What are the biggest concerns you are hearing from constituents heading into the 115th Congress, which starts in January?
In the election between [Jimmy] Carter and [Ronald] Reagan, Reagan asked if you felt better off than you were four years ago. I think the question today is, do you feel safer than eight years ago? I think a lot of people don’t. In my chairmanship in Homeland Security, I see there is anxiety out there, whether it is [over] the economy or the threat of Islamist terror.
I have been talking a lot about the collapse of Iraq and Syria, and with al-Qaida turning into ISIS, we haven’t dealt with it for three and a half years. And now we are finally taking some action in Northern Africa.
The reset button with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin didn’t work out too well. And then we have China, which is starting with aggression in the South Pacific and Russia with aggression in Crimea and Ukraine Baltic states. I think people just see the world is in trouble.
What bills are you working on?
We had a foreign fighters task force that [follows] up [on] threats of foreign fighters. The U.S. is beginning to tighten up restrictions on visa security.
One role I have played that I have been very proud of is as the chair[man] of the Childhood Cancer Caucus. I got a bill passed that provides a market sentence for drug companies that helps develop drugs for childhood cancer. Just recently, because of the bill, we have the first childhood cancer drug for neuroblastomas, and it saved a 3-year-old. If you pass something and then to get to see that tangible [result], that’s gratifying.
Short of repealing the Affordable Care Act, what can Congress do to help with rising health care costs?
I like our substitute—it is more market-driven [and allows] purchasing insurance across state lines. It makes it more affordable and more competitive.
I think the experiment with Obamacare has not been good. I hear this throughout a lot of the district. The worst parts of the bill haven’t even taken effect. I voted against it. My premiums have gone up and I had to drop Blue Cross [Blue Shield], and now I’m with First Care. With pre-existing conditions—both sides agree on that. You can’t deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, and that has always been in our substitute.
Are any reforms proposed for the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which provides funding for transportation projects nationwide?
We are doing a highway extension, but we have to pass it. It is a big issue that hits both Harris County and Austin. The money has to come from somewhere. We passed the extension, but that’s going to come right back again. The federal highway system and the infrastructure needs to be fixed.
What are you working on in regards to cybersecurity?
The issues I work on have never been more relevant. The difference between al-Qaida and ISIS is the internet. That’s how they have radicalized a lot of people. They have also used the internet to recruit 40,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria. My job is to look at all this and to try to keep those threats outside of the U.S. The bill I passed—which I think will go a long way—is an information-sharing bill. [It] provides the ability to share security codes. In the event of cyberwarfare, the military would stand up and defend the nation.
Are you seeing larger support among citizens for police officers?
I think so. I did the Back the Blue tour—[a public awareness campaign]—to show my appreciation [for law enforcement]. A few bad apples shouldn’t spoil the entire group. It is impacting morale, it is impacting recruiting. That hurts our communities and our public safety overall.
What are your thoughts on the high-speed rail proposed from Dallas to Houston?
I have one county that is against it: Waller. We are currently working with Waller County and the high-speed rail folks to figure that out. I’m all for more transportation, and I think it is progress. I think it is also satisfying the private property owners along that route, and that’s part of the issue that we are trying to resolve. In the Greater Houston area, they are very supportive of this. I think you would see it in Austin too.
