It was a busy week around TX-14! I started my week talking with News Nation about the importance of securing our southern border, and if we don't, we should defund the Department of Homeland Security. Then I had the opportunity to join Odyssey Academy in Galveston on their first day of school, where they had the chance to speak and ask questions live to Astronauts at the International Space Station. I was able to tour the TS Kennedy that will be used to train cadets at Texas A&M Maritime Academy. Last year, I helped the Academy get the new ship. It has been 18 years since they have had a training ship that meets their needs to train cadets. And then, I had a meeting with TxDOT to discuss the replacement of the Pelican Island Causeway lift bridge.

Later in the week, I addressed the Energy and Technology Workforce Council's Safety and Technical Conference. Then I presented Madison Swain, Miss Juneteenth Texas USA, a certificate for her outstanding accomplishments. I also presented Sam Collins with a copy of the bill making Juneteenth a federal holiday to hang in the Nia Cultural Center. I ended the week by welcoming the new UTMB president to Galveston and talking with the maritime industry at the Propeller Club in Galveston. 

One year ago, President Biden signed the Democrats’ so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” into law, promising it would reduce inflation and make life more affordable for Americans. Unfortunately today, people continue to struggle more than they did when the president first took office:

• Inflation is up more than 15 percent.
• The cost of groceries for Americans has risen approximately 20 percent.
• U.S. gas prices are up nearly 62 percent.
• Monthly natural gas bills are up more than 40 percent.
• His policies have led innovators to stop research into potentially new treatments, including for brain cancer and leukemia.
• The bill is expected to increase launch prices of drugs according to a CBO analysis.

Polling shows that a majority of Americans disapprove of the state of the economy under President Biden. Even he regrets naming the bill the Inflation Reduction Act, since it ultimately “has less to do with inflation.” Republicans warned this Inflation Expansion Act was, in fact, a massive down payment on the Green New Deal that would fail to strengthen our economy and continue to make life unaffordable for people.

It's clear, the IRA will add hundreds of billions of to our national debt. We must sound the alarm on this Administration's reckless spending if we want to reverse the curse and save our country from a sovereign debt crisis. 

Evidence continues to mount that the Biden Justice Department enforces the law unequally by tilting the scales to favor friends and family while unleashing the FBI and prosecutors on President Biden’s political opponents. This is a perversion of the founding principles of our Republic and a violation of the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law. 

The good news is that Americans are now learning about these abuses of power because House Republicans are uncovering the weaponization of our government, especially at President Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ). The credibility of the Biden DOJ has come under serious question. 

I want to give a big THANK you to our summer interns in Washington and in our district offices in TX-14. We are always lucky to have interns in each of our offices that assist with daily activities, conduct research, assist constituent inquiries, and much more. They play an indispensable role in serving the constituents of TX-14. They have truly outdone themselves, and we can't wait to see what they conquer next!

Our summer Interns: 

Washington Office: Rohan Nimmagadda, Emery Washington, and Boots Giblin

League City Office: James McQuillan, Lam Duong, and McKenzie Schall

Lake Jackson Office: Samantha Brown

About the internship program: Congressional interns lead Capitol tours, answer phones, research legislation, and attend briefings. Students have the opportunity to gain invaluable work experience and an understanding of the inner-workings of Congress. If interested, please fill out the internship application found on my website here: www.weber.house.gov/forms/internships/

Legislation cosponsored:

• H.R. 2377 - Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act
• H.R. 5173 - To apply the Freedom of Information Act to actions and decisions of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information in carrying out the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.

It is a privilege to represent our district in Congress.  While we’ve faced many challenges in recent years, through strength and prayer, we have persevered. 

Please know that we are always a resource for you.  Call or stop by any of the offices (YOUR offices, we work for you), whenever you need assistance or want to talk about an issue before Congress.

For assistance or more information, please call or go online to visit us at weber.house.gov.

God Bless you and God Bless Texas!