A Busy Week in Washington

Statement

U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statements regarding the passage of various bills out of the House of Representatives:

National Defense Authorization Act -- H.R. 5515
"Our nation's military works relentlessly to protect and defend America. The National Defense Authorization Act provides our military with the essential resources needed to face the global threats that exist in our world today. This bipartisan bill increases funding to rebuild our military, makes critical investments in defense systems, boosts national security research and development, continues to streamline the bureaucracy at the Pentagon and gives our troops the largest pay raise in nine years. This legislation strengthens military training and readiness, counters growing aggression in the Indo-Pacific region and reaffirms our commitment to our international allies and partners. Strengthening our military and defense will support our continued work to combat emerging threats and provide for the safety and security of hardworking American families."

Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act -- S. 2155
"Our recent economic boom can be attributed to the conservative, pro-growth policies that we have been able to enact over the past 17 months. To fully unleash our economic potential, we are continuing our work on regulatory reform. This week, we were able to scale back an onerous Obama-era Dodd-Frank regulation that was harming our community banks and credit unions. Since Dodd-Frank, many smaller lending institutions that could not absorb excessive regulatory burdens were forced to close or merge, decreasing competition and offering less service. Now that President Trump has signed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act into law, we can continue to boost our growth opportunities for local communities."

FIRST STEP Act -- H.R. 5682
"Our criminal justice system is in need of reform. The FIRST STEP Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support, works to strengthen public safety, enhance prison security and better rehabilitate inmates. By expanding education and job training opportunities for prisoners we can better prepare them to reintegrate into society and be responsible and productive citizens."

Right to Try Act -- S. 204
"The Right to Try Act improves access to experimental treatments for patients with terminal diseases or conditions. Now that this important bill is finally headed to President Trump's desk to be signed into law, terminally-ill patients can have a fighting chance to survive and recover.

"I am pleased to have been a part of the bipartisan majorities in support of these meaningful solutions which benefit hardworking Texas families."

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