Friends,
Congress has officially reached the time of year referred to as “August Recess,” but – despite what the name implies – this month will be the furthest thing from a vacation.
Until the 1930s, the House and Senate would only stay in session for five or six months – finishing their business in the middle of the summer unless a conflict or war required them to remain in Washington, D.C. However, by the 1960s, legislative sessions were lasting longer and longer. In 1963, the Senate remained in a marathon session from January to December with no breaks longer than the occasional three-day weekend.
Finally, Congress recognized the need for an August recess to offer Members the chance to travel home, address home-state business, and reconnect with their constituents. Since 1971, Congress has used this annual recess for that very purpose, and even early opponents recognized the value. One Senator from Indiana rightly said, “The feedback you get while hitting the fish fries…gives you a totally different feeling than you get in Washington.”
I am taking full advantage of this opportunity to spend the next several weeks traveling across East Texas, visiting each of the seventeen counties in the First District to speak directly with you about what is going on in Washington, D.C. and hear what you would like to see Congress accomplish before the year’s end.
I look forward to seeing many of you on the road, and as always, if there is an issue or concern you’d like to share with me – please do not hesitate to reach out at (202) 225-3035 or send me a message by clicking HERE.
It’s going to be a great month in East Texas.
|
Before the start of the August recess, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing to examine the disastrous failure to plan for the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
During this hearing, I heard directly from military officials who were in Afghanistan with knowledge of the areas the Administration overlooked. With proper preparation, the tragic deaths of thirteen U.S. servicemen could have been prevented. These hearings are vital in ensuring that we never allow this disfunction to occur on such a high-level ever again.
My full line of questioning is available by clicking HERE or on the video below.
|
The House of Representatives recently passed H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2024. This legislation fully funds military facilities and supports our veterans while responsibly lowering overall spending levels to those of Fiscal Year 2022.
This legislation builds upon the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which provided our men and women in uniform with a 5.2% pay increase – the largest in history.
|
Republicans in the 118th Congress are committed to holding our government officials to account for wrongdoing. Over 200 Biden officials have testified before Congress, over 200 hearings have been held, and 34 subpoenas have been issued.
Regardless of political affiliation, every American wants a government that is transparent and held accountable. It’s the only way we can trust the decisions being made on our behalf.
Accountability requires a process where we are guided by the correct legal standard, build a factual basis to determine if this legal standard has been met, and undergirded by a process that reassures the American people that every decision made is not politically motivated; rather, it is grounded in reason and fair and equitable application of the law.
I recently joined House leadership to reaffirm our Commitment to America – specifically, our commitment to a government that is accountable. My remarks are available by clicking HERE or viewing below.
|
Texas Republicans came together for a press conference recently to protect Texas’ right to defend itself against the unlawful invasion of people, drugs, weapons, and contraband across our southern border. Border security is national security, and we will not sit idly by and wait for the Biden Administration to take action.
In December, the Texas Delegation developed a legislative framework to secure the border – many initiatives of which were included in H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023 that passed the House of Representatives earlier this year.
My full remarks are available by clicking HERE or on the video below.
|
Dealing with federal agencies can be complicated, and my office is here to help.
If you need help with Social Security, the IRS, passport renewals, the VA, or other federal agencies – please do not hesitate to reach out to my office by calling (903) 561-6349 or visiting my website by clicking HERE.
It is an honor to be your voice in Congress.
With gratitude,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nathaniel Moran
Member of Congress
|
|
|
|
