January 10, 2025

Fireside Sessions

Capitol Happenings

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Congressman Sessions in front of his DC office window this week

It was an incredibly eventful, snowy week in Washington, DC! Last weekend, Republicans met to discuss policy priorities for our trifecta. At the beginning of the week, we solidified committee assignments for the 119th Congress. I am excited to be serving once again on both the House Financial Services Committee and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability this Congress. I am looking forward to continuing my work on both committees. On Monday, we certified the election of President Donald J. Trump in a joint session of Congress. I am looking forward to the inauguration on January 20!

GSA Accountability Act

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House Oversight Committee announces the signing of the GSA Accountability Act on X
I am proud to announce that my common-sense legislation, the GSA Technology Accountability Act, has been signed into law. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, I found there is insufficient transparency in the General Services Administration regarding technology projects. This legislation was curated to allow the House Oversight Committee to conduct appropriate oversight, rein in what for too long has been an unaccountable organization that seemingly thought it could play by its own rules, and protect both GSA agency customers and American taxpayers. The GSA Technology Accountability Act requires the GSA Administrator to submit an annual report to Congress regarding each project funded by the Citizen Services Fund and some projects funded by the Acquisition Services Fund. Right now, there is no transparency into how these funds, which are the primary source of funding for TTS projects and initiatives, are allocated.  This bill expands oversight capabilities and includes several measures to ensure GSA provides information about funded projects and explanations for the basis of projects as well as timelines and potential reimbursements. Read the bill text here.

Reintroducing Legislation

This week, I introduced two bills to this Congress, the 119th Congress, that were previously introduced in the 118th Congress. The Manager Attitudes and Notions According to Government Employee Responses Act, or the MANAGER Act, amends the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS), administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to add specific questions for federal agency managers. Efficiency in government agencies is essential for taxpayers and government employees alike. I am committed to creating and supporting legislation that eliminates waste in our government to protect taxpayers. Federal managers are responsible for getting results to the American people. This survey will identify areas where federal employees in supervisory positions need support to ensure that our government is working effectively for our citizens. The Security Enforcement Clarity Act, or SEC Act, will prevent the SEC from exploiting the vagueness of the current penalty statute. Under the Biden Administration, every enforcement action filed by the SEC in federal district court against alleged securities law violators was incurring an unlimited number of penalties for essentially the same offense.

Meeting with Texas Department of Transportation

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Congressman Sessions meets with TxDOT

On Wednesday, I met with representatives from TxDOT, including the TxDOT Lufkin District Engineer. There are many ongoing transportation infrastructure projects not just within TX-17, but across the entire state. We discussed how legislation can meet the needs of TxDOT. I am committed to slashing the red tape to ensure that we can work together to efficiently invest in Texas’ infrastructure needs.

Legislation of the Week

H.R. 29→ Laken Riley Act
On Tuesday, the House passed the Laken Riley Act. I was a proud YES and a cosponsor of this legislation. The passage of this critical legislation was the first step in President Trump’s border security agenda. Named in honor of Laken Riley, a Georgia college student who was brutally murdered by an illegal alien who entered this country under the Biden Administration’s open-border policies. By ensuring that all illegal aliens that are arrested and charged with crimes will be held and deported, this legislation could have prevented the death of Laken Riley. It is tragic that an innocent American life had to be lost before action was taken. It is unbelievable that 159 House Democrats voted AGAINST this measure. House Republicans are putting the American people first and taking measurable steps to secure our southern border.
 
H.R. 23→ Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act
I voted YES to the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act yesterday. This legislation will protect American sovereignty by requiring the President to impose sanctions against International Criminal Court (ICC) officials who investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute an U.S. person or ally. This will also ensure that no federal funding flows to the ICC. This is in direct response to the ICC’s actions in prosecuting the Prime Minister of Israel. The United States and Israel are not members of the ICC, and therefore the ICC has no legitimacy or jurisdiction over either country.


In the News

25 News (Waco)Congressman Pete Sessions on new House Speaker Mike Johnson

Sincerely,
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Pete Sessions
Member of Congress

 

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