On Armed Forces Day, we honor the brave men and women who serve our nation with courage, dedication, and selflessness. Their sacrifice and unwavering commitment help keep our communities and country safe every day. We’re forever grateful for their service and for all they do to defend the freedoms we cherish.

The @USArmyReserve supports military families, local jobs, and economic growth across our region. Texas is home to thousands of servicemembers and military families and San Antonio proudly stands as Military City USA. I’m focused on supporting the men and women who serve our country while ensuring Texas remains affordable for families and positioned for continued military investment and infrastructure. The Army Reserve plays a critical role in strengthening our national defense by maintaining highly trained soldiers who can deploy whenever the nation calls. These units provide operational support across missions at home and abroad while helping maintain the readiness and flexibility our military depends on. As security challenges evolve, the Army Reserve must have the training, resources, and modern equipment needed to carry out its mission effectively. I’ll continue fighting in Congress to secure the resources our Army Reserve units need while strengthening Texas’ role as a leader in military readiness and support for servicemembers and their families.

This morning, I helped pass the FY2027 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which provides funding to support military infrastructure, veterans’ health care, benefits, and services for the men and women who served our country. I also secured important wins to strengthen care for South Texas veterans. I secured language to support continued planning for a new hospital at the Audie L. Murphy @DeptVetAffairs Medical Center in San Antonio. Audie Murphy serves veterans across all of South Texas and provides complex care for families throughout our region. As more veterans turn to this system, the need for expanded capacity and modern facilities continues to grow. This language keeps planning moving forward, strengthens congressional oversight, and helps ensure the VA follows through on this critical project. I also secured language directing the VA to reassess the current and future needs of veterans at the Laredo VA clinic. Thousands of veterans already rely on the clinic for care, including more than 5,000 veterans in Webb County alone. As our community continues growing, veterans should not have to leave South Texas to access the services they earned. This effort helps pave the way for a larger, modern clinic that can better serve veterans across the region. Thank you to Richard Perez, the San Antonio Medical Foundation, local leaders, and everyone continuing to advocate for our veterans. Our veterans stepped up for this country, and we must step up for them. I’ll keep working to ensure South Texas veterans receive the care and support they’ve earned. This provides critical funding for our military veterans

This week, I continued working through the Appropriations process to strengthen national security, support law enforcement, and invest in priorities important to South Texas and communities across the country. During Defense Appropriations hearings, I spoke with Secretary Hegseth and Navy leadership about emerging threats, including the growing use of fiber-optic drones and China’s increasing influence across Latin America. At the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, I added funding to address school violence, combat cargo theft and organized retail crime, and strengthen protections against supply chain fraud. I supported stronger investigations into animal abuse and efforts to improve enforcement and accountability. I also secured an additional $2 million to help establish a task force specifically to combat cargo theft and improve coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. As Congress continues the appropriations process, I’ll keep working to support public safety, strengthen our national security, and deliver resources for the communities we serve. Check out my recap.⬇️

Today, I met with @Presidencia_Ec Daniel Noboa and @EmbajadaEcuUSA at the U.S Capitol. The United States and Ecuador share a strong partnership rooted in economic cooperation, regional security, and mutual respect. I appreciated the opportunity to continue conversations on strengthening collaboration across the Western Hemisphere and advancing the shared interests of both of our countries. Thank you to President Noboa and the Ecuadorian delegation for the visit. I’m also grateful to my colleagues, @MarioDB and @CarlosGimenezFL, for organizing this important event.

I appreciated the opportunity to sit down with Justice Emily Miskel of the Fifth District Court of Appeals and representatives from @StateCourts to discuss ongoing efforts to strengthen protections for judges and court personnel. Judges should be able to uphold the law and carry out their responsibilities without facing threats, intimidation, or political violence. Unfortunately, threats against members of the judiciary continue to rise across the country, and state and local judges often do not have access to the same level of support and security resources as their federal counterparts. Strengthening coordination, improving threat monitoring, and ensuring courts have the resources needed to protect judges and staff are important steps in maintaining the integrity of our justice system. I remain committed to working across the aisle to support the safety and independence of our courts and preserve public trust in the rule of law.

Today, I voted in favor of the War Powers Resolution that I introduced alongside my colleague @RepJoshG because Congress has a responsibility to protect our servicemembers, stand with our allies, and demand clear objectives before this conflict expands further. From the beginning, I supported a thirty-day window to account for operational realities, safeguard American personnel and our partners, and give the administration time to present a cohesive strategy and exit plan. That period expired. The administration failed to provide sufficient clarity about our long-term goals or the path ahead. Our resolution makes clear that military action against Iran cannot continue indefinitely without congressional authorization or a declaration of war. It also blocks the deployment of American ground troops into Iran without explicit approval from Congress. Let me be clear: Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons poses a direct threat to the United States, Israel, our allies and stability across the Middle East. The regime continues directing Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis, groups that attack civilians, Americans, and our allies. Tehran uses terrorism as an instrument of state power and the United States must continue standing firmly against Iranian aggression. This measure does not limit our ability to defend American forces, protect our embassies, or respond to imminent threats. It reinforces Congress’ constitutional role and prevents an open-ended conflict in the Middle East. I remain grateful for the courage and professionalism of our servicemembers and I’ll continue fighting to protect them, support our allies, and deliver relief for South Texas families.

My Laredo Outreach Coordinator, Frida Figueroa, attended the @webb_county Sheriff’s Office 2026 Law Enforcement Week Awards Ceremony, where members of the department and civilians who have supported their mission were recognized for their service and dedication. On my behalf, my office also presented Congressional Recognitions during the event. The ceremony highlighted the strong partnership between law enforcement and the community, as well as the importance of honoring those who go above and beyond in service to others. I remain grateful for the men and women who work every day to keep our communities safe.

My San Antonio Outreach Coordinators, Adison Denham and Kelly Brooks, presented a Congressional Recognition to the Pleasanton Police Department in honor of National Police Week. They met with Police Chief Ernest Guerra and Assistant Chief Anastacio Perez to thank them for their continued service and dedication to public safety in Pleasanton and throughout Atascosa County. I deeply appreciate their commitment, sacrifice, and service, and I will continue supporting efforts that help them carry out their mission effectively.

ICYMI: New inflation numbers show prices continuing to move in the wrong direction, driven by another sharp increase in gas prices. The Consumer Price Index rose 3.8% over the past year, the highest level since 2023. Gas prices alone increased 5.4% in April and the national average for a gallon of regular gas is now $4.50. Those increases do not stay at the pump. They impact shipping, freight, groceries, and everyday goods that families depend on. For a critical trade and transportation hub like South Texas, higher energy costs ripple through nearly every part of the economy. Many families are already making tougher decisions about household spending as costs continue to rise. Small businesses in particular feel that pressure. I’m focused on policies that lower prices, strengthen economic stability, and help ease pressures on American families.