Introduced Legislation to Safeguard our Oil and Gas Industry

On my third day in office, I became the first freshman Member of the 117th Congress to introduce a piece of legislation. The bill is called the Saving America’s Energy Future Act. It aims to protect oil and gas jobs by prohibiting the incoming Biden administration from barring fracking on federal lands.

The Permian Basin is the largest oil producing region in the United States. It produces over 40% of our nation’s energy and is home to over 200,000 jobs directly supported by the industry. This is clean, affordable, reliable energy that powers our nation, heats our homes, and allows us to defend ourselves. Energy security is national security, and nothing could be more important.

This is why my first action in Congress was to implement safeguards against anti-energy Democrats who create radical, destructive policies such as the Green New Deal. So far, the bill is supported by over a dozen co-sponsors. 

Read more here.

Hosting My First Telephone Town Hall

Last week, I hosted a telephone town hall, where I called out to 60,000 constituents across the 29 counties in the 11th District. It was extremely helpful to speak with some of you directly and hear your thoughts and concerns.

I am humbled to receive your feedback, whether positive or negative, so that I can better serve you and represent your voice.

I look forward to hosting Town Halls in person as soon as possible. Please keep an eye on my website or Facebook page for future event details.

Supporting Important Legislation

Throughout my first two weeks in Congress, I supported numerous bills that further the best interests of the 11th District and our entire Nation.

Save Democracy Act

(Sponsored by Rep. Jim Banks-IN)

Makes targeted reforms to the federal election system, providing Americans with confidence in our elections by addressing key failures in our electoral system including voter registration, ballot casting, and ballot counting. Americans deserve to know that their legal votes will not be nullified by illegal ones.

Balanced Budget Amendment

(Sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot-OH)

Proposes an Amendment to the Constitution requiring Congress to balance our budget. The U.S. is over 26 trillion dollars in debt—and counting. This is totally unsustainable and will have disastrous consequences for our economy and the future of our country. The federal government should be accountable just like every local and state organization to not spend outside its means.

Keep the Nine Amendment

(Sponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson-SD)

An Amendment to the Constitution mandating that the Supreme Court remain at nine Justices. Despite numerous highly polarized attempts to change the size of the Supreme Court, it has remained at nine justices for over 150 years. Since the confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett, radical Democrats have vowed to pack the Supreme Court with liberal justices to fundamentally alter the trajectory of the Court. Now more than ever, the Supreme Court needs protection from increasing partisan attacks.

Protecting Life in Crisis Act

(Sponsored by Rep. Brian Babin-TX)

Prohibits funds meant for federal COVID-19 response from going towards abortions or abortion coverage.

Title X Abortion Prohibition Act

(Sponsored by Rep. Virginia Foxx-NC)

Prevents the Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) from providing federal family planning grants or funds to entities that perform abortions. While federal statute currently prevents taxpayer dollars from being used "in programs where abortion is a method of family planning," these programs can nevertheless share the same facility, staff, and waiting room as facilities performing abortions. As a result, in spite of performing hundreds of thousands of abortions every year, organizations like Planned Parenthood can still receive tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer money annually.

DC-Maryland Reunion Act

(Sponsored by Rep. Dusty Johnson-SD)

This bill provides a common-sense solution to the Democrats' push for statehood for Washington, D.C. Instead of completely thwarting the intent of the Founders by making our Nation's Capital City its own state, this bill grants the majority of the landmass in Washington, D.C. back to its original jurisdiction in the state of Maryland. Only the National Capitol Service Area, consisting solely of the Capitol, National Mall, White House, and federal buildings would remain the “District of Columbia.”

Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

(Sponsored by Rep Ann Wagner-MO and Rep. Steve Scalise-LA)

This legislation requires medical professionals to provide immediate care for children who survive abortion procedures, and would allow those who do not provide care to face criminal charges. It also gives the mother of the abortion survivor a civil cause of action and protection from prosecution.

Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act

(Sponsored by Rep. Richard Hudson-NC)

Will allow those with concealed handgun licenses reciprocity in other states that also allow concealed carry firearms—similar to a drivers’ license that is valid across multiple state lines.

No Taxpayer Funds for Abortions Act

(Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith-NJ)

This bill makes the Hyde Amendment and other current abortion funding prohibitions permanent and ensures that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) faithfully conforms to the Hyde Amendment.

Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

(Sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith-NJ)

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act amends the US Code to prohibit any person from performing an abortion on an unborn child who is 20 weeks or older.

Sending Letters Addressing Prominent Issues

I have also signed on to several letters addressing election security, preventing taxpayer dollars from going towards funding abortions, and supporting the Port of Houston, which acts as a major oil and gas transference for Texas, benefiting our district by supporting our oil and gas workers and bringing prosperity to our great district.

America is Exceptional, Impeachment Only Further Divides

The events of the past week have left many of us feeling hurt, confused and horrified. Like many of the good, hard-working, honest folks in the 11th District of Texas, I am disappointed in the outcome of the 2020 election, but sickened by the radical mob that descended on the U.S. Capitol to carry out vandalism and violence, resulting in the deaths of at least five Americans—including U.S. Capitol Police Officers.

As I have said repeatedly in the past, I unequivocally condemn all acts of violence. We need to take a deep breath and think about how we move this country forward.

Impeachment is not the answer.

Read more of my thoughts in my op-ed in the Midland Reporter Telegram, or watch my video below.