Saving Our Stages

Across our home state, uncertainty looms as businesses and Texan families take cautious steps toward returning to the "norm" prior to COVID-19. While we have been fortunate to support some of our local shops through carry-out orders and curbside pick-up, the live music industry has experienced catastrophic consequences.

Independent live music venues nationwide have been uniquely affected during COVID-19. Unlike other businesses who are on the road to recovery, music venues that have been cultural staples for generations will continue to bear the negative impacts of recommended social-distancing and health precautions for the foreseeable future.

Venues across our district provide some artists with what is often the only avenue for their music to be heard. They play a crucial role in our societal identity.

As long as strict health precautions are in place, these pillars in our communities will need help if they are to rebound. In order to meet these needs, I introduced the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act to ensure they have the resources necessary to recover and fully reopen.

Click here or on the photo above to watch my remarks on the House floor.

Live music venues are vibrant pieces of the fabric that makes up cities like our very own Austin, Texas. Many of us have fond memories flooding into our favorite venue to listen to a local hero sing a favorite song or two – these special moments should not be lost for future generations.

I hope that by taking action through legislation like the Save Our Stages Act, our venues will be able to once again be able to welcome their next act to the stage.

SUPPORTING OUR SOLDIERS

I support the Secretary of the Army's announcement of an independent review of the climate and culture at Fort Hood. A failure to appropriately respond to this moment at the "Great Place" would be a missed opportunity, particularly in light of the tragic and untimely death of SPC Vanessa Guillen. We must take deliberate action now and not promulgate a falsehood that bad actions can go unpunished.

The Army is one of America's last great institutions to still live by a set of values; loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity, personal courage. No Soldier should fear for his or her life on a U.S. military installation, such trepidation is the antithesis of building comradery and trust within a warfighting organization. Our Army leaders should welcome such a review, as improving the army team can only occur if we clearly understand the shortfalls that exist and the improvements necessary to take corrective action. I look forward to continuing my communication with the Department of the Army as this study is underway.

DELIVERING FOR TX-25

State of the art equipment for our soldiers

The Greywolf Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood received the Army's newest M1 Abrams Tank. Our warfighters deserve the most modern equipment to defend American interests across the globe. I am proud to be a voice in Congress for the men and women serving on Fort Hood and am extraordinarily proud that the Department of the Army selected them to field this tank. Tens of thousands of soldiers and their families call Central Texas home and it is my privilege to not only be their voice in the U.S. House of Representatives, but to ensure that they have the best funding and resources available to fight and win our nation's wars.

Funding for critical infrastructure repairs

I'm proud to announce a $553,500 grant for the Hillsboro Municipal Airport that will greatly benefit the entire Hillsboro community. Ensuring our regional airports have adequate funding to address safety and maintenance repairs is crucial to Texas' economy, now more than ever. While the 25th District has already received much-needed funding for airport improvements, I'm proud to secure greater funding in the CARES Act so that Hillsboro Municipal Airport can continue serving our community to the fullest extent possible.

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