Dear Neighbor,

This week we began the second session of the 117th Congress.  It was a cold week in Washington as we headed back to the Hill.

This week, the House passed the Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021.  I was glad to vote for this bill to ensure National Guard and Reserve servicemembers have the same access to G.I. Bill benefits as their active-duty counterparts and that every day in uniform counts toward G.I. Bill benefits.  The bill passed the House on a bipartisan basis, with a vote of 287-135. National Guard and Reserve Members serve our communities in our times of greatest need.  Their service and sacrifice for our community and our country should afford them the same access to the G.I. Bill benefits, which have been transformational for so many Americans.

The National Guard has been utilized at unprecedented levels in recent years.  In 2020, National Guard members were activated more often and for longer than any time period since World War II.  To view full text of the bill, click here.

On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, urgently needed action to protect voters and to ensure that every eligible American can vote without obstruction.  The House with passed it with a vote of 220-203, and the Senate will now take it up. 

The right of citizens to cast their ballots for whomever they choose is not and should not be a partisan issue.  We must ensure that all eligible American voters have the ability to cast their votes safely, securely, and without obstruction.  H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act protects voters from discrimination by restoring and strengthening the protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) the Supreme Court struck down in Shelby County v. Holder.  The Court invited Congress to update the formulas for protecting voters in states with a history of discrimination, and this bill does that.  The Freedom to Vote Act updates the formula for determining which states and localities are subject to federal oversight based on recent history of voter discrimination.  It also amends Section 2 of the VRA to eliminate the heightened standard for challenging voter discrimination that the Supreme Court adopted in Brnovich v. DNC.  In addition, the Freedom to Vote Act will:

• Election Day: Make Election Day a national holiday.
• Voter Registration: Establish online and automatic voter registration and protect same-day voter registration.
• Voting Access Protections: Improve poll and ballot access for disabled, military, and overseas voters by prohibiting states from restricting the ability to vote by mail.
• Uniform Early Voting: Require all states to allow at least two weeks of early voting with accessible and uniform hours at polling places.
• Non-Partisan Election Official Recruitment and Training: Provide recruitment and training for nonpartisan poll workers.
• Non-Partisan Redistricting Reform: Prohibit partisan gerrymandering of congressional districts.
• Voting System Security Protections: Authorize grants to states to secure election systems.

In addition to votes this week, I joined my colleagues in sending several letters on issues important to our community, including

• a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requesting that funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act be used on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterways Brazos River Floodgates and Colorado Locks projects;
• a letter to the administration requesting an investigation of pricing nurse staffing agencies;
• a letter to the administration requesting relief from Section 301 tariffs on imports from China for domestic manufacturers;
• a letter urging the IRS to address the backlog of IRS tax returns;
• a letter with my Texas colleagues, led by Congresswoman Veronica Escobar of El Paso, calling for a Texas Military Department investigation into the living conditions, pay problems, and suicides among Texas Guard members serving in Operation Lone Star.

After a full week in Washington, I flew home in time to visit the recently opened Houston Health Department COVID-19 testing megasite in TX-07 at 6010 Richmond Avenue, the former Dave & Buster’s.  It was great to hear from the personnel there who are eager to help our community protect each other.  Many sites across our community had long lines on Friday morning, but this site had no wait time. 

Later that day, I joined neighbors for a tour of the Ismaili Jamatkhana and Center, Houston and a visit with community leaders about issues impacting our community and about their plans for the new Ismaili Center to be built on Allen Parkway.

Over the weekend, I joined neighbors across our community and the country in watching with deep concern the taking of hostages at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville during a Shabbat service.  We have seen an alarming rise in antisemitic attacks in Texas recently, and we must respond.  Our district is home to many institutions at the heart of Houston’s Jewish community, and I stand with the Jewish Community here at home, in Colleyville, and across the country.

Today, I was reminded of all we can accomplish – cheering on the many people from across our community—and the world—running the 50^th Houston Marathon. Congratulations to all the participants and finishers!

This week, our TX-07 constituent casework staff was able to close more cases for our neighbors, helping with Social Security back pay and pending tax returns from the IRS.  Do you need help getting through to a government agency?  Please give our Houston office a call at (713) 353-8680 or visit fletcher.house.gov/forms/casework to let us know how we can help!

New this year!  I’m adding a section to my weekly update to share a little about what I’m hearing from neighbors in the district.  Since the start of the year, many neighbors in TX-07 have contacted me about the threat the Omicron variant poses to our community, and how we meet this challenge.  As I mentioned above, I visited one of the testing sites in our community, an important part of our community-wide response.  And I am glad to day that beginning this Wednesday, every American will be able to order at-home testing kits at COVIDtests.org. 

Of course, the best way to protect yourself and our community is to make sure you’re fully vaccinated and boosted—find a vaccine at vaccines.gov.  Thankfully, with ramped-up testing and vaccination efforts, the hospitalization rate has slowed in the last few days.

In response, I am also planning a COVID-19 Virtual Community Conversation this month.  Details to follow.

Tomorrow, I will join community leaders and people across the country in celebrating the life and leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the national day of service and remembrance. 

On Tuesday, I will head back to Washington, where the House will consider H.R. 4673, the EVEST Act, which will automatically enroll veterans for benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs, smoothing the transition as they move from active-duty service to civilian life. We will also consider legislation addressing flexibility in education funding and legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the legendary WWII “Ghost Army” troops.

Whether I am in Washington or Houston, I am here for you.  Please call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 or email me at fletcher.house.gov/contact at any time to ask for assistance or share your thoughts.  My team and I are here to help.

With best wishes,