Howdy Texan –

I'm on my way back to Washington to vote on your behalf, so I wanted to take this opportunity to give you an update on what's happened over the last week.

ON THE DOCKET:

Accountability for Illegal Immigrants
What do you think?
Congressional Award
Texas Tech SGA
Constituent Services

THE BRIEF:

In a testament to Bidenomic's failures, thirty-eight percent of business leaders surveyed by ResumeBuilder think layoffs are likely at their companies this year, and around half say their companies will implement a hiring freeze.
The Department of Veterans Affairs set a new record for the number of veterans placed in housing in 2023, putting over 46,000 people in permanent homes.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Sunday he is expanding his troops' control of the southern US border to protect it from a migrant invasion.

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS

Illegal immigrants are invading our country, evading our laws, and getting away with it under this Administration. I voted for four bills last week that would crack down on criminal illegal aliens and close loopholes that allow them to avoid deportation.

Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act makes illegal migrants who have been convicted of driving while impaired, inadmissible and deportable. Currently, illegal migrants who are convicted of a DUI are free to stay in the U.S., despite putting Americans’ lives in jeopardy.
Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act imposes criminal penalties for illegal migrants who evade U.S. Border Patrol agents or other law enforcement officers. If an illegal migrant is found guilty or admits to doing this, they will be deported.
Consequences for Social Security Fraud Act creates a new rule: if an illegal migrant is convicted of, or admits to committing Social Security fraud or identification document fraud they will no longer be eligible for asylum, and will be deported.
No Immigration Benefits for Hamas Terrorists Act creates a ground of inadmissibility and a ground of removability for illegal aliens who participated in the October 7, 2023, terror attacks on Israel and members and officials of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

The Biden Administration has sued Texas for their efforts to secure the border. The Supreme Court ruled that U.S. Border Patrol agents can cut the razor wire that Texas has placed along the border. Governor Abbott has responded that he will continue Texas' control over parts of the southern border. The case is ongoing, and I'll keep you updated, but I want to know what you think.

Who side do you support in Texas v. President Biden?

Texas

Biden Administration

CONGRESSIONAL AWARD

I presented Asvini Thivakaran with the bronze Congressional Award. The Congressional Award is given to outstanding young people who excel in community service, personal development, initiative, and exploration. The Congressional Award is Congress' highest award to celebrate the accomplishments of high school students. Way to go, Asvini!

TEXAS TECH STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION

I sat down with the Texas Tech University Student Government Association to discuss mental health challenges among young people and proposed federal NIL guidelines. As an alumnus, I'm proud to sit down with these students who represent the future of our country and hear about the issues they care about.

CONSTITUENT SERVICES

In January, my office assisted 223 constituents in cutting through bureaucratic red tape with federal agencies. In doing so, we returned $140,259 that was owed to these constituents through IRS refunds, owed veteran's benefits, and back Social Security payments. If you need assistance with a federal agency, learn more here.