Neugebauer: A Troubling Development in the Fight Against ISIS

From Cong. Randy Neugebauer Texas Insider Report: Washington D.C. Over the weekend we learned U.S. Special Operations forces successfully conducted a raid against Abu Sayyaf a high-profile ISIS leader. Sayyaf is believed to be responsible for ISIS finances specifically their black market oil & gas operation. While the death of Sayyaf is undoubtedly a setback for ISIS we also learned that the terrorist group recently seized control of Ramadi the capital of Iraqs largest province. This is a very troubling development. I commend our service members on the frontlines who courageously went into harms way to carry out this successful raid and continue to believe the Obama administration must present a clearer plan to defeat and destroy ISIS and stop the spread of terrorism. In this time of increased threats the House took two important votes last week to ensure our military has the tools needed to keep America safe.

1. With my support the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 to authorize funding for the Department of Defense.
2. The House also passed the USA FREEDOM Act to enable our security agencies to gather intelligence on suspected terrorists and prevent future attacks while balancing our civil liberties.

I am hopeful that the Senate will quickly act on both of these important bills. Neugebauer Introduces Endangered Species Act Reform Legislation For far too long bureaucrats in Washington have used the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to bring heavy-handed regulations to hardworking farmers ranchers and business owners in West Texas and the Big Country. These regulations are incredibly expensive and can greatly harm future opportunity in the communities most impacted. Last Friday I introduced H.R. 2352 the State Tribal and Local Species Transparency & Recovery Act. This legislation would require the federal government to disclose to affected states all data used prior to any ESA listing decisions and require that the best available scientific and commercial data" used by the federal government include data provided by affected states tribes and local governments. I believe its time to give communities across America a greater say in the ESA listing process and increase transparency. I introduced similar legislation last Congress that was packaged into a comprehensive Endangered Species Act reform bill that passed the House.

• You can read more about my bill in the Abilene Reporter-News.

A Funding Blueprint for the Federal Government This week the House will continue the appropriations process the process of providing funding for the federal governments operations. At a time when our nation is $18 trillion and counting in debt this process is all the more important. This week the House is expected to vote on the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill which funds the U.S. Capitol and Congress essential operations. Since Republicans gained control of the House in January of 2011 we reduced our own funding by 14 and prevented pay increases for Members of Congress. While this is the smallest of the 12 Appropriations bills it prioritizes the conservative solutions we must bring to every area of the federal government. Congressman Randy Neugebauer represents Texas 19^th District which includes 29 counties in West Texas and the Big Country.  Now in his 6th term Neugebauer serves as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance.