Washington, D.C. - On Monday, I met with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to the United States, Yerzhan Ashikbayev. We discussed Kazakhstan’s relations with neighboring countries, cooperation with Israel, the energy sector, and the establishment of normal trade relations with their country. I’m pleased to share that I’ll be cosponsoring legislation to establish normal trade relations with Kazakhstan.

Tuesday, I met with FarmaKeio where we discussed ways to mitigate drug shortages in North Texas and burdensome regulations from the FDA making it difficult for companies like theirs to operate.

Afterward, I had a fantastic time joining Dr. Ben Carson and Matt Whitaker for a panel discussion where we talked about the importance of conservatives entering federal service to change the course of the bureaucracy. I had the opportunity to work under Dr. Carson when I served as the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. I always enjoy catching up!

It was great to speak with North Texas realtors who were in town. We had a productive conversation about how we can better support commercial real estate investment in the DFW area and make housing more affordable for our community through tax reforms.

I also spoke with Stan Langhofer from the Renal Healthcare Association, later on Tuesday. We discussed ways to improve the End Stage Renal Disease Prospective Payment System to protect care.

To finish the day, I brought together more than 40 of my colleagues to send a letter demanding U.S. Customs and Border Protection investigate the apparent visa fraud being committed by colleges that refuse to enforce their own rules to protect foreign nationals from deportation.

Wednesday started off with a House Committee on Small Business hearing over burdensome regulations in the healthcare sector and how they damage small businesses’ ability to compete while limiting innovation.

After, I headed over to our Ways and Means Committee markup where we expanded access to vital telehealth and health-at-home services. I'll always work to make sure North Texans have access to affordable health care.

Next, I met North Texans from the Employee Stock Ownership Plan Association. We discussed the benefit of employees being able to own part of the company they work for and my role as vice chair on the new economy tax team.

I was happy that I had a chance to see another TX-24 resident, Adam Zeitsff, when I stopped by to greet representatives from Fitness International later that day!

After introducing the "Immediate Support for Israel Act," which you can read more about in my Work of the Week section, I met with the Texas Land Title Association to discuss their work ensuring the safe and efficient transfer of real estate as well as burdensome regulations that are harming the industry.

Earlier this week, I also led a bipartisan effort with dozens of my colleagues demanding answers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid on the rampant fraud and abuse in the hospice benefit so we can restore hospice program integrity.

This week, I introduced legislation to end Biden’s unprecedented delay of aid and material support for Israel. As Israel works to free the more than 100 civilian hostages, including several Americans, held by Hamas, the last thing we should do is weaken Israel’s position.

Our Texas-24 Hometown Hero is Mayor of North Richland Hills, Oscar Trevino. Thank you, Mayor Trevino, for all you’ve done to improve our community over your 25 years of service!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your voice in Washington. To stay up to date on what's happening each week, follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. 

Please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can ever be of service to you. 

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)