By Brian Babin

With each New Year, comes a time of reflection and review. As we turn the page on 2015, we must also use this opportunity to look forward and refocus our efforts on advancing and rebuilding the economic and national security of the United States of America.

Through the course of the past year, it’s been an honor and privilege to serve the great folks of the 36th District of Texas. In our first year, we’ve accomplished some important things, such as passing conservative legislation and providing quality constituent services.

In the House, we passed more than 500 pieces of legislation, including bills to strengthen America’s national security, defend our Constitutional liberties, protect unborn children, expand American energy, and improve the care of our nation’s veterans. Importantly, we’ve also been able to successfully block many of President Obama’s ill-advised initiatives, such as his plans to raise taxes, grow government and restrict Second Amendment rights.

I’m also proud to have emerged as a leading voice in opposition of the President’s plans to bring tens of thousands of un-screened Syrian refugees into the United States. Having introduced the Resettlement Accountability National Security Act (H.R. 3314) back in July, I’ve been sounding the alarm and working tirelessly to suspend this reckless U.N.-led refugee resettlement program for quite some time.

While we did not secure enough support to stop the President in the latest budget battle, I will not relent in my efforts to suspend the refugee program and protect American citizens. Having already secured the support of 80 of my colleagues, it’s my goal to build a strong enough coalition to put an end to these reckless policies that endanger the safety and security of the American people.

Locally, our dedicated staff has also successfully helped hundreds of constituents address issues with federal agencies; including assisting local veterans secure the benefits they were promised and bringing long-overdue acknowledgment to several area veterans by tracking down the medals they had earned in battle, but had never received.

Lastly, in an effort to ensure that I’m hearing directly from those I’m so proud to represent, we held seven townhall meetings, nearly a dozen telephone townhall meetings and hundreds of constituent meetings.

While I share the frustrations of many about not being able to do more to defeat President Obama’s liberal policies, I am more committed than ever to advancing the common sense conservative values that are inherent in Texans.

I remain focused on stopping the growing threat to our national security posed by Islamic terrorism, an out-of-control border and massive illegal immigration. Securing our economic freedom by balancing our budget and paying down our $19 trillion national debt is one of the reasons I voted against the recent budget busting, go-along-to-get-along spending deal.

The American public deserves better than the failed leadership they are getting from President Obama. Congress must use 2016 as an opportunity to show the American people that there is a better path – one that is rooted in a less and intrusive government and a stronger and more robust national defense and foreign policy.

As we transition into the New Year, I promise to remain focused on serving the needs of our local communities and providing the people of the 36^th Congressional District of Texas with the representation they deserve.

Dr. Brian Babin is the U.S. Congressional Representative for the 36th District