The Water Resources Development Act of 2026, or WRDA, is the legislation Congress considers every two years to authorize locally driven water infrastructure projects and improve how the United States Army Corps of Engineers manages our ports, waterways, flood protection, and storm risk reduction projects.

For the district that powers America, this bill matters. Our ports and waterways move the energy, goods, and materials our nation depends on, while strong flood and stormwater infrastructure helps protect families and communities along the Texas Gulf Coast.

On July 14, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee unanimously approved H.R. 9497, sending it one step closer to the House floor.

I fought to secure two major wins for Texas’ 14th Congressional District in the bill:

• Sabine-Neches Waterway: Directs the Secretary of the Army to expedite the review and coordination of the Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project feasibility study, helping prevent unnecessary delays as this important project moves through the Army Corps process.
• City of Kemah: Provides a new $5 million authorization for modifications of environmental infrastructure.

Committee passage was an important step, but the work is not finished. Getting WRDA across the finish line is imperative for our ports, our economy, and the families who call the Texas Gulf Coast home. I will keep pushing until this bill passes the House, clears the Senate, and reaches President Trump’s desk!

Folks, it’s hotter out there than my chili peppers! With dangerous heat gripping Southeast Texas and much of our state, it’s important to know how to keep yourself and your family safe. We’re no strangers to hot and humid summers, but extreme temperatures are nothing to mess around with.

These are the ways we can beat the heat and stay safe:

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you aren’t thirsty.
• Limit time outside: Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.
• Take plenty of breaks: If you work outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade.
• Dress for the heat: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing.
• Wear sunscreen: Protect yourself with sunscreen.
• Never leave anyone in a parked car: Never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
• Check on your neighbors: Keep an eye on elderly neighbors, family members, and folks who may not have reliable air conditioning.
• Protect your pets: Make sure pets have plenty of fresh water and shade, and check the pavement before taking them for a walk. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.
• Know the warning signs: Watch for dizziness, headaches, nausea, weakness, confusion, or other signs of heat-related illness.
• Stay informed: Pay attention to heat advisories and warnings from local officials and the National Weather Service.

Texans are tough, but even the toughest among us need to take this heat seriously. A little preparation and good old-fashioned common sense can go a long way toward keeping everyone safe.

So grab some water, find some shade, and stay cool, Texas 14!

Marilyn from League City, a surviving military spouse, reached out to YOUR TX-14th office after spending months trying to receive the Survivor Benefit Plan benefits her husband had worked for decades to ensure would be there for her. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years and began paying into the plan in 1979.

After her husband’s passing, Marilyn began the complex process of trying to receive the benefits he had rightly earned through his service. For three months, she hit wall after wall, repeatedly filling out the same paperwork and submitting the same requests. She sent certified copies of the required documents and even worked with an Air Force liaison, but still could not find a solution.

That’s when she called YOUR office here in Texas’ 14th Congressional District, and boy, did we get to work. Our team stepped in on her behalf, cutting through the red tape and pushing to get her the answers she deserved. On July 7, 2026, our office received confirmation that her long-overdue back pay would be deposited into her account the very next day.

Families who have sacrificed for our country should not have to fight through a burdensome federal bureaucracy to receive what they have earned and deserve. They should never have to face that burden alone. Marilyn put it best, “Please learn from this… There is help for us.”

This is why we do what we do. Whether you are a veteran, a surviving military spouse, or a constituent struggling to get answers from a federal agency, YOUR office here in the great 14th Congressional District of Texas is ready to fight for you.

If you need help cutting through federal red tape, call YOUR TX-14th office at (202) 225-2831 or visit Weber.House.Gov.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is moving forward with a $70 million plan to open five city-owned grocery stores, one in each borough. The stores would offer certain groceries at prices 30% below typical retail prices, while taxpayers foot the bill for the sites, construction, rent, and property taxes.

When Mamdani’s administration was asked how it would prevent people from buying discounted groceries in bulk and reselling them, the head of the New York City Economic Development Corporation said officials were considering a “library-card-esque” system to manage who was buying and keep the program focused on New Yorkers.

After facing the appropriate backlash, Mamdani’s office quickly insisted that shoppers would not have to show identification or prove their residency or income. Instead, officials said any customer card would be voluntary and operate more like a grocery store loyalty card.

The moment exposed an obvious double standard.

Mamdani’s team understood immediately that a taxpayer-subsidized government program needed safeguards to prevent abuse. Yet congressional Republicans are called “crazy” for fighting to require photo identification in federal elections.

If it is reasonable to discuss a card system to protect “discounted” groceries from abuse, it is more than reasonable to require voters to prove they are legally qualified to vote before casting a ballot. Protecting the integrity of our federal elections should matter a whole lot more than Mamdani’s communist breadline.

PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.