Hello Friends and Fellow West Texans, 

Welcome back to my West Texas Wrap-Up. Please remember to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for regular updates on how I am serving the people of West Texas!

Ending the Democrat Shutdown, Fully Funding ICE and CBP

With the Secure America Act signed into law, our brave men and women who stand on the thin line to defend our sovereign borders finally have the funding they need to do their jobs. 

For 76 days, Democrats held the Department of Homeland Security hostage. They walked away from the appropriations process, shut down Homeland Security operations, and used the safety of the American people as political leverage. In fact, every single House Democrat voted to defund ICE and Border Patrol.

But Republicans, who were elected up and down the ballot by the American people to secure the border, enforce the law, and restore order, refused to allow this back-handed attempt to revive the chaos of Biden-Harris open border policies. The American people fundamentally rejected the chaos of the last four years. They elected Republicans for the promise of secure borders, safer communities, and restoring rule of law. The Secure America Act makes good on that promise.

Forcing Congress to Do Its Job

In the real world, if you fail to do your job, there are consequences.

Yet when Congress fails to pass appropriations on time, the burden falls squarely on seniors, service members, and hardworking Americans.

I introduced the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act to force Congress to stay in Washington until it finishes its work.

And the American people agree!

A new YouGov national poll found:

• 81% support forcing Congress to stay in D.C. until appropriations are complete
• 80% think the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act should receive a vote
• 66% are more likely to support lawmakers who back the bill

Congress should be held to the same standard as every family, farmer, rancher, and business owner in America: do your job, meet your responsibilities, and don't go home until the work is done.

War on Screwworm

The recent detections of New World Screwworm are a serious concern for Texas ranchers, producers, and rural communities.

Livestock production is the backbone of the West Texas economy and a critical component of our nation's food supply.

I have full confidence in Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration's response to this threat. USDA is moving aggressively to contain these cases and prevent further spread, and I will continue working to ensure they have the resources and support needed to protect American agriculture.

Fighting to End Foreign Free-Riding on Medical Innovation

For too long, wealthy foreign nations have reaped the benefits of American pharmaceutical innovation, while using price controls and other unfair policies to avoid paying their fair share for these technologies.

I was joined by Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Chairman Vern Buchanan in leading 48 of my colleagues in supporting the Trump Administration's efforts to crack down on foreign governments shifting the cost of developing life-saving medicines onto American patients and taxpayers.

In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, we urged the Administration to pursue a Section 301 investigation and other trade enforcement measures to address foreign price controls and market-distorting policies that allow wealthy nations to take advantage of U.S. innovation without accounting for the true cost of research and development. 
 
This effort builds on my USTRx Act, legislation I introduced last year to create a Chief Pharmaceutical Trade Negotiator within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The negotiator would be responsible for identifying foreign drug-pricing policies that increase costs for American patients, issuing annual reports on those practices, and recommending appropriate trade remedies.

Cracking Down on TANF Fraud

The Ways and Means Committee advanced the Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act, a comprehensive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) reform package that includes my legislation, the Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act.
 
Washington’s abject failure to protect tax dollars has resulted in an unprecedented scale of fraud that threatens not only the sustainability of our safety net programs, but also the future economic viability of our nation. This problem is strikingly clear in the TANF program, where federal funds are administered by state governments with no federal oversight, leaving billions of dollars in taxpayer funding vulnerable to fraud and improper payments every year.

This critical legislation will provide much-needed oversight of the TANF program and ensure that the federal government is fulfilling its responsibility to safeguard American tax dollars.

Largest Investment in Dyess Air Force Base History

The first and most important responsibility of the federal government is to provide for the common defense. This year's Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Legislative Branch Appropriations Act delivers on that duty by strengthening America’s military readiness and advancing President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda.

I’m especially proud this legislation delivers the largest investment in the history of Dyess Air Force Base — providing more than $164 million for critical B-21 Raider infrastructure and security upgrades, nearly double the previous record appropriated investment we secured just last year. When I met with Airmen and base leadership at Dyess Air Force Base, we discussed the urgent need for these exact infrastructure improvements to support the B-21 beddown mission, strengthen operational readiness, and ensure Dyess remains at the forefront of America’s long-range strike capability. 
 
From securing Dyess as the future home of the B-21 Raider and protecting the B-1 mission through 2030, to delivering year after year of historic investments in infrastructure and modernization, strengthening and safeguarding Dyess’ mission for generations to come has remained one of my top priorities. These investments will help ensure the Big Country remains the tip of the spear of America’s air arsenal and a cornerstone of our national defense. 
 
This bill also fully funds veterans’ health care and benefits, invests in mental health and suicide prevention programs, and strengthens the military infrastructure needed to deter our adversaries and defend the homeland. 
 
I will never stop fighting to ensure our warfighters have what they need to succeed on the battlefield, our veterans receive the support and resources they deserve, and the Big Country remains at the forefront of America’s national defense mission. 

 There Are Only Two Sexes: Male and Female 

Title IX was created to provide equal opportunity for our daughters, not to push a radical gender ideology that jeopardizes their safety.

My Title IX Clarification Act stops the abuse of Title IX by affirming a simple truth: there are only two sexes - male and female - and taxpayer dollars should not be used to advance extreme social policies.

I’m proud to lead this effort to protect opportunities for women and girls, rein in bureaucratic overreach, and restore clarity and common sense to federal law.

In The News

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It is an honor and privilege to represent you in Congress. Feel free to forward this newsletter to our fellow West Texans and encourage them to sign up here for this update.

Your friend and fellow West Texan,

Jodey C. Arrington
Member of Congress