Media Center
Latest News
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) this week sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf requesting an update on the implementation of Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology at the southern border.
AUSTIN, TX – Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) today hosted a virtual townhall with small business owners across the 25ht District to discuss available relief during COVID-19. He was joined by panelists Tom Sullivan, Vice President of Small Business Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Laura Huffman, President and CEO of the Austin Chamber of Commerce; and Art Mann, Administrator of the Hillsboro Economic Development Corporation.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) today sent a letter to U.S.
FORT WORTH, TX – Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) today held a press conference at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth highlighting the urgency of passing his bipartisan bill, the Save Our Stages Act, to provide relief for independent live music venues. Speakers included Marty Travis, General Manager of Billy Bob's Texas; Bob Jameson, CEO of Visit Fort Worth; Walter Kinzie, Founder and CEO of Encore Live; and Burleson, TX native and recording artist Casey Donahew.
Music venues are a central part of our fabric here in Texas and they need our help. As COVID-19 began sweeping across the nation and government mandates meant businesses had to halt their work, live independent music venues were the first to close and will be among the last to reopen in the future.
Casey Donahew can't wait to get back on the stage and sing for crowds.
"Music does heal," the country music singer said. "It happens every day."
Donahew on Friday showed up at Billy Bob's Texas Friday to talk about the proposed Save Our Stages Act, a bipartisan bill U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, is trying to pass through Congress.
Texas Congressman Roger Williams is co-sponsoring pandemic relief legislation for music venues.
Senator John Cornyn recently co-sponsored similar legislation in the Senate.
Both the House and Senate bills have bipartisan support.
Some have been creative with how to keep the music going, like the Levitt Pavilion.
Still, that doesn't change the fact that the entire industry could use a big boost.
Norman Lucas believes the Save Our Stages Act would be a lifeline for live music venues.
"It's very important to us," said Lucas of Elevated Minds Music Group, which owns Brass Hall in Marble Falls. "If it passes, we're definitely planning on becoming active in that program because it's going to at least ensure our survival. Otherwise, we wouldn't know if we would survive."
The U.S. House bill was introduced July 29 by Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.).
Williams was joined by tourism and entertainment industry leaders in Fort Worth at a press conference at Billy Bob's Texas on Friday highlighting the proposed measure. Venue shutdowns have been tough on the business owners themselves and it directly affects artists and crews who would be performing on their stages, North Texas native and country singer Casey Donahew said.
HILLSBORO, TX – Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) today toured the Hillsboro Municipal Airport after announcing a $553,500 grant awarded to the airport under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Mayor Andy Smith, EDC Administrator Art Mann and Airport Manager John Graham joined the tour.