Congressman Lance Gooden

Gooden Seeks Clayton’s Assessment of U.S. AI/SI Defenses, Offers Congressional Support

Fri, 282 Oct 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) asked DNI Jay Clayton for an assessment of whether current measures are sufficient to counter emerging AI/SI threats and where congressional support could strengthen those defenses. Clayton was recently chosen by President Trump to lead the White House’s Super Intelligence Force.

Gooden’s letter cites recent reports from leading American AI developers detailing instances in which agentic systems exceeded the intended boundaries of testing environments and accessed external systems. The letter also highlights reports of foreign actors using agentic AI to target Americans.

“As agentic AI becomes more powerful, China and other adversaries will look for every weakness they can exploit,” said Rep. Gooden. “Congress needs to know whether our current defenses are able to keep pace and where we need to act before the next threat becomes a crisis.”

An excerpt from the letter:

“Accordingly, we wish to inquire about the efficacy of existing measures in adequately preventing potential threats and misuse of AI by foreign adversaries like China and request you to identify and share with us any areas that could benefit from legislative action. We request your analysis of any possible shortcomings under current laws that must be addressed, especially any gaps or ambiguities that could impede your ability to effectively counter foreign adversaries using AI to target key U.S. assets and infrastructure.”

Gooden has been a leading voice in Congress in addressing foreign threats to American innovation and policymaking. He introduced the Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act, which requires think tanks and nonprofits to publicly disclose significant contributions from foreign governments and political parties. Gooden has also worked alongside Attorney General Todd Blanche to address concerns surrounding foreign influence in our AI policy.

The letter was featured in an exclusive article by Punchbowl and is co-signed by Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14), Erin Houchin (IN-09), and Don Bacon (NE-02).

Read the full letter here.

Cleaning Up Biden’s COVID Fraud

Tue, 272 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST

New Gooden Bill Cracks Down on Synthetic Kratom Products

Thu, 267 Sep 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) announced the End Gas Station Heroin Act, legislation to protect Americans from dangerous synthetic opioids sold in gas stations and smoke shops.

The bill permanently schedules synthetic opioids and analogs sold in synthetic kratom products, commonly known as “gas station heroin.” It also creates a special federal enforcement mechanism to address new and emerging substances before manufacturers can evade enforcement.

“Dangerous synthetic opioids powerful enough to fuel addiction and destroy lives should not be sitting on convenience store shelves next to snacks and energy drinks,” said Rep. Gooden. “My bill permanently schedules these drugs, closes loopholes, and targets the entities putting them into our communities.”

The issue has taken on renewed urgency following the deaths of two University of Mississippi students earlier this week. Synthetic kratom products were reportedly found at the scene, though authorities have not determined the official cause of death.

Existing enforcement mechanisms have struggled to keep pace as new synthetic compounds enter the market across the country. The Drug Enforcement Administration has taken temporary action to schedule certain synthetic substances, but those measures are limited and do not provide a permanent framework for addressing new compounds as they emerge.

The End Gas Station Heroin Act would:

Permanently schedule several dangerous synthetic opioids and analogs, including synthetic 7-OH.
Create a mechanism to treat future emerging synthetic opioids as scheduled for manufacturers and distributors, helping prevent minor molecular alterations from being used to evade enforcement.
Target manufacturers and distributors who introduce these drugs into the stream of commerce.

The bill was featured in an exclusive article by the Washington Reporter and is cosponsored by Reps. Rich McCormick (GA-07), Barry Moore (AL-01), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), and Randy Fine (FL-06). Senator Bernie Moreno is leading the companion in the Senate.

Read the bill text here.

Fauci Must Be Held Accountable

Wed, 231 Aug 2026 12:00:00 EST

Gooden Backs DoW Push to Eliminate University Ties to Foreign Adversaries

Wed, 231 Aug 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Congressman Lance Gooden, who has led congressional efforts to combat Chinese Communist Party espionage and intellectual property theft, applauded the Department of War (DoW) for cracking down on American universities with research and financial ties to foreign adversaries.

Last year, Gooden reintroduced the Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from the CCP Act (H.R. 1468), which would establish a dedicated CCP Initiative within the Department of Justice to combat CCP-backed economic espionage and intellectual property theft targeting American businesses, universities, and national security. The legislation passed the House Judiciary Committee in March and is awaiting a vote on the House floor.

“American universities should be developing breakthroughs that keep America ahead, not becoming breeding grounds for our adversaries' espionage operations,” said Rep. Gooden. “I applaud Secretary Hegseth and the Department of War for putting national security first and demanding answers from these 30 institutions."

Gooden Calls for DOJ Probe Into Foreign Influence of U.S. AI Policy

Fri, 205 Jul 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate foreign interference in United States artificial intelligence (AI) policy.

In the letter, Gooden cites public reporting detailing efforts by foreign actors to influence U.S. AI policy through state-backed propaganda, foreign-linked nonprofits, and obscure funding streams designed to shape public debate surrounding AI development and weaken U.S. AI leadership.

"Artificial intelligence will shape the future of our economy, national security, and global competitiveness," said Rep. Gooden. "The United States cannot allow foreign adversaries to manipulate our AI policy and compromise our leadership on this technology.”

An excerpt from the letter:

“AI is rapidly becoming a central component of our economic competitiveness and national security. To ensure American policymaking remains free from covert foreign influence, participants in policy debates should not have vested interests or undisclosed financial relationships with our nation’s adversaries. As many Americans remain concerned regarding AI development and expansion, recent public reporting raises questions about the extent to which foreign-linked entities may be shaping these debates in ways that align with the strategic interests of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

“These recent developments indicate possible vulnerabilities in current foreign disclosure laws and raise important questions about the adequacy of existing safeguards. To ensure the confidence of the American people in critical emerging technologies, these debates must be driven by legitimate domestic concerns that prioritize American interests without being influenced by undisclosed foreign interests.”

The letter was featured in an exclusive article from Fox Digital and is co-signed by Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14), Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Addison McDowell (NC-06), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), and Pat Fallon (TX-04).

This letter builds on previous efforts by Gooden to combat foreign influence in U.S. policymaking. In 2025, he sent a similar letter to the DOJ urging an investigation into PRC manipulation of U.S. energy and environmental policy, and he introduced the Think Tank and Nonprofit Foreign Influence Disclosure Act, which requires think tanks and nonprofits to publicly disclose significant contributions from foreign governments and political parties.

Read the full letter here.

Election Integrity and Jack Smith

Thu, 204 Jul 2026 12:00:00 EST

How Are Data Centers Affecting You?

Mon, 173 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

Iran and the Democrats Are at It Again

Mon, 173 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

Gooden, Gottheimer Crack Down on Crypto Theft

Thu, 162 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) and Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) introduced the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Enforcement and Coordination Act, legislation to strengthen America’s ability to prevent, investigate, and prosecute cryptocurrency theft.

The bill establishes a Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force within the Department of Justice, bringing together DOJ, DHS, Treasury, and federal law enforcement agencies to serve as the primary federal coordinating body for combating crypto theft and supporting victims.

The bill comes in response to a surge in cryptocurrency theft and growing losses suffered by American consumers and victims around the world. According to the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report, Americans reported more than $11 billion in crypto-related losses last year.

“Crypto criminals are stealing billions from Americans, and Washington lacks a coordinated strategy to stop them,” said Rep. Gooden. “As digital assets shape the future of finance, this bill protects consumers, cracks down on thieves, and strengthens trust in the crypto ecosystem.”

“Last year, Americans lost more than $11 billion to crypto theft and scams, and right now, victims have nowhere to turn,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “This bill brings DOJ, DHS, and Treasury together to go after these criminals, support victims, and make sure local law enforcement has the federal backup they need. That means a single federal point of contact, an effective, coordinated response, and a clear playbook for going after the criminals robbing people blind.”

Key provisions of the bill:

Establishes the Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force within the Department of Justice, chaired by the Attorney General, with senior representatives from DHS, Treasury, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Builds a standing playbook for evidence collection, blockchain forensics, and victim support that can be adopted by state and local agencies.
Requires an annual report to Congress on trends, coordination outcomes, and recommended legislative and administrative fixes.
Protects innovation by avoiding new regulations, new crimes, or expanded agency authority, and focusing strictly on criminal enforcement and coordination.

The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Burgess Owens (UT-04) and Debbie Wasserman-Schulz (FL-25) and has received industry support from The Digital Chamber and Satoshi Action Fund.

"Crypto theft victims too often face a maze of agencies with no clear point of contact, and the state and local police on the front lines rarely have the training or federal contacts to act. By housing a coordinating task force at the Justice Department, this bill gives victims, investigators, and local law enforcement the unified federal response they have been missing, all on a voluntary basis that respects local control," said Dennis Porter, co-Founder and CEO of Satoshi Action Fund.

"As blockchain technologies become increasingly integrated into financial systems, it is critical that law enforcement agencies have the tools, training, and coordination necessary to investigate theft, trace illicit activity, support victims, and pursue bad actors," said The Digital Chamber.

The bill was featured in an exclusive article by CoinDesk.

Read the bill text here.

Exposing SPLC's Double Standard

Tue, 160 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

Gooden Backs Trump Effort to Restore Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Wed, 154 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in support of President Trump's renovation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in the ongoing lawsuit, The Cultural Landscape Foundation v. U.S. Department of the Interior.

The suit was filed in early May by the nonprofit The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), seeking to halt the Trump administration’s modernization and resurfacing of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, which began in mid-April.

“Only in Washington would activists sue to stop the restoration of one of America’s most iconic landmarks,” said Rep. Gooden. “President Trump is working to restore beauty and pride to our nation’s capital, while his opponents would rather leave the Reflecting Pool deteriorating just to score political points against him.”

Defending the administration’s right to proceed with the project, the Congressman’s brief highlights the lack of legal grounds for an emergency halt.

In the brief, Gooden asserts, “[The] Plaintiffs have not demonstrated the imminent, irreparable harm that equitable principles demand before a court grants extraordinary preliminary injunctive relief.” Gooden also argues that the disagreement over the shade of the sealant at the base of the pool “does not rise to the level of severity contemplated by the D.C. Circuit’s irreparable-harm standard.”

The brief was featured in an exclusive article by the Washington Reporter.

The text of the brief can be found here.

Standing Up for Kaufman County Homeowners

Tue, 153 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

Gooden Seeks Transparency in Kaufman County Housing Policies

Tue, 153 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

FORNEY, TX – Today, Congressman Lance Gooden sent a letter to the Dallas Housing Authority requesting answers and greater transparency regarding housing placement trends and neighborhood concentration concerns in Kaufman County.

The letter responds to concerns raised by homeowners in the Gateway Parks subdivision in Forney about Housing Choice Vouchers and federal housing policies contributing to increased institutional investor ownership and neighborhood instability.

“Families in Kaufman County deserve transparency and confidence that federal housing policies are being implemented responsibly,” said Rep. Gooden. “Housing programs should support both homeowners and renters while preserving the values that make our rural communities great places to live, raise a family, and build a future.”

An excerpt from the letter:

“Gateway Parks is a rapidly growing suburban community where significant institutional investor ownership, increasing HOA financial strain, and concerns regarding long-term neighborhood stability have become serious issues for homeowners. Per Gateway homeowners, fourteen of the twenty homes currently being built on a single street will be eligible as Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) voucher rental properties. As Kaufman County continues experiencing substantial residential growth, my office is seeking greater transparency regarding how federal housing placement policies are being implemented within suburban receiving communities and how those policies may intersect with broader housing concentration trends.”

Gooden copied the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on the letter.

Read the full letter here.

Trump Accounts Are Live!

Mon, 152 Jun 2026 12:00:00 EST

The Left’s Dangerous Court Packing Scheme

Thu, 141 May 2026 12:00:00 EST

Gooden Cracks Down on Mexican Rail Crews Operating Inside U.S.

Wed, 133 May 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) introduced the Protecting American Railroad Workers Jobs Act, legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows foreign rail crews to operate deep into the United States—undermining American jobs and weakening border security.

Under current policy, foreign rail crews can bypass crew changes and safety inspections at the U.S.-Mexico border, taking work from American crews and creating vulnerabilities for drug smuggling. This bill restores long-standing protections by requiring trains entering the U.S. from Mexico to stop at the border for mandatory crew changes and safety checks.

“This America-First bill puts an end to Mexican exploitation of U.S. rail standards that threatens American railroad jobs and border security,” said Congressman Gooden. “Freight moving through the United States should be operated by workers legally authorized to work here and held to American safety standards.”

Specifically, the bill:

Requires crew interchange at the U.S.–Mexico border before trains continue operations in the United States.
Ensures trains operating domestically are staffed by workers legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Strengthens safety oversight for cross-border rail operations through federally required testing and clear operating standards.

The bill was featured in an exclusive article by the Washington Reporter.

The bill text can be found here.

New Gooden Bill Makes Assassination Attempts Eligible for Death Penalty

Fri, 128 May 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) introduced the Protect the Presidency Act, which would treat an attempted assassination of the President the same as a fatal assassination under federal law, including making offenders eligible for the death penalty.

Under current federal law, killing the President is punishable by death or life in prison, while attempted assassination carries a lesser penalty of any term of years or life. The Protect the Presidency Act closes that gap, allowing prosecutors to pursue the maximum penalties available under federal law, including the death penalty.

“A failed assassin is still an assassin and should be treated as such under the law,” said Rep. Gooden. “The harshest punishments should be on the table for those who try to murder the President.”

The bill, featured in an exclusive article by the Washington Examiner, comes after the latest assassination attempt targeting President Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, marking the third attempt in 21 months. The legislation eliminates leniency for failed attempts and strengthens deterrence against political violence.

Read the bill text here.

Hegseth Confirms Bitcoin as Strategic Asset, Gooden Reveals

Thu, 120 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) questioned Secretary of War Pete Hegseth during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, confirming the Department's use of Bitcoin as a strategic asset for power projection.

Gooden’s question comes after last week’s hearing in the Armed Services Committee, where U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo revealed to Gooden that the U.S. military is using a Bitcoin node to secure and protect networks.

Congressman Gooden has been a champion for cryptocurrency and expanding its use cases. Gooden weighed in on the stablecoin debate in support of the crypto community and sent a letter urging the General Services Administration to consider installing cryptocurrency ATMs in federal government buildings. Additionally, he is working to craft a “crypto-forward” 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.

Click here to watch the full exchange.

TRANSCRIPT:

Rep. Gooden: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Secretary, for being here and the work you’re doing. Over the past decade, Bitcoin has evolved from a fringe asset into a matter of national security. Iran has demanded Bitcoin as a toll for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, North Korean cyber actors have leveraged it in ransomware campaigns, and China is believed to be stockpiling substantial holdings as part of its strategic reserve. Just last week, INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Paparo stated that Bitcoin has direct implications for power projection, and he noted that INDOPACOM is operating a node on the Bitcoin network in furtherance of that mission. Secretary, do you share the opinion that Bitcoin is a tool to project power, and are there any department-wide initiatives to ensure the U.S. secures a strategic advantage in Bitcoin and combats China’s digital authoritarianism?

Sec. Hegseth: I guess my short answer would be yes and yes. I am a long enthusiast of Bitcoin and crypto potential, and a lot of the things we are doing, enabling it or defeating it, are classified efforts that are ongoing inside our department, which do provide us a lot of leverage in a lot of different scenarios.

Rep. Gooden: I appreciate that, and I share your views. I thank you for that.

Gooden Reveals Historic U.S. Military Use of Bitcoin Node

Wed, 112 Apr 2026 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) questioned U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, revealing that the U.S. military is using a Bitcoin node to secure and protect networks.

Congressman Gooden has been a champion for cryptocurrency and expanding its use cases. Gooden weighed in on the stablecoin debate in support of the crypto community and sent a letter urging the General Services Administration to consider installing cryptocurrency ATMs in federal government buildings. Additionally, he is working to craft a “crypto-forward” 2027 National Defense Authorization Act.

Click here to watch the full exchange.

TRANSCRIPT:

Rep. Gooden: Admiral Paparo, yesterday you testified that Bitcoin held potential as a tool for national security. Recent research from the Bitcoin Policy Institute estimates China has approximately 194,000 Bitcoins, while the United States has approximately 328,000 Bitcoins. In this era of digital competition, would it be to our strategic advantage to maintain a lead in this regard as we do with other strategic resources like gold and oil?

Adm. Paparo: Sir, our interest in Bitcoin is as a tool of cryptography, a blockchain, and reusable proof of work as an additional tool to secure networks and project power. And so, I think this protocol is here to stay. I think the computer science of it has direct implications for the projection of power—not financial, but from a computer science standpoint—from the securing of networks. And so, I am supportive of those applications. All instruments of national power are important, but from the military application standpoint, my interest in Bitcoin is as a computer science tool as a projection of power.

Rep. Gooden: I appreciate that. I agree with you, and I’d also like to hear your thoughts on monetary competition over the coming decades. What role does Bitcoin play in spreading digital property rights?

Adm. Paparo: Well, you know, people use Bitcoin today, right now, to protect their own digital property, and that’s the reusable proof-of-work protocol that’s combined with blockchain for accountability and cryptography for security. And so, that’s the role that I see for it. I see direct national security implications, and then I’m supportive of anything that maintains our own dollar dominance worldwide.

Rep. Gooden: I appreciate that. Do you think we’re adequately prepared to counter China’s strategic direction regarding digital assets?

Adm. Paparo: I think that our recent act with the GENIUS Act is a great step forward that moves us in that direction.

Rep. Gooden: Lastly, I’ll ask you as we continue to craft the NDAA, what authorities and resources does INDOPACOM need to address in respect to the national security dimensions of digital assets?

Adm. Paparo: Presently, we’re in experimentation, so I’ll give you a deeper look into that. Presently, we have a node on the Bitcoin network right now. We’re not mining Bitcoin. We’re using it to monitor, and we’re doing a number of operational tests to secure and protect networks using the Bitcoin protocol.

Rep. Gooden: I appreciate that, Admiral. Thank you. I yield back, Mr. Chairman.