To Pituffik with Purpose—Strengthening America's Defense from the “Top of the Word”

As part of my work on the Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, I recently caught a ride on a midnight Military Rotator flight to Pituffik Space Force Base in Greenland. This weekly flight—primarily a cargo configuration with limited seating in the back—resupplies the base and transports service members and their families. Traveling with these fine men and women gave us the opportunity to get a "boots on the ground" take on all things Space Base in advance of our official briefings that would come during our day in Greenland.

The Pituffik Space Force Base is tasked with maintaining our missile warning system and tracking our space based assets and any potential threats to it. In addition to the national security implications, their work also supports GPS and weather prediction technology that we use everyday. One thing was evident, it's a tight-knit group serving us there who are proud of the unique work they do there to keep our nation safe.

Pituffik is also home to a space telescope that is part of the Event Horizon Telescope system and serves as a launch point for approved scientific expeditions. Due to the sensitivity of much of the work being done there, photos of briefings and facility tours are not allowed. However, I was able to gain insight into the base’s challenges and the infrastructure needs that must be addressed to ensure continued mission success. For a sense of the strategic importance of this location, one only needs to look at a “top of the world” map that shows where Pituffik is.

Operating in such an extreme environment presents its own set of challenges. During our 25-hour visit, temperatures hovered just above zero—considered a relatively warm day there. We toured the world’s northernmost deep-water port, which supplies the base once a year during a short thaw window (it was frozen over during our visit). Daily operations require constant innovation—from generating power and water to keeping vehicles plugged in to prevent engines from freezing.

A couple of weeks ago, I joined a small group of Members in meeting with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to discuss the future of our national defense. I emphasized the need for defense investments that are future-focused—strategically and technologically “skating to where the puck is going.” Our space capabilities are a vital component of our defense posture, and this visit was an important step in understanding how to best steward taxpayer dollars in service of our national security.

Introducing the American Entrepreneurs First Act

Alongside Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), we introduced the American Entrepreneurs First Act, a vital piece of legislation aimed at protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring that only lawful, eligible applicants can access Small Business Administration (SBA) programs.

This bill builds on recent reforms by President Trump and SBA Administrator Loeffler, which require applicants to verify their age and citizenship status before receiving federally backed loans. The American Entrepreneurs First Act closes loopholes that previously allowed individuals in the country illegally to access SBA funds by requiring:

Submission of date of birth for each applicant or business owner
Certification that each applicant is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident—or that 100% of business ownership meets these criteria
Disclosure of alien registration numbers for lawful permanent residents
Certification that no direct or indirect business owner is an “ineligible person,” including asylees, refugees, visa holders, DACA recipients, or undocumented individuals

With over $25 billion in SBA loans approved last year, this legislation is a critical step to ensure taxpayer funds are reserved for those legally operating within our borders. We have made it clear that American tax dollars should support American businesses—not businesses owned by individuals here illegally.

TAMU-CC Passport Services Center Grand Opening

This week, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi celebrated the grand opening of its new Passport Services Center, just in time for the busy summer travel season.

With the opening of the Passport Services Center, constituents in TX-27 now have greater access to the passport services they need. This means shorter wait times and a smoother application process, making it easier for families to travel—from reuniting with loved ones or attending important events. By opening this new service center, it helps remove the barriers that previously made traveling a frustrating experience.

This Passport Services Center wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of those who reached out to my office, worked with local officials, and pushed for solutions. This is a true testament to show what we can achieve when we work together for the betterment of our community.

Read more here.

The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi facility is located in the the SandDollar Services office in room 120 of the University Center located at 6300 Ocean Drive.

Cast Your Vote for 2025 Congressional Art Competition

Voting is officially LIVE for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition, and we need your help! This annual competition gives high school artists across TX-27 the chance to showcase their incredible talent, with the winning artwork being displayed in the US Capitol. It's an exciting opportunity for our local students to have their art seen by thousands of visitors from around the country, and we want you to be part of the process.

Now is the time to cast your vote here and show support for the bright young artists in our district. The voting process is easy, and your vote will help select the piece that best represents the spirit of TX-27 on the national stage. Voting closes April 29th, so make sure to get your pick in before the deadline!

Check out last year’s previous winner, "Western Setting" by Violet Trent: