Will: "That's not justice. That's outrageous."
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The State of the Cloud
Though Congressional Committee hearings are usually held in D.C., as Chairman of the IT Subcommittee, I hosted a hearing at the University of Texas at San Antonio on “The State of the Cloud” . In summary, the federal government needs to move IT systems to the cloud far more quickly than it is. This will have the dual impact of driving down costs and improving security. This is one of the ways we can reduce the size and scope of government, while making it more effective and more efficient.
Watch the full hearing here !
The hearing also showed off the cyber industry in San Antonio. Outside of D.C., there are more cybersecurity professionals in San Antonio than anywhere else in the country.
It made sense to host the hearing at UTSA, which was recently named by the Department of Homeland Security as an Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAO) Standards Organization . With this designation, UTSA receives a grant to help them create standards that will assist in the creation of ISAOs, which serve as the hub for information sharing and collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Foreign Fighter Task Force Report
The efforts by ISIS to recruit young people in the U.S. and Europe to join the fight have been frighteningly successful. In an effort to stop this, six months ago I was tapped by Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul to join the Foreign Fighter Task Force . Together, we traveled to the Middle East and Europe to learn what our allies are doing right and where they need to improve. We studied our own efforts and found gaps in our own strategies and tactics that endanger the Homeland.
In September, our Task Force released a final report with 32 key takeaways from our research. The next step is to develop sound policy that helps us deter foreign fighter travel for good. You can read the final report HERE . Collaboration is essential. Vigilance is key . There’s just too much at stake to not do everything it takes.
Next Steps for Iran Deal
Iran simply cannot be trusted. I voted against this deal in the House earlier this month, and do not believe that the Administration has even provided the necessary documentation for Congress to fully and properly review the deal. My largest concern continues to be the release of what the Washington Post estimated to be up to $150 billiondollars of frozen assets to the Iranian regime.
Recently, I co-sponsored called the Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act. If passed, the bill would prohibit the President from reducing any sanctions against Iran until victims of Iranian terrorism have been paid retribution. This is one of the ways that I am continuing to fight against what I believe is a dangerous nuclear deal brokered by the Administration.
Investigating Planned Parenthood
The Planned Parenthood organization has been under fire recently for the allegedly unlawful sales of fetal tissue,launching several Congressional investigations into their operation.
I believe that every human life is sacred , including both the mother and the child. I voted to support legislation that will eliminate federal funding for organizations like these. Instead, that funding should be used for the 38 community health centers across the district.
Funding Our Military
Final legislation providing authorization for the Department of Defense and our men and women in uniform has been sent to the President’s desk after a bipartisan vote in Congress. The bill provides critical support for our service members around the world, including millions of dollars for projects atJoint Base San Antonio.
Highlights of the funding bill include an increase in pay to our military members, a prohibition to cut some housing allowances, retirement reform, and educational incentives. Learn more HERE .
A New Federal Courthouse?
Those of you from San Antonio know that the Federal Courthouse there has long been in need of replacement. Unfortunately, a bunch of bureaucrats at the Department of Justice keep moving the courthouse further down the national list of replacements they come up with every year. In response, I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues tointroduce an emergency funding bill for new construction of a federal courthouse.
The way I see it, the current facility puts the health and safety of San Antonians at risk. Moving the U.S. Federal Court proceedings out of this dangerous and unsecured location is a public safety priority.
Pope Francis Inspires Cooperation
Not only was this the Pope’s first trip to the U.S., it was also the first time in history that a Pope addressed a joint session of the United States Congress .
Pope Francis reminded us that "t he challenges facing us today call for a renewal of that spirit of cooperation, which has accomplished so much good throughout the history of the United States.” I believe by focusing on the things we agree on, we can dramatically improve our productivity as legislators.
I hope that a renewed spirit of cooperation and solidaritytakes hold, so we can continue to find reforms that we do agree on.
Protecting Small Businesses from Obamacare
An upcoming change in Obamacare to what defines a "small business" was going to force even more small businesses to be subject to regulations that will result in decreased plan-design flexibility, higher premiums and increased out-of-pocket costs for workers.
Texas businesses that have already been forced into this definition have seen a 19% increase in premiums and their employees have seen a loss of over $1,000 a year in pay, according to American Action Forum. I voted to protect small businesses by supporting legislation which prevents this definition from changing. The uncertainty that comes from harmful policies like Obamacare discourages small businesses in our district from investing in innovation, expansion, and most importantly, hiring .
Hiring More Heroes
There are over 800 miles of Texas-Mexico border in the 23rd Congressional District of Texas that need protection. There are also 1.6 million Veterans in Texas, many of them in our district. That's why I co-sponsored the Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015 .
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to enhance its efforts to hire veterans as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers. By incentivizing these jobs for Veterans, we are offering more opportunities for Texas Veterans to continue their service right here at home.
Do you need assistance?
Are you struggling with a federal agency? Whether it's theVA, Medicare or Social Security, one of our caseworkers can help you battle the bureaucracy.
We have five offices in the district - two in San Antonio, one in Socorro, one in Del Rio and a one in Eagle Pass. Phone numbers and addresses are listed below and you can get more information by emailing us through the website . If you need help, d on't hesitate to call on us.
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Thinking about spending your fall break in D.C.? Our office can help arrange tours of the Capitol Building and we offer them in both English and Spanish. Learn more by calling our DC office at 202-225-4511 or filling out this form at our website.
Respectfully,
Will Hurd
U.S. Representative 23rd Congressional District of Texas |
