U. S. Rep. Pete Olson U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, represents the 22nd Congressional District, which encompasses portions of Brazoria, Fort Bend and Harris counties, including Pearland and Friendswood.[/caption]

U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land, represents the 22nd Congressional District, which encompasses portions of Brazoria, Fort Bend and Harris counties, including Pearland and Friendswood. Elected to his seat in 2008, Olson received his bachelor’s degree from Rice University and his law degree at The University of Texas. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1988-94. He serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the Energy and Power Subcommittee, the Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee, and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee. The congressman faces Democrat Mark Gibson in the November general election.



What are the biggest issues facing the 22nd district?


The biggest thing is the low price of oil and natural gas. We have got people losing their jobs, and that’s happening because of the global politics—largely OPEC wanting to keep their spigots flowing to hurt America. We finally passed a bill—part of a bill we passed last year—to end the ban on crude exports. The second-biggest issue that people are concerned about here is another surge across our borders [like what] happened in 2014 [when] all these kids came across [from Mexico]. I had a bill introduced that just basically gives local communities a voice in some of the decisions [on] where these detention centers are in their towns.



How can communities in Houston grow their small and mid-size businesses to take advantage of the growing market for exports?


The Port of Houston is the No. 1 exporting port in America. It’s been that way for about half a decade. It’s growing, [and] all the exports are coming through there with the strong price of natural gas, so it’s been a boon to the chemical companies. I’ve heard almost $100 billion is being invested in the Port of Houston with this region and with all these refineries and chemical plants. We need to do constant dredging in the Port of Houston, and the Army Corps of Engineers is just battling to do that. With the Panama Canal about to be widened and deepened, all those Panama ships are going to be punching through to the Gulf of Mexico and looking for a place to offload.



How does partisan gridlock affect Congress?


Gridlock is kind of how the system is designed. You have to get a law through two different bodies: the House and the Senate. It’s gotten hard now because it’s gotten more partisan, and that’s sad. We all know our country is going bankrupt. Medicare and Medicaid are draining our future.



U. S. Rep. Pete OlsonHave you been surprised at the tone of the presidential election and how it’s developed?


I just wish the candidates would talk about issues that matter to people. Talk about immigration. Talk about the military. It’s gotten way too personal—with comments about Ted Cruz’s wife. This isn’t some job you’re just rubberstamped for; you’re the Commander in Chief.



Is ISIS an immediate threat or concern to the residents of Texas and the United States?


[Residents] should be very concerned. We’ve had a couple [ISIS followers] come across our border. We caught them in McAllen, [Texas]. We passed a bill in the House to just put a break on people coming in from Syria and Iraq. [We are] not saying “you can’t come in,” but before you come in, three agencies have to say, “you’re OK”: the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. That hasn’t gotten through the Senate, yet, but I think it’s common sense.



What can be done to combat the rise in cyber security attacks on public institutions such as schools and hospitals?


We have to have more communication between federal, state, local and other entities involved, [such as] schools. [Hackers] are smart. Let’s make it more secure.