Representative John Carter's (TX-31) Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act passed the House this afternoon, 218-206. “I’m proud that the House has passed the first FY26 appropriations bill—my Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill—which reflects House Republicans’ commitment to taking care of our servicemembers, veterans, and their families," said Subcommittee Chai... Read More »
Representative John Carter (TX-31) released the following statement after voting for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “I’m proud to stand with President Trump in support of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—a bold, conservative win that puts hardworking Americans first. This legislation delivers real tax relief for families, makes the largest investment in border security in our nation’s history, and ... Read More »
Representative John Carter (TX-31) announced Emerson Black, a senior at Salado High School, as the winner of the 2025 TX-31 Congressional Art Competition for her piece titled "Leave Your Past Behind." Emerson’s artwork will hang in the United States Capitol for one year, where it will be seen by millions of visitors. During the award ceremony held at Texas State University-Round Rock, Emerson was ... Read More »
A bipartisan, bicameral group of leaders from the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs and Appropriations Committees sent a letter requesting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) submit an updated schedule and cost estimate to Congress for the Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program. The letter was signed by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Jerry Moran (R-Kan.),... Read More »
Representative John Carter (TX-31) introduced H.R. 2360, the Driving Forward Act, in the House this week. The bill aims to end a burdensome regulation that requires prospective bus drivers to pass an under-the-hood mechanics test to get behind the wheel. "When I was in law school, I was a school bus driver," said Representative John Carter. "This profession is filled with people who understand wh... Read More »
Today, U.S. Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), John Carter (R-TX), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) led a bipartisan delegation in introducing the Military Spouse Hiring Act, legislation to amend the tax code to incentivize businesses to hire military spouses. Beyer, Kelly, and Panetta serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over tax policy, with Kelly chairing the T... Read More »
Representative John Carter (TX-31) released the following statement after President Trump's Joint Address to Congress. "Tonight, President Trump delivered a clear and unapologetic message: The days of Biden’s weakness and wokeness are over. A new dawn for America is here. He reaffirmed his commitment to revitalizing our nation, putting the American people first, and restoring common sense and the ... Read More »
U.S. Representative John Carter (TX-31) released the following statement after voting for the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025. "America is facing increased global threats, and the men and women who defend the homeland deserve to be adequately supported. This year's NDAA focuses on improving quality of life while ensuring ... Read More »
Today, Representative John Carter announced that he secured $748,000 for Copperas Cove Police Department's Mental Health Response Team in the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill that was recently signed into law. "As a former judge, I witnessed firsthand the added stress on police officers to respond to mental health crisis calls," said Representative Carter. "Having a trained team ... Read More »
Today, Representative John Carter announced that he secured $1.6 million for the Bell County Diversion Center in the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill that was recently signed into law. The Diversion Center gives law enforcement officers another option outside jail facilities or local hospitals to help individuals suffering from mental health crises. "As a former judge, I've witne... Read More »
Representative John Carter (TX-31) announced that Charlotte Chen, a junior from Rouse High School in Leander ISD, won the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. Charlotte's mixed-media (oil pastel/oil paint) artwork, "End of Day," will hang in the United States Capitol for millions of visitors to see over the next year. "I'm so proud to have Charlotte's incredible artwork represent Texas' 31st distri... Read More »
Today, Representative John Carter and Mayor Michael Coggin announced that Rep. Carter secured $5.5 million for west village road development projects in Salado. This funding will increase access and safety in West Salado, one of the fastest-growing areas of the community. Representative Carter included this funding in the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The legi... Read More »
Representative John Carter (TX-31) secured $15 million in community project funding for the City of Temple to assist with capacity improvements to I-35 and I-14. The funding was secured in the most recent Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations legislation. "This corridor is experiencing consistent growth that we expect to increase as people continue to move to Bell and surro... Read More »
Representative John Carter (TX-31) introduced H.R. 8041, the Driving Forward Act, this week. The bipartisan Driving Forward Act extends the current under-the-hood test exemption to get qualified individuals into the driver's seat to address the nationwide shortage of bus drivers. Original cosponsors of the legislation include Representatives Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05), Dutch ... Read More »
Representative John Carter (TX-31) secured $2 million in community project funds to improve the City of Hamilton's water distribution and wastewater collection system in the Interior Appropriations legislation that was signed into law earlier this month. "As a chairman on the Appropriations Committee, I'm in a unique position to responsibly bring much-needed funding back to our congressional distr... Read More »
