Representative Randy Weber

Randy's Wrap-Up

The Start of a New Congress

The 118th Congress has officially started, and it is time to get to work for the American people and, most importantly, each of you. This week, I was appointed to the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. From day one, I have been fighting for energy security and American energy dominance. I have the honor of representing countless hard-working energy industry workers, plant managers, and families. The Texas gulf coast has seven ports, seven of America's largest petroleum refineries, three LNG plants, and 60% of the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve. We are the energy capital of the world. Being appointed to the Energy and Commerce Committee means that the Texas gulf coast has a voice and an advocate on the very committee that is tasked to secure and protect our energy supply. The committee also has responsibility for matters including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health and research, environmental quality, and interstate and foreign commerce among others.

87,000 IRS Agents

This summer, House Republicans rolled out our Commitment to America, and the first thing we promised to do was to repeal the planned hiring of 87,000 IRS agents by President Biden and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi to audit low-income and middle-class families. This week we passed the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. Families and small businesses are already paying the price of Joe Biden’s inflation tax—they don’t need increased audits by the IRS too. This legislation will defend hardworking Americans’ taxpayer dollars from bureaucratic waste and abuse. Americans deserve a government that’s accountable and one that works FOR them, not AGAINST them. Rescinding funding for 87,000 new IRS agents is a great first step in the right direction.

America needs more border agents, police officers, or servicemembers defending and securing our nation—not 87,000 more IRS agents. This is our Commitment to America at work!

House Republicans Defend Life

For the last two years, House Democrats and the Biden administration have fought for a radical, abortion-on-demand until the moment of birth agenda at the expense of the most vulnerable among us. Now, House Republicans are sending a clear message that this new House majority stands for LIFE. We passed the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act and a congressional resolution condemning the nationwide wave of violence, property damage, threats, trespassing, and intimidation against pro-life organizations by pro-abortion activists in the wake of the Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. The Born-Alive Act ensures that infants born alive after an attempted abortion receive the same protection of law and degree of care as any newborn. I believe that any child who survives the horrific procedure associated with abortion absolutely deserves full access to medical treatment and care. Period. And the mother, having already experienced so much, deserves the same. This child was endowed by our Creator with an unalienable right to Life.

Reversing the Biden Administration’s abuse of our Strategic Petroleum Reserve

The Biden administration is draining America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) to cover up the disastrous effects of its anti-American energy agenda. As a result, China—not the U.S.—now has the world’s largest government-controlled stockpile of oil. President Biden is ceding American leadership and geopolitical strength to China and jeopardizing our energy security.

The SPR is only intended to be used for actual oil supply interruptions, such as

when an offshore production platform is shuttered due to a hurricane or a national

security event. The Biden administration sold off 1 million barrels of oil from the

SPR every day beginning in May 2022 until last year’s midterm election to distract

from its disastrous energy policies that discourage American energy production.

To cover up his failed “rush-to-green" agenda, President Biden is depleting the

SPR. He has sold more than 250 million barrels—nearly 40 percent of the

strategic stockpile—while in office. This is more than all the U.S. presidents in

history combined.

Due to the Biden administration’s opposition to oil production, pipelines, and

refining in America, we have fallen behind China, Russia, and other adversaries

when it comes to American energy dominance. Domestic oil production and

refining capacity have both declined by 1 million barrels per day from peak levels

under the prior administration.

Releasing oil from the SPR for politics is not the solution to the energy crisis

Americans are facing. The SPR oil has nowhere to go in the U.S. with our

pipelines and refineries at maximum capacity, so instead, our strategic assets

are being exported to foreign countries, including China.

I am proud that 331 of my colleague voted in support of the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act this week. This bill will stop the Biden administration from continuing this dangerous practice by preventing the Secretary of Energy from selling any products from the SPR to any entity owned or under the control or influence of the CCP or to any other entity that intends to export the products to China.

Bottom line: We should not be selling our precious SPR to China.

This Week's Poll Question

Do you agree that we shouldn't be selling SPR to China?

Yes

No

Around the District

Team Weber attended the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce's Yachting with the Mayors Presented by the Chamber Young Professionals. They also participated in the Brazoria County Association for Children's Habilitation's 50th-anniversary ribbon cutting, the Contractors Business Development Meeting, SETX Economic Forecast Luncheon, and the Houston Military Affairs Committee meeting.

Recent Legislation

H.Res.29 - Finding Federal Savings Committee Resolution
H.J.Res.7 - Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020.
H.R.22 - Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act
H.R. 277 - To amend chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, to provide that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law.
H.R. 175 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit abortion in cases where a fetal heartbeat is detectable.
H.R. 174 - To prohibit the provision of Federal funds to a labor organization the members of which are education professionals.
H.R. 152 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove silencers from the definition of firearms, and for other purposes.
H.R. 151 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove short-barreled shotguns from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act, and for other purposes.
H.R. 150 - To prohibit a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing.
H.R. 149 - To prohibit the disbursement of Federal funds to State and local governments that allow individuals who are not citizens of the United States to vote in any Federal, State, or local election.
H.R. 130 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide additional aggravating factors for the imposition of the death penalty based on the status of the victim.
H.R. 53 - To amend title 41, United States Code, to prohibit the Federal Government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm or ammunition industries, and for other purposes.
H.R. 26 - Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
H.R. 7 - No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023
H. Con. Res. 3 - Expressing the sense of Congress condemning the recent attacks on pro-life facilities, groups, and churches.

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!

Sincerely,

Randy K. Weber