COVID-19 has left millions of Americans unemployed and shuttered thousands of small businesses across the state. We must rebuild our economy as quickly as possible and get Americans back to work. We do that by ensuring small businesses have loans and the capital they need to sustain and rebuild in the aftermath of COVID-19, by reducing burdensome regulations, and by strengthening trade deals. I'm proudly endorsed by the US Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Businesses because they know firsthand that I have what it takes to bring people together in Congress to deliver jobs and economic opportunities back to our great state.
Hundreds of thousands of Texas jobs rely either directly or indirectly on the energy industry. Some in Congress are pushing for a complete ban on fossil fuels. This would be a travesty not only to Texas' economy but the entire country. We can be good stewards of our environment, ensure clean air and water, and protect energy jobs. In Congress, I will stand strong to protect our Texas energy industry and jobs.
Mental illness is a serious issue in our country that does not get anywhere near the attention it demands. As Sheriff, I've seen firsthand the devastating impacts of suicides on families and communities. Going to the scenes of children, some as young as 10, who've taken their own lives is heartbreaking. Knowing that 20 US veterans take their lives each and every day is a national travesty. I've used my platform as Sheriff to advocate awareness of the mental illness and even held a mental health summit which hundreds of people attended. In Congress, I will work to bring people together around destigmatizing mental illness, ensuring everyone has access to affordable mental health services and educating our children and communities about the help that help exists.
As Sheriff, I've seen the human and monetary cost of high recidivism rates and our broken criminal justice system. That's why as Sheriff, I took action and instituted cutting-edge recidivism reduction programs. At the Fort Bend County Jail, we offer HVAC and welding courses to non-violent inmates, at no cost to taxpayers, so the inmates have job-ready skills when they're released. I am the only candidate in this race who's actually taken steps to reform our criminal justice system and I will take this experience to Congress and be a voice for criminal justice reform.
Our men and women in uniform risk life and limb in service to our country. We owe it to them to ensure they have adequate healthcare services when returning home. Dozens of veterans are committing suicide every day. That is completely unacceptable. We must provide veterans with access to the best mental and physical health services. We must also ensure the VA Healthcare system is running efficiently and serving all veterans who come through the door.
COVID-19 has underlined the need to ensure everyone in our country has access to affordable healthcare. As the father of three daughters, I know firsthand how costly and confusing healthcare can be. There is no one size fits all approach for our healthcare needs. Americans prefer choices and that's why in Congress, I will work to increase healthcare offerings while protecting those with preexisting conditions, protecting Medicare and Social Security, protecting Medicaid, and protecting private insurance. We need more healthcare options, not less and that's what I'll work to build bipartisan support for.
I'm married to a 25-year educator and elementary school principal and I have three children who have been educated by public schools. I am a strong supporter of public education and know firsthand how blessed we are to have some of the best schools in the state in our local communities. I also know the struggles educators are facing with COVID-19 and distancing learning, my wife Jill shares stories with me every night. In Congress, I will always be a voice for public education and our educators.
