AGRICULTURE

Whether you live in a rural area or downtown Fort Worth, our nation’s agriculture policy impacts many aspects of your daily life including food inspection and safety.

Throughout my time in Congress, I have heard from many farmers, ranchers and consumers regarding the importance of having a stable agriculture policy.

The most recent farm bill, which was signed into law with my support in February 2014, sets the national policy for the U.S. agriculture industry and other areas under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). While the farm bill includes a wide range of agriculture programs, it ultimately deals with our national food security. A number of nutrition programs – such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as food stamps – are also enacted through the farm bill.

While this bipartisan legislation was not perfect, it made several meaningful reforms that will help grow our economy and improve our nation’s agriculture policy.

BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION

The issues of Border Security are important to our district and to my work in Congress. I have visited the Texas-Mexico border to observe the security measures by the Department of Homeland Security first-hand.

Our northern and southern borders face a number of challenges every day including undocumented individuals illegally entering the United States to live and work; transnational criminals trying to smuggle in weapons and drugs; extremists who wish to disrupt our daily lives; and human trafficking – to name a few.

As a life-long Texan and former Member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I understand the importance of securing our border. I believe it is our responsibility to ensure the Department of Homeland Security has the resources it needs to protect our border and keep us safe.

Border security is not only critical for national security, but also for continued economic growth.

Our North American neighbors – Canada and Mexico – are America’s largest export markets, so it is just as important to make sure our border policies enable the legal transportation of goods as long as they stop the illegal transportation of products and people.

I continue to hear the concerns of constituents about this issue and am committed to securing our borders.

BUDGET

I have always been a strong supporter of cutting wasteful government spending and making sure that our precious taxpayer dollars are used wisely.

To protect and secure Social Security, pay down the national debt and promote a strong national defense, Congress must balance the need for valuable programs with the need for fiscal responsibility. We can’t afford to continue spending more money than we have.

I also believe that it is necessary to balance the budget without increasing taxes. Tax increases would hurt the District’s job creators and hard-working families whose finances are already stretched thin.

Rather than raising taxes, I will continue to look for ways to get government spending under control and once again balance the federal budget.

EDUCATION

The issue of Education is important to our district and to my work in Congress.

As a parent, former school teacher and the daughter of an educator, I have seen firsthand the triumphs that happen in our classrooms, but also the challenges our students, their teachers, and school administration officials face in today’s education system.

Education is not just a critical step in creating individual opportunities here in the United States, but it also plays a major role in our nation’s continued prosperity and competitiveness. While the government should have a role in encouraging families to get the best quality education for their children, federal lawmakers should not be empowered to make the decisions that parents should be making for their children.

I believe our local school boards, not the federal government, are better equipped to assess the needs and the future of our schools and students.

Additionally, I am committed to having safe schools and ensuring teachers – who have one of the most important jobs in our nation – have the resources they need to make sure our children are prepared to be the leaders, innovators, and job creators of tomorrow

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT

From conventional resources like oil and natural gas to renewable resources like wind and solar, Texas’ energy sector is powering our homes, fueling our vehicles and driving our nation’s economy. I support an all-of-the-above approach that moves America towards energy independence.

To achieve energy independence, we must work to develop viable forms of renewable energy while also maximizing development of the conventional energy resources we have at home. By developing a diverse domestic energy portfolio in this way, we can create jobs, reduce energy costs and grow our economy.

Lifting the Crude Oil Export Ban

I was proud to support the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill that became law and repealed the crude oil export ban. This outdated policy, which was signed into law in the 1970’s, blocked American energy producers from being able to sell any of our abundant domestic oil to our allies and partners around the world. This positive change in policy contributes to more American energy jobs, better security here at home and for our allies around the world, and lower prices at the pump for consumers.

Keystone XL Pipeline

Many of my constituents have reached out about the Keystone XL pipeline. When constructed, the pipeline gives us the ability to transport 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to the Gulf Coast in Texas. The benefits of this pipeline for Texas would be enormous. In fact, if this project is approved, it would create over 42,000 jobs, including a number in Texas. I am a strong supporter of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and I am pleased this project will advance under this Administration – creating jobs and a healthier American economy.

HEALTH CARE

Having raised my three children as a single mother and served as the primary care provider for my own mother, I understand how difficult it can be to afford the health care your family needs and how important it is that your family has access to affordable and hassle-free health care.

Today, too many Americans don’t have access to quality care – often times because it is far too expensive. Unfortunately, the costs keep rising year after year, making it increasingly difficult to ensure our families have access to the care they need. The nationwide problem is only amplified in Texas. With one in four Texans without health care, we have the highest uninsured rate in the country.

I was deeply disappointed that President Obama’s Affordable Care Act failed to do enough to address the rising cost of health care in America – which is one of the primary reasons I voted against this legislation in 2009 and subsequently voted for its repeal.

The way to improve access and the affordability of health care is not through burdensome mandates on states, employers, and individuals. There are other options. I have been a strong and consistent supporter of community health centers. Studies show these centers – which treat the insured and uninsured as well as Medicare and Medicaid patients – are a shining example of cost-effective health care. I have also authored legislation to provide individuals with tax credits that can be used toward the purchase of health insurance.

Medicare is also a vitally important program to many of my constituents; however, it is facing unprecedented budget challenges. According to the Trustees of the Medicare program, Medicare could be broke by 2024. I believe it is critically important that this program is preserved for those who are at or near retirement today, but also available for our children and grandchildren.

Research and Prevention

I am a strong believer that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Health care prevention efforts improve lives, lower health care costs, and help people live longer.

Prevention for many diseases begins during childhood. That’s why I’ve worked with young people throughout the district on this issue, encouraging them to become more active and eat healthier so we can fight childhood obesity together. By teaching our children healthy habits, we can positively impact the way they live, work and play – every day of their lives.

Prevention goes hand in hand with early detection. I have been a strong supporter of increasing colorectal cancer screening. Without a colonoscopy, it is difficult to diagnose colorectal cancer until it’s too late. I am pleased that over the past several years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded its colorectal screening program for low-income and uninsured individuals. This is a life-saving program.

Research is also an important component in the fight against diseases. I was proud to support the Recalcitrant Cancer Research Act, which was signed into law in 2013. This law will advance research efforts to improve detection, treatment, and prevention of the most deadly cancers. I have also been a supporter of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which does invaluable research, using science to improve the lives of countless patients.

Medicare Physician Reimbursement

Under current law, if spending on Medicare physician services exceeds a set spending target, the physician payment rate is reduced. Such a reduction, however, would deliver a severe blow to our nation’s health care for seniors, as drastic cuts in payments could force many doctors to no longer accept Medicare patients. With fewer doctors accepting Medicare patients, many seniors could lose access to the doctor they trust and find it more difficult to find another physician that serves Medicare patients in their area.

To ensure seniors are protected, Congress has consistently passed temporary fixes, known as the “doc fix,” to make sure physician payments are not reduced. I voted in favor of H.R. 4015, a bill to permanently fix the Medicare physician reimbursement rate issue. Unfortunately the Senate did not consider this bill so we passed another temporary solution to the problem. I am optimistic that Congress will enact a long-term fix to the Medicare physician reimbursement rate issue, which is something I strongly support.

NATIONAL SECURITY

The issues of National Security are important to our district and to my work in Congress.

From the brave men and women who serve overseas and at the Naval Air Station – Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, to the hard-working Texans that design and manufacture the world’s most innovative weaponry, the 12th Congressional district plays an integral role in America’s national security.

Since arriving in Congress, I have worked tirelessly to strengthen our nation’s military. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am proud to have an important seat at the table as Congress addresses our defense funding. I will fight to strengthen our district’s contribution to the security of this country and be a vocal supporter of important weapons programs, including the F-22, H-1, V-22, and Joint Strike Fighter. These programs are integral to our national security and play a vital role in our military’s offensive and defensive strategies.

Our service members and their families also play a critical role in America’s national security strategy. I believe it is extremely important that we increase the quality of life for our men and women in uniform, their families and our nation’s veterans. I am committed to fighting for our military families and supporting legislation that promotes the welfare of our service women and men.

As the former Chairwoman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I am also proud to play a role in deploying our nation’s soft power as part of our overall national security strategy. The Subcommittee’s work includes efforts to support our ally Israel and stop the spread of global terrorism.

C-130s

In 2012, I stood with Governor Rick Perry and members of the 136th Airlift Wing of the Texas Air National Guard to fight a costly and unnecessary Air Force proposal that looked to move the Texas National Guard C-130 squadron to Montana. After months of hard work, I am proud that we were able keep the C-130s where they are needed and where they belong: Fort Worth.

Global War on Terror

While more than a decade has passed, the horrifying images of September 11, 2001, have not faded. We have been reminded by the shooting at Fort Hood and the bombings at the Boston Marathon that the threat of terrorism to our homeland has not faded. We cannot afford to take these threats lightly or doubt the ever-increasing globalization of terrorism. I am determined to defeat terrorism through a sound defensive position and unquestionable military might.

SOCIAL SECURITY

In Social Security, we’ve made an important promise to America’s seniors that I am committed to uphold. We must protect and secure Social Security for generations to come.

With a population that is living longer, Social Security’s solvency has become a more pressing issue. According to the Social Security Board of Trustees, the Social Security trust fund will begin to decline in 2021, and by 2033, Social Security will only be able to pay 75 percent of its promised benefits.

While any changes in the way Social Security operates must be approached with extreme caution, the current system is unsustainable over the long-run and requires reforms to ensure Social Security remains solvent for tomorrow’s retirees.

Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)

Many teachers and other public servants in Texas fail to receive the Social Security benefits they are entitled to because of Social Security’s Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). These formulas result in an unfair and arbitrary reduction in benefits for those who work in a job that has a Social Security substitute, such as state public pensions. These programs can also impact the spouses of public servants and teachers.

As a former teacher and the daughter of an educator, I personally understand this problem. During my time in Congress, I am proud to have co-sponsored numerous bills to eliminate the GPO and WEP formulas and I promise to continue to support efforts to change the current law so hard-working Texans are not unfairly penalized.

TAXES

Taxes affect all of us and ensuring that taxes remain low is an important part of my work in Congress.

I strongly support a pro-growth comprehensive tax reform package that will help create American jobs, grow the economy and ensure individuals and small business owners are treated fairly.

Tax Reform

Our current tax code is too long, too complex and is a drag on the economy. The current tax code is over four million words – longer than the bible and growing every day. The last time comprehensive tax reform passed Congress was in 1986 under President Ronald Reagan.

As a result, American families and small businesses spend countless hours each year filing their taxes. I have long supported an approach that not only makes the tax code and the tax filing process simpler, but also keeps more money where it belongs: in your pocket.

We must simplify the tax code and lower the overall tax rate for both individuals and small businesses. We must also streamline other areas, including the collection, enforcement and filing process.

In order to continue to innovate and grow, American businesses need to compete on a level playing field. The United States currently has one of the highest tax rates for businesses in the world. Eliminating loopholes and lowering the effective tax rate will encourage job creators to reinvest more money in the economy, promoting a healthy economy for all Americans and broadening the tax base.

Small Businesses

As a small business owner for over 20 years, I understand the importance of supporting our nation’s entrepreneurs and reducing the federal burdens placed on them. By supporting small businesses, we open new markets for American products, decrease prices for consumers and create better American jobs.

All too often, I hear from small business owners about the federal government’s over-burdensome tax code and the fear they have about the devastating impact irresponsible political rhetoric will have on the way their business operates.

The bottom line is that we must reduce the income tax rates for all Americans. Because so many small business owners pay taxes as individuals, lower individual tax rates will provide tremendous relief to local job creators and help spark economic activity in our District and across the country.

TRANSPORTATION

With a rapidly growing economy and population and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, American Airlines, and Tower 55 all residing in the district, it is especially important to Texas' 12th Congressional District that America has a transportation infrastructure system in place that is maintained, efficient and economical.

I am proud that in 2011, I was able to secure $50 million in transportation funding to support infrastructure projects in the district, including Tower 55.

I am pleased that in November 2014, the Texas Department of Transportation completed the Tower 55 improvements, as they will address long-term congestion issues and support the district’s continued economic growth. I also believe that the start-up funding for high-speed rail will allow Texas to begin exploring options for a future rail corridor that links Fort Worth to Houston.

While in Congress, I’ve also fought to improve I-35W, State Highway 121, and I-820, better our rail capabilities and throughways, and expand D/FW Airport and the surrounding municipal airports.

I believe that building and maintaining a strong transportation infrastructure is vitally important to managing economic growth and ensuring economic development. That’s why I’ll continue to work closely with transportation stakeholders and fight to make sure Texas’ 12th Congressional District receives the right federal assistance to address our infrastructure needs.

Highways

Whether driving kids to school or trucking products to one of Texas’ ports, it is vitally important that our highways are maintained and safe.

Texas’ 12th Congressional District is booming. More families, more companies and more traffic are coming to our area every day. We need to make sure our highways have the capacity to safely take us to our destinations.

We also need to ensure this capacity is used in a smart way to optimize our resources and space. And with over 300,000 miles of roadway in Texas already and more that should be built, finding ways to construct and maintain these highways will require teamwork between federal, state, and local governments.

In May 2015, the Highway Reauthorization bill will need to be renewed, and in the coming months, I will be looking closely at the long-term structural issues with our nation’s transportation funding streams. We must find a solution that helps provide certainty and solvency for the Highway Trust Fund, which gives states funding for critical transportation infrastructure projects that are important to our nation as a whole. As Congress begins work on this all-important piece of legislation, you can be sure that I will do my part to meet the highway needs of the 12th District and our nation in a fiscally responsible and sustainable way.

Rail Transportation

Trains can move one ton of freight nearly 450 miles on a single gallon of fuel, so with gas prices rising and highways becoming increasingly congested, it’s not difficult to see why rail transportation is once again becoming a critical piece of our nation’s transportation infrastructure.

Here in Texas’ 12th Congressional District, Tower 55 is one of the busiest rail intersections in the country. Located in downtown Fort Worth, Tower 55 connects freight and passenger trains that are traveling between the West Coast, the Midwest, the Gulf Coast, the Southeast, Canada and Mexico. As many of you know, this intersection gets pretty congested.

I strongly support the Tower 55 revitalization project, which was completed in November 2014. This project will improve rail traffic flow in Fort Worth, and will address congestion problems and provide economic growth opportunities to the 12th District.

Congress also needs to reauthorize the nation’s passenger rail policy, which creates pathways to make critical investments to our nation’s rail system. I will be working closely with other Members of Congress to pass legislation that balances rail transportation efficiency with safety.

Airlines and Air Travel

North Texas is the proud home of the two most dynamic domestic passenger airlines – American Airlines and Southwest Airlines – and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is the economic engine for North Texas.

My work on airport and airline issues began over 20 years ago as the Mayor of Fort Worth and it’s been a pleasure to watch our area’s air travel capabilities expand in that time.

As your representative in Congress, I have worked very hard to improve the safety of air travel for passengers – even in the face of repeated attempted terrorist attacks and budget cuts. I have also fought to ensure the many airline employees – many of whom reside in the 12th District – have the tools they need to perform their duties and help all of us reach our destinations.

VETERANS

There are many veterans that live in our district and their issues are important to me and to my work in Congress.

Our nation’s men and women in uniform are America’s greatest asset and the globe’s strongest defenders of freedom and democracy. Their sacrifices throughout our nation’s history have laid the foundation for the freedoms and fortunes we enjoy today. It is our responsibility to make sure America cares for these brave individuals when they come home.

As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am proud of my work to continually ensure the commitment we’ve made to our veterans has been met.

Unfortunately, there are still too many stories of our veterans returning to a system that does not support their needs. I strongly believe those who have served and sacrificed for our country are entitled to affordable health care and have therefore opposed significant increases in TRICARE fees. I also have and will continue to support legislation that allows for concurrent receipt of retiree and disability benefits.

Additionally, it is important to acknowledge that as the demands on a nation’s military change over time, so do the needs of our veterans. Veterans of the Global War on Terrorism are returning home with injuries and illnesses unique to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a result, it is important that our support for them is tailored to their specific needs.

I take the role of providing for our nation’s veterans very seriously and will continue to champion legislation that gives these brave women and men the support they so richly deserve.

Energy

From conventional resources like oil and natural gas to renewable resources like wind and solar, Texas’ energy sector is powering our homes, fueling our vehicles and driving our nation’s economy. I support an all-of-the-above approach that moves America towards energy independence.

To achieve energy independence, we must work to develop viable forms of renewable energy while also maximizing development of the conventional energy resources we have at home. By developing a diverse domestic energy portfolio in this way, we can create jobs, reduce energy costs and grow our economy.

Lifting the Crude Oil Export Ban

I was proud to support the Fiscal Year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill that became law and repealed the crude oil export ban. This outdated policy, which was signed into law in the 1970’s, blocked American energy producers from being able to sell any of our abundant domestic oil to our allies and partners around the world.  This positive change in policy contributes to more American energy jobs, better security here at home and for our allies around the world, and lower prices at the pump for consumers.

Keystone XL Pipeline

Many of my constituents have reached out about the Keystone XL pipeline. When constructed, the pipeline gives us the ability to transport 830,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada to the Gulf Coast in Texas. The benefits of this pipeline for Texas would be enormous. In fact, if this project is approved, it would create over 42,000 jobs, including a number in Texas. I am a strong supporter of the Keystone XL Pipeline, and I am pleased this project will advance under this Administration – creating jobs and a healthier American economy.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

CARES Act:

Key Provisions:

• Immediate cash relief for American families

• Emergency relief for hardworking Americans, small businesses, and job creators

• Emergency funding for America’s hospitals & healthcare professionals

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares

Economic Impact Payments:

Eligibility:

• US Citizen

• Valid SSN

• Can’t be claimed as a dependent of another taxpayer

• Adjusted gross income less than $99,000 (individual) $150,000 (joint)

Check status of stimulus check here: https://sa.www4.irs.gov/irfof-wmsp/login

Visit IRS website for additional information: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments

Paycheck Protection Program:

Eligibility:

• Any small business concern that meets SBA’s size standards (either the industry based sized standard or the alternative size standard)

• Any business, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern (sec. 31(b)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act) with the greater of:

• 500 employees, or

• That meets the SBA industry size standard if more than 500

• Any business with a NAICS Code that begins with 72 (Accommodations and Food Services) that has more than one physical location and employs less than 500 per location

• Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed persons