I will be taking a break next week from sending a weekly wrap-up to celebrate Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for in the greatest nation on earth. May your day be filled with love and gratitude as you gather around the table next week with family and friends. 

This week government funding was set to run out on November 17th. Congress did pass a continuing resolution to fund federal agencies that fall under the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, and Energy and Water appropriations bills through January 19, 2024, and remaining agencies through February 2, 2024.

The American people cannot afford the status quo. Our nation is $33.6 trillion in debt, and our border is exploding. It is imperative we change the direction our nation is headed. We need policy change, border security, and to restore fiscal sanity, not continue the same reckless spending. That is exactly why I voted against this continuing resolution. I will continue to fight for change for Texans and the American people. Going forward, I believe Mike Johnson was chosen to lead the House at this challenging time and I trust Speaker Johnson will be the impetus to set us on the right path and make bold changes for the American people.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that 240,988 illegal immigrants were encountered at our Southern Border in October 2023, making it the highest total for October in Department of Homeland Security history. This report is further confirmation that Joe Biden’s Far Left open border policies are not working and comes just a month after CBP reported that in Fiscal Year 2023, there were 2.48 million illegal immigrant encounters, the highest annual total ever recorded in a single year. 

The Biden Administration’s derelict policies generated a self-inflicted national security and humanitarian crisis. The Biden Administration’s broken border policies have increased the monthly average of illegal crossings by 368 percent in three years. This massive increase is a direct result of President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas’ actions ending border wall construction and deprioritizing immigration policies.

Secretary Mayorkas’ open-border policies have forced Americans to foot the bill for the costs of historically high levels of illegal border crossings. Illegal aliens have strained local health care systems and local government budgets and are making American taxpaying lives more costly and unsafe at their own expense. Illegal immigration costs every American taxpayer a net average of $956—or $1,156 before the taxes paid by illegal aliens are factored in. 

This should be a wake-up call for every single American and, most importantly, the Biden White House. Communities across this country, from the smallest border town to our largest city, are dealing with depleted emergency resources, public housing crises, overwhelmed public school systems, damaged or destroyed property, and overwhelming law enforcement costs—burdens these hardworking taxpayers were never prepared for, and should not be forced to pay.

This week on the House floor, we voted on a House Resolution to Impeach Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors. From day one, Secretary Mayorkas lost operational control of the southern border, hung up the open for business sign, and, worst of all, turned his back on the American people. His leadership – or lack of – has fueled over 8 million illegal aliens entering into our nation at never-before-seen levels. Fentanyl is pouring across our border, human smugglers and cartels are capitalizing on the disarray, and terrorists are waltzing into our nation. His leadership is pitiful and a disgrace. I am disappointed that a few of my colleagues voted to kill the impeachment articles.

Americans can expect to pay more this Thanksgiving for just about every aspect of their Thanksgiving meal because of Joe Biden and Bidenomics, as Bidenflation “remains well above the Federal Reserve’s target.” 
 
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key inflation index, rose at an increased annual rate of 3.2% in October. This report comes just days after the October Jobs report showed the U.S. economy added a measly 150,000 jobs in October, falling well short of economists' expectations and highlighting how Bidenomics continues to fail the American people.

Americans are paying more for just about everything because of inflation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...

• Frozen noncarbonated juices and drinks are UP 22.1%
• Motor vehicle insurance is UP 19.2%
• Frozen vegetables are UP 10.7%
• Uncooked beef steaks are UP 10.6%
• Transportation services is UP 9.2%
• Sugar and sugar substitutes are UP 8.8%
• Baby food and formula are UP 8.3%
• Frozen fruits and vegetables are UP 8.0%
• Sauces and gravies are UP 7.5%
• Rent of primary residence is UP 7.2%
• Uncooked turkey is UP 7.2%
• White bread is UP 7.1%
• Shelter is UP 6.7%
• Crackers are UP 6.0%
• Rolls are UP 5.7%
• Food away from home is UP 5.4%
• Flour is UP 3.2%
• Frozen pies are UP 2.7%

Last weekend, Team Weber participated in Veterans Day events across the district. In Port Neches, we presented WWII Veteran James E. White with a flag flown over the Capitol for his service. In League City, AMOCO Federal Credit Union hosted a Veterans Day Luncheon where we presented 11 flags to various veterans for their dedication to their communities and our nation. Thank you to all of our veterans. Team Weber toured the Galveston Island Humane Society and talked with Executive Director Josh Henderson about their struggles, including funding and larger space for the animals. The Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce held its grand opening/ribbon cutting for the Polar Express in collaboration with the Galveston Railroad Museum. Folks from all across the United States travel to Galveston aboard the Polar Express to enjoy a magical holiday experience! To end the week, I attended the PACHYDERM meeting in Galveston with guest speaker Dr. Shayne Green.

Legislation cosponsored:

• H.R. 6421 - To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy efficiency standards applicable to manufactured housing, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 6432 - To prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce measures requiring certain employees to refer to an individual by the preferred pronouns of such individual or a name other than the legal name of such individual, and for other purposes.
• H.J.Res. 103 - Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulation".
• H.R. 1015 - Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act
• H.R. 3811 - Veterans Mental and Behavioral Health Quality of Care Act
• H.R. 6213 - National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act
• H.R. 6380 - To direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot program to provide flight training for military veterans, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 6383 - To prohibit the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing or enforcing a remain in Texas policy.
• H.R. 6390 - To amend the Consumer Credit Protection Act to permit the refusal of credit to aliens who do not have lawful status in the United States, and for other purposes.
• H.Res. 865 - Honoring the heroic military service, sacrifices, and contributions of veterans from the great State of Texas.
• H.Res. 863 - Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors.
• H.R. 6325 - To identify Ukrainian government officials in violation of the End-Use Monitoring agreement and to prohibit their entry into the United States.
• H.R. 6332 - To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to limit the participation of staff of the Internal Revenue Service in conferences being carried out by the Independent Office of Appeals for the purposes of resolving a taxpayer dispute.
• H.Res. 859 - Honoring the service and sacrifice of America's veterans on Veterans Day, 2023.

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!