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November 10
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Accountability Now: Subpoenas Issued to the Biden Family
In our ongoing commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure transparency in government operations, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, under Chairman James Comer's (KY-01) leadership, has issued subpoenas to key members of President Joe Biden's family and associates. These subpoenas require Hunter Biden, James Biden, and Rob Walker to appear for depositions.
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Our committee's diligent investigation has compiled a substantial body of evidence suggesting that President Joe Biden was both knowledgeable of and benefited from his family's business engagements that present potential conflicts of interest and national security concerns.
Significant among our findings are bank records indicating that, on March 1, 2018, James Biden received a $200,000 wire from Americore, a rural hospital operator, and on that same day, wrote a check in the same amount to Joe Biden. Moreover, our investigation has uncovered a $40,000 transaction, traced back to funds originating from China, paid to Joe Biden via his brother and sister-in-law's account.
These findings starkly contrast the narratives previously advanced by some that "no Biden ever took money from China" and that Joe Biden was uninvolved with his family’s business dealings. The evidence we've obtained through the Oversight Committee's efforts directly challenges these claims.
The Oversight Committee has followed the money trail, uncovering over 20 shell companies linked to the Biden family, set up during Joe Biden's vice presidency, and financial transactions with foreign nationals that raise serious questions about influence peddling.
In consideration of our findings, the Committee has initiated sweeping actions to bring the Biden family and their associates forward to address these concerns on the record. The subpoenas and requests for transcribed interviews are critical steps in our comprehensive investigation.
As a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, I assure you that we will persist in our investigation, following the facts without prejudice, to deliver the accountability that you, the American people, rightfully expect.
Rest assured, we will continue to keep you informed on the progress of this inquiry. |
Holding Federal Bureaucracy Accountable
As we navigate the complexities of the digital era, our government should uphold the highest standards of integrity and security. With this in mind, I introduced an amendment to one of this year’s appropriations bills to address the recent failure of Login.gov – a digital government platform intended to streamline access to federal services online.
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The goal of Login.gov was to offer American citizens a single access point for digital services, promising both security and convenience. However, a March 2023 report by the General Services Administration (GSA) Inspector General (IG) revealed that employees at 18F working on Login.gov deliberately misled government clients about the security level of their services. The office charged customer agencies over $10 million for misrepresented and non-existent services, with the claim that the product met robust security protocols. This deception opened the door to potential identity theft and fraud, putting taxpayers' information and benefits at risk.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability’s Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, I held a hearing in March of this year to bring these deceptions to light, particularly the problems at internal technology consulting office 18F. This organization was created to bring federal agencies into the digital age. However, 18F has caused more problems over its decade of operation than it has solved.
My amendment to H.R. 4664 – the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024 sought to defund 18F and divert the funds for it to regular . This amendment will halt new taxpayer funding for 18F. My amendment was agreed to unanimously, and is a decisive step to protect the integrity of our federal digital services and the security of American citizens’ identities. I will maintain my efforts to ensure our federal government is transparent, efficient, and committed to serving American citizens.
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Resilient, Accessible, & High-Quality Rural Healthcare
This week I met with leaders from local Texas hospitals who are members of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH). These dedicated professionals are committed to increasing the quality of healthcare in our rural communities. Our discussion underscored the urgent need to address the specific challenges these hospitals face.
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Top of our discussion were the stark workforce shortages rural healthcare is facing. Clinical professionals are the base of our rural healthcare system, yet they are in alarmingly short supply. Rising labor costs are also a primary contributor to this shortage. Consequently, ongoing investment in rural healthcare practitioners is essential to bolster recruitment and retention efforts.
Last year, I cosigned a letter to Governor Abbot urging him to give aRural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation for five rural Texas hospitals, with the potential for several more. An REH designation is a new Medicare provider type created by Congress to save rural hospitals from possible closure due to the high fixed overhead costs of maintaining inpatient beds. The survival of these critical facilities hinges on the effective implementation and improvement of this program.
As your Congressman, I am a proud advocate for policies that strengthen rural healthcare. Together, we can ensure our rural communities have the resilient, accessible, and high-quality healthcare they deserve. |
The Congressional Veterans Commendation
This past Saturday, we held a Congressional Veterans Commendation (CVC) ceremony in Taylor, Texas, to honor three distinguished combat veterans from Central Texas. The event, attended by approximately 100 guests including family, friends, local officials, and veterans, was conducted at the Taylor ISD Events Center. The CVC is an award based on nominations from the community and is part of the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress. It serves to recognize the sacrifices of our veterans during active duty as well as their community service in peacetime.
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Retired Sergeant 1st Class Jerry Lee Lorton, who served in the Army from 1977 to 1997 and participated in five overseas deployments, continues to contribute to his community in various roles, including as a member of the Cameron Volunteer Fire Department and as a school bus driver.
Retired U.S. Navy SOCS (SEAL) David A. Knesek, who served from 1994 to 2014 with multiple deployments, dedicates his time post-service to teaching marksmanship and tactical skills, as well as volunteering as a 4-H coach and giving Veterans Day presentations in schools.
Retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Mark Anthony Lee, who served from 1979 to 1998, is active in his community addressing youth needs and hunger issues and has been recognized by local organizations for his outstanding service.
I hold deep respect for the service these individuals have provided to our country. At the ceremony, I presented each honoree with a Commemorative Copy of their Congressional Record remarks and a flag that had been flown over the United States Capitol.
The event was supported by several local officials, including Milam County Judge Bill Whitmire, Pflugerville Mayor Victor Gonzales, Milam County Veterans Service Officer Alan Smith, Taylor ISD Board President Marco Ortiz, Cameron Police Chief Lonnie Gosch, and Charlie Torres, Board President of the Pflugerville Education Foundation.
It was a day to remember the service and commitment of our veterans and to ensure their contributions will not be forgotten.
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Marine Corps 248th Birthday & Veteran's Day
This weekend will mark two significant occasions that call us to honor the bravery and dedication of our military service members. On November 10th, we celebrate the 248th birthday of the United States Marine Corps—a tribute to the enduring legacy and valor of the Marines, both past and present. Since 1775, the Marine Corps has stood as a symbol of excellence and resilience, and I extend my deepest gratitude to all who have worn the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor.
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Following this esteemed anniversary, we observe Veterans Day on November 11th—a sacred time to acknowledge the sacrifices of all our veterans who have served our nation with honor. It is a day to reflect on the freedoms we cherish and the courageous men and women who have fought to defend them.
I will participate in the Waco Veterans Day Parade, and celebrate our veterans, their families, and the community. This weekend, as we enjoy the parades and ceremonies, let's also take a moment to offer a word of thanks to those who have served.
To our nation’s veterans, we owe a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay, but we can start by ensuring that you have the support and recognition you deserve, not just on Veterans Day, but every day. |
Sincerely, |
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Pete Sessions |
Member of Congress |
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