WASHINGTON–Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement after the passage of the Senate Amendment to HR 5371.

Congressman Sessions said, "Today, I voted YES on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371 to end the government shutdown. This was a costly and painful shutdown that lasted 43 days, driven by the Democrats’ gridlock over the Affordable Care Act and reckless federal spending that continues to expand our deficit and debt.

This legislation closes the hemp loophole that allowed intoxicating and dangerous high-potency THC products like Delta-8 to flood our communities. It protects American farmland from foreign adversaries by ensuring Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has a seat on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, strengthening our ability to counter China’s acquisitions of U.S. farmland. It also fully funds veterans’ medical care and benefits, totaling $400 billion, to ensure our veterans receive the care and respect they have earned, while safeguarding their Second Amendment rights by preventing the VA from sharing private data with the FBI without judicial consent. In addition, it guarantees retroactive pay for all federal employees impacted during the continuing resolution.

Importantly, I was proud to secure $3.3 million in this measure for the construction of a new water tower in the City of Mexia. This project represents a vital investment in our rural infrastructure and will strengthen the community’s water system for generations to come. I am especially grateful to former Brazos River Authority Director Lance Phillips for his partnership and advocacy in helping deliver this project for the people of Limestone County."

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