Dear Neighbor,

This has been a difficult week for all of us in Texas, and across the country, as we witnessed the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde.  I was glad to be home in Houston this week.  I know that people across our district are distraught over the brutal and senseless killing of children at school.  Parents, teachers, and children are again asking why this has happened and what we can do to make our communities safer.  Texans and Americans deserve meaningful answers to those questions and action to keep our schools and communities safe. 

Many have asked me what Congress is doing, or can do.  As I have shared before, the House has passed two bills to improve the background check system in the U.S., the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 8, and the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021, H.R. 1446.  This common-sense legislation is an important tool to keep our fellow Texans and fellow Americans safe.  There is much more work to do, including passing additional meaningful, common-sense, data-driven gun safety legislation and addressing the root causes of violence plaguing our communities.

It was a busy week at home.  Here are a few highlights.  On Monday, I held a Community Conversation on public safety and hate crimes with Houston Police Department Assistant Chief Yasar Bashir, Anti-Defamation League Senior Associate Director Dena Marks, Emgage Civic Engagement Director Niloufar Hafizi, State Representative Gene Wu, and NAACP Houston President Bishop James Dixon.  Like people across our community, I am deeply concerned about the rise in hate crimes in our community and across our country.  Hate, bigotry, and discrimination are an affront to our values as Houstonians and as Americans.  It was clear that people in our district want to talk about these issues, and they want to come together to address them.  I am so grateful for the work and the partnership of our panelists, and I thank them and our neighbors for sharing their thoughtful perspectives in our community conversation.

On Wednesday, I was honored to join members of the George Floyd family, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and community leaders in honoring George Floyd's life at the unveiling of the "Conversation With George" statue at Tom Bass Park on the second anniversary of his death.  It is a place to visit, reflect, and talk about our world and how each of us can make a difference in it.

On Thursday morning, I visited with civic and business leaders from around town at the Houston Business Forum at Los Tios on San Felipe. 

Later that morning, I was thrilled to join leaders from the Harris County Flood Control District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Judge Hidalgo, Mayor Turner and other community leaders to celebrate the completion of Project Brays.  This $480 million, years-long project demonstrates the strength of our federal-local partnership and results in significant flood risk reduction across our community, especially in TX-07. 

This week, I participated in virtual hearings on the Energy and Commerce Committee.  On Tuesday, our Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing entitled “Strengthening Our Communications Networks: Legislation to Connect and Protect,” where we reviewed several bills concerning broadband networks and digital technologies.  On Thursday, our Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee held a hearing on protecting consumers and strengthening the economy where we discussed several bipartisan bills, including several bills for the protection of horses that I have heard about from many constituents.

Tomorrow, we remember and honor those who gave their lives in service to our country.  We are forever grateful for the ultimate sacrifice they made.

As hurricane season approaches, I want to make sure you are prepared.  That is why I am hosting a webinar on this year’s hurricane season outlook and preparedness tips with the National Weather Service on Friday, June 10.  Details to come! 

I’ll be home in Houston again this week, and I look forward to visiting with neighbors across TX-07.  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,