I was proud to join College of the Mainland (COM) and Gulf Copper this week for their joint announcement and signing day. This exciting new partnership sits right at the intersection of education and industry, creating new opportunities for people right here in Texas’ 14th District!

Through this partnership, COM and Gulf Copper have established two U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs to train the next generation of Quality Inspectors and Marine Fabricators. Apprentices earn while they learn, combining full-time employment and paid on-the-job training with technical instruction at COM. Even better, Gulf Copper covers 100% of tuition and required training materials! Apprentices who complete their programs will earn nationally recognized credentials and the skills to build long-lasting careers.

The Program at a Glance

• COM and Gulf Copper established two U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs, one for Quality Inspectors and one for Marine Fabricators.
• Apprentices work full-time with paid on-the-job training plus technical instruction at COM.
• Gulf Copper covers 100% of tuition and required training materials.
• Graduates earn nationally recognized credentials.

The Texas Gulf Coast is the backbone of the American maritime industry, and we are just getting started! Gulf Copper’s planned $1 billion modernization of its Galveston and Port Arthur shipyards is expected to create about 2,400 direct jobs, and these new programs will further cement our district as an economic powerhouse. Partnerships like this ensure young Texans have the skills, resources, and training they need to carry these industries into the future and keep leading the country.

By bringing education and industry together, we are opening doors for hardworking Texans to build meaningful careers and making sure our local businesses have the skilled workforce they need to thrive. I am grateful to College of the Mainland and Gulf Copper for investing in the next generation and strengthening the industries that keep Southeast Texas moving forward!

Read more here!

Texas will not fuel the communist regime in Cuba.

This week, federal officials announced that 19 shipments carrying roughly 119,000 gallons of biodiesel were seized at the Port of Houston before they could reach a sanctioned, state-owned fuel company in Havana.

Early in September, federal agents received intelligence that fuel was being illegally exported from the United States to ENETEC, a Havana-based fuel company sanctioned earlier this year. Thanks to the work of Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection under President Trump’s leadership, those shipments never left port. The Houston seizures were part of a larger operation that stopped 90 shipments worth nearly $3 million across the Port of Houston and Port Everglades in Florida.

What Was Seized:

• Federal agents seized 19 shipments at the Port of Houston carrying about 119,000 gallons of biodiesel.
• The fuel was headed to ENETEC, a state-owned Cuban fuel company under U.S. sanctions.
• Agents flagged the shipments in early September after reviewing trade data and intelligence.
• Altogether, the operation stopped more than 600,000 gallons of fuel bound for the Cuban regime.

The energy we produce and ship along the Texas Gulf Coast should power America and our allies. A communist dictatorship 90 miles from our shores has no business getting a single drop of it. Secretary Rubio has been clear that the regime in Havana is not being let off the hook until it changes its ways, and the Coast Guard has already stopped Cuba-bound fuel ships at sea this year.

Cuba has been a satellite for our enemies for decades. NOT ANYMORE. President Trump warned them, and now they’re seeing he meant it.

Welcome to the Donroe Doctrine!

The right to keep and bear arms is fundamental to who we are as Americans. Thanks to President Trump and the Department of Justice, Texans who made a mistake years ago and have lived law-abiding lives since will soon have a new way to restore their federal gun rights.

The Department of Justice’s Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Program revives a process that has been effectively unavailable for more than 30 years. It is meant for people with past nonviolent felony convictions who have served their time, stayed out of trouble, and can show they no longer pose a risk to public safety.

How to Apply:

• Applications open to the public on November 4.
• The first 5,000 applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Applicants must provide documentation about their background and show why they no longer pose a risk to public safety.
• Each application is reviewed individually, and approval is not guaranteed.

The program restores federal firearm rights only, so state law still applies. Every applicant has to make their case and meet the program’s requirements, keeping public safety front and center while giving rehabilitated Americans the chance to protect themselves and their families.

If you or someone you know has questions about the program, YOUR office is here to help.

Reach out to Team Weber anytime at (202) 225-2831!

Securing our borders, enforcing our laws, putting Americans first, and making our country safer should never be up for debate. My priorities have never wavered, whether in the Texas State House or in Congress today. I am proud to have earned an “A” grade from NumbersUSA for my record and work on immigration policy.

NumbersUSA evaluates members of Congress based on their voting records, bill sponsorships, and cosponsorships of legislation aimed at strengthening our borders, reducing illegal immigration, and protecting American workers. This recognition reflects my steadfast commitment to putting Americans and our great nation FIRST.

Here are just a few examples of legislation I was proud to support:

• Cosponsored Rep. Pfluger’s Nuclear Family Priority Act (H.R. 2705), which would end family chain migration by eliminating the visa categories for adult siblings and adult children of U.S. citizens.
• Cosponsored Rep. Biggs’ Stopping Border Surges Act (H.R. 116), which would clarify eligibility for the Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, reducing the number of unaccompanied alien children who receive amnesty after crossing the border illegally.
• Voted in favor of Rep. Roy’s SAVE America Act (H.R. 7296), requiring states to verify the citizenship of individuals registering to vote in federal elections and to remove non-citizens currently on voter rolls.

A nation without borders is no nation at all. Texans understand better than most the importance of a strong, secure border, and I will never let up in the fight to uphold our laws, protect our communities, preserve the American Dream, and secure our nation’s future.

An “A” grade is an honor, but the work is far from over. We’ve got a country to protect, and you can bet I’ll keep fighting every step of the way!

Fall is officially here on the Texas Gulf Coast, and while the temperatures may be cooling down, Team Weber isn't slowing down one bit!

Team Weber joined local elected officials in Orange for the monthly Orange County Mayor’s Breakfast. It was a great opportunity to hear firsthand from those who know our communities best about local priorities and opportunities for improvement.

Over in Sweeny, Team Weber attended Sweeny’s National Night Out! This annual tradition brings the community together, connecting families, neighbors, and first responders to build stronger relationships and safer neighborhoods. A huge thank you to our law enforcement officers and first responders who work tirelessly to keep our communities safe!

No matter the season, Team Weber will keep showing up, listening, and working hard to make the Texas Gulf Coast the best place to live, work, and raise a family!

• H.Res.1618 - Recognizing the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel, honoring the victims and the hostages, and calling for the complete disarmament of Hamas for a durable end to the war in Gaza.
• H.R.10737 - To amend the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to promote transparency in science, and for other purposes.
• H.R.10620 - Barron's Law
• H.R.10580 - LABEL Act
• H.R.10542 - Combating Pasture Mealybug Act
• H.R.10356 - Empowering Moms Act

Should data centers be required to pay the full cost of the power upgrades they need, rather than passing those costs on to households?

Yes: 84.7%

No: 15.3%