June 30, 2022

Dear John xxxxxx,

I hope everyone across North Texas is getting ready for a fun and relaxing Fourth of July holiday! Here’s a brief update about what I have been working on both in Washington, D.C., and back in North Texas.

We Must Codify Roe v. Wade

Last week, the Supreme Court issued a destructive decision that will strip millions of their access to essential health care and personal freedom that has been enshrined into the law of the land for almost 50 years. The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is absolutely dangerous and destructive to the right to essential health care, the right to privacy, and our freedom to make our own decisions. Make no mistake–this decision paves the way for the Republican-led Supreme Court to overturn many of the rights and freedoms that we hold dear. 

Watch my video outside of the Supreme Court explaining the decision.

We must turn our pain into action by fighting to preserve our essential freedoms at the ballot box in November. 

Meeting with Energy Secretary Granholm to Lower Costs

The Biden-Harris Administration and Democrats in Congress remain laser-focused on bringing down rising costs for folks in Texas and beyond. I was proud to join Energy Secretary Granholm and local community leaders to discuss the many ways we can solve this problem by deploying clean energy infrastructure to help lower utility costs as we go through the summer months.

Rep. Veasey joins Secretary Granholm in DFW.

During the Secretary’s visit to DFW, we visited the Lennox R&D facility for a press conference to highlight new investments in the DOE’s Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge–a move that bolsters clean energy to lower utility costs. Afterward, we joined local energy leaders and elected officials for a tour of a local IBEW facility to discuss innovations in the clean energy infrastructure space. 

Working to Prevent Gun Violence 

After nearly 30 years of inaction, Congress listened to the American people and passed common-sense gun violence prevention legislation. Last week, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act into law after both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the legislation. The legislation will help save lives by keeping weapons out of dangerous hands, strengthening mental health services, and bolstering school safety. 

Nothing Congress does will ever heal the wounds and trauma inflicted on the families and friends of gun violence victims. But this is a step in the right direction to make our communities and schools safer. This cannot be the last step because so much more needs to be done because we must no longer accept an America where a child doesn’t return home from school because of gun violence.

Delivering Funding to Projects Across North Texas 

Earlier this year, I voted for a bipartisan and bicameral government funding bill that secured over $13 million in key funding for North Texas to directly address some of the most pressing needs in communities and included billions in funding for key programs that many Texans depend on. 

Over the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to visit some of the local projects I secured funding for like: 

• The Children’s Health System in Dallas that provides vital health care resources to Texas children. 
• The United Way of Tarrant County for their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) project that will help North Texas families get help with filing their taxes!
• And 1012 N. Main Streets transformation to create the Fred Rouse Center for the Arts and Community Healing that will bolster reparative justice, anti-racism work, spatial justice, inter-and intra-group healing, and the arts.

Rep. Veasey visits community funding projects across DFW. 

In the upcoming weeks, I look forward to continuing to visit projects across North Texas! 

Celebrating Juneteenth

From its Texas origin, the observance of the Juneteenth holiday as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond as a symbol of freedom. 

Watch my video on Juneteenth here.

This year, I was proud to join Miss Opal Lee–a local civil rights hero and the "Grandmother of Juneteenth" for the holiday. The observance of this day as a federal holiday would not have been possible without the tireless work of Miss Opal, who has dedicated her life to bringing national awareness to this important day. I was also proud to say that earlier this year, I led the effort to honor her work on Juneteenth by nominating her to receive the Nobel Peace Prize! 

Community Highlights

• Just last year, the Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School boys' soccer team headed to the state finals for the first time ever, and this year Angel Sanchez won the school’s first state track medal. Congrats to all for representing Fort Worth well! Watch my floor speech celebrating this school's victories here. 
• Mike Smith was a pillar of our community. For 55 years, he ran the landmark Paris Coffee shop in Fort Worth. The people of Fort Worth will miss his excellent cooking and service to North Texas. Watch my floor speech commemorating his life here.   
• It was great to welcome Giselle Mata, the winner of this year’s Congressional Art Competition to D.C. recently! Her artwork “American Dream” is a portrait of her father and is now proudly displayed at the Capitol. This piece is a representation of the diverse talent in TX-33. Congrats, Giselle!

The Congressional Art Competition submission winner "American Dream" by Giselle Mata. 

Resources for our Community

• COVID-19 vaccines are now available for children 5 and under in Texas and across the country. For more information, visit here. 
• The Arlington Public Library is offering hundreds of summer programs for Texans of all ages! Get more information here.
• Fort Worth ISD is now serving free summer meal through a program that lasts through July 21st. More information here. 

Upcoming Events

Fort Worth Town Hall
Wednesday, August 10th 6PM – 8PM
Tarrant County College (exact location to be determined)

Dallas Town Hall
Thursday, August 18th 6PM – 8PM
West Dallas Multipurpose Center
2828 Fish Trap Road, Dallas, TX 75212

Keeping our district and communities safe, healthy and connected has, and always will be, my number one priority. If I can be of any assistance, please contact my District Offices in Dallas at (214) 741-1387 or Fort Worth at (817) 920-9086.

Sincerely,