Interstate 69
When I came into office on January 3, 2011, one of my highest priorities in the 112th Congress was the development of I-69 in South Texas. I was honored to work with the Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Alliance for I-69 to provide a long overdue interstate system in Texas. After 20 years since beginning the I-69 project, the Texas Department of Transportation designated Texas's first segment of Interstate 69 in Robstown, Texas on December 5, 2011.

I am excited that we continue to move forward to connect South Texas to the national interstate system. This designation is a huge step towards growing the local economy and creating jobs in South Texas. Surface transportation is crucial to our state, especially in light of the soon to be finished expansion of the Panama Canal.

With bi-partisan support from the entire Texas Delegation, I introduced H.R. 1535, which will make it easier for future completed sections of US 59, US 77 and US 281 to be upgraded to interstate standard. This language is also included in the Transportation Reauthorization bill that Congress will consider at the beginning on this year. As the only Republican Representative from Texas on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, my work on I-69 will not be complete until all of South Texas is serviced by I-69.

Creating and Restoring U.S. Investment and Stimulating Employment (CRUISE) Act
Last session, the Texas State Legislature passed Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 5, with the intent to analyze the development of a cruise industry on the Texas coast, and review its potential economic impact. On the federal level, I filed H.R. 2460, the Creating and Restoring U.S. Investment and Stimulating Employment (CRUISE) Act. Under current law (Title 46 of the United States Code), foreign-flagged passenger cruise ships (i.e. Carnival, Disney, Royal Caribbean, etc.) are required to dock in a foreign port during their journey. H.R. 2460 will allow cruise ships to move from one U.S. port to the next, which will provide for increased economic activity at various ports around the United States and promote tourism.

The cruise ship industry has the potential to bring a significant economic boost to the state. In 2010 alone, 15million passengers took cruises, and the cruise industry generated 313,998 jobs paying our $14.23 billion in wages and salaries. On average, a 2,500 passenger ship generates $322,037 in passenger and crew onshore spending in the home port city. A similar ship making a port-of call visit could generate $316,441 per U.S. port call.

States, like Texas, will benefit economically from this bill because they will have access to expenditures associated with cruise line and port operations and the purchase of goods and services, such as air transportation, food and beverage sales, ship maintenance and refurbishment, and engineering and travel agent commissions. Additionally, this bill will increase American tourism and spending in domestic locations versus sending our money abroad promoting international tourism.