On Wednesday, the House voted on the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, (H.R. 7024).  This bill does important things for our community and country.  First, it expands access to the Child Tax Credit by phasing in an increase to the refundable portion of the credit for 2023, 2024, and 2025.  If enacted, any individual or family with a child filing taxes this year will see an increase in their refund.  That increase will grow over the next two years, as well.   This legislation provides 16 million children with the economic certainty and stability they deserve.  Using data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Joint Economic Committee estimates 60,000 children in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District would benefit from the expanded Child Tax Credit in the first year.  Second, the bill supports local businesses by expanding the small business expensing cap, adjusting the reporting threshold for businesses that use subcontract labor, extending the Research & Development credit, and restoring full and immediate expensing for investments in machines, equipment, and vehicles.  These provisions will drive innovation, investment, and growth here in Houston and across the country.  I voted for this bill, which passed the House by a vote of 357-70.

The remainder of the week, most of the legislation the House considered was aimed at creating new criminal penalties for immigrants.  I support addressing our broken immigration system and border security by enacting comprehensive immigration reform and sound policy to make our border safe and secure, but the bills the House considered this week do nothing to make our communities safer.  Instead of addressing real problems, they create only the appearance of action, establishing duplicative penalties for already-deportable offenses and threatening foreign-born legal residents with deportation without a conviction.

On Tuesday, the House voted on the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act (H.R. 5585).  This bill creates a new ground of deportability for noncitizens who admit—but are not convicted of—fleeing from a border patrol agent while operating a motor vehicle.  Conviction of fleeing border patrol is already a deportable offense.  This bill would eliminate the requirement that the courts first charge and convict an individual, making it easier to deport someone for fleeing border patrol than other more serious offenses.  I voted no on this bill, which the House passed by a vote of 271-154. 

On Wednesday, the House voted on the Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act (H.R. 6678), which creates a new ground of deportability for noncitizens who admit to acts of social security fraud—again without a conviction.  Fraud in this bill is considered knowingly and without lawful authority producing a false identification document and making a false statement of material fact in an application for Social Security disability benefits.  This bill, however, does not require that a person be charged or be convicted of this crime to be deportable and, under current law, people can already be deported for social security fraud.  I voted no on this bill, which the House passed by a vote of 272-155. 

Also on Wednesday, the House voted on the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act (H.R. 6976), which expands grounds for deportability to any noncitizens who have been convicted of a single misdemeanor DUI, without any consideration of the circumstances.  This bill is not about pushing driving under the influence, as existing laws already establish grounds for deportability if they are convicted of a serious DUI.  The bill does not take into account that DUI statutes across our country are broad and varied, with some states allowing DUI prosecutions of individuals asleep or inebriated in their car, even if in their own driveway.  I voted no on this bill, which the House passed by a vote of 274-150.

The House also voted on the No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act (H.R. 6679).  The bill creates a new ground of deportability for noncitizens if that individual is a member of Hamas or participated in, planned, financed, or facilitated the October 7 attack against Israel.  Hamas is already designated as a terrorist group by the Department of State and any noncitizens who have engaged in terrorist activity are already inadmissible to the U.S. and ineligible for any form of relief from deportation.  Although the legislation is duplicative, it does not substantially alter existing law and passed unanimously out of the House Judiciary Committee.  I joined my colleagues in voting in favor of the bill, which passed the House 422-2.

As a reminder, you can always find a list of all of the votes I have taken for the district on my website.

This week, I co-sponsored several pieces of legislation on issues important to our community this week, including: 

• The Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act, H.R.1222, which awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the Buffalo Soldier regiments, six all-Black cavalry regiments that served in the Armed Forces from 1866 to 1951.  Did you know?  The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is located in Houston, just a few blocks outside of TX-07; and
• A resolution expressing support for the recognition of January as "Muslim-American Heritage Month" and celebrating the heritage and culture of Muslim Americans in the United States, H.Res.989, which designates January as Muslim American Heritage Month to recognize the contributions of Muslim Americans to the United States.  

I also joined colleagues from Texas, California, and Alaska in sending a letter to President Biden urging his administration to refocus on policies that support U.S. liquified natural gas (U.S. LNG) and ensure a future marked by affordable, accessible, and sustainable energy resources that propel the energy transition.

On Wednesday, I met with representatives of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston who were in Washington for an advocacy day to discuss several legislative initiatives, including protecting places of worship against hate crimes.  It was great to see our TX-07 neighbors back on the Hill. 

On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues in the Regional Leadership Council to discuss implementation of the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and the Chips and Science Act and how to make sure you have the information you need.  We are working on some new materials I am excited to share with you soon. 

A few highlights from this busy week!  In Washington, Team TX-07 met with students and teachers from Congregation Emanu El, representatives of the Houston Chapter of Building Owners and Managers Association International, and representatives of the National Federation of the Blind. 

And in Houston, Team TX-07 attended West University Place Mayor Susan Sample’s State of the City Address and Fort Bend County’s inaugural proclamation ceremony with Judge KP George and met with constituents and advocates, including a representative of NETWORK, a faith-based political advocacy organization dedicated to federal policies that advance racial, economic, and social justice.  I was pleased to learn that I scored a 100 percent on NETWORK’s 2023 congressional voting record in 2023.

Next Wednesday, February 7 from 10am to 12pm, Team TX-07 will host a constituent services pop-up at the West Gray Multiservice Center.  If you need assistance with a matter before a federal agency or would like to learn more about services my office provides, stop by for more information! 

Can’t attend next week?  My team will host another constituent services pop-up on Thursday, February 29 from 10-11:30am at the University Branch Library in Sugar Land. 

The House will be back in session on Monday, and we expect to consider several pieces of legislation.  You have likely heard that the Senate is continuing to work on a national security appropriations bill with funding for border security, security assistance to our allies and partners Ukraine and Israel, and humanitarian assistance around the globe.  We have heard that the text of the bill could be announced soon.  There are still major questions about what precisely it contains and whether it will pass the Senate.  Leaders in the House have said that they do not intend to take up the bill, but many of us are working to ensure consideration of these key objectives.  I will, of course, keep you posted on House consideration of these and other matters next week. 

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,