Dear Neighbor, 

It was another busy week in Washington!  Here is this week’s update:

This week, I led the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy’s first hearing of 2020, which focused on research in the Department of Energy’s Office of Science.  This was my first hearing as Chair of the Energy Subcommittee after my election last week.  You can watch my opening remarks here.

In the full Science, Space, and Technology Committee, we heard from experts on the latest science on climate change.  The hearing was important to shaping policy that can address the urgent challenges we face.  I shared with the witnesses my view from our district about all the good work happening here to address climate matters, and the importance of working together to develop a comprehensive, effective approach.  I asked the panelists for their thoughts on what we can all do now, which you can listen to here.

The House passed several bills this week, including bipartisan legislation to honor President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush through the issuance of commemorative one-dollar coins bearing their images.  As the representative for the district President Bush represented in Congress, I was proud to be the first democrat to cosponsor legislation in the House that pays tribute to their legacy.  The Bushes' lifetime of service and dedication to our community and our country is an example and an inspiration to us all.

We also worked to ensure that students who have been defrauded by for-profit colleges and universities can receive the student loan debt relief they are owed.  Congress passed legislation to give students who were victims of predatory and fraudulent practices the right to apply for discharges of their federal loan debt.  Last year, however, the Department of Education implemented the 2019 Borrower Defense Rule, which created a high burden for borrowers to apply successfully for this relief and limited how much relief borrowers can receive.  The House voted to overturn this rule, ensuring that these students can receive meaningful assistance to help them shed the debt they acquired through misrepresentation and fraud.

The House also voted to send the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.  I voted in favor of sending the Articles, consistent with my votes in favor of them.  It is now the job of the Senate to conduct a fair and transparent trial in a manner that will protect the Constitution and seek truth for our country.

The Senate voted this week to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which passed the House in December.  I am glad to see this head to the President’s desk, and proud of the work I did as co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition Trade Task Force to help advance the USMCA through the House last year.  This is a bipartisan achievement that will bring positive change throughout the country, and especially in Texas where Mexico and Canada are our largest trading partners.

One of the things I look forward to most each week is getting the chance to visit with constituents who are in D.C.

I loved welcoming our first group of Close Up Washington students for 2020 from Episcopal High School.  Glad to visit with them about what it’s like to serve as a member of Congress, work we are doing, and my own Close Up trip when I was in high school back in 1991!

I also met with the Houston region team from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), which updated me on projects in our area and helped identify key issues for Congress for upcoming legislation on surface transportation.  I’m always glad to work with our local partners to ensure our priorities in Texas are reflected in federal legislation.

Additionally, I’m excited to have our very first Archer Fellows interning in our D.C. office this semester!  It is especially meaningful to welcome them to the district Congressman Archer represented for 30 years.

I am looking forward to spending the next week at home in Houston for a district work period to hear directly from members of our community about concerns and priorities.  You are always welcome to schedule a meeting at my office or join me at a community event.

I will be hosting a Town Hall next Saturday, January 25th.  I’ll be at Jersey Village Civic Center starting at 2pm to answer your questions, to hear what’s on your mind, and to help with services you need.  I hope to see you there!

Cordially,