Fireside Sessions
Welcome back to my weekly update from Washington. This week, I had the distinct honor of presiding over the House of Representatives, participating directly in floor proceedings and helping guide the legislative process of the People’s House in accordance with its rules and traditions. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly, and one that reflects the trust placed in me by my colleagues as we carry out the work of the House on behalf of the American people.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Subcommittee on Government Operations Hearing
This week, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, through my Subcommittee on Government Operations, held a hearing titled “Curbing Federal Fraud: Examining Innovative Tools to Detect and Prevent Fraud in Federal Programs.” The hearing examined practical, cost-effective tools to detect and prevent improper and fraudulent payments across federal programs, including lessons learned from the massive fraud uncovered in Minnesota’s social services programs. Witnesses made clear that the federal government continues to rely on a broken “pay and chase” model that allows fraud to occur before action is taken. Testimony highlighted the need for pre-award vetting, stronger cross-agency data sharing, and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to identify anomalies, patterns, and inconsistencies earlier in the process.
As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, I questioned witnesses on how these tools can be better leveraged through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, which captures audit data tied to more than $1 trillion in annual spending, to help Congress and federal agencies intervene earlier and prevent taxpayer dollars from being lost.
Financial Services Committee’s National Security Subcommittee Hearing
Separately, the Financial Services Committee’s National Security Subcommittee held a hearing examining how the Department of the Treasury administers the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, known as CFIUS. The hearing focused on the Treasury's role in reviewing foreign investments to ensure they do not pose threats to U.S. national security, particularly in sensitive technology, infrastructure, and data sectors. This oversight is essential as foreign investment activity increasingly intersects with strategic industries that are critical to America’s economic strength and national security.
Funding The Government
The House also passed H.R. 7006, the appropriations bill funding Financial Services and General Government, National Security, the Department of State, and related programs. Its passage demonstrates that House Republicans are doing the work required to responsibly fund the government, protect national security, and keep essential operations running.
In The District
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Today I attended the Bledsoe-Miller STEAM Center for Excellence groundbreaking, marking an important step forward for education and workforce development in Central Texas. As part of my work to bring federal resources back to Texas’ 17th Congressional District, I secured $3 million in Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations for the Doris Miller STEM Center Development project through a Community Project Funding request. This project will expand access to hands-on, STEM-focused learning opportunities for Waco-area students, many of whom are underserved and lack sufficient exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs. This investment will help open doors to intellectual enrichment, higher-paying jobs, long-term stability, and career advancement, while also strengthening our region’s ability to attract businesses seeking a skilled, STEM-educated workforce. This funding reflects my continued commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and ensuring that the money Texans send to Washington is returned to our communities where it belongs.
Sessions In the News
- The Hill (Op-Ed) → https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/5686856-affordable-care-act-reform/
- Newsmax → https://youtu.be/LzBs1imlyV8
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