'Twas the night before the Debt Limit and all through the House

Every Congressman was debating, some had their doubts

Speaker Pelosi was up, sitting in her chair

In hopes that a vote would soon be there

The Democrats were nestled all snug in their beds

While visions of unlimited spending danced in their heads.

Republicans still in our suits and I with my vote recap

Had just settled down ready to call it a wrap.

When out on C-SPAN there arose such a clatter

I sprang from my office to see what was the matter

Away to the House Floor I flew with a flash

To vote NO on the Debt Limit that funds this socialist trash.

At midnight on December 15th, the Democrats rushed through the Senate and House a $2.5 trillion debt limit increase to fund their big-government tax-and-spend bill without any reforms to rein in out-of-control spending. This resolution, S.J. Res. 33, would increase the debt limit to approximately $31.381 trillion. This year Democrats have introduced two of the largest spending packages in history, one of which, what they call the Build Back Better Act (Republicans call it the Build Back Broke Act), is EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE than earlier reported.  The Congressional Budget Office reported that if the Build Back Better Act policies were made permanent rather than expiring, it would increase ten-year deficits by $3 trillion.  This irresponsible, out-of-control spending on the part of the Democrats must stop, or we will continue to burden the next generation, and the generation after that, with insurmountable debt and a Leviathan of a federal government.

This week I had the tremendous pleasure to talk to the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. Unfortunately, due to last minute votes being called in Congress, I wasn’t able to speak in person as we had hoped. However, I was able to video conference in to talk with the group remotely.  Thank you to the Greater Beaumont Chamber for giving me the opportunity to share an update with the group. Next time, we will make sure it’s in person. Read the full story of my remarks HERE! 

Recent Co-Sponsored Legislation

• H.R. 6298 - To direct the President to transmit to Congress a plan to address rising energy prices in the United States, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 6299 - 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. 6304 - To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to prohibit any emergency temporary standard that includes a vaccine or drug mandate.
• H.R. 6306 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for a definition of "disaster-related emergency" for purposes of the Department of Defense excess personal property program, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 6178 - To prohibit the Department of Defense from discharging or withholding pay or benefits from members of the National Guard based on COVID-19 vaccination status.
• H.R. 6257 - To prohibit the Federal Government from imposing a vaccine mandate on individuals traveling on public or private transportation for hire within the United States, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 6262 - To ban the teaching of critical race theory in public education, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 6264 - To make the assault of a law enforcement officer a deportable offense, and for other purposes.
• H.Res. 850 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the symbols and traditions of Christmas should be protected for use by those who celebrate Christmas.
• H.R. 6247 - To ensure that residents of covered federally assisted rental housing may lawfully possess firearms, and for other purposes.
• H.R. 6248 - To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an affirmative defense for certain criminal violations, and for other purposes.

It was my pleasure to join friends, colleagues, astronauts last and present, and NASA employees at JSC's rocket park for a ceremony to rename the park after former JSC director, George Abbey. So much history in one building! And what a way to honor one of JSC's greatest directors! 

Team Weber was able to honor and recognize Gary Basinger for his many years of excellent leadership and service with the Economic Development Alliance For Brazoria County on December 14. Gary contributed over a decade of service to the economic growth in Brazoria County and we appreciate all you do for this community. We wish you well in your future endeavors!

Friends, 

This week the House Democrats led a resolution that finds Mark Meadows, a former Member of the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to the President of the United States, in contempt of Congress for allegedly failing to respond to a subpoena issued by the Select Committee.

For several months, Mark Meadows has cooperated with the Select Committee's requests, providing them documents and emails outside of his claim of executive privilege.  However, the Select Committee has insisted that Meadows testify on his communication that falls within a good faith claim of executive privilege, and issued a subpoena.  In response Mr. Meadows filed suit on December 8 in a federal court to block the Select Committee's overreach, and the federal court has not yet ruled upon the merits of his case.

Thus on December 14, House Democrats pushed a vote on H.Res. 851 which finds him in contempt of Congress and refers him to the Department of Justice for prosecution.  The results were almost completely on party lines, with only two republicans, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, voting yes. 

But I want to hear from you!