Email from Rep. Carter

Dear Texan,

I wanted to provide you with an update on my work for Texas' 31st District in the United States House of Representatives.

ON THE DOCKET:

Passing all Twelve Appropriations Bills
Texas Storm
Community Reflection: Temple & Belton Mayor's Prayer Gathering
Border Security Update

Delivering Responsible Governance Through Regular Order

Last week, I voted in favor of legislation that advances a transparent, constitutional approach to federal spending while providing stability for the American people.

This legislation reflects a deliberate process that respects Congress’s responsibility over federal spending. Passing full-year appropriations bills through regular order provides greater accountability, predictability, and certainty for families, businesses, and communities across Central Texas and the country.

By advancing this bill, the House took an important step toward fully funding key federal agencies through the end of the fiscal year and avoiding the chaos of last-minute omnibus packages. The legislation supports priorities critical to Texas and the nation, including strengthening national security, restoring American energy leadership, and equipping law enforcement with the resources needed to combat fentanyl trafficking and violent crime.

The package also includes targeted investments in grid security, critical minerals, geothermal energy, and the continued modernization of our nation’s nuclear deterrence. It provides funding for responsible management of public lands, wildland firefighting, tribal public safety initiatives, and national parks, while preserving longstanding Second Amendment protections and ensuring taxpayer dollars are not used to fund abortions.

This is what responsible governance looks like. By rejecting rushed, backroom spending deals and passing full-year appropriations through regular order, Congress is doing its job and delivering real results for the American people.

Texas Storm

It’s been a long weekend for folks across our communities, and unfortunately the severe weather is not over yet. We know many families have been dealing with difficult travel conditions, power disruptions, school closures, and the stress that comes with winter storms.

TxDOT urges the traveling public to stay off the roads during inclement weather whenever possible. Dangerous road conditions can develop quickly, especially overnight and in the early morning hours. If you must travel, please use extreme caution, slow down, increase following distance, and remain alert for ice on bridges and overpasses.

You can check current road conditions and closures at DriveTexas.org, on the DriveTexas mobile app, or by calling 1-800-452-9292. Staying informed before heading out can help you avoid hazardous routes and keep you and your family safe.

Please also take a moment to check on neighbors, especially seniors and those who may need extra help during extreme cold. Our first responders, utility workers, and road crews are working around the clock to keep our communities safe, and we are grateful for their service.

We will continue to monitor conditions closely and share updates and resources as they become available. Your safety remains the top priority.

Community Reflection: Temple & Belton Mayor’s Prayer Gathering

I was grateful to attend the Temple and Belton Mayor’s Prayer Gathering, joined by community leaders, neighbors, and friends from across our region.

Gatherings like this provide a meaningful opportunity to pause, reflect, and come together with a shared sense of purpose. They serve as an important reminder that the true strength of our community does not come from politics, but from faith, service, and a genuine commitment to one another.

I am thankful for the local leaders who organized this event and for everyone who took the time to attend with open hearts. Whether in times of challenge or celebration, moments like these reinforce the values that bind our communities together and inspire us to continue serving with humility and gratitude.

These are the moments that matter most.

Border Security Update

America has long valued both compassion and the rule of law, but our immigration system has been broken for years, with serious consequences for communities across Texas and the nation. After record levels of illegal crossings overwhelmed border communities and strained law enforcement, stronger enforcement policies have begun delivering measurable results.

Border encounters are now down roughly 90 percent year over year, and for multiple consecutive months no inadmissible migrants were released into the interior of the country. Law enforcement officers are once again being empowered to do their jobs, and enforcement efforts are increasingly focused on removing criminal offenders and protecting public safety.

These outcomes demonstrate that when federal law is enforced and law enforcement is supported, order is restored and communities are safer. Immigration should be lawful, orderly, and fair, respecting those who follow the rules and wait their turn.

I will continue working to support strong border security policies that prioritize public safety, uphold the rule of law, and deliver real results for Texans.

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,