Last Tuesday, I held a hearing as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform reviewing the financial management of the Department of Defense.
We have been closely involved in monitoring the spending of the DOD by creating a scorecard to analyze specific areas of financial performance across the department. It is exciting to see that progress is being made. The U.S. Marine Corps has passed a clean audit, and I believe they are setting the pace for the rest of the Pentagon.
Financial accountability is essential not only to ensure stewardship of taxpayer dollars but also to maintain an accurate knowledge base of exactly what resources are available to support the warfighter. My subcommittee will continue this bipartisan work to ensure the DOD remains strong and meets the mandate of a clean audit by 2028. You can watch my opening remarks here.
Committee Activity
Last week began the important work of preparing the “one big, beautiful bill” for President Trump through committee markups.
In the House Financial Services Committee, we advanced measures that reduce the deficit by $1 billion. We did this by lowering the funding cap for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 12 percent to 5 percent and redirecting unused funds to the U.S. Treasury. We also passed reforms to limit assessments collected by the Office of Financial Research and to reallocate fees collected by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.
In the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, we achieved $51.4 billion saved from wasteful spending. These are serious steps toward restoring fiscal responsibility and reining in runaway government costs. I will continue to share updates through this legislative process.
Texas Farm Bureau
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of speaking with some 300 members of the Texas Farm Bureau visiting Washington. The TFB is a cornerstone of advocacy and support for our farmers and ranchers across the state.
As a proud 29-year member of the TFB, I have long valued and benefited from their work. I’m especially proud that TX-17 is home to the TFB headquarters. The hardworking producers that make up our agriculture community and feed our nation deserve a strong voice in Washington.
I remain committed to supporting Texas agriculture. Thank you to the TFB for making your voices heard on Capitol Hill and for joining me and my team for a special tour of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday evening.
National Down Syndrome Society
Last week, I had the pleasure of welcoming representatives from the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to my office. As the parent of a young man with Down syndrome, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact NDSS has on families like mine. Our conversation reinforced my deep commitment to ensuring that our laws reflect the dignity and potential of every American.
I will continue to champion legislation that supports the Down syndrome community.
Heart of Texas Congressional Art Competition
Last weekend, my office hosted the Heart of Texas region of the Congressional Art Competition. The theme of “America, the Beautiful” inspired great creativity from local high school artists. I was blown away by their talent and perspective.
Congratulations to this year’s winners:
• 1st Place — “For Spacious Skies” by Abigail Olmstead, Homeschool
• 2nd Place — “Memoirs of an American Childhood” by Megan Ward, Groesbeck High School
• 3rd Place — “Bright and Bold” by Arisbeida Barcenas Perez, Chilton High School
• 4th Place — “From Sea to Shining Sea” by Abigail Olmstead, Homeschool
• 5th Place — “U.S. Marine” by Landry Rosenbaum, Chilton High School
•6th Place — “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” by Senon Gonzalez, Chilton High School
Thank you to all the students who participated. I am so proud of your work.
Legislation of the Week
• HR 3092: Electrodiagnostic Medicine Patient Protection and Fraud Elimination Act
I re-introduced the Electrodiagnostic Medicine Patient Protection and Fraud Elimination Act. This piece of legislation updates Medicare rules to ensure tests like nerve studies and muscle exams are done in certified facilities to keep quality high and stop fraud. It sets up a system to approve these facilities and forms a committee to guide the process, making sure patients get reliable diagnoses and better care.
• HJRs 60, 87, 88, 89, 78: Congressional Review Acts
The House took decisive action to push back against the past administration’s war on working Americans. We voted to overturn five radical rules that restrict access to public lands, punish truckers with crushing emissions mandates, and threaten to cut off water to California farmers in the name of an extreme environmental agenda. Congressional Review Act HJRs 60, 87, 88, 89, and 78 are about restoring common-sense governance and defending our nation’s workforce and resources.
• HR 3080: Health Care Fairness for All Act
I re-introduced my Health Care Fairness for All Act, a comprehensive reform bill that gives every American a new option for obtaining health care coverage through a portable, fair, and universal health insurance tax credit. This legislation lowers health care costs, promotes price transparency, and empowers individuals with a tax-advantaged Roth Health Savings Account to save and pay for their care.
The bill repeals burdensome Affordable Care Act mandates, returning regulatory authority to the states while preserving essential protections like coverage for pre-existing conditions. It also encourages innovative options such as short-term health plans and telehealth, strengthens Medicaid payment reforms, and supports enrollment in basic health plans to ensure fair, affordable access to care for every American.
Pete Sessions represents District 17, which includes Trinity County, in the U.S. House of Representatives
