Newsletter: The Hill Report - Week of March 23 - 27, 2015

Statement

This week, the House of Representatives passed the Republican budget to serve as a blueprint for how to get our economy back on track while expanding opportunity for the American people. This budget balances in 10 years and calls for a full repeal of ObamaCare, for a simpler, flatter fairer tax code, and cuts spending by $5.5 trillion -- more than any previous House Budget proposal. In addition, this plan also proposes necessary reforms to costly entitlement programs and provides ample support to bolster our national defense. In contrast to the President's budget, which raises taxes on American families, piles more debt on the shoulders of our children, and never balances, the Republican budget offers realistic solutions. I proudly supported this budget because it makes tough but necessary proposals that spur job creation and promote the free enterprise system over the priorities of liberal Washington bureaucrats.

In addition to the passage of the Budget, the House also passed legislation to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) and replace it with a long-term solution to Medicare repayment. For far too long we have let doctors shoulder the financial burden of a deeply flawed policy which has in turn caused America's seniors to go without the quality health care that they need because not enough good doctors could afford to treat them. Year after year we have spent money that we don't have on patching the failings of this broken system. That is why I proudly supported this bipartisan bill to fix this broken model once and for all, to ensure that America's seniors get the best quality care and put Medicare on a path toward solvency.

Healthcare Meetings

This week I welcomed the National Physicians Council for Healthcare Policy to my office in Washington to discuss their legislative priorities. The National Physicians Council for Healthcare Policy is made up of physicians from North Texas and across the country who work with Members of Congress to voice their concerns about current onerous regulations such as ObamaCare. I am always delighted to meet with them twice a year to learn more about their priorities and discuss my efforts in working to repeal ObamaCare, get government out of the operating room, and ensure our doctors can deliver quality care to Americans without being burdened by costly laws and regulations.

On Wednesday I had the opportunity to speak with Dallas representatives of the Alzheimer's Association. During our conversation they talked about the stress and pain Alzheimer's can cause for patients and families, as well as its ever-growing burden on our health care system. This devastating disease has impacted millions of Americans and I would like to commend the great strides that the Alzheimer's Association has made in raising awareness in our communities and their efforts to bring researchers closer and closer to finding a treatment for Alzheimer's.

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and Walgreens

On Thursday I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). More than 90 pharmacies in the 32nd Congressional District are members of the NACDS. I was very interested in learning more about their role in increasing the availability of affordable, reliable healthcare options for North Texas seniors.

After my meeting with the NACDS, I sat down with the North Texas RX Supervisors from Walgreens. In addition to discussing access to healthcare for seniors we also talked about the importance of assisting the disability community. As the proud father of a Down syndrome young man, I understand the importance of reliable access to healthcare and I would like to recognize the important work that the pharmacy division of Walgreens plays in healthcare services.

Meetings with North Texans Texas Instruments

On Thursday I met with representatives from Texas Instruments to discuss the U.S. semiconductor industry and the challenges it faces in the global marketplace. Even though Semiconductors were invented in America and are one of the nation's top exports today, the industry is facing a number of new and unique issues, including State-sponsored competition from abroad, soaring business and capital costs in the U.S., and outdated government policies that burden industry growth and development. As the third largest manufacturer of semiconductors worldwide, I am proud to represent Texas Instruments in the 32nd District and will continue to advocate for policies that help the United States remain on the forefront of the global semiconductor industry.

Service Academies Forum

On April 11th I am joining my North Texas congressional colleagues as well as Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz in hosting the North Texas U.S. Service Academy Forum. The forum is an informational event for North Texas middle and high school students, and their parents, interested in learning more about the U.S. Service Academies. This event is free and open to the public. The North Texas U.S. Service Academy Forum will highlight the opportunities available, the nomination process, and evaluation requirements for the nation's five Service Academies.

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