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Rep. Flores gives legislative update at Chamber of Commerce event

Posted at 12:50 PM, Aug 14, 2017
and last updated 2018-07-24 21:30:59-04

U.S. Congressman Bill Flores gave a legislative update at the McGregor Chamber of Commerce Legislative Breakfast on Monday morning.

The event drew dozens of business owners and elected officials, including McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna, McLennan County Judge Scott Felton and Waco City Councilman Jim Holmes.

Flores spoke about the House of Representative passing more bills this time around compared to previous years.

In addition, he mentioned the threat North Korea poses to the United States. He said Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) has stated North Korea continues to do better than what people originally thought regarding building a nuclear warhead.

 “We need to improve our ballistic missile defense systems. Right now we have systems that are capable of dealing where they think they are going to be but we need to continue doing more,” Flores said.

He added he has spent time with the military this August trying to find needs being met currently and future needs.

During the question and answer portion of the event, one attendee questioned Flores' efforts to repeal Obamacare, which she said could be fixed by bipartisan support.

He responded by saying that the Affordable Care Act has raised premiums in Texas from 2013 until now by 82 percent.

“Seventy percent of Texas counties come Jan. 1 of 2018 are not going to have any options at all. Ladies and gentlemen that is not healthcare, that is a broken system and I’m going to take something like that and fix it? You betcha! I am,” Flores said.

Other issues discussed included disability benefits for veterans and his opposition to privatizing of air traffic control.

This is the sixth year that Congressman Flores has been invited to speak at this event.

"It's important to have him speak to his constituents about what is going on in Washington D.C.,” said Andrew Smith, executive director of the McGregor Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation. "We want to know, 'Where is healthcare going and where is tax reform going?' 

Congress is expected to go back in session on Sept. 5. During this time, Flores said lawmakers will start the appropriations process and discuss the debt ceiling.

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