By Cong. Michael McCaul
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON, D.C. – On September 19th, House Republicans passed a clean, non-partisan bill to continue funding our government. It's the same bill Democrats voted for 13 times under President Biden – yet they have refused now multiple times to pass today under President Trump.
Senate Democrats could vote at any moment to pass this bill and re-open our government. Instead, they continue to ignore Americans' pain for their own gain.
Senator Schumer even went as far last week as to say,"Every day gets better for us."
While Democrats celebrate about holding our government hostage, our troops may start to miss their paychecks this week.
While Democrats celebrate about holding our government hostage, our troops may start to miss their paychecks this week.
I sent a letter to the chief administrative officer at the Capitol, asking that my pay be withheld too. If our troops aren't getting the money they deserve for defending our nation each day, neither should members of Congress.
Peace in the Middle East
This week, we finally saw positive news in the Middle East, with President Trump announcing that both Israel and Hamas have signed onto phase one of his peace plan. That means, if Hamas lives up to their word, the hostages will be coming home very soon. Only President Trump could have pulled off this historic achievement, and I couldn't be more relieved and grateful for the extensive work he and his team have done over the past few months.
I've met with many of the hostages' family members and know they've dreamt of hearing this news every day since their loved ones were brutally captured on October 7, 2023.
Last week also marked two years since Hamas' brutal massacre. I will never forget visiting Israel in the wake of October 7th and watching the harrowing footage of Hamas' barbaric attack — footage I agreed to bring home and show to other members of Congress.
Hamas' savagery on that day knew no bounds.
They not only assaulted women, burned children, and murdered entire families in cold blood – but they also recorded themselves doing it.
They not only assaulted women, burned children, and murdered entire families in cold blood – but they also recorded themselves doing it.
Two years later, we are finally close to an end to this conflict than we have ever been, thanks to President Trump.
As we look forward to the hostages' release, we also remember the horrors of that day, honor the nearly 1,200 innocent lives lost and 251 people taken captive, and pray for lasting peace in the region.
Congressman Michael McCaul represents Texas' 10th Congressional District, which stretches from Lake Travis outside of Austin to the Brazos Valley and includes: Austin, Bastrop, Brazos, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Lee, Madison, Travis, Washington, Waller and Williamson Counties. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and previously – prior to being term-limited as chairman under the House of Representatives Rules – served as the Chair of the House Homeland Security Committee during the 113th, 115th and 116th Congresses.
