July 2014 in Review

• Addressing the Border Crisis 
• Improving Access to Higher Education
• Lawsuit Against the President

Rep. Hall celebrates Independence Day at the Heath, Texas Parade

Addressing the Border Crisis

The Problem

America’s southern border states have recently suffered a surge of over 52,000 unaccompanied children, teenagers, and families from Central America who are attempting to illegally immigrate. The crisis at the border largely rests on President Obama’s shoulders due to his Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) executive order. It has been widely reported that parents in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador are sending their children across the border because U.S. law is not enforced. This lax enforcement has incentivized many to make the dangerous trek from Central America during which they face extreme heat exposure, threats of sexual molestation, and violence at the hands of drug cartels and others involved in the smuggling. Not only are lives endangered due to lack of U.S. border security, but the flood of Central Americans attempting to enter the U.S. illegally is putting severe stress on border communities.

Working Towards a Solution

The American people agree something must be done immediately to address the border crisis, protect America’s border communities, and promptly remove incentives for future illegal immigrants by quickly returning these unaccompanied children home. Unfortunately, President Obama has refused to address this crisis of his own making. While this is grossly irresponsible, it is not surprising. That is why, during the last week in July, the House passed two bills to take action where the President has not. These bills – H.R. 5230, a border supplemental appropriations act; and H.R. 5272, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Executive Amnesty Freeze – are fully offset through cuts and recessions of existing funds. To learn more about these bills to prohibit DACA and promptly return these children home, CLICK HERE.

While these bills address the immediate crisis, we must continue to work toward a fully secure border and total enforcement of current law if we are to prevent similar future crises.

Bills I co-sponsor relevant to the border crisis:

• H.R. 140, Birthright Citizenship Act of 2013
• H.R. 556, Refundable Child Tax Credit Eligibility Verification Reform Act of 2013
• H.R. 830, Secure America with Verification and Enforcement (SAVE) Act of 2013
• H.R. 997, English Language Unity Act of 2013
• H.R. 1417, Border Security Results Act of 2013
• H.R. 1772, Legal Workforce Act
• H.R. 3732, Immigration Compliance Enforcement (ICE) Act
• H.R. 5014, Illegal Entry Accountability Act of 2014

Rest assured that I will continue to monitor the ongoing border crisis that is directly impacting Texans, and I will actively represent the views of my constituents.

Rep. Hall visits with Rockwall ISD High School scholarship winners at the Rockwall Republican Men's Club breakfast. (Picture L-R – Charles Pflieger, Eric Jones, Austin Young)

Improving Access to Higher Education

As someone who grew up in a family of educators, I understand the importance of quality education and how it is directly tied to our students’ future opportunities. That is why I want to ensure students across the nation and in our great State of Texas receive the best education possible.

Unfortunately the cost of higher-level education continues to rise while the economy remains stagnant. In order to provide more students access to postsecondary education and thus improve their chances for greater future success, I voted in favor of four pro-education bills this July. These bills would:

1. Provide greater flexibility to institutions that want to provide students a more personalized, cost-effective education (H.R. 3136, Advanced Competency-Based Education Demonstration Project Act);
2. Provide better financial counseling for parents and students who take out education loans (H.R. 4984, Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling);
3. Improve available information concerning institutions so parents and students can make more informed decisions about what postsecondary schools best meet their needs (H.R. 4983, Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act); and
4. Simplify and improve education tax benefits so families can better use them (H.R. 3393, Student and Family Tax Simplification Act).

As America’s students prepare to begin a new school year, I will continue my efforts on their behalf to improve our nation’s education system. After all, children make up 25% of our population and 100% of our future.

In Honey Grove, Texas, Rep. Hall presents a flag to Johhnie Smith, whose store - Smith Feed and Seed - was awarded the Texas Treasure Business Award

Lawsuit against President Obama

Every President and Member of Congress, when they are sworn in, makes an oath to uphold America’s Constitution and protect our Nation’s democracy. It is our most important duty. A vital part of our Constitution’s foundation is that of proper checks and balances – it is how our democracy, though imperfect, works. Because I take this oath seriously, on July 30 I voted with the House to pass H.Res. 676, a resolution to authorize a lawsuit against President Obama for actions inconsistent with his duties outlined in the Constitution.

I have been vocal in my opposition to this President’s loose interpretation of the Constitution since he was first elected to office. He has ignored laws outright, selectively enforced others, and at times created laws of his own through an abusive use of executive actions. That is why I support Speaker Boehner’s lawsuit, which specifically addresses the President’s decision to twice waive “ObamaCare’s” employer mandate and subsequent penalties for failing to comply with it.

No President should be able to rewrite laws for convenience or personal conscience. This lawsuit is necessary if we are to protect and rebalance the Constitution’s separation of powers. The American people deserve true democracy.

Rep. Hall attends Celina's annual Cajun Fest

                         I pray you and your families enjoy the last few weeks of summer, and I thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter. I look forward to hearing from you so that I may serve you to the best of my ability as we work together to get America back on track and provide a better and brighter future for our families.

          Sincerely,

          Ralph M. Hall