Congressman Mike Conaway - Conaway Chronicle
Agriculture Committee Examines Positive Impacts of Lifting Oil Export Ban
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. This week the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to examine the economic impact that exporting crude oil would have on the rural and national economy. Members of the committee heard from experts on energy development and the rural economy who focused on the advantages to lifting the ban on oil exports.
The majority of oil development takes place in rural areas like Texas Eleventh Congressional District and when development slows or prices swing wildly the health of those rural communities suffers. Allowing a forty-year old law that has outlived its original purpose to dictate our nations energy policy is simply not in the best interest of the American people. According to studies if we were to lift the ban today we would see close to a million new jobs nationwide in just a few years. Lifting the oil export ban will grow our economy it will also improve our geopolitical position and it will lower gas prices.
Protecting Religious Freedom Two weeks ago the Supreme Court issued their disappointing decision on same-sex marriage. This decision conflicts with my deeply held personal belief that marriage is a sacred vow between one man and one woman before God. I have supported traditional marriage my entire life and will continue to uphold the Judeo-Christian principles I was raised with.
To that end I signed on to H.R. 2802 the First Amendment Defense Act. This bill sponsored by Congressman Labrador will prohibit any federal agency from denying a tax exemption grant contract license or certification to an individual association or business based on their belief in traditional marriage. I look forward to advancing this legislation to ensure that no one will be treated unfairly or punished or forced to act against their personal or religious beliefs.
Student Success Act Passes House Wednesday the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5 The Student Success Act. This legislation reforms the national education system by reducing federal involvement and returning control to states and school districts to make the decisions that are right for their students.
Access to a quality education is something that every child deserves. However the current K-12 education system in our country under No Child Left Behind simply isnt working. The Student Success Act reins in the expansion of the federal governments involvement in education and empowers states school districts parents and students to make decisions that are best for each childs individual needs.
Under this legislation states will not be forced to adopt Common Core or any other common standards or assessments. This is the first step towards a solution to our nations education problem and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that states not the federal government retain control in the classroom.
