CLICK HERE to view this message online July 28, 2013
Working hard for better opportunities and more jobs for families and individuals in Central Texas by supporting the things that matter —faith, family, community, and work.
Howdy Texans!
The last three weeks have been busy in Washington D.C. During that period, I initiated a Texas Congressional delegation letter urging President Obama to support Governor Perry’s appeal for West to receive major disaster assistance. In addition, I introduced legislation that would recognize state regulations by halting overreaching federal involvement in hydraulic fracturing operations.
The House passed bills that delay the individual and employer mandates of the president’s health care law. We also passed a bill to improve our nation’s education system, a farm bill, and appropriations bills to fund energy and water development and secure our national defense. We also considered amendments to reduce the scope of NSA surveillance programs.
Delaying Individual and Employer Mandates
On Wednesday, July 17, I voted for and the House passed two bills that would delay implementation of the individual and employer mandates under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”). The president’s prior announcement of the delay of the employer mandate proved that the administration has come to realize that the draconian effects the law will have on our nation’s job creators and the economy. While relief from this “train wreck” law on businesses is welcome, the president’s announcement still unfairly subjects individuals and American families to this ill-conceived move toward government controlled health care. While the administration felt the need to provide relief to businesses, I voted to level the playing field and provide relief for businesses, families and individuals alike by delaying the individual mandate as well.
I remain firmly committed to repealing and replacing this bureaucrat-controlled, budget-busting, job-destroying law. Simply delaying implementation of the president’s health care law will not solve its underlying problem of harming employers, raising health care costs and destroying jobs.
Department of Defense Appropriations Bill and NSA Amendments
Our federal government's primary responsibility, under the Constitution, is to provide for the common defense for Americans by protecting our country from every potential enemy. On July 25, the House passed and I supported H.R. 2397 to ensure that we have the critical funding for a strong national defense and critical national security programs.
In light of recent news regarding the NSA’s metadata collection and PRISM programs, I felt that it was important to consider all amendments to further protect our Constitutional rights. In this regard, two amendments related to the NSA metadata program were available for inclusion in H.R. 2397—Congressman Mike Pompeo’s (R-KS / originally introduced by Rep. Nugent) amendment and Congressman Justin Amash’s (R-MI) amendment.
After a detailed review, I voted FOR Rep. Pompeo’s amendment. This amendment would ensure NO taxpayer funds are used by the NSA to target U.S. citizens or to acquire and store the content of U.S. citizen’s communications, including phone calls and e-mails. This amendment further clarifies that the government is not permitted to listen to or store Americans’ telephone conversations without a warrant. This amendment passed by a bi-partisan vote of 409 AYES to 12 NOES.
The amendment by Rep. Amash would have prevented the collection and analysis of any ‘tangible things’ (see amendment language) in America — this could protect the data of terrorists who are operating in this country and make our nation vulnerable to future terrorist attacks. The restrictions proposed by this awkwardly constructed amendment were of great concern to me and would put America back into the intelligence vacuum our country was in immediately prior to September 11, 2001. In addition, the Heritage Foundation wrote an analysis that stated the Amash amendment would take the wrong approach to our national security; they also felt that the Amash amendment would possibly be unconstitutional because if its feature whereby Congress would be attempting to force federal courts to include certain provisions in their orders. This amendment failed by a vote of 217 NOES to 205 AYES.
Since the Snowden leaks, I have participated in several classified briefings regarding the National Security Agency (NSA) metadata and PRISM programs. Based upon what I learned from those meetings, I know that these programs have helped thwart terrorist attacks in the past. It is also my opinion from those meetings that the NSA and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) personnel involved are working hard to comply with the law, to protect our Constitutional liberties, and to keep America safe.
I believe that with improved Congressional oversight, these programs will be effective tools to prevent terrorist attacks in the future. Nonetheless, I have serious reservations about the two individuals who are ultimately responsible for the management of these programs – Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and Attorney General Eric Holder. I remain extremely concerned about their honesty, leadership and commitment to protecting our Constitutionally guaranteed liberties. As such, I will redouble my efforts to have them removed from their federal positions as soon as possible. Continued Congressional oversight coupled with the terminations of Clapper and Holder will help restore trust in these important programs to fight terrorism without compromising our liberties or creating gaps in our intelligence structure. In addition, their resignations may partially restore Americans' trust in their federal government.
West Assistance Appeal
On Friday, July 12, I, along with a substantial bipartisan majority of the Texas Congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Cornyn and Cruz, sent a letter to President Obama urging him to support Texas Governor Rick Perry’s major disaster declaration appeal for West.
On June 10, FEMA denied Governor Perry’s request for Public Assistance and stated that a major disaster declaration was not necessary. Since that time the governor’s office has diligently been working to put together the reports that show the damages incurred meet the threshold for additional federal assistance. On Tuesday, July 11, the governor sent an official appeal to the president asking for reconsideration and outlining the major issues that the community continues to face. I was able to rally 36 members of the Texas Congressional delegation, to come together to encourage President Obama to provide the support that the community is entitled to under provisions of the Stafford Act.
As you may remember, during the memorial service for the first responders killed in the line of duty, the president said “your country will remain ever ready to help you recover, and rebuild, and reclaim your community”. Following that service, Governor Perry, Senator Cruz and I met backstage with the president, and he again assured us that the federal government would help West rebuild. It is our hope that the president will honor his commitment. I am proud of and thankful for my fellow Texas that colleagues came together and showed their true Texas spirit to help a community in need.
A copy of the letter can be found here.
Click on the image above to view Congressman Flores this past Tuesday, urging the president to support Governor Perry’s appeal for major disaster declaration for West.
Student Success Act
On Friday, July 19, I voted for and the House passed the Student Success Act. This legislation will reduce federal interference in education, restore control to local school districts and states, empower parents and support effective teachers.
For the first time in more than a decade, the House has approved legislation to revamp K-12 education law. This bill protects and promotes state and local autonomy over decisions in the classroom by limiting the authority of the federal secretary of education. This protection includes an elimination of the secretary of education’s ability to inappropriately coerce states to adopt the Common Core or other federal bureaucrat designed standards or assessments. Central Texans know that improved student achievement will only occur when local governments are free from burdensome federal mandates and are not beholden to federal bureaucrats for education dollars; this bill is a step in the right direction.
Farm Bill
On Thursday, July 11, the House passed, and I supported a revised farm bill, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act. The revised FARRM Act provides certainty and stability for our farmers and ranchers; eliminates outdated programs; makes common-sense, market-oriented reforms to agricultural policy; and saves taxpayers over $33 billion dollars. Unlike the previous FARRM Act that the House considered back in June, this bill truly was a “farm only” bill, as the controversial food stamp program was omitted. By separating food stamps from this legislation we have a farm bill that concentrates on setting forth good policy for farmers, families, and the American taxpayer.
As we move forward, we must continue to work to reform the federal food stamp program which is growing rapidly and which is subject to significant fraud. Stay tuned for details on this matter in future emails.
Energy & Water Appropriations
On Wednesday, July 10, the House passed the FY2014 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act with my support. This appropriations bill funds programs that boost our national defense, support competitiveness and innovation, reduce the volatility of gas prices, and help America achieve greater energy independence. Additionally, the bill strengthens our nation’s security by funding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build and maintain America’s infrastructure. The bill’s funding level is $2.9 billion below the FY 2013 level and $4.1 billion below the president’s request. In addition, the bill is also $4.4 billion less than the Senate’s version of this appropriations bill.
Once again, I was successful in adding an amendment to the bill which ensures that the military and federal agencies have access to all sources of fuel including traditional sources, renewable sources, and non-conventional sources. I was also successful in once again adding an amendment to prohibit funding of the president’s National Ocean Policy to zone our oceans. This amendment stops these overreaching activities and encourages transparency from the administration.
Click on the image above to view Congressman Flores’ remarks on his Section 526 amendment.
Click on the image above to view Congressman Flores’ remarks on his National Ocean Policy amendment.
H.R. 2728, Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act
On July 25, the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing on my bill, H.R. 2728, ‘Protecting States’ Rights to Promote American Energy Security Act’. This legislation recognizes the effectiveness of state regulations and halts duplicative, overreaching federal involvement in hydraulic fracturing operations. Additionally, it will also recognize Constitutionally protected states' rights by continuing to let states effectively regulate energy activities through proven regulatory systems.
The oil and natural gas industry is vital to our economy and to the goal of American energy security by 2020. New technologies and improved hydraulic fracturing are integral tools to support a safe, clean and robust supply of domestic energy. Recent statistics have shown that oil and natural gas activities have decreased significantly on federal lands compared to activity levels on state and private lands across the nation. Burdensome and duplicative federal regulations are largely responsible for this inhibited activity. Our states have a long and successful track record of regulating oil and natural gas operations including hydraulic fracturing, well construction, and management of produced water—the federal government should recognize that success rather than wasting efforts on a new federal bureaucratic scheme.
Click on the image above to view Congressman Flores’ opening remarks at Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources hearing.
Looking Forward
In the week ahead, the House will consider the FY2014 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill. In addition, the House will host ‘Stop Government Abuse Week’ and take up legislation including a bill that will keep the IRS out of your health care.
As always, I encourage each of you to continue praying for our country during these challenging times, for our brave military men and women, and for our first responder personnel, all of whom selflessly serve and protect us each day.
With great respect,
Bill Flores
Member of Congress
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