Dear Neighbor,
Since I wrote you last Friday, our community lost a champion and our congressional delegation lost a colleague with the passing of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. For decades, Congresswoman Jackson Lee worked tirelessly as a champion for our community, our country, and our Constitution, serving with passion, persistence, and purpose. All Houstonians benefited from her strong leadership, hard work, and unwavering dedication to public service—from City Council to Congress. And all Americans have benefited, and will continue to benefit for generations to come, from her efforts to ensure justice, equality, and freedom throughout our nation.
When we returned to Washington on Monday, members of our Texas Delegation from both sides of the aisle led the House in a moment of silence and paid tribute to Congresswoman Jackson Lee on the House floor. |
When the House Democratic Caucus gathered Tuesday morning, we remembered and honored her. I am sharing here a wonderful video tribute in memory of our legendary colleague. You can watch the video here or by clicking on the image below. |
The House returned to Washington this week with the intent of considering four appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2025, but the week did not proceed as planned. In the end, we only considered two of them, and we only voted on one.
We started the week on a high note, however, as the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), H.R. 8812, which authorizes water infrastructure studies and projects across the country. Important for our community, WRDA bill includes language that I requested with Congressman Wesley Hunt (TX-38) instructing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study (BBTRS) by the end of 2025. The completion of the BBTRS will allow for the full evaluation of an underground water conveyance tunnel concept to alleviate the potential for flooding around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and along Buffalo Bayou. Since my first term in Congress, I have prioritized protecting our community from flooding by supporting water infrastructure projects—including BBTRS. This study is an important opportunity to find a project that aligns with community objectives, minimizes adverse environmental and community impacts, and prioritizes resilience. I am glad that after years of advocating for the completion of this study and collaborating with community leaders across Texas’ Seventh Congressional District, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 includes language to get this work completed.
We also passed with bipartisan support the Victims’ VOICES Act (S. 3706), to ensure a person assuming the rights of a crime victim is eligible for restitution for expenses associated with a necessary role in the legal process; the Improving Access to Our Courts Act (S. 227), to provide an additional court in Alpine, Texas for federal court proceedings in the Western District of Texas; and a resolution to establish a task force following the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump (H.Res.1367).
The House spent most of the week debating appropriations bills, and this unfolded this week much as they have with this year’s other appropriations bills. Once again, the bills presented to the full House do not comply with the First, the House debated the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, H.R. 8997, along with 17 proposed amendments to the bill. This annual bill is an opportunity to make strategic investments that lower energy costs for American families, promote America’s energy independence, and support the American manufacturing sector. Again this year’s bill does not comply with the spending agreements we made last year, but it also contained other provisions that would cut some domestic energy investments, increase energy costs, jeopardize our energy independence and national security, hurt our global competitiveness, eliminate efforts to address climate change, and put American manufacturing jobs at risk. And lots of the proposed amendments would have made it even worse. I voted against all the amendments to the bill. After voting on amendments to the bill late into the night on Tuesday, there was no vote on final passage of the bill.
Next, the House took up the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025, H.R. 8998, along with 15 proposed amendments to the bill. The Interior and Environment appropriations bill funds the department and agencies that protect our air and water, support our National Parks and public lands, and preserve our ecosystems. This year’s bill represents another series of failures of funding for some of our key priorities, threatens the protection of our air and water, jeopardizes public health and safety, hinders our efforts to respond to climate change, and more. For these reasons, I voted against the bill, which passed the House by a close vote of 210-205. I am sorry to report that the House does not appear to be on the right track when it comes to funding the government. It is disappointing that we continue to see partisan appropriations bills that have no hope of becoming law brought to the floor.
And, speaking of partisan, on Thursday, the House considered a transparent resolution condemning the Biden Administration and, specifically, Vice President Kamala Harris for failure to secure the U.S. Border (H.Res.1371). While Vice President Harris was tasked with diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of migration from Central America, House Republicans are falsely accusing her of being directly responsible for the situation at our southern border. The use of the term “Border Czar” and the transparent political narrative this resolution portrays are neither productive nor appropriate. I voted against this resolution, which passed the House by a vote of 220-196.
As a reminder, you can always find a list of all of the votes I have taken for the district on my website.
Unable to pass the appropriations bills, House Republicans announced mid-week that the House will not convene next week, and we will not return to Washington again until after Labor Day. I will be glad to be at home in Texas for important community events next week, and to spend time at home during the traditional August recess. |
This week and last, I cosponsored several pieces of legislation on issues important to our community, including: - the Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act, H.R. 8923, to establish a new section in the Department of Justice to enforce federal laws concerning animal cruelty;
- the Restoring Communities Left Behind Act, H.R. 837, to direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a competitive grant program for local partnerships to carry out neighborhood revitalization support activities in economically distressed areas;
- a resolution expressing support for the designation of July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day, H.Res. 1355;
- a resolution recognizing the accomplishments and the contributions of Vietnamese Americans, H.Res. 1003; and
- the Federal Firearm Licensee Act, H.R. 1478, to update sections in the U.S. Code directed at federal firearms licensees that have been undermined by rogue dealers and advances in technology.
This week, I helped the effort to force a vote on the Right to IVF Act, which would establish a right to in vitro fertilization and the medical advances that help thousands of Americans build their families each year. On Thursday, I represented the Pro-Choice Caucus at an event to highlight the threats to IVF and reproductive freedom and access more broadly. As you may remember, in February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos have the same protection as children under state law, putting the future of IVF treatments at risk. And although the Alabama legislature has since enacted legislation meant to protect IVF patients and providers from legal liability, this ruling still demonstrates the vulnerability of our reproductive freedoms and what’s at stake. It is important to know that 86 percent of House Republicans have cosponsored at least one bill that gives a fertilized egg the same rights as a child, undermining IVF access throughout the United States. |
On Tuesday, the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing on the fiscal year 2025 Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Budget, where we discussed how the recently passed Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act will speed permitting of new advanced nuclear small modular reactors and addressed other issues before the Commission.
On Wednesday, the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing on the fiscal year 2025 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Budget. In this hearing, I discussed permitting and application timelines, and ways we can make sure FERC has the resources necessary to process applications to guarantee that Americans have access to reliable and affordable energy. To see my questions to the commissioners, please click here. |
On Wednesday, Prime Minister of the State of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress. During his address on Wednesday, Prime Minister Netanyahu shared stories of the Israeli and American hostages held by Hamas, detailed the threat that Iran and its proxies pose in the Middle East, and reaffirmed the alliance between Israel and the United States. As you may know, the invitation to address Congress was controversial, and many people protested before and during the address. Many protestors were exercising their First Amendment right to speak and protest—a right we celebrate as Americans and is symbolized in our flag. But some people destroyed public property, defaced monuments, and removed and burned the American flag representing freedom and liberty from Union Station displaying deeply disturbing hate, antisemitism, and violence. These things have no place in our country.
President Biden met with Prime Minister Netanyahu the next day to discuss critical developments in the region and progress toward a ceasefire and hostage release deal and reaffirming the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security. As you may know, last month, President Biden outlined a detailed framework proposal to achieve a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a path forward toward lasting peace and stability. Israel and Hamas recently announced their agreement to this framework developed by the United States with international support from the United Nations Security Council and the G7. Although the details are still being negotiated, both sides appear closer to a final deal than they have in months. I support President Biden’s efforts to achieve the release of hostages taken by Hamas, an end to the current war, delivery of critical humanitarian aid, and a lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians in the region. I am hopeful that these recent developments will lead to these outcomes that people across our community want to see so deeply. |
As you can imagine, Washington this week was taking in President Biden’s announcement that he would not seek a second term in office. On Wednesday evening, President Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office where he shared his awe of the office he holds and the people he serves. He outlined his plans for the next six months, focusing on his job as president and work to continue to lower costs for hardworking families, grow our economy, defend our personal freedoms and our civil rights, from the right to vote to the right to choose, and to ensure America remains strong and secure and the leader of the free world. And he reminded us of the high ideals and the idea of America, concluding:
“America is an idea — an idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. It's the most powerful idea in the history of the world. That idea is that we hold these truths to be self- evident. We're all created equal, endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. We've never fully lived up to it — to this sacred idea, but we've never walked away from it either. And I do not believe the American people will walk away from it now.” |
Over the last three-and-a-half years, I have had the privilege of working with President Biden and his administration on behalf of our district. I am grateful to him for his leadership during these years, and for his lifetime of service to our country. From the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to the CHIPS and Science Act, to the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, and so much more, President Biden has been one of the most effective presidents since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and communities across our country — including here in TX-07 — are benefiting every day because of this work. And I am grateful that he has encouraged us to believe in progress, hope, and unity for all of America and all Americans. |
It was great to connect with people from home who were in Washington this week to talk about issues that matter in our community, including energy issues of all kinds, and to attend the joint address to Congress.
I also had the joy of visiting with one of our outstanding young neighbors who I had the privilege of nominating for an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point who made a special trip to visit me and tell me about her experience. It was as inspiring as it gets to hear from her about her present plans and future hopes and to witness her patriotism and love of country. Each year, I have the privilege of nominating a select number of young leaders to our nation’s military service academies. If you are interested in being considered for a service academy nomination, or know someone who might be, please click here. |
This week, I also said goodbye to another Houstonian who has been on the Hill with me since the day I arrived in Washington. Cameron, now our Senior Legislative Assistant (and a TX07 constituent!), is headed off to graduate school this fall. She came to Washington with me to new member orientation before I was sworn in and she has been an integral part of our team ever since. Our entire team is sad to see her go, but we wish her all the best in her next chapter. |
With the House now in recess, I also said goodbye to our interns in Washington. And as the summer comes to a close, we will soon say goodbye to this summer’s intern class. We are grateful for their hard work for our district! |
In Washington, our team continued working on legislative matters and meeting with more than a dozen groups, including the Coalition for Peace, Relief, and Equity, TexTESOL, and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC). |
People across our community are continuing to recover from Hurricane Beryl. Our team has continued to assist neighbors following the storm and to compile disaster recovery resources. For a comprehensive list of resources, visit my website here. I hope you will forward this information to anyone you know who may need it.
I also want to remind you that the federal disaster declaration makes it possible for people in Harris and Fort Bend counties to receive disaster assistance from the federal government, including FEMA and the SBA. (And, as I was reminded this week, certain disaster recovery expenses in presidentially declared disasters are tax deductible, so hold on to your receipts.) Please remember, the deadlines to apply for some of these federal assistance programs are as early as September. |
The House is now in recess until after Labor Day. I am looking forward to spending some time at home visiting with neighbors across #TX07 during the month of August.
With the business of the House largely on hold, the Weekly Wrap Up will be on hold, too. You will still hear from me, and you can always reach me and our team by calling my office at (713) 353-8680 or (202) 225-2571 or emailing here at any time. We are always glad to hear from you, whether you are seeing assistance with matters at home or sharing your thoughts on matters before the Congress.
Until next time, I send best wishes for a happy summer!
Best wishes, |
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