On November 7, the day after the midterm elections, US Congressman Bill Flores participated in the Conversations in Public Policy series hosted by the Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy. The evening’s discussion focused on trade and energy policy challenges facing congress and was attended by more than two hundred guests from the Bush School, Texas A&M University, and the local community. Congressman Flores first spoke about the importance of free and fair global trade and its contributions to the promise, prosperity, and security of America. He defined free trade as “no subsidies, no barriers, no tariffs for anybody, anywhere, at any time.” He opined that while President Trump has a different negotiating style than he, it is getting results – reopening various US agriculture markets, getting trade negotiations started with Japan, and renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Congressman Flores then shifted to energy and spoke of the success the United States has achieved in becoming more energy independent. He also championed next-generation nuclear energy, discussing its sustainability, lack of carbon emissions, and affordability. Following his prepared remarks, Dr. Lori Taylor, Director of the Mosbacher Institute, engaged Congressman Flores on-stage in further conversation about trade and energy policy and the election results. Congressman Flores stated that in the current 115th Congress, 98.9% of the 268 bills passed so far have been bipartisan, which is a trend he hopes to see continue in the 116th Congress. Congressman Flores will begin his fifth term representing the 17th District of Texas when the 116th Congress starts in January of 2019.
