The Hill Report

This week, Congress continued its Spring District Work Period. As I began another week of constituent and policy meetings, on Monday I also had the privilege of receiving an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities from Dallas Baptist University (DBU).

Approved unanimously by the DBU Faculty and Board of Trustees, the Honorary Doctorate was extended to me in recognition of my efforts to provide market-driven solutions to address problems effectively in our community and national government.

In addition to highlighting my support for tax relief for American families and for improving our nation’s healthcare system, DBU recognized my work to provide individuals with disabilities with resources and opportunities to achieve their potential and become active members of their community.

In acceptance of the Honorary Doctorate, I delivered a speech to the faculty, administration, and students of DBU, highlighting my journey to public service and the importance of participating in our nation’s system of democracy.

I spoke about the unique opportunity we have as Americans to determine our own American dream, pursue goals to achieve that dream, and participate in a life calling. While America succeeds because its citizens dream, I believe that America survives because individuals participate in its system of government, including voting in elections. 

Each day, I have the privilege of representing the people of the 32nd Congressional District of Texas. And I have the responsibility to accept the challenges of public service and ensure that families and communities have the resources and security they need to succeed so that our nation will continue to be, as President Ronald Reagan once said, “a shining city on a hill.”

I am grateful for the opportunity to receive an Honorary Doctorate from DBU, and I thank the University for its leadership in the Dallas community, shaping and influencing our nation’s future leaders with academic excellence and strength of character.


Texas Economic News
This week, the Dallas Federal Reserve released economic data for the month of February, revealing that Texas continues to be a strong contributor to our nation’s economic growth. In February, the Texas economy continued to expand with a growth rate of 2.6 percent, building on the robust economic growth of 2006. Additionally, Texas produced over 12,600 new jobs in February as unemployment in the state remains at a historically low rate of 4.5 percent.

Texas’ job growth and economic expansion has displayed the benefits of a pro-growth economic policy of tax relief and responsible budgeting. Home to 45 Fortune 500 Companies and 14 of the 100 fastest growing businesses in America, Texas’ success lies in it tax advantages. Texas has an overall tax burden that is 32 percent less than the national average. Furthermore, Texas offers a multitude of business incentives, including local property tax abatements, state tax exemptions, and low interest loans. I am pleased with the continued economic growth of our state, and I look forward to ensuring its future success by supporting pro-growth economic policies.

Unfinished Business
As you may remember, before Congress recessed for the Spring District Work Period, Democrats passed an emergency military funding legislation that undermined military commanders while funding numerous pork projects, including funding for peanut storage, spinach farmers, and the seafood industry. President Bush has promised to veto this pork-filled bill, and he has called on Congress to provide a clean emergency military spending bill for him to sign.

Unfortunately, unlike the Senate, the House began its Spring District Work Period without even appointing conferees for this emergency legislation, stalling any progress on the bill. Additionally, this week the Senate has returned to its work in Washington, D.C. while the House remains in recess with unfinished business to support our troops.

Consequently, last Monday, House and Senate Republican leadership sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, urging her to call the House back into session immediately so that Congress can finish its work on emergency legislation to fund our military as they fight a global War on Terrorism.

I fully supported this request to Speaker Pelosi, asking her to prioritize the needs of our troops in harm’s way over unauthorized, free-lance diplomacy trips to visit nations supporting terrorism.

Unfortunately for our troops, Speaker Pelosi refused to call the House back in session, which only further delays critical funding for our troops and threatens to undermine military readiness.

As the House returns to its legislative work next week, I call upon Speaker Pelosi and the House Democrat Leadership to support our troops by producing a clean, emergency spending bill that will meet the immediate needs of our military.