The Hill Report: Week of May 18 - 22, 2015

Statement

This week the House of Representatives passed five pieces of legislation that increases transparency in the VA, creates more opportunities for veterans, and encourages local businesses to hire more heroes. I proudly voted for these important bills to provide the 1.6 million Texas veterans and the additional 8.7 million veterans across the country the opportunities and the support that they deserve. I believe it is critical that support the brave men and women who have selflessly served and protected our great nation and I will continue to fight to ensure that our nation's veterans are taken care of. Here is a list of the bills that I proudly supported:

H.R. 1382, Boosting Rates of American Veteran Employment Act
H.R. 1313, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business Relief Act
H.R. 1038, Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act
H.R. 474, Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Programs Reauthorization Act of 2015
H.R. 91, Veteran's I.D. Card Act

Creating Certainty for American Businesses
As our economy continues to lurch towards a recovery, I believe it is necessary for Congress to provide relief to American businesses and give them the economic certainty they need to succeed. Research and development allows companies in North Texas and across America to innovate and become more efficient. In 2011, 47 companies in North Texas invested more than $600 million in research and development and we are still seeing the positive economic impacts of this investment. That is why I supported H.R. 880, the American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2015, to extend and make the research and development tax credit permanent so businesses will have the certainty they need to succeed and the ability to grow and create more good paying jobs.

Supporting innovation
This week the House passed two pieces of legislation that call for increasing innovation in the private sector. H.R. 1806, the America COMPETES Act is a fiscally responsible measure that prioritizes scientific programs while cutting funds to activities that should be left to private sector businesses. This bill supports the basic scientific research that cultivates private sector technological advances, increases innovation, and improves the competitiveness of the United States.

In addition to the America COMPETES Act, the House also passed H.R. 2262, the SPACE Act of 2015. This bill encourages private sector investment by reducing government regulations and creating more stable and predictable regulatory conditions. Texas has the potential to lead the commercial space industry in the United States, and that is why I supported this legislation to ensure the government won't stand in the way of strengthening and growing space exploration programs.

Meetings with Texans
American College of Physicians
On Thursday I was pleased to meet with Texas members of the American College of Physicians. I enjoyed listening to the group's thoughts on the most important issues plaguing our healthcare system. They shared their frustrations with the President's disastrous healthcare law and how ObamaCare has had a significant, negative impact on their practices. I will continue to fight to dismantle this burdensome law and support effective solutions to reform our nation's healthcare system.

Congressman Sessions with Dr. Roger Khetan from Dallas

American Association for Homecare
Thursday afternoon I was delighted to sit down with Texans from the American Association for Homecare. We had a robust discussion about their concerns with the upcoming legislation dealing with issues associated with homecare treatment as well as issues facing rural healthcare communities.

Congressman Sessions with representatives of the American Association of Homecare

National Air Traffic Controllers Association
On Tuesday I met with constituents from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association to discuss North Texas airports and the potential for a long-term Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill. The current authorization, enacted in 2012, is set to expire at the end of September 2015 and it remains vitally important that Congress find a solution before that deadline. Given the vital importance of our civil aviation infrastructure, I value the opinions of North Texans who work in the industry and will continue to seek their input as my colleagues and I work to provide that long-term solution.

Congressman Sessions with Texas members of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Bill Dewey, Terry Donaldson, Eric Grundmann, and Ryan Holloman

Allied Pilots Association

On Wednesday I met with representatives and pilots from the Allied Pilots Association. Representing over 11,000 American Airlines pilots, the Allied Pilots Association is one of the largest pilots' associations in the country. Additionally, as a member of the greater Airline Pilots Association, the group works to promote important aviation safety and security-related issues based on the pilot's perspective as aviation experts.

National Utility Contractors Association

Wednesday afternoon I was delighted to meet with the National Utility Contractors Association to discuss the Highway Trust Fund and our nation's infrastructure financing. Specifically, we discussed the need to provide economic certainty through a long term piece of legislation that provides funding for the critical projects that will modernize American infrastructure and promote growth and prosperity. I was glad to hear their proposals on potential streams of revenue for financing a long-term Highway Trust Fund bill and will continue to fight for a long-term Highway bill that provides certainty to those who develop and maintain our nation's infrastructure.

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