Folks in Santa Fe, Texas remember May 18, 2018.
When violence struck Santa Fe High School, Officer John Barnes was seriously injured protecting students and teachers. What no officer should face after that kind of sacrifice is years of waiting on Washington for a decision on the benefits they earned.
That is why I joined Senators Ted Cruz and Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Dave Min to introduce the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026.
This legislation:
- Requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance to complete death or disability; determinations within 270 days of receiving a complete claim;
- Expands eligibility to officers who are permanently disabled and unable to return to duty;
- Expedites claims for 9/11 first responders already certified under federal programs;
- And implements Government Accountability Office recommendations to modernize and improve administration of the program.
If you put on the badge to protect our schools, neighborhoods, and families, your government should not leave you in limbo.
This legislation strengthens the program so it works the way Congress intended and honors the commitment we make to those who serve.
The full text of the legislation can be found here and a summary of the legislation can be found here. |
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2026 1st Place: The Winner’s Circle Submitted by Anabelle Thom, Lutheran South Academy
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Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district. The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents. Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.
Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of district artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, DC.
The over-all winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nation-wide.
This contest is open to all high school students in the 14th Congressional District.
Artwork entered in the contest may be up to 26” x 26” x 4”, including the frame. The artwork may be:
- Paintings - including oil, acrylics, and watercolor
- Drawings - including pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, and markers
- Collage
- Prints - including lithographs, silkscreen, and block prints
- Mixed Media
- Computer Generated Art
- Photography
All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution. The final date for submissions is Monday, April 20, 2026.
If you would like more information on the annual Congressional District Art Competition please review and submit the following forms or contact Janet Brown in the Beaumont district office at (409) 835-0108. |
One of the most important responsibilities I have in Congress is making sure Texas 14th is at the table when federal funding decisions are made.
Last year, through this process, we secured nearly $40 million for critical priorities across our district. That included:
- $17.9 million for maintenance dredging of the Galveston Ship Channel.
- $9.061 million to continue deepening the Sabine-Neches Waterway to its authorized 48-foot depth.
- $5 million to advance engineering and design work for the Texas Coastal Project, known locally as the or Coastal Spine.
- $2 million for Lamar State College Port Arthur’s Advanced Terminal Workforce Development Center.
- $1.25 million for Texas A&M AgriLife oyster research to strengthen Gulf Coast aquaculture.
- $1 million for street reconstruction in West Columbia.
- $730,000 for improvements to Lexington Square in Angleton
Now we turn to Fiscal Year 2027.
To receive the appropriate forms and guidance, please email hayden.crawford@mail.house.gov and TX14appropriationsrequests@mail.house.gov.
Read more information here. |
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Do you support fully funding the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen border enforcement and national security operations?
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This week, Team Weber attended Black History Centennial: 100 Years of Change, 60 Years of Community at the College of the Mainland, recognizing both a century of progress and the College’s lasting impact on our region.
In Beaumont, the team helped celebrate eleven World War II veterans who are 100 years old or older at a special birthday gathering at the Beaumont Outpatient Clinic. Two of these heroes are turning 103 this year. Their service helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today, and it was a special moment to recognize their extraordinary lives and sacrifice. We also participated in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District Industry Day, joining discussions on coastal resiliency, infrastructure, and projects that keep our ports and communities strong! |
- H.R. 7678 - To prohibit Federal funding of State firearm ownership databases, and for other purposes
- H.R. 7661 - Stop the Sexualization of Children Act
- H.R.7592 - Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy Act of 2026
- H.R.7442 - To eliminate the Carbon Reduction Program and PROTECT Program and dedicate the funding to a new bridge formula program that distributes funding based primarily on overall deck area, and for other purposes.
- H.R.7296 - SAVE America Act
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Will you be tuning in to watch this year’s State of the Union Address?
Yes: 64.5% No: 35.5% |
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! |
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Sincerely,
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Randy K. Weber
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