The Hill Report: Week of August 6 - August 10, 2018
As Co-Chairman of the Semiconductor Caucus, it has been my goal to ensure Texas companies that rely on semiconductor equipment and materials, like Texas Instruments, have their voices heard here in Congress. This is why I am disappointed that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has chosen to include semiconductors in their sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports after I, and nearly 50 of my colleagues, expressed our concern that including semiconductor and semiconductor equipment would negatively impact American innovators and have zero impact on Chinese companies, completely failing to accomplish the goal of these tariffs. I have had numerous meetings with the Trade Ambassador on this specific topic and will continue to work to find more targeted and effective strategies that do not jeopardize the future of American workers and put our economic prosperity in harms-way.
Read more on my letter to USTR Ambassador Robert Lighthizer urging the Administration to remove semiconductor, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and related products from the 301 tariff action here.
Dallas VA
I had a productive discussion with Dallas VA leadership on critical efforts to prevent veteran suicide and how we can continue working together to support our North Texas veteran community. The men and women who have served our nation selflessly deserve access to the best possible care, including lifesaving mental health care. Here in Dallas, our VA is leading the way in providing this critical support and I appreciated receiving an update on their efforts.
Congressman Sessions with leaders of the Dallas VA.
Rare Disease Legislative Advocates
This week, I was happy to meet with Rare Disease Legislative Advocates in Dallas, to discuss my long-standing support of medical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). I have consistently supported funding research for cures to diseases, especially crippling rare diseases, affecting folks across our country. I also continuously engage my colleagues in Washington, most recently by bringing in Dr. Francis Collins the director of the NIH, so they understand the critical nature of the research being done. As the father of a son with a disability, I know firsthand the importance of medical research and improving the quality of life for all Americans.
Congressman Sessions with Tanya Barron, whose son suffers from Fragile X Syndrome.
ALS Society
On Friday, I met with the Regional Director of the ALS Society of North Texas, Catherine Nodurft, to hear more about efforts to find a cure to this debilitating disease and their advocacy on behalf of those who suffer from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Through the work being done at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and researchers across the country, including here in North Texas, I am hopeful we will see a cure in the future. My colleagues and I in Congress must do everything we can to support researchers and physicians by removing roadblocks and cutting the red-tape that inhibits critical research and new treatments that could one day lead to a cure.
Congressman Sessions with Catherine Nodurft, Regional Director of ALS Society, North Texas.
Pete Sessions
U.S. Congressman