Dear Neighbor,

It was great to be back in Houston this week and to see so many of our neighbors across the district, in and out of the office!

I met with Harris County Flood Control Director Dr. Tina Petersen who recently took on the role as Director.  We discussed ongoing flood mitigation projects and ways to keep our community safe from flooding.  I look forward to working together. 

On Thursday, I met with TX-07 resident and breast cancer survivor Lashelle to discuss her experiences with the ACA marketplace and with her care.  Lashelle is a fighter, and I am grateful for her advocacy on these issues. 

I also met with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to hear about issues in our community, including recent accomplishments and ongoing initiatives. 

And I met with the American Jewish Committee to discuss issues important to the Jewish community. 

And it was great meeting with the Parker family to discuss issues on their minds of importance to our community. 

I also dropped by to visit constituent companies and organizations in the district to talk about a variety of issues, including Phillips66 and the Westchase District.

You may have heard that recently, Asim Ghafoor, a Houston-born civil rights lawyer, was detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  I am deeply concerned about his in-absentia conviction and arrest.  The UAE’s decision to detain Mr. Ghafoor – without notice or opportunity to seek legal counsel – represents a gross violation of his due process rights.  On Thursday, I met virtually with Mr. Ghafoor’s family, many of whom live in our district.  I joined with my colleagues from Texas in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to help secure Mr. Ghafoor's release.

I was also glad to join in several community events this week!  On Tuesday joined Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and members of our congressional delegation for the launch of the Brighter Futures for Harris County Kids program.  The county launched this program with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, which Congress passed last March.  It will provide

• a $48 million high-quality childcare program;
• a $7.7 million home visitation program to curb maternal and infant mortality in communities of color; and
• a $7.9 million Early Childhood Impact Fund to invest in evidence-based early childhood programs.

Yesterday, I had a great time at the Alliance’s 15^th annual back-to-school backpack event to help students get ready to kick off the school year!  It was great to be with so many families, Alliance leaders and volunteers, Mayor Turner, and Councilmember Edward Pollard.

As you may have seen, the Senate passed the Inflation Reduction Act today.  This landmark legislation is now headed to the House, and it includes many provisions that my House colleagues and I have been working on for more than a year.  It gives Medicare the power to negotiate prescription drug prices and extends Affordable Care Act subsidies, bringing down health care costs for people across the country.  It is also includes the biggest investment in fighting climate change in our history, investing $300 billion in clean energy and reducing emissions.  It will also pay down our national debt to help fight inflation.  The House will be called back into session later this week to consider this important legislation.

I will be in Houston most of the week continuing to visit with neighbors, but I will head to Washington at the end of the week for the House vote on the Inflation Reduction Act. 

As always, I am honored to represent you and I am here to help you.  Please call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 or email me at fletcher.house.gov/contact at any time to ask for assistance or share your thoughts.  My team and I look forward to hearing from you.

With best wishes,