More than 4 million individuals have been encountered at our southern border since President Biden took office. The Biden Administration has released between 1-2 million of these individuals into the interior – not including approximately 1 million known “gotaways” since the start of FY21. At least 98 people on the terrorist screening database were apprehended in FY22. Further, more than 24,000 lbs. of fentanyl have been seized since President Biden took office.

Texans are in imminent danger, and Texas leadership is right to use all powers under their authority to defend Texas' border and its citizens. Taxpayers in Texas are spending more than $3 billion on border security operations. Texans are being pummeled by a nearly two-yearlong border surge – left to defend their lives and their property against violent criminals and murderous cartels. Fentanyl is killing tens of thousands of Americans and cartel-fueled crime is surging across the country. Customs and Border Protection agents and officers are strapped and hamstrung – rendered incapable of fulfilling their duties. 

House Republicans have made a Commitment to America to secure the southern border as part of our priority to create a "nation that is safe." This is consistent with the American Security Task Force. As Members of Congress representing Texans and the southern border we commit to the same and offer these solutions to fulfill the goals of the Commitment to America.

We will not stand by while the Biden Administration knowingly pushes disastrous policies with complete disregard for what our state and country are enduring. We commit to paying Texas back for border operations and damages. We commit to forcing the administration to enforce our current laws, and to leverage the power of the purse to ensure that it does. And we commit to immediately shifting policy to bring much needed security to our state and country.

We commit to securing our southern border, and this is our framework to do just that.

The delegation’s agenda is a framework by Texans for Texas, which includes four priority areas:

• Complete physical border infrastructure
• Fix border enforcement policies
• Enforce our laws in the interior
• Target cartels & criminal organizations

Last month, Senator Cruz and I sent a letter to senior officials at the United States Postal Service (USPS) about the increase in postal theft in Texas’ Fourteenth Congressional District. We demanded answers on the steps they are taking to combat this urgent and ongoing problem.

This week we received a response from the Office of Inspector General and the Chief Postal Inspector. The letters confirmed that there had been an increase in mail theft in Southeast Texas. The USPS is actively engaged on multiple fronts with various partners to combat these crimes and prosecute mail thieves. 

It is shocking when even one instance of postal theft occurs. But when it has repeatedly been happening at this magnitude, something must be done. I appreciate their responses, but I have further questions for the USPS and will continue to stay involved on this issue until it is resolved.

USPS actively encourages the public to:

• Use the letter slots inside the Post Office, or hand outgoing mail to a letter carrier. Before depositing mail in a blue collection box, postal customers should check the times noted near the letter slot and only deposit mail before the last collection time, so mail does not sit in the box overnight.
• Pick up mail delivered to their mailbox as soon as possible after delivery.
• Tell the Post Office before traveling out of town, and request that mail be held until their return.
• Ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up mail delivered to their residential or business mailbox if they know they can’t promptly retrieve it. This is especially important whenever checks, credit cards, or other negotiable items are expected.
• Sign-up for Informed Delivery at USPS.com. This service provides daily email notifications of incoming mail and packages addressed to a customer’s residence or business.

House Republicans secured a victory for freedom by removing the Biden administration’s authoritarian military COVID-19 vaccine mandate from the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) FY23. But in a House Republican majority, there is more work to be done to combat this administration’s disastrous policies as we work to defend our heroic service members and our national security in its wake.
 
Following one of the worst recruitment years in our military’s history, we will demand justice for the service members who were wrongfully terminated under the Biden administration’s mandate, ensure there are no roadblocks to them reentering the military if desired, and fight to restore our military as the premier fighting force.

Team Weber attended the 2nd Annual Pearl Harbor Memorial Dinner this week in Galveston. It was a great event that supports our local veterans and their families and honors those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. They attended the groundbreaking for OCI Beaumont, an integrated methanol and ammonia production facility that will bring 1,000 construction jobs and at least 70 permanent jobs. Team Weber participated in the City of Jones Creek's annual Christmas in the Creek tree decorating at City Hall and San Jacinto College Foundation Holiday Party. 

• H.R. 9470 - To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that expedited removal of inadmissible arriving aliens applies regardless of where the alien is encountered or apprehended, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 9448 - To prohibit the Federal Government from taking certain action relating to social media companies, and for other purposes

It is a privilege to represent our district in Congress.  While we’ve faced many challenges in recent years, through strength and prayer, we have persevered. 

Please know that we are always a resource for you.  Call or stop by any of the offices (YOUR offices, we work for you), whenever you need assistance or want to talk about an issue before Congress.

For assistance or more information, please call or go online to visit us at weber.house.gov.

God Bless you and God Bless Texas!