Vance Boyd

As Your Congressman, I Will … Fight to Save Our Hospitals
In the six years since my opponent was elected, nine rural hospitals in our district of West Texas have either closed or significantly scaled back their services. This distressing situation has had a devastating impact on lives, health and local economies.

More recently, some rural hospitals, struggling to stay alive, have made the difficult decision to only offer urgent care. While these facilities still offer outpatient services, they are no longer considered what we all understand to be “hospitals”. The net result: the quality of care in rural areas like ours keeps going down, and the financial burden on West Texans keeps going up.

In public statements, Jodey makes the claim that no rural hospital in Texas has closed since 2020, but that’s misleading. In reality, slick-talking politicians have been reclassifying “rural” areas as “urban,” which artificially improves the numbers on paper. Plus, through clever political maneuvering, the definition of a “hospital” has also been changed to include facilities that operate as triage centers: they can patch you up, but they can’t keep you overnight or perform major surgeries.

For our fellow residents in the 19th Congressional District, the deterioration of our rural hospital system can be a matter of life and death. In the event of a car accident and or any other emergency that requires immediate medical attention, many of our fellow West Texans can have an hour plus ride, past their closed hospitals, to receive emergency hospital services in Abilene or Lubbock.

As your Congressman, I will tirelessly work to address this issue in Austin and Washington. I will work to create solutions and secure support for our hospitals, our doctors and our nurses, who are also affected by this rural healthcare crisis that happened on Jodey’s watch. Once he steps aside, we’ll tackle this challenge the West Texan way: quickly, affirmatively and with purpose. And we won’t stop pushing until we get the outcome we want, need and also deserve.

Together, we can overcome this local healthcare crisis and restore the quality healthcare services West Texans deserve.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Ensure that Every County is Represented – Not Ignored
For too long now, many of the 33 counties in our district have been overlooked, neglected and taken for granted. That stops with me. As your U.S. Representative, I will give each and every county the attention and the support that it deserves.

I will draw on my West Texas values to serve and defend the rights, dignity and interests of all of our counties, not just the biggest ones. Unlike our current absentee congressman, Jodey Arrington, I recognize that every county counts and each county deserves regular visits and service from its representative. It is unacceptable that our current representative does not even live in West Texas. Right after he was elected in 2017, Jodey moved with his family to Washington to DC, and he continues to live there to this day.

I believe it’s time for a change. Each of our 33 counties deserves a representative who understands its challenges and can advocate for its needs.

Right now, the disconnect with our absentee representative is clear and many of our counties are suffering for it. Hospitals are closing or significantly scaling back the kinds of services they offer, leaving many residents in these areas without adequate health coverage and medical services. The needs of our key business (and employers) are also being ignored, like beef and poultry producers who are facing unfair competition from producers outside the United States. I will advocate for “Country of Origin” labeling on food products, so consumers can choose to buy products that are “Made in America,” and even “Made in West Texas.” Currently, the process is “unfair” because competitors are not required to have “Country of Origin” labeling on their food products.

I understand the challenges and aspirations of our community because I’ve lived here all my life, and still do. I live in Jones County, on a working ranch just outside of Abilene. When I’m not in Washington for official business I’ll be hitting the road regularly to visit all 33 counties, including the ones on the far reaches of our District along the New Mexico border. Your welfare – not my career in Washington – will always be my top priority. And I will never, ever move full time to DC – you also have my word on that. My commitment is to West Texas, not a career in politics.

Let’s foster a more representative and more responsive approach to government by attending to each of the 33 counties in our district and making sure no county is left behind. Together, we are better.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Protect and Champion our West Texas Food Producers
As your Congressman, I will strongly advocate for our West Texas food producers by fighting for “Country of Origin” labeling on beef and poultry products. This important measure will protect our West Texas producers, as well as consumers, from low-quality, unlabeled foreign imports.

Right now, the U.S. government, through the USDA, does not allow the “Product of USA” label exclusively on meat, poultry and eggs from animals that were born, raised and processed in the United States. As a result, shoppers in grocery stores and other retail outlets have no idea where the meat, eggs and related products they are buying came from.

The lack of transparent labeling puts American producers at a competitive disadvantage to producers in Brazil, Paraguay and other international locations. Studies have shown that U.S. consumers prefer to “Buy American,” but our local food producers and consumers don’t get that advantage without “Country of Origin” labeling. In addition to having the largest beef cattle industry in the world, America is also the No. 1 consumer of beef, primarily high-value, grain-fed beef, like we have right here in West Texas.

If elected, I am committed to working with the beef industry in Texas to help fortify their market position as premium producers. While a “Product of the USA” label is a good start, I also believe it’s worth exploring a regional labeling system, like “Product of West Texas.” After all, our region has some of the finest herds in the entire United States and the industry is key to our district’s financial well-being.

Let’s work to do what is right for the health and vitality of our citizens and businesses.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Give West Texas Residents a (Real) Voice
Our part of West Texas, like the rest of the region, is rugged, hardworking and incredibly spread out; major population centers are few and far between. That’s part of the beauty of our area, but it also makes it easy for politicians to turn a blind eye to the concerns of a lot of our people.

I’ll be doing things a lot differently. As your Congressman, I will set up a West Texas Advisory Council with one representative from each of the 33 counties. These individuals will ensure that we are focusing on the right issues in each county, plus make county residents have an easy, accessible and friendly platform to discuss matters that are important to them, raise concerns and offer suggestions. We’ll also make good use of digital tools, supplemented by town halls and other events.

I’m a face-to-face kind of guy, so I’ll also hit the road in my pickup throughout the year and visit all 33 counties, every year that I’m in office. We’ll work with county reps to set up meetings and events to ensure the community is engaged. We envision hosting concerts, fellowship gatherings, youth-focused events and other sorts of events to bring our community together, foster connections and improve our district.

Let’s forge a path forward where every resident of West Texas has the opportunity to be heard.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Live in the 19th District that I Represent
I actually live here, in West Texas. Unlike my opponent, West Texas is my home – I don’t just occasionally commute here. As your Congressman, I will live in the West Texas region that I represent. In fact, you couldn’t get me out of this place with a crowbar if you tried. I’ll be in DC as needed to tend to official business, of course, but the idea of moving to DC full time and making it my home is simply out of the question.

It seems almost ridiculous to have to say that, but let’s face the facts, our current representative, Jodey Arrington, hasn’t truly lived in West Texas since 2017. Right after he was elected, he moved his family to Washington DC, where he still makes his home. If you hope to see him in West Texas, you’ll likely have to catch him when he returns to Texas to for an election campaign or a weekend visit.

In my opinion, being present in the district you represent is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Too many, these career politicians who move to Washington DC and saddle up in the bureaucracy become disconnected from the people they were elected to represent. West Texas deserves a representative who shares their values, walks their streets, understands their challenges, champions their causes and calls this incredible place home.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Support (Meaningful) Term Limits:: Serve and Step Aside
When my opponent Jodey was running for office in 2016, one of his top campaign issues was establishing Term Limits. Of course, if politicians stay in office too long, they risk losing touch with the constituency they serve and becoming career politicians who prioritize their career in Washington over the needs of the people they were elected to serve. Unfortunately, shortly after he got into office, Jodey finally revealed how many terms he felt was appropriate:

Six terms.

Six terms is not real term limits, and it’s a disservice to everyone who truly believes in public service.

As your U.S. Representative, I will take up the charge and work with my fellow lawmakers to address it in a serious way. Personally, I think three terms, which equates to six years in office, strikes the proper balance. Get to work, get the job done, and then get out. That’s how we do it here in West Texas, and I do think that same approach would be a good idea for Congress. Serving in Congress is an honor, and I am deeply humbled by the prospect of stepping into the job. But I also think it should be a short-term honor — not a long-term career.

By establishing term limits, we ensure a stream of new representatives with new ideas, fresh perspectives and a government that is closely connected to constituents rather than entrenched in Washington bureaucracy.

Let’s work to foster more vibrant, responsive and accountable representation for West Texas.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Empower Parents: Advocating for School Choice
We need to prioritize the needs of kids, not unions. School choice gives parents the ability to choose which school is right for their non-adult children, with the educational funding following the child. Parents (not the government) understand what school is the best fit for their kids and families.

The issue seems straightforward, however it’s become one of the most contentious debates in education, with union-funded politicians on one side and parents on the other. In my mind, it’s not even a close call as to who should get to decide this issue: parents. If I am elected, I will enthusiastically support any legislative measure that advances the rights of parents as it concerns their non-adult children. .Schools have a role to play, of course, but that authority should never come at the expense of parents, who are ultimately responsible for the health, welfare and education of their own kids.

Together, let’s work for a West Texas where families are empowered, children thrive and parents’ school choices are no longer corralled by bureaucratic officials.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Defend Female Sports and Privacy: Respecting Fairness and Rights
It seems absurd to even have to say this, but biological males should not be allowed to compete against females in sporting events, whether it’s a high school volleyball team, a collegiate swim meet or an Olympic-level boxing match. Throughout history, men and women have competed in same-sex leagues for very good reasons, and those biology-based reasons haven’t changed, despite a troubling shift in thinking for some in our society.

Men also should be banned from bathrooms, locker rooms and other private spaces designated for females. While people have the right to “identify” as any gender, that does not give biological men the right to trample over the rights and private spaces of girls and women.

At the federal level, Title IX is a civil rights law that was created by Congress to prevent sex-based discrimination in any school or program that receives funding from the federal government. Unfortunately, the law intended to protect female sports has been repurposed and weaponized by so-called Progressives who seek to disrupt female sports by including biological males. As a West Texan, I will proudly stand up for girls and women across our state and nation, and as your Congressman I will do whatever I can to make sure the original intent of Title IX – protecting women’s sports – is restored.

Let’s work to protect the rights and privacy of girls and women in West Texas, our state and our nation. It’s our duty to stand together to preserve fairness, respect, integrity and safety. Together, let’s foster an environment where every individual can thrive, and where individuals don’t infringe upon the rights and privacy of others.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Oppose Laws, Rules or Policies that Sexualize Children
Let’s call it what it is: the sexualization of children by adults. Puberty blockers, “gender-affirming care” programs and other societal instruments that allow fully grown adults – parents, teachers, organizations and so-called “scientists” – to sexualize non-adult children, is morally reprehensible and politically troubling.

As your representative, I will oppose these and any laws, regulations or policies that advance these troubling practices. As a society, it’s our duty to protect the innocence and well-being of children, so they can develop naturally without inappropriate sexualization or medical treatments that are not medically required.

Let’s work to prioritize and protect the safety, mental health and well-being of children, in the face of questionable ideologies and societal experimentation.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Restore the Dignity and Culture of our Military
Throughout our lives, the U.S. Military has been the most powerful and respected in the world. Regrettably, that’s beginning to change, with an intrusion of woke culture into our Military, rendering us increasingly vulnerable, weak and distracted.

The primary goal of our Military, now and always, is to defend our nation, its People, and the principles of the U.S. Constitution. Men and women in the service should never be used as pawns in any political party’s social experiment. And don’t even get me started on those ridiculous drag shows – it’s absurd to impose such programs on the young men and women of our military who deserve our utmost honor and respect.

As your U.S. Representative in Washington, I will work across the aisle and within my own Party to help restore the integrity, dignity and focus of the military brass, and the men and women in uniform they command around the world.

Let’s reaffirm our commitment to a military that prioritizes its core purpose, upholds the honor of those who serve, and preserves the principles that have made it the symbol of strength and excellence. No level of “wokeness” or societal experimentation should ever jeopardize the effectiveness, readiness, spirit or honor of our military.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Protect Religious Freedom: Guarding Principles and Values
Across America, religious institutions are increasingly under attack for their beliefs, traditions and values. I stand firmly in support of faith-based organizations, advocating for their right to practice their religion in accordance with their own deeply held values, and in keeping with tradition and the laws of the land, under the U.S. Constitution.

As part of our commitment, I am honored to have Cody Cochran, the minister of the church I belong to in Anson, Bethel Assembly of God, serve as our campaign’s Spiritual Advisor.. In the coming months, we’ll be working with Cody to organize a series of fellowship events that promote unity and a respect for religious freedoms.

As a man of Faith, I respect the Word of God and the right of others to worship as they choose, and I will stand in strong opposition to any law, policy or movement – by any group or political party – to denigrate or abridge those rights.

Let’s work together to support religious freedom and individual liberty.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Improve Border Security: Keeping West Texas Safe and Secure
In Texas, we are on the frontlines of illegal immigration, drug smuggling and human trafficking. The issue, for me, isn’t immigration; it’s the alarming absence of commonsense regulations for our southern border.

To be clear: I fully support legal immigration, which is an important component of our nation’s fabric. However, I cannot condone illegal immigration, which has become a shameful hallmark of the policies implemented by Democrats and the Biden Administration.

As your Congressman, I will seek out your input – from residents of all 33 of our counties – to collaborate on a clear plan to better manage our borders and the agency that currently oversees them, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Given its dismal performance these past three-and-a-half years, I’m not convinced that DHS can deliver the results we need. However, should a Republican win the White House in 2024, we should have a plan in place for both the border and DHS.

Let’s work together to limit illegal immigration and improve the way the Federal government handles it.

As Your Congressman, I Will … Reduce Regulatory Burdens on West Texas Energy Producers
The Biden Administration, prompted by Progressives, is increasingly restricting producers of “fossil fuels”, like the crude oil and natural gas that’s produced in West Texas, in favor of a transition to so-called “clean” energy, which actually isn’t so clean.

When referring to “fossil fuels”, a term I put in air quotes, these are resources that are actually 100% organic. They’re made up of decomposing plants and other organisms that have been buried beneath layers of rock and sediment, and after a very long time, some say millions of years, turn into the carbon-rich deposits we call “fossil” fuels.

The United States has some of the largest and richest oil and gas fields in the world, so supply is not the issue that’s choking our energy producers; it’s all the regulations and bureaucratic red tape being imposed by the Biden Administration.

Under President Trump, as you may recall, the United States achieved energy independence for the first time ever. That wasn’t political magic — Trump just eased the regulatory shackles and let U.S. energy producers do what they do best: produce oil and gas. And America benefited tremendously because of it. Texas, of course, is one of the leading producers of crude oil and natural gas in the country — and West Texas, in particular, has abundant reserves.

As your U.S. Representative, I will work to ease regulatory burdens on our energy producers in Texas and the other states, with the goal of helping our nation become energy-independent once again.

By streamlining regulations and cutting red tape, we unleash the potential of our energy industry, while boosting the economy, national security and job creation. Let’s join forces to support our energy producers, while still exploring reasonable, responsible and rational energy development for our nation. Bottom line, let’s get America energy independent again, and stay energy independent, so our economy and security is never dependent on foreign nations or the state international affairs.^[2]