{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where 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://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-calls-for-extension-of-unemployment-benefits-as-first-order-of", "CASTRO CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AS FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS", "2013-12-27", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaqu\u00edn Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "San Antonio, TX \u2013 1.3 million Americans, including over 64,000 Texans, are losing all of their federal unemployment insurance tomorrow, December 28. An additional 106,900 Texans will lose their unemployment insurance in the first 6 months of 2014. Rep. Joaquin Castro is calling on Speaker Boehner to bring up this important piece of legislation for debate as the first order of business in the new year. U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro along with 173 other members of Congress urged Speaker Boehner to not adjourn before extending this crucial program for millions of struggling Americans.\n\u00a0\n\u201cAs the economy recovers, the American people deserve a Congress that puts their needs first. As folks continue to look for jobs and strengthen our economy, we must ensure that they are supported. Yet, at a time when families should be coming together to celebrate and enjoy the holidays, hundreds of thousands are seeing their entire lifeline cut-off because the \u00a0Speaker decided to adjourn before dealing with this important program,\u201d said Rep. Joaquin Castro. \u201cI am calling on Speaker Boehner to make extending this vital program the first order of business when Congress returns in January. This will restore hope for folks who have worked hard, played by the rules, and continue to look for a job.\u201d\n\u00a0\nThe federal unemployment insurance program \u2013 formally called Emergency Unemployment Compensation \u2013 took effect in 2008 and has been reauthorized several times since as the economy continues its recovery. Despite the real progress the economy has made since its near collapse in 2008, there are still 1.3 million fewer jobs than there were before the recession began and long-term unemployment as a percentage of the unemployed is 37 percent, far higher than during previous recessions. On average, nationwide, the program provides about $300 a week to recipients.\n\u00a0\nFailure to extend federal unemployment insurance would also hurt job growth locally and throughout the nation, costing the economy 240,000 jobs, according to the White House Council of Economic Advisers.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301101906/http://orourke.house.gov/media-center/letters/letter-to-fbi-director-james-comey-re-death-of-us-marshal", "Letter to FBI Director James Comey Re: Death of U.S. Marshal", "2013-12-23", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "El Paso North Oregon District Office", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://algreen.house.gov/press-release/congressman-al-green-applauds-local-community-health-clinics-awarded-funds-hhs-enroll", "Congressman Al Green Applauds Local Community Health Clinics Awarded Funds from HHS to Enroll Uninsured Texans in the New Health Insurance Marketplaces", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(Houston,TX)--On December 19, 2013, Congressman Al Green called representatives from South Central Care Community Health Center, the Harris County Hospital District, and the Asian American Health Coalition of the Greater Houston Area to congratulate them on being awarded grants to assist Texans in enrolling in the new Health Insurance Marketplaces and receive quality health care services.\nThese grants are important investments not only in our community health clinics but in the health and vitality of our community,\u201d Congressman Al Green said. \u201cI trust that our community health clinics will use these grants wisely and further expand access to health care in Houston.\u201d\nOn December 11, 2013, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced $58 million in grants to 1,157 health clinics across the country working to enroll uninsured Americans in the new health insurance coverage options made available by the Affordable Care Act.\u00a0 With these funds, health clinics can expand their enrollment assistance efforts as more Americans enroll in affordable health insurance coverage.\nThese awards will allow community health clinics to expand the hours of existing outreach and enrollment assistance workers, as well as hire new or temporary workers.\u00a0The South Central Houston Community Health Center received $165,755 in the fiscal year for 2013 and $92,935 in 2014; the Harris County Hospital District received $154,326 in the fiscal year for 2013 and $85,662 in 2014; the Asian American Health Coalition of the Greater Houston Area received $90,867 in the fiscal year for 2013 and $45,279 in 2014.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://algreen.house.gov/press-release/congressman-al-green-joins-hhs-secretary-kathleen-sebelius-and-democratic-members", "Congressman Al Green Joins HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Democratic Members of the Houston Congressional Delegation in a Press Conference and Discussion on the Affordable Care Act", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Al Green", "G000553", "algreen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Al Green Joins HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Democratic Members of the Houston Congressional Delegation in a Press Conference and Discussion on the Affordable Care Act                                           \n              Dec 20, 2013      \t\t        \t    \n      \t            \n                    \n                                            \n          \n        \n        \n          \n  \n    \n        \n      Rep. Al Green with (left to right) Rep. Gene Green, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee.      \n        \n      \n    \n    \n    (Houston, TX)\u2014On December 20, 2013, Rep. Al Green (TX-09) joined Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, Reps. Gene Green and Sheila Jackson Lee, as well as enrollees in the Health Insurance Marketplaces at the Magnolia Multi-Service Center for a discussion and press conference on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.\n\u201cThe Affordable Care Act is working. It\u2019s working for senior citizens by closing the doughnut hole, which requires them to pay more for pharmaceuticals, \u00a0it\u2019s working for persons under 26 years of age by allowing them to stay on their parents\u2019 insurance policies, and it\u2019s working for young people with preexisting conditions by allowing them to get insurance coverage,\u201d Congressman Al Green said.\u00a0 \u201cNext year, it will work even better when persons young and old with preexisting conditions will have the opportunity to get insurance coverage and many persons will have their coverage subsidized to some extent. Better coverage at less cost for more Americans that\u2019s what the Affordable Care Act is all about.\u201d", 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://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=365023", "La Reforma Energ\u00e9tica Mexicana: Una Bendici\u00f3n para \u00c1merica del Norte", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "El descubrimiento del petr\u00f3leo de esquisto bituminoso en Texas ha sido una bendici\u00f3n para la econom\u00eda de nuestro estado y nuestra regi\u00f3n, resultando en la creaci\u00f3n de miles de puestos de trabajo y mil millones de d\u00f3lares en ganancias adicionales.\u00a0 Por ejemplo, en el a\u00f1o 2012, la formaci\u00f3n geol\u00f3gica de Eagle Ford en el sur de Texas genero m\u00e1s de $61 mil millones de d\u00f3lares para la regi\u00f3n, m\u00e1s de 116,000 puestos de trabajo, y m\u00e1s de $3.1 mil millones de d\u00f3lares en salarios.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nEl mes pasado, yo viaj\u00e9 a la Ciudad de M\u00e9xico para reunirme con el diputado federal mexicano Marco Gonz\u00e1lez, quien organiz\u00f3 varias juntas con miembros del Congreso Mexicano y con la administraci\u00f3n del Presidente Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto.\u00a0 Mi mensaje fue claro para los l\u00edderes y las autoridades mexicanas: la producci\u00f3n y las reservas de petr\u00f3leo y gas de esquisto no se detienen en la frontera de Texas. \r\nM\u00e9xico tiene una abundancia de recursos petroleros aun no aprovechados.\u00a0 Adem\u00e1s, M\u00e9xico es el tercer mayor productor de petr\u00f3leo en el hemisferio occidental, despu\u00e9s de Brasil y Venezuela, y est\u00e1 dentro los 10 mayores del mundo.\u00a0 Sin embargo, la empresa estatal, PEMEX, no puede igualar la producci\u00f3n de los EE.UU. debido a l\u00edmites constitucionales en M\u00e9xico que impiden la inversi\u00f3n extranjera en la producci\u00f3n y extracci\u00f3n de petr\u00f3leo y gas natural.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nLa administraci\u00f3n de Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto ha sido una de las m\u00e1s innovadoras y pioneras en la historia de M\u00e9xico.\u00a0 A principios de este mes, el Congreso Mexicano aprob\u00f3 una reforma electoral que abri\u00f3 el camino para lograr una reforma energ\u00e9tica hist\u00f3rica, que se aprob\u00f3 esta semana. \r\nDurante mi reciente viaje a M\u00e9xico, tambi\u00e9n me reun\u00ed con el coordinador del Partido Revolucionario Industrial (PRI), el diputado federal Manlio Beltrones, quien impulsa la agenda del presidente de una manera muy eficiente.\u00a0 Beltrones me explico c\u00f3mo era necesario aprobar una reforma electoral para llevar acabo una reforma energ\u00e9tica.\u00a0 \r\nEste tipo de intercambio es simb\u00f3lico al estilo de gobierno de Presidente Pena Nieto \u2013 pragm\u00e1tico, dispuesto a llegar a un acuerdo, y enfocado en lograr soluciones.\u00a0 Este tipo de liderazgo y funci\u00f3n p\u00fablica deber\u00eda de ser un ejemplo para todos.\u00a0 \r\nLa reforma energ\u00e9tica aprobada abre el sector petrolero a la inversi\u00f3n privada y permite que las empresas privadas compartan con PEMEX los beneficios de la exploraci\u00f3n y producci\u00f3n petrolera.\u00a0 Seg\u00fan una estimaci\u00f3n de PEMEX, el pa\u00eds requiere una inversi\u00f3n de m\u00e1s de 60 mil millones de d\u00f3lares por a\u00f1o para aprovechar al m\u00e1ximo la producci\u00f3n energ\u00e9tica del pa\u00eds.\u00a0 Hay empresas de los EE.UU. y otros pa\u00edses que est\u00e1n dispuestas a invertir en el sector energ\u00e9tico de M\u00e9xico y aprovechar las reservas subdesarrolladas de petr\u00f3leo y gas natural del pa\u00eds.\r\nCon esta legislaci\u00f3n, Am\u00e9rica del Norte se acerca m\u00e1s a la independencia energ\u00e9tica.\u00a0 Hoy es momento para colaborar con nuestro vecino del sur para lograr nuestros objetivos comunes de producci\u00f3n y crecimiento energ\u00e9tico.\u00a0 Con estos cambios legislativos, los Estados Unidos, Canad\u00e1 y M\u00e9xico se convertir\u00e1n en un centro mundial de producci\u00f3n petrolero y nuestra regi\u00f3n se har\u00e1 el nuevo Medio Oriente del mundo.", 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"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140220234028/http://vela.house.gov/index.php/2013-07-18-16-34-07/press-releases/200-press-release-vela-sponsors-legislation-to-avoid-pension-cuts-to-military-retirees", "PRESS RELEASE: Vela Sponsors Legislation to Avoid Pension Cuts to Military Retirees", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Filemon Vela", "V000132", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "PRESS RELEASE: Vela Sponsors Legislation to Avoid Pension Cuts to Military Retirees\t\t \n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0PRESS CONTACT:\n\n\tDecember 20, 2013 \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 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Brenda Lopez \u00a0 956.544.8352 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\n\n\t\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\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\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\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\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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\tPRESS RELEASE:\u00a0Vela Sponsors Legislation to Avoid Pension Cuts to Military Retirees\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tWASHINGTON \u2013U.S. Representative Filemon Vela (TX-34) joined dozens of Member of Congress \u2013 both Democrats and Republicans - in sponsoring legislation to eliminate cuts to cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for military retirement payments.\u00a0\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tMilitary retirement pay, like Social Security and other federal programs, is subject to an annual cost of living increase which is set to match the rate of inflation and helps ensure that the value of the benefit is not diminished. Under a recent budget agreement, this annual COLA will be decreased by 1% for military retirees until from the date of their retirement from military service until they reach the age of 62.\u00a0 At age 62, each military member\u2019s retirement would be adjusted up to the level it would have been if their COLA had been higher by 1% every year. The reduction is scheduled to take effect at the end of 2015 unless Congress acts to halt the cut.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tRepresentative Vela has added his support as a cosponsor of three bills that would repeal the military retirement pay cut, including H.R. 3789 to alter the provision to ensure that the cut is not applied to military retirees who also receive veterans disability compensation through or for surviving spouses.\u00a0 Additionally, he is a cosponsor of H.R. 3790 to repeal the provision entirely and restore military retirement to its current formula.\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cGetting our fiscal house in order is a top priority, but we cannot balance our federal budget on the backs of military families who have already given so much,\u201d said Rep. Vela. \u201cI will continue to support this and other efforts to ensure that the pay and benefits we provide our armed forces are commensurate with the sacrifices they make in defense of our nation.\"\n\n\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140220234035/http://vela.house.gov/index.php/2013-07-18-16-34-07/press-releases/201-press-release-congressman-vela-supports-partnership-between-cbp-and-border-trade-alliance-to-expand-services", "PRESS RELEASE: Congressman Vela Supports Partnership Between CBP and Border Trade Alliance to Expand Services", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Filemon Vela", "V000132", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "PRESS RELEASE: Congressman Vela Supports Partnership Between CBP and Border Trade Alliance to Expand Services\t\t \n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0PRESS CONTACT:\n\n\tDecember 20, 2013\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\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\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Brenda Lopez \u00a0 956.544.8352\n\n\t\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\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\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\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\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\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\tPRESS RELEASE:\u00a0Congressman Vela Supports Partnership Between CBP and Border Trade Alliance to Expand Services\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Congressman Filemon Vela (TX-34) supports the partnership between Customs Border Protection and Border Trade Alliance to finalize the agreements for five public-private partnerships.\u00a0 Cross-border trade and travel stakeholders gathered in Washington, D.C. at the headquarters of Customs and Border Protection for the official signing of five \u201creimbursable fee agreements\u201d between CBP and partners in the air and land environments.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tThe agreements were made possible by Section 560 of the Fiscal Year 2013 continuing resolution budget deal (H.R. 933), which passed in March. The agreements allow the winning projects to partner with CBP to improve staffing at the affected ports of entry.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tTwo proposals focused on improving port staffing levels that were submitted from U.S.-Mexico border communities were selected by CBP: one by the City of El Paso, and another by the South Texas Asset Consortium (STAC), a joint submission by South Texas port entities in Laredo, Rio Grande City, McAllen, Pharr and Cameron County. The City of El Paso and the STAC partners of the Starr-Camargo Bridge Co., City of McAllen, City of Pharr and Cameron County are all Border Trade Alliance members.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cToday marks a bold step towards improving operations at our nation\u2019s ports of entry,\u201d Border Trade Alliance President Noe Garcia said. \u201cWe look forward to these pilots demonstrating that CBP and partners at the local level can craft innovative solutions for facilitating legitimate trade and travel through improved staffing levels. This is a significant achievement for a trade community that has been clamoring for a new way of doing business on the border. We want to thank Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Rep. Filem\u00f3n Vela (D-Texas) and Rep. Beto O\u2019Rourke (D-Texas) for their support of these proposals.\u201d\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cThese agreements take an innovative, regional approach to port management,\u201d STAC President and Starr-Camargo Bridge Co. President Sam F. Vale said. \u201cNow bridge owners and operators have a greater voice in how needed resources will be deployed to the ports of entry. On behalf of all the STAC participants, we look forward to working with CBP in implementing these pilot projects, which we believe will greatly enhance our region\u2019s economy and international trade competitiveness.\u201d\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\"The signing of these reimbursable fee agreements\u00a0is a recognition of the importance of Texas ports of entry to the national economy,\"\u00a0said\u00a0Representative Vela.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"The South Texas Asset Consortium (STAC), which is comprised of the City of Laredo, Starr-Camargo International Bridge, the City of McAllen, the City of Pharr, and Cameron County\u00a0should be\u00a0commended\u00a0for finding innovative solutions to\u00a0reducing wait times and facilitating trade along our ports of entry. \u00a0Improving\u00a0port staffing levels is critical in order to increase U.S. trade with Mexico, which last year alone\u00a0reached $500 billion. \u00a0My office worked alongside STAC and the Border Trade Alliance to ensure that CBP understood the vital role Texas ports play in our regional and national economy.\"\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301095902/http://orourke.house.gov/media-center/vote-explanations/military-retiree-pensions-legislative-update", "Military Retiree Pensions Legislative Update", "2013-12-20", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "I am writing to you about the potential changes to the cost of living adjustment (COLA) for career military retiree pensions that were contained in the recently passed Ryan/Murray budget agreement (H.J.RES 59). I have heard from many of you with concerns about these changes and I want to let you know where I stand and what I am doing. \u00a0\nFirst, the overall budget agreement is a step forward for our community and Fort Bliss in particular and for that reason, I voted for it. By passing a budget for the first time in over three years, we will have fiscal certainty and prevent another government shut-down. It also provides relief from the arbitrary cuts known as the sequester, which hit the Department of Defense particularly hard and have resulted in furloughs of DoD civilians at Fort Bliss and harmed troop readiness and training.\nHowever, like many large pieces of compromise legislation, the budget deal included items that I do not support. One such provision would reduce the annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) by 1% for some career military retirees who are younger than 62, beginning in December 2015. I want to let you know what I am doing to stop these cuts from taking effect and make you aware of three bills I helped to introduce earlier this week.\nThe first measure (H.R. 3789) would clarify that all veterans who medically retire, all those who receive Combat Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC), all those who receive Concurrent Receipt Pay (CRDP), and surviving spouses receiving benefits under the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) are exempt from the COLA reduction. This proposal has bipartisan support and I believe Congress could move quickly to pass it next year.\nThe second measure (H.R. 3790) would simply strike the section in the budget agreement that provides for a 1% cost of living adjustment (COLA) reduction to all military retirees under 62, thereby restoring the full pension of retirees.\nThe final measure (H.R. 3793) would also fully strike the COLA reduction, but would pay for it by closing tax loopholes that encourages companies to avoid paying their fair share of taxes. This bill restricts companies that are incorporated offshore, but managed and controlled from the United States, from claiming foreign status and avoiding U.S. taxes.\u00a0\nAs the COLA reduction will not go into effect until December 2015, Congress will have significant time to pass these bills. In addition, there is an independent panel\u2014the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission\u2014 studying military compensation and Congress is awaiting their recommendations, which are due this spring.\nI appreciate hearing from you on this issue and I will continue to keep you updated.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364829", "Rep. Cuellar Announces Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Internships for College Students", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Cuellar Announces Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity Internships for College Students \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      Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) announced that the Department of Homeland Security is offering semester long internships in its cybersecurity division for current college students.\u00a0 \r\n\u201cI want to make sure that college students in Texas are aware of this exciting opportunity to gain valuable work experience and keep our country safe through service with a top government agency,\u201d said Congressman Cuellar.\u00a0 \u201cIn today\u2019s economy, students must ensure they explore experience both inside and outside of the classroom to succeed in the workforce.\u00a0 I encourage college students to take advantage of this opportunity with the Department of Homeland Security.\u201d\r\nThe Department of Homeland Security is offering 100 unpaid student volunteer assignments at field offices across the country.\u00a0 Interns will support cyber security operations at DHS's forensic labs.\u00a0 Internship opportunities are available in Austin, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, and San Antonio, as well as other locations across the country.\u00a0\r\nThe deadline for application is January 3, 2014.\u00a0 Interns will begin in Spring 2014 and participate throughout the summer.\u00a0 Learn more about the program here and begin your application here.\u00a0\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://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364830", "357,000 Young Texans Can Stay On Their Parents\u2019 Health Plans until Age 26, Thanks to the Affordable Care Act", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) released figures highlighting how, under the Affordable Care Act, over 357,000 young Texans and 3 million young adults nationally have gained insurance because they can now stay on their parents\u2019 health plans until their 26th birthday.\r\n\u201cIt used to be the case that many insurance companies would kick young adults off of their parents\u2019 health plans on their 19th birthday or when they stopped being a full-time student,\u201d said Congressman Cuellar. \u00a0\u201cFor many young adults, this is the time when they need the stability of being able to stay on their parents\u2019 plans the most as they transition in and out of school or jobs.\u00a0 Now, because of the Affordable Care Act, young Texans and their families will have the security and flexibility of continued health coverage.\u201d\r\nAdditionally, many young adults will be newly eligible for Medicaid thanks to the opportunity provided by the Affordable Care Act to states to expand eligibility to all adults with incomes below 133% of poverty (about $15,000 for an individual). And many more young adults will be eligible for tax credits to help purchase affordable health plans through the new Marketplace. In fact, nearly 5 in 10 single, uninsured young adults eligible for plans in the Marketplace may be able to purchase a plan for $50 per month or less after tax credits and nearly 7 in 10 may be able to pay $100 or less for coverage in 2014. Importantly, due to the ACA, none of these young adults will have to worry about being denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition like asthma or diabetes.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["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://web.archive.org/web/20140221193001/http://orourke.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/o-rourke-cosponsors-key-bills-to-protect-military-pensions", "O\u2019Rourke Cosponsors Key Bills to Protect Military Pensions", "2013-12-19", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "O\u2019Rourke Cosponsors Key Bills to Protect Military Pensions\nBills would fully eliminate COLA reductions from Budget Agreement\nWashington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Beto O\u2019Rourke (TX-16) helped introduce legislation to eliminate cuts to cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for military retiree pensions that were part of the recently passed Ryan/Murray budget agreement (H.J.Res. 59). The three bills would:\n Strike Section 403 of the budget agreement, which provides for a 1% COLA reduction for military retirees under age 62.\n\tAmend Section 403 of the budget agreement to clarify that all veterans who medically retire, all those who receive Combat Related Specialty Compensation (CRSC), all those who receive Concurrent Receipt Pay (CRDP), and surviving spouses receiving benefits under the Survivor Benefit Program (SBP) are exempt from the COLA reduction.\n\tRepeal Section 403\u2019s COLA reduction and replace the $6.3 billion in lost savings by closing a tax loophole that allows corporations to avoid paying U.S. taxes by setting up a shell company in an offshore tax haven. This change would raise approximately $6.6 billion over ten years, with the difference going toward deficit reduction.\n \u201cThere are far better ways to get our fiscal house in order other than reducing benefits that were promised to career service members,\u201d said Rep. O\u2019Rourke. \u201cAlthough it was critically important that Congress come together and pass a budget for the first time in over three years, the agreement is not perfect and Congress should work to fix it. The three bills introduced today would protect all current retirees from any cuts and one of the measures would fully pay for the fix by reforming our tax code to prevent large corporations from using tax havens to avoid paying their fair share. As the COLA changes do not go into effect until December 2015, I am hopeful that Congress will have plenty of time to do what is right and treat those who served our nation fairly.\u201d\nThe Ryan/Murray budget contains $85 billion in total budget savings, with $6.3 billion coming from COLA reductions to military retiree pensions for individuals under 62. Under current law, service members who have completed 20 years of service (regardless of age) are eligible for a pension, which typically amounts to at least 50% of their highest 36 months of basic pay. These benefits are indexed to inflation through an annual COLA. Under the changes, starting in December 2015, the COLA would be inflation minus 1 percentage point. For example, if the scheduled COLA is 3.5% for the year, the change would mean a retiree would receive a 2.5% increase. At age 62, the retiree\u2019s pay would be recalculated as if each prior year\u2019s COLA had been the full amount and the retiree would receive the full COLA going forward.\n###", 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://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364747", "ICYMI: Congressman Cuellar Op-Ed \"Mexican energy reform helps North America\"", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The discovery of shale oil in Texas has been a boon for the economy of our state, creating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars. In 2012 alone, the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas created over $61 billion in economic impact across a 20-county region, supported over 116,000 full-time jobs and generated $3.1 billion in salaries. \r\nI traveled to Mexico City last month and met with Mexican Congressman Marco Gonzalez, who set up meetings for me with Mexican members of Congress and the administration. I reminded Mexican authorities that the shale oil and gas reserves do not stop at the Rio Grande River. \r\nMexico has huge untapped resources of oil and gas. Mexico is the third-largest oil producer in the Western Hemisphere, after Brazil and Venezuela, and is among the top 10 in the world. It is believed that Mexico has the fourth-largest shale oil reserves in the world. But Petr\u00f3leos Mexicanos, or PEMEX, the state-owned oil company, is unable to match the U.S. production due to the constitutional limits placed on foreign investment in oil and gas production and extraction. \r\nThe Enrique Pe\u00f1a Nieto administration has been among the most innovative and forward looking in Mexico's history. Earlier this month, Congress approved an electoral reform package that paved the way for a historic energy reform, passed this week. \r\nDuring my recent trip to Mexico, I met with the coordinator of the ruling PRI (Institutional Revolutionary Party), Congressman Manlio Beltrones, who has pushed the president's legislation in a very efficient manner. He explained that the Mexican Congress would enact energy reform in exchange for electoral reform allowing members to run for re-election. \r\nThis kind of exchange is emblematic of how the Pe\u00f1a Nieto administration does business \u2014 pragmatic, willing to compromise, and bent on achieving results. It should be an example for all of us on how to run a government. \r\nThe energy reform opens up the state-controlled oil sector to allow private investors to team up with oil monopoly Pemex and share in profits of exploration and production. Pemex has estimated the country needs more than $60 billion a year in investment to tap the country's potential. There are companies from the U. S. and other countries ready to inject capital into Mexico's energy sector and tap into the country's underdeveloped oil and gas reserves. \r\nThis legislation will go a long way toward moving North America closer to energy independence. It is time to work closely with our southern neighbor to achieve common goals of growth and energy production. With these changes, the United States, Canada and Mexico will become a powerhouse of oil and energy production and the new Middle East of the world. \r\nhttp://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/commentary/article/Mexican-energy-reform-helps-North-America-5072639.php", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364802", "Congressman Cuellar Announces Award of Competitive Federal Funds to Laredo Center for the Arts", "2013-12-18", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Wednesday, December 18th, Congressman Henry Cuellar and Laredo Center for the Arts Executive Director Gabriel Castillo announced that the Laredo Center for the Arts had earned a $10,000 competitive grant to support their program titled \u201cThe Book Nook Academy.\u201d The grant funds come from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Art Engagement in American Communities program for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations.\u00a0 The International Bank of Commerce in Laredo also matched the grant funding for the Laredo Center for the Arts.\u00a0 \n\u201cI am pleased to see the federal government partnering with the Laredo Center for the Arts to further the promotion of the arts here in Laredo\u2014especially amongst our community\u2019s youth,\u201d said Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28). \u201cA child\u2019s education is not complete unless it includes the arts. In today\u2019s economy, people need more than just skills and knowledge to be productive and innovative participants in the workforce\u2014there must be a combination of knowledge and creativity. I applaud the Laredo Center for the Arts for its success application and I look forward to seeing the results of its continued efforts to engage children in the world of the arts.\u201d\n\n    \n        \n            \n            Congressman Henry Cuellar, Gabriel Castillo, Executive Director of the Laredo Center for the Arts, Gabriela Carriedo Vice President Marketing and Public Relations for IBC, and Laredo Center for the Arts Board Members present the grant earned by LCA through a competitive application process. \n            \n            \n        \n    \n\n\u00a0\n\"The National Endowment for the Arts grant will enhance our arts and literacy projects for the upcoming year,\u201d said Gabriel Castillo, Executive Director of the Laredo Center for the Arts.\u00a0 \u201cThis program inspires students to read while learning about our border heritage and traditions.\u00a0 It is the perfect combination to promote, develop and preserve the arts and enhance the cultural experience for young people from all walks of life.\"\n\u201cThe Book Nook Academy\u201d program will provide students within the ages of 6 to 14 with a new, fun-filled learning experience into the world of the arts by hosting a variety of workshops on topics such as musical theater, the culinary arts, traditional dance troupes, broadcast journalism, and many more. \n\u00a0\n\n    \n        \n            \n            Congressman Cuellar speaks tours the Laredo Center for the Arts and speaks with attendees of the grant presentation event.", 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://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364638", "More than 700,000 Texans Receive Rebate from Insurance Companies because of Affordable Care Act", "2013-12-17", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (DTX-28) announced that approximately 726,200 consumers in Texas received an average rebate of approximately $95 per family because of new rules under the Affordable Care Act in 2013. \u00a0Under new regulations in the ACA, if insurance companies do not meet new standards established by the health care reform law, insurers must send consumers a rebate. \r\n\u201cIf insurance companies do not spend at least 80% of premiums on medical care and efforts to improve the quality of care, they must send their costumers a rebate to meet this threshold,\u201d said Congressman Cuellar. \u201cTexas families deserve to have affordable, quality health care that is a reflection of their hard earned dollars.\u00a0 I am pleased to see that the Affordable Care Act has reinforced these benefits for consumers and Texas tayxpayers.\u201d\r\nIn 2012, nearly 80 million consumers saved $3.4 billion upfront on their premiums because of this rule and other Affordable Care Act programs. And because of this rule, insurers sent 8.5 million consumers an average rebate of approximately $100 per family this year. The health care law also requires insurance companies to publicly post and justify any proposed rate increase of 10 percent or more. Across the country, insurers are withdrawing or decreasing proposed rate hikes, benefitting families as well the economy.", 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"], ["http://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/today-rep-veasey-members-of-the-texas-congressional-delegation", "TODAY: Rep. Veasey & Members of the Texas Congressional Delegation Participate in a Health Care Field Hearing", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Fort Worth, TX\u00a0\u2013 Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), along with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation, will be participating in a field hearing regarding the Health Insurance Marketplace navigator program.\nWHO:\u00a0Congressman Marc Veasey & Members of the Texas Delegation\nWHAT:\u00a0U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Field Hearing, \u201cObamaCare Implementation: Who are the Navigators?\u201d\nWHEN:\u00a0Monday, December 16, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.\nWHERE:\u00a0Charles W. Eisemann Center, 2351 Performance Dr., Richardson, TX 75082\nMEDIA: If you are a member of the media and would like a copy of Congressman Veasey\u2019s remarks, please contact Anne Hagan at 817-471-7193. Be sure to include your name, media outlet, and contact information.\nFor more event information call 817-471-7193 or visit https:/Veasey.House.Gov\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/awarded-friend-national-parks", "Awarded as \"Friend of the National Parks\"", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 16, 2013\n\n\t\n\n\tToday, Rep. Doggett accepted a Friend of the National Parks award from the National Parks Conservation Association for his voting record and for his efforts to expand the Missions National Historical Park in San Antonio. This National Park preserves the largest collection of Spanish colonial resources anywhere in America. It is an educational, historical and cultural resource that each year brings over a million people to enjoy and learn from it. The park is important to the understanding of Texas and the United States, and has a very strong positive economic impact for San Antonio and Bexar County.", 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"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221000259/http://doggett.house.gov/index.php/news/602-awarded-as-friend-of-the-national-parks", "Awarded as "Friend of the National Parks"", "2013-12-16", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Awarded as \"Friend of the National Parks\"\t\t \n\n\tDecember 16, 2013\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tToday, Rep. Doggett accepted a \u201cFriend of the National Parks\u201d award from the National Parks Conservation Association for his voting record and for his efforts to expand the Missions National Historical Park in San Antonio. This National Park preserves the largest collection of Spanish colonial resources anywhere in America. It is an educational, historical and cultural resource that each year brings over a million people to enjoy and learn from it. The park is important to the understanding of Texas and the United States, and has a very strong positive economic impact for San Antonio and Bexar County.", 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://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364074", "Under the Affordable Care Act, 5,189,000 Million Texans Will Gain Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Benefits", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) released figures highlighting recent data that show that the Affordable Care expands mental health and substance use disorder benefits and federal parity protections for approximately 60 million Americans\u2013 including more than five million Texans \u2013 representing one of the largest expansions of mental health and substance use disorder coverage in a generation.\r\nBecause of the health care law, for the first time insurance companies in the individual and small group market are required to cover mental health and substance use disorder services as one of ten categories of essential health benefits. Additionally, insurance companies must cover these services at parity with medical and surgical benefits, which means things like out-of-pocket costs for behavioral health services must generally be comparable to coverage for medical and surgical care.\r\n\u201cIt is of the utmost importance that all Americans receive equal access to mental health services,\u201d said Congressman Cuellar.\u00a0 \u201cUnder the law, insurance companies are now required to cover these services at parity with other medical benefits.\u00a0 I encourage the five million Texans who now have expanded access to take full advantage of their increased coverage to seek any care they may need.\u00a0 I hope that institutions such as school districts, hospitals, and healthcare centers will do their part to spread the word about these newly available benefits.\u201d \r\nAn estimated one in five adults experiences a mental illness in any given year. While most mental illnesses are treatable, those with mental illness too often cannot access needed treatment if they do not have health insurance that covers mental health services. The Affordable Care Act requires most health plans to cover recommended preventive services like depression screenings for adults and behavioral assessments for children at no cost to consumers. And, because of the law, starting in 2014 insurers will not be able to deny coverage or charge individuals more due to pre-existing conditions, including mental illnesses.", 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://green.house.gov/press-release/rep-green-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-verifiably-prevent-nuclear-iran", "Rep. Green Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Verifiably Prevent a Nuclear Iran", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)\u2014Yesterday, Congressman Gene Green and Reps. Peter Roskam (R-IL), Michael McCaul (R-TX), and Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) introduced legislation to verifiably prevent a nuclear Iran. Last month\u2019s announcement of an interim agreement between the Obama Administration and Iran set a six month window during which to negotiate a final deal over Iran\u2019s nuclear program. The bipartisan resolution (H. Res. 445) states that any final nuclear agreement with Iran should fully dismantle Iran\u2019s nuclear program\u2014including its production of a nuclear warhead and ballistic missiles\u2014and reduce Iran\u2019s support for terrorism, human rights violations, persecution of religious minorities, and unjust imprisonment of American citizens. Furthermore, this legislation reaffirms the need for additional economic sanctions against Iran should it fail to meet the negotiated terms of the interim agreement within six months of implementing the deal. \nThe lawmakers released the following statement on the legislation: \u201cPreventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability is a moral and strategic imperative for the United States. We are deeply concerned that the interim agreement leaves Iran multiple paths to developing a nuclear weapon. However, we recognize a potential final, comprehensive agreement as an opportunity to once and for all verifiably prevent a nuclear Iran. But this isn\u2019t just about nuclearization. Iran continues to develop long-range ballistic missiles, finance the world\u2019s most dangerous terrorist organizations, commit heinous human rights abuses on its own citizens, persecute religious minorities, and hold innocent Americans captive. We are therefore pleased to introduce this bipartisan legislation, which takes a resolute stand against the Iranian regime and its pursuit of nuclear weapons.\u201d \n###", 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"], ["http://veasey.house.gov/media-center/veasey-updates/marcs-memo-congressional-update-12132013", "Marc's Memo - Congressional Update 12/13/2013", "2013-12-13", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Dear Friends,\nAs we adjourn until January 2014, I would like to share with you several updates from my work week in Washington D.C. and Texas\u2019 33rd congressional district. This year, my Democratic colleagues and I came to the House ready to pass bipartisan solutions to the big problems facing the American people, but were met with all too frequent partisan bickering and Congressionally-created fiscal crises. \u00a0\nLast night, Congress took a step away from the brinkmanship of recent years to pass a budget agreement. This budget bill is far from perfect, but the agreement is better than the alternative and is a step towards doing what the American people expect us to do, \u00a0putting America on a fiscally sustainable path in the New Year.\nWhile we accomplished a lot during our last week in session, Republican leadership left Washington without bringing a long to-do list of critical legislation to a vote, with no action on jobs, a farm bill with nutrition funding, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, unemployment insurance benefits, or immigration reform.\u00a0\nI am still optimistic that when we return on January 6th, my colleagues will come ready to get to work on the issues important to the American people.\nIn the meantime, I hope that you are enjoying the start of the holiday season and hope that you will stay connected with me through my official website, Facebook page, and Twitter account to stay informed of our progress.\nSincerely,\n\t\tCongressman Marc Veasey, TX-33  \n\t\u00a0\nSAVE THE DATE: Job Fair Rescheduled for January 24th due to Winter Weather\nDue to winter weather, our 33rd Congressional District Job Fair has been rescheduled for Friday, January 24, 2014 at 8:30 AM \u2013 12:00 PM at the Tarrant County Resource Connection Conference Center, 2300 Circle Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119. \nMark your calendars for this important event as you will have the opportunity to meet dozens of potential employers. From AT&T to the Dallas Police Department, there are companies, businesses, city and government agencies that have vacancies in every field of employment. You will have the opportunity to apply for jobs on-site, network with local employers, and attend professional workshops on topics such as networking and resume writing to jumpstart your career. This event is FREE and open to the public. \nFor more information on the Job Fair, please check my official website or call the Fort Worth Office at 817-920-9086.\nCongress on Your Corner Set for January 4th \nEvery month I host a \u201cCongress On Your Corner\u201d (COYC) at local businesses in the Metroplex where I answer your questions about how I am representing you in Washington.\u00a0 \nJoin me on Saturday, January 4th at the Kroger located at 515 S. MacArthur Boulevard Irving, Texas and voice your concerns.\nIt is an honor to be a friend and advocate for the people of the 33rd District and I appreciate so many of you taking the time to come meet me this year. Looking forward to hearing from a few more folks in 2014!\nStay tuned for upcoming \u201cCongress On Your Corner\u201d events and other events in the 33rd District.\nRep. Veasey Calls for Extension of Unemployment Benefits\nEarlier this week, I joined 166 of my colleagues to call on Speaker Boehner to extend the federal unemployment benefits program that will expire on December 28, 2013. The Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program protects over 1.3 million unemployed Americans and provides benefits for approximately 68,900 Texans. Congress has reauthorized the program 11 times since it was first enacted in 2008 and I will continue to push for reauthorization until it is accomplished.\nFor more information on this vital program and for a state by state analysis of how the Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation impacts Americans, connect with me on my official website. \nCongressman Veasey Urges Colleagues to Work on Issues that Affect Middle-Class Families\nOn Wednesday, December 11, 2013, I took to the House floor to urge my colleagues to work on increasing the minimum wage, reauthorizing the Federal Emergency Unemployment Benefits program, and any issue that affects middle-class families in Texas and across the nation.\n\u00a0 \n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Click here to watch the video.\nTemporary Farm Bill Extension Does Not \u201cExtend Assistance\u201d for SNAP Recipients\n\u00a0\nDuring my first year in Congress, I have fought tirelessly for the millions of Texans who depend on SNAP benefits.\nAccording to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, 3.5 million Texas residents receive SNAP benefits. A reduction to these benefits hit Metroplex households with children, seniors, and people with disabilities the hardest.\nEarlier this year we saw several attempts to cut SNAP funding by as much as 18 percent, potentially increasing hunger and undermining the health of millions of Americans.\u00a0 For this reason, I joined 88 of my colleagues in a letter calling on the Budget Conference Committee to protect SNAP at the higher level that was designated in the Senate budget agreement.\n\u00a0\nOn Thursday, December 12, 2013, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3695, the Temporary Farm Bill Extension, by a voice vote. This bill would ensure that many of the Farm Bill provisions remain intact as negotiations continue on formulating a concrete 5-year reauthorization of the Farm Bill. Download my Farm Bill/SNAP Fact Sheet to learn more about my efforts to protect food security.\nPassage of the FY 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)\nThe National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House last night is an important piece of legislation that supports our troops and all those who defend our nation. This bill also took the first steps toward addressing the crisis of sexual assault in our military. This is a serious issue that must be urgently addressed, and while I believe more could be done, this bill advances our effort. I was proud to support it and hope the Senate passes it quickly.\nCongressman Veasey Congratulates Proyecto Inmigrante\nLast week, I took to the House floor to congratulate Proyecto Inmigrante, ICS Inc. on their 8 years of service. Proyecto Inmigrante is an important non-profit organization that provides our community with free legal services for immigrants, protecting a vulnerable immigrant community from fraud and abuse. Organizations like Proyecto Inmigrante are vital to our community as we continue to work on Comprehensive Immigration Reform. I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries with Proyecto Inmigrante.\u00a0 \n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Click here to watch the video. \nClick here to view in your browser.", 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://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-statement-in-support-of-farm-bill-extension", "CASTRO STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF FARM BILL EXTENSION", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaqu\u00edn Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement in support for the Farm Bill extension, which passed with unanimous support in the U.S. House of Representatives:\n\u00a0\n\u201cThis bill extends current agriculture-related law for another month in order to prevent the possibility that the law\u2019s expiration could adversely affect commodity prices, like dairy. It also allows, Congress to flesh out a long-term Farm Bill. I am hopeful that my House and Senate colleagues who are currently debating the Farm Bill in conference will find common ground so that we may support our farmers and needy families who depend on these programs.\u201d\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/castro-statement-in-support-of-the-national-defense-authorization-act", "CASTRO STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Joaqu\u00edn Castro", "C001091", "castro.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "San Antonio, TX\u2013Congressman Joaquin Castro [TX-20] released the following statement in support of the reauthorization of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014, which provides necessary authorities and important funding provisions for our nation\u2019s military. Congressman Castro originally voted in favor of passage of the House version of NDAA bill on June 14, 2013.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cAs a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I worked closely with my colleagues to ensure San Antonio\u2014Military City USA\u2014is well represented in the re-authorization of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\u00a0\n\u00a0\nThe first hearing I ever went to in Congress hit very close to home. The hearing was a review of sexual misconduct at Lackland Air Force Base, which I represent. As we learn of the sexual assault incidents in the military in areas as far ranging as the Pentagon, it is critical to stress that we must we must implement reforms to prevent future transgression and never let this happen again. This legislation makes a substantial step toward eliminating sexual assault in our armed services. As Chairman McKeon pointed out, I worked with my colleagues on the armed services committee to include provisions to confront this issue head on. the NDAA bill now requires an independent progress report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on the implementation of measures to prevent sexual assault incidents at military basic training facilities. I will continue to work with my colleagues and the Department of Defense to ensure that the honorable work our men and women in uniform are doing to protect our nation is not be overshadowed by these cowardly acts of assault.\n\u00a0\nAnother issue encompassed in the NDAA process is the possibility of Base Realignment and Closures, or BRAC rounds. San Antonio was once home to 5 military bases, now it is only home to 3 bases. That sort of cutting back often has a deep and negative economic impact on the communities where it happens. \u00a0On this issue, I had the chance to follow in the footsteps of a fellow Texan, former Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. In her absence, I was able to pick up where she left off and direct the Department of Defense to ensure with the same rigor as domestic BRAC rounds that our military assets abroad were still needed. Importantly, this bill does not authorize another round of BRAC for the coming year. This bill helps ensure troop pay and benefits are provided for; \u00a0and does not raise Tricare fees for military families.\n\u00a0\nFinally, as with every community, education is key for children with parents in the military. This bill will provide funding for program supports STEM education for at risk fifth graders in military installations.\u00a0\n\u00a0\nI will continue to work to ensure that what I do in Congress continues to reflect the needs of San Antonians and supports our military families and communities in San Antonio, Texas, and across the nation.\u201d\n\u00a0\nBackground\nHouse Armed Services Committee Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) noted the important contributions Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) made on the NDAA process to combat sexual assault in the military. This is a recognition by the Chairman reserved for leaders on key issues. REPORT LINK", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364327", "Congressman Cuellar Creates Partnership between DoD and DHS for Additional Border Resources", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "With the support of Congressman Henry Cuellar, Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.\u00a0 \u00a0This legislation provides crucial advancements to our national defense policy, including a provision by Rep. Cuellar which develops joint testing and training of unmanned aircraft and systems between the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Federal Aviation Administration. This provision will lead to more border resources by better training and equipping pilots to operate unmanned aircraft for the purposes of border security.\r\n\u201cAs we tighten the belt of federal spending, it is important we leverage our resources to their fullest extent \u2013 especially when those resources are used to protect our border and prepare our soldiers for the future,\u201d said Congressman Cuellar.\u00a0 \u201cImprovements to our training and testing procedures mean more resources without more spending.\u00a0 This means more eyes in the sky protecting our border.\u201d\r\nIn addition to the provision Cuellar secured, the FY14 NDAA also makes several improvements to our national defense policy, while still providing all promised pay, benefits, and protection for our troops.\u00a0 Additionally, the bill contains important advancements in combating sexual assault in the military, religious liberties protections, ensuring our men and women serving can do so without fear of their safety or beliefs.\u00a0 With the ongoing budget cuts, the legislation also provides for a restructuring of resources in the Department of Defense, to ensure combat readiness is not compromised as the agencies trim excess assets and services.\u00a0 Finally, the law provides our armed services a plan for winning the war in Afghanistan, and strengthening our resolve in Syria, Iran, and Libya.\u00a0 A full summary of the legislation can be seen here: http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=127E1D4B-DD70-4B69-80DC-A036DA7B3519\r\nThis bipartisan legislation is expected to be passed in the Senate next week and signed into law by President Obama in the coming weeks.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364328", "Congressman Cuellar Votes for Deal that Prevents Government Shutdown", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Cuellar Votes for Deal that Prevents Government Shutdown \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 Henry Cuellar voted on Thursday in favor of a common sense budget deal that funds the government for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and prevents another government shutdown.\u00a0\r\nThe deal, brokered by Democratic and Republican representatives from the House and Senate, ends years of partisan over the budget and is a positive and hopeful example of both parties coming together in a compromise.\u00a0 This agreement does not include everything, but it is a good bipartisan effort that ends the gridlock and is the type of effort that should continue in Washington.\u00a0\r\n\u201cWith this deal, we have broken through the partisan rancor that has defined Washington for the past few years and removed the threat of another government shutdown,\u201d said Congressman Cuellar.\u00a0 \u201cIn fact, this is the first budget deal passed in a divided government since 1986.\u00a0 I congratulate Democratic and Republican leadership for working together to develop legislation that benefits and protects the American people, including federal workers, students, veterans, and the middle class.\"\r\nKey aspects of the deal include:\r\n \r\n    Replacement of a portion of the across the board cuts known as sequestration for defense and non-defense programs\r\n \r\n \r\n    Medicare and Social Security remain intact\r\n \r\n \r\n    Relief for doctors facing Medicare reimbursement payment cuts\r\n \r\n\u00a0\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://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://green.house.gov/press-release/green-gingrey-introduce-adapt-act-safeguard-public-health", "Green, Gingrey Introduce ADAPT Act to Safeguard  Public Health", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Gene Green", "G000410", "green.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "(WASHINGTON, D.C.)\u00a0\u2013 Reps. Gene Green (D-TX), Phil Gingrey, M.D., (R-GA), G.K. Butterfield, (D-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Eliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), John Shimkus (R-IL), and Ed Whitfield (R-KY) today introduced The Antibiotic Development to Advance Patient Treatment (ADAPT) Act of 2013. This legislation is a successor to the GAIN Act, introduced by Green, Gingrey and others, and signed into law last year. The ADAPT Act advances drug development in order to combat the growing public health threat of \u201csuperbugs,\u201d which the Center for Disease Control (CDC) warned of earlier this year.\nRep. Gene Green: \u201cI am proud to be joined by health policy leaders from both sides of the aisle in introducing this important bill, especially my friend Representative Phil Gingrey. For decades, antibiotics have been taken for granted, but their effectiveness is waning and the pipeline for new drugs is running dry. We need to invest in new, effective antibiotic therapies in order to combat serious and life-threatening drug-resistant infections. The ADAPT Act, will build on the success of the GAIN Act, and serve as the next important step in advancing the development of new antibiotics.\u201d\nRep. Phil Gingrey, M.D.: \u201cSince the GAIN Act was signed into law, it has played an important role in restoring antibiotic development. The ADAPT Act is an important next step in the effort to fight antimicrobial resistance, and I\u2019m grateful for Congressman Green\u2019s and my other colleagues\u2019 efforts on this legislation. As a physician for more than 30 years, I understand the critical need for life-saving medical treatments. The ADAPT Act provides incentives for investment and innovation and is another step forward in developing treatments for patients with antibiotic-resistant infections.\u201d\nRep. Eliot Engel: \u201cAntibiotic resistance is a serious and growing threat in the United States and across the world. \u00a0This important legislation gives the Food and Drug Administration the ability to quickly approve medications specifically designed to treat drug resistant bacteria. Having actively worked for years to stop the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis and having seen its tremendously damaging impact, it is important to give the FDA another tool in the fight to treat Americans stricken by these dangerous \u201csuperbugs.\u201d\nRep. Anna Eshoo: \u201cThis bill is an important next step in in our effort to address antibiotic resistance. Patients are in need of new drugs to treat increasingly common infections and it\u2019s critical that we stay a step ahead of the next drug-resistant threat. The ADAPT Act will help us get there.\u201d\nRep. John Shimkus: \u201cThis bipartisan group of members recognized the need to get more life saving antibiotics available to the public and helped accomplish that goal by getting the GAIN Act included in law.\u00a0GAIN 2.0 looks to build on the successes we have already seen as a result of our previous efforts by providing a expedited pathway at FDA for approval of certain antibiotics while at the same time gathering valuable information on the resistance of these drugs and how they are being used.\u201d\nRep. Morgan Griffith: \u201cI believe very strongly that, when battling deadly diseases, patients and their physicians need more choices.\u00a0Our great nation boasts an array of companies and individuals that are working hard to develop new treatments and therapies.\u00a0The ADAPT Act will further innovation, and ultimately will provide new, antibiotic options in the fight against superbugs.\u201d\nRep. G.K. Butterfield: \u201cThe CDC has confirmed that new treatment options are critical to combating drug resistant infections.\u00a0 The ADAPT Act will help to speed new drug treatments to market for people suffering from life-threatening infections.\u00a0 I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill that will help to safeguard the American public.\u201d\nAbout the legislation\nThe ADAPT Act of 2013 is the successor to the GAIN Act and advances drug development in three ways:\n1. Develops a new, accelerated pathway for antibiotics and antifungals:\u00a0This pathway provides for FDA-approval of drugs in order to treat emerging threats in limited and specific patient populations.\n2: Strengthens resistance monitoring by the CDC:\u00a0The CDC will also monitor use of antibiotics to treat serious and life-threatening infections and make this data publically available to providers, hospitals, and academics.\n3. Updates Susceptibility Test Interpretive Criteria for Microbial Organisms or \u201cbreakpoints\":\u00a0The ADAPT Act streamlines the antibiotics labeling process at the FDA to ensure up-to-date and cutting-edge data is available to healthcare professionals.\n###", 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://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/diplomacy-iran", "Diplomacy in Iran", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 12, 2013\n\n\t\n\n\tThere are no more important issues in Congress than war and peace. Today, I spoke on the House floor in support of diplomacy with Iran. I believe that the sanctions, which I have consistently supported, worked to get Iran to the negotiating table. Now we need to allow our diplomats an opportunity to move from an interim agreement to a much more difficult comprehensive, permanent agreement to avoid nuclear weapons in Iran.\n\n\t\n\n\tView speech here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/modest-budget-proposal", "A modest budget proposal", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "doggett.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "December 11, 2013\n\n\t\n\n\tAs you may have heard, Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray recently reached an agreement on how to address the federal budget for the next two years. While the likelihood of avoiding government shutdown is good news, as I said on MSNBC earlier this evening, only when measured by the low, low standards of this Do Nothing Congress  does this Do Little budget deal represent any progress. Its modest increase may be a slight improvement, but it continues to invest too little in priorities like education, research, and transportation. And, this still leaves unresolved the issue of protecting the full faith and credit of the United States when the debt limit comes up in February.", 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/20140221000328/http://doggett.house.gov/index.php/news/601-diplomacy-in-iran", "Diplomacy in Iran", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Diplomacy in Iran\t\t \n\n\tDecember 12, 2013\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tThere are no more important issues in Congress than war and peace. Today, I spoke on the House floor in support of diplomacy with Iran. I believe that the sanctions, which I have consistently supported, worked to get Iran to the negotiating table. Now we need to allow our diplomats an opportunity to move from an interim agreement to a much more difficult comprehensive, permanent agreement to avoid nuclear weapons in Iran.\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tView speech here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140221000333/http://doggett.house.gov/index.php/news/600-a-modest-budget-proposal", "A modest budget proposal", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Lloyd Doggett", "D000399", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "A modest budget proposal\t\t \n\n\tDecember 11, 2013\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tAs you may have heard, Rep. Paul Ryan and Sen. Patty Murray recently reached an agreement on how to address the federal budget for the next two years. While the likelihood of avoiding government shutdown is good news, as I said on MSNBC earlier this evening, only when measured by the low, low standards of this \u201cDo Nothing Congress\u201d \u2013 does this \u201cDo Little\u201d budget deal represent any progress. Its modest increase may be a slight improvement, but it continues to invest too little in priorities like education, research, and transportation. And, this still leaves unresolved the issue of protecting the full faith and credit of the United States when the debt limit comes up in February.", 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://web.archive.org/web/20140301100926/http://orourke.house.gov/media-center/vote-explanations/voted-yes-on-house-amendment-to-hr-3304-the-national-defense", "Voted "Yes" on House Amendment to H.R. 3304, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "The House passed the House Amendment to H.R. 3304, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2014. This measure represents an agreement negotiated between House and Senate Members to ensure that a Defense Authorization Act is enacted before Congress adjourns for the year. In June, the House passed its version of the NDAA, which authorizes funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) for fiscal year 2014. I voted in support of that legislation. Unfortunately, the Senate was not able to pass its version of the NDAA this year, and this bipartisan compromise represents the best way forward to avoid major disruptions in U.S. defense operations. I voted yes because this measure, like the one in June I supported, provides the resources that our armed forces, including the men and women who serve at Fort Bliss, need to keep our nation safe. It would fund the Department of Defense at the level requested by President Obama and our military leadership while also providing our troops with a modest pay increase. This agreement contains other important provisions similar to the ones I supported in June, including reforms to the Uniform Code of Military Justice to combat sexual assaults in the military. Some of the key reforms include: ending the statute of limitations on bringing rape and sexual assault charges; prohibits commanders from reducing guilty findings to a lesser offense; and requires the dishonorable discharge or dismissal of anyone convicted of a sexual assault. The defense bill also eases restrictions on the ability of DoD to transfer overseas Guantanamo detainees who have been cleared for transfer. The provisions are an important step for the government to bring to an end the indefinite detention of individuals without charge or trail. This legislation is not perfect. However, a failure to pass the NDAA would have far reaching effects on our military and their family members. The NDAA has been passed for 51 consecutive years, and without its timely passage again this year, we put at risk many important military programs that would expire otherwise. Allowing this legislation to slip to January adds yet more uncertainty to our military and further complicates the duty of our commanders. I could not allow this to happen.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140301100957/http://orourke.house.gov/media-center/vote-explanations/voted-yes-on-ryanmurray-budget-plan-hjres-59", "Voted "Yes" on Ryan/Murray budget plan (H.J.Res. 59)", "2013-12-12", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Beto O'Rourke", "O000170", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "I just cast a very difficult vote in favor of the bipartisan Ryan/Murray budget plan (H.J.Res. 59), which passed the House tonight. It will now head to the Senate where I expect it to pass in the coming days and be signed by the President. You sent me to Washington to do what is best for El Paso and the nation. Although this budget is an imperfect compromise containing many difficult choices, passing it was the right thing to do and it is a modest step toward a government that functions and serves the American people. This budget agreement will cover the next two years, ensuring that the government will not shut down and providing the stability and certainty our economy needs to continue recovering. The best part of this budget is that it will curb the mandatory and irrational cuts known as the sequester, which have directly harmed El Paso. Cuts at Fort Bliss caused civilian employees to be furloughed and continue to impact training and readiness. Cuts to education mean fewer funds for our schools and fewer Head Start slots for our children. Drastic reductions at NIH mean less doctors and scientists conducting life-saving research. The budget agreement provides much needed relief from the sequester and allow us to prioritize spending instead of blindly cutting. The agreement also provides $22 billion toward deficit reduction, putting us on a more stable fiscal track. It also ensures that Medicare doctors will not face a 24% cut next year, which would put the care of seniors at risk. Despite the positive parts of this deal, I am troubled by several provisions. Chief among my concerns is a 1% reduction in pension benefits for military retirees under age 62 and increased pension contributions for new federal employees. Federal employees, including about 20,000 in El Paso, have already contributed $122 billion in deficit reduction over the past several years. There is other waste we could cut in the budget, including weapons systems we do not need or outdated payments to agribusinesses, before asking public servants and military retirees to forgo earned benefits. I am also disappointed that the final deal fails to include an extension of unemployment insurance for the thousands of El Pasoans still struggling to find work. In Texas, the failure to extend jobless benefits means 70,000 people will lose benefits on December 28th. I have cosponsored legislation to protect these individuals and Congress should have taken this bill up before adjourning. Despite these shortcomings, our nation needed a budget and an end to constant crises. I could have voted no because the budget was not perfect, but the alternative to this budget would be a continuation of the failed status quo and political bickering. We have not had a budget in over three years. It is time to move forward.", 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://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-joins-house-democrats-to-urge-speaker-boehner-to-extend", "Rep. Veasey Joins House Democrats to Urge Speaker Boehner to Extend Unemployment Benefits for Millions", "2013-12-11", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Marc Veasey", "V000131", "veasey.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2014With only a few days left before Congress adjourns until January 2014, Congressman Marc Veasey TX-33, joined members of the House of Representatives calling on Speaker Boehner to take immediate action and extend unemployment benefits.\n\u201cOur responsibility in Congress is to provide a lifeline program to individuals who need a helping hand, not ignore them,\u201d said Congressman Veasey. \u201cAs Congress continues to work on a budget deal this week, we must not fail the American people by refusing to extend critical unemployment benefits for 1.3 million Americans, close to 68,900 of whom reside in Texas, in the midst of the holiday season.\u201d\nThe Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program protects over 1.3 million unemployed Americans. Congress has reauthorized the program 11 times since it was first enacted in 2008, and House Democrats have\u00a0been pushing to do so again\u00a0before the year-end deadline of December 28, 2013.\u00a0 For a state-by-state breakdown of the effects, click here.\nThe letter can be found on the Democratic Members Committee on Ways and Means website, click here.\nFor Immediate Release:\u00a0 Wednesday, December 11, 2013\nContact: Jessica Coscia, 202-225-9897, Jessica.Coscia@mail.house.gov\n###\n\u00a0\nVEASEY.HOUSE.GOV\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 TWITTER\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 FACEBOOK\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 YOUTUBE", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363995", "Congressman Cuellar Announces Veterans\u2019 Benefits Increase for 2014", "2013-12-10", "2013", "2013-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Henry Cuellar", "C001063", "cuellar.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX28) released the following statement on the recent announcement by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding a cost-of-living increase for veterans, families, and survivors receiving disability compensation and pension benefits:\r\n\u201cWe have an obligation to care for America\u2019s veterans and their families for their bravery and service to our country,\u201d said Congressman Henry Cuellar. \u201cI support the passage of the Veterans\u2019 Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2013 because it bolsters the amount of funds provided to nearly 4 million veterans for disability compensation and to over 360,000 surviving family members for dependency and indemnity compensation. Ensuring that our veterans receive the benefits they deserve is of utmost importance to me, and I am proud to see this increase taking effect in 2014.\u201d\r\nThe 1.5 percent change will increase monthly benefits payments beginning Jan. 1, 2014. Among the veterans estimated to receive such compensation are 136,897 World War II veterans; 140,169 Korean Conflict veterans; 1,327,348 Vietnam-era veterans; 1,546,030 veterans of the Gulf War era; and 695,574 veterans who served during peacetime.\u00a0\r\nFor more information about VA benefits, visit www.benefits.va.gov, or call 1-800-827-1000.", 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"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 2323, "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 \"state\" = :p0 and \"year\" = :p1 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "TX", "p1": "2013"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?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&party=Republican", "selected": false}, {"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 707, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2013&party=Democrat", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 2323, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2013&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "TX", "label": "TX", "count": 2323, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?year=2013", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2013", "results": [{"value": "2013", "label": "2013", "count": 2323, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=TX", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2013-12-10,https~3A~2F~2Fmccaul~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fchairman-mccaul-statement-on-senate-announcement-against-further-iran", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=TX&year=2013&_next=2013-12-10%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fmccaul~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fchairman-mccaul-statement-on-senate-announcement-against-further-iran&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 657.5720361433923, "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"}