Roger Williams represents the 25th congressional district of Texas which stretches from Tarrant County in the north to Hays County in the south and includes much of the Texas Hill Country and Austin.
Roger attended Texas Christian University where he was an All-Southwest Conference baseball player and named to TCU’s All-Decade Team for the 1960s.
Upon graduating, Roger was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and played in their farm system for many years before deciding to begin a new career as a small business owner and the head baseball coach at TCU.
Fort Hood is a major economic driver in Central Texas, contributing more than $33 billion to the Texas economy annually. It is one of the largest military bases in the world, with over 30,000 Soldiers, Airmen and their families assigned to the installation. During my time in Congress, I have delivered more funding for our warfighters by delivering the highest defense spending in history year after year. I will always remain committed to ensuring they have the resources needed to protect our nation.
When the Army needed a new home to build the force of the future, they selected Austin, Texas. “Army Futures Command (AFC) leads a continuous transformation of Army modernization in order to provide future warfighters with the concepts, capabilities and organizational structures they need to dominate a future battlefield.” [1] I am proud to have played a crucial role in getting the AFC headquarters to Austin. In 2018, I was grateful for the opportunity to visit our troops in Iraq and Kuwait during a week-long Congressional Delegation (CODEL). I witnessed firsthand our operations overseas and heard from leading military officials about how Congress can best serve our men and women in uniform.
I have been an ardent advocate for expanding funding for the military and will continue working to deliver the resources needed for our servicemen and women to remain the greatest fighting force in the world. Some of my work includes:
Supported 7 National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAA), all of which included a pay raise for our troops, including the largest pay increase ever of 3.1% in 2020.
Secured $61.5 million dollar barrack renovation project for Fort. Hood in 2016, $145 million in 2017 and $117.4 million in 2018.
Helped bring the 3rd Security Force Assistance Brigade to Ft. Hood.
Successfully advocated to award the Purple Heart to victims of the Ft. Hood terrorist attack and allow them to receive financial compensation
Cosponsored H.Res.177 expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to support the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program.
Continuing resolutions do not benefit the military. It is critical that we pass legislation that fully funds the Department of Defense to support the men and women that protect our livelihood.
Whether our veterans served in Texas or elsewhere across the globe, thousands of our nation’s heroes choose to call Central Texas home. I’m proud to represent them in Congress and am committed to providing these men and women with the healthcare, compensation and benefits that they earned during their military service.
I worked closely with the VA to bring two new contract clinics to Killeen and Copperas Cove so the area’s 37,000 veterans are able to receive health care closer to home. For veterans that may need assistance with the VA, our dedicated casework team stands ready to assist. My work on behalf of our veterans includes:
Cosponsored the Honoring the Fort Hood Heroes Act (H.R.3111) to direct the Secretary of the Military Department to award the Purple Heart to members of the Armed Forces, employees, and civilian contractors who were killed or wounded in the attack at Fort Hood, Texas.
Supported the VA Mission Act (S. 2372) that was signed into law and allowed our servicemen and women to have greater private healthcare options.
Cosponsored the Improve Well-Being for Veterans Act (H.R. 3495), which created a grants program that provides funding to entities that offer suicide prevention services for veterans and their families.
Cosponsored the Homeless Veterans Families Act (H.R. 95) which expands funding to homeless veterans who have dependents to provide for.
Cosponsored the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act (H.R. 553) which repeals a provision that prevents beneficiaries of late service members from receiving full benefits.
Cosponsored the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 (H.R.299) to expand health benefits and home loan programs for veterans with service-connected diseases related to herbicide (Agent Orange).
Cosponsored the Faster Care for Veterans Act of 2016 (H.R.4352) which establishes a pilot program to broaden the appointment scheduling options and reduce the wait time for veterans seeking medical care.
America does not have a revenue problem – we have a spending problem that has pushed our debt over $23 trillion. It is the single greatest threat to our national security and is growing by the day. I am committed to fighting for responsible cuts because Washington must live within their means like every American household. I’m proud to have earned a perfect score in the 116th Congress from the Citizens Against Government Waste and was named a Taxpayer Super-Hero for my efforts to cut excess spending whenever and wherever possible.
Some of my work to rein in our national spending includes:
Advocate for balancing the budget and voting in favor of adding a constitutional amendment to balance the budget (H.J.Res.2).
While serving on the House Committee on Budget, I was an strong proponent of the House GOP 2014 Budget plan which balanced the budget to help rebuild the economy and hold government spending accountable.
Cosponsored National Debt is a Threat to National Security (H.Res149) to highlight the danger that our debt poses to our nation.
Sent a letter to leadership expressing the need for budget reform and debt reduction.
The bottom line is that you know how to spend your money better than the government. I helped pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the largest overhaul of America’s broken tax code in history, to jumpstart our economy and give people more money in their pockets. Moving forward, I am fighting to make these tax cuts permanent so that our families and workers have certainty for the future.
My work to lower your taxes:
Helped pass the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was the largest tax reform in decades.
Cosponsored the Middle Class Savings Act (H.R.6179) which lowers the capital gains tax brackets to reflect the new rate of income tax from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Supported the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act of 2019 (H.R. 1175), which reduces excise tax rates on beer and distilled spirits, and led a letter with over 130 other members of Congress urging this to be considered on the House floor.
Cosponsored the Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2019 (H.R.2207) which repeals the excise tax on the sale of medical devices.
Introduced the Bring Jobs Back to America Act (H.R.3083) encourages corporations to bring jobs back to the United States by reducing the tax rate on foreign earnings if those earnings are reinvested in America.
Introduced the Incentivize Corporate America Act (H.R.2946) which implements a flat tax rate on corporate taxable income.
Repeatedly cosponsored and fought for the Death Tax Repeal Act (H.R.2429) (H.R.173) (H.R.1105) (H.R.198) (H.R. 218).
Cosponsored the Middle-Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal (H.R. 748) which repeals the excise tax on employer-sponsored health care coverage.
I will forever be a champion for the Second Amendment – the right of law-abiding citizens to bear arms is vital to the protection of our other liberties. That’s why I proudly supported the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act and oppose universal background checks, buy backs, assault weapons bans, and red flag laws. Some of my work includes:
Introduced the Freedom Financing Act that prevents banks from refusing to provide services to the legal firearms industry (H.R. 2079).
I am a cosponsor of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38) to make sure all Americans who can legally conceal carry can do it across state lines.
I am a cosponsor of legislation that protects sportsmen’s and hunters rights to use firearms on public lands and for sport (H.R. 877 and H.R. 1222).
Voted Against Enhanced background checks (H.R. 8 and H.R. 1112) that would be burdensome to law abiding citizens expressing their 2nd Amendment right.
Spoke out against assault weapons bans because many guns look like military style weapons but use small caliber ammo and are popular for hunting. We shouldn’t be banning certain guns based on the appearance.
Ensuring that America can produce enough energy for our own consumption needs is vital to our national security. As there is growing unrest around many oil producing nations, it puts America in a much more secure position knowing that we are not reliant on any foreign nation to meet our demands. I will continue supporting domestic oil and gas producers so we will not be dependent on any foreign nations to meet our energy needs.
Supported the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (H.R.2029) which lifted the ban on U.S. crude oil exports and has been critical for reviving American jobs and renewing our energy independence.
Consistently voted against legislation that stifles the production of oil and gas, such as H.R. 1941 and H.R. 205. Both of these bills would ban offshore oil and gas drilling which are necessary measures to ensure we are energy independent.
Cosponsored the EXPAND Act (H.R. 3895) which enforces the policy to reduce financial, technical, or regulatory barriers to domestic energy production.
Cosponsored the Federal Land Freedom Act (H.R. 2511) which gives states the right to develop all of the energy resources on the federal land within their state.
Cosponsored the To Appropriate Funds for the SPR Petroleum Account Act (H.R. 6580) which allocated funding to expand the production of domestic petroleum.
Banks have discontinued funding industries that are politically disfavored, such as the oil and gas industry. That’s why I signed onto a letter to Secretary Mnuchin and Fed Chair Powell requesting equal consideration of all industries when implementing the Main Street Lending Program.
Our immigration system is broken and in need of desperate reform. In order to address these issues, the first step is securing our border and providing our law enforcement with the resources needed to do their jobs.
We are a nation of immigrants, but also a nation of laws – immigrants have made enormous contributions to our society. They have waited their turn, followed the law, and become citizens. However, tens of thousands of people have crossed our border illegally, overstayed a visa, and now demand special treatment. In order to address these issues, the first step is securing our border and providing our law enforcement with the resources needed to do their jobs.
While in Congress, I have had the opportunity to visit the southern border to hear from CBP officials about the resources they need to safely and effectively execute their mission. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to reform our system so we can keep Americans safe:
Cosponsored the Border Security for America Act (H.R.3548) which directs the Department of Homeland security to develop infrastructure and technology that will deter illegal border crossings.
Cosponsored the Supporting the officers and personnel who carry out the important mission of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (H.Res.990) which expresses support for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and condemns calls to abolish ICE.
Cosponsored the Secure Our Borders First Act (H.R.399) which requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to be situationally aware of the threat posed by illegal immigration and illicit border activity, and to prevent unlawful entry into the United States.
Cosponsored the National Border and Homeland Security Act (H.R.4962) which forced the Secretary of Homeland Security to tighten border security by building a wall, increasing the number of customs and border patrol agents, and reprioritizing funding to border states.
Our health care system is broken – but more Washington overreach and red tape is not the answer. Obamacare has failed our providers, families and the health care industry itself since 2013, and we need to work toward a health care system that gives patients and families more choices with lower costs. It’s time to get the government out of health care.
Rural hospitals and Rural Health Care Clinics (RHC’s) provide lifesaving and essential care – they serve a crucial function in the wellbeing of our TX-25 communities. For far too long, many have operated on limited financial resources and slim margins to keep their doors open. I will always fight to ensure these vital health care providers have the resources needed to continue serving Texans. Some of my efforts include:
Cosponsored the Personalized Care Act of 2020 (H.R. 5596) which expands health savings accounts to make Americans’ health care more personal and more accessible.
Cosponsored the Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2019 (H.R.3062) which repeals limitations to allow Medicare participation for newly constructed or expanded physician-owned hospitals.
Cosponsored the Rural Health Care Access Act of 2019 (H.R.2990) which removes burdensome federal regulations that prevent rural hospitals from receiving some of the benefits that urban hospitals are privileged.
Cosponsored the Protecting People from Surprise Medical Bills Act (H.R. 3502) which will protect patients from unfair and expensive medical bills.
Urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allocated relief funding towards rural health care facilities which led to a $634 million CARES Act grant awarded to Texas facilities.
Voted for the American Health Care Act of 2017 (H.R. 1628) which would have replaced Obamacare.
Supported the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R.6074) which allows for physicians and other health care professionals to bill patients for telehealth services during the coronavirus pandemic.
I believe that life is a precious gift beginning at conception. I have voted every year to defund Planned Parenthood and I will always support measures that protect our nation’s most vulnerable. I am proud to hold an “A” rating from the Susan B. Anthony List for my efforts to protect the unborn.
In Congress, I have supported the following legislation:
Defund Planned Parenthood Act (H.R. 369)
Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 962)
Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act (H.R. 833)
Life at Conception Act (H.R. 616)
Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 784)
Heartbeat Protection Act (H.R. 490)
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act (H.R. 296)
Protecting Life in Crisis Act (H.R. 6742) to ensured Hyde protections are included in any coronavirus relief funds
As a small business owner, I know firsthand the how intertwined the banking system is to the success of main street American businesses. I draw on this experience in my position on the House Financial Services Committee to ensure all Americans have access to competitively priced financial products and services. I remain committed to allowing the banking system to continue to flourish without the burden of excessive government intervention:
Passed the Bank Service Company Examination Coordination Act out of the House of Representatives to streamline the supervisory exam process on private companies.
Voted for the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S. 2155), which was the largest banking regulatory relief package that was signed into law since the financial crisis in 2008
Worked to reign in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau by cosponsoring many different bills (H.R. 969, H.R. 2133, H.R. 4607, H.R. 1737), and had an amendment pass the House to prohibit any regulation coming from the CFPB with an economic impact of over $100 million dollars.
Passed the Bank Service Company Examination Coordination Act (H.R. 241) to streamline the supervisory exam process on private companies.
Introduced the Consumer Transaction Account Protection Act (H.R. 4501) to create more clear-cut guidelines for technology companies to partner with financial institutions.
Introduced the Preserving Small Business Lending Act of 2020 (H.R. 5574) to prevent the government from further encroaching on the normal business operations of community financial institutions.
Voted for the Financial CHOICE Act (H.R. 10), that would have repealed some of the most burdensome government regulations that were put in place following the 2008 financial crisis.
Led efforts to prevent against the CECL accounting standard from being implemented which would greatly affect the ability of financial institutions to give loans.