Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Thank you! Tons of you responded to the last survey about the issues that matter most to you and I truly enjoyed reading your responses. Id like to learn more about a specific area that many of you told me youre concerned about so please take a moment to fill out this weeks survey to the right of this email. Thank you so much for your time.
Its been a busy two weeks take a look at some of the highlights below.
Honoring a Veteran
Im sure many of you heard about Air Force Veteran Joseph Walker who was expected to be buried in our district at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery last week without family or friends present. However our community stepped up and almost 2000 Texans came together to ensure that Mr. Walker was not alone. Before the funeral I had the pleasure of joining the Wind Therapy Freedom Riders as well as many other riders before they rode to the funeral. We had the opportunity to discuss issues impacting our Central Texas veterans. Thank you to all of the Texans that showed up to support our veterans.
Young Artist Designs TX-31 Challenge Coin
A challenge coin is a medallion that symbolizes patriotism and American pride and is usually collected by Service Members. Since our congressional district is home to the largest veteran population in Texas and home to the largest armored military installation in the free world Ft. Hood its important that TX-31 have a challenge coin that represents our district. Im proud to announce that Rowan Dennis a Leander High School young artist has designed our newest challenge coin. I recently held a ceremony to present Rowan with a framed copy of her design and the newly minted challenge coin. During the ceremony I answered Leander High School students questions about the upcoming Congressional Art Competition. Details will be released soon so stay tuned!
Congressman Carter presents Rowan Dennis with a framed copy of her design and challenge coin after a ceremony at Leander High School. Congressman Carter answered the students questions about the Congressional Art Competition during the ceremony.
What happens next?
A deal was reached to reopen the government and many constituents have asked what happens next? Republicans and Democrats from the House and Senate are now in conference to hammer out a deal on immigration and border issues. The American people expect the federal government to address border security and I hope this conference group will come to an agreement by the deadline.
Securing Energy Infrastructure
I joined my colleague and friend Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) in introducing bipartisan legislation to protect critical energy infrastructure from cyber-attacks. Addressing the weaknesses of our energy infrastructure should be a top national security priority. This legislation will create a two-year plan to simplify and isolate automated systems that could be vulnerable to attack and calls for a national strategy to defend the most critical components of Americas energy grid. A cyber-attack on our energy grid could be devastating to the American people. This legislation will help strengthen and defend our crucial energy infrastructure.
Quality of Life for our Soldiers
I recently met with the Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey. SMA Dailey and I discussed investments that the Army is making to improve quality of life for our soldiers. As you know our congressional district is home to Ft. Hood so the well-being of our soldiers is very important to all of us. SMA Dailey and I also discussed the progress being made on the credentialing assistance program at Ft. Hood that we announced last summer. Its great news for our soldiers and I look forward to the program expanding Army-wide.
Remember to follow my Facebook Twitter and Instagram accounts to stay up-to-date on whats happening in Washington and if you ever need assistance with a federal agency dont hesitate to contact my office at 512-246-1600. As always I enjoy hearing from my constituents so anytime you have a question or concern you can email me here.
