Come and Read It Report - Recess Wrap-Up
Dear Texans,
It was great to be back home in TX-25 the last two weeks. Visiting with you – the constituents – is the best part of my job and is vital to ensuring that your ideas and voices are heard in Washington.
We covered over 1,800 miles during the recess period, hosting 26 events in all of our district's 13 counties!
My 3 biggest takeaways:
- Texans continue to benefit from the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
- We must immediately address the crisis at the border
- TX-25 constituents are the most engaged and hard-working Texans and it is a privilege to represent you
Texans continue to benefit from the historic Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
On Tax Day I met with business owners and employees in TX-25 at both Hayes and Stolz Manufacturing in Burleson and Anodamine Industrial in Lago Vista to hear firsthand how tax reform continues to amplify their business. The bottom line is, both businesses are growing, hiring more people and increasing the paychecks of their employees, and this is a direct result of the tax reform legislation that we passed in 2017.
I voted for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because it directly benefits the workers, families and small businesses in our community. The Texas economy is at its lowest unemployment rate in 30 years and it is because of our great community business leaders who are no longer hampered by an overbearing tax code. These two local companies are shining examples of the success that is possible when big government gets out of the way.
We must immediately address the crisis at the border
I spent a day with our U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Sector, surveying the areas they protect, discussing their technology and infrastructure needs and viewing a processing center for those who have illegally entered our country. Throughout the tour, officials noted that more than 500 agents are needed in their sector alone to be level-staffed. During my tour of the processing center, I saw over 1,200 migrants detained in a facility that has a 250-person capacity. We are being inundated on all fronts with the influx of illegal immigrants at the border.
Following the border tour, I hosted three roundtable discussions with local law enforcement officials from Johnson, Hays and Burnet counties to hear firsthand how the issues at the border are affecting their ability to protect Texans in cities hundreds of miles away.
One thing is clear – there is a crisis at our border and we must act now. Our border patrol agents and law enforcement officials are overwhelmed by the number of migrants crossing into our country illegally.
We need to support them by hiring more border patrols agents, adding barriers in high traffic areas and updating technology to monitor activity. We must secure our border now!
TX-25 constituents are the most engaged and hard-working Texans and it is a privilege to represent you
Our 26 events included a wide range of discussions and voices that will continue to improve and raise up our community.
Townhalls
I hosted 2 townhalls in Travis and Hill Counties. I was able to speak directly to constituents and answer questions, as well as provide updates on the ongoing work in Washington, D.C. All of these townhall gatherings offer a meaningful dialogue that push our district forward.
Veterans Roundtable
Our veterans continue to provide actionable recommendations on how we can better support them at home, and I met with Copperas Cove veterans to hear more. Specifically, the group shared their concerns regarding the Veterans Administration (VA). During our meeting I pledged that I would take their concerns back to Washington and fight to improve their benefits.
Honoring Vietnam Veterans
I honored our great Vietnam veterans during a Welcome Home ceremony at Clifton Legion Hall. We have many veterans living in TX-25 and they all deserve to be recognized. Their sacrifices do not go unnoticed and supporting them is top priority.
There are so many worthy veterans causes to support, and last Sunday I presented the National Mounted Warfare Foundation with the donation of my paycheck from the partial government shutdown. These heroes work every day and I am honored to play a role in supporting them.
Law Enforcement
In addition to our 3 roundtables with law enforcement officials on the border crisis, I also joined our police officers in Burleson for a community meeting. These Coffee with Cops events are a fun, informal way for our policemen to interact with citizens. I am very grateful for their service and look forward to participating again.
Active Duty Military
Fort Hood remains a thriving military base that protects our country and boosts the local economy. Members of our military hosted me at Fort Hood for a visit to observe their soldier transition training programs. These programs provide meaningful training to soldiers so they are able to transition seamlessly back into civilian life and participate in our ever-growing economy.
We must also prepare our next generation, including training the soldiers who will fight for our freedoms in the years to come. I visited with recruiters in Burleson at the Army recruiting office who are helping and inspiring Texans to sign-up and serve.
Tarleton State University
I continue to be more inspired and impressed by our young people. During a tour of Tarleton State University, the students energized me with their eagerness to serve our country in so many ways, whether it be joining the military, entering the workforce or continuing their academic journey. Another highlight of the visit was honoring the Tarleton State Men's Rodeo team for their second-place victory at the College National Finals Rodeo, as well as their ROTC for being the only team from Texas to make it to the Sandhurst 2019 International Military Skills competition. Way to go and congratulations again!
It is always a joy to be home surrounded by hardworking Texans. I enjoy working every day on your behalf.
In God we trust,
Roger Williams
Member of Congress