Dear Friend,
Congress took care of our work quickly this week to enable our colleagues from the Carolinas to return home to be with their families and communities. All too vividly, we remember the devastation brought by last year's storms, especially Harvey.
Please join me in keeping our fellow American's along the East Coast in your thoughts and prayers. It wasn't too long ago that they were doing the same for us.
With the shortened week, the bulk of our work took place yesterday. Between leading my colleagues in Bible Study - our focus was John 3:3 (Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.) and 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here!) - and participated in the Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing on "Examining the Underlying Science and Impacts of Glider Truck Regulations" as well as the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on "The State of Positive Train Control Implementation in the United States." From there, your Texas delegation had lunch together to discuss legislative business, and then I went to the floor to debate several important bills and finish voting.
Read on to see the exciting work we accomplished Thursday!
Sincerely,
Randy K. Weber
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| America's Water Infrastructure Act |
Earlier this summer, your House passed the Water Resources and Development Act of 2018. On Thursday, we passed the Senate version, and it will soon be on its way to the President's desk!
America’s water infrastructure is critically important to Texas’ 14th Congressional District and to our nation. Our ports and waterways are essential to our economy, carrying products to consumers across the country and sending our exports around the world. The ports of TX-14 alone generate an economic impact of $50 billion a year. Millions of Americans live along our country’s coasts and waterways, and every day, they see the importance of our water infrastructure. That infrastructure must be properly maintained.
I am proud this bill once again passed with broad bipartisan support. It is fiscally responsible and ensures strong congressional oversight of projects while providing much needed investment to make America’s water infrastructure great.
The America’s Water Infrastructure Act supports and builds segments of levee systems that will protect the Texas Gulf Coast from future storms, ensuring the safety of our families and homes. It also facilitates channel improvements to Galveston Harbor.
More information on the bill may be found here: America’s Water Infrastructure Act.
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| Crapo-Weber Bill heads to the White House |
For four and a half year, the Science Committee and I have worked on getting the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act across the finish line. Thursday was a great day!
Access to fast neutrons affords us an opportunity to explore the crucial development of next generation reactor designs, materials, and nuclear fuels. The Versatile Neutron Source authorized in our bill gives our scientists and national labs the tools do just that. We can’t afford to lose the ability to discover innovative nuclear technology here at home. America should lead the global marketplace.
Many thanks to Chairman Lamar Smith, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson, Senator Mike Crapo, and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse for their efforts as we advance our bill all the way to the President’s desk.
Click here to see Congressman Weber speak in support of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act.
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| More than One Appropriations Bill |
Each year, Congress is tasked with appropriating funds to various agencies. Thursday, Congress passed funding for three of the twelve divisions: Energy and Water, Military Construction and VA, and the Legislative Branch. This bill matters a great deal. For years, the budget was taken as a suggestion rather than a legislative responsibility. With this appropriations bill, we will, for the first time in over a decade, send more than one funding bill – out of the 12 required each year – to the President’s desk. Better yet, it will arrive well before the end of the fiscal year. Your House is doing its job.
We still have plenty more to do, but I am happy to see the Department of Veterans Affairs, including the VA MISSION Act, fully funded; additional support for military families provided; our water resources and Army Corps of Engineers projects maintained; and Congress held accountable.
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