I started my week off joining Rep. Lizzy Fletcher and the American Jewish Committee to discuss the importance of combating antisemitism in all its forms. Then, I joined Washington Watch with Tony Perkins to discuss Vice President Biden's previous use of fake names in emails and the lack of transparency by federal agencies. You can watch the full interview here. Later in the week, I had a meet and greet with one of the TX-14 Congressional Art Competition Winners, Remy Keller. Her artwork titled "Precision" is a testament to her talent. I joined the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce's Congressional Panel Luncheon with my good friend, Rep. Brian Babin. I always enjoy discussing local matters that are affecting our community. 

Thank you, UTMB Galveston and Dr. Reiser, for inviting me this week to tour the Neurology Department. We discussed the challenges and advancements in neurological research and patient care. It's inspiring to see the dedication of the staff and researchers working tirelessly to improve the lives of those facing neurological issues.

In Orange County, I toured Golden Triangle Polymers' impressive facility. This facility will generate an estimated $50 billion for the community in residual economic impact. That is great news for our community. Then I grabbed lunch at Larry and Ritas. Small businesses and family restaurants are the backbone of our community. Thank you for helping the local economy thrive! Finally, I toured BASF in Port Arthur; this site is one of the world's largest steam crackers. The steam cracker transforms crude oil and natural gas into chemical building blocks for many consumer and industrial goods.

This week I introduced the Ban Offshore Abortion Tourism (BOAT) Act to prohibit abortions in maritime jurisdiction. The BOAT Act would hold accountable providers who knowingly endanger the life of an unborn child with fines and jail time. Additionally, women who sought their services could seek relief from the company in the appropriate federal district court.

In July 2022, a New York man named Michael Kimbro created an abortion clinic approximately 40 minutes off the shore of Galveston, Texas, called "Abort Offshore." By transporting women offshore to federal waters controlled by maritime jurisdiction, they can bypass Texas state laws that ban abortions six weeks after conception. Kimbro, who himself is not a doctor, brings women onto a boat in the Gulf of Mexico, far away from lifesaving assistance in case of a complication. The for-profit abortion clinic demands cash payments between $1,500-$2,000. It is estimated the company can perform 24 abortions a day.

Offshore abortions are intended to weaken the effectiveness of state abortion laws and provide a way to circumvent protections for the lives of the unborn. Additionally, the women who seek the service are brought away from lifesaving services and put in jeopardy for unregulated, life-endangering procedures.

Abortion boats should never float in federal waters. These offshore “clinics” exploit a legal loophole by performing abortions in maritime jurisdiction to evade state laws and endanger both women and the unborn. This practice is morally and ethically reprehensible. As the Left pushes radical and unsafe workarounds, I will continue to fight for women's safety and protect the sanctity of life. It's our responsibility to stand against such practices and provide proper legal protection for both the vulnerable women and the unborn.

I wanted to share an opinion piece I wrote and published in the Galveston Daily News, The Facts, and The Post Newspaper. 

Hurricane season stirs up a lot of emotions in our Gulf Coast community. Hurricane Alicia. Tropical Storm Allison. Hurricane Rita. Hurricane Ike. Hurricane Harvey. The last two hurricanes on that list—Ike and Harvey—left lasting impacts still being felt by our community today.

Three years after we rebuilt from Hurricane Rita, the Gulf Coast was slammed again on September 13, 2008—this time by Hurricane Ike. Then again, nine years later, Hurricane Harvey. Death and destruction left our community shaken. The energy sector bore a lot of the storm's force. Refineries and production facilities in Texas and Louisiana were forced to shut down, which not only affected people's jobs but also caused a ripple effect that disrupted fuel supply chains and sent shockwaves through the national economy. Gasoline prices soared, squeezing the budgets of families and businesses alike.

In response to the billions of dollars spent and the effects the entire United States felt after Hurricane Ike, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) partnered with the Texas General Land Office (GLO) to deliver the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement, or more simply, the Coastal Texas Study. Given its association with the namesake hurricane, we also call it "the Ike Dike." The Ike Dike will be a comprehensive solution to address the threat of storm surges, including constructing sea walls, levees, and gates. This project will not only save lives, but also protect homes, schools, churches, and businesses, ensuring that our communities are prepared for future storms to come.

As many of you are keenly aware, I have been at the forefront of the fight for the Ike Dike. I have had numerous meetings with the USACE, GLO, stakeholders, and key lawmakers. I know full well the immediate need for this project. Government projects, particularly major infrastructure development like this ambitious undertaking, quite literally take an act of Congress. After Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon, the USACE Chief of Engineers, signed off on the project, I was able to get the Ike Dike officially authorized through the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. As with most WRDA projects, authorization is a required milestone before Congress will appropriate any dollars. Now, our next hurdle is to get the project funded.

Earlier this year, as part of the appropriations process for the upcoming fiscal year (FY2024), I requested $100 million in a federal down payment for the Coastal Spine, another name we use for the Ike Dike. Unfortunately, my colleagues on the Appropriations Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives did not include FY2024 federal funding for the Ike Dike this year.

While this outcome was initially disappointing, the fight to ensure this project is funded doesn't even come close to stopping here. The meetings will continue with federal policymakers.  Setbacks are part of the process, and we will work hard to make this important case. I referred earlier to the numerous hurdles in our path; we still have many more ahead of us.

I am committed to continuing the fight for this very necessary project because it is not "if there is another storm but when." The Ike Dike will not only protect our community and the state of Texas from another disaster but the entire nation's fuel supply. Our very unique region is the energy capital of the world, a critical national resource that is worth protecting. Even more importantly, it is worth protecting the millions of people, countless homes, schools, churches, and jobs on the Gulf Coast.

Legislation cosponsored:

• H.R. 4388 - Marc Fogel Act
• H.R. 5266 - To require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to develop and implement a strategy to interdict fentanyl and other synthetic drugs in the mail at Federal correctional facilities.
• H.R. 5283 - To prohibit the use of Federal funds to provide housing to specified aliens on any land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Federal land management agencies.

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!