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NEWS
Accountability of Congress
Rep. Burgess speaks on the House floor before a crucial vote on the budget
“The House of Representatives is debating on the budget resolution, and I think the country needs to hear the debate. America needs to see that all of us in Congress, on both sides of aisle, are accountable. They need to see that we are results driven. We are results oriented, and they need to see some success from this body.
My commitment is to the hard-working Americans who pay taxes in this country. I think Congress has an obligation to the taxpayers of this country to redesign government when necessary, to reform programs if they are not working well, and always ensure that federal programs are working at peak performance. We need to modernize some of our federal programs. We need to reform government. We need to set priorities. And sometimes that means making some tough choices.
My committee spent three days to produce a plan that reforms government and leads to greater value for dollars spent particularly in the Medicaid program. We held hearings through the spring and the summer leading up to this legislation. We crafted legislation that is going to save Medicaid for the poor and the truly infirm – the people that really need it. The default position was to see more and more people removed from the Medicaid role by the States as they could no longer afford to keep up with the expenditures in Medicaid. We are going to provide more services. Maybe we are going to deliver a little greater value.
A Democratic aide states that this fall is not the time for Democrats to roll out positive agenda. That is a shame. We need their ideas. We need their enthusiasm. We need their energy. I look forward to the budget debate. I think at the end of the day Congress is going to have a good product for the American people to whom we are accountable.”
Rep. Burgess Secures Federal Funds for Local Projects on Two Appropriations Conference Reports
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the Energy and Water Development Appropriations, and the Science, State, Justice and Commerce Appropriations conference reports. Congressman Michael C. Burgess voted in favor of both conference reports.
“I am very pleased that these worthy projects will receive funding,” said Congressman Michael C. Burgess (TX-26). “When fighting for precious federal, taxpayer dollars, I knew I had to be accountable for picking projects that were necessary to the safe growth and development of North Texas’ natural water resources.”
The Energy and Water (EW) Conference Report passed 399 – 17 on the House floor and provides a total of $30.5 billion in budget authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Civil, the Department of Interior including the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Energy, and several independent agencies.
The Science, State, Justice and Commerce Conference Report funds a wide range of federal agencies including the Department of Justice, Department of Commerce, Department of State, as well as National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NSAS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
“To feel secure is a basic tenet of life, and I wanted to work to bring funds back to our men in blue” said Congressman Michael Burgess. “The $150,000 that will go to the City of Denton Police Department will allow them to acquire the necessary equipment for them to continue to keep us all safe.”
Rep. Michael Burgess on MSNBC’s Coast-to-Coast discussing Avian Flu. Preparing for a Pandemic: Avian Flu
Congressman Michael C. Burgess was one of only a handful of Senators and Representatives that were asked to attend President George Bush’s unveiling of the federal pandemic flu preparedness plan at the National Institutes of Health on November 1, 2005. Rep. Burgess has been a spokesman on national television and radio programs concerning the government’s plan to respond to the concerns surrounding avian flu. Below are some brief remarks given by Congressman Burgess on the House Floor. To view clips of his appearances, please visit the Multimedia Section of our website.
“Mr. Speaker, this morning the President at the National Institute of Health outlined his plan for dealing with pandemic flu should this illness jump from birds to people. The President outlined a plan that essentially covered three areas: to be able to detect the outbreak of avian flu anywhere in the world; stockpiling vaccines and medicines; and the response from both the local, State, and Federal level.
To be able to detect the outbreak of avian flu anywhere in the world is going to require a partnership of several countries that will share information and samples, but it is important to remember a threat anywhere is a threat everywhere.
Stockpiling vaccines and increasing the rapidity with which this country can make vaccines ensure that there is reliability and regulatory protection for those countries that are making vaccines.
And, finally, response. Response needs to be at the local, Federal, and State levels. Local officials need to be ready to go, but there also needs to be strategic national stockpiling of supplies and equipment.
Mr. Speaker, the fact remains that the best way to deal with panic is through preparedness. The best way to deal with inflammatory rhetoric is with information. I think the President took some bold steps this morning to outline these plans, and I look forward to the release of the preparedness plan tomorrow.”
Rep. Michael Burgess meets with Texas troops while on mission Iraq.
Rep. Burgess Introduces: House Resolution 534: Iraq Special Tribunal
As we all know, the path to a free and democratic Iraq has not been easy. Yet, after years of oppression and torture, the Iraqi people are growing closer to having a nation ruled by the people instead of by terror and fear.
The passage of the Iraqi Constitution was a significant milestone in the recovery of the sovereign nation of Iraq. In excess of 60 percent of the people of Iraq braved the terrorists, braved the threats of violence, to be able to cast their vote. For the safety of our nation, we must continue to support the sovereign endeavors of this developing nation.
Current news headlines are showcasing the trial of Saddam Hussein, and while his trial is important, a strong, independent Iraqi judicial system is of even greater importance. A crucial component to a free and democratic nation is a judicial system in which alleged criminals can be indicted, prosecuted, and punished in a fair and impartial manner. This is a cornerstone of a free society.
As Members of Congress, we have an obligation to uphold and support this principle especially in a land that has been inflicted with egregious crimes against humanity. The Iraqi Special Tribunal has been empanelled to bring swift and impartial justice to both the victims and the nation of Iraq, and I call on my colleagues to support a house resolution that recognizes the importance and credibility of an independent Iraqi judiciary that serves the cause of justice in a free and democratic Iraq.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
CONSTITUENT SERVICES
Touring Washington, DC
Our nation’s capital is beautiful throughout the year and is a popular vacation spot for people around the world. With the museums, parks and monuments, almost all of which is free, a trip to Washington, DC is an enriching historical and cultural experience. If you and your family are planning a trip to Washington and would like a tour of the U.S. Capitol or the White House, please notify us early! Plan now to be here for the National Cherry Blossom Festival from March 25-April 8, 2006.
White House photo by Tina Hager - Christmas trees light up the Grand Foyer as a military pianist fills the State Floor with music as guests arrive for a Christmas reception at the White House Dec. 3, 2004.
White House
If you are interested in taking a White House tour you must submit a request in writing to the following email address: Aubrey Colvard, Staff Assistant (In the subject line of the email, please indicate: WHITE HOUSE TOUR REQUEST.)
Although email is preferable, requests may be sent via mail to:
Aubrey Colvard
1721 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
All White House tour requests must now adhere to the following security parameters set by the U.S. Secret Service.
· All tour groups must have a minimum of 10 persons.
· All tour groups should contact their Congressional Offices at least 3 to 6 months in advance of the date on which they wish tour the White House. But White House tours can be submitted up to 6 months in advance. It is important to note that tours are allotted by the White House on a first come basis. You should contact our office as early as possible to request a tour. We think it is important to make you aware that there are a very limited amount of tours granted and the likelihood of receiving a tour decreases significantly the closer your request is to the tour date.
· Please have an exact head count when submitting a White House tour request to your Congressional Office.
· All White House tours are conducted between 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
· All persons are subject to background check conducted by the U.S. Secret Service and will have to submit the following information to the Tour Coordinator of the Congressman's Office within 10 days of receiving notification that the tour request is honored and set.
All persons 14 years and older must submit the following information:
- Name (as it appears on a photo ID)
- Whether they are a U.S. citizen
All persons 13 years and younger must submit the following information:
If you are not able to secure a tour of the White House there is the White House Visitors Center that is open from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. 7 days a week. It is located at the intersection of 15th and E Streets NW.
U.S. Capitol
The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., is among the most architecturally impressive and symbolically important buildings in the world. It has housed the meeting chambers of the Senate and the House of Representatives for almost two centuries. Begun in 1793, the Capitol has been built, burnt, rebuilt, extended, and restored; today, it stands as a monument not only to its builders but also to the American people and their government.
U.S. Capitol Tours also require advanced notice, but are generally easier to accommodate. Please send a request via email or mail (with the above information) to Aubrey Colvard. For U.S. Capitol tours please specify:
- Number of people in the group
- Requested Date for the tour (M-F only)
- Requested Time (9:30 AM or 1:30 PM)
The Congressional Special Services Office provides information about tours for the disabled by telephone at 202-224-4048 (voice) or 202-224-4049 (TDD). Additional accessibility information is available.
Because of increased security and the construction phase of the Capitol Visitor Center, please contact the U.S. Capitol Guide Service if you have any questions before your visit. Recorded information is available at 202-225-6827.
Other Popular Washington, DC Tours
In addition to the White House and the U.S. Capitol, our office can assist you in obtaining tours to other building and monuments in Washington. These tours also require significant advanced notice – usually two months. One particular tour is quite popular:
U.S. Department of the Interior Tour
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), with eight bureaus, is the nation's principal conservation agency, charged with the mission "to protect and provide access to our Nation's natural and cultural heritage and honor our trust responsibilities to Indian tribes and our commitments to island communities."
Specifically, the tour takes you to the following destinations:
Guests should arrive at 8:30am and report to the Guards Desk at the “C” Street Entrance, the tour leaves at approximately 9:00am. Lunch is a “group” setting and the tour concludes around 3:30pm.
CONTACT THE CONGRESSMAN
Write Your Representative
To email Congressman Burgess, please click on the above link and follow the simple directions outlined on the website. This process ensures that we receive emails from 26th Congressional District of Texas residents only.
WASHINGTON, DC
1721 Longworth HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-7772
LEWISVILLE DISTRICT
1660 South Stemmons Freeway
Suite 230
Lewisville, TX 75067
Phone: (972) 434-9700
FT. WORTH DISTRICT
Located at the Resource Connection of Tarrant County campus
1100 Circle Drive
Suite 200
Fort Worth, TX 76119
Phone: (817) 531-8454
