Williams Weekly

Dear Texans,

Last week was another busy week in Washington, D.C. addressing your top concerns and the important issues facing our nation. Read below for an update on my work serving you.

Biden Criminalizes Stabilizing Braces Used by Disabled Veterans

Millions of law-abiding family, friends, and neighbors are now at risk of prosecution and arrest on federal gun charges as of June 1st. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) new rule, effective as of January 31st, with a 120-day grace period, reclassifies pistols as short-barreled rifles if they are equipped with a stabilizing brace, rendering millions of firearms illegal. Anyone that possesses a firearm falling within the new definitions would be required to register the newly classified “short-barreled rifle” and pay a $200 tax, surrender the firearm, or face ten years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

I have joined my Republican colleagues on legislation to put a stop to this un-American rule, as well as signed a letter to ATF Director Dettelbach to express my disapproval of the rule. I look forward to voting to throw out this rule on the House floor soon and reign in the out of control rulemaking by the Biden administration.

Small Business Subcommittee Hearing

When a family member dies, the government forces their loved ones to pay in order to keep possession of their family assets. This death tax is causing business owners to second-guess expanding their operations. Instead of investing money back into business operations or donating to schools and the community, business owners are forced to send their hard-earned money back to the federal government. Watch my line of questioning to hear how the death tax is affecting farmers and ranchers in Texas, and across the country.

Financial Service Subcommittee

The Financial Services Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions met to discuss the important issue of ensuring the U.S. Dollar remains the primary reserve currency. This has given the U.S. economic and political advantages to strengthen market security and boost our monetary independence, but there are threats to this status. We must examine these risks and their consequences. Watch my questions during the hearing here.

Getting Ready for the 2023 Congressional Baseball Game

On June 14, 2023, Republicans and Democrats will face off at Nationals Park for the Congressional Baseball Game, a competition that dates back to 1909. In preparation for the game, I had the chance to talk to the Hill on Newsnation about the role baseball has played in my life and show them around my D.C. office. I also talked with Fox Sports at the scrimmage to discuss the upcoming Congressional Baseball Game. I invite you to come watch the GOP take home another victory at the big game next week. Buy your tickets here. The game will also be streamed nationally on Fox Sports.

In God we trust,

Roger Williams

Member of Congress