Dear Friends, It is encouraging to learn that Texans are having the lights turned back on, but with this good news we do need to do our part to make sure that we do not overload the system as it is coming back up. Here are few tips to help conserve energy right now: Lower your thermostats to 68 degrees. Close blinds to reduce the amount of heat lost through windows. Turn off and unplug non-essential lights and appliances (i.e washing machines, ovens, etc.). Avoid using large appliances like opening your refrigerator. While power is coming back on many cities throughout Texas are under a boil w... Read More »
Dear Friends, Last night, I sent a letter to Bill Magness, President and Chief Executive Officer of ERCOT seeking answers for the reason millions of Texans are without power during this winter weather emergency, what is being done to restore power, and how this will be prevented in the future. I was joined on the letter by other Texas Congressional Leaders Congressman Michael McCaul, Congressman Van Taylor, Congressman August Pfluger, Congressman Tony Gonzales, Congressman Randy Weber, Congressman John Carter, Congressman Michael Cloud, Congressman Roger Williams, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne,... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), delivered the an opening during Energy and Commerce Committee's Energy Subcommittee on "A Smarter Investment: Pathways to a clean energy future." As Prepared for Delivery: "Thank you, Chair Rush, I look forward to serving on the Energy Subcommittee with you once again in the 117th Congress. "Today’s hearing occurs at a critical time in our nation’s history. This week, almost 5 million American households were left without electricity across Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana as dangerous and record-setting winter weather ravaged the C... Read More »
Dear Friends, Right now almost 5 million American households are left without electricity across Oklahoma, Texas, and Louisiana as dangerous and record-setting winter weather ravaged the Central United States, blasting sub-freezing arctic air all the way south to the Mexican border. I sent a letter to Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) seeking answers for why power has not returned to Texas families. While getting the lights back would always be a top priority, it is even greater since we are still battling this Coronavirus, and this severe weather may cause widespread delays in COV... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Texas Congressional Leaders led by Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. and including Congressman Michael McCaul, Congressman Van Taylor, Congressman August Pfluger, Congressman Tony Gonzales, Congressman Randy Weber, Congressman John Carter, Congressman Michael Cloud, Congressman Roger Williams, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, Congresswoman Kay Granger, Congressman Kevin Brady, Congressman Louie Gohmert, Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Congressman Chip Roy, and Congressman Jodey C. Arrington sent a letter today to Bill Magness, President and Chief Executive Officer of Electric Reli... Read More »
Dear Friends, It is upsetting that millions of Texans are about to enter their fourth day without power. Last night on a call with ERCOT, I join other Members of Congress in pressing for answers to many of the questions that you have for why this happened, when will power be restored, and how can this be prevented in the future. ERCOT officials gave us the rundown for when they realized on Monday that there were going to be issues. They said that this was worse than the hottest summer in Texas back in 2018. As generation resources come back to the grid, electricity will return. ERCOT officials... Read More »
Dear Friends, The severe winter weather has brought more than snow, sleet, and freezing rain to North Texas. Millions of Texans are without power in these below freezing conditions and our state isnow under a Federal Emergency Declaration.Power outagesand rolling blackouts are expected to continue for an extended period of time especially as more inclement weather is predicted in the coming days. Just like you, I am concerned about how this happened, what is being done to get the power back on ASAP, and how this can be prevented in the future. ERCOT, ONCOR, COSERV, and other service providers... Read More »
Dear Friends, In case you missed it, theGOP Doc Caucus co-chairs along with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meekswrote an op-edabout why it is detrimental for children to remain away from the classroom, when science shows in-person learning can be done safely. This was after the Caucus sent a letter toPresident Bidenasking that he putstudentsfirst and get them back into the classroomASAP. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and US Department of Education provided recommendations and considerations to support elementary and secondary schools safely reopening. The CDC l... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), sent a letter today to Speaker Nancy Pelosi requesting that she provide a classified briefing for Members concerning ongoing security threats at the Capitol. “Our national Capitol, the city and the building, now more closely resemble a foreign war zone rather than the seat of democracy,” Burgess wrote. “Due to the significant security failures, Members of Congress deserve to know what Congressional,Capitol Police, and other federal agencyleadership knew leading up to January 6th. “I am pleased that Lieutenant GeneralRussel Honoré... Read More »
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX),released the following statement after learning about the death of Congressman Ron Wright, (R-TX). "Ron was a friend and colleague who dedicated his life to serving the American people," Burgess said. "I got to know Ron well when he was District Director for Congressman Joe Barton before serving as his Chief of Staff. He will forever be known as Mr. Tarrant County, dedicating his life to his faith and serving the community he loved so dearly. Ron served as Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector, Arlington’s Mayor pro tem, congressi... Read More »
