Press Releases

Today, the House of Representatives considered legislation intended to create jobs. In these difficult economic times, we should encourage the growth of American jobs, and it is also important that we get the most for every tax expenditure. But, as I noted in a House floor speech today, this provision does too little to create jobs and costs too much.

Today, I introduced a resolution strongly condemning the terror attack on IRS employees, recognizing Vernon Hunter, who was killed in the attack, and saluting the service of those first responders and employees who kept this event from becoming an even larger tragedy.

During a House Budget Hearing today, Congressman Lloyd Doggett recognized the life of Vernon Hunter, who was killed last Thursday in the suicide attack on IRS employees in Austin. Before beginning his questioning of U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner, Doggett observed, "Certainly the professionalism of the IRS employees there, the help of a good Samaritan and our first responders were vital in minimizing the loss of life [in Austin]. Some of the responses to that attack have been nothing short of appalling.

Every American knows about the speed limit. We proposed a Wall Street bankers tax for those exceeding the greed limit. In advance of President Obama's announcement of a fee on the nation's biggest banks, I announced a separate initiative that applies a 50-percent tax on Wall Street bank bonuses in excess of $50,000 paid by TARP-recipient firms: The Wall Street Bonus Tax Act. This measure would not apply to local community banks, since they did not cause the financial crisis.

On the floor of the House of Representatives, I expressed my strong support for the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, as envisioned by former U.T. Law Professor Elizabeth Warren. Today, we have the opportunity to create a new squad of financial cops who will work to protect those living on Main Street from the greed we've seen from Wall Street. Congress finally has the chance to stand up not for the banks they said were ‘too big to fail,' but for America's working families, who are far too important to fail, and that is exactly what I urged my colleagues to do.

On the floor of the House of Representatives, I voiced my strong belief that before Congress ask working families to pay more in taxes, we must question why Congress has done so little to crack down on special interests getting special treatment, and to prevent billions of dollars in corporate tax avoidance. Furthermore, I called on my colleagues to further scrutinize all tax expenditures, even the most popular, at least as closely as Congress looks at direct spending measures before it writes the check.

Onion Creek Flood Control
To allow the City of Austin to be reimbursed for spending local funds above and beyond what is required for local governments in order to relocate families out of the Onion Creek flood zone.

San Marcos Storm Water Abatement Project
To ensure that pollutants and sediment are removed and prevented from flowing into the San Marcos River.

Today on the House Floor, I spoke in strong support of the Medicare Physician Repayment Reform Act-a bill that is about more than the reasonable desire of physicians for reimbursement rates that cover their actual costs and fairly compensate their work; it is about access to quality health care and strengthening seniors' ability to choose the doctor best for them. Today is one time that the ‘just say no' party ought to say ‘yes' to this good policy, which is supported by the Texas Medical Association and medical associations across the country.