January 17, 2025

First Oversight Committee Hearing of the 119th Congress

Congressman Sessions in Oversight this week

Very eventful week in Washington as we prepare for the Inauguration of President Trump! This week, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform kicked off its first hearing entitled, “The Stay-at-Home Federal Workforce: Another Biden-Harris Legacy.” Americans are suffering from the shortcomings of federal agencies. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, services have deteriorated, while taxpayer costs have increased. We still do not know the effects of telework on the productivity of the federal workforce. However, we do know that some of the most innovative companies in the world like Apple and Google have started forcing their workforces back into the office. We cannot rely on agencies and federal employee unions to set their own telework policies. The former director of the Social Security Administration appeared before the Oversight Committee to answer for these failures. Click here to see my remarks from the hearing.

Latexo Math Team Receives Dell Computers

Innovation from Baylor University

Texas Wheat Producers Association

Members of the Texas Wheat Producers Association meet with Congressman Sessions

On Wednesday, representatives from the Texas Wheat Producers Association came by for a meeting. While Congress was able to pass a Farm Bill extension at the end of last year, the work is not over. Our agriculture community needs a full 5-year Farm Bill to help farmers navigate the current financial environment. I remain committed to our producers and continue working to pass a full Farm Bill.

House DOGE Caucus Meeting

The Chairmen of the Congressional DOGE Caucus: Congressman Sessions, Senator Joni Ernst, Congressman Aaron Bean, and Congressman Blake Moore

This week, the House DOGE Caucus held a productive meeting to outline the structure and goals of our organization. As part of our efforts to streamline legislative initiatives, we are forming eight distinct DOGE Teams within the Caucus. These teams will focus on key areas: Retirement, Safety Net & Family Support, Emergency Supplementals, Natural Resources & Permitting, Homeland & Legal, Defense & Veterans Affairs, Workforce & Infrastructure, and Finance & Government Operations. During the meeting, we also held an open mic session, allowing Members to share their thoughts and ideas on how we can best serve the American people. I’m proud to be part of such a collaborative effort, and I’m excited to see how these teams will work together to deliver measurable results for the people we represent.

H.R. 28→ The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025
I was a proud YES on this legislation which ensures fairness and integrity in women’s sports. This bill reaffirms the intent of Title IX by protecting opportunities for women and girls to compete on a level playing field, free from the unfair physical advantages presented by male participants. As conservatives, we believe in defending the principles of equality and opportunity that Title IX was originally designed to uphold. By aligning athletic participation with biological sex, this bill safeguards the hard-earned achievements and aspirations of female athletes while preserving the spirit of competition. It’s a commonsense measure that reflects our commitment to fairness, science, and the future of women’s sports.
 
H.R. 30→ Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act
This bill ensures zero tolerance for domestic violence-related crimes by illegal aliens. I voted YES because the last four years of open border policy has created lawlessness in every corner of our nation and it is time to Make America SAFE Again. Protecting Americans from harm is a fundamental duty of government, and this legislation reflects our commitment to enforcing the rule of law, defending victims, and ensuring that those who endanger others are held responsible for their actions.

H.R. 38→ Concealed Reciprocity Act
I co-sponsored Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-9)’s bill that allows individuals with concealed carry privileges in their home state to exercise those rights in any state with concealed carry laws. This monumental legislation treats state-issued concealed carry permits like driver’s licenses where an individual can use their home-state license to drive in another state but must abide by that other state’s speed limit and road laws. This bill also maintains state sovereignty on gun laws by not establishing a national standard for concealed carry. I hope to see this bill hit the House floor in the 119th Congress, where I will vote a resounding YES.

H.R. 342→ Honor Inauguration Day Act
I co-sponsored Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)’s bill to ensure that the flag will be raised to full height on Inauguration Day. This is a day of great honor that commemorates the strength of our democracy, and our beautiful Stars and Stripes should be raised proudly at full height as the rest of the world watches us on this momentous day. 

NewsNation→ Morning in America with Markie Martin

Fox News Digital→ House DOGE Caucus eyes federal employees, government regulations in new goal-setting memo
 
Fox News Digital→ DOGE caucus roadmap for cutting government waste emerges after closed-door meeting: 'great synergy'