Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, again, a significant milestone was reached this past weekend in the recovery of the sovereign nation of Iraq. On my most recent trip to that country this past August, it was clear that the constitution was the key that gets them through the door to the next part of their ability to govern themselves. There are things in this country that we take for granted, things like bank to check, things like transfer of title of real estate, things that are not possible in a countr... Read more

Statement by the Honorable Michael Burgess, MD FCC’s E-rate Plans to Assist Gulf Coast Recovery: Ensuring Effective Implementation October 6, 2005 Mr. Chairman, thank you for having this important hearing. Today, Congress is faced with the enormous responsibility of ensuring that the needs of our citizens in the Gulf Coast Region are adequately met, while at the same time ensuring that our taxpayers obtain the accountability that they deserve. I have full faith that this great nation will conti... Read more

Click here for the full version.Please do not respond to this email. To contact Congressman Burgess, use the "Write Your Rep" service. If you would to be removed from our email distribution list, please click here. This link will redirect you to the main page of the congressional website where you can remove your email address. Column: Giving a Moment of Hope and a Future of Happiness Office of Rep. Burgess Reunites a Mother and Child Separated by Hurricane Katrina On the tumultuous Thursday nig... Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX), made the following statement regarding Leader Tom DeLay: "In this country one is innocent unless proven guilty of a crime. The current situation encircling Leader DeLay turns the legal system on its head. We are now administering punishment after an unsubstantiated accusation. There has been no conviction." "Tom DeLay has hired a good legal team, and I have confidence in their ability. I believe Leader DeLay will prevail." Read more

Statement by the Honorable Michael C. Burgess, M.D. Guarding Against Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Post-Katrina Relief and Recovery: The Plans of Inspectors General September 28, 2005 Mr. Chairman, thank you for having this important hearing today. While many have called for an extensive investigation into the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, I feel that this committee should have the primary oversight investigatory powers over this complicated situation. Not only does this committee have both subp... Read more

Mr. Speaker, in the aftermath of the two hurricanes, Katrina and Rita, the question comes up, how do we evaluate the Federal response and how do we learn from the events of the past 4 weeks? How do we protect our country going forward? There are some in this body who have called for a special commission to conduct that inquiry, a special commission as opposed to a congressional inquiry. But I believe that Congress not only has the duty, I believe Congress has the constitutional obligation to und... Read more

UPDATE: As of today, the Dallas Convention Center is open to process Rita evacuees as disaster victims. There are long lines, but as of this morning they are not issuing appointments for future dates so evacuees can complete their processing the day they check in. Please encourage Rita evacuees still in the area, especially those who expect to stay for an extended period of time, to visit the Dallas Convention Center this week and register with the appropriate agencies. Hurricane Rita continues ... Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess welcomes Phuong-Khanh Jessica Nguyen-Trong to his Washington, DC staff. Jessica, a medical student at the University of Texas Southwestern, will serve as a Health Care Congressional Fellow. UT Southwestern has an exclusive agreement with the office for selecting fellows. Ms. Nguyen-Trong’s will focus her research and work on health care issues. Having recently completed her first year of medical studies at the University of Texas Southwestern, Ms. Nguyen-Trong’s in... Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess hosted Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Director Dr. Mark McClellan at the weekly Republican Policy Committee meeting. At the meeting, Rep. Burgess introduced Dr. Mark McClellan and spoke briefly about the work of CMS and its relationship with Members of Congress. Dr. McClellan spoke on a variety of health care related topics but focuses his remarks in Hurricane Katrina and the upcoming Medicare Prescription Drug Card program rollout, with enrollmen... Read more

Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, we are starting to hear a lot of talk about where is the proper place for the investigation into the response and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Madam Speaker, I submit that the proper place for that investigation is here in the United States Congress. We have the responsibility, indeed, we have the constitutional obligation to be the ones responsible for this oversight investigation. In fact, my committee, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, maintains a standi... Read more