President Biden's agenda was held up last night after Speaker Nancy Pelosi was forced to cancel a vote on the Democrats' Trojan Horse "infrastructure" package (see below) due to the ongoing "Democrat civil war."  Pelosi's move to cancel the vote comes despite her previous promises that there would be a vote on the so-called infrastructure bill on Monday—until that promise slipped to Thursday, a calendar date that has also come and gone.*

*However, in one of the quirks of this dysfunctional institution, we are still operating in the previous “Legislative Day” (September 30, 2021).   I am still here in D.C. waiting to vote because, Pelosi left the Capitol early this morning telling reporters that "there will be a vote today."  I guess we will see how long the Speaker can hold back time, in order to keep her promises.

This is the largest tax increase and the largest spending increase in our nation's history. We are looking at $4.3 TRILLION in new spending and $2.1 TRILLION in new taxes on American families and job creators. The tax increases would reduce American's wages by 1.1%.

If enacted, total NEW spending approved within 18 months will be more than the total combined annual wages of the American people.

At a time when inflation is skyrocketing because of House Democrats' out-of-control spending, they are attempting to ram through the largest tax-and-spend bill in our nation's history. This effort will kill American jobs and make America's economic crisis WORSE!

As if imposing the largest tax and spending increase in our nation's history wasn't bad enough already, this package is also filled with a wish list of Far-Left Socialist policies that are nothing more than “corporate welfare, cronyism, and corrupt political payoffs.” 

Here is a list of 10 of the most outrageous Far-Left policies hidden in the bill

1. Funds abortions by ignoring bipartisan Hyde Amendment protections.
2. Props up the Green New Deal with $630 billion at the expense of small businesses.
3. Imposes $2.1 trillion in tax increases on American families and job creators
4. Gives tax breaks and handouts to the wealthy and corrupt.
5. Creates a $250 tax deduction for union dues, putting more money into the pockets of union bosses.
6. Creates a new surveillance program that allows the IRS to monitor and track every single bank transaction made without a warrant, permission, or limit. 
7. Provides $20 billion for the National Climate Bank to send kickbacks to radical environmentalists.
8. Provides FAKE NEWS organizations with up to 750 employees with a tax cut at a time when their readership has declined due to their liberal bias.
9. Impedes and bans domestic energy and mineral production, increasing our dependencies on resources supplied by OPEC, Russia, and China.
10. Includes provisions that promote amnesty for more than 8 million illegal immigrants. 

House Democrats are attempting to use a Trojan Horse “infrastructure” package to jam through the largest tax increase (and spending package) in our nation’s history. Even Democrats like Senator Krysten Sinema and the House Progressive Caucus know that this so-called infrastructure package is directly tied to the House Democrats' reckless $4.3 trillion tax-and-spend bill. These hopelessly intertwined “big government socialist” wish lists constitute a combined package that will increase taxes, cause inflation to skyrocket, and make businesses in America less competitive. 

WHAT’S INSIDE THE DEMOCRATS TROJAN HORSE

• $1.2 TRILLION in total spending.
• Only $110 billion of the new spending in this package goes towards roads, bridges, and major projects that the American people generally consider “infrastructure.”
• CBO only shows $180 billion in pay-for offsets, roughly equating to a $400 billion shortfall.
• Includes $66 billion for passenger rail and $91.2 billion for transit—after transit already received $70 billion in COVID relief last year.
• Includes $7.5 billion for electric vehicle charging stations and $70 billion in investments for transmission and battery storage.

• Without significant reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the lengthy and costly project review process, much needed improvements to our roads, bridges, and highways will continue to be delayed and weighed down in bureaucratic red tape.

This infrastructure package is a Trojan Horse. Pelosi knows that the infrastructure bill can only pass with the support of the Extreme Left of her caucus, which demands approval of the Democrats’ $4.3 trillion tax-and-spend spree bill.  Support for one means support for both.

President Biden's Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas told Congress, "the border is secure," last week. That was a LIE. The Biden administration has worked to open the southern border, not secure it. President Biden and the Democrats’ open border policies have created one of the worst border crises in history.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas reportedly asked DHS officials whether the department was prepared for 350,000 to 400,000 illegal border apprehensions in October if a court order that lifts Title 42 takes effect at the end of the week. 

The United States has NEVER recorded that number of illegal border apprehensions in a single month, and it would nearly double the 21-year record reached in July. 

Title 42 was implemented by the Trump administration to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 in March 2020. But, the Biden Administration is actively working to stop using Title 42 to expel migrant families at the southern border who are attempting to enter from countries with a high COVID-19 infection rate. 

This reporting also comes at a time when DHS is already under fire for not testing illegals entering the country for COVID-19. I co-sponsored Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks' legislation known as the REACT Act, which would require a negative COVID test before any illegal immigrant is released from custody. 

Unfortunately, on Wednesday, House Democrats again blocked consideration of this legislation. 

The Biden administration has worked to open the southern border, not secure it. Our communities are less safe because they stopped building the wall, brought back Catch and Release, and got rid of the Remain in Mexico policy.

BIDEN’S BORDER CRISIS BY THE NUMBERS

• There were 208,887 border apprehensions in August – a 317% INCREASE from last year.
• August was the second straight month with over 200,000 apprehensions. 
• Over 1,200,000 illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the border since February 1, 2021.
• In August, Joe Biden released 43,941 illegal immigrants into the U.S. 
  • In President Trump’s last full month in office, only 17 illegal immigrants were released into the U.S. 
• Fentanyl seizures in 2021 have nearly doubled 2020 numbers, according to records quietly released by Customs and Border Protection. 

America does not detain their own for political persecution. The pretrial confinement of LTC Scheller for a nonviolent offense is absurd and appears to be motivated by messaging, retribution, and convenience in flagrant violation of the Rules for Court Martial.

I joined my colleagues in calling for an expedited review and removal of LTC Scheller from pretrial confinement.

I am aware of an egregious provision that would require the IRS to track all bank transactions over $600 that slipped into the Budget Reconciliation process by the Senate, and I am working with my colleagues in the House to secure its defeat.

I also joined my colleagues in sending a letter to Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Neal, Secretary Yellen, and IRS Commissioner Rettig expressing concerns about a recent IRS data collection proposal to increase tax information reporting requirements on financial institutions.

We have a duty to protect the privacy of our citizens.

Last Week's Poll Results

Do you think President Biden should be impeached for failing to execute the office of the president to defend the constitution by failing to protect the border, by illegally extending the eviction moratorium, and with regard to the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan?

This Week's Co-Sponsorships 

• H.R. 5398 - To amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to make using critical race theory or critical race pedagogy in any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance a violation of such Act, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 5399 - To prohibit certain actions that impede border security on certain Federal land, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 5379 - ASAP Act
• H.R. 5411 - To hold the salaries of senior government officials in escrow and prohibit the use of official funds for travel by such officials if each of the regular appropriation bills for a fiscal year prior has not been enacted into law by the beginning of the fiscal year, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 5420 - To provide for the continued payment of social security benefits during lapses in appropriations.
• H.Res. 692 - Recognizing the dedication and courage of United States veterans, veterans' organizations, and private citizens who have worked and continue to work to evacuate United States persons and vulnerable Afghans from Afghanistan.

County Judge Matt Sebesta signed the Brazoria County disaster declaration on (09/14/2021). Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, tasked the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to make damage assessments in coordination with local officials to provide damage and debris assessments. 

Governor Greg Abbott on Monday (09/14/2021) afternoon issued a disaster declaration for 17 counties ahead of Hurricane Nicholas.

We are urging residents of all three counties who have been affected by Hurricane Nicholas to complete the Self Reporting Damage Survey to help the state identify damages to private homes and businesses and to assist emergency management officials assess the damages that occurred. This data will determine if the state of Texas and our communities meet federal thresholds for disaster assistance. The voluntary survey, available in both English and Spanish, can be accessed by visiting https://damage.tdem.texas.gov/  Reporting damage to TDEM is a voluntary activity, is not a substitute for reporting damage to an insurance agency, and does not guarantee disaster relief assistance.

This survey, for the state of Texas and our community, will help determine if our area will meet federal thresholds for disaster assistance.

Individual State of Texas Assessment Tool (iSTAT) Damage Survey link below or follow the QR code.

Please submit one survey per impacted address.

 Galveston County residents are also encouraged to complete this survey:

Hurricane Nicholas Damage Assessment Survey 

• Submit Hurricane Nicholas Damages (English)
• Enviar Daños por el Huracán Nicholas (Español)
• gov.texas.gov/hurricane – Safety Tips & Recovery Resources

League City Office Move

I am pleased to announce that our League City District Office has officially moved locations.

The new office is located at 303 East Main Street, Suite 250, League City, Texas 77573.  The phone number remains the same – (281) 316-0231.

2021 Congressional App Challenge

I am pleased to announce that my office is hosting a 2021 Congressional App Challenge.

The Congressional App Challenge is a competition aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications.  The Challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education.

The House of Representatives knows how crucial these skills are and wants to encourage students to engage in these fields.  By encouraging and recognizing our nation’s young programming talent, Congress hopes to shine a light on the growing importance of these skills.

This competition is open to all students who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of coding experience.  We strongly encourage students of all skill levels to participate, enabling them to learn how to create their own apps.  Students are encouraged to register online and submit their apps by November 1st.  To learn more about the competition or to submit an app go to weber.house.gov.

Student Registration 

Rules
Learn to Code
Prizes 

For over 100 years, our great service academies have produced some of America’s greatest leaders.  Not only are these programs producing military leaders, they are also molding better citizens for America.  They prepare our youth to be well-rounded leaders and agile thinkers who will take their lessons of discipline and leadership with them into both military and civilian careers.

Part of my responsibility as a Member of Congress is that I am authorized to nominate candidates for appointment to the U.S. Service Academies.  Every year, I look forward to reviewing those applications.  I am always impressed by the character, selflessness, and—above all—the devotion to the ideals of our great nation.

The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

Each member of Congress may nominate up to ten individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to our district for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY.  The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Below you will find all the information  to start the process, including checklists and important dates.  This year's deadline is Friday, October 15, 2021.  I would also encourage you to watch the videos linked here called “The Five-Pointed Star.”  It’s a great overview of what each of the US Service Academies have to offer.

• 2021 Academy Day Nomination Application
• 2021 Academy Day Nomination Checklist
• 2021 Academy Day Nomination Personal Evaluation

To request a Military Academy Nomination from our office, please contact Jared Bargas, at jared.bargas@mail.house.gov or (281) 316-0231 for more information. 

Best wishes to you as you pursue your goal of attending one of the U.S. Service Academies and serving our country!