Dear John,

RECENT NEWS

Hey y’all, it’s been a busy time in Congress, and as we wind down for August recess and shift into our district work period, I want to provide some updates on what we’ve been working on in Washington. From passing the One Big Beautiful Bill to advancing key appropriations bills that reflect Texas values, there’s been a lot happening that directly impacts our state, our economy, and our national security.

ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL: DELIVERING ON OUR PROMISES

On July 3rd, the House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a comprehensive package that answers the mandate the American people gave us: to restore fiscal responsibility, secure our borders, cut taxes, and put America back on the path to energy independence. This legislation reflects the values of working families, small business owners, and every Texan who’s tired of Washington overspending and overreaching.

Key highlights include:

• Making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, preventing a 22% tax increase on Americans. It also includes no tax on tips, overtime, or car loan interest, and expanded tax relief for seniors, delivering real relief for those living on fixed incomes.
• A $175 billion investment in border security, including funding to complete border wall construction, expand detention capacity, upgrade immigration infrastructure, and hire thousands of Border Patrol and customs officers to regain operational control at the southern border.
• Restoring integrity to safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid by requiring work for able-bodied adults without dependents, ending wasteful loopholes, and ensuring these programs serve those who truly need them. Not those taking advantage of the system.
• Reversing Former President Biden’s energy agenda, rolling back Green New Deal subsidies, and restarting oil, gas, and coal leasing to make America energy dominant
• It allocates nearly $150 billion to strengthen our national defense, modernize our military, and support readiness across the services.

APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE: FUNDING OUR PRIORITIES, RESPECTING YOUR TAX DOLLARS

• $831.5 billion for defense, maintaining our military edge and deterring threats like China and Iran.
• 3.8% pay raise for all military personnel starting January 2026.
• $13 billion for missile defense and space programs supporting the Golden Dome initiative.
• $453 billion for veterans, including full funding for toxic exposure care and $131.4 billion in VA health care.
• $2 billion for military family housing and over $1.2 billion for Guard and Reserve construction.

• Continued support for agriculture research, rural broadband, and food safety.
• Pushback against harmful Biden-era mandates on livestock and poultry producers.
• Blocked revised energy mandates that would raise costs on USDA-financed rural homes.

• Over $20 billion for modernizing our nuclear deterrent and securing our energy future.
• Bans Strategic Petroleum Reserve sales to the Chinese Communist Party and denies DOE funds to adversarial nations.
• Significant funding for next-generation nuclear reactors, mining technologies, and grid cybersecurity.
• Eliminates wasteful Biden-era green initiatives and DEI/CRT programs across the DOE.

• Reduces EPA funding by $2.1 billion and reins in overregulation.
• Fully funds PILT for rural counties and strengthens wildfire prevention.
• Continues to defend traditional values and limit federal overreach on private land and energy producers.

D.C. UPDATE 

Here is some recent legislation we have passed:

• R. 1642 - Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act
• R. 2966 – American Entrepreneurs First Act
• 331 – HALT Fentanyl Act
• R. 3394 – Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act
• R. 1709 – Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act
• R. 1770 – Consumer Safety Technology Act
• R. 3351 - Improving Access to Small Business Information Act

Recent Legislation that I have Cosponsored:

• J. Res. 101- Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States
• Res 250- Recognizing the life, achievements, and public service of former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush on the occasion of her 100th birthday
• R. 4474- To promote fair and equal treatment by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration with respect to certain firearms industry applicants for assistance, and for other purposes
• R. 4363- To require elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education to ensure biological fairness in women's sports as a condition of receiving Federal funds, and for other purposes
• R.3174 - Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025

Walk with Jake

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Sincerely,

Jake Ellzey
Member of Congress