2013 June Newsletter
INDEX
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Rep. Hall meets with 12 Rockwall High School and Rockwall Heath High School students visiting D.C.
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BREAKING NEWS
Supreme Court rulings on Same-Sex Marriage Cases
On June 26, the Supreme Court ruled on two cases related to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In the first ruling, regarding the case United States v. Windsor, the Supreme Court struck down by a vote of 5-4 the federal provision under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that denied federal benefits to same-sex couples in states where same-sex marriage is legal.
In the second ruling, regarding the case Hollingsworth v. Perry that challenged California’s Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage, the Court determined by a vote of 5-4 that the defenders of Proposition 8 did not have the legal standing to do so. Consequently, same-sex marriages in California are allowed to continue.
I am very disappointed by the Supreme Court’s rulings that impact the traditional institution of marriage. However, given the President’s two appointees to the Court in his first term, I am not surprised that the Court issued a liberal interpretation on current law.
Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, and the Court’s decision strikes down a provision in a law that is still important to a majority of Americans – and especially to those in my district. This is a blow to traditional family values and another reason we need a President who will stand up for those values.
National Security Agency (NSA) Surveillance Leaks
Earlier in June, Edward Snowden, a former employee for the National Security Agency (NSA), flew to Hong Kong from Hawaii and leaked information about two NSA programs – Prism and Boundless Informant. Prism gives the NSA access to data from U.S. internet sources including Google, Facebook, and Apple, while Boundless Informant collects phone records and analyzes origins of phone calls (though the program does not record actual conversations).
Many 4th District constituents have expressed concerns that the surveillance program violates their privacy rights, and they are disappointed in the lack of transparency within the federal agency.
Given this Administration’s recent scandals including the unsatisfactory response to attacks in Benghazi, the seizure of phone records from the Associated Press and others, and the targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service, it is no surprise American citizens are wondering if this Administration can be trusted.
I will be monitoring this issue as investigations proceed and additional details emerge, and I will continue to push for more oversight of the NSA and other Administration agencies. Transparency should be an integral part of our government process, and Americans should not be wondering or worrying about what the government is doing behind their backs. We need to find a balance between the safety and rights of our citizens.
ONGOING EFFORTS
Promoting Job Creation, a Healthy Economy, and Energy Independence
Helping Americans who are struggling by promoting job creation and a healthy economy is my top priority, and I am pleased that on June 27 and 28 the House passed two pro-jobs, pro-energy bills that would improve the lives of all Americans.
On June 27, the House passed H.R. 1613, the Outer Continental Shelf Transboundary Hydrocarbon Agreement Authorization Act. This bill opens new areas to oil and natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico by enacting the terms of an agreement signed by the U.S. and Mexico. Currently, 67 lease blocks on the U.S. portion of the Gulf Coast of Mexico’s border are preventing access to an estimated 172 million barrels of oil and 304 billion cubic feet of natural gas.
On June 28, the House passed H.R. 2231, the Offshore Energy and Jobs Act. This bill would help Americans by creating 250,000 jobs in the short-term, 1.2 million jobs long-term, and would also grow our economy by generating $1.5 billion in new revenue over 10 years. The Offshore Energy and Jobs Act would reverse the President’s moratorium that is blocking access to affordable energy in our own backyard. The bill requires the President to implement a new five-year leasing plan that moves forward with energy production in areas containing the most oil and natural gas resources that are currently not being utilized. To learn more about these bills, CLICK HERE.
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Rep. Hall meets with 4th District students participating with the Texas Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour.
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Providing and Caring for our Troops and Veterans
This week Americans across the country will gather together to celebrate our nation’s independence and the freedoms we enjoy which are protected under the Constitution. Because the freedom and security of all Americans depends on the sacrifices of our brave servicemen and women, it is fitting that in June House Republicans passed three responsible bills to provide funding for our veterans and troops.
As a longtime supporter of our men and women in uniform, both past and present, I believe it is important that we provide these brave individuals and their families with the care and support they need, deserve, and have earned through their sacrifices on behalf of our great Nation. It is equally important that our current troops have the resources they need to effectively provide a strong defense and protect all Americans.
Keeping in mind the need to rein in federal spending, I am pleased these bills demonstrate that providing adequate support for our veterans and troops while reining in spending is not exclusive.
On June 4, the House passed H.R. 2216, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2014. This bill works to adequately and thoughtfully fund our veterans’ quality of life through family housing, medical facilities, guard and reserve facilities, and education facilities, while at the same time conducting oversight and reducing excess funds where possible.
To learn more, CLICK HERE.
On June 6, the House passed H.R. 221, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. In this past year alone, Americans have faced terrorist attacks both at home and abroad. This bill addresses the weaknesses identified after the Boston Marathon attacks, works to secure the border, improves cybersecurity operations, and provides full funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) stated requirement for disaster relief. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
On June 14, the House passed H.R. 1960, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. This bill provides our troops with the necessary equipment, training, and resources to perform their duties with as much protection as possible as they are placed in harm’s way. Particularly important to the 4th District is a section in the bill that would prohibit the Department of Defense from proposing, planning, or initiating another Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC). The Red River Army Depot in Texarkana is a valuable asset to the community and to our defense interests, and I will continue to work to protect the good work that is being done there. To learn more, CLICK HERE.
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Rep. Hall joins the people of Farmersville to celebrate Audie Murphy Day and participate in the Audie Murphy Day Parade.
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Protecting the Safety of Women and Unborn Children
I have always supported and respected the sanctity of life through the support of pro-life legislation, and as an original co-sponsor of H.R. 1797, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, I was pleased to vote in favor of this bill on June 19. This bill takes important steps to protect women and children from unsafe, unethical late-term abortion procedures and from criminals who would do them severe harm.
Dangerous late-term abortions are not rare occurrences, but present a relevant and serious problem that must be addressed. A Guttmacher study from 2005 found at least 15,600 late-term abortions were performed in the U.S. that year, and last month Dr. Kermit Gosnell – who murdered both live babies while performing late-term abortions and women through unsafe medical practices – was convicted of three counts of murder, one count of involuntary manslaughter, and was sentenced to life in prison.
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act prohibits abortions of the unborn who are twenty weeks past fertilization or later - the beginning of the sixth month and at which time the unborn can feel intense pain. The bill provides exceptions for when the life of the mother is in danger, or for pregnancies resulting from rape and/or incest if the crime is reported.To read my press release on this vote, CLICK HERE.
Helping Families and Farmers during Drought Season
As we enter the summer months, drought is a relevant and continuing challenge that affects most regions of our country, including the 4th District of Texas. Currently, 53% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions, which can result in water rationing, crop failures, and wildfires.
In order to help provide families, farmers, and small businesses with resources to help with this issue, on June 19th I introduced H.R. 2431, legislation to reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) has been a highly effective program that provides the best available information and tools to monitor and predict droughts, assess the potential impacts, and better prepare for and mitigate the harmful effects of droughts. To learn more information about the NIDIS program, CLICK HERE.
(NIDIS was established in 2006 by legislation introduced by Rep. Hall. This bill extends authorization of this critical program through 2018.)
LOOKING AHEAD
Washington doesn’t need to spend more, it needs to spend better, and as the appropriations process to fund the government for fiscal year 2014 continues, I remain focused on responsible spending.
Open enrollment for “Obamacare” is now less than 100 days away, and I will continue to monitor hearings and reports of this bad health care law. Recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports confirm the Administration is ill-equipped for the pending implementation of the federally-facilitated health insurance and the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP) exchanges created under the health care law. The Chicago Tribune also published an editorial on June 23 about the expected rate-shock once “Obamacare” is rolled out.
As the House prepares to take up small bills in the month of July to address step-by-step immigration reform, my top priority is to, first and foremost, secure the border. We must then make sure our current immigration laws are being forced. Only then should we be looking at other areas of reform. Many of my constituents have called in opposition to the Senate’s immigration bill – House Leadership does not plan to take up this bill.
I hope you and your families have a safe Fourth of July celebration, and to those of you who have served our country, I thank you for your bravery and sacrifice.
The top concerns of 4th District constituents whom I speak with and who write to my offices continue to be job creation, a healthy economy, and reining in government spending, and this will continue to be my focus.
Your views and concerns guide my efforts, and I look forward to hearing from you so that I may serve you to the best of my ability.
Sincerely,
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