It was another busy week in Washington!  On Thursday, I had the privilege of presiding as Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representatives for debate on the House floor over the Puerto Rico Status Act (H.R. 8393), which would grant the people of Puerto Rico the opportunity to determine the future of their island.  If enacted, this bipartisan legislation would dedicate federal resources to fund and organize a binding plebiscite in which Puerto Ricans on the island could vote among three options: statehood, independence, or sovereignty in free association with the United States.  The bill passed the House of Representatives.       

The House passed several other pieces of legislation on a bipartisan basis.  Importantly, we passed a continuing resolution to extend government funding through December 23, 2022, while House and Senate members finalize an appropriations bill to fund the government through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends next September.  We expect to vote on that omnibus appropriations package this week.

The House passed several other bills last week, including:

• The Flood Level Observation, Operations, and Decision Support (FLOODS) Act, S. 558, to improve the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) forecasting and communication of flood, tornado, and hurricane events;
• The Help Find the Missing Act, S. 5230, to close loopholes in missing persons systems in the U.S. by streamlining the missing persons reporting process and ensuring that law enforcement databases are more accessible and comprehensive; and
• The Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act, S. 2607, to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 53 hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis from 1979 to 1981, in recognition of their bravery.

In addition to voting on legislation, I joined my colleagues in sending a few letters on issues important to our community:

• A letter to United States Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young supporting funding for the Texas Coastal Spine to be included in President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget; and
• A letter to House and Senate Leadership urging them to prevent Medicare physician reimbursement cuts that are set to go into effect next year.  I have heard from many of the physicians in our district on this issue, and am working to address it.

Another important note of work from our House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  Recently, the House passed the Data Mapping to Save Moms’ Lives Act, S. 198, to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to integrate data related to maternal mortality and morbidity into the agency’s Mapping Broadband Health in America platform, in an effort to help address the maternal mortality crisis in our country. 

The United States has the highest rate of maternal mortality among developed nations, and I was glad to work with my colleagues on the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology to pass this important legislation.  For pregnant women, access to fast, reliable broadband is a crucial tool for telehealth services, routine checkups, health monitoring, and updating prescriptions.  This bill will help us better understand the telehealth and telecommunications barriers many women face so that we can adopt informed, robust connectivity policies to keep expectant mothers safe and healthy. 

Thank you to everyone who participated in Monday’s virtual year-end town hall meeting.  At this busy time of year, I was glad so many people took time to listen in to my summary of the year’s work and my answers to many questions that came in.   It has been a very productive year and Congress.  I am looking forward to sending out this year’s Annual Report soon.  Watch your email for this summary of the work our TX-07 team has done this year!

I was honored to join those assembled at the White House to witness President Biden sign the Respect for Marriage Act, the bipartisan bill that codifies same-sex and interracial marriages that the House and Senate passed this year.  This legislation is so important to our community and country, and I was proud to be included in the celebration.

I headed home from Washington just in time to spend Friday visiting with seniors in TX-07 and delivering Winter Wishes created by TX-07 students.  I loved having a chance to see so many friendly faces and spread some holiday cheer!  A huge thank you to everyone who participated.

Our team works hard in Washington and in Houston every week.  I’m glad to share a few team highlights, too, and to share many more in the year ahead!

Anne-Marie and Maisy met with TV personality and former professional football player Colton Underwood to discuss mental health in sports. 

Cameron toured tunnels in Washington, D.C. with Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis which are useful as we assess how we address water conveyance in Houston and Harris County. 

Spencer and Bricen picked up Winter Wishes from some students who were very excited to share their holiday greetings! 

And Stephani stopped by the Greater Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party. 

It is hard to believe that this year and this Congress are coming to an end.  With holidays ahead, this will be my last weekly wrap up of 2022, and I want to take a moment to thank you for reading it and to thank the incredible team we have working for TX-07 that has helped make all this work possible.

Our office will close at the end of this week and will reopen on January 3, 2023, but our team will still be available to help you.  Please call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 or email here at any time to ask for assistance or to share your thoughts. 

When we reopen in the new year, we will be in new offices in Houston and in Washington.  I look forward to sharing more information on that soon! 

As always, I am honored and proud to represent you.  I look forward to hearing from you, seeing you, and partnering with you in the new year.  Until then, I send warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

With best wishes,