U.S. Rep. Randy Weber concerned Texas projects hurt amid Freedom Caucus budget fight
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus, said he’s worried bipartisan priorities have been getting caught in the crosshairs as Republicans aggressively push to rein in federal spending.
The deeply conservative Friendswood Republican holds a distinction that separates him from several other caucus members: He is Congress’ top requester of earmarks this year at a time when many fellow conservatives have turned their backs on steering funds to local projects in their districts.
His asks include $100 million for the Ike Dike, an ambitious Gulf Coast hurricane protection project, as well as protections for some of the nation’s biggest energy and trade facilities. And as Republicans fight over how to trim federal spending amid a looming government shutdown, Weber fears some projects that Republicans have been vocal to defend could be threatened.
“Absolutely, that's the case,” Weber said in a recent interview.
Earlier this year, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the White House brokered a deal to not to increase most federal spending next fiscal year. Weber voted against McCarthy’s deal, saying it doesn’t go far enough to curb spending. The deal still passed and now Congress must decide what does and doesn’t get funded within the limits. And House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger, a Fort Worth Republican, said actual spending will be lower than the agreed-to cap.
Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/11/texas-ike-dike-freedom-caucus-budget-fight/