Yearly Archives: 2017

Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) voted today for the passage of the Community Institution Mortgage Relief Act of 2017 (H.R. 3971) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bill will reduce compliance costs for smaller community financial institutions by exempting them from certain escrow or impound requirements.

The House unanimously passed H.R. 3359, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act of 2017. This watershed legislation will streamline the current structure of the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) and re-designate it as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) to more effectively execute cybersecurity and critical infrastructure related authorities.

As Texans repair or rebuild their homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey and subsequent flooding, FEMA and home-improvement stores in Chambers and Galveston counties are teaming up to provide free information, tips and literature on making homes stronger and safer

Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, praised the House passage of legislation to reorganize the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD) at DHS on Monday.

Sandra Flores will begin serving a six year prison term this week for insurance fraud after a Texas Department of Insurance investigation found she had stolen $1 million from real estate transactions. She was sentenced earlier this week by a Harris County judge.

Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) today acted to help redevelop abandoned or contaminated properties and encourage economic development by voting for H.R. 3017, the Brownfields Enhancement, Economic Redevelopment, and Reauthorization Act. Brownfields are abandoned, closed or under-utilized industrial or commercial properties that may be contaminated because of their prior use. However, these sites often have great potential for redevelopment, if they are cleaned up properly. This bill reauthorizes the EPA Brownfields Program in order to help states and localities get the tools and guidance they need to clean up and redevelop brownfields.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) today launched a public awareness campaign to inform owners of homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey that help is available to avoid foreclosure and to finance repairs.

Congressman John R. Carter (TX-31) and Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-02) introduced the Securing Energy Infrastructure Act of 2017, which establishes a pilot program to evaluate United States energy security vulnerabilities. As bipartisan co-chairmen of the House Army Caucus, Rep. Carter and Rep. Ruppersberger continue their shared commitment to national security through this important legislation

As Texas rebuilds in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is committed to ensuring safe, affordable housing for all those affected by the disaster. HUD is tasked with comprehensive, long-term disaster relief and has been working on the front lines in Texas. We are your ear on the ground and your voice in Washington, and we are committed to providing a compassionate and effective response

Mercy Loan Fund (MLF), a leading Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) today announced that it has provided a $7.0 million loan to Chesapeake Community Advisors (CCA) and Trinity Village Non Profit Housing Corp. (Trinity) for the acquisition of Forest Dale Apartments, a 206-unit community for seniors with low incomes in Dallas, Texas

Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01) released the following statement today regarding the vote in Congress to provide federal funding in the Disaster Relief Fund

Congressman John Culberson (TX-07) released the following statement after House Appropriations Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen announced an initial emergency supplemental appropriations bill to begin rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Harvey.

Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas, issued the following statement on the need for collaboration among key stakeholders as communities look to rebuild.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) release the following statement today, in regards to the water quality of flood-impacted areas from Hurricane Harvey

The Texas Big Game Awards program is announcing rule changes designed to better reflect the objectives of this 27 year partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Wildlife Association — to recognize the contributions hunters and landowners make in managing and conserving wildlife and wildlife habitat in Texas

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) approved grant funding this week to repair the Presidio International Rail Bridge and South Orient Railroad, which extends from Presidio to San Angelo. With this funding, Presidio can continue serve as a pillar of Texas trade, benefitting both the border region and the State’s economy. U.S. Representative Will Hurd (R-Texas) championed this initiative to TxDOT and local officials to ensure the line’s rehabilitation and improved operations, and safety. Texas Tax ID