Blog: The Hill Report: Week of July 15 - 19, 2013

Statement

This week, House Republicans took a step towards dismantling ObamaCare while we continue to fight to fully repeal and replace it with responsible, affordable reforms. Not only does the President's health care law negatively impact our nation's health care system, but it has proven to be a massive burden on job creation. As a direct result of ObamaCare, one in five small businesses have laid off workers while two in five have stopped hiring and part-time work has skyrocketed.

The Administration recently made a unilateral decision, which was announced on through a blog post on the Treasury Department's website, to delay enforcement of the employer mandate. House Republicans agree that the employer mandate is unworkable and damaging to job creators, but also believe individuals and families deserve the same protection and relief from the harms of the law as businesses. That is why we voted through the proper legislative process to delay not only the employer mandate, but also the individual mandate. I'm extremely disappointed that the President has issued a veto threat on these bills that codify his own delay and extend the same relief to all Americans.

Student Success Act
Also this week, the House approved the Student Success Act (H.R. 5), legislation to rewrite federal K-12 education law. Student achievement across our nation is falling short despite the fact that overall funding per student has tripled since 1965. Instead of working with Congress to change federal K-12 education law, the Obama Administration has expanded its authority over our schools in an unprecedented manner that has done nothing to fix our long-term problem.

I know that state and local governments in Texas make better decisions for our students, parents, teachers, and administrators than Washington does. That is why I supported this responsible legislation that reduces the federal government's footprint in our nation's classrooms and empowers local communities to lead the way in fixing America's education system. The Student Success Act eliminates more than 70 wasteful and duplicative federal programs imposed on K-12 classrooms, restores local control, and rewards successful teachers who play a vital role in putting North Texas students on the path towards a brighter future.

Student Spotlight
North Texas is home to so many outstanding young men and women that have excelled in academics, athletics, and other activities. I am honored to represent these exceptional students in Congress and would like to highlight three of them in this week's newsletter.

National Youth Leadership Council
On Thursday, I met with Chris Sand, a student at Garland High School. Chris was visiting Washington, DC for the National Youth Leadership Council, which is a youth development program for students across the nation. I enjoyed the opportunity to congratulate him on his participation in this important program, as well as talk with him about his future aspirations.

Jesuit and ESD Graduates
As you may have seen in the news, two graduates of North Texas schools were recently recognized for excelling in athletics. Jordan Spieth, a 2011 graduate of Jesuit College Preparatory School, had his first PGA Tour victory last week. This win makes him the first teen to earn a PGA Tour victory in more than 80 years. Phil Pressey, a 2010 graduate of the Episcopal School of Dallas, signed as a free agent with the Boston Celtics following the NBA draft in June. I'm extremely proud of these two young men on their accomplishments and wish them the very best in their future.

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