I would like to start out by remembering the precious lives of those lost on Monday at Nashville Christian School: students Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs, and staff members Mike Hill, Katherine Koonce, and Cynthia Peak,
What a horrible tragedy. I am thankful for the brave law enforcement officers and first responders. Camille and I will continue to pray for the families and loved ones of the victims and the entire community.
I have introduced legislation to allow retired and off-duty police officers to carry weapons in gun-free areas—including school zones—to add an extra layer of protection for our kids.
H.R. 1 Restores American Energy Dominance
House Republicans committed to making energy security and restoring American energy dominance our top priority. This week, we kept our promises by passing H.R. 1, The Lower Energy Costs Act, which is a complete rejection of the Biden administration's anti-energy policies that have been aimed at workers throughout this country for two years.
When I came to Congress, I made it my mission to spread the word about the Permian Basin—the heartbeat of American energy. I'm incredibly proud to represent the men and women who work in the Permian and provide us with an incredible national security and economic asset.
H.R. 1 is the signature legislative package for House Republicans and aims to increase American energy production and exports while reducing regulatory burdens that make it harder to build American energy infrastructure and grow the U.S. economy.
My provisions to repeal President Biden’s tax on natural gas and implement timelines for the EPA’s evaluation of states’ Class VI wells primacy applications were included in the package.
This is just the beginning. House Republicans are going to follow through on our commitment to the American public by boosting American production instead of siding with Russia, Iran, or China.Read MORE about H.R. 1 here.
Bringing the HEAT
I am excited to announce that I have been selected to Chair the House Energy Action Team (HEAT)—a group of lawmakers dedicated to spreading the word about the hardworking men and women in the energy industry.
This week, I hosted the first HEAT Press Conference with Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern. Watch my remarks here.
HEAT is committed to restoring and exceeding the energy independence that resulted from the shale revolution. H.R. 1 is a significant first step.
Read more from in an op-ed from me and Chairman Hern in The Hill here.
Introducing the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
The drug crisis in our country is becoming more tragic by the day, with drug traffickers turning to veterinary tranquilizer to make drugs more addictive—and more deadly.
This week I introduced a bill with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to crack down on illicit uses of Xylazine while protecting its critical purpose in agriculture and veterinary medicine.
Read more about the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act here.
Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Day
50 years ago this week, U.S. troops left South Vietnam. Many did not receive the proper recognition they deserved at the time, making it even more important for us to remember the men and women who served our country during the Vietnam War and honor their bravery with National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Karin in our San Angelo office was pleased to attend the National Vietnam Veterans Day Commemoration Ceremony at Goodfellow Air Force Base. They pinned a number of Vietnam veterans and surviving spouses.
To the millions of soldiers who risked their lives, and to the loved ones and family members they left behind, thank you for your sacrifice. Your valor is a vital component in our nation’s history—we could not stand today if it was not for your bravery and courage. Thank you for your service!
Ports-to-Plains Comes to D.C.
It was a pleasure to see members of the Ports-to-Plains Alliance, including San Angelo Mayor Brenda Gunter, in D.C. this week!
We discussed the importance of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor and the economic value it will bring to West Texas.
Upcoming Town Halls
Save the date! I will soon be holding more Town Hall meetings across the district. I hope to see you there.
The People's House is Open
Thanks to the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives, the U.S. Capitol is back OPEN for tours! I would love to see you in Washington—book a tour on my website here.
Thank you for reading. It is the honor of my lifetime to serve you in Congress. Please follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for daily updates.
