’s theme is ‘Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary,’ and students will have until April 10th, 2026, to submit their artwork. Information on the Congressional Art Competition, including how to apply, can be found on the Congressman’s website by clicking here.

Every year, I am completely blown away by the talent and creativity of so many incredible young artists throughout Texas-11 who participate in the Congressional Art Competition. This year’s theme gives students the opportunity to tell America’s story through their own creative lens. I am especially excited to see how students use their art to celebrate our nation’s history and express their patriotism. I am incredibly blessed to represent the 11th District and to support these remarkable young artists as they help commemorate this historic moment for our country.

RULES

Artwork must be two-dimensional and original in concept, design, and execution. Art must follow the theme of ‘Texas to Me.’

The artwork’s dimensions can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastel, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)
• Collages: must be two-dimensional
• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints
• Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photographs

Students are highly encouraged to review the competition’s complete rules and regulations on our congressional website. Please contact Carol Cunningham in the Llano District Office at carol.cunningham@mail.house.gov with any questions.

Second Lady Usha Vance Bookmark Design Contest for America 250

Last week, Second Lady Usha Vance announced the Bookmark Design Challenge: Celebrating America’s 250th, an opportunity for students in grades Kindergarten-8th grade to design an original bookmark celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.

As we celebrate America’s 250th Birthday this year, we have a powerful opportunity, and responsibility, to ignite a love of country in the next generation. America’s story is one of freedom and limitless possibility, and our students should feel proud to be part of it. This Bookmark Design Challenge invites young people to express their creativity and discover what patriotism means to them. I applaud Second Lady Vance for leading this effort to empower kids to honor our past while imagining America’s future, and I encourage every student in TX-11 to participate.

This challenge is open to students across the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five territories. Second Lady Usha Vance will select three national winners—one from each of the following categories:

• K–2
• Grades 3–5
• Grades 6–8

Winning designs will be featured during commemorative activities celebrating America’s 250^th anniversary in 2026, such as the Great American State Fair, the Second Lady’s 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, and other Office of the Second Lady and NEA events. Each winning student, accompanied by a parent or guardian, will also be invited to Washington, DC, in summer 2026 to participate in a series of celebratory events.

Applications must be submitted through the NEA’s website arts.gov/bookmarks before Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Please visit the NEA’s website for additional details, including full guidelines and FAQs. Questions about the Bookmark Design Challenge may be directed to bookmarks@arts.gov. 

White House Easter Egg Roll Ticket Lottery and Volunteer Application

The White House Easter Egg Roll is approaching on Monday, April 6, 2026. Families with children 13 years old and younger are invited to join the President and First Lady at the White House. If you or your family will be visiting our nation’s capital, I highly recommend entering the lottery to attend the day of festivities.

ONLINE TICKET LOTTERY

White House Easter Egg Roll tickets are free to the public and can be requested through an online lottery opening on Thursday, February 26, 2026, and closing on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. Entering the lottery is free of charge, and winners will be notified via email no later than March 10, 2026. Tickets are not for sale or resale. Those interested in attending may enter the lottery here.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

As in previous years, the White House will select volunteers for the Easter Egg Roll through an online application. Prospective volunteers may submit their names here. The deadline for applying to become a volunteer is Friday, February 27, 2026.

The White House Easter Egg Roll is a timeless White House tradition, dating back to 1878 during the Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes. This year, the White House Easter Egg Roll will honor America’s 250th birthday by incorporating patriotic themes throughout the event. The President and First Lady look forward to continuing this entertaining tradition and making it a truly memorable experience for all.

Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) for daily updates.