Representative Randy Weber (2024)

The July jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showed that the United States added just 114,000 jobs during the month, causing the unemployment rate to spike to 4.3%, the highest rate since October 2021.

Ahead of the report, economists had predicted 175,000 jobs would be added in July and the unemployment rate would hold at 4.1%. But the weaker-than-expected July jobs report has sparked fears of an imminent recession. The report showed that in the past year, there has been net zero job growth, an “absolutely clear” sign that “the economy is slowing down.”

MAKE NO MISTAKE: The July jobs report is just the latest sign that Kamalanomics continues to fail the American people. House Republicans know that to grow our economy, we must stop Kamala Harris and Far Left Democrats’ out-of-control government spending and return to President Trump’s pro-growth economic agenda, which lifted nearly 7 million Americans off food stamps, created rapid wage growth, millions of new jobs, and an economy that benefited all Americans.

KAMALANOMICS BY THE NUMBERS:

• In July, the United States added just 114,000 jobs, significantly lower than the 175,000 that economists had predicted.
• In July, the unemployment rate increased to 4.3%, the highest rate since October 2021.
• In the past year, there's been net zero job growth.
• From July 2023 to July 2024, there has been net zero job growth.
• Over the past 12 months, 1.2 million native-born Americans lost employment, while 1.3 million foreign-born workers found jobs.
• Since July 2023, the number of people working multiple jobs has skyrocketed by 311,000.
• In July, labor force participation rates decreased for the following demographics:
  • Black Americans
  • Black American teenagers
  • Asian Americans
  • Latino Americans
  • Latino American men 20 years and older
  • Latino American teenagers
• Inflation is a tax on ALL Americans.
• When Joe Biden and Kamala Harris took office, inflation was just 1.4%.
• Since Biden and Harris took office, inflation has risen by 20.1%.
• Americans are paying more for just about everything because of inflation since Biden and Harris took office:
  • Motor vehicle insurance is UP 52.9%
  • Home insurance is up 52.9%
  • Gasoline (all types) is UP 48.7%
  • Motor vehicle repair is UP 40.1%
  • Eggs are UP 38.9%
  • Admission to sporting events is UP 33.7%
  • Airline fares are UP 32.0%
  • Baby food and formula are UP 30.5%
  • Delivery services are UP 28.9%
  • Cigarettes are UP 27.3%
  • Pet services including veterinary are UP 27.2%
  • Financial services are UP 26.2%
  • White bread is UP 25.4%
  • Uncooked ground beef is UP 24.7%
  • Checking account and other bank services are UP 24.5%
  • Frozen fruits and vegetables are UP 23.9%
  • Pet food is UP 23.8%
  • Chicken is UP 23.7%
  • Lunchmeats are UP 22.9%
  • Eating out is UP 22.7%
  • Breakfast cereal is UP 22.3%
  • Public transportation is UP 22.3%
  • Rent of primary residence is UP 21.5%
  • Groceries (Food at home) are UP 21.3%
  • Hospital services are UP 14.7%
• Americans are spending over $13,000 more annually to buy the basics because of Bidenflation, compared to three years ago.
• June was the 39th straight month with inflation at or above 3%.
• Real wages remain lower than when Biden and Harris first took office.
• Inflation-adjusted average weekly earnings were $397.90 when Biden took office and are now $381.34 - the Bureau of Labor Statistics adjusts to 1982-1984 dollars - meaning Americans have seen a 4.1% decrease under Biden and Harris.
• Bidenflation outpaced wages for the majority of Biden and Harris’ administration – both year-over-year real average hourly earnings and real average weekly earnings were negative for 25 months.
• Under Biden and Harris, the mortgage rate climbed to over 7% nationally, and housing affordability has plummeted to record lows.

Over the past few months, I have been working tirelessly on the Energy and Commerce Committee to champion policies that secure Southeast Texas' status as the energy capital of the world. Our efforts are paving the way for economic growth, job creation, and a sustainable future for our communities.

We are leading to boost American energy production, lower the cost of living, and improve the American people’s quality of life.

Signed into law: S. 870, the Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act, to expand affordable, reliable, and clean nuclear energy by enabling efficient, timely, and predictable licensing and regulations.

Signed into law: H.R. 5718, the Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023, to increase domestic production of nuclear fuel, which will enhance our national and energy security by reducing our reliance on adversaries like Russia.

Passed Congress, vetoed by the Biden-Harris administration: S.J. Res. 11, bipartisan legislation to stop President Biden’s plan to increase prices for everything transported by truck, including food, clothing, and building materials.

Passed the House: H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to unleash American energy, create jobs, reduce our emissions, strengthen our national security, and secure our supply chains. H.R. 1 incorporates 16 bills that passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee. The package would create over 600,000 jobs, expand pipeline infrastructure, and cut red tape for the importing and exporting of liquified natural gas (LNG).

Passed the House: H.R. 5378, the Lower Costs, More Transparency Act, to increase price transparency in the health care system, address the cost of prescription drugs, and support patients, health care workers, community health centers, and hospitals.

Passed the House: H.R. 7176, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act, to reverse President Biden’s U.S. liquified natural gas (LNG) export ban which jeopardizes good-paying jobs, weakens our energy security, and threatens the security of our allies.

Passed the House: H.R. 6192, the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act, to prohibit the Secretary of Energy from issuing energy efficiency regulations that are not affordable for Americans.

Passed the House: H.R. 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act, to pump the brakes on President Biden's de facto EV mandate, which will send our auto future and jobs to China.

Passed the House: H.R. 1615, the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act, to stop the Consumer Product Safety Commission from using federal funds to regulate gas stoves as a banned hazardous product or otherwise substantially increase the price.

Passed the House: H.R. 3950, the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing (TICKET) Act, combined with H.R. 6568, the Speculative Ticketing Oversight and Prohibition (STOP) Act, to bring price transparency to live event ticketing so Americans can understand the true price of the ticket they are buying. Highlight on social media how House Republicans have led to unleash American energy, in contrast to the Biden-Harris administration which has shut down energy production and jobs here at home at every turn.

Passed the House: H.R. 6543, the No Hidden Fees On Extra Expenses for Stays Act of 2023, to bring price transparency to hotel and short-term lodging accommodations so Americans can understand the true price of a stay.

To date, FEMA has approved $ 482.4 million in financial help for 495,913 Texas households.

18 Disaster Recovery Centers are open today and more centers will open soon.

Texans can shorten wait times at the centers if they apply to FEMA online, by phone or using the FEMA App before visiting a center. Best times to call are early morning or early evening.

Homeowners and renters in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Jasper, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty, Orange, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker and Wharton counties can apply for FEMA assistance for uninsured losses caused by Hurricane Beryl.

Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov.

Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.

Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. CT. Help is available in most languages.

Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. For locations, visit fema.gov/drc. These centers can help with both Hurricane Beryl and the April 26-June 5 storms and flooding.

The deadline to apply for Hurricane Beryl is Sept. 10.

Texans who applied for FEMA assistance after the April 26-June 5 storms and flooding, and who had additional damage or losses from Hurricane Beryl, can submit a separate application for Hurricane Beryl assistance.

FEMA Assistance for Generators

Because of extended power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl, Texans who purchased or rented generators between July 5 and July 20, 2024, in designated counties may be eligible for FEMA assistance. FEMA waived a requirement that applicants show that generators were used to power a medically required piece of equipment. Applicants will not have to submit a statement from a medical services provider indicating that the generator is needed to power medically necessary equipment.

Forms of Assistance Available

Texans recovering from Hurricane Beryl may need FEMA assistance for basic home repairs, rental of temporary housing and other uninsured expenses. A fact sheet providing details is available here: Many Forms of Assistance Available.

Alert to Fraud

FEMA personnel are working in communities to help people apply for disaster assistance. They carry FEMA photo identification and never ask for, or accept, money. If anyone asks you for money in return for FEMA services, they do not represent FEMA. If you did not apply for assistance but receive a letter from FEMA, please call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, report it immediately to your local police or sheriff's department or contact the Office of the Texas Attorney General Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-621-0508. If you have knowledge of fraud, waste or abuse, you can report this information to the FEMA Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also email StopFEMAFraud@fema.dhs.gov.

Recovery Centers

For a complete list of centers, go online to fema.gov/drc.

SBA Business Recovery Centers

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, private nonprofit organizations and businesses of any size. The SBA disaster loan program is designed to help survivors with their long-term recovery needs. Texans can apply for an SBA disaster loan online at SBA.gov/disaster or by calling 800-659-2955. SBA representatives are available to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at Disaster Recovery Centers throughout the affected area. SBA has approved more than $52.4 million in disaster loans.

Center locations:

Brazoria County (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 116 S Velasco St., Suite C, Angleton, TX 77515

Galveston County (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.)

• MarMo Plaza, 2121 Market St Galveston, TX 77550

Additional Resources

• Crisis Counseling: Call the Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-985-5990; for Spanish, press "2").

Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Apply online through Unemployment Benefit Services or by calling at 800-939-6631 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications must be submitted by Sept. 9, 2024, and should specify that they are related to Hurricane Beryl.

For information on replacing documents: see Replacing Lost Documents.

WIC Benefits: WIC Texas | Texas WIC or call 800-942-3678.