NEWS FROM THE 19th DISTRICT

Dear Friends,

This past month has been filled to the brim with travel across the 19th District of Texas. First off, I spent the day in Big Spring to visit with farmers and ranchers, veterans, and city officials and hosted a press conference on the Ports-to-Plains Corridor progress. I am grateful for the hard work and support from local leaders in Big Spring and beyond to secure this vital investment for rural America that will strengthen the supply of food and fuel from the largest agriculture and energy production region in the United States. 

I joined Americans for Prosperity at their “True Cost of Washington” event in Lubbock to pump gas and talk about the country’s current economic state. Customers paid $2.38 per gallon and were reminded of the booming economic conditions under President Trump. Since President Biden has taken office, gas prices have double and inflation has reached a 40-year high. The folks at Americans for Prosperity are providing an important reminder that policies have consequences, and the policies of the Democrats and the Biden Administration have created an economic disaster for our country and working Americans.

I also visited Tahoka to speak with city officials and leaders in agriculture, healthcare, and other key industries from Lynn County. I started the day at a roundtable meeting with local farmers, ranchers, and producers. With inflated input costs, record drought conditions, and labor shortages all affecting the industry, I was proud to reassure them that I will work my hardest to ensure we get the 2023 Farm Bill right.  

I then attended a hospital district meeting with healthcare, small business, education, and community leaders. Our healthcare workers and hospitals work tirelessly to keep rural America healthy and strong. While our healthcare delivery system is far from perfect, more government is not the answer. I will continue to push for greater transparency and more competition to give patients options and drive down the cost of care.  

In Abilene, I hosted a press conference to provide an update on the important investments and safeguards for Dyess Air Force Base secured in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY2023) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). While securing a B-21 fleet at Dyess is one of my proudest achievements, a seamless transition from the B-1 to the B-21 is imperative. The FY2023 NDAA has several important provisions that will keep the B-1 fleet lethal and viable, ensuring uninterrupted American air dominance across the globe. I will continue to do my part to make sure America’s fighting force remains the best in the world so we can have a country that is safe, secure, and free. 

I wrapped up travel in Denver City to meet with Yoakum County community leaders in the agriculture, education, and small business industries and speak with local high school students about the future of America. Today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, so we must invest in our students to ensure the future of our country remains bright. Our teachers and school administrators are the guardians of liberty and serve our communities by nurturing the next generation of freedom-loving West Texans. I was glad to visit with students and faculty at Denver City High School and wish them a successful school year. 

The greatest honor I had during my time at home was the incredible opportunity to present Private First Class (PFC) Jesse Nelson of Lubbock with an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in honor of his service. World War II Veteran PFC Nelson, and many like him from the Greatest Generation, courageously put his life on the line to protect our nation and preserve our freedoms. Thank you, PFC Nelson, for your brave service and love of country.

It's always good to be home in West Texas. I am honored to serve as your voice in our nation’s capital. God Bless and Go West Texas!

Your friend and fellow West Texan,

Jodey C. Arrington
Member of Congress