Lance Gooden

Lance Gooden was sworn in to the 86th Texas Legislature as the representative for the 4th District. This marked the beginning of his third term as a member of the Texas House of Representatives, where he was known for his work on issues such as insurance, public health, and education. Gooden had previously served two terms in the Texas House from January 2011 to January 2015, making this a return to legislative office.

Lance Gooden was elected to the United States House of Representatives to represent Texas's 5th congressional district. This victory marked his transition from state politics to the national stage, where he was set to work on a broader array of policy issues. His campaign focused on conservative principles, and he succeeded in securing the seat vacated by Jeb Hensarling, who did not seek re-election. Gooden's win added a strong conservative voice to the Texas delegation in Congress.

Lance Gooden was sworn in as a U.S. Representative for the 5th congressional district of Texas in the 116th United States Congress. Gooden's inauguration to the House marked the beginning of his federal legislative career. Known for his conservative stance, he promised to focus on healthcare reform, tax policy, and border security among other national issues while serving his constituents and making an impact at the legislative level.

Lance Gooden, along with a group of Republican lawmakers, introduced the "Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order Act," or EL CHAPO Act. The legislation aimed to allocate funds seized from drug lords such as Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán to help fund the construction of a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. Gooden's involvement in this legislative effort highlighted his strong stance on border security and the innovative approach to fund immigration control policies.

On January 6, 2021, Lance Gooden was among the group of Republican lawmakers who objected to the certification of the Electoral College results of the 2020 Presidential Election. Gooden raised issues about alleged voting irregularities and election integrity in several states, aligning with President Donald Trump's contestation of the election results. This move sparked significant controversy and was part of the broader set of objections that took place on the day, leading to heightened tensions in Congress and nationally.

Lance Gooden voted against the Senate resolution to remove Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from her House committee assignments. The resolution, passed primarily by Democrat votes, was in response to Greene's history of expressing controversial and conspiratorial views. Gooden's vote aligned with his fellow Republicans, reflecting party solidarity amidst growing tensions with Democrats during a time of increased partisan divides in Congress.

Lance Gooden voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus bill proposed by President Biden in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gooden and other Republicans criticized the bill for excessive spending and its inclusion of provisions not directly related to pandemic relief. Despite opposition, the bill passed, signaling a major legislative win for Democrats and a notable instance of Gooden's fiscal conservatism on a major economic issue.

Lance Gooden introduced the No Federal Funds for Illegal Alien College Scholarships Act, which seeks to prohibit federal funding from being used to provide scholarships or financial aid to undocumented students. The bill reflects Gooden's stance on immigration policy, emphasizing his belief that federal resources should not support individuals without legal status and should be reserved for lawful residents. The act was part of Gooden’s broader legislative agenda to prioritize American citizens and legal immigrants in the allocation of federal resources.

Lance Gooden co-sponsored a House resolution condemning the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine and expressing support for Ukrainian sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. The resolution was part of a broader U.S. response to the geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe, emphasizing bipartisan condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions and supporting Ukrainian resistance against Russian military incursions. Gooden’s involvement illustrated his take on foreign policy and support for democratic nations under threat.

On September 26, 2023, Lance Gooden voted against a temporary spending measure intended to avert a government shutdown and keep federal agencies funded through the end of the fiscal year. His vote against the bill aligned with the majority of Republican representatives expressing opposition to what they viewed as reckless spending without addressing underlying fiscal responsibility concerns. This vote was part of ongoing budget debates in Congress, reflecting divisions on government spending priorities and strategies.