Dear Neighbor,
This week, I returned to Washington. After two weeks away, things on the Hill were quite busy! Here are some of the highlights. |
This week, the House took up a few bills relating to protecting American and international airspace, which I voted for, and which passed the House on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis: - The Upholding Sovereignty of Airspace Act, H.R. 1151, which condemns China's actions for violating U.S. airspace multiple times with spying equipment; and
- A resolution condemning Russia for shooting down a U.S. Air Force drone over international waters in the Black Sea, H.Res. 240.
The House also took a vote to override President Biden’s veto of a congressional resolution of disapproval of the rule submitted by the Department of the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “Revised Definition of “Waters of the United States.” I voted no on this resolution, and it failed to gain enough votes to override the President’s veto.
On Thursday, I voted against another resolution brought to the floor to nullify the Washington, D.C. Council’s recently passed “Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act,” which permanently extends the temporary law enforcement transparency and accountability measures that the district passed after the death of George Floyd. This is another bill that undermines the political self-determination of the nearly 700,000 citizens of Washington, D.C and ability of the D.C. government to legislate on behalf of the constituents that elected it. I voted no on this resolution.
The remainder of the week was dedicated to debate over H.R. 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023, which bans transgender girls from playing on a school sports team consistent with their gender identity. The bill also defines sex as based on an individual’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
Participating in sports and being part of a team helps students develop important life skills, stay engaged in school, and build positive social relationships. This dangerous and disingenuously titled bill is not about protecting women and girls; it is about denying transgender people the freedom, safety, and dignity that every American deserves. For these reasons, I voted no on H.R. 734. |
After votes on Monday evening, I spoke on the House floor to welcome the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce on their first trip to Washington. The chamber brings together the best of our diverse, dynamic, and inclusive community, and I could not be more proud to represent them or to welcome them to the People's House. To watch my speech on the floor of the House, click here. |
Tuesday morning, I spoke at the House Democratic Caucus’ weekly press conference about the recent unprecedented orders issued in federal courts in the Northern District of Texas and the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that undermine the FDA drug-approval process and limits access to mifepristone for Americans who need it. I also highlighted the bill I introduced with Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18), the Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act, H.R. 2573, which expresses the sense of Congress that medication abortion was appropriately approved, and is appropriately regulated by the FDA, and addresses the limitations reinstated in the court rulings requiring in-person dispensation. |
It is critical that we do everything we can to preserve and protect the FDA’s authority to approve safe and effective medication in general, and this medication in particular. To watch a clip of my remarks, click here. |
On Wednesday, E&C’s Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing titled “Breaking Barriers: Streamlining Permitting to Expedite Broadband Deployment” where we heard testimony from people with expertise relevant to several bills, including my bill, the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act, H.R. 1241.
To close the digital divide, we need to support communities as they upgrade and increase broadband capabilities. One way that Congress can do this is by providing cities and local governments with resources to process the expected increase in permitting applications necessary to build out broadband infrastructure. My bill, the Broadband Incentives for Communities Act, H.R. 1241 creates a grant program that will provide this vital support, ensuring communities have the resources necessary to modernize their infrastructure. I was glad to work on this bill with key stakeholders in our community and am excited to continue working to move it forward in the House. |
Lots of good meetings this week on issues that matter to our district. On Tuesday, I joined my colleagues in the New Democrat Coalition for a meeting to discuss immigration and border policy. On Wednesday, as Chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Trade Task Force, I hosted a meeting for our coalition members with Taiwan’s Representative to the United States, Bi-khim Hsiao. |
On Thursday, I met with Oleksiy Chernyshov, CEO of Naftogaz of Ukraine (NJSC), a state-owned energy company in Ukraine to discuss bilateral cooperation and ways to strengthen energy independence. |
As Co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Belgium Caucus, I am dedicated to strengthening the diplomatic, military, economic, and cultural ties between the U.S. and Belgium. It was great to meet with Belgium Ambassador Jean-Arthur Régibeau to reaffirm the strong transatlantic partnership between our two countries. |
The Regional Leadership Council also met this week with Jed Kolko, Undersecretary for Economic Affairs at the Department of Commerce to discuss the Regional Economic Regional Initiative, which will utilize data to improve our understanding of local regional economies. |
With lots of hearings, meetings, briefings, and votes, I was glad to have some time to see Houstonians on the Hill in my office, including representatives and members of the American College of Surgeons, CenterPoint Energy, NRG, the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and the Texas Farm Bureau. |
In Washington, our team met with representatives from the Texas Corn Producers Association, Goodwill Houston, the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, the American Veterinary Medical Association, the College of American Pathologists, Liva Nova, and more. |
And back home, our team was out and about, including a visit from Spencer to the Chevron/Toyota Future Fuels Showcase. |
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that Sunnova, a residential solar company headquartered in TX-07, will receive a $3 billion federal loan guarantee to expand access to solar in disadvantaged communities. This is both an investment in solar energy as well as an investment in communities that need it.
I was thrilled to talk about this project, and all the great work we are doing in Houston, with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm this week. As a member of the Regional Leadership Council, I am working with the Biden administration to ensure the bills we passed in the last Congress turn into projects and progress in our community and communities across the country. |
TX-07 neighbor Maria V. contacted our office for assistance with getting her Medicare application processed. Our constituent advocate, Fatimah, got answers that Maria had been waiting on:
“I applied for Medicare in Oct. 2022 – have been unable to obtain Medicare number even after calling multiple times. The office got it done in less than a week. Fantastic, thanks!”
If you need assistance with a federal agency, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, fill out our form here or call our Houston office at (713) 353-8680. |
Having joined with people across our community breaking their fast during this holy month of Ramadan, I wish a joyous and festive Eid to all those celebrating Eid Al-Fitr today across our district and around the world! |
The House will be in session again next week, and I will be in back in Washington. Until then, please don’t hesitate to call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 or email here to ask for assistance or share your thoughts, as you can any time. I look forward to hearing from you. Best wishes, |
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