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Improving School Security

My bill, the National Strategy for School Security Act, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

Currently, our federal government does not have a national blueprint in place to keep our kids safe in the classroom. My legislation requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop a national strategy that factors in best practices, resources, and frameworks that schools of all backdrops — rural, urban, small, or large — can scale and utilize to prevent school violence.  

The safety of our children must always be prioritized, and this bill does just that. I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law.

To read more about the National Strategy for School Security Act, click here.

Fighting for our Law Enforcement

On Wednesday, another bill of mine, the PEARL Act, also passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The PEARL Act provides Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with a pilot program to train shelter dogs into support canines for our federal law enforcement. 

This is essential because our CBP personnel work long shifts and encounter stressful, often dangerous situations. The PEARL Act will improve their access to a key support mechanism while giving shelter dogs a path to a "career" in federal service. 

I will always fight to ensure our frontline personnel have adequate resources to support their overall well-being and that of their families. 

Click here to read more about the PEARL Act.

Supporting Texas' Agriculture

This week, I held our fourth New World Screwworm Working Group Meeting in D.C.

The New World Screwworm Working Group connects stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels to develop and enforce strategies that prevent the devastating screwworm parasite from reaching the United States.

Representatives from the Texas Farm Bureau joined me in Washington, and we also had attendance from representatives at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Deer Association.

Our work is clearly making an impact. Just today, the FDA announced an Emergency Use Authorization for a chewable tablet that treats screwworm infestations in household cats. Click here to read more about the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization.

This decision follows our task force's many efforts to urge a rapid response from government agencies on screwworm treatment and prevention. We will keep working hard to address this critical agricultural and public health crisis.  

PICTURED: Congressman Gonzales hosting a New World Screwworm Working Group Meeting in D.C.

Engaging with our Educators

After the passage of my National Strategy for School Security Act, I met with superintendents and educators across Texas to hear their feedback and collaborate on next steps.

These experts have all played a fundamental role in providing insights that ultimately led to the U.S. House of Representatives passing my school safety legislation.

I strongly believe in an all-hands-on-deck approach to keeping our kids safe in the classroom and ensuring they have access to a quality education.

PICTURED: Congressman Gonzales hosting a Zoom meeting with TX-23 Superintendents.

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My team and I are always available to assist you. Please feel free to contact my office at any time.