Pete Sessions

Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) Announces Federal Partnership with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to Establish Agriculture Freedom Zones Nationwide

Position: Congressman Sessions proposes establishing Agriculture Freedom Zones nationwide through federal tax incentives to protect prime farmland from development by directing large-scale projects like data centers and renewable energy facilities to marginal lands and brownfields instead.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Pete Sessions today announced a formal federal partnership with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller to advance legislation establishing Agriculture Freedom Zones (AFZs) nationwide, recognizing that food security is national security and must be treated as a strategic federal priority. Farmland is the foundation of America's food security, and the families who steward that land sustain our national strength through its productive use. The proposed legislation will create a voluntary, incentive-based federal framework designed to protect America's most productive farmland while responsibly guiding large-scale development toward areas less critical to domestic food production. The initiative reflects growing concerns about the rapid conversion of prime agricultural land and the long-term implications for America's supply chain resilience, water resources, and national sovereignty. Agriculture Freedom Zones would align federal tax policy with strategic land-use priorities by encouraging resource-intensive development, such as data centers, renewable energy facilities, and other major infrastructure projects, to locate in marginal lands, brownfields, arid regions, or areas with existing infrastructure capacity. By doing so, the policy seeks to preserve irreplaceable farm and ranchland that underpins America's domestic food supply. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller emphasized the urgency of the issue, stating: "Congressman Pete Sessions has seen firsthand the dramatic impact data center expansion is having on landowners, family-run agricultural operations, and rural Texas communities," Commissioner Miller said. "These facilities consume vast amounts of land and water resources that are vital to food production and our national security. He shares my belief that a properly structured tax incentive could help restore balance by encouraging responsible siting decisions and protecting the agricultural resources that sustain rural America." Congressman Sessions underscored that safeguarding agricultural capacity is not simply an economic concern, but a matter of national defense and strategic independence. "At a time of global instability and increasing competition, America cannot afford to weaken its agricultural foundation," said Congressman Sessions. "Our farmers and ranchers feed our nation and support global markets. If we allow prime farmland and critical water resources to be permanently lost without a national strategy, we risk compromising our food supply and our national security. This legislation ensures we protect our agricultural strength while continuing to support innovation and economic growth." Under the forthcoming federal bill, Agriculture Freedom Zones would unlock targeted federal tax incentives, including capital gains tax deferrals, reduced long-term investment rates, and tax-free appreciation for extended holdings. The incentives are designed to steer growth away from prime agricultural land and toward areas more suitable for development. Congressman Sessions represents Texas' 17th Congressional District, which includes rural communities and agricultural producers who form a critical part of the state and national economy. Through this federal partnership with Commissioner Miller, he aims to establish Agriculture Freedom Zones as a nationwide framework that balances responsible development with the protection of America's food-producing capacity. Permalink: https://sessions.house.gov/2026/2/congressman-pete-sessions-tx-17-announces-federal-partnership-with-texas-agriculture-commissioner-sid-miller-to-establish-agriculture-freedom-zones-nationwide 2204 Rayburn House Office Building

Congressman Pete Sessions Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Identity Fraud and Theft

Position: Congressman Sessions introduces bipartisan legislation to establish a voluntary federal grant program helping states modernize identity verification systems and develop secure digital credentials to combat identity fraud and theft, while preserving physical credentials and maintaining voluntary participation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 30, 2026 Congressman Pete Sessions Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Identity Fraud and Theft Waco, Texas- Congressman Pete Sessions of Texas introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen America's digital identity infrastructure and protect individuals, businesses, and government programs from rapidly rising identity fraud and theft. The Stop Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Act establishes a government wide approach to addressing vulnerabilities in online identity verification that are increasingly exploited by organized criminal networks and hostile nation states. Identity theft and fraud continue to impose massive costs on Americans and taxpayers. In 2023 alone, more than 353 million people were impacted by data breaches. The Government Accountability Office has estimated that federal programs could lose between $233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud, much of it tied directly to compromised identities. During the COVID era, identity based fraud in unemployment programs alone was estimated between $100 billion and $135 billion. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reporting shows that more than 70 percent of suspicious activity reports filed by banks are now tied to identity fraud, encompassing hundreds of billions of dollars in transactions. The legislation responds to these growing threats by establishing an identity fraud prevention innovation grant program for states. These grants would help states modernize identity systems, develop secure digital versions of existing credentials where they choose to do so, and protect against emerging risks such as artificial intelligence driven deep fakes. The bill builds on work already directed by Congress for the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop voluntary digital identity guidelines, while recognizing that many states and local agencies lack the resources to implement them. Importantly, the bill does not mandate digital identification, does not eliminate physical credentials, and does not require any individual to obtain or use a digital driver's license or digital identity. Participation by states and individuals remains voluntary. "Identity fraud is one of the fastest growing threats facing American families, our financial system, and the integrity of government programs," said Congressman Pete Sessions. "Criminal organizations and hostile nation states are exploiting outdated identity systems, costing taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars and putting Americans' personal information at risk. I am grateful to Congressman Foster for co leading this important, bipartisan legislation, and for his partnership in advancing common sense solutions that strengthen security and protect privacy." "It is important that Congress responds to the growing wave of identity theft and fraud in the United States by strengthening our digital identity infrastructure," said Congressman Foster. "I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Sessions to provide states with the support they need to safeguard Americans' personal information and strengthen consumers' ability to protect themselves against identity theft and fraud." Jeremy Grant, Coordinator of the Better Identity Coalition, welcomed the bipartisan effort. "Millions of Americans are victims of identity theft and fraud each year, leading to billions of dollars in losses, because it is far too easy for criminals and hostile nation states to compromise the tools we use to protect identity online," said Grant. "We're thrilled to see Congressmen Sessions and Foster come together to recognize the importance of these challenges and put forth common sense legislation to help Americans better protect their security and privacy in the digital world." The Stop Identity Fraud and Identity Theft Act is designed to protect consumers, safeguard government benefit programs, and strengthen the integrity of the United States financial system while preserving individual choice and state authority. Permalink: https://sessions.house.gov/2026/1/ongressman-pete-sessions-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-combat-identity-fraud-and-theft 2204 Rayburn House Office Building

Congressman Sessions Co-Leads Letter to President Trump Strongly Urging Him to Reject Marijuana Rescheduling

Position: Congressman Sessions and 26 co-signers urge President Trump to oppose marijuana rescheduling, arguing that reclassification would undermine public safety, increase youth exposure to high-potency products, and deepen the nation's addiction crisis, while noting that medical research can proceed under current Schedule I classification.

House Conservatives Strongly Urge President Trump to Reject Marijuana Rescheduling Washington, DC– A coalition of House Republicans, Co-Led by Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations, and Congressman Andy Harris, Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, and joined by Main Street Caucus Chairman Congressman Flood and Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference Congressman Moore, among 24 other Members, today sent a letter to President Trump urging him to oppose any effort to reschedule marijuana under federal law, warning that such a move would undermine public safety, deepen the nation's addiction crisis, and send a dangerous message to America's youth. The letter, Co-Led by Congressman Andy Harris, Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, reflects growing concern among members that reclassifying marijuana would reverse decades of drug policy grounded in public health, scientific review, and congressional intent. In the letter, members stress that marijuana rescheduling is not required to advance legitimate medical research. Congress has already acted on a bipartisan basis to expand research while maintaining marijuana's Schedule I classification. They warn that rescheduling would instead normalize an addictive substance, increase youth exposure to high potency products, and deepen the nation's ongoing drug crisis. "We don't need rescheduling to do medical research on marijuana- all we are doing is exposing more of our youth to an addictive drug," said Congressman Andy Harris. The letter also highlights broader public safety and national security concerns, including the impact on road safety, drug testing for safety-sensitive professions, and the risk of providing financial benefits to large marijuana companies and foreign criminal organizations tied to fentanyl trafficking. Members further note that public opinion is shifting as Americans become more aware of marijuana related harms, particularly among families and younger voters. The letter, attached HERE is signed by the following Members of Congress: Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. Congressman Robert B. Aderholt Congressman John H. Rutherford Congressman Michael K. Simpson Congressman Christopher H. Smith Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger, Pharm.D. Our Fox News exclusive is attached HERE. Permalink: https://sessions.house.gov/2025/12/congressman-sessions-co-leads-letter-to-president-trump-strongly-urging-him-to-reject-marijuana-rescheduling 2204 Rayburn House Office Building

Congressman Pete Sessions Introduces the Independence Investment Fund Act to Strengthen U.S. Leadership in Biotechnology and Emerging Technologies

Position: Congressman Sessions and cosponsors support establishing a federal investment fund within the Treasury to provide seed and mid-stage equity capital for U.S. biotechnology and emerging technology companies, framed as strengthening national security and economic competitiveness against foreign adversaries.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) has introduced the bipartisan Independence Investment Fund Act, legislation establishing a dedicated investment fund within the Department of the Treasury to support U.S. based companies developing critical and emerging technologies, including biotechnology. He is joined in this effort by Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan as Co-lead, with Congressman Ro Khanna, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney, and Congresswoman Stephanie Bice serving as original cosponsors. The bill creates a federal investment mechanism designed to bridge the funding "valley of death," where promising early-stage technologies often fail to reach commercialization due to limited access to capital. By providing strategic seed to mid-stage equity investments, the fund aims to de-risk innovation, counter adversarial foreign investment, strengthen national and economic security, and accelerate the development of technologies central to America's future competitiveness. "Our national security depends on our ability to innovate faster and more effectively than our adversaries," said Congressman Sessions. "The Independence Investment Fund Act strengthens America's position by directing strategic investments into technologies that are essential for our prosperity and long-term security. This bill ensures that America—not China—sets the pace for the next generation of biotechnology and emerging technologies." "Too many promising biotech and other emerging tech companies fall into the 'valley of death,' when critical early capital is hardest to secure. Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party is investing billions, and the U.S. is falling behind. By creating a government-backed, privately run investment fund, our legislation gives small and mid-sized innovators, especially in biotechnology, the strategic capital they need to bring breakthrough technologies to market. I'm proud to partner with Rep. Sessions on this effort and grateful for our joint leadership of the BIOTech Caucus as we work to strengthen America's technological edge," said Congresswoman Houlahan. "Federal investments in biotechnology and the fostering of stronger public-private partnerships will secure America its place as an innovative leader in the 21st-century economy. I'm proud to cosponsor Rep. Pete Sessions Independence Investment Act and establishing a non-partisan Independence Investment Fund to strengthen U.S. national and economic security," said Rep. Ro Khanna. "Strong public–private partnerships keep American science and technology at the forefront of global innovation while creating good-paying jobs here at home. I'm proud to cosponsor the Independence Investment Fund Act, which will help ensure the United States leads in the critical and emerging biotechnologies needed to meet 21st-century challenges," said Congresswoman April McClain Delaney. "This legislation helps strengthen and grow the United States biotechnology sector, ensuring we can remain a global leader. Without additional investment mechanisms, emerging technologies that are crucial to national security risk being outpaced by adversarial foreign nations, such as China. We must enhance our biotechnology sector and protect our national and economic security," said Congresswoman Bice. The Independence Investment Fund Act is supported by the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, ARCH Venture Partners, Ocugen Pharma, the American Alliance for Biomanufacturing, and the Science and Technology Action Committee. Their full statements of support are included below. Statement from the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology: "The U.S. innovates better than anyone in the world, but new technologies important for national security can be too risky or uncertain for private investors," said NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo. "In our April 2025 report, the NSCEB identified this as a key area for government action. We are grateful to our congressional partners for introducing legislation to create a strategic investment fund that can make targeted investments in promising technologies that incentivize follow-on private capital, all in support of U.S. national security." Statement from ARCH Venture Partners: "ARCH supports efforts to ensure American innovation remains the global benchmark." Statement from Ocugen Pharma: "The massive gap between research and commercial readiness remains a significant barrier for emerging biotechnology companies," said Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, CEO and Co-founder of Ocugen. "Existing financing mechanisms do not fully address the development challenges that prevent promising therapies from reaching patients. The Independence Investment Fund Act fills this gap by providing targeted investment support that will strengthen domestic bio innovation and manufacturing and enable companies like ours to progress critical technologies that contribute to national and economic resilience. We encourage all American industry stakeholders to support this legislation in order to maintain our dominance as the global leader in biotech." Statement from the American Alliance for Biomanufacturing: "The Independence Investment Fund Act provides the strategic investment the U.S. needs to stay ahead in biomanufacturing. By closing critical financing gaps, the fund will help ensure that critical biotechnologies break through and scale here at home, supporting high-quality jobs in rural and urban communities alike. This is the kind of forward-looking commitment required to secure American leadership in the bioeconomy." Statement from the Science and Technology Action Committee: "This brilliant bill will empower the U.S. biotechnology sector to translate new discoveries from academia into transformative products that build economic and national security while addressing challenges to health, energy, environment, and food," said Keith Yamamoto, Co-Chair of the Science and Technology Action Committee. You can read the full text of the bill HERE. Permalink: https://sessions.house.gov/2025/12/congressman-pete-sessions-introduces-the-independence-investment-fund-act-to-strengthen-u-s-leadership-in-biotechnology-and-emerging-technologies 2204 Rayburn House Office Building

Congressman Sessions Statement on the End of the Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON–Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement after the passage of the Senate Amendment to HR 5371. Congressman Sessions said, "Today, I voted YES on the Senate Amendment to H.R. 5371 to end the government shutdown. This was a costly and painful shutdown that lasted 43 days, driven by the Democrats' gridlock over the Affordable Care Act and reckless federal spending that continues to expand our deficit and debt. This legislation closes the hemp loophole that allowed intoxicating and dangerous high-potency THC products like Delta-8 to flood our communities. It protects American farmland from foreign adversaries by ensuring Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has a seat on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, strengthening our ability to counter China's acquisitions of U.S. farmland. It also fully funds veterans' medical care and benefits, totaling $400 billion, to ensure our veterans receive the care and respect they have earned, while safeguarding their Second Amendment rights by preventing the VA from sharing private data with the FBI without judicial consent. In addition, it guarantees retroactive pay for all federal employees impacted during the continuing resolution. Importantly, I was proud to secure $3.3 million in this measure for the construction of a new water tower in the City of Mexia. This project represents a vital investment in our rural infrastructure and will strengthen the community's water system for generations to come. I am especially grateful to former Brazos River Authority Director Lance Phillips for his partnership and advocacy in helping deliver this project for the people of Limestone County." Permalink: https://sessions.house.gov/2025/11/congressman-sessions-statement-on-the-end-of-the-government-shutdown 2204 Rayburn House Office Building

Congressman Sessions Statement on Schumer Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement after Senate Democrats voted against the House-passed Continuing Resolution. As a result, the federal government will shut down at midnight. Congressman Sessions said, "House Republicans did our job to keep the government open and avoid a shutdown. In the past, when Congress reached this point, we have come together to pass a clean continuing resolution so negotiations could continue without hurting the American people. This time, Democrats chose a different path. By blocking the short-term stopgap we passed last week, they have blocked paychecks for our servicemembers, denied veterans timely access to care at the VA, and added unnecessary burden on American taxpayers. I urge my Democrat colleagues to come to the negotiating table to end this shutdown and get the government open for the people we serve." Permalink: https://sessions.house.gov/2025/9/congressman-sessions-statement-on-schumer-shutdown 2204 Rayburn House Office Building

Congressman Sessions to Speak on House Floor in Support of HR 5125

Position: Congressman Sessions supports HR 5125, which streamlines the DC judicial nominations process to reduce case backlogs and expedite criminal prosecutions by removing delays in the judicial appointment system.

WASHINGTON, DC- Today, Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) will address the House floor in support of his bill, HR 5125, the District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025. This legislation will strengthen the DC court system by streamlining the judicial nominations process, reducing case backlogs and ensuring timely justice. Under the current system, the DC Judicial Nomination Commission prioritizes politics over justice, creating delays that burden the courts and endanger DC residents and visitors. HR 5125 eliminates this bureaucratic hurdle to ensure the DC courts are equipped to do their job. Congressman Sessions said, "As the son of a federal judge, I have a great respect for the judiciary and the process Constitutionally ordained to ensure fairness in our courts. Empowering the courts to convict criminals is essential for improving public safety in our beautiful capital city. Importantly, my bill does not remove any sitting judges but simply streamlines the process for future nominations. The President must be able to quickly nominate judges to fill vacancies that allow criminals to escape justice. We must prioritize actions that will allow the court system to do its job and go after repeat offenders and other criminals that make DC unsafe." ### Permalink: https://sessions.house.gov/2025/9/congressman-sessions-to-speak-on-house-floor-in-support-of-hr-5125 2204 Rayburn House Office Building

HR 5125 Passes Out of House

WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement following House passage of his bill, HR 5125, the District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act of 2025. Congressman Sessions said, "I am proud my bill to abolish the DC Judicial Nomination Commission has passed the House. As the son of a federal judge, I have a great respect for the judiciary and the process Constitutionally ordained to ensure fairness in our courts. As it stands, the DC Judicial Nomination Commission has too often prioritized politics over justice, creating delays and heavy caseloads. The President must be able to quickly nominate judges to fill vacancies that allow criminals to escape justice. The DC courts must be equipped to do their job: hold criminals accountable, protect victims, and maintain order in our nation's capital." HR 5125 amends the 1973 Home Rule Act to move the power to nominate judges to the executive branch, stopping the DC Judicial Nomination Commission from limiting the President's ability to nominate qualified judges. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President has the power to nominate judges, subject to Senate confirmation. Established over 50 years ago, the Commission has slowed judicial appointments, creating prolonged vacancies and worsening case backlogs. With crime rising in Washington, DC, these delays further undermine public safety and justice. Notably, HR 5125 does not remove any current judges, simply restoring the traditional process for filling new vacancies moving forward, aligning DC with every other state. Click here to watch Congressman Sessions speak in favor of the bill on the House floor. ### Permalink: https://sessions.house.gov/2025/9/hr-5125-passes-out-of-house 2204 Rayburn House Office Building