{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"TX\" and year = 2013 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221011918/http://farenthold.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365158", "U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold Calls TAMUCC Designation as FAA Test Site for UAS a \u201cHuge Win\u201d", "2013-12-30", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Blake Farenthold", "F000460", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced its selection of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi as one of six public entities that will develop unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country.\u00a0 U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27) praised the FAA\u2019s selection of Texas A&M University Corpus Christi.\n\u201cThe combination of expertise from Texas A&M University Corpus Christi and wide open airspace in Texas make this an excellent choice for UAS research and development,\u201d said Congressman Blake Farenthold, a member of the Congressional Caucus on Unmanned Systems and Congressional Privacy Caucus.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a huge win for TAMUCC and the whole state of Texas.\u00a0 It gives our region the opportunity to take a leadership role in both the technology and policy challenges that will arise as these unmanned systems are developed, refined and deployed.\u201d \u00a0\n\u201cAs a longtime supporter and advocate for the use of unmanned systems along the border, I congratulate Texas A&M Corpus Christi for this victory in becoming one of only six national test sites for UAS,\u201d said Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Unmanned Systems.\u00a0 \u201cIt has been a long process bringing this test site to Texas and we in the caucus have had several conversations with the FAA.\u00a0 It has been my pleasure to work alongside Congressman Farenthold and the other members of the Caucus to secure this site.\u201d \nCongressman Farenthold, along with Congressmen Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Gene Green (D-TX-29), Pete Olson (R-TX-22), and John Carter (R-TX-31), have sent letters to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, the most recent in December highlighting Texas\u2019 commitment to the promising technology of unmaned aircraft.\n\u201cWe believe Texas would be a strong partner with the FAA in carefully managing the research and development of the UAS technology,\u201d the Congressmen said in the letter.\u00a0 \nThe Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is moving steadily ahead to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the largest, most complex air traffic systems in the world. The agency\u2019s activities must address the needs of a diverse aviation community while ensuring current users both in the air and on the ground remain safe.\nThe testing sites will allow the agency to develop research findings and operational experiences to help ensure the safe integration of UAS into the nation's airspace as we transition to NextGen air traffic control technologies and procedures.\nTexas A&M University Corpus Christi plans to develop system safety requirements for UAS vehicles and operations with a goal of protocols and procedures for airworthiness testing. The selection of Texas A&M contributes to geographic and climactic diversity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://carter.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=40&itemid=1855", "Carter Fights to Protect Veterans and Improve America's Budget", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 To further improve the Bipartisan Budget Act, Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) cosponsored two bills to eliminate changes to military retiree benefits. After four years of gridlock, Congress finally passed a budget that brings more than $30 billion back to the Department of Defense, and prevent future cuts that would be devastating to Fort Hood \u2013 all while lowering deficits without raising taxes.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWhile the budget is far from perfect, it is a good first step to put our country back on the right path,\u201d said Congressman John Carter, Representative of Fort Hood and member of the Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. \u201cPassing a budget is a necessary step towards fiscal sovereignty, but we must not balance our budget on the backs of disabled veterans.\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0I have cosponsored two bills to improve the Bipartisan Budget Act. The first measure would remove the Bipartisan Budget Act\u2019s COLA reduction for all military retirees. The second measure would eliminate the Act\u2019s COLA reduction only for veterans who are medically retired, receiving Combat Related Special Compensation, and/or Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments, as well the Survivor Benefits Program.\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 3789: To amend title 10, United States Code, to exempt the retired pay of certain disabled veterans from the reduced adjustment of retired pay and retainer pay amounts for retired members of the Armed Forces under age 62, to prevent any adverse impact of the reduced adjustment on annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan based on retired or retainer pay, and for other purposes.\r\n\r\n\tH.R. 3790: To repeal of annual adjustment of retired pay and retainer pay amounts for retired members of the Armed Forces under age 62.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-smith-questions-white-house-knowledge-of-security-concerns", "Chairman Smith Questions White House Knowledge of Security Concerns Prior to Healthcare.gov Launch", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lamar Smith", "S000583", "lamarsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) along with Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Paul Broun M.D. (R-Ga.) and Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (R-Ind.) today sent a letter to the White House, requesting all records of actions surrounding the security of the Healthcare.gov website.\u00a0 The letter, addressed to President Obama\u2019s top advisor for Science and Technology, Dr. John Holdren, outlines a number of security concerns and questions the extent to which those concerns were understood by the administration prior to the website\u2019s launch on October 1, 2013.\n\u201cIn its haste to launch the Healthcare.gov website, it appears the Obama Administration cut corners that leave the site open to hackers and other online criminals,\u201d the lawmakers wrote.\u00a0\u201cAs a result, Americans who have already entered personal information into Healthcare.gov are vulnerable to identity theft.\u201d\nThe data passing through the Healthcare.gov website is one of the largest collections of personal information ever assembled, linking social security numbers, birth dates, tax and other financial information from seven different federal agencies, along with state agencies and government contractors.\nAt a hearing held on November 19, the Science Committee received troubling testimony from online security experts regarding the flaws and vulnerabilities in the Obamacare website that put the personal data of Americans at risk. One witness, Mr. David Kennedy, a so-called \u2018white hat hacker,\u2019 gave a demonstration showing how hackers are attempting to access personal information on the website.\u00a0 According to his testimony, not only is the website vulnerable, it is under active attack.\u00a0 Even more troubling, Mr. Kennedy testified that there are \u201cclear indicators that even basic security was not built into the Healthcare.gov website.\u201d Moreover, the administration\u2019s recent efforts to address the flaws with the website\u2019s capacity do not appear to address the larger security and privacy issues raised in our hearing.\u00a0\nThe letter questions the role of one of President Obama\u2019s top assistants, Mr. Todd Park, in overseeing security issues before the website was launched.\u00a0 The White House has now rejected three invitations for Mr. Park to testify before the House Science Committee, claiming that Mr. Park has not been involved in security issues.\u00a0 However, Mr. Park was a White House co-chair of the official Steering Committee with direct oversight of the security and privacy working groups that oversaw website development. The letter requests that the White House expand on suggestions made by staff that Mr. Park\u2019s activities are protected by Executive Privilege. The letter asks whether the administration intends to invoke such a claim.\nThe letter further states, \u201cIt is logical to assume that security and privacy responsibility resides at the highest level of government.\u00a0 We are troubled by the fact that the President either did not know, or did not care, that the personal and financial data collected as part of Obamacare is not secure.\u201d\n\u201cWe already know of numerous attempts to hack into the system and can only assume many more have gone unreported,\u201d the Congressmen wrote.\u00a0 \u201cUnless the Obama Administration takes swift action to address security, it is likely the worst is yet to come.\u201d\nThe full letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=8C67C022-8EFA-49EC-ADBD-63C629ABE201", "Pete Sessions\u2019 Initiative to Expand Treatment Options for Troops with TBI & PTSD to be Signed into Law", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, joined Co-Chairs of the Job Corps Caucus Congressman Lou Barletta and Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., in addition to 118 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Department of Labor requesting a reevaluation of their proposed cuts to the Job Corps Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/weekly-newsletters?ContentRecord_id=FD8DEAE7-9997-4145-B91B-19DE19788608", "The Hill Report: Week of December 16 - 20, 2013", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday Chairman Kevin Brady of\u00a0the\u00a0Ways and Means Committee introduced HR 1,\u00a0the\u00a0Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which represented\u00a0the\u00a0first public unveiling of legislation that could lead to tax reform this Congress.\u00a0 \u00a0According to\u00a0the\u00a0Wall Street Journal, this bill \u201cis, on net, about a $1.5 trillion tax", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://williams.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/a-budget-thats-good-for-conservatives", "A budget that's good for conservatives", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Roger Williams", "W000816", "williams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As you know, the House passed a two-year budget deal authored by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray.\u00a0 I supported this bill because I believe it is important to get on a budget process that cuts spending, helps the military, reduces the deficit, doesn\u2019t raise taxes, and stops the pattern of passing CR after CR.\u00a0 This Congress and administration have done so for the last five years.\u00a0 That\u2019s not good for business.\u00a0\nWhile this budget isn\u2019t perfect, let\u2019s take a look at why it is good for conservatives.\u00a0 President Obama wanted $1.1 trillion in tax increases, but we gave him none.\u00a0 Obama wanted 99 weeks of federal unemployment benefits, but we cut it back to 26.\u00a0 Obama wanted to increase the national deficit by $115 billion, but we will reduce the deficit by over $20 billion.\u00a0 President Obama wanted to completely roll back the sequester, we maintained it at 92 % level for two years and go back to 100% sequester levels the following years.\u00a0 And without this budget, our military would have borne the full force of the even more onerous cuts starting in January.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget, President Obama wanted to put the sequester squarely on the backs of the military.\nThis budget gives $31 billion in relief to the Department of Defense over two years.\u00a0 TX-25 is home to Fort Hood, the largest military installation in America.\u00a0 After bearing the brunt of these budget cuts already, it is vital to provide our servicemen and women the resources they need.\u00a0 Restoring a portion of these cuts will support our troops\u2019 readiness, training and equipment.\u00a0 To quote one general, without the restoring of these cuts, we will not be able to properly train our troops to prepare to defend our freedom, for that, we will pay the butcher\u2019s price.\u00a0 I pledged to listen to our generals, and I am doing so with this budget.\u00a0\nThe argument being made that this budget cuts veteran benefits and slashes pensions is nothing short of a lie.\u00a0 No military or veteran benefits, including medical care or retirement, are taken away or even reduced in any way. \u00a0Section 403 of the Budget Act contains a provision that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) by 1 percent for military retirees under the age of 62.\u00a0 Once the retiree reaches age 62, their COLA benefits would be restored to its usual rate based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and they will receive a catch-up.\u00a0 The bottom line is our military retirees will continue to receive raises! \u00a0\nHow is this conservative?\u00a0 The Obama Administration wanted to do away with these raises entirely! \u00a0I fought to maintain them with no negative adjustments, ever.\u00a0 Further, I pledge to keep fighting until we have a complete 100% restoring of these reductions. \u00a0That\u2019s why I am an original cosponsor of a bill that would reinstate the 1% COLA adjustment for these younger retirees.\u00a0 I have also signed on to a bill to exempt all veterans who medically retire, those who receive Combat Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC) and those who receive Concurrent Receipt Pay (CRDP).\u00a0 Let me reassure you that the Budget Act does not affect disability benefits provided to veterans in compensation for injuries sustained during their service.\nFederal civilians do not receive COLAs until they reach the age of 62, while many service members are eligible after serving for a certain amount of time, no matter their age.\u00a0 This is the way it should be \u2013 our men and women in uniform sacrifice their all, and we are obligated to support them in every way we can.\u00a0 Supporting our veterans is our most solemn responsibility.\u00a0 I will never turn my back on our bravest and brightest.\u00a0 I have fought back hard against the Veterans Administration for better treatment of our veterans, and Republicans are doing more for our troops and veterans than anyone and I vow to continue to do so.\u00a0\nAs I mentioned, this bill is not perfect.\u00a0 In 2014 I look forward to continuing to fight for lower taxes across the board, to cutting even more entitlement spending, true social security reform, fighting pork spending, fighting waste, fraud and abuse in government,\u00a0 getting the government out of health care, and most importantly, getting Americans back to work.\nThis budget is a good, solid starting point to get our nation\u2019s economy back on track.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/a-budget-thats-good-for-conservatives", "A budget that's good for conservatives", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Roger Williams", "W000816", "williams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As you know, the House passed a two-year budget deal authored by House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray.\u00a0 I supported this bill because I believe it is important to get on a budget process that cuts spending, helps the military, reduces the deficit, doesn\u2019t raise taxes, and stops the pattern of passing CR after CR.\u00a0 This Congress and administration have done so for the last five years.\u00a0 That\u2019s not good for business.\u00a0\nWhile this budget isn\u2019t perfect, let\u2019s take a look at why it is good for conservatives.\u00a0 President Obama wanted $1.1 trillion in tax increases, but we gave him none.\u00a0 Obama wanted 99 weeks of federal unemployment benefits, but we cut it back to 26.\u00a0 Obama wanted to increase the national deficit by $115 billion, but we will reduce the deficit by over $20 billion.\u00a0 President Obama wanted to completely roll back the sequester, we maintained it at 92 % level for two years and go back to 100% sequester levels the following years.\u00a0 And without this budget, our military would have borne the full force of the even more onerous cuts starting in January.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget, President Obama wanted to put the sequester squarely on the backs of the military.\nThis budget gives $31 billion in relief to the Department of Defense over two years.\u00a0 TX-25 is home to Fort Hood, the largest military installation in America.\u00a0 After bearing the brunt of these budget cuts already, it is vital to provide our servicemen and women the resources they need.\u00a0 Restoring a portion of these cuts will support our troops\u2019 readiness, training and equipment.\u00a0 To quote one general, without the restoring of these cuts, we will not be able to properly train our troops to prepare to defend our freedom, for that, we will pay the butcher\u2019s price.\u00a0 I pledged to listen to our generals, and I am doing so with this budget.\u00a0\nThe argument being made that this budget cuts veteran benefits and slashes pensions is nothing short of a lie.\u00a0 No military or veteran benefits, including medical care or retirement, are taken away or even reduced in any way. \u00a0Section 403 of the Budget Act contains a provision that reduces the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) by 1 percent for military retirees under the age of 62.\u00a0 Once the retiree reaches age 62, their COLA benefits would be restored to its usual rate based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and they will receive a catch-up.\u00a0 The bottom line is our military retirees will continue to receive raises! \u00a0\nHow is this conservative?\u00a0 The Obama Administration wanted to do away with these raises entirely! \u00a0I fought to maintain them with no negative adjustments, ever.\u00a0 Further, I pledge to keep fighting until we have a complete 100% restoring of these reductions. \u00a0That\u2019s why I am an original cosponsor of a bill that would reinstate the 1% COLA adjustment for these younger retirees.\u00a0 I have also signed on to a bill to exempt all veterans who medically retire, those who receive Combat Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC) and those who receive Concurrent Receipt Pay (CRDP).\u00a0 Let me reassure you that the Budget Act does not affect disability benefits provided to veterans in compensation for injuries sustained during their service.\nFederal civilians do not receive COLAs until they reach the age of 62, while many service members are eligible after serving for a certain amount of time, no matter their age.\u00a0 This is the way it should be \u2013 our men and women in uniform sacrifice their all, and we are obligated to support them in every way we can.\u00a0 Supporting our veterans is our most solemn responsibility.\u00a0 I will never turn my back on our bravest and brightest.\u00a0 I have fought back hard against the Veterans Administration for better treatment of our veterans, and Republicans are doing more for our troops and veterans than anyone and I vow to continue to do so.\u00a0\nAs I mentioned, this bill is not perfect.\u00a0 In 2014 I look forward to continuing to fight for lower taxes across the board, to cutting even more entitlement spending, true social security reform, fighting pork spending, fighting waste, fraud and abuse in government,\u00a0 getting the government out of health care, and most importantly, getting Americans back to work.\nThis budget is a good, solid starting point to get our nation\u2019s economy back on track.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://carter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1039", "Carter Fights to Protect Veterans and Improve America's Budget", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John R. Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", "carter", "https://carter.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "To further improve the Bipartisan Budget Act, Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) cosponsored two bills to eliminate changes to military retiree benefits. After four years of gridlock, Congress finally passed a budget that brings more than $30 billion back to the Department of Defense, and prevent future cuts that would be devastating to Fort Hood \u2013 all while lowering deficits without raising taxes.\n\n\u201cWhile the budget is far from perfect, it is a good first step to put our country back on the right path,\u201d said Congressman John Carter, Representative of Fort Hood and member of the Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee. \u201cPassing a budget is a necessary step towards fiscal sovereignty, but we must not balance our budget on the backs of disabled veterans.\n\nI have cosponsored two bills to improve the Bipartisan Budget Act. The first measure would remove the Bipartisan Budget Act\u2019s COLA reduction for all military retirees. The second measure would eliminate the Act\u2019s COLA reduction only for veterans who are medically retired, receiving Combat Related Special Compensation, and/or Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments, as well the Survivor Benefits Program.\n\nH.R. 3789: To amend title 10, United States Code, to exempt the retired pay of certain disabled veterans from the reduced adjustment of retired pay and retainer pay amounts for retired members of the Armed Forces under age 62, to prevent any adverse impact of the reduced adjustment on annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan based on retired or retainer pay, and for other purposes.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["http://culberson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364924", "Fixing the Ryan-Murray Budget Deal", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Culberson", "C001048", "culberson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fixing the Ryan-Murray Budget Deal \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 19, 2013\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Last week the House passed the Ryan-Murray budget deal that inadvertently changed the benefits for service members who retired due to a disability or a service-related injury. This is not acceptable and was not the intention of either Chairman Ryan or Chairwoman Murray. I do not support changing the retirement benefits for disabled veterans, and today, I introduced a bill with House Veterans Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller (FL-01) that will ensure this COLA reduction does not impact service members who retired because of disability or a service-related injury. The bill I introduced will exempt:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n \r\n All veterans who medically retire;\r\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n Any veteran receiving Combat Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC);\r\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n Any veteran receiving Concurrent Receipt Pay (CRDP); and\r\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n Surviving spouses receiving payments under the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP)\r\n \r\nfrom the one percent COLA reduction included in the Ryan-Murray budget deal. Senator Murray is introducing a similar bill in the Senate, and I look forward to this important legislative fix becoming law soon.It is important to remember that the Ryan-Murray budget deal does not affect disability-compensation benefits and does not impact any service members\u2019 VA-provided medical care. Starting December 1, 2015, the Ryan-Murray budget deal reduces by one percent the COLA for any service member who retires after 20 years of service and is not yet 62 years old. Here is an example of how a COLA works under current law and how it will work under the Ryan-Murray budget deal:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n \r\n If a service members\u2019 retirement benefit is $100 per year and the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 2%.\r\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n Under current law, the service members\u2019 total payment would be their benefit ($100) plus their COLA ($2 because 2% of $100 = $2) which would equal $102 for that year.\r\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\r\n Under the Murray-Ryan budget deal, the service members\u2019 total payment would be their benefit ($100) plus their COLA (which is 1% since 2%-1% = 1% and 1% of $100 is $1). Their total payment would equal $101 for that year. At age 62 the service members\u2019 COLA ,would revert to the annual CPI and their COLA would no longer be reduced.\r\n \r\nSince the founding of our great country, we have been blessed with men and women who are willing to risk their lives to keep our county safe. It is one of the great privileges of my job to support the men and women who support us, and I will be working hard to ensure we fix the drafting error in the Ryan-Murray budget deal so that we do not reduce the retirement benefits for any service member who retired due because of disability or a service-related injury. \r\n \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"], ["http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-smith-epa-muzzling-scientists", "Chairman Smith: EPA Muzzling Scientists", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lamar Smith", "S000583", "lamarsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) along with all 20 Republican committee members today sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy highlighting serious problems with the agency\u2019s proposed New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for power plants.\u00a0 Specifically, the Committee members pointed out that any EPA rule requiring the capture of carbon must address where the carbon is stored. \u00a0\nRecently, the Work Group charged with reviewing EPA\u2019s major regulatory actions recommended a review of the science underpinning the newest power plant rule.\u00a0 The 88-page recommendation highlighted the fact that EPA rushed ahead with its NSPS proposal without waiting for the advice of the agency\u2019s independent scientists and that the underlying science lacked adequate peer review.\u00a0 However, when these problems were raised, a senior official at EPA deflected the scientists criticisms by claiming that the rule doesn\u2019t need to address carbon dioxide storage.\n\u201cWe are concerned about the agency\u2019s apparent disregard for the concerns of its science advisors,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201cScience is a valuable tool to help policymakers navigate complex issues.\u00a0 However, when inconvenient facts are disregarded or when dissenting voices are muzzled, a frank discussion becomes impossible. The EPA cannot continue to rush ahead with costly regulations without allowing time for a real-world look at the science.\u201d\n\u201cThe claim that the rule doesn\u2019t need to address storage concerns highlights your agency\u2019s continued lack of transparency and consistent attempts to avoid accountability,\u201d the Congressmen wrote. \u201cThe EPA\u2019s proposed power plant regulations will put Americans out of work and will make electricity more expensive and less reliable.\u00a0 It is misleading and dangerous for EPA to quietly dismiss inconvenient facts and ignore the consequences of its costly regulations.\u00a0 Americans deserve honesty.\u201d Chairman Smith was joined by the following Republican members in sending today\u2019s letter: Reps. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), Mo Brooks\u00a0 (R-Ala.), Paul Broun (R-Ga.), Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ralph M. Hall (R-Texas), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), Frank D. Lucas (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.),\u00a0 Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Michael T. McCaul (R-Texas), Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), David Schweikert (R-Ariz.),\u00a0 Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Steve Stockman (R-Texas), and Randy Weber (R-Texas) The full letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/smith-sponsors-miller-bill", "Smith Sponsors Miller Bill", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lamar Smith", "S000583", "lamarsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21) today co-sponsored H.R. 3789, a bill introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.). This bill would amend the text of Title IV, Sec 403, of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.\u00a0\nRepresentative Smith: \u201cWhile I do not support every provision in\u00a0the Bipartisan Budget Act, I felt it is what's best for Americans because it reduces the deficit and helps us get our economic house in order. One provision I did not support was a one percent decrease in cost-of-living adjustments for some military pensions.\n\"To repeal this provision, I have cosponsored H.R. 3789, a bill introduced by Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.). It would exempt all veterans who medically retire, those who receive Combat Related Specialty Pay, and surviving spouses in the Survivor Benefit Program from the cost-of-living change in the Bipartisan Budget Act.\u00a0\n\"The Bipartisan Budget Act increases defense funding by $33 billion over the next two years. This will help Texas' military installations and protect the jobs of thousands of men and women who serve our country. Without the Bipartisan Budget Act, there would have been automatic cuts in the defense budget that would have eliminated thousands of jobs.\u201d\nCOLA Facts:\nThe Bipartisan Budget Act reduces COLAs by one percent for less than one-fifth of military personnel. All those reaching the age of 62 by 2016 will see no change in their COLA. The COLA adjustment does not affect any VA disability pay.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=cef9827e-2dfd-4503-9cee-eb9f6d92678f", "Senate Democrats Block Cornyn\u2019s Attempt To Restore Military Pensions and Honor the Victims of Fort Hood", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Office \n 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. \n Washington, DC 20510 \n Main: 202-224-2934 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSoutheast Texas: \n 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 \n Houston, TX 77007 \n Main: 713-572-3337 \n Fax: 713-572-3777 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Texas: \n 222 East Van Buren \n Suite 404 \n Harlingen, TX 78550 \n Main: 956-423-0162 \n Fax: 956-423-0193 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWest Texas: \n Wells Fargo Center \n 1500 Broadway, Suite 1230 \n Lubbock, TX 79401 \n Main: 806-472-7533 \n Fax: 806-472-7536 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Central Texas: \n 600 Navarro \n Suite 210 \n San Antonio, TX 78205 \n Main: 210-224-7485 \n Fax: 210-224-8569 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nCentral Texas: \n Chase Tower \n 221 West Sixth Street \n Suite 1530 \n Austin, TX 78701 \n Main: 512-469-6034 \n Fax: 512-469-6020 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEast Texas: \n Regions Bank Building \n 100 E. Ferguson Street, Suite 1004 \n Tyler, TX 75702 \n Main: 903-593-0902 \n Fax: 903-593-0920 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNorth Texas: \n 5001 Spring Valley Road \n Suite 1125 E \n Dallas, TX 75244 \n Main: 972-239-1310 \n Fax: 972-239-2110 \n Get Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221021203/http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=f28aa71e-f177-47c0-bc8d-629a8f2a754f", "Cornyn Invites Sebelius to Meet With Texans Hurt By Obamacare", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) encouraged Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who is scheduled to be in Dallas and Houston on Friday, December 20,\u00a0 to meet with Texans who have lost their health care coverage due to Obamacare during her upcoming visit.\n\u201cI have heard from hundreds of Texans across the state who are facing dropped coverage and dramatically higher premiums for their health care, and I hope Secretary Sebelius will take the time to meet with some of these people while she\u2019s in Texas.\u00a0 The stories I\u2019ve heard are infuriating, and I think if Sec. Sebelius were to listen, it would be evident why this program needs dismantling.\n\u201cRather than holding events to funnel more Texans into this broken system, the Obama Administration should put an end to this failed program and allow Congress to enact patient-centered reforms to improve access and bring down costs for all Americans.\u201d\u00a0\nTo read the stories of Texans hurt by Obamacare, or to share your story, please visit Sen. Cornyn\u2019s\u00a0website.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221022628/http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=0ad834a5-fdea-418f-84a7-969d521409c9", "Cornyn, Toomey Introduce Bill To End \u2018Too Big To Fail\u2019", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u00a0- U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) today\u00a0introduced the\u00a0Taxpayer Protection and Responsible Resolution Act\u00a0(TPRRA) to end taxpayer-funded bailouts for large financial institutions.\u00a0\n\u201cIn recent years, our nation\u2019s economy has been haunted by the specter that the federal government will prop up failing financial institutions.\u00a0 This legislation, which I am proud to introduce with Sen. Toomey, will put an end to that threat,\u201d\u00a0said Sen. Cornyn.\u00a0 \u201cOnce these institutions know that the government can and will let them fail, they will be forced to become better stewards of their clients\u2019 resources or risk going out of business, rather than becoming a taxpayer liability.\u201d\n\u201cIn 2008, we discovered we did not have a mechanism adequate to resolve the failure of a large, complex financial institution,\u201d\u00a0said Sen. Toomey.\u00a0\u00a0\u201cDodd-Frank attempted to solve this problem.\u00a0 Unfortunately, it only made matters worse by creating a dedicated fund to bailout failing financial firms and, in the process, institutionalized \u2018too big to fail.\u2019\n\u201cMy bill with Senator Cornyn will instead repeal this provision of Dodd-Frank and ensure the failure of a large institution is handled in a predictable, orderly, and legal way that eliminates bailouts.\n\u201cInstituting a bankruptcy process, would allow the market to impose discipline on large financial institutions by pricing their risks appropriately.\u201d\nBackground on the\u00a0Taxpayer Protection and Responsible Resolution Act\nThe\u00a0Taxpayer Protection and Responsible Resolution Act\u00a0strengthens and modernizes U.S. bankruptcy laws to facilitate the resolution of a financial institution \u2013 and protect U.S. taxpayers from the bailouts that have come with bank failures in the past.\n\u00a0The legislation creates a new, specialized bankruptcy chapter (\u201cChapter 14\u201d) for certain financial corporations and eliminates the \u201corderly liquidation authority\u201d in Title II of the Dodd-Frank Act \u2013 an ad hoc process ripe for political manipulation that provides for yet another bailout. \u00a0\nUnder Chapter 14, the failed bank would go bankrupt, leaving its owners and long-term creditors on the hook for its bad decisions, not taxpayers. To avoid systemic risk to the financial system, which is what has led the government to use bailouts in the past, Chapter 14 would enable all the failed bank\u2019s assets and the liabilities that pose systemic risk to be transferred to a new \u201cbridge\u201d company. That bridge company would be owned by the bankrupt estate, but it would operate as a new, solvent, company that could go on meeting the failed bank\u2019s obligations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221023152/http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=0b2539b3-bc06-4b26-aa77-cc5b5bf53223", "Cornyn: Democrats\u2019 Refusal to Correct Legislative Mistakes Hurts Texas Service Members", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) highlighted the ways people are hurt by Senate Democrats\u2019 refusal to allow amendments to bills like the Bipartisan Budget Act and the National Defense Authorization Act today on the Senate floor.\nHis full speech can be seen\u00a0here, and excerpts of his remarks are below.\n\u201cThis is one of the things that happens when things get jammed through. Mistakes are made and people get hurt. In this instance, the people who happened to get hurt are those who wear the uniform of the United States military and have served with great hardship in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.\n\u201cShouldn't we do everything possible now, today, to make sure that these folks have peace of mind, particularly during this season of the year? If it was a technical error to include military retirees in the pension cuts why are we not fixing the problem today? Well, there's no good reason. There's zero good reason.\n\u201cThe Majority Leader's response to both the victims at Fort Hood and to active duty military with regard to their pensions that are now being cut back as a result of the vote yesterday, the response is exactly the same thing. Tough luck.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-democrats%E2%80%99-refusal-correct-legislative-mistakes-hurts-texas-service-members", "Cornyn: Democrats Refusal to Correct Legislative Mistakes Hurts Texas Service Members", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) highlighted the ways people are hurt by Senate Democrats' refusal to allow amendments to bills like the Bipartisan Budget Act and the National Defense Authorization Act today on the Senate floor.His full speech can be seenhere, and excerpts of his remarks are below.This is one of the things that happens when things get jammed through. Mistakes are made and people get hurt. In this instance, the people who happened to get hurt are those who wear the uniform of the United States military and have served with great hardship in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.Shouldn't we do everything possible now, today, to make sure that these folks have peace of mind, particularly during this season of the year? If it was a technical error to include military retirees in the pension cuts why are we not fixing the problem today? Well, there's no good reason. There's zero good reason.The Majority Leader's response to both the victims at Fort Hood and to active duty military with regard to their pensions that are now being cut back as a result of the vote yesterday, the response is exactly the same thing. Tough luck.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-invites-sebelius-meet-texans-hurt-obamacare", "Cornyn Invites Sebelius to Meet With Texans Hurt By Obamacare", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) encouraged Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who is scheduled to be in Dallas and Houston on Friday, December 20, to meet with Texans who have lost their health care coverage due to Obamacare during her upcoming visit.I have heard from hundreds of Texans across the state who are facing dropped coverage and dramatically higher premiums for their health care, and I hope Secretary Sebelius will take the time to meet with some of these people while she's in Texas. The stories I've heard are infuriating, and I think if Sec. Sebelius were to listen, it would be evident why this program needs dismantling.Rather than holding events to funnel more Texans into this broken system, the Obama Administration should put an end to this failed program and allow Congress to enact patient-centered reforms to improve access and bring down costs for all Americans.To read the stories of Texans hurt by Obamacare, or to share your story, please visit Sen. Cornyn'swebsite.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-toomey-introduce-bill-end-%E2%80%98too-big-fail%E2%80%99", "Cornyn, Toomey Introduce Bill To End Too Big To Fail", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON- U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Pat Toomey (R-PA) todayintroduced theTaxpayer Protection and Responsible Resolution Act(TPRRA) to end taxpayer-funded bailouts for large financial institutions.In recent years, our nation's economy has been haunted by the specter that the federal government will prop up failing financial institutions. This legislation, which I am proud to introduce with Sen. Toomey, will put an end to that threat,said Sen. Cornyn. Once these institutions know that the government can and will let them fail, they will be forced to become better stewards of their clients' resources or risk going out of business, rather than becoming a taxpayer liability.In 2008, we discovered we did not have a mechanism adequate to resolve the failure of a large, complex financial institution,said Sen. Toomey.Dodd-Frank attempted to solve this problem. Unfortunately, it only made matters worse by creating a dedicated fund to bailout failing financial firms and, in the process, institutionalized too big to fail.'My bill with Senator Cornyn will instead repeal this provision of Dodd-Frank and ensure the failure of a large institution is handled in a predictable, orderly, and legal way that eliminates bailouts.Instituting a bankruptcy process, would allow the market to impose discipline on large financial institutions by pricing their risks appropriately.Background on theTaxpayer Protection and Responsible Resolution ActTheTaxpayer Protection and Responsible Resolution Actstrengthens and modernizes U.S. bankruptcy laws to facilitate the resolution of a financial institution and protect U.S. taxpayers from the bailouts that have come with bank failures in the past.The legislation creates a new, specialized bankruptcy chapter (Chapter 14) for certain financial corporations and eliminates the orderly liquidation authority in Title II of the Dodd-Frank Act an ad hoc process ripe for political manipulation that provides for yet another bailout. Under Chapter 14, the failed bank would go bankrupt, leaving its owners and long-term creditors on the hook for its bad decisions, not taxpayers. To avoid systemic risk to the financial system, which is what has led the government to use bailouts in the past, Chapter 14 would enable all the failed bank's assets and the liabilities that pose systemic risk to be transferred to a new bridge company. That bridge company would be owned by the bankrupt estate, but it would operate as a new, solvent, company that could go on meeting the failed bank's obligations.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/senate-democrats-block-cornyn%E2%80%99s-attempt-restore-military-pensions-and-honor-victims-fort", "Senate Democrats Block Cornyns Attempt To Restore Military Pensions and Honor the Victims of Fort Hood", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONSenate Democrats blocked a request from U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to allow amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that would restore pension benefits to wounded service members and honor the victims of Fort Hood.His speech can be seenhere, and excerpts of his remarks are below.The Majority Leader is refusing to allow any vote on restoring pension benefits to the men and women of the United States Armed Services.I call it a mistake that needs to be fixed. Not next month, not next year, but right now, today. So why is it that the Majority Leader won't let us fix this right now? Why is it that he is blocking a vote on the relevant amendment?Why does he want to keep our veterans and our active duty military, including our wounded warriors, in limbo during the Christmas holidays? Does he have a good reason for it? Is it really more important to confirm some mid-level appointees than to make sure that our wounded combat veterans get the pensions that they've earned?Is it really more important to approve all of these nominees than to honor the men and women who lost their lives in a homegrown terrorist attack at Fort Hood, Texas, some four years ago?Unfortunately, like so much around here lately, it's all politics, all the time, even if that means slighting our wounded warriors and refusing to honor 13 brave Americans who were killed by a terrorist attack at a U.S. Army base.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kaygranger.house.gov/gold-medal-worthy", "Gold Medal Worthy", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kay Granger", "G000377", "kaygranger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend, \u00a0\n\tEarlier this month, I introduced bipartisan legislation to honor the Monuments Men of World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress\u2019 highest expression of appreciation. \u00a0\n\tThe Monuments Men and women were a special unit of cultural preservation officers appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1943 and tasked with the responsibility of helping to safely locate and return famous works of art confiscated by the Nazis. \u00a0\n\tThe Monuments Men remained in Europe for almost six years following the end of the fighting to continue their hunt for art and cultural items. Their efforts were a remarkable feat not only because of the world-class art they preserved and returned to their rightful owners, but because of the sheer volume of cultural items that they safely located; almost five million pieces in total. Famous works of art like Michelangelo\u2019s Bruges Madonna, Vermeer\u2019s The Astronomer and Jan van Eyck\u2019s Ghent Altarpiece as well as works by Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Leonardo da Vinci.\n\tI think U.S. Navy reservist George Stout, a member of the Monuments Men unit, said it best, \u201cWhat if we win the war, but lost the last 500 years of our cultural history?\" Sadly, out of nearly 350 World War II Monuments Men, only five are still living - four men and one woman. \n\tWhile we can never say thank you enough, I believe the Congressional Gold Medal is a worthy token of appreciation from a grateful Nation to members of the greatest generation.\n\tSincerely,\nKay Granger \n\tMember of Congress\nBy the way, I wanted to share with you a story CBS News recently aired on the Monuments Men and my legislation honoring them with the Congressional Gold Medal. Click to watch.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kaygranger.house.gov/obamacare-rollout-concerns", "ObamaCare Rollout Concerns", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kay Granger", "G000377", "kaygranger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friend,\n\tSince the health care website\u2019s rollout, I have received numerous phone calls, emails and letters from constituents who are concerned about ObamaCare\u2019s impact on their personal health care and our nation\u2019s health care system. As an ObamaCare enrollee myself, I share your concerns, especially after seeing the ongoing problems with the website.\n\tEven though some of the website\u2019s bugs have now been resolved, there are still lingering problems with the website and the overall implementation of the health care law. Many people signing up for health insurance on the federal government\u2019s website are being told they have completed the process and have health insurance, but are later finding out their information was never transmitted to the actual insurance companies, or the forms the insurance company received were incorrect or incomplete. Without correct and complete information from the federal government website, insurance companies cannot provide the health insurance coverage people are expecting.\n\tAnother serious concern I have is about the security of the federal exchange website. When registering for coverage, people have to supply a significant amount of personal information; this includes IRS information and data like your social security number. Testimony, and documents, from Health and Human Services officials have revealed that the website did not go through all of the necessary security testing that was needed before the website went live. \u00a0\n\tThese are just some of the many issues with HealthCare.gov and the new law in general. I am not surprised that these problems have come up, which is why I voted for legislation that would delay the requirement that everyone have health insurance by 2014. As the holiday season is upon us, Americans do not need this kind of uncertainty when it comes to their health care coverage.\u00a0\n\tSincerely,\nKay Granger \n\tMember of Congress\nP.S. Last week, I was asked to join the House Republican leadership during their weekly press conference to highlight many of these very concerns. To watch my remarks, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://samjohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364744", "Death List Limits to Curb Tax Fraud by Identity Thieves", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Sam Johnson", "J000174", "samjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. government will limit public access to death records that have been used for years by identity thieves to commit tax fraud.\r\nA provision in the budget bill poised to pass the Senate today would limit access to information in the Social Security Administration\u2019s Death Master File to certified entities, such as life insurers and pension funds that use the data to combat fraud and administer benefits. The limits would apply for three years after an individual\u2019s death.\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re going to save the U.S. government money that otherwise is being stolen,\u201d said Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat.\r\nThe changes would save the government an estimated $786 million over the next decade by reducing fraudulent claims, according to the Congressional Budget Office. They also may keep genealogists from seeing the records immediately.\r\nNelson and other lawmakers have been trying for several years to limit access to the death records. On the Senate floor yesterday, he cited the cases of children whose identities had been stolen after they died.\r\nIn a typical case, the identity thief would file a tax return using a stolen Social Security number before the legitimate return could be filed, claiming a refund and plunging the real taxpayer\u2019s family into months of limbo.\r\n\u201cWorrying about the stolen identity of a loved one is the last things a grieving family should do,\u201d Representative Sam Johnson, a Texas Republican and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee panel on Social Security, said in a statement.\r\n78 Percent\r\nAccording to the independent National Taxpayer Advocate, the annual caseload for the Internal Revenue Service\u2019s identity theft unit increased 78 percent to 450,000 in fiscal 2012.\r\nThieves get taxpayers\u2019 personal information in other ways, including stolen payroll records.\r\nCompanies such as New York Life Insurance Co., Equifax Inc. (EFX) and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. have been lobbying Congress on the death list issue, according to Senate records.\r\nThe death records became public after the government settled a lawsuit in 1980. The government created the file and began selling it rather than responding to individual requests.\r\nThe legislation would exempt the records from the federal Freedom of Information Act and give the Commerce Department 90 days to set up a process to certify legitimate users. The public would get access to the data three years after an individual\u2019s death.\r\n\u2018Robust Rulemaking\u2019\r\nIn a statement, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch cited \u201cconfusion and ambiguity\u201d during the legislative process and said there should be \u201cbalance\u201d as Commerce officials write rules.\r\n\u201cWe need a robust rulemaking process, where all interested parties are afforded the time and opportunity to adequately express their interests,\u201d said Hatch, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee.\r\nIn the Senate yesterday, Nelson, Washington Democrat Patty Murray and Pennsylvania Democrat Bob Casey said the government shouldn\u2019t interpret the law to cut off access immediately.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s essential to strike the correct balance,\u201d Casey said, adding that banks and investment companies in his state use the information. Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-18/death-list-limits-to-curb-tax-fraud-by-identity-thieves.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://conaway.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364790", "Rep. Conaway Vows to Protect Disabled Veterans Pension Benefits", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "K. Conaway", "C001062", "conaway.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 18, 2013\n\nContact: Ted Monoson (202) 225-3605\n\nRep. Conaway Vows to Protect Disabled Veterans' Pension Benefits\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. Today U.S. Representative K. Michael Conaway (R-Texas) signed on as a co-sponsor of legislation offered by House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, R-Fla., that would exempt all veterans who retired from the military for physical disability, who received combat-related special compensation, or who have a service connected disability rating of 50% or higher, from changes in the Budget agreement that slow the growth of their disability pensions. \nThe budget agreement included an unclear provision that unintentionally slowed the growth of pension benefits for disabled veterans. This is unacceptable and today I co-sponsored legislation that would fix this mistake. The House will take this bill up, or other legislation that does the same thing, before the changes take effect. The change in veterans' pensions does not go into effect until December 2015; nevertheless, we need to fix this in the very near future. Congress will protect disabled veterans from any harmful changes to their pension.\n\n\n\n###\n\nTed Monoson\nCommunications Director\nCongressman K. Michael Conaway\n2430 Rayburn House Office Building\nWashington, D.C. 20515\n(202) 225-3605\n\nSign up for Congressman Conaway's e-newsletter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinbrady.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395334", "Fed Tapers", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kevin Brady", "B000755", "kevinbrady.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fed Tapers \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, D.C.,\r\n December 18, 2013\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n It's about time, Brady declares\r\n share:\r\n f \r\n t \r\n \r\n \r\n It's about time, Brady declares Washington, D.C. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, today praised the decision by the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) to taper its large-scale asset purchase program. It's about time. The Fed has finally taken the first step toward restoring a normal monetary policy. The seemingly endless doses of monetary morphine have served Wall Street well, but have done little to help struggling families on Main Streets across America. While this announcement is a positive first step, the Fed still has a long way to go, Brady observed. Today, the FOMC statement said, Beginning in January, the Committee will add to its holdings of agency mortgage-backed securities at a pace of $35 billion per month rather than $40 billion per month, and will add to its holdings of longer-term Treasury securities at a pace of $40 billion per month rather than $45 billion per month.\r\n \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://web.archive.org/web/20140221011950/http://farenthold.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364787", "U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold Cosponsors Two Bills to Eliminate Cuts to Military Retirement Payments", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Blake Farenthold", "F000460", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today, U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27) cosponsored two pieces of legislation to eliminate cuts to military retirement payments included in the Bipartisan Budget Act.\u00a0 \n\u201cWe cannot balance our budget on the backs of our military retirees,\u201d said Congressman Farenthold.\u00a0 \u201cOur veterans fought hard to protect our freedom, and we must ensure they receive the retirement benefits they\u2019ve earned.\u201d\u00a0 \nThe first measure would completely strike Section 403 of the Budget Act to eliminate any cuts to Cost of Living Adjustments (COLAs) attached to military retirement payments brought about by the Bipartisan Budget Act.\u00a0 \nThe second measure would simply clarify and exempt all veterans who medically retire, those who receive Combat Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC), and those who receive Concurrent Receipt Pay (CRDP).\u00a0 The intent of the bill is to exempt all disabled veterans from the impact of Section 403 on their disability pension.\u00a0 While the House-passed Budget measure does not affect VA disability compensation, it still affects disabled veterans who receive pay under the Department of Defense.\u00a0 \nBoth measures will be introduced tomorrow when the House of Representatives is in Pro Forma Session.\u00a0 The bills will be considered when the House reconvenes in early January 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221023201/http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=a9491624-aa0d-481b-b4f5-45887cde262c", "Cornyn: Mistake to Not Fix Military Pensions", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) criticized Senate Democrats today for blocking amendments that would prevent cuts to service members\u2019 pensions and classify the Fort Hood shooting as an act of terrorism. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\nHis full speech can be seen\u00a0here, and excerpts of his remarks are below:\n\u201cI've heard at least two of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle say that, well we can come back and do this next year. Well, why do it next year if we could do it now?\n\u201cThe Majority Leader made clear he wasn't going to allow any other amendments, except of his own choosing, thus denying the minority any opportunity to help amend and improve the defense authorization bill, one of the most important pieces of legislation this body takes up every year.\n\u201cNow in the waning days right before the Christmas holidays, the Majority Leader seeks to jam through this bill that was agreed upon by basically four people behind closed doors and denied me representing 26 million Texans and denied those of us who care about calling a spade a spade when it comes to terrorism an opportunity to offer an amendment on the defense authorization bill. And it\u2019s a mistake. No less a mistake than denying an opportunity to fix the mistake of discriminatory treatment of our service members whose pensions are being cut as a result of the budget negotiation.\u00a0\n\u201cI hope members of both parties can put politics aside for one minute, come together and address the needs of our military families and those who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to preserve our freedom.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-mistake-not-fix-military-pensions", "Cornyn: Mistake to Not Fix Military Pensions", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) criticized Senate Democrats today for blocking amendments that would prevent cuts to service members' pensions and classify the Fort Hood shooting as an act of terrorism. His full speech can be seenhere, and excerpts of his remarks are below:I've heard at least two of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle say that, well we can come back and do this next year. Well, why do it next year if we could do it now?The Majority Leader made clear he wasn't going to allow any other amendments, except of his own choosing, thus denying the minority any opportunity to help amend and improve the defense authorization bill, one of the most important pieces of legislation this body takes up every year.Now in the waning days right before the Christmas holidays, the Majority Leader seeks to jam through this bill that was agreed upon by basically four people behind closed doors and denied me representing 26 million Texans and denied those of us who care about calling a spade a spade when it comes to terrorism an opportunity to offer an amendment on the defense authorization bill. And it's a mistake. No less a mistake than denying an opportunity to fix the mistake of discriminatory treatment of our service members whose pensions are being cut as a result of the budget negotiation.I hope members of both parties can put politics aside for one minute, come together and address the needs of our military families and those who have worked so hard and sacrificed so much to preserve our freedom.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=58f867e0-17f5-46e0-86ab-9ca83cae55e3", "Cornyn Introduces Bill To Improve Texas Ports of Entry", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Office \n 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. \n Washington, DC 20510 \n Main: 202-224-2934 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSoutheast Texas: \n 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 \n Houston, TX 77007 \n Main: 713-572-3337 \n Fax: 713-572-3777 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Texas: \n 222 East Van Buren \n Suite 404 \n Harlingen, TX 78550 \n Main: 956-423-0162 \n Fax: 956-423-0193 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWest Texas: \n Wells Fargo Center \n 1500 Broadway, Suite 1230 \n Lubbock, TX 79401 \n Main: 806-472-7533 \n Fax: 806-472-7536 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Central Texas: \n 600 Navarro \n Suite 210 \n San Antonio, TX 78205 \n Main: 210-224-7485 \n Fax: 210-224-8569 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nCentral Texas: \n Chase Tower \n 221 West Sixth Street \n Suite 1530 \n Austin, TX 78701 \n Main: 512-469-6034 \n Fax: 512-469-6020 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEast Texas: \n Regions Bank Building \n 100 E. Ferguson Street, Suite 1004 \n Tyler, TX 75702 \n Main: 903-593-0902 \n Fax: 903-593-0920 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNorth Texas: \n 5001 Spring Valley Road \n Suite 1125 E \n Dallas, TX 75244 \n Main: 972-239-1310 \n Fax: 972-239-2110 \n Get Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=feature-redirect&ContentRecord_id=5af92bbb-515c-4d05-a6c1-171c79cc5da7", "When It Snows, Ain\u2019t It Thrilling?", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Office \n 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. \n Washington, DC 20510 \n Main: 202-224-2934 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSoutheast Texas: \n 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 \n Houston, TX 77007 \n Main: 713-572-3337 \n Fax: 713-572-3777 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Texas: \n 222 East Van Buren \n Suite 404 \n Harlingen, TX 78550 \n Main: 956-423-0162 \n Fax: 956-423-0193 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWest Texas: \n Wells Fargo Center \n 1500 Broadway, Suite 1230 \n Lubbock, TX 79401 \n Main: 806-472-7533 \n Fax: 806-472-7536 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Central Texas: \n 600 Navarro \n Suite 210 \n San Antonio, TX 78205 \n Main: 210-224-7485 \n Fax: 210-224-8569 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nCentral Texas: \n Chase Tower \n 221 West Sixth Street \n Suite 1530 \n Austin, TX 78701 \n Main: 512-469-6034 \n Fax: 512-469-6020 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEast Texas: \n Regions Bank Building \n 100 E. Ferguson Street, Suite 1004 \n Tyler, TX 75702 \n Main: 903-593-0902 \n Fax: 903-593-0920 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNorth Texas: \n 5001 Spring Valley Road \n Suite 1125 E \n Dallas, TX 75244 \n Main: 972-239-1310 \n Fax: 972-239-2110 \n Get Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-introduces-bill-improve-texas-ports-entry", "Cornyn Introduces Bill To Improve Texas Ports of Entry", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Emergency Port of Entry Personnel and Infrastructure Funding Act, to provide emergency resources to our nation's ports of entry. A version of the bill was introduced by Representative Beto O'Rourke (TX-16) in the House of Representatives, and is co-sponsored by Reps. Filemon Vela (TX-34), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), and Pete Gallego (TX-23).By equipping our ports of entry with next generation infrastructure and technology, as well as providing the necessary resources for personnel, I'm confident we can make big improvements and achieve significantly lower wait times at these critical border crossings. Doing so will facilitate legitimate trade and travel and greatly boost security.This innovative partnership will ensure that our Texas border communities are safer, and their local economies are more prosperous.Background on the Emergency Port of Entry Personnel and Infrastructure Funding Act\n Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to make improvements at current land ports of entry and construct new ports on the northern and southern border.\nDirects the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to hire, train, and assign 5,000 additional CBP officers and 350 support personnel at land border crossings over six years.\nRequires DHS to provide all CBP officers with secure communications equipment to streamline communications.\nEstablishes a federal grant program to enable state and local law enforcement on the Southern border to purchase identification and detection equipment as well as mobile, hand-held 2 way communication devices.\nAuthorizes $6 billion over six years to carry out staffing increases and infrastructure improvements, fully offset by spending reductions elsewhere in the federal budget.\nRequires GSA to evaluate and respond to alternative financing proposals for POE infrastructure from interested public and private entities. \nDirects CBP to standardize wait time data collection and assess data collection automation. \nRequires CBP to develop and adopt a standardized staff allocation model across land port of entry.\nAdds new outcome-based performance measures that support trade facilitation goals to current performance measure criteria.\n Support for the billI applaud Sen. Cornyn and fellow members of the Texas Congressional delegation for their leadership and commitment to helping South Texans capitalize on our opportunities for enhanced trade and commerce, job creation and economic growth in the region. I hope this bipartisan measure will receive the wide backing and swift approval it merits so we can take the steps needed to make significant improvements to our ports of entry and remove obstacles for safe and efficient trade and commerce.- Rene Ramirez, Former Hidalgo County JudgeI strongly support the proposed legislation that Senator Cornyn has introduced that will allow CBP to properly staff the primary and secondary inspection lanes at the Port of Entries. Requiring GSA to consider alternative financial tools to support needed infrastructure at our Port of Entries will ensure that infrastructure will be improved in a timely manner. Finally, requiring CBP to develop a standard staff allocation plan and standardizing the wait time model allows bridge owners to be more competitive in providing needed mobility and luring traffic to their respective bridges.-Judge Carlos Cascos, Cameron CountyAs Superintendent of Bridges for the City of McAllen and in charge of the Administration of City owned bridge operations I applaud Senator John Cornyn for his efforts to help expedite legitimate trade and travel. Providing resources necessary to achieve a 50 percent reduction in the average wait times of commercial and passenger vehicles at our international ports of entry will greatly enhance our competitive edge and increase economic activity in our border region.-Rigoberto \"Rigo\" Villarreal, Superintendent of the McAllen International Toll BridgeThe USHCC remains committed to Senator Cornyn and Texas House Delegation efforts to pass Port of Entry legislation. The legislation provides direct solutions to a present system that hinders commerce.-Marc Rodriguez, Chairman, United States Hispanic Chamber of CommerceI appreciate the leadership and knowledge Sen. Cornyn and Representatives O'Rourke, Cuellar and Vela have provided on this issue. Improving our ports of entry and adequately staffing them is a business issue and it's a national issue. We lose money every day our ports are not ready.-Julian Alvarez, RGV Partnership CEOSenator John Cornyn has continually been an advocate for a safe and economically thriving U.S/Mexico Border Region. This legislation impacts on the facets of job creation, business expansion and efficient international commerce. Should this legislation pass it will do much toward building a border whose multi-faceted responsibility includes promoting prosperity for our great nation.-Ruben Villarreal, Mayor, Rio Grande City We are grateful to Senator Cornyn and Representative Henry Cuellar for their bi-partisan leadership in introducing the Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act of 2013.' Mexico has long been our largest partner in trade and our neighbor in security concerns. The City of Laredo has always been an advocate for not only strengthening our border, in both directions, against illegal trade, but also for facilitating the open and efficient flow of legal commerce. Congress has an opportunity to enhance our trade partnerships and improve port security infrastructure. We are also grateful that the legislation recognizes the role local public safety entities, such as the Laredo Police, Fire and Health departments, play in partnership with our federal and state agencies to keep the nation, and Texas, safe. For Laredo, hometown security has always meant homeland security. While this is of upmost importance to this community and country, keeping commerce flowing between our two nations drives the economic engine of this country, of this region.- Carlos Villarreal, City of Laredo City Manager", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-smith-to-supreme-court-epa-overstepped-authority", "Chairman Smith to Supreme Court: EPA Overstepped Authority", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lamar Smith", "S000583", "lamarsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today joined Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and several lawmakers in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court challenging EPA\u2019s power to interpret the Clean Air Act (CAA) in a way that bypasses the constitutional role of Congress. The House Science Committee has jurisdiction over science and technology issues related to environmental policy and underlying EPA regulations, including those governing greenhouse gasses.\nChairman Smith: \u201cThe EPA continually attempts to sidestep Congress and expand its role in advancing a partisan political agenda. Costly and burdensome regulations put American jobs at risk. Disregarding the authority of Congress to set environmental policy undermines the democratic process.\u00a0 The Obama administration continues to overstep its constitutional authority as it attempts to enact job-killing regulations.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nThe central question under consideration is whether EPA\u2019s setting emissions standards for cars and trucks under the Mobile Source program of the CAA automatically triggers permitting requirements for stationary facilities under other CAA programs.\nThe brief explains that to allow the EPA to re-write the law to suit its regulatory agenda \u201cwould, in the words of Judge Kavanaugh, \u2018green-light a significant shift in power from the Legislative Branch to the Executive Branch,\u2019 effectively giving the Executive Branch \u2018the authority to set economic and social policy as it sees fit.\u2019\u201d The brief states: \u201cOur Constitution reserves the power to enact, amend, or repeal statutes to Congress alone.\u201d\nAlong with Chairman Smith and Sen. McConnell, Amici curiae are Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Reps. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), and Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.).\u00a0\nAn \u201camicus brief\u201d is a brief filed in a court by someone who is not a party in the case.\u00a0 Such briefs may supplement the legal arguments made by the parties and can aid the court by bringing to its attention aspects of the case not covered by the parties, such as the impact of the issues in the case on\u00a0 third parties.\nOral argument is scheduled for February 24, 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/weekly-newsletters?ContentRecord_id=5C758188-B14B-4E89-A23C-B387D8C72394", "The Hill Report: Week of December 9 - 13, 2013", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday Chairman Kevin Brady of\u00a0the\u00a0Ways and Means Committee introduced HR 1,\u00a0the\u00a0Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which represented\u00a0the\u00a0first public unveiling of legislation that could lead to tax reform this Congress.\u00a0 \u00a0According to\u00a0the\u00a0Wall Street Journal, this bill \u201cis, on net, about a $1.5 trillion tax", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140220233903/http://flores.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=469", "Flores Introduces the Veterans Entrepreneurs Act", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Bill Flores", "F000461", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Congressman Bill Flores (R-Texas) introduced the Veterans Entrepreneurs Act, H.R. 3725. This legislation will help veterans start their own businesses and give them opportunities to use their skills and expertise after they finish their military service.\n\n\t\u201cI believe that we should help our veterans gain the tools for success once they have returned home from service. These men and women made commitments to selflessly serve our country and we should provide them an effective transition into the civilian workforce,\u201d Congressman Flores said. \u201cThese are talented individuals who have good skills and self-discipline that make them well-suited for business ownership.\u201d\n\n\tThe Veterans Entrepreneurs Act will assist veteran entrepreneurs in transitioning to the private sector after their military service by reducing both the red tape and the costs of starting a franchise to help them become small business owners. It will also make it easier for veterans to own small business franchises by establishing a tax credit for veteran franchisees equal to 25 percent of the franchise fee incurred. This tax credit will help offset the initial start up costs for a franchise business which is often out of reach for many veterans.\n\n\t\u201cThe idea for this legislation arose from testimony delivered to the House Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee during a recent field hearing in Waco in early November.\u00a0 During that hearing, which I chaired, the subcommittee heard how investing in veterans\u2019 successes will not only strengthen our veterans and their families, but also our economy. The tax credit established in the Veterans Entrepreneurs Act will assist in curbing employment obstacles and allow our nation\u2019s heroes to become entrepreneurs. We must continue to promote private sector efforts to hire veterans as well as look for innovative ways to empower veterans to be entrepreneurs and small business owners. The more veterans we have acquiring and creating jobs, the more our economy will continue to grow benefiting both our veterans and our nation,\u201d Flores said.\n\n\tTo view the text of H.R. 3725, visit Flores.house.gov/uploads/HR-3725.pdf.\n\n\tCongressman Bill Flores represents the 17th District of Texas and is an entrepreneur, former energy executive, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and member of the House Budget, Natural Resources and Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committees.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=f641f24a-d568-4fea-93b9-d1b1e280af3c", "Cornyn Statement on the Anniversary of the Newtown Shooting", "2013-12-14", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Office \n 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. \n Washington, DC 20510 \n Main: 202-224-2934 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSoutheast Texas: \n 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 \n Houston, TX 77007 \n Main: 713-572-3337 \n Fax: 713-572-3777 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Texas: \n 222 East Van Buren \n Suite 404 \n Harlingen, TX 78550 \n Main: 956-423-0162 \n Fax: 956-423-0193 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWest Texas: \n Wells Fargo Center \n 1500 Broadway, Suite 1230 \n Lubbock, TX 79401 \n Main: 806-472-7533 \n Fax: 806-472-7536 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Central Texas: \n 600 Navarro \n Suite 210 \n San Antonio, TX 78205 \n Main: 210-224-7485 \n Fax: 210-224-8569 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nCentral Texas: \n Chase Tower \n 221 West Sixth Street \n Suite 1530 \n Austin, TX 78701 \n Main: 512-469-6034 \n Fax: 512-469-6020 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEast Texas: \n Regions Bank Building \n 100 E. Ferguson Street, Suite 1004 \n Tyler, TX 75702 \n Main: 903-593-0902 \n Fax: 903-593-0920 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNorth Texas: \n 5001 Spring Valley Road \n Suite 1125 E \n Dallas, TX 75244 \n Main: 972-239-1310 \n Fax: 972-239-2110 \n Get Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-statement-anniversary-newtown-shooting", "Cornyn Statement on the Anniversary of the Newtown Shooting", "2013-12-14", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.A year ago today, America stood aghast at the senseless bloodshed in Newtown, Connecticut. The intervening time can scarcely blunt the grief of those who suffered the most painful loss imaginable. I invite all Texans to take a moment today to remember those 20 first graders who were taken from their families so suddenly. They will forever exist in the hearts of millions of Americans as smiling portraits of innocence. We also remember the adults who laid down their lives that day, and we pray that the survivors may find some modicum of consolation in knowing that their nation has not forgotten them.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://carter.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=40&itemid=1854", "Fort Hood Combat Readiness funded in NDAA", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fort Hood Combat Readiness funded in NDAA\r\n\r\n\tWASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) voted for the National Defense Authorization Act Thursday, which authorizes funding at $526.8 billion for the Department of Defense (DoD) discretionary base budget. \u00a0Rep. Carter, Vice Chairman of\u00a0Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, represents Fort Hood, the largest military installation in the world and says the NDAA will restore readiness to the Armed Forces. The package passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and a vote of 350-69.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cMilitary readiness is lower than it has been in decades. This is completely unacceptable and is a worry that keeps me up at night. The President\u2019s sequester forced cuts across the DoD, stifling readiness operations, including training. We must ensure our troops are ready for action if and when we call them up to serve our country in a time of need,\u201d said Rep. Carter. \u201cThe NDAA will restore vital readiness operations and provide a viable budget that supports high priority national security initiatives.\u201d\r\n\r\n\tThe NDAA also ensures the religious liberties of military members and chaplains are protected.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cOur men and women in uniform should never have to censor their religious affiliation. This section of the NDAA will ensure soldiers can support religious organizations of their choosing,\u201d said Rep. Carter.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe initial NDAA also included language requiring DoD to reexamine awarding the Purple Heart medal and benefits to the victims of the Fort Hood shooting. The language requires a response within 180 days.\r\n\r\n\tThe NDAA also includes the following:\r\n \r\n\t\r\n\t\tProvides additional funding for Guard and Reserve equipment,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tRequires reports from DoD on Benghazi,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tCombats Sexual Assaults in the Military,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tProhibits the transfer of GITMO detainees to the U.S.,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tPlaces restrictions on funding to Pakistan,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tRecognizes the continued threats by Iran,\r\n\t\r\n\t\tRestores vital readiness accounts to cover underfunded combat operations.\r\n \r\n\r\n\tAbrams tank upgrades will also take place under the NDAA, providing additional funding for upgrades and heavy equipment recovery vehicles for the Army. Much of this vital work is done by Texans.\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gohmert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364452", "Rep. Louie Gohmert Votes Against President\u2019s Unilateral Military Authority", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Louie Gohmert", "G000552", "gohmert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the followings statement today regarding his vote against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):\u00a0\u201cIt is high time that Congress reclaims it\u2019s war powers authority. This bill continues to provide the President unilateral authority to engage in war. Unilateral authority of this nature should not solely lie in the hands of the President - especially when both he and his administration have proven time and time again unfaithful to the very principles this country was founded upon. This administration\u2019s politically charged decisions have not only placed our troops in harm\u2019s way, but they have put this nation in a very vulnerable position. We have seen this administration betray our friend, Israel, while supplying and assisting our enemies \u2013 the very people that want to kill us. \r\nProviding arms and assistance to groups who are killing and brutalizing Christians and other minorities is a prescription for disaster. Though I was very pleased with some of the inclusions like return of conscience exceptions, I could not vote for a bill that would continue to give the President powers that result in the deaths and abuse of Christians and minorities. As some middle eastern allies told me a few months ago, \u2018Your country is now helping the people who supported the attacks on you and are at war with you. We do not understand it.\u2019 I do not either and could not support it. \r\nAfter the World Trade Center attack in 2001, the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) was set in place as a reaction to a horrific terrorist attack. Today, we are not in the same position as we once were. The incredible blanket powers, provided to the President on 9-11, \u00a0must be rolled back. \u00a0Until we repeal, or at least narrow, the AUMF, I cannot vote to continue to give this administration unfettered authority to make unilateral decisions that could potentially harm us and those who put on uniforms and stand to protect us.\u201d Congressman Louie Gohmert is the Vice Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Prior to being elected to serve in Congress, Louie was elected to three terms as District Judge in Smith County, Texas and also served as Chief Justice of Texas'12th Court of Appeals.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kaygranger.house.gov/press-release/vice-president-biden-representatives-granger-and-lowey-honored-championing-us-global", "Vice President Biden, Representatives Granger and Lowey Honored for Championing U.S. Global Leadership", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kay Granger", "G000377", "kaygranger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last night, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) recognized Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.\u00a0and\u00a0Representatives Kay Granger\u00a0(R-TX) and\u00a0Nita M. Lowey\u00a0(D-NY)\u00a0for their long-standing commitment to America\u2019s global leadership through strong U.S. development and diplomacy programs. Close to 1,000 people representing a who\u2019s who of the U.S. foreign policy community were on hand to honor the three leaders for supporting a robust U.S. International Affairs Budget.\n\u201cThe world can be a messy and difficult place. But what we do beyond our borders matters more here at home than it ever has,\u201d said Vice President Biden. \u201cAt just over one percent of our federal budget, American investment in diplomacy and development is one of the best bargains the American taxpayer gets.\u201d\u00a0\nDiscussing the national security importance of the International Affairs Budget, the Vice President went on to say, \u201cOur success against terrorism, extremism and pandemic disease depends upon development where it matters most. Without it, extremism grows, terrorism becomes a viable option, and pandemic disease increases the prospect of it flourishing.\u201d\nShowing the important bipartisan support that exists for U.S. engagement in the world, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) led the tribute to his longtime colleague, Vice President Biden, saying, \u201cOur military cannot address every one of the deep-rooted causes of violence and instability in the world. Diplomacy and global development are indispensable to our success. Don\u2019t take my word for it. Ask anyone in the military in command or in the ranks. They\u2019ll tell you how critically important foreign assistance is to preventing wars and winning the peace.\u201d\nRepresentatives Granger and Lowey are two of the leading voices on Capitol Hill for strengthening America\u2019s commitment to a smart power foreign policy in the world as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee respectively.\u00a0\n\u201cThe United States plays an important role on the world stage both in terms of our leadership and our responsibility to invest wisely in countries to help advance democratic principles, and enhance our security partnerships,\u201d said Congresswoman Granger.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ve also witnessed firsthand the significance of U.S. engagement around the world; whether it\u2019s through bolstering global education, HIV prevention or assistance to help our allies protect themselves from external threats, the benefits are real and tangible.\u201d\n\u201cIt is a special honor to receive USGLC\u2019s recognition alongside my friends Vice President Biden and Congresswoman Kay Granger, two great advocates for America\u2019s global leadership and for strong and effective foreign assistance,\u201d said Congresswoman Lowey. \u201cDemocrats and Republicans must continue working together to ensure that we invest in the vital programs that strengthen our national security by promoting democracy, prosperity, and stability around the world.\u201d\nThe event was co-chaired by longtime USGLC members, Lockheed Martin Corporation and Sesame Workshop, further demonstrating the broad support America\u2019s investments in the smart power tools of development and diplomacy has across the country. \u00a0\n\u201cFor Lockheed Martin and the hundreds of businesses gathered here today, there is simply no choice about whether to be engaged in important global issues,\u201d said Marillyn A. Hewson, CEO and President of Lockheed Martin Corporation. \u201cToday, 95 percent of the world\u2019s consumers live outside of the U.S., and over half of our exports already go to the developing world, a number that\u2019s only going to grow. The International Affairs Budget is critical to our nation\u2019s future.\u201d\n\u201cHelping others is part of our national identity,\u201d said H. Melvin Ming, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop. \u201cInvesting in diplomacy, education and development opportunities across the world is the right thing to do both morally and for the stability and economic growth of all nations. Improving the educational outcomes of the world\u2019s most vulnerable children is in all our interests.\u201d\nAlso on the program was Grover, the self-described \u201clovable, cute and furry\u201d Sesame Workshop Muppet, who told USGLC Chairman Dan Glickman and Executive Director Liz Schrayer that \u201cwhen I go on my trips around the world I will tell all my friends how you are working to build a better, safer, and more prosperous world.\u201d\n\u201cWhile many of us may disagree on some things, it\u2019s clear tonight that Democrats, Republicans and Independents all come together around the importance of America\u2019s engaged role in the world by eradicating diseases like HIV/AIDS, feeding the hungry, and\u00a0 fighting global poverty,\u201d said Glickman. \u201cThe International Affairs Budget provides America with the tools and the resources we need to lead in the world, and this small one percent investment provides a tremendous return for our security, economy, and values as a nation. We are grateful for the leadership of Vice President Biden, Representatives Granger and Lowey, as well as Senator McCain, in calling for a strong and effective International Affairs Budget.\u201d\nThe U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating development and diplomacy alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-smith-and-rep-cohen-introduce-digital-goods-bill", "Chairman Smith and Rep. Cohen Introduce Digital Goods Bill", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lamar Smith", "S000583", "lamarsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) today introduced legislation to protect consumers from unfair taxes on digital goods, like those purchased over the Internet or on a smartphone.\u00a0 The Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act of 2013 (H.R. 3724) ensures that digital goods are not taxed at a higher rate than their tangible counterparts.\u00a0 For example, the bill prevents the taxation of mp3 and software downloads at a higher rate than the tax on music and software CDs.\u00a0 The legislation makes sure that consumers do not suffer tax discrimination because they choose to purchase a good in digital rather than tangible form.\u00a0\nRepresentatives Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), and Howard Coble (R-N.C.) joined in cosponsoring the legislation. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate earlier this year by Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).\nChairman Smith: \u201cIn our modern economy, more and more consumers are buying digital goods and services rather than tangible goods. While books are still sold in stores across the country, readers can now download hundreds of digital books, newspapers and magazines instantaneously with the click of a mouse from the comfort of their home.\u00a0 But as technology advances, it is important that tax policies do not unfairly penalize consumers who choose to download digital goods rather than purchase their tangible counterparts. This legislation promotes tax fairness and ensures that consumers are not discouraged from purchasing digital goods.\u201d\nRep. Cohen: \u201cDigital goods and services are quickly becoming a driving force in our national economy. We need to establish a uniform framework for the taxation of digital goods and services so consumers won\u2019t be double-taxed.\u00a0 Our Digital Goods and Services Tax Fairness Act would accomplish such a goal.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://carter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1037", "Budget deal protects Fort Hood families and small businesses", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John R. Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", "carter", "https://carter.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Budget deal reduces effects of President\u2019s sequester cuts\n\nFORT HOOD, TX- Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) voted for H.J. Res. 59, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013. This budget agreement will reduce the reckless cuts from the President\u2019s sequester by more than $60 billion while protecting investment in our national defense and lowering our long-term deficit.\n\n\u201cWe must replace the President\u2019s sequester with a responsible budget that preserves our national defense and gets our fiscal house in order. While this compromise is far from perfect, this week\u2019s budget deal shows that Congress is returning to its constitutional authority to direct spending,\u201d said Rep. Carter, Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.\n\nThe budget deal will bring more than $30 billion back to the Department of Defense, and prevent future cuts that would be devastating to Fort Hood and the Department of Defense. Those increases are fully offset through targeted cuts elsewhere in the budget and the compromise ultimately lowers deficits without raising taxes, while restoring vital funding to our national defense.\n\n\u201cTexas District 31 has the pride of the largest military installation post in the free world, Fort Hood, I will continue to fight to ensure the men and women in uniform have the resources they need to be as safe and effective as possible when we ask them to go into harm\u2019s way in defense of our nation. I will also work to replace sequester and allow Congress to make the intelligent cuts in our bloated government while keeping jobs and bringing funding back to Fort Hood and the DoD as a whole.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis budget provides a level of certainty for the next two years and will help prevent another duel and unnecessary government shutdown, provides relief to the DOD and allows Congress to use its constitutional authority to direct spending. I will continue my fight to makes necessary and meaningful cuts, instead of handcuffing the Army and the American public to across the board cuts due to the President\u2019s sequester.\u201d\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://carter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1038", "Fort Hood Combat Readiness funded in NDAA", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John R. Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", "carter", "https://carter.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) voted for the National Defense Authorization Act Thursday, which authorizes funding at $526.8 billion for the Department of Defense (DoD) discretionary base budget. Rep. Carter, Vice Chairman of Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, represents Fort Hood, the largest military installation in the world and says the NDAA will restore readiness to the Armed Forces. The package passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and a vote of 350-69.\n\n\u201cMilitary readiness is lower than it has been in decades. This is completely unacceptable and is a worry that keeps me up at night. The President\u2019s sequester forced cuts across the DoD, stifling readiness operations, including training. We must ensure our troops are ready for action if and when we call them up to serve our country in a time of need,\u201d said Rep. Carter. \u201cThe NDAA will restore vital readiness operations and provide a viable budget that supports high priority national security initiatives.\u201d\n\nThe NDAA also ensures the religious liberties of military members and chaplains are protected.\n\n\u201cOur men and women in uniform should never have to censor their religious affiliation. This section of the NDAA will ensure soldiers can support religious organizations of their choosing,\u201d said Rep. Carter.\n\nThe initial NDAA also included language requiring DoD to reexamine awarding the Purple Heart medal and benefits to the victims of the Fort Hood shooting. The language requires a response within 180 days.\n\nThe NDAA also includes the following:\n\nProvides additional funding for Guard and Reserve equipment,\n\nRequires reports from DoD on Benghazi,\n\nCombats Sexual Assaults in the Military,\n\nProhibits the transfer of GITMO detainees to the U.S.,\n\nPlaces restrictions on funding to Pakistan,\n\nRecognizes the continued threats by Iran,\n\nRestores vital readiness accounts to cover underfunded combat operations.\n\nAbrams tank upgrades will also take place under the NDAA, providing additional funding for upgrades and heavy equipment recovery vehicles for the Army. Much of this vital work is done by Texans.\n\n####", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221012000/http://farenthold.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364410", "U.S. Congressmen Matt Cartwright and Blake Farenthold Introduce Bipartisan Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2013", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Blake Farenthold", "F000460", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday, U.S. Congressmen Matt Cartwright (D-PA-17) and Blake Farenthold (R-TX-27) introduced the bipartisan Servicemembers and Veterans Prescription Drug Safety Act of 2013, which aims to decrease accidental drug overdoses among servicemembers and veterans by implementing prescription drug take-back programs.\u00a0 \nAccording to the Wall Street Journal, the Department of Veterans Affairs\u2019 (VA) prescription rate for opioids has risen by 287 percent between 1999 and 2012.\u00a0 Consequently, VA-enrolled veterans have an accidental drug overdose rate double that of the civilian population.\u00a0 There is substantial evidence that prescription drug abuse is a major contributing factor in the deaths of numerous servicemembers and veterans.\nDrug take-back programs have been found to substantially decrease accidental overdose. At present, only the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) can authorize entities to collect and properly dispose of prescription drugs from ultimate users.\u00a0 Neither the DoD nor VA is permitted to conduct prescription drug take-back programs at their pharmacies. Thus, a service member or veteran is unable to return unused medications to the DoD or VA facility that prescribed the medications in the first place. \n\u201cI am proud to work with Rep. Farenthold on this potentially life-saving legislation.\u00a0 The suicide rate amongst our nation\u2019s veterans is alarming and completely unacceptable.\u00a0 We have a responsibility to ensure that our military, veterans, and their families are safe from prescription drug abuse and accidental overdose,\u201d said Representative Cartwright. \u201cBy providing service members access to drug take-back programs, we can protect them and save lives.\u201d \n\u201cOur veterans and military personnel currently have no means to properly dispose of unused prescription medications,\u201d said Representative Farenthold.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s a contributing factor to the rise in accidental overdoses, and it must be dealt with to save lives.\u00a0 Drug take-back programs have shown to be an effective solution to this problem, and our legislation simply extends the reach of those programs to the DoD and VA.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://carter.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=40&itemid=1853", "Budget deal protects Fort Hood families and small businesses", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Budget deal protects Fort Hood families and small businesses\r\n\tBudget deal reduces effects of President\u2019s sequester cuts\r\n\r\n\tFORT HOOD, TX- Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) voted for H.J. Res. 59, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.\u00a0 This budget agreement will reduce the reckless cuts from the President\u2019s sequester by more than $60 billion while protecting investment in our national defense and lowering our long-term deficit.\r\n\r\n\t\u201cWe must replace the President\u2019s sequester with a responsible budget that preserves our national defense and gets our fiscal house in order. While this compromise is far from perfect, this week\u2019s budget deal shows that Congress is returning to its constitutional authority to direct spending,\u201d said Rep. Carter, Chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee.\r\n\r\n\tThe budget deal will bring more than $30 billion back to the Department of Defense, and prevent future cuts that would be devastating to Fort Hood and the Department of Defense. Those increases are fully offset through targeted cuts elsewhere in the budget and the compromise ultimately lowers deficits without raising taxes, while restoring vital funding to our national defense.\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cTexas District 31 has the pride of the largest military installation post in the free world, Fort Hood, I will continue to fight to ensure the men and women in uniform have the resources they need to be as safe and effective as possible when we ask them to go into harm\u2019s way in defense of our nation. I will also work to replace sequester and allow Congress to make the intelligent cuts in our bloated government while keeping jobs and bringing funding back to Fort Hood and the DoD as a whole.\u201d\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t\u201cThis budget provides a level of certainty for the next two years and will help prevent another duel and unnecessary government shutdown, provides relief to the DOD and allows Congress to use its constitutional authority to direct spending. I will continue my fight to makes necessary and meaningful cuts, instead of handcuffing the Army and the American public to across the board cuts due to the President\u2019s sequester.\u201d\r\n\r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\t####", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gohmert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364273", "Rep. Gohmert: Ryan\u2019s Budget Deal Violates My Conservative Principles", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Louie Gohmert", "G000552", "gohmert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Tex.) challenged Rep. Paul Ryan\u2019s (R-Wis.) assertion that the\u00a0budget deal he negotiated with Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) does not violate conservative principles even though it raises federal spending beyond the $967 billion limit set by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA).\r\n\u201cI want to be supportive because I know Paul worked hard on it, but - and he says it doesn\u2019t violate our principles - but it violates the previous agreement we had. And that\u2019s kinda part of my principles,\u201d Gohmert told CNSNews.com.\r\n\u201cAnd I know it\u2019s part of the president\u2019s principles,\u201d he continued. \u201cClearly, President Obama does not want the budget caps burst through. Why would I say that? It\u2019s because the president, I heard him very clearly with my own ears saying that if a bill is agreed to by both Houses and he puts his signature on it, and the Supreme Court doesn\u2019t strike it down, then it\u2019s the law and we\u2019re not changing it.\r\n\u201cSo he had the idea of the sequestration. Both Houses passed that bill and he signed it into law. It's been upheld, so it is the law of the land \u2013 the court hasn\u2019t struck it down. So obviously, unless the president wasn\u2019t being truthful when he said that, then he would surely want the sequestration cuts to remain in place.\u201d\r\nThe\u00a0BCA raised the federal debt ceiling by $400 billion in exchange for spending cuts of $1.2 trillion over 10 years, commonly referred to as the sequester. According to Ryan, the budget\u00a0deal he brokered with Murray \u201cprovides for $63 billion in additional discretionary spending in 2014 and 2015 \u2013 in return for permanent deficit reduction of $85 billion. On net, this bill reduces the deficit by $23 billion.\u201d\r\nBut Gohmert says the agreement upends the previous deal Congressional Republicans made with Obama in 2011: permanent cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.\r\n\u201cWe were told in the summer of 2011, this is the starting place. We get them to this, then each year in the future we can add to the cuts that we got in this bill. Well, as you\u2019ve seen, we\u2019re not adding to the cuts. Actually, we bust through the cuts this year. Even though money\u2019s moved around, ultimately bottom line, we\u2019re not staying with the cuts that we created.\u201d\r\nGohmert also pointed out that even though Ryan\u2019s budget deal eventually cuts the federal deficit by $23 billion over 10 years, \u201cit is not very significant when you\u2019re adding trillions of dollars to the lifetime of debt\u201d of young Americans still in their teens and 20s.\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s incredible. It\u2019s a moral issue,\u201d Gohmert told CNSNews.com. \u201cIt\u2019s immoral that we can\u2019t control our spending and get it within our means and that we\u2019re relying on our kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids to pay it back someday. We owe it to future generations to do better than this.\u201d\r\nCNSNews.com asked Gohmert how the Ryan deal will affect future attempts to control federal spending.\r\n\u201cIf we can\u2019t even hold onto the minimal cuts that we created, I don\u2019t know how you ever get control of the red ink,\u201d the Texas Republican replied. \u201cIf the Republicans agree to it, that\u2019s a problem, and that\u2019s my concern.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/smith-statement-on-budget-vote", "Smith Statement on Budget Vote", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lamar Smith", "S000583", "lamarsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Lamar Smith (TX-21) issued the below statement following today\u2019s House vote on the Bipartisan Budget Act (H.J. Res. 59). The budget passed by a vote of 332-94.\nRepresentative Smith: \u201cI supported the congressional budget agreement for a number of reasons.\u00a0 First, it reduces the deficit by $23 billion more over the next 10 years than current law. (Current law is the Budget Control Act known as sequestration.)\u00a0 The budget provides $33 billion more for defense over the next two years, which will help San Antonio\u2019s military installations and the thousands of men and women who serve our country.\n\u201cThe budget also increases the contributions of federal employees to their pension plans and so reduces the cost of federal pensions to American taxpayers.\u00a0 The budget reduces the deficit and helps our military personnel without increasing taxes.\n\u201cPassing the budget allows Congress and the American people to now focus on the flaws of Obamacare and the President\u2019s dismal record on the deficit. Under President Obama, the national debt has increased 50%--$6 trillion.\u00a0\n\u201cIt\u2019s going to take a new President and a Republican-controlled Senate to seriously tackle our nation\u2019s debt. Under a Republican-controlled Senate, Congress could overturn Obamacare, enact a real budget that reduces federal spending, and take meaningful steps toward deficit reduction that secure our nation\u2019s financial future.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://samjohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364654", "Johnson: we must cut spending now not in the future", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Sam Johnson", "J000174", "samjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Johnson: we must cut spending now not in the future \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 12, 2013\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX) released the following statement opposing the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cI cannot support a deal that spends more money \u2013 money we do not have.\u00a0 To create a better and stronger America for our children and grandchildren we must work to cut spending now, pay down our skyrocketing multi-trillion debt now, and slash our deficits now, not in the future.\u00a0 \u00a0As a sign in my office sums it up well, \u2018it\u2019s the spending, stupid.\u2019 Plain and simple - the American people want Washington to tax less, to spend less and to borrow less.\u00a0 That\u2019s exactly what I intend to continue doing.\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\n# # #\r\n \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"], ["http://samjohnson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364655", "House Passes Anti-Fraud Cause Championed by Johnson", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Sam Johnson", "J000174", "samjohnson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed a common-sense, anti-fraud provision championed by U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (R-TX).\u00a0 As Chairman of the Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, Johnson has led the effort to protect families and the American taxpayer from identity thieves by restricting access to Social Security\u2019s Death Master File (DMF).\u00a0 \n\u201cFor far too long, identity thieves have been exploiting the DMF to steal Americans\u2019 identities to obtain fraudulent tax refunds.\u00a0 Taxpayers who are victims of such fraud endure the terrible ordeal of proving their real identities.\u00a0 That\u2019s just plain wrong!\u00a0 Worse, these thieves target deceased children, like 4-year-old Alexis Agin, whose family learned of the fraud after the IRS rejected their tax return.\u00a0 Worrying about the stolen identity of a loved one is the last thing a grieving family should do,\u201d said Johnson.\u00a0 \nThe Agin\u2019s tragic experience led Johnson to introduce legislation to better protect families in 2011 and again this year.\u00a0 In July 2013, Johnson introduced the Alexis Agin Identity Theft Protection Act (H.R. 2720) \u2013 along with Democrat colleague and ranking-member on Social Security, Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA).\u00a0\u00a0 \nAs included in the budget agreement, the provision would require that only death information older than three years would be publicly available through the DMF \u2013 except for certified entities.\u00a0 The provision would prevent the disclosure of recent death information and help reduce incidents of identity theft and tax fraud.\u00a0 It is estimated to generate nearly $800 million in savings.\nBackground on the Death Master File\nThe Social Security Administration collects death information so it can stop benefits to those who have died and start benefits for their survivors.\u00a0 As a result of a 1978 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) court-mandated settlement, Social Security has been required to make public the Social Security numbers and other personal information of those who have died.\u00a0 Unfortunately, this file has turned into a resource for criminals who file fraudulent tax returns based on identities of the deceased, particularly children.\u00a0 In 2011, the Internal Revenue Service rejected the Agin\u2019s tax return advising the family that an identity thief had already filed a tax return for 2010 claiming their child as a dependent.\u00a0 The Agin\u2019s reached out to the cancer community, which they had come to know since April 2008 when their daughter was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, to share their experience.\u00a0 In less than an hour, 14 other families whose children had died said they had also experienced the additional travesty of their child\u2019s Social Security number being stolen.\u00a0 \u201cI salute the Agins for their tireless advocacy on behalf of their daughter and other grieving families,\u201d added Johnson.\u00a0 \u00a0\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=D1F6198B-B57A-4A55-8717-C1CCBCBE1BDB", "Pete Sessions Statement on the House-Senate Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, joined Co-Chairs of the Job Corps Caucus Congressman Lou Barletta and Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., in addition to 118 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Department of Labor requesting a reevaluation of their proposed cuts to the Job Corps Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://williams.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/williams-statement-on-the-ryanmurray-budget", "Williams\u2019 statement on the Ryan/Murray budget", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Roger Williams", "W000816", "williams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) issued the following statement after voting for the Ryan/Murray budget deal which passed the House on a bipartisan vote on 332-94.\n\u201cThis budget is a solid step in the right direction for getting America\u2019s economy back on track.\u00a0 As a business owner of 42 years and a member of the Budget Committee, I understand the need for a budget \u2013 whether it\u2019s for a family, a business or the federal government.\u00a0 While reading through the bill, I asked myself several things: Does this help protect our military that has already been unfairly used as a bargaining chip in several budgeting battles this year? Does this reduce the national debt?\u00a0 Does this reduce mandatory spending?\u00a0\n\u201cThis budget framework puts over $31 billion back in the military.\u00a0 It saves $23 billion over 10 years by replacing one-time spending cuts with smarter reforms to mandatory spending programs that will produce real, lasting savings.\u00a0 It requires enactment of several budget-savings provisions within mandatory spending.\u00a0 And it doesn\u2019t raise taxes.\n\u201cWashington\u2019s spending addiction has placed taxpayers, business owners, and future generations on an unsustainable course.\u00a0 As a life-long fiscal conservative, I will always fight for spending cuts, deficit reduction, and smaller government, and I will never allow our national security, or the men and women who serve on the frontlines, to suffer the consequences of Washington\u2019s fiscal problems.\u00a0 While not perfect, this bill is a positive move that will get us back to regular order of passing appropriations bills and making the tough, but responsible, decisions that have been postponed for several years.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/williams-responds-to-potus-request", "Williams responds to POTUS\u2019 request", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Roger Williams", "W000816", "williams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Recently, President Obama said during a speech on his healthcare law that \u201cIf you\u2019ve got good ideas, bring them to me\u2026[if] you still think this law is a bad idea then you\u2019ve got to tell us specifically what you\u2019d do differently to cut costs, cover more people, make insurance more secure.\u201d\u00a0 Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) issued the following statement in response to the President\u2019s request.\n\u201cThere is no denying that our healthcare system in America isn\u2019t working and needs serious reforms.\u00a0 Obamacare has only furthered the problems by mandating expensive plans for the uninsured and eliminating plans for millions of insured Americans.\u00a0 A system that favors mandates over choice, government over the individual, and profit over quality is a system doomed to fail.\n\u201cBig government cannot accommodate the needs and desires of the individual.\u00a0 You needn\u2019t look further than other government programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security to realize that increasing federal bureaucracy is bankrupting our nation, leaving the bill for future generations.\n\u201cThe President asked for suggestions.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got solutions.\u00a0 First, the private sector needs to be given more control of healthcare.\u00a0 Let the market dictate prices and services.\u00a0\n\u201cSecond, we need to make healthcare portable, allowing individuals \u2013 not their employer, and not the federal government \u2013 to own their insurance.\u00a0 Americans should be allowed to buy insurance from any provider, nationwide and across state lines.\u00a0 Allowing consumers to choose will create more competition.\u00a0 As a result, premiums would go down and services go up.\u00a0\n\u201cThird, healthcare costs must be tax-deductible.\u00a0 Whether Americans buy insurance independently or through an employer, the tax code should treat everyone equally and fairly.\n\u201cLast but not least, there must be provisions to protect most vulnerable.\u00a0 We must ensure there will be no federal funding of abortion, and safeguards must be put in place to extend coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.\n\u201cHouse Republicans have introduced more than 200 bills with these and other solutions since before Obamacare was rushed through the House without one single Republican vote.\u00a0 President Obama has heard these solutions but denies their existence.\u00a0 That\u2019s why I sent a letter to the White House in hopes that the President will work with the majority of Americans who disapprove of his healthcare law.\u00a0 We can make health insurance more affordable, more accessible, and more available, but Obamacare is not the answer.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/williams-statement-on-the-ryanmurray-budget", "Williams\u2019 statement on the Ryan/Murray budget", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Roger Williams", "W000816", "williams.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) issued the following statement after voting for the Ryan/Murray budget deal which passed the House on a bipartisan vote on 332-94.\n\u201cThis budget is a solid step in the right direction for getting America\u2019s economy back on track.\u00a0 As a business owner of 42 years and a member of the Budget Committee, I understand the need for a budget \u2013 whether it\u2019s for a family, a business or the federal government.\u00a0 While reading through the bill, I asked myself several things: Does this help protect our military that has already been unfairly used as a bargaining chip in several budgeting battles this year? Does this reduce the national debt?\u00a0 Does this reduce mandatory spending?\u00a0\n\u201cThis budget framework puts over $31 billion back in the military.\u00a0 It saves $23 billion over 10 years by replacing one-time spending cuts with smarter reforms to mandatory spending programs that will produce real, lasting savings.\u00a0 It requires enactment of several budget-savings provisions within mandatory spending.\u00a0 And it doesn\u2019t raise taxes.\n\u201cWashington\u2019s spending addiction has placed taxpayers, business owners, and future generations on an unsustainable course.\u00a0 As a life-long fiscal conservative, I will always fight for spending cuts, deficit reduction, and smaller government, and I will never allow our national security, or the men and women who serve on the frontlines, to suffer the consequences of Washington\u2019s fiscal problems.\u00a0 While not perfect, this bill is a positive move that will get us back to regular order of passing appropriations bills and making the tough, but responsible, decisions that have been postponed for several years.\u201d\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://conaway.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364284", "Congressman Conaway Statement on Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "K. Conaway", "C001062", "conaway.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Conaway Statement on Budget Agreement \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 12, 2013\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec., 12, 2013Contact: Ted Monoson (202) 225-3605\n \n Congressman K. Michael Conaway Statement on Budget Agreement\n \n \n \n \n \n Washington - Congressman K. Michael Conaway issued the followed statement regarding his vote in favor of the Budget Agreement:\n \"I supported the budget agreement because the status quo is unacceptable. Under the sequester our military faces an indiscriminate slashing of resources, which is putting the men and women in our armed forces in unnecessary danger. The sequester was supposed to be offset by targeted cuts in wasteful spending, but instead, these indiscriminate cuts are hollowing out one of the few essential functions of our federal government our national defense. Failing to offset the sequester in 2014 and 2015 will result in a military that is too small, too poorly equipped, and too poorly trained to safely defend our nation.\"Besides partially offsetting the sequester for two years, this legislation makes several important policy changes. It ends a subsidy of private pension plans, requires federal employees to contribute more to their own retirement, repeals unnecessary government programs, and prevents abuse in the Unemployment Insurance and Medicaid programs. \n \"This plan also increases the fees that some Americans must pay to utilize some government services like air travel, customs fees pension insurance. While I am not happy about the increase in fees that are part of this deal, the increase in fees will cover only the cost of providing the program.\"Work on a long-term deal that reins in our federal budget deficit and addresses entitlement spending should begin immediately. While I am disappointed in parts of the deal, especially the increase in revenue, it is a moral imperative that the men and women in the military have the training and resources they need when we send them into harm's way and we cannot do that under the across-the-board cuts demanded by the sequester. \n \"My support for this agreement in no way diminishes my commitment to addressing our nation's long-term fiscal problems.\" \n \n ###\n Ted Monoson\n Communications Director\n Congressman K. Michael Conaway\n 2430 Rayburn House Office Building\n Washington, D.C. 20515\n (202) 225-3605Sign up for Congressman Conaway's e-newsletter here. \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n Click Here to view this email in your browser \nClick Here to be removed from this list", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinbrady.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395330", "JEC Files Annual Joint Economic Report", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kevin Brady", "B000755", "kevinbrady.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), upon filing the Committee's annual Joint Economic Report for 2013, said the Obama recovery remains disappointing and continues to shortchange Main Street and middle-class workers. We've got to do better to grow our economy and create good, middle-class jobs, said Brady. More than four years after the end of the recession much of the nation has yet to experience anything resembling a normal economic recovery. Unfortunately, compared to other recoveries of the past half-century, the Obama recovery continues to scrape the bottom in virtually every economic metric. The jobs have not fully returned, growth has been anemic, and incomes on Main Street have languished. Findings in the annual report, required by law, reveals that since the U.S. recession ended in the 2nd-quarter 2009, real GDP has grown at an annualized rate of a mere 2.3%, far below the 4.1% annualized growth rate of real GDP in an average recovery since 1960. That growth gap' translates into 4.4 million private jobs and $1.2 trillion in real GDP missing from the U.S. economy today. The report also analyzes the President's troubled health care law, the Affordable Care Act. During the debate over the Affordable Care Act, Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee questioned its unstainable funding scheme, its long-term costs and drag on the economy, Brady noted. We predicted the health care law's damaging effects on private insurance plans that so many Americans rely upon and the law's harmful effects on local doctors, hospitals, and the quality of health care services. Unfortunately, President Obama and congressional Democrats ignored our warnings about the ACA, and now American families, patients, and local businesses are paying the priceas is our economy. The report comments on international trade and competitiveness, climate change regulations, and labor market issues.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinbrady.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395331", "JEC Files Annual Joint Economic Report", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kevin Brady", "B000755", "kevinbrady.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), chairman of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), upon filing the Committee's annual Joint Economic Report for 2013, said the Obama recovery remains disappointing and continues to shortchange Main Street and middle-class workers. We've got to do better to grow our economy and create good, middle-class jobs, said Brady. More than four years after the end of the recession much of the nation has yet to experience anything resembling a normal economic recovery. Unfortunately, compared to other recoveries of the past half-century, the Obama recovery continues to scrape the bottom in virtually every economic metric. The jobs have not fully returned, growth has been anemic, and incomes on Main Street have languished. Findings in the annual report, required by law, reveals that since the U.S. recession ended in the 2nd-quarter 2009, real GDP has grown at an annualized rate of a mere 2.3%, far below the 4.1% annualized growth rate of real GDP in an average recovery since 1960. That growth gap' translates into 4.4 million private jobs and $1.2 trillion in real GDP missing from the U.S. economy today. The report also analyzes the President's troubled health care law, the Affordable Care Act. During the debate over the Affordable Care Act, Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee questioned its unstainable funding scheme, its long-term costs and drag on the economy, Brady noted. We predicted the health care law's damaging effects on private insurance plans that so many Americans rely upon and the law's harmful effects on local doctors, hospitals, and the quality of health care services. Unfortunately, President Obama and congressional Democrats ignored our warnings about the ACA, and now American families, patients, and local businesses are paying the priceas is our economy. The report comments on international trade and competitiveness, climate change regulations, and labor market issues.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinbrady.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395332", "Brady Restores Defense Funds, Cuts Deficit $23 Billion", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kevin Brady", "B000755", "kevinbrady.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This agreement rebuilds the readiness of our national defense, cuts the deficit and opens up the Gulf of Mexico for more energy development -- all of which are important conservative principles.\r\n share:\r\n f \r\n t \r\n \r\n \r\n Republicans Overwhelmingly Support Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 Washington, DC U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 by a vote of 332-94. Over two-thirds of House Republicans supported the bill which cut the federal deficit by $23 billion and averted severe cuts to America's military readiness. A majority of Texas Republicans supported it, including deficit hawks John Culberson and Jeb Hensarling, the former leader of the House conservatives. The biggest budget-buster facing America is ObamaCare, and it's important that any budget agreement not distract America's attention from the harm our families, doctors and local businesses are facing as they are forced to pay more for less health care under the destructive Affordable Care Act. This agreement rebuilds the readiness of our national defense, cuts the deficit and opens up the Gulf of Mexico for more energy development -- all of which are important conservative principles.I'm disappointed that Senate Democrats refused to work with us to begin saving Social Security and Medicare. It also extends 100% of the mandatory sequester for two additional years and preserves 92% of the sequester for discretionary spending, which caps that budget at a level smaller than the conservative Ryan budget of 2011. Just as importantly, it blocks Democratic tax increases and prevents billions of dollars of more emergency' unemployment checks that are no longer called for under the law. Some of the $85 billion in savings from reforms to mandatory spending include: Forcing new federal government workers to pay a larger share of their retirement contribution. Requiring businesses to begin to shoulder more of the $36 billion unfunded liability in the taxpayer-guaranteed program that bails out private-sector pension plans. Closing loopholes in federal student loan programs Reducing fraud in the IRS and Medicaid. Preventing improper Social Security payments to prisoners. Major General John Nichols, commander of the Texas National Guard issued this statement: If the sequester were to play out in 2014 or 2015, the Department of Defense and the National Guard are concerned about our ability to defend America. This will help take the edge off that concern and enable us to maintain more forces keeping our soldiers and airmen trained and ready to fight.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://kevinbrady.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395333", "Brady Restores Defense Funds, Cuts Deficit $23 Billion", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kevin Brady", "B000755", "kevinbrady.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This agreement rebuilds the readiness of our national defense, cuts the deficit and opens up the Gulf of Mexico for more energy development -- all of which are important conservative principles.\r\n share:\r\n f \r\n t \r\n \r\n \r\n Republicans Overwhelmingly Support Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 Washington, DC U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 by a vote of 332-94. Over two-thirds of House Republicans supported the bill which cut the federal deficit by $23 billion and averted severe cuts to America's military readiness. A majority of Texas Republicans supported it, including deficit hawks John Culberson and Jeb Hensarling, the former leader of the House conservatives. The biggest budget-buster facing America is ObamaCare, and it's important that any budget agreement not distract America's attention from the harm our families, doctors and local businesses are facing as they are forced to pay more for less health care under the destructive Affordable Care Act. This agreement rebuilds the readiness of our national defense, cuts the deficit and opens up the Gulf of Mexico for more energy development -- all of which are important conservative principles.I'm disappointed that Senate Democrats refused to work with us to begin saving Social Security and Medicare. It also extends 100% of the mandatory sequester for two additional years and preserves 92% of the sequester for discretionary spending, which caps that budget at a level smaller than the conservative Ryan budget of 2011. Just as importantly, it blocks Democratic tax increases and prevents billions of dollars of more emergency' unemployment checks that are no longer called for under the law. Some of the $85 billion in savings from reforms to mandatory spending include: Forcing new federal government workers to pay a larger share of their retirement contribution. Requiring businesses to begin to shoulder more of the $36 billion unfunded liability in the taxpayer-guaranteed program that bails out private-sector pension plans. Closing loopholes in federal student loan programs Reducing fraud in the IRS and Medicaid. Preventing improper Social Security payments to prisoners. Major General John Nichols, commander of the Texas National Guard issued this statement: If the sequester were to play out in 2014 or 2015, the Department of Defense and the National Guard are concerned about our ability to defend America. This will help take the edge off that concern and enable us to maintain more forces keeping our soldiers and airmen trained and ready to fight.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://olson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/olson-opposes-budget-compromise", "OLSON OPPOSES BUDGET COMPROMISE", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Olson", "O000168", "olson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) today issued the following statement regarding his vote on the House/Senate budget agreement: \"Chairman Ryan has done yeoman's work to finally get Senate Democrats to agree to a budget. Regrettably, I cannot support the House/Senate agreement because it reduces the spending reductions that we fought so hard for in the Budget Control Act. Those spending cuts, known as sequestration, while not perfect, represent the only meaningful reductions in federal spending in a long time. This budget agreement unfortunately rescinds some of these reductions with a promise of cuts down the road. Too often we have seen those promises broken. \"Our children and grandchildren cannot afford a government that fails to reduce our debt. We need to cut government and grow our economy. This budget agreement does not accomplish that in a meaningful way.\" ### Media Contact: Melissa Kelly 202-225-5951", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://thornberry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364487", "Thornberry: Budget agreement 'saves more, spares the military, and makes changes to automatic spending'", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "William Thornberry", "T000238", "thornberry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) made the following comments after voting to support the two-year budget agreement:\"This budget agreement maintains the sequester savings and then saves even more. It also spares our country's military from bearing the brunt of deeper cuts. In 2014, all of the additional spending cuts fall on the Department of Defense, and this bill replaces those cuts with modest changes in mandatory spending. It is not nearly enough, but it begins to reform that part of the budget where most of the spending is. It does all of this without raising taxes. More specifically, this agreement keeps the strict spending caps set under the Budget Control Act (BCA) in place. It also achieves 100 percent of the Budget Control Act's deficit reduction, but goes even further by reducing the deficit an additional $23 billion. The difference is that this new agreement achieves that deficit reduction in a smarter, more targeted way than the arbitrary sequester cuts required by the BCA. Even the user fees cut spending in this agreement. When airline passengers pay a greater share of the costs for their security, when private companies pay more for a federal guarantee of their pensions, or when federal employees pay more of their retirement costs, the taxpayer pays less. That is a small but commonsense victory. This agreement is far from ideal. In many areas, it does not go as far as I would like. There are provisions, such as modest reforms to retired military Cost of Living Adjustments, I prefer were not included.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20131216094447/http://stockman.house.gov:80/media-center/press-releases/stockmans-letter-to-conservatives-opposing-the-budget-proposal", "Stockman's letter to conservatives opposing the budget proposal", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Steve Stockman", "S000937", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "The following letter was sent this afternoon directly to grassroots conservatives across the nation.\nDear patriot, I will be voting no on this terrible budget deal. It explodes the spending caps, balloons the deficit and betrays conservatives and the Constitution. Here in the House the only tool at our disposal is our vote. \u00a0It is up to the Senate to stop this. Conservative senators must use every unique legislative tool the Senate allows to block this bill. Americans will be watching to see which senators lead by fighting to block this vote, and who follows the D.C. establishment by voting no, but it allowing the deal to move forward. \n\t\u00a0 \n\tThis deal is absolutely not an incremental step to lower spending. It increases spending. \u00a0And it makes Obama\u2019s exploding deficits and budgets the official policy of the Republican Party. \u00a0We will be watching to see which senators use the Senate\u2019s rule to block this bill. Please contact your senators and member of the House at 202-225-3121 to tell them what you think. Warmest wishes, \n\tCongressman Steve Stockman P.S. I will be voting against the proposed federal budget deal. \u00a0It endorses rising spending and deficits, and makes them permanent by making them Republican Party policy. Here in the House we can vote no, but senators have many legislative tools at their disposal to block a vote. It is up to the Senate to stop this. Americans will be watching to see which senators lead, and who follows the D.C. establishment by allowing a vote. What do you think?\u00a0 You may contact your senators and House member at 202-225-3121 to let them know.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140220233907/http://flores.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=468", "Flores Supports Bipartisan Budget Agreement", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Bill Flores", "F000461", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Bipartisan Budget Act, a two-year bipartisan budget agreement between the House and Senate. Following passage of the budget agreement, Congressman Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statement: \u201cToday\u2019s bipartisan passage of a 2014-2015 budget agreement is a step in the right direction for Congress to provide the stability needed to reduce the economic uncertainty blowing out of Washington. This step is needed in order to grow more American jobs and better pay checks. The budget agreement reduces the deficit by $23 billion, cuts spending and preserves a large majority of existing sequester cuts. It accomplishes all of these without raising taxes. It includes reforms to mandatory spending programs to reduce the deficit. It also reforms the federal government pension system so that federal employees begin paying a higher share of pension costs in an effort to more closely mirror private sector pensions. \u00a0 \u201cAdditionally, I was pleased to see that this agreement included a temporary fix to the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula for physician payments. I would have preferred to see a long-term SGR fix, but I will continue to push for a more permanent solution so that doctors will be able to continue to provide high quality care and increased access for patients. \u201cThis agreement was not perfect, but under a divided government we must work to reduce uncertainty in order to lead our country on a path towards economic growth. While this bill is a small step in the right direction, we still have much more work to do to address our fiscal challenges. Under the sequester in 2014, the defense budget was facing deep, arbitrary cuts and this agreement finds smarter ways to cut spending while fully offsetting the sequester relief with smarter cuts in the true driver of our debt, mandatory spending. The agreement also provides stability and certainty in federal research funding for the important medical and basic scientific research that is being done at universities in our district and across Texas. \u201cThis budget agreement provides a platform for the House to continue its work on spending reforms and deficit reduction and to address our nation\u2019s critical needs \u2013 growing jobs, encouraging economic growth, balancing the budget, making the federal government more efficient and more accountable, and developing solutions for American energy security. These are activities that hard working American families want to see from their Congress.\u201d\n\n\tCongressman Bill Flores represents the 17th District of Texas and is an entrepreneur, former energy executive, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and member of the House Budget, Natural Resources and Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committees.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221081226/http://stockman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stockman-will-vote-no-on-budget-deal-urges-senators-to-block-vote", "Stockman will vote no on budget deal, urges senators to block vote", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Steve Stockman", "S000937", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Steve Stockman (R-TX 36) announced Thursday he will vote no on the proposed federal budget agreement and urged senators to use their legislative tools to block a vote on the bill.\n\u201cI will be voting no on this terrible budget deal. It explodes the spending caps, balloons the deficit and betrays conservatives and the Constitution,\u201d said Stockman.\n\u201cHere in the House the only tool at our disposal is our vote.\u00a0 It is up to the Senate to stop this. Conservative senators must use every unique legislative tool the Senate allows to block this bill. Americans will be watching to see who leads, and who follows the D.C. establishment by allowing a vote,\u201d said Stockman.\n\u201cThis deal is absolutely not an incremental step to lower spending. It increases spending.\u00a0 And it makes Obama\u2019s exploding deficits and budgets the official policy of the Republican Party.\u00a0 We will be watching to see which senators use the Senate\u2019s rule to block this bill,\u201d said Stockman.\n-30-", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221081236/http://olson.house.gov/2013-press-releases/olson-opposes-budget-compromise/", "OLSON OPPOSES BUDGET COMPROMISE", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Olson", "O000168", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) today issued the following statement regarding his vote on the House/Senate budget agreement: \"Chairman Ryan has done yeoman's work to finally get Senate Democrats to agree to a budget. Regrettably, I cannot support the House/Senate agreement because it reduces the spending reductions that we fought so hard for in the Budget Control Act. Those spending cuts, known as sequestration, while not perfect, represent the only meaningful reductions in federal spending in a long time.\u00a0 This budget agreement unfortunately rescinds some of these reductions with a promise of cuts down the road. Too often we have seen those promises broken. \"Our children and grandchildren cannot afford a government that fails to reduce our debt. We need to cut government and grow our economy. This budget agreement does not accomplish that in a meaningful way.\" ### Media Contact: Melissa Kelly 202-225-5951", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221170148/http://weber.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/budget-agreement-fails-the-test", "Budget Agreement Fails the Test", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Randy Weber", "W000814", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, the United States House of Representatives voted on the Ryan-Murray Budget. Congressman Randy Weber (R-Friendswood) made the following statement:\n\u201cWhile there are some positive aspects to the proposed budget, it does not go far enough. We wanted to balance the budget and this legislation does not make that a priority. We wanted to bring meaningful spending cuts to the table now, not 10 years down the road. This budget will increase spending by $48 billion over the next two years and it will increase air travel fees on the American people by 124%. The American people want their government to be responsible and more transparent about how it spends taxpayers\u2019 hard-earned money. This agreement fails that test, which is why I cannot, in good conscience, vote for this legislation.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://weber.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=105", "Budget Agreement Fails the Test", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Randy Weber", "W000814", "weber.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Budget Agreement Fails the Test \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, DC,\r\n December 12, 2013\r\n \r\n \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, the United States House of Representatives voted on the Ryan-Murray Budget. Congressman Randy Weber (R-Friendswood) made the following statement:\nWhile there are some positive aspects to the proposed budget, it does not go far enough. We wanted to balance the budget and this legislation does not make that a priority. We wanted to bring meaningful spending cuts to the table now, not 10 years down the road. This budget will increase spending by $48 billion over the next two years and it will increase air travel fees on the American people by 124%. The American people want their government to be responsible and more transparent about how it spends taxpayers' hard-earned money. This agreement fails that test, which is why I cannot, in good conscience, vote for this legislation.\n###\n\r\n \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"], ["http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/republicans-question-president-about-healthcaregov-security", "Chairman Smith Questions President about Healthcare.gov Security", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lamar Smith", "S000583", "lamarsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to President Obama requesting information about what his administration is doing to address the security risks and privacy concerns surrounding the Obamacare website, Healthcare.gov.\u00a0Chairman Smith was joined by 21 Committee Republicans in sending the letter.\nIn early December, a top administration official praised the progress that has been made in fixing the website\u2019s accessibility, claiming that the site can now \u201csupport intended volumes\u201d of users. However, it appears that the larger security and privacy issues remain unaddressed.\u00a0\nIn today\u2019s letter, the members expressed concern that in its haste to fix the capacity of the website, the Obama administration has once again ignored glaring security concerns.\n\u201cWhile more people may be able to access the site, without much-needed security enhancements, this simply means that more Americans are vulnerable to online criminals and identity theft,\u201d the members wrote.\u00a0 \u201cMr. President, your Administration has an obligation to ensure that the personal, financial, and account information collected as part of the Affordable Care Act is secure. Unfortunately, in its haste to launch the Healthcare.gov website, it appears that your administration has cut corners that have left the website open to hackers and other online criminals.\u201d\u00a0\nAccording to the members, without adequate security measures, Healthcare.gov essentially becomes a portal for online criminals to access even more sensitive, personal data. The letter requests that the President outline explicit steps that have been taken to improve the security of Healthcare.gov, and asks who within the administration is ultimately responsible for ensuring Americans\u2019 personal information remains secure.\nAt a hearing before the Science Committee on November 19, leading computer security experts from the private sector and academia outlined the significant threats posed to Americans by identity theft. One witness, David Kennedy, is a so-called \u201cwhite hat hacker\u201d who helps private sector companies secure their websites and data from online criminals.\u00a0 Mr. Kennedy gave a demonstration of real vulnerabilities with Healthcare.gov, showing how hackers are attempting to access personal information via the website.\u00a0 Even more troubling, Mr. Kennedy testified that there are \u201cclear indicators that even basic security was not built into the Healthcare.gov website.\u201d\nThe data passing through the Healthcare.gov website is one of the largest collections of personal information ever assembled, linking information from seven different federal agencies along with state agencies and government contractors.\u00a0 Americans who use the site must input personal contact information, birth dates and social security numbers, as well as income, tax and other financial information.\nScience Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) was joined by 21 Republican members of the Science Committee in sending today\u2019s letter, including: Reps. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.), Mo Brooks\u00a0 (R-Ala.), Paul Broun (R-Ga.), Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.), Chris Collins (R-N.Y.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ralph M. Hall (R-Texas), Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.), Frank D. Lucas (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.),\u00a0 Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), Michael T. McCaul (R-Texas), Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), Bill Posey (R-Fla.), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.), David Schweikert (R-Ariz.),\u00a0 Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Chris Stewart (R-Utah), Steve Stockman (R-Texas), and Randy Weber (R-Texas).\nThe full letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=68A2947F-0998-4AF3-AD9D-751770CD2282", "Pete Sessions to Participate in House Oversight Committee Field Hearing on ObamaCare Navigator Program in Richardson", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, joined Co-Chairs of the Job Corps Caucus Congressman Lou Barletta and Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., in addition to 118 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Department of Labor requesting a reevaluation of their proposed cuts to the Job Corps Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-mccaul-statement-on-senate-announcement-against-further-iran", "Chairman McCaul Statement on Senate Announcement Against Further Iran Sanctions", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael McCaul", "M001157", "mccaul.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chairman McCaul Statement on Senate Announcement Against Further Iran Sanctions\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. - House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) released the following statement on the Senate announcement that it will not pursue further sanctions against Iran:\nChairman McCaul:I am deeply disappointed with the decision by the Senate Banking Committee to not pass further economic sanctionsagainstIran. Earlier this year the House passed, with 400 votes, the Nuclear Prevention Act that was aimed at increasing economic pressure on Tehran. IurgeMajority Leader Reid, who just last month announced his commitment towards moving tougher sanctions through the Senate, to bring the Nuclear Prevention Act to a vote. Tough sanctions brought Iran to the negotiating table. It is imperative to sustain this pressure to maintain our leverage and ensure Iran is free of nuclear weapons.\"\nOn November 14, Congressman McCaul sent abipartisan letterwith more than 60 signatures urging Senators Reid and McConnell to take up legislation that would tighten sanctions on Iran's energy and financial sectors.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/kerry-tells-mccaul-irans-centrifuges-may-never-stop-spinning", "Kerry Tells McCaul \"Iran's centrifuges may never stop spinning\"", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael McCaul", "M001157", "mccaul.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 10, 2013\nKerry Tells McCaulIran's centrifuges may never stop spinning\"\nWASHINGTON, DC Today U.S. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) questioned Secretary Kerry about the proposed Iranian nuclear deal during a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. During the exchange, Congressman McCaul pressed Secretary Kerry on whether the administration would continue to leverage the current sanctions in place during negotiations in order to ensure Iran would stop enriching uranium.\nClick Here To Watch\n\n02:32 - Chairman McCaul: \"Mr. Secretary, are you willing at the end of the 6 months, in the final deal to say 'look we're willing to lift the sanctions when you stop enriching uranium'?\"\n02:58 - Secretary Kerry: \"If there are less than 1,000 or 500 or whatever they are, they may never stop spinning them but they are very limited in what they're gonna be able to do.\"\n04:31 - Chairman McCaul: \"I think you would have more confidence from Israel and I think members of Congress if you came back in 6 months and said they can have a peaceful program but not enriching uranium inside Iran. And that can be done by providing that enriched uranium to them outside of Iran. I would urge you to pursue that.\"\n05:03 - Secretary Kerry: \"That deal was on the table a number of years ago but that deal, I'm afraid, has probably been lost.\"\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221012012/http://farenthold.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364014", "U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold Votes to Fund VA Medical Facility Leases, Extend Payment of Monthly Assistance to Disabled Veterans", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Blake Farenthold", "F000460", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27) today voted in favor of two bills, H.R. 3521 and H.R. 1402, that provide funding and support for the Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans throughout the country.\u00a0 Both bills passed the House with an overwhelming majority.\n\u201cOur veterans fought hard to protect our freedom, and upon their return, we must keep our promises to them and ensure they receive the benefits they deserve,\u201d said Congressman Farenthold.\u00a0 \u201cBoth of these measures work toward achieving that goal.\u201d\u00a0 \nH.R. 3521, the Department of Veterans Affairs Major Medical Facility Lease Authorization Act of 2013, authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility leases at twenty seven facilities requested by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in their 2013 and 2014 budget submissions.\u00a0 Moreover, this legislation would make a number of Congressional findings and establish requirements related to the budget treatment of major medical facility leases in order to ensure that this legislation meets the spirit and intent of House CUTGO requirements.\nH.R. 1402, the VA Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2013, extends appropriations for the payment of a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing in large-scale adaptive sports programs through FY 2015, and modifies the adaptive sports assistance program to increase competition in grant funding and improve financial oversight.\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221021231/http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=668069e3-7a06-4c1f-b68e-70b48c9d4ac8", "Cornyn: Obamacare Biggest Case of Consumer Fraud Ever", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON\u2014U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) denounced Obamacare as the biggest case of consumer fraud in United States history today on the Senate floor.\nHis remarks can be seen\u00a0here\u00a0and below.\n\u201cMadam President, four years ago members of both parties came to this Senate floor virtually every day to discuss the problems with America\u2019s health care system, and offering suggestions for how we could remedy them.\n\u201cI remember distinctly being here on Christmas Eve 2009, at seven o\u2019clock in the morning, witnessing a party-line vote on Obamacare.\u00a0 All of our Democratic friends voted for it, all Republicans voted against it.\n\u201cI guess the most charitable thing I could say is our Democratic friends actually thought it would work while Republicans were skeptics about this big-government takeover of one-sixth of our national economy.\n\u201cWell, four years later the cost of Obamacare has become abundantly clear. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Obamacare is the biggest case of consumer fraud ever perpetrated in this country.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140330130101/http://mccaul.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=29&itemid=1540", "Chairman McCaul Statement on Senate Announcement Against Further Iran Sanctions", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael McCaul", "M001157", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Chairman McCaul Statement on Senate Announcement Against Further Iran Sanctions\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tWASHINGTON, D.C. - House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) released the following statement on the Senate announcement that it will not pursue further sanctions against Iran:\n\n\tChairman McCaul:\u00a0\u201cI am deeply disappointed with the decision by the Senate Banking Committee to not pass further economic sanctions\u00a0against\u00a0Iran. Earlier this year the House passed, with 400 votes, the \u201cNuclear Prevention Act\u201d that was\u00a0 aimed at increasing economic pressure on Tehran. \u00a0I\u00a0urge\u00a0Majority Leader Reid, who just last month announced his commitment towards moving tougher sanctions through the Senate, to bring the \u201cNuclear Prevention Act\u201d to a vote. \u00a0Tough sanctions brought Iran to the negotiating table. \u00a0It is imperative to sustain this pressure to maintain our leverage and ensure Iran is free of nuclear weapons.\"\n\n\tOn November 14, Congressman McCaul sent a\u00a0bipartisan letter\u00a0with more than 60 signatures urging Senators Reid and McConnell to take up legislation that would tighten sanctions on Iran's energy and financial sectors.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-obamacare-biggest-case-consumer-fraud-ever", "Cornyn: Obamacare Biggest Case of Consumer Fraud Ever", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) denounced Obamacare as the biggest case of consumer fraud in United States history today on the Senate floor.His remarks can be seenhereand below.Madam President, four years ago members of both parties came to this Senate floor virtually every day to discuss the problems with America's health care system, and offering suggestions for how we could remedy them.I remember distinctly being here on Christmas Eve 2009, at seven o'clock in the morning, witnessing a party-line vote on Obamacare. All of our Democratic friends voted for it, all Republicans voted against it.I guess the most charitable thing I could say is our Democratic friends actually thought it would work while Republicans were skeptics about this big-government takeover of one-sixth of our national economy.Well, four years later the cost of Obamacare has become abundantly clear. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Obamacare is the biggest case of consumer fraud ever perpetrated in this country.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gohmert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363827", "Cruz, Gohmert honored by We the People", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Louie Gohmert", "G000552", "gohmert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, both R-Texas, were honored with \u201cChampions of Freedom\u201d awards at a dinner event by Grassroots America \u2014 We the People Friday night. More than 600 people attended.\r\nGohmert shared stories about personal stands he made and times he questioned colleagues in his own party, and how changes are needed within Congressional ranks.\r\nGohmert said his willingness to stand against members and policies from both side of the aisle comes from his belief he is representing his district\u2019s concerns and ideals. He said East Texans understand the fundamental problems within Washington, such as the national debt, and is compelled to \u201ccall members to the carpet\u201d on their behalf.\r\n\u201cThere is so much freedom to represent a group who you have so much faith in,\u201d he said.\r\nGohmert said it doesn\u2019t win him popularity among many members and draws scrutiny, but he has faith patriotic Americans would be willing to take difficult stands.\r\n\u201cThere are ways to change America, and they all start with Americans,\u201d he said.\r\nGohmert said Cruz\u2019s election to the Senate was a sign of that change in direction and called for more help in the nation\u2019s capital.\r\nCruz applauded Texas\u2019 grassroots tea party fervor that has changed the political landscape in the state and nation. He said conservatives \u201chave it right\u201d and that President Barack Obama\u2019s agenda, from surveillance within the U.S., directives against the First and Second amendments, and the health care law, represent an affront to America\u2019s founding principles. He called Obama an \u201cimperial president,\u201d because of those policy initiatives.\r\nCruz said he stands against those policies because his constituents are worried about the nation\u2019s direction.\r\n\u201cPeople are scared for the future of this country,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019re scared that their children and grandchildren won\u2019t have the opportunity to experience prosperity and freedom they experienced.\u201d\r\nCruz said the only way to create opportunity for Hispanics, African-Americans and women is to return the nation to its Constitutional free-market roots and revive the American dream.\r\nHe said Americans have mobilized to stop federal action and change the direction of debate in the nation, and believes the only way to change the direction of the nation is by energizing and engaging citizens to take a stand.\r\n\u201cTogether, we can bring back that shining city on the hill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kaygranger.house.gov/star-telegram-editorial-special-wwii-art-detectives-unit-deserves-nation%E2%80%99s-highest-civilian-honor", "Star-Telegram Editorial: Special WWII art detectives unit deserves nation\u2019s highest civilian honor", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kay Granger", "G000377", "kaygranger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Special WWII art detectives unit deserves nation\u2019s highest civilian honor\n\n\tDuring World War II, amid the mounting loss of human life and the horrific destruction of European cities, a small group of men and women were assigned to a special unit with a very specific purpose.\nThese soldiers and sailors, considered by some to be \u201cart detectives,\u201d were charged with locating and recapturing hundreds of thousands of cultural treasures that had been confiscated by the Nazis in raids on homes, churches and museums. Although they represented 13 countries, most of the \u201cMonuments Men\u201d were American, and President Franklin Roosevelt had approved the concept of cultural preservation officers.\nAs to why the military should focus at all on art objects in the middle of such a deadly war, the group\u2019s leader had an appropriate answer, which he posed as a question:\n\u201cWhat if we win the war, but lose the last 500 years of our cultural history?\u201d asked U.S. Navy reservist George Stout.\nAmong the treasures rescued were works by Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, whose Bruges Madonna sculpture was recovered from a salt mine in Austria. In addition to recovering art, the Monuments Men helped save many churches, millions of library books, Torah scrolls and other objects.\nThey were true heroes of the war, and U.S. Rep. Kay Granger thinks it is time to recognize them as such. She introduced a bill Thursday that would award the Monuments Men the Congressional Gold Medal.\n\u201cI don\u2019t believe it can be overstated how significant the contributions of the Monuments Men are to the preservation of many of the world\u2019s most remarkable pieces of art,\u201d Granger said.\n\u201cThe story of the Monuments Men is one that has to be told and should be shared as an instrumental part of U.S. and world history. I believe the veterans who participated are certainly worthy and deserving of the recognition of Congress\u2019 highest expression of appreciation, the Congressional Gold Medal.\u201d\nThis is legislation that should easily pass. Legislation to award the gold medal, first given to George Washington, must be co-sponsored by two-thirds of members in the House and Senate before it can be introduced in committee.\nThat should not be a problem in either chamber, meaning this should not be a long drawn-out process, especially since time is of the essence.\nThere were 350 Monuments Men (and women) during the war.\nSadly, only five \u2014 four men and one woman \u2014 are still alive.\nhttps://www.star-telegram.com/2013/12/06/5398326/special-wwii-art-detectives-unit.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/weekly-newsletters?ContentRecord_id=752F1C55-818E-4024-89F4-70B70DACCE4C", "The Hill Report: Week of December 2 - 6, 2013", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday Chairman Kevin Brady of\u00a0the\u00a0Ways and Means Committee introduced HR 1,\u00a0the\u00a0Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which represented\u00a0the\u00a0first public unveiling of legislation that could lead to tax reform this Congress.\u00a0 \u00a0According to\u00a0the\u00a0Wall Street Journal, this bill \u201cis, on net, about a $1.5 trillion tax", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=0750fd6f-6a79-473b-8af0-d495d283db39", "Cornyn Introduces Federal Prison Reform Based on the Texas Model", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Office \n 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. \n Washington, DC 20510 \n Main: 202-224-2934 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSoutheast Texas: \n 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 \n Houston, TX 77007 \n Main: 713-572-3337 \n Fax: 713-572-3777 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Texas: \n 222 East Van Buren \n Suite 404 \n Harlingen, TX 78550 \n Main: 956-423-0162 \n Fax: 956-423-0193 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWest Texas: \n Wells Fargo Center \n 1500 Broadway, Suite 1230 \n Lubbock, TX 79401 \n Main: 806-472-7533 \n Fax: 806-472-7536 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Central Texas: \n 600 Navarro \n Suite 210 \n San Antonio, TX 78205 \n Main: 210-224-7485 \n Fax: 210-224-8569 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nCentral Texas: \n Chase Tower \n 221 West Sixth Street \n Suite 1530 \n Austin, TX 78701 \n Main: 512-469-6034 \n Fax: 512-469-6020 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEast Texas: \n Regions Bank Building \n 100 E. Ferguson Street, Suite 1004 \n Tyler, TX 75702 \n Main: 903-593-0902 \n Fax: 903-593-0920 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNorth Texas: \n 5001 Spring Valley Road \n Suite 1125 E \n Dallas, TX 75244 \n Main: 972-239-1310 \n Fax: 972-239-2110 \n Get Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20160612064010/http://burgess.house.gov/blog/?postid=363790", "Dr. Burgess on FOX 4 Dallas: Affordable Care Act", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael Burgess", "B001248", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dr. Burgess on FOX 4 Dallas: Affordable Care Act\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Posted by\n Meredith Smiley\n \n \n on\n December 9, 2013\n | \n comments\n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Burgess appeared on FOX 4 Dallas discuss the effects of the Affordable Care Act. You can watch the video below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-introduces-federal-prison-reform-based-texas-model", "Cornyn Introduces Federal Prison Reform Based on the Texas Model", "2013-12-09", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTONU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement after introducing theFederal Prison Reform Act. The bill would increase public safety and reduce prison costs by allowing non-violent, low-risk offenders to complete work, education, skills training, or rehabilitation programs in order to earn up to half of their remaining sentence in home confinement or a halfway house.Modeled after successful reforms in Texas, this bill will target only non-violent, low-risk offenders to reduce the taxpayer burden, while ensuring that dangerous criminals remain off the streets. By working to reduce the number of repeat-offenders, we can improve safety, as well as costs, for our communities.Summary of the Federal Prison Reform ActRequires the Department of Justice to use existing funds to develop and implement recidivism reduction programming (drug rehabilitation, education, skills training, work programs, etc.) for 100% of eligible federal prisoners within 5 years. Ineligible prisoners include violent offenders, sex offenders, terrorists, child abusers, human traffickers, and repeat federal offenders.Requires the Attorney General to enter into partnership with non-profit and faith-based organizations to provide many of these programs at little or no cost to the taxpayer.Requires the use of existing resources to develop a federal post-conviction risk assessment tool that uses empirical data to classify all federal prisoners as (1) low-risk of recidivism; (2) medium risk of recidivism; or (3) high risk of recidivism, and allow for regular reassessments of each eligible prisoner over time.Allows prisoners who are classified as low-risk to earn up to 50% of their remaining sentence in home confinement or a halfway house, with earned time credit accruing at a rate of 30 days for every 30 days the prisoner is successfully completing recidivism reduction programming.Allows medium-risk and high-risk prisoners to earn time credits at a rate of 30% and 20% while they are successfully completing recidivism reduction programming, but does not allow them to cash in this credit until the risk assessment tool shows that they are a low-risk of recidivating. Reduces the need for new federal prison construction allocation by working to cap and reduce the number of incarcerated offenders by shifting prisoners near the end of their sentence to home confinement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://gohmert.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363862", "Gohmert Pleased to Announce Winners of 2014 Congressional Art Competition", "2013-12-08", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Louie Gohmert", "G000552", "gohmert.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) hosted a reception to honor the participants and announced the winners of the 2014 Congressional Art Competition on Sunday, December 8, 2013, in Marshall, Texas. He released the following statement regarding the outstanding art pieces submitted this year: \r\n\u201cThis weekend, it was exciting to see all the creativity and skill from the First Congressional District of Texas displayed at the Michelson Museum of Art. Throughout history, art and its expression have always been vital to our culture. Personally, with one of my daughters being an artist, art has played a significant role in my family\u2019s life. Hosting this competition, has allowed me to see the importance of fine art in our children\u2019s lives. After the winning piece is displayed in our great U.S. Capitol, the rest of the nation will also see the amazing talent that the young adults from east Texas possess.\u201d \r\n\u00a0\r\n2014 Congressional Art Winners:\r\nFirst Place: Matthew McGehee \r\nBishop T K Gorman Regional Catholic High School\r\n\u201cRESTING HANDS\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nSecond Place: Isabella Walters\r\nHallsville High School\r\n\u201cLOST TREASURE\u201d\r\n\u00a0 \r\nThird Place: Alexandria Woodridge\r\nHallsville High School\r\n\u201cBUFFALO\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nHonorable Mention: Claudia McMillan\r\nHenderson High School\r\n\u201cVIBRANT BOVID\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nHonorable Mention: Kylie Stinson\r\nGrace Community School\r\n\u201cTINKERBELL AND CAPTAIN HOOK\u201d\r\n\u00a0\r\nHonorable Mention: Rachel Gibson\r\nSpring Hill High School\r\n\u201cUNTITLED\u201d\u00a0 \r\nThe annual competition is open to high school students across the district. The first place winner was awarded a scholarship and has their artwork displayed in the United States Capitol Building for a year, alongside winning art from Congressional Districts across the United States. \r\n\u00a0\r\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://carter.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=40&itemid=1852", "Carter Disappointed in President's Push on DHS Deputy Secretary Nominee", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON D.C.- Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) is releasing the following statement regarding the Senate's decision to move forward with confirmation of President Obama\u2019s nominee for DHS deputy secretary:\r\n\r\n\t\u201cI am disappointed in the Senate\u2019s decision to move forward with the confirmation of President Obama\u2019s nominee for DHS deputy secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, despite numerous objections and concerns. Mayorkas is under investigation by the department\u2019s Inspector General over allegations that he mismanaged a visa program for foreign investors to benefit political allies,\u201d said Congressman John Carter Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. \u201cThe fact that the Senate changed their rules so that they could expedite the confirmation of a candidate who is under criminal investigation is appalling. I strongly urge Senator Harry Reid and President Obama to rethink the rush towards Mayorkas\u2019 confirmation until these investigations are completed and properly adjudicated.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=4E579A2B-5877-4568-81AC-5D4329841BB9", "Pete Sessions Statement on November Jobs Report", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, joined Co-Chairs of the Job Corps Caucus Congressman Lou Barletta and Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., in addition to 118 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Department of Labor requesting a reevaluation of their proposed cuts to the Job Corps Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://carter.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1036", "Carter Disappointed in President's Push on DHS Deputy Secretary Nominee", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John R. Carter", "C001051", "carter.house.gov", "carter", "https://carter.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman John Carter (R-TX31) is releasing the following statement regarding the Senate's decision to move forward with confirmation of President Obama\u2019s nominee for DHS deputy secretary:\n\n\u201cI am disappointed in the Senate\u2019s decision to move forward with the confirmation of President Obama\u2019s nominee for DHS deputy secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, despite numerous objections and concerns. Mayorkas is under investigation by the department\u2019s Inspector General over allegations that he mismanaged a visa program for foreign investors to benefit political allies,\u201d said Congressman John Carter Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. \u201cThe fact that the Senate changed their rules so that they could expedite the confirmation of a candidate who is under criminal investigation is appalling. I strongly urge Senator Harry Reid and President Obama to rethink the rush towards Mayorkas\u2019 confirmation until these investigations are completed and properly adjudicated.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:40:02Z"], ["https://kevinbrady.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395329", "After More than Four Years of Recovery, Private Jobs Are Still Less Than When the Recession Began, Brady Says", "2013-12-06", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kevin Brady", "B000755", "kevinbrady.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Americans are coming to realize the direct connection between anemic growth and the economic policies that President Obama continues to pursue. In the fifth year of President Obama's tenure, we still have760,000 fewer private payroll jobs than when the recession began.\r\n share:\r\n f \r\n t \r\n \r\n \r\n Washington, D.C. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX), Chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, today cited the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report showing that 203,000 nonfarm payroll jobs and 196,000 private payroll jobs were added in November as further evidence that the economy has a long way to grow until private sector jobs and total employment reach their pre-recession levels. More than four years into the Obama recovery, Main Street continues to suffer, Brady said. Americans are coming to realize the direct connection between anemic growth and the economic policies that President Obama continues to pursue. In the fifth year of President Obama's tenure, we still have760,000 fewer private payroll jobs than when the recession began. This year labor force participation hit its lowest level since March 1978. And the unemployment rate remains at or above 7%. While I'm glad to see that more Americans were working lastmonth, too many families continue to struggle. Today's report that is being hailed as exceptionally strong by the Administration is about 80,000 jobs short of the average monthly gain in other recoveries since 1960, Brady noted. Brady called upon the President to join Republicans to put the right economic policies in place, including pro-growth tax reform, regulatory relief, and entitlement reform. That is how to ignite a vigorous recovery that all Americans can feel, Brady said. The end of the calendar year is an opportunity to turn the page.' If the President will work with Congress, he would find many willing Republican partners. ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://kaygranger.house.gov/press-release/granger-introduces-congressional-gold-medal-legislation-honor-monuments-men", "Granger Introduces Congressional Gold Medal Legislation to Honor the Monuments Men", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kay Granger", "G000377", "kaygranger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12) introduced bipartisan legislation, The Monuments Men Recognition Act of 2013, H.R. 3658, to honor the famed \u201cMonuments Men\u201d of World War II with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Monuments Men and women helped locate famous works of art confiscated by the Nazis, and return them to their rightful owners.\n\t\u201cI don\u2019t believe it can be overstated how significant the contributions of the Monuments Men are to the preservation of many of the world\u2019s most remarkable pieces of art,\u201d said Granger. \u201cThe story of the Monuments Men is one that has to be told, and should be shared as an instrumental part of US and world history. I believe the veterans who participated are certainly worthy and deserving of the recognition of Congress\u2019 highest expression of appreciation, the Congressional Gold Medal.\u201d\n\tPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt approved the concept of cultural preservation officers in 1943. The Monuments Men and women were a group of World War II soldiers from 13 nations, most of whom were American, who were able to locate, preserve, and return almost five million cultural items, including many of the world\u2019s greatest works of art, to their rightful owners. The Monuments Men served in the Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section of the Civil Affairs and Military Government Sections of the Western Allied Armies.\n\tThe story of the Monuments Men has been covered extensively by Robert Edsel. Edsel is the founder and president of the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art and has written three non-fiction books on the topic including, Rescuing Da Vinci, The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History and Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation\u2019s Treasures from the Nazis.\n\t\u201cThe Monuments Men and women set the gold standard for the protection of cultural treasures during the most destructive conflict in history,\u201d said Robert M. Edsel. \u201cThese heroes of civilization are worthy recipients of this great honor.\u201d \u00a0\n\tIn February 2014, the movie The Monuments Men, directed by George Clooney, will be released. The movie will follow \u201can unlikely World War II platoon\u2026tasked to rescue art masterpieces from Nazi thieves\u2026\u201d. Matt Damon, George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, John Goodman, and Bill Murray among many others are starring in the upcoming movie.\n\tSome of the world\u2019s most famous pieces of art were saved and recovered by this special military effort including Michelangelo\u2019s Bruges Madonna, Vermeer\u2019s The Astronomer, and Jan van Eyck\u2019s Ghent Altarpiece as well as works by Vincent van Gogh, Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci. In addition to preserving countless churches and other historic structures from the destruction of war, the Monuments Men and women oversaw the restitution of millions of stolen library books, church bells, Torah scrolls, and other priceless cultural objects to their rightful owners.\n\tStarting with the American Revolution, Congress has awarded gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Congressional Gold Medal legislation must be co-sponsored by at least two-thirds of the Members of the House of Representatives.\n\tHonoring the work of the Monument Men has been a long-term effort for Congresswoman Granger. In 2007, Granger introduced H. Con. Res 48 a resolution to honor the contributions of these men and women. During the Armed Services Committee markup in May 2007, then Congressman Robin Hayes offered the resolution as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. The amendment was approved by the Armed Services Committee and was included as part of the Defense Authorization Act that passed the House.\n\tThere are currently only five surviving members \u2013 four men and one woman \u2013 of the Monuments Men.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=634D283F-7545-4CED-8B94-3AC5D6F4EA9B", "Pete Sessions Statement on the Innovation Act", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, joined Co-Chairs of the Job Corps Caucus Congressman Lou Barletta and Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., in addition to 118 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Department of Labor requesting a reevaluation of their proposed cuts to the Job Corps Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=16a2fddb-4a93-4ae9-a8fc-cc40e2a190e1", "Cornyn Statement on the Passing of Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Office \n 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. \n Washington, DC 20510 \n Main: 202-224-2934 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSoutheast Texas: \n 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 \n Houston, TX 77007 \n Main: 713-572-3337 \n Fax: 713-572-3777 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Texas: \n 222 East Van Buren \n Suite 404 \n Harlingen, TX 78550 \n Main: 956-423-0162 \n Fax: 956-423-0193 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWest Texas: \n Wells Fargo Center \n 1500 Broadway, Suite 1230 \n Lubbock, TX 79401 \n Main: 806-472-7533 \n Fax: 806-472-7536 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Central Texas: \n 600 Navarro \n Suite 210 \n San Antonio, TX 78205 \n Main: 210-224-7485 \n Fax: 210-224-8569 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nCentral Texas: \n Chase Tower \n 221 West Sixth Street \n Suite 1530 \n Austin, TX 78701 \n Main: 512-469-6034 \n Fax: 512-469-6020 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEast Texas: \n Regions Bank Building \n 100 E. Ferguson Street, Suite 1004 \n Tyler, TX 75702 \n Main: 903-593-0902 \n Fax: 903-593-0920 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNorth Texas: \n 5001 Spring Valley Road \n Suite 1125 E \n Dallas, TX 75244 \n Main: 972-239-1310 \n Fax: 972-239-2110 \n Get Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221012015/http://farenthold.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363555", "House Passes Innovation Act to Curb Abusive Patent Litigation", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Blake Farenthold", "F000460", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3309, the Innovation Act, which addresses the ever increasing problem of abusive patent litigation.\u00a0 U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27), a member of the House Judiciary Committee and an original co-sponsor of H.R. 3309, spoke in favor of the bill before it passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 325-91.\u00a0 \n\u201cThe patent system is a vital part of our national identity, stimulating American ingenuity and enhancing our global competitiveness,\u201d said Congressman Farenthold.\u00a0 \n\u201cTraditionally, patent holders have asserted their patents against those who produce infringing technologies.\u00a0 But in recent years, abusive patent litigation\u2014\u201cpatent trolling\u201d\u2014has ballooned, as companies have emerged solely to buy questionable and vaguely-defined patents and assert them against thousands of companies in hopes of extracting licensing fees.\u00a0 This system has amounted to legalized extortion and H.R. 3309 will significantly curb the problem,\u201d concluded Congressman Farenthold.\u00a0 \nH.R. 3309 incorporates several provisions from H.R. 2639, a patent reform bill that Congressman Farenthold and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08) introduced this past July.\u00a0Also this past summer, Congressman Farenthold and Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA-32) sent a bipartisan letter to the Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez urging the FTC to examine the practices of patent assertion entities that wrongfully target end users. End users are consumers and businesses who use off-the-shelf products for their intended use, like your local coffee shop or restaurant owner who purchases a Wi-Fi router to provide internet for customers.\u00a0 These local businesses then receive threating demand letters from patent trolls who do not want to exploit the patent but instead want to see a quick settlement.\u00a0 \nKey Components of the Innovation Act: \n\u2022 Target Abusive Patent Litigation: The bill targets abusive patent litigation behavior and not specific entities with the goal of preventing individuals from taking advantage of gaps in the system to engage in litigation extortion. It does not attempt to eliminate valid patent litigation.\n\u2022 Protects the Patent System: The patent system is integral to U.S. competitiveness. This legislation does not diminish or devalue patent rights in any way.\n\u2022 Increases Transparency: This legislation includes heightened pleading standards and transparency provisions. Requiring parties to do a bit of due diligence up front before filing an infringement suit is just plain common sense. It not only reduces litigation expenses, but saves the court's time and resources. Greater transparency and information is a good thing and it makes our patent system stronger. \n\u2022 Modernizes Fee Shifting: The legislation includes a modernized version of Section 285 fee shifting that is fair, clear and will ensure consistent judicial determinations.\n\u2022 Provides Greater Clarity: The legislation provides for more clarity surrounding initial discovery, case management, joinder and the common law doctrine of customer stays. The bill works hand-in-hand with the procedures and practices of the Judicial Conference and the courts.\n\u2022 Small Business Education: The bill provides for small business education and outreach by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221022702/http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=4ea0e4e0-48fc-4d90-826a-73bd91126ca4", "Cornyn Praises Passage of House Patent Bill", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "DALLAS\u2014U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the\u00a0Innovation Act, a bill to reduce abusive patent litigation.\u00a0 Sen. Cornyn introduced the\u00a0Patent Abuse Reduction Act\u00a0in the Senate earlier this year. \n\u201cAbusive patent litigation poses a direct threat to Texas innovators and job-creators, and I applaud the House for passing a bipartisan bill to curb lawsuits that are causing serious harm to our economy.\n\u201cRepublicans and Democrats\u00a0both recognize the depth of the problem, and I look forward to taking up this debate in the Senate. \u00a0\n\u201cWe must work to pass a bill that will bring fairness to our patent system by deterring so-called \u2018patent trolls\u2019 looking for a quick payout, while protecting the rights of responsible intellectual property holders.\u201d\nBackground on Sen. Cornyn\u2019s Patent Abuse Reduction Act\nAbusive patent litigation, exemplified by a growing number of \u201cpatent trolls,\u201d threatens the innovation patents were created to protect. Patent litigation abuse saddles American innovators and job-creators, from start-ups to our nation\u2019s largest employers, with expensive litigation. It directs resources away from research, development, wages and economic growth.\nThe\u00a0Patent Abuse Reduction Act\u00a0will modernize patent litigation and protect innovators unfairly targeted by abusive patent litigation. The bill would require plaintiffs to disclose the substance of their claims and reveal their identities when they file their lawsuit; allow defendants to hale into court interested parties; bring fairness to the discovery process; and shift responsibility for the cost of litigation to the losing party.\u00a0These reforms will deter patent litigation abusers without prejudicing the rights of responsible intellectual property holders.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20160611182917/http://burgess.house.gov/blog/?postid=363511", "Dr. Burgess on FOX: Prescription Drug Costs", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael Burgess", "B001248", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dr. Burgess on FOX: Prescription Drug Costs\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Posted by\n Meredith Smiley\n \n \n on\n December 5, 2013\n | \n comments\n \n \n \n \n \n Dr. Burgess appeared on FOX with Congressman Dan Benishek to discuss the rise in prescription drug costs for some patients under the Affordable Care Act. You can watch the video below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-praises-passage-house-patent-bill", "Cornyn Praises Passage of House Patent Bill", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DALLASU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed theInnovation Act, a bill to reduce abusive patent litigation. Sen. Cornyn introduced thePatent Abuse Reduction Actin the Senate earlier this year.Abusive patent litigation poses a direct threat to Texas innovators and job-creators, and I applaud the House for passing a bipartisan bill to curb lawsuits that are causing serious harm to our economy.Republicans and Democratsboth recognize the depth of the problem, and I look forward to taking up this debate in the Senate. We must work to pass a bill that will bring fairness to our patent system by deterring so-called patent trolls' looking for a quick payout, while protecting the rights of responsible intellectual property holders.Background on Sen. Cornyn's Patent Abuse Reduction ActAbusive patent litigation, exemplified by a growing number of patent trolls, threatens the innovation patents were created to protect. Patent litigation abuse saddles American innovators and job-creators, from start-ups to our nation's largest employers, with expensive litigation. It directs resources away from research, development, wages and economic growth.ThePatent Abuse Reduction Actwill modernize patent litigation and protect innovators unfairly targeted by abusive patent litigation. The bill would require plaintiffs to disclose the substance of their claims and reveal their identities when they file their lawsuit; allow defendants to hale into court interested parties; bring fairness to the discovery process; and shift responsibility for the cost of litigation to the losing party.These reforms will deter patent litigation abusers without prejudicing the rights of responsible intellectual property holders.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-statement-passing-nelson-mandela", "Cornyn Statement on the Passing of Nelson Mandela", "2013-12-05", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DALLASU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement on the passing of Nelson Mandela.Nelson Mandela united both his country and the world around the basic dignity owed to every human being. His unwavering commitment to justice and equality remains a model for each of us. As we mourn this great leader, let us also celebrate his life and work to carry on his legacy.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://sessions.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ContentRecord_id=B31D4E18-3E41-4F21-A345-07525BD74A89", "Pete Sessions Applauds Passage of Small Business Capital Access and Job Preservation Act", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Pete Sessions", "S000250", "sessions.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules, joined Co-Chairs of the Job Corps Caucus Congressman Lou Barletta and Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., in addition to 118 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Department of Labor requesting a reevaluation of their proposed cuts to the Job Corps Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=NewsReleases&ContentRecord_id=a052b914-57dd-43ab-b859-d5cf1565ed99", "Cornyn Applauds Move to Enforce Background Checks on Texas Navigators", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC Office \n 517 Hart Senate Office Bldg. \n Washington, DC 20510 \n Main: 202-224-2934 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSoutheast Texas: \n 5300 Memorial Drive Suite 980 \n Houston, TX 77007 \n Main: 713-572-3337 \n Fax: 713-572-3777 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Texas: \n 222 East Van Buren \n Suite 404 \n Harlingen, TX 78550 \n Main: 956-423-0162 \n Fax: 956-423-0193 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nWest Texas: \n Wells Fargo Center \n 1500 Broadway, Suite 1230 \n Lubbock, TX 79401 \n Main: 806-472-7533 \n Fax: 806-472-7536 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nSouth Central Texas: \n 600 Navarro \n Suite 210 \n San Antonio, TX 78205 \n Main: 210-224-7485 \n Fax: 210-224-8569 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nCentral Texas: \n Chase Tower \n 221 West Sixth Street \n Suite 1530 \n Austin, TX 78701 \n Main: 512-469-6034 \n Fax: 512-469-6020 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nEast Texas: \n Regions Bank Building \n 100 E. Ferguson Street, Suite 1004 \n Tyler, TX 75702 \n Main: 903-593-0902 \n Fax: 903-593-0920 \n Get Directions\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nNorth Texas: \n 5001 Spring Valley Road \n Suite 1125 E \n Dallas, TX 75244 \n Main: 972-239-1310 \n Fax: 972-239-2110 \n Get Directions", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221014111/http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=InNews&ContentRecord_id=57100d04-2474-425c-9c10-58098f656c29", "Cornyn meets Baylor Bears", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Cornyn meets Baylor Bears\nU.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, met with Baylor University football coach Art Briles and players Wednesday as the team prepared for their final game of the regular season against Texas.\nCornyn, who faces five Republican challengers in the March primary, also toured Baylor\u2019s Simpson Athletic and Academic Center. He serves on the Senate\u2019s Finance and Judiciary Committees and is the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee\u2019s Immigration, Refugees and Border Security subcommittee.\nSunday\u2019s Tribune-Herald will include a Q-and-A with the senator.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221014130/http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=InNews&ContentRecord_id=293d28c9-32b7-414e-9f8b-af4a8c0e3ff5", "Senator Cornyn speaks to East Texans about repealing Obamacare", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Senator Cornyn speaks to East Texans about repealing ObamacareKETK by Kristen Chapman Dec. 4th, 2013\nTYLER, TX (KETK) \u2014 Tuesday afternoon Senator John\u00a0Cornyn\u00a0visited Tyler to speak with small business owners about Obamacare. The deadline is quickly approaching at the end of this year, and the new healthcare bill is creating uncertainty for the future. So the Senator sat down at \"The Diner\" to hear concerns.\nSenator\u00a0Cornyn\u00a0said, \"What we need to do is empower people to make their own healthcare choices by having affordable alternatives for them and their families\".\u00a0Cornyn\u00a0believes that a government regulated program is not the answer. So he has a plan that involves two main points, \"Bringing down the cost through using market and choice, and making sure the doctor patient relationship is respected\".\nThe Senator shared that business owners do need to prepare themselves for what lies ahead during the next 3 years of Obama's presidency. He said, \"Unfortunately what they're (business owners) having to do is to make very hard decisions in terms of cutting down the size of their work force to come beneath the 50 employee cap\".\nCurrently the city of Tyler has a booming economy and job growth is on the incline, but Obamacare could potentially have a long-lasting negative effect.\nTom Mullins, President of the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, said, \"30% of our work force is tied to the medical sector. It could impact our economy at the macro level, we could see a lot of down-sizing\". \u00a0\nSenator Corny is actively working to repeal Obamacare, and is meeting with various groups to acquire compelling stories to share with his constituents back in Washington D.C.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/content/cornyn-applauds-move-enforce-background-checks-texas-navigators", "Cornyn Applauds Move to Enforce Background Checks on Texas Navigators", "2013-12-04", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "John Cornyn", "C001056", "www.cornyn.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WACOU.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) praised the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) for proposing rules that would require background checks for those working as Obamacare navigators in Texas.Since the Obama Administration has shown an utter disregard for securing Texans' personal information, I am glad to see Texas is proposing criminal background checks for people who will have access to this sensitive data.Secretary Sebelius may find it acceptable that a convicted felon can become a navigator and acquire sensitive personal information, but that won't stand here in Texas, and these rules are an important step in the right direction.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://lamarsmith.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/smith-epa-rules-based-on-partisan-politics-not-science", "Smith: EPA Rules Based on Partisan Politics Not Science", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Lamar Smith", "S000583", "lamarsmith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today sent a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy highlighting serious problems that were outlined by the agency\u2019s own independent scientists about the science supporting EPA\u2019s new rule for power plants.\nThe Work Group charged with reviewing EPA\u2019s major regulatory actions recently released a memo that recommends a thorough review of the science underpinning the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) proposal.\u00a0 The memo highlights the fact that EPA rushed ahead with its NSPS proposal without waiting for the advice of the agency\u2019s independent scientists and that the underlying science lacked adequate peer review.\u00a0\nChairman Smith: \u201cThe EPA\u2019s regulations must have a sound scientific and technical basis.\u00a0 This principle cannot be compromised. The agency should not act to unilaterally impose regulations on the American people, particularly when its own advisors have expressed reservations regarding the science on which those regulations are based.\u00a0\n\u201cGiven the massive effect of this rule on the American economy, the agency cannot afford to cut corners.\u00a0 The agency\u2019s stubborn insistence on placing its judgment above that of its science advisors raises serious concerns that the EPA\u2019s rulemaking is based more on partisan politics than sound science.\u00a0 Although EPA lawyers may find creative ways to skirt the law, the American people hold the agency to a higher standard.\u00a0 EPA must quickly correct this problem; the time for excuses has passed.\u201d\nThe full letter can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221014902/http://farenthold.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363291", "U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold Chairs Hearing on Federal Government\u2019s Use of Design-Build Contracts", "2013-12-03", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Blake Farenthold", "F000460", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold (TX-27), Chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, held a hearing today looking at the federal government's use of design-build contracts.\u00a0 A design-build contract is when federal agencies competitively procure both the architecture/engineering and construction of projects at the same time.\u00a0 \n\u201cIn fiscal year 2012, the Federal Government spent over $41 billion on construction and architect and engineering (A&E) contracts.\u00a0 That\u2019s eight percent of the roughly $500 billion the federal government spends annually on goods and services,\u201d said Congressman Farenthold in his opening statement.\u00a0 \n\u201cWe want to make sure the government awards contracts to those companies who will do the job best, not the companies who are the best at competing for contracts. As government watchdogs, it\u2019s our job to make sure these construction and A&E contracts are managed efficiently and effectively, and that taxpayer money is spent wisely.\u201d \nAlso discussed during the hearing was contracting reform legislation offered by Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO-06), that would, in part, mandate that agencies use a \u201ctwo-step process\u201d for design-build contracts valued at or over $750,000 which will allow for more competition while saving businesses and taxpayers money. \u00a0\nDuring his questioning, Congressman Farenthold engaged with contracting experts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an architectural and engineering firm, and a general contracting firm. \n\u00a0\u201cDoes the proposed legislation lower the bar for new entrants while still getting quality work for the taxpayers\u2019 dollars?\u201d questioned Congressman Farenthold.\u00a0 Mr. Dalluge responded, \u201cSir, in my opinion, this bill goes a long way to providing more clarity and transparency to the [contracting] system, which will invite more people and allow small firms to compete better.\u201d\nTo view Congressman Farenthold\u2019s opening statement, click here.\nTo view Congressman Farenthold\u2019s questioning, click here. \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://marchant.house.gov/2013/12/02/the-hill-support-builds-for-marchants-debt-management-act/", "The Hill: Support Builds for Marchant's Debt Management Act", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Kenny Marchant", "M001158", "marchant.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GOP demands Treasury secretary testify before debt-ceiling hike\n\nBy Pete Kasperowicz\nPublished on November 22, 2013\nMore than two dozen House Republicans have put forward legislation that would condition an increase to the debt ceiling on a detailed report from the Treasury Department on what\u2019s driving the debt higher, and ways to reduce it.\nRep. Kenny Marchant (R-Texas) proposed the Debt Management Act (DMA) on Thursday. Marchant\u2019s bill would also require the Treasury secretary to discuss the debt ceiling in testimony to Congress before any increase is allowed.\n\u201cWe can no longer yield to the temptation of remorseless borrowing,\u201d he said. \u201cAmerica might appear to prosper by consuming beyond our means, but if we continue down this path, the country will eventually face a painful economic reckoning.\n\u201cDMA requires the administration to complement debt limit increase requests with reports on the national debt and progress on deficit reduction,\u201d he added. \u201cBy bringing greater transparency to the national debt and structural deficit, DMA establishes a more credible and consistent process to address debt limit increase requests.\u201d\nSpecifically, Marchant\u2019s bill would require Treasury to submit debt reports and progress reports on the debt that describe the steps the administration is taking to address the structural deficit. Marchant says these steps would prevent the administration from simply seeking a debt-ceiling hike without \u201cassociated long-term fiscal planning.\u201d\nThe power to spend and the power to raise the debt ceiling lies with Congress. But over the last few years, Congress has shifted some of the responsibility on the debt ceiling to the president.\nIn 2011, for example, Congress approved the Budget Control Act, which allowed President Obama to request a debt-ceiling increase of $1.2 trillion. That request could only be stopped by House and Senate passage of a resolution of disapproval.\nThe House passed the resolution of disapproval, but the Senate did not.\nLate last month, the House approved a similar resolution disapproving of Obama\u2019s congressionally authorized decision to suspend the debt ceiling until Feb. 7, just after the Senate rejected similar language.\nMembers of the House and Senate Budget committees are in talks to reach a budget agreement, which could also lay the groundwork for another debt-ceiling hike early next year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221020949/http://burgess.house.gov/blog/?postid=363130", "Dr. Burgess on the Floor: Health Care Reform", "2013-12-02", "2013", "2013-12", "Republican", "House", "TX", "Michael Burgess", "B001248", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Dr. Burgess on the Floor: Health Care Reform\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Posted by\n Meredith Smiley\n \n \n on\n December 02, 2013\n | \n comments\n \n \n \n \n \n This week Dr. Burgess spoke on the House floor regarding the health care roll out and website. \u00a0You can watch the video below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 1616, "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": "Republican", "p1": "TX", "p2": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=TX&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 1616, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=TX&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 1616, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=TX&year=2013&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=TX&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "TX", "label": "TX", "count": 1616, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=TX&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 1616, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=TX", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2013-12-02,https~3A~2F~2Fweb~2Earchive~2Eorg~2Fweb~2F20140221020949~2Fhttp~3A~2F~2Fburgess~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fblog~2F~3Fpostid~3D363130", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=TX&year=2013&_next=2013-12-02%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fweb~2Earchive~2Eorg~2Fweb~2F20140221020949~2Fhttp~3A~2F~2Fburgess~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fblog~2F~3Fpostid~3D363130&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 513.5914930142462, "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"}