So many highlights this week!  On Monday morning, I had the privilege and joy of attending NASA’s announcement of the crew for the upcoming Artemis II mission!  Here in Space City, we are proud, excited, and inspired by the possibilities for humankind this mission represents and brings to us all.  Shortly before the official announcement, I conveyed my congratulations to Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen, Pilot Victor Glover, Commander Reid Wiseman, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch.

Continuing with the space theme, I had a great time supporting the Sugar Land Space Cowboys this opening week with Mayor Zimmerman and City Council Members Naushad Kermally, Suzanne Whatley, and Carol McCutcheon (and, of course, mascot Orion!).

I also dropped by the American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC) Board of Directors to talk about efforts in Congress to address the dual challenge of meeting domestic and global energy demand while reducing global emissions and share my thoughts on legislative efforts.

I loved the chance to visit with Rice University President Reggie DesRoches, students, faculty, and staff, for a conversation on many topics—from what we are doing in Congress to protect voting rights, ensure access to reproductive care to what Rice students and faculty are doing to lead us into our energy future.

Of course, I always appreciate the chance to meet with neighbors in our district office to discuss issues and projects of particular importance to them.  This week, I welcomed the opportunity to talk about federal contracting and opportunities, needed neighborhood projects and improvements, and issues facing physicians and health care providers and the Medicare Advantage program.  

Thank you to the University of Houston at Sugar Land for hosting our first quarter 2023 town hall meeting this week!  I was glad to be together with TX-07 residents to provide a report on the first three months of the 118th Congress and grateful to the many people who came to listen and share their thoughts and priorities.  A big thank you to Fort Bend County leaders who joined us there, including County Judge K.P. George, Commissioners Grady Prestage and Dexter McCoy, and Sheriff Eric Fagan.

Although the House is not in session and members are home for the April district work period, I continued to do legislative work, including co-sponsoring H.Res. 219, the Bill of Rights for Students and Parents, a resolution expressing our commitment to building safe, welcoming, supportive, and inclusive schools across the nation and highlight the importance of meaningful and inclusive family engagement in K-12 education.

I also sent a letter to Federal Transit Administrator Nuria Fernandez supporting the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) grant application for the Rural Transit Asset Replacement & Modernization Project.  This project is part of an ongoing program to ensure transit accessibility in rural areas and includes the replacement of transit vehicles, construction of new transit facilities, and an electric vehicle (EV) pilot program to integrate zero-emission fleet and charging station infrastructure into existing rural transit vehicle fleets.

This week, staff in Washington met with the Outer Continental Shelf Advisory Board to discuss federal permitting of offshore energy leases and zoomed in to some of our Houston office meetings with constituents.

At home in Houston, Team TX07 attended community meetings, including the Greater Houston Women's Chamber Fort Bend/Southwest Chapter Luncheon, the AARP Alief Chapter Meeting, and the Greater Mission Bend Area Council (GMBAC) meeting.

This week, I sat down for a discussion with Channel 2’s multi-talented meteorologist and news anchor—and TX-07 resident—Khambrel Marshall.  You can see our conversation on his show “Houston Newsmakers” this weekend! 

Just two weeks until submissions for the Congressional Art Competition are due!  High school artists are encouraged to apply for this opportunity to represent TX07 and have their art displayed at the U.S. Capitol.  Students can click here or on the graphic below to learn more.

As always, I am proud to represent you and I am here 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 share your thoughts.  I look forward to hearing from you. 

Best wishes,