Email from Rep. McCaul

Standing Up For Justice: The Laken Riley Act Becomes Law

On Wednesday, I had the honor of attending President Trump’s signing of the Laken Riley Act—a law that will help keep our communities safe. This bill is named after Laken Riley, a young nursing student who was tragically killed by an illegal immigrant with a criminal record. Her death was heartbreaking, and while we can’t bring her back, this law will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The Laken Riley Act ensures that illegal immigrants who commit crimes like burglary and theft are detained and deported, instead of being released back into our communities. It also gives states the power to hold the federal government accountable when bad immigration policies put their citizens in danger.

Congressman McCaul with Trump's "Border Czar" Tom Homan at the bill signing

As one of the original supporters of this bill, I was proud to vote for it in the House and am incredibly grateful President Trump chose The Laken Riley Act for his fist bill to sign into law during his second term. After years of the Biden-Harris administration's reckless open-border policies, this is a crucial step toward securing our nation and protecting American lives.

Congressman McCaul attends President Trump's signing of the Laken Riley Act

Collaborating with Cornyn: Our Joint Op-Ed on Importance of CHIPS Program for Texas, U.S. Manufacturing Success

As President Trump retakes the White House with Republican majorities in Congress, we have a golden opportunity to strengthen and reclaim the CHIPS program—a transformative initiative that originated during his first term. At the request of President Trump's first national security team, Senator Cornyn and I led the effort to pass the CHIPS for America Act, which brought semiconductor production back to American soil, boosting our national security and economic resilience. Since then, Texas has seen incredible growth, with companies like Texas Instruments, Samsung, and GlobalWafers investing billions of private-sector dollars, creating thousands of jobs and solidifying our state as a leader in this critical industry.

It’s vital that we continue to build upon that success, especially as we face growing threats from the Chinese Communist Party. Semiconductors power everything from our toasters to our most advanced fighter jets. With over 90% of advanced semiconductors still produced in Taiwan — which remains vulnerable to a Chinese invasion — we must act decisively to secure our technological future.

Under the Biden administration, the program faced unnecessary regulatory hurdles and divisive DEI requirements that politicized semiconductor manufacturing and slowed progress. But with President Trump back in office, we have an opportunity to refocus CHIPS on its core mission and use the program to help Make America Great Again. Let’s reclaim CHIPS and fulfill our promise to strengthen American manufacturing and secure our nation’s future.

Click here to read the full op-ed I wrote with Senator John Cornyn in the Austin-American Statesman.

McCaul and Cornyn speak about the importance of chips at the Texas Business Conference

Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in the Wake of the D.C. Plane Crash

I am deeply saddened by the tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., where a regional jet carrying 64 individuals collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter during its approach to Ronald Reagan National Airport. Regrettably, there were no survivors in this devastating accident.

In the wake of this tragedy, it is imperative that we prioritize a thorough investigation to uncover the causes of this incident.

As your representative and a member of the Homeland Security Committee, I promise to advocate for clear communication from all agencies involved and to work diligently to implement any necessary safety measures that arise from the investigation’s findings. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking event.

The HEAL Act, Ensuring Holocaust Education in Public Schools

Like thousands of others, my dad fought in World War II to end the scourge of antisemitism, and it is now our responsibility to ensure it does not return. To commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz liberation camp, my colleague Representative Gottheimer and I reintroduced the Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons (HEAL Act) with bipartisan support.

The HEAL Act requires the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to conduct a study on Holocaust education efforts in public schools nationwide, including an examination of educational standards and materials. Currently, only 29 states including Texas require students learn about the Holocaust — signaling an alarming decline in awareness about this horrific moment in history.

With antisemitic incidents on the rise across the nation in the wake of Hamas’ October 7 attack, it’s imperative that we improve Holocaust education and remind our youth about the horrors of antisemitism. It is our responsibility to ensure the next generation of Americans are equipped and empowered to stand up for what is right.

Click here to read more.