Press releases
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
- url
- Link to the original release on the member's official site
- text
- Extracted body text (may be empty if the page could not be fetched)
- has_text
- 1 if body text was successfully extracted
- date_source
- How the publication date was determined
- bioguide_id
- Bioguide ID of the member
870 rows where party = "Democrat", state = "TX" and year = 2017 sorted by date descending
This data as json, CSV (advanced)
| url | title | date ▲ | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-after-cms | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement after CMS Approves Extension of 1115 Waiver | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | DALLAS, TX Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released a statement after Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Texas Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver: On December 21, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved Texas Medicaid 1115 Transformation Waiver (1115 Waiver). The 1115 Waiver will be effective January 1, 2018 through September 30, 2022, and will allow Texas hospitals to provide the best care to publicly insured and low-income patients. Im pleased that the state of Texas reached an agreement on the 1115 Waiver with joint efforts of the entire Texas Congressional Delegation, Governor Greg Abbott, THHSC Executive Commissioner Charles Smith, Texas Hospital Association, and Administrator Seema Verma, said Congresswoman Johnson. The 1115 Waiver has played a critical role in Texas health care system. Failure to approve the 1115 Waiver would have resulted in near catastrophic consequences for the states most vulnerable populations, said Ted Shaw, President/CEO of the Texas Hospital Association. The waiver has been absolutely critical for increasing access to quality health care. And it has done so with an efficiency that has saved Texas and the federal government more than $8 billion. This past June, Congresswoman Johnson along with the Texas Congressional Delegation sent the following letter to CMS: Letter from the Texas Congressional Delegation # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-announces-federal-investment-lower-rio-grande-valley | Congressman Gonzalez Announces Federal Investment in Lower Rio Grande Valley Economic Development Initiative | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), announced that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) has approved a $210,000 investment award for the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC)s Economic Development District Planning Project in Weslaco, Texas. The $210,000 award will support the development and implementation of a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) for Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties. This CEDS looks to strengthen ties between public and private sectors and ultimately bring additional employment opportunities and economic growth to communities in Deep South Texas. I am pleased to see the Economic Development Administration invest in the Rio Grande Valley, Congressman Gonzalez said. With this award, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council can continue bringing together the bright, innovative minds that develop the very initiatives that allow our region to flourish. In 2017 LRGVDC celebrated 50 years as the regions Economic Development District administering, guiding and supporting the regions economic development growth, Executive Director, Ron Garza said."This newly awarded Partnership Planning grant will allow us to administer a new CEDS which weve titled RGV2020. This special-edition CEDS plan will be developed in unison with many key regional leaders and stakeholders to identify, prioritize and implement innovative projects to continue guiding our region towards prosperity. CEDS plans began in October 2017 and will continue to 2020. Since its inception in 1967, the LRGVDC has become a pillar of the community. Congressman Gonzalez supports the efforts of the Council and looks forward to seeing the results of the Economic Development District Planning Project. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-announces-hidalgo-county-head-start-program-be-awarded | Congressman Gonzalez Announces Hidalgo County Head Start Program to be Awarded Over $13 Million in Federal Funding | 2017-12-22 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the Office of Head Start, within the Administration for Children and Families, has awarded the Hidalgo County Head Start Program $13,254,123 in federal funding. Head Start is a federal program that promotes school readiness for pre-school children from low-income families. The Hidalgo County Head Start Program is a comprehensive child development program that assists children three to four-years-old and their families. The grant will allow Hidalgo County Head Start to continue serving children and families in South Texas. Head Start children receive many services including: educational, nutritional, health, social, and special services. For 35 years, the program has sought to promote school readiness and prepare children to achieve high levels of academic and developmental success in kindergarten and beyond. A top-notch education starts at an early age, Congressman Gonzalez said. Hidalgo County Head Start has long been a champion of closing the achievement gap and empowering low-income children to reach their full potential. With this funding, Hidalgo County Head Start will be able to continue reaching more children and families in the Rio Grande Valley into the next decade. We are delighted to hear that we will continue to serve the poorest children and their families in Hidalgo County with the most comprehensive program in early childhood education to address school readiness and ensure that our children have a smooth transition to the public schools fully prepared to succeed in Kindergarten and beyond, Executive Director, Teresa Flores said. We are most proud of our successful school readiness collaborative agreements with ten districts in the county: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, La Joya ISD, Monte Alto ISD, Mercedes ISD, Weslaco ISD, Edinburg CISD, Mission CISD, Hidalgo ISD, Edcouch ISD, McAllen ISD and Hidalgo ISD. The presence of a district funded teacher in all 186 classrooms with our teacher and our assistant teacher provided an ideal lear… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401837 | Congressman Cuellars Statement on Disaster Supplemental Bill | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and Homeland Security Subcommittee, released the following statement today on the disaster supplemental bill that passed today in the House of Representatives:I would like to thank both Democrats and Republicans from the Texas and Florida delegations, who worked together in a bi-partisan fashion and put together a funding package that will provide our districts with the necessary resources to get back on track. I also appreciate the help that leadership has given in an effort to provide sufficient funding for states affected by natural disasters. The disaster supplemental will allocate $81 billion dollars to states like Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and California, who will use this money to start rebuilding their communities and implement strategies that will help prevent future destruction, said Congressman Cuellar. This is the largest amount of funding distributed at one time for federal disaster relief and it will help thousands of citizens in dire needs of hurricane assistance. Although we are appreciative of this funding package, we must also recognize that individuals in these areas still need our help and we must continue to do our part in aiding people in recovery. For this reason, I will work with my colleagues in Congress to support states affected by these devastating disasters. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/voting-against-todays-continuing-resolution-1b093f2d3456?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Voting Against Todays Continuing Resolution | 2017-12-21 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Voting Against Todays Continuing Resolution The House just voted on a third continuing resolution to provide enough funding for the Federal government to operate at current levels, this time for the next four weeks. I voted against it. As I said just two weeks ago when a nearly identical short-term funding bill came before the House, my concern with the resolution is that Republican leadership has refused to accept even a single contribution in terms of ideas, policy fixes, or priorities from a single Democrat. When the House ultimately passed H.J.Res. 123 on Dec. 14, I once again committed to writing letters, speaking in committee, and working with bipartisan colleagues to advocate for the interests of El Paso. For example, I asked my colleagues to ensure that the 200,000 Dreamers in Texas and the 800,000 young DACA recipients across the country receive the protection they need to continue contributing at their full potential. These Dreamers are not only as American as my kids, but they have done everything weve asked of them. They fill out the appropriate documents, study in school, work in our communities, and follow the guidelines of the DACA program to a tee. On top of this, theyve bravely shared their stories and made their voices heard. More than 50 Dreamers from El Paso traveled to the Capitol to hold a policy roundtable. Nearly 1,500 Dreamers marched at the Capitol over the past few days to raise awareness and answer questions from lawmakers. Hundreds of thousands of El Pasoans and Texans have spent evening after evening advocating for themselves and their classmates, teammates, co-workers, and neighbors who hold DACA permits. On top of this, 62% of Americans say Congress should protect DACA recipients. Now we must act. But this resolution failed to do so. I also asked my colleagues to reauthorize the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This is essential if we want to continue ensuring kids and mothers in our state can see a doctor and receive lifesaving medication. CHIP and Medicaid combine to co… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-after-house-0 | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement After House Passes 4th Republican Continuing Resolution | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Congresswoman Johnson released a statement after Members of the United States House of Representatives passed the latest tax reform legislation under H.R. 1, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which raises taxes on 86 million hard-working middle class families: Today, I am very disappointed in the decisions made by my Republican colleagues across the aisle to advance this tax bill. The decision to pass H.R. 1 fails to take into consideration the impact on health, economic sustainability, and prosperity for all Americans. When I say all Americans, I am describing the hard-working middle class families, small business owners, single parents, new homeowners, seniors and more who stand to lose under this bill, said Congresswoman Johnson. It is unacceptable that corporations continue to receive major tax breaks while they are simultaneously shipping jobs overseas and using loop holes in our tax code to avoid paying their fair share. This Republican-led legislation goes even further by eliminating the individual mandate that is a vital component of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). More than 10 million Americans will experience increased premiums, which will ultimately result in fewer Americans having health care coverage. In the next year alone, Medicare will be cut by $25 billion effectively putting the burden of these tax cuts on our seniors to bear. Congresswoman Johnson continued, To attack people with pre-existing conditions and place barriers on an individuals right to health care is shameful. Who are we here to serve? This tax reform bill shows that as public servants some are not here to serve all of the American people but just a select few those that make up the wealthiest population in our country. The last action my constituents can take in opposition of this bill is to call the senators of Texas and describe to them how it will personally impact them and their loved ones. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/blue-collar-caucus-co-chairs-slam-passage-of-gop-tax-scam | Blue Collar Caucus Co-Chairs Slam Passage of GOP Tax Scam | 2017-12-20 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Blue Collar Caucus co-chairs Congressmen Marc Veasey (D-TX) and Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) released the following statement in response to the final passage of the Republican tax overhaul: "The GOP Tax Scam is a shameful betrayal of the middle class and a deliberate punch to the gut of the American worker. Despite overwhelming opposition from the vast majority of the American public, President Trump and Congressional Republicans jammed through a bill that slashes taxes for corporations and their mega-wealthy executives while asking 86 million hardworking middle class families to foot the bill. They cross their fingers that workers might eventually get a trickle of the benefits, but we all know better. "This legislation represents an explicit reversal from Mr. Trump's many promises to the American worker. Rather than close loopholes, end outsourcing, or invest in infrastructure, the bill actually undermines each priority. This corporate giveaway creates new loopholes, further enables outsourcing, and squanders our best chance at financing infrastructure investment while simultaneously ballooning our deficit and fueling cuts to discretionary spending. "As leaders of the Blue Collar Caucus, we have stood ready to work with anyone to lift up the middle class and the American worker, strengthen their hand and help make the American Dream of a higher paycheck and better future for our children attainable again. We introduced the Patriot Employer Act to close loopholes that encourage corporations to send jobs overseas, and provide tax credits to employers that invest in American workers, pay fair wages, and provide employees with robust benefits. This was the kind of tax reform and investment in America that Mr. Trump promised as a candidate. Instead, he and Congressional Republicans passed legislation that gives a staggering 83% of the tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent; raises health insurance premiums; and undermines critical funding for schools, firefighters, and law enforcement agencies … | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401826 | Rep. Cuellar Issues Statement on House Tax Bill | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) has released the following statement explaining his vote against the House $1.5 trillion tax bill, H.R. 1 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, today in Washington, D.C.:I genuinely wanted to support this legislation, but after analyzing the details, it fails to accomplish certain goals that true tax reform should strive to achieve. This bill increases the deficit, trigger cuts to Medicare and health care (about 30,000 people in my district will lose access to health coverage), disproportionately benefit the wealthy, and does not do enough to help middle-class and low-income families. Even 12 Republicans voted against the measure because this bill does not do enough for constituents in their districts. Although I have consistently supported corporate tax cuts, any attempt at tax reform must also do enough to help the average middle-class American. This bill creates temporary individual tax cuts, while making the corporate cut permanent. Instead, we should be treating businesses and individuals equitably. Additionally, this bill cuts numerous deductions that would amount to a de facto tax increase for tens of millions of working families. Data show that the wealthy receive the lions share of the tax cuts, according to the chart from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (Table 1). In my district, more than 41 percent of the population makes less than $35,000 (Table 2). These numbers reveal the need to make sure that benefits are shared by everyone, including the middle-class. Table 1 Source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy Table 2 Source: US Census American Community Survey I have consistently advocated for fiscal restraint and responsible spending. This proposal adds at least 1.5 trillion dollars to our national debt, triggering Statutory PAYGOs automatic spending cuts to mandatory programs next month, including a … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-passing-ruth-jones-mcclendon | Rep. Doggett on Passing of Ruth Jones McClendon | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), issued the following statement following the passing of former State Representative Ruth Jones McClendon. Rep. Doggett said: "A powerful voice in both City Council and the Texas Legislature, Libby and I are deeply saddened by the loss of our friend Ruth Jones McClendon. Her legacy of public service continues to inspire us to work for causes she championed, including access to healthcare and helping all students fulfill their God-given potential. Whether it was visiting with her at her annual Western Roundup or through her efforts to expand educational opportunities for young people at the State Capitol, she worked tirelessly on behalf of others and her constituents on San Antonios East and Northeast Sides.Our prayers are with Denver and Ruths wonderful family." ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook:www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett|Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/those-silk-stockings-its-very-merry-christmas-indeed | For those with silk stockings, it's a very Merry Christmas indeed. | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee and a conferee to the House and Senate Conference Committee, spoke twice on the House Floor against the Republican tax bill that is expected to be voted on in the House. You can view his remarks here and here. In part, Rep. Doggett said: For those withsilk stockings, it's a veryMerry Christmas indeed.The billionaires get stuffed. Most everyone else get coal.It's like a White Elephant gift exchange the billionaires grab thegood gifts,and the leftovers go to working families though they get the bill for everything. They have camouflagedthis corporate tax giveaway withsome changes for individuals.Who gets those?Well, it's a Who's Who of notyou: The Trump family, real estatemoguls, and their billionairebuddies. Here is the full text of his two House floor speeches: For those withsilk stockings, it's a veryMerry Christmas indeed.You get coal.The billionaires get stuffed.It's like a White Elephant gift exchange the billionaires grab thegood gifts,and the leftovers go to working families though they get the bill for everything. And how many millions ofdollars the Trump family willpersonally stuff in theirpockets cannot be preciselydetermined only because ofRepublican collusion continuing to cover up Trump'spersonal tax returns. Excluding the public, refusingto even permit Democrats tooffer an amendment, Republicansdumped this proposal out thisweekend and now demand animmediate vote.The dangers lurking in thisbill for economic opportunity and for tax fairness are very real,but they are overshadowed bythe dangers to our democracyfrom these Trump tactics toimpose his rule on America.Republicans decided the onlyway to pass their program wasto hide it.Let's reject it today. Theworld's biggest corporate taxdodgers get the most out of thisbill, a 40 percent reduction in thecorporate tax rate, and theright to bring back thoseprofits they have hidden inCaribbean hideaways for pennieson the dollar.Anot… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-opposes-tax-cuts-and-jobs-act-conference-report | Congressman Gonzalez Opposes Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Conference Report | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) made the following statement on the House of Representatives passage of the Conference Report for H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act today. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 227 in favor and 203 opposed. Below is Congressman Gonzalezs statement: The desire to reform our tax system transcends party lines and political affiliations it is something many of us agreed was long overdue. From the beginning, I called on Congressional leadership to come together and negotiate a package that would grow our nations economy, streamline the tax code, and provide relief to small business owners. I was disappointed to see that the conference report for what should be landmark legislation did not satisfy these criteria, and after careful review, I determined that I could not vote for it. As a member of Congress, I have an obligation to support policies that improve the fiscal health of our country and a responsibility to oppose efforts that shortchange the American people. I cannot endorse legislation that would penalize small businesses or result in cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, or any other vital program that South Texans rely on. Furthermore, I am deeply troubled by the new status quo of rushing major legislation through Congress without thoughtful consideration and bipartisan compromise. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to reject this bill so that we can go back to the drawing board and craft meaningful reforms that benefit American families and small businesses. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-statement-republican-tax-bill | Rep. Green Statement on the Republican Tax Bill | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC Today, Rep. Gene Green issued the following statement after the House of Representatives voted to advance a partisan tax bill that will negatively impact middle-class Americans: This bill will do more harm than good for middle-class families and individuals who live paycheck-to-paycheck. Its a shame that the Republican majority used a closed legislative process to rush this bill through instead of including Democrats in the discussions to work on a bipartisan bill. Republican leadership chose a partisan path that will raise taxes on 86 million middle-class households and give 83 percent of its tax cuts to the wealthiest 1 percent The American public wont be fooled by Republicans disingenuous claims about tax cuts. What Republicans arent mentioning is that the benefits they boast about only go until 2025. The corporate tax cuts, on the other hand, are permanent. The cost of those cuts to the American people will be with us long past 2025. The tax bill may result in significant cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, and will cause 13 million people to lose their health insurance. This bill is fiscally irresponsible and will saddle future generations with $2 trillion added to our deficit. The last time Americas tax system was overhauled was in 1986, but it was done on a bipartisan basis and was completely transparent. The Republicans this time around decided to jam a strictly partisan bill and shutout Democrats from the entire process. Americans deserve A Better Deal." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/no-on-the-tax-bill-d258f8e3b99b?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | No on the Tax Bill | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | No on the TaxBill The conference tax bill that was rushed to a vote today is even worse than the House version that passed last month. It repeals the Affordable Care Acts individual mandate. This will cause 13 million more Americans to lose the ability to see a doctor. One million in Texas alone, the least insured state in the union. Those Texans lucky enough to still be insured will see their premiums go up by an average of $1,730 a year. So weve got to ask, is there really a tax break if families have to pay more for their healthcare and their childrens well-being? The conference bill also disproportionately benefits the wealthiest. 83% of the tax breaks in this bill flow straight to the top 1% of Americans. It will cause inequality to grow and hurt the very people we should be helping. The gap between the very rich and everyone else is currently larger than at any point since the 1920s, and is greater here than any other developed country. But this tax bill further grows that gap. Worse than giving breaks to the wealthiest, this bill hurts middle class families more than the original House bill. 86 million middle class households will see a tax increase. Thats more than half of our countrys middle class families. On top of that, corporate tax cuts are preserved in perpetuity under this legislation while individual tax credits, including an increase in the child tax credit, ultimately expire. Im also concerned by the way in which this tax bill hurts public school students, our public school teachers, librarians, and nurses. It includes an amendment from Senator Cruz that takes $500 million in tax payer money out of our public schools to benefit wealthy parents and private schools. And as a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and the representative of our men and women stationed at Fort Bliss, I cant ignore how this bill hurts those who served their country. Its really no wonder that only 33% of Americans approve of this tax plan. Even fewer (21%) say they think they will be better off if it becomes l… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-veasey-statement-on-goptaxscam | Congressman Veasey Statement on #GOPTaxScam | 2017-12-19 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. - Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, released the following statement after the House of Representatives voted 227-203 to pass H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which radically restructures America's income tax system to disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Americans: "It's clear that the billionaire wish list has been met. Today's Republican tax bill helps the wealthiest families avoid paying their fair share of taxes, slashes the corporate tax rate in half, unfairly shifts the burden of taxes onto hardworking Americans living paycheck to paycheck, and keeps loopholes that allow corporations to ship jobs overseas." "The tax cuts will explode the deficit by $1.5 trillion which will translate to Republicans justifying devastating cuts to the programs Americans rely on to stay healthy and take care of themselves as they enter retirement. Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and Social Security will all be put on the chopping block in order to give away tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans." "While Republicans may be celebrating today's tax cuts for the wealthy as a victory, the effects of their deceptive tax scam will be felt by the Americans who need the most help." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:19:19Z |
| https://vela.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-vela-pushes-clean-dream-act | Rep. Vela Pushes for Clean Dream Act | 2017-12-18 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Filemon Vela | V000132 | vela.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Vela Pushes for Clean Dream Act Washington, DCToday, Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) released the following statement regarding a clean up or down vote on the Dream Act by the end of 2017: A vote for a Continuing Resolution without acleanDream Act is a vote against Dreamers. And rest assured, under no circumstances will I vote for a bill that provides a penny for border wall funding. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-bill-monstrosity | The Tax Bill is a Monstrosity | 2017-12-15 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee and Conferee on the tax bill Conference Committee, issued the following statement in response to Republicans releasing their final tax bill to the public. Rep. Doggett said: This monstrosity is a bill that only Donald Trump and Republicans, who have accomplished next to nothing in this Congress, could love. It will not grow our economy, it only burdens us with an immense amount of debt.About the only jobs it creates are for clever tax lawyers and accountants to exploit the many complex special interest loopholes it creates. ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook:www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett|Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett|Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://algreen.house.gov/press-release/congressman-al-greens-statement-impeachment-vote | Congressman Al Green's Statement on the Impeachment Vote | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Al Green | G000553 | algreen.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Al Green’s Statement on the Impeachment Vote Washington, DC -- On Wednesday, December 6, 2017, Congressman Al Green (D-TX) released a statement on the impeachment vote: “I want to thank the fifty-seven colleagues who voted for impeachment. I hold no animus against those who did not. The resolution received fifty-seven more votes than many expected. This is the first vote, but it will not be the last.” “I also want to thank the American people for their overwhelming support over the last few months, and their continuing engagement with the political process. Every call, letter, email, tweet, and Facebook post was impactful in crafting this legislation. I hear your voices and I will continue to speak out against the hatred and hostility that is invading our national discourse. I understand how you, your families and your communities are affected by the words and actions emanating from the President.” “The elimination of hate must be a top priority if we are to make real, “One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://algreen.house.gov/press-release/congressman-al-greens-statement-senator-elect-doug-jones-d-al | Congressman Al Green's Statement on Senator-Elect Doug Jones (D-AL) | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Al Green | G000553 | algreen.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Al Green’s Statement on Senator-Elect Doug Jones (D-AL) Washington, DC -- On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, Congressman Al Green (D-TX) released a statement on the election results of Senator-Elect Doug Jones (D-AL): “First and foremost, congratulations to all the citizens of Alabama who fought a hard-earned victory for the future of Alabama and our nation. I commend those who boldly rejected one of the most outrageously unfit candidates for the Senate of our lifetime. By electing Doug Jones, the people of Alabama sent a message to President Trump and Republicans that they will not elect this bigot to the Senate. “Also, I want to congratulate Senator-Elect Jones on this inspirational victory. His distinguished career evidences a passionate voice for justice. He has demonstrated how the rule of law will well serve the state of Alabama and the United States of America. “Alabama has played an indelible role in the Civil Rights movement. Many of its greatest victories were won there. Knowing that African-American voters have helped Alabama reject Roy Moore’s America as well as the politics of division and hate is a seminal event. “As a Member of Congress from Texas, and as a former president of the NAACP-Houston Branch, I know that grassroots organizing is at the heart of every democratic vote. I commend all of the organizers who mobilized the never-to-be-forgotten African-American voter population in Alabama. I salute all of you and your efforts. "Finally, I hope that Republican leaders and my colleagues accept the will of the people of Alabama and stop their attempt to jam through massive tax cuts for the rich until the democratically-elected Senator Jones is officially in his seat.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/in-the-news/area-census-office-open-2019 | Area census office to open in 2019 | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | McALLEN — The U.S. Census Bureau will open an area office in Hidalgo County to ensure everyone in South Texas is properly counted in 2020 — instead of relying only on a regional office based in San Antonio. Every 10 years the federal government takes self-reported population counts to help officials make a slew of important decisions, including how to distribute federal dollars to states, how many congressional districts are needed and even how many judges should serve an area. The move comes after local elected leaders, including U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, asked the bureau for help in ensuring everyone is properly surveyed. Gonzalez wrote a letter to Ron Jarmin, acting director of the bureau, Sept. 27. The letter asked for the “prompt” opening of a Valley office and noted the area has long been undercounted. The last Census, which occurred in 2010, estimated Hidalgo County’s population at 774,770. As of July 1, 2016, the bureau estimated Hidalgo County’s population had grown by nearly 10 percent to 849,843, Gonzalez said. But the bureau reported a low response score of 32.7 percent. Gonzalez welcomed the decision Wednesday and thanked Jarmin for “recognizing the need to count all people living in South Texas.” The new office will be based in Hidalgo County, but will also serve Cameron, Starr and Willacy Counties. It is expected to open in the summer of 2019. “With an Area Census Office, we can more accurately, effectively, and efficiently count the recent growth in the Rio Grande Valley and hopefully see an allocation of federal funds that matches this growth,” Gonzalez said. Texas could gain four seats in Congress from its population growth, Vicki McIntire, assistant regional director for the Census Bureau based in Denver, previously told The Monitor. But even if one family is not counted, that could translate to a loss of about $100,000 dollars for our region, according to information provided by Michael Seifert, of the ACLU of Texas and Equal Voice Network, during a healthcare conference in Edinburg two week… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-statement-net-neutrality-ruling | Rep. Gene Green Co-Sponsors Pro-Democracy, Fair International Business Legislation | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Gene Green issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to roll back Obama-era net neutrality protections: “American consumers need to be assured that the online content of their choosing will not be unfairly slowed down or blocked. That assurance was stripped away in a partisan 3-2 vote by the FCC today. I am very disappointed in the FCC’s actions and hope Congress will act and work on passing legislation that will make these critical net neutrality protections permanent.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-statement-net-neutrality-ruling-0 | Rep. Green Statement on Net Neutrality Ruling | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Gene Green issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to roll back Obama-era net neutrality protections: “American consumers need to be assured that the online content of their choosing will not be unfairly slowed down or blocked. That assurance was stripped away in a partisan 3-2 vote by the FCC today. I am very disappointed in the FCC’s actions and hope Congress will act and work on passing legislation that will make these critical net neutrality protections permanent.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/castner-range-in-the-news-51cd66a9bc7c?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Castner Range in the News | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Castner Range in the News On Tuesday, our provision to protect Castner Range in the Franklin Mountains of west Texas became law as President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This environmental victory comes after decades of advocacy from our community. It will permanently conserve ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational and scientific resources within Castner Range. Take a look at what this means for El Paso: ABC-7 KFox-14 NBC-9 CBS-4 El Paso Times “O’Rourke placed a provision to protect the range in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. The provision prevents commercial enterprise, roads, use of vehicles and the construction of buildings on the desert land. The provision also protects and conserves ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational and scientific resources within Castner Range.” Full story, here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/opposing-the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote-16d821c50eda?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Opposing the FCCs Net Neutrality Repeal | 2017-12-14 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Opposing the FCC’s Net Neutrality Repeal When I started a small business with friends in El Paso back in the 1990s, we were able to create websites and software for our clients. With the state, country, and world at their fingertips, those businesses created dozens of high-skilled, high-wage jobs in a place where many thought it couldn’t happen. That was only possible because we could leverage and harness the power of an open and free internet, without having to “pay-for-play” to internet service providers. Reversing net neutrality would mean that the 2.2 million small businesses in Texas do not receive the same opportunity I had. Their growth and success would be halted. Their employees and customers would feel the brunt of the FCC’s decision. But that’s exactly what happened today. The FCC just voted to roll back net neutrality and end the free and open internet as we know it. This vote will undermine the power of people on the internet — where today, everyone’s ideas, opinions and creations are available to the world at common access. This vote will give more control to the internet service providers, special interests, and highest bidders. This vote will be bad our American ideals of expression — hurting everything from the arts and innovation to Democracy and free speech as we know it. And this vote will allow corporations to decide what programs you watch, what news you read, what music you hear, and what opinions you see. Like the majority of Americans, I support net neutrality. That’s why I have taken immediate and direct action to oppose efforts that force its repeal. I co-sponsored the Save Net Neutrality Act (H.R. 4585), which blocks the FCC’s attempt to end our free and open internet. Joining with colleagues, I also sent a letter to the FCC that urged them to stop their proposed order aimed at reversing net neutrality. I then signed an additional letter to the FCC asking them to, at a minimum, delay their vote so those across our state and throughout our country could continue making their voice heard… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-speaks-great-harm-gop-tax-bill | Rep. Doggett Speaks on Great Harm of GOP Tax Bill | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee and a conferee to the House and Senate Conference Committee, criticized both the substance of the Republican tax bill and the secret, rushed way in which it is being enacted. You can view his full remarks here. Rep. Doggett said in part: “The greatest wrong occurring here, what we are seeing today with this authoritarian rule, with the kind of approach much closer to the third-world authoritarian figures that Donald Trump likes to be so close to, is a steady erosion of democracy in the people’s House and in this Congress.” Prior to his remarks, Congressman Doggett made repeated attempts to introduce Motions designed to ensure that Treasury Secretary Mnuchin would come before the Conference Committee and answer questions about the bill. Additionally, Congressman Doggett spoke at a rally of concerned citizens, along with Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senator Sanders, joining hundreds of advocates to condemn the Republican tax bill. You can view those remarks here. ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett |Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett | Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-secures-area-census-office-hidalgo-county | Congressman Gonzalez Secures Area Census Office in Hidalgo County | 2017-12-13 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) has announced that the United States Census Bureau recently released plans to open a new Area Census Office in Hidalgo County that will ensure the Rio Grande Valley is properly surveyed in 2020. The Area Census Office is scheduled to open during the summer of 2019 and will service Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties. The decision comes in response to calls from Congressman Gonzalez and local leaders for such an office. On September 27, 2017, Congressman Gonzalez sent a letter to U.S. Census Bureau Acting Director, Dr. Ron Jarmin, urging the Census Bureau to open a local office in the 15th District of Texas in light of inaccurate census counts in the past. “I welcome the Census Bureau’s decision to open an office in Hidalgo County and thank Acting Director Jarmin and his team for recognizing the need to count all people living in South Texas,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “With an Area Census Office, we can more accurately, effectively, and efficiently count the recent growth in the Rio Grande Valley and hopefully see an allocation of federal funds that matches this growth.” The last Census occurred in 2010, and the base population estimate for Hidalgo County was 774,770. As of July 1, 2016, the Census Bureau estimated that Hidalgo County’s population had grown by nearly 10 percent to 849,843. The Census Bureau reported a low response score of 32.7 percent. Incorrect numbers or low response rates can be attributed to the inability to verify addresses, obtain responses, or instances where partial responses were received. The Census Bureau also announced that it will give residents the opportunity to self-respond via internet, phone, or paper form beginning March 23, 2020. Residents will still have the option to respond through a traditional in-person interview. Congressman Gonzalez is pleased to see the Census Bureau’s outreach and investment in Hidalgo County and its proposed procedures for a more seamless and accurate 2020 Census. Background: A federal Cen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/domestic-maritime-centers-excellence-legislation-signed-law | Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Legislation Signed into Law | 2017-12-12 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Donald Trump signed into law the fiscal year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes provisions from the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act (H.R. 2286), introduced by Congressman Gene Green (D-TX-29). The Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act authorizes federal designation of community and technical college “centers of excellence” to help provide technical education and training programs that will secure the talent pipeline for the nation’s maritime workforce. A shortage of qualified maritime workers has been identified by U.S. industry leaders as the primary challenge to growth in the domestic maritime sector. The maritime industry requires technical skills training and licensing – even for entry-level positions. To earn appropriate credentials for each level of maritime industry employment, workers must complete regular training. Community and technical colleges can provide this training – on an affordable basis. “In our district, we have a surplus of maritime jobs and not enough people with the skills and training to fill them,” said Rep. Green. “The industry is continuing to invest and grow along the Port of Houston, and we want to make sure that our constituents have the opportunity to take these high skilled, middle-class jobs. This bipartisan legislation will help bridge the gap. It’s good for our local community, it’s good for our businesses, and it’s good for the American economy.” Unless action is taken to expand the availability of domestic maritime workforce technical training, the continued lack of federal government focus on domestic maritime industry technical training, the aging- out of the maritime workforce, technological advancements, and the expansion of the Panama Canal are all factors that will compound the domestic maritime workforce shortage in the years ahead. Numerous community and technical colleges across the country are capable of providing leadership in domestic maritime workforce training. Two-year public c… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/americans-tax-fairness-bernie-sanders-lloyd-doggett-demand-drug | Americans for Tax Fairness: Bernie Sanders, Lloyd Doggett Demand Drug Companies to Stop Dodging Taxes Following Release of New Report | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | (WASHINGTON) - A new report released today by Americans for Tax Fairness exposes just how much the pharmaceutical industry stands to gain if the Trump-GOP tax plan becomes law. The report examines the profits, taxes, and drug prices of the 10 biggest U.S. pharmaceutical companies, the “Pharma Big 10”: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Merck & Co., Gilead Sciences, AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly & Co., Bristol-Myers Squibb, Biogen and Celgene. The report, The Pharma Big 10: Price Gougers, Tax Dodgers, finds that these 10 companies: jacked up the prices for 31 of their most widely-prescribed drugs by at least 40% and as much as 71% over a period from 2011 to 2015; saw their profits jump by 39% over the same four-year period; have $506 billion in un-taxed profits stashed offshore; owe an estimated $133 billion in taxes on those profits, if they are repatriated to the U.S. at the current tax rate; and will get an an estimated tax cut of $80 billion on their offshore profits if the Trump-GOP tax bill becomes law. The $80 billion in tax breaks the Trump-GOP tax plan will give these 10 drug companies would pay for a year-and-a-half of Medicaid drug spending or five years of healthcare for 9 million kids under the Children’s Health Insurance Program. “This important new report highlights what we already know—pharmaceutical companies are gouging the public with outrageous prescription drug prices, while dodging tens of billions of dollars in U.S. taxes on their offshore profits,” said Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). “But instead of doing anything to rein in these tax dodgers, the Republican tax plan rewards drug companies with massive tax cuts on their current and future offshore profits. These corporations can no longer be allowed to rip off Americans, who already pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world. Instead of giving big pharmaceutical companies that are sheltering their profits overseas a massive tax break, we must demand that they pay their fair share of taxes so that we can rebuild the disappear… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-democratic-conferees-request-treasury-secretary-appear-tax | House Democratic Conferees Request Treasury Secretary to Appear with Tax Analysis | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Democratic Members of the Conference Committee on the Republican tax bill urged Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin to provide a copy of any Treasury Department analysis of the economic impact of this legislation and to appear before the Conference Committee for questioning about it and other issues. Secretary Mnuchin had said in September that 100 people at Treasury were “working around the clock” to produce the analysis. The Inspector General at the Treasury Department has already opened an inquiry based upon a November 30 request from Senator Elizabeth Warren regarding possible suppression of the report for political reasons. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) said, “A promised report, once presented as essential, now appears to have disappeared. Nor has a single Administration witness come before either the House or Senate to defend and answer questions about this far-reaching tax legislation. Especially with the views of Trump officials varying so widely from the analyses of the vast majority of economists, obtaining the Treasury Department’s work is important. A prompt answer to our request can respond to the one anonymous economist at the Office of Tax Analysis, who maintains that the reason the promised analysis has not been released is because no such analysis exists.” A signed version of the letter is attached and the text of letter is below. December 7, 2017 The Honorable Steven Mnuchin Secretary Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20220 Dear Secretary Mnuchin: Now that conferees will soon be meeting to adjust the differences between the House and Senate on tax legislation, we hope that you will appear before us to review it with us. In September, you said that “not only will this tax plan pay for itself, but it will pay down the debt.” You have said that over 100 people in Treasury are “working around the clock on running scenarios for us” to produce an analysis supporting this conclusion. We respectfully request a copy of this Department … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-and-blue-dog-coalition-call-us-department-treasury-release | Congressman Gonzalez and Blue Dog Coalition Call on the U.S. Department of Treasury to Release Analysis on House, Senate Tax Bills | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) along with other members of the Blue Dog Coalition sent a letter to Secretary of Treasury, Steven Mnuchin, calling on the U.S. Department of the Treasury to release an analysis of the House and Senate tax bills. The counsel to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has confirmed that the OIG is conducting an investigation into the process the Treasury used in order to perform its analyses of the tax bills that were passed in the Senate and the House. “It is irresponsible to pass legislation that has not undergone in-depth analysis,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “Transparency is key to effective legislating and I urge the Treasury to provide all members of Congress with detailed information on how the proposed tax reform measures will affect hard-working Americans.” Secretary Mnuchin has promised in the past that the Treasury would release a full analysis of the tax legislation, however, the department has yet to do so even after both bills have passed the House and Senate. “While we did not support the House-passed tax bill, we believe it is still possible to pass tax reform that can provide relief for hardworking Americans and therefore receive bipartisan support,” the Blue Dog Coalition wrote. “For this to occur, we need to fully understand the consequences of the proposed tax code and other policy changes for the economic well-being of our constituents.” The letter was signed by the other following members of the Blue Dog Coalition: Congressmen Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Jim Cooper (TN-05), Jim Costa (CA-16), Lou Correa (CA-46), Charlie Crist (FL-13), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Daniel Lipinski (IL-03), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Collin C. Peterson (MN-07), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Kurt Schrader (OR-05), David Scott (GA-13), and Congresswomen Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09), and Stephanie Murphy (FL-07). See the letter below and attached: December 6, 2017 Dear Secretary Mnuchin: We request the Treasury Department to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gene-green-opposes-two-week-continuing-resolution | Rep. Gene Green Opposes Two-Week Continuing Resolution | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Gene Green today delivered the following statement on the House floor on the Republican majority’s 2-week Continuing Resolution: "Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to act and pass much needed supplemental appropriations to help victims of the recent hurricanes in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hurricane Harvey brought unprecedented destruction to the Texas Gulf Coast, dropping a record 52 inches of rain and causing catastrophic flooding in Houston and all along the Gulf Coast. Earlier this week, a report released by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Episcopal Health Foundation found that one in nine Texas Gulf Coast residents remain displaced, three months after Harvey’s landfall. Four in ten Texas Gulf Coast residents report sustained damage to their homes and nearly half of affected Texas Gulf Coast residents said they are not receiving the help they need to recover from the hurricane. To date the federal government has provided $10 billion in aid to Harvey victims in Texas, mostly advance payments through the National Flood Insurance Program. However, far more federal aid is needed to rebuild Houston, Harris County, and the Texas Gulf Coast. After Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana and Mississippi, and Hurricane Sandy impacted New York and New Jersey, Congress responded by passing substantial disaster supplemental bills. In 2013, Congress provided over $50 billion for recovery and rebuilding efforts as a result of Sandy, and $120 billion to rebuild New Orleans and surrounding areas. I cannot and will not vote for a continuing resolution until House leadership puts disaster relief front and center and passes a substantial supplemental disaster bill that will help Texans fully recover from Harvey’s destruction and prepare the Texas Gulf Coast before the next major storm strikes. We cannot continue to kick-the-can down the road while thousands of families in Texas and other parts of our country continue to suffer, months after these terrible storms made landfall. I ur… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/voting-no-on-the-continuing-resolution-h-j-res-123-b8a80a70ae74?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Voting No on the Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res. 123) | 2017-12-07 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Voting No on the Continuing Resolution (H.J.Res. 123) The House just voted on H.J.Res. 123, a continuing resolution to provide enough money for the Federal government to operate at current levels for the next two weeks. I voted against it. My concern with the resolution is that the Republican leadership in both the House and the Senate has refused to accept even a single contribution in terms of ideas, policies, or priorities from a single Democrat. This partisan dysfunction is the exact opposite of how Congress should work — especially with something as critical as government funding. It means the people of El Paso had no ability to contribute to this process because their representative was locked out of it. For example, I asked my colleagues to ensure that the 200,000 Dreamers in Texas and the 800,000 young DACA recipients across the country receive the protection they need to continue contributing at their full potential in our communities, state, and nation. We are infinitely better because of them. Ending DACA will not just hurt them, it will hurt us for years to come. I also asked that the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is reauthorized. This is critical if we want to continue ensuring kids and mothers in our state can see a doctor and get lifesaving medication. CHIP and Medicaid cover 45% of children in El Paso and offer prenatal care to 36,000 pregnant women in Texas. Without Republicans taking these ideas into consideration or even offering a basic debate on them, I couldn’t vote for this resolution. I will continue advocating for the people of El Paso and working to get a funding bill that reflects and honors our priorities. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401804 | Rep. Cuellar Speaks on House Floor in Support of Bipartisan Bills to Curb Gun Violence | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Rep. Cuellar Speaks on House Floor in Support of Bipartisan Bills to Curb Gun Violence f t # e WASHINGTON, December 6, 2017 | Olya Voytovich ((202) 226-1583) Today, Congressman Cuellar spoke on the House Floor in support of two bipartisan bills to curb gun violence: H.R. 38, the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, and H.R. 4477, also known as the Fix NICS Act of 2017. H.R. 38 allows law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon across state lines only if they are not federally prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm, are carrying a valid government-issued photo ID, are lawfully licensed or otherwise entitled to carry a concealed handgun, and follows the laws of the state, county and municipality in which they are carrying concealed. The Fix NICS Act ensures federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to NICS. Additionally, the bill provides consequences for federal agencies who fail to properly report relevant records and ensures that states improve their overall reporting. These bills aim to prevent tragedies like the one in Sutherland Springs from happening in the future. f t # e | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gene-green-rep-al-green-s-articles-impeachment | Rep. Gene Green on Rep. Al Greens Articles of Impeachment | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Gene Green released the following statement about his decision to vote to table Congressman Al Green’s resolution calling for the impeachment of President Trump: “While I disapprove President Trump and most of his policy actions since he has been in office, I believe that we should allow our judicial institutions to do their job before we begin to debate impeachment of the president. Rep. Al Green and I are good friends and I’m proud to serve with him in the Houston-area, but impeachment is a process that should not be rushed. During the impeachment proceedings of Presidents Nixon and Clinton, it took several months to investigate before a final vote. This time around, we have Special Counsel Robert Mueller and Select Committees on Intelligence in both chambers investigating President Trump and his top associates for possible collusion with Russia during the 2016 elections. If the investigation from the Special Counsel or select committees leads to findings of obstruction of justice or other impeachable offenses, then we can begin that conversation. But now is not the time for impeachment.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/violent-offenders-domestic-abusers-should-not-be-granted-a-license-to-carry-f6a73c408d0a?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Violent Offenders & Domestic Abusers Should Not be Granted a License to Carry | 2017-12-06 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Violent Offenders & Domestic Abusers Should Not be Granted a License to Carry Texas does not grant a license to carry to those convicted of a violent crime. Makes sense. However, that’s not the case in all states. There are currently nearly two dozen states who allow these individuals to obtain a license to carry. Today, I voted against H.R. 38 because it would allow for what is known as “concealed carry reciprocity” — essentially allowing anyone allowed to carry in any state (no matter how low their standards) to bring a firearm into any other state (no matter how high their standards). It would subject Texans to the lowest common denominator. It would make us less safe. For example: Texas law requires safety training to qualify for a licence to carry. 18 other states do not.Texas requires you to be at least 21. Fifteen other states do not.Texas does not issue a license to carry to abusive partners. 14 states do.Texas doesn’t issue to violent offenders. 22 states do.Texas doesn’t issue to people convicted of stalking. 21 states do. Why should Texans, who have adopted strong, sensible standards for a license to carry be forced to contend with concealed carry gun owners in states that have not? I’m proud of Texas, our history of responsible gun ownership and our requirements for a license to carry that seek to protect the ones we love from abusers, violent offenders and stalkers. We should hold those from out-of-state to these same standards when they travel to our communities. We should not subject every Texan, every El Pasoan to the lowest common denominator in the U.S. because that will make Texas less, not more, safe. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401793 | Rep. Cuellar Announces Winners of 2017 Congressional App Challenge | 2017-12-05 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today announced the winner of this year’s Congressional App Challenge from La Joya Independent School District, Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School students, Josue Herrera, Nyo Cruz, Elmo Garza, and Marco Perez for designing the Travel Guide app, which helps travelers get around in an unfamiliar area. The app designed by the students focuses on four categories: emergency, food, shops and entertainment.“I congratulate these four talented high school students from La Joya I.S.D. on designing a useful and functional app to help travelers in our area. I also thank La Joya I.S.D. Superintendent, Dr. Alda T. Benavides, Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College High School Principal Dalee Garcia, Mr. Guillermo Flores, Computer Science Instructor, and the parents of these students for encouraging them to develop their talents in coding,” Congressman Cuellar said. “Our future is becoming increasingly depended on technology, and this competition encourages students to learn how to code and find out about careers in STEM. Parents and educators can further encourage high school students to participate and think outside the box and develop apps that change the world. I’m excited to participate and I look forward to seeing the creativity of our students in the 28th Congressional District of Texas. “It is always exciting when the talents of our students bring us recognition, so this accomplishment is one we are really proud of as our students faced stiff competition,” said Dr. Alda T. Benavides, Superintendent of Schools at La Joya I.S.D. “A special congratulations goes to these four young men, their teacher, principal and their parents for always encouraging the students to do more with technology and to stay in the forefront when it comes to careers in the STEM fields. They have made us extremely proud! A special thank you to Representative Henry Cuellar for providing these opportunities for our students.” Winners of Congressional Henry Cu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-responds-michael-flynn-guilty-plea | Rep. Doggett Responds to Michael Flynn Guilty Plea | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, issued the following statement after Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor for President Trump and top Trump campaign official, pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about his contacts with Russian authorities. Rep. Doggett said: “The wheels of justice turn slowly, but despite Donald Trump’s repeated obstructionism, they still turn. Former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s guilty plea and the report that a senior Trump transition member directed his contact with Russians indicates there is much more yet to come. To prevent further Russian meddling, we still need a truly independent investigation, not one subject to more Republican interference.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-in-recognition-2 | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement in Recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Johnson released a statement in honor of World AIDS Day and remains committed to addressing the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. “Today, around the world, we take a moment to reflect and recognize World Aids Day. Each year since 1988, we show our support for those living with HIV and AIDS,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “The AIDS epidemic is a public health crisis that affects every community. Despite the tragic toll of this disease, we are making historic progress to halt this epidemic in its tracks. Fifteen years ago, I initiated the first round of talks for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with President George W. Bush while I was the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.” Congresswoman Johnson reflected on a previous trip to South Africa, Malawi, and Kenya with her Congressional colleagues in 2015 where they addressed this epidemic and the importance of continuing to fund research for prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. “It is imperative that we remain diligent in the battle against HIV/AIDS. In addition, I will continue to do what is necessary to engage in this fight to promote public health around the world and to protect critical health programs. I urge my colleagues to fight this battle and to join me as we recognize World AIDS Day.” The theme for World AIDS Day 2017 is “Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships.” To find an HIV testing site near you, click here. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-pushes-fiscally-responsible-bipartisan-budget-deal | Congressman Gonzalez Pushes for a Fiscally-Responsible, Bipartisan Budget Deal | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON—This week, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), and fellow members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, called on congressional leadership to negotiate a long-term, fiscally-responsible, bipartisan budget deal. Earlier this year, the Problem Solvers Caucus successfully pushed for a Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) funding bill free from policy riders, and used its bipartisan influence to avoid a government shutdown. “Democrats and Republicans must come together to craft a viable, long-term budget deal that is both fiscally responsible and works for all Americans,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “I urge congressional leadership to act swiftly and keep the government running.” Congressman Gonzalez and the Problem Solvers Caucus members noted: “We believe that Congress should act quickly toward passing a long-term, bipartisan budget deal that would eliminate sequestration cuts for at least two years. We also support efforts to fully pay for any increase of the discretionary budget caps, so that defense and non-defense discretionary spending can be funded at more adequate levels, responsibly. We stand ready to work with you to accomplish this goal.” Read the full letter below: November 29, 2017 Dear Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Schumer, Speaker Ryan and Minority Leader Pelosi, The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group premised around the notion that Congress works best when Members engage with one another on a bipartisan basis in order to advance solutions to our nation’s most pressing problems. So far this year, the Problem Solvers Caucus has come together to advocate for a reasonable and responsible spending bill and to develop a better approach to reforming our nation’s health care system. We believe that durable and sustainable solutions can be reached through bipartisan cooperation and leadership. We write to you now as Congress is once again facing an imminent deadline with government funding expected to expire on December 8 and no clear path forward for resolving both the policy and funding l… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/veasey-updates/marcs-memo-november-2017-updates | Marc's Memo - November 2017 Updates | 2017-12-01 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | legacy | Dear Friends, Since my first day in Congress, I have remained committed to building a better future for all TX-33 residents and advocating for our veterans and service members’ access to the benefits they’ve rightfully earned. This month, my top priorities were on full display. I traveled back and forth from Texas to D.C. participating in job training forums and hosting my fifth annual job fair and Veterans Town Hall. I also worked at Airbus Helicopters for my monthly ‘Marc Means Business’ workday. I invite you to take a moment to read about these efforts and the additional work I do on your behalf to ensure your voice is heard in our nation’s capital. Please remember to connect with me through my official website, Facebook page, and Twitter account to stay informed on what I am working on in the district and in D.C. Don’t forget to remind your friends to subscribe to my e-newsletter, so they don’t miss out on any updates on my efforts in Washington and in the DFW Metroplex. Sincerely, Marc Veasey Member of Congress Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s DACA Summit and Immigration Town Hall Join me, special guest House Democratic Vice-Chair Congresswoman Linda Sanchez, and local immigration experts for a DACA Summit and Immigration Town Hall to discuss the latest developments on the program, learn your rights when interacting with law enforcement, and how the DACA program has affected the DFW Metroplex. Saturday, December 2, 2017 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Northside Community Center 1100 Northwest 18th Street Fort Worth, TX 76164 Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow As a co-chair of the House Democrats’ Access to Jobs Task Force, I joined business and labor leaders as they shared their expertise on how to strengthen America’s workforce through skill development and training at our first roundtable discussion. I invited Tricia Hiros, an engineer working for Bell Helicopter based in DFW, to testify before the task force on the importance of apprenticeships a… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-s-floor-remarks-in-support-of | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnsons Floor Remarks in Support of Brownfields Program | 2017-11-30 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson delivered remarks on the House Floor today in support of H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic, Redevelopment and Reauthorization of 2017. A transcript of her speech can be found below: “Mr. Speaker, the Brownfields program has been a notable success in our nation’s history. The Brownfields program has helped to transform and cleanup countless abandoned, idled, or potentially-contaminated commercial and industrial sites all across the United States. These once blighted areas within our communities are now valuable tracts of land thanks to the Brownfields program. As a Congresswoman from North Texas, I have seen firsthand the benefits that Brownfields redevelopment can bring to a community. A 72-acre site in my district, formerly known as Victory Park, was transformed by the Brownfields program from an industrial wasteland populated by an old paint factory and meatpacking plant. Since then – and thanks in large part to the Brownfields Program – that same plot is now home to the American Airlines Center and other retail and commercial space. This is just one example in my Congressional district and across the country of how successful we can be in converting depressed, decaying areas into vibrant economic and cultural centers that can increase employment and productivity in the region. That is why I stand together with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support H.R. 3017. This bill will take the important step to reauthorize the Brownfields program through 2022. While the bill represents a flat reauthorization, it makes crucial changes to the program that will improve the way states, cities, counties, and other stakeholders are able to utilize Brownfields sites. It is time that we continue the rich tradition driving this program and reauthorize the Brownfields program without further hesitation. Thank you, I yield back.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401788 | Cuellars Bipartisan Bill to Fix Gun Background Check System Passed by Committee | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Today, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 4477, also known as the Fix NICS Act of 2017, a bipartisan piece of legislation introduced by Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) that would require federal and state authorities to comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Specifically, this bill will: • Require federal and state agencies to produce NICS implementation plans focused on uploading all information to the background check system and enforce measures to verify the accuracy of records; • Hold federal agencies accountable and ensure that states improve their overall reporting by implementing serious consequences if they fail to properly report relevant data; • Reauthorize and improve important law enforcement programs to help state governments share relevant criminal record information with NICS. This bill was introduced in response to the horrific shooting that occurred in early November in Sutherland Springs, Texas, which killed 26 people. “I thank the Committee, Chairman Bob Goodlatte and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler for marking up this bill so quickly,” Congressman Cuellar said. “The Sutherland Springs shooting revealed dangerous loopholes in the NICS database, and this bill is a necessary step forward in closing those gaps. It is critical that we hold states and federal agencies accountable for accurately and comprehensively reporting relevant information into NICS, while ensuring that these entities have sufficient support and resources to implement these requirements. “I thank Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) for crafting the original Senate version of this bill and for leading Congress towards finding solutions to this crucial issue. I also would like to recognize Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Reps. John Culberson (R-TX), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Ryan Costello (R-PA), Pete Aguilar (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), Cedric Richmond (D-LA), Michael McCaul (R-TX),… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-congratulates-dfw-international | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Congratulates DFW International Airport for Receiving $52 Million in Grant Funding from the Federal Aviation Administration | 2017-11-29 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC –Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement after announcing that the Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport would be awarded $52 million in grant funding through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP): On Monday, November 27, 2017, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson attended a ceremony to commemorate this important occasion at DFW International Airport and announced that the airport will be receiving a total of $52 million in federal funding through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program. Approximately $49.5 million will be committed to the refurbishment of Runway 17-Center/35-Center, DFW’s busiest arrival runway, while an additional $2.6 million will help fund a lighting upgrade for the Terminal ramp areas. “DFW consistently remains the third busiest airport in the world based on aircraft movements. I am incredibly proud to serve as one of DFW’s key federal partners in helping to ensure that our airport has the resources it needs to be effective, while meeting the growing demands of the DFW region,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “As the most senior Texan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will fight to ensure that we continue to make those investments in airports like DFW so that we can stay ahead of the competition and keep America moving.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-statement-support-net-neutrality | Congressman Gonzalez Statement of Support for Net Neutrality | 2017-11-28 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON— Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) has announced his opposition to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) plan to repeal current Net Neutrality regulations that ensure a free and open internet. “Dismantling crucial Net Neutrality regulations is reckless and without warrant,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “From students to small business owners, the repercussions of the FCC’s proposed changes will be felt by internet users across the country. We should be leveling the playing field and closing the digital divide, not allowing companies to put up roadblocks to affordable internet service. I strongly urge the FCC and Chairman Ajit Pai to listen to the American people who have overwhelming requested that he abandon this misguided plan.” As a former small business owner, Congressman Gonzalez knows first-hand that Net Neutrality has played an important role in expanding access to information and opportunity via the world wide web. The congressman believes that the FCC’s new plan would have damaging effects on the flow of and access to information. Congressman Gonzalez sent a personal letter to FCC Chairman Pai stating his and his constituents’ clear opposition to the proposed repeal of Net Neutrality. He also joined Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-14), and other members of Congress to call on the FCC to preserve the open internet and delay its repeal of Net Neutrality. On November 21, 2017, FCC Commissioner, Jessica Rosenworcel, released a statement expressing her discontent with plans to roll back Net Neutrality and underscoring the importance of maintaining a strong internet economy. The FCC Commissioner has also specified that public hearings would be held throughout the country to address the proposal before a vote is taken on the issue. Congressman Gonzalez will remain a strong supporter of an affordable, accessible, and open internet. Read the letter below. November 28, 2017 The Honorable Ajit Pai Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/humanities-texas-del-valle-teacher-receives-statewide-award | Humanities Texas: DEL VALLE TEACHER RECEIVES STATEWIDE AWARD | 2017-11-27 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | Humanities Texas is pleased to announce thatVictoria Longoria of Del Valle High School is one of 13 recipients of the 2017 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award. U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett presented Longoria with her $5,000 award during a ceremony at Del Valle High School on Monday, November 27. Humanities Texas presents annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching and recognize Texas classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development and extracurricular programming. The organization received nearly 700 nominations for the 2017 awards. Longoria, who has taught English for over 20 years, currently teaches 11th grade AP English Language and Composition at Del Valle High School. In 2016, she was a state semi-finalist for the HEB Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award. “Victoria Longoria engages her students to view our world through literature and history. Her students gain an introduction to global citizenship,” said Congressman Doggett. “From my mini-town hall conducted today before presenting her award, I could see how well informed her students are about the challenges our country faces.Through her efforts these DVHS Cardinals are able to see the ‘human’ in ‘humanities.” “She is a steward of the humanities,” said Principal David Williams of Longoria. “She strives to authentically engage her students, reward successes and meet their individual needs. She dedicates her summers to professional development, treks the globe and actively seeks out opportunities to hone her craft throughout the year.” Longoria is an avid proponent of fostering a global perspective within her students. In addition to choosing international texts, she also aligns her English curriculum with the history department, collaborating on an interdisciplinary approach to deepen her students’ understanding of both subjects. She frequently attends both local and international seminars to bolster her own understanding of the material she teaches. “Whi… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-breaks-bread-troops-afghanistan-during-thanksgiving | Congressman Gonzalez Breaks Bread with Troops in Afghanistan during Thanksgiving Holiday | 2017-11-27 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) was one of only eight members of Congress that celebrated Thanksgiving with service members stationed in Afghanistan. Over the course of the trip, the delegation visited key military capabilities and personnel in Poland, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan. “I was both humbled and honored to spend Thanksgiving with the brave men and women of our U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “This is the time of the year when loved ones come together to celebrate all that we have. Those serving overseas sacrifice their holidays to keep us and our allies safe. I want these American heroes to know that we are forever grateful for their service to our country. Spending time with them during Thanksgiving was both eye opening and heartwarming. I learned so much about the work our U.S. armed forces undertake at military installations across the world. As I continue to serve in Congress, I vow to make the needs of service members, veterans, and their families my top priorities.” Congressman Gonzalez, the son of a U.S. Merchant Marine and Korean War veteran, is a strong advocate for service members, veterans, and military families. The bipartisan delegation included: Congressmen Trent Kelly (MS-01), Neal Dunn (FL-02), David Kustoff (TN-08), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Evan Jenkins (WV-03), Congresswomen Nanette Diaz Barragan (CA-44), and Claudia Tenney (NY-22). Congressman Gonzalez and his fellow members returned to Washington, D.C. after Thanksgiving as the U.S. House of Representatives reconvenes for votes on November 28, 2017. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-gene-greens-statement-fcc-chair-pais-proposal-reverse-net | Congressman Gene Green's Statement on FCC Chair Pai's Proposal to Reverse Net Neutrality Rules | 2017-11-27 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | I want to thank every constituent who has called, emailed, or sent a letter to our office to oppose Federal Communications CommissionChairman Pai’s proposal. I, too, oppose the FCC’s awful plan. Net neutrality is important for several reasons: It protects Internet freedom, drives innovation, and protects American consumers. There could be adverse consequences for American consumers and our economy if the current net neutrality rules are eliminated, which protect consumers from having content of their choice being blocked or slowed down. These protections have allowed a whole new sector of our economy to develop and create thousands of jobs in Texas and throughout our country. There must be rules in place that protect the Internet for small businesses, consumers, and innovators from potential abuse. This is why I oppose this proposal and urge FCC Chairman Pai to reverse his proposal. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/in-the-news/us-rep-gonzalez-shares-thanksgiving-meal-troops-afghanistan | U.S. Rep. Gonzalez shares Thanksgiving meal with troops in Afghanistan | 2017-11-26 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, visited troops in Afghanistan over the weekend to share a Thanksgiving meal, his office announced late Sunday. Gonzalez was one of eight members of a bipartisan delegation from Congress to visit the war-torn country. He also visited with troops and saw military installations in Poland, Qatar and Uzbekistan, his office said. “I was both humbled and honored to spend Thanksgiving with the brave men and women of our U.S. armed forces in Afghanistan,” Gonzalez said in a written statement. “This is the time of the year when loved ones come together to celebrate all that we have. Those serving overseas sacrifice their holidays to keep us and our allies safe. I want these American heroes to know that we are forever grateful for their service to our country. Spending time with them during Thanksgiving was both eye opening and heartwarming. I learned so much about the work our U.S. armed forces undertake at military installations across the world. As I continue to serve in Congress, I vow to make the needs of service members, veterans, and their families my top priorities.” Gonzalez is the son of a veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marine and Korean War. Gonzalez was accompanied by U.S. reps. Trent Kelly, R-Mississippi; Neal Dunn, R-Florida; David Kustoff, R-Tennessee; Richard Hudson, R-North Carolina; Evan Jenkins, R-West Virginia; Nanette Diaz Barragan, D-California; and Claudia Tenney, R-New York | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401766 | Rep. Cuellar Announces $1.5 Million DOJ COPS Grant to Laredo Police Department | 2017-11-21 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) joined Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz, City Manager Horacio De Leon, and Laredo Police Chief Claudio Treviño, Jr., to present a check for $1,500,000 to the City of Laredo Police Department from the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) - COPS Hiring Program (CHP). The funds will be used to hire 12 new police officers at the Laredo Police Department and are part of the $98,495,397 in nation-wide grant funding announced by the DOJ on Monday.“The COPS Hiring Program provides our local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to protect our communities and, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I worked with Chairman John Culberson to ensure this program was properly funded,” Congressman Cuellar said. “This funding will increase our community’s safety and help prevent crime. I congratulate City of Laredo and the Laredo Police Department, including Mayor Pete Saenz, the city council, and Police Chief Claudio Treviño, Jr., for their leadership in securing the grant.” Funding from the 2017 COPS Hiring Program will help with the duties of maintaining public safety in Laredo, which is one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas, with an active international trade and international tourism sector. Currently, the Laredo Police Department has 471 sworn officers and 73 non-sworn personnel. That’s about 1.9 officers per 1,000 inhabitants. The national average is 2.4 officers per 1,000 inhabitants. The $1.5 million in federal funds will support 12 new police officers during the course of the grant, which is $41,666.66 per officer position for three years. The City of Laredo will provide a 100 percent match of $1.5 million to over the remainder $41,666.66 for salaries and benefits of newly-hired, full-time sworn officer positions whose salaries and benefits are approximately $83,000 per year. The total federal and local investment for the hiring of 12 new Laredo Police Department officers and supporting them for three y… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401765 | Congressman Cuellar Announces Over $3.1 Million for San Antonio Police Department to Hire 25 New officers | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Today, Congressman Cuellar (TX-28) announced that the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program has awarded a grant to the City of San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) in the amount of $3,125,000. This grant will support the hiring of 25 new police officers. These funds are part of the $98,495,397 in grant funding announced today by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) COPS Hiring Program (CHP). “The COPS Hiring Program provides our local law enforcement agencies with the resources they need to protect our communities. As a member of the appropriations committee, I worked with Chairman John Culberson to ensure this program is properly funded,” Congressman Cuellar said. “This funding will increase our community’s safety and help prevent crime. I congratulate City of San Antonio and the San Antonio Police Department, and I thank Mayor Ronald Adrian Nirenberg, the city council and Police Chief William P. McManus for their leadership in securing the grant. I also thank the San Antonio Congressional Delegation for working together as a team.” San Antonio, Texas is the seventh largest city in the United States, and the SAPD serves as the primary law enforcement authority for more than 1.46 million of its residents. It is among the fastest-growing cities in America and the SAPD endeavors to keep up with migration, annexation and global tourism with 2,407 full-time, sworn officers who are required to police more than 465 square miles of sprawling urban area. San Antonio is also recognized as one of the nation’s leading tourist and convention destinations with over 25 million visitors per year. However, even with the city’s thriving economy and a low unemployment rate, the City still faces challenges related to public safety. Funding from the 2017 COPS Hiring Program will help combat the rise in violent crime in the San Antonio area. Much of this violence is attributable to a small segment of the population which is generally involved in criminal g… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-participate-award-winning-mcallen-holiday-parade | Congressman Gonzalez to Participate in Award-Winning McAllen Holiday Parade | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | MCALLEN, Texas – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) will participate in this year’s McAllen Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 2, 2017. Congressman Gonzalez will join Mayor Jim Darling and several current and former Dallas Cowboys players, including: DeMarcus Lawrence and Ryan Switzer; former wide receiver and four-time Super Bowl Champion, Tony Hill; and former running back and Heisman Trophy winner, Tony Dorsett. “Each year our community looks forward to the McAllen Holiday Parade and it is an honor to participate this year,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “With the largest illuminated holiday and helium balloons in the state, the parade is a sight to be seen. I look forward to kicking off the holiday season with the City of McAllen at this special event.” Earlier this year, the McAllen Holiday Parade was named the Best Parade in the World in 2017, by the International Festivals & Events Association, and the Best Parade in Texas in 2017, by the Texas Festivals & Events Association. The parade will begin at the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium at 6 p.m. CST and head south on Bicentennial Boulevard to U.S. Business 83. The McAllen Holiday Parade will feature 50 lighted floats, 40 inflatable character balloons, as well live music to comply with this year’s Entertainment on Parade theme. Congressman Gonzalez appreciates the opportunity to participate in this South Texas holiday tradition. He looks forward to celebrating the holidays with the residents of the 15th District of Texas. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/standing-with-our-border-patrol-community-d467dd3ba544?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Standing With Our Border Patrol Community | 2017-11-20 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Standing With Our Border Patrol Community Yesterday, the El Paso and west Texas community learned about the death of U.S. Border Patrol agent Rogelio Martinez. My thoughts are with his family, his fellow agents, and the entire Border Patrol during this difficult time. The work of our border patrol agents and law enforcement officers in El Paso, the Big Bend region, throughout Texas, and across the southern border is like no other. They work under immense pressures, under a microscope, even under the dark of night. From the moment Rogelio and his fellow agents take their oath and put on their uniform, they answer a call that many of us will never know. A call to serve, to lead, to protect our communities, our neighbors, our families. They are also called to protect the finest character of our country. To not only patrol the border of the United States of America but to embody its values. So often, our border agents are the first Texans, the first Americans those crossing into our country see. I’ve had the opportunity to know many of them in our community, their families too. They are our neighbors and friends. Our kids attend the same school, play on the same baseball teams. We know firsthand how lucky we are to have their service and sacrifice. These officers, their department are cornerstones of our community — the largest binational one in the country. They’ve worked tirelessly to wear their badge with pride while also welcoming our concerns and working with us to do what’s right. That unique role, one that too rarely receives our thanks, carries a lofty responsibility. And it’s one that we owe our agents in return. We will pursue an investigation into what occurred this past weekend. We will work with law enforcement to pursue justice. And as we learn more, we will continue uniting to support Border Patrol and remind them that in El Paso, across every mile of Texas, we are one community. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401764 | Reps. Cuellar and Culberson Introduce Gun Background Check Bill | 2017-11-17 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Yesterday, Thursday, November 17, Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), John Culberson (R-TX), Elizabeth Esty (D-CT), Ryan Costello (R-PA), and Pete Aguilar (D-CA) introduced H.R. 4434, a companion bill to the FIX NICS Act of 2017 that was introduced in the Senate earlier this week by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Murphy (D-CT). The investigation into the recent shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas, revealed enormous gaps in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This bipartisan legislation ensures federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to NICS. This bill provides consequences for federal agencies who fail to properly report relevant records and ensures that states improve their overall reporting. Federal and state records are thoroughly lacking, and this bill helps fill in those gaps.“Following the horrific shooting that occurred in my district, in Sutherland Springs, Texas, there is a call to action to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again. But many call for new laws often without considering whether or not current laws are being enforced,” Congressman Cuellar said. “Today, we introduced bipartisan legislation that will fill in the gaps in NICS that led to tragedies like the one in Sutherland Springs. The FIX NICS Act is an example of both parties in both chambers of Congress working together to set aside partisan politics and offer real solutions to the American people. I thank Senators John Cornyn, Chris Murphy, Orrin Hatch, Richard Blumenthal, Tim Scott, Dianne Feinstein, Dean Heller, Jeanne Shaheen, and Rep. John Culberson for their leadership on this bill. I am also grateful to Reps. Elizabeth Esty, Ryan Costello, and Pete Aguilar for their support. “For years agencies and states haven’t complied with the law, failing to upload these critical records without consequence,” Sen. Cornyn said. “Just one record that’s not properly reported can lead to tragedy, as the country saw last week in Sutherland Spri… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-trump-hill-republicans-thanks-my-billion-dollar-tax-breaks | Rep. Doggett: Trump to Hill Republicans, Thanks for my Billion Dollar Tax Breaks | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, delivered remarks on the House Floor in opposition to Republican tax bill H.R. 1, ahead of its scheduled vote today. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full remarks here. Rep. Doggett said: “The promise of tax reform has degenerated into little more than a scam to aid tax dodgers. While public attention is diverted to scandal in Alabama, Republicans rush through this sham of a tax bill, developed in the dark with lobbyists, before most Americans realize what is about to hit them in the face. “Instead of more jobs at home, Republicans create a giant, new, gaping loophole to ship even more jobs abroad. Even Speaker Paul Ryan’s home-state Republican Senator, Ron Johnson, concedes that under this bill ‘there will be a real incentive to keep manufacturing overseas.’ Hardly a surprise, since President Trump’s Wall-Streeter designated to run this show, was just identified, personally, from leaked Bermudan documents, as a past executive of not one, but 22 island tax-paradise shell companies. “Meanwhile, another loophole, carried interest, that flows to plutocrats like Donald Trump—that’s the very injustice he promised last year to stop – will keep flowing right into their pockets. But as for the deduction for student interest for those overwhelmed with college loans, like other middle-class tax provisions, that’s part of $65 billion in education tax assistance cut by this bill. They are totally dependent upon alternative facts. Today’s bill even authorizes the biggest tax dodgers who want to pay absolutely zero in taxes by abolishing the alternative minimum tax. That one change in one year would have put $31 million in Donald Trump’s pocket. “So Trump has very good reason to visit this Capitol today—just to say thank you for the estimated $1 billion plus that is estimated to go to the Trump family under this bill. ‘When does my tax refund get here?,’ he must be saying. But, of course, we do not know … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-after-house | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement after House Passes the Republican Tax Bill | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement after House Republicans voted to approve H.R. 1 – the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. H.R. 1 would raises taxes on 36 million households across the United States: “Prior to the vote today, I reached out to mayors and city managers within my congressional district asking for their position and input. What I received were overwhelming concerns about how this would impact our communities,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “I wholeheartedly believe that we are long overdue for changes to our federal tax code. And the hope was that when we considered tax reform in Congress, that it would be a fair and balanced approach that considered the views of all Americans and not just a select few.” “The bill passed out of the House will prove to be a huge burden on small businesses and working and middle class families. In fact, there are more than 64,000 employer establishments in Dallas County that contribute to our local, state, and national economy. However, this bill ignores the challenges currently facing American workers, families, and students in favor of slashing taxes for the wealthiest Americans and most profitable corporations.” A host of tax credits and deductions will be cut under the current Republican tax plan – such as individual credits and deductions, child tax credits, student loan interest deductions, and lifetime learning credits – in an effort to fund a bill that will decrease corporate taxes by 15%, consolidate individual tax rates into just 4 new brackets, and repeal both the estate tax and alternative minimum tax to the great benefit of wealthy Americans and U.S. corporations. “While I do agree that a modern tax code is desperately needed to help shore up funding for critical infrastructure projects, scientific research, and education, the Republican tax plan falls short of helping to address these dire needs. I urge the Senators to listen the concerns of middle class citizens, academic institutions and local governments. And we must rem… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-votes-against-misguided-tax-reform-legislation-us-house | Congressman Gonzalez Votes Against Misguided Tax Reform Legislation in U.S. House of Representatives | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) voted against H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which would reduce the number of individual income rates from seven to four, while raising taxes on 36 million middle class families and adding anywhere from $1.5 to $2 trillion dollars to the national deficit over the next decade. While the congressman supports comprehensive tax reform, he voted against the measure citing concerns with the drastic roll back of various deductions that benefit millions of hard working families, veterans, seniors, and students. “When I arrived in Congress, I saw an opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to work together to modernize our nation’s tax code and grow our economy,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “Today, I am disappointed to see such a deeply flawed proposal come up for a vote. I cannot support legislation that would harm the hard-working families, students, teachers, service members, and seniors that rely on a number of deductions and credits that this plan seeks to repeal. I cannot support putting a tab on our nation’s credit card that future generations will ultimately be forced to repay. That is not responsible in terms of family economics or in terms of our nation’s economics.” H.R. 1 would repeal the deduction for state and local income and sales taxes, which would amount to a $900 billion tax increase on American families. Taxpayers in every bracket benefit from the state and local tax deduction. Almost 40 percent of taxpayers with incomes between $50,000 and $75,000 claim the deduction, and more than 70 percent of those making between $100,000 and $200,000 claim it. The state and local tax deduction supports investments in local law enforcement, first-responders, infrastructure, and a wide range of other services. The legislation would also slash the medical expense deduction, which allows individuals with high healthcare costs to deduct medical expenses, above a certain threshold, from their taxes. The current threshold is for medical expenses that exceed 10 pe… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-gene-green-s-statement-gop-tax-scam | Congressman Gene Greens Statement on GOP Tax Scam | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Gene Green released the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: “It’s a shame that the House Republican majority rushed to pass a tax bill knowing it will increase taxes for middle-class Americans and deliver a huge tax cut to the wealthiest households and multinational corporations. Republicans may pretend to hope that the money will trickle down to average Americans, but we know it didn’t work in 1986, 2001, or 2003, and it surely won’t work today. To pay for the tax cuts for the rich, the Republican majority plans to eliminate tax deductions that millions of middle-class families claim annually and make deep cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, which will lead to 36 million middle-class families paying more. I am particularly concerned about the elimination of the casualty loss deduction, which currently allows disaster victims in Houston and Harris County to write off the loss of their home, car and other property caused by Hurricane Harvey. The Republican majority has thrown out its fiscal conservatism by irresponsibly adding to our nation’s deficit by $1.5 trillion. And if that isn’t bad enough, the Senate version will increase the number of insured Americans by 13 million simply by repealing the individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act. The last time America’s tax system was overhauled was in 1986, but it was done on a bipartisan basis and took at least a year before there was a final vote. The Republicans this time around decided to jam a strictly partisan bill and shutout Democrats from the entire process. Americans deserve A Better Deal." ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/voting-against-a-tax-bill-that-hurts-middle-class-families-6e53de9082d7?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Voting Against a Tax Bill That Hurts Middle Class Families | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Voting Against a Tax Bill That Hurts Middle Class Families Earlier today, the House voted on taxes. I voted no. H.R. 1, which ultimately passed, will cause inequality to grow and hurt the very people we so desperately need to be helping. This at a time when America has more wealth and income inequality than any other major developed county on earth. The gap between the very rich and everyone else is currently larger than at any point since the 1920s. H.R. 1 bets on trickle-down economics working when we know it doesn’t. We know that providing billions of dollars in tax breaks to corporations and the richest Americans won’t magically help middle class families. Rather, the exact opposite occurs. While nearly 50% of the cuts — over $500 billion — flows to the top 1%, this tax bill would cause 36 million households in the middle class to see their taxes rise. The rich get richer while the middle class pays up. The legislation would also repeal the state and local tax deduction. Texas could be uniquely impacted because of our state’s high property taxes. More than 2.3 million homeowners across our state claim a tax credit to offset their property taxes. It adds up to $14.8 billion in relief for Texans. But under the new framework, the exemption would be eliminated. H.R. 1 also cuts dozens of other tax breaks that are critical for our state. This includes the medical expense deduction that millions of Americans use each year. Currently, if a medical expense costs over 10% of a taxpayer’s income, it can be deducted on their taxes to help ensure they don’t have to choose between debt and their health. The Texas AARP has made it clear that cutting this tax credit hurts seniors the most. Students are hit hard by this plan too. The bill forces them to count tuition benefits as taxable income and takes away their ability to write off their student loan interest. This leaves students not only trying to pay back loans but also trying to pay taxes on their interest. This will have a negative impact on those Texans using studen… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-veasey-works-at-local-airbus-manufacturing-plant | Congressman Veasey Works at Local Airbus Manufacturing Plant | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Grand Prairie, TX – On Friday, November 17, 2017, Congressman Marc Veasey will roll up his sleeves to work on the production team at Airbus Helicopters Inc. in Grand Prairie, Texas. As part of Veasey's continued focus to bring jobs to the DFW Metroplex, Veasey will work at the prominent manufacturing plant's production line, conduct quality assurance, and participate in a flight test (weather permitting). Media is invited to attend. Airbus is an international pioneer in the aerospace industry consistently designing, manufacturing and delivering aerospace products, services and solutions to customers on a global scale. Airbus' Grand Prairie facility employs over 500 full-time employees with veterans representing approximately 40 percent of their workforce. Since March 2014, Veasey has worked at over 40 different places of employment within his district, learning firsthand about the diverse range of businesses contributing to the 33rd Congressional District of Texas' economy. Since beginning his constituent outreach initiative, Veasey has worked alongside employees representing a range of industries such as serving as a barista at a local Starbucks Coffee, working at a Frito-Lay plant, and bearing the Texas heat to work alongside the crew of AT&T Landscaping. This event is open to press. RSVP is required. WHAT: Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, will work at Airbus Helicopters as part of ‘Marc Means Business" work day WHEN: Friday, November 17, 2017, from 1 PM to 4 PM CT WHERE: Airbus Helicopters, Inc. 2701 Forum Drive Grand Prairie, TX 75052 MEDIA RSVP REQUIRED: Media is invited to join the Congressman during his workday from 1 PM - 4 PM CT but MUST RSVP by providing their full name as it appears on their government-issued ID to be placed on the admittance list. Please send this information to Nelly.Decker@mail.house.gov by 5:00 PM CT, Thursday, November 16. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-s-patriot-employer-act-would-fix-a-rigged-economy | Rep. Veasey’s Patriot Employer Act Would Fix A Rigged Economy | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C.—As House Republicans gear up to vote on their devastating tax scam that keeps the system rigged against American workers and middle class families, Congressman Veasey, TX-33, touts the recently introduced Patriot Employer Act, that would provide a tax credit to companies who provide fair wages and a range of benefits to workers. Unlike the Republican tax scam, Blue Collar Caucus Member Jan Schakowsky's (IL-9) legislation, which Congressman Veasey co-sponsored, would not add to the national deficit because it also closes a tax loophole that corporations use to ship jobs overseas. The loophole costs the U.S. Treasury approximately $50 billion each year at a time when outsourced jobs and stagnant wages force more American families to turn to safety net programs to make ends meet. "Blue collar workers are the backbone of our economy, but their efforts have not been rewarded even as corporate profits have skyrocketed, said Congressman Marc Veasey. "That is why I'm proud to co-sponsor the Patriot Employer Act that rewards companies who keep good-paying jobs right here at home. This is the better deal hardworking families need, not a Republican tax scam that would tack on an expiration date for tax cuts for individuals while making big tax breaks for giant corporations permanent." As a Co-Chair of the Blue Collar Caucus, Veasey continues to hold President Trump account for the promises he's made to the working people. As Co-Chair of the Access to Jobs Task Force, Congressman Veasey continues to be a voice for the American worker as House Republicans continue to stack the deck against them. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-to-host-annual-job-fair-to-fill-over-7000-jobs-at-local-dfw | Rep. Veasey to Host Annual Job Fair to Fill Over 7,000 Jobs at Local DFW Metroplex Companies | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Fort Worth, TX –On Friday, November 17, 2017, Congressman Marc Veasey will host his FREE Annual Job Fair from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Tarrant County College South Gymnasium located at 5301 Campus Drive in Fort Worth, Texas. The annual employment event will offer participants the opportunity to meet over 75 potential employers looking to fill over 7,000 vacancies and to network with professionals representing a variety of fields such as public safety, manufacturing, service, health care, education and other industries. Congressman Veasey is pleased to welcome employers like Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Amazon, Alcon and PepsiCo-Frito Lay. Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County and other providers will also be on hand to offer FREE professional development workshops designed to enhance job seekers' chance of getting hired on topics including resume critiquing, networking, second chance employment, job search tips, and veteran-to-civilian transition. WHAT: U.S. Congressman Marc Veasey 5th Annual 33rd Congressional District Job Fair WHEN: Friday, November 17, 2017 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM WHERE: Tarrant County College South Gymnasium 5301 Campus Drive Fort Worth, Texas MEDIA: This event is open to the press. Media is invited to interview the Congressman. To RSVP, please contact Nelly Decker at Nelly.Decker@mail.house.gov or 202-225-9897. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/veasey-refuses-to-raise-taxes-on-working-class-families | Veasey Refuses to Raise Taxes on Working Class Families | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. - Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 1, House Republican's tax bill that will raise taxes on the lowest earners and middle class families, eliminates popular tax deductions that benefit teachers, students, sick Americans and veterans and steals from Medicare and Medicaid while slashing tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy: "Today, I voted against a tax reform plan that heartlessly targeted the pocketbooks of hardworking American families. Tax reform that affects millions of Americans should be accomplished in a bipartisan fashion to ensure fairness for all. That is why I provided my suggestions on how to improve the bill to help struggling families was ultimately blocked by House Republicans. My amendment would have added provisions to support the working class by strengthening families, assisting immigrants who want to become patriotic Americans, and incentivizing greater access to fresh, healthy food. In fact, consideration for all Democratic amendments were blocked in order to create their one-sided plan that favors big corporations instead of the hardworking Americans they vowed to protect. The tax scam that House Republican Leadership has forced through Congress is anything but the type of tax reform that will benefit American workers. Their bill will raise taxes on millions of middle-class families, steal from Medicare and Medicaid to slash taxes for the wealthiest, and make it even easier for corporations to ship American jobs overseas. For Texans, the plan would cap property tax rate deductions at $10,000, hurt families with multiple children, and keep sick Texans from deducting their medical expenses, and raises taxes on families working hard to provide a better life for their children. The ability to invest in our country's future is on the line and House Republicans have proven that they are willing to make teachers, students, veterans, working poor, and middle-class families suffer to ensure their corporate buddies ar… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://vela.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/press-release-vela-releases-statement-following-passage-republican-tax | PRESS RELEASE: VELA RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF REPUBLICAN TAX CUT BILL | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Filemon Vela | V000132 | vela.house.gov | legacy | PRESS RELEASE: VELA RELEASES STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF REPUBLICAN TAX CUT BILL Washington, DC – Representative Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) released the following statement following the passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: “Today, I stood against the Republican tax cut bill for corporations and the wealthiest in our nation. Supporters claimed that the bill would reform the tax system and provide significant tax relief for the middle class. The reality is that the small tax cuts for individuals are paired with the loss of many important tax provisions for working families including those that promote home ownership. Millions of American families will see their taxes go up – not down – if the Republican tax plan is signed into law. Adding to the imbalance of the bill toward corporate interests, the tax cuts for businesses would be permanently added to the tax code while reductions in tax rates for individual taxpayers are temporary. In their rush to provide a win for the embattled President, Congressional Republicans rammed through a tax cut bill that will increase our national debt, leaving a terrible legacy for our children and grandchildren. I cast my vote against the Republican tax bill on behalf of South Texas working families.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://vela.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/vela-releases-statement-following-passage-republican-tax-cut | Vela Releases Statement Following the Passage of Republican Tax Cut | 2017-11-16 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Filemon Vela | V000132 | vela.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC Representative Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) released the following statement following the passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Today, I stood against the Republican tax cut bill for corporations and the wealthiest in our nation. Supporters claimed that the bill would reform the tax system and provide significant tax relief for the middle class. The reality is that the small tax cuts for individuals are paired with the loss of many important tax provisions for working families including those that promote home ownership. Millions of American families will see their taxes go up not down if the Republican tax plan is signed into law. Adding to the imbalance of the bill toward corporate interests, the tax cuts for businesses would be permanently added to the tax code while reductions in tax rates for individual taxpayers are temporary. In their rush to provide a win for the embattled President, Congressional Republicans rammed through a tax cut bill that will increase our national debt, leaving a terrible legacy for our children and grandchildren. I cast my vote against the Republican tax bill on behalf of South Texas working families. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| http://cuellar.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401755 | Rep. Cuellars Bill to Rename Tilden Post Office Passes House | 2017-11-15 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Henry Cuellar | C001063 | cuellar.house.gov | legacy | Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today announced the successful passage of H.R. 1207, a bill he authored to rename the post office located at 306 River Street in Tilden, Texas, as the “Tilden Veterans Post Office.” The bill passed the House and is now awaiting approval from the U.S. Senate.Speaking today on the House floor, Congressman Cuellar stressed the importance of naming this post office in honor of all veterans. “Across my district, there are many examples of fine men and women who have honorably served our country,” Congressman Cuellar said. “An example would be Anselmo Villareal of Tilden, Texas. He was drafted into the Army in 1968 and served a tour in Vietnam. He continues to serve others in a local veteran’s service organization. We owe our freedoms to veterans like Mr. Villareal, which is why I am recognizing him, and all veterans, with the dedication of this post office.” Congressman Cuellar also thanked local veteran caregivers for their service to those returning home from duty. “I also thank the Veterans Services Office in McMullen County, one of many organizations that work tirelessly to provide the essential care to those who have returned home from service,” Cuellar added. Congressman Cuellar speaks on the House Floor on Tuesday, November 14 in support of H.R. 1207, a bill he authored to name the Tilden post office the “Tilden Veterans Post Office.” Click here to watch video on Congressman Cuellar speaking on the House floor today. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reject-republican-tax-scam-say-no-alzheimer-s-tax-1 | Reject Republican Tax Scam, Say No to the Alzheimers Tax | 2017-11-15 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke three times on the House Floor against the House Republican tax bill (H.R. 1). Excerpts of Rep. Doggett’s remarks are as follows, with links to his full speeches: Rep. Doggett: “One Minute Longer Than All Hearings on Republican Tax Scam”: “One minute—only one minute? Well one minute is longer than all of the hearings held by Republicans on this sham of a tax bill – so broad in impact, yet so shallow in analysis. One minute – that is more time than any Trump Administration official had the courage to face our committee to be questioned about this lousy proposal. “One minute— more time than all the businesses and economists to evaluate these far-reaching corporate giveaways. Why should a tax bill that’s so broad get less hearing time that it takes to microwave popcorn? Haste does make waste. This tax plan, borne in the shadows, and rammed through committee and the House, will lay waste to family budgets, lay waste to affordable health care, and undermine national debt. The tax scam must be rejected. If we speak out and remain firm in our resolve, we will defeat this sham of a bill.” Rep. Doggett on the Republican Tax Bill’s “Alzheimer’s Tax”: “This wretched Republican tax bill threatens the health of millions. It is amazing that on this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, they celebrate by imposing a new ‘Alzheimer’s tax.’ Families paying thousands of dollars to care for a loved one would lose the right they have today to deduct those huge expenses, and it’s not just a tax on Alzheimer’s but on any substantial health care expense. As if that weren’t bad enough, in the Senate bill, they pursue their fanatical zeal to destroy Obamacare, and yet again would remove one of the key pillars that would lead to denying coverage for those with pre-existing conditions because their premiums will soar. It will mean millions of Americans will lose health care coverage. Protect your health. Reject this… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/us-capitol-rep-doggett-joins-advocates-against-republican-tax-scam | At U.S. Capitol, Rep. Doggett Joins Advocates Against Republican Tax Scam | 2017-11-15 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, participated in a gathering outside of the U.S. Capitol to urge rejection of the Republican tax scam (H.R. 1), which would jeopardize health care for millions and give tax breaks to the wealthiest few and multinational corporations. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full remarks taken on Facebook Live here. Excerpts of Rep. Doggett’s remarks are as follows: “Yesterday, the Republicans realized that raising taxes on 36 million American households, which is what their bill does, wasn’t enough. Now they’ve come forward in the Senate with their fanatical zeal against Obamacare. It is a sneak attack to destroy one of the pillars of the Affordable Care Act – it will eventually mean that people with a pre-existing conditions and older Americans will not be able to afford health insurance. And it is with the same zeal that Americans speaking out will stop them in the United States Senate. We now have a chance to protect health care once again. “Why is it that Republicans need to tax so many, and do so much harm? It’s all about financing tax cuts for those that are sitting way atop the economic ladder. And the giant multinational corporations that have exported so many American jobs think they’re entitled to pay next to nothing for our national security, education, and justice systems. They have a giant new loophole in this bill to outsource American jobs. They provide an incentive for corporations to invest abroad instead of investing here in America. We will see a growth in jobs alright, but it will be in China, in Europe, and that’s a mighty long commute for American workers. I believe we need to treat everybody equally and not tax profits over there at less than profits get taxed here. “We need to focus on investing in people, on upgrading our skills, and providing more educational opportunity, knowing that we will be competitive if every American is able to obtain the education they need to achie… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-republicans-block-congressman-veasey-s-tax-amendment | House Republicans Block Congressman Veasey’s Tax Amendment | 2017-11-15 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, November 14, 2017, House Republicans on the Rules Committee rejected an amendment offered by Congressman Marc Veasey, TX-33, to add provisions to the House Republican tax bill that would support the working class. Rep. Veasey's amendment would have strengthened families, assisted immigrants who want to become patriotic Americans, and incentivized greater access to fresh, healthy food. "Once again House Republican Leadership stripped away any form of bipartisanship during the tax reform process. My amendment would have helped tip the scales from the current bill catering to just the super wealthy to helping working families and aspiring Americans," said Congressman Veasey. "I am disappointed but not surprised that the Rules Committee rejected my amendment and other commonsense amendments that would have restored critical provisions for hardworking families." The amendments offered by Congressman Veasey mimics legislation he introduced during the 115th Congress. The Grandparents Tax Credit Act of 2017 provides a $500 refundable tax credit to lessen the out-of-pocket costs that grandparents take when they serve as primary caregivers for their grandchildren. The Promise of Citizenship Act would reduce the out of pocket costs of successfully applying for U.S. citizenship by providing a $500 refundable tax credit for newly naturalized citizens. The Farmers Markets for Food Deserts Actensures that families living in food deserts have reliable access to fresh and nutritious foods year-round. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-in-response-to-2 | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement In Response to Republicans Tax Bill Attacking Students, Graduates and Teachers | 2017-11-14 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement after new report shows 20,624 people in Texas will lose student loan interest deduction and 353,650 Texas teachers will lose deduction for buying school supplies: “Affording an education is difficult enough in the 21st century economy,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “Yet, this brutal Republican tax plan would bury many students and graduates under a mountain of debt. Young men and women who reached for the promise of higher education will face a heavier burden from their loans that will push their American Dreams further and further from reach. If that weren’t cruel enough, our teachers and schools will also face devastating new costs.” H.R.1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts, eliminates key deductions for students, young graduates and teachers across the country, just to hand deficit-exploding giveaways to the wealthiest Americans and corporations shipping jobs overseas. In the 30th district alone, 20,624 people will lose the student loan interest deduction under the Republican bill, according to a new analysis by the Center for American Progress. Altogether, according to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, the House Republican bill raises taxes on 36 million middle class families nationwide. This bill also takes numerous steps that would harm millions of students, employees, and teachers, including by ripping away the lifeline of the student loan interest deduction that 12 million graduates rely on, ending lifetime learning credits, ending tax-free tuition assistance from employers and decimating the state and local tax deduction that helps fund our schools. The Republican bill also eliminates deductions for teachers who buy school supplies for their students, stripping a key deduction away from 353,650 teachers in Texas. “Educating our young people is the most important investment government can make,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “How will Texas Republicans justify stealing from students and schools, just so they can write bigger checks for the … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-paves-way-prescription-drug-savings-seniors-and-medicare | Congressman Gonzalez Paves the Way for Prescription Drug Savings for Seniors and Medicare Beneficiaries | 2017-11-14 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) recently announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a finalized 2018 Quality Payment Program and Physician Fee Schedule (PFS), which includes a provision that modernizes the Medicare payment system to increase competition and opportunity for innovation of biosimilars. A biosimilar product is highly comparable to a biological product that provides the potential to yield the same effects at a lower cost. In May, Congressman Gonzalez, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Congressman Joe Barton (TX-06), and nearly 50 other members of Congress sent a letter to the then-Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price, and CMS Administrator, Seema Verma, urging CMS to reevaluate each individual biosimilar and assign a unique combined code for payment and identification. “The biosimilar marketplace is new and vibrant, and given the opportunity, can give Medicare patients lower prices for prescription drugs,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “I thank Administrator Verma for taking the opportunity to revise the biosimilar reimbursement policy in the PFS for 2018 and look forward to seeing first-hand the positive changes it will have on Medicare beneficiaries.” Since the enactment of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCIA), the market for biosimilars has seen an increase in competition with innovative biologics. By modernizing Medicare reimbursements and allowing these competitive rates to flourish, patients can reap the benefits of more options and affordable prices. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-gonzalez-and-royce-kickstart-bipartisan-effort-crack-down-money | Congressmen Gonzalez and Royce Kickstart Bipartisan Effort to Crack Down on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing | 2017-11-14 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – On Monday, Congressmen Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and Ed Royce (CA-39) introduced the bipartisan Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Modernization Act or the AML and CTF Modernization Act to strengthen the United States Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorism Financing (CTF) system. The bill would expand the ability of financial institutions to share suspicious activity reports within their organization to improve enterprise-wide risk management, and would require the Department of the Treasury to improve qualitative feedback for financial institutions and Federal financial regulators on their AML/CTF efforts. “Money laundering poses a serious threat to the legitimacy and stability of our local, national, and international financial institutions,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Modernization Act establishes a protocol that allows banks to share targeted information without liability; requires regulators to produce rulings that will advance financial institutions’ ability to abide by Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing regimes; and will require the U.S. Department of the Treasury to share helpful Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing intelligence that would empower our financial institutions to fight against money launderers. Enacting this important legislation will bolster the transparency and efficiency of our financial system while enhancing our ability to prevent money laundering schemes in a timely manner.” Lastly, the legislation would improve the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’s (FinCEN) administrative rulings process and require the Department to explore the potential for artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies to help detect and prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. “Financial criminals and terrorists have evolved in the decades since our anti-money laundering regime was built but our regulatory struc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gene-green-provision-included-passage-2018-national-defense | Rep. Gene Green Provision Included in Passage of 2018 National Defense Authorization Act | 2017-11-14 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the House of Representatives passed the Conference Report on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), a bipartisan defense policy bill that authorizes $692 billion in defense spending in fiscal year 2018. Included in the authorization is a provision based on legislation introduced by Reps. Green (D-TX) and Rob Wittman (R-VA), H.R. 2286, the Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act. The Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act was introduced in May 2017 and was successfully added as an amendment to the NDAA during the committee markup. It will authorize the U.S. Maritime Administration to designate and provide assistance to certain community colleges and workforce training centers as “centers of excellence” that provide valuable skills in the maritime sector. The provision, Section 3507, will advance the capabilities of two-year community and technical colleges to expand the talent pipeline for domestic maritime industry jobs at the Port of Houston and other ports around the country. “We have a surplus of good-paying maritime jobs in our district and not enough people with the skills and training to fill them,” said Green. “The industry is continuing to invest and grow along the Port of Houston. We need to make sure that members of our community have the opportunity to secure these highly skilled jobs. This bipartisan legislation will go far to help bridge the gap. It’s good for our local community, it’s good for our businesses, and it’s good for the American economy.” Other provisions in the 2018 NDAA include: A much deserved 2.4 percent pay increase and extension of special pay and bonuses for service members. Support for military families by prohibiting the proposed reduction in inpatient care for military medical treatment facilities located outside the United States. Provisions to strengthen deterrence against Russian aggression Acknowledging climate change is a direct threat to U.S. national security interests and requires a report on vulnerabilities to military inst… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/protecting-castner-range-for-generations-to-come-93838bb23f61?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Protecting Castner Range For Generations to Come | 2017-11-14 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Protecting Castner Range For Generations to Come Castner Range is a 7,081 acre open space surrounded by the Franklin Mountains State Park in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert. You would recognize Castner by its annual display of golden poppies. But this crown jewel of West Texas also helps us conserve El Paso’s precious aquifers that lie beneath it, preserve more than 40 archaeological and historical sites that date as far back as 10,000 years and safeguard its one-of-a-kind vegetation and wildlife. Today, the House of Representatives passed my proposal to protect Castner Range for generation to come.Castner Range helps welcome visitors to our Washington, DC officeThe provision will conserve ecological, scenic, wildlife, recreational, cultural, historical, natural, educational and scientific resources within Castner Range. The legislation also ensures that there will be no commercial enterprise, permanent or temporary road, use of motor vehicles or aircrafts and structure, building or installation of any kind on the land. And it preserves an important former military training facility — a reflection of El Paso’s strong relationship to Fort Bliss and its longstanding military and veterans’ community. Working with the House Armed Services Committee, I advocated for a provision protecting Castner Range to be added to this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). What is now spelled out in Section 2846 of the NDAA began as a proposal this past summer, is expected to also pass the Senate before the end of the year, and will then make its way to the White House to become law. Our community in El Paso has been fighting to conserve Castner Range since 1971. This victory for Texas couldn’t have happened without the work of environmental advocates throughout the state. I want to leave you with a few of their thoughts on today’s news: “At a time when the White House is rolling back conservation efforts, threatening to scale back our national parks and working to confirm climate change skeptics to environmental cou… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-gene-green-announces-he-will-not-seek-reelection | Rep. Gene Green announces he will not seek reelection | 2017-11-13 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Green (D-TX) released the following statement on his decision to not seek reelection: “Serving as an elected official is one of the greatest honors our country can bestow on a person. I have been blessed and fortunate to serve almost 46 years in elected office. Since 1973, I have served as a Texas State Representative for 13 years, Texas State Senator for seven years and since 1993 as a member of the United States Congress. Our family has known politics and public service throughout their lives. My wife, Helen, has been a partner every step of the way for our 47 years of marriage. The goal of every elected official should be to serve and help your constituency to have a better life for their families. I am proud of sponsoring events in our district such as having Immunization Day each year for the past 20 years to provide free vaccinations for children and Citizenship Day each year for the past 22 years to help legal residents to become citizens of our great country. We have also held Job Fairs twice a year to help people find employment and Paying for College Workshops to help students find the resources to allow them to afford to go to college. At home or in Washington my goal is to impact legislation for the benefit of our constituents. Serving on the Energy and Commerce Committee helped to put a Texas view on the expansion of Health Care access and expand job opportunities in our district. We have held many town hall meetings each year and have been accessible to people in our district. Our staff in Houston and Washington has been dedicated to helping our constituents with problems in many different areas such as Social Security, Veterans Affairs, and Immigration. I have been blessed to have such a dedicated staff to help me do the job of a Member of Congress. I have been fortunate to have never lost an election since 1972 and I am confident that I still have the support of my constituents and would be successful if I ran for another term in Congress. However, I have decided tha… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/in-the-news/cattle-raisers-bring-tick-problem-trump-administration | Cattle raisers bring tick problem to Trump administration | 2017-11-10 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | Environmental protections for wildlife at the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge near the border in South Texas are also safeguarding one of the U.S. beef industry’s worst enemies: the cattle fever tick. Texas lawmakers appealed on behalf of the state’s ranchers to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke for help containing the deadly pest in a Nov. 1 letter that sought assistance from the Trump administration, saying the Obama administration had not taken adequate steps against the spread of infestation. The fever tick carries bovine babesiosis, a blood disease that in the late 1800s nearly wiped out the U.S. cattle herd and caused other states to shun or restrict cattle from Texas. Once eradicated in all but a narrow zone along the U.S.-Mexico border, the tick has in recent years been found increasingly farther inland. The fever tick is spreading unchecked on the 98,000-acre coastal preserve, which attracts bird-watchers from around the world and is home to some of the last of the nation’s wild ocelots. It’s been problematic for tick control as it is a protected natural habitat that nearly touches Mexico, making it easy for tick-carrying wildlife such as nilgai, a nonnative antelope, to spread the tick from Mexico. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which falls under the U.S. Department of the Interior. “The Refuge is in the center of the tick infestations and (Fish and Wildlife Service) has not taken adequate steps to control its infestation of fever ticks on nilgai antelope and other wildlife,” according to a news release accompanying the letter by U.S. Reps. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, and Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, and backed by Texas’ entire congressional delegation. “The congressmen request that the FWS develop and execute a plan to combat the spread of the fever tick from Laguna Atascosa to bordering properties.” What’s now the Texas Animal Health Commission was established in 1893 to address the problem. In 1943, the ticks were declared eradicated from the U.S. save for the permanent qua… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/in-the-news/measure-expand-energy-development-outer-continental-shelf-federal-lands-gains | Measure to expand energy development on outer continental shelf, federal lands gains committee approval | 2017-11-10 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | The House Natural Resources Committee approved legislation on Wednesday that would modernize mineral resource practices and overhaul permitting processes to promote energy development on the outer continental shelf (OCS) and onshore federal acreage. The full committee approved the Strengthening the Economy with Critical Untapped Resources (SECURE) American Energy Act, H.R. 4239, after the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources heard testimony from energy industry stakeholders during a hearing on Tuesday. “The SECURE American Energy Act provides a multifaceted approach to improving access and management of our nation’s valuable energy sources,” U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), the chairman of the subcommittee, said during the hearing. “These proposals provide a blueprint for energy dominance on our nation’s lands.” Opening up the OCS for energy development would generate an estimated $200 billion in revenue for the country and drive the creation of as many as 840,000 jobs. Consumer Energy Alliance President David Holt testified about the impact the bill would have on small businesses and families across the country, noting that energy is a “key economic driver.” “Too much of our national discussion appears to try and divide into a forced choice between protecting the environment or meeting our energy needs,” Holt said. “We fundamentally disagree with this argument. Our great nation can, and must, meet our environmental challenges and our energy needs.” It took an average of 257 days for the Bureau of Land Management to issue applications for permits to drill in 2016, while state agencies issued applications for permits in an average of 30 days. “Permitting inefficiencies, nontransparent bonding pronouncements and unilateral presidential withdrawals have all created considerable uncertainty for OCS operators,” Eric Smith, the professor of practice and associate director of the Tulane Energy Institute in the A. B. Freeman School of Business, said. “Uncertainty that remains is actively discouraging new development.… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/republican-bill-full-secrets-and-corporate-giveaways | Republican Bill Full of Secrets and Corporate Giveaways | 2017-11-09 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, questioned Chairman Brady during the Republican Tax Bill (H.R. 1) mark-up on the secrecy of a new manager’s amendment that would alter the bill. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech here. A portion of Rep. Doggett remarks are as follows: “Here we are on the fourth day of hearings, and every single Democratic amendment has been rejected, with absolutely amazing circus-level contortions by some of our Republican friends explaining why they are voting against something their constituents support. “The only thing that has changed the cost of this bill is an amendment the Republican Chairman has offered, and it added a big gift to multinational corporations. Now it exceeds the budget limit, and that’s the purported excuse for needing to have another manager’s amendment – to correct what we were not told the first one did. “If we withdrew every single one of our amendments that you will vote against anyway, are you ready to present us your manager’s amendment and tell us what secrets you’re hiding there? “Would we have an opportunity to see your secret proposal that you’ve worked out here in the backrooms with the Washington special interests that won out with your amendment #1, with the big giveaway to corporate America and multinational offshoring? “I assume you’re still not ready to present the manager’s amendment to correct the fiscal irresponsibility of the first giveaway to corporate America.” ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett |Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett | Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/tax-bill-two-scoops-trump-billionaires-rest-can-lick-bowl | Tax Bill: Two Scoops for Trump & Billionaires, the Rest Can Lick the Bowl | 2017-11-09 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke during the mark-up of the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1) after Chairman Brady introduced a last-minute 22-page manager’s amendment that would change the bill yet again. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech here. Rep. Doggett said: “I don’t attend social events at the White House – I’m not interested in spending time with a President who attacks my constituents. But I have read that when it comes time to serve dessert, the President likes ice cream. But he always insists on him getting two scoops and the others at the table getting one. There is a lot of similarity in that dessert practice and what is being served up here today. “If you look at where the money is on the individual side, the most expensive parts are the alternative minimum tax and the estate tax. Those are Donald Trump’s personal dips, and those are big dips. “As a matter of fact, he gets a third scoop of ice cream – because the pass-through provisions are those he’s used in the past in his real-estate deals. He gets a big bowl of ice cream and the American people end up getting to lick the bowl and pay for the ice cream. $2.3 trillion dollars of additional debt will go right down on the American people with so little benefit for them. “The issues here are not whether we will take away from someone, but whether we will create more opportunity for all Americans to share in the American dream. We believe that the better way to grow our economy is to invest in Americans, to invest in American jobs, to give more educational opportunity, to honor the contributions of Dreamers and many of our immigrants make here in America. Those are sure-tested ways to grow America. “What we are presented with this trickle-down approach of giving most of the benefits to Donald Trump and his buddies has failed to grow American time after time. All it grows is speeches at Republican conventions, not the American economy. “As for the proc… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-in-honor-of-1 | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement in Honor of Veterans Day | 2017-11-09 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement in honor of veterans in our community and across the country as we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day. This Saturday, November 11, is Veterans Day when Congresswoman Johnson will co-host a veterans appreciation event: “I am very grateful for the sacrifices made by our current service members and veterans in our community, including the more than 105,000 veterans in Dallas County alone,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “These men and women of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard are the real heroes who continue to put their lives on the line. Our veterans and their family members deserve our profound gratitude and respect. We are indebted to their willingness to serve and protect our freedom every day.” “As a granddaughter, daughter, niece, wife and sister of a veteran, I have stood by veterans my entire life and will continue to ensure that they receive the benefits they have hard earned for their service to this great country. We must protect their access to affordable and quality healthcare, and provide them with the resources needed to pursue educational opportunities and quality jobs and when they return home. So, I remain committed to supporting legislation that protects veterans and their families.” Congresswoman Johnson continued to discuss her plans for Veterans Day, “I hope that you will join me this weekend by honoring our veterans and service members who have given so much to this nation by participating in Vet Fest at the Historic Nance Farm on Saturday, November 11th.” # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/mental-health-screenings-before-transitioning-out-of-military-service-9e56385a211f?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Mental Health Screenings For All Service Members Before They Transition to Civilian Life | 2017-11-09 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Mental Health Screenings For All Service Members Before They Transition to Civilian Life Service members scheduled to be separated from active duty are required to undergo a physical examination immediately before transitioning to civilian life. However, there is currently no requirement that they be examined by a mental health professional. This leaves a massive, and too often lethal, gap in how we evaluate the health and well being of our veterans. In June, I offered an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would close this gap. The change would ultimately require a mental health assessment before transitioning out of the military. Today, we learned that the amendment has been approved and will appear in the final version of the NDAA. Both the House and Senate will vote on the legislation this year. Ensuring that our service members receive comprehensive mental healthcare evaluations prior to returning to civilian life is critically important because doing so increases the chances we get veterans the treatment they need. We have an utterly unacceptable crisis in suicide among veterans. More than 20 a day are taking their own lives after bravely putting those same lives on the line for our country. These veterans are fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters — Americans who made great sacrifices for our country. Their deaths are an epidemic that we must — and can — stop. Doing so first requires tearing down the stigma that surrounds mental health and PTSD. We know that too many of our service members don’t seek voluntary evaluations or worry that doing so will somehow make them less heroic. Our amendment makes these evaluations routine, and introduces service members to the topic of mental health before they separate. Given what these veterans have laid down for this country, what they have done for the United States, making us stronger and better, serving at less than 1% since 9/11 so that so many others do not have to serve, the least we can do is to make sure that they have access to… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-defends-johnson-amendment-preserves-integrity-independence | Rep. Doggett Defends Johnson Amendment that Preserves Integrity & Independence of Religious Organizations | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, defended the Johnson Amendment, in support of Congressman John Lewis’s (D-GA) amendment, which would restore the 63-year standard that prohibits religious, non-profit, charitable, and related organizations from engaging in political activities. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech here. A portion of Rep. Doggett’s remarks in Committee are below: “We don’t need a First Church of Political Expediency, or a United Congregation of Available Political Endorsements, or a Megachurch of Mega PACs, and that’s where this bill would lead. “What President Johnson as a senator did, was to ensure that political activity cannot be done with tax-deductible funds. There is enough damage already done to our elections laws and campaign laws – let’s not involve our places of worship to become manipulated by wealthy donors and partisan interests to change them from their valued religious purpose.” More than 4,500 charities and over 100 religious leaders have voiced their support for maintaining the Johnson Amendment. You may also view Rep. Doggett’s full speech on his amendment to restore critical education deductions eliminated in H.R. 1, introduced this morning, here. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech on his Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs amendment, introduced yesterday, here. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech on his Motion to Postpone amendment, introduced Monday, here. ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett |Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett | Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-introduces-amendment-restore-education-deductions | Rep. Doggett Introduces Amendment to Restore Education Deductions | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 8, 2017 Contact: Jaimie Woo (202) 225-4865 Rep. Doggett Introduces Amendment to Restore Education Deductions WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, introduced an amendment to restore critical education deductions – including the Student Loan Interest deduction, Teacher Expenses deduction, and Tuition and Fees deduction – that the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1) would eliminate. Rep. Doggett’s amendment would also simplify and expand the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). A portion of Rep. Doggett’s remarks in Committee are below and a link to his full remarks follow: “With the economic evidence so clear, that the Republican tax bill is a job killer – that it will not grow our economy – we look to alternatives to accomplish growth in our economy and create jobs here. My alternative centers on investing in people. Instead of investing in people and education, this Republican bill takes away those education tax incentives and benefits. “If you look at the class of 2016, proud graduates throwing their caps in the air, two-thirds of them graduated not only with a diploma, but with a burden of debt. The average debt for those students in 2016 is $35,000 – those are the students who benefit from being able to deduct the interest on their loans that Republicans would deny them. “In addition to getting us back to even and restoring the $65-67 billion in cuts Republicans make, we adopt the same simplification program to the American Opportunity Tax Credit that I have worked on since 2009. Instead of taking away from that program, we use the savings from simplification to expand and enhance the program so that more students will have genuine opportunity, and that we will not see financial burden as a reason that every young person does not get the education for which they are willing to work.” H.R. 1 would repeal above-the-line deductions for interest payments o… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/republican-amendment-ambush-157-billion-multinational-giveaway | Republican Amendment by Ambush is $157 Billion Multinational Giveaway | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke during the Republican Tax Bill (H.R. 1) mark-up concerning how the Republican’s last-minute amendment is a $157 billion giveaway to multinational corporations. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech here. Rep. Doggett said: “On Monday, five and a half hours after this Committee began, the Chairman urged adoption of a 33-page amendment no Democrat had ever seen before [Amendment 1]. He would not tell us what was in this amendment, what it cost, nor would he permit us even five minutes to review this complex amendment outside of the committee. “Mr. Levin correctly called this a ‘mockery’ of the committee, that essentially placed us under ‘authoritarian’ rule. I have now reviewed that surprise amendment and the Joint Taxation Committee analysis – it is a $157 billion gift to multinational tax dodgers—particularly the Koch brothers and big Wall Street banks. $157 billion of the total $160 billion cost of this amendment presented in secret endeavors, is to tax attorneys who can find more ways in foreign islands to avoid paying taxes. The Republicans have eroded 95 percent of the ‘base erosion’ provisions of their original bill. “With the same $157 billion that is a corporate giveaway – the medical expense deduction for middle class families, the student loan interest deduction to help with loans that are burdening so many students, the out-of-pocket cost of teachers across America, the adoption tax credit, the American Opportunity Tax Credit to help veterans and others get back in our workforce – all of those could have been included in this bill and still would have left a billion or two left to spare. “And now Republicans apparently plan another amendment by the Chair—another amendment by ambush to significantly change this bill. This will only lead to more wrongs because the debate on the entire bill will close before we ever have the cost analysis or the full implications on what … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://ebjohnson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-eddie-bernice-johnson-releases-statement-after-co-hosting | Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Releases Statement after Co-Hosting Blue Collar STEM Briefing | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Eddie Johnson | J000126 | ebjohnson.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Johnson released the following statement today after co-hosting a briefing with Members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), entitled Blue Collar STEM: The Future of the U.S. Workforce. The briefing was organized to demonstrate a commitment by policymakers to support efforts to modernize our approach to workforce training and help steer young leaders into fields that will enable them to compete in a global economy. This event was organized with her co-chair of the CBC Technology and Infrastructure Development Task Force, Congresswoman Val Demings: “The discussion surrounding the future our of workforce and the skills necessary to succeed in a 21st century economy is one that must continue,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “When we discuss opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and the future of our workforce, the conversation should also be inclusive of those who have chosen to pursue a two-year degree or vocational training. Every person deserves the opportunity to participate in our economy.” “This is the first in a series of events aimed at highlighting the importance and value of blue collar STEM fields and what it means to include traditionally underrepresented segments of the population. It is my personal commitment to join my colleagues of the Congressional Black Caucus and others in Congress to ensure that every American has the tools they need to excel in these new fields.” The following individuals participated in the panel: Dr. Victor McCrary, Vice President for Research and Economic Develop, Morgan State University and National Science Board Member; Dr. Steve McGee, President of The Learning Partnership; Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer at Code.org; and Jacqueline E. Rodriguez, Program Associate at Opportunity@Work. The briefing was moderated by Spencer Overton, President of The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. To watch the briefing, click here. Pictures from the briefing, click here. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-spotlights-new-tax-analysis-gop-will-raise-taxes-12-million | Rep. Green Spotlights New Tax Analysis: GOP Will Raise Taxes on 1.2 Million Middle Class Households in Texas | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC — Following a state-by-state assessment conducted by the non-partisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Congressman Green today released information finding that the Ryan-McConnell tax bill will increase taxes for 1.2 million households in Texas earning $75,180, an average of $650 increase per household. “After looking at the tax plan released by my GOP colleagues, I do not believe it will be good for the country or for the 29th District of Texas, and I cannot support it,” said Green. “While there may be some short-term, slight tax decreases for some, most of the benefit by far will go to the wealthy and to large businesses. In the long term, I fear the bill’s impacts will be even worse for the low-income and the middle class.” The Ryan-McConnell tax bill eliminates vital tax deductions used by millions of middle-class families nationwide. The GOP bill would begin double taxing families’ income by dismantling the State and Local Tax Deduction, impose a new cap on the mortgage interest deduction that hurts future homebuyers and drives down home values, eliminate the student loan interest deduction and critical job training credits, and eliminate the vital medical expense deduction relied on by families with sick children and by seniors with long-term care needs. Meanwhile, under the Ryan-McConnell bill, corporations would get new incentives for shipping American jobs overseas. Corporate America would also get vast, permanent tax breaks, in addition to being allowed to keep certain deductions that Republicans eliminate for individuals and families – such as the State and Local Tax Deduction. “I’m also afraid of where the GOP thinks they can find the money to help pay for this plan,” said Green. “More than likely, that money will come from programs for the low-income and the elderly. Where is that concern about the deficit now? I’d like to know what programs the majority plans to eliminate to pay for this $1.5 trillion tax break.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/ensuring-our-democracy-is-powered-by-people-589fdd945223?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Ensuring Our Democracy is Powered by People | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Ensuring Our Democracy is Powered by People Yesterday, elections in Texas and across the country proved once again the power of everyday people making their voices heard in our Democracy. That’s how our country should work — people having more power than PACs, access to our government that is not restricted by how much you can pay, and voters choosing their representatives instead of the other way around. These values, that our Democracy functions best when it’s fueled by people, is why I co-sponsored the We the People Democracy Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 3537). This legislation consists of various critically important campaign finance, good government, and ethics reform provisions. One of these is my Real Time Transparency Act (H.R. 1548), which would require all candidates for federal office to report contributions of over $1,000 to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within 48 hours. This bill simply makes sense for our Democracy. If someone donates $1,000 or more to a candidate or political committee, the public has the right to know about it. We don’t need even more money flowing into our electoral system without proper disclosure and accountability. Partner legislation (S. 1880) to the We The People Act has also been introduced in the Senate, where it has 14 co-sponsors. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-leads-discussion-on-jobs-expanding-educational-opportunities | Rep. Veasey Leads Discussion on Jobs, Expanding Educational Opportunities with Bell Helicopter Expert | 2017-11-08 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Marc Veasey, a co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus Access to Jobs Task Force, led a discussion with Members of Congress and experts on jobs, education, and vocational training to discuss how Democrats can further promote commonsense policies that benefit working men and women in America. As part of the House Democratic Caucus Jobs for America effort, the Access to Jobs Task Force met to consider ways to expand apprenticeships and the middle class and create opportunities for the hardest-working individuals in the country. "Apprenticeships in the manufacturing sector ensure that we train top talent in companies that offer good-paying jobs for our workforce. By ensuring we connect our future workforce with readily available jobs right here in the DFW Metroplex and across the nation, we have the ability to maintain our nation's competitive edge in the 21st century," Congressman Marc Veasey said. Congressman Veasey invited Tricia Hiros, Principal Engineer, Manufacturing Projects for Bell Helicopter & Skills Committee Chair for DFW Aerospace Consortium to provide expert testimony at the forum. The Access to Jobs Task Force will help workers achieve their full potential by expanding access to capital, educational opportunities – including vocational skills development, professional licensing, and apprenticeship training – and eliminating senseless and outdated social barriers to work that affect many communities. The five Democratic Caucus Jobs for America Task Forces will create opportunities for growth, boost hardworking families, and give every worker the opportunity to achieve the American dream by developing legislation focused on investing in key industries. The effort was launched by House Democratic Caucus. "Apprenticeship and other programs can help open the doors of opportunity for hardworking men and women, providing American workers with the chance to develop skills that allow them to advance in their fields," said House Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley (D-… | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/democrats-say-paradise-papers-leak-should-derail-gop-s-tax-overhaul | Democrats say Paradise Papers leak should derail GOPs tax overhaul | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | Top Democrats said Monday that the so-called “Paradise Papers,” a leaked cache of millions of documents exposing major world figures’ use of offshore tax havens, are damning enough to derail the GOP’s push for an overhaul of the U.S. tax code. Several top Trump administration figures, including Commerce Secretary Wilbur J. Ross Jr., Chief Economic Adviser Gary Cohn and Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson, appear in the data. Mr. Ross in particular appears to have an ownership stake in a shipping company that does business with a Russian firm whose owners are connected to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Paradise Papers are a massive cache of documents from Appleby, a law firm that advises on how to offshore. The documents were obtained by a German newspaper and shared with an international consortium of investigative reporters, which released reporting on them this week. Democrats said the revelations should sour the entire debate over the GOP’s plans to overhaul the existing tax code, saying the legislation doesn’t do enough to shut down offshoring. ”The revelations in the Paradise Papers are proof positive that the Republican tax plan favors the wealthy and betrays the middle class in this country, who are the ones left carrying the financial burden of massive corporate tax avoidance,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on tax matters in the Senate. In the House, where the GOP tax bill hit the Ways and Means Committee on Monday, Democrats said the revelations pump the brakes on the push. ”These new reports from yesterday raise a number of questions about Trump allies,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Texas Democrat. Their attempt to delay was defeated on a party-line 24-16 vote. Mentioned in the new documents are Mr. Cohn, who had holdings in Bermuda while an executive at Goldman Sachs, and Mr. Tillerson, who was part of a Bermuda-based joint venture while head of Exxon Mobil, according to the consortium’s reporting. In the case of Mr. Ross, he has maintained an ow… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-introduces-amendment-stop-outsourcing-american-jobs | Rep. Doggett Introduces Amendment to Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, in the Ways & Means committee mark-up of the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1) introduced his Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs Amendment, which would require that multinational corporations looking to invest offshore pay the same tax rate as small businesses or domestic companies investing here in America. Rep. Doggett spoke multiple times on his amendment, and a portion of his remarks are below, with two of his full speeches following: “President Trump has made stopping the outsourcing of American jobs a central element of his promise to the American people. Unfortunately, like his promise to have Mexico pay for his unnecessary wall, it’s very much a broken promise.” “It is flat wrong that the corner pharmacy should have to pay a rate that is substantially higher on its operations than Pfizer on its operations. My amendment ensures that both are treated the same way – that we tax profits earned abroad the same way that they are taxed here at home.” “All my amendment does is treat people who earn profits abroad the same way as those who earn profits at home. We’re not against profits; we’re not against maximizing profits; just pay your fair share. When you set up a system, as has been done in this bill, that creates one rate abroad that could be zero and at home it is 20 percent, guess where this money is going to flow? It will flow out of America, just like the jobs will flow out of America.” “If you believe in keeping our jobs at home, and believe we have lost too many already, don’t create a system that the only jobs that it will add are more tax lawyers and more CPAs to find ways to dodge taxes. They have dodged enough. They have dodged $100 billion a year.” You may view Rep. Doggett’s full introduction of his Stop Outsourcing of American Jobs amendment here and follow-up remarks here. The text of his amendment can be found here. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech on his Motio… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/whitehouse-doggett-call-action-tax-haven-bill-wake-paradise-papers | Whitehouse, Doggett Call for Action on Tax Haven Bill in Wake of Paradise Papers | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – In the wake of the explosive Paradise Papers, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) called on Republicans to take up legislation to crack down on the use of offshore tax havens by corporations and the ultra-wealthy. The Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act, introduced in April by Whitehouse and Doggett, would limit the ways corporations can game the U.S. tax system by moving jobs and assets abroad. “These documents pull back the curtain on a complex shell game, where corporations’ staggering profits disappear offshore and rematerialize when the time is right and the tax liability is the lowest,” said Whitehouse and Doggett. “Middle-class American families can’t set up their own Grand Cayman subsidiaries. Instead, they’re left paying a bigger share of taxes than they should. As the Paradise Papers show, we need to shut down tax havens and bring jobs and earnings back to our shores, not hand out more goodies to the super-rich, as the Republicans’ tax plan would do. Congress needs to take up the Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act now.” The Paradise Papers, released this week by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and a network of media partners around the globe, show how American corporate goliaths like Apple and Nike avoid paying tens or even hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes using complicated schemes involving shifting profits through subsidiaries in low-tax foreign jurisdictions. According to the New York Times’s review of the Paradise Papers, Apple has stashed away at least $128 billion in profits offshore by exploiting tax law in the English Channel island of Jersey, which has no corporate income tax. And Apple is just one of numerous major companies found in the trove of Paradise Papers documents. “U.S. multinational firms are the global grandmasters of tax avoidance schemes,” former corporate tax adviser Edward D. Kleinbard told the Times. The Stop Tax Haven Abuse Act (S.851; H.R.1932) would close a number of tax loopholes, eliminate incentive… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/passing-two-bills-to-support-our-veterans-d230e40f6791?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Passing Two Bills to Support Our Veterans | 2017-11-07 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Passing Two Bills to Support Our Veterans Two substantial pieces of legislation aimed at supporting our veterans in Texas and throughout the country have passed the House of Representatives hours before Veterans Day. The Veteran Urgent Access to Mental Healthcare Act (H.R. 918) passed the House with bipartisan support. I advocated for the legislation in committee and in front of the full House because it requires the VA to conduct an initial mental health assessment, and provide subsequent critical mental health services to former military personnel who were discharged under other-than-honorable conditions. Currently, those discharged from service under other-than-honorable conditions are ineligible for such services. The bill also requires the VA to add resources into studying the mental health effects of combat. We need to ensure that our veterans have preventative care, continuous care, and continuity in that care going forward so that we save more of these lives. Given what these veterans laid down for this country, what they have done for the United States, the least we can do is to make sure they have access to the care they have earned. The bipartisan VALOR Act (H.R. 3949) also passed this afternoon. Last month, I joined Congressmen Ro Khanna (CA-17) and Jodey Arrington (TX-19) to introduce the bipartisan legislation, which will provide military veterans increased access to apprenticeship training programs. Guiding the legislation through the House Veterans Affairs Committee, we ensured that the legislation will streamline how apprenticeship programs located in more than one state are certified. Making apprenticeships more accessible is always a win-win for our veterans and our businesses. And doing so through the VALOR Act is a golden opportunity to support those transitioning from active duty to civilian life in El Paso, throughout Texas and across the country as they look to build on their skillset for our twenty-first century workforce. But beyond doing what’s right for those who served, the VALOR Act … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-introduces-motion-postpone-republican-tax-bill-mark | Rep. Doggett Introduces Motion to Postpone Republican Tax Bill Mark-Up | 2017-11-06 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, introduced a Motion to Postpone debate of the House Republicans’ tax bill (H.R. 1) for several reasons, including the release yesterday of the “Paradise Papers.” A portion of Rep. Doggett’s remarks in Committee are below and a link to his full remarks follow: “This Motion simply requests that we reconvene this markup for next week. Our objective is insight, not delay. Incredibly, for this legislation of such magnitude, after so many years, this plan has never had a single public hearing, nor has any member of the Trump Administration official have the courage to come before this Committee and answer questions about this bill. No expert witness has been given the opportunity to explain this bill’s deficiencies, nor has there been an opportunity for thorough independent evaluation of the proposal in this this rush to injustice. “Despite our efforts, we still lack the tax returns of President Trump and his 500 plus entities that might show how he and his family will personally benefit. “And thanks to a free press and investigative journalism, we have the release of the first information on the ‘Paradise Papers’ concerning offshore tax avoidance in Bermuda and other island tax havens. These explosive revelations once again sound the alarm about the inequities of our tax system and disturbing amounts of tax avoidance. When the privileged avoid their taxes, individuals, small businesses, and domestic businesses are forced to pick up the tab for vital government services. “Like the rushed-through Trump immigration policy and the health care repeal disaster, we need to learn from experience, we need some vetting – in the President’s words, we need ‘extreme vetting.’ If you don’t have anything to hide, a week and one public hearing won’t impair your efforts.” The House Republican tax bill was belatedly revealed on Thursday, November 2, and mark-up of the bill begins today. There have been no pu… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-republicans-are-convinced-donald-trump-golden-ticket-getting | Rep. Doggett: Republicans are Convinced Donald Trump is the Golden Ticket to Getting their Holy Grail | 2017-11-06 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, called the Republican tax bill (H.R. 1) a “job killer” and urged Americans to learn more and speak out against it. A portion of Rep. Doggett’s remarks in Committee are below and a link to his full remarks follow: “There is no wrongdoing in which Donald Trump can engage, no insult, no attack on our justice system or our law enforcement, no endangerment of our security, that will cause many of our Republican colleagues to say ‘enough’ or to speak out about that wrongdoing, because they are convinced that Donald Trump is the golden ticket to getting their Holy Grail. If the American people continue to study the impact of this bill, and speak out, then this great harm can be prevented. “The multinational corporations are not going to be filing their tax returns on a postcard. Under the international provisions of this bill, they have an incentive to build their factories abroad. We are going to see the export of even more American jobs and the outsourcing of those jobs to other countries. This bill basically is a job killer. Its underlying premise – that if you throw enough money to those at the top, it will trickle down and grow the economy – has been refuted by almost every economist that has looked at that, including Goldman Sachs. It is essential that we not outsource more American jobs, that we not burden this generation and future generations with more debt.” You may view Rep. Doggett’s full Committee speech here. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech on his Motion to Postpone amendment, introduced earlier, here. You may view Rep. Doggett’s statement issued after the release of the “Paradise Papers” here. The House Republican tax bill was belatedly revealed on Thursday, November 2, and mark-up of the bill began today. There have been no public hearings on H.R. 1 specifically. On Sunday, November 5, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the “Par… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-speaks-out-against-surprise-amendment-ways-means-republicans | Rep. Doggett Speaks Out Against Surprise Amendment by Ways & Means Republicans | 2017-11-06 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, D.C. – This evening, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke out against a surprise move by Ways and Means Republicans, who dropped a far-reaching 33-page amendment to a 400-plus page bill that itself only was made public on Thursday. This is not worthy of this Committee’s important work, and has lobbyist fingerprints all over it: Rep. Doggett responded as captured in this video. You may view an earlier speech given by Rep. Doggett here. You may view Rep. Doggett’s full speech on his Motion to Postpone amendment, introduced earlier, here. You may view Rep. Doggett’s statement issued after the release of the “Paradise Papers” here. The House Republican tax bill was belatedly revealed on Thursday, November 2, and mark-up of the bill began today. There have been no public hearings on H.R. 1 specifically. On Sunday, November 5, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) released the “Paradise Papers” and announced a global investigation of offshore tax avoidance activities by politicians, world leaders, and multinational corporations. ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett |Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett | Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://medium.com/@RepBetoORourke/thoughts-on-sutherland-springs-793ab9af8317?source=rss-964ef69221bc------2 | Thoughts on Sutherland Springs | 2017-11-06 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Beto O'Rourke | O000170 | medium.com | legacy | Thoughts on Sutherland Springs Amy and I have struggled to explain to our children what happened in Sutherland Springs yesterday. And why this happens so often in our country. Another mass shooting, this time in our home state of Texas. I can’t help but admit to them that, for the time being, our country has decided to meet these acts of terror and mass murder as though they were natural disasters. Maybe we don’t know how to process something that is so completely out of line with the way the world is supposed to work. Or maybe this kind of terror is so common that we just assume that this is how the world actually works, and so it doesn’t really move us to change it. As a country, we are saddened, heartbroken. But, unless it happens directly to us or our family, we are also numb to it in any meaningful way. Lots of prayers offered. Words of condolence and encouragement. Collectively we conclude: this kind of thing just happens in our country. Just hope it doesn’t happen to us. There has got to be a more effective way to respond. Here are my thoughts. They begin with acknowledging that beyond God’s power, beyond fate and providence, we have a responsibility to each other. To protect each other, our children and the lives of those around us. These are human acts of terror and violence. There is a human solution to them beyond offering prayers. We know that guns designed to kill as many people as possible as quickly as possible — designed for use by militaries to kill enemy soldiers — will be used by some to kill people quickly, efficiently and effectively when they are sold to civilians in our communities. We know that without extensive background checks, applied to everyone, those who should not own firearms will have them and use them to kill others or themselves. We know that this country — with poor standards and access to mental health care; more intensely riven by partisan invective and divide than at any time since the Civil War; with more people feeling more isolated and separated than ever; missing the co… | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-veasey-to-honor-eight-local-heroes-during-veterans-town-hall-in | Rep. Veasey to Honor Eight Local Heroes during Veterans Town Hall in Dallas | 2017-11-06 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Marc A. Veasey | V000131 | veasey.house.gov | veasey | https://veasey.house.gov/media-center/press-releases | scraper | Fort Worth, Texas – On Friday, November 10, 2017, Congressman Marc Veasey will honor eight local veterans with the Congressional Veteran Commendation at his annual Veterans Town Hall from 5-7 PM at American Legion Post 275 in Dallas. Recipients of the award include: Ms. Castella Combs, Ms. Tynetta W. Runnels, Mrs. Tristeza Ordex-Ramirez, Mr. Jonathan Saenz, Mr. Herman Henderson Jr., Mr. Raymond Rivera, Mr. Rogerio Perez, and Mr. Ollis Donald Chalmers. Following the ceremony, veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families are encouraged to participate in the Veterans Town Hall to share their thoughts and concerns about how Congress can best represent America's veterans. What: 2017 Veterans Town Hall and 33rd District Congressional Veterans Commendation (CVC) Ceremony When: Friday, November 10, 2017 from 5PM – 7PM CT Where: American Legion Post 275 2804 S. Cockrell Hill Road Dallas, Texas MEDIA: Members of the press interested in scheduling interviews and covering this event must RSVP by calling Nelly Decker at 202-225-9897 or emailing, nelly.decker@mail.house.gov. For event information, call Daniel Castro at 817-920-9086 or 214-741-1387. Congressional Veterans Commendation Program (CVC) The CVC is a nominations-based program designed to recognize the wartime sacrifices and peacetime community involvement of veterans of the 33rd Congressional District of Texas. To be eligible, veterans must currently reside in the 33rd Congressional District. Nominees have served as active duty military personnel, active duty in the United States Armed Forces or a reservist called to active duty, or retired from the US Armed Forces with honorable discharge. ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-08T22:12:50Z |
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/widespread-offshore-tax-dodging-revelations-shows-urgent-need-postpone | Widespread Offshore Tax Dodging Revelations Shows Urgent Need to Postpone GOP Tax Bill Approval | 2017-11-05 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, reacted to the important disclosures by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in releasing the “Paradise Papers” and announcing a global investigation of offshore tax avoidance activities by politicians, world leaders, and multinational corporations. Rep. Doggett said: “These explosive revelations once again sound the alarm about the inequities of our tax system and the disturbing amount of tax avoidance. When the privileged avoid their taxes, individuals and small businesses are forced to pick up the tab for vital government services. “With House Republicans in charge, powerful tax dodgers know they are in paradise. Since the Panama Papers were released last year, Republicans have refused to heed my call for Committee action, including thorough investigatory hearings. These papers have revealed corruption, money laundering, and tax fraud. These reports also raise questions about a number of Trump allies, his billionaire buddies, and multinational corporations worldwide that have so much to gain from this Republican tax bill. Consideration of the Republican tax plan to reward tax dodgers and incentivize outsourcing of more American jobs abroad should be postponed until a thorough examination of these documents has occurred.” The ICIJ’s report can be found here. ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett |Twitter:@RepLloydDoggett | Instagram:@RepLloydDoggett | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://gonzalez.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-gonzalez-issues-statement-shooting-first-baptist-church-sutherland | Congressman Gonzalez Issues Statement on Shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas | 2017-11-05 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Vicente Gonzalez | G000581 | gonzalez.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) issued the following statement in response to the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, that left multiple dead and injured. "My heart goes out to those affected by today’s shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, that has left multiple people dead and many more injured. As one of the representatives for Wilson County, this senseless tragedy hits close to home and feels deeply personal,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “I thank all first responders for acting swiftly to address this unfortunate situation and will continue to be in contact with the Wilson County Sheriff's Office and federal law enforcement agencies as more details become available. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families and the fine people of Sutherland Springs and Wilson County.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://doggett.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-doggett-republican-indifference-endangering-children | Rep. Doggett: Republican Indifference Endangering Children | 2017-11-03 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Lloyd Doggett | D000399 | doggett.house.gov | legacy | Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke on the House Floor in support of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which Republicans let expire at the end of September. Rep. Doggett said: “The Children’s Health Insurance Program began as a truly bipartisan initiative, but now it is overwhelmed by Republican indifference, endangering children. So low is it on their priority list that they let the law expire… 400,000 Texas children are at risk if this program is not be continued. In the face of this crisis, their response is – we won’t put another new dollar in this program unless we take it from Medicare beneficiaries.” You can watch Rep. Doggett’s full remarks here. ### Follow Lloyd Doggett Facebook: www.Facebook.com/RepLloydDoggett |Twitter: @RepLloydDoggett | Instagram: @RepLloydDoggett | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/houston-area-congressman-introduce-resolution-congratulating-houston | Houston-area Congressmen Introduce Resolution Congratulating the Houston Astros on their World Series Championship | 2017-11-03 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Gene Green (TX-29) and Pete Olson (TX-22) introduced a resolution Friday congratulating the Houston Astros on winning the 2017 Major League Baseball World Series, the first World Series title for the franchise, which began as the Houston Colt .45s in 1962. “After everything Houston has experienced since Hurricane Harvey, it was a true joy to see our Astros unify the city and bring home the championship,” said Green. “Every single player and coach who contributed to the success of this season deserves to be recognized. The team put the city on their backs and played as hard as they could, every inning, and every game throughout the season and playoffs. We have been waiting for a long time for a World Series title and are proud of what our team accomplished. Thank you to the Astros for bringing Houston a sense of hope. Together, we all earned history.” “All of Houston is incredibly proud of our Astros baseball team who delivered a stunning victory for our city,” said Olson. “The resiliency of this team reflects the resiliency of our city and region in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. This team never quit and delivered the inspiration we needed to get us through some dark times. As we continue our rebuilding, we’ve watched a young team with talent and heart rack up win after win, beating stellar teams like the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers to bring home our first World Series title. This victory is a shared victory by the team and a city that has stood by our team through good and bad. We are immensely proud of this victory and honored to share this moment with this organization! The Astros and everyone from our region are #HoustonStrong and this is truly #EarnedHistory.” Cosponsors of the resolution include Reps. Jodey Arrington, Brian Babin, Joe Barton, Michael Burgess, Kevin Brady, John Carter, Michael Conaway, John Culberson, Lloyd Doggett, Blake Farenthold, Bill Flores, Louie Gohmert, Vicente Gonzalez, Kay Granger, Al Green, Jeb Hensarling, Will Hurd, Sheila Jackson … | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | ||
| https://green.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-green-blasts-partisan-gop-bill-fund-chip-and-fqhcs | Rep. Green Blasts Partisan GOP Bill to Fund CHIP and FQHCs | 2017-11-03 | 2017 | 2017-11 | Democrat | House | TX | Gene Green | G000410 | green.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Gene Green, Ranking Member of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement on the partisan House Republican bill to reauthorize funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program and Federally Qualified Health Community Centers: “While I strongly support extending funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), delaying cuts to Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments, and advancing other critical healthcare programs, this legislation includes offsets that undermine access to coverage and services and shortchanges the American citizens in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Both CHIP and FQHCs are bedrocks of our health care system, providing health insurance to almost 9 million lower-income children and serving on the front lines by providing high-quality primary and preventative care to more than 25 million Americans, respectively. Rather than continuing bipartisan negotiations and looking for a compromise, the GOP moved forward with offsets that undermine health coverage for people who rely on Medicaid and Medicare and dramatic cuts the Public Health Prevention Fund, which supports vaccination programs, infectious disease detection and prevention, and chronic disease prevention. The notion that we have to cut important programs and take insurance away from one group to give it to another is a false choice. I hope my colleagues in the Senate can work on a bipartisan compromise that will provide full and stable funding for these programs for five years in a way that does not reduce care or kick other people off their health insurance.” ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |
Advanced export
JSON shape: default, array, newline-delimited, object
CREATE TABLE [releases] (
[url] TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
[title] TEXT,
[date] TEXT,
[year] TEXT,
[month] TEXT,
[party] TEXT,
[chamber] TEXT,
[state] TEXT,
[member_name] TEXT,
[bioguide_id] TEXT,
[domain] TEXT,
[scraper] TEXT,
[source] TEXT,
[date_source] TEXT,
[text] TEXT,
[has_text] INTEGER,
[collected_at] TEXT,
[updated_at] TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_date]
ON [releases] ([date]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_year]
ON [releases] ([year]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_party]
ON [releases] ([party]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_chamber]
ON [releases] ([chamber]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_state]
ON [releases] ([state]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_bioguide_id]
ON [releases] ([bioguide_id]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_has_text]
ON [releases] ([has_text]);