Tomorrow, Memorial Day, we remember the service members who died while serving in the U.S. military. And we honor them by protecting and continuing to fight for what they fought for: the United States of America. |
I was grateful for the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery with a delegation from Congress to pay my respects and honor those who have served us all before coming home for this week. |
It was great to be back home in Houston this week. On Friday, I had the privilege of welcoming Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm to Houston. Secretary Granholm’s visit to the energy capital of the world was her first official trip outside of Washington, D.C. as Secretary of Energy, and there could be no better place. Houstonians are leading the way on energy now and into the future—meeting the climate challenge while powering our world.
We began the day with Air Liquide, a company headquartered in TX-07, with a tour of its La Porte Steam Methane Reformer site that processes and supplies hydrogen, which many people are excited to see further develop as an energy source across sectors that will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
And it was fitting that we had a little rain on our tour, but that could not dampen our enthusiasm for the visit. |
Next, we saw a different side of Houston innovation: lunch at Pondicheri with Dr. Robert Bullard, TSU professor and member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, to discuss a wide range of issues around energy and the environment. |
We wrapped up the day at the Secretary’s roundtable discussion with local business and government leaders at Greentown Labs. The topic of the roundtable was advancing Texas’ clean energy economy and understanding the innovative work and opportunities here in Houston. Mayor Turner and Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee, Al Green, and Sylvia Garcia all joined in the discussion. |
I had joined my colleagues, Representatives Green, Jackson Lee and Garcia, the day before, to respond to the Texas GLO’s decision to leave out the City of Houston and Harris County from Harvey mitigation grant funds. Just as we were during Harvey, our community is unified in response against this decision and we are standing together to ensure that Houston and Harris County, the epicenter of Harvey, get our fair share of these funds. |
It was a topic that came up earlier in the week, as well. On Monday, I was glad to host a virtual town hall with Representative Jon Rosenthal to provide an update on the First 100 Days of 2021, and got several comments on the GLO decisions as well as others matters of importance to our neighbors. |
This was a committee work week in Congress, and I was glad to testify before the House Veterans' Affairs Committee about my CARS for Vets Act. Did you know that Houston has the second largest veteran population in the country? There are more than 300,000 veterans who call the Houston area home.
My legislation expands the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Automobile and Special Adaptive Equipment Grant Program that provides service-connected disabled veterans with a one-time payment to adapt their vehicle for their medical needs if their disability prevents them from driving. My bill will extend that program to help service-disabled vets purchase modified vehicles every 10 years. In our district and in communities across the country, independence and mobility can be tied to our cars, and I am glad to lead this legislation to ensure veterans can continue to rely on their cars. |
I was also glad to listen to Energy Secretary Granholm’s testimony at a House Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing on the energy research enterprise taking place at the Department of Energy before her trip to Houston.
We also marked up an important bill in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Consumer Protection Subcommittee: H.R. 2688, the “Consumer Protection and Recovery Act.” This bill amends section 13(b) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (FTC Act) to provide the FTC with express authority to obtain both injunctive and monetary equitable relief for all violations of those laws it enforces. As background, Section 13(b) of the authorized the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to bring suit in federal courts seeking relief for consumers. Over the past five years, the FTC refunded $11.2 billion to consumers who had been targeted by illegal scams and practices. But on April 22, 2021, the Supreme Court held that section 13(b) is limited to stopping or mandating certain conduct and does not allow the FTC to seek monetary relief or require bad actors to return money earned through illegal activity. I am an original co-sponsor of this bill to protect consumers. |
In just one week, Harris County reduced the COVID-19 threat level once again. We are now at Yellow alert/Level 3. The COVID-19 threat level guidance recommends that unvaccinated individuals should stay vigilant, as there is still a moderate but controlled level of COVID-19 in Harris County. Unvaccinated individuals should continue to mask up and keep physical distance. Fully vaccinated individuals may resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. |
More than 41.5 percent of people in Harris County and 35.2 percent of the Texas’ population have been fully vaccinated. This is incredible progress, and we can do more! If you were waiting to get vaccinated, now is a good time to set up your appointment. Harris County COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites, including NRG Park, will be closed tomorrow in observance of Memorial Day, but operations will continue on Tuesday.
I am proud to represent you, and I am here to help you. Please do not hesitate to call me to share your thoughts and concerns or to let me know how my team and I can help. You can email here, or call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 any time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes, |
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