Providing reliable, affordable energy that powers our country and the world is what Texas does best.

I am truly honored to represent an area that is a leader in producing the energy we use today and is also at the forefront of creating the next generation of domestic energy that will carry us into the future. The refineries and chemical plants in and around the 36th Congressional District are unmatched in the world. Advancing policies that keep our refineries free from expensive, ineffective and burdensome regulations is important to our local and national economy.

Also, projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline and the LNG export facility in Sabine Pass will create jobs for those of us who call East Texas home and it will make America stronger and more secure. Maintaining our area as an energy hub will continue to advance and secure our local economy.

The greatest challenge for Americans who work for our nation’s energy producers are the burdensome regulations imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy and other agencies across the Obama Administration. The actions of these unaccountable regulators raise the cost of electricity and gasoline, threaten jobs and too often will be of little or no benefit to our environment. In Congress, I am committed to a real, long-term energy strategy that maximizes domestic energy production, eliminates inefficient and ineffective regulations, and reduces our dependence on Middle East oil.