Moran Minute: Fighting for East Texas: National Security, Innovation, and RRAD

Dear East Texas,

Following a week of district work, Congress reconvened in Washington to continue advocating for the American people and advancing the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) as the Senate begins to work through the reconciliation bill now that it has advanced out of the House. While we fight for economic security, we must also confront threats to our national security.

The final pillar of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB) is about one thing: winning. That means ending taxpayer handouts to woke elites, taking power away from entrenched bureaucrats, and standing up to our greatest geopolitical threat—the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

As a member of the Select Committee on the CCP, I’ve seen firsthand how China exploits our trade laws, siphons green energy subsidies, and threatens America’s supply chains. The OBBB puts a stop to that by eliminating the tax loopholes and green corporate welfare programs that Democrats baked into the so-called Inflation Reduction Act—many of which flowed straight to China. These reforms alone will save taxpayers over $500 billion and slam the door on Beijing’s access to American subsidies.

But it doesn’t stop there.

The OBBB ends the IRS’s dangerous Direct File program, doubles jail time for leaking confidential taxpayer information, and shuts down pandemic-era slush funds riddled with fraud—reforms I’ve already championed on the House floor, which you can watch here.

We’re also restoring fairness: ending tax breaks for illegal immigrants and requiring up-front income verification for government benefits. And we’re unleashing the power of AI to stop improper payments at HHS and save taxpayers billions more.

This is what it means to fight and win for the American people—and to make sure that Washington works for East Texas again, not the other way around.

Last week, I led a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth—joined by 11 members of the Texas Congressional Delegation—calling for continued and expanded operations at Red River Army Depot (RRAD), a national defense asset located right here in Northeast Texas.

Red River Army Depot (RRAD) is a cost-efficient, mission-critical facility that plays a central role in maintaining the readiness of our armed forces. As the Army’s designated Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Tactical Wheeled Vehicles, RRAD supports vital systems like the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, the High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), and the Bradley Fighting Vehicle—not just for the Army, but for the Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy as well.

We’re in active conversations with the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, and Army Chief of Staff General Randy A. George to ensure RRAD continues to operate at full capacity and is considered for future mission growth. It doesn’t waste taxpayer dollars—it maximizes them. And it does so with a lean, capable workforce of 3,500 Texans who have repeatedly met our nation’s call. From the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to our support for Israel, the workers at Red River Army Depot have given our country a tactical advantage over our adversaries.

We’re also grateful to have had leaders from the Texarkana region in Washington this week to help make the case directly. I was proud to support their visit and to stand with them in defense of a facility that means so much to our economy—and even more to our national security.

As I’ve said before: peace through strength isn’t just a motto—it’s a mission. And RRAD is a key part of making that mission a success.

Read the full letter here.

We had a great turnout at last week’s meeting with the East Texas Realtors. It’s always valuable to hear directly from the folks who know our local housing market best. I remain committed to supporting policies that foster a strong, stable real estate market right here at home—because when East Texans can invest in their communities, everyone benefits.

I was honored to receive an A+ rating from the Council for Innovation Promotion—the only Member of the House to receive an A+ rating—for my work defending intellectual property rights in Congress. Innovation is key to American strength and growing our economy, and we must protect the ideas, inventions, and creators that drive our economy forward.

I’ll keep working on behalf of our small businesses and American inventors to ensure our patent system works for them, not insiders.

Earlier last week, I was honored to receive the Guardian of Seniors’ Rights Award from the 60 Plus Association, a group dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of senior citizens across America.

This award recognizes public officials who are committed to defending the programs that support our seniors. I’m proud to stand with the 60 Plus Association in that mission.

Our seniors built the foundation of our communities—and I’ll keep fighting to make sure they’re protected, supported, and never forgotten.

On June 6, 1944, Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France. The invasion was officially known as Operation Overlord, but D-Day was the codename for the initial day of the invasion, with “D” signifying day. The sacrifices made by Allied troops marks the beginning of the Western Allies’ liberation of Europe from Nazi control. 

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.

It is an honor to be your voice in Congress.

With gratitude,

Nathaniel Moran

Member of Congress