The Moran Minute

Dear East Texas,

Small businesses are the heartbeat of innovation and growth in our economy. This past week in the District, I had the opportunity to visit Megan and James Heath, owners of Pack ‘N Mail in Longview and Gilmer, and to see their Longview location firsthand. Their business serves both consumers and business clients as a full-service retail shipping center, offering solutions for mailing and logistics needs. And, their story is amazing to hear.

If you hadn’t heard, they were recognized this past year as the Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the entire Dallas-Fort Worth District of the Small Business Administration (which includes Northeast Texas). The award exemplifies their rapid business growth, perseverance, and success in expanding the business under new ownership. This is a well-deserved recognition, and I was grateful to meet these young business owners and talk with them about their journey and what we are doing in Washington, D.C. to cut regulatory red tape and lower their taxes—like we did through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

I look forward to seeing the growth Pack ‘N Mail will have under the continued leadership of Megan and James, and am proud to see the entrepreneurial spirit at work in East Texas.

The Small Business Development Center is Here to Help!

One of the great things about hearing the story of Megan and James Heath was getting a full picture about how the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) office in Longview (that covers Northeast Texas) helped to make the dreams and hard work of Megan and James come together by helping them navigate the novel issues that come with business ownership.

The SBDC has been powering local entrepreneurship, offering free, one-on-one consulting and training to business owners across Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Rusk, Panola, and Upshur counties for years. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to grow, or trying to fix a struggling operation, their team meets you where you are.

The Longview SBDC brings big network resources down to a local, personal level. For a community built on small businesses, that kind of free, accessible expertise can be the difference between an idea and a thriving storefront.

Find FREE resources from the SBDC.

WATCH the success stories.

Delivering for Small Businesses

One of the items of discussion in these visits was how the Working Families Tax Cuts delivered major wins for working families and small businesses across East Texas. Two major wins for small business owners in the WFTC include:

• A permanent small business deduction. The legislation locks in the Section 199A 20% small business deduction, for good. Without it, roughly 26 million small businesses would have faced a tax hike, with rates potentially rising as high as 43 percent.
• A boost for American manufacturing. The bill supports “Made in America” by allowing 100% expensing for new factories, factory improvements, equipment, and research and development—so businesses can invest, expand, and hire here at home.

This is an investment in Main Street. These provisions give the businesses in our community the certainty and support they need to grow, hire, and thrive.

More Transparency & Accountability Are Needed for Medicare Advantage

Earlier this Congressional session, I introduced H.R. 9644, the Medicare Advantage MLR Transparency Act, which would require Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to publicly disclose how much of their revenue goes toward patient care versus overhead costs and profit. Seniors and taxpayers deserve to know this information before deciding which plan they choose.

This week, the House Ways and Means Committee held a markup to take action on and move toward codifying President Trump’s Great Healthcare Plan. My bill, H.R. 9644, was favorably reported out of committee by a vote of 42-0.

Transparency and accountability must be at the center of our healthcare system, and this is a step in the right direction.

Read more details on the legislation here.

Watch my full remarks here.

 FY2027 Appropriations

The FY 2027 appropriations process is already underway, with two bills already passed out of the House—and this week, we built on that momentum with an additional piece of legislation.

National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027

This legislation invests in our national security and economic strength, while ensuring we stand strong against Communist China and Iran.

• Puts America First: Refocuses foreign assistance on advancing U.S. national security, economic interests, burden sharing, and cooperation with American priorities.
• Supports Allies and Counters Adversaries: Provides strong support for Israel, Taiwan, Jordan, and Egypt while confronting Communist China, Iran, Cuba, the Taliban, drug cartels, and other threats.
• Cuts Wasteful International Spending: Reduces funding by 6% for lower-priority international programs and ensures taxpayer dollars are spent in America’s interest.
• Blocks Radical Foreign Policy Programs: Prohibits funding for DEI initiatives, radical gender ideology, and climate mandates.

In 1957, Marine Corps Maj. John Glenn set a transcontinental speed record by flying a Vought F8U Crusader jet from California to New York in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 8.4 seconds. That historic flight was called Project Bullet. It was the first supersonic transcontinental flight.

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