Receiving the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

On March 15, Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, presented me with the Spirit of Enterprise Award for my voting record that helps business prosper and the economy grow. This is the tenth time I have received the award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce since I entered Congress.

Speaking to Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy About Organized Crime

On March 15, I attended a Homeland Security Appropriations Committee hearing with Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy, where I asked him about several topics including counterfeiting in Peru, a proposed $15 million White House replica for service training, and what efforts the Secret Service was undertaking both domestically and with the Mexican government to combat transnational organized crime. I also asked about ways to expedite the hiring process and include more diversity in the service.

Recognizing Service to Greater Live Oak Community

On March 11, my outreach coordinator for Bexar County, Pete Arguello, presented Live Oak Police Chief Ken Evans with a congressional certificate of recognition for serving the Greater Live Oak community since 2012. Chief Evans will be moving to Colorado and has an outstanding 30 years in law enforcement service.


Meeting with Wilson County Constable Martin Rodriguez

My outreach coordinator for Wilson County, Gilbert Lafuente, met with Wilson County Constable Martin Rodriguez recently to discuss a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs claim. My office provides services and help to veterans and constituents with issues with the federal government.

SBA Meeting the Challenges and Seizing the Opportunities In Exporting Forum in McAllen

On March 9, my southern district outreach coordinator, Nichole Hernandez, met with the Small Business Administration (SBA) Regional Administrator, Yolanda Garcia Olivarez, at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, where the SBA provided a resourceful and free forum to the public on "Meeting the Challenges & Seizing Opportunities in Exporting" to enhance proactive business development.

Amber Herrington is from Flower Mound, Texas, and is currently a junior majoring in Political Science and minoring in Philosophy at the University of North Texas.

Amber is interested in learning how Capitol Hill functions, and watching firsthand how policy is made from beginning to end. She currently helps my D.C. staff with legislative assistance, media activities and official White House tours. She plans to continue her education after graduation and obtain a joint Master's of Business Administration and law degree.

Read more about Amber and other interns in my offices here.

What is El Niño and how does it affect us? This video from the Federal Emergency Management Agency shows the steps you can take to prepare for severe weather influenced by El Niño.

For more facts about El Niño, visit http://fema.gov/el-nino. For more preparedness tips, go to http://Ready.gov. And for more information on flood insurance, visit http://FloodSmart.gov.