The House of Representatives today approved H.R. 5638, the Permanent Estate Tax Relief Act of 2006, which will provide permanent estate tax and gift tax relief for millions of Americans. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26) voted in favor of passage. The estate tax, also known as the death tax, is a tax on the value of a deceased individual’s assets before they are passed to their heirs. “I’ve always believed that a tax system should be simply, fair and just,” said Congressman Michael C... Read more

Statement by the Honorable Michael Burgess, MD Internet Data Brokers and Pretexting: Who has Access to Your Private Records? June 21, 2006 Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you for having this important hearing. Our committee has worked diligently to protect our constituents and their private records, and today’s hearing will further expand on why legislation is crucial to solving this problem. Through a thorough investigation by this subcommittee, we have obtained numerous, troubling records. ... Read more

Today, The Leadership of the House of Representatives has postponed a scheduled to reauthorization of Voting Rights Act of 1965. The following statement may be attributed to Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26): “The Voting Rights Act has benefited our country for over 40 years. This delay is unfortunate, but I am confident the review period will be short. I remain committed to voting in favor of reauthorization of the VRA when it comes to the House floor.” Read more

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD - MICHAEL C. BURGESS ENERGY AND COMMERCE MARKUP – Energy Legislation June 20, 2006 Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank you for holding today's mark-up. This morning we will consider a number of non-controversial pieces of legislation. I am especially pleased that we will consider H.R. 5632, sponsored by Mr. Shimkus, Mr. Engel, and Mr. Allen. It is estimated that ensuring properly inflated tires can increase fuel economy by 1-2 percent alone. But in order to achieve thes... Read more

U.S. Representative Burgess Brings an Additional $4 Million to UNT’s ARTI Today, Congressman Michael Burgess secured $4 million for Advanced Research and Technology Initiative (ARTI) at the University of North Texas in Denton. The funding comes from the fiscal year 2007 Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives. The University of North Texas’s ARTI, formerly known as the Center for Advanced Research and Technology, is a research facility in micr... Read more

Opening Statement Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. Energy and Commerce Full Committee Mark Up Multi-Health Care Legislation Mark-Up June 15, 2006 I am supportive of the bills we have before the full committee today. These bills will maintain access to health care, improve the delivery of care by increasing integration of health information technology, and provide important resources to Children’s Hospitals to train the next generation of pediatric medical specialists. I am concerned though ... Read more

Earlier today, the Mayors of Fort Worth and Dallas, along with Herbert Kelleher (Chairman of the Board, Southwest Airlines), Daniel Garton (Executive Vice President – Marketing, American Airlines) and Jeffrey Fegan (Chief Executive Officer, DFW International Airport) announced in a joint statement that an agreement had been reached to resolve the “Wright Amendment” issues. A copy of the agreement is available under the "related documents” on this webpage. Read more

The last few weeks has certainly seen a great deal written about the conflict in Iraq. The middle of next month will see the third popular election held in the country of Iraq this year. Stay the course -- or pull out now. These seem to be the two recurrent themes debated in the Halls of Congress and on editorial pages across the country. Our military action, which was never popular with the press, has been portrayed in the most negative possible fashion for the past 2 1/2 years. The result is ... Read more

Statement by the Honorable Michael Burgess, MD Human Tissue Samples: NIH Research Policies and Practices June 13, 2006 Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you for your continued leadership into the investigation of another important public health issue. During my tenure in Congress, I have had the privilege of visiting NIH multiple times. After each visit, I am amazed by the research and study that their scientists perform on a daily basis. After each visit, my hope that a cure for cancer, a cure... Read more

The Honorable Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) Tuesday, June 13, 2006 Extension of Remarks In Recognition of Lance Corporal Ryan S. Miller’s Service Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Lance Corporal Ryan S. Miller, United States Marine Corps, for receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for superior performance of duty while serving as the Non Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center's Color Detail at Twentynine Palms, California. Lance Corporal Miller was responsi... Read more