North Texas News

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the Rules Committee, joined The Texas Tribune for a profile piece interview to discuss his decision to leave Congress, how the Texas delegation has changed, and the path forward for health care.

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess is leaving on his own terms. The North Texas Republican and former OB-GYN has served more than two decades in Congress, making his mark on both energy and health care policy through posts on several powerful committees. Known to colleagues as an affable and mild-mannered policy wonk, he was also tapped earlier this year to chair the powerful Rules Committee, which plays a major role in what bills make it to the floor, though he will relinquish the gavel after just four months.

He is one of several long-serving Texans to leave Washington in recent years, along with Reps. Kay Granger of Fort Worth at the end of this term and Kevin Brady of Houston who retired at the end of 2022. In an era where the average age of a member of Congress is increasing, with many serving into their eighties, Burgess is bowing out at the peak of his influence.

Burgess, 74, spoke with The Texas Tribune about his experience as a physician-politician and where his party goes from here.

Members of Congress who have left in recent years have talked about gridlock and infighting as a reason. Did that play a role in your decision?

"No, it’s just time. The founders never intended for these to be permanent jobs. I’m really one of the luckiest people around, and I got to practice medicine here in my hometown for 25 years, and I’ve gotten to represent my hometown for 22 years. I really can’t ask for much more."

Politicians have accused each other of staying in office longer than necessary, pointing out President Biden’s age, for example. Was that a factor for you, setting your own terms on your way out?

"We only have a certain amount of time on this earth, and we’ve had some very sad things happen. [Former Dallas Rep.] Eddie Bernice Johnson retired, and she unfortunately passed within a year. I want to have a few more years around after I leave this job to work on other things, on family. I imagine I will do something else after this but I don’t really know what that is. I didn’t have a job lined up but decided not to file for reelection."

(Burgess says his medical license is still active but doesn’t carry malpractice insurance anymore.)

Other longtime members of the Texas delegation are leaving or have left recently: Republican Reps. Kay Granger and Kevin Brady are among the examples. (Longtime Democrat Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas retired last year before she died.) What’s your advice to the Texas delegation as they move on to a new chapter?

"Bear in mind, the Texas delegation on the Republican side is about 10 members larger now than when I joined. It’s a much bigger delegation which makes it a little bit harder.

We used to meet as a family every Thursday at noon...The only good things that have happened to me while I’ve been in Congress have been a result of the Texas delegation...The work I’ve been able to do...was work through relationships in the Texas delegation."

Would you say that cohesiveness has remained until now or is it different?

"It seems to have diminished...[Former] Sen.[Kay Bailey] Hutchinson was extremely focused on making certain that the Texas delegation...met at least monthly...she’d get pretty good attendance.

We haven’t quite had that cohesiveness...attendance has dropped off a little bit...If you’ve got 24 members of the Texas delegation...people have to pay attention..."

You became chairman of the Rules Committee in March...

"The Rules Committee is a behind-the-scenes committee and has a really important function...all the hearings that are held,...that work comes to the Rules Committee,...we put it in format...to bring it to floor...

It’s most open process we have in House Representatives....anyone who wants come talk may do so....most members don’t take advantage..."

What’s your proudest accomplishment from your years in Congress? What will be one thing you remember?

"We’re an area growing so fast,...the infrastructure needs are significant...A couple years ago dam labeled unsafe,...I worked with U.S Army Corps Engineers find out problems were,...worked got money stabilize dam,...

There were some other big things: reauthorization Food Drug Administration; hearing aids over-the-counter item; reauthorized Children Health Insurance Program...

One last thing: state Senate passed bill allowed creation mental health facility Dallas,...there's exclusion written original Medicaid Law back 1965,...Hospitals can only devote 16 beds...

I repealed IMD exclusion March..."

A lot Texans thinking about energy more because recent storms affecting them personal level...

"ERCOT projected by 2030 amount new energy supply need staggering....need more energy supply natural gas bridge future...

Where think behind nuclear front..expand Comanche Peak existing footprint double nuclear output big deal expanding population."

You wrote book 2011 repealing Obamacare hasn't happened...

"I wish smart inquisitive person press look how much Obamacare passed no longer exists...Cadillac Tax Trump sunsetted Tax Cut Jobs Act (later permanently repealed bipartisan vote)...

So most egregious offensive parts Obamacare gone now..limited duration plans getting rid individual mandate took pressure off...

But plenty bad things still there part current law work."

You OB-GYN clear pro-life ectopic pregnancies miscarriages treated separately advice party navigate issue?

"Well state issue now state needs pay more attention shouldn’t question someone needs treatment miscarriage shouldn’t hard..

In 2018 passed bill chairman health subcommittee allowed creation maternal mortality review committees..pro-life means pro-mother pro-family prepared take care people Parkland Hospital excellent statistics take such good care patient required hospitals like Parkland."

What looking most forward retirement being back Texas?

"Being chairman Rules taken up so much time haven’t thought much don’t even job kind mind cynics say oh big payoff No unemployed If hiring Texas Tribune..."

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