Dear Neighbor,

We are at an unprecedented moment—in our own lifetimes and in our country’s history.  Over the last week, that has become even more clear to all of us.

I am so grateful for our frontline healthcare workers, emergency responders, and people working in critical jobs to keep us safe and well during this crisis.  During this time of great uncertainty, we are seeing the best of our community and our country reflected in their efforts.

Like many of you, our entire district team has been working remotely this week, following the guidance of our local officials and health experts to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.  In that time, I have been able to connect with many of you, with leaders across our community, and with my colleagues in Washington as we work to address the effects of this pandemic.  I want to share with you here a few of the things I have done and learned this week:

It is important to me that you know that our Houston Congressional Delegation is working together as we face COVID-19, and I was glad to lead our delegation in a joint statement of our commitment to work together for our community and our country.

On Monday, I hosted a telephone town hall on COVID-19 with Dr. Umair Shah and Dr. Sherri Onyiego from Harris County Public Health, Dr. David Persse from the Houston Health Department, and Stephanie Wright from the Harris County Office of Emergency Management.  More than 2,000 people joined our town hall, and I am grateful to the panelists for their insights and helpful answers to the many questions. 

We are working to schedule another telephone town hall soon.  Details will be announced shortly.

This week, I have been on the phone more than I have in years.  I have had numerous calls with state and local elected officials, with public health officials, with first responders, hospitals, doctors, and other health care providers in the district.  I have also been in touch with small business owners—from restaurants to retailers—to talk about what we can be done to address the health and economic needs of our community.

Our team in Houston and in Washington has been on the phone, too.  Please remember that we are here to help you.  We have gotten many constituent calls about COVID-19 and other matters, and are actively working to help constituents who are abroad get home, to get personal protective equipment to our medical providers, and to assist small businesses. 

2020 Census

On Thursday, I hosted census call with community leaders and representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau about the importance of making sure that everyone is counted in the 2020 Census and how the Census initiative is shifting to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The good news is that for the first time in its history, the census can be conducted online or over the phone.  If you haven’t filled out your census form yet, I encourage you to do so -- learn more here.

As I set out in more detail last week, the House voted last Friday on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the second coronavirus response package aimed at bolstering the federal government’s response to the pandemic and addressing the severe impacts of the coronavirus on Americans’ personal safety and financial security, including: disaster unemployment assistance to people who are unable to work due to the current coronavirus outbreak, paid leave, free coronavirus testing, food assistance for vulnerable families, children, and seniors; protection for frontline health workers, and additional funding to states for the ongoing economic consequences of the pandemic.  The Senate passed the bill and the President signed it into law on Wednesday.

The magnitude of this crisis calls for an unprecedented response, and Congress is now working on a third coronavirus response package.  I have been working with my colleagues to make recommendations based on the needs of our communities.  Together, we have sent letters outlining needs and priorities from our districts (which you can see here).  The New Democrat Coalition put together our recommendations (which you can find here).

Here are few of the priorities our Texas 7 team is fighting for:

• Assisting Texas and other states in acquiring resources to protect our health care providers, allowing our hospitals to scale up and to obtain personal protective equipment;

• Expanding health care coverage so that all Texans – regardless of insurance status – can get care during this pandemic;

• Ensuring small businesses can get federal assistance as quickly as possible – in SBA grants as well as loans, including bridge loans; removing red tape; and coming up with innovative solutions to defray expenses during this crisis;

• Working with the State Department to take immediate steps to make sure Americans abroad can return home safely; and

• Addressing the unique challenges facing those who work in the U.S. oil and gas industry in light of the recent actions of OPEC and Russia and the effects of COVID-19.

In the face of this pandemic, Congress must respond swiftly to the changing needs of our country.  We all must – individually and collectively.  That means doing every single thing we can to slow the spread of this virus.  It means social distancing, staying home as much as possible, and working to “flatten the curve.”  Our neighbors are depending on us to do so.  And if I know anything about this town, it is that we care about our neighbors and we will work together to help them.  We need to do so now more than ever.  And we will.

I hope you will remember that I am here to help you, now and in the future.  We will get through this, and our team will be here to help in every way we can.  Call or email anytime.

Best wishes,