By Congressman Michael McCaul
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Last week I successfully added an amendment to a bill that advances environmentally responsible oil and gas exploration. The amendment accepted in committee with bipartisan support ensures federal funding for the development of safer exploration and production methods.
The bill reprioritizes an existing program within the Department of Energy by increasing R&D funding for accident prevention and mitigation. For example this may help to better understand the impact of chemicals added to drilling mud used in the recent top kill procedure in the Gulf of Mexico.
Healthcare Update
Over the July 4
th recess President Obama appointed Dr. Donald Berwick to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) one of the largest agencies in the federal government. The CMS will disburse $803 billion in benefits this fiscal year which makes it larger than all but 15 of the worlds economies. The White House has received bipartisan criticism for this appointment because...
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Wounded Warriors
With U.S. surge operations ramping up in Afghanistan I took the opportunity to visit some of our wounded warriors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington. These soldiers are so courageous and inspiring. One young man told me he was ready to get well and go back to the battlefield. It is because of brave men and women like these that America will prevail.
Girlstart
Girlstart is a perfect example of our nations investment in educational opportunities in science technology engineering and math (STEM).
During the July 4
th recess I had the opportunity to visit
Girlstart in Austin. This unique program gives school-age girls a hands-on lesson in science and technology and applies it to real world experiences.
Some created their own video games. Others experimented with underwater robotics. Next summer they hope to experiment with small scale rockets in the back yard.
Eighty-seven percent of the girls who graduated from one of Girlstarts three-year programs subsequently enrolled in a four-year university and 80 of them are now enrolled in STEM majors. These are Americas next generation of scientists and engineers who will contribute to a skilled workforce and make sure we remain a global leader in technology.
Flood Insurance Reform
I am proud to have supported last weeks passage of H.R. 5114 the Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act. This long-overdue legislation provides a 5-year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through FY15.
Over 20000 communities across the nation are served by this program including many constituents in my district and throughout Texas.
The extension of the NFIP will help thousands of Texans make real estate purchases and obtain small business loans.
Job Fair!
Congressman McCaul will be hosting a Job Fair on
Wednesday September 1 2010 at the Merrell Center in Katy TX featuring employers from across Texas and the nation.
There is no cost to participate but space is limited. If you are an employer looking for qualified candidates please contact our Austin district office at (512) 473-2357 or fill out the
registration form on our website.
Listening Posts!
My staff will hold Listening Posts in Austin and Elgin this month a valuable opportunity for constituents to discuss federal issues with my staff. I encourage all of you to drop by to ask questions voice concerns or simply introduce yourself.
Austin Tuesday July 20 -- 3:00-4:30pm
North Village Branch Library 2505 Steck Ave.
Elgin Friday July 23 -- 11:00 am - 1:00pm
Elgin Public Library 404 N. Main St.
Congressman Michael McCaul represents Texas 10th Congressional District. He is a Member of the House Border Security & Immigration Reform Committee. McCaul authored the 2006 report A Line in the Sand: Confronting the Threat at the Southwest Border exposing the rise of the drug cartels and the potential exploitation of our borders by terrorist groups.
During the July 4th recess I had the opportunity to visit Girlstart in Austin. This unique program gives school-age girls a hands-on lesson in science and technology and applies it to real world experiences.
Some created their own video games. Others experimented with underwater robotics. Next summer they hope to experiment with small scale rockets in the back yard.
Eighty-seven percent of the girls who graduated from one of Girlstarts three-year programs subsequently enrolled in a four-year university and 80 of them are now enrolled in STEM majors. These are Americas next generation of scientists and engineers who will contribute to a skilled workforce and make sure we remain a global leader in technology.
Flood Insurance Reform
I am proud to have supported last weeks passage of H.R. 5114 the Flood Insurance Reform Priorities Act. This long-overdue legislation provides a 5-year reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through FY15.
Over 20000 communities across the nation are served by this program including many constituents in my district and throughout Texas.
The extension of the NFIP will help thousands of Texans make real estate purchases and obtain small business loans.
Job Fair!
Congressman McCaul will be hosting a Job Fair on Wednesday September 1 2010 at the Merrell Center in Katy TX featuring employers from across Texas and the nation.
There is no cost to participate but space is limited. If you are an employer looking for qualified candidates please contact our Austin district office at (512) 473-2357 or fill out the registration form on our website.
Listening Posts!
My staff will hold Listening Posts in Austin and Elgin this month a valuable opportunity for constituents to discuss federal issues with my staff. I encourage all of you to drop by to ask questions voice concerns or simply introduce yourself.
Austin Tuesday July 20 -- 3:00-4:30pm
North Village Branch Library 2505 Steck Ave.
Elgin Friday July 23 -- 11:00 am - 1:00pm
Elgin Public Library 404 N. Main St.
Congressman Michael McCaul represents Texas 10th Congressional District. He is a Member of the House Border Security & Immigration Reform Committee. McCaul authored the 2006 report A Line in the Sand: Confronting the Threat at the Southwest Border exposing the rise of the drug cartels and the potential exploitation of our borders by terrorist groups.
