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Dear Mr. xxxxxx,
As I begin another busy week in Washington, 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:
Fighting for border security for Texans and all Americans
On Thursday, I proudly stood alongside 27 Texas GOP Members and Members-elect of Congress to unveil the Texas delegation’s border security framework — a 13-page document outlining which policy changes are necessary to ensure a secure southern border.
You can read our full border security plan—by Texans for Texas—by clicking here.
On Friday, I joined Fox News' Martha MacCallum to break down how this plan will fix the border crisis the Biden administration's policies are worsening daily.
You can watch my Fox News interview by clicking here.
Standing up for our troops by opposing a flawed NDAA
On Wednesday, I spoke on the House floor against last week's rushed and flawed National Defense Authorization Act — a $860 billion, 4,400-page monstrosity crafted behind closed doors and dropped on the House floor with less than 48 hours to review.
Thanks to the work of Republican leaders, this NDAA did not draft our daughters and took steps to protect unvaccinated service members. I am grateful for their hard work, but I could not support the final bill. I am indeed pleased that the bill rescinds the Biden Administration’s disastrous military COVID-19 vaccine mandate, but it does not protect unvaccinated service members from retribution, reinstate those wrongfully fired over the mandate, or expunge the records of those who lost or face losing GI bill benefits as a result.
And it is ridiculous that this “defense” bill included things like the reauthorization of the Coral Reef Conservation Act and taxpayer funds to “combat vaccine hesitancy” abroad, or a mandate to transition non-tactical military vehicles to electric vehicles. And while it drives us deeper in debt, the bill directs the DoD to support initiatives to provide “debt restructuring or relief to developing countries with unsustainable levels of debt.”
We can – and must – do better for our men and women in uniform.
You can watch more of my floor speech by clicking here.
You can read my full statement on the NDAA by clicking here.
Ensuring veterans get the care they deserve
On Wednesday, I spoke at a House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing to relay local veterans' concerns about the implementation of the PACT Act, which makes 5 million veterans eligible for VA care - a 55% increase. I will continue to work with the committee and the VA to ensure that our heroes in Texas' 21st district get the care they deserve.
You can watch a video of my remarks at the Veterans Affairs Committee hearing by clicking here.
Congratulations to TX21's Congressional App Challenge winner
Congratulations to the 2022 winner of TX21’s Congressional App Challenge for middle and high school students, Sarah Horton of San Antonio! Ms. Horton created a game app called Paddle.
You can play Ms. Horton's game by clicking here. You can learn more about the Congressional App Challenge 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.
VA PACT Act Townhalls
Between December 10th and the 17th, the VA is hosting a nationwide a PACT Act Week of Action to inform Veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors about the PACT Act and encourage them to apply for the toxic exposure-related health care and benefits they have earned. More than 80 VA facilities across the country, including in the San Antonio area, are participating with the goal of spreading awareness about the new health care and benefits available to Veterans and survivors. You can find more information 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.
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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