Congress Passes a Budget

For the first time in six years, Congress has passed a blueprint that will establish guidelines for our federal government's spending. This Republican Congress came together, united, to develop much needed improvements to ensure our nation's fiscal health and security and protect our individual freedoms all without raising taxes on hardworking families.

Our budget will cut spending by more than $5 trillion.

While this budget is by no means perfect, it illustrates that this Congress can function and govern on behalf of Texans and the American people. The Fiscal Year 2016 Budget will balance the federal budget over 10 years, strengthen the U.S. military and repeal Obamacare.

Congressional Art Winner Announced
I am proud to announce Weatherly Sawyer, a junior at Dripping Springs High School as this year's Congressional Art Competition winner, and I look forward to having Weatherly's painting, Eventide Illumination, displayed in our nation's Capitol. I want to thank all of the artists who made it clear that there is much creative talent in the 25th congressional district of Texas.

Sawyer's painting is acrylic and is described as a mother and daughter crossing the foreground of a brightly lit carousel. Each year Artistic Discovery Contest provides an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent.

This year's runners-up include:
2nd Place – Chase Muller, Faith Academy of Marble Falls, senior: Lone Star Lights
3rd Place – Esther Avilez, Stephenville High School, senior: Hummingbird

Winning entries from U.S. congressional districts will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The contest winners will receive two round-trip airline tickets to Washington, D.C. to attend the unveiling of their artwork and a reception honoring the winners in June.

To learn more about the annual Congressional Art Competition please visit my website at /services/art-competition.

Roger Williams Recognized by U.S. Chamber
As a small business owner and member of the House Financial Services Committee, I was honored to receive the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in recognition of my pro-business agenda.

I have experienced firsthand the effects of the good, the bad and the ugly that comes out of Washington, and I have seen its effects on Main Street businesses. Washington should be doing everything it can to promote pro-growth policies. Instead it is putting job creators in a chokehold and discouraging investment. There is little incentive today for entrepreneurs to take any risk, and I want to change that.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), created within the 2,300 pages of the Dodd-Frank law, is a perfect example of how inefficient, top-down regulations are limiting choices and killing opportunities for economic growth and prosperity.

Last week I spoke to small dollar lenders, who, because of the CFPB, are facing unnecessary, one size fits all standards that are preventing them from providing needed capital. Washington should be promoting pro-growth policies, not hindering them.

Remembering Jim Wright
I am saddened to learn of Jim's death. I knew Jim for a long time, and although we had a difference in political beliefs, he was a patriot who served his community with pride. I send my prayers and thoughts to his family who I know will miss him dearly.
My relationship with Congressman Wright was highlighted in a 2013 memoir published by Politico titled, "My Handshake With JFK."