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Dear Mr. xxxxxx,
As I begin another busy week, I wanted to pass along my latest update on what I have been doing to fight for you, Texas’ 21st Congressional district, and our country as a whole:
Making Congress do its job:
On Thursday, my good friend Arizona Rep. Andy Biggs and I introduced legislation to prohibit Members of Congress from campaign fundraising until they do their job and pass a balanced budget and subsequent spending bills to reflect it.
Inflation is ravaging hardworking Americans’ paychecks, we've got $31 trillion in national debt, the federal bureaucracy is targeting our freedom on a daily basis, but Congress can't even pass a proper budget the right way — much less exercise the fiscal restraint necessary to address those problems.
However, members of Congress still manage to raise truckloads of money every year to fund reelection campaigns based on empty promises to fix the dysfunction in Washington, D.C. According to OpenSecrets, nearly $10 billion is projected to be spent on congressional elections this cycle alone.
I wrote this bill to turn that dynamic on its head, specifically by restricting politicians' ability to fundraise until they do the hard work of balancing the federal budget and passing annual spending bills to fit that budget. It’s long past time for Congress to do its job, and for its members to face consequences if they don't.
You can read more about my legislation by clicking here.
On Friday, I joined Fox News' Dagen McDowell to share more about this legislation. We also discussed what Republicans need to do to stand up to the Biden administration's reckless open border crisis.
You can listen to my Fox Business interview by clicking here.
Standing up for parents' free speech:
On Wednesday, I led 13 of my House Republican colleagues in raising the alarm about yet another example of the Biden administration weaponizing federal law enforcement against parents — this time to target those who dare question or criticize performing sex change procedures on minors.
We sent a letter to the Department of Justice demanding answers about a letter from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Medical Association (AMA), and Children’s Hospital Association (CHA), which implies that merely sharing information questioning gender transition procedures for minors online constitutes “provoking” violent threats.
My stance on this issue is simple: DOJ has no reason to investigate and prosecute so called ‘disinformation’ on social media, nor to collude with the AAP, AMA, and CHA to silence law-abiding Americans.
You can read our full letter to DOJ by clicking here.
Here are some news stories about what I’ve been up to lately:
Want to help serve the 21st District in Washington or Texas?
Students and young adults interested in learning more about how Congress works and serving the constituents of the 21st Congressional district are invited to apply for a congressional internship with my Washington, DC office or my San Antonio district office.
Interns will benefit from a behind-the-scenes look into Congress and gain valuable experience in public service while researching congressional legislation, drafting press releases, assisting fellow Texans with federal agencies and supporting staffers. Stipends are offered for internships in the Washington DC office and are available in the district office on a case-by-case basis.
You can find more information on interning with my office in Washington, DC or in San Antonio by clicking here.
Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, 2022. During this time, people eligible for Medicare can compare 2023 coverage options on Medicare.gov. You can use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare options for health and drug coverage, which may change from year to year.
Passport resources
The State Department is encouraging passport applications and renewals during the off-peak travel season in fall or winter because demand is lower and processing is faster. Please remember to check your passport expiration date and keep in mind some countries require your passport to be valid for six months after your visit. You can find information on how to apply or renew your passport here.
VA website portal
The VA has launched the Visitor Engagement Reporting Application (VERA), a self-service portal which allows visitors to schedule, reschedule, and cancel in-person or virtual appointments with a Veterans Benefits Admin representative. You can visit the portal by clicking here.
USDA Wildfire and Drought Resources
The US Department of Agriculture offers several resources available to farmers and ranchers impacted by the recent wildfires and drought in Texas. We encourage you to take advantage of this federal assistance if eligible.
Resources for wildfire and drought recovery and risk management are available here and here, respectively.
Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program
Governor Greg Abbott recently announced the opening of the Texas Travel Industry Recovery Grant Program. This program will provide grants to Texas businesses that have been negatively impacted during the COVID-1andemic, including the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. For more information, please click here.
Baby Formula Resources
The Department of Health and Human Services has compiled resources for parents struggling amidst the ongoing baby formula shortage:
- A resource page on where to find formula in your community here.
- A social media kit in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Haitian Creole here.
- A public service announcement from the First Lady and U.S. Surgeon General here.
If you have any concerns that my office can help out with, please don’t hesitate to call or email through the “email me” portal on my website. If you feel so inclined, you can also just send an old-fashioned letter to my Washington or district offices.
If your friends, relatives, or neighbors would also like to sign up for these weekly updates, they can do so by sending my office a quick email or simply by signing up here. For more up-to-the-minute updates, you can follow my press team on Facebook and Twitter.
Sincerely,
Chip Roy
Member of Congress
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