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Hello Friends and Fellow West Texans,
I spent the month of August in West Texas visiting with farmers, small business owners, energy producers, local law enforcement, industry leaders, and constituents to discuss agriculture, energy, rural health care, the border crisis, and much more. It has been great spending time back home in God's Country.
AGRICULTURE
With the 2023 Farm Bill on the horizon, I spent time with farmers and ranchers throughout WTX.
I visited Bar-G’s Cattle Feedyard in Summerville, TX. Their cattle feedyards are a taste of what the food, fuel, and fiber capital is all about. We have more head of cattle than half of the states have people, beef is deeply woven into the cultural and economic fabric of West Texas.
I hosted a Listening Session in Amarillo where Former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conway and I discussed priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. As a representative for the hardworking farmers and ranchers across West Texas, and one of the top agriculture producing districts in the country, I know firsthand how important a Farm Bill is to our nation’s economy and national security. Our farmers symbolize a culture of faith, hard work, and independence, which has always been at the heart of American greatness.
REPORTED:
Rep. Arrington hosts Farm Bill listening session at WT
“The listening session took place on the campus of West Texas A&M University, where attendees packed out a pavilion to share their priorities for the Farm Bill. The session was important for the region, as Rep. Arrington (TX District 19) serves as the chairman for the House Budget Committee and Rep. Jackson (TX District 13) is a member of the House Committee on Agriculture. Farmers, ranchers, and more came together to share their priorities and what they hope the bill will accomplish.”
Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13) and I held a meeting in Levelland, America with the Levelland Chamber of Commerce and Ag Committee. We discussed food security, energy independence, and priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. All Americans benefit from a safe, affordable, and abundant source of food. We don't have the luxury of energy independence or food security if it isn't for freedom-loving people in Rural America.
REPORTED:
Rep. Arrington visits Lubbock and Levelland to talk about the new Farm Bill
“Arrington said it’s been hard to get legislation through in such a polarized government, but he’s hoping the importance of the bill will help the parties work together. “All lawmakers have to find a consensus on ag policy so that we have food security in this country, so that we have a stable ag economy and that we have a safe and affordable and abundant supply of food for our citizens,” said Arrington. “That’s what if the farm bill ultimately is there for.””
I toured the Texas Tech University/Lubbock Independent School District Agri-Stem Facility and USDA Cotton Classing Office. The TTU/LISD Agri-Stem Facility is focused on getting students involved in agriculture and the USDA Cotton Classing Office is the only USDA/Agriculture Marketing Service partnership with a university. The innovations that the USDA and Texas Tech have worked together to create are changing the cotton industry as we know it. Our cotton producers must have the tools to compete in the global marketplace and continue to put clothes on the backs of the people of West Texas, America, and around the world.
I also spent time with friends at PYCO industries alongside Rep. Ronny Jackson where we participated in a roundtable discussion, toured the mill, and held a press conference covering the day’s events.
REPORTED:
Arrington, Jackson talk priorities for upcoming Farm Bill
“Lubbock Congressman Jodey Arrington and Amarillo Congressman Ronny Jackson stopped in Lubbock on their tour to hear from producers on what was needed in the upcoming Farm Bill. Congressman Arrington told KCBD he wants to fix the reference price to be a better safety net for farmers. Even if they get a good price the expenses or input cost are so much that there’s really no safety net,” Congressman Arrington said.”
REPORTED:
Fight for the Farm Bill
“The August recess of Congress has allowed opportunities for producers and the cotton industry to discuss priorities and challenges with their elected officials…Rep. Ronny Jackson, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, joined Arrington in Lubbock for a Farm Bill Roundtable. Complementary to [PCG President] Martin Stoerner's testimony at the Farm Bill listening session, producer and President of RPG Sutton Page joined PCG at the Lubbock roundtable and reemphasized cotton's main priorities for the next Farm Bill.”
NATIONAL SECURITY
I spent time discussing Biden’s self-inflicted Border Crisis, Texas’ clear constitutional right to secure its border and protect its citizens, and what I am doing in Washington to keep Dyess AFB mission ready.
I hosted a townhall in Lamesa where we discussed President Biden’s self-inflicted crises including the deluge of human trafficking, drugs, and crime at the border. West Texans are tired of the Biden administration’s failed policies. Fortunately, states don’t have to be passive victims of a failed federal government – Article 1 Section 10 and Article IV Section 4 of the Constitution give States the clear authority to take matters into their own hands and secure the border.
REPORTED:
Congressman Arrington Visits Lamesa
“Congressman Jodey Arrington’s Town Hall meeting Monday in the Dawson County Elections Office focused on mainly on the federal government’s failure to live by a balanced budget and protecting the nation’s borders. He met with not only farmers, but also with 30 officials from the community, chamber of commerce, hospital, city and county. He conducted similar meetings in Martin and Andrews counties. A Republican, Arrington represents Dawson County in his District 19 congressional seat. “We’re behind ya’ll all the way,” County Judge Foy O’Brien told the congressman near the end of the one-hour meeting. “We know we’re small, but we’re mighty.””
In Abilene, I held a National Security Press Conference with the Abilene Military Affairs Committee (MAC) discussing the recent House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included several key provisions to support Dyess Air Force Base. I was also joined by local law enforcement to discuss how the ongoing crisis at the southern border is endangering communities in West Texas and beyond.
REPORTED:
'The drug cartels are in Abilene': Congressman Jodey Arrington addresses security crisis at the Texas border
”Sheriffs from Taylor, Shackelford, Nolan, Mitchell, and Haskell counties joined [Arrington] as he spoke about the security crisis at the Texas border. Several also spoke about the illegal drug issues in their respective counties, including Shackelford County Sheriff Ed Miller. Sheriff Bishop publicly thanked Arrington for what he has done to advocate for the safety of West Texans. “We definitely appreciate you listening to the issues that we’re having, and hopefully, in a couple of years, things will change and we’ll start winning this battle again,” said Bishop.”
REPORTED:
Arrington praises cooperation on bombers while blasting Biden’s border policies during Abilene visit
“Congressman Jodey Arrington praised the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act during a stop in Abilene highlighting its benefits to Dyess Air Force Base and praising local cooperation to secure the B-21 bomber and protect the B-1 bomber, “And let me tell you, the reputation of this community in Washington and among the top brass of the Pentagon, is there is not a better community or more supportive community for our airmen anywhere in the United States.” The representative for the 19th congressional district of Texas also criticized the Biden Administration’s foreign policy, voicing his support for Governor Greg Abbott’s buoy barrier and other efforts to block illegal crossing.”
I had an op-ed placed in the Abilene Reporter-News about my Mission not Emissions Act, which prohibits the Biden Administration from mandating a climate rule on federal contractors that will harm our defense, manufacturing, and energy industries. This legislation was included in the House passed NDAA.
“From day one, the Biden Administration has launched a whole-of-government assault on American oil and gas producers, the lifeblood of our economy and cornerstone of our national security. This unilateral attack has spiked prices at the pump and increased our reliance on foreign oil, undermining both our economic recovery and energy independence…By placating climate extremists, the Biden Administration is threatening our military readiness and jeopardizing our national security.”
SMALL BUSINESS & HEALTHCARE
I met with small business owners and was mentioned in an op-ed carried by the Dallas Morning News where Dr. Ralph Heaven discusses my Medicare Patient Access to Cancer Treatment (MPACT) Act.
I met with the Lubbock Apartment Association’s Leadership Class to discuss legislative priorities, the challenges facing renters in Lubbock and across the nation, and the importance of legislative advocacy. These folks have their finger on the pulse of the West Texas economy and understand how the Biden Administration’s failed tax-and-spend policies are hurting families in Lubbock and across the country.
I had lunch with the Lubbock Executive Association to talk about the struggles of keeping a small business afloat under the pressures of inflation, excessive regulations, and the continuing burden of labor shortages. Our small businesses are the lifeblood of West Texas and heartbeat of America.
In an op-ed carried by the Dallas Morning News, Dr. Ralph Heaven discusses how site neutrality policies can increase healthcare and drive down costs. Dr. Heaven highlights my Medicare Patient Access to Cancer Treatment (MPACT) Act, legislation which aligns payment incentives within Medicare to save money for cancer patients and taxpayers.
”Clearly, more action is needed to stop the forces driving consolidation and level the playing field for community cancer care. Thankfully, Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas; Rep. Debbie Lesko, R-Arizona; and Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, have put forth a commonsense, straightforward solution to this growing problem: equalizing Medicare payment across sites of service. The Medicare Patient Access to Cancer Treatment Act would require Medicare to pay the same amount for the same cancer care services regardless of where they are provided. This critical legislation will protect access to affordable cancer care for patients in Texas and across the country and help community oncologists like myself retain the ability to practice independently. I thank Rep. Arrington for his leadership and urge other Texas representatives to support this bill to reduce the cost of cancer care for patients and taxpayers.”
SOCIAL MEDIA WRAP-UP
You may have seen many of my posts on social media highlighting the importance of ag and energy security, updating my constituents on House Republicans ongoing oversight of the Biden Administration and investigations into the Biden family, commemorating the anniversary of the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, sounding the alarm on our unsustainable national debt, and more.
If you don’t currently follow me on social media, click HERE for my Facebook page, HERE for my Twitter, and HERE for my Instagram!
It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. Feel free to forward this newsletter to our fellow West Texans and encourage them to sign up here for this update.
Your friend and fellow West Texan,
Jodey C. Arrington
Member of Congress
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