July 2, 2021

Dear Friends,

Whether this Administration wants to admit it or not, we do have a crisis at our southern border. I joined Fox Business - The Evening Edit, to discuss former President Trump's visit to our southern border with Governor Abbott.

The crisis at the border is threatening the lives & livelihoods of Texans as undocumented individuals have destroyed property, brought in COVID infections, & engaged in criminal activity. Governor Abbott is doing the job of the federal government by building a border wall and enforcing our national boundaries.

I told Maria Bartiromo on Morning with Maria that the President's budget did not acknowledge that there was a problem [at our southern border] so that it would not have allowed money toward it.

Washington Recap:

It was announced this week that I was named to the Energy, Climate, and Conservation Task Force. I welcomed the opportunity to work with my friend Congressman Garret Graves and the other members of this task force to put forward pro-energy and pro-climate solutions Americans desire.

During a Rules' Hearing, I brought up the fact that across all bills in the 117th Congress only 6% of amendments are bipartisan. I found that the most successful pieces of legislation are always bipartisan in nature.

I also introduced the Audit the Pentagon Act of 2021 with Rep. Barbara Lee. This bill will increase accountability and transparency in the defense budget.

On Tuesday, I met with the Health Secretary of Puerto Rico, Carlos Mellado López, to discuss health care policy.

I spoke on the floor of the House about how H.Res. 503 - Establishing the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol, will create further partisan division rather than address the security failures of January 6, 2021.

My week ended with me joining WBAP’s Hal and Jay and KLIF’s Dave and Amy to talk about President Biden’s Infrastructure Plan.

In the District:

Next week, I will be joined by Former Department of Energy Secretary Brouillette at my annual Energy Efficiency Summit. You can learn more about the summit here.

Do you know a middle school or high school student interested in STEM? The 2021 Congressional App Challenge is a competition open to private, public and home-schooled students. Students develop skills in coding and learn more about pursuing careers in computer science. Instructions to enter can be found here.

Each spring, my office participates in the Congressional Art Competition. This nationwide competition provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the talent of high school students and acknowledge our nation's gifted young adults. Join me in congratulating the TX-26 Grand Prize, First Place and Texas Choice winners!

Until next time, this is your doctor's note.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.