Newsletter: Secretary Duffy’s Visit to Corpus Christi

Aug 26, 2026

Secretary Duffy’s Visit to Corpus Christi

Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Maritime Administrator Sal Carmel visited the Port of Corpus Christi to sign an agreement that puts our region on the leading edge of the future of energy and maritime dominance. The agreement paves the way for developing nuclear propulsion for commercial vessels, the kind of technology the Navy has relied on for decades, now being explored for use in commercial shipping. It was an opportunity to join them on the water for the signing of a new agreement.

Nuclear-powered commercial vessels can operate longer and travel farther without refueling, making shipping faster and more efficient. The Port of Corpus Christi is the nation’s largest petroleum export port, shipping more oil overseas than any other port in the country. Additionally, it’s one of the top ports for natural gas shipping, second only to another port nationwide.

This new agreement builds on those strengths, adding nuclear propulsion technology to the mix and keeping the port, and South Texas at the center of America’s energy future.

Learn more about his visit here.

A Big Week for Texas Energy

Texas has always been at the forefront of oil and natural gas production. Its leadership in output doesn’t just come from the names you know but also from independent operators, small and mid-sized producers, mineral and royalty owners, and the service companies that support them. The Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association members today account for nearly 90 percent of Texas’ oil and natural gas production. The Port of Corpus Christi serves as one of the most crucial energy hubs in the country, as the nation’s top crude oil export gateway and its second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.

This past week brought the opportunity to engage with both sides of that industry. Speaking at TIPRO’s 80th Summer Conference in San Antonio was a chance to talk directly with producers and operators about issues affecting their businesses, from lawsuits being used to slow down or block energy projects, to tariffs on materials the industry relies on, to tax rules that affect whether drilling a new well makes financial sense. Additionally, water use and the roads and pipelines that move oil and gas across the state play a big role in keeping production running smoothly.

The State of Energy Corpus Christi was the opportunity to talk with the region’s energy leaders about why South Texas’s role in American energy matters. As global power shifts and competition with China intensifies, American energy production has become a matter of national security, not just economic growth, and the Port of Corpus Christi is at the center of that effort.

The New World Screwworm

The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae (maggots) feed on animals and humans, causing severe tissue damage and left untreated, death. The NWS was eradicated from the United States decades ago but has been moving through Mexico in recent years and has been detected in South Texas, putting the ranching and wildlife industry at risk.

This threat is why I hosted a New World Screwworm Expert Panel last week at Victoria College, successfully bringing together ranchers, veterinarians, and community members to hear from experts leading the response to it.

USDA Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins joined the panel in person, underlining how seriously federal officials are taking the spread of this pest into Texas. Representatives from the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also spoke, informing attendees through the latest detection numbers, containment efforts, and steps producers can take to protect their herds.

Protecting South Texas’ ranching and wildlife industries from this threat remains a top priority for Texas. State and federal agencies will continue working together as the response progresses, and this event was a chance to ensure the people most affected have direct access to the officials working on the issue.

Thank you to everyone who came out, and to the panelists for sharing their expertise with our community.

Freedom 250 Mobile Museum Comes to Victoria

The Freedom 250 Mobile Museum will be in Victoria, TX for the whole community to tour, for free, on September 2-4!

Time: 10:00am-7:00pm

Location: Pattie Dodson Public Health Center parking lot
2805 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

FREE EVENT!

Young and old, all will enjoy this interactive American history exhibit and experience! Come check it out!

Delivering for TX-27

Behind every vote and press release, our district office is working every day to cut through federal red tape for the people of TX-27. Here are a few recent wins:

Veterans Affairs (VA)

A constituent requested a new doctor from the VA. He wasn’t satisfied with the treatment of his original doctor and wasn’t getting the community care he requested. We were able to get his doctor changed, and his dental appointment moved up.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

A constituent needed assistance with her 2024 tax refund. She was able to get her refund for a total of $9,798.00.

Social Security Administration (SSA)

A constituent needed assistance with applying to be the representative payee for her son. She had been given the wrong paperwork and was not getting anywhere with the local field office. After reaching out to SSA, they confirmed and processed the payee application, benefits were established, and backpay was applied to an existing overpayment.

If you are experiencing an issue with a federal agency, our office is here to help. You can submit a contact form with your request or issue here.