Honoring Jocelyn Nungaray

Dear Gloria,

On this Mother’s Day, I want to take a moment to thank the incredible mothers across our district and our nation. Mothers are the heart of our families — offering strength, guidance, and unconditional love.

Family is the building block of society, and when we have strong families, we build a stronger America. Today, and every day, we celebrate the selfless sacrifices and immeasurable impact of mothers everywhere.

Wishing all the moms a joyful and blessed Mother’s Day!

Last week, I introduced legislation to officially rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Chambers County as the “Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge.” This bill honors the memory of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, whose life was tragically cut short in 2024. Renaming the refuge will permanently enshrine Jocelyn’s spirit in a place of peace and life, ensuring she is never forgotten.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 276, the Gulf of America Act — marking the first time House Republicans have voted to codify one of President Donald J. Trump’s executive orders. I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of this important legislation, which officially renames the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America.

The Gulf of America is the largest gulf in the world, with over 1,700 miles of U.S. coastline and around 160 million acres of water. It’s a vital energy hub, producing about 14 percent of our nation’s crude oil and abundant natural gas. Hardworking Americans are footing the bill to secure and protect these maritime waterways — it’s only right that the Gulf bears a name worthy of their investment and sacrifice.

Last week, I proudly voted for the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act. This bill takes critical steps to stop the Chinese Communist Party from infiltrating American college campuses.

Confucius Institutes, funded by the CCP, spread propaganda, silence free speech, and threaten our national security. This legislation cuts off taxpayer dollars to any university partnering with CCP-aligned entities, helping defend our students, protect academic freedom, and uphold American values. I’ll keep working with my House Republican colleagues to safeguard the next generation from foreign authoritarian influence.