Moran Minute: Cutting Waste. Driving Growth. Restoring America’s Strength.

Dear East Texas,

This week, the House passed a rescissions package to codify $9.4 billion in wasteful spending identified by President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). A rescissions package is a legislative tool that allows Congress to cancel or revoke previously approved but unspent federal funds. In other words, it claws back money that was allocated in past budgets but hasn’t been used yet — often money sitting in government accounts for projects that are wasteful, unnecessary, or outdated.

By passing a rescissions package, Congress can reduce government spending without cutting active programs or services. It’s one of the most direct ways to cut waste, fraud, and abuse—and help slow the growth of our national debt.

It passed with a vote of 214–212.

As a fiscal conservative, I believe one of the most responsible actions we can take in Congress is to cut waste, fraud, and abuse from the federal budget—putting those savings toward addressing our ever-growing national debt. Because this rescissions request originated from the White House it only requires a simple majority both in the House and Senate, and I was proud to vote for it on behalf of East Texas.

Examples of waste, fraud, and abuse eliminated in the package include:

• PBS-produced documentary arguing the case for reparations.
• PBS-aired children’s program featuring drag queens.
• PBS-produced film celebrating the sex change of a child.
• NPR feature on “queer animals.”
• NPR coverage arguing that “fat-phobia” is racist.
• NPR piece lamenting that animals require pronouns.

Questionable foreign aid and international programs:

• $158 million from the UN Peacekeeping Mission.
• $83 million from the UN Development Program.
• $33 million from the UN Population Fund.
• $8 million for the UN Human Rights Council.
• $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street.
• $6 million for “Net Zero Cities” in Mexico.
• $6 million to support media organizations and civic life of Palestinians.

House Republicans remain committed to getting our government back on track, providing transparency about taxpayer spending, and eliminating wasteful expenditures. Reducing unnecessary spending is not just good policy—it’s a Promise Made, Promise Kept to the American people.

This rescissions package is a strong step forward in our ongoing mission to restore fiscal responsibility and rein in Washington’s out-of-control spending. It complements our broader efforts through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

To read more about the rescissions package, click here.

This week, during a Ways and Means Committee hearing with Treasury Secretary Bessent, I had the opportunity to highlight where common ground can still be found, and where our economic policy should be headed.

Throughout our exchange, Secretary Bessent and I shared a core belief: if America is to lead the world in innovation and prosperity, we must foster an economy where individuals and businesses are empowered to thrive—not weighed down by higher taxes and unnecessary regulations.

That is precisely what the One, Big, Beautiful Bill is designed to do. By lowering taxes and removing regulatory barriers, this bill will help spark innovation, fuel economic growth, and give hard working Americans the opportunity to keep more of what they earn and invest it back into their communities.

As I said during the hearing: when the government acts as a partner, not an adversary, to enterprise and innovation, there is no limit to what American workers, farmers, and businesses can achieve. I’ll continue working through the Ways and Means Committee, and alongside leaders like Secretary Bessent, to advance policies that reflect this vision and strengthen opportunity for all Americans.

I gave Secretary Bessent the floor after Delegate Stacey Plaskett (U.S. Virgin Islands) ran out the clock to block his response—and it didn’t go how Plaskett planned. Watch the full exchange.

👉 Watch my full remarks here.

Earlier this month, I toured the new Great Southern Wood Preserving facility in Tyler—soon to be the largest wood treatment plant in the world. Though still under construction, the project is well ahead of schedule, and hiring has already outpaced expectations—creating good-paying jobs for East Texans.

The plant produces YellaWood, a trusted brand of pressure-treated pine used in outdoor projects nationwide. It’s exciting to see this operation take root in East Texas. As a former Smith County Judge, I was privileged to be a part of recruiting Great Southern Wood to our community. Today, Judge Neal Franklin and the Smith County Commissioners Court continue to lead in supporting local economic growth. I look forward to seeing this facility thrive for years to come.

Last weekend, I attended the Southern Baptist Convention in Dallas to take part in a discussion led by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) on Christians in the Public Square. I was honored to join U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) and Ambassador Designate Mark Walker as we reflected on how we serve as public officials while remaining firmly grounded in our faith.

During our conversation, I shared this perspective: “Someone once asked me, ‘If you’re a Christian, how can you be in politics?’ My response was, if you’re a Christian, how can you not be involved in politics? We are engaged in a spiritual battle — one that often manifests in our culture and our politics. We are called to step forward when the Lord leads, and each of us must be willing to do so in our communities. After all, leadership is action.”

Now more than ever, it is essential that we remain rooted in Scripture and steadfast in our values. I am grateful for the work of the ERLC in helping guide thoughtful conversations on the moral challenges of our time—and in reminding us that political problems require spiritual clarity and principled leadership.

This week, Republicans and Democrats traded in their suits for ball caps and gloves at the annual Congressional Baseball Game for Charity in Washington, D.C. Each year, this longstanding tradition brings lawmakers from both sides of the aisle together on the diamond for some friendly competition—all while raising significant funds for local D.C. charities that serve families in need.

On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan gave one of his most famous speeches during the Cold War. He visited the Berlin Wall to challenge Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and stated “Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

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