In a passionate farewell address on the House floor, Texas Rep. Chip Roy warned that the nation’s “ruling class” in Washington has lost touch with everyday Americans. Roy, who will leave Congress in January after an unsuccessful bid for Texas attorney general, spent nearly thirty minutes dissecting the Republican defeats in the recent midterm elections.
Local perspective, national implications
Roy framed the election outcome as a clear message from voters that incumbents are prioritizing corporate donors, foreign conflicts and political games over the rising cost of living for families. He cited a social‑media post he read aloud, written from the viewpoint of “Bob,” a 49‑year‑old blue‑collar worker in Ohio, describing soaring gas and grocery prices, a college‑educated son struggling to find a tech job, and concerns about U.S. involvement in a potential conflict with Iran.
“The American people sent a loud message last week that this town is not getting it right,” Roy said. “I do not direct my ire or my frustration at the people, because I think the people were trying to send a loud message, as they have been now for several cycles, that this town is not doing what it’s supposed to do.”
Critique of party leadership and federal policy
Roy accused fellow Republicans of squandering opportunities to campaign on past legislative successes, instead focusing on redistricting battles and pouring “hundreds of millions of dollars” into backing flawed candidates. He also took aim at the administration’s military strikes in Iran, noting that Congress never held a formal debate or declared war as required by the Constitution.
“You have to earn it. You have to explain it. You can’t decide it by edict from the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for constitutional process.
Fiscal and regulatory concerns
The former congressman railed against what he called out‑of‑control government spending and the $42 trillion national debt. He warned that rapid construction of massive artificial‑intelligence data centers is draining local water and power grids, and called for a ban on congressional stock trading during the final 51 days of the session.
Roy also urged Congress to permanently lock in border‑security rules, arguing that immigration policy and unchecked spending erode public trust. “The American people don’t believe in us. They don’t believe in their leaders. They don’t believe in institutions. That’s why we were thrown out on our rears,” he said.
Hope rooted in community and faith
Despite his criticism, Roy expressed optimism about America’s future, citing local communities, religious faith and constitutional values as the nation’s true foundation. He concluded with a challenge to his colleagues: shift focus from political power to making housing and health care affordable again.
Roy’s remarks underscore a growing sentiment among some conservatives that Washington’s elite must be held accountable to the people they serve, and that policy decisions should reflect the values of faith, family and liberty cherished by many Texans.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
