The Hill Report: Week of July 21 - 25, 2014

Statement

This week the House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation that would strengthen higher education and make college more affordable. H.R. 4984, the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act, and H.R. 3136, the Advancing Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act, will bolster our education system by bringing clarity to the process of paying for college and updating our education policies to prioritize what students learn instead of how much time that they sit in class.

Texas Delegation Letter to President Obama
On Thursday I joined my fellow Texas Republican colleagues in sending another letter to the President urging him to enforce our immigration laws and restore order on the Southern Border. As this border security crisis continues to unfold it is imperative that President Obama starts enforcing our immigration laws in order to put a stop to the influx of illegal children and criminal aliens flooding our borders.

Texas Republicans understand what it takes to secure our borders. That is why we suggested measures such as suspending any Executive Orders that weaken enforcement of our immigration laws, ending the President's catch-and-release policy, improving cooperation with local law enforcement, and expediting the processing and deportation of illegal immigrants. I remain committed to supporting legislation that ends the President's ineffective policies, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, and enforcing common sense solutions that will secure our borders.

International Management Facility Association
Thursday morning I participated in the International Management Facility Association's 9th Annual Public Policy Forum. I had the opportunity to speak with individuals from across the country about the necessity of getting Washington out of the way of the free market so that it can thrive and grow. It is critical that we reduce onerous regulations that hinder job growth and promote policies, such as a permanent extension of bonus depreciation, that allow businesses to flourish. I understand the importance of giving companies the certainty that they need so that they can manage their finances and plan for the future. I will continue to fight for measures that will provide our nation's job creators with the policies that they need to expand their businesses and create new jobs for the American people.

Texas Leadership Forum
This week 21 exceptional students from the 32nd District participated in the Texas Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C.. This program gives select students from the Dallas area an opportunity to spend a week in Washington to learn about the inner workings of the federal government so that they can better understand the importance of leadership, personal development, and community involvement.

I had the pleasure of spending the evening with these students and discussing a variety of issues ranging from foreign policy to my role as Chairman of the House Rules Committee. I always enjoy robust discussions about current events with students and discovering the perspectives and aspirations of young citizens in my district. I applaud their achievements and commend them on participating and completing the Texas Leadership Forum.

The Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program
For the past 17 summers, I have welcomed North Texas students to Washington for the Pete Sessions Leadership and Growth Program (PSLGP). This summer more than 160 students from 28 area high schools participated in the program. The summer is one of my favorite times of the year because it gives me a chance to meet with young Texans participating in PSLGP and learn about their goals as future leaders of our community.

During the four summer sessions, students research and discuss policy issues while taking time to visit the Capitol, the Library of Congress, and the various museums and monuments that Washington has to offer. The students also met with some of our nation's leaders, including Congressman Louie Gohmert (TX-1), Congresswoman Kristi Noem (SD-AL), and Colonel Dan Greenwood of the United States Marine Corps.

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