{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"TX\" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-after-cms", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement after CMS Approves Extension of 1115 Waiver", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DALLAS, TX  Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released a statement after Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Texas Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver:\nOn December 21, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Texas Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver (1115 Waiver). The 1115 Waiver will be effective January 1, 2018 through September 30, 2022, and will allow Texas hospitals to provide the best care to publicly insured and low-income patients.\nIm pleased that the state of Texas reached an agreement on the 1115 Waiver with joint efforts of the entire Texas Congressional Delegation, Governor Greg Abbott, THHSC Executive Commissioner Charles Smith, Texas Hospital Association, and Administrator Seema Verma, said Congresswoman Johnson.\nThe 1115 Waiver has played a critical role in Texas health care system. Failure to approve the 1115 Waiver would have resulted in near catastrophic consequences for the states most vulnerable populations, said Ted Shaw, President/CEO of the Texas Hospital Association. The waiver has been absolutely critical for increasing access to quality health care. And it has done so with an efficiency that has saved Texas and the federal government more than $8 billion.\nThis past June, Congresswoman Johnson along with the Texas Congressional Delegation sent the following letter to CMS:\nLetter from the Texas Congressional Delegation\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-announces-federal-investment-lower-rio-grande-valley", "Congressman Gonzalez Announces Federal Investment in Lower Rio Grande Valley Economic Development Initiative", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has approved a $210,000 investment award for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC)s Economic Development District Planning Project in Weslaco, Texas.\nThe $210,000 award will support the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties. This CEDS looks to strengthen ties between public and private sectors and ultimately bring additional employment opportunities and economic growth to communities in Deep South Texas. \nI am pleased to see the Economic Development Administration invest in the Rio Grande Valley, Congressman Gonzalez said. With this award, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council can continue bringing together the bright, innovative minds that develop the very initiatives that allow our region to flourish.\nIn 2017 LRGVDC celebrated 50 years as the regions Economic Development District administering, guiding and supporting the regions economic development growth, Executive Director, Ron Garza said.\"This newly awarded Partnership Planning grant will allow us to administer a new CEDS which weve titled RGV2020. This special-edition CEDS plan will be developed in unison with many key regional leaders and stakeholders to identify, prioritize and implement innovative projects to continue guiding our region towards prosperity.\nCEDS plans began in October 2017 and will continue to 2020. Since its inception in 1967, the LRGVDC has become a pillar of the community. Congressman Gonzalez supports the efforts of the Council and looks forward to seeing the results of the Economic Development District Planning Project. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-announces-hidalgo-county-head-start-program-be-awarded", "Congressman Gonzalez Announces Hidalgo County Head Start Program to be Awarded Over $13 Million in Federal Funding", "2017-12-22", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the Office of Head Start, within the Administration for Children and Families, has awarded the Hidalgo County Head Start Program $13,254,123 in federal funding. Head Start is a federal program that promotes school readiness for pre-school children from low-income families.\nThe Hidalgo County Head Start Program is a comprehensive child development program that assists children three to four-years-old and their families. The grant will allow Hidalgo County Head Start to continue serving children and families in South Texas. Head Start children receive many services including: educational, nutritional, health, social, and special services. For 35 years, the program has sought to promote school readiness and prepare children to achieve high levels of academic and developmental success in kindergarten and beyond.\nA top-notch education starts at an early age, Congressman Gonzalez said. Hidalgo County Head Start has long been a champion of closing the achievement gap and empowering low-income children to reach their full potential. With this funding, Hidalgo County Head Start will be able to continue reaching more children and families in the Rio Grande Valley into the next decade.\nWe are delighted to hear that we will continue to serve the poorest children and their families in Hidalgo County with the most comprehensive program in early childhood education to address school readiness and ensure that our children have a smooth transition to the public schools fully prepared to succeed in Kindergarten and beyond, Executive Director, Teresa Flores said. We are most proud of our successful school readiness collaborative agreements with ten districts in the county: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, La Joya ISD, Monte Alto ISD, Mercedes ISD, Weslaco ISD, Edinburg CISD, Mission CISD, Hidalgo ISD, Edcouch ISD, McAllen ISD and Hidalgo ISD. The presence of a district funded teacher in all 186 classrooms with our teacher and our assistant teacher provided an ideal learning environment! \nHidalgo County, under a competitive application submitted to the Office of Head Start in 2016, secured funding for a Five Year Head Start Grant to continue comprehensive services for 3,690 children ages three and four-years-old, from the lowest income families in Hidalgo County. The continuation of program funding will also assist 775 employees that currently serve children across 40 facilities in South Texas. This announcement is approval of the continuation of the grant which funds 80% ($26,508,244) with a 20% ($6,627,061) matching requirement. This new funding will begin on January 1, 2018, and is one of several federal continuation grants that will allow the program to operate until June 6, 2021. In addition to federal funds, the Texas Department of Agriculture provides $3,401,424 for nutrition services. \n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401837", "Congressman Cuellars Statement on Disaster Supplemental Bill", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and Homeland Security Subcommittee, released the following statement today on the disaster supplemental bill that passed today in the House of Representatives:I would like to thank both Democrats and Republicans from the Texas and Florida delegations, who worked together in a bi-partisan fashion and put together a funding package that will provide our districts with the necessary resources to get back on track. I also appreciate the help that leadership has given in an effort to provide sufficient funding for states affected by natural disasters. The disaster supplemental will allocate $81 billion dollars to states like Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and California, who will use this money to start rebuilding their communities and implement strategies that will help prevent future destruction, said Congressman Cuellar.  This is the largest amount of funding distributed at one time for federal disaster relief and it will help thousands of citizens in dire needs of hurricane assistance. Although we are appreciative of this funding package, we must also recognize that individuals in these areas still need our help and we must continue to do our part in aiding people in recovery.  For this reason, I will work with my colleagues in Congress to support states affected by these devastating disasters.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/voting-against-todays-continuing-resolution-1b093f2d3456?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Voting Against Todays Continuing Resolution", "2017-12-21", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Voting Against Todays Continuing Resolution The House just voted on a third continuing resolution to provide enough funding for the Federal government to operate at current levels, this time for the next four weeks. I voted against it. As I said just two weeks ago when a nearly identical short-term funding bill came before the House, my concern with the resolution is that Republican leadership has refused to accept even a single contribution in terms of ideas, policy fixes, or priorities from a single Democrat. When the House ultimately passed H.J.Res. 123 on Dec. 14, I once again committed to writing letters, speaking in committee, and working with bipartisan colleagues to advocate for the interests of El Paso. For example, I asked my colleagues to ensure that the 200,000 Dreamers in Texas and the 800,000 young DACA recipients across the country receive the protection they need to continue contributing at their full potential. These Dreamers are not only as American as my kids, but they have done everything weve asked of them. They fill out the appropriate documents, study in school, work in our communities, and follow the guidelines of the DACA program to a tee. On top of this, theyve bravely shared their stories and made their voices heard. More than 50 Dreamers from El Paso traveled to the Capitol to hold a policy roundtable. Nearly 1,500 Dreamers marched at the Capitol over the past few days to raise awareness and answer questions from lawmakers. Hundreds of thousands of El Pasoans and Texans have spent evening after evening advocating for themselves and their classmates, teammates, co-workers, and neighbors who hold DACA permits. On top of this, 62% of Americans say Congress should protect DACA recipients. Now we must act. But this resolution failed to do so. I also asked my colleagues to reauthorize the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This is essential if we want to continue ensuring kids and mothers in our state can see a doctor and receive lifesaving medication. CHIP and Medicaid combine to cover nearly half of all children in El Paso and offer prenatal care to 36,000 pregnant women in Texas. 400,000 kids in our state are about to lose the ability to see a doctor, a therapist, a nursethe caregivers who will be able to improve or save their lives. But this resolution left them behind. I also urged Congress to reauthorize funding for Community Health Centers (CHCs). There are 464 CHC sites in Texas and 19 in El Paso alone. But with all of that on the line and with the number of Texans assisted by CHCs increasing 28% since 2010, Republicans have still prioritized tax cuts over healthcare. In doing so, their resolution did not include reauthorizing CHCs. While programs such as CHIP, CHCs, and DACA were abandoned by this resolution, it did extend Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows the government to track and collect communications that those abroad had with Americans without obtaining a warrant. I have concerns with this provision and have advocated for it to be reformed rather than extended. Without Republicans taking these ideas into consideration or even offering a basic debate on them, I couldnt vote for this resolution. I will continue advocating for the people of El Paso and working to get a funding bill that reflects and honors our priorities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-after-house-0", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement After House Passes 4th Republican Continuing Resolution", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Congresswoman Johnson released a statement after Members of the United States House of Representatives passed the latest tax reform legislation under H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which raises taxes on 86 million hard-working middle class families:\nToday, I am very disappointed in the decisions made by my Republican colleagues across the aisle to advance this tax bill. The decision to pass H.R. 1 fails to take into consideration the impact on health, economic sustainability, and prosperity for all Americans. When I say all Americans, I am describing the hard-working middle class families, small business owners, single parents, new homeowners, seniors and more who stand to lose under this bill, said Congresswoman Johnson. It is unacceptable that corporations continue to receive major tax breaks while they are simultaneously shipping jobs overseas and using loop holes in our tax code to avoid paying their fair share.\nThis Republican-led legislation goes even further by eliminating the individual mandate that is a vital component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). More than 10 million Americans will experience increased premiums, which will ultimately result in fewer Americans having health care coverage. In the next year alone, Medicare will be cut by $25 billion  effectively putting the burden of these tax cuts on our seniors to bear.\nCongresswoman Johnson continued, To attack people with pre-existing conditions and place barriers on an individuals right to health care is shameful. Who are we here to serve? This tax reform bill shows that as public servants some are not here to serve all of the American people but just a select few  those that make up the wealthiest population in our country. The last action my constituents can take in opposition of this bill is to call the senators of Texas and describe to them how it will personally impact them and their loved ones.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blue-collar-caucus-co-chairs-slam-passage-of-gop-tax-scam", "Blue Collar Caucus Co-Chairs Slam Passage of GOP Tax Scam", "2017-12-20", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Blue Collar Caucus co-chairs Congressmen Marc Veasey (D-TX) and Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) released the following statement in response to the final passage of the Republican tax overhaul:\n\n\"The GOP Tax Scam is a shameful betrayal of the middle class and a deliberate punch to the gut of the American worker. Despite overwhelming opposition from the vast majority of the American public, President Trump and Congressional Republicans jammed through a bill that slashes taxes for corporations and their mega-wealthy executives while asking 86 million hardworking middle class families to foot the bill. They cross their fingers that workers might eventually get a trickle of the benefits, but we all know better.\n\n\"This legislation represents an explicit reversal from Mr. Trump's many promises to the American worker. Rather than close loopholes, end outsourcing, or invest in infrastructure, the bill actually undermines each priority. This corporate giveaway creates new loopholes, further enables outsourcing, and squanders our best chance at financing infrastructure investment while simultaneously ballooning our deficit and fueling cuts to discretionary spending.\n\n\"As leaders of the Blue Collar Caucus, we have stood ready to work with anyone to lift up the middle class and the American worker, strengthen their hand and help make the American Dream of a higher paycheck and better future for our children attainable again. We introduced the Patriot Employer Act to close loopholes that encourage corporations to send jobs overseas, and provide tax credits to employers that invest in American workers, pay fair wages, and provide employees with robust benefits. This was the kind of tax reform and investment in America that Mr. Trump promised as a candidate. Instead, he and Congressional Republicans passed legislation that gives a staggering 83% of the tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent; raises health insurance premiums; and undermines critical funding for schools, firefighters, and law enforcement agencies in our communities. Actions speak louder than words.\n\nWe vow to continue to hold the President, his administration, and Congressional Republicans accountable to American workers. Most importantly, we will continue to fight for an agenda in Washington that lifts up working families rather than continuing to stack the deck further against them.\"\n\nThe Blue Collar Caucus was formed to foster member discussion and legislative ideas focused on addressing wage stagnation, job insecurity, trade, offshoring, and dwindling career opportunities for those in the manufacturing and building trades. The caucus focuses on bringing together a diverse array of Democratic members of the House of Representatives to generate solutions that will protect American workers from globalized competition, maintain the viability of domestic manufacturing, and help to cultivate innovative industries that can provide stable employment amid rapid technological advancement.\n\nCurrent Members of the Blue Collar Caucus include: Brendan F. Boyle (PA-13) (Co-Chair), Marc Veasey (TX-33) (Co-Chair), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Rick Nolan (MN-08), Dan Kildee (MI-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Tim Ryan (OH-13), John Garamendi (CA-03), Louise Slaughter (NY-25), Matt Cartwright (PA-17), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ruben Gallego (AZ-07), Dan Lipinski (IL-03), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Brian Higgins (NY-26), John Yarmuth (KY-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-15), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Dina Titus (NV-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), John Larson (CT-01), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Luis Gutierrez (IL-04), Cheri Bustos (IL-17), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), and Anthony Brown (MD-04).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401826", "Rep. Cuellar Issues Statement on House Tax Bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) has released the following statement explaining his vote against the House $1.5 trillion tax bill, H.R. 1  the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, today in Washington, D.C.:I genuinely wanted to support this legislation, but after analyzing the details, it fails to accomplish certain goals that true tax reform should strive to achieve. This bill increases the deficit, trigger cuts to Medicare and health care (about 30,000 people in my district will lose access to health coverage), disproportionately benefit the wealthy, and does not do enough to help middle-class and low-income families. Even 12 Republicans voted against the measure because this bill does not do enough for constituents in their districts.  Although I have consistently supported corporate tax cuts, any attempt at tax reform must also do enough to help the average middle-class American. This bill creates temporary individual tax cuts, while making the corporate cut permanent. Instead, we should be treating businesses and individuals equitably. Additionally, this bill cuts numerous deductions that would amount to a de facto tax increase for tens of millions of working families. Data show that the wealthy receive the lions share of the tax cuts, according to the chart from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (Table 1). In my district, more than 41 percent of the population makes less than $35,000 (Table 2). These numbers reveal the need to make sure that benefits are shared by everyone, including the middle-class.\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Table 1\r\n            Source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy\r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Table 2\r\n            Source: US Census American Community Survey\r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\nI have consistently advocated for fiscal restraint and responsible spending. This proposal adds at least 1.5 trillion dollars to our national debt, triggering Statutory PAYGOs automatic spending cuts to mandatory programs next month, including a $25 billion cut to Medicare, affecting the over 3.5 million beneficiaries in Texas. It is our duty as lawmakers to balance large tax cuts with responsible spending reductions without cutting essential programs that help middle-class families, and this bill fails to do that. As a member of the Texas House, I co-authored the largest tax cut in Texas history, and in Congress I've repeatedly crossed the aisle to support legislation that cut taxes and burdensome regulations. While this proposal fails to accomplish the true tax reform goals that our constituents want and need, I will continue to advocate for tax cuts at all levels.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-passing-ruth-jones-mcclendon", "Rep. Doggett on Passing of Ruth Jones McClendon", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), issued the following statement following the passing of former State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon. Rep. Doggett said:\n\"A powerful voice in both City Council and the Texas Legislature, Libby and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Ruth Jones McClendon. Her legacy of public service continues to inspire us to work for causes she championed, including access to healthcare and helping all students fulfill their God-given potential. Whether it was visiting with her at her annual Western Roundup or through her efforts to expand educational opportunities for young people at the State Capitol, she worked tirelessly on behalf of others and her constituents on San Antonios East and Northeast Sides.Our prayers are with Denver and Ruths wonderful family.\"\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett|Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/those-silk-stockings-its-very-merry-christmas-indeed", "For those with silk stockings, it's a very Merry Christmas indeed.", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee and a conferee to the House and Senate Conference Committee, spoke twice on the House Floor against the Republican tax bill that is expected to be voted on in the House. You can view his remarks here and here. In part, Rep. Doggett said:\nFor those withsilk stockings, it's a veryMerry Christmas indeed.The billionaires get stuffed. Most everyone else get coal.It's like a White Elephant gift exchange  the billionaires grab thegood gifts,and the leftovers go to working families though they get the bill for everything.\nThey have camouflagedthis corporate tax giveaway withsome changes for individuals.Who gets those?Well, it's a Who's Who of notyou: The Trump family, real estatemoguls, and their billionairebuddies.\nHere is the full text of his two House floor speeches:\nFor those withsilk stockings, it's a veryMerry Christmas indeed.You get coal.The billionaires get stuffed.It's like a White Elephant gift exchange  the billionaires grab thegood gifts,and the leftovers go to working families though they get the bill for everything. And how many millions ofdollars the Trump family willpersonally stuff in theirpockets cannot be preciselydetermined only because ofRepublican collusion continuing to cover up Trump'spersonal tax returns. Excluding the public, refusingto even permit Democrats tooffer an amendment, Republicansdumped this proposal out thisweekend and now demand animmediate vote.The dangers lurking in thisbill for economic opportunity  and for tax fairness  are very real,but they are overshadowed bythe dangers to our democracyfrom these Trump tactics toimpose his rule on America.Republicans decided the onlyway to pass their program wasto hide it.Let's reject it today.\nTheworld's biggest corporate taxdodgers get the most out of thisbill, a 40 percent reduction in thecorporate tax rate, and theright to bring back thoseprofits they have hidden inCaribbean hideaways for pennieson the dollar.Another loophole will encouragejobs in America to be exportedabroad  a long commute to work if thejob is in Europe or Asia.Of course, they have camouflagedthis corporate tax giveaway withsome changes for individuals.Who gets those?Well, it's a Who's Who of notyou: The Trump family, real estatemoguls, and their billionairebuddies.Disguised as a middle-class taxrelief, this wretched billtargets the middle class with adime of every dollar that is inthe bill.What most Americans will reallyget is more debt, and the coming cuts that Republicans insist on making to Medicare, Medicaid,and educational opportunity.Tax fraud is criminal, butpassing this fraudulent tax billapparently is not.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett|Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-opposes-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-conference-report", "Congressman Gonzalez Opposes Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Report", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) made the following statement on the House of Representatives passage of the Conference Report for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act today. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 227 in favor and 203 opposed. Below is Congressman Gonzalezs statement:\nThe desire to reform our tax system transcends party lines and political affiliations  it is something many of us agreed was long overdue. From the beginning, I called on Congressional leadership to come together and negotiate a package that would grow our nations economy, streamline the tax code, and provide relief to small business owners. I was disappointed to see that the conference report for what should be landmark legislation did not satisfy these criteria, and after careful review, I determined that I could not vote for it.\nAs a member of Congress, I have an obligation to support policies that improve the fiscal health of our country and a responsibility to oppose efforts that shortchange the American people. I cannot endorse legislation that would penalize small businesses or result in cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, or any other vital program that South Texans rely on.\nFurthermore, I am deeply troubled by the new status quo of rushing major legislation through Congress without thoughtful consideration and bipartisan compromise. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to reject this bill so that we can go back to the drawing board and craft meaningful reforms that benefit American families and small businesses.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-statement-republican-tax-bill", "Rep. Green Statement on the Republican Tax Bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  Today, Rep. Gene Green issued the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to advance a partisan tax bill that will negatively impact middle-class Americans:\nThis bill will do more harm than good for middle-class families and individuals who live paycheck-to-paycheck. Its a shame that the Republican majority used a closed legislative process to rush this bill through instead of including Democrats in the discussions to work on a bipartisan bill. Republican leadership chose a partisan path that will raise taxes on 86 million middle-class households and give 83 percent of its tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent\nThe American public wont be fooled by Republicans disingenuous claims about tax cuts. What Republicans arent mentioning is that the benefits they boast about only go until 2025. The corporate tax cuts, on the other hand, are permanent. The cost of those cuts to the American people will be with us long past 2025. The tax bill may result in significant cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and will cause 13 million people to lose their health insurance. This bill is fiscally irresponsible and will saddle future generations with $2 trillion added to our deficit.\nThe last time Americas tax system was overhauled was in 1986, but it was done on a bipartisan basis and was completely transparent. The Republicans this time around decided to jam a strictly partisan bill and shutout Democrats from the entire process. Americans deserve A Better Deal.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/no-on-the-tax-bill-d258f8e3b99b?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "No on the Tax Bill", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "No on the TaxBill The conference tax bill that was rushed to a vote today is even worse than the House version that passed last month. It repeals the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate. This will cause 13 million more Americans to lose the ability to see a doctor. One million in Texas alone, the least insured state in the union. Those Texans lucky enough to still be insured will see their premiums go up by an average of $1,730 a year. So weve got to ask, is there really a tax break if families have to pay more for their healthcare and their childrens well-being? The conference bill also disproportionately benefits the wealthiest. 83% of the tax breaks in this bill flow straight to the top 1% of Americans. It will cause inequality to grow and hurt the very people we should be helping. The gap between the very rich and everyone else is currently larger than at any point since the 1920s, and is greater here than any other developed country. But this tax bill further grows that gap. Worse than giving breaks to the wealthiest, this bill hurts middle class families more than the original House bill. 86 million middle class households will see a tax increase. Thats more than half of our countrys middle class families. On top of that, corporate tax cuts are preserved in perpetuity under this legislation while individual tax credits, including an increase in the child tax credit, ultimately expire. Im also concerned by the way in which this tax bill hurts public school students, our public school teachers, librarians, and nurses. It includes an amendment from Senator Cruz that takes $500 million in tax payer money out of our public schools to benefit wealthy parents and private schools. And as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the representative of our men and women stationed at Fort Bliss, I cant ignore how this bill hurts those who served their country. Its really no wonder that only 33% of Americans approve of this tax plan. Even fewer (21%) say they think they will be better off if it becomes law. The majority is right; they wont be. For all of these reasons and too many more, I voted no on this tax bill. If were going to rewrite the tax code, if were going to shuffle the economic structure of our country, lets do it in a way that lifts up middle class families in Texas. Todays bill does the opposite.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-veasey-statement-on-goptaxscam", "Congressman Veasey Statement on #GOPTaxScam", "2017-12-19", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted 227-203 to pass H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which radically restructures America's income tax system to disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans:\n\n\"It's clear that the billionaire wish list has been met. Today's Republican tax bill helps the wealthiest families avoid paying their fair share of taxes, slashes the corporate tax rate in half, unfairly shifts the burden of taxes onto hardworking Americans living paycheck to paycheck, and keeps loopholes that allow corporations to ship jobs overseas.\"\n\n\"The tax cuts will explode the deficit by $1.5 trillion which will translate to Republicans justifying devastating cuts to the programs Americans rely on to stay healthy and take care of themselves as they enter retirement. Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and Social Security will all be put on the chopping block in order to give away tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.\"\n\n\"While Republicans may be celebrating today's tax cuts for the wealthy as a victory, the effects of their deceptive tax scam will be felt by the Americans who need the most help.\"\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:19:19Z"], ["https://vela.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-vela-pushes-clean-dream-act", "Rep. Vela Pushes for Clean Dream Act", "2017-12-18", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Filemon Vela", "V000132", "vela.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Vela Pushes for Clean Dream Act \nWashington, DCToday, Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) released the following statement regarding a clean up or down vote on the Dream Act by the end of 2017:\nA vote for a Continuing Resolution without acleanDream Act is a vote against Dreamers. And rest assured, under no circumstances will I vote for a bill that provides a penny for border wall funding.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-bill-monstrosity", "The Tax Bill is a Monstrosity", "2017-12-15", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee and Conferee on the tax bill Conference Committee, issued the following statement in response to Republicans releasing their final tax bill to the public. Rep. Doggett said:\nThis monstrosity is a bill that only Donald Trump and Republicans, who have accomplished next to nothing in this Congress, could love. It will not grow our economy, it only burdens us with an immense amount of debt.About the only jobs it creates are for clever tax lawyers and accountants to exploit the many complex special interest loopholes it creates.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett|Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://algreen.house.gov/press-release/congressman-al-greens-statement-impeachment-vote", "Congressman Al Green's Statement on the Impeachment Vote", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Al Green\u2019s Statement on the Impeachment Vote\nWashington, DC -- On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, Congressman Al Green (D-TX) released a statement on the impeachment vote:\n\u201cI want to thank the fifty-seven colleagues who voted for impeachment. I hold no animus against those who did not. The resolution received fifty-seven more votes than many expected. This is the first vote, but it will not be the last.\u201d\n\u201cI also want to thank the American people for their overwhelming support over the last few months, and their continuing engagement with the political process. Every call, letter, email, tweet, and Facebook post was impactful in crafting this legislation. I hear your voices and I will continue to speak out against the hatred and hostility that is invading our national discourse. I understand how you, your families and your communities are affected by the words and actions emanating from the President.\u201d\n\u201cThe elimination of hate must be a top priority if we are to make real, \u201cOne nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://algreen.house.gov/press-release/congressman-al-greens-statement-senator-elect-doug-jones-d-al", "Congressman Al Green's Statement on Senator-Elect Doug Jones (D-AL)", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Al Green\u2019s Statement on Senator-Elect Doug Jones (D-AL)\nWashington, DC -- On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, Congressman Al Green (D-TX) released a statement on the election results of Senator-Elect Doug Jones (D-AL):\n\u201cFirst and foremost, congratulations to all the citizens of Alabama who fought a hard-earned victory for the future of Alabama and our nation. I commend those who boldly rejected one of the most outrageously unfit candidates for the Senate of our lifetime. By electing Doug Jones, the people of Alabama sent a message to President Trump and Republicans that they will not elect this bigot to the Senate.\n\u201cAlso, I want to congratulate Senator-Elect Jones on this inspirational victory. His distinguished career evidences a passionate voice for justice. He has demonstrated how the rule of law will well serve the state of Alabama and the United States of America.\n\u201cAlabama has played an indelible role in the Civil Rights movement. Many of its greatest victories were won there. Knowing that African-American voters have helped Alabama reject Roy Moore\u2019s America as well as the politics of division and hate is a seminal event.\n\u201cAs a Member of Congress from Texas, and as a former president of the NAACP-Houston Branch, I know that grassroots organizing is at the heart of every democratic vote. I commend all of the organizers who mobilized the never-to-be-forgotten African-American voter population in Alabama. I salute all of you and your efforts.\n\"Finally, I hope that Republican leaders and my colleagues accept the will of the people of Alabama and stop their attempt to jam through massive tax cuts for the rich until the democratically-elected Senator Jones is officially in his seat.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/in-the-news/area-census-office-open-2019", "Area census office to open in 2019", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "McALLEN \u2014 The U.S. Census Bureau will open an area office in Hidalgo County to ensure everyone in South Texas is properly counted in 2020 \u2014 instead of relying only on a regional office based in San Antonio.\nEvery 10 years the federal government takes self-reported population counts to help officials make a slew of important decisions, including how to distribute federal dollars to states, how many congressional districts are needed and even how many judges should serve an area.\nThe move comes after local elected leaders, including U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, asked the bureau for help in ensuring everyone is properly surveyed.\nGonzalez wrote a letter to Ron Jarmin, acting director of the bureau, Sept. 27. The letter asked for the \u201cprompt\u201d opening of a Valley office and noted the area has long been undercounted.\nThe last Census, which occurred in 2010, estimated Hidalgo County\u2019s population at 774,770. As of July 1, 2016, the bureau estimated Hidalgo County\u2019s population had grown by nearly 10 percent to 849,843, Gonzalez said. But the bureau reported a low response score of 32.7 percent.\nGonzalez welcomed the decision Wednesday and thanked Jarmin for \u201crecognizing the need to count all people living in South Texas.\u201d The new office will be based in Hidalgo County, but will also serve Cameron, Starr and Willacy Counties. It is expected to open in the summer of 2019.\n\u201cWith an Area Census Office, we can more accurately, effectively, and efficiently count the recent growth in the Rio Grande Valley and hopefully see an allocation of federal funds that matches this growth,\u201d Gonzalez said.\nTexas could gain four seats in Congress from its population growth, Vicki McIntire, assistant regional director for the Census Bureau based in Denver, previously told The Monitor.\nBut even if one family is not counted, that could translate to a loss of about $100,000 dollars for our region, according to information provided by Michael Seifert, of the ACLU of Texas and Equal Voice Network, during a healthcare conference in Edinburg two weeks ago.\nIn an effort to avoid an under count, the bureau announced it will give residents the opportunity to self-respond via the internet, phone, paper form or a traditional in-person interview beginning March 23, 2020.\nThe data collected is confidential, protected and cannot be shared with other government agencies under federal law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-statement-net-neutrality-ruling", "Rep. Gene Green Co-Sponsors Pro-Democracy, Fair International Business Legislation", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Gene Green issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to roll back Obama-era net neutrality protections:\n\u201cAmerican consumers need to be assured that the online content of their choosing will not be unfairly slowed down or blocked. That assurance was stripped away in a partisan 3-2 vote by the FCC today. I am very disappointed in the FCC\u2019s actions and hope Congress will act and work on passing legislation that will make these critical net neutrality protections permanent.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-statement-net-neutrality-ruling-0", "Rep. Green Statement on Net Neutrality Ruling", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, Rep. Gene Green issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to roll back Obama-era net neutrality protections:\n\u201cAmerican consumers need to be assured that the online content of their choosing will not be unfairly slowed down or blocked. That assurance was stripped away in a partisan 3-2 vote by the FCC today. I am very disappointed in the FCC\u2019s actions and hope Congress will act and work on passing legislation that will make these critical net neutrality protections permanent.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/castner-range-in-the-news-51cd66a9bc7c?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Castner Range in the News", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Castner Range in the\u00a0News On Tuesday, our provision to protect Castner Range in the Franklin Mountains of west Texas became law as President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This environmental victory comes after decades of advocacy from our community. It will permanently conserve ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational and scientific resources within Castner Range. Take a look at what this means for El Paso: ABC-7 KFox-14 NBC-9 CBS-4 El Paso Times \u201cO\u2019Rourke placed a provision to protect the range in this year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act. The provision prevents commercial enterprise, roads, use of vehicles and the construction of buildings on the desert land. The provision also protects and conserves ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational and scientific resources within Castner Range.\u201d Full story, here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/opposing-the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote-16d821c50eda?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Opposing the FCCs Net Neutrality Repeal", "2017-12-14", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Opposing the FCC\u2019s Net Neutrality Repeal When I started a small business with friends in El Paso back in the 1990s, we were able to create websites and software for our clients. With the state, country, and world at their fingertips, those businesses created dozens of high-skilled, high-wage jobs in a place where many thought it couldn\u2019t happen. That was only possible because we could leverage and harness the power of an open and free internet, without having to \u201cpay-for-play\u201d to internet service providers. Reversing net neutrality would mean that the 2.2 million small businesses in Texas do not receive the same opportunity I had. Their growth and success would be halted. Their employees and customers would feel the brunt of the FCC\u2019s decision. But that\u2019s exactly what happened today. The FCC just voted to roll back net neutrality and end the free and open internet as we know it. This vote will undermine the power of people on the internet\u200a\u2014\u200awhere today, everyone\u2019s ideas, opinions and creations are available to the world at common access. This vote will give more control to the internet service providers, special interests, and highest bidders. This vote will be bad our American ideals of expression\u200a\u2014\u200ahurting everything from the arts and innovation to Democracy and free speech as we know it. And this vote will allow corporations to decide what programs you watch, what news you read, what music you hear, and what opinions you see. Like the majority of Americans, I support net neutrality. That\u2019s why I have taken immediate and direct action to oppose efforts that force its repeal. I co-sponsored the Save Net Neutrality Act (H.R. 4585), which blocks the FCC\u2019s attempt to end our free and open internet. Joining with colleagues, I also sent a letter to the FCC that urged them to stop their proposed order aimed at reversing net neutrality. I then signed an additional letter to the FCC asking them to, at a minimum, delay their vote so those across our state and throughout our country could continue making their voice heard on this critical issue. I am disappointed in the FCC\u2019s decision. I believe net neutrality rules are crucial to creating a level playing field online. Going forward, I will continue to support efforts to block the FCC\u2019s net neutrality repeal whether through amicus briefs to the courts or by working with my colleagues on legislation that promotes open and equal access to the internet.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-speaks-great-harm-gop-tax-bill", "Rep. Doggett Speaks on Great Harm of GOP Tax Bill", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee and a conferee to the House and Senate Conference Committee, criticized both the substance of the Republican tax bill and the secret, rushed way in which it is being enacted. You can view his full remarks here. Rep. Doggett said in part:\n\u201cThe greatest wrong occurring here, what we are seeing today with this authoritarian rule, with the kind of approach much closer to the third-world authoritarian figures that Donald Trump likes to be so close to, is a steady erosion of democracy in the people\u2019s House and in this Congress.\u201d\n\u00a0\nPrior to his remarks, Congressman Doggett made repeated attempts to introduce Motions designed to ensure that Treasury Secretary Mnuchin would come before the Conference Committee and answer questions about the bill.\u00a0Additionally, Congressman Doggett spoke at a rally of concerned citizens, along with Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Sanders, joining hundreds of advocates to condemn the Republican tax bill. You can view those remarks here.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-secures-area-census-office-hidalgo-county", "Congressman Gonzalez Secures Area Census Office in Hidalgo County", "2017-12-13", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) has announced that the United States Census Bureau recently released plans to open a new Area Census Office in Hidalgo County that will ensure the Rio Grande Valley is properly surveyed in 2020. The Area Census Office is scheduled to open during the summer of 2019 and will service Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties. The decision comes in response to calls from Congressman Gonzalez and local leaders for such an office.\nOn September 27, 2017, Congressman Gonzalez sent a letter to U.S. Census Bureau Acting Director, Dr. Ron Jarmin, urging the Census Bureau to open a local office in the 15th\u00a0District of Texas in light of inaccurate census counts in the past.\n\u201cI welcome the Census Bureau\u2019s decision to open an office in Hidalgo County and thank Acting Director Jarmin and his team for recognizing the need to count all people living in South Texas,\u201d Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cWith an Area Census Office, we can more accurately, effectively, and efficiently count the recent growth in the Rio Grande Valley and hopefully see an allocation of federal funds that matches this growth.\u201d\nThe last Census occurred in 2010, and the base population estimate for Hidalgo County was 774,770. As of July 1, 2016, the Census Bureau estimated that Hidalgo County\u2019s population had grown by nearly 10 percent to 849,843. The Census Bureau reported a low response score of 32.7 percent. Incorrect numbers or low response rates can be attributed to the inability to verify addresses, obtain responses, or instances where partial responses were received.\nThe Census Bureau also announced that it will give residents the opportunity to self-respond via internet, phone, or paper form beginning March 23, 2020. Residents will still have the option to respond through a traditional in-person interview. Congressman Gonzalez is pleased to see the Census Bureau\u2019s outreach and investment in Hidalgo County and its proposed procedures for a more seamless and accurate 2020 Census.\nBackground:\nA federal Census occurs every ten years to provide the federal government, as well as the American people, with population and housing information that helps:\n Apportion state representation;\n\tDraw congressional and state legislative districts, school districts, and voting precincts; \n\tEnforce voting rights and civil rights legislation;\n\tDistribute federal dollars to states;\n\tInform planning decisions of federal, tribal, state, and local governments;\n\tAnd inform organizational decisions for businesses and non-profits.\n \u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/domestic-maritime-centers-excellence-legislation-signed-law", "Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Legislation Signed into Law", "2017-12-12", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Today, President Donald Trump signed into law the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes provisions from the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act (H.R. 2286), introduced by Congressman Gene Green (D-TX-29).\u00a0 The Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act authorizes federal designation of community and technical college \u201ccenters of excellence\u201d to help provide technical education and training programs that will secure the talent pipeline for the nation\u2019s maritime workforce.\nA shortage of qualified maritime workers has been identified by U.S. industry leaders as the primary challenge to growth in the domestic maritime sector.\u00a0 The maritime industry requires technical skills training and licensing \u2013 even for entry-level positions. To earn appropriate credentials for each level of maritime industry employment, workers must complete regular training.\u00a0 Community and technical colleges can provide this training \u2013 on an affordable basis.\n\u201cIn our district, we have a surplus of maritime jobs and not enough people with the skills and training to fill them,\u201d said Rep. Green. \u201cThe industry is continuing to invest and grow along the Port of Houston, and we want to make sure that our constituents have the opportunity to take these high skilled, middle-class jobs. This bipartisan legislation will help bridge the gap. It\u2019s good for our local community, it\u2019s good for our businesses, and it\u2019s good for the American economy.\u201d\nUnless action is taken to expand the availability of domestic maritime workforce technical training, the continued lack of federal government focus on domestic maritime industry technical training, the aging- out of the maritime workforce, technological advancements, and the expansion of the Panama Canal are all factors that will compound the domestic maritime workforce shortage in the years ahead.\u00a0\nNumerous community and technical colleges across the country are capable of providing leadership in domestic maritime workforce training.\u00a0 Two-year public colleges with maritime and marine technology workforce technical training programs, such as San Jacinto College, serving eastern Harris County, Texas, are capable of working with the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), and U.S. industry to secure the domestic maritime workforce talent pipeline.\u00a0 San Jacinto College and other community and technical colleges seek federal designation as centers of excellence to expand their capacity to train greater numbers of U.S. workers for maritime industry jobs.\n\u201cWe are truly grateful to Rep. Gene Green for supporting the important role community colleges hold in the training of mariners for the workforce,\u201d said Brenda Hellyer, Ed.D., Chancellor of San Jacinto College. \u201cSan Jacinto College\u2019s maritime program is located along one of the busiest ports in the United States. We commit to producing highly qualified mariners and aim to alleviate the shortages occurring due to retirements and the expanding global market.\u201d\nUnder the provisions of Congressman Green\u2019s Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act, which has become law as part of the NDAA, MARAD can support community and technical college centers of excellence by providing funding and support, technical assistance, and donating surplus federal assets for maritime education \u2013 such as marine vessels for use in training programs.\u00a0 The centers of excellence designation will enable colleges to expand their capacity to train domestic maritime workers by admitting more students, training faculty, expanding facilities, creating new maritime career pathways from associate degree to baccalaureate degree programs, and awarding credit for prior learning experience \u2013 including military service.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/americans-tax-fairness-bernie-sanders-lloyd-doggett-demand-drug", "Americans for Tax Fairness: Bernie Sanders, Lloyd Doggett Demand Drug Companies to Stop Dodging Taxes Following Release of New Report", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON) - A new report released today by Americans for Tax Fairness exposes just how much the pharmaceutical industry stands to gain if the Trump-GOP tax plan becomes law.\nThe report examines the profits, taxes, and drug prices of the 10 biggest U.S. pharmaceutical companies, the \u201cPharma Big 10\u201d: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck & Co., Gilead Sciences, AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly & Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Biogen and Celgene.\nThe report, The Pharma Big 10: Price Gougers, Tax Dodgers, finds that these 10 companies:\n jacked up the prices for 31 of their most widely-prescribed drugs by at least 40% and as much as 71% over a period from 2011 to 2015;\n\tsaw their profits jump by 39% over the same four-year period;\n\thave $506 billion in un-taxed profits stashed offshore;\n\towe an estimated $133 billion in taxes on those profits, if they are repatriated to the U.S. at the current tax rate; and\n\twill get an an estimated tax cut of $80 billion on their offshore profits if the Trump-GOP tax bill becomes law.\n The $80 billion in tax breaks the Trump-GOP tax plan will give these 10 drug companies would pay for a year-and-a-half of Medicaid drug spending or five years of healthcare for 9 million kids under the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program.\n\u201cThis important new report highlights what we already know\u2014pharmaceutical companies are gouging the public with outrageous prescription drug prices, while dodging tens of billions of dollars in U.S. taxes on their offshore profits,\u201d said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). \u201cBut instead of doing anything to rein in these tax dodgers, the Republican tax plan rewards drug companies with massive tax cuts on their current and future offshore profits. These corporations can no longer be allowed to rip off Americans, who already pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world. Instead of giving big pharmaceutical companies that are sheltering their profits overseas a massive tax break, we must demand that they pay their fair share of taxes so that we can rebuild the disappearing middle class.\u201d\n\u201cAs American taxpayers pay top dollar for drugs, drug manufacturers pay low dollar on their taxes by exploiting loopholes to avoid their fair share of the costs of our national security, education system, and medical research,\u201d said Representative Lloyd Doggett (D, TX-35), who is the ranking member on the Tax Policy Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee. \u201cThe pending Republican tax bill will only worsen this offshore tax dodging. Their tax scam rewards the same companies that deny access to life-saving medications for too many Americans and force others to ration costly doses.\u201d\n\u201cThe massive tax cuts being forced through by Donald Trump and the GOP are a huge giveaway to the drug industry, whose price gouging and tax dodging is hurting seniors, families and taxpayers,\u201d said Frank Clemente, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Fairness. \u201cThis report uncovers the extent to which drug companies have jacked up prices to reap enormous profits and used special tax breaks and loopholes to dodge paying their fair share. It adds to the increasing evidence that the Trump-GOP tax plan is a scam that rewards the well-connected at the expense of working families.\u201d\nThe full report can be found HERE.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-democratic-conferees-request-treasury-secretary-appear-tax", "House Democratic Conferees Request Treasury Secretary to Appear with Tax Analysis", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, the House Democratic Members of the Conference Committee on the Republican tax bill urged Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to provide a copy of any Treasury Department analysis of the economic impact of this legislation and to appear before the Conference Committee for questioning about it and other issues.\u00a0Secretary Mnuchin had said in September that 100 people at Treasury were \u201cworking around the clock\u201d to produce the analysis.\u00a0The Inspector General at the Treasury Department has already opened an inquiry based upon a November 30 request from Senator Elizabeth Warren regarding possible suppression of the report for political reasons.\nRep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) said, \u201cA promised report, once presented as essential, now appears to have disappeared.\u00a0Nor has a single Administration witness come before either the House or Senate to defend and answer questions about this far-reaching tax legislation. Especially with the views of Trump officials varying so widely from the analyses of the vast majority of economists, obtaining the Treasury Department\u2019s work is important.\u00a0A prompt answer to our request can respond to the one anonymous economist at the Office of Tax Analysis, who maintains that the reason the promised analysis has not been released is because no such analysis exists.\u201d\nA signed version of the letter is attached and the text of letter is below.\nDecember 7, 2017\n\u00a0\nThe Honorable Steven Mnuchin\nSecretary\nDepartment of the Treasury\n1500 Pennsylvania Avenue\nWashington, DC 20220\nDear Secretary Mnuchin:\nNow that conferees will soon be meeting to adjust the differences between the House and Senate on tax legislation, we hope that you will appear before us to review it with us. In September, you said that \u201cnot only will this tax plan pay for itself, but it will pay down the debt.\u201d You have said that over 100 people in Treasury are \u201cworking around the clock on running scenarios for us\u201d to produce an analysis supporting this conclusion. \u00a0\u00a0\nWe respectfully request a copy of this Department of Treasury analysis of the tax bill\u2019s economic impact, and that you, along with the Director of the Office of Tax Analysis, appear before the Conference Committee to explain its findings and to respond to other concerns.\nNumerous independent experts have found that this tax bill would raise taxes on millions of Americans, produce little economic growth, and add trillions to the national debt. We would like to hear from you as a witness from the Administration to share your opposing views and supporting evidence.\nNumerous economists and economic analyses of the tax bill contradict the Administration\u2019s views, including:\n The Joint Committee on Taxation which found that economic growth would not make up for $1 trillion worth of the new debt it creates.\n\tA University of Chicago survey of prominent economists, which found that only one of 38 respondents believed that the Republican tax bill would lead to \u201csubstantially higher\u201d higher economic growth.\n\tChief Moody\u2019s Analytics economist Mark Zandi, who explained that the Republican plan \u201cdoes little to boost growth because it will increase rates and debt.\u201d\n\tRepublican economist Douglas Holtz-Eakin, who said in May that \u201cthere\u2019s just no evidence that the tax cuts actually pay for themselves.\u201d\n\tBruce Bartlett, a former top economic advisor to Ronald Reagan, who has called the claim that tax cuts can pay for themselves \u201ccomplete nonsense.\u201d\n\tPresident George W. Bush\u2019s former Treasury Secretary, Paul O\u2019Neill, was \u201cdumbfounded by the notion that the tax cuts\u2026would not add to the debt.\u201d\n\tYour former employer, Goldman Sachs, which concluded that \u201cthe effect in 2020 and beyond looks minimal and could actually be slightly negative.\u201d\n Everyone, on both sides of the aisle, agrees that this legislation will remove popular deductions for many Americans. They agree that in the immediate term it will add over $1 trillion dollars to the debt, and, under current law, will require cuts to Medicare, farm subsidies, and other essential programs. \u00a0Your views, especially to the extent that they rely on evidence different from the experts cited above, would be very helpful as we continue to consider the impact of this legislation. We hope you will appear before the committee.\nSincerely,\nCongressman Richard Neal\nCongressman Lloyd Doggett\nCongressman Sander Levin\nCongressman Ra\u00fal Grijalva\nCongresswoman Kathy Castor\n\u00a0\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-and-blue-dog-coalition-call-us-department-treasury-release", "Congressman Gonzalez and Blue Dog Coalition Call on the U.S. Department of Treasury to Release Analysis on House, Senate Tax Bills", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014On Wednesday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) along with other members of the Blue Dog Coalition sent a letter to Secretary of Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, calling on the U.S. Department of the Treasury to release an analysis of the House and Senate tax bills.\nThe counsel to the U.S. Department of Treasury\u2019s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has confirmed that the OIG is conducting an investigation into the process the Treasury used in order to perform its analyses of the tax bills that were passed in the Senate and the House.\n\u201cIt is irresponsible to pass legislation that has not undergone in-depth analysis,\u201d Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cTransparency is key to effective legislating and I urge the Treasury to provide all members of Congress with detailed information on how the proposed tax reform measures will affect hard-working Americans.\u201d\u00a0\nSecretary Mnuchin has promised in the past that the Treasury would release a full analysis of the tax legislation, however, the department has yet to do so even after both bills have passed the House and Senate.\n\u201cWhile we did not support the House-passed tax bill, we believe it is still possible to pass tax reform that can provide relief for hardworking Americans and therefore receive bipartisan support,\u201d the Blue Dog Coalition wrote.\u00a0\u201cFor this to occur, we need to fully understand the consequences of the proposed tax code and other policy changes for the economic well-being of our constituents.\u201d\nThe letter was signed by the other following members of the Blue Dog Coalition: Congressmen Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Jim Costa (CA-16), Lou Correa (CA-46), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Daniel Lipinski (IL-03), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Tom O\u2019Halleran (AZ-01), Collin C. Peterson (MN-07), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), David Scott (GA-13), and Congresswomen Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09), and Stephanie Murphy (FL-07).\nSee the letter below and attached:\n\u00a0\nDecember 6, 2017\n\u00a0\nDear Secretary Mnuchin:\nWe request the Treasury Department to provide an analysis of the economic effects of the House and Senate tax bills to Congress and the American public.\u00a0\nAs Blue Dogs, we believe in working across party lines to achieve lasting progress for our country. We also believe fiscal responsibility is critical to sustained economic growth and opportunity for hardworking Americans. While we did not support the House-passed tax bill, we believe it is still possible to pass tax reform that can provide relief for hardworking Americans and therefore receive bipartisan support.\u00a0For this to occur, we need to fully understand the consequences of the proposed tax code and other policy changes for the economic well-being of our constituents.\nThe Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) recently released a report stating that, with consideration of macroeconomic effects, the Senate tax bill increases the deficit by $1.0067 trillion\u2014and that amount does not include the additional interest payments on the debt. The JCT report also stated that the bill produces 0.8 percent growth. This analysis matches most analyses provided by external, independent economists, but some other analyses have determined the bill could cost even more, upwards of $2 trillion, and result in slower rates of economic growth.\u00a0\nAs the debt continues to grow, we are very concerned that deficit-financed tax cuts with budget gimmicks will increase complexity and compliance burdens for American small and mid-sized businesses.\u00a0\nWhen President Ronald Reagan and a Democratic Congress worked together to pass tax reform in the 1980s, the reforms underwent repeated, significant analysis and revision. Congress and the White House relied on thoughtful, nonpartisan analysis to produce reform. Despite Washington\u2019s general dysfunction, we should follow this successful, bipartisan path for the good of hardworking Americans.\u00a0\nThe American people deserve to have all of the information available so they can have a full understanding of how both tax bills will affect their lives, and Congress needs that information to create sound policy. We thank you for your consideration and look forward to working with you for the good of all Americans.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gene-green-opposes-two-week-continuing-resolution", "Rep. Gene Green Opposes Two-Week Continuing Resolution", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Gene Green today delivered the following statement on the House floor on the Republican majority\u2019s 2-week Continuing Resolution:\n\"Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to act and pass much needed supplemental appropriations to help victims of the recent hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.\nHurricane Harvey brought unprecedented destruction to the Texas Gulf Coast, dropping a record 52 inches of rain and causing catastrophic flooding in Houston and all along the Gulf Coast.\nEarlier this week, a report released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Episcopal Health Foundation found that one in nine Texas Gulf Coast residents remain displaced, three months after Harvey\u2019s landfall. Four in ten Texas Gulf Coast residents report sustained damage to their homes and nearly half of affected Texas Gulf Coast residents said they are not receiving the help they need to recover from the hurricane.\nTo date the federal government has provided $10 billion in aid to Harvey victims in Texas, mostly advance payments through the National Flood Insurance Program. However, far more federal aid is needed to rebuild Houston, Harris County, and the Texas Gulf Coast.\nAfter Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and Mississippi, and Hurricane Sandy impacted New York and New Jersey, Congress responded by passing substantial disaster supplemental bills. In 2013, Congress provided over $50 billion for recovery and rebuilding efforts as a result of Sandy, and $120 billion to rebuild New Orleans and surrounding areas.\u00a0 \u00a0\nI cannot and will not vote for a continuing resolution until House leadership puts disaster relief front and center and passes a substantial supplemental disaster bill that will help Texans fully recover from Harvey\u2019s destruction and prepare the Texas Gulf Coast before the next major storm strikes.\nWe cannot continue to kick-the-can down the road while thousands of families in Texas and other parts of our country continue to suffer, months after these terrible storms made landfall.\nI urge my colleagues, regardless of state and party, to join me in standing up for disaster victims and calling on House leadership to pass a substantial emergency supplemental.\nThank you, Mr. Speaker.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/voting-no-on-the-continuing-resolution-h-j-res-123-b8a80a70ae74?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Voting No on the Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res. 123)", "2017-12-07", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Voting No on the Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res. 123) The House just voted on H.J.Res. 123, a continuing resolution to provide enough money for the Federal government to operate at current levels for the next two weeks. I voted against it. My concern with the resolution is that the Republican leadership in both the House and the Senate has refused to accept even a single contribution in terms of ideas, policies, or priorities from a single Democrat. This partisan dysfunction is the exact opposite of how Congress should work\u200a\u2014\u200aespecially with something as critical as government funding. It means the people of El Paso had no ability to contribute to this process because their representative was locked out of it. For example, I asked my colleagues to ensure that the 200,000 Dreamers in Texas and the 800,000 young DACA recipients across the country receive the protection they need to continue contributing at their full potential in our communities, state, and nation. We are infinitely better because of them. Ending DACA will not just hurt them, it will hurt us for years to come. I also asked that the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is reauthorized. This is critical if we want to continue ensuring kids and mothers in our state can see a doctor and get lifesaving medication. CHIP and Medicaid cover 45% of children in El Paso and offer prenatal care to 36,000 pregnant women in Texas. Without Republicans taking these ideas into consideration or even offering a basic debate on them, I couldn\u2019t vote for this resolution. I will continue advocating for the people of El Paso and working to get a funding bill that reflects and honors our priorities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401804", "Rep. Cuellar Speaks on House Floor in Support of Bipartisan Bills to Curb Gun Violence", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Cuellar Speaks on House Floor in Support of Bipartisan Bills to Curb Gun Violence\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        WASHINGTON,\r\n        December 6, 2017 | \r\n      Olya Voytovich\r\n      ((202) 226-1583) \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Today, Congressman Cuellar spoke on the House Floor in support of two bipartisan bills to curb gun violence: H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, and H.R. 4477, also known as the Fix NICS Act of 2017. H.R. 38 allows law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon across state lines only if they are not federally prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm, are carrying a valid government-issued photo ID, are lawfully licensed or otherwise entitled to carry a concealed handgun, and follows the laws of the state, county and municipality in which they are carrying concealed. The Fix NICS Act ensures federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to NICS. Additionally, the bill provides consequences for federal agencies who fail to properly report relevant records and ensures that states improve their overall reporting. These bills aim to prevent tragedies like the one in Sutherland Springs from happening in the future.\r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gene-green-rep-al-green-s-articles-impeachment", "Rep. Gene Green on Rep. Al Greens Articles of Impeachment", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Gene Green released the following statement about his decision to vote to table Congressman Al Green\u2019s resolution calling for the impeachment of President Trump:\n\u201cWhile I disapprove President Trump and most of his policy actions since he has been in office, I believe that we should allow our judicial institutions to do their job before we begin to debate impeachment of the president. Rep. Al Green and I are good friends and I\u2019m proud to serve with him in the Houston-area, but impeachment is a process that should not be rushed. During the impeachment proceedings of Presidents Nixon and Clinton, it took several months to investigate before a final vote. This time around, we have Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Select Committees on Intelligence in both chambers investigating President Trump and his top associates for possible collusion with Russia during the 2016 elections. If the investigation from the Special Counsel or select committees leads to findings of obstruction of justice or other impeachable offenses, then we can begin that conversation. But now is not the time for impeachment.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/violent-offenders-domestic-abusers-should-not-be-granted-a-license-to-carry-f6a73c408d0a?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Violent Offenders & Domestic Abusers Should Not be Granted a License to Carry", "2017-12-06", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Violent Offenders & Domestic Abusers Should Not be Granted a License to\u00a0Carry Texas does not grant a license to carry to those convicted of a violent crime. Makes sense. However, that\u2019s not the case in all states. There are currently nearly two dozen states who allow these individuals to obtain a license to carry. Today, I voted against H.R. 38 because it would allow for what is known as \u201cconcealed carry reciprocity\u201d\u200a\u2014\u200aessentially allowing anyone allowed to carry in any state (no matter how low their standards) to bring a firearm into any other state (no matter how high their standards). It would subject Texans to the lowest common denominator. It would make us less safe. For example: Texas law requires safety training to qualify for a licence to carry. 18 other states do not.Texas requires you to be at least 21. Fifteen other states do not.Texas does not issue a license to carry to abusive partners. 14 states do.Texas doesn\u2019t issue to violent offenders. 22 states do.Texas doesn\u2019t issue to people convicted of stalking. 21 states do. Why should Texans, who have adopted strong, sensible standards for a license to carry be forced to contend with concealed carry gun owners in states that have not? I\u2019m proud of Texas, our history of responsible gun ownership and our requirements for a license to carry that seek to protect the ones we love from abusers, violent offenders and stalkers. We should hold those from out-of-state to these same standards when they travel to our communities. We should not subject every Texan, every El Pasoan to the lowest common denominator in the U.S. because that will make Texas less, not more, safe.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401793", "Rep. Cuellar Announces Winners of 2017 Congressional App Challenge", "2017-12-05", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today announced the winner of this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge from La Joya Independent School District, Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School students, Josue Herrera, Nyo Cruz, Elmo Garza, and Marco Perez for designing the Travel Guide app, which helps travelers get around in an unfamiliar area. The app designed by the students focuses on four categories: emergency, food, shops and entertainment.\u201cI congratulate these four talented high school students from La Joya I.S.D. on designing a useful and functional app to help travelers in our area. I also thank La Joya I.S.D. Superintendent, Dr. Alda T. Benavides, Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School Principal Dalee Garcia, Mr. Guillermo Flores, Computer Science Instructor, and the parents of these students for encouraging them to develop their talents in coding,\u201d Congressman Cuellar said. \u201cOur future is becoming increasingly depended on technology, and this competition encourages students to learn how to code and find out about careers in STEM. Parents and educators can further encourage high school students to participate and think outside the box and develop apps that change the world. I\u2019m excited to participate and I look forward to seeing the creativity of our students in the 28th Congressional District of Texas. \u201cIt is always exciting when the talents of our students bring us recognition, so this accomplishment is one we are really proud of as our students faced stiff competition,\u201d said Dr. Alda T. Benavides, Superintendent of Schools at La Joya I.S.D. \u201cA special congratulations goes to these four young men, their teacher, principal and their parents for always encouraging the students to do more with technology and to stay in the forefront when it comes to careers in the STEM fields. They have made us extremely proud! A special thank you to Representative Henry Cuellar for providing these opportunities for our students.\u201d\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n             \r\n            Winners of Congressional Henry Cuellar\u2019s (TX-28) 2017 Congressional App Challenge, from left to right: Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School students Josue Herrera, Nyo Cruz, Elmo Garza, and Marco Perez. (Photo courtesy of Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School)\r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n             \r\n            The Travel Guide app, designed by Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School students, and winner of Congressman Cuellar\u2019s 2017 Congressional App Challenge: https://youtu.be/6OJ84IKKloE \r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\nThe four winning students will be recognized by Congressman Cuellar on Saturday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Embassy Suites Palms Crossing in the Rio Grande Valley, and will attend a recognition ceremony in Washington, D.C., in March 2018. Each student will also receive $250 from Amazon. Their app will be displayed on the Congressional App Challenge website and on display in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. About the Congressional App Challenge  \r\nThe CAC is a congressional initiative, managed by the Internet Education Foundation [IEF], a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the first 2 years of the program yielded 239 challenges across 33 states. Over 1,150 apps have been created by nearly 4,000 students, and participant demographics surpassed all industry diversity metrics, with young women representing 30% of all competitors. In the first 2 years of the program yielded 239 challenges across 33 states. Over 1,150 apps were created by nearly 4,000 students, and participant demographics surpassed all industry diversity metrics, with young women representing 30% of all competitors. This year, the CAC initiative aims to reach even more constituents. For further information about the Congressional App Challenge, please http://www.CongressionalAppChallenge.us.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-responds-michael-flynn-guilty-plea", "Rep. Doggett Responds to Michael Flynn Guilty Plea", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, issued the following statement after Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor for President Trump and top Trump campaign official, pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about his contacts with Russian authorities. Rep. Doggett said:\n  \n\t\u201cThe wheels of justice turn slowly, but despite Donald Trump\u2019s repeated obstructionism, they still turn. Former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn\u2019s guilty plea and the report that a senior Trump transition member directed his contact with Russians indicates there is much more yet to come.\u00a0To prevent further Russian meddling, we still need a truly independent investigation, not one subject to more Republican interference.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-in-recognition-2", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement in Recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Johnson released a statement in honor of World AIDS Day and remains committed to addressing the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.\n\u201cToday, around the world, we take a moment to reflect and recognize World Aids Day.\u00a0 Each year since 1988, we show our support for those living with HIV and AIDS,\u201d said Congresswoman Johnson. \u201cThe AIDS epidemic is a public health crisis that affects every community. Despite the tragic toll of this disease, we are making historic progress to halt this epidemic in its tracks. Fifteen years ago, I initiated the first round of talks for the President\u2019s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with President George W. Bush while I was the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.\u201d \u00a0\nCongresswoman Johnson reflected on a previous trip to South Africa, Malawi, and Kenya with her Congressional colleagues in 2015 where they addressed this epidemic and the importance of continuing to fund research for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. \u201cIt is imperative that we remain diligent in the battle against HIV/AIDS. In addition, I will continue to do what is necessary to engage in this fight to promote public health around the world and to protect critical health programs. I urge my colleagues to fight this battle and to join me as we recognize World AIDS Day.\u201d\nThe theme for World AIDS Day 2017 is \u201cIncreasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships.\u201d To find an HIV testing site near you, click here.\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-pushes-fiscally-responsible-bipartisan-budget-deal", "Congressman Gonzalez Pushes for a Fiscally-Responsible, Bipartisan Budget Deal", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014This week, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), and fellow members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, called on congressional leadership to negotiate a long-term, fiscally-responsible, bipartisan budget deal. Earlier this year, the Problem Solvers Caucus successfully pushed for a Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) funding bill free from policy riders, and used its bipartisan influence to avoid a government shutdown.\n\u201cDemocrats and Republicans must come together to craft a viable, long-term budget deal that is both fiscally responsible and works for all Americans,\u201d Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cI urge congressional leadership to act swiftly and keep the government running.\u201d\nCongressman Gonzalez and the Problem Solvers Caucus members noted:\n\u201cWe believe that Congress should act quickly toward passing a long-term, bipartisan budget deal that would eliminate sequestration cuts for at least two years. We also support efforts to fully pay for any increase of the discretionary budget caps, so that defense and non-defense discretionary spending can be funded at more adequate levels, responsibly.\u00a0We stand ready to work with you to accomplish this goal.\u201d\nRead the full letter below:\n\u00a0\nNovember 29, 2017\n\u00a0\nDear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan and Minority Leader Pelosi,\nThe Problem Solvers Caucus is a group premised around the notion that Congress works best when Members engage with one another on a bipartisan basis in order to advance solutions to our nation\u2019s most pressing problems. So far this year, the Problem Solvers Caucus has come together to advocate for a reasonable and responsible spending bill and to develop a better approach to reforming our nation\u2019s health care system. We believe that durable and sustainable solutions can be reached through bipartisan cooperation and leadership.\nWe write to you now as Congress is once again facing an imminent deadline with government funding expected to expire on December 8 and no clear path forward for resolving both the policy and funding level debates.\u00a0One of the main drivers of uncertainty around passage of spending bills for Fiscal Year 2018 is the unrealistic constraints for producing Appropriations bills that comply with the caps put in place by the Budget Control Act.\u00a0Democrats and Republicans have raised concerns that the cuts required by sequestration would simply not meet the commitments made to our constituents or to those who serve our nation in the armed forces.\nIn prior years, bipartisan budget deals have removed the threat of sequestration and paved the way for fiscally responsible spending bills that have passed with Republican and Democratic support. We believe that Congress should act quickly towards passing a long-term, bipartisan budget deal that would eliminate sequestration cuts for at least two years. We also support efforts to fully pay for any increase of the discretionary budget caps, so that defense and non-defense discretionary spending can be funded at more adequate levels, responsibly.\u00a0We stand ready to work with you to accomplish this goal.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/veasey-updates/marcs-memo-november-2017-updates", "Marc's Memo - November 2017 Updates", "2017-12-01", "2017", "2017-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friends,\n\t\t\t\tSince my first day in Congress, I have remained committed to building a better future for all TX-33 residents and advocating for our veterans and service members\u2019 access to the benefits they\u2019ve rightfully earned. This month, my top priorities were on full display. I traveled back and forth from Texas to D.C. participating in job training forums and hosting my fifth annual job fair and Veterans Town Hall. I also worked at Airbus Helicopters for my monthly \u2018Marc Means Business\u2019 workday.\n\t\t\t\tI invite you to take a moment to read about these efforts and the additional work I do on your behalf to ensure your voice is heard in our nation\u2019s capital.\n\t\t\t\tPlease remember to connect with me through my official\u00a0website,\u00a0Facebook page, and Twitter account\u00a0to stay informed on what I am working on in the district and in D.C. Don\u2019t forget to remind your friends to subscribe to my e-newsletter, so they don\u2019t miss out on any updates on my efforts in Washington and in the DFW Metroplex.\n\t\t\t\tSincerely,\n\t\t\t\tMarc Veasey  \n\t\t\t\t\tMember of Congress\n\t\t\t\tDon\u2019t Miss Tomorrow\u2019s DACA Summit and Immigration Town Hall \n\t\t\t\tJoin me, special guest House Democratic Vice-Chair Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, and local immigration experts for a DACA Summit and Immigration Town Hall to discuss the latest developments on the program, learn your rights when interacting with law enforcement, and how the DACA program has affected the DFW Metroplex.\n\t\t\t\tSaturday, December 2, 2017\n\t\t\t\t10:00 AM \u2013 12:00 PM  \n\t\t\t\t\tNorthside Community Center  \n\t\t\t\t\t1100 Northwest 18th Street  \n\t\t\t\t\tFort Worth, TX 76164\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\t  Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow \n\t\t\t\tAs a co-chair of the House Democrats\u2019 Access to Jobs Task Force, I joined business and labor leaders as they shared their expertise on how to strengthen America\u2019s workforce through skill development and training at our first roundtable discussion. I invited Tricia Hiros, an engineer working for Bell Helicopter based in DFW, to testify before the task force on the importance of apprenticeships and Bell Helicopter\u2019s work to encourage Dallas youth to pursue careers in advanced manufacturing.\n\t\t\t\tCongressman Marc Veasey introduces Tricia Hiros of Bell Helicopter, before she shared with the Access to Jobs Task Force the types of outreach efforts her company has engaged in to increase interest in advanced manufacturing careers (November 8, 2017).\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tFor more details on the House Democratic Caucus\u2019 Jobs for America Task Forces, please visit: www.dems.gov/jobsforamerica.\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tHonoring our Local Veterans\n\t\t\t\tOn Friday, November 10, 2017, I honored eight local veterans with the Congressional Veteran Commendation at my annual Veterans Town Hall at American Legion Post 275 in Dallas. Ms. Castella Combs, Ms. Tynetta W. Runnels, Mrs. Tristeza Ordex-Ramirez, Mr. Jonathan Saenz, Mr. Herman Henderson Jr., Mr. Raymond Rivera, Mr. Rogerio Perez, and Mr. Ollis Donald Chalmers were all honored for their military service and continued contributions to the DFW Metroplex. Congratulations to this year\u2019s award recipients and thank you for your service to our country.\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tCongressman Veasey welcomes TX-33 residents to his Veteran Commendation Ceremony and Veteran Town Hall (November 10, 2017).\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tFighting for Good Paying Jobs at Home \u2013 Refusing to Raise Taxes on Working Families\n\t\t\t\tOn November 16, 2017, I voted against H.R. 1, the Republican Tax Scam bill. The legislation unfairly targeted popular tax deductions that middle-class families, teachers, students and veterans depend on and cut funding to Medicare and Medicaid while enriching the ultra-wealthy with tax cuts.\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tI attempted to work with Republicans by introducing an amendment that would provide a $500 refundable tax-credit to grandparents acting as primary caregivers and for newly naturalized citizens, but Republicans shut Democrats out throughout the legislative process.\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tI also highlighted how the Patriot Employer Act that I helped to sponsor this year is actually the type of tax reform this country needs. We need to reward companies who invest right here at home and treat their employees with the respect and dignity they deserve. Instead, Republicans\u2019 tax scam bill does the opposite, leaving the door open for U.S. companies to ship more jobs overseas.\n\t\t\t\tFor more information on the Patriot Employer Act and why I voted against the GOP Tax Scam, please visit my website.\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tConnecting TX-33 Job Seekers to Thousands of Local Jobs\n\t\t\t\tOn Friday, November 17, I hosted my 5th Annual 33rd Congressional District Job Fair where I connected 85 companies like Lockheed Martin, Southwest Airlines, and Amazon to hundreds of TX-33 job seekers. I am proud that since launching my annual event I have connected thousands of job seekers to local employers and provided job opportunities through on-site workshops. Workshop attendees were able to learn about skill building and networking, launching a small business, veteran-to-civilian transition, and received one-on-one resume critiquing. I am thankful for all the employers, large and small, that participated in my annual job fair.\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tCongressman Veasey welcomes Alcon, one of TX-33 major employers, to the fifth annual job fair as they joined 84 additional companies seeking to fill over 7,000 positions (November 17, 2017). \n\t\t\t\tCongressman Veasey\u2019s district staff welcomes local job seekers to his fifth annual job center at Tarrant County South Campus Gymnasium (November 17, 2017).\n\t\t\t\t\u00a0\n\t\t\t\tReaching for the Sky\n\t\t\t\tAfter my fifth annual job fair on November 17th, I added yet another large employer to my growing list of \u2018Marc Means Business\u2019 workdays by joining the crew of Airbus Helicopter in Grand Prairie. Throughout my workday, I worked with the plant\u2019s team and learned how to conduct quality assurance tests on Airbus\u2019 many helicopters, including how to check gas filters and communications systems. I even participated in a test flight to see firsthand how the helicopter\u2019s electronic systems operate when in the air.\n\t\t\t\tCongressman Marc Veasey holds the tail end of an Airbus helicopter steady as another member of the maintenance team operates the Heli lift to perform routine checks prior to flight. (November 17, 2017). \n\t\t\t\tCongressman Veasey thanks Airbus Helicopters for allowing him to join their maintenance team as part of his November \u2018Marc Means Business\u2019 work day (November 17, 2017).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-s-floor-remarks-in-support-of", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnsons Floor Remarks in Support of Brownfields Program", "2017-11-30", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson delivered remarks on\u00a0the House Floor\u00a0today in support of H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic, Redevelopment and Reauthorization of 2017. \u00a0A transcript of her speech can be found below:\n\u201cMr. Speaker, the Brownfields program has been a notable success in our nation\u2019s history. \u00a0The Brownfields program has helped to transform and cleanup countless abandoned, idled, or potentially-contaminated commercial and industrial sites all across the United States. \u00a0These once blighted areas within our communities are now valuable tracts of land thanks to the Brownfields program.\nAs a Congresswoman from North Texas, I have seen firsthand the benefits that Brownfields redevelopment can bring to a community. \u00a0A 72-acre site in my district, formerly known as Victory Park, was transformed by the Brownfields program from an industrial wasteland populated by an old paint factory and meatpacking plant. \u00a0Since then \u2013 and thanks in large part to the Brownfields Program \u2013 that same plot is now home to the American Airlines Center and other retail and commercial space. \u00a0This is just one example in my Congressional district and across the country of how successful we can be in converting depressed, decaying areas into vibrant economic and cultural centers that can increase employment and productivity in the region.\nThat is why I stand together with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 3017.\u00a0 This bill will take the important step to reauthorize the Brownfields program through 2022.\u00a0 While the bill represents a flat reauthorization, it makes crucial changes to the program that will improve the way states, cities, counties, and other stakeholders are able to utilize Brownfields sites. \u00a0It is time that we continue the rich tradition driving this program and reauthorize the Brownfields program without further hesitation. \u00a0Thank you, I yield back.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401788", "Cuellars Bipartisan Bill to Fix Gun Background Check System Passed by Committee", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 4477, also known as the Fix NICS Act of 2017, a bipartisan piece of legislation introduced by Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) that would require federal and state authorities to comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Specifically, this bill will: \u2022 Require federal and state agencies to produce NICS implementation plans focused on uploading all information to the background check system and enforce measures to verify the accuracy of records;  \r\n\u2022 Hold federal agencies accountable and ensure that states improve their overall reporting by implementing serious consequences if they fail to properly report relevant data;  \r\n\u2022 Reauthorize and improve important law enforcement programs to help state governments share relevant criminal record information with NICS.  This bill was introduced in response to the horrific shooting that occurred in early November in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which killed 26 people. \u201cI thank the Committee, Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler for marking up this bill so quickly,\u201d Congressman Cuellar said. \u201cThe Sutherland Springs shooting revealed dangerous loopholes in the NICS database, and this bill is a necessary step forward in closing those gaps. It is critical that we hold states and federal agencies accountable for accurately and comprehensively reporting relevant information into NICS, while ensuring that these entities have sufficient support and resources to implement these requirements. \u201cI thank Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) for crafting the original Senate version of this bill and for leading Congress towards finding solutions to this crucial issue. I also would like to recognize Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Reps. John Culberson (R-TX), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Ryan Costello (R-PA), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Barbara Comstock (R-VA), and Dina Titus (D-NV) for their leadership on addressing this critical matter. This legislation is an essential step in preventing tragedies like the one we witnessed in Sutherland Springs.\u201d \u201cThe ongoing negligence of federal employees failing to enter criminal history into the NICS database is absolutely unacceptable. This systemic problem has cost lives, not just in Texas, but across the entire nation,\u201d Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to join my colleague, Rep. Henry Cuellar, in supporting this lifesaving piece of legislation in this bipartisan effort to ensure federal and state authorities enforce existing law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-congratulates-dfw-international", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Congratulates DFW International Airport for Receiving $52 Million in Grant Funding from the Federal Aviation Administration", "2017-11-29", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement after announcing that the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport would be awarded $52 million in grant funding through the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s Airport Improvement Program (AIP): \nOn Monday, November 27, 2017, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson attended a ceremony to commemorate this important occasion at DFW International Airport and announced that the airport will be receiving a total of $52 million in federal funding through the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s Airport Improvement Program. \u00a0Approximately $49.5 million will be committed to the refurbishment of Runway 17-Center/35-Center, DFW\u2019s busiest arrival runway, while an additional $2.6 million will help fund a lighting upgrade for the Terminal ramp areas.\n\u201cDFW consistently remains the third busiest airport in the world based on aircraft movements. \u00a0I am incredibly proud to serve as one of DFW\u2019s key federal partners in helping to ensure that our airport has the resources it needs to be effective, while meeting the growing demands of the DFW region,\u201d said Congresswoman Johnson. \u00a0\u201cAs the most senior Texan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will fight to ensure that we continue to make those investments in airports like DFW so that we can stay ahead of the competition and keep America moving.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-statement-support-net-neutrality", "Congressman Gonzalez Statement of Support for Net Neutrality", "2017-11-28", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014 Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) has announced his opposition to the Federal Communications Commission\u2019s (FCC) plan to repeal current Net Neutrality regulations that ensure a free and open internet.\n\u201cDismantling crucial Net Neutrality regulations is reckless and without warrant,\u201d Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cFrom students to small business owners, the repercussions of the FCC\u2019s proposed changes will be felt by internet users across the country. We should be leveling the playing field and closing the digital divide, not allowing companies to put up roadblocks to affordable internet service. I strongly urge the FCC and Chairman Ajit Pai to listen to the American people who have overwhelming requested that he abandon this misguided plan.\u201d\nAs a former small business owner, Congressman Gonzalez knows first-hand that Net Neutrality has played an important role in expanding access to information and opportunity via the world wide web. The congressman believes that the FCC\u2019s new plan would have damaging effects on the flow of and access to information.\nCongressman Gonzalez sent a personal letter to FCC Chairman Pai stating his and his constituents\u2019 clear opposition to the proposed repeal of Net Neutrality. He also joined Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-14), and other members of Congress to call on the FCC to preserve the open internet and delay its repeal of Net Neutrality.\u00a0\nOn November 21, 2017, FCC Commissioner, Jessica Rosenworcel, released a statement expressing her discontent with plans to roll back Net Neutrality and underscoring the importance of maintaining a strong internet economy. The FCC Commissioner has also specified that public hearings would be held throughout the country to address the proposal before a vote is taken on the issue.\nCongressman Gonzalez will remain a strong supporter of an affordable, accessible, and open internet. Read the letter below.\n\u00a0\nNovember 28, 2017\nThe Honorable Ajit Pai\nChairman\nFederal Communications Commission\n445 12th Street, S.W.\nWashington, D.C. 20554\nDear Chairman Pai:\nI am writing you today on behalf of hundreds of constituents of the 15th District of Texas who have contacted me just within the last few days regarding the issue of Net Neutrality being considered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These individuals took time over the Thanksgiving holiday to voice their opposition to your plan.\nDuring the past few months, I have followed these issues carefully and have reviewed some of the comments made by you and other FCC leadership. It is alarming that throughout the course of your deliberations, one must look far and wide for advocates of your proposal. Additionally, I have not heard from a single constituent in South Texas who is in favor of giving up Net Neutrality.\nIt appears you are prepared to lead the FCC in a direction towards Net Favoritism instead of Net Neutrality, against the weight of the evidence, past experience, and even against public interest. Changing how people view, receive, and pay for internet use via Net Neutrality will more than likely allow large internet companies to begin charging service fees for downstream providers, which will in turn be passed on to consumers.\nYou have proclaimed that the end of Net Neutrality is to the benefit of small business, but I strongly disagree with this assessment. Never mind the hundreds of messages, letters, and communications from small businesses stating the exact opposite: that Net Neutrality will hurt them and force them to pay additional fees to an internet service provider (ISP) to display their website with proper speeds after lifting internet neutrality. You have cited Facebook, Amazon, and Google, which allege to have flourished under the \u201clight-touch\u201d rules, as they are known at the FCC. Recently, the Google Wallet app was blocked by a competitor with an ISP through a competing app, which you called an \u201coutlying\u201d example.\nFinally, you have asserted that small businesses could help connect rural communities to the internet highway. Even knowing that small internet and telecom companies essentially rent their use of the network owned by the largest of all telecom companies. And while a quarter of a billion dollars is a drop in the bucket towards expanding the internet, my question to you is, \u2018do you think it will come from small firms?\u2019 The definite losers in this battle are the startup enterprises, the mom and pop shops, and the entrepreneurs -\u00a0 those who are not yet robust enough to weather the blow of these grave changes.\u00a0\nI request that you reconsider your position and that you do the right thing: keep Net Neutrality in place so consumers and small businesses can continue to have access to affordable and accessible internet.\nShould you have any questions, or wish to discuss this with me in greater detail, please contact me at (202) 225-2531.\nSincerely,\nVicente Gonzalez\nMember of Congress\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/humanities-texas-del-valle-teacher-receives-statewide-award", "Humanities Texas: DEL VALLE TEACHER RECEIVES STATEWIDE AWARD", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Humanities Texas is pleased to announce thatVictoria Longoria of Del Valle High School is one of 13 recipients of the 2017 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award.\nU.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett presented Longoria with her $5,000 award during a ceremony at Del Valle High School on Monday, November 27.\nHumanities Texas presents annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching and recognize Texas classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development and extracurricular programming. The organization received nearly 700 nominations for the 2017 awards.\nLongoria, who has taught English for over 20 years, currently teaches 11th grade AP English Language and Composition at Del Valle High School. In 2016, she was a state semi-finalist for the HEB Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award.\n\u201cVictoria Longoria engages her students to view our world through literature and history.\u00a0 Her students gain an introduction to global citizenship,\u201d said Congressman Doggett.\u00a0 \u201cFrom my mini-town hall conducted today before presenting her award, I could see how well informed her students are about the challenges our country faces.Through her efforts these DVHS Cardinals are able to see the \u2018human\u2019 in \u2018humanities.\u201d\n\u201cShe is a steward of the humanities,\u201d said Principal David Williams of Longoria. \u201cShe strives to authentically engage her students, reward successes and meet their individual needs. She dedicates her summers to professional development, treks the globe and actively seeks out opportunities to hone her craft throughout the year.\u201d\nLongoria is an avid proponent of fostering a global perspective within her students. In addition to choosing international texts, she also aligns her English curriculum with the history department, collaborating on an interdisciplinary approach to deepen her students\u2019 understanding of both subjects. She frequently attends both local and international seminars to bolster her own understanding of the material she teaches.\n\u201cWhile STEM seems to garner all the glory these days, humanities holds the human context of education,\u201d said Longoria. \u201cIt is imperative that education embrace the humanities in order for future generations to promote the betterment of people, social equity and a responsible citizenry.\u201d\n\u201cHumanities Texas is pleased to recognize the achievements of Victoria Longoria and Del Valle High School,\u201d said Humanities Texas Executive Director Michael L. Gillette. \u201cLongoria inspires and motivates her students to succeed in the classroom and beyond.\u201d\nLongoria will receive a $5,000 cash award, with an additional $500 for Del Valle High School to purchase instructional materials.\nHumanities Texas is the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Its mission is to advance education through programs that improve the quality of classroom teaching, support libraries and museums and create opportunities for lifelong learning for all Texans.\nHumanities Texas is currently accepting nominations for the 2018 Outstanding Teaching Awards. Additional information about Humanities Texas and its teacher award program is available at www.humanitiestexas.org.\nYou can find this press release on the Humanities Texas website here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-breaks-bread-troops-afghanistan-during-thanksgiving", "Congressman Gonzalez Breaks Bread with Troops in Afghanistan during Thanksgiving Holiday", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) was one of only eight members of Congress that celebrated Thanksgiving with service members stationed in Afghanistan. Over the course of the trip, the delegation visited key military capabilities and personnel in Poland, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan.\n\u201cI was both humbled and honored to spend Thanksgiving with the brave men and women of our U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan,\u201d Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cThis is the time of the year when loved ones come together to celebrate all that we have. Those serving overseas sacrifice their holidays to keep us and our allies safe. I want these American heroes to know that we are forever grateful for their service to our country. Spending time with them during Thanksgiving was both eye opening and heartwarming. I learned so much about the work our U.S. armed forces undertake at military installations across the world. As I continue to serve in Congress, I vow to make the needs of service members, veterans, and their families my top priorities.\u201d\n\u00a0\nCongressman Gonzalez, the son of a U.S. Merchant Marine and Korean War veteran, is a strong advocate for service members, veterans, and military families.\n\u00a0\nThe bipartisan delegation included: Congressmen Trent Kelly (MS-01), Neal Dunn (FL-02), David Kustoff (TN-08), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Evan Jenkins (WV-03), Congresswomen Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA-44), and Claudia Tenney (NY-22). Congressman Gonzalez and his fellow members returned to Washington, D.C. after Thanksgiving as the U.S. House of Representatives reconvenes for votes on November 28, 2017. \n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-gene-greens-statement-fcc-chair-pais-proposal-reverse-net", "Congressman Gene Green's Statement on FCC Chair Pai's Proposal to Reverse Net Neutrality Rules", "2017-11-27", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I want to thank every constituent who has called, emailed, or sent a letter to our office to oppose\u00a0Federal Communications CommissionChairman Pai\u2019s proposal. I, too, oppose the FCC\u2019s awful plan. Net neutrality is important for several reasons: It protects Internet freedom, drives innovation, and protects American consumers. There could be adverse consequences for American consumers and our economy if the current net neutrality rules are eliminated, which protect consumers from having content of their choice being blocked or slowed down. These protections have allowed a whole new sector of our economy to develop and create thousands of jobs in Texas and throughout our country.\n\tThere must be rules in place that protect the Internet for small businesses, consumers, and innovators from potential abuse. This is why I oppose this proposal and urge FCC Chairman Pai to reverse his proposal.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/in-the-news/us-rep-gonzalez-shares-thanksgiving-meal-troops-afghanistan", "U.S. Rep. Gonzalez shares Thanksgiving meal with troops in Afghanistan", "2017-11-26", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, visited troops in Afghanistan over the weekend to share a Thanksgiving meal, his office announced late Sunday.\nGonzalez was one of eight members of a bipartisan delegation from Congress to visit the war-torn country. He also visited with troops and saw military installations in Poland, Qatar and Uzbekistan, his office said.\n\u00a0\n\u201cI was both humbled and honored to spend Thanksgiving with the brave men and women of our U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan,\u201d Gonzalez said in a written statement.\n\u201cThis is the time of the year when loved ones come together to celebrate all that we have. Those serving overseas sacrifice their holidays to keep us and our allies safe. I want these American heroes to know that we are forever grateful for their service to our country. Spending time with them during Thanksgiving was both eye opening and heartwarming. I learned so much about the work our U.S. armed forces undertake at military installations across the world. As I continue to serve in Congress, I vow to make the needs of service members, veterans, and their families my top priorities.\u201d\n\u00a0\nGonzalez is the son of a veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine and Korean War.\nGonzalez was accompanied by U.S. reps. Trent Kelly, R-Mississippi; Neal Dunn, R-Florida; David Kustoff, R-Tennessee; Richard Hudson, R-North Carolina; Evan Jenkins, R-West Virginia; Nanette Diaz Barragan, D-California; and Claudia Tenney, R-New York", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401766", "Rep. Cuellar Announces $1.5 Million DOJ COPS Grant to Laredo Police Department", "2017-11-21", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) joined Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, City Manager Horacio De Leon, and Laredo Police Chief Claudio Trevi\u00f1o, Jr., to present a check for $1,500,000 to the City of Laredo Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice\u2019s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) - COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The funds will be used to hire 12 new police officers at the Laredo Police Department and are part of the $98,495,397 in nation-wide grant funding announced by the DOJ on Monday.\u201cThe COPS Hiring Program provides our local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to protect our communities and, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I worked with Chairman John Culberson to ensure this program was properly funded,\u201d Congressman Cuellar said. \u201cThis funding will increase our community\u2019s safety and help prevent crime. I congratulate City of Laredo and the Laredo Police Department, including Mayor Pete Saenz, the city council, and Police Chief Claudio Trevi\u00f1o, Jr., for their leadership in securing the grant.\u201d Funding from the 2017 COPS Hiring Program will help with the duties of maintaining public safety in Laredo, which is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, with an active international trade and international tourism sector. Currently, the Laredo Police Department has 471 sworn officers and 73 non-sworn personnel. That\u2019s about 1.9 officers per 1,000 inhabitants. The national average is 2.4 officers per 1,000 inhabitants. The $1.5 million in federal funds will support 12 new police officers during the course of the grant, which is $41,666.66 per officer position for three years. The City of Laredo will provide a 100 percent match of $1.5 million to over the remainder $41,666.66 for salaries and benefits of newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions whose salaries and benefits are approximately $83,000 per year. The total federal and local investment for the hiring of 12 new Laredo Police Department officers and supporting them for three years is, therefore, $3 million. The City of Laredo will prioritize the hiring of qualified veterans. The new officers will be assigned to support patrol operations, implement a community policing approach, and address specific issues of border violence and illegal immigration. The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) provides law enforcement agencies grants to hire new or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase community policing and crime prevention.  The City of Laredo last received a COPS grant in 2010 for $4.3 million to hire 22 police officers.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401765", "Congressman Cuellar Announces Over $3.1 Million for San Antonio Police Department to Hire 25 New officers", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Cuellar (TX-28) announced that the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program has awarded a grant to the City of San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) in the amount of $3,125,000. This grant will support the hiring of 25 new police officers. These funds are part of the $98,495,397 in grant funding announced today by the U.S. Department of Justice\u2019s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). \u201cThe COPS Hiring Program provides our local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to protect our communities. As a member of the appropriations committee, I worked with Chairman John Culberson to ensure this program is properly funded,\u201d Congressman Cuellar said. \u201cThis funding will increase our community\u2019s safety and help prevent crime. I congratulate City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Department, and I thank Mayor Ronald Adrian Nirenberg, the city council and Police Chief William P. McManus for their leadership in securing the grant. I also thank the San Antonio Congressional Delegation for working together as a team.\u201d  San Antonio, Texas is the seventh largest city in the United States, and the SAPD serves as the primary law enforcement authority for more than 1.46 million of its residents. It is among the fastest-growing cities in America and the SAPD endeavors to keep up with migration, annexation and global tourism with 2,407 full-time, sworn officers who are required to police more than 465 square miles of sprawling urban area. San Antonio is also recognized as one of the nation\u2019s leading tourist and convention destinations with over 25 million visitors per year. However, even with the city\u2019s thriving economy and a low unemployment rate, the City still faces challenges related to public safety. Funding from the 2017 COPS Hiring Program will help combat the rise in violent crime in the San Antonio area. Much of this violence is attributable to a small segment of the population which is generally involved in criminal gang activity. The $3.1 million in federal funds will support twenty-five sworn police officers that will be assigned to support the Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) program, the Southwest Texas Fusion Center\u2019s Violent Crime Intelligence Program, and the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network system. Additionally, as \u2018Military City USA\u2019, the SAPD will continue its active outreach to the veteran community for recruitment. The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) provides law enforcement agencies grants to hire new or rehire career law enforcement officers in an effort to increase community policing and crime prevention. The CHP grant provides 75 percent funding for entry-level salaries and benefits for three years.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-participate-award-winning-mcallen-holiday-parade", "Congressman Gonzalez to Participate in Award-Winning McAllen Holiday Parade", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "MCALLEN, Texas\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) will participate in this year\u2019s McAllen Holiday Parade\u00a0on Saturday, December 2, 2017. Congressman Gonzalez will join Mayor Jim Darling and several current and former Dallas Cowboys players, including: DeMarcus Lawrence and Ryan Switzer; former wide receiver and four-time Super Bowl Champion, Tony Hill; and former running back and Heisman Trophy winner, Tony Dorsett.\n\u201cEach year our community looks forward to the McAllen Holiday Parade and it is an honor to participate this year,\u201d\u00a0Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cWith the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloons in the state, the parade is a sight to be seen. I look forward to kicking off the holiday season with the City of McAllen at this special event.\u201d\nEarlier this year, the McAllen Holiday Parade was named the Best Parade in the World in 2017, by the International Festivals & Events Association, and the Best Parade in Texas in 2017, by the Texas Festivals & Events Association. The parade will begin at the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium\u00a0at 6 p.m. CST and head south on Bicentennial Boulevard to U.S. Business 83. The McAllen Holiday Parade will feature 50 lighted floats, 40 inflatable character balloons, as well live music to comply with this year\u2019s Entertainment on Parade theme.\nCongressman Gonzalez appreciates the opportunity to participate in this South Texas holiday tradition. He looks forward to celebrating the holidays with the residents of the 15th\u00a0District of Texas.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/standing-with-our-border-patrol-community-d467dd3ba544?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Standing With Our Border Patrol Community", "2017-11-20", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Standing With Our Border Patrol Community Yesterday, the El Paso and west Texas community learned about the death of U.S. Border Patrol agent Rogelio Martinez. My thoughts are with his family, his fellow agents, and the entire Border Patrol during this difficult time. The work of our border patrol agents and law enforcement officers in El Paso, the Big Bend region, throughout Texas, and across the southern border is like no other. They work under immense pressures, under a microscope, even under the dark of night. From the moment Rogelio and his fellow agents take their oath and put on their uniform, they answer a call that many of us will never know. A call to serve, to lead, to protect our communities, our neighbors, our families. They are also called to protect the finest character of our country. To not only patrol the border of the United States of America but to embody its values. So often, our border agents are the first Texans, the first Americans those crossing into our country see. I\u2019ve had the opportunity to know many of them in our community, their families too. They are our neighbors and friends. Our kids attend the same school, play on the same baseball teams. We know firsthand how lucky we are to have their service and sacrifice. These officers, their department are cornerstones of our community\u200a\u2014\u200athe largest binational one in the country. They\u2019ve worked tirelessly to wear their badge with pride while also welcoming our concerns and working with us to do what\u2019s right. That unique role, one that too rarely receives our thanks, carries a lofty responsibility. And it\u2019s one that we owe our agents in return. We will pursue an investigation into what occurred this past weekend. We will work with law enforcement to pursue justice. And as we learn more, we will continue uniting to support Border Patrol and remind them that in El Paso, across every mile of Texas, we are one community.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401764", "Reps. Cuellar and Culberson Introduce Gun Background Check Bill", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday, Thursday, November 17, Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), John Culberson (R-TX), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Ryan Costello (R-PA), and Pete Aguilar (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4434, a companion bill to the FIX NICS Act of 2017 that was introduced in the Senate earlier this week by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Murphy (D-CT). The investigation into the recent shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, revealed enormous gaps in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This bipartisan legislation ensures federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to NICS. This bill provides consequences for federal agencies who fail to properly report relevant records and ensures that states improve their overall reporting. Federal and state records are thoroughly lacking, and this bill helps fill in those gaps.\u201cFollowing the horrific shooting that occurred in my district, in Sutherland Springs, Texas, there is a call to action to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again. But many call for new laws often without considering whether or not current laws are being enforced,\u201d Congressman Cuellar said. \u201cToday, we introduced bipartisan legislation that will fill in the gaps in NICS that led to tragedies like the one in Sutherland Springs. The FIX NICS Act is an example of both parties in both chambers of Congress working together to set aside partisan politics and offer real solutions to the American people. I thank Senators John Cornyn, Chris Murphy, Orrin Hatch, Richard Blumenthal, Tim Scott, Dianne Feinstein, Dean Heller, Jeanne Shaheen, and Rep. John Culberson for their leadership on this bill. I am also grateful to Reps. Elizabeth Esty, Ryan Costello, and Pete Aguilar for their support. \u201cFor years agencies and states haven\u2019t complied with the law, failing to upload these critical records without consequence,\u201d Sen. Cornyn said. \u201cJust one record that\u2019s not properly reported can lead to tragedy, as the country saw last week in Sutherland Springs, Texas. This bill aims to help fix what\u2019s become a nationwide, systemic problem so we can better prevent criminals and domestic abusers from obtaining firearms.\u201d \u201cThis deal will strengthen the background check system and save lives. Our bill marks an important milestone that shows real compromise can be made on the issue of guns, and I\u2019m glad the House is following suit,\u201d said Sen. Murphy. \u201cIt\u2019s no secret that I believe much more needs to be done. But this bill will make sure that thousands of dangerous people are prevented from buying guns. It represents the strongest update to the background checks system in a decade, and provides the foundation for more compromise in the future.\u201d \u201cHad existing law been enforced, the horrific tragedy in Sutherland Springs, Texas would have never occurred. The pure negligence of criminal history reporting into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) must end,\u201d said Rep. Culberson. \u201cI\u2019m honored to join my fellow Texas legislators, Senator John Cornyn and Rep. Henry Cuellar on the Fix NICS Act and am greatly encouraged at the bipartisan effort to hold federal and state authorities accountable to existing law. I urge my fellow colleagues in Congress to support this critical, lifesaving piece of legislation.\u201d \u201cThis bill is an important first step in the effort to take bipartisan action to keep Americans safe from gun violence,\u201d Rep. Esty said. \u201cThere are many more steps I believe we can and should take to protect people from weapons of war, but closing the gaps in NICS \u2013 our background check system \u2013 is a good start. Our proposal demonstrates that we can find ways to work together to protect our families while respecting the Second Amendment. \u201cWe now know that the killers in several recent mass shootings, including the devastating attack in Sutherland Springs, were not supposed to be able to legally purchase guns. Gaps in NICS reporting enabled these murderers to gain access to the weapons they used to inflict immeasurable pain and suffering on communities throughout the country. As Republicans and Democrats, we can agree that strengthening the background check system will give us more tools to keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and other dangerous criminals. This bill is just plain common sense. I applaud my colleagues in both parties in the House and Senate for working together on this important, bipartisan step forward. We owe it to the moms, dads, and families throughout the country who have laid loved ones to rest to act now.\u201d \u201cDatabases and systems we use for background checks are only as strong as the records are complete,\u201d Rep. Costello stated. \u201cThe systems must be accurate and comprehensive so that we can stop these tragedies. This bill is yet another example of my bipartisan commitment to take responsible and constitutional steps to prevent gun violence.\u201d  \u201cThe gun violence epidemic in our country has devastated too many lives in too many communities, including my own,\u201d said Rep. Aguilar. \u201cBy strengthening the background check system, this bill is a commonsense step in the right direction toward preventing future tragedies.\u201d Background on the Fix NICS Act   \r\n\u2022\tRequires federal agencies and states to produce NICS implementation plans focused on uploading all information to the background check system showing that a person is prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms under current law\u2014including measures to verify the accuracy of records.   \r\n\u2022\tHolds federal agencies accountable if they fail to upload relevant records to the background check system through public reporting and prohibiting bonus pay for political appointees.   \r\n\u2022\tRewards states who comply with their NICS implementation plans through federal grant preferences and incentives, while increasing accountability through public reporting for those who do not comply with their plans.   \r\n\u2022\tReauthorizes and improves important law enforcement programs to help state governments share relevant criminal record information with NICS.   \r\n\u2022\tCreates a Domestic Abuse and Violence Prevention Initiative to ensure that states have adequate resources and incentives to share all relevant information with NICS showing that a felon or domestic abuser is excluded from purchasing firearms under current law.   \r\n\u2022\tProvides important technical assistance to federal agencies and states who are working to comply with NICS record-sharing requirements. For more information on H.R. 4434, please click the following link: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4434", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-trump-hill-republicans-thanks-my-billion-dollar-tax-breaks", "Rep. Doggett: Trump to Hill Republicans, Thanks for my Billion Dollar Tax Breaks", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, delivered remarks on the House Floor in opposition to Republican tax bill H.R. 1, ahead of its scheduled vote today. You may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full remarks here. Rep. Doggett said:\n\u201cThe promise of tax reform has degenerated into little more than a scam to aid tax dodgers.\u00a0While public attention is diverted to scandal in Alabama, Republicans rush through this sham of a tax bill, developed in the dark with lobbyists, before most Americans realize what is about to hit them in the face.\n\u201cInstead of more jobs at home, Republicans create a giant, new, gaping loophole to ship even more jobs abroad.\u00a0 Even Speaker Paul Ryan\u2019s home-state Republican Senator, Ron Johnson, concedes that under this bill\u00a0\u2018there will be a real incentive to keep manufacturing overseas.\u2019 Hardly a surprise, since President Trump\u2019s Wall-Streeter designated to run this show, was just identified, personally, from leaked Bermudan documents, as a past executive of not one, but 22 island tax-paradise shell companies.\n\u201cMeanwhile, another loophole, carried interest, that flows to plutocrats like Donald Trump\u2014that\u2019s the very injustice he promised last year to stop \u2013 will keep flowing right into their pockets.\u00a0But as for the deduction for student interest for those overwhelmed with college loans, like other middle-class tax provisions, that\u2019s part of $65 billion in education tax assistance cut by this bill.\u00a0They are totally dependent upon alternative facts.\u00a0 Today\u2019s bill even authorizes the biggest tax dodgers who want to pay absolutely zero in taxes by abolishing the alternative minimum tax. That one change in one year would have put $31 million in Donald Trump\u2019s pocket.\n\u201cSo Trump has very good reason to visit this Capitol today\u2014just to say thank you for the estimated $1 billion plus that is estimated to go to the Trump family under this bill. \u2018When does my tax refund get here?,\u2019 he must be saying. But, of course, we do not know precisely how much he will be personally enriched, because House Republicans are still colluding to hide his tax returns.\n\u201cRepublicans want to apply a \u2018dynamic score\u2019 to this bill.\u00a0I say, create a dynamic workforce.\u00a0Invest in people; do not overwhelm us with endless debt. Develop a more competitive, healthy workforce, that empowers our Dreamers and other immigrants, that gives every American access to education and skill upgrades to achieve their full, God-given potential.\n\u201cAs they deny one middle-class deduction after another and impose a new Alzheimer\u2019s tax, Republicans claim that they have a patented tax miracle cure for most everything but baldness.\n\u201cWe\u2019ve seen this traveling trickle-down medicine side-show before. It didn\u2019t work then, it won\u2019t now. All they are doing is grabbing for a political life-preserver after ten months of Republican failures but leaving Americans drowning in debt. This isn\u2019t tax reform; it\u2019s a giant giveaway to Washington special interests that must be stopped.\u201d\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-after-house", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement after House Passes the Republican Tax Bill", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement after House Republicans voted to approve H.R. 1 \u2013 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.\u00a0 H.R. 1 would raises taxes on 36 million households across the United States: \n\u201cPrior to the vote today, I reached out to mayors and city managers within my congressional district asking for their position and input.\u00a0 What I received were overwhelming concerns about how this would impact our communities,\u201d said Congresswoman Johnson. \u00a0\u201cI wholeheartedly believe that we are long overdue for changes to our federal tax code. \u00a0And the hope was that when we considered tax reform in Congress, that it would be a fair and balanced approach that considered the views of all Americans and not just a select few.\u201d\n\u201cThe bill passed out of the House will prove to be a huge burden on small businesses and working and middle class families. \u00a0In fact, there are more than 64,000 employer establishments in Dallas County that contribute to our local, state, and national economy. \u00a0However, this bill ignores the challenges currently facing American workers, families, and students in favor of slashing taxes for the wealthiest Americans and most profitable corporations.\u201d\nA host of tax credits and deductions will be cut under the current Republican tax plan \u2013 such as individual credits and deductions, child tax credits, student loan interest deductions, and lifetime learning credits \u2013 in an effort to fund a bill that will decrease corporate taxes by 15%, consolidate individual tax rates into just 4 new brackets, and repeal both the estate tax and alternative minimum tax to the great benefit of wealthy Americans and U.S. corporations.\n\u201cWhile I do agree that a modern tax code is desperately needed to help shore up funding for critical infrastructure projects, scientific research, and education, the Republican tax plan falls short of helping to address these dire needs. \u00a0I urge the Senators to listen the concerns of middle class citizens, academic institutions and local governments. And we must remind our senators that this bill is catastrophically flawed. \u00a0The devastation that this bill would wreak on our economy is too great to ignore, the effects of which would be widespread and long-lasting.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-votes-against-misguided-tax-reform-legislation-us-house", "Congressman Gonzalez Votes Against Misguided Tax Reform Legislation in U.S. House of Representatives", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted against H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which would reduce the number of individual income rates from seven to four, while raising taxes on 36 million middle class families and adding anywhere from $1.5 to $2 trillion dollars to the national deficit over the next decade.\nWhile the congressman supports comprehensive tax reform, he voted against the measure citing concerns with the drastic roll back of various deductions that benefit millions of hard working families, veterans, seniors, and students.\n\u201cWhen I arrived in Congress, I saw an opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to work together to modernize our nation\u2019s tax code and grow our economy,\u201d Congressman\u00a0Gonzalez said.\u00a0\u201cToday, I am disappointed to see such a deeply flawed proposal come up for a vote. I cannot support legislation that would harm the hard-working families, students, teachers, service members, and seniors that rely on a number of deductions and credits that this plan seeks to repeal. I cannot support putting a tab on our nation\u2019s credit card that future generations will ultimately be forced to repay. That is not responsible in terms of family economics or in terms of our nation\u2019s economics.\u201d\nH.R. 1 would repeal the deduction for state and local income and sales taxes, which would amount to a $900 billion tax increase on American families. Taxpayers in every bracket benefit from the state and local tax deduction. Almost 40 percent of taxpayers with incomes between $50,000 and $75,000 claim the deduction, and more than 70 percent of those making between $100,000 and $200,000 claim it. The state and local tax deduction supports investments in local law enforcement, first-responders, infrastructure, and a wide range of other services.\nThe legislation would also slash the medical expense deduction, which allows individuals with high healthcare costs to deduct medical expenses, above a certain threshold, from their taxes.\u00a0The current threshold is for medical expenses that exceed 10 percent of adjusted gross income. Almost 9 million tax filers use the medical expense deduction each year, and it is especially important to Americans age 50 and over. About 73 percent of those claiming the deduction reported income of $75,000 or less, and 52 percent of those claiming the deduction reported income of $50,000 or less.\nCongressman Gonzalez is committed to making higher education affordable and accessible for all. H.R. 1 eliminates the student loan interest deduction, raising taxes and putting the burden of student loans on current students and recent graduates. Currently, eligible individuals can claim up to $25,00 of what they paid toward their student loans. It is available to middle class families with an adjusted gross income of less than $80,000. Almost 12 million tax filers claim the student loan interest deduction every year.\nH.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a vote of 227 in favor and 205 against the legislation.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-gene-green-s-statement-gop-tax-scam", "Congressman Gene Greens Statement on GOP Tax Scam", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congressman Gene Green released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\n\u201cIt\u2019s a shame that the House Republican majority rushed to pass a tax bill knowing it will increase taxes for middle-class Americans and deliver a huge tax cut to the wealthiest households and multinational corporations. Republicans may pretend to hope that the money will trickle down to average Americans, but we know it didn\u2019t work in 1986, 2001, or 2003, and it surely won\u2019t work today.\nTo pay for the tax cuts for the rich, the Republican majority plans to eliminate tax deductions that millions of middle-class families claim annually and make deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which will lead to 36 million middle-class families paying more. I am particularly concerned about the elimination of the casualty loss deduction, which currently allows disaster victims in Houston and Harris County to write off the loss of their home, car and other property caused by Hurricane Harvey. \u00a0The Republican majority has thrown out its fiscal conservatism by irresponsibly adding to our nation\u2019s deficit by $1.5 trillion. And if that isn\u2019t bad enough, the Senate version will increase the number of insured Americans by 13 million simply by repealing the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act.\nThe last time America\u2019s tax system was overhauled was in 1986, but it was done on a bipartisan basis and took at least a year before there was a final vote. The Republicans this time around decided to jam a strictly partisan bill and shutout Democrats from the entire process. Americans deserve A Better Deal.\"\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/voting-against-a-tax-bill-that-hurts-middle-class-families-6e53de9082d7?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Voting Against a Tax Bill That Hurts Middle Class Families", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Voting Against a Tax Bill That Hurts Middle Class\u00a0Families Earlier today, the House voted on taxes. I voted no. H.R. 1, which ultimately passed, will cause inequality to grow and hurt the very people we so desperately need to be helping. This at a time when America has more wealth and income inequality than any other major developed county on earth. The gap between the very rich and everyone else is currently larger than at any point since the 1920s. H.R. 1 bets on trickle-down economics working when we know it doesn\u2019t. We know that providing billions of dollars in tax breaks to corporations and the richest Americans won\u2019t magically help middle class families. Rather, the exact opposite occurs. While nearly 50% of the cuts\u200a\u2014\u200aover $500 billion\u200a\u2014\u200aflows to the top 1%, this tax bill would cause 36 million households in the middle class to see their taxes rise. The rich get richer while the middle class pays up. The legislation would also repeal the state and local tax deduction. Texas could be uniquely impacted because of our state\u2019s high property taxes. More than 2.3 million homeowners across our state claim a tax credit to offset their property taxes. It adds up to $14.8 billion in relief for Texans. But under the new framework, the exemption would be eliminated. H.R. 1 also cuts dozens of other tax breaks that are critical for our state. This includes the medical expense deduction that millions of Americans use each year. Currently, if a medical expense costs over 10% of a taxpayer\u2019s income, it can be deducted on their taxes to help ensure they don\u2019t have to choose between debt and their health. The Texas AARP has made it clear that cutting this tax credit hurts seniors the most. Students are hit hard by this plan too. The bill forces them to count tuition benefits as taxable income and takes away their ability to write off their student loan interest. This leaves students not only trying to pay back loans but also trying to pay taxes on their interest. This will have a negative impact on those Texans using student loans, grants, and graduate work to afford the increasing costs of higher education. That\u2019s why Trinity, Rice, and Baylor University have all voiced their concerns. And the legislation even slams environmental efforts in our state. Nearly $11 billion worth of clean energy projects in Texas is threatened by slashing the wind energy production tax credit. Our state leads the nation in wind energy jobs with more than 24,000 reported in 2014. All of this while increasing the national debt by $1.5 trillion after rushing through a budget that would cut critical social programs masked as a way to lower it. Last month, I didn\u2019t support cutting Medicare by $500 billion, slashing Medicaid by $1 trillion, and a ploy to take $100 billion from Federal student loan programs. And today, I could not vote for a tax bill that would give the money cut from these programs to the very richest.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-veasey-works-at-local-airbus-manufacturing-plant", "Congressman Veasey Works at Local Airbus Manufacturing Plant", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Grand Prairie, TX \u2013 On Friday, November 17, 2017, Congressman Marc Veasey will roll up his sleeves to work on the production team at Airbus Helicopters Inc. in Grand Prairie, Texas. As part of Veasey's continued focus to bring jobs to the DFW Metroplex, Veasey will work at the prominent manufacturing plant's production line, conduct quality assurance, and participate in a flight test (weather permitting). Media is invited to attend.\n\nAirbus is an international pioneer in the aerospace industry consistently designing, manufacturing and delivering aerospace products, services and solutions to customers on a global scale. Airbus' Grand Prairie facility employs over 500 full-time employees with veterans representing approximately 40 percent of their workforce.\n\nSince March 2014, Veasey has worked at over 40 different places of employment within his district, learning firsthand about the diverse range of businesses contributing to the 33rd Congressional District of Texas' economy. Since beginning his constituent outreach initiative, Veasey has worked alongside employees representing a range of industries such as serving as a barista at a local Starbucks Coffee, working at a Frito-Lay plant, and bearing the Texas heat to work alongside the crew of AT&T Landscaping.\n\nThis event is open to press. RSVP is required.\n\nWHAT:\n\nCongressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, will work at Airbus Helicopters as part of \u2018Marc Means Business\" work day\n\nWHEN:\n\nFriday, November 17, 2017, from 1 PM to 4 PM CT\n\nWHERE:\n\nAirbus Helicopters, Inc.\n\n2701 Forum Drive\n\nGrand Prairie, TX 75052\n\nMEDIA RSVP REQUIRED:\n\nMedia is invited to join the Congressman during his workday from 1 PM - 4 PM CT but MUST RSVP by providing their full name as it appears on their government-issued ID to be placed on the admittance list. Please send this information to Nelly.Decker@mail.house.gov by 5:00 PM CT, Thursday, November 16.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-s-patriot-employer-act-would-fix-a-rigged-economy", "Rep. Veasey\u2019s Patriot Employer Act Would Fix A Rigged Economy", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C.\u2014As House Republicans gear up to vote on their devastating tax scam that keeps the system rigged against American workers and middle class families, Congressman Veasey, TX-33, touts the recently introduced Patriot Employer Act, that would provide a tax credit to companies who provide fair wages and a range of benefits to workers.\n\nUnlike the Republican tax scam, Blue Collar Caucus Member Jan Schakowsky's (IL-9) legislation, which Congressman Veasey co-sponsored, would not add to the national deficit because it also closes a tax loophole that corporations use to ship jobs overseas. The loophole costs the U.S. Treasury approximately $50 billion each year at a time when outsourced jobs and stagnant wages force more American families to turn to safety net programs to make ends meet.\n\n\"Blue collar workers are the backbone of our economy, but their efforts have not been rewarded even as corporate profits have skyrocketed, said Congressman Marc Veasey. \"That is why I'm proud to co-sponsor the Patriot Employer Act that rewards companies who keep good-paying jobs right here at home. This is the better deal hardworking families need, not a Republican tax scam that would tack on an expiration date for tax cuts for individuals while making big tax breaks for giant corporations permanent.\"\n\nAs a Co-Chair of the Blue Collar Caucus, Veasey continues to hold President Trump account for the promises he's made to the working people. As Co-Chair of the Access to Jobs Task Force, Congressman Veasey continues to be a voice for the American worker as House Republicans continue to stack the deck against them.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-to-host-annual-job-fair-to-fill-over-7000-jobs-at-local-dfw", "Rep. Veasey to Host Annual Job Fair to Fill Over 7,000 Jobs at Local DFW Metroplex Companies", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Fort Worth, TX \u2013On Friday, November 17, 2017, Congressman Marc Veasey will host his FREE Annual Job Fair from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Tarrant County College South Gymnasium located at 5301 Campus Drive in Fort Worth, Texas.\n\nThe annual employment event will offer participants the opportunity to meet over 75 potential employers looking to fill over 7,000 vacancies and to network with professionals representing a variety of fields such as public safety, manufacturing, service, health care, education and other industries.\n\nCongressman Veasey is pleased to welcome employers like Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Amazon, Alcon and PepsiCo-Frito Lay. Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County and other providers will also be on hand to offer FREE professional development workshops designed to enhance job seekers' chance of getting hired on topics including resume critiquing, networking, second chance employment, job search tips, and veteran-to-civilian transition.\n\nWHAT:\n\nU.S. Congressman Marc Veasey 5th Annual 33rd Congressional District Job Fair\n\nWHEN:\n\nFriday, November 17, 2017\n\n9:30 AM \u2013 1:00 PM\n\nWHERE:\n\nTarrant County College South Gymnasium\n\n5301 Campus Drive\n\nFort Worth, Texas\n\nMEDIA:\n\nThis event is open to the press. Media is invited to interview the Congressman. To RSVP, please contact Nelly Decker at Nelly.Decker@mail.house.gov or 202-225-9897.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/veasey-refuses-to-raise-taxes-on-working-class-families", "Veasey Refuses to Raise Taxes on Working Class Families", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. - Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 1, House Republican's tax bill that will raise taxes on the lowest earners and middle class families, eliminates popular tax deductions that benefit teachers, students, sick Americans and veterans and steals from Medicare and Medicaid while slashing tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy:\n\n\"Today, I voted against a tax reform plan that heartlessly targeted the pocketbooks of hardworking American families. Tax reform that affects millions of Americans should be accomplished in a bipartisan fashion to ensure fairness for all. That is why I provided my suggestions on how to improve the bill to help struggling families was ultimately blocked by House Republicans. My amendment would have added provisions to support the working class by strengthening families, assisting immigrants who want to become patriotic Americans, and incentivizing greater access to fresh, healthy food. In fact, consideration for all Democratic amendments were blocked in order to create their one-sided plan that favors big corporations instead of the hardworking Americans they vowed to protect.\n\nThe tax scam that House Republican Leadership has forced through Congress is anything but the type of tax reform that will benefit American workers. Their bill will raise taxes on millions of middle-class families, steal from Medicare and Medicaid to slash taxes for the wealthiest, and make it even easier for corporations to ship American jobs overseas. For Texans, the plan would cap property tax rate deductions at $10,000, hurt families with multiple children, and keep sick Texans from deducting their medical expenses, and raises taxes on families working hard to provide a better life for their children.\n\nThe ability to invest in our country's future is on the line and House Republicans have proven that they are willing to make teachers, students, veterans, working poor, and middle-class families suffer to ensure their corporate buddies are the only ones able to succeed in America.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://vela.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/press-release-vela-releases-statement-following-passage-republican-tax", "PRESS RELEASE: VELA RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF REPUBLICAN TAX CUT BILL", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Filemon Vela", "V000132", "vela.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "PRESS RELEASE: VELA RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF REPUBLICAN TAX CUT BILL\n\tWashington, DC \u2013\u00a0Representative Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) released the following statement following the passage of \u00a0H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\n\t\u201cToday, I stood against the Republican tax cut bill for corporations and the wealthiest in our nation.\u00a0 Supporters claimed that the bill would reform the tax system and provide significant tax relief for the middle class.\u00a0 The reality is that the small tax cuts for individuals are paired with the loss of many important tax provisions for working families including those that promote home ownership.\u00a0 Millions of American families will see their taxes go up \u2013 not down \u2013 if the Republican tax plan is signed into law.\u00a0 Adding to the imbalance of the bill toward corporate interests, the tax cuts for businesses would be permanently added to the tax code while reductions in tax rates for individual taxpayers are temporary.\u00a0 In their rush to provide a win for the embattled President, Congressional Republicans rammed through a tax cut bill that will increase our national debt, leaving a terrible legacy for our children and grandchildren. \u00a0I cast my vote against the Republican tax bill on behalf of South Texas working families.\u201d\n\t\u00a0\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://vela.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/vela-releases-statement-following-passage-republican-tax-cut", "Vela Releases Statement Following the Passage of Republican Tax Cut", "2017-11-16", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Filemon Vela", "V000132", "vela.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Representative Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) released the following statement following the passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:\nToday, I stood against the Republican tax cut bill for corporations and the wealthiest in our nation. Supporters claimed that the bill would reform the tax system and provide significant tax relief for the middle class. The reality is that the small tax cuts for individuals are paired with the loss of many important tax provisions for working families including those that promote home ownership. Millions of American families will see their taxes go up  not down  if the Republican tax plan is signed into law. Adding to the imbalance of the bill toward corporate interests, the tax cuts for businesses would be permanently added to the tax code while reductions in tax rates for individual taxpayers are temporary. In their rush to provide a win for the embattled President, Congressional Republicans rammed through a tax cut bill that will increase our national debt, leaving a terrible legacy for our children and grandchildren. I cast my vote against the Republican tax bill on behalf of South Texas working families.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401755", "Rep. Cuellars Bill to Rename Tilden Post Office Passes House", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today announced the successful passage of H.R. 1207, a bill he authored to rename the post office located at 306 River Street in Tilden, Texas, as the \u201cTilden Veterans Post Office.\u201d The bill passed the House and is now awaiting approval from the U.S. Senate.Speaking today on the House floor, Congressman Cuellar stressed the importance of naming this post office in honor of all veterans. \u201cAcross my district, there are many examples of fine men and women who have honorably served our country,\u201d Congressman Cuellar said. \u201cAn example would be Anselmo Villareal of Tilden, Texas. He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served a tour in Vietnam. He continues to serve others in a local veteran\u2019s service organization. We owe our freedoms to veterans like Mr. Villareal, which is why I am recognizing him, and all veterans, with the dedication of this post office.\u201d Congressman Cuellar also thanked local veteran caregivers for their service to those returning home from duty. \u201cI also thank the Veterans Services Office in McMullen County, one of many organizations that work tirelessly to provide the essential care to those who have returned home from service,\u201d Cuellar added.\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            \r\n            Congressman Cuellar speaks on the House Floor on Tuesday, November 14 in support of H.R. 1207, a bill he authored to name the Tilden post office the \u201cTilden Veterans Post Office.\u201d\r\n        \r\n    \r\n\r\n\r\n  \r\nClick here to watch video on Congressman Cuellar speaking on the House floor today.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reject-republican-tax-scam-say-no-alzheimer-s-tax-1", "Reject Republican Tax Scam, Say No to the Alzheimers Tax", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke three times on the House Floor against the House Republican tax bill (H.R. 1). Excerpts of Rep. Doggett\u2019s remarks are as follows, with links to his full speeches:\nRep. Doggett: \u201cOne Minute Longer Than All Hearings on Republican Tax Scam\u201d:\n\u201cOne minute\u2014only one minute?\u00a0 Well one minute is longer than all of the hearings held by Republicans on this sham of a tax bill \u2013 so broad in impact, yet so shallow in analysis. One minute \u2013 that is more time than any Trump Administration official had the courage to face our committee to be questioned about this lousy proposal.\u00a0\n\u201cOne minute\u2014 more time than all the businesses and economists to evaluate these far-reaching corporate giveaways. Why should a tax bill that\u2019s so broad get less hearing time that it takes to microwave popcorn? Haste does make waste. This tax plan, borne in the shadows, and rammed through committee and the House, will lay waste to family budgets, lay waste to affordable health care, and undermine national debt. The tax scam must be rejected.\u00a0If we speak out and remain firm in our resolve, we will defeat this sham of a bill.\u201d\nRep. Doggett on the Republican Tax Bill\u2019s \u201cAlzheimer\u2019s Tax\u201d:\n\u201cThis wretched Republican tax bill threatens the health of millions. It is amazing that on this Alzheimer\u2019s Awareness Month, they celebrate by imposing a new \u2018Alzheimer\u2019s tax.\u2019\u00a0Families paying thousands of dollars to care for a loved one would lose the right they have today to deduct those huge expenses, and it\u2019s not just a tax on Alzheimer\u2019s but on any substantial health care expense.\u00a0As if that weren\u2019t bad enough, in the Senate bill, they pursue their fanatical zeal to destroy Obamacare, and yet again would remove one of the key pillars that would lead to denying coverage for those with pre-existing conditions because their premiums will soar. It will mean millions of Americans will lose health care coverage. Protect your health. Reject this sorry Republican tax bill.\u201d\nRep. Doggett on Rejecting the Republican Tax Scheme & Protecting Health Care Access: \n\u201cIt was not only the courageous votes of John McCain, Susan Collins, and other Members in the Senate who stopped this wretched health care bill that passed through the House, but also that Americans kept saying: No, don\u2019t take the right that my family has to get access to a family physician. Don\u2019t take away my neighbors\u2019 or church members\u2019 right to get access to protect their family with health care. Today, we learn that the Senate tax bill is being changed to do just that. It is another assault on the Affordable Care Act. The Senate has declared that they will end forever the individual responsibility portions of the Affordable Care Act. Those are the provisions that ensure all Americans will participate, so that we have the largest risk pool and people don\u2019t sign up for coverage after they are sick and after they have a problem.\u201d\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-capitol-rep-doggett-joins-advocates-against-republican-tax-scam", "At U.S. Capitol, Rep. Doggett Joins Advocates Against Republican Tax Scam", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, participated in a gathering outside of the U.S. Capitol to urge rejection of the Republican tax scam (H.R. 1), which would jeopardize health care for millions and give tax breaks to the wealthiest few and multinational corporations. You may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full remarks taken on Facebook Live here. Excerpts of Rep. Doggett\u2019s remarks are as follows:\n\u201cYesterday, the Republicans realized that raising taxes on 36 million American households, which is what their bill does, wasn\u2019t enough. Now they\u2019ve come forward in the Senate with their fanatical zeal against Obamacare. It is a sneak attack to destroy one of the pillars of the Affordable Care Act \u2013 it will eventually mean that people with a pre-existing conditions and older Americans will not be able to afford health insurance. And it is with the same zeal that Americans speaking out will stop them in the United States Senate. We now have a chance to protect health care once again.\n\u201cWhy is it that Republicans need to tax so many, and do so much harm? It\u2019s all about financing tax cuts for those that are sitting way atop the economic ladder. And the giant multinational corporations that have exported so many American jobs think they\u2019re entitled to pay next to nothing for our national security, education, and justice systems. They have a giant new loophole in this bill to outsource American jobs. They provide an incentive for corporations to invest abroad instead of investing here in America. We will see a growth in jobs alright, but it will be in China, in Europe, and that\u2019s a mighty long commute for American workers. \u00a0I believe we need to treat everybody equally and not tax profits over there at less than profits get taxed here.\n\u201cWe need to focus on investing in people, on upgrading our skills, and providing more educational opportunity, knowing that we will be competitive if every American is able to obtain the education they need to achieve their full God-given potential. That\u2019s where Democrats are, and if we reject this bill, if we spread the message to our neighbors across this country, we can have a new day in America where we don\u2019t have tax shams, but we have greater opportunity for all Americans.\u201d\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-republicans-block-congressman-veasey-s-tax-amendment", "House Republicans Block Congressman Veasey\u2019s Tax Amendment", "2017-11-15", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 On Tuesday, November 14, 2017, House Republicans on the Rules Committee rejected an amendment offered by Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, to add provisions to the House Republican tax bill that would support the working class. Rep. Veasey's amendment would have strengthened families, assisted immigrants who want to become patriotic Americans, and incentivized greater access to fresh, healthy food.\n\n\"Once again House Republican Leadership stripped away any form of bipartisanship during the tax reform process. My amendment would have helped tip the scales from the current bill catering to just the super wealthy to helping working families and aspiring Americans,\" said Congressman Veasey. \"I am disappointed but not surprised that the Rules Committee rejected my amendment and other commonsense amendments that would have restored critical provisions for hardworking families.\"\n\nThe amendments offered by Congressman Veasey mimics legislation he introduced during the 115th Congress. The Grandparents Tax Credit Act of 2017 provides a $500 refundable tax credit to lessen the out-of-pocket costs that grandparents take when they serve as primary caregivers for their grandchildren. The Promise of Citizenship Act would reduce the out of pocket costs of successfully applying for U.S. citizenship by providing a $500 refundable tax credit for newly naturalized citizens. The Farmers Markets for Food Deserts Actensures that families living in food deserts have reliable access to fresh and nutritious foods year-round.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-in-response-to-2", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement In Response to Republicans Tax Bill Attacking Students, Graduates and Teachers", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement after new report shows 20,624 people in Texas will lose student loan interest deduction and 353,650 Texas teachers will lose deduction for buying school supplies: \n\u201cAffording an education is difficult enough in the 21st century economy,\u201d said Congresswoman Johnson. \u201cYet, this brutal Republican tax plan would bury many students and graduates under a mountain of debt. Young men and women who reached for the promise of higher education will face a heavier burden from their loans that will push their American Dreams further and further from reach.\u00a0If that weren\u2019t cruel enough, our teachers and schools will also face devastating new costs.\u201d\nH.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts, eliminates key deductions for students, young graduates and teachers across the country, just to hand deficit-exploding giveaways to the wealthiest Americans and corporations shipping jobs overseas. In the 30th district alone, 20,624 people will lose the student loan interest deduction under the Republican bill, according to a new analysis by the Center for American Progress. Altogether, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, the House Republican bill raises taxes on 36 million middle class families nationwide.\nThis bill also takes numerous steps that would harm millions of students, employees, and teachers, including by ripping away the lifeline of the student loan interest deduction that 12 million graduates rely on, ending lifetime learning credits, ending tax-free tuition assistance from employers and decimating the state and local tax deduction that helps fund our schools. The Republican bill also eliminates deductions for teachers who buy school supplies for their students, stripping a key deduction away from 353,650 teachers \u00a0in Texas.\u00a0\n\u201cEducating our young people is the most important investment government can make,\u201d said Congresswoman Johnson.\u00a0\u201cHow will Texas Republicans justify stealing from students and schools, just so they can write bigger checks for the super-rich and corporations shipping jobs overseas?\u00a0 The American people deserve real tax reform that puts the middle class first, not the insulting rip-off that Republicans are pushing in this Republican Tax Scam.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-paves-way-prescription-drug-savings-seniors-and-medicare", "Congressman Gonzalez Paves the Way for Prescription Drug Savings for Seniors and Medicare Beneficiaries", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) recently announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a finalized 2018 Quality Payment Program and Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), which includes a provision that modernizes the Medicare payment system to increase competition and opportunity for innovation of biosimilars. A biosimilar product is highly comparable to a biological product that provides the potential to yield the same effects at a lower cost.\nIn May, Congressman Gonzalez, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Congressman Joe Barton (TX-06), and nearly 50 other members of Congress sent a letter to the then-Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, and CMS Administrator, Seema Verma, urging CMS to reevaluate each individual biosimilar and assign a unique combined code for payment and identification.\n\u201cThe biosimilar marketplace is new and vibrant, and given the opportunity, can give Medicare patients lower prices for prescription drugs,\u201d Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cI thank Administrator Verma for taking the opportunity to revise the biosimilar reimbursement policy in the PFS for 2018 and look forward to seeing first-hand the positive changes it will have on Medicare beneficiaries.\u201d\u00a0\nSince the enactment of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCIA), the market for biosimilars has seen an increase in competition with innovative biologics. By modernizing Medicare reimbursements and allowing these competitive rates to flourish, patients can reap the benefits of more options and affordable prices.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-gonzalez-and-royce-kickstart-bipartisan-effort-crack-down-money", "Congressmen Gonzalez and Royce Kickstart Bipartisan Effort to Crack Down on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Monday, Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Ed Royce (CA-39) introduced the bipartisan Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Modernization Act or the AML and CTF Modernization Act to strengthen the United States Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) system.\u00a0\nThe bill would expand the ability of financial institutions to share suspicious activity reports within their organization to improve enterprise-wide risk management, and would require the Department of the Treasury to improve qualitative feedback for financial institutions and Federal financial regulators on their AML/CTF efforts. \u201cMoney laundering poses a serious threat to the legitimacy and stability of our local, national, and international financial institutions,\u201d Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cThe Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Modernization Act establishes a protocol that allows banks to share targeted information without liability; requires regulators to produce rulings that will advance financial institutions\u2019 ability to abide by Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing regimes; and will require the U.S. Department of the Treasury to share helpful Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing intelligence that would empower our financial institutions to fight against money launderers. Enacting this important legislation will bolster the transparency and efficiency of our financial system while enhancing our ability to prevent money laundering schemes in a timely manner.\u201d\u00a0\nLastly, the legislation would improve the U.S. Department of the Treasury\u2019s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network\u2019s (FinCEN) administrative rulings process and require the Department to explore the potential for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies to help detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.\n\u201cFinancial criminals and terrorists have evolved in the decades since our anti-money laundering regime was built but our regulatory structure hasn\u2019t kept pace,\u201d Congressman Royce said. \u201cBy some estimates, nearly 70 percent of spending on AML compliance is focused on inputs over outcomes. This does little to thwart criminal syndicates, rogue nations, and terrorist networks but it strips away resources that could be better spent on new technologies and other innovations to support our national security. The AML and CTF Modernization Act will refocus our regime on quality over quantity and the use of new tools to assist law enforcement.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gene-green-provision-included-passage-2018-national-defense", "Rep. Gene Green Provision Included in Passage of 2018 National Defense Authorization Act", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Today, the House of Representatives passed the Conference Report on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a bipartisan defense policy bill that authorizes $692 billion in defense spending in fiscal year 2018. Included in the authorization is a provision based on legislation introduced by Reps. Green (D-TX) and Rob Wittman (R-VA), H.R. 2286, the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act.\nThe Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act was introduced in May 2017 and was successfully added as an amendment to the NDAA during the committee markup. It will authorize the U.S. Maritime Administration to designate and provide assistance to certain community colleges and workforce training centers as \u201ccenters of excellence\u201d that provide valuable skills in the maritime sector. The provision, Section 3507, will advance the capabilities of two-year community and technical colleges to expand the talent pipeline for domestic maritime industry jobs at the Port of Houston and other ports around the country. \u00a0\n\u201cWe have a surplus of good-paying maritime jobs in our district and not enough people with the skills and training to fill them,\u201d said Green. \u201cThe industry is continuing to invest and grow along the Port of Houston. We need to make sure that members of our community have the opportunity to secure these highly skilled jobs. This bipartisan legislation will go far to help bridge the gap. It\u2019s good for our local community, it\u2019s good for our businesses, and it\u2019s good for the American economy.\u201d\nOther provisions in the 2018 NDAA include:\n A much deserved 2.4 percent pay increase and extension of special pay and bonuses for service members.\n\tSupport for military families by prohibiting the proposed reduction in inpatient care for military medical treatment facilities located outside the United States.\n\tProvisions to strengthen deterrence against Russian aggression\n\tAcknowledging climate change is a direct threat to U.S. national security interests and requires a report on vulnerabilities to military installations and commands.\n A copy of the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act can be found HERE.\n\u00a0###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/protecting-castner-range-for-generations-to-come-93838bb23f61?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Protecting Castner Range For Generations to Come", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Protecting Castner Range For Generations to\u00a0Come Castner Range is a 7,081 acre open space surrounded by the Franklin Mountains State Park in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert. You would recognize Castner by its annual display of golden poppies. But this crown jewel of West Texas also helps us conserve El Paso\u2019s precious aquifers that lie beneath it, preserve more than 40 archaeological and historical sites that date as far back as 10,000 years and safeguard its one-of-a-kind vegetation and wildlife. Today, the House of Representatives passed my proposal to protect Castner Range for generation to come.Castner Range helps welcome visitors to our Washington, DC\u00a0officeThe provision will conserve ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational and scientific resources within Castner Range. The legislation also ensures that there will be no commercial enterprise, permanent or temporary road, use of motor vehicles or aircrafts and structure, building or installation of any kind on the land. And it preserves an important former military training facility\u200a\u2014\u200aa reflection of El Paso\u2019s strong relationship to Fort Bliss and its longstanding military and veterans\u2019 community. Working with the House Armed Services Committee, I advocated for a provision protecting Castner Range to be added to this year\u2019s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). What is now spelled out in Section 2846 of the NDAA began as a proposal this past summer, is expected to also pass the Senate before the end of the year, and will then make its way to the White House to become law. Our community in El Paso has been fighting to conserve Castner Range since 1971. This victory for Texas couldn\u2019t have happened without the work of environmental advocates throughout the state. I want to leave you with a few of their thoughts on today\u2019s news: \u201cAt a time when the White House is rolling back conservation efforts, threatening to scale back our national parks and working to confirm climate change skeptics to environmental councils, today\u2019s news about protecting Castner Range for generations to come is the example we need. Conserving Castner Range not only shows the power of grassroots environmental groups but the determination of our advocates like Representative O\u2019Rourke to forge ahead with environmental protections during a hostile Trump administration.\u201d\u200a\u2014\u200aElizabeth Doyel, Executive Director of the Texas League of Conservation Voters \u201cFor over 30 years this borderland community has been pushing for the protection of an iconic El Paso landmark, our Castner Range. With the unwavering commitment of Congressman O\u2019Rourke, Castner can no longer be sold off to the highest bidder but rather will continue to educate El Paso youth and the surrounding communities of its rich history.\u201d\u200a\u2014\u200aAngel Pena, Rio Bravo Program Director for the Conservation Lands Foundation \u201cEl Paso has been seeking to conserve Castner Range since 1971, and now with the help of Congressman Beto O\u2019Rourke we are one major step closer to realizing our community\u2019s vision of a preserved and intact Castner Range National Monument.\u201d\u200a\u2014\u200aJanae\u2019 Reneaud Field, Executive Director of the Frontera Land Alliance", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gene-green-announces-he-will-not-seek-reelection", "Rep. Gene Green announces he will not seek reelection", "2017-11-13", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congressman Green (D-TX) released the following statement on his decision to not seek reelection:\n\u201cServing as an elected official is one of the greatest honors our country can bestow on a person. I have been blessed and fortunate to serve almost 46 years in elected office. Since 1973, I have served as a Texas State Representative for 13 years, Texas State Senator for seven years and since 1993 as a member of the United States Congress. Our family has known politics and public service throughout their lives. My wife, Helen, has been a partner every step of the way for our 47 years of marriage.\u00a0\u00a0\nThe goal of every elected official should be to serve and help your constituency to have a better life for their families. I am proud of sponsoring events in our district such as having Immunization Day each year for the past 20 years to provide free vaccinations for children and Citizenship Day each year for the past 22 years to help legal residents to become citizens of our great country. We have also held Job Fairs twice a year to help people find employment and Paying for College Workshops to help students find the resources to allow them to afford to go to college. At home or in Washington my goal is to impact legislation for the benefit of our constituents. Serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee helped to put a Texas view on the expansion of Health Care access and expand job opportunities in our district.\nWe have held many town hall meetings each year and have been accessible to people in our district. Our staff in Houston and Washington has been dedicated to helping our constituents with problems in many different areas such as Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and Immigration. I have been blessed to have such a dedicated staff to help me do the job of a Member of Congress.\nI have been fortunate to have never lost an election since 1972 and I am confident that I still have the support of my constituents and would be successful if I ran for another term in Congress. However, I have decided that I will not be filing for re-election in 2018. I think that it is time for me to be more involved in the lives of our children and grandchildren. I have had to miss so many of their activities and after 26 years in Congress it is time to devote more time to my most important job of being a husband, father, and grandfather.\nI and our staff will continue to serve our district until our term is over at the end of 2018.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/in-the-news/cattle-raisers-bring-tick-problem-trump-administration", "Cattle raisers bring tick problem to Trump administration", "2017-11-10", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Environmental protections for wildlife at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge near the border in South Texas are also safeguarding one of the U.S. beef industry\u2019s worst enemies: the cattle fever tick.\nTexas lawmakers appealed on behalf of the state\u2019s ranchers to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for help containing the deadly pest in a Nov. 1 letter that sought assistance from the Trump administration, saying the Obama administration had not taken adequate steps against the spread of infestation. The fever tick carries bovine babesiosis, a blood disease that in the late 1800s nearly wiped out the U.S. cattle herd and caused other states to shun or restrict cattle from Texas. Once eradicated in all but a narrow zone along the U.S.-Mexico border, the tick has in recent years been found increasingly farther inland.\nThe fever tick is spreading unchecked on the 98,000-acre coastal preserve, which attracts bird-watchers from around the world and is home to some of the last of the nation\u2019s wild ocelots. It\u2019s been problematic for tick control as it is a protected natural habitat that nearly touches Mexico, making it easy for tick-carrying wildlife such as nilgai, a nonnative antelope, to spread the tick from Mexico. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which falls under the U.S. Department of the Interior.\n\u201cThe Refuge is in the center of the tick infestations and (Fish and Wildlife Service) has not taken adequate steps to control its infestation of fever ticks on nilgai antelope and other wildlife,\u201d according to a news release accompanying the letter by U.S. Reps. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, and Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, and backed by Texas\u2019 entire congressional delegation. \u201cThe congressmen request that the FWS develop and execute a plan to combat the spread of the fever tick from Laguna Atascosa to bordering properties.\u201d\nWhat\u2019s now the Texas Animal Health Commission was established in 1893 to address the problem. In 1943, the ticks were declared eradicated from the U.S. save for the permanent quarantine zone along the Rio Grande. But in recent years, the ticks have increasingly been found outside that zone, prompting expanded quarantines in border counties and temporary quarantine zones in counties farther north.\nWhile the U.S. has strict rules requiring infected animals to be quarantined and treated to keep the ticks from spreading, Mexico does not. And nilgai, cattle and other hosts for the tick sometimes roam across the border from Mexico, compromising ongoing eradication efforts such as systematic treatment or moving cattle out of infested pastures.\n\u201cAn outbreak of infected ticks could ultimately result in as much as 90 percent loss of susceptible cattle,\u201d the congressmen said in the letter. \u201cTherefore, the spread of the fever tick poses a major threat to the entire United States livestock industry and economy.\u201d\nSince Texas is the nation\u2019s leading state in cattle production, the ramifications of a babesiosis outbreak could be huge. Arrington said even a small outbreak outside the quarantine zone could cost about $120 million in the first year alone. According to the USDA, an extended tick outbreak could cost U.S. ranchers and the broader economy more than $1.2 billion in extermination expenses and lost revenue from diseased animals.\nIn late November of last year, Texas animal health inspectors found fever ticks on a bull on a Live Oak County farm \u2014 about 110 miles north from the Mexico border. By January, the ticks had been found on seven neighboring premises, prompting the TAHC to set up a temporary \u201cControl Purpose Quarantine Area.\u201d It was the fourth such quarantine zone, following ones set up in Willacy, Kleberg and Jim Wells counties.\nAs of this month, the TAHC was reporting more than 700,000 acres in Texas under various types of fever tick quarantines that have been set outside of the permanent quarantine zones. With the permanent zones, more than 1.3 million acres are under quarantine, the congressmen said, to include more than 200 infected premises and more than 2,000 ranches that have been exposed to infested cattle or are adjacent to infestations.\nThe discovery in Live Oak prompted suspicions that ticks are catching rides north on the backs of white-tailed deer and nilgai, which can wander long distances and leap over ranch fences.\n\u201cEpidemiological investigations and genetic analysis of fever ticks in infested areas continue and have not identified the \u201csource\u201d of the fever ticks in Live Oak County,\u201d T.R. Lansford, TAHC\u2019s assistant executive director of animal health programs, said in an email. \u201cTAHC and USDA continue the investigations and analyses, but it is possible we will not find a definitive source.\u201d\nIt\u2019s estimated that 70 percent of white-tailed deer and nearly 70 percent of nilgai on Laguna Atascosa are infested, prompting officials to require animals killed by hunters be tested and skinned on site, freezing the heads that are kept for mounting for 24 hours to kill the ticks. In recent years, the USDA has contracted with helicopters and sharp shooters for aerial attacks that have so far killed hundreds of the nilgai. The refuge has also offered public hunting opportunities for nilgai and white-tailed deer, had controlled burns and allowed the use of corn treated with ivermectin, which targets parasites, in deer feeders on nearby private property.\nThe Obama administration disallowed the use of ivermectin on private properties near the refuge, and members of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association say the other measures haven\u2019t been enough.\nThe Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association \u201cbelieves this suspension and the current state of inaction are unacceptable given the seriousness of the issue,\u201d J.D. Cage, chairman of the TSCRA Fever Tick Subcommittee, said in a June 2016 Cattlemen\u2019s Column.\nJeremy Fuchs, the group\u2019s spokesman, said the USDA has already conducted an environmental assessment that found no significant impact with using corn treated with ivermectin on the refuge. He said other requests included further reducing wildlife populations and introducing a small cattle herd that has been treated to attract and kill the ticks.\nLaramie Adams, national legislative director for the Texas Farm Bureau, said stakeholders were hopeful the new administration would be willing to collaborate with state and other federal agencies on the methods.\n\u201cCattle are the number one preferred host for the fever tick. And then wildlife are secondary hosts,\u201d he said. \u201cWell, then you can gather and treat cattle. You can\u2019t do that with a bunch of nilgai antelope, that\u2019s pretty much a given.\u201d\nAdams added that FWS had allowed ivermectin-treated corn on properties near the refuge for more than 20 years, but under the previous administration suspended it.\n\u201cIn general, it\u2019s hard to completely eradicate the fever tick if you have a tract of land as big as the Laguna Atascosa,\u201d Adams said. \u201cSo it\u2019s good that we have a new administration, leaders of the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of the Interior that are working with agencies and all the stakeholders to finally get something done on the fever tick.\u201d\nThe service said it was allowing the use of ivermectin in deer feeders on private properties and was considering the other suggested methods.\n\u201cThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Texas Animal Health Commission to aggressively eradicate cattle fever ticks on Service lands,\u201d the agency said in a statement. \u201cWe continue to work with our partners, local communities, and governmental agencies on eradication efforts.\u201d\nThat would be welcome to ranchers like Live Oak County\u2019s Harriet Lamm, who\u2019s on the edge of one of the quarantine zones and must have any cattle she wants to move or sell inspected and dipped in a pesticide mixture.\nSince her area escaped the wrath of Hurricane Harvey, she\u2019s hopeful the otherwise hot, dry summer and fall kept the tick population down so that the quarantine will be lifted as early as April.\n\u201cThe eggs are pretty good survivors, but it being dry and really hot that has helped during the summer \u2026 It keeps the eggs from surviving,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s the only way dry is good for the ranchers.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/in-the-news/measure-expand-energy-development-outer-continental-shelf-federal-lands-gains", "Measure to expand energy development on outer continental shelf, federal lands gains committee approval", "2017-11-10", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House Natural Resources Committee approved legislation on Wednesday that would modernize mineral resource practices and overhaul permitting processes to promote energy development on the outer continental shelf (OCS) and onshore federal acreage.\nThe full committee approved the Strengthening the Economy with Critical Untapped Resources (SECURE) American Energy Act, H.R. 4239, after the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources heard testimony from energy industry stakeholders during a hearing on Tuesday.\n\u201cThe SECURE American Energy Act provides a multifaceted approach to improving access and management of our nation\u2019s valuable energy sources,\u201d U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), the chairman of the subcommittee, said during the hearing. \u201cThese proposals provide a blueprint for energy dominance on our nation\u2019s lands.\u201d\nOpening up the OCS for energy development would generate an estimated $200 billion in revenue for the country and drive the creation of as many as 840,000 jobs.\nConsumer Energy Alliance President David Holt testified about the impact the bill would have on small businesses and families across the country, noting that energy is a \u201ckey economic driver.\u201d\n\u201cToo much of our national discussion appears to try and divide into a forced choice between protecting the environment or meeting our energy needs,\u201d Holt said. \u201cWe fundamentally disagree with this argument. Our great nation can, and must, meet our environmental challenges and our energy needs.\u201d\nIt took an average of 257 days for the Bureau of Land Management to issue applications for permits to drill in 2016, while state agencies issued applications for permits in an average of 30 days.\n\u201cPermitting inefficiencies, nontransparent bonding pronouncements and unilateral presidential withdrawals have all created considerable uncertainty for OCS operators,\u201d Eric Smith, the professor of practice and associate director of the Tulane Energy Institute in the A. B. Freeman School of Business, said. \u201cUncertainty that remains is actively discouraging new development.\u201d\nLynn Helms, the director of the North Dakota Industrial Commission in the Department of Natural Resources, called H.R. 4239 a \u201crare opportunity\u201d to choose \u201cbetter government instead of bigger government\u201d during the hearing.\nThe bipartisan bill was introduced by U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise (R-LA), the House majority whip, Rob Bishop (R-UT), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX).", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/republican-bill-full-secrets-and-corporate-giveaways", "Republican Bill Full of Secrets and Corporate Giveaways", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, questioned Chairman Brady during the Republican Tax Bill (H.R. 1) mark-up on the secrecy of a new manager\u2019s amendment that would alter the bill. You may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech here. A portion of Rep. Doggett remarks are as follows:\n\u201cHere we are on the fourth day of hearings, and every single Democratic amendment has been rejected, with absolutely amazing circus-level contortions by some of our Republican friends explaining why they are voting against something their constituents support. \u00a0\n\u201cThe only thing that has changed the cost of this bill is an amendment the Republican Chairman has offered, and it added a big gift to multinational corporations. Now it exceeds the budget limit, and that\u2019s the purported excuse for needing to have another manager\u2019s amendment \u2013 to correct what we were not told the first one did.\n\u201cIf we withdrew every single one of our amendments that you will vote against anyway, are you ready to present us your manager\u2019s amendment and tell us what secrets you\u2019re hiding there?\n\u201cWould we have an opportunity to see your secret proposal that you\u2019ve worked out here in the backrooms with the Washington special interests that won out with your amendment #1, with the big giveaway to corporate America and multinational offshoring?\n\u201cI assume you\u2019re still not ready to present the manager\u2019s amendment to correct the fiscal irresponsibility of the first giveaway to corporate America.\u201d\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-bill-two-scoops-trump-billionaires-rest-can-lick-bowl", "Tax Bill: Two Scoops for Trump & Billionaires, the Rest Can Lick the Bowl", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke during the mark-up of the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1) after Chairman Brady introduced a last-minute 22-page manager\u2019s amendment that would change the bill yet again. You may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech here. \u00a0Rep. Doggett said:\n\u201cI don\u2019t attend social events at the White House \u2013 I\u2019m not interested in spending time with a President who attacks my constituents. But I have read that when it comes time to serve dessert, the President likes ice cream. But he always insists on him getting two scoops and the others at the table getting one. There is a lot of similarity in that dessert practice and what is being served up here today.\n\u201cIf you look at where the money is on the individual side, the most expensive parts are the alternative minimum tax and the estate tax. Those are Donald Trump\u2019s personal dips, and those are big dips.\n\u201cAs a matter of fact, he gets a third scoop of ice cream \u2013 because the pass-through provisions are those he\u2019s used in the past in his real-estate deals. He gets a big bowl of ice cream and the American people end up getting to lick the bowl and pay for the ice cream. $2.3 trillion dollars of additional debt will go right down on the American people with so little benefit for them.\n\u201cThe issues here are not\u00a0whether we will take away from someone, but whether we will create more opportunity for all Americans to share in the American dream. We believe that the better way to grow our economy is to invest in Americans, to invest in American jobs, to give more educational opportunity, to honor the contributions of Dreamers and many of our immigrants make here in America. Those are sure-tested ways to grow America.\n\u201cWhat we are presented with this trickle-down approach of giving most of the benefits to Donald Trump and his buddies has failed to grow American time after time. All it grows is speeches at Republican conventions, not the American economy.\n\u201cAs for the process, we tend to look at it from this side of the table \u2013 our request for hearings this past year have been rejected, President Trump and his Administration didn\u2019t have the courage to testify before us and answer questions, the bill was dropped on us at the last minute, with a manager\u2019s amendment at the end of Monday and a manager\u2019s amendment today in which the Chairman won\u2019t explain its provisions, what it costs, what it would do and we don\u2019t have anyone here to explain it. But it\u2019s not from looking at this side of the table that counts. It\u2019s from looking at the other side of the table. The side of the table that so many people across America are looking at this and trying to figure out: what good does this do for me and my family. The answer to most of them is not anything, except giving you the opportunity to pay for more debt. This whole process is about a bill so bad, so wretched, that they fear the involvement not just of us as Members of this Committee on a fair and democratic basis, but they fear the examination of this bill by the American people.\n\u201cThat\u2019s why they pass it today, in this contrived way, and they will bring it up on the House Floor next week. It is only by the American people getting involved, contacting their representatives, by demanding fairness in this bill, that we have the opportunity to reject it \u2013 as must be done.\u201d\nRep. Doggett previously spoke on the secrecy surrounding Chairman Brady\u2019s new manager\u2019s amendment introduced today. You may view that speech here.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-in-honor-of-1", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement in Honor of Veterans Day", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement in honor of veterans in our community and across the country as we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day. This Saturday, November 11, is Veterans Day when Congresswoman Johnson will co-host a veterans appreciation event: \n\u201cI am very grateful for the sacrifices made by our current service members and veterans in our community, including the more than 105,000 veterans in Dallas County alone,\u201d said Congresswoman Johnson. \u201cThese men and women of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard are the real heroes who\u00a0continue to put their lives on the line. Our veterans and their family members deserve our profound gratitude and respect. We are indebted to their willingness to serve and protect our freedom every day.\u201d\n\u201cAs a granddaughter, daughter, niece, wife and sister of a veteran,\u00a0I have stood by veterans my entire life and will continue to ensure that they receive the benefits they have hard earned for their service to this great country. We must protect their access to affordable and quality healthcare, and provide them with the resources needed to pursue educational opportunities and quality jobs and when they return home. So, I remain committed to supporting legislation that protects veterans and their families.\u201d\nCongresswoman Johnson continued to discuss her plans for Veterans Day, \u201cI hope that you will join me this weekend by honoring our veterans and service members who have given so much to this nation by participating in Vet Fest at the Historic Nance Farm on Saturday, November 11th.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/mental-health-screenings-before-transitioning-out-of-military-service-9e56385a211f?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Mental Health Screenings For All Service Members Before They Transition to Civilian Life", "2017-11-09", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Mental Health Screenings For All Service Members Before They Transition to Civilian\u00a0Life Service members scheduled to be separated from active duty are required to undergo a physical examination immediately before transitioning to civilian life. However, there is currently no requirement that they be examined by a mental health professional. This leaves a massive, and too often lethal, gap in how we evaluate the health and well being of our veterans. In June, I offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would close this gap. The change would ultimately require a mental health assessment before transitioning out of the military. Today, we learned that the amendment has been approved and will appear in the final version of the NDAA. Both the House and Senate will vote on the legislation this year. Ensuring that our service members receive comprehensive mental healthcare evaluations prior to returning to civilian life is critically important because doing so increases the chances we get veterans the treatment they need. We have an utterly unacceptable crisis in suicide among veterans. More than 20 a day are taking their own lives after bravely putting those same lives on the line for our country. These veterans are fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters\u200a\u2014\u200aAmericans who made great sacrifices for our country. Their deaths are an epidemic that we must\u200a\u2014\u200aand can\u200a\u2014\u200astop. Doing so first requires tearing down the stigma that surrounds mental health and PTSD. We know that too many of our service members don\u2019t seek voluntary evaluations or worry that doing so will somehow make them less heroic. Our amendment makes these evaluations routine, and introduces service members to the topic of mental health before they separate. Given what these veterans have laid down for this country, what they have done for the United States, making us stronger and better, serving at less than 1% since 9/11 so that so many others do not have to serve, the least we can do is to make sure that they have access to the care that they have earned. I will continue to advocate for mandatory mental health screenings before transition, and for improving the all-around well being of veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-defends-johnson-amendment-preserves-integrity-independence", "Rep. Doggett Defends Johnson Amendment that Preserves Integrity & Independence of Religious Organizations", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, defended the Johnson Amendment, in support of Congressman John Lewis\u2019s (D-GA) amendment, which would restore the 63-year standard that prohibits religious, non-profit, charitable, and related organizations from engaging in political activities. You may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech here.\u00a0A portion of Rep. Doggett\u2019s remarks in Committee are below:\n\u201cWe don\u2019t need a First Church of Political Expediency, or a United Congregation of Available Political Endorsements, or a Megachurch of Mega PACs, and that\u2019s where this bill would lead. \u00a0\n\u201cWhat President Johnson as a senator did, was to ensure that political activity cannot be done with tax-deductible funds. There is enough damage already done to our elections laws and campaign laws \u2013 let\u2019s not involve our places of worship to become manipulated by wealthy donors and partisan interests to change them from their valued religious purpose.\u201d\nMore than 4,500 charities and over 100 religious leaders have voiced their support for maintaining the Johnson Amendment.\nYou may also view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his amendment to restore critical education deductions eliminated in H.R. 1, introduced this morning, here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs amendment, introduced yesterday, here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his Motion to Postpone amendment, introduced Monday, here.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-introduces-amendment-restore-education-deductions", "Rep. Doggett Introduces Amendment to Restore Education Deductions", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\t\t\t\tNovember 8, 2017\u00a0\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tContact: Jaimie Woo\n\t\t\t\t(202) 225-4865\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\u00a0\n\u00a0\nRep. Doggett Introduces Amendment to Restore Education Deductions\n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, introduced an amendment to restore critical education deductions \u2013 including the Student Loan Interest deduction, Teacher Expenses deduction, and Tuition and Fees deduction \u2013 that the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1) would eliminate. Rep. Doggett\u2019s amendment would also simplify and expand the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). A portion of Rep. Doggett\u2019s remarks in Committee are below and a link to his full remarks follow: \u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cWith the economic evidence so clear, that the Republican tax bill is a job killer \u2013 that it will not grow our economy \u2013 we look to alternatives to accomplish growth in our economy and create jobs here. My alternative centers on investing in people. Instead of investing in people and education, this Republican bill takes away those education tax incentives and benefits.\n\u00a0\n\u201cIf you look at the class of 2016, proud graduates throwing their caps in the air, two-thirds of them graduated not only with a diploma, but with a burden of debt. The average debt for those students in 2016 is $35,000 \u2013 those are the students who benefit from being able to deduct the interest on their loans that Republicans would deny them.\n\u00a0\n\u201cIn addition to getting us back to even and restoring the $65-67 billion in cuts Republicans make, we adopt the same simplification program to the American Opportunity Tax Credit that I have worked on since 2009. Instead of taking away from that program, we use the savings from simplification to expand and enhance the program so that more students will have genuine opportunity, and that we will not see financial burden as a reason that every young person does not get the education for which they are willing to work.\u201d\n\u00a0\nH.R. 1 would repeal above-the-line deductions for interest payments on qualified education loans and tuition and related expenses. It would also eliminate the $250 above-the-line deduction for teachers\u2019 out-of-pocket expenses, the employer-provided education assistance deduction, and the U.S. Savings Bonds interest deduction. It would further eliminate $17.3 billion in tax relief from the AOTC.\n\u00a0\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his amendment, here. The full text of the amendment can be found here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs amendment, introduced yesterday, here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his Motion to Postpone amendment, introduced yesterday, here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/republican-amendment-ambush-157-billion-multinational-giveaway", "Republican Amendment by Ambush is $157 Billion Multinational Giveaway", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke during the Republican Tax Bill (H.R. 1) mark-up concerning how the Republican\u2019s last-minute amendment is a $157 billion giveaway to multinational corporations. You may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech here. \u00a0Rep. Doggett said:\n\u201cOn Monday, five and a half hours after this Committee began, the Chairman urged adoption of a 33-page amendment no Democrat had ever seen before [Amendment 1]. He would not tell us what was in this amendment, what it cost, nor would he permit us even five minutes to review this complex amendment outside of the committee.\n\u201cMr. Levin correctly called this a \u2018mockery\u2019 of the committee, that essentially placed us under \u2018authoritarian\u2019 rule. I have now reviewed that surprise amendment and the Joint Taxation Committee analysis \u2013 it is a $157 billion gift to multinational tax dodgers\u2014particularly the Koch brothers and big Wall Street banks.\u00a0$157 billion of the total $160 billion cost of this amendment presented in secret endeavors, is to tax attorneys who can find more ways in foreign islands to avoid paying taxes. The Republicans have eroded 95 percent of the \u2018base erosion\u2019 provisions of their original bill.\n\u201cWith the same $157 billion that is a corporate giveaway \u2013 the medical expense deduction for middle class families, the student loan interest deduction to help with loans that are burdening so many students, the out-of-pocket cost of teachers across America, the adoption tax credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit to help veterans and others get back in our workforce \u2013 all of those could have been included in this bill and still would have left a billion or two left to spare.\n\u201cAnd now Republicans apparently plan another amendment by the Chair\u2014another amendment by ambush to significantly change this bill. This will only lead to more wrongs because the debate on the entire bill will close before we ever have the cost analysis or the full implications on what any of these last minute changes do.\u201d\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-after-co-hosting", "Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement after Co-Hosting Blue Collar STEM Briefing", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Eddie Johnson", "J000126", "ebjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement today after co-hosting a briefing with Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), entitled Blue Collar STEM: The Future of the U.S. Workforce. The briefing was organized to demonstrate a commitment by policymakers to support efforts to modernize our approach to workforce training and help steer young leaders into fields that will enable them to compete in a global economy. This event was organized with her co-chair of the CBC Technology and Infrastructure Development Task Force, Congresswoman Val Demings: \n\u201cThe discussion surrounding the future our of workforce and the skills necessary to succeed in a 21st century economy is one that must continue,\u201d said Congresswoman Johnson. \u00a0\u201cWhen we discuss opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and the future of our workforce, the conversation should also be inclusive of those who have chosen to pursue a two-year degree or vocational training.\u00a0 Every person deserves the opportunity to participate in our economy.\u201d\n\u201cThis is the first in a series of events aimed at highlighting the importance and value of blue collar STEM fields and what it means to include traditionally underrepresented segments of the population.\u00a0 It is my personal commitment to join my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus and others in Congress to ensure that every American has the tools they need to excel in these new fields.\u201d\nThe following individuals participated in the panel: Dr. Victor McCrary, Vice President for Research and Economic Develop, Morgan State University and National Science Board Member; Dr. Steve McGee, President of The Learning Partnership; Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer at Code.org; and Jacqueline E. Rodriguez, Program Associate at Opportunity@Work. \u00a0The briefing was moderated by Spencer Overton, President of The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.\nTo watch the briefing, click here.\u00a0\nPictures from the briefing, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-spotlights-new-tax-analysis-gop-will-raise-taxes-12-million", "Rep. Green Spotlights New Tax Analysis: GOP Will Raise Taxes on 1.2 Million Middle Class Households in Texas", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Following a state-by-state assessment conducted by the non-partisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Congressman Green today released information finding that the Ryan-McConnell tax bill will increase taxes for 1.2 million households in Texas earning $75,180, an average of $650 increase per household.\n\u201cAfter looking at the tax plan released by my GOP colleagues, I do not believe it will be good for the country or for the 29th District of Texas, and I cannot support it,\u201d said Green. \u201cWhile there may be some short-term, slight tax decreases for some, most of the benefit by far will go to the wealthy and to large businesses. In the long term, I fear the bill\u2019s impacts will be even worse for the low-income and the middle class.\u201d\nThe Ryan-McConnell tax bill eliminates vital tax deductions used by millions of middle-class families nationwide.\u00a0 The GOP bill would begin double taxing families\u2019 income by dismantling the State and Local Tax Deduction, impose a new cap on the mortgage interest deduction that hurts future homebuyers and drives down home values, eliminate the student loan interest deduction and critical job training credits, and eliminate the vital medical expense deduction relied on by families with sick children and by seniors with long-term care needs.\nMeanwhile, under the Ryan-McConnell bill, corporations would get new incentives for shipping American jobs overseas.\u00a0 Corporate America would also get vast, permanent tax breaks, in addition to being allowed to keep certain deductions that Republicans eliminate for individuals and families \u2013 such as the State and Local Tax Deduction.\n\u201cI\u2019m also afraid of where the GOP thinks they can find the money to help pay for this plan,\u201d said Green. \u201cMore than likely, that money will come from programs for the low-income and the elderly. Where is that concern about the deficit now? I\u2019d like to know what programs the majority plans to eliminate to pay for this $1.5 trillion tax break.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/ensuring-our-democracy-is-powered-by-people-589fdd945223?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Ensuring Our Democracy is Powered by People", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Ensuring Our Democracy is Powered by\u00a0People Yesterday, elections in Texas and across the country proved once again the power of everyday people making their voices heard in our Democracy. That\u2019s how our country should work\u200a\u2014\u200apeople having more power than PACs, access to our government that is not restricted by how much you can pay, and voters choosing their representatives instead of the other way around. These values, that our Democracy functions best when it\u2019s fueled by people, is why I co-sponsored the We the People Democracy Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 3537). This legislation consists of various critically important campaign finance, good government, and ethics reform provisions. One of these is my Real Time Transparency Act (H.R. 1548), which would require all candidates for federal office to report contributions of over $1,000 to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within 48 hours. This bill simply makes sense for our Democracy. If someone donates $1,000 or more to a candidate or political committee, the public has the right to know about it. We don\u2019t need even more money flowing into our electoral system without proper disclosure and accountability. Partner legislation (S. 1880) to the We The People Act has also been introduced in the Senate, where it has 14 co-sponsors.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-leads-discussion-on-jobs-expanding-educational-opportunities", "Rep. Veasey Leads Discussion on Jobs, Expanding Educational Opportunities with Bell Helicopter Expert", "2017-11-08", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Marc Veasey, a co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus Access to Jobs Task Force, led a discussion with Members of Congress and experts on jobs, education, and vocational training to discuss how Democrats can further promote commonsense policies that benefit working men and women in America.\n\nAs part of the House Democratic Caucus Jobs for America effort, the Access to Jobs Task Force met to consider ways to expand apprenticeships and the middle class and create opportunities for the hardest-working individuals in the country.\n\n\"Apprenticeships in the manufacturing sector ensure that we train top talent in companies that offer good-paying jobs for our workforce. By ensuring we connect our future workforce with readily available jobs right here in the DFW Metroplex and across the nation, we have the ability to maintain our nation's competitive edge in the 21st century,\" Congressman Marc Veasey said.\n\nCongressman Veasey invited Tricia Hiros, Principal Engineer, Manufacturing Projects for Bell Helicopter & Skills Committee Chair for DFW Aerospace Consortium to provide expert testimony at the forum.\n\nThe Access to Jobs Task Force will help workers achieve their full potential by expanding access to capital, educational opportunities \u2013 including vocational skills development, professional licensing, and apprenticeship training \u2013 and eliminating senseless and outdated social barriers to work that affect many communities.\n\nThe five Democratic Caucus Jobs for America Task Forces will create opportunities for growth, boost hardworking families, and give every worker the opportunity to achieve the American dream by developing legislation focused on investing in key industries. The effort was launched by House Democratic Caucus.\n\n\"Apprenticeship and other programs can help open the doors of opportunity for hardworking men and women, providing American workers with the chance to develop skills that allow them to advance in their fields,\" said House Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley (D-NY). \"With the leadership of Rep. Veasey, I'm confident in our ability to make policy that will improve the skill development of American workers.\"\n\n\"Today's global economy offers more opportunities for success than ever before,\" said Vice Chair Linda T. S\u00e1nchez. \"But to make that possible, we must ensure that more hard-working Americans are able to learn the skills necessary to compete for good paying jobs in today's most in-demand industries. Rep. Veasey's work on the Access to Jobs Task Force to expand apprenticeship programs will help our middle class thrive by closing our skills gap and raising household wages.\"\n\nWashington, D.C. -- Congressman Marc Veasey highlights the work Tricia Hiros, Principal Manufacturing Projects for Bell Helicopter & Skills Committee Chair for DFW Aerospace Consortium, spearheads at Dunbar High School in Fort Worth to promote STEM education to prepare students for a career in advanced manufacturing.\n\nFor more information on the Jobs for America Task Forces, please visit: www.Dems.gov/JobsForAmerica.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/democrats-say-paradise-papers-leak-should-derail-gop-s-tax-overhaul", "Democrats say Paradise Papers leak should derail GOPs tax overhaul", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Top Democrats said Monday that the so-called \u201cParadise Papers,\u201d a leaked cache of millions of documents exposing major world figures\u2019 use of offshore tax havens, are damning enough to derail the GOP\u2019s push for an overhaul of the U.S. tax code.\nSeveral top Trump administration figures, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur J. Ross Jr., Chief Economic Adviser Gary Cohn and Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, appear in the data.\nMr. Ross in particular appears to have an ownership stake in a shipping company that does business with a Russian firm whose owners are connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin.\nThe Paradise Papers are a massive cache of documents from Appleby, a law firm that advises on how to offshore. The documents were obtained by a German newspaper and shared with an international consortium of investigative reporters, which released reporting on them this week.\nDemocrats said the revelations should sour the entire debate over the GOP\u2019s plans to overhaul the existing tax code, saying the legislation doesn\u2019t do enough to shut down offshoring.\n\u201dThe revelations in the Paradise Papers are proof positive that the Republican tax plan favors the wealthy and betrays the middle class in this country, who are the ones left carrying the financial burden of massive corporate tax avoidance,\u201d said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on tax matters in the Senate.\nIn the House, where the GOP tax bill hit the Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Democrats said the revelations pump the brakes on the push.\n\u201dThese new reports from yesterday raise a number of questions about Trump allies,\u201d said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Texas Democrat.\nTheir attempt to delay was defeated on a party-line 24-16 vote.\nMentioned in the new documents are Mr. Cohn, who had holdings in Bermuda while an executive at Goldman Sachs, and Mr. Tillerson, who was part of a Bermuda-based joint venture while head of Exxon Mobil, according to the consortium\u2019s reporting.\nIn the case of Mr. Ross, he has maintained an ownership stake in Navigator, a shipping firm, which does tens of millions of dollars in business with Silbur, a Russian firm whose owners include Mr. Putin\u2019s son-in-law and a close friend of the Russian president who is subject to U.S. sanctions.\nSilbur itself is not subject to sanctions.\nAnti-Trump activist groups said Mr. Ross\u2019 holdings were still shady.\nCommon Cause, which advocates for stricter campaign finance and conflict-of-interest rules, said the Commerce Department\u2019s inspector general should probe the secretary\u2019s dealings, saying he should have disclosed them.\n\u201dThese latest revelations are part of a disturbing pattern of Trump administration officials seeking to hide their links to Russian business interests and members of Vladimir Putin\u2019s inner circle,\u201d said Karen Hobert Flynn, president of Common Cause.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-introduces-amendment-stop-outsourcing-american-jobs", "Rep. Doggett Introduces Amendment to Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, in the Ways & Means committee mark-up of the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1) introduced his Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs Amendment, which would require that multinational corporations looking to invest offshore pay the same tax rate as small businesses or domestic companies investing here in America. Rep. Doggett spoke multiple times on his amendment, and a portion of his remarks are below, with two of his full speeches following: \u00a0\n\u201cPresident Trump has made stopping the outsourcing of American jobs a central element of his promise to the American people. Unfortunately, like his promise to have Mexico pay for his unnecessary wall, it\u2019s very much a broken promise.\u201d\n\u201cIt is flat wrong that the corner pharmacy should have to pay a rate that is substantially higher on its operations than Pfizer on its operations. My amendment ensures that both are treated the same way \u2013 that we tax profits earned abroad the same way that they are taxed here at home.\u201d\n\u201cAll my amendment does is treat people who earn profits abroad the same way as those who earn profits at home. We\u2019re not against profits; we\u2019re not against maximizing profits; just pay your fair share. When you set up a system, as has been done in this bill, that creates one rate abroad that could be zero and at home it is 20 percent, guess where this money is going to flow? It will flow out of America, just like the jobs will flow out of America.\u201d\n\u201cIf you believe in keeping our jobs at home, and believe we have lost too many already, don\u2019t create a system that the only jobs that it will add are more tax lawyers and more CPAs to find ways to dodge taxes. They have dodged enough. They have dodged $100 billion a year.\u201d\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full introduction of his Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs amendment here and follow-up remarks here.\nThe text of his amendment can be found here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his Motion to Postpone amendment, introduced yesterday, here.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/whitehouse-doggett-call-action-tax-haven-bill-wake-paradise-papers", "Whitehouse, Doggett Call for Action on Tax Haven Bill in Wake of Paradise Papers", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 In the wake of the explosive Paradise Papers, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) called on Republicans to take up legislation to crack down on the use of offshore tax havens by corporations and the ultra-wealthy.\u00a0 The Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act, introduced in April by Whitehouse and Doggett, would limit the ways corporations can game the U.S. tax system by moving jobs and assets abroad.\u00a0\n\u201cThese documents pull back the curtain on a complex shell game, where corporations\u2019 staggering profits disappear offshore and rematerialize when the time is right and the tax liability is the lowest,\u201d said Whitehouse and Doggett.\u00a0 \u201cMiddle-class American families can\u2019t set up their own Grand Cayman subsidiaries.\u00a0 Instead, they\u2019re left paying a bigger share of taxes than they should.\u00a0 As the Paradise Papers show, we need to shut down tax havens and bring jobs and earnings back to our shores, not hand out more goodies to the super-rich, as the Republicans\u2019 tax plan would do.\u00a0 Congress needs to take up the Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act now.\u201d\nThe Paradise Papers, released this week by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and a network of media partners around the globe, show how American corporate goliaths like Apple and Nike avoid paying tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes using complicated schemes involving shifting profits through subsidiaries in low-tax foreign jurisdictions.\u00a0 According to the New York Times\u2019s review of the Paradise Papers, Apple has stashed away at least $128 billion in profits offshore by exploiting tax law in the English Channel island of Jersey, which has no corporate income tax.\u00a0 And Apple is just one of numerous major companies found in the trove of Paradise Papers documents.\u00a0 \u201cU.S. multinational firms are the global grandmasters of tax avoidance schemes,\u201d former corporate tax adviser Edward D. Kleinbard told the Times.\u00a0\nThe Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act (S.851; H.R.1932) would close a number of tax loopholes, eliminate incentives for U.S. companies to move assets and operations offshore, and make it harder for companies to shirk their tax bills through cross-border mergers.\u00a0 It would also give the government new tools to crack down on the use of illegal tax shelters.\u00a0\nStop Tax Haven Abuse Act\n Currently, an American company can merge with a smaller foreign firm and incorporate in the foreign country for tax purposes, even if the bulk of its operations and employees remain in the U.S.\u00a0 The bill would discourage corporations from using these \u201cinversions\u201d by deeming the product of a merger between a U.S. company and a smaller foreign firm to be a U.S. taxpayer, no matter where in the world the new company is headquartered.\u00a0\n\tUnder current law, a company can choose to defer paying taxes on profits, while deducting the expenses incurred to produce the profits.\u00a0 The bill would require companies to delay taking deductions until they pay taxes on the related profits.\u00a0\n\tRight now, companies are allowed to simply \u201ccheck the box\u201d on an IRS form and pretend that some of their foreign subsidiaries don\u2019t exist for tax purposes.\u00a0 The bill would repeal this nonsensical rule.\u00a0\n\tSome U.S. corporations are organized in tax havens, like the Cayman Islands, but really do business in the United States.\u00a0 For instance, one modest building in the Cayman Islands, Ugland House, is the legal home of over 18,000 companies, many of them really American companies in every other sense.\u00a0 This bill would discourage U.S. companies from incorporating abroad by deeming corporations worth $50 million or more that are managed and controlled in the U.S. to be U.S. taxpayers.\n\tCurrently, banks must abide by anti-money-laundering due diligence standards before taking on new customers.\u00a0 The bill would extend this commonsense requirement to professionals who help set up shell corporations.\u00a0\n\tThe bill would make it easier for the IRS to obtain the names of the owners of suspicious foreign bank accounts.\u00a0 It would also increase penalties for corporate insiders who fail to disclose offshore dealings. \u00a0\n By making it harder for corporations and the wealthy to use foreign tax shelters, the Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated provisions of this bill would cut the federal budget deficit by tens of billions of dollars each year.\nThe bill has the support of the Financial Accountability and Corporate Transparency (FACT) Coalition, Americans for Tax Fairness, Fair Share, the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the Main Street Alliance, Oxfam America, Public Citizen, U.S. PIRG, and American Sustainable Business Council.\nA section-by-section summary of the bill is available here.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/passing-two-bills-to-support-our-veterans-d230e40f6791?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Passing Two Bills to Support Our Veterans", "2017-11-07", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Passing Two Bills to Support Our\u00a0Veterans Two substantial pieces of legislation aimed at supporting our veterans in Texas and throughout the country have passed the House of Representatives hours before Veterans Day. The Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act (H.R. 918) passed the House with bipartisan support. I advocated for the legislation in committee and in front of the full House because it requires the VA to conduct an initial mental health assessment, and provide subsequent critical mental health services to former military personnel who were discharged under other-than-honorable conditions. Currently, those discharged from service under other-than-honorable conditions are ineligible for such services. The bill also requires the VA to add resources into studying the mental health effects of combat. We need to ensure that our veterans have preventative care, continuous care, and continuity in that care going forward so that we save more of these lives. Given what these veterans laid down for this country, what they have done for the United States, the least we can do is to make sure they have access to the care they have earned. The bipartisan VALOR Act (H.R. 3949) also passed this afternoon. Last month, I joined Congressmen Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Jodey Arrington (TX-19) to introduce the bipartisan legislation, which will provide military veterans increased access to apprenticeship training programs. Guiding the legislation through the House Veterans Affairs Committee, we ensured that the legislation will streamline how apprenticeship programs located in more than one state are certified. Making apprenticeships more accessible is always a win-win for our veterans and our businesses. And doing so through the VALOR Act is a golden opportunity to support those transitioning from active duty to civilian life in El Paso, throughout Texas and across the country as they look to build on their skillset for our twenty-first century workforce. But beyond doing what\u2019s right for those who served, the VALOR Act is also a prime example of how we can all work together to make meaningful improvements that fix gaps in our laws and improve services for our veterans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-introduces-motion-postpone-republican-tax-bill-mark", "Rep. Doggett Introduces Motion to Postpone Republican Tax Bill Mark-Up", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, introduced a Motion to Postpone debate of the House Republicans\u2019 tax bill (H.R. 1) for several reasons, including the release yesterday of the \u201cParadise Papers.\u201d A portion of Rep. Doggett\u2019s remarks in Committee are below and a link to his full remarks follow:\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cThis Motion simply requests that we reconvene this markup for next week. Our objective is insight, not delay.\u00a0Incredibly, for this legislation of such magnitude, after so many years, this plan has never had a single public hearing, nor has any member of the Trump Administration official have the courage to come before this Committee and answer questions about this bill. No expert witness has been given the opportunity to explain this bill\u2019s deficiencies, nor has there been an opportunity for thorough independent evaluation of the proposal in this this rush to injustice.\n\u201cDespite our efforts, we still lack the tax returns of President Trump and his 500 plus entities that might show how he and his family will personally benefit.\n\u201cAnd thanks to a free press and investigative journalism, we have the release of the first information on the \u2018Paradise Papers\u2019 concerning offshore tax avoidance in Bermuda and other island tax havens. These explosive revelations once again sound the alarm about the inequities of our tax system and disturbing amounts of tax avoidance. When the privileged avoid their taxes, individuals, small businesses, and domestic businesses are forced to pick up the tab for vital government services.\n\u201cLike the rushed-through Trump immigration policy and the health care repeal disaster, we need to learn from experience, we need some vetting \u2013 in the President\u2019s words, we need \u2018extreme vetting.\u2019 If you don\u2019t have anything to hide, a week and one public hearing won\u2019t impair your efforts.\u201d\nThe House Republican tax bill was belatedly revealed on Thursday, November 2, and mark-up of the bill begins today. There have been no public hearings on H.R. 1 specifically. On Sunday, November 5, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the \u201cParadise Papers\u201d and announced a global investigation of offshore tax avoidance activities by politicians, world leaders, and multinational corporations.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his Motion to Postpone here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s statement issued after the release of the \u201cParadise Papers\u201d here.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-republicans-are-convinced-donald-trump-golden-ticket-getting", "Rep. Doggett: Republicans are Convinced Donald Trump is the Golden Ticket to Getting their Holy Grail", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, called the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1) a \u201cjob killer\u201d and urged Americans to learn more and speak out against it. A portion of Rep. Doggett\u2019s remarks in Committee are below and a link to his full remarks follow: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cThere is no wrongdoing in which Donald Trump can engage, no insult, no attack on our justice system or our law enforcement, no endangerment of our security, that will cause many of our Republican colleagues to say \u2018enough\u2019 or to speak out about that wrongdoing, because they are convinced that Donald Trump is the golden ticket to getting their Holy Grail. If the American people continue to study the impact of this bill, and speak out, then this great harm can be prevented.\n\u201cThe multinational corporations are not going to be filing their tax returns on a postcard. Under the international provisions of this bill, they have an incentive to build their factories abroad. We are going to see the export of even more American jobs and the outsourcing of those jobs to other countries. This bill basically is a job killer. Its underlying premise \u2013 that if you throw enough money to those at the top, it will trickle down and grow the economy \u2013 has been refuted by almost every economist that has looked at that, including Goldman Sachs. It is essential that we not outsource more American jobs, that we not burden this generation and future generations with more debt.\u201d\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full Committee speech here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his Motion to Postpone amendment, introduced earlier, here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s statement issued after the release of the \u201cParadise Papers\u201d here.\nThe House Republican tax bill was belatedly revealed on Thursday, November 2, and mark-up of the bill began today. There have been no public hearings on H.R. 1 specifically. On Sunday, November 5, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the \u201cParadise Papers\u201d and announced a global investigation of offshore tax avoidance activities by politicians, world leaders, and multinational corporations.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-speaks-out-against-surprise-amendment-ways-means-republicans", "Rep. Doggett Speaks Out Against Surprise Amendment by Ways & Means Republicans", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This evening, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke out against a surprise move by Ways and Means Republicans, who dropped a far-reaching 33-page amendment to a 400-plus page bill that itself only was made public on Thursday. This is not worthy of this Committee\u2019s important work, and has lobbyist fingerprints all over it: Rep. Doggett responded as captured in this video.\n\u00a0\nYou may view an earlier speech given by Rep. Doggett here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s full speech on his Motion to Postpone amendment, introduced earlier, here.\nYou may view Rep. Doggett\u2019s statement issued after the release of the \u201cParadise Papers\u201d here.\nThe House Republican tax bill was belatedly revealed on Thursday, November 2, and mark-up of the bill began today. There have been no public hearings on H.R. 1 specifically. On Sunday, November 5, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the \u201cParadise Papers\u201d and announced a global investigation of offshore tax avoidance activities by politicians, world leaders, and multinational corporations.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/thoughts-on-sutherland-springs-793ab9af8317?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2", "Thoughts on Sutherland Springs", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "medium.com", null, null, "legacy", "Thoughts on Sutherland Springs Amy and I have struggled to explain to our children what happened in Sutherland Springs yesterday. And why this happens so often in our country. Another mass shooting, this time in our home state of Texas. I can\u2019t help but admit to them that, for the time being, our country has decided to meet these acts of terror and mass murder as though they were natural disasters. Maybe we don\u2019t know how to process something that is so completely out of line with the way the world is supposed to work. Or maybe this kind of terror is so common that we just assume that this is how the world actually works, and so it doesn\u2019t really move us to change it. As a country, we are saddened, heartbroken. But, unless it happens directly to us or our family, we are also numb to it in any meaningful way. Lots of prayers offered. Words of condolence and encouragement. Collectively we conclude: this kind of thing just happens in our country. Just hope it doesn\u2019t happen to us. There has got to be a more effective way to respond. Here are my thoughts. They begin with acknowledging that beyond God\u2019s power, beyond fate and providence, we have a responsibility to each other. To protect each other, our children and the lives of those around us. These are human acts of terror and violence. There is a human solution to them beyond offering prayers. We know that guns designed to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible\u200a\u2014\u200adesigned for use by militaries to kill enemy soldiers\u200a\u2014\u200awill be used by some to kill people quickly, efficiently and effectively when they are sold to civilians in our communities. We know that without extensive background checks, applied to everyone, those who should not own firearms will have them and use them to kill others or themselves. We know that this country\u200a\u2014\u200awith poor standards and access to mental health care; more intensely riven by partisan invective and divide than at any time since the Civil War; with more people feeling more isolated and separated than ever; missing the community and common purpose that used to define much more of our national experience\u200a\u2014\u200ais not a healthy country. We also know that making laws to act on this knowledge is incredibly difficult. The focus on re-election, the acute sensitivity to pressure from the gun lobby, the acknowledgment that there is no one sure solution to prevent all gun violence and mass murders, stops most legislative efforts before they ever get started. The House of Representatives and the Senate owe this country a real discussion, debate and vote on these issues. In the five years I\u2019ve been a member of Congress, despite my best efforts and those of millions of my fellow Americans, the leadership in those institutions has refused to do anything. Beyond the bills I\u2019ve co-sponsored, the gun violence action we took on the floor of the House last year to try to move our colleagues out of their complacency and towards action, I will continue to do my best to find more ways to meet this crisis with the urgency it deserves. I\u2019ll leave you with this\u200a\u2014\u200awhile in San Antonio exactly one week ago, families from Moms Demand Action shared their stories and told me that Las Vegas or Sandy Hook, Orlando or Aurora could happen here or anywhere if we didn\u2019t act. Unfortunately, they were right\u200a\u2014\u200aand it only took a matter of days. That\u2019s why I want to work with you and everyone who is willing to join us to make sure that this does not continue to happen. In our towns, in Texas, or anywhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-to-honor-eight-local-heroes-during-veterans-town-hall-in", "Rep. Veasey to Honor Eight Local Heroes during Veterans Town Hall in Dallas", "2017-11-06", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc A. Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", "veasey", "https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "Fort Worth, Texas \u2013 On Friday, November 10, 2017, Congressman Marc Veasey will honor eight local veterans with the Congressional Veteran Commendation at his annual Veterans Town Hall from 5-7 PM at American Legion Post 275 in Dallas. Recipients of the award include: Ms. Castella Combs, Ms. Tynetta W. Runnels, Mrs. Tristeza Ordex-Ramirez, Mr. Jonathan Saenz, Mr. Herman Henderson Jr., Mr. Raymond Rivera, Mr. Rogerio Perez, and Mr. Ollis Donald Chalmers.\n\nFollowing the ceremony, veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families are encouraged to participate in the Veterans Town Hall to share their thoughts and concerns about how Congress can best represent America's veterans.\n\nWhat:\n\n2017 Veterans Town Hall and 33rd District Congressional Veterans Commendation (CVC) Ceremony\n\nWhen:\n\nFriday, November 10, 2017 from 5PM \u2013 7PM CT\n\nWhere:\n\nAmerican Legion Post 275\n\n2804 S. Cockrell Hill Road\n\nDallas, Texas\n\nMEDIA: Members of the press interested in scheduling interviews and covering this event must RSVP by calling Nelly Decker at 202-225-9897 or emailing, nelly.decker@mail.house.gov.\n\nFor event information, call Daniel Castro at 817-920-9086 or 214-741-1387.\n\nCongressional Veterans Commendation Program (CVC)\n\nThe CVC is a nominations-based program designed to recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of veterans of the 33rd Congressional District of Texas. To be eligible, veterans must currently reside in the 33rd Congressional District. Nominees have served as active duty military personnel, active duty in the United States Armed Forces or a reservist called to active duty, or retired from the US Armed Forces with honorable discharge.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T22:12:50Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/widespread-offshore-tax-dodging-revelations-shows-urgent-need-postpone", "Widespread Offshore Tax Dodging Revelations Shows Urgent Need to Postpone GOP Tax Bill Approval", "2017-11-05", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, reacted to the important disclosures by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in releasing the \u201cParadise Papers\u201d and announcing a global investigation of offshore tax avoidance activities by politicians, world leaders, and multinational corporations.\u00a0Rep. Doggett said:\n\u201cThese explosive revelations once again sound the alarm about the inequities of our tax system and the disturbing amount of tax avoidance.\u00a0When the privileged avoid their taxes, individuals and small businesses are forced to pick up the tab for vital government services.\u00a0\n\u201cWith House Republicans in charge, powerful tax dodgers know they are in paradise. Since the Panama Papers were released last year, Republicans have refused to heed my call for Committee action, including thorough investigatory hearings.\u00a0These papers have revealed corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud. These reports also raise questions about a number of Trump allies, his billionaire buddies, and multinational corporations worldwide that have so much to gain from this Republican tax bill. Consideration of the Republican tax plan to reward tax dodgers and incentivize outsourcing of more American jobs abroad should be postponed until a thorough examination of these documents has occurred.\u201d\nThe ICIJ\u2019s report can be found here.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook:\u00a0www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-issues-statement-shooting-first-baptist-church-sutherland", "Congressman Gonzalez Issues Statement on Shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas", "2017-11-05", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Vicente Gonzalez", "G000581", "gonzalez.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013\u00a0Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement in response to the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, that left multiple dead and injured.\n\"My heart goes out to those affected by today\u2019s shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, that has left multiple people dead and many more injured. As one of the representatives for Wilson County, this senseless tragedy hits close to home and feels deeply personal,\u201d Congressman Gonzalez said. \u201cI thank all first responders for acting swiftly to address this unfortunate situation and will continue to be in contact with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office and federal law enforcement agencies as more details become available. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families and the fine people of Sutherland Springs and Wilson County.\u201d\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-republican-indifference-endangering-children", "Rep. Doggett: Republican Indifference Endangering Children", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke on the House Floor in support of the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which Republicans let expire at the end of September. Rep. Doggett said:\n\u201cThe Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program began as a truly bipartisan initiative, but now it is overwhelmed by Republican indifference, endangering children. So low is it on their priority list that they let the law expire\u2026 400,000 Texas children are at risk if this program is not be continued. In the face of this crisis, their response is \u2013 we won\u2019t put another new dollar in this program unless we take it from Medicare beneficiaries.\u201d\nYou can watch Rep. Doggett\u2019s full remarks here.\n###\nFollow Lloyd Doggett\nFacebook: www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett |Twitter: @RepLloydDoggett | Instagram: @RepLloydDoggett", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/houston-area-congressman-introduce-resolution-congratulating-houston", "Houston-area Congressmen Introduce Resolution Congratulating the Houston Astros on their World Series Championship", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Representatives Gene Green (TX-29) and Pete Olson (TX-22) introduced a resolution Friday congratulating the Houston Astros on winning the 2017 Major League Baseball World Series, the first World Series title for the franchise, which began as the Houston Colt .45s in 1962.\n\u201cAfter everything Houston has experienced since Hurricane Harvey, it was a true joy to see our Astros unify the city and bring home the championship,\u201d said Green. \u201cEvery single player and coach who contributed to the success of this season deserves to be recognized. The team put the city on their backs and played as hard as they could, every inning, and every game throughout the season and playoffs. We have been waiting for a long time for a World Series title and are proud of what our team accomplished. Thank you to the Astros for bringing Houston a sense of hope. Together, we all earned history.\u201d\n\u201cAll of Houston is incredibly proud of our Astros baseball team who delivered a stunning victory for our city,\u201d said Olson. \u201cThe resiliency of this team reflects the resiliency of our city and region in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. This team never quit and delivered the inspiration we needed to get us through some dark times. As we continue our rebuilding, we\u2019ve watched a young team with talent and heart rack up win after win, beating stellar teams like the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers to bring home our first World Series title. This victory is a shared victory by the team and a city that has stood by our team through good and bad. We are immensely proud of this victory and honored to share this moment with this organization! The Astros and everyone from our region are #HoustonStrong and this is truly #EarnedHistory.\u201d\nCosponsors of the resolution include Reps. Jodey Arrington, Brian Babin, Joe Barton, Michael Burgess, Kevin Brady, John Carter, Michael Conaway, John Culberson, Lloyd Doggett, Blake Farenthold, Bill Flores, Louie Gohmert, Vicente Gonzalez, Kay Granger, Al Green, Jeb Hensarling, Will Hurd, Sheila Jackson Lee, Kenny Marchant, Michael McCaul, Ted Poe, John Ratcliffe, Pete Sessions, Lamar Smith, and Randy Weber.\nFull text of the resolution below and PDF can be read HERE: \nRESOLUTION\nCongratulating the Houston Astros on winning the 2017 Major League Baseball World Series.\nWhereas the Houston Astros, having proudly represented the City of Houston, Texas, in professional baseball since 1962, won their first World Series title in 55 years;\nWhereas the Houston Astros capped off a thrilling series to defeat the National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven, by a score of 5 to 1;\nWhereas the 2017 Houston Astros championship team demonstrated grit, sportsmanship, tenacity, and resolve in winning 101 regular season games and their first American League Central Division championship;\nWhereas the 2017 Houston Astros demonstrated steadfastness and pluck when faced with playoff elimination, winning the American League Championship Series in seven games over the New York Yankees, and the American League Division Series in four games over the Boston Red Sox;\nWhereas the 2017 Houston Astros rode the strength and unity of communities across the Texas Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Harvey\u2019s flooding and devastation, and delivered hope to Texans and Americans everywhere; Whereas the 2017 Houston Astros further galvanized the City of Houston to come together and root the Astros to victory;\nWhereas Houston Astros Manager, A.J. Hinch, provided vital leadership and guided the team to its second playoff berth in his three seasons with the team;\nWhereas President of Business Operations, Reid Ryan, and General Manager, Jeff Luhnow, and their baseball operations staffs assembled a championship-caliber team with a Major League-best offense and a deep starting rotation;\nWhereas Jim Crane, the Houston Astros\u2019 Chairman and Owner, and the rest of the Astros family never wavered in their quest to bring a World Series championship to Houston;\nWhereas the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 3 thanks to a historic performance by outfielder George Springer, who was awarded the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award after garnering a Major League record eight extra-base hits and homering in a record four straight games in theWorld Series;\nWhereas the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 4 games to 3 thanks to the dominant starting pitching performances of Justin Verlander, and the timely hits by second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, and third baseman Alex Bregman;\nWhereas the Houston Astros\u2019 World Series roster included players Jose Altuve, Carlos Beltran, Alex Bregman, Juan Centeno, Carlos Correa, Chris Devenski, Derek Fisher, Evan Gattis, Ken Giles, Marwin Gonzales, Luke Gregerson, Yuli Gurriel, Will Harris, Dallas Keuchel, Cameron Maybin, Brian McCann, Lance McCullers, Jr., Collin McHugh, Charlie Morton, Joe Musgrove, Francisco Liriano, Brad Peacock, Josh Reddick, George Springer, and Justin Verlander: Now, therefore, be it\nResolved, That the House of Representatives\u2014\n recognizes the Houston Astros for their dis tinguished history, contributions to the baseball world, and their drive to help the Houston commu nity heal after Hurricane Harvey;\n\tcongratulates the Houston Astros on American League Central-best regular season and 2017 World Series Championship;\n\trecognizes the contributions of the Houston Astros\u2019 players, coaches, and leadership of the organization; and\n\tjoins with all the people in the United States and baseball fans everywhere in celebrating Houston\u2019s long-awaited, first-ever World Series championship.\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-blasts-partisan-gop-bill-fund-chip-and-fqhcs", "Rep. Green Blasts Partisan GOP Bill to Fund CHIP and FQHCs", "2017-11-03", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congressman Gene Green, Ranking Member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement on the partisan House Republican bill to reauthorize funding for the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program and Federally Qualified Health Community Centers:\n\u201cWhile I strongly support extending funding for the Children\u2019s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), delaying cuts to Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments, and advancing other critical healthcare programs, this legislation includes offsets that undermine access to coverage and services and shortchanges the American citizens in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.\nBoth CHIP and FQHCs are bedrocks of our health care system, providing health insurance to almost 9 million lower-income children and serving on the front lines by providing high-quality primary and preventative care to more than 25 million Americans, respectively. Rather than continuing bipartisan negotiations and looking for a compromise, the GOP moved forward with offsets that undermine health coverage for people who rely on Medicaid and Medicare and dramatic cuts the Public Health Prevention Fund, which supports vaccination programs, infectious disease detection and prevention, and chronic disease prevention.\nThe notion that we have to cut important programs and take insurance away from one group to give it to another is a false choice. I hope my colleagues in the Senate can work on a bipartisan compromise that will provide full and stable funding for these programs for five years in a way that does not reduce care or kick other people off their health insurance.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 870, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "TX", "p2": "2017"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=TX&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 870, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=TX&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 870, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=TX&year=2017&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=TX&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "TX", "label": "TX", "count": 870, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2017", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=TX&year=2017", "results": [{"value": "2017", "label": "2017", "count": 870, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=TX", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2017-11-03,https~3A~2F~2Fgreen~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frep-green-blasts-partisan-gop-bill-fund-chip-and-fqhcs", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=TX&year=2017&_next=2017-11-03%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fgreen~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Frep-green-blasts-partisan-gop-bill-fund-chip-and-fqhcs&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 587.5651189126074, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}