Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, issued the following statement on the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (S. 1177) in the House of Representatives.

“Control of education should be purview of elected state and local school boards and not the federal government. Students are best served when the teachers and school administrators, who know them best, are not held to a one-size-fits-all accountability system.

“As the Obama Administration continues to force its intrusive, big-government regulations and standards on the American people, the simple fact is that Washington agencies have no business dictating the model for a child’s education.

“This legislation signifies an overdue overhaul of the education system, placing control back in to the hands of the states, where it belongs—and demonstrating the largest rollback of federal power in over 25 years.

“I am confident that this is the first step to reforming a broken education system and will empower our teachers and local school systems with the tools to more successfully shape future generations.”

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, issued the following statement on the Paris attacks and the admission of Syrian refugees into the United States:

“I extend my sincerest condolences and prayers to all the victims and families impacted by last week’s horrific attacks in Paris. Regrettably, the tragedy in Paris has illustrated for the rest of the world what happens when would-be terrorists believe they can enter a country undetected.

“While President Obama is attempting a fragmented strategy to combat ISIS, the rest of the world is coming together to eliminate this threat. This is not the time to let our guard down.

“Thus, I vehemently oppose the admission of Syrian refugees into the United States without a more substantial vetting process. I stand firmly behind Texas Governor Abbott and his decision that the state of Texas will refuse any incoming Syrian refugees. Following the Paris attacks, it is clear that the U.S. lacks a comprehensive procedure to perform adequate and thorough background checks on refugees—opening our borders and citizens up to real danger.

“There is no single entity in charge of coordinating the refugee admittance process—the process for refugee applicants is split between at least five different federal agencies. This lack of accountability only increases vulnerability. We must do all we can to ensure the safety of American citizens.”  

Pictured left to right: Andre “Frenchy” Rheault, Forrest Beadle, Jack Bailey, Congressman Michael Burgess, Doug Brown, Gary Steele

Highland Village, TX – This week, U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-Lewisville) recognized the five veterans who received this year’s 26^th District Congressional Veteran Commendation (CVC).  The CVC was created in 2005 to honor the distinguished living veterans of Texas’ 26^th Congressional District.  Nominations were received from the community, veterans’ organizations and civic groups.

This year’s commendations were presented at the annual “Salute Our Veterans” luncheon sponsored by the Highland Village Business Association and the City of Highland Village. The five recipients of this year’s Congressional Veteran Commendation are:

Jack Bailey - Flower Mound
(Major - US Army/Commander - U.S. Navy)  

Forrest Beadle - Denton
(Captain - U.S. Army)

Doug Brown - Flower Mound
(Chief Warrant Officer - U.S. Army)

Andre “Frenchy” Rheault - Denton
(Master Sergeant - U.S. Air Force)         

Gary Steele - Denton
Senior Master Sergeant - U.S. Air Force               

“Five extraordinary individuals were selected to receive the 2015 Congressional Veteran Commendation,” said Rep. Burgess.  “They served in the Armed Forces of the United States with distinction and continued their dedication to the nation by striving tirelessly on behalf of their fellow veterans and serving the people in their communities.”

“While we have singled out these veterans for recognition, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to all veterans for your service to the United States of America,” Rep. Burgess remarked to the approximate 300 luncheon attendees.  

Congressman Burgess also provided each Vietnam War veteran in attendance with a special 50^th anniversary commemorative lapel pin.  Rep. Burgess read the embossed message on the reverse of the pin to the audience, “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.” “On behalf of the citizens of the 26^th District we do indeed express our gratitude to you for your service and extend a welcome home.”

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, issued the following statement on the retirement of Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R-PA):

“I am grateful to Chairman Pitts for his dedicated service and his role as a leader in healthcare policy. During his chairmanship, we saw some of the greatest healthcare reforms. Joe led the subcommittee to pass more bipartisan bills into law than any other committee in the last two sessions of Congress, and he was a strong ally in repealing and replacing the SGR, which put medical professionals back in charge of measuring quality care and addressed one of the largest drivers of our nation’s debt.  

There is still much work ahead of us in the next year and I look forward to working with Chairman Pitts to see it through. I don’t doubt that he leaves big shoes to fill. I wish him and his wife the absolute best on the next chapter.”

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, issued the following statement on the President’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline:

“This news is not surprising. If President Obama wanted to approve it he had multiple opportunities to do so. This is all part of his political games. His excuses for rejecting this pro-job and pro-growth project are unsupported. The State Department, under both Secretaries Clinton and Kerry, has conducted five reviews, which show the Keystone XL pipeline is in the best interest for our economy, the environment, and national security. I do think this outcome is unfortunate, because a portion of the pipeline has already been built through Texas. However—in less than a year, we will have elected a new president and we must hope that it is someone that isn’t as politically motivated and strategically short sighted as our current president.”

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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, issued the following statement on the selection of fellow Texan Kevin Brady as the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee:

“In this new era of leadership, I can think of no better candidate than Kevin to advance a pro-conservative and pro-growth agenda in the House of Representatives as Ways and Means Committee Chairman. He has actively communicated his commitment to advancing tax reform, replacing ObamaCare and expanding global trade. Kevin is a true conservative and fiscal leader, exemplifying everything that it means to be part of the Texas delegation, the largest Republican delegation in the House of Representatives.”