Nearly 150 key business and community leaders gathered at the Embassy Suites Riverwalk Downtown Hotel for the fifth and final part of the Chamber’s highly anticipated Congressional Series featuring U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX). The conversation was moderated by the Chamber’s 2018 Chairman of the Board, Shaun Kennedy.
The conversation began with discussion about efforts to secure a non-stop flight from the San Antonio International Airport to Reagan National. Securing a nonstop flight to Reagan National is top priority for the City and the Chamber. Smith touched on the need to revise the perimeter rule that prevents San Antonio from having a direct flight to Reagan. The rule prohibits nonstop flights from cities more than 1,250 miles from the D.C. airport.
Smith applauded President Trump for keeping his promise to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) now known as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Smith believes it will open up markets for farmers and manufacturers, reduce trade barriers and protect intellectual property rights, all having a positive impact on the U.S.
Smith also touched on two issues the Chamber has been involved in at the legislative front – immigration reform and Bexar County non-attainment designation. Smith stressed the need for members of Congress to compromise on immigration reform. Regarding the non-attainment issues, Smith believes current laws do not provide guidance for the EPA to recognize the impact of foreign transport and background ozone.
The conversation concluded with a discussion on cybersecurity. “There is a critical mass around cybersecurity because of the military, high-tech/startups and higher education institutions in San Antonio,” Smith said. He also talked about the STEM Education Act of 2015, a bipartisan bill that strengthens STEM education efforts and expands the definition of STEM to include computer science.
Smith was elected in 1987 and represents Texas’s 21st Congressional District. He is currently chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee. He also serves on the powerful House Judiciary Committee and Homeland Security Committee.
After serving 32 years in Congress, Smith has decided to retire. Smith has been a Champion for San Antonio and the business community. We wish him well on his future endeavors.
To view the video of the Congressman Lamar Smith event, click here.
