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Dear Neighbor,
Representing our community involves listening directly to our neighbors, being accessible, and providing help where I can. That’s why I’m always grateful to spend time at home each month. While you might hear reporters call it a recess – when Congress is not in session in Washington – we call it a district work period. But it is fun. And it is some of the most important work I do. This week has been another busy and productive one. Here are a few of the highlights:
One of the highlights of my week was our Community Conversation on health care and prescription drug prices. Many of our neighbors have asked me what Congress is doing to address the rising costs of prescription drugs – and for good reason. People’s lives may depend on medication, but there is little transparency in pricing that only seems to increase.
I’m grateful to our panelists who provided helpful insights on this issue — Dr. Andrea Caracostis of the HOPE Clinic, Charles Cascio of AARP, and Bonnie Sheeren, an Independent Patient Advocate for Houston Health Advocacy — and to all the neighbors who joined us for the discussion. We had a substantive discussion about what we can do to address the rising costs and systemic challenges we face when it comes to prescription drugs. I look forward to taking the stories I heard from constituents — on a range of issues — back to Washington and to continue working to bring meaningful solutions to our district and all Americans.
I’m always grateful for the opportunity to meet with neighbors where they work, and this week I was grateful for the chance to visit SABIC and Enbridge for a site visit and town hall meeting with employees. I had a wonderful time at both, engaging with people there about the issues that matter to our community, from keeping our students safe to our energy future, and providing an update on what I’ve been working on in Washington.
Employee Town Hall at SABIC
Employee Town Hall at Enbridge
I also meet with experts on environmental matters in our community to discuss upcoming work in my committees in Congress, and to be sure I had their perspective on issues at home. Among the, them our community’s priorities for legislation that we are working on, the Water Resources Development Act, that will have a huge impact on our water infrastructure.
Environmental Policy Meeting
I began the week with a celebration of the 97th anniversary of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church, and was honored to join Pastor Lewis, Mayor Turner, and Commissioner Cagle in recognition of “97 Years Still Standing and Still Serving.”
Celebrating Greater Macedonia Baptist Church’s 97th Anniversary
Monday included a wonderful visit to the Copperfield Kroger for “Across the Aisles,” where so many of our neighbors came out to share their thoughts on issues, including health care, public transit, and help with federal agencies. I hold Across the Aisles regularly, stay tuned for our next one and be sure to invite your friends.
Across the Aisles at Kroger
I loved kicking off the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Reading Roundup in Spring Branch ISD! I read Giraffe Problems to first graders at Meadow Wood Elementary School.
And there was so much more – from meeting with constituents to jury duty at the City of Houston Municipal Courts – it was a busy, wonderful week at home in the district.
My office has a team dedicated to helping you with federal agencies. These services can make a real impact if you are having trouble accessing benefits from Social Security, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Medicare, and many others.
Recently, we were able to help Mansi Dewan, who had applied for a routine service to renew her passport. She had an upcoming trip, but when she called the Passport Agency for the status of her application two weeks ahead of her trip, she was told that her request to expedite her passport was acknowledged, but not accepted. Ms. Dewan called my office 7 days ahead of her trip, and we were able to obtain the status of her passport right away:
If you need someone to provide an update on your case, please contact my office for assistance. You can request help online or call the Houston district office at (713) 353-8680.
I’m headed back to Washington this week, but look forward to being back home in the district and look forward to seeing you then. Please remember that you can learn more about upcoming events like town halls, community conversations, constituent services pop-up hours, you can look at our events page here. And if you think a friend or neighbor would appreciate this update, I hope you will forward this email and invite them to sign up to receive them.
Best wishes,
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