News from Washington and Across West Texas

Dear Friend,

The push towards passing the better, fairer United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) got a major boost last week when Mexico’s Senate ratified the agreement, becoming the first nation to do so. Now that Mexico has passed the agreement and Canada is poised to do so, Congress should swiftly follow suit.

As the top exporting state in the nation, Texas has thrived because of trade; and our agriculture producers, manufacturers, and workers stand to benefit from the job creation and expanded access to markets that passing USMCA will bring. In fact, just last week, over 115 agriculture and business groups across our state wrote a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Congressional leadership urging quick passage of the agreement.

Every day Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats delay bringing up USMCA for a vote because of political pressure they feel from their far-left base is another day our farmers and ranchers lose out on the benefits USMCA would bring. It’s also a lost opportunity for President Trump and his Administration to negotiate similar trade deals in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, where we are lagging behind our competitors and ceding our share of the market. It’s time for Democrats to put politics aside, put America first, and bring USMCA up for a vote. Click here to watch my exchange with President Trump’s top trade negotiator, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, at last week’s Ways and Means Committee hearing where we discussed the stakes of not passing the USMCA.

Providing Relief to the Border

This week, Texas Republicans came together to demand Speaker Pelosi and Democrats in the House pass bipartisan legislation to provide emergency relief to address the humanitarian and security crisis at the southern border. Even though Republicans in the House tried 18 times to bring legislation to the floor that would have given the President the emergency funding he requested over 50 days ago, I'm glad we were able to provide humanitarian relief to the border while also funding our border agents and national guard troops lending support as well as immigration judge teams to alleviate the massive backlog of pending cases that are putting a serious strain on our immigration system. Now that we've provided this emergency relief, Congress needs to finally fix the loopholes in our immigration laws and turn off the magnets that are driving this security and humanitarian crisis so we can secure the border and protect the American people. Click here to watch the press conference I held with some of my fellow Texas Republicans from this week. 

Change of Command at Dyess
Last week marked a changing of the guard in the Big Country as Colonel Brandon Parker rendered his last salute and relinquished command as Commander of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base before he begins serving in his new capacity with U.S. Air Force Headquarters staff at the Pentagon. Over the past two years, Colonel Parker has led the most capable airmen in our Armed Forces and been responsible not only for their health and welfare, but also that of the over 12,000 active-duty members, Department of Defense civilians, and their families who together make up Team Dyess.

Having spent the past two years at Dyess Air Force Base, Colonel Parker knows, as I do, that no group of Americans believe more adamantly in the defense of this country and the mission of our military to keep us safe, strong, and free than the people of West Texas. Under Colonel Parker’s leadership, Dyess was selected by the Air Force as the only base in the country to house the operational test squadron and the weapons training school for the next generation B-21 bomber, not only bringing hundreds of new jobs to the Key City, but also ensuring our Air Force can maintain air dominance well into the future.

We are immensely grateful to Colonel Parker for his distinguished service to our country and the Abilene community and for always “Aiming High.” While we are sad to see Colonel Parker go, I look forward to welcoming Colonel “Ed” Sumangil back to Dyess for what will be his fourth tour of duty here, and working with him in his new role as base commander. Click here to read the Abilene-Reporter News’ write-up on the Change of Command ceremony last Monday.

Next Week’s Town Halls
Being back home with the good people of West Texas and having the opportunity to gather your thoughts on how the policies being put in place in Washington are having an impact on your everyday lives is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. To that end, next week I will be hosting four town halls across the District so I can provide an update on the legislative proposals I have been working on as well as take your questions. Please see below for the full town hall schedule for next week, hope to see many of you there!

Monday, July 1st, in Dimmitt at the Castro County Courthouse, starting at 3:45 pm.

Tuesday, July 2nd, in Post at the Post Community Center, starting at 10:45 am.
Wednesday, July 3rd, in Roby at the Fisher County Courthouse, starting at 9:30 am.
Wednesday, July 3rd, in Anson at the Anson Public Library, starting at 11:00 am.

Anchors Aweigh
One of the privileges that comes with serving as your Representative in Congress is being able to nominate young men and women from across our District to our nation’s service academies. Attending a U.S. Service Academy is such a meaningful and unique opportunity for our nation’s youth to not only receive a top-notch education, but also to grow as young men and young women, and as leaders in service to our country. It is an incredibly high and sacred calling, and I was pleased to learn that Calob Andrade, a graduate of Frenship High School, has been accepted to attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, this coming Fall. Congratulations Calob, all of West Texas is proud of you: Anchors Aweigh! Click here to read Fox34’s story on Calob’s appointment.

Red Raider Nation
Red Raiders here in West Texas and across America have been beaming with pride because of the many achievements of our athletic programs over the past few months. We saw this pride on full display once again last week when Lubbock born-and-raised Red Raider Jarret Culver was selected sixth overall in the NBA draft. Thank you, Jarret for helping create memories that will last a lifetime: all West Texans wish you nothing but the best as you start your NBA career!

Please know, it is an honor to be your Representative. Feel free to reach out to my office and let me know how I can best serve you.

Your friend and fellow West Texan,

Jodey C. Arrington
Member of Congress