Military Academy Applications Due October 1st
One of the greatest honors I have as a Member of Congress is nominating young men and women to our nation’s service academies. The 19th District of Texas has a long history of sending some of our best and brightest to receive an excellent education and serve our nation. Any student interested in applying to one of the service academies should first consult their parents and high school counselor. This year, all applications must be submitted by October 1, 2016. You can access the application here.
A Better Way to Keep America Safe and Free
National security is an issue on everyone’s mind these days. With terror attacks taking place all around the world, growing instability in Iraq and Syria, and Iran’s continued nuclear program, Americans are wondering how we can best protect ourselves. As the third installment in my series examining House Speaker Paul Ryan’s “Better Way” proposals, I will be looking at the plan for improving our national security.
Earlier this year, I traveled through Europe and the Middle East with four other Members of Congress. The mission of our trip was to meet with military leaders and heads of state, gaining their perspectives on the threats in the world today. During that trip, I had the opportunity to visit a refugee camp in Jordan. Bordered by Syria, Iraq, and the West Bank, Jordan has battled to keep its borders secure while thousands of refugees pour out of Syria. Witnessing the region’s conflicts first-hand made it clear to me that more action is needed to defeat ISIS.
As part of the Speaker’s national security proposal, Republican working groups suggested adopting a wartime mentality when approaching the fight against terrorism. Unlike current policy, this would keep all options on the table. Broadcasting to our enemies that there are tactics we will not use against them endangers our military and gives our enemies an advantage. We cannot give terrorists any leverage as we seek to stop their attacks and restore stability to areas that have plunged into chaos.
Equally important is protecting our homeland. I have long advocated for securing our borders as the first step in fixing our broken immigration system. If we do not know who is coming into our country, we will always be at risk. Those entering could potentially strike at us from within. We must gain a better awareness of what is happening along our borders and adapt to confront and control the threats.
Effective use of technology is one of the best ways to detect, deter, and respond to emerging threats. However, if we do not make network security a priority, technology can also become a big vulnerability. Strengthening information sharing among government agencies, the private sector, and our allies will help us improve our response to threats both at home and abroad.
The balance of providing security without restricting freedom will always be a delicate one. I believe the solutions offered in the Speaker’s plan to reform our national defense capabilities also emphasize individual rights and due process. Our intelligence procedures have improved, but it is imperative we remain vigilant to protect the safety, security, and freedom of the United States of America.
