On Tuesday, President Biden delivered his second State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.  I was glad to be there to hear him speak not just to those of us assembled but directly to the American people about the progress we have made in the past two years and his agenda for the years ahead. 

The President highlighted the work he has done with Congress to deliver for the American people.  An economic plan that is working, with a record 12 million jobs created since President Biden took office and a 3.4 percent unemployment rate, the lowest it has been in more than 50 years.  Investment in manufacturing, bringing supply chains back home, and making more things in communities across the country.  Lowering health care costs for Americans, especially prescription drug costs: cutting costs for people who buy insurance on their own, capping out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, and giving Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices.  Rebuilding America by finally fixing our roads and bridges, bringing clean water and high-speed internet to more communities, and making huge investments in American energy to address the climate crisis.  And so much more.

President Biden also highlighted what he will fight for in the future—protecting Social Security and Medicare and protecting our communities.  After his speech, I had a chance to thank him for his work and briefly talk about how we can continue working together to deliver for American families. 

On Monday, the House voted on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis for the Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Act of 2023, H.R. 302, to establish an Energy Cybersecurity University Leadership Program, which would provide grants and financial assistance to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers studying cybersecurity and energy infrastructure.  If enacted, this legislation would bolster the energy sector’s growing workforce and strengthen the United States’ ability to address future cyberattacks.

On Wednesday, the House voted on the Revoking Vaccine for Global Travelers Act, H.R. 185, which would permit unvaccinated individuals to freely enter the U.S., potentially increasing the risk of circulating new variants of concern and putting health care providers and hospital capacity at risk.  H.R. 185 would also prohibit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from issuing any subsequent orders to require COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers in the future as well.  This is dangerous and ties the hands of our public health experts, making our country less safe and more vulnerable in the future.  For these reasons, I voted no on this legislation. 

On Thursday, I reintroduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act along with Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Congresswoman Nancy Mace (SC-01), and Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (VA-07).  This bipartisan legislation, which I also introduced in the last Congress, helps protect coastal communities by creating a new stream of funding for coastal infrastructure and flood resiliency projects and helps incentivize new clean energy projects.  Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) introduced this legislation in the U.S. Senate on Thursday as well. 

Along the Texas Gulf Coast, we know all too well the devastating impacts of flooding and disasters as well as the way that visionary projects can help protect our communities.  The RISEE Act will help make it possible for us to invest in these vital coastal protection projects by giving states a portion of the revenue generated from offshore wind and energy projects, providing incentive for future projects.  I am glad to partner with Representatives Davis, Weber, Eshoo, Mace, and Spanberger to reintroduce this legislation in the House and with Senators Whitehouse and Cassidy in the Senate to protect our communities, our ecosystems, and our economy.

Current law requires all revenues generated from offshore wind leases and production beyond six nautical miles from states be sent to the U.S. Treasury.  The RISEE Act amends this to send 37.5 percent of offshore wind revenue to states within 75 miles of offshore wind farms.  By sharing offshore wind revenues with nearby states, the RISEE Act offers incentives for state and local governments to facilitate successful siting processes and to get turbines up and running in their regions.  The RISEE Act will allow for more equitable resource sharing between states, the federal government, and conservation programs. State funds from offshore wind revenue could be used:

• For coastal restoration, hurricane protection, or resiliency infrastructure;
• To mitigate damage to fish, wildlife, or other natural resources, including through fisheries science and research; or
• To implement a marine, coastal, or conservation management plan.

Additionally, 12.5 percent of offshore wind revenues would serve as a further dedicated funding source for the National Oceans and Coastal Security Fund (NOCSF).  This fund provides competitive grants to coastal communities to respond to coastal erosion and sea level rise, restore coastal habitat, and make improvements to coastal infrastructure.

The RISEE Act also amends the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) to create a new stream of funding by equalizing mineral rights revenues for offshore leases and devoting that money to coastal resiliency and flood mitigation projects. 

The bill amends GOMESA by:

• Eliminating the state revenue sharing cap, currently set at $375 million; and
• Lifting the Land & Water Conservation Fund’s state side funding cap of $125 million. 

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

• A resolution expressing support for the Iranian people’s desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran, and condemning violations of human rights and state-sponsored terrorism by the Iranian Government, H.Res. 100; and
• The Keeping Texas School Construction Costs Down Act of 2023, H.R. 32, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to create a safe harbor for certain perpetual trust funds. 

Recently, I joined Congressman Carlos Gimenez (FL-28) in sending a bipartisan letter with several of our colleagues to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging him to pause the implementation of and review proposed changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI).  The proposed changes would alter the formula that determines the level of annual funding high-risk urban areas—such as Harris and Fort Bend Counties—receive to protect their communities from acts of terrorism.  To read the full letter, click here. 

Throughout the week, I joined my colleagues in signing several letters on issues important to our community:

• A letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Rosenworcel urging the FCC to examine language expansion provided by Wireless Emergency Alerts; and
• A letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra requesting a site visit to the Texas Medical Center as HHS considers locations for ARPA-H.  I have continuously advocated for ARPA-H to be located in Texas. 

On Wednesday, I went to the House floor to speak in support of my Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act.  To view my speech, click here.

Our Energy & Commerce Committee was busy this week.  On Tuesday, I participated in the Energy & Commerce Joint Subcommittee hearing on Energy and Environment, Unleashing American Energy, Lowering Energy Costs, and Strengthening Supply Chains.  On Wednesday, I participated in the Communications and Technology (CAT) Subcommittee hearing, Liftoff: Unleashing Innovation in Satellite Communications Technologies where I asked witnesses about the unique capabilities of low Earth orbit satellites to provide emergency communications.  And on Thursday, we had our first markup of the year.

Here's a photo of the CAT hearing in our smaller committee hearing room.

I always love visiting with Houstonians who are visiting Washington, D.C. on issues that matter to them and to our community.  On Tuesday, I met with members of the American Jewish Committee to discuss ways to combat antisemitism, promote our democratic values, and safeguard universal human rights.

On Wednesday, I met with the Local Taxpayer Advocate for Houston, Gina Smith.  The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) is an independent organization within the IRS.  The TAS offers a range of different resources to help resolve tax issues for free, and Gina and her team in Houston have been incredibly helpful to our neighbors in TX-07.  Our team has closed 940 IRS cases, often with their help.  For more information on TAS resources, click here. 

Also on Wednesday, I attended the Energy Workforce and Technology Council’s annual reception in DC where I saw so many familiar faces from Houston!  I was glad to join and talk about how we can build on the strong legislation Congress has passed in the last two years through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to invest in our domestic energy sector and deliver for our energy future while also reducing emissions and meeting our environmental challenges. 

And on Thursday I met with representatives of Texas Children’s Hospital to discuss the role the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education program plays in training the future medical workforce as well as challenges we face at home. 

As always, members of Team TX-07 were also busy this week!  In Washington, Maisy met with the National Education Association (left) and Lentil Pea Council (top right).  And Kevin met with the Organization of Iranian American Communities (bottom right). 

My team and I are delighted to be able to work with the Library of Congress and partners in the community to provide books to schools in the district.  Fatimah and Bricen on our Houston team made a delivery of books to the Academy of Accelerated Learning, where the students had also prepared valentine cards for our Valentines for Veterans program! 

Constituent Advocate Sara in our Houston office recently assisted a constituent seeking help with multiple federal agencies to update their non-profit status:

“The non-profit named after my son, needed our federal registration renewed in order to continue receiving grant funding to serve the community and honor Parris' legacy. During our attempts to renew, we experienced technical errors and were unable to get technical support to resolve the issue. With the renewal deadline approaching, we were at risk of having to lay-off employees and stop services to the community. We were anxious and afraid and sought help from Rep. Fletcher's team. Rep. Fletcher's team in Houston and D.C. were kind, patient, and advocated for us….  Within days, the technical error was resolved, and we were able to move forward with the renewal process and meet the deadline. We are so grateful for the advocacy and support. Resolving the error has saved 45 jobs and 2,000 families continuing to receive education and mental health services. Thank you, Rep. Fletcher, and your team!”

I am thrilled to share that I have been selected to serve as a Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus.  The Equality Caucus works toward the extension of equal rights, the repeal of discriminatory laws, the elimination of hate-motivated violence, and the improved health and well-being for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and all other gender variant (LGBTQI+) individuals. 

I am so proud to represent the diverse and dynamic LGBTQI+ community across Houston, including the long-time heart of the community in Montrose.  Since my first term in Congress, I have partnered with our LGBTQI+ community to work as an active member of the Equality Caucus.  I am honored to be recognized for that work by being appointed as a Vice Chair of the Equality Caucus.  Together, we will continue to fight for equality for LGBTQI+ individuals and against anti-LGBTQI+ efforts in Texas and across our country.  I look forward to building on our progress and working under the leadership of Chair Pocan and the Co-Chairs of the Equality Caucus, as we work to protect the dignity, freedom, and equality of LGBTQI+ individuals.

With no official work in Washington this week, I am looking forward to visiting with neighbors throughout TX-07 this week!  In particular, I am looking forward to delivering valentines to local veterans on Tuesday.  I got a preview this morning of the valentines we have collected from TX-07 students and residents.  Can’t wait to deliver them.  Thanks to all who contributed to this effort!

As always, 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,