Mr. Speaker, this past Monday, June 25, marked the 8th anniversary of the bombing of the Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia. At 9:35 p.m. local time, a truck bomb exploded with the force of 20,000 tons of TNT, and Americans were left dead. Americans who were due to return home two days later on the 27th of June. Mr. Speaker, we now know this was one of the first battles in the global war on terror. We have seen other such battles, and other Americans have lost their lives. We are now engaged in what ... Read more

The U.S. House of Representatives have accomplished what many doubted was possible. Before the July 4th District work period begins, the Members of the House have managed to pass all ten of their appropriations bills providing ample time for the Senate to complete their bills. Included in these ten bills is funding for defense, homeland security, transportation, health and human services, and agriculture. “This is truly a great feat,” stated Congressman Michael Burgess (R-TX). “Through the stron... Read more

A year ago today sovereignty was returned to the country of Iraq. The coalition provisional authority left. But, Madam Speaker, over the past several weeks, the negative press over our progress and polls here at home seem to have undermined a lot of the good activity that has occurred there. The goal of the attackers, the goal of the insurgents is to discourage Iraqis from participating in their own government. A second goal of course is to weaken our resolve here at home. And ironically they se... Read more

Opening Statement Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. H.R. 2355, The Health Care Choice Act of 2005 June 27, 2005 Mr. Chairman, thank you for this hearing today. Over the past several years, health insurance costs have sky-rocketed, in large part because of market inflation, additional insurance market regulation, and a broken medical liability system. Small businesses and American families are finding it more difficult to meet this increasing burden. Recent developments though where the gover... Read more

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker almost three decades ago, the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth came together and made a historic agreement to have one regional airport. This local agreement was codified by congressional action known as the Wright Amendment. There are those in congress today who now seek to repeal the Wright Amendment. But, Mr. Speaker, it's my belief that if there's a change to occur to that agreement that it should come from the local level -- agreement that it should come f... Read more

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Flower Mound, is proud to announce that the following outstanding young people have accepted appointments to one of our nation’s service academies. Recently, at his Lewisville District Office and at his Town Hall meeting in Richland Hills, Rep. Burgess presented the appointees with a Special Certificate of Congressional Recognition and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of their appointment. "I was pleased to nominate these incredible young men and women ... Read more

Opening Statement Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. Medicaid Drug Reimbursement Hearing June 22, 2005 Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing today, and I want to thank our witnesses from joining us here. This is an extremely timely hearing as this committee considers different options that will recognize some savings in the Medicaid program. About 10 percent of annual Medicaid expenditures come from prescription drugs, an optional benefit that all states have chosen to provide to t... Read more

Statement by the Honorable Michael Burgess, MD The United Nations Oil-for-Food Program: A Review of the 661 Sanctions Committee June 21, 2005 Thank you Mr. Chairman, and thank you for holding this important hearing. As we all know, the United Nations originally established the Oil-for-Food program for the noble cause of aiding and providing for the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people trapped under Saddam Hussein’s regimen. This program was quickly warped into a financial scandal of epic prop... Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26) voted in favor of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year (FY) 2006 providing $408.9 billion. This is roughly 3.1 percent more than appropriated in the last fiscal cycle. “The number one priority for Members of Congress is to ensure America’s safety at home and abroad,” stated Congressman Michael C. Burgess. “This year’s Defense Appropriations bill is a strong statement of our commitment to our soldiers and to anyone who supports global... Read more

Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, when you hear Governors talk about Medicaid , the one word they use, regardless of party or what region of the country they represent, the one word they use over and over again is ``unsustainable.'' In 2005, the Medicaid program has grown to become a program that costs Federal and State governments $330 billion a year and covers 50 million beneficiaries. States grapple with the cost of the program, providers struggle to participate in Medicaid , and beneficiaries ask w... Read more