Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (Texas-26), sent a letter to President Obama regarding the increase in violence along the Texas border, and the President’s decision to withdraw troops sooner than previously indicated despite an increase in violence. Read more

This year more than ever as citizens exercised their right to vote in record numbers – a right fought for and died for by millions of current and former service members. We must all pause from the distracions of our own lives and reflect on the sacrifices made by those men and women who have served our country and their families. There is no greater selfless act than to fight for one’s own country. The freedoms we have we owe to veterans. Today is their day. Read more

Monday, the White House’s National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill issued preliminary technical conclusions concerning factors contributing to the blowout and explosion on the Deepwater Horizon exploratory rig this past April 20. Notably, the Commission staff investigators report there is “no evidence at this time to suggest there was a conscious decision to sacrifice safety concerns to save money.” While this finding has generated a lot of news coverage, it should be noted that... Read more

Lewisville, TX – Today U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess (R-Lewisville) recognized the five veterans who received this year’s Congressional Veteran Commendation (CVC). The CVC was created six years ago to honor the distinguished living veterans of Texas’ 26th Congressional District. Nominations were received from the community, veterans organizations and civic groups. This year’s commendations were presented at the eighth annual “Salute Our Veterans” luncheon sponsored by the Highland Village Busines... Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Lewisville), a member of the Joint Economic Committee, will host an economic forum on the state of the economy, titled “North Texas Economic Recovery Outlook: Impact of Government Policy on Small Business.” The forum will take place this Friday, October 29, in Lewisville. The forum will bring together policymakers, including Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands), the Senior House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, and local economic experts and business owners to discuss the state of business in North Texas. “It’s been a tough couple of years for lots of folks in North Texas, and we hope to hear from small business owners so that we can assess the challenges you face, and craft policy that will help you boost employment and wages to help get our economy back on track,” Burgess said. Read more

Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), today received a welcomed response from Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-California) regarding a information Ranking Member Burgess attempted to enter into the Committee's official record, but was prevented from doing so by Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak (D-Michigan). On October 15, Ranking Member Burgess wrote to Chairman Waxman expressing his concern over the incident, which occurred during a September 22 subcommittee hearing, when Ranking Member Burgess was prevented from entering information into the Committee record. Ranking Member Burgess wrote "I would like to express my concern that this incident did not reflect a cooperative, bipartisan, and respectful manner and was not in keeping with the traditions of the Committee. Read more

UPDATED 10-13-2010 - Burgess writes to President Obama supporting his appeal for a federal disaster declaration and assistance for 13 counties affected by Tropical Storm Hermine. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) released the following statement after learning that the Obama Administration had denied Governor Rick Perry's request to grant a disaster declaration for thirteen Texas counties damaged by Tropical Storm Hermine: “I am disappointed that the Obama Administration has refused to offer Texans the needed disaster declaration and assistance. Tropical Storm Hermine caused eight deaths, widespread flooding leading to more than 100 high water rescues, over 100 residences were destroyed and thousands of citizens were without water and electricity. This storm left behind a disaster – there is no doubt, and it is the responsibility of the federal government to aid the state and counties in clean-up and repairing the damage the storm caused. The fact that the federal government sent $18 million in social security checks to dead people but refuses to help Texas with the damage caused by Tropical Storm Hermine is outrageous.” Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (Texas-26), a member of the Joint Economic Committee, released the following statement on the September jobs report released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics today: “For yet another month, job growth remained stagnant and the number of unemployed remained high. While the private sector did add jobs last month, which I am pleased to see, that growth was very modest, and overall the economy lost 95,000 jobs while the unemployment rate remained at 9.6 percent. For minorities and young people, the situation is even worse – proof once again that the Democrats’ big-government big-spending policies are not working. Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas) released the following statement after a U.S. District Court Judge in Michigan ruled today that health care's individual mandate, requiring Americans to purchase health care insurance, is not unconstitutional: “If the Commerce Clause can be used to implement an individual mandate and be considered Constitutional, then there is no limit to what the federal government can force Americans to do or purchase. If allowed, this would be the most far-reaching infringement on our right as Americans to liberty in the history of our country, and gives a green light to any and all future Washington-knows-best policies the Democrats may try to ram down our throats. This is obviously not the last work on this subject. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is leading the fight against this unconstitutional provision, along with a bipartisan group of 19 other state Attorneys General and the State of Virginia. I’m confident they will prevail in defeating the unconstitutional individual mandate and voiding the entire statute.” Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (Texas-26) praised passage of three bills he has introduced in the House of Representatives this week. All three pieces of legislation – HR 1362, HR 5354, and HR 5462 – passed unanimously just as Congress adjourned. HR 1362, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act, would direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to create a national surveillance program on neurological diseases, such as MS and Parkinson’s. “As Co-Chair of the Congressional MS Caucus, I firmly believe a national surveillance system would allow for future planning of health care needs, detect changes in health practices, promote advocacy, and support a wide range of research initiatives. Read more