This week the House passed yet another version of SCHIP, a bill that raises taxes on cigarettes by 61 cents a pack to help give illegal immigrants free, government subsidized health care. The bill would weaken existing law, (which forces states to check drivers’ licenses, passports, or birth certificates of applicants) and replace it with one that allows states to submit names and Social Security numbers to the Social Security Administration for verification. There is only one catch – according to a letter written by the Administrator, SSA does not have the ability to verify them. This means illegal immigrants could easily apply for free health care, paid for by your tax dollars.

It’s amazing the things some Members of Congress will try just to hand your tax dollars to illegal immigrants. If you remember, it was only last month that Democrats overturned a recorded vote so they could give illegal immigrants federal assistance. Thankfully, Congressman Culberson and many of his Republican colleagues are working to ensure that people illegally entering our country will not receive government handouts.

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The House finally went on record today in support of General Petraeus and our men and women in uniform. Congressman Culberson helped pass this resolution, which honored “all members of the Armed Forces” and condemned “in the strongest possible terms,” MoveOn.org’s personal attack on General David Petraeus. Seventy-nine Democrats voted against supporting our troops.

On Sunday, the New York Times admitted it should not have given a discount to MoveOn.org for its advertisement. The Times went on to say the ad violated its advertising policy, which bars “attacks of a personal nature.” The liberal group paid $65,000 for the full page ad, yet the rate is $142,000.

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Michael Froebel and Alexander Rahn were honored for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the Jersey Village Church of Christ. Currently Juniors at Cypress Ridge High School, both young men began their path to earning Eagle Scout in August of 1997. After ten years of hard work and dedication, their quest to achieve the highest title in scouting came to an end.

U.S. Congressman John Culberson and Cypress Ridge Vice Principal Archie Grigsby were in attendance at the ceremony, in addition to family and friends of both Michael and Alexander. A reception held in honor of their achievement immediately followed the ceremony.

Michael Froebel earned twenty-eight merit badges, is an honor student and serves on the Student Council. He is a distinguished member of his school’s band and chose to paint and improve Truitt Middle School’s Outdoor Learning Center for his Eagle project.

Alexander Rahn earned thirty merit badges, is also an honor student, and has excelled on the varsity swim team. He is the Senior Acolyte at St. Mary’s Episcopal church, where he rebuilt a fence for his service project. Both of them hope to attend Texas A&M University.

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Congressman John Culberson is working to make your government more effective, more efficient, and more accountable. For these reasons, he voted against three bills last week that the liberal majority passed in the House. One would raise taxes and increase the costs of air travel, while the others would dramatically expand the size of government.

Family vacations are expensive. Yet, the government still pockets much of your money every time you travel. When you fly through an airport, you can be taxed with a 'passenger facility charge.' Last week's FAA bill aims to raise this tax by 56 percent, meaning a family of four could expect to pay as much as $112 in airport taxes when vacationing or visiting a loved one. The bill also includes an $863 million tax on jet fuel, which would force airlines to raise ticket prices. You work hard to earn your vacation time and you shouldn’t have to pay more taxes to enjoy it.

The two other notable bills that Congressman Culberson voted against last week would expand the federal bureaucracy. The first would require the government to provide subsidized insurance for terrorism. Even though American insurers could offer this same coverage, this bill would mandate a costly new federal program. The second bill would expand the government’s reach into the housing market while creating a slush fund for liberal advocacy groups. A bigger, more expensive government will not ensure a prosperous future for our children and grandchildren. Congress cannot continue to burden taxpayers with irresponsible and unaffordable obligations by creating programs that will cost billions of dollars.

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The House passed legislation today to honor Dr. Michael Ellis DeBakey with a Congressional Gold Medal. Dr. DeBakey is best known for performing the world’s first open heart surgery while working at the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Congressman Culberson, who is a lead sponsor of the bill, spoke about DeBakey’s many accomplishments on the House floor. “The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow upon a person. DeBakey is certainly a man who deserves this honor.”

Dr. DeBakey has committed more than 65 years of his life to medicine, education, and innovation. At the age of 23, he invented the roller pump for blood transfusions, which later became a major component in the first successful open-heart operation. As an Army volunteer in WWII, he made numerous recommendations that would eventually lead to the development of mobile MASH units. In 1948, he moved to Houston to work at the Texas Medical Center. Since that time, his work has revolutionized the field of medicine and saved countless lives around the world. Last week, Dr. DeBakey turned 99 years old.

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