Email from Rep. Carter My work in TX-31 and Congress   Howdy Texan – I wanted to provide you with an update on my work for Texas' 31st district in the United States House. ON THE DOCKET: Military Spouse Hiring Innovative Technologies Hearing Keeping the Government Open Ft. Cavazos Visit What do you think? THE BRIEF: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday there is a "very good chance" the war between Russia and Ukraine can end after Washington had "productive" discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy informed members of Congress on Thursday he has signed an agreement with the General Services Administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to right-size the Postal Service budget. More than 1.1 million taxpayers are owed a share of over $1 billion in unclaimed refunds for the 2021 tax year, according to the Internal Revenue Service. However, the deadline to claim the money is fast approaching. MILITARY SPOUSE HIRING ACT This week, along with a bipartisan group of representatives, I introduced the Military Spouse Hiring Act. Military spouses do so much to support America's servicemembers, yet they often struggle to find steady employment due to the unique challenges military families face. As a result, military spouses experience significantly higher unemployment rates than the general population. The Military Spouse Hiring Act is a straightforward, commonsense solution that incentivizes businesses through a tax credit to hire these hardworking men and women. INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY HEARING As chairman of the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, I am always seeking faster, stronger, and more cost-effective construction technologies to address the quality-of-life and readiness needs of our military. This week, I held a hearing on innovative technologies, including 3D printing, cross-laminated timber, and advanced power solutions. Exploring new approaches to building the facilities our military needs to succeed both on and off the battlefield is a high priority of mine, and I'm excited for the opportunity to integrate these new ideas. Click here if you'd like to learn more.   KEEPING THE GOVERNMENT OPEN This week, I voted in favor of the Republicans' Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through fiscal year (FY) 2025. In the weeks leading up to this vote, Republicans attempted to negotiate with Democrats, but Democrats made unreasonable demands to limit the executive branch's legitimate role in the appropriations process. President Trump and I supported this measure because it keeps the government funded while curbing excessive spending and preserving critical resources for national security and essential services. This CR finalizes government funding for FY 2025, allowing the Appropriations Committee to focus on addressing the funding needs for FY 2026. VISITING FT. CAVAZOS Today, I visited Fort Cavazos to meet with Lt. General Kevin Admiral, Commander of III Armored Corps. I received updates on deployments to the southern border, upcoming training exercises, the recent household goods storage fire, and the installation's appropriations needs. As a representative of Fort Cavazos, I remain committed to supporting our warfighters through my role on the Appropriations Committee. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Last year, violent pro-Hamas protests erupted across university campuses, disrupting classes and causing millions in damages. In response, the Department of Homeland Security recently arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student who played a significant role in those protests and "led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization." Khalil is in the United States on a student visa and is now in custody for deportation under the Trump Administration. The courts are reviewing his case. If you were the judge, what would you decide? Take the TX-31 ‘What Do You Think’ survey here or by clicking on the question below. As always, thank you for staying engaged with the latest updates from Texas’ 31st Congressional District. It is an honor and a privilege to represent you and our great state in the United States House of Representatives. Sincerely, John R. Carter Visit our website! WC Williamson County 4407 S IH-35 Suite 101 Georgetown, TX 78626 (512) 591-9061 BC Bell County 2180 North Main St. Suite I-10 Belton, TX 76513 (254) 933-1392 DC Washington, DC 2208 Rayburn H.O.B. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-3864 Rep. John Carter | 2208 Rayburn House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice