Representative Lizzie Fletcher

Dear Neighbor,

Today, is the anniversary of D-Day. As we reflect on the courage and commitment of those who fought on the beaches of Normandy on history's "Longest Day,” we remember what they fought for—and how important the efforts of each individual were to the success of the mission.

After spending this week at home in Houston, I am glad to update you on the work I am doing on behalf of our district.

This was a district work week—the first in a while. This week, it seemed like lots of people across Houston were headed back to the office for the first time in a while. Like people across our community, we will be phasing back in to work in our District Office in the weeks and months ahead—but no matter where we are working from, we are always working for you.

We are continuing to meet constituents virtually and a few visits outside of the office. It was great to catch up with neighbors about a range of issues, including volunteers and representatives from the American Jewish Committee, Emgage, McGee Chapel, and the Houston Parks Board, among others.

I was also glad to meet with representatives from Crown Castle to visit their small cell sites in our district. You might not know that Crown Castle, headquartered right here in TX-07, is the nation's largest provider of communications infrastructure. As we work in Congress to make internet access more accessible and to close digital divide, it was particularly helpful for me to see the technology and learn more about it.

I was glad to partner with Congressman Kelly Armstrong from North Dakota to introduce the bipartisan Revive Economic Growth and Reclaim Orphaned Wells (REGROW) Act of 2021. Our bill aims to clean up orphaned oil and gas wells, which can leak methane, contaminate groundwater, and create safety risks for neighboring communities. Along with cleaning up our environment, this legislation will help create jobs for oilfield workers in Texas and across the country, which is especially important now, after the downturn brought on by COVID-19.

I also co-sponsored H.R. 2050 this week, the Huntington’s Disease Disability Insurance Access Act of 2021, to ensure Medicare coverage is made available to people with Huntington’s Disease immediately after qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance.

Additionally, I am working with more than 100 of my colleagues in the House to provide more funding for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to support restaurants and other food establishments that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In Houston, restaurants are central to our community. I fought to include targeted assistance for restaurants in the American Rescue Plan, but it is clear that there continues to be great need for support. You can read our letter to Congressional leadership on this matter here.

I also joined a letter with 55 of my House colleagues to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asking to replenish funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system.

Finally, as our community recognizes the 20^th anniversary of Tropical Storm Allison, I am glad to share that my bipartisan HELP Act has been introduced in the Senate this week. After our community’s experience with Hurricane Harvey, I wrote the HELP Act to help communities recover from natural disasters more quickly, and I am glad to see it moving forward in Congress.

With each passing week, life is beginning to feel more normal as our neighbors continue to get vaccinated. If you have not yet been vaccinated, you can set up your appointment online. If you have already been vaccinated, it is recommended that you scan a copy of your vaccination card to keep in your records, and if you lose your card, contact your provider for a replacement.

In case you missed it: Harris County Public Health is offering $5,000 scholarships for 10 Harris County residents under 18 who receive their first COVID-19 vaccine dose at a Harris County Public Health vaccination site. You can find more information here!

Save the date: On Monday, June 21, I will be hosting a Mid-Year Telephone Town Hall to discuss the work we have done in the first half of 2021, to hear from you on issues facing our community, and to answer your questions. I hope you’ll join me! You can RSVP here or by clicking below.

June is PRIDE month! This month, and always, I am proud to represent and celebrate our LGTBTQ+ family, friends, and neighbors.

I am proud to represent you, and I am here to help you. Please do not hesitate to call me to share your thoughts and concerns or to let me know how my team and I can help you. You can email here, or call my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 any time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes,