The anti-Islam congressman does not speak for this constituent, and he does not speak for Texas.
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1st Amendment
My congressman, Rep. Brandon Gill, a Flower Mound Republican, reposted on social media a photo of a Ramadan gathering at New York City Hall, calling it “stomach turning” and “truly repulsive.” He does not speak for me, and he does not speak for Texas.
I do not participate in any religion. I have no personal stake in defending any faith tradition. But I have every stake in defending the First Amendment, which guarantees that every religion, and no religion, stands on equal footing. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani hosting an iftar at City Hall is not a threat to America. It is America working exactly as designed.
Gill has called Islam “incompatible with the United States” and said his constituents are concerned about the “Islamization of the Dallas area.” Texans believe in the freedom to worship however you choose. Gill should try reading the document he swore an oath to protect.
– Josh Youngblood, Flower Mound
Other costs
Various articles explore the backlash to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, school protests and now the cost of the Iran war. I never see anything about the absolute cost to America of the massive flood of illegal immigration allowed by the Biden administration. It strained our schools and emergency rooms, and increased the cost of low-income housing. And politics aside, nobody put it to a vote or asked Americans if they’d like to pay for it.
– Mike Holt, Fort Worth
Cut the tape
Considering our growing population and the increase of data centers, we need access to more energy. One of the biggest obstacles to increasing our energy supply is our slow, outdated permitting process, which is hampered by red tape.
We need bipartisan reform legislation to unleash projects already waiting to be built and connected to the grid, including many clean-energy projects, as well as new transmission lines. Without such reform, our energy costs will keep rising. I hope local lawmakers such as my congresswoman, Rep. Beth Van Duyne, and Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz will support comprehensive bipartisan legislation.
– Thomas Wikman, Dallas
Protect all kids
I wholeheartedly agree with this statement from a policy proposal brought before the Fort Worth school board: Schools should be places of education, not immigration enforcement zones.
Texas greatly reveres parental rights in their children’s education, and this should be no different. I support the proposed requirement to notify parents or guardians if immigration officials seek to interact with their children. Administrators should also have the authority to refuse entry to agents who cannot present a judicial warrant.
Fourth Amendment protections apply to children, too. Supporting these policy changes is a no-brainer.
– Sheila Joiner, North Richland Hills
SAVE sense
We protect and preserve what we find good and valuable. That should include our elections. Public confidence in the government depends fundamentally on the integrity of our elections.
The SAVE America Act would put in place two common-sense proposals to prevent illicit voting: requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification to vote in federal elections.
American voters overwhelmingly support these policies. It is because we know it is a privilege to be citizens and have a voice in our elected representation.
There should be no excuses for the Senate to delay passage of the SAVE America Act. I urge them to enforce a talking filibuster, have opponents explain why they oppose these common-sense measures and then vote on the SAVE America Act.
– Jensen John, McKinney