Fletcher, Lizzie RSS Articles

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher’s Bill To Expand Texans’ Access to Emergency Alerts Signed Into Law

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Legislation comes after July 4, 2025, Hill Country floods that killed more than 130 people

Today, the President signed a bill led by Congresswoman Fletcher with Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01), the Mystic Alerts Act, H.R. 7022. The Mystic Alerts Act improves Americans’ access to wireless emergency alerts by requiring the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to encourage mobile service providers to adopt satellite alerting capabilities—technology that allows more people to receive life-saving alerts even if they lack cellular service. The bipartisan effort follows the devastating floods in Central Texas last summer and seeks to address communication gaps to prepare communities.

“In Houston and across the state of Texas, we are still heartbroken and grieving the loss of beloved family members and the destruction of communities along the Guadalupe River in the summer of 2025, a disaster made worse by communication gaps and failures,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “This new law is a small but important way to provide a meaningful response to the devastating floods and to learn from the tragedy so that communities across the country do not have to experience the same pain and loss that Texans did last year. Nothing can bring back those that we lost in the flood, but we owe it to their survivors and to everyone we represent to do all we can to try to prevent another tragedy like it. I am thankful for Congressman Pfluger, Congressman Veasey, and Congressman Carter’s partnership in this effort and am thrilled to see this bill become law.”

Congresswoman Fletcher joined Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) in introducing this legislation. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

To view the full text of the bill, click here.

As EPA Relocates Regional Lab Outside Houston, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Demands Public Meeting and Answers

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Trump administration stopped processing new samples at the Region 6 EPA lab in August with no plan to protect Gulf Coast communities before the new Oklahoma lab is ready

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) called on Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lee Zeldin to request a public meeting to explain how EPA will protect Houston and the Gulf Coast after halting essential work at its Region 6 Laboratory in Houston. The effort comes after the Trump administration ordered the Houston lab to stop processing new samples even though EPA acknowledges that its lab in Ada, Oklahoma will not be fully operational for months. EPA has presented no plan for testing air, water, and soil across five states if a hurricane or industrial accident strikes. The closure also upends the lives of the lab's scientists, many of whom may leave EPA rather than move 400 miles away. And many questions remain about the impact of moving the lab several hundred miles away will have on Houston’s public and environmental health following disasters.

“Housto is home to a large number of chemical plants and refineries, and this lab and its highly trained staff are essential to EPA’s mission of protecting human health and the environment,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher wrote. “In the case of extreme weather events, these scientists are among Houston’s essential first responders. Many EPA inspectors working on the Hurricane Harvey emergency response were based out of the Houston Lab. Moving the lab to a remote area exposes real infrastructure and logistics issues, which threatens Houston’s access to the critical air, water, and soil testing performed at the lab and the return of results as quickly as possible.

“Closing the Houston lab is ill-advised and I have advocated against it for years. At a minimum, EPA should present a comprehensive plan for how the lab’s functions will be carried out as this consolidation with Ada occurs,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher continued. “However, EPA ordered the lab to stop processing new samples on August 28, 2026, and EPA personnel communicated to my office during a meeting on September 9, 2026, that the Ada lab will not take over the Houston lab’s functions for several months… EPA has not articulated a plan for how new samples will be processed or how emergencies will be managed during this interim period. This is unacceptable and dangerous. With no plan in place, Houston and Region 6 residents cannot feel confident that the air they breathe and the water they drink will be safe if an industrial accident or natural disaster occurs.

“In light of these concerns, I request that EPA holds a public meeting in Houston by the end of 2026 to detail its plans for the continuity of the Region 6 Houston lab’s functions and receive input from impacted stakeholders and the public,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher concluded. “Additionally, I request answers to the following questions by October 30, 2026:

Has EPA developed a plan to ensure continuity of the Region 6 lab’s functions during the period from August 28, 2026, when the lab stopped processing new samples, to when the Ada lab is fully operational;
When will EPA communicate, in detail, its plans regarding management-directed reassignments to the Ada lab and relocating remaining staff to another Houston facility to the Houston lab’s current employees;
Once the Houston and Ada lab consolidation is complete, how will EPA ensure samples from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico are transported and processed in Ada in a timely manner;
What impact will the Houston and Ada lab consolidation have on the processing time of samples from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico? What, if any, analysis has been conducted on the potential public and environmental health impacts of delays caused by the consolidation? What was the result of this analysis; and
EPA personnel communicated to my office during a meeting on September 9, 2026, that the consolidation of the Houston and Ada labs will result in no detrimental impact on Region 6’s analytical capability. Please provide data substantiating this claim.”

The Region 6 Laboratory is a full-service analytical lab providing critical emergency response and disaster prevention services for five states. The Houston Lab is being moved from a newer facility built in 1990 to an older facility built in 1966, which is having to undergo extensive renovations to properly function. Since the EPA ordered Region 6’s lab functions to cease last month, the lab is in flux and operating in a diminished capacity, threatening Houston’s access to the critical air, water, and soil testing performed at the lab.

In 2019, Congresswoman Fletcher led an appropriations letter to the LHHS Subcommittee asking that they include language barring the EPA from using any funds to close the Region 6 EPA lab. Following this, Congresswoman Fletcher sent multiple letters to the EPA Administrator since 2019 in opposition to the lab relocation and a letter to the EPA Office of the Inspector General asking for an investigation into the closure. During EPA’s Fiscal Year 26 Budget Hearing, Congresswoman Fletcher raised this issue with Administrator Zeldin, who committed to looking into the issue.

To view the full text of the letter, click here.

Two Federal Courts Rule Trump Administration’s Elimination of Solar For All Program Unlawful, Advancing the Effort of Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Jeff Merkley To Save the Program

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congress created the $7 billion renewable energy program to deliver solar projects to 900,000 households in disadvantaged communities, saving families $350 million every year on energy costs

Two federal courts have ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unlawfully eliminated the Inflation Reduction Act’s Solar for All Program. On September 22, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted summary judgement to Harris County. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) supported Harris County’s case in an amicus brief they filed earlier this year, joined by 81 Members of Congress. The court vacated EPA’s decision to eliminate the program and warned that it will consider further relief if EPA fails to comply.

On September 18, the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island also ruled against EPA in a separate case brought by the Rhode Island AFL-CIO.

Solar for All was designed to lower electricity bills for low-income families, create thousands of well-paying jobs, boost American manufacturing, and make the grid more reliable.

“Solar for All is one of the most important affordable energy programs in our country’s history,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Congress created it. Congress appropriated the funds for it. No president or political appointee can unilaterally eliminate a program Congress has created, and two federal courts have now said so. I have been glad to support Harris County in this case and this effort to hold the Trump administration accountable and deliver for Harris County residents. EPA should comply with these rulings now and reinstate the grants it terminated. I will keep working to make sure Harris County families benefit from this investment in our community and to hold the administration accountable to the Congress and to the people we represent.”

“I am pleased that multiple courts have affirmed our belief that the power of the purse belongs to people’s representatives, and that no administration has the unilateral power to defund programs authorized by Congress, including the Solar for All program enacted in 2022,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. “While these decisions are a major victory for our communities, who will benefit from a $7 billion investment in renewable energy at a time when gas prices are skyrocketing, we must remain vigilant against an administration that continues to show contempt for the constitution and the separation of powers that our founders designed to protect against a would-be tyrant.”

“Trump’s EPA cancelled the wildly popular Solar for All program as part of its corrupt war on clean, affordable energy,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Rhode Island’s federal District Court and the D.C. District Court agreed: EPA had no authority to cancel the program, so low-cost solar energy will soon be back on its way to the American people. I want to give a special thanks to Rhode Island AFL-CIO for their leadership in securing this victory,”

“Solar for All is critical to connecting families in Oregon and across the nation with the affordable, renewable energy of the future,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “The Trump Administration is pushing to rip away this funding from our communities, which has already been approved by Congress and signed into law, but two federal courts have rejected the Administration’s senseless effort. Now, the EPA must swiftly follow suit and reinstate these federal funds.”

The Solar for All program is a $7 billion investment to help working families lower their electricity bills, strengthen local economies, and build a more resilient future. Harris County won one of the program’s largest awards: $250 million to deliver solar and battery storage to more than 28,000 low-income and working-class households throughout the community. Families were set to save an average of $468 per year in energy costs before the program’s termination in August 2025.

Last year, Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Cleaver led their Democratic colleagues in an effort urging the Trump administration to reinstate the Solar for All program. In February, Congresswoman Fletcher, Congressman Cleaver, Senator Whitehouse, Senator Sanders, and Senator Merkley led their colleagues in filing an amicus brief in support of Harris County’s separate lawsuit to restore Solar for All. In March, Congresswoman Fletcher, Congressman Cleaver, Senator Whitehouse, Senator Sanders, and Senator Merkley continued this effort by leading 46 members of Congress in filing an amicus brief in support of 23 states’ separate lawsuit against the Trump administration for terminating the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Solar for All program (Arizona et al v. EPA), which remains pending on appeal.

As Trump Administration Imposes Immigration Hurdles on International Students and Researchers, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Jamie Raskin, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Sam Liccardo Introduce Legislation To Clear Barriers

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Resolution would repeal the Department of Homeland Security rule that limits the time period that such individuals can remain in the United States

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Ranking Member Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Congressman Sam Liccardo (CA-16) introduced a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final rule, which significantly reduces flexibility in the visa process for international students, researchers, and journalists and unnecessarily limits the amount of time that such individuals can remain in the United States. U.S. Senate Democratic Whip and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Ranking Member Alex Padilla (D-CA), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also introduced this legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Last year, the Trump administration established a rule that sets an arbitrary four-year limit on admission periods, creating unnecessary barriers for international students, researchers, and journalists. This limitation ignores the reality that many degree programs, particularly in STEM fields, routinely take longer to complete. The rule also does nothing to address processing backlogs at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which are at historically high levels and would only grow worse under a system that requires more frequent renewals.

“Our international students, researchers, and journalists in our community and across our country make important contributions to our schools, our communities, and our economy,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “Placing fixed time limits on their studies ignores how long some study programs actually take and adds red tape to an immigration system that is already overwhelmed. Visiting students should have a stable, welcoming environment to further their education and contribute to our communities—not obstacles that undermine their ability to do so. That is why I am glad to introduce legislation with Congressman Raskin, Congresswoman Jayapal, and Congressman Liccardo to repeal this rule and to help ensure the success of our universities and communities.”

“America has always benefited from attracting brilliant students, researchers, doctors and journalists from around the world,” said Congressman Jamie Raskin. “The Trump Administration wants to obstruct that path with bureaucratic hurdles and quicksand designed to make legal immigration harder. This senseless rule will drive away talented people who come here to study, practice medicine, do research and contribute to our communities. It harms the American economy and American innovation and makes all of us worse off.”

“International students make our institutions of higher learning better for all students and create pipelines to ensure the best and brightest lend their talents to strengthen our economy and American innovation,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “We should be welcoming students, not wrapping the processes to obtain visas in layers of red tape. This has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with Trump and Stephen Miller’s plan to prevent all forms of legal immigration. I first came to this country on a student visa and understand deeply just how important these visas are.”

“America wins when we can continue to attract the best and brightest students from around the world to drive American competitiveness, particularly in STEM fields,” said Congressman Sam Liccardo. “Eliminating the Duration of Status framework will push talented students and researchers toward our competitors, undermining our ability to win the global battle for talent, essential to our innovation economy.”

“This proposed rule is just another part of the Donald Trump-Stephen Miller mass deportation agenda,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “They want to make the immigration process so difficult, so cumbersome, and so onerous that legal immigrants decide to leave the U.S. or never come here at all—which will result in the loss of talented, bright individuals who make America better. Our nation is already confronting a serious health workforce shortage. Now is not the time to make it even more difficult for health care professionals to care for our most vulnerable communities. I appreciate my Democratic colleagues in joining me on this important measure and encourage members on both sides of the aisle to support it.”

“Rhode Island’s institutions of higher education help power the Ocean State’s economic competitiveness,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “International students and medical residents drive innovation, contribute to cutting-edge research, and spend big not only on tuition, but also at local restaurants and businesses. This Trump administration rule punishes international students, young doctors, and foreign journalists as well as local small businesses and universities as part of their extreme anti-immigration agenda.”

“International students deserve fair opportunities to receive an education in the United States. Students, exchange visitors, and foreign members of the media should never have to live in fear of the Administration’s unprecedented attacks on legal immigration,” said Senator Alex Padilla. “Diversity is our country’s strength, and international students and exchange visitors support American innovation, job growth, higher education, and global competitiveness. We have a responsibility to protect these visa holders, including international students who contribute to the culture of American universities and eventually to our nation’s economy.”

The resolution is endorsed by the AAMC – Association of American Medical Colleges; AIRC: The Association of International Enrollment Management; Alliance for International Exchange; American Academy of Family Physicians; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers; American College of Radiology; American Council on Education; American Gastroenterological Association; American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA); American Osteopathic Association; American Psychiatric Association; American Society of Neuroradiology; Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment; Association of American Universities; Association of Independent California Colleges & Universities; Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities; Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU); Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges; Cornell University; Council of Graduate Schools; Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities; Global Detroit; Illinois State University; Illinois Tech; International Educators of Illinois; Miles for Migraine; NAFSA: Association of International Educators; National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU); Northern Illinois University; Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration; Shorelight LLC; Third Way; UC Berkeley; UC Davis; UCLA; UC San Diego; UC Santa Cruz; UCSF; University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources; University of California System; University of Illinois System; and U.S. For Success Coalition.

Last year, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher joined 34 Members of Congress in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) opposing this same proposed rule to significantly reduce the flexibility of the visa process for international students, researchers, and journalists. The full text of this letter can be found here.

To view the full text of the resolution, click here.

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher and Congressman Morgan Luttrell’s Effort To Expedite Buffalo Bayou Tributaries Resiliency Study Passes House

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Legislation directs USACE to move forward on a long-sought flood mitigation solution around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs, and along Buffalo Bayou

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. After years of delays, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) led an effort to include a provision in the bill that directs the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite a Chief’s Report evaluating a single large underground water conveyance tunnel to reduce flood risk around the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and along Buffalo Bayou. A Chief’s Report is a critical step toward moving forward on any USACE project. Once it is complete, Congress must then authorize the project and appropriate funding.

WRDA 2024 required USACE to complete a Chief’s Report on the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study (BBTRS). Instead, USACE produced a report of findings that presented three options: take no action, construct one large tunnel, or construct a series of smaller, modular tunnels. USACE then requested additional funding to study the difference between the large-tunnel and modular-tunnel options, rather than completing the legally required Chief’s Report.

Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Luttrell’s provision in WRDA 2026 specifically directs USACE to expedite the Chief’s Report on the single large tunnel option—the solution stakeholders in Houston and the broader region have identified and supported as the most effective way to protect Houston-area communities from flooding, whether from a single catastrophic storm or the cumulative impact of frequent, smaller flood events.

“Since my first term in Congress, protecting our community from flooding has been central to my work, and completing the Buffalo Bayou and Tributaries Resiliency Study is essential to that effort,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “This project reflects an effort to think big about how to protect our entire community from the cumulative toll of more rain and more storms. I’m grateful to Congressman Luttrell for his partnership in this effort, and to community leaders across Texas’ Seventh Congressional District for their years of collaboration and advocacy. I’m glad WRDA 2026 will finally require USACE to deliver the Chief’s Report on the solution our community has identified and supported.”

"Flood mitigation in the Houston region has remained a top priority throughout my time in Congress, and today's House passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 represents meaningful progress toward that goal,” said Congressman Morgan Luttrell. “This provision ensures the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completes the Chief's Report on the large tunnel solution, as originally required. I appreciate Congresswoman Fletcher's continued partnership on this effort and look forward to its consideration by the Senate.”

In July, the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure passed WRDA 2026, which included this provision led by Congresswoman Fletcher and Congressman Luttrell.

Since her first term in Congress, Congresswoman Fletcher has advocated for the completion of BBTRS. Following her advocacy, Congress included language requiring USACE to complete BBTRS in the Water Redevelopment Act (WRDA) of 2024. In January of 2024, she testified before the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and urged the Committee to include language to complete the BBTRS. In 2021, she wrote a letter to USACE supporting an exemption to allow USACE to complete the BBTRS.

In 2020, she successfully called on the USACE to extend the public comment period for the BBTRS Interim Report. She then submitted a public comment on the interim report urging the USACE to incorporate public feedback from residents of Texas’ Seventh Congressional District.

The bill now moves to the United States Senate, where it is one step closer to becoming law.

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Votes Against New Trump Tariff Powers

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted against the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, Senate Amendment to H.R. 5334, because, despite its name, it fails to mandate tough sanctions on and hands the President sweeping new tariff authorities.

“Despite its name, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 fails to sanction Russia, dramatically expands presidential tariff authorities, and represents a threat to Ukraine, to our separation of powers, and to people across the country—which is why I voted against it.

“For years, the Ukrainian people have demonstrated remarkable courage and perseverance in their fight for democracy and the preservation of their sovereignty. I support Ukraine and stand with its people. I also support tough sanctions that hold Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the corporations and people funding Russia’s war accountable, like the ones proposed by this bill. But this bill does not actually impose these sanctions. It leaves these sanctions entirely up to President Trump’s discretion, making them optional without congressional oversight or court review. Since taking office, President Trump has imposed almost no new sanctions on Russia. The bill does not require President Trump to impose any additional sanctions on Russia, and he has given no reason to support the idea that he will. In fact, his actions have demonstrated the opposite.

“For the past 19 months, President Trump has already had the power to impose every sanction authorized by this bill on Russia but has chosen not to. These sanctions are sorely needed to support our Ukrainian allies—and Democrats proposed several amendments to improve this legislation, including to remove the bill’s new tariff authority, authorize military support for Ukraine, and tighten the language so President Trump would have to impose some of these sanctions—but Republicans failed to allow any of these amendments to be incorporated into the bill.

“Instead, this legislation grants the Trump administration new tariff authority to impose a 100 percent tariff on any country of its choosing—for as long as it wants, with virtually no guardrails and without congressional oversight. Since March 2025, Americans have paid more than $350 billion in tariffs the President has imposed solely at his discretion—a staggering cost that will only grow as a result of this bill. President Trump has already imposed tariffs on nearly every country in the world except for Russia. The Supreme Court ruled against President Trump’s tariffs, and Congress should not surrender its tariff authority to the executive branch.

“Make no mistake: Today’s vote is not simply about Russian sanctions—it’s about giving President Trump unnecessary tariff authority and unconstitutional power at the expense of American workers and families who will bear the cost. Congress must find a way to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia’s war of aggression and hold Russia accountable while protecting the American people from a new tariff authority that President Trump is bound to misuse.”

IACCGH marks 27 years of connecting business across borders and beyond

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) celebrated its 27th anniversary Saturday with a space-themed Annual Gala & Awards Banquet at Hilton Americas–Houston, on Aug. 29, bringing together elected officials, business and community leaders, entrepreneurs and corporate partners to honor the strength of the Houston–India relationship.

With the theme “Connecting Business Across Borders and Beyond,” the Gala drew inspiration from Houston’s identity as Space City while reflecting IACCGH’s longstanding mission: connecting businesses, investors and institutions across Houston, the United States and India.

“What began as a vision to bring people and businesses together has grown into a lasting bridge between Houston, the United States and India — improving trade, creating opportunity and strengthening the voice of our community. When people connect, opportunities follow,” said Founding Secretary & Executive Director Jagdip Ahluwalia.

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, representing Texas’ 7th Congressional District, served as Chief Guest and addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of strong relationships among business, government and the community.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Consul General of India D.C. Manjunath also spoke, underscoring the growing economic, civic and cultural ties between Houston and India. U.S. Senator John Cornyn, co-founder of the bipartisan Senate India Caucus and a former IACCGH Gala keynote speaker, joined the celebration through a special video message.

At the VIP reception preceding the Gala, Fort Bend County Judge Daniel Wong presented a proclamation recognizing IACCGH’s 27 years of service and its contributions to strengthening business and community ties.
The event also saw Mayors from the surrounding cities of Sugar Land and Pearland, Commissioners from Fort Bend County and other elected officials.
Fireside Conversation: Houston’s Next Frontier

A highlight of the evening was “Houston’s Next Frontier,” a fireside conversation featuring Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia and William T. Harris, President & CEO of Space Center Houston and moderated by Sanjay Ramabhadran, past IACCGH President and former METRO Chair. The discussion explored Houston’s extraordinary growth, the importance of cross-sector collaboration and the opportunities ahead at the intersection of commerce, innovation, technology and space exploration.

Honoring Leaders Who Move Houston Forward

IACCGH honored four leaders whose accomplishments reflect the entrepreneurial energy, business leadership and community commitment shaping Greater Houston.
Businesswoman of the Year — Tina Khatri CEO, TDK Construction Company Recognized for leading a successful women-owned minority business and for her contributions to Greater Houston’s commercial and community landscape. Khatri serves as a Trustee of the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston and co-founded the South Asian Women Entrepreneurs Alliance, and has been a vocal advocate for expanding opportunities for women in business and commercial real estate.

Businessman of the Year — Sunny Bathija Founder, Satya Inc. Honored for an entrepreneurial career that has shaped Houston’s real estate and development landscape. Since founding Satya Inc. in 1999, Bathija has built an extensive development portfolio, including The St. Regis Residences, Houston — one of the company’s signature projects — exemplifying the vision and long-term investment fueling Houston’s economic growth.
Business Advocate of the Year — Milton Thibodeaux

President, Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum Recognized for decades of advocacy on behalf of entrepreneurs and small, minority-owned and disadvantaged businesses. Through the Forum, Thibodeaux has connected business owners with corporations, government agencies and procurement professionals, creating pathways to contracts, partnerships and economic opportunities across the region.

Lifetime Achievement Award — William T. Harris President & CEO, Space Center Houston Honored for a career defined by leadership, vision and service. Since joining Space Center Houston in April 2016, Harris has led the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center and expanded its role as a destination for education, inspiration and public engagement with the story and future of human space exploration — a fitting recognition during an evening celebrating Houston’s future as a global center for innovation and space.

Special Tribute to Bal Sareen

The Gala also paid special tribute to Bal Sareen, a longtime IACCGH member and respected Houston entrepreneur. Through his leadership, Sareen built Brask Inc. into a leading manufacturer of shell-and-tube heat exchangers serving the energy and industrial sectors. His impact extends well beyond business: together with his wife, Rita, he has supported numerous philanthropic and community initiatives, including the Bal and Rita Sareen Clinic at India House Houston. IACCGH recognized Sareen for both his entrepreneurial accomplishments and his legacy of generosity and service to the Houston community.

Leadership That Builds Bridges

IACCGH President Rajiv Bhavsar, First Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer at Wallis Bank, emphasized that the Chamber’s success has always been a collective achievement.
“No one person builds an organization like IACCGH — it takes a community. Twenty-seven years ago, IACCGH started building bridges. Today, those bridges are stronger than ever.”

Culture Connects Communities

The evening also celebrated the role of culture in bringing people together. Houston Grand Opera, introduced by Monica Thakkar, Director of Strategic Initiatives, delivered a stirring performance underscoring the power of music and the arts to connect diverse communities. Guests then enjoyed dinner by Daawat Catering, followed by an array of desserts, including Gallivant ice creams, a live jalebi counter and a traditional chai station.
Partners Who Made the Gala Possible

IACCGH thanked the corporate partners and community organizations whose support made the 2026 Gala possible:
§ Gala Champion: ImmuGlow, represented by Founder & CEO Twinkle Patel
§ Gala Benefactor: Wallis Bank, represented by CEO Asif Dakri
§ Media Sponsor: Houston Business Journal
§ Gala Reception Chair: Brask Inc.
§ Host Committee Chairs: Shell, V & A Group, St. Luke’s Health, Piping Technology & Products, Upscale Productions and H-E-B

Their partnership reflects the collaborative spirit that has sustained IACCGH for 27 years and continues to expand the Chamber’s impact.
Looking Beyond 27 Years

As IACCGH enters its 28th year, the Chamber remains focused on expanding the economic bridge between Houston and India — promoting trade and investment, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, encouraging innovation, developing talent and creating new opportunities for collaboration. From energy and healthcare to aerospace, technology, manufacturing and emerging industries, the Houston–India relationship continues to offer significant opportunities for businesses and communities on both sides.

The 2026 Gala celebrated where IACCGH has been — and, more importantly, where it is going.

About IACCGH Founded in 1999, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (IACCGH) connects businesses, investors and institutions across Greater Houston and India to advance trade, investment, entrepreneurship and innovation. The Chamber convenes business and civic leaders, supports small-business growth and talent development, facilitates market entry and serves as a bridge connecting Greater Houston with partners and sister chambers across India.

Read this article on India Herald.

New sidewalk improvement plan underway in the Heights

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Several new sidewalk areas are planned in the Heights after the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority secured an $850,000 federal grant to improve mobility and pedestrian safety.

The gist

MHRA was approved for the grant secured through U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s office, with the funding going toward sidewalk improvements, safer connections and improved access for students and children.

The grant was part of a Community Project Funding request during fiscal year 2023-2024, according to a news release on MHRA’s website. The grant will provide the funding needed to improve sections of sidewalk that are missing, in poor condition or undersized, organization officials said.

The grant funds will specifically be allocated to the construction portion of the project. The associated design, survey, environmental and grant management work will be funded locally by MHRA.

Some background

In a sidewalk evaluation, MHRA found that almost 25% of sidewalks within the district boundaries were in poor condition or non-existent, and over 40% of sidewalks did not meet current standards for width.

“We are very grateful for the Congresswoman’s efforts in delivering these funds,” said MHRA Board Chair Ann Lents in a previous statement. “The initiative to provide safe and continuous sidewalk access in the area will improve quality of life in the community and have mobility, health and economic benefits.”

The project will also improve access to transit, as Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) bus routes in the area connect to areas like downtown and Uptown.

Also of note

Work is already underway, with the project team finalizing sidewalk routes and coordinating with the city of Houston on design plans, according to a post on MHRA’s Facebook page.

Construction is set to begin in the third quarter of 2027.

View this article on Community Impact.

Bipartisan Texas Bill Targets Oil Reserve As Stockpile Hits 44-Year Low

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Two Texas lawmakers are seeking a comprehensive review of the nation’s aging Strategic Petroleum Reserve as the emergency oil stockpile sits at its lowest level since the early 1980s.

Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a Houston Democrat, and Rep. August Pfluger, a San Angelo Republican whose district includes much of the Permian Basin, introduced the 21st Century Strategic Petroleum Reserve Act on September 3.

The bipartisan bill would direct the U.S. Secretary of Energy to request a public report examining how to modernize the reserve’s infrastructure, storage system, and operating procedures.

“Energy security is essential to national security,” Fletcher said in a press release announcing the legislation.

Reserve Falls To 286.6 Million Barrels

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve contained 286.6 million barrels of crude oil during the week ending August 28, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration report.

That was 3.1 million barrels below the previous week and 118.1 million barrels below the same period in 2025, representing a year-over-year decline of approximately 29%.

The Department of Energy lists the reserve’s authorized storage capacity at 714 million barrels, meaning the latest inventory equals roughly 40% of that capacity.

The reserve consists of four federally operated storage sites along the Gulf Coasts of Texas and Louisiana. Oil is held in 61 underground caverns carved into natural salt domes, according to the department’s SPR overview.

The reserve reached its record inventory of 726.6 million barrels in December 2009. Its first shipment arrived in 1977 after Congress created the system in response to the 1973 Arab oil embargo.

What The Bill Would Require

The legislation, designated H.R. 10262, would not immediately expand the reserve or appropriate money for construction.

Instead, it would require the energy secretary, within 90 days of the measure becoming law, to ask the National Petroleum Council to conduct a modernization study. The council would then have one year to submit its findings to the Energy Department and Congress and make the report available to the public.

The bill’s text directs the council to examine several potential changes, including:

Expanding the reserve’s geographic distribution and storage capacity

Adding storage for refined petroleum products

Improving the speed at which oil can enter or leave the reserve

Strengthening storage facilities to withstand frequent drawdowns

Encouraging purchases to replenish the reserve when oil prices are low

Evaluating whether congressionally mandated petroleum sales should be eliminated

The study would also review the reserve’s Life Extension II infrastructure project, including work that was planned but not completed.

Those provisions are subjects for analysis rather than changes the bill would impose directly.

Lawmakers Cite Aging Infrastructure And Global Threats

Pfluger said the reserve has protected the United States from energy disruptions and national security threats for nearly five decades but lacks a clear plan for its future.

“We can’t afford to ignore this issue as our adversaries are quietly building up their energy reserves,” Pfluger said in his announcement.

Fletcher’s office linked the proposal to two major drawdowns during the past four years: the 180-million-barrel emergency release following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and releases associated with the ongoing conflict involving Iran and disruptions to global energy markets.

Fletcher said the reserve is “stretched thinner than it has been in 40 years” and called the study a first step toward ensuring it can meet future emergencies.

Texas Sites Play Central Role

Texas houses two of the four Strategic Petroleum Reserve sites: Bryan Mound near Freeport and Big Hill near Winnie. The remaining sites are in Louisiana.

The facilities’ Gulf Coast locations place them near major refineries, pipelines, and marine terminals, but concentrating all four sites in one region is among the issues the proposed study would examine.

The measure would also consider refined-fuel storage. The current reserve stores crude oil, which generally must be transported to a refinery and processed before reaching consumers as gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel.

The Department of Energy says oil released from the reserve can begin entering the market approximately 13 days after a presidential decision. Its maximum nominal drawdown capability is 4.4 million barrels per day.

Bill Remains At Beginning Of Legislative Process

H.R. 10262 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce after its introduction, according to the official congressional record. It has not passed the committee or either chamber of Congress.

The proposal arrives as the Trump administration discusses rebuilding the reserve.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, President Donald Trump said oil eventually produced under a new U.S.-Venezuela agreement could help refill the stockpile. The timing and volume of any oil reaching the reserve through that arrangement remain uncertain.

Regardless of the source of future purchases, the Texas lawmakers argue that adding oil alone will not address the reserve’s aging infrastructure or determine whether a Gulf Coast storage system designed nearly 50 years ago can meet modern national security needs.

Read this article on The Dallas Express.

Lizzie Fletcher, August Pfluger Seek to Modernize U.S. Oil Reserve

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Representatives Lizzie Fletcher (D) and August Pfluger (R) introduced a bipartisan bill directing the Department of Energy to study ways to modernize the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) as U.S. oil inventories reach their lowest level in decades.

Bipartisan push to strengthen the SPR

Reps. Fletcher and Pfluger introduced the 21st Century Strategic Petroleum Reserve Act, legislation that would require a public report examining how the federal reserve could be modernized to better respond to future disruptions in global oil supplies.

"Energy security is essential to national security, and the Strategic Petroleum Reserve is one of the most important tools we have to ensure it," Rep. Fletcher said.

The SPR was created following the 1973 Arab oil embargo and stores crude oil in underground salt caverns in Texas and Lousisana.

The reserve faces increased strain

The SPR has undergone two major emergency drawdowns in recent years. The first followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when 180 million barrels were released. The current war involving Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have created another major disruption to global oil markets.

The reserve is now below half of its total capacity and at its lowest since the early 1980s. A recent Government Accountability Office report also found that the federal government lacks a unified long-term strategy for the reserve, including its target size and infrastructure needs.

What the bill would study

If enacted, the bill would direct the National Petroleum Council to produce a public report examining potential improvements, including:

Expanding storage capacity and geographic distribution.

Adding gasoline and diesel storage alongside crude oil.

Finding non-emergency mandated sales.

Improving infrastructure resilience and pipeline flow capacity.

Increasing the rate at which the SPR can be refilled.

Encouraging purchases when oil prices are low.

The Bottom Line

Fletcher and Pfluger say the study would provide Congress with recommendations for ensuring the SPR can continue protecting U.S. energy security as global supply disruptions become more challenging.

Read this article on Texas Politics.