On August 30, 2021, at 3:29 p.m. Eastern Time, the last C-17 aircraft left Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA), officially ending the United States military presence in Afghanistan.  According to the Biden Administration, over 123,000 people, including 6,000 Americans, were evacuated from Afghanistan, the vast majority of them being Afghans at risk.  The U.S. Department of State estimates that somewhere between 100 to 200 American citizens were left behind, but they claim to be in contact with all individuals.  It’s a sad day when a President of the United States intentionally leaves Americans behind.  I have already joined my colleagues in calling for President Biden’s resignation.

Leader Kevin McCarthy and our GOP Members of Congress who served in the armed forces met in Washington, D.C. on Monday and Tuesday, demanding action from President Biden and Speaker Pelosi to call the House back into session.  My colleagues and I are urging the Biden Administration, first, to inform us how they plan to rescue the remaining people from behind enemy lines, then, to provide a full accounting of the military materiel left behind in Taliban hands, and finally, to commit not to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate government.  Congress should prohibit the use of any American taxpayer funds to support the Taliban.

Since my last newsletter, the Department of Defense has identified the 13 servicemembers who died in the suicide bombing outside HKIA.  My prayers go out to their families and friends dealing with their tragic loss.  For their brave and noble sacrifice to our country, I signed on as an original cosponsor to H.R. 5142, which posthumously awards them the Congressional Gold Medal.  These heroes include: 

Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover
Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo
Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee
Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez
Marine Corps Cpl. Daegan W. Page
Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui
Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak
Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss

NASA’s renewed focus on human spaceflight is a welcome development and one that should garner widespread support.  Most importantly, the Mission to Mars and our nation’s planned returned to the moon highlights not only our desire to return to space but reinvigorates our national imagination and unites us in common cause.  As your representative in Congress, I will always fight to ensure that our vital national interests are safeguarded as we progress toward the next generation of space flight and exploration.

While at Johnson Space Center, I also had the great pleasure to speak with astronauts currently in orbit on the International Space Station, while also hearing  from our international partners.  Our continued work with European partners and other countries like Japan highlights NASA’s unique ability to collaborate and cooperate for the sake of research and exploration.  These efforts would not be possible if not for the dedicated and hardworking NASA astronauts and flight controllers of generations both past and present.  Astronauts like Walter Cunningham and Jim Lovell, as well as world-famous flight controller, Gene Kranz, built the strong foundation that our NASA team enjoys today.  Words cannot express how grateful I am to represent over 7,500 NASA employees and contractors in our district, and you can always count on me to fight for NASA.  Failure is Not an Option.

On August 31, 2021, I met with Michael White, the Jefferson County Emergency Management Coordinator, to discuss Hurricane Preparedness in the wake of Hurricane Ida. 

A key mission for me as your federal Representative is to coordinate resources between the federal government and local and state jurisdictions, while also reassuring our local emergency management officials that OUR office is here to support their efforts in case of a disaster. 

This week, I addressed letters to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding policies they are implementing.

I expressed to Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough my serious concerns regarding removing physician anesthesiologists from the team-based model of care for veterans.  This would lower the standard of care veterans receive and deny them access to the care enjoyed by virtually all patients in private hospitals.  Our veterans—who have sacrificed so much in service to our country—are owed the highest quality of health care services.  For these reasons, I asked that Secretary McDonough uphold the team-based, physician-led anesthesia care team model as the national standard of practice for Veterans.

In my letter to President Biden and HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, I addressed concerns that the HHS is drafting regulations to mandate the COVID-19 Vaccine for nursing home staff to continue receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding.  While I understand that the intent is to protect our most vulnerable population, this mandate would hinder nursing homes by forcing staff to resign.  Nursing homes across the country have taken numerous steps to ensure the safety of residence and staff, from testing twice a week, wearing N95 masks, and strictly following infection control measures.  Mass resignations of nursing staff would result in a significant loss of housing capacity, leaving many residents without viable housing alternatives.

As the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Energy, I requested a briefing to learn more about the Department of Energy’s efforts to implement section 209 of President Biden’s Executive Order 14008, "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad."  Congressman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma and I have grave concerns about the Biden Administration’s posture and attitude toward the fossil fuel industry.  Texas is the energy capital of the United States, providing millions of jobs and economic benefits distributed across the nation.  Our focus should be toward making traditional forms of energy production cleaner, not to put them out of business.  Our hope is that the Biden Administration will be receptive to the fact that Americans’ standard of living could be seriously harmed if President Biden and his cabinet do not mitigate their hostility toward fossil fuels.

On August 30, I joined my Republican Colleagues in a letter to you, the American people, regarding the Democrats' massive and unprecedented deficit spending spree.  In 2021 alone, they have passed over $5 TRILLION without a single Republican vote.  And now, the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates that the newest budget resolution will likely exceed another $5 trillion! Since Democrats have total control over the government, they also have the unilateral ability to raise the debt ceiling to accommodate their ludicrous, out-of-control spending.  As my Republican colleagues and I stated, we will not vote to increase the debt ceiling.

Recent Co-sponsored Legislation

• H.R. 5136 - Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2021
• H.R. 5142 - To award posthumously a Congressional Gold Medal, in commemoration to the service members who perished in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021, during the evacuation of citizens of the United States and Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International Airport, and for other purposes.
• H.Res. 614 - Condemning the Biden administration's executive actions imposing a moratorium on oil and gas leases on Federal lands and waters, given that the administration has also called for increased importation of crude oil from OPEC+ countries, while refusing to implement congressionally mandated sanctions on the builders of the Russian Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Texas Senate Bill 8 went into effect this week after the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) declined to block the law, in a 5-4 decision.  Otherwise known as the “heartbeat” bill, SB 8 allows private citizens to bring civil suits against those who aid, abet, or perform abortion six weeks after conception, when the baby’s heartbeat can first be detected.

This congress alone, I have cosponsored over 30 bills that protect the right to life.  Like many in my district, I believe that taxpayers should not be forced to fund abortions, and I have repeatedly voted to strip government funding from organizations like Planned Parenthood.  I am an original cosponsor of legislation (similar to SB 8) at the federal level.  H.R. 705, the Heartbeat Protection Act of 2021, would prohibit abortion in cases where a fetal heartbeat is detectable.

Recently, I joined my colleague Bob Good (R-VA) as an original cosponsor of H.R. 5136, the Teleabortion Prevention Act of 2021.  This bill would require providers of chemical abortions to physically examine the patient, be physically present at the location of the abortion, and schedule a follow-up visit.  This bill would also establish criminal penalties for providers who do not comply with these requirements.  I am also an original cosponsor of H.R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2021.  This bill would prohibit the use of federal funds for abortions and for health coverage that includes abortions.  Also, I am an original cosponsor of H.R. 619, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act.  If enacted, this legislation would ensure that newborn babies who survive attempted abortions get the same care as any other newborn.

I will continue to advocate for pro-life policies and pledge to vote against any legislation that would seek to dismantle the basic human value of the right to life.

Friends, 

It is no secret that I am unapologetically pro-life and have consistently voted in support of numerous pro-life measures while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This week the Supreme Court declined to block the implementation of Texas Senate Bill 8.  SB 8, otherwise known as the "heartbeat" bill, allows private citizens to bring civil suits against those who perform an abortion six weeks after conception, when the baby’s heartbeat can first be detected in the womb.

But, I want to hear from you! 

Last Week's Poll Results

Do you believe the Biden Administration should testify before Congress Regarding their Afghanistan withdrawal strategy?

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!