Email from Rep. Nehls Rep. Troy E. Nehls Provides Update on Day 17 of Shutdown   Greetings! I wanted to take a moment to share with you a recap of what happened last week in Texas' 22nd District and the United States House of Representatives. Today marks Day 17 of the Democrat Government Shutdown. Senate Democrats have voted ten times to keep the government shut down, hold the American people hostage, block paychecks for our troops, federal law enforcement officers, air traffic controllers, and federal workers, and inflict harm on the U.S. economy. Democrats continue to side with illegal aliens while hardworking Americans pay the price. Thankfully, President Donald J. Trump stepped up to ensure that our military men and women are paid, FBI special agents receive their paychecks, and WIC programs remain funded. While Democrats continue to play political games, President Trump is taking bold actions to serve the American people. Because of the Democrat Government Shutdown, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not processing or implementing disaster assistance payments or implementing changes to farm bill programs created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This is directly impacting farmers and ranchers right here at home. Democrats are prioritizing healthcare for illegal aliens over the men and women who work hard every single day to feed, fuel, and clothe not only our country, but the entire world. Our Veterans have lost access to career counseling, the GI Bill hotline is closed, Veterans’ Affairs (VA) cemeteries aren’t being maintained, and permanent headstones at VA cemeteries aren’t being placed, leaving our fallen heroes without the honor they deserve. Nearly one month ago, I voted “YES” to pass a clean funding bill to keep our government open. Sadly, this bill has not passed the United States Senate. Why? Democrats are terrified of their radical base, which is demanding they do everything in their power to stop President Trump’s America First agenda. Instead of voting for a continuing resolution (CR) that the Democrats voted for 13 times during the Biden Administration, Democrats are demanding $1.5 trillion in new government spending to fund healthcare for illegal aliens, leftist propaganda machines, and woke projects across the globe, including: $24.6M to “climate resilience” in Honduras $13.4M to “civic engagement” in Zimbabwe $3.9M for “LGBTQI+ democracy grants” in the Balkans $2.9M to “desert locust risk reduction” in the Horn of Africa $2M to “organizing for feminist democratic principles” in Africa Texans deserve leaders who put America First, not a political party more concerned with fueling the radical left agenda. Despite the Democrat Government Shutdown, my Washington, D.C. office and my Fulshear office remain open and ready to assist and serve the folks of the 22nd Congressional District of Texas. Please do not hesitate to reach out for assistance with a federal agency or if you have questions about federal legislation. This Week in Texas' 22nd District Government Shutdown Resources Despite the Democrat Government Shutdown, my priority remains serving the residents of Texas's 22nd Congressional District. If you require assistance with a federal agency, please contact my District Office at (346) 762-6600 and fill out the Digital Privacy Release Form found on my website. For more resources, please see the Government Shutdown Resources page on my website. Service Academy Nominations Close Extended Through Friday, October 24th Due to Democrat Government Shutdown My office is now accepting Service Academy Nominations. Due to the Democrat Government Shutdown, the application deadline has been extended to Friday, October 24, 2025. One of the privileges of serving in the United States House of Representatives is the opportunity to nominate outstanding young people from the 22nd Congressional District of Texas to be considered for appointment to our nation’s service academies. Admission to a service academy is a two-tiered process. First, the candidate must meet the minimum standards set by the individual academy. Second, the candidate must complete the congressional application by October 24, 2025, to be considered for an interview in our office with the nomination review board. Please note that the ultimate selection of appointees rests solely with academy officials and is based on their competitive evaluation of all nominees. The checklist and application can be found on my website. If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call my district office at (346) 762-6600. Rep. Troy E. Nehls Announces the 2025 Congressional App Challenge I am pleased to announce that my office is hosting a 2025 Congressional App Challenge. The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is a competition designed to encourage student participation in computer science and coding. Students are encouraged to register online and submit their app by October 30, 2025. Officially launched by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015, this nationwide effort allows students to compete against their peers by creating an application (also known as an “app”) for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, raspberry Pi or other devices. We accept any programming language, such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, or "block code." The Challenge is designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science. The Congressional App Challenge is open to all middle and high school students in the 22nd Congressional District of Texas. Students entering the competition must submit their app to CongressionalAppChallenge.us during the Competition Submission Period, which ends October 20, 2025, at 12:00 P.M. Eastern Time. The winner from the 22nd Congressional District, chosen by a panel of expert judges, will be featured on CongressionalAppChallenge.us. The winning app will also be eligible to be on display in the U.S. Capitol, honoring the winners from across the country. For more information, please visit the official Congressional App Challenge website at CongressionalAppChallenge.us, email [email protected], or email my office at [email protected]. Resources for Hurricane Season Being well-prepared for hurricanes and other natural disasters is crucial to protecting your family and minimizing disruption to daily life. Federal resources, such as those provided by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Ready.gov, offer valuable guidance, including emergency alerts, disaster planning tools, and response checklists tailored to individual and family needs. As hurricane season approaches, staying proactive can make a significant difference. Monitor trusted sources like the National Hurricane Center for real-time updates and establish a comprehensive emergency plan that covers evacuation routes, family communication, and essential supplies. It’s also wise to prepare your home by securing outdoor items, reinforcing windows and doors, and reviewing your insurance policies—especially for those in coastal or flood-prone areas. For further assistance, FEMA’s Resource Library for Individual Assistance provides clear information on disaster support services, how assistance works, and what steps to take after applying. If you’ve already submitted a claim, visit I Applied for Assistance. What's Next? on FEMA.gov for guidance on next steps. Be sure to check out my website for further local and state resources on how to prepare for a natural disaster. If you have any questions or need support, please contact Congressman Nehls’ Fulshear District Office at (346) 662-6600. Our office is here to assist you throughout this hurricane season. Do you think Democrats should join Republicans in passing a no-strings bill to keep the government open?  YES 82.2% NO 17.8% Follow Us We Want to Hear From You I always appreciate learning about the issues that are important to you. If you have a concern, please contact me HERE. Use this QR code to follow my Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts and join my Newsletter for updates. It's an honor to represent you and the great state of Texas in the United States House of Representatives. Do you support sending U.S. tax dollars to foreign countries for climate projects? Let me know below Yes No Sincerely, Troy E. Nehls Member of Congress By participating in the survey, you are opting into further communication from Rep. Nehls Rep. Nehls | 1104 Longworth House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice