This was the first certification since the violent attack on our Capitol when Congress met to certify the 2020 election results.  This year, the certification proceeded as it has historically, a testament to the peaceful transfer of power that defines and sustains our democratic system.  Four tellers—two from the House and two from the Senate—took turns announcing each state's electoral certificates were "regular in form and authentic."  There were no objections to the certification of any state’s election certificate, and Vice President Harris certified the results of the election with grace and patriotism that was inspiring to me.

But it was a difficult day.  On this anniversary of the attack on the Capitol, I was reminded of all that transpired four years ago.  I remain and will be forever grateful to the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police, and others who put their lives on the line to protect the Congress, the Capitol, the Constitution, and the country that day.

On Monday morning, as I prepared to go to the Capitol, I heard news stories with Americans saying they thought the attack on the Capitol didn't even really happen.

It did.  I was there.  I witnessed it.  As many know, I was inside the Capitol that day, in the Gallery of the House Chamber.  I saw and heard the people storming the Capitol.  Through the third-floor window, I saw mobs on the steps.  As I escaped the Gallery later, I saw them inside the Capitol hallways.  And it was not just me.  People at home and across the country witnessed it, too, in real time—thanks to the reporters inside and outside the Capitol who reported in real time what was happening there, also at great personal risk.

I relied on the U.S. Capitol Police to protect me personally and to protect the Congress broadly.  And they did, providing protection and calm guidance for those of us trapped inside, fighting the mobs inside and outside the entire Capitol. 

Our law enforcement officers and others who work throughout the Capitol—from House clerks to janitorial staff—worked tirelessly, through danger and distress, to make it possible for Congress to come back to the Capitol and vote to certify the election later that day.  And we did.

It was a dark and sad day for our country.  Yet, in the years since, many people have sought to minimize and dismiss this attack on our country and our democracy.  I am deeply concerned about this dismissive, dangerous narrative that has emerged about that day.  We cannot forget the irresponsible rhetoric and blatant lies that brought people to the Capitol that day.  And we must not forget the heroism of the U.S. Capitol Police and other law enforcement officers who fought for America and all Americans that day.  We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay.

On Monday, we were able to ensure the continuity of government because of the courage and determination of those who have fought for our American democracy for nearly 250 years, including on January 6, 2021, a day we must never forget.

This week, our country laid to rest our 39th President, Jimmy Carter.  On behalf of our district, I had the honor and privilege of attending services celebrating his remarkable life.  On Tuesday, I joined our country's leaders in the U.S. Capitol in receiving President Carter’s body in the United State Capitol, where he lay in state for two days.  At the ceremony, Congressional leaders and Vice President Harris eulogized this great American.  I am sharing Vice President Harris’ beautiful eulogy here.  In these short remarks, I learned some new things and important lessons from his life of selfless service.  To view her remarks, click here or on the image below. 

Over the next two days, I saw people from across the country at the Capitol, despite the cold and the snow, to pay their respects to President Carter.  On Thursday, I had the privilege of attending his state funeral at the Washington National Cathedral, where we heard more beautiful and inspiring eulogies, before he was laid to rest at his home in Plains, Georgia.  It was a beautiful and moving tribute on the National Day of Mourning, to a great American who demonstrated throughout all the days of his long life—defending and leading our country, working for peace around the world, building for people and for the future—the very best of America and Americans.

May his life be an example and his memory be a blessing to us all.

With the events of the week, the House had only two votes on legislation. 

On Tuesday, the House considered the Laken Riley Act (H.R. 29), a bill named after a young woman tragically murdered last year by an undocumented migrant.  Her tragic death speaks to important concerns about our broken immigration system, but this bill named after her does not meaningfully address them.  It is important to know that under current law, undocumented immigrants arrested for or convicted of a felony, including burglary and robbery, are already subject to detention and deportation.  I agree with current law and believe it should be enforced.  This bill, however, is directed at people accused of shoplifting—not rapists or murderers like the person who killed Laken Riley—and it requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain indefinitely undocumented immigrants suspected of burglary, theft, or shoplifting (not murder) without access to bail—even people who are not charged with a crime, including Dreamers, asylum seekers, DACA recipients, and those with Temporary Protected Status.  In eliminating due process, it undermines fundamental American values and principles.  In addition, this broad bill allows state attorneys general to dictate federal immigration policy.  Under this bill, state attorneys general could overturn decisions of immigration judges and ICE officers, and even ask courts to block legal immigration from particular countries, upending decades of precedent in immigration law and creating chaos throughout our country’s immigration system.  While I support addressing our broken immigration system and addressing the public safety concerns this tragic case raises, for the reasons above, and for procedural reasons that the bill was brought before the House without going through committees and without the possibility of amendment, I voted against this bill.  It passed by a vote of 264-159 and is now before the Senate.

On Thursday, the House considered the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act (H.R. 23), a bill to impose sanctions on International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who assist in ICC investigations and prosecutions of U.S. nationals or nationals of U.S. allies not party to the ICC.  The House considered this bill during the last Congress following the ICC’s application for arrest warrants of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over Israel’s military operations in Gaza.  Although I agree that the ICC’s application for arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials was deeply problematic, this overly broad bill is neither an effective nor useful long-term response.  As written, this bill could require sanctions against court staff, judges, witnesses, and U.S. allies and partners who provide even limited support to the court.  This bill’s broad provisions would undermine impeding global investigations and prevent international cooperation, weaken foreign deterrence, and impact those who rely on the ICC for justice, for matters beyond those related to the U.S. or Israel.  The bill would also rescind any funding appropriated to the ICC and prohibits future funding to the international organization.  For these reasons, I again voted against the bill, which passed the House by a vote of 243-140.

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

Thanks to everyone who joined my virtual town hall on Wednesday evening!  From my new office in Washington, I was glad to review the work and developments from 2024 and to share a preview of what I expect to see in the House in 2025 with residents of TX-07.  We had great participation and good questions on the issues before the Congress this year and where we ended up last year.

Many of these things are also covered in my 2024 Annual Report, so if you haven’t checked it out yet, I hope you will here.

Despite the snow days and cold weather at home, Team TX-07 was keeping busy!  Our team held several meetings in Washington with constituents and groups advocating on their behalf, including the Littlest Tumor Foundation and the International Association of Fire Chiefs, helped constituents at home, and attend community events at home including the President Jimmy Carter Habitat for Humanity Memorial Event.

From Houston to Washington, it’s cold out there!  With near freezing temperatures in Houston, the Texas Department of Emergency Management has opened a warming center in TX-07 for those who need to find a way to stay warm.  It is located at the Mission Bend Branch Library at 8421 Addicks Clodine Rd.  For more information, click here. 

Need help with a federal agency and looking to get assistance in person?  Team TX-07 constituent advocates will be at the Sugar Land Branch Library this Monday, January 13, 2025.  If you can’t make this one, they will be at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center on West Gray next month on Wednesday, February 12 to help you get answers.  In the meantime, you can also visit fletcher.house.gov/casework to get started.

I am also excited about our annual Valentines for Veterans program in February.  We have several elementary schools signed up to participate this year, and I hope you will join in sending notes of gratitude and love to Houston-area veterans.  We will collect and deliver them on behalf of our district next month.  For details, click here. 

Next week, the House will be in session and I will be back in Washington for votes and for our first Energy and Commerce Committee meetings of the 119th Congress.  We will be in session again the following week, after Inauguration Day on Monday, January 20, 2025.  January will be busy and eventful, and I look forward to keeping you updated on what is happening in Washington.

I’d also note that, in addition to these emails, you can get my updates on social media if you prefer.  In addition to Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, you can now find me on Bluesky and Spoutible. 

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,