House Republicans End the Schumer Shutdown

Dear john,

Last week, after Democrats forced the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Republicans stood firm, rejected Chuck Schumer’s demand for $1.5 trillion in wasteful far-left spending, and reopened the federal government. For 43 days, Democrats kept the government closed to use taxpayers as political leverage, draining tens of billions from our economy, disrupting thousands of flights, and leaving hardworking Americans without paychecks for more than a month.

Weeks earlier, I voted responsibly to keep the government open with a clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution, the very same CR Democrats supported 13 times under President Biden. But once President Trump was back in office, nearly every Democrat reversed course, choosing to shut down the government and inflict unnecessary hardship on American families, all because of their Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Republicans, working with President Trump, ultimately passed that same clean and responsible CR, restoring government operations, ensuring our service members are paid, and blocking another bloated year-end omnibus. Texans can finally breathe a sigh of relief as essential services resume and families receive the paychecks they rely on.

Democrats caused this shutdown, created the chaos, and walked away with nothing. Republicans remain committed to restoring fiscal sanity, returning to regular order, protecting taxpayers, and advancing the America First agenda. The American people know exactly who fought for them—and who held the government hostage.

Returning to Energy Independence

The Trump Administration has officially opened bidding on the first One Big Beautiful Bill lease sale in the Gulf of America, a major victory for American energy dominance. This landmark sale will spark new high-paying American jobs, lower energy costs for families and businesses, strengthen our national security, and help the U.S. and our allies reduce our dependence on hostile nations for our energy needs. This sale opens 80M acres for development, the first of 30 mandated sales.

EPA Grants Texas Primacy for Class VI Wells

The EPA has officially approved Texas’ request to oversee Class VI underground injection well permitting, giving our state full authority over all well types under the Safe Drinking Water Act and ensuring faster, more efficient coordination. This decision recognizes Texas as the nation’s energy leader, strengthens our ability to protect drinking water, and paves the way for new investment, innovation, and American energy dominance.

I-69 Expansion Continues

I joined the TxDOT Beaumont District, Texas Transportation Commissioner Steve Alvis, local leaders, and community members to unveil a new 8-mile segment of Interstate 69 in Cleveland. As your Congressman, the most senior Texan on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Co-Chair of the Congressional I-69 Caucus, I’ve been proud to champion this critical project since my first year in office, and I’ll continue fighting to deliver safer roads, stronger infrastructure, and better connectivity for Southeast Texas.

Sincerely,

Rep. Brian Babin