Howdy Texan –

I hope all of the moms in TX-31 had a Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to share an update on what's happening in Texas' 31st district and the U.S. House.

ON THE DOCKET:

Salute to Academy Appointees
Solving the School Bus Driver Shortage
Honoring MIA Heroes
Celebrating 40 years of Dell

THE BRIEF:

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video message on Thursday vowing that Israel "will stand alone" to defeat Hamas, if necessary after President Biden threatened to withhold weapon shipments to the Jewish State should Netanyahu proceed with an invasion of Rafah.
Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday opened a program that will reimburse landowners along the U.S.-Mexico border for damage to their land and property caused by migrants, smugglers and drug traffickers.
Just a day after Hamas’s Oct. 7 rampage through Israel, the nation’s largest anti-Israel campus group snapped into action, issuing a call for "unity intifada" at colleges across the country and mobilizing its network of pro-Palestinian agitators for a "national day of resistance" that would "normalize" terrorism against Israel, according to a strategy document reviewed by the Washington Free Beacon.

SALUTE TO ACADEMY APPOINTEES

Over the weekend, I celebrated our class of 2028 Academy Appointees. These young men and women have persevered to earn a coveted appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy, or the U.S. Naval Academy. The process to get to this point has been rigorous, and these students are about to embark on one of the most transformational experiences in their life to become leaders in America's Armed Forces. I wish them the very best!

SOLVING THE SCHOOL BUS DRIVER SHORTAGE

Nearly half of all students rely on the school bus to get to school daily. Across the country, there are countless stories of students left without transportation to school because of a nationwide bus driver shortage exacerbated by COVID-19. I introduced the Driving Forward Act to exempt qualified drivers from the under-the-hood test and get them in the driver's seat faster. This mechanical test is an unnecessary regulation inhibiting individuals from becoming school bus drivers, and my bill will stop this bureaucratic red tape to get kids to school without sacrificing safety.

HONORING MIA HEROES

After months of research and planning, Clifton High School students hosted a beautiful ceremony to honor three World War II Missing in Action service members from Bosque County. Family members of each of the MIA troops were present and they were presented with American flags that I flew over the United States Capitol in their honor. Over 80,000 service members remain MIA from previous conflicts, and the United States remains committed to bringing them home. I applaud Clifton High School students and educators for their commitment to honoring America's heroes.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Are you concerned about the rising anti-Semitism at college campuses?

Yes

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DELL!

Dell, headquartered in Round Rock, turned 40 years old this month. To celebrate this massive achievement, I presented the company with a Congressional Record. This record will live in the U.S. Library of Congress forever so that future generations can review it. I appreciate Dell's partnership throughout the years and wish them many more decades of success.