url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-applauds-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-crack-down-on-atm-robberies,Sen. Cruz Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on ATM Robberies,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, issued the following statement after Senate passage of the Safe Access to Cash Act. This bipartisan legislation applies the same federal penalties to robberies involving off-site automatic teller machines (ATMs) as those that apply to robberies involving ATMs at financial institutions. The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for passage.

Sen. Cruz said, “In Texas and across the country, criminals are increasingly targeting ATMs, putting workers, bystanders, law enforcement, and first responders in danger. This common-sense legislation strengthens federal penalties to deter these criminals and disrupt the organized networks behind these robberies. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to pass this bipartisan bill through the Senate, and I urge the House to pass it and send it to the President’s desk.”

Click here to read more about the bill.

BACKGROUND:

The Federal Bank Robbery Act of 1934 currently applies to banks and financial institutions, but not to standalone ATMs in malls, convenience stores, or other public locations.

Robbers and thieves are increasingly targeting ATMs, with theft rates rising dramatically each year since 2019. ATMs can be robbed in as little as three minutes and may hold as much as $250,000. Houston is currently tied with Chicago and Philadelphia as one of the cities facing serious ATM theft.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-blunt-rochester-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-give-families-greater-flexibility-with-529-savings,"Sens. Cruz, Blunt Rochester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Families Greater Flexibility with 529 Savings",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) introduced the 529 Retirement Enhancement Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation eliminates the $35,000 lifetime cap on rollovers from 529 education savings accounts to Roth IRAs.

Sen. Cruz said, “I have been committed throughout my Senate career to expanding 529 savings accounts to give parents increased flexibility to save and invest in their children’s future. The law currently penalizes families when their children receive a scholarship or choose an alternative to college, leaving education savings unused, which in turn serves as a disincentive to initially use these accounts. The bipartisan 529 Retirement Enhancement Act will give parents greater flexibility to roll over unused education funds into their children’s Roth IRAs, and I’m proud to introduce it.”

Sen. Blunt Rochester said, “529 accounts can be incredibly useful in helping families prepare for higher education, but plans can change. A student may receive a scholarship, not use the full balance of their account, or simply choose a different path. Families should be able to preserve financial flexibility regardless of what their child’s education decisions are years down the road. I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan 529 Retirement Enhancement Act to remove barriers to saving and give families greater peace of mind when investing in their children’s future.”

This legislation is supported by the Investment Company Institute.

Investment Company Institute Chief of Government Affairs and Public Policy Tom Quaadman said, “ICI applauds Sens. Cruz and Blunt Rochester for their commonsense legislation giving families greater financial flexibility and security. Families with unspent funds in a 529 plan should not be penalized because a student received a scholarship or pursued other options. The Cruz-Rochester bill permits unused education savings to be moved into a Roth IRA allowing young people to get started on their path to a secure financial future.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND:",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-senate-passage-of-the-protect-college-sports-act/,Cornyn Statement on Senate Passage of the Protect College Sports Act,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Protect College Sports Act, which would restore order in college athletics by creating enforceable national rules, protecting real Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, preserving fair competition, safeguarding student athletes, and ensuring fans do not lose the teams, rivalries, and traditions they love:

“College athletics are currently the Wild Wild West, and the lack of clear, consistent guidelines at the federal level is hurting athletes, universities, and fans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would restore order in college sports by implementing much-needed guardrails surrounding eligibility, transfers, NIL rights, and revenue-sharing to better protect schools and players both on and off the field.”

Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation, Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) are leading this legislation in the Senate.

Background: The bipartisan Protect College Sports Act would:

Set one national rulebook for eligibility, transfers, recruiting, NIL, and revenue sharing;

Establish clear eligibility rules by adopting the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) new five-year eligibility rule, allowing for one free transfer with commonsense exceptions;

Stabilize rosters by creating enforceable transfer windows, anti-tampering rules, and an agent registry;

Protect rivalries by blocking the formation of a Super League and maintaining traditional out-of-conference games;

Provide limited antitrust protection to the NCAA and College Sports Commission to enforce a revenue-sharing cap, which ensures a level playing field and competitive balance;

Guarantee student scholarships and 10-year degree completion assistance;

And protect women in sports by preserving Title IX protections, prohibiting cuts to women’s and Olympic-sport programs, and upholding Texas state law that prohibits men from competing in women’s sports.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-merkley-lead-senate-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-to-hold-china-accountable-for-organ-harvesting-and-human-rights-violations,"Sens. Cruz, Merkley Lead Senate Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Hold China Accountable for Organ Harvesting and Human Rights Violations",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued statements following Senate passage of their bipartisan Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act. This legislation imposes sanctions on officials responsible for forced organ harvesting in China and directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s organ harvesting policies and transplant system.

Sen. Cruz said, “The Chinese Communist Party continues to target Falun Gong practitioners through its brutal, state-sponsored organ harvesting industry. These atrocities are an assault on religious liberty and fundamental human rights. I am proud to have worked with Senator Merkley to get this bipartisan bill through the Senate, and I urge my colleagues in the House to pass it and send it to the President’s desk.”

Sen. Merkley said, “China’s campaign of repression and human rights abuses continues to have horrific consequences, including reports of forced organ harvesting from vulnerable groups across the PRC. We must stand up for the victims of these crimes, and our bipartisan effort holds the Chinese government accountable for its abuses.”

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.) are cosponsors of this legislation.

Click here to read more about the bill.

BACKGROUND:

Falun Gong is a movement founded in the early 1990s by Li Hongzhi in China, which grew rapidly throughout the 1990s. The CCP outlawed the movement in 1999 and sought to eliminate Falun Gong activity. The CCP has conducted mass arrests and torture of Falun Gong practitioners and detained thousands of practitioners in labor camps, subjecting some to forced organ harvesting. Those harvested organs are used in transplants within China and are trafficked overseas.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-texas-receives-51-million-to-improve-rural-health-care/,Cornyn: Texas Receives $51 Million to Improve Rural Health Care,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the allocation of $51 million to 68 rural hospital districts in Texas to improve health care as part of the “Make Rural Texans Healthy Again” initiative. The funding comes from the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), which Sen. Cornyn championed and helped establish through enactment of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act:

“The Working Families Tax Cuts Act made the single largest investment in rural health care in more than two decades,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I was proud to support this once-in-a-generation law that established the Rural Health Transformation Program, and I look forward to seeing these resources expand access to care, improve health outcomes, and better support folks with chronic conditions across the Lone Star State.”

Background:

The funding will support community-based prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs to improve health outcomes and address chronic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, and obesity. Last year, Sen. Cornyn announced the Trump administration allocated $281,319,361 for Texas from the Rural Health Transformation Program. Prior to that, Sen. Cornyn and Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) led a letter with members of the Texas congressional delegation to CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, urging him to prioritize funding for the State of Texas. Sen. Cornyn also released a statement in support of Texas’ application last November.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-applauds-overwhelming-senate-passage-of-legislation-to-protect-college-sports,Sen. Cruz Applauds Overwhelming Senate Passage of Legislation to Protect College Sports,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act by a vote of 77-22. Chairman Cruz introduced the legislation with U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to end the chaos and uncertainty plaguing college sports and provide student athletes, fans, schools, and coaches with desperately needed relief. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration. Once passed by the House, it will be sent to President Trump’s desk for his signature.

Click here or on the image above to watch Sen. Cruz’s remarks on the?Protect College Sports Act.

Sen. Cruz said, “Today is a monumental day for college athletics. The United States Senate voted to protect the hundreds of thousands of student athletes currently competing in college sports, the millions who will follow in their footsteps, and every college sports fan who wants to preserve this great American tradition for generations to come. After years of discussions and months of intense deliberations, we achieved what many said was impossible and succeeded in getting the Protect College Sports Act through the Senate with a huge bipartisan vote. I am proud of our success, and I trust the House of Representatives will remain focused on bringing stability to college sports by delivering the Protect College Sports Act to President Trump’s desk without delay.”

BACKGROUND:

The Protect College Sports Act, introduced in May of this year, embraces the new era of NIL by codifying and protecting the rights of student athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness, while establishing the rules necessary to end the chaos plaguing college athletics.

In addition to Chairman Cruz and Ranking Member Cantwell, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.).

On June 12th, Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and Senator Coons hosted a roundtable with coaches, student athletes, and university presidents. The bill was then advanced in June by the Senate Commerce Committee with a strong vote of 19-9.

With the support of 32 collegiate athletic conferences and more than 380 colleges and universities across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the legislation sailed through the Senate over the course of September. Additional endorsements for the bill include: the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the?National Hockey League (NHL), the?National Basketball Association (NBA), the players associations for the NFL and the NBA, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), FBS Athletics Directors Association, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Team USA Athletes’ Commission (Team USA AC), and National Governing Body Council (NGBC).

Student athletes, coaches, professors, and presidents from universities and colleges across the country have rallied behind the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act. They have written op-eds, participated in a wide variety of interviews, and even came to Washington, D.C., to urge Congress to pass this legislation.

On September 14th, Chairman Cruz hosted a press conference with more than 30 student athletes and coaches from across the country. President Trump and the Executive Office of the President also emphatically support the legislation.",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-blumenthal-file-amicus-brief-supporting-holocaust-survivors-victims-in-recovery-of-nazi-confiscated-art/,"Cornyn, Blumenthal File Amicus Brief Supporting Holocaust Survivors, Victims in Recovery of Nazi-Confiscated Art",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) filed an amicus brief in support of their Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, now law, which aids in the recovery of Nazi-looted art and helps deliver justice for Holocaust survivors and their families. The brief, as filed with the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, argues that the HEAR Act is constitutional and does not violate the Tenth Amendment or separation-of-powers principles as Congress has constitutional authority over war-related consequences and interstate and foreign commerce.

“Earlier this year, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act was signed into law to ensure Holocaust survivors and their families have an opportunity to regain thousands of missing pieces of artwork that were looted by the Nazi regime,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am proud to stand in support of survivors and their families, and I urge the Court to ensure victims are not barred from claiming what is rightfully theirs.”

“The Nazi campaign to steal art treasured by Jewish families and others targeted by the regime the was about more than a pilfering of property—it was a deeply personal theft and an act of inhumanity,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “Senator Cornyn has been my partner for years in bringing long overdue justice to families whose cherished art was brazenly stolen by the Nazis. I am proud to join Senator Cornyn, Holocaust survivors, and their family members in urging the Court to do the right thing and uphold the constitutionality of the HEAR Act.”

Background:

The amicus in Reif v. Republic of Austria argues that heirs and descendants of Austrian Jewish art collector Fritz Grünbaum seek the return of Egon Schiele artworks allegedly seized by the Nazis from Grünbaum’s collection under duress during World War II. The case involves claims against the Republic of Austria and Austrian museums, and the current dispute includes whether the amended HEAR Act constitutionally requires the claims to proceed despite defenses that would otherwise bar adjudication on the merits.

An amicus brief, or “friend of the court” brief, can be filed in order to address concerns and advise the Court on a matter of law that directly affects the case at hand.",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-whitehouse-introduce-bill-to-address-substance-abuse-in-prisons-reduce-recidivism/,"Cornyn, Whitehouse Introduce Bill to Address Substance Abuse in Prisons, Reduce Recidivism",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) introduced the Supporting Treatment and Recovery Over Narcotics for Growth, Empowerment, and Rehabilitation (STRONGER) Act, which would help reduce recidivism and break the cycle of addiction by updating and reauthorizing the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program that provides treatment and recovery resources to incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders:

“Ensuring incarcerated individuals have access to addiction treatment is not only proven to reduce recidivism through the successful RSAT program, but it is also morally right,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to help more Texans get their lives back on track and become productive, healthy members of society after they’re released from prison.”

“Support for people battling addiction is a bipartisan priority in Congress, and I’m pleased to partner with Senator Cornyn on this legislation to expand access to treatment and recovery options for people who are incarcerated,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “Rhode Island has shown that making safe and reliable substance use treatments, including medications for opioid use disorder, available in jails and prisons can help reduce recidivism and break the cycle of addiction.”

Background:

Established under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners (RSAT) program provides grants to every state and U.S. territory, and through them, to state prisons and local jails to provide substance use disorder treatment programs to individuals under their supervision. These grants also provide community-based aftercare and post-release treatment that can include medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy and employment, transitional housing, and mental health services.

The STRONGER Act would reauthorize RSAT funding and provide critical updates to the program, including:

Allowing grantees greater access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT);

Expanding training requirements to encourage best practices for reentry and continuity of care;

And requiring affiliations with doctors who can administer MATs.

The legislation is endorsed by the National Criminal Justice Association, National Association of Social Workers, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), Major County Sheriffs of America, National Police Foundation, National Association for Behavioral Healthcare, The National Council for Behavioral Health, Dismas Charities Inc., Center for Court Innovation, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Westcare Foundation International, Community Corrections Association, Correctional Leaders Association, American Psychological Association, National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, and National Association of Drug Court Professionals.",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-texas-delegation-endorse-texas-proposal-to-host-us-space-academy,"Sen. Cruz, Texas Delegation Endorse Texas Proposal to Host U.S. Space Academy",2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, led members of the Texas congressional delegation in a letter to the Presidential Commission on the United States Space Academy endorsing Texas’s forthcoming proposal to host the U.S. Space Academy.

Below are highlights and excerpts from the letter:

“As the Commission determines how to bring that vision to life, all the Stars align within the great State of Texas. If America is going to build the world's premier academy for space, Texas has all the ingredients for success: the people, infrastructure, experience, land, and resources required to support the President's vision and keep America as the leader in space.

“For more than six decades, Texas has led human spaceflight. NASA's Johnson Space Center is home to America's astronaut corps, Mission Control, and human spaceflight training. Houston has trained the astronauts who pushed the boundaries of human exploration and made history.

“That history matters. America has spent more than six decades building and perfecting a world-class human spaceflight ecosystem in Texas. Locating the Space Academy in Texas would allow the Nation to build on those existing investments rather than attempting to recreate these capabilities elsewhere. The Academy could inherit and benefit from that advantage from day one, giving students direct access to the people, facilities, and institutions driving America's human Spaceflight program.

“Most states specialize in one part of the space enterprise. In Texas, we develop, build, test, launch, and operate space systems. America's space enterprise comes together here. That convergence is particularly important to the President's vision for the Space Academy. The President's Executive Order calls for an institution that combines rigorous technical education with leadership development, experiential training, and commitment to public service.

“Students should train where astronauts train, learning from those operating today's missions, working alongside engineers, developing tomorrow's Space technology, and engaging with servicemembers protecting American interests in space. Texas is the natural home for the Space Academy, with more than sixty years as the heart of America's human spaceflight programs.”

The letter is co-signed by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Reps. Brian Babin (R-Texas-36), Michael Cloud (R-Texas-27), Pat Fallon (R-Texas-4), Lance Gooden (R-Texas-5), Keith Self (R-Texas-3), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas-2), Randy Weber (R-Texas-14), Michael McCaul (R-Texas-10), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas-8), Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas-24), Jodey Arrington (R-Texas-19), Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22), John Carter (R-Texas-31), Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas-1), Craig Goldman (R-Texas-12), Roger Williams (R-Texas-25), Pete Sessions (R-Texas-17), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas-6), Chip Roy (R-Texas-21), August Pfluger (R-Texas-11), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas-13), Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas-15), and Brandon Gill (R-Texas-26).",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-britt-introduce-legislation-to-improve-management-of-double-crested-cormorants,"Sens. Cruz, Britt Introduce Legislation to Improve Management of Double-Crested Cormorants",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced the Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026. The legislation requires the Secretary of the Interior to develop regional management frameworks for the take of double-crested cormorants.

Sen. Cruz said, “Excessive double-crested cormorant populations are harming fisheries, aquaculture operations, and private waters across Texas. This bill gives Texans the tools they need to responsibly manage these populations.”

Sen. Britt said, “Alabama's catfish farmers play a crucial role in our state's economy and put food on the table for hardworking families. We should be taking every step to ensure their continued success. Cormorants pose a significant threat to catfish populations, and that’s why I'm proud to join Senator Cruz in introducing this legislation to streamline burdensome regulations and bolster states’ abilities to work with the Department of the Interior to protect this critical industry.”

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.-5) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Walberg said, “Our fisheries are essential to our nation’s economy, outdoor recreation, and cultural heritage. Recreational fishing across the United States generates significant economic benefit, supporting jobs and tourism-driven economies nationwide. When double crested cormorant populations grow beyond sustainable levels, they can significantly deplete fish stocks. This legislation ensures we have a responsible, science driven framework to protect the health of our fisheries.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND:

The Responsible Cormorant Management and Control Act of 2026 requires regional management frameworks to maintain the breeding population of double-crested cormorants at a sustainable level and consider the effects of populations on fisheries and other natural resources. The legislation also seeks to identify eligible entities, such as state-licensed lake managers and pond managers, to take double-crested cormorants.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-confirmation-of-angela-colmenero-for-u-s-district-court-in-houston/,Cornyn Statement on Confirmation of Angela Colmenero for U.S. District Court in Houston,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm President Trump’s nomination of Angela Colmenero to be a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas – Houston Division. Video of Sen. Cornyn introducing Ms. Colmenero earlier this year in the Senate Judiciary Committee can be found here.

“After nearly two decades in public service to the Lone Star State, Angela Colmenero is well equipped to serve as a District Court Judge,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am grateful Angela will bring her exceptional legal acumen, sound judgment, and devotion to the rule of law in this new role, and I look forward to seeing her on the bench.”

Senators Cornyn and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recommended Angela Colmenero to President Trump following an extensive review and interview process of the candidate pool by the bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC). Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Cruz established the FJEC, a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas, to help identify the most qualified candidates to fill judicial vacancies. The panel reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, and made recommendations to the Senators, who interviewed individuals before making their recommendations to the President.

Colmenero has served in Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott since 2018, where she most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff. Prior to that, she served as Principal Deputy General Counsel to the Governor and Deputy General Counsel to the Governor. Colmenero previously held various leadership positions for nearly a decade at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, including as Chief of the General Litigation Division and Deputy Chief of the Special Litigation Division. She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School and the University of Texas at Austin.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-bill-to-sanction-russia-honor-senator-grahams-legacy-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Sanction Russia, Honor Senator Graham’s Legacy Signed Into Law",2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"DALLAS – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after legislation he cosponsored to hold major purchasers of Russian crude oil and natural gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine was signed into law by President Trump. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act was made possible by an agreement negotiated by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and the White House prior to Sen. Graham’s passing:

“Senator Graham was unyielding in his support for the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their sovereignty, and I can think of few ways more fitting to honor him than by finishing what he started and imposing strict sanctions on the bad actors who have supported Russia’s war against Ukraine,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law will honor Lindsey’s legacy, help dismantle Putin’s war machine, and strengthen U.S. national security.”

The legislation was led by U.S. Senators Darline Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and cosponsored by more than 60 Senators.

Background:

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russian officials and other actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, and Russian banks and financial institutions, as well as the Shadow Fleet that Russia assembled to evade sanctions. The legislation also directs the President to impose tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy the largest volume of Russian crude oil or natural gas and enable Russian sanctions evasion. The bill limits these tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and the five largest facilitators of Russia’s sanctions evasion.

Senator Lindsey Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the effort and secured an agreement with the White House before his death.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/big-tex-the-face-of-the-fair/,Big Tex: The Face of the Fair,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"Every year, the State Fair of Texas brings families, friends, and Texans from all across the state together. With a variety of activities, foods and attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy. From the Midway rides and creative food offerings to the concerts, livestock shows, and rodeos, Texans can spend close to a month exploring all the state fair has to offer, but none of these attractions garner more attention and adoration than the fair’s most prized possession: Big Tex.

The 55-foot statue is known as the world’s tallest cowboy and greets every Texan who attends the State Fair with open arms and a friendly “Howdy Folks!” He is a Lone Star icon, but few Texans can tell you about his back story. Exactly how did Big Tex come to loom large at the entrance of the fair and in Texans’ hearts?

Big Tex wasn’t always the face of the State Fair. Prior to his arrival in Dallas, Texas, in 1952, Big Tex played a different role – one that didn’t involve a cowboy hat and boots. He was originally designed as Santa Claus.

In the years after World War II, merchants of Kerens in East Texas came together to conjure up a plan that would ensure their customers shopped locally. The town is situated just east of Corsicana, where many of the town folk at the time did their holiday shopping. Fed up with the lack of business, members of the Kerens Chamber of Commerce decided to build the world’s largest Santa Claus statue in the hope that more of their community would choose to shop at their local stores and tourists from out of town would flock to Kerens to catch a glimpse of Saint Nick.

The Santa statue stood 49 feet tall and was a huge hit when it debuted during the 1949 Christmas season, accomplishing its purpose of drawing in more holiday shoppers. However, the statue’s popularity didn’t last long. The following season, the town’s enthusiasm fizzled out and the community forgot about the statue.

From there, the statue’s future was unclear. He went into storage and awaited his next role for two years. In 1951, Texans decided to host the largest state fair yet, and with that, officials rolled out ads picturing a large cowboy as the face of the fair named “Tex.” Tex was pictured wearing a red-checkered flannel shirt, a cowboy hat, and a pair of boots. He was plastered across the state on billboards, posters, and television screens.

The ads were very popular and drew the attention of lots of Texans leading up to the fair that year. After much negotiation, fair officials purchased the Kerens Santa Claus statue for $750. The statue was destined for a makeover and a road trip to Dallas.

Arriving in Dallas in the early days of 1952, the statue was officially named “Big Tex” after the original state fair character. Still resembling Santa Claus, Big Tex required a hefty makeover to officially become the state fair’s mascot. Fair officials hired a local artist, Jack Bridges, to redesign the statue to look more like the state fair character from their beloved ad campaign.

Bridges gave Big Tex size 70 cowboy boots, a 75-gallon cowboy hat, and a wink to his right eye, slimmed his face and torso, and positioned his right arm to appear as if his thumb was tucked into his vest. After his makeover, Big Tex made his official debut at the 1952 state fair as the largest cowboy in the world, standing at 55 feet tall.

Although he quickly gained popularity, some Texans did not like Big Tex’s appearance and complained about the way he looked. After the 1952 state fair, Big Tex received his second makeover, where his nose was straightened and his wink was removed. He was then given a new home in front of the Tower Building, formerly known as the Federal Building, where he still stands today.

Big Tex has been through a lot since moving to Dallas and becoming a Texas icon. He has celebrated many accomplishments and suffered a couple of tragedies. In 2012, after 60 years of service, Big Tex was destroyed in a fire due to an electrical shortage. Fair officials spent the next year redesigning him and preparing him for his re-debut at the 2013 fair. Texans welcomed the new and improved Big Tex back home later that year with open arms.

State fairs across the country have brought together many Americans from all walks of life. As we mark the 250th birthday of the United States, Texas will also be celebrating the fair’s 140th birthday with a fitting theme: “Stars, Stripes, and Howdies.” Big Tex will be sporting a patriotic pearl-snap shirt, a new pair of Levi’s jeans, and new boots featuring Texas icons, including bluebonnets, longhorns, pecan trees, prickly pears, and the 212-foot-tall Texas Star Ferris Wheel.

After 73 years of service, Big Tex continues to stand tall and welcome guests to the state fair. To Texans, he is more than just a statue – he is a symbol of Texas values. Big Tex represents hospitality, friendship, pride, and tradition. He brings people together from across the state and reminds Texans of the importance of unity.

Big Tex symbolizes what it truly means to be a Texan. If you attend the State Fair of Texas this year, I hope you say hello to Big Tex. Remember, all Texans can spread his welcoming spirit throughout the year far beyond the gates of Fair Park.",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-confirmation-of-kasdin-mitchell-for-u-s-district-court-in-dallas/,Cornyn Statement on Confirmation of Kasdin Mitchell for U.S. District Court in Dallas,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – Today, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm President Trump’s nomination of Kasdin Mitchell to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas – Dallas Division. Video of Sen. Cornyn introducing Ms. Mitchell earlier this year in the Senate Judiciary Committee can be found here.

“Kasdin Mitchell is a well-regarded litigator and a former clerk for some of our nation’s sharpest legal minds, and it’s no surprise that President Trump selected her to serve as a U.S. District Judge,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The Northern District of Texas is fortunate to be gaining such a bright attorney and trusted public servant who will excel on the federal bench, and I am glad she has been confirmed.”

Sens. Cornyn and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recommended Kasdin Mitchell to President Trump following an extensive review and interview process of the candidate pool by the bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC). The Senators established the FJEC, a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas, to help identify the most qualified candidates to fill judicial vacancies. The panel reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, and made recommendations to the Senators, who interviewed individuals before making their recommendations to the President.

Kasdin Mitchell is a litigation partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, where she focuses on complex litigation at the trial and appellate level. Previously, she clerked for Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Judge William H. Pryor Jr. and served as a litigation associate for Maynard Cooper & Gale PC, assistant solicitor general in Alabama, and assistant press secretary for First Lady Laura Bush. Mitchell received her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and her bachelor’s degree from Yale University.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-statement-on-passage-into-law-of-lindsey-o-graham-sanctioning-russia-and-iran-act,Sen. Cruz Statement On Passage Into Law of Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement after President Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 into law.

Sen. Cruz said, “I’m proud to have worked alongside my friend Senator Graham on the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. President Trump signing this legislation into law sends a clear message to Vladimir Putin and those enabling his war that the United States will hold them accountable for their actions, impose serious consequences, and counter his aggression.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

Senator Cruz has long been a leader countering Vladimir Putin’s aggression and imposing sanctions on Russia. In 2019, Sen. Cruz authored bipartisan sanctions targeting Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which were signed into law and halted construction of the pipeline. He later led efforts to expand those sanctions and pressed for their enforcement. In 2024, Sen. Cruz introduced legislation to preserve the Nord Stream 2 sanctions.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026:

Imposes sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and other individuals and entities affiliated with or supporting the Russian Government.

Establishes secondary sanctions on foreign persons and entities that engage with sanctioned Russian individuals or entities.

Targets Russia’s Shadow Fleet and foreign persons and vessels used by the Russian Government to evade sanctions.

Provides the President with authority to impose tariffs on imports from Russia and from countries that are major purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas or that facilitate evasion of Russian oil sanctions.

Additionally, the legislation extends the Iran Sanctions Act by five years to prevent a lapse in sanction authority that restricts funding for Iran’s energy and weapons sectors.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/photo-cornyn-meets-with-abilene-christian-university-president-phil-schubert/,PHOTO: Cornyn Meets with Abilene Christian University President Phil Schubert,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) met yesterday with Abilene Christian University (ACU) President Dr. Phil Schubert and Blair Schroeder to discuss ACU’s NEXT Lab, a molten salt research reactor, which Sen. Cornyn saw being built in Abilene a few years ago. This cutting-edge project will help put Texas at the forefront of advanced nuclear and medical research, create high-skilled jobs, and develop technologies to strengthen America’s energy security. See photo attached and below.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/photo-cornyn-meets-with-brownsville-mayor-local-leaders/,PHOTO: Cornyn Meets with Brownsville Mayor & Local Leaders,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) spoke yesterday with Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr., local leaders, including those from Cameron County and the Port of Brownsville, and members of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce to discuss the tremendous growth happening throughout the Rio Grande Valley. They also discussed how the City of Brownsville is helping drive Texas’ economic future, including topics from energy and defense to space and international trade. See photo attached and below.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/photo-cornyn-meets-with-plains-cotton-growers-leadership/,PHOTO: Cornyn Meets with Plains Cotton Growers Leadership,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) met yesterday with the Plains Cotton Growers to discuss the Farm Bill and the priorities of Texas farmers and producers. The Plains Cotton Growers play an invaluable role in helping to feed, clothe, and fuel our nation, and Sen. Cornyn remains committed to ensuring agricultural producers have the support and certainty they need to succeed. See photo attached and below.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-hosts-roundtable-on-treys-law-to-protect-child-sexual-abuse-survivors,Sen. Cruz Hosts Roundtable on TREY’s Law to Protect Child Sexual Abuse Survivors,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) yesterday hosted a roundtable on the Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements (TREY’S Law) with U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), U.S. Rep. Bob Onder (R-Mo.-3), Elizabeth Phillips, and child sexual abuse and trafficking advocacy groups. The roundtable focused on protecting survivors from non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that restrict them from speaking about their abuse and advancing TREY’S Law in the House of Representatives.

TREY’S Law, bipartisan legislation led by Sens. Ted Cruz and Kirsten Gillibrand addresses the misuse of non-disclosure agreements in civil cases involving child sexual abuse and trafficking. TREY’S Law unanimously passed the Senate in May 2026. Companion legislation is being led in the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Brandon Gill (R-Texas-26) and Julie Johnson (D-Texas-32).

Click here or on the image above to watch the full roundtable.

Please see below for Sen. Cruz’s opening remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Thank you, everyone, for being here today. I especially want to thank my friends and colleagues for joining me—Senator Britt; Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, who is co-sponsoring this legislation with me and will join us later; and Representatives Gill and Johnson.

“Thank you for your continued work, advocacy, and for joining me in fighting to make sure TREY’S Law is passed and sent to President Trump’s desk.

“I especially want to thank Elizabeth Phillips – Trey’s sister – who is the reason we are all here today and for making sure that Trey Carlock’s story is heard.

“I want to begin by sharing that story.

“Trey was a young man who loved the Lord, loved his family, loved his friends, and proudly resided in my home state of Texas. As a young boy, he attended a summer camp in Branson, Missouri, where he and dozens of other campers were sexually assaulted by the camp director.

“As an adult, Trey sought accountability. He sought justice. And Trey filed a lawsuit against the camp he attended to hold the camp responsible and to seek justice for himself and for others.

“But instead of justice, Trey was offered a settlement. And that settlement came with a nondisclosure agreement, which mandated Trey’s silence.

“After years of fighting to recover from abuse, Trey’s settlement buried his story and denied him justice.

“Trey once told his therapist, “They will always control me, and I’ll never be free.”

“Not long after, Trey died by suicide. He was only 28 years old.

“No child who has endured sexual abuse should be forced to carry that horror in silence. No child should be forced to walk alone in that pain. And no child should be forced to accept agreements that protect their abusers.

“In Trey’s case, and in many others, nondisclosure agreements are used to shield the abuser.

“As legislators, as parents, and as human beings, we have a moral obligation to stand between children and those who would harm them.

“That is why I introduced TREY’S Law.

“TREY’S Law will protect, defend, and support children who are victims of sexual assault. It ensures that nondisclosure agreements cannot be used to silence minors who have endured abuse and preserves the confidentiality of settlement amounts and allows victims themselves to insist on privacy if they choose to do so. This legislation also prohibits and prevents the silencing of victims to protect abusers.

“Versions of TREY’S Law have already passed in Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Tennessee, California, and other states have taken steps to prohibit the use of NDAs in cases of child sexual abuse. These are meaningful steps in the right direction, but we owe it to Trey and every victim to ensure that they have the right to speak about their experiences. That they have the right to rely on those around them. That they know that their stories will not be silenced. And most importantly, that they are not alone.

“This year, TREY’S Law passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously with every Senator – Republican and Democrat – joining on as a cosponsor. And back in May, I went to the Senate Floor to propound a unanimous consent request to take up and pass Trey’s Law. And I am proud to say the legislation passed the Senate unanimously and is now waiting for a House vote.

“We need to make sure that no child feels controlled or defeated by the system that is supposed to deliver them justice. And by passing this legislation, and having it signed into law, we can do just that.

“I again want to thank my colleagues in the House – Representatives Gill and Johnson – for introducing companion legislation, and to my colleagues in the Senate – Senators Gillibrand and Britt – for working with me to pass this legislation in the Senate.”

Click here to read more about the bill.

BACKGROUND

TREY’S Law prevents the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence survivors of child sexual abuse and trafficking. The bill makes any NDA provision unenforceable if it prohibits or restricts someone from disclosing the sexual abuse of a minor or facts related to that abuse. This protection applies regardless of when the NDA was signed, whether before a dispute arose or as part of a civil settlement agreement.

The bill is named in honor of Trey Carlock, a beloved citizen of Dallas, Texas, who was silenced by an NDA after enduring a retraumatizing civil litigation process against Kanakuk Ministries. He ultimately died by suicide at age 28.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-questions-fbi-director-on-fisa-section-702-expiration/,Cornyn Questions FBI Director on FISA Section 702 Expiration,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today in the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) questioned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel on the expiration of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the importance of reauthorizing this critical national security tool. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

CORNYN: “It’s been about three months and three days since Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act has expired and not been reauthorized by Congress.”

“Do you continue to believe that it’s important for Congress to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and what happens once the certification by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Courts runs out?”

PATEL: “What the FBI does not do is collect on U.S. citizens. What the FBI does do is access, pursuant to the federal statute, already lawfully collected information of individuals who are overseas and are not USPERs. Were we prohibited to do that in the future – we’ve provided classified briefings to the Senate and the House and a litany of examples on terrorist attacks that we’ve prevented, children that we found, narcotraffickers that we were able to annihilate and arrest based solely on 702 collection of overseas non-USPER individuals.”

“We want those methodologies to be able to be available to the FBI. Were that to go dark, we would have a lot of problems, or we would have no ability to trace that information.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-urges-va-doj-to-investigate-predatory-schools-defrauding-veterans-of-g-i-benefits/,"Cornyn Urges VA, DOJ to Investigate Predatory Schools Defrauding Veterans of G.I. Benefits",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after sending a pair of bipartisan letters encouraging the Trump administration to investigate and hold accountable “slapdash” trade schools and education institutions in Texas and across the country who reportedly defrauded veterans of their G.I. Bill benefits and ripped off American taxpayers:

“The GI Bill is intended to help those who have honorably served our country pursue higher education, receive career training, and build a life after the military, and any bad actors who have abused its benefits by ripping off American taxpayers and deceiving veterans for their own gain must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Sen. Cornyn.

Background:

Following the Washington Post’s reporting that predatory trade schools in Texas, New Hampshire, California, Georgia, and Florida abused $300 million in G.I. Bill funding and deceived veterans, Sen. Cornyn joined a letter led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and cosigned by Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins and VA Inspector General Cheryl Mason encouraging the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to launch an enhanced investigation into all unaccredited trade schools where veterans are enrolled to ensure the programs meet all applicable requirements. The bipartisan trio also urged the VA to review its processes for accepting and assessing complaints from students and whistleblowers on potentially fraudulent activity, and to increase funding and personnel for investigating these cases. The Senators also asked the VA to coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to refer fraud cases for prosecution.

In a separate letter to U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Senators called on the DOJ to strengthen how it investigates, prosecutes, and penalizes G.I. Bill fraud and to improve coordination with federal, state, and local partners to better protect veterans. It also calls on the DOJ to evaluate its coordination with VA to better target fraud and abuse.

The full text of the letter to the VA can be found here and below.

September 3, 2026

The Honorable Doug Collins

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

810 Vermont Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20420

The Honorable Cheryl Mason

Veterans Administration Inspector General

810 Vermont Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20420

Secretary Collins and Inspector General Mason:

We write to you today with grave concerns about recent Washington Post reporting on how many veterans were defrauded of their GI Bill benefits by “slapdash” trade schools and education institutions in Texas, California, New Hampshire, Georgia and Florida. We are troubled by reports of veterans defrauded and how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) failed to properly investigate schools with obvious signs of fraud across multiple years and presidential administrations.

Since its inception during World War II, the GI Bill was intended to provide veterans with the education and skills necessary to lead productive lives. Veterans earn educational benefits through their service to the United States. Millions of veterans have successfully used this program to obtain education and training from universities, colleges and trade and vocational schools. The Post 9/11 GI Bill provides up to 36 months of educational benefits for veterans who served more than 90 days of active duty after September 11, 2001.

However, as the Washington Post reported, some unaccredited for-profit schools have taken advantage of both veterans and VA either by providing substandard education, charging more tuition as compared to non-veterans or aggressively recruiting veterans with little regard for whether the school’s training helps the veteran. In return for their service, it is our duty to ensure veterans are protected from fraud and scams.

In all, the Washington Post found more than $300 million in fraud at 20 schools that were bilking our veterans. Much of the fraud should have been obvious at first glance. Schools offering courses that cost thousands of dollars but last less than a week should have caused red flags to go up at VA. Moreover, the article raises questions about how the Department processes and refers veterans’ complaints. While these losses to fraud may only represent a small percentage of the VA’s education budget, any loss of funds and adverse impacts to veterans must be swiftly addressed.

VA has repeatedly said that fraud against veterans is one of its top priorities. It is imperative that we understand how these institutions are allowed to operate and make millions despite multiple oversight measures. Consequently, we call on VA OIG to launch an enhanced investigation into all unaccredited trade schools where veterans are enrolled to ensure the programs meet all applicable requirements. Once any warning sign is identified, VA must act more quickly to disapprove these fraudulent programs from GI Bill eligibility. We also urge the Department and VA OIG to review their processes for accepting and assessing complaints from students and whistleblowers on potentially fraudulent activity and increase funding and personnel for investigating these cases. Finally, we ask that the VA and OIG coordinate with the U.S. Department of Justice and, if appropriate, state attorneys general, to refer more of these cases for prosecution.

We look forward to your timely response.

Sincerely,

/s/

The full text of the letter to the DOJ can be found here and below.

September 3, 2026

The Honorable Todd Blanche

Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530-0001

Dear Attorney General Blanche:

We write to you today with grave concerns about the recent Washington Post article on the fraud associated with and abuse of Post 9/11 G.I. Bill educational benefits. Specifically, the reporting highlights cases where veterans in New Hampshire, Texas, California, Georgia and Florida, and ultimately the American taxpayer, were defrauded out of hundreds of millions of dollars by predatory schools. In a number of these cases, federal prosecutors failed to press charges, reached settlements for a fraction of the school’s ill-gotten gains or recommended more lenient sentences than even the judge ultimately felt were correct.

Since its inception during World War II, the G.I. Bill was intended to provide veterans with the education and skills necessary to lead productive lives. Veterans earn educational benefits through their service to the United States. Millions of veterans have successfully used this program to obtain education and training from universities, colleges and trade and vocational schools. The Post 9/11 G.I. Bill provides up to 36 months of educational benefits for veterans who served more than 90 days of active duty after September 11, 2001.

However, as the Washington Post reported, some for-profit schools have taken advantage of both veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) by providing substandard education, either charging more tuition as compared to non-veterans or aggressively recruiting veterans with little regard for whether the school’s curriculum helps veterans. Indeed, this has been the case for far too long.

Fraud against our veterans must be prosecuted vigorously. The Washington Post documented how light the punishment was for the trade schools who charged exorbitant rates for very little education or training. In one case, the settlement that Department of Justice prosecutors struck was rejected by the judge because it was too lenient. In another case, a U.S. Attorney reached a $200,000 False Claims Act settlement with a trade school that charged the VA about $2.1 million including up to $14,900 per student for a four-to-five-day course on growing grass.

We urge the Department to reexamine the procedures for U.S. Attorneys to investigate and prosecute alleged G.I. Bill fraud, especially the criteria for settling cases that result in fines constituting a fraction of the overall fraud. We also call on the Department to reconsider how it cooperates with the Department of Veterans Affairs and state educational and law enforcement agencies to better target fraud and abuse of our veterans and the G.I. Bill program.

We look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,

/s/",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-joins-michael-dell-brad-gerstner-and-frank-bisignano-in-austin-to-highlight-texas-leadership-on-trump-accounts,"Sen. Cruz Joins Michael Dell, Brad Gerstner, and Frank Bisignano in Austin to Highlight Texas Leadership on Trump Accounts",2026-09-02,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"AUSTIN, Texas – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) participated in a press conference and executive roundtable with Michael Dell, founder, chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies, Brad Gerstner, founder, chairman and CEO of Altimeter Capital, Frank Bisignano, CEO of the IRS, and dozens of Texas business leaders. The discussion focused on how employers can make a generational impact on American families’ financial futures by contributing to Trump Accounts for their employees’ children.

As part of that effort, American Airlines announced it will match the $1,000 federal contribution to Trump Accounts for eligible employees’ children. The company will also allow eligible employees to put as much as $2,500 of pretax earnings each year into a Trump Account.

Click here or the image above to watch the full press conference.

Sen. Cruz said, “Trump Accounts are one of the most transformational policies ever enacted into law. Every child in America will have a personal investment account that he or she owns, and every child will experience the miracle of compound growth. That changes their entire future, and we are creating a whole new generation of capitalists as our kids become owners of the biggest employers in America. I believe within a few years we will see Trump Accounts as a standard employee benefit across the country. Thank you to Brad for bringing me the idea, President Trump for signing my legislation into law, and Michael and Susan Dell for leading the way with their historic $6.25 billion commitment. Texas leads the way.”

BACKGROUND

Trump Accounts, legislation authored by Sen. Cruz and established by law as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, are private, tax-advantaged accounts for every American child, seeded with a $1,000 investment from the federal government for children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028. Trump Accounts, available now for all children 18 and under, allow for contributions from individuals, family members, and friends up to $5,000 annually. Employers may contribute $2,500 per year.",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-applauds-house-passage-of-legislation-to-improve-federal-court-access-for-texans,Sen. Cruz Applauds House Passage of Legislation to Improve Federal Court Access for Texans,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Local Access to Courts Act. This legislation was authored and will now be passed into law by Sen. Cruz. It will improve access to federal court proceedings for Texans in College Station and surrounding areas.

Sen. Cruz said, “I am proud to see the House pass this needed legislation, which will increase accessibility to our federal courts for victims, parties, counsel, and the general public. With this addition, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas will be able to provide more efficient service to Texans in and around College Station, allowing them to seek redress without navigating unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. Fighting Aggies embody the pride, tradition, and spirit that make Texas great, and I’m proud to help deliver for the College Station community. I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

The Local Access to Courts Act adds College Station, Texas, and El Centro, California, as statutorily authorized locations where federal district courts may hold court.",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-applauds-nsfs-30-million-investment-in-ut-austin-to-drive-robotics-innovation/,Cornyn Applauds NSF’s $30 Million Investment in UT Austin to Drive Robotics Innovation,2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement praising the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) announcement of a $30,000,000 award over five years to The University of Texas at Austin to support a Science and Technology Center (STC), which will accelerate research and development of robotic technologies that can adapt to changing environments and people:

“The National Science Foundation’s investment in UT Austin will fund cutting-edge research to develop robots that are more trustworthy, intuitive, and responsive to the people they serve,” said Sen. Cornyn. “NSF has made a smart, strategic decision in choosing the Forty Acres as home for this facility, and I have no doubt that the work starting here will open new frontiers in science and technology that change the world.”

Background:",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-visits-the-imani-school-in-houston-to-celebrate-historic-school-choice-victories,Sen. Cruz Visits The Imani School in Houston to Celebrate Historic School Choice Victories,2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today visited The Imani School in Houston, where he met with students, teachers, and families to celebrate historic school choice victories that expand educational opportunities for families in Texas and across the nation.

Sen. Cruz said, “It was inspiring to visit The Imani School and see firsthand the incredible work its teachers and staff are doing to prepare the next generation of Texas students. What I saw today underscores why I have long said that school choice is the civil rights issue of the 21st century. Last year, I was proud to deliver the largest federal school choice program in history, which will unleash billions of dollars in new scholarships for K–12 students across the country. Millions of children will now have the opportunity to attend schools like The Imani School and receive a quality education, regardless of their ZIP code or income.”

American Federation for Children Director of Federal Affairs Ashling Preston said, “The Imani School serves as a powerful example of what becomes possible when we trust parents to choose the education that works best for their children. Senator Cruz has been a steadfast champion for giving families greater freedom in their children’s education. His leadership was instrumental in making the Education Freedom Tax Credit a reality, creating an opportunity to deliver school choice to millions of students across the country. AFC appreciates the opportunity to help arrange this impactful visit. We are grateful for Senator Cruz’s continued leadership as Texas and the nation enter this new era of education freedom.”

BACKGROUND

The Education Freedom Tax Credit, legislation authored by Sen. Cruz and established by law as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, provides a dollar-for-dollar federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 per year for individuals who contribute to certified scholarship-granting organizations. Beginning January 1, 2027, eligible K–12 students may receive scholarships from these organizations for educational expenses. In Texas, an estimated 5.4 million students, representing 92% of K–12 students in the state, are eligible for scholarships through the program.",1,2026-08-26T05:33:32Z,2026-08-26T05:34:56Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-kaine-lead-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-sanctions-on-nicaragua,"Sens. Cruz, Kaine Lead Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Sanctions on Nicaragua",2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced the Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights through Mandates for Accountability Act. This bipartisan legislation imposes sanctions on Nicaraguan officials for abuses that undermine American national security and interests, including religious persecution.

Sen. Cruz said, “The Ortega regime in Nicaragua is engaging in human rights abuses, religious persecution, and political repression by means of corruption and election manipulation. Since the beginning of my career in the Senate, I have sought to counter these abuses and tactics. This bipartisan legislation builds on the NICA framework I authored and built, which passed through Congress and was signed into law. I intend to advance it.”

Sen. Kaine said, “The Ortega-Murillo regime’s consolidation of authoritarian power, widespread corruption, human rights abuses, crackdown on civil society, and targeting of religious institutions threaten the stability of Central America. The United States must do more to counter this increasing authoritarianism. This bipartisan legislation would provide the U.S. greater authority to sanction Nicaraguan officials responsible for undermining human rights in the country.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND:

Sen. Cruz introduced the Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act (NICA) as a legislative vehicle for a range of restrictions and sanctions on the Nicaraguan regime.

The Restoring Electoral Fairness and Opposition Rights through Mandates for Accountability Act renews and expands sanctions on Nicaraguan regime officials, affiliates, and other actors responsible for corruption, human rights abuses, religious persecution, election manipulation, and political repression until Nicaragua makes meaningful democratic reforms. It also expands existing sanctions to target the industries financing the Ortega-Murillo regime, including the gold sector, as well as individuals and entities providing support to Russia and Iran.",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-applauds-bennett-and-coker-judicial-nominations-for-southern-and-northern-districts-of-texas/,"Cornyn, Cruz Applaud Bennett and Coker Judicial Nominations for Southern and Northern Districts of Texas",2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – Today, U.S. Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statements after President Trump announced his intention to nominate Richard Bennett to be a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas – Houston Division and Courtney Coker to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas – Dallas Division:

“Richard Bennett and Courtney Coker have spent decades operating with integrity and working tirelessly to bring offenders to justice,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Our country and the Lone Star State need sharp legal minds and impartial judges to help preserve our independent judiciary, and I have no doubt Richard and Courtney are up to the task.”

“I applaud President Trump for nominating Richard Bennett to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Texas and Courtney Coker to serve as a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas. I was proud to recommend them for nomination. Each has demonstrated a strong commitment to the rule of law, excellence, and public service, and I am confident they will continue that record of distinguished service on the federal bench,” said Sen. Cruz.

Sens. Cornyn and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recommended Richard Bennett and Courtney Coker to President Trump following an extensive review and interview process of the candidate pool by the bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC). The Senators established the FJEC, a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas, to help identify the most qualified candidates to fill judicial vacancies. The panel reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, and made recommendations to the Senators, who interviewed individuals before making their recommendations to the President.

United States Magistrate Judge Richard W. Bennett was appointed to the U.S. District Court’s Southern District of Texas – Houston Division, effective April 22, 2024. Bennett graduated from Texas Christian University in 1997 and earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2000 from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. He began his legal career as Chief Attorney in the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office. He also served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas – Del Rio Division, Assistant Chief Counsel on Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the Department of Homeland Security, and most recently as Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas – Houston Division.

Courtney Coker has served as the Lead Attorney of the North Texas Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) since last year and joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Northern District of Texas in 2020. In 2008, he began his service in the U.S. Attorney’s office as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Puerto Rico’s Narcotic Criminal Division and later served in the Attorney offices for the Southern District of Florida, the Middle District of Tennessee, and the Southern District of Mississippi, where he was Chief of the Criminal Division. From 2004 to 2007, he worked as a solo practitioner, an adjunct professor at Mississippi College of Law, and as a special judge and child advocate in Mississippi Youth Court. He began his legal career in criminal defense, which he practiced until 2004. He graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, in 1999 and earned his law degree from Mississippi College of Law in 2002.",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-austin-to-receive-nearly-500k-to-support-law-enforcement-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: Austin to Receive Nearly $500k to Support Law Enforcement, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $464,939 in federal grant funding to the City of Austin to improve incident response, reduce crime, and enhance officer and public safety. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

“Access to proper equipment and modernized training is essential to ensuring our law enforcement officers are best able to protect Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve incident response, operational readiness, and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-bexar-county-to-receive-nearly-1m-to-support-law-enforcement-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: Bexar County to Receive Nearly $1M to Support Law Enforcement, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $973,878 in federal grant funding to Bexar County to enhance public safety and help law enforcement conduct investigations of domestic or sexual violence and abuse, including by supporting the Adult Treatment Court Collaborative and the Women’s Mental Health Court. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

“There is a domestic violence epidemic in the United States, and we owe it to survivors, victims, and the American people to get dangerous attackers off our streets,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve operational readiness and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-corpus-christi-to-receive-more-than-200k-to-support-law-enforcement-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: Corpus Christi to Receive More Than $200k to Support Law Enforcement, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $212,068 in federal grant funding to the City of Corpus Christi and Nueces County to equip law enforcement with updated technology and enhance public safety. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

“Access to proper equipment and modernized training is essential to ensuring our law enforcement officers are best able to protect Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve operational readiness and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-dallas-to-receive-more-than-1m-to-support-law-enforcement-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: Dallas to Receive More Than $1M to Support Law Enforcement, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $1,092,385 in federal grant funding to the City of Dallas and Dallas County to reduce crime and recidivism, equip law enforcement with updated technology, and improve incident response times. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

“Access to proper equipment and modernized training is essential to ensuring our law enforcement officers are best able to protect Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve incident response times, operational readiness, and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-el-paso-to-receive-nearly-200k-to-support-law-enforcement-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: El Paso to Receive Nearly $200k to Support Law Enforcement, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $189,848 in federal grant funding to El Paso County to provide law enforcement with updated technology and equipment, support law enforcement investigations involving domestic violence and child sexual abuse, and improve officer and public safety. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

“Access to proper equipment and modernized training is essential to ensuring our law enforcement officers are best able to protect Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve operational readiness and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-fort-worth-to-receive-nearly-600k-to-support-law-enforcement-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: Fort Worth to Receive Nearly $600k to Support Law Enforcement, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $577,626 in federal grant funding to the City of Fort Worth, the City of Arlington, and Tarrant County to enhance public safety, provide law enforcement with updated technology and equipment, and improve response efforts to mental health crises. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

“Access to proper equipment and modernized training is essential to ensuring our law enforcement officers are best able to protect Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve incident response, operational readiness, and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-houston-to-receive-nearly-3m-to-support-law-enforcement-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: Houston to Receive Nearly $3M to Support Law Enforcement, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $2,861,935 in federal grant funding to the City of Houston to enhance public safety, equip law enforcement with updated technology, and reduce the backlog of child abuse and sexual assault cases. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

“Access to proper equipment and modernized training is essential to ensuring our law enforcement officers are best able to protect Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve incident response times, operational readiness, and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-lubbock-to-receive-more-than-200k-to-support-law-enforcement-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: Lubbock to Receive More Than $200k to Support Law Enforcement, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $219,215 in federal grant funding to the City of Lubbock to enhance public safety and equip law enforcement with updated technology, including a forensic 3D laser scanner to make 3D renderings of crime scenes and a portable bomb x-ray to scan suspicious material. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

“Access to proper equipment and modernized training is essential to ensuring our law enforcement officers are best able to protect Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve operational readiness and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-waco-killeen-to-receive-more-than-150k-to-equip-law-enforcement-with-drone-technology-enhance-public-safety/,"Cornyn: Waco, Killeen to Receive More Than $150k to Equip Law Enforcement with Drone Technology, Enhance Public Safety",2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $70,637 in federal grant funding to the City of Waco and $92,208 to the City of Killeen to help equip and train local law enforcement. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, and will provide law enforcement with gas masks, an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), innovative technology, and modernized training to improve law enforcement’s ability to identify and respond to public safety threats.

“Access to proper equipment, emerging drone technologies, and modernized training is essential to ensuring our law enforcement officers are best able to protect Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will equip law enforcement with the tools and resources needed to improve incident response times, aerial intelligence capabilities, and public safety outcomes.”",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/from-texas-to-the-ballot-box-the-fight-for-womens-suffrage/,From Texas to the Ballot Box: The Fight for Women’s Suffrage,2026-08-18,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"Our right to vote is a cornerstone of American freedom – a freedom that generations of Americans fought for over centuries. On Aug. 26, 1920, the nationwide right for women to vote was enshrined into the U.S. Constitution through the 19th Amendment, but the fight for women’s suffrage started long before then. In 1919, Texas women stood at the forefront of one of the most historic moments in American history as the Lone Star State became the first state in the South to ratify this Amendment. Ahead of the 106th anniversary of this critical Amendment’s certification, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on its history.

Women across the Unites States started organizing and protesting for the right to vote in the early 1800s. In 1848, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott organized the Seneca Falls Convention, the first of its kind for women’s rights, to take place in New York. Their plan, also known as the Declaration of Sentiments, advocated for broader educational and professional opportunities while calling for women’s right to control their own wages and property, later expanding to include the right to vote. Roughly 300 women and men were in attendance for this historic convention. At the end of the two-day meeting, 68 women and 32 men signed the Declaration of Sentiments, starting what would be the foundation for women’s rights and the suffrage movement throughout many states, including Texas.

Nearly four decades later, U.S. Senator George Hoar (R-MA) introduced a resolution in January 1882 to establish a Select Committee on Woman Suffrage, which passed 35-23, making Senate history. But they did not stop there. Six months later, the Committee submitted a report to the full Senate outlining support for an Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was then drafted and named the Susan B. Anthony Amendment. Unfortunately, this Amendment failed to pass the Senate by 16-34 in January 1887.

That didn’t stop Texas women, who continued to press on. There are two Texans in particular I’d like to highlight who helped advocate for women’s suffrage during this time: Mariana Folsom and Eliza E. Peterson. During the 1880s, Mariana Folsom traveled across Texas speaking about the importance of giving women the right to vote and lobbying for women’s suffrage in the Texas Legislature. She was a key factor in building momentum in Texas. Sadly, she did not live to see the outcome of her hard work and dedication and passed away in 1909.

Eliza E. Peterson, a music teacher from Texarkana, also played an important role. She advocated for the African-American community and devoted her time to social reform and broadening the women’s suffrage movement. Starting in 1898, Eliza traveled to many youth organizations, women’s groups, and churches to share the importance of women having the right to vote.

Because of the tireless efforts of thousands of strong Texas women like them, Governor William P. Hobby took a major step forward in the spring of 1918 by signing into law the right for Texas women to vote in state primary elections and Texas nominating conventions, resulting in 386,000 women registering to vote.

As part of the push to help make this a reality in all elections nationwide, President Woodrow Wilson addressed the U.S. Senate in September 1918, pleading with the members to pass the women’s suffrage Amendment, which was approved months prior in the U.S. House of Representatives. Finally, almost a full year later, the Senate approved it by a vote of 56-25.

On June 28, 1919, less than one month after Congress made it official, Texas officially became the ninth state to ratify the Amendment and the first southern state to do so. Texas women had shown what it meant to be Texas tough, helping make this movement possible across the Lone Star State. It was not until Aug. 18, 1920, that Tennessee become the 36th state to ratify the Amendment. Finally, the Amendment had passed in three-fourths of all states, the threshold needed to be officially certified to become part of the U.S. Constitution on Aug. 26, 1920.

The fight for women’s right to vote was a long one that took decades of advocacy, determination, and tenacity by women – including countless Texans – who did not let their voices be silenced. As we can see today, Texas women have kept up this rich tradition of shaping the future of our state and nation.",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-padilla-introduce-bill-to-support-desalination-and-safe-drinking-water/,"Cornyn, Padilla Introduce Bill to Support Desalination and Safe Drinking Water",2026-08-17,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Desalination Reauthorization Act, which would support desalination efforts by reauthorizing the Bureau of Reclamation’s authority to provide grants for desalination projects and new technology research ahead of its expiration on Dec. 16, 2026:

“As communities throughout Texas continue to face devastating drought conditions, it’s crucial that we make investments in water infrastructure improvements to ensure our state has enough water to meet demands,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to join Senator Padilla in introducing the Desalination Reauthorization Act, which would authorize desalination grant programs to help construct more ocean and brackish-water desalination facilities to ensure long-term water supply.”

“Access to safe and clean drinking water is a human right, and investments in desalination programs will help us provide drinking water to millions of Americans in need,” said Sen. Padilla. “Our bill will guarantee research and development of new avenues for safe, clean drinking water so that California can adapt to growing environmental pressures.”

Background:

The Desalination Reauthorization Act would extend the programmatic approval of the Bureau of Reclamation to fund desalination projects, which is set to expire this year. If this expires, Congress would have to pass another bill to authorize new desalination projects, leading to delays in projects and increased costs. By allowing these projects to run smoothly, the Southwest will be able to fight droughts by reinforcing local supplies, providing flexibility during water shortages, and expanding the water supply.

The Desalination Reauthorization Act would:",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-calls-for-renewed-efforts-to-secure-release-of-austin-tice/,Cornyn Calls for Renewed Efforts to Secure Release of Austin Tice,2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today released a statement urging President Donald J. Trump and his administration to prioritize efforts to secure the return of Austin Tice, an American journalist, Houston native, and Marine veteran, as we mark the somber milestone of Tice being held captive in Syria for 14 years on Aug. 14. Sen. Cornyn has been drawing focus to Tice’s case for more than a decade, including after the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad.

“Fourteen years ago, Austin Tice, a Marine who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was detained at a checkpoint in Syria while working as a freelance journalist,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Austin and other Americans in captivity around the world deserve the full and active support of our government to secure their release, and as we mark the grim anniversary of Austin’s captivity today, I urge the Trump administration to redouble their efforts to bring him home.”

Background:

While covering the Syrian Civil War as a journalist in 2012, Austin Tice was abducted in Syria by the Assad regime.

Sen. Cornyn has met with the Tice family several times since Austin’s capture and has discussed Austin Tice’s case with President Trump on multiple occasions. In the first Trump administration, he regularly communicated about the case with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Ambassador Roger Carstens.",1,2026-08-15T05:23:20Z,2026-08-15T05:24:50Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-kaufman-county-to-receive-700k-to-prosecute-crimes-committed-by-illegal-aliens/,Cornyn: Kaufman County to Receive $700k to Prosecute Crimes Committed by Illegal Aliens,2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $711,415 in federal grant funding to the Kaufman County Courthouse for the hiring of prosecutors to investigate and combat fraud, drug and human trafficking, and other crimes committed by illegal aliens. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program and was made possible by Sen. Cornyn’s Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (BIDEN) Program. The BIDEN Program was authorized through a provision led by Sen. Cornyn as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which also included a total of $13.5 billion in funding to reimburse states like Texas for stepping up during the Biden administration to try and secure the border.

“Texas taxpayers deserve to be made whole for the costs incurred while protecting and defending the southern border when Joe Biden abdicated his federal responsibility and failed to do so,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m glad to see the DOJ award Kaufman County this funding that was made possible through the BIDEN Program I created, which will help law enforcement prosecute criminal illegal aliens who never should have been allowed in our country in the first place.”

Background:

Senator Cornyn has led the fight in Washington to secure federal reimbursement for Texas and eligible states by:

Swiftly backing Governor Abbott’s request for Texas to be reimbursed for the taxpayer dollars spent on Operation Lone Star;

Calling attention to the ongoing reimbursement effort on the Senate floor;

Meeting with Governor Abbott and members of the Texas congressional delegation to discuss the legislative strategy for the reimbursement push;

Holding ongoing meetings and phone calls with Governor Abbott, Senate and House leadership, and congressional colleagues regarding the effort;

Leading legislation in the Senate to set aside $13.5 billion in funds to reimburse states for costs they were forced to incur to secure the border as a result of the Biden administration’s disastrous immigration policies;

And leading a letter with members of the Texas congressional delegation to the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) urging them to prioritize the release of funds set aside in the One Big Beautiful Bill to reimburse the State of Texas for the more than $11 billion spent on border security efforts.",1,2026-08-15T05:23:20Z,2026-08-15T05:24:50Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-kendall-county-to-receive-nearly-1m-to-prosecute-crimes-committed-by-illegal-aliens/,Cornyn: Kendall County to Receive Nearly $1M to Prosecute Crimes Committed by Illegal Aliens,2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $915,961 in federal grant funding to Kendall County for the hiring of prosecutors to investigate and combat fraud, drug and human trafficking, and other crimes committed by illegal aliens. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program Round 3 and was made possible by Sen. Cornyn’s Bridging Immigration-related Deficits Experienced Nationwide (BIDEN) Program. The BIDEN Program was authorized through a provision led by Sen. Cornyn as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which also included a total of $13.5 billion in funding to reimburse states like Texas for stepping up during the Biden administration to try and secure the border.

“Texas taxpayers deserve to be made whole for the costs incurred while protecting and defending the southern border when Joe Biden abdicated his federal responsibility and failed to do so,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m glad to see the DOJ award Kendall County this funding that was made possible through the BIDEN Program I created, which will help law enforcement prosecute criminal illegal aliens who never should have been allowed in our country in the first place.”

Background:

Senator Cornyn has led the fight in Washington to secure federal reimbursement for Texas and eligible states by:

Swiftly backing Governor Abbott’s request for Texas to be reimbursed for the taxpayer dollars spent on Operation Lone Star;

Calling attention to the ongoing reimbursement effort on the Senate floor;

Meeting with Governor Abbott and members of the Texas congressional delegation to discuss the legislative strategy for the reimbursement push;

Holding ongoing meetings and phone calls with Governor Abbott, Senate and House leadership, and congressional colleagues regarding the effort;

Leading legislation in the Senate to set aside $13.5 billion in funds to reimburse states for costs they were forced to incur to secure the border as a result of the Biden administration’s disastrous immigration policies;

And leading a letter with members of the Texas congressional delegation to the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Homeland Security (DHS) urging them to prioritize the release of funds set aside in the One Big Beautiful Bill to reimburse the State of Texas for the more than $11 billion spent on border security efforts.",1,2026-08-15T05:23:20Z,2026-08-15T05:24:50Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-grassley-file-amicus-brief-defending-states-right-to-counter-mass-illegal-immigration,"Sens. Cruz, Grassley File Amicus Brief Defending States’ Right to Counter Mass Illegal Immigration",2026-08-14,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, filed an amicus brief supporting Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird’s defense of the state’s illegal reentry law. The brief urges the Court to take up the case and protect states’ ability to help enforce federal immigration laws. Texas is on the front lines of this battle and has established state penalties for illegal entry and presence through S.B. 4.

Excerpts from the amicus brief are below, and the full text of the brief can be viewed here.

“The flood of mass illegal immigration into our country created a national emergency and states like Iowa bore the brunt of the problems. Iowa tried to protect its residents and help the federal government enforce our immigration laws by enacting a complementary statute. This response is not only lawful but also commendable.

“Courts across the country have been continuing Arizona’s mistakes, leading to a one-way ratchet of absurd results. State laws that complement and advance federal law are routinely preempted. In these cases, courts seem to adopt such an expansive definition of “conflict” that it even envelopes its own antonym. But when states pass laws that are intended to, and do in fact, obstruct federal enforcement, courts have changed their tune.

“The narrower point is that overlap is not itself conflict, and the possibility of conflict in some applications does not establish that every application of every provision is an obstacle.

“The decision below is wrong, not just for case-specific errors, but for a categorically incorrect legal understanding of facial challenges and conflict preemption—both inherited from Arizona. The question is recurring, outcome-determinative, and presently disables a state enactment addressing an important issue. This Court should grant certiorari and revisit Arizona.”",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cosponsors-bill-to-reform-the-permitting-process-unleash-american-energy/,"Cornyn Cosponsors Bill to Reform the Permitting Process, Unleash American Energy",2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) cosponsored the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, legislation from Senator Alan Armstrong (R-OK) that would streamline the federal permitting process to support domestic energy and mineral infrastructure projects:

“As energy use rises, we must remove unnecessary barriers holding us back from building reliable infrastructure that can keep up with demand,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am proud to join Senator Armstrong as a cosponsor of the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act, which would help streamline the process for federal permitting and construction and allow Texas to continue fueling the nation.”

Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), David McCormick (R-PA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Roger Marshall (R-KS), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jon Husted (R-OH), Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Katie Britt (R-AL), and James Lankford (R-OK) are also cosponsors of the legislation.

Background:

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to coordinate and conduct a review of an energy infrastructure project’s environmental effects and publish a detailed description known as an environmental impact statement and environmental assessments before issuing a permit to construct the project. However, the process is increasingly bogged down by unnecessary litigation and plaintiffs alleging that agencies are failing to properly prepare NEPA documentation, accurately assess an energy project’s environmental impact, or sufficiently evaluate relevant information. Lawsuits challenging a federal agency’s NEPA review can delay a critical energy infrastructure project for years. Appeals often further delay the timeline by a minimum of four years, which can cause developers to waste funds and abandon the project. As a result of the litigation hurdles and permitting delays, more than 4,000 miles of pipeline projects to expand capacity and support energy demand are on hold.

The American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act would:

Strengthen the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) role as the lead agency for interstate natural gas pipelines and liquified natural gas (LNG) facilities, ensuring that no single state can unilaterally block federally authorized projects and reduce delays caused by duplicative or overlapping reviews;

Ensure consistent evidence-based environmental decision-making and include targeted reforms to the Clean Water Act 401 review process for all types of infrastructure;

Provide certainty with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) general permits and nationwide permits by eliminating duplicative review, extending permit terms, and incorporating meaningful judicial reforms to avoid baseless lawsuits;

Provide statutory clarification necessary to re-enable essential mining activities on federal lands;

And clarify NEPA by codifying a targeted scope of review, preventing overly expansive environmental analyses, reaffirming the statute’s procedural nature, and establishing meaningful judicial review standards to ensure NEPA cannot be misused to stall critical infrastructure projects.

This legislation is endorsed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), American Exploration & Production Council (AXPC), Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), GPA Midstream Association, Liquid Energy Pipeline Association (LEPA), ClearPath Action, American Public Power Association (APPA), National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), America First Policy Institute, Pipe Line Contractors Association (PLCA), Energy Infrastructure Council, American Gas Association (AGA), National Hydropower Association (NHA), Woodside Energy, National Mining Association (NMA), American Council for Capital Formation (ACCF), NextEra Energy, ONE Gas, EQT Corporation, ACORE, Center for LNG (CLNG), Shell, United Association of Journeymen, TC Energy, Texas Pipeline Association, and Natural Gas Supply Association (NGSA).",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-sends-letter-to-dhs-outlining-stakeholders-concerns-on-big-bend-park-border-barriers/,Cornyn Sends Letter to DHS Outlining Stakeholders’ Concerns on Big Bend Park Border Barriers,2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin outlining Texas stakeholders’ concerns on federal plans to construct physical border barriers in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. In the letter, Sen. Cornyn urges DHS to meet with these Texans directly to discuss their concerns before any additional construction activity occurs at the parks. Excerpts from the letter are below, and the full text of letter can be viewed here.

The Senator wrote: “Texas has always worked cooperatively with the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS” or “Department”) on border security, and we fully support strong border security measures to stop the flow of illegal aliens, drugs, and potential terrorists into the United States.”

“Recently a bipartisan group of Texas border sheriffs and county judges, private landowners, and the Big Bend Park advocates have raised significant concerns about DHS’ proposed construction of border barriers in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. My constituents believe that the 1,000-foot riverbank cliffs and remote Big Bend terrain offers its own source of deterrence for any illegal migrants crossing into the United States. The dangerous terrain includes steep mountains, deep canyons, and expansive deserts which they believe act a natural barrier that limits large-scale movements.”

“Many residents that live and work around the parks are also concerned that a physical wall, which would be accompanied by lighting systems, access roads, and maintenance corridors, would (1) ruin the beauty, landscape, and wildlife of the park, (2) threaten culturally significant Native American sites, (3) disrupt wildlife migration, (4) limit access to the Rio Grande River, and (5) significantly harm the local economy as tourism is a major economic driver for the region,” he continued.

“The requests from local officials and community leaders for coordination and communication appear very reasonable to me and I would ask that you or your designees meet with Texas stakeholders directly to discuss their concerns before proceeding with any additional construction of physical barriers in Big Bend National Park or Big Bend Ranch State Park,” he concluded.",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-lee-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-restructure-ninth-circuit-court-of-appeals,"Sens. Cruz, Lee, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Restructure Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals",2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, Mike Lee (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act. This legislation restructures the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals to more accurately reflect modern population and geographic realities.

Sen. Cruz said, “The Ninth Circuit has become dominated by judges who place their personal beliefs ahead of their constitutional duty, while the circuit itself has been weighed down by its unwieldy size, all of which has undermined the fair and efficient administration of justice for millions of Americans. I’m proud to join Sen. Lee in this effort to ensure that the federal courts faithfully uphold the Constitution.”

Sen. Lee said, “Congress is entrusted with the authority to ‘ordain and establish’ inferior federal courts. For too long, we have failed to modernize our western circuit courts, despite the Ninth Circuit’s comparatively immense size – both in terms of geography and population. Congress needs to prioritize the efficiency of the federal judiciary to ensure a more balanced, predictable, and effective appellate system. I hope that this new proposal can serve as the basis for future bipartisan discussions.”

Sen. Crapo said, “The Ninth Circuit’s disproportionate caseload and vast geographic reach have contributed to an overburdened and inefficient judiciary. Reorganizing the circuit would help reduce these pressures, improve the timely administration of justice and better align Idaho with a court that reflects the needs of our state and region.”

Sen. Daines said, “Our judicial system was designed to be deliberative but not completely obstructive. The 9th Circuit Court faces a significant backlog that hinders the administration of justice throughout the West. Montanans deserve better. I’m proud to work with Senator Lee on this bill to better organize the western circuit courts and ensure timely justice for all.”

Sen. Risch said, “Idahoans have endured a Ninth Circuit dominated by California’s values for far too long. The Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act would restructure the Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits to create a more efficient judicial system that better reflects Idaho’s values and interests.”

Sen. Sheehy said, ""The immense size of the Ninth Circuit has created unnecessary delays, inconsistent decisions, and a court that is increasingly disconnected from the communities it serves. Montanans deserve a responsive and predictable federal appellate court that can better address the unique challenges facing the West. This commonsense legislation reforms our federal judiciary by creating circuits that are more manageable and better able to deliver timely, consistent justice – ensuring every American has access to a fair and effective appellate process.""

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

The Ninth Circuit is the largest federal appellate circuit in the U.S. by both population and geographic area. Created during the era of Westward Expansion, the Ninth Circuit has experienced significant population growth in recent decades. The Ninth Circuit comprises 29 judgeships, nearly 20% of the U.S. population, and 40% of the U.S. landmass. Comparatively, the Eighth and Tenth Circuits have only 11 and 12 judgeships, respectively, and cover approximately 5.5-6.5% of the U.S. population.

The Ninth Circuit’s unique en banc structure has also created inconsistency in its decision-making processes. Currently, when a panel decision is appealed to the full Ninth Circuit, only 11 of the 29 judges speak for the entire court, which causes potentially inconsistent and contradictory case outcomes. Litigants and their lawyers are thus faced with a justice system that is unwieldy and unpredictable.",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-resolution-recognizing-national-community-health-center-week-passes-senate/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Resolution Recognizing National Community Health Center Week Passes Senate",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – On Saturday, the Senate resolution introduced by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jim Justice (R-WV), Peter Welch (D-VT), James Lankford (R-OK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Shelley Capito (R-WV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) designating Aug. 2-8, 2026, as National Community Health Center Week passed the Senate unanimously. Text is below, and you can view the full resolution here.

“Whereas, for over 60 years, community health centers have provided access to high-quality, affordable, comprehensive, preventive care for individuals in the United States, having a positive impact on the health system of the United States;

Whereas, as the largest primary care network in the United States, over 1,500 community health centers provide high quality care for up to 52,000,000 individuals in 17,000 communities, such that 1 in 7 individuals across the United States and 1 in 3 in rural areas rely on community health centers;

Whereas community health centers are an important element of the health system of the United States, serving rural, suburban, island, frontier, and urban communities, often as the only accessible and dependable source of primary care;

Whereas community health centers are responding to the growing burden of chronic disease by expanding access to nutrition services and lifestyle counseling, reducing expensive emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and keeping the people of the United States healthy;

Whereas community health centers integrate a wide range of services into primary care, such as mental health, dental, vision, hearing, and pharmacy services, creating a one-stop shop for all health-related needs;

Whereas community health centers are uniquely governed by patient-majority boards, ensuring communities are fully engaged in the strategy of community health centers for improving care access and quality;

Whereas community health centers are locally operated nonprofit organizations that empower local economies by generating nearly $262,000,000,000 in economic activity across the United States;

Whereas community health centers nationally support 809,000 jobs, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, counselors, dentists, pharmacists, and community health workers on multidisciplinary teams;

Whereas the community health center model of care is effective at overcoming barriers to access, improving health outcomes, and saving taxpayer dollars;

Whereas, in 2025, community health centers provided cancer screening to nearly 11,000,000 patients and helped more than 4,000,000 patients control their hypertension and nearly 2,500,000 patients control their diabetes;

Whereas community health centers are on the front lines of addressing opioid overdoses, responding to health care needs arising from natural disasters, expanding access to care for our veterans, and operating nearly 4,600 school-based sites and over 1,300 mobile units to reach people living in rural and remote areas; and

Whereas National Community Health Center Week offers the opportunity to recognize the contributions of every community health center: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) honors the dedicated staff, board members, patients, and all those responsible for the continued success of community health centers since the first centers opened their doors 6 decades ago;

(2) celebrates the legacy of community health centers and their vital role in shaping the past, present, and future of the health system of the United States;

(3) supports the designation of the first week of August 2026, as “National Community Health Center Week”; and

(4) encourages all people of the United States to participate in National Community Health Center Week by visiting their local community health center and celebrating the important partnership between community health centers and the communities they serve.”",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-gillibrand-lead-senate-passage-of-the-john-barnes-act-to-strengthen-benefits-for-public-safety-officers,"Sens. Cruz, Gillibrand Lead Senate Passage of the John Barnes Act to Strengthen Benefits for Public Safety Officers",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) issued statements following the Senate’s passage of the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026. This bipartisan bill speeds up benefit determinations for public safety officers by amending the existing Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program.

Sen. Cruz said, “The Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program was created to ensure that our first responders receive the benefits they deserve and need. We owe it to our first responders and their families to ensure they receive timely and fair support, and I am grateful to have worked with Senator Gillibrand to advance this bill through the Senate. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this legislation without delay.”

Sen. Gillibrand said, “This is a major win for our public safety officers, who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. Today, we are one step closer to fixing a slow and broken process that keeps first responders and their families in limbo for years on end, including those who risked and lost their lives on 9/11. It is time to bring them the relief they deserve. I am proud that the Senate has passed this bill, and I now urge the House to do the same.”

Click here to read more about the bill.

BACKGROUND

The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 would:",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-lee-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-close-immigration-loopholes-exploited-by-human-traffickers,"Sens. Cruz, Lee, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Close Immigration Loopholes Exploited by Human Traffickers",2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) introduced the Stopping Border Surges Act. This legislation closes loopholes in the immigration system that enable child trafficking and incentivize fraudulent asylum claims.

Sen. Cruz said, “Under President Trump, we have seen a 99% drop in border crossings through enforcement and other measures. Nevertheless, statutory loopholes remain that directly endanger children while more broadly undermining border security and American national security. Congress should close such loopholes permanently, and I am proud to join Senator Lee in introducing this legislation.”

Sen. Lee said, “Child traffickers have smuggled abused children across our border thanks to the Biden administration’s policies that made it easier for them to cross by claiming to have a child. On top of that, many of these kids were released into their kidnappers’ arms. This is not merciful; it’s a Democrat-concocted system that favored traffickers. All the while, these coyotes were claiming to seek asylum, passing multiple safe countries on their way here without stopping. The Stopping Border Surges Act will disincentivize asylum fraud and give President Trump’s border team the tools they need to protect exploited kids.”

Sen. Banks said, “Loopholes in our immigration laws have encouraged illegal crossing, fueled asylum fraud, and put vulnerable children at risk. The Stopping Border Surges Act closes those loopholes, strengthens enforcement, and restores integrity to our immigration system.”

Sen. Britt said, “Illegal border crossings not only endanger Americans; they also incentivize the abuse and trafficking of migrant women and children. Now is the time to pass the Stopping Border Surges Act to permanently close these loopholes that embolden criminals and bad actors. I will always fight to keep American families and communities safe.”

Sen. Cotton said, “Joe Biden’s reckless open border policies allowed illegal aliens to exploit our immigration system. Our bill would close loopholes that incentivize illegal border crossings, endanger children and families, and undermine our asylum system.”

Sen. Scott said, “America saw what open borders and mass amnesty looked like for four miserable years. Democrat policies failed Laken Riley, Sheridan Gorman, Jocelyn Nungaray, and countless other Americans. We can never let a future president do that to us again – or worse. We know what the radical left socialists want: look at Spain and across Europe and look at what happened to our border under Biden. For the sake of our country, Congress must codify President Trump’s border agenda and close every possible loophole in America’s immigration system before it’s too late. We cannot go back.”

Sen. Tuberville said, “Thankfully, President Trump has locked down our borders after Joe Biden let millions of illegals invade our country. But unfortunately, we still have loopholes that are incentivizing illegals to make the dangerous journey to come here. Proud to join Sen. Mike Lee in introducing legislation to make sure we are not actively encouraging illegal immigration.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

The Stopping Border Surges Act will eliminate the expansion of the Flores Settlement Agreement by allowing alien children accompanied by parents to be held with that parent for the duration of the parent’s adjudication. This would end the incentive for non-parents to claim an unknown child as their own. It also removes any incentive for parents to bring children with them on the hazardous journey to the U.S. Border.

The United States currently returns unaccompanied children from Mexico and Canada quickly and safely. Children from other countries, however, are placed in a lengthy removal process. They are released into the United States to the same adults who smuggled them into the country. Consequently, the policy incentivizes the enlistment of couriers to smuggle children across the border. This legislation ends this incentive by extending the same seamless process available to children from Mexico and Canada.",1,2026-08-19T05:29:02Z,2026-08-19T05:30:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-votes-to-confirm-todd-blanche-for-attorney-general/,Cornyn Votes to Confirm Todd Blanche for Attorney General,2026-08-08,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after Todd Blanche was confirmed as Attorney General of the United States:

“Todd Blanche is well-qualified to be Attorney General of the United States and balance the competing demands of being a member of the President’s Cabinet and the nation’s chief law enforcement officer. I’m glad we will have a Senate-confirmed individual in this role,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I was proud to vote to confirm Mr. Blanche, and I look forward to seeing him lend President Trump wise counsel and exercise good judgment when faced with tough decisions for the good of the American people.”

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Cornyn voted earlier this week to advance the nomination of Todd Blanche to be U.S. Attorney General to the Senate floor following his announcement with Sen. Tillis on a successful negotiation of a legally enforceable document clarifying the anti-weaponization fund and the IRS audit release included in the Settlement Agreement signed by then-Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche last spring.",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cloud-introduce-bill-to-protect-army-depots-from-financial-harms-caused-by-cancelled-government-projects/,"Cornyn, Cloud Introduce Bill to Protect Army Depots from Financial Harms Caused by Cancelled Government Projects",2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) today introduced the Defense Expenditure Planning for Optimizing Throughput and Sustainment (DEPOTS) Act, which would help protect Army depots and their workforce from incurring burdensome financial loss as a result of cancelled government work:

“Texas’ two extraordinary Organic Industrial Base sites, the Corpus Christi and Red River Army Depots, make immeasurable, ongoing contributions to our nation’s defense readiness, from remanufacturing and sustaining rotary-wing aircraft to remanufacturing and overhauling tactical wheeled vehicles,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Army depots are a critical part of revitalizing our defense industrial base, and we must provide budgetary flexibility so they are not hampered by financial losses from cancelled government work. I’m proud to introduce the DEPOTS Act, which would allow the Department of War to provide surpluses to depots whose labor rates have been negatively impacted by government-directed mission changes.”

“The DEPOTS Act is a common sense fix for a real problem. Depots shouldn’t be left holding debt for Pentagon-initiated mission changes,” said Rep. Cloud. “Corpus Christi Army Depot does critical work keeping our service members’ aircraft safe and reliable, and this practical reform makes sure they can fulfill their duty to keep the Army flying.”

Background:

The DEPOTS Act aims to protect the workforce and labor rates of a depot or arsenal that incurs debt because of cancelled, planned government work. These financial losses are not the fault of the depot, and the legislation would help ensure these depots remain competitive and good stewards of American taxpayer dollars.

This provision would provide the Department of War and the component services additional flexibility to use surpluses to write off internal debt affecting depots or arsenals. The legislation requires that all revolving fund cash outlays be recovered. It is included as Section 327 of the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act for FY27 (S. 4784).

OIB sites provide critical capabilities for materiel and sustainment support for the U.S. military. These specialized installations maintain readiness of the most crucial platforms and serve as experts for modernization and repair of military equipment. These sites are also key employers of American talent. Corpus Christi and Red River Army Depots are together comprised of thousands of skilled artisans, engineers, and laborers that do critical work at the U.S. Army’s Rotary-Wing Center of Excellence and the U.S. Army’s Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Tactical Wheeled Vehicles.",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-bill-to-sanction-russia-honor-senator-grahams-legacy-passes-senate/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Sanction Russia, Honor Senator Graham’s Legacy Passes Senate",2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after bipartisan legislation he cosponsored to hold major purchasers of Russian crude oil and natural gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine passed the Senate. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act was made possible by an agreement negotiated by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and the White House prior to Sen. Graham’s passing:

“Senator Graham was unyielding in his support for the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their sovereignty, and I can think of few ways more fitting to honor him than by finishing what he started and imposing strict sanctions on the bad actors who have supported Russia’s war against Ukraine,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to join with my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation, which will honor Lindsey’s legacy, help dismantle Putin’s war machine, and strengthen U.S. national security.”

The legislation is being led by U.S. Senators Darline Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and is cosponsored by more than 60 Senators.

Background:

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russian officials and other actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, and Russian banks and financial institutions, as well as the Shadow Fleet that Russia assembled to evade sanctions. The legislation also directs the President to impose tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy the largest volume of Russian crude oil or natural gas and enable Russian sanctions evasion. The bill limits these tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and the five largest facilitators of Russia’s sanctions evasion.

Senator Lindsey Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the effort and secured an agreement with the White House before his death.",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-introduce-resolution-recognizing-national-community-health-center-week/,"Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Recognizing National Community Health Center Week",2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jim Justice (R-WV), Peter Welch (D-VT), James Lankford (R-OK), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Shelley Capito (R-WV), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced a Senate resolution designating Aug. 2-8, 2026, as National Community Health Center Week, celebrating the important partnership between community health centers and the communities they serve. Text is below, and you can view the full resolution here.

“Whereas, for over 60 years, community health centers have provided access to high-quality, affordable, comprehensive, preventive care for individuals in the United States, having a positive impact on the health system of the United States;

Whereas, as the largest primary care network in the United States, over 1,500 community health centers provide high quality care for up to 52,000,000 individuals in 17,000 communities, such that 1 in 7 individuals across the United States and 1 in 3 in rural areas rely on community health centers;

Whereas community health centers are an important element of the health system of the United States, serving rural, suburban, island, frontier, and urban communities, often as the only accessible and dependable source of primary care;

Whereas community health centers are responding to the growing burden of chronic disease by expanding access to nutrition services and lifestyle counseling, reducing expensive emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and keeping the people of the United States healthy;

Whereas community health centers integrate a wide range of services into primary care, such as mental health, dental, vision, hearing, and pharmacy services, creating a one-stop shop for all health-related needs;

Whereas community health centers are uniquely governed by patient-majority boards, ensuring communities are fully engaged in the strategy of community health centers for improving care access and quality;

Whereas community health centers are locally operated nonprofit organizations that empower local economies by generating nearly $262,000,000,000 in economic activity across the United States;

Whereas community health centers nationally support 809,000 jobs, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, counselors, dentists, pharmacists, and community health workers on multidisciplinary teams;

Whereas the community health center model of care is effective at overcoming barriers to access, improving health outcomes, and saving taxpayer dollars;

Whereas, in 2025, community health centers provided cancer screening to nearly 11,000,000 patients and helped more than 4,000,000 patients control their hypertension and nearly 2,500,000 patients control their diabetes;

Whereas community health centers are on the front lines of addressing opioid overdoses, responding to health care needs arising from natural disasters, expanding access to care for our veterans, and operating nearly 4,600 school-based sites and over 1,300 mobile units to reach people living in rural and remote areas; and

Whereas National Community Health Center Week offers the opportunity to recognize the contributions of every community health center: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) honors the dedicated staff, board members, patients, and all those responsible for the continued success of community health centers since the first centers opened their doors 6 decades ago;

(2) celebrates the legacy of community health centers and their vital role in shaping the past, present, and future of the health system of the United States;

(3) supports the designation of the first week of August 2026, as “National Community Health Center Week”; and

(4) encourages all people of the United States to participate in National Community Health Center Week by visiting their local community health center and celebrating the important partnership between community health centers and the communities they serve.”",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-fetterman-cloud-gonzalez-introduce-bill-to-improve-transparency-in-funding-for-depots/,"Cornyn, Fetterman, Cloud, Gonzalez Introduce Bill to Improve Transparency in Funding for Depots",2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Representatives Michael Cloud (TX-27) and Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) introduced the Depot Data Transparency Act, which would amend U.S. military reporting requirements to increase transparency of depot-level maintenance funds going to Organic Industrial Base sites:

“A balanced allocation of maintenance funding is essential to ensuring the Department of War can sustain the Organic Industrial Base, preserve critical repair and remanufacturing capabilities, and serve as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By updating the 50-50 rule’s reporting requirements, this legislation would improve transparency into how depot-level maintenance funds are allocated and allow Congressional oversight at each depot.”

“Military depots like Tobyhanna and Letterkenny are the foundation of our military readiness, and the people there are some of the best technicians,” said Sen. Fetterman. “The Depot Data Transparency Act ensures efficient federal oversight of those military depots in Pennsylvania and across the country. This necessary change makes sure tax dollars are being allocated properly to support and maintain a crucial workforce.”

“This bill brings needed transparency to how depot maintenance work is distributed, ensuring facilities like Corpus Christi Army Depot get a fair individual look. Transparency like this strengthens our organic industrial bases and protects our national security,” said Rep. Cloud.

“Over the past decade, Corpus Christi Army Depot’s highly trained civilian workforce has dropped by thousands due to the Army’s increasing reliance on private companies for helicopter repair work. This is a federal issue hurting depots across the country and requires a federal solution; it starts with bringing greater transparency to the Army’s maintenance and overhaul schedule. Our bill builds on bipartisan language we secured in the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act, and would ensure we protect South Texas’s military competitiveness and the thousands of workers it employs,” said Rep. Gonzalez.

U.S. Representative Michael Cloud (TX-27) is leading companion legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of their version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2027.

Background:

The Depot Data Transparency Act would amend the reporting requirement for the “50-50 rule” (10 USC 2466) that necessitates each U.S. military service dedicate no less than 50% of all depot-level maintenance funds to work done by federal employees at Organic Industrial Base sites. The updated reporting requirement in the legislation would improve Congress’ visibility into the distribution of funds, including at the individual depot-level, to better support workload, improve military readiness, and maintain a trained workforce at these domestic industrial sites.",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-slotkin-introduce-bill-to-protect-americans-right-to-worship,"Sens. Cruz, Slotkin Introduce Bill to Protect Americans' Right to Worship",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced the Right to Worship Act. This legislation protects Americans' First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion by establishing a 100-foot protection zone that prohibits conduct disrupting scheduled religious services or impeding attendance.

Sen. Cruz said, “The First Amendment guarantees every American the right to freely exercise their faith, and Congress has a duty to ensure that guarantee is met. In recent years, we have seen organized acts of hate meant to disrupt and deny that right, which have been untenably defended as speech. That is why I am introducing the Right to Worship Act, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”

Sen. Slotkin said, “Attacks on synagogues, mosques, churches and other houses of worship are unfortunately on the rise in Michigan, and across the country. No one should ever fear going to their house of worship. Period. The Right to Worship Act prohibits disruptive conduct, within 100 feet of a religious institution, that’s used to threaten or impede access. I look forward to working with my colleagues on getting this important piece of bipartisan legislation passed.""

U.S. Reps. Brad Knott (R-N.C.-13) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.-3) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

This legislation is supported by the First Liberty Institute.

First Liberty Institute President & CEO Kelly Shackelford said, ""First Liberty commends Senator Cruz for introducing the Right to Worship Act. This important legislation will help to ensure that no American will forfeit their religious freedom because of threats, intimidation, or attempts to disrupt their place of worship. This legislation shouldn't be necessary, yet sadly it is. We are grateful to Senator Cruz for his leadership and his steadfast defense of religious liberty.""

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

The Right to Worship Act:",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-britt-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-strengthen-immigration-detention-laws,"Sens. Cruz, Britt, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Strengthen Immigration Detention Laws",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and colleagues in introducing the Keep Our Communities Safe Act. The legislation would close a legal loophole that currently requires immigration authorities to release back into the United States illegal aliens who have been detained for six months but have been rejected from other countries.

Sen. Cruz said, “Illegal aliens who commit serious crimes should never be released back onto American streets for any reason, let alone because their home countries refuse to allow them to return. This legislation would close loopholes in federal law that allow dangerous criminal illegal aliens to walk free in communities across Texas and the nation, and I am proud to join Senator Britt in introducing it.”

Sen. Britt said, “America is a nation of laws, and if you violate our laws and are subject to removal from the United States, you should remain in detention until the point of deportation. Zadvydas v. Davis created a legal loophole that forces the release of aliens into our communities after six months simply because no country has agreed to take them back. This bill would help to close that loophole once and for all.”

U.S. Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) joined in co-sponsoring the legislation.

Sen. Fischer said, “Our Southern Border is more secure than it’s been in decades, but we have an egregious legal loophole allowing the release of detained illegal immigrants into our country if no other country agrees to take them. For four years, the Biden administration willingly released millions of illegal immigrants into the United States, and Zadvydas v. Davis enables that practice regardless of who the president is. We need to get this fixed.”

Sen. Hyde-Smith said, “I am again supporting this commonsense legislation because closing this ‘catch and release’ loophole will ultimately keep dangerous illegals detained instead of being freed to put law-abiding Americans, law enforcement, and our communities at risk. It’s time to finally fix the current law that permits illegal aliens with criminal records to be released back into the United States after six months simply because no other country will accept them for deportation.”

Sen. Tuberville said, “Joe Biden and Kamala Harris allowed millions of illegals to INVADE our country—and now law-abiding Americans are paying the price. We need to do everything we can to deport every single one of these criminals. I’m proud to cosponsor the Keep Our Communities Safe Act to close a legal loophole and allow these illegals to be detained and sent home for good.”

Sen. Cotton said, “Violent illegal aliens are criminals who should be deported, not released from detention centers. Our bill will ensure illegal aliens stay in detention centers until their deportation date to keep Arkansans safe.”

Sen. Cramer said, “People who are in the United States illegally and have removal orders shouldn’t be released simply because their home country refuses to take them back. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what existing law allows. Our bill closes this loophole and lets immigration officials keep these individuals in custody until they can be deported.”

Sen. Marshall said, “The federal government’s first responsibility is protecting the American people. Criminal illegal aliens who have been ordered removed should never be released into our communities because of a court-created loophole. I’m proud to stand with Senator Britt to close this loophole once and for all, secure our communities, and put the interests of American citizens ahead of those who have broken our laws.”

Sen. Hoeven said, “The Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2026 will help ensure that dangerous illegal immigrants remain in custody while their immigration proceedings are pending, strengthening public safety, supporting law enforcement and helping keep North Dakota families and communities across the country safe.”",1,2026-08-18T05:27:41Z,2026-08-18T05:29:06Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-delivers-opening-remarks-on-muslim-brotherhood-threat,Sen. Cruz Delivers Opening Remarks on Muslim Brotherhood Threat,2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, chaired a hearing titled Hidden in Plain Sight: Confronting the Muslim Brotherhood Network in America. The hearing examined the Muslim Brotherhood’s efforts to seize influence inside American nonprofits, political organizations, universities, courts, taxpayer-funded programs, and other American institutions. Witnesses described the network as linking to additional organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Click here or on the image above to watch Sen. Cruz’s opening remarks.

Please see below for excerpts and highlights from Sen. Cruz’s opening remarks as delivered:

“This hearing is focused on Hidden in Plain Sight: Confronting the Muslim Brotherhood Network in America. The present members of this subcommittee will look at two questions: first, how the Muslim Brotherhood built its network in America, and second, what that network looks like today. History has taught Americans the danger of dismissing determined jihadist movements because their ambitions seem too extreme to be real.

“The Holy Land Foundation trial produced an extraordinary body of evidence: wiretaps, internal memos, organizational charts, meeting transcripts, laying bare the Brotherhood's sprawling American infrastructure. Most importantly, prosecutors identified what they alleged was a broader network of organizations operating within the United States. That list included the Islamic Society of North America, the North American Islamic Trust, and most notably, the Council on American Islamic Relations.

“The events we witnessed on college campuses after October 7 did not emerge from nowhere. They were not spontaneous. They were not organic. They were the product of an organized network that has spent decades building influence inside the United States. Just look at this dais. My Democrat colleagues have chosen not to participate. That's their right. But an oversight hearing that one of the two major parties refuses even to see is exactly the Outcome: These organizations that we're discussing have spent 40 years working to produce. My promise to the American people is to hold accountable those who finance and support terrorism on American soil, no matter how many tax exemptions, charitable registrations, or civil rights letterheads they hide behind.”",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/video-cornyn-votes-to-advance-blanche-nomination-for-attorney-general-in-judiciary-committee/,VIDEO: Cornyn Votes to Advance Blanche Nomination for Attorney General in Judiciary Committee,2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today in the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) delivered the following remarks before voting to advance the nomination of Todd Blanche to be U.S. Attorney General out of committee and to the Senate floor. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“I’ve been very clear, as others have, that in order to support Mr. Blanche’s nomination, I needed specific assurances in writing about a release signed by the Acting Attorney General last May.”

“While this may sound like nitpicking to some, it’s critically important, not only to me but to other members of the Senate.”

“This past Sunday, Senator Tillis and I came to an agreement after numerous meetings with the Department of Justice and Mr. Blanche on an agency-interpretative guidance document that reaffirms what Mr. Blanche said in his sworn testimony in front of the committee. This document will help limit the substance and scope of the audit protection to the defendants in the lawsuit, the IRS and the Treasury, and it limits the parties to the audit settlement to the plaintiffs – the people who brought the lawsuit – and no one else.”

“The DOJ has repeatedly said that this is their legal position and interpretation.”

“Given this agreement with Mr. Blanche, I expect the Department to live up to this in future litigation, and I will vote to advance him out of the committee today.”

“We need a stabilizing force at the Department of Justice, and Mr. Blanche deserves the opportunity to provide that.”

“President Trump needs someone in this role, as well, with a strong legal mind, but who also is close enough to him to give him confidential legal advice, to tell him hard truths.”

“I would advise Mr. Blanche not to be afraid to capitalize on that earned trust when necessary for the good of the country.”

“I’m glad we could address these issues here in committee so that this nomination can move forward.”",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-shaheen-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-supporting-free-and-fair-elections-in-venezuela,"Sens. Cruz, Shaheen, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Free and Fair Elections in Venezuela",2026-08-04,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution reaffirming America's support for free and fair elections in Venezuela. The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

Sen. Cruz said, “The people of Venezuela deserve free, fair, and transparent elections, and it is vital to the national security interests of the United States that those elections occur expeditiously. A legitimately elected government would create the foundation for freedom and prosperity in Venezuela and establish the basis for a deep and long-term partnership with the United States, including security, counternarcotics, and economic cooperation. This resolution reiterates that such elections require the release of all political prisoners, while any serious harm suffered by any individual seeking public office, including María Corina Machado, would delegitimize those elections and that the U.S. will presume that the Venezuelan government was complicit in that harm. The United States stands with the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.”

Sen. Shaheen said, “A credible democratic transition is only attainable when the Venezuelan people are free to decide Venezuela’s future, yet the Delcy Rodríguez regime has failed to take meaningful actions toward holding elections and restoring democratic order. As international bodies have affirmed time and again, the regime has not taken serious steps to dismantle the Maduro-Rodriguez repressive apparatus that has long terrorized the Venezuelan people. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution with my colleagues restating the United States’ demand for concrete progress toward elections in Venezuela. The authorities in Caracas must immediately and unconditionally release all remaining political prisoners and guarantee that all political actors, including María Corina Machado, can safely return and freely participate in political activity. Every day that passes without progress toward these key objectives represents a step back for the Venezuelan people and their broader struggle for a free, safe and democratic future.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND",1,2026-08-05T07:37:37Z,2026-08-05T07:38:44Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-praises-nsfs-25-million-investment-in-texas-am-for-materials-research-infrastructure/,Cornyn Praises NSF’s $25 Million Investment in Texas A&M for Materials Research Infrastructure,2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement praising the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) announcement of a $25,000,000 award to Texas A&M University to build a Materials Innovation Platform (MIP) facility, which will utilize robotics and AI to accelerate the research and development of materials that can withstand extreme conditions, including those essential for national security and energy dominance:

“Congratulations to Texas A&M on receiving a generous $25 million investment from the National Science Foundation to construct a Materials Innovation Platform that will help create new alloys for everything from military vehicles to nuclear reactors,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This award is yet another example of how there is no better place to innovate than the Lone Star State, and I look forward to seeing the advancements that this high-tech facility will help support.”

Background:",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-tillis-announce-agreement-with-blanche-on-anti-weaponization-fund-irs-settlement/,"Cornyn, Tillis Announce Agreement with Blanche on Anti-Weaponization Fund, IRS Settlement",2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) released the following statement announcing the successful negotiation of a legally enforceable document clarifying the anti-weaponization fund and the IRS audit release included in the Settlement Agreement signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche last May:

“From the outset, we were clear that we needed a written document addressing our concerns on the IRS audit agreement and the anti-weaponization fund that included constraining the scope of audit protection by limiting it to the parties of the Settlement Agreement and legally ending the anti-weaponization fund.”

“We are pleased that the Department of Justice has issued a formal order terminating the anti-weaponization fund. Additionally, the Department has acknowledged in a binding written order that the audit settlement is limited to the plaintiffs and the scope does not extend beyond the defendants in the lawsuit, the IRS and the Treasury, addressing concerns that multiple of our Republican colleagues share.”

“We want to express our gratitude to Mr. Blanche and his staff for working with us on this, and we look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon.”",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-leads-bill-to-restore-state-authority-over-insurance,Sen. Cruz Leads Bill to Restore State Authority Over Insurance,2026-08-03,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) reintroduced the Federal Insurance Office Abolishment Act. The legislation abolishes the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within the U.S. Department of the Treasury, returning sole regulatory authority over the insurance industry to the states.

Sen. Cruz said, “The Federal Insurance Office is a redundant, ever-expanding, unaccountable entity that infringes upon states’ authority to regulate the insurance industry. This legislation will rein in bureaucratic overreach by the federal government and empower state regulators to focus on what is best for consumers in their states.”

Sen. Lee said, “The Federal Insurance Office does not need to exist. It’s an Obama-era expansion of the federal bureaucracy created to intrude on states’ rights. Our bill will formally abolish this needless expense and return insurance regulation to the states, where it has always belonged.”

Sen. Blackburn said, “Insurance regulation has long been, and should remain, a responsibility of the states. The Federal Insurance Office Abolishment Act would eliminate unnecessary federal overreach, cut red tape, and return power to the states.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

In 1945, Congress passed the McCarran-Ferguson Act, solidifying states’ regulatory authority over the insurance industry. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) was created by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which granted the FIO specific financial stability, monitoring, and international responsibilities. However, these responsibilities duplicate functions within an industry that has long been regulated at the state level and traditionally overseen by state insurance regulators.

The Federal Insurance Office Abolishment Act would eliminate the FIO and restore primary regulatory authority over the insurance industry to the states.",1,2026-08-04T07:35:49Z,2026-08-04T07:37:27Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-lee-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-end-federal-funding-for-gender-transition-research-on-minors,"Sens. Cruz, Lee, Colleagues Introduce Bill to End Federal Funding for Gender Transition Research on Minors",2026-07-31,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) introduced the Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act. This legislation prohibits the use of federal funds for research or publications that promote dangerous, life-altering, and irreversible gender transitions for minors.

Sen. Cruz said, “The Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act takes the long-overdue step of prohibiting federal dollars from supporting procedures that involve dangerous, life-altering, and irreversible gender transition research on minors. I am proud to join Senator Lee in this effort, and I urge my colleagues to pass this commonsense legislation.”

Sen. Lee said, “Why is the federal bureaucracy in the child mutilation business? Americans don’t want to pay millions for these disturbing studies where hundreds of kids are experimented on with puberty-blocking drugs. President Trump rightly halted this attack on America’s kids. Our bill will codify his agenda to keep federal dollars out of gender transition research involving minors.”

Sen. Daines said, “It’s critical that taxpayer dollars are never used to experiment on our children. Gender-transition procedures are irreversible, potentially life-threatening, and a form of child abuse. I’m proud to co-sponsor this bill with Senator Lee to keep our children safe from harm.”

Sen. Lankford said, ""God creates every child male or female in His perfect image. For too long, taxpayers have been forced to fund sex-rejecting studies on kids. The result has been irreversible physical harm, mental health crises, and families torn apart. President Trump has led the effort to shut down these grants across the federal government, and Congress needs to make it permanent. This bill ensures that not one more taxpayer dollar funds research designed to harm children.""

Sen. Blackburn said, “Taxpayers should not be spending a penny on research done by those who want to push harmful gender transition surgeries and radical gender ideology on our kids. The Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act would prohibit the use of federal funds for any research or study on gender transition surgeries for minors.”

Sen. Lummis said, “For years, our tax dollars have funded research that experiments on children using treatments proven to cause irreversible harm. That ends today. Washington has no business bankrolling the radical left’s agenda and calling it medicine, especially when it's our kids on the receiving end. Children deserve to be protected from ideology, not used as subjects for it, and this bill will ensure that the federal government doesn’t fund such experimentation.""

Sen. Tuberville said, “Thousands of America’s children have fallen prey to the Radical Left’s woke gender ideology. American families have been lied to for far too long as we know these surgeries cause irreversible harm. Subjecting healthy, developing children to damaging and harmful procedures without a grave medical purpose is BEYOND SICKENING. Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to pay for these extreme and reckless practices, or any of the left-wing propaganda promoting them. This vile attack on our children ends now with President Trump and his team. I’m proud to join Senator Lee in this crucial bill to stop the abuse of America’s children and enforce the President’s pro-family agenda.”

This legislation is supported by Students for Life Action and the American Principles Project.

Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action President Kristan Hawkins said, ""Students for Life Action will always stand for children, born and preborn, protecting them from the harmful abortion industry and their new moneymaker, sterilizing drugs and surgeries. The abortion industry doesn't care what happens to children, as long as they never hold a child of their own. The Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act would protect children from this growing industry that is anti-child and anti-life. Students for Life Action stands with Senator Lee and the Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act.""

American Principles Project President Terry Schilling said, “The $4.5 billion Transgender Industrial Complex relies on pseudo-science to justify the sexual mutilation of children. Americans should never foot the bill for 'research' that permanently destroys kids' healthy bodies. The Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act provides commonsense protections to the family and to taxpayers. American Principles Project is proud to work with Sen. Lee on its passage.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

The Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act prohibits the use of federal funds for any research, observational study, or publication relating to gender transitions in individuals under the age of 18, which is conducted for the purpose of affirming a minor’s asserted identity or perception of his or her sex, if such is incongruent with the minor’s biological sex.",1,2026-08-01T07:27:26Z,2026-08-01T07:28:22Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-texas-am-university-to-receive-2m-to-bolster-cybersecurity-ai-training/,Cornyn: Texas A&M University to Receive $2M to Bolster Cybersecurity & AI Training,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today announced that Texas A&M University was awarded a federal grant of $1,997,970 to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity workforce development so professionals are equipped to protect critical infrastructure as instances of cyberattacks from foreign adversaries continue to increase. The funding comes through the U.S. National Science Foundation as part of the CyberAICorps Scholarship For Service (SFS) Program and was established by the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, amended by the National Defense Authorization Acts for 2018 and 2021, and expanded to include the AI workforce authority through the Cornyn-negotiated CHIPS and Science Act.

“We must take steps to defend against cyberattacks by training students with the AI and cybersecurity skills needed to protect our critical technology systems,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This grant will help Texas grow the ranks of cyber professionals by funding specialized training at universities across the nation, including at some of Texas’ top academic institutions. I was proud to help negotiate the CHIPS and Science Act, which made this award possible, and I look forward to seeing the advancements in AI and cybersecurity it will support.”

Background:

The grant funding will:",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-the-university-of-texas-at-dallas-to-receive-2m-to-bolster-cybersecurity-ai-training/,Cornyn: The University of Texas at Dallas to Receive $2M to Bolster Cybersecurity & AI Training,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today announced that The University of Texas at Dallas was awarded a federal grant of $1,999,998 to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity workforce development so professionals are equipped to protect critical infrastructure as instances of cyberattacks from foreign adversaries continue to increase. The funding comes through the U.S. National Science Foundation as part of the CyberAICorps Scholarship For Service (SFS) Program and was established by the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, amended by the National Defense Authorization Acts for 2018 and 2021, and expanded to include the AI workforce authority through the Cornyn-negotiated CHIPS and Science Act.

“We must take steps to defend against cyberattacks by training students with the AI and cybersecurity skills needed to protect our critical technology systems,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This grant will help Texas grow the ranks of cyber professionals by funding specialized training at universities across the nation, including at some of Texas’ top academic institutions. I was proud to help negotiate the CHIPS and Science Act, which made this award possible, and I look forward to seeing the advancements in AI and cybersecurity it will support.”

Background:

The grant funding will:",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-the-university-of-texas-at-el-paso-to-receive-2m-to-bolster-cybersecurity-ai-training/,Cornyn: The University of Texas at El Paso to Receive $2M to Bolster Cybersecurity & AI Training,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today announced that The University of Texas at El Paso was awarded a federal grant of $1,990,265 to bolster artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity workforce development so professionals are equipped to protect critical infrastructure as instances of cyberattacks from foreign adversaries continue to increase. The funding comes through the U.S. National Science Foundation as part of the CyberAICorps Scholarship For Service (SFS) Program and was established by the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014, amended by the National Defense Authorization Acts for 2018 and 2021, and expanded to include the AI workforce authority through the Cornyn-negotiated CHIPS and Science Act.

“We must take steps to defend against cyberattacks by training students with the AI and cybersecurity skills needed to protect our critical technology systems,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This grant will help Texas grow the ranks of cyber professionals by funding specialized training at universities across the nation, including at some of Texas’ top academic institutions. I was proud to help negotiate the CHIPS and Science Act, which made this award possible, and I look forward to seeing the advancements in AI and cybersecurity it will support.”

Background:

The grant funding will:",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-sends-letter-urging-region-specific-travel-advisory-for-somaliland,Sen. Cruz Sends Letter Urging Region-Specific Travel Advisory for Somaliland,2026-07-29,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the U.S. Department of State to establish a region-specific Travel Advisory that distinguishes Somaliland from Somalia.

Below are highlights and excerpts from the letter:

“The Department currently maintains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Somalia that applies equally to Somaliland. The Department’s website warns Americans not to travel to Somalia because of “crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, health, landmines, systematic mistreatment of women, systematic mistreatment of gay and lesbian individuals, piracy, abuse of residents in rehabilitation centers, and confiscation of passports by family members.” That assessment does not reflect the reality on the ground in Somaliland.

“Somaliland has functioned as a stable, self-governing, democratic nation for nearly three decades. Since 2003, it has held multiple peaceful, competitive elections and democratic transfers of power. Somaliland is also a reliable security and diplomatic partner for the United States that advance American interests in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

“The current advisory is inaccurate and counterproductive to U.S. national security interests. Americans deserve travel guidance that reflects the conditions on the ground, rather than a onesize-fits-all assessment that fails to distinguish Somaliland’s peaceful governance and security environment from conditions elsewhere in Somalia.

“I urge you to promptly direct Diplomatic Security to conduct a tiered assessment of Somalia and establish a separate, region-specific Travel Advisory for Somaliland. Doing so would provide Americans with more accurate travel guidance while supporting robust engagement with one of our most dependable partners in the Horn of Africa.”

Click here to read the full letter.

BACKGROUND:",1,2026-07-30T07:32:48Z,2026-07-30T07:34:08Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-files-amicus-brief-in-defense-of-religious-expression,Sen. Cruz Files Amicus Brief in Defense of Religious Expression,2026-07-29,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, filed an amicus brief in defense of the original meaning of the Establishment Clause in Cave v. Jester. The brief, now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, urges the court to reverse the ruling that ordered the removal of Arkansas’s Ten Commandments monument from the State Capitol grounds.

Excerpts from the amicus brief are below, and the full text of the brief can be viewed here.

“The district court ignored significant changes in Establishment Clause jurisprudence when it held that plaintiffs offended by a government display of the Ten Commandments have standing to challenge it, and that such a display violates the First Amendment. Standing for offended observers has never been embraced by the Supreme Court, and was instead squeezed by lower courts directly from Lemon, a decision that no longer has any import in this Court’s jurisprudence.

“The Constitution limits the judicial power to deciding “Cases” and “Controversies.”...“The law of Article III standing,” the Supreme Court has said, “is built on separation-of-powers principles, [and] serves to prevent the judicial process from being used to usurp the powers of the political branches.”

“Plaintiffs here cannot allege that the passive display of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the State Capitol forces them to participate in religious practices or attend church, just as Coach Kennedy’s personal prayer at the fifty-yard line did not force students to participate. Merely being offended by the display’s presence does not amount to coercion. And as the Supreme Court has now held, the “legally protected interest” the Establishment Clause protects against, and which therefore must underlie any claim of injury giving rise to standing, is religious coercion.”",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-leads-bipartisan-letter-urging-sanctions-on-chinas-illegal-unreported-and-unregulated-fishing-fleet,"Sen. Cruz Leads Bipartisan Letter Urging Sanctions on China’s Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Fleet",2026-07-24,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent outlining a strategy to counter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing conducted by China’s distant-water fleet. The letter identifies vulnerabilities in China’s IUU fishing fleet linked to its reliance on a relatively limited number of support vessels, calls for the imposition of sanctions on such vessels, and specifically identifies 29 currently unsanctioned vessels.

The letter is co-signed by U.S. Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).

Sen. Cruz said, “The Chinese Communist Party is using its global distant-water fleet to conduct ecocide across at least three continents in both hemispheres. They kill endangered species by the hundreds and sharks, whales, and dolphins by the thousands, and have destroyed tens of thousands of acres of coral reefs. Their fleet uses coerced laborers, who are subjected to physical abuse, malnutrition, overwork, and withheld pay. They could not conduct these activities without supply ships, including reefers, tankers, and floating bases. The U.S. should bolster our Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities to identify these vessels, and then we should use every available option to sanction and disrupt them.”

Sen. Sullivan said, “Chinese trawl fleets ravage fish stocks in every corner of the world’s oceans without regard for any other users or future generations. These fleets also engage in gross human rights abuses, including utilizing slave labor. I’ve led the fight against this cancer on our fisheries, authoring the Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvest (FISH) Act, which passed the Senate in March. Working with Senator Cruz and my colleagues, we’ve identified another powerful channel to target these evasive IUU fleets—by tightening the screws on the relatively few support vessels that enable Chinese IUU fleets to continue their abusive practices. We are urging Secretary Bessent to deploy the numerous Treasury Department tools and designations available to aggressively sanction these support vessels and dismantle the Chinese Communist Party’s hub-and-spoke IUU fishing scheme. Doing so will enhance the sustainability of our oceans and help support America’s and Alaska’s hard-working fishermen and our many coastal fishing communities.”

Sen. Kim said, “China’s dark fleets and forced labor threaten New Jersey’s fishing industries, our supply chains, and our national security. Without action, global ecosystems and economies will suffer irreversible harm. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort to use all of our tools to stop it.”

Sen. Cotton said, “Vessels that support and protect China’s illegal, unregulated fishing fleet threaten our maritime security and American’s livelihoods. We are encouraging Secretary Bessent to sanction these vessels.”

Sen. Coons said, “China’s illegal fishing fleet is destroying our oceans and making it harder for our allies to fish right off their own coasts, threatening whole communities’ livelihoods and ability to feed themselves. It also hurts American fishermen who are undercut by cheap, illegally harvested fish. This bipartisan letter calls on the administration to take action to protect our and our allies national and food security against China.”

Sen. Wicker said, “Illegal, unreported, and unregulated Chinese fishing vessels threaten the American maritime economy. It is a no-brainer that the United States should sanction these Chinese ships to protect our fishing industry.”

Sen. Young said, “China’s distant water fishing fleet continues to disrupt global and regional fishing economies. Through overfishing and illegal incursions into foreign waters, China seeks to undermine the global fishing industry until there is nothing left. The United States must take steps to combat these activities and promote American fishing practices, which remain the gold standard for sustainable fishing.”

Sen. Scott said, “The Chinese Communist Party is evil and barbaric. They are using slave labor and violating human rights on the high seas to prop up their regime, undermine America’s economy, and attack our way of life. America needs to do everything we can to end this practice, stop the oppression, and protect American workers at the same time. I will always stand up to Xi and the CCP—whether it’s cutting off these state-sponsored slave fishing fleets or blocking Chinese military companies from American markets—we need to start treating China like the enemy they are.”

Sen. Blackburn said, “The Chinese Communist Party is committing gross human rights abuses by using forced labor on its fleet of thousands of fishing vessels that engage in illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. We are urging Secretary Bessent to counter this malign activity by sanctioning the support vessels that enable this Chinese water fishing fleet so we can ensure we are not doing business with them.”",1,2026-07-25T07:13:44Z,2026-07-25T07:15:09Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-schatz-introduce-bipartisan-bill-to-help-students-learn-to-read,"Sens. Cruz, Schatz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help Students Learn to Read",2026-07-24,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) introduced the Improving America’s Literacy Act. This bipartisan legislation directs federal education funding toward instruction focused on teaching five essential pillars for literacy, based on the Science of Reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

Sen. Cruz said, “Decades of cognitive and educational research have established that instruction according to the Science of Reading is effective in teaching children literacy. However, federal dollars have continued to flow to schools and programs that use outdated pedagogical methods and fall short in teaching children to read, contributing to what has become a consistent and catastrophic decline in literacy levels across America. This bill will direct federal funding to evidence-based reading instruction. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Schatz, and I urge my colleagues to advance it.”

Sen. Schatz said, “In the midst of a national literacy crisis, states have shown that investing in phonics can help boost reading skills. Our bill will promote the use of phonics in schools across the country so kids can develop strong reading skills and be set up for future success.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

Literacy rates in America have significantly worsened in the last couple of years. This past September, the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading assessment levels of students in 2024 were released. In 2024, NAEP results show that “...33 percent of eighth graders are reading at a level that is ‘below basic’—meaning that they struggle to follow the order of events in a passage or to even summarize its main idea. That is the highest share of students unable to meaningfully read since 1992. Among fourth graders, 40 percent are below basic in reading, the highest share since 2000.” And for twelfth graders, the average reading score was three points lower than in 2019 and ten points lower than when the assessment was first administered in 1992. Only three states posted fourth grade reading scores that met or exceeded their 2019 performance: Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The driving force of targeted improvement has been the adoption of the “Science of Reading,” a framework of five key pillars: phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

The Improving America’s Literacy Act ensures Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grants cannot be used on the three-cueing model, directing those funds instead to evidence-based reading instruction grounded in the five key pillars of Science of Reading. Additionally, this legislation strengthens accountability for improvement in literacy outcomes by ensuring that the Director conducts research to identify and evaluate the improvement in student literacy outcomes at the State and local levels.",1,2026-07-25T07:13:44Z,2026-07-25T07:15:09Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-blumenthal-grassley-durbin-bill-to-lower-drug-costs-passes-senate-unanimously/,"Cornyn, Blumenthal, Grassley, Durbin Bill to Lower Drug Costs Passes Senate Unanimously",2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statements after their Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act, which would help lower drug prices by preventing bad actors in the pharmaceutical industry from deliberately abusing the patent system, passed the Senate unanimously:

“Texans ought to be able to access their treatments and medications without breaking the bank,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By putting an end to the anti-competitive practice of patent thicketing, this legislation would encourage innovation, ensure generics can enter the market, and prevent prescription costs from increasing, and I urge the House to swiftly send it to President Trump’s desk to become law.”

“For too long, pharmaceutical companies have been allowed to abuse the patent system, stifling innovation and driving up costs for consumers,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “This legislation cracks down on drug companies’ manipulative and exploitative practices, promoting competition and lowering prescription drug costs for patients.”

“The steep price of life-saving medication puts a major strain on Iowans,” said Sen. Grassley. “Our bipartisan bill will help reduce the cost of prescription drugs by ending the abusive practice of blocking generic and biosimilar drugs from entering the market. I want to thank my colleagues for their unanimous support of our legislation, and I’ll keep working to get this bill to the president’s desk.”

“Big Pharma often manipulates the patent system to maximize their profits while patients struggle to pay for their necessary medications. These practices stifle competition, delay innovation, and prevent Americans from accessing lower-cost drugs,” said Sen. Durbin. “I’m glad the Senate passed our Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act to ensure that we’re looking out for patients, not Big Pharma.”

Background:

Some pharmaceutical manufacturers have been deliberately abusing the patent system to prevent potential competitors from entering the marketplace using tactics like patent thickets, which slow the entry of lower-cost biosimilar products.

The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act puts an end to practices that prioritize profits for pharmaceutical companies ahead of Americans’ health. By stopping abuses of our patent system, this legislation will pave the way for biosimilars to compete with branded drugs and aggressively lower drug prices for consumers in the process.

Biosimilars are to biologics what generic drugs are to branded drugs. In 2010, Congress enacted a law designed to resolve any patent litigation quickly before a biosimilar is introduced to the market, creating a patent dispute resolution process known as the “patent dance.” Under current law, however, there are no limits on the number of patents that a branded manufacturer of biologics can assert during the patent dance – leading some companies to abuse a process designed to facilitate biosimilar entry, not hinder it.

This bill places a reasonable limit on the number of patents a manufacturer can assert when voluntarily participating in the patent dance, preventing a “patent thicket.” This will help deter branded manufacturers of biologics from gaming the system to increase the number of patents they assert, while preserving the incentives provided by the patent system to encourage the core innovation that produces new biologic treatments in the first place.",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cosponsors-the-prevent-government-shutdowns-act/,Cornyn Cosponsors the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today cosponsored the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026, which would mandate automatic 14-day appropriations at the same rate as the previous fiscal year to prevent the shutdown of government services and operations that lack appropriations while Congress negotiates a spending agreement for the new fiscal year. This bill would also place limitations on official travel for Members of Congress and restrictions on legislative floor procedure during the covered period of the auto-continuing resolution.

“One of Congress’ core duties is to fund the federal government, but in recent years, this responsibility has fallen by the wayside as Democrat leaders have tried to inject their radical agendas into the appropriations process,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am proud to cosponsor the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act, which would trigger automatic continuing resolutions in the event that Congress needs more time to work through a funding bill for the new fiscal year and help ensure needless and hurtful political charades like last year’s Schumer Shutdown come to an end.”

The legislation is being led by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH). Additional cosponsors include Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Kennedy (R-LA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).

Background:

In the last almost 50 years, Congress has only completed the full appropriations process on time as per the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 four times. Since Congress began setting deadlines to pass federal budgets in 1977, there have been 23 funding gaps. Thirteen of these gaps resulted in the furloughing of federal employees and the cessation of government services. The last full government shutdown lasted from October 1, 2025, to November 12, 2025, making it the longest complete shutdown in American history.

If enacted, this bill would limit official travel for Members of Congress, White House Office of Management and Budget staff, and congressional staff, prohibit congressional recesses or adjournments, and restrict the consideration of legislation unrelated to appropriations after the beginning of a fiscal year if one or more spending bills have not been signed into law. These restrictions could be waived by a two-thirds vote in either the Senate or House, but any waiver would be limited to no more than seven days.

The bill would still allow consideration of must-pass items, including:",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-secures-commitment-from-trump-admin-to-release-pepfar-funds/,Cornyn Secures Commitment from Trump Admin to Release PEPFAR Funds,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today voted to advance the nominations of Kari Lake to be Ambassador to Jamaica and Doug Mastriano to be Ambassador to Slovakia in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after the administration gave him assurances that the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) funding that has already been appropriated by Congress will be obligated and released in line with Congressional intent.

Sen. Cornyn successfully secured the following commitments from the Trump administration:

Spending plans for FY25 and FY26 PEPFAR funds, including a timeframe for future awards to faith-based organizations;

A guarantee that the more than $270M planned transfer from the U.S. State Department to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be completed;

And a confirmation that all unobligated PEPFAR funds expiring in September will be obligated as expeditiously as possible and include appropriate notification to Congress.

Background:",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/video-cornyn-urges-ambassador-greer-to-push-mexico-on-water-treaty-through-usmca-review-process/,VIDEO: Cornyn Urges Ambassador Greer to Push Mexico on Water Treaty Through USMCA Review Process,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today during the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing on President Donald J. Trump’s trade policy agenda with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) urged the Trump administration to push Mexico to comply with the 1944 Water Treaty through the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) joint review process. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

CORNYN: “On July the first, the U.S. formally declined to renew the USMCA during the joint review. Yet, as you know, it remains in effect essentially with an annual review process. But what are we to make of the administration’s decision to [decline] to renew the USMCA?”

GREER: “The options are, you can rubber stamp the agreement and renew it without further revisions, or you can enter into this period where we decline to renew and see if there are ways to improve the trading relationship, and so you should look at it in the latter way.”

“We want to make sure that any beneficial trade between our countries benefits our countries and not a third country like Vietnam or China.”

“Mexico has consistently not lived up to its obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty with the United States… Is there any way that the joint review process can reinforce those compliance and accountability for Mexico to help safeguard our farmers in South Texas?”

GREER: “It is clear, from President Trump’s perspective, that if we want to have a beneficial trading relationship with Mexico and have some kind of arrangement with them, they also need to be playing ball on this issue.”

“The President is going to have a hard time agreeing to renewal or even revisions, if Mexico isn’t playing ball in all areas, and the water treaty is one of them.”",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cruz-urge-president-trump-to-grant-major-disaster-declaration-to-33-texas-counties-impacted-by-severe-weather/,"Cornyn, Cruz Urge President Trump to Grant Major Disaster Declaration to 33 Texas Counties Impacted by Severe Weather",2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) today sent a letter of support for Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s major disaster declaration request to President Donald J. Trump that would provide necessary response and recovery resources to 33 counties in Texas that were affected by severe rainfall and flash flooding this month.

They wrote: “Beginning on July 12, 2026, multiple rounds of heavy rainfall produced severe flash flooding across the region, requiring sustained water rescue operations in Uvalde, Kerr, and surrounding counties. On July 14, 2026, Governor Abbott issued a state disaster declaration for 59 counties across the region and directed the continuation of emergency operations in support of affected communities.”

“…The Governor and local officials have determined that the severity and magnitude of this incident exceed the response and recovery capabilities of the state and affected local governments.”

“We strongly support the Governor’s request and urge you to approve a major disaster declaration authorizing Public Assistance, Categories A through G, and Direct Federal Assistance for the 33 counties included in the Emergency Declaration, along with statewide activation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program, and disaster-related tax relief through the Internal Revenue Service.”

The full letter can be found here and below.

July 21, 2026

President Donald J. Trump

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20500

Mr. President: Thank you for issuing a Federal Emergency Declaration for the 33 impacted counties in Texas and authorizing FEMA to provide emergency protective measures. The State of Texas, through the Office of the Governor, has made a formal request for a major disaster declaration as a result of the severe weather and flash flooding impacting South Central and Southwest Texas.

Beginning on July 12, 2026, multiple rounds of heavy rainfall produced severe flash flooding across the region, requiring sustained water rescue operations in Uvalde, Kerr, and surrounding counties. On July 14, 2026, Governor Abbott issued a state disaster declaration for 59 counties across the region and directed the continuation of emergency operations in support of affected communities. Preliminary assessments have identified thousands of flood-impacted structures, and statewide response and recovery costs are currently estimated at approximately $489.7 million.

The Governor and local officials have determined that the severity and magnitude of this incident exceed the response and recovery capabilities of the state and affected local governments. Many of the impacted communities are still recovering from the catastrophic July 2025 flooding, and several of the counties included in this request sustained damage in both events. The recurrence of major flooding before prior recovery efforts are complete has placed an extraordinary burden on these communities.

We strongly support the Governor’s request and urge you to approve a major disaster declaration authorizing Public Assistance, Categories A through G, and Direct Federal Assistance for the 33 counties included in the Emergency Declaration, along with statewide activation of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Program, and disaster-related tax relief through the Internal Revenue Service.

We stand ready to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other relevant agencies to ensure a swift evaluation of this request and the prompt deployment of the resources Texans need to recover. Thank you for your consideration and for your continued support of the State of Texas.

Sincerely,

/s/",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-questions-ag-nominee-blanche-on-anti-weaponization-fund-mail-order-abortion-drugs/,"Cornyn Questions AG Nominee Blanche on Anti-Weaponization Fund, Mail-Order Abortion Drugs",2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today during the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on the nomination of Todd Blanche to be U.S. Attorney General, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) questioned him on the Settlement Agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service, including the anti-weaponization fund and IRS audit immunity, and secured a commitment from Acting Attorney General Blanche to respond to his letter on the intentions of the administration to protect life and end the unlawful Biden-era policy that removed in-person dispensing requirements for the dangerous chemical abortion drug, mifepristone. Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.

On the Settlement Agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service (IRS):

CORNYN: “The Attorney General has the hardest job in Washington, D.C., because you are at the same time a member of the President’s Cabinet, subject to dismissal of whatever the President wants for any reason or no reason at all, but then you also have a duty as the chief law enforcement officer of the United States, and I think it’s a very, very difficult balance.”

“There’s so much that’s unusual about this.”

“Is the Settlement Agreement enforceable as a contract by the parties?”

BLANCHE: “Well, yes, it’s an enforceable document, so I suppose if President Trump’s counsel sought to enforce it, that they potentially could.”

CORNYN: “Including the weaponization fund?”

BLANCHE: “Well, they could try to enforce the contract. They can’t force the Department of Justice to move forward with the weaponization fund. They could potentially say that, I suppose, that we breached by not moving forward.”

CORNYN: “To be clear, the President of the United States, who was the plaintiff in this lawsuit, has not agreed in writing to delete the weaponization fund, and there’s no guarantee that he or one of the other plaintiffs might raise that issue by way of a breach of contract lawsuit in the future.”

…

CORNYN: “This purports to release lawfare or weaponization, and/or weaponization. Those aren’t legal terms of art, are they?”

BLANCHE: “I think they are just legal terms of art.”

CORNYN: “Have they defined in any case or any statute?”

BLANCHE: “Not that I’m aware of. No.”

CORNYN: “So, they’re not a legal term of art… we don’t know what that covers.”

On the Mail-Order Abortion Lawsuit, Louisiana v. FDA:

CORNYN: “President Biden’s administration changed the Trump policy and allowed the administration of this abortion chemical abortion drug without any medical guidance whatsoever, and as you know, I’ve written a letter. Senator Tillis and I sent a letter yesterday.”

“I would appreciate it if you would respond to this letter for the record about the intentions of the administration. If President Trump is the most pro-life President, this ought to be a pretty easy call because women are hurt as a result of side effects – heavy bleeding, prolonged potentially infection or sepsis, incomplete abortion, other complications – when this is being sold through the mail or through online prescription. Will you do that for me?”

BLANCHE: “Yes, Senator. I will.”",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-sanction-russia-honor-senator-grahams-legacy/,"Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Russia, Honor Senator Graham’s Legacy",2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined more than 60 of his Senate colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. This bill was made possible by an agreement negotiated by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and the White House prior to Sen. Graham’s passing:

“Senator Graham was unyielding in his support for the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their sovereignty, and I can think of few ways more fitting to honor him than by finishing what he started and imposing strict sanctions on the bad actors who have supported Russia’s war against Ukraine,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to join with my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation, which will honor Lindsey’s legacy, help dismantle Putin’s war machine, and strengthen U.S. national security.”

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is leading this legislation.

Background:

The Sanctioning Russia Act would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russian officials and other actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, and Russian banks and financial institutions, as well as the Shadow Fleet that Russia assembled to evade sanctions. The legislation also directs the President to impose tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy the largest volume of Russian oil or natural gas and enable Russian sanctions evasion. The new text limits these tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and the five largest facilitators of Russia’s sanctions evasion.

Senator Lindsey Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the effort and secured an agreement with the White House before his death.",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cotton-moolenaar-introduce-stop-prc-economic-espionage-act/,"Cornyn, Cotton, Moolenaar Introduce Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act",2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Chairman of the House Select Committee on China John Moolenaar (MI-02) introduced the Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act, which would amend current law to help ensure Chinese companies – which are inherently controlled by the Chinese Communist Party – and those committing economic espionage to their benefit are held accountable for their crimes:

“There are no ‘private’ companies in China because they are – by law and design – beholden to the Chinese Communist Party,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill is a commonsense fix to reflect that reality, account for the PRC’s state-sponsored efforts to cheat and steal their way ahead in emerging tech, AI, and defense, and enable our government to prosecute without the burden of proving the obvious.”

“Communist China treats every business as an arm of the state. Anyone stealing trade secrets to benefit a Chinese business does so for the benefit of their government,” said Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Cotton. “Our bill accepts that reality in law and would remove the requirement to show that a Chinese company is controlled by the Communist Chinese government.” “The Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act will update our nation’s espionage laws and make it harder for spies and intelligence assets to escape justice based on the technicality of what counts as a ‘foreign instrumentality.’ In China, everything is an instrument controlled by the state, there are no private companies. The CCP’s sweeping national security law empowers its strategy of military-civil fusion and the pursuit of its military ambitions across all industries,” said Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar.

Background:

Under the current economic espionage statute, one needs to intend or know the offense will benefit a foreign government or agent, or a “foreign instrumentality.” Foreign instrumentality is defined in the statute as “any agency, bureau, ministry, component, institution, association, or any legal, commercial, or business organization, corporation, firm, or entity that is substantially owned, controlled, sponsored, commanded, managed, or dominated by a foreign government.” Given the national security laws of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), any business organization there is effectively an arm of the state and U.S. law should reflect that reality.

The Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act would define any such organization that is based in a “covered country” – China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea – as a foreign instrumentality. The current standard for showing that an organization is “substantially” owned or controlled by the foreign government would apply to all other countries.",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-op-ed-closing-texas-gop-primary-would-be-a-costly-mistake-that-would-hurt-voters/,Cornyn Op-Ed: Closing Texas’ GOP Primary Would Be a Costly Mistake That Would Hurt Voters,2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman arguing that closing the Texas Republican primary would be a mistake for the party and our nation’s democratic republic and could risk silencing the voices of those who are disillusioned with the current government:

Closing Texas’ GOP primary would be a costly mistake that would hurt voters

Senator John Cornyn

Austin American-Statesman

July 16, 2026

https://www.statesman.com/opinion/columns/article/texas-gop-closed-primary-mistake-22345520.php

Texas is among a majority of states with open primaries where any eligible registered voter can vote in the primary election, regardless of their party affiliation.

Nevertheless, there has been a recent movement among some Texas Republicans to close our Republican primary to only those who register as a Republican. At best, this would be a mistake that has the potential to harm our party in the long run as we hamper our appeal by narrowing our coalition of voters. At worst, it would limit our voters’ ability to have their voices heard in primary elections and undermine the American system of self-government.

The right to vote is essential to our democratic republic: voting is one of the most fundamental ways ordinary citizens participate, and the mechanism by which the people consent to be governed. When Texans fail to exercise this right, as a large majority have done by not turning out to vote in this past spring’s elections, they are giving up the opportunity to have their voices heard and to influence the direction our state and country take. They are ceding to others to decide who should govern. For the party to close the primary, we would exacerbate an already worrying trend.

When fewer people participate in our elections, our very system of self-government is undermined. If only 7% of registered voters choose our nation’s leaders, as was the case in Texas’ recent U.S. Senate run-off election, our government becomes less like a democratic republic and more like an oligarchy, where the leaders are chosen by a select few. As our country continues to see increasingly low trust in government and low participation in elections, closing the primary elections would be a grave mistake, furthering these existing problems.

By closing the primary, we risk taking away the voices of those who are disillusioned with the current government. With 93% of registered voters sitting on the sidelines, we find ourselves in a vicious cycle. Low voter participation means that those nominated represent the views of the few. Then those who are not represented feel neglected and don’t feel the need to turn out and vote in the general election, because they don’t like the options on the table. Closing our primaries would take this trend a step further by actively cutting more Texans out of the electoral process.

The right to vote is one that our heroic fallen have literally bled and died to secure for us, but it is not one that Americans have always universally enjoyed. It was first available to only white male property owners, but slowly but surely expanded. In the 1800s, most states eliminated property requirements. In 1920, the franchise was extended to women by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, then to Native Americans with the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924. In 1964, artificial barriers like poll taxes were banned. Our nation had to endure a Civil War to guarantee equal rights to all citizens, including African Americans, culminating in the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965. But we didn’t stop there: the 26th Amendment in 1971 lowered the voting age to 18 years. Now, many in the United States take this foundational right for granted.

If we want to restore trust in the government, the answer is more participation from voters, not less. While closing the primary may seem like an easy and painless way to score political points with the most vocal in our party, it could result in costly legal battles only to ultimately be thrown out in the courts. Political parties are coalitions of people with different interests who come together over shared common goals to create a governing majority. They become stronger when more people participate. Our state is blessed with a wide diversity of people, with views that do not square neatly into a cookie-cutter mold. If we limit primaries to only those whose views are in lockstep with the party line, we will only diminish voter turnout and harm the Republican party’s ability to bring people into our tent.

While some contend that closing the primaries will ensure there is no foul play occurring from the other side of the aisle, that is a solution in search of a problem. There is no data to back up the idea that Democrats are voting in Republican primaries or runoffs in a meaningful way, but there is also little logic in that argument. Data does show that registered Democrats want to vote in their own primaries and are not willing to give that up in order to meddle in ours, and I’d argue that committed Republicans feel similarly.

For the parties to accurately reflect the views of the nearly 32 million people who call the Lone Star State home, we ought to give them as many choices as possible in elections, including primaries. The Republican Party can and must be a wide-tent party if it is to continue growing and last for generations. But closing the primary will be futile to that end.",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-praises-announcement-of-saronics-port-alpha-project-at-the-port-of-brownsville/,Cornyn Praises Announcement of Saronic’s Port Alpha Project at the Port of Brownsville,2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement in response to Governor Abbott’s announcement that Saronic is investing more than $3 billion to build the Port Alpha Project at the Port of Brownsville:

“As threats from foreign adversaries continue to grow, I’m glad that Saronic has made a historic national security investment in our state by expanding their Texas presence to the Port of Brownsville,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The Port Alpha Project will create up to 10,000 jobs in the Rio Grande Valley, strengthen our critical shipbuilding workforce, and grow the maritime industrial base along the Texas Gulf Coast. There is no better place to innovate than the Lone Star State, and I look forward to welcoming Saronic’s new facility to the Port soon.”",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-texas-to-receive-16m-to-improve-public-safety-reduce-recidivism/,"Cornyn: Texas to Receive $16M to Improve Public Safety, Reduce Recidivism",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $16,117,963 in federal grant funding to the Governor’s Public Safety Office to fight crime, protect communities across Texas, and reduce recidivism. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which Sen. Cornyn voted to fund as part of last year’s Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, and will support local and statewide initiatives, including law enforcement personnel, training, and equipment, criminal justice programs, mental and behavioral health, and drug treatment and enforcement.

“The Byrne JAG Program has a proven record of improving public safety by targeting risk factors correlated with violent crime and repeated offense,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This funding will reduce recidivism, fight crime, and empower law enforcement to better protect communities across Texas.”",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-tillis-urge-blanche-to-protect-life-counter-dangerous-mail-order-abortion-drugs/,"Cornyn, Tillis Urge Blanche to Protect Life, Counter Dangerous Mail-Order Abortion Drugs",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) sent a letter to Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche ahead of his nomination hearing today in the Senate Judiciary Committee urging him to resolve the mail-order abortion lawsuit, Louisiana v. FDA, by agreeing to a court-ordered consent decree, which would end the unlawful Biden-era policy that removed in-person dispensing requirements for the dangerous chemical abortion drug, mifepristone, while FDA conducts its safety review.

Excerpts from the letter are below, and the full text of letter can be viewed here.

The lawmakers wrote: “We write to express our growing concern that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has not acted to stop the abortion industry’s unlawful and unsafe mail-order abortion drug practice.”

“It is well within the power of the Department of Justice, under your leadership, to resolve the Louisiana v. FDA litigation, which is now back before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. By agreeing to a consent decree under the supervision of the court, you can swiftly end this illegal, Biden-era policy and restore in-person dispensing requirements while we await FDA’s safety review,” they continued.

“On June 24, we celebrated four years since the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson. But the sad truth is that the number of abortions has actually increased in that time. This is in large part because of the abortion industry’s efforts to expand the use of unsafe mail-order abortions. With every day that passes, more lives are at risk and are lost because of this harmful policy. DOJ can and must act,” they concluded.",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-touts-lifesaving-success-of-bipartisan-safer-communities-act/,Cornyn Touts Lifesaving Success of Bipartisan Safer Communities Act,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Earlier this week on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) highlighted the lifesaving success of his Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law four years ago last month, and held a colloquy with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) to address some of the misconceptions about the legislation. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

On Investments in Mental Health and School Hardening:

“What [the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act] did do is made an historic investment in mental health and school safety and commonsense measures to prevent dangerous individuals from being a harm to themselves and others.”

“Texas, like all the states, has received significant amounts of money, in the case of Texas, hundreds of millions of dollars, from this law – more than $312 million to date – to strengthen our mental health care and school hardening, to make it more difficult for violent individuals to attack soft targets like schools typically have been.”

On Investments in Community Behavioral Health Clinics:

“The BSCA, as it’s called, also expanded certified community behavioral health clinics around the country, which has allowed mental health clinics to expand their coverage to include not only mental health but substance abuse disorders.”

“There are now more than 500 community-based mental health centers operating in 46 states.”

On Red Flag Laws:

“One of the things I heard most in the recent campaign I ran in was that we had passed a red flag law, which would make it possible for an aggrieved partner or spouse or family member or maybe even a neighbor to basically turn in somebody and have their firearms confiscated without due process of law.”

“The truth is, the BSCA actually makes it harder to implement red flag laws because you can’t do so and access this money unless you enhance the due process protections that are necessary to protect what is a constitutional right.”

“We wanted to make sure that the funding that was available was available for crisis intervention programs, veterans courts, mental health courts, just to use a couple of examples, that did not have those red flag laws, while making sure those states that did could not gain access to this money unless they provided an enhanced due process procedure.”

“It’s false to argue that the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act created an incentive for more states to pass new red flag laws, and the statistics bear it out. Only 4% of the total money appropriated were obligated to red flag-related activities.”

On Mandatory Wait Periods:

“Another misconception I heard on the campaign trail or saw on social media was that somehow, we created a mandatory waiting period before somebody could access a firearm if they were going into a store to purchase it for those under 21. Once again, this is false.”

“If a person’s record includes disqualifying criminal convictions or mental health adjudications, it shouldn’t matter whether it occurred a day before their 18th birthday, and what the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act allowed law enforcement officials to do is to go back and look at those juvenile records.”

On Straw Purchases and Firearm Trafficking:

“This leads me to another important provision in the BSCA, which gives the Department of Justice tools to prosecute individuals for straw purchases.”

“Straw purchases are the primary way that criminals and illegal aliens arm themselves, and the Trump administration has used these new criminal provisions enacted in the BSC[A] to target cartel members.”

“Before BSCA, the only penalty a criminal faced for a straw purchase was lying on their firearms transaction of minor offense, which many prosecutors would not bother to pursue.”

“Now, because of this law, the Department of Justice has a tool to combat cartel violence and prosecute individuals who engage in firearms trafficking.”

On His Legacy of Bipartisanship:

“Working together with Senator Tillis, Senator Sinema, and Senator Murphy, we made sure we passed a law which actually would invest in mental health resources to identify individuals who were suffering before they became a danger to themselves and others.

“We literally made the single largest investment when we passed this law four years ago in community-based mental health care and made our schools safer for all of our children, so they can focus on why they are in school in the first place – to learn – and parents don’t have to worry at home about, ‘Is my son or my daughter going to be safe?’ all the while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”

“As I reflect back on my time here in the United States Senate, there are a few legislative accomplishments I’ve made that have helped the people of Texas and our country at large – at least I hope that’s the case – but out of all of these, the BSCA was one of the most critical in tangibly making the country safer for families and children.”",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/everythings-bigger-in-texas-including-the-2026-world-cup/,Everything’s Bigger in Texas – Including the 2026 World Cup,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"When most Texans think of football, we think of Texas teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Texas Longhorns, Fightin’ Texas Aggies, or even the local high school teams we root for under the Friday night lights. But to the rest of the world, football isn’t played on a 100-yard field – it’s played on a pitch and known as “fútbol.” The most anticipated event for billions of soccer fans across the globe is the quadrennial FIFA World Cup, and this summer, Texas became part of that story again as a host state for the 2026 World Cup.

In 1904, FIFA, short for the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, was founded in Paris by representatives from seven national football associations: Belgium, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The federation wanted to showcase the sport outside of the Olympic Games, as it was growing in popularity across the world. It wasn’t until 1930 that the first World Cup was played in Montevideo, Uruguay. Unlike today’s 48-team roster, only 13 nations competed in the inaugural game, including the United States. Ninety thousand fans witnessed history in the making when Uruguay beat Argentina 4-2 with the U.S. finishing third.

Nowadays, the FIFA World Cup is one of the largest events in the world, and the United States, Mexico, and Canada co-hosted this year’s events. Texas was one of 11 states to host the games. Dallas hosted nine matches, the most of any other host city, and Houston was home to seven. The 16 Texas-based matches are estimated to have generated more than $3 billion for the Texas economy.

While tens of millions of Americans have tuned in to watch the games on TV, North Texas hosted a total of 631,843 fans, while Houston’s seven matches garnered 480,184 attendees. I was proud to have helped secure $625 million in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to help local law enforcement ensure the safety of players, teams, and fans. Houston was awarded more than $64 million and Dallas was awarded more than $51 million of this funding to bolster security for attendees, infrastructure, and venues.

As we look back on FIFA’s time in Texas, I want to take a moment to reflect on the cultural and economic impacts the matches have had outside the stadiums stretched across the Lone Star State.

Cities investing in stadium upgrades, transportation, and fan zones have helped boost tourism throughout the Lone Star State. Let’s take the viral Germany fan, Freddy, for example. Freddy stopped at one of Texas’ most iconic places, Buc-ee’s, and was shocked at what the beaver-themed gas station had to offer, sharing his experience for all to see on social media. His cross-country journey introduced many of his nearly 755,000 followers to Texas culture and will inspire others to see what the buzz is about in the Lone Star State.

In Houston, we also saw thousands of Netherlands fans flooding the streets in orange for their Oranje Fan Walk. And in North Texas, World Cup fans from Australia, Croatia, England, and Netherlands made their way to the Fort Worth Stockyards to purchase a cowboy hat and head down Exchange Avenue to see the cattle drive, followed by a rodeo and some world-famous Texas barbeque, and finishing the night at Billy Bob’s to line dance – a true Texas experience.

As millions of highly enthusiastic fans poured into Texas, many businesses felt the positive impact of the games. Fans took to the roads and traveled across the state to see what we had to offer, stopping at local spots along the way. Restaurants and bars had a hard time keeping up with the intake of customers, some even running out of food after they increased their inventory for the matches. But they wouldn’t change it for the world, as the World Cup helped to boost their businesses, gave the fans a memorable experience, and helped Americans see our nation through the eyes of someone discovering all our country has to offer.

As a lifelong Texan, I was excited to see fans from around the world travel to our state and embrace our culture. I was also glad to see our communities come together and give a big Texas welcome to those visiting. Long after the final whistle, the victory for Texas will be measured not only by the outcome of the World Cup, but also by the lasting friendships, memorable experiences, and global recognition of welcoming others to the Lone Star State.

Everything is bigger in Texas, and during the 2026 World Cup, the Texas hospitality and the camaraderie between Texans and our guests from around the world were bigger than the game itself.",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-ossoff-introduce-mystic-alerts-act/,"Cornyn, Ossoff Introduce Mystic Alerts Act",2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) today introduced the Mystic Alerts Act, which would allow wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) to be delivered via satellite communications technologies when other pathways fail during emergencies, including disasters like the Fourth of July floods in Central Texas last year:

“Texas will never forget the July 4th flooding tragedy that devastated Camp Mystic and other communities in Central Texas. Seconds matter during fast-moving disasters like flash flooding, and damaged ground-based infrastructure can slow down emergency alerts that might save lives,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The Mystic Alerts Act would help ensure communities experiencing severe disasters receive wireless emergency alerts even when cellular communications networks are compromised, and I urge my Senate colleagues to support this legislation to strengthen this important technology and save lives.”

“When storms, disasters, or threats to public safety threaten our state, crisis management is key,” said Sen. Ossoff. “This bipartisan bill with Senator Cornyn will help upgrade America’s emergency alert systems to keep Georgia families safe and informed.”

Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) is leading this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Background:

On July 4, 2025, a devastating flood in the Texas Hill Country tragically killed 28 individuals at Camp Mystic in Kerrville in addition to more than 100 other individuals across Central Texas. There were multiple reports of undelivered WEAs throughout the areas impacted by the disaster once cellular infrastructure was damaged.

The Mystic Alerts Act would:",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-texas-to-receive-nearly-11m-to-improve-crisis-intervention-programs/,Cornyn: Texas to Receive Nearly $11M to Improve Crisis Intervention Programs,2026-07-14,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $10,973,066 in federal grant funding to the Governor’s Public Safety Office to support state and local crisis intervention programs, including the expansion of behavioral health crisis response initiatives and specialized court-based programs to address risk factors that lead to violence. The funding comes from the DOJ’s Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP), which was authorized by Sen. Cornyn’sBipartisan Safer Communities Act that was signed into law on June 25, 2022.

“Evidence-backed crisis intervention and prevention programs reduce violence, enhance public safety, and improve outcomes for individuals facing mental health challenges,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Thanks to the law I co-authored, these resources will help train law enforcement in how to better respond to behavioral health crises and ensure drug, mental health, and veterans’ treatment courts continue to have the resources they need to serve Texans and save lives.”",1,2026-07-15T07:12:08Z,2026-07-15T07:13:45Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-op-ed-chips-act-will-help-america-win-the-ai-race-with-china/,Cornyn Op-Ed: CHIPS Act Will Help America Win the AI Race with China,2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the Dallas Morning News sounding the alarm on the AI and semiconductor manufacturing race with China that will determine who controls the future of the world and highlighting the success of his CHIPS for America Act, legislation he authored with Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) that was funded through the CHIPS and Science Act, in reshoring semiconductor manufacturing:

CHIPS Act will help America win the AI race with China

Senator John Cornyn

Dallas Morning News

July 10, 2026

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/cornyn-ai-race-chips-act-22340332.php

The global competition for the future of artificial intelligence, or AI, is quickly becoming a two-way race between the United States of America and the People’s Republic of China. Technology is evolving rapidly in life-changing ways and which of these two nations wins this race could determine the economic, political and even cultural future of the world.

Amid this technological revolution, the CHIPS for America Act, which I led with Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., back in 2020, and the funding included in the subsequent CHIPS and Science Act, have proven to be fortuitous investments in the infrastructure that will underpin the next digital age.

AI models, including large language models and other AI systems, rely on enormous numbers of low-latency computers. This infrastructure requires unthinkable quantities of semiconductors. Whoever can manufacture these high-powered chips quickly and at a reasonable price will dominate the AI playing field.

The two-way AI race has many layers, some with the United States ahead, and others where China leads. Right now, the United States has a slight advantage over China on advanced semiconductor design. However, when it comes to actually building the infrastructure that AI relies on, such as the fabs that produce semiconductors, America has fallen behind.

Today, 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors are manufactured in Taiwan, a dramatic shift from the 1990s, when the United States produced nearly 40% of the world’s semiconductors.

How did the United States go from producing nearly half of the world’s semiconductors to only 12% today? The answer lies in the aggressive approach that the Chinese government has taken toward critical manufacturing infrastructure and complex supply chains. And what they can’t produce domestically, they coerce others to produce for them in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America at dramatically low prices with very little regard to working conditions.

With Chinese leader Xi Jinping threatening to take over Taiwan as soon as 2027, it matters whether the United States has the infrastructure to support the modern digital economy.

Consider that Iran has been able to essentially shut down oil commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to higher gas prices in the United States. The Chinese Communist Party could do essentially the same thing for free and open economies by invading Taiwan and shutting off the West’s access to the chips that power nearly all modern devices — mobile phones, smart watches, computers, TVs, cars, washing machines and more.

The United States has a fighting chance in this race because of the significant investment we made in semiconductors through the CHIPS for America Act and CHIPS and Science Act. Together, these laws provided $40 billion in direct manufacturing incentives for semiconductors and $13 billion for research and workforce development.

A large percentage of the funding from CHIPS went to building fabrication facilities also capable of manufacturing core memory, which will help companies quickly scale to meet the needs of the AI boom.

Back home on the Silicon Prairie, companies have used this funding to build new semiconductor fabrication plants at Samsung, Texas Instruments and many more. Texas Instruments was awarded $1.6 billion in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, which allowed the company to construct new wafer fabrication facilities. GlobalWafers, also a participant in the CHIPS for America program, announced a joint investment with Micron on Thursday that will expand its wafer manufacturing facility in Sherman.

Spurred by our federal legislation, the Texas legislature passed the Texas Chips Act in 2023 to further invest in the Texas chips industry, which now boasts the second largest semiconductor workforce in the country. Other states should harness this same opportunity to build on these federal investments and attract further private sector investment and high-paying jobs.

The implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act has not been perfect. The Biden administration hijacked CHIPS to further its own DEI political agenda and other unrelated policies, undermining Congress’ intent and diluting the resources made available.

Luckily, the Trump administration has refocused the program toward actually reshoring this critical supply chain. Some projects have been held up because of state environmental regulations and permitting delays that Congress should address through permitting reform. But the purpose of our legislation was to spur investment in these critical infrastructure projects, not to implement a government command economy in the model of China.

I’m proud that the CHIPS for America Act and CHIPS and Science Act have proven to be contributors to reshoring America’s manufacturing in an industry that will determine who controls the future of the world. This legislation has not only been successful in kickstarting this growth, but has equipped the United States of America to lead in one of the generation-defining technological revolutions in human history.",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-confirmation-of-u-s-district-judges-for-southern-district-of-texas/,Cornyn Statement on Confirmation of U.S. District Judges for Southern District of Texas,2026-07-13,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm President Trump’s nominations of John George Edward Marck to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas – McAllen Division and Arthur Roberts “Rob” Jones to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas – McAllen Division. Video of Sen. Cornyn introducing Marck and Jones in the Senate Judiciary Committee can be found here.

“John Marck and Rob Jones have distinguished records of holding dangerous criminals accountable and enforcing the laws on the books to keep Americans safe and our southern border secure,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I was proud to recommend these astute Texans to President Trump, and I look forward to seeing them serve on the federal bench.”

Sens. Cornyn and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recommended John George Edward Marck and Arthur Roberts “Rob” Jones to President Trump following an extensive review and interview process of the candidate pool by the bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC). The Senators established the FJEC, a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas, to help identify the most qualified candidates to fill judicial vacancies. The panel reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, and made recommendations to the Senators, who interviewed individuals before making their recommendations to the President.

John G.E. Marck began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in New York City where he prosecuted a high-volume caseload of major felonies, including murder, manslaughter, robbery and gang assault. He entered the Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Corpus Christi and Victoria Divisions of the Southern District of Texas and managed a diverse criminal docket that included charges of illegal reentry following deportation, alien smuggling, drug trafficking and other cartel-related offenses. Marck continued his federal prosecution career in the National Security and Public Corruption Section and was later promoted to Associate Deputy Criminal Chief before being named First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the district.

Rob Jones started his career in 2002 as a line Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the office’s Laredo Division, where he handled all aspects of border related crime. In 2011, he joined the office’s Houston-based Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces. Just prior to his appointment as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, Jones served as the deputy chief of the National Security and Public Corruption section. Prior to becoming an AUSA, Rob served on active duty as a judge advocate and officer in the U.S. Air Force’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps from January 1995 to September 2002, specializing in criminal litigation. He separated from the Air Force in September 2002 to become an AUSA but continued to serve as a judge advocate in the Air Force Reserve until his retirement in February 2023.",1,2026-07-14T07:08:55Z,2026-07-14T07:10:52Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-applauds-appointment-of-aaron-reitz-as-us-attorney-for-the-southern-district-of-texas,Sen. Cruz Applauds Appointment of Aaron Reitz as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas,2026-07-10,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, released the following statement after Aaron Reitz was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas.

Sen. Cruz said, “I applaud Aaron Reitz’s appointment as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas. Aaron served as my Chief of Staff for nearly two years, and I can attest that throughout his career, whether in law, government, or on the battlefield, he has earned the respect of those who have had the privilege of working with him. I am confident he will uphold the rule of law and keep Texans safe in this new position. I congratulate Aaron on this well-deserved appointment.”",1,2026-07-11T07:10:48Z,2026-07-11T07:14:29Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-lankford-file-amicus-brief-defending-religious-liberty-in-supreme-court-school-choice-case,"Sens. Cruz, Lankford File Amicus Brief Defending Religious Liberty in Supreme Court School Choice Case",2026-07-07,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action, and Federal Rights, and James Lankford (R-Okla.) were joined by six Senators and 35 Representatives in filing an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to protect the constitutional rights of faith-based schools participating in school choice programs. The brief warns that allowing the Tenth Circuit’s decision to stand could undermine Congress’s tax credit scholarship program established under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act.

Excerpts from the amicus brief are below, and the full text of the brief can be viewed here.

“Many Members of Congress have championed school choice and been longtime advocates of religious liberty. That is why Congress passed the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) last year to provide taxpayers with a means to fund scholarships for children to attend and receive services at public, private secular, or religious schools. Congress enacted ECCA to maximize choice and religious freedom for Americans throughout the country.

“If states like Colorado can attach nondiscrimination conditions to universal preschool programs that effectively exclude religious schools from the benefit program without violating the Free Exercise Clause, then states can attach nondiscrimination conditions to ECCA participation to effectively exclude religious schools. Indeed, states like Vermont have already attached such conditions to ECCA participation. Such state-imposed limitations will jeopardize Congress's landmark education scholarship program—the latest in a long line of Congressional actions that bolster school choice and support religious liberty. Congress enacted ECCA to provide choices to families and to advance religious liberty, not religious discrimination.

“The Free Exercise Clause prohibits government-driven religious discrimination. In Colorado, the government disapproved of Petitioners’ religion and excluded them from a public preschool program for which they otherwise qualified. Should Colorado’s end run around this Court’s Free Exercise Clause jurisprudence be allowed to stand, the tactics employed by that state will not end in Colorado preschools. Efforts are already underway in Vermont, Colorado, and elsewhere to impose similar nondiscrimination requirements with the goal of excluding religious schools from ECCA, a program Congress specifically built to include them.”

Joining Sens. Cruz and Lankford in filing this amicus brief were Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.); and Representatives Tim Walberg (R-Mich.-05), Robert B. Aderholt (R-Ala.-04), Rick W. Allen (R-Ga.-12), Tom Barrett (R-Mich.-07), Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.-05), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.-04), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.-05), Sheri Biggs (R-S.C.-03), Mike Bost (R-Ill.-12), Jeff Crank (R-Colo.-05), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.-19), Gabe Evans (R-Colo.-08), Randy Fine (R-Fla.-06), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.-05), H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.-09), Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.-06), Mark Harris (R-N.C.-08), Clay Higgins (R-La.-03), Julia Letlow (R-La.-05), John McGuire (R-Va.-05), Mark Messmer (R-Ind.-08), Mary Miller (R-Ill.-15), John Moolenaar (R-Mich.-02), Riley M. Moore (R-W.Va.-02), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.-05), Bob Onder (R-Mo.-03), Burgess Owens (R-Utah-04), August Pfluger (R-Texas-11), John Rose (R-Tenn.-06), Michael A. Rulli (R-Ohio-06), John Rutherford (R-Fla.-05), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.-03), Chris Smith (R-N.J.-04), Daniel Webster (R-Fla.-11), and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.-02).",1,2026-07-09T08:24:13Z,2026-07-09T08:26:05Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-op-ed-four-years-later-the-bipartisan-safer-communities-act-is-making-a-difference/,"Cornyn Op-Ed: Four Years Later, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is Making a Difference",2026-06-29,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the San Antonio Express-News highlighting the success of his Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), which was signed into law in 2022 following the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas:

Four years later, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is making a difference

Senator John Cornyn

San Antonio-Express News

June 27, 2026

https://www.expressnews.com/opinion/commentary/article/bipartisan-gun-legislation-working-as-intended-22322166.php

It’s been four years since the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, or the BSCA, was signed into law. My Senate colleagues and I carefully crafted this legislation in response to the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, where 19 children and two teachers died on May 24, 2022.

I am proud of the work we did to reject the calls for extreme measures that would have encroached on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Texans and instead delivered a practical solution, narrowly tailored to address the root causes of this senseless violence.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provided hundreds of millions of dollars to Texas in grants for school safety and mental health infrastructure, and created new authorities to prosecute gun trafficking, all while protecting the due process rights of law-abiding firearms owners.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act marked a historic investment in resources for mental health and school safety. Texas has received more than $300 million to strengthen mental health care and school safety. These resources have allowed school districts to upgrade security cameras, implement threat alert systems and improve emergency response plans.

This law expanded the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, or CCBHC, program, which has allowed clinics to expand their services for mental health and substance use disorders. There are now more than 500 CCBHCs operating in 46 states. Because of these provisions, those who are mentally troubled are more likely to receive the help they need, and children attending schools are safer due to enhanced security measures.

This law also created narrow, targeted provisions consistent with existing law to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill using the National Instant Background Check, or NICS, system.

Of course, some loud voices have tried to erode support for these narrow reforms by labeling them as gun control measures, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act created new authorities that empower the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute individuals for firearms trafficking and straw purchasing when someone purchases a gun on behalf of another person who is legally ineligible to do so.

Straw purchases are the primary way criminals arm themselves, including the individual who threatened President Donald Trump’s life at Trump International Golf Course in September 2024.

The DOJ has convicted nearly 500 criminals under the new straw purchasing and firearms trafficking provisions in my law, while another 716 people are facing charges under these provisions.

Before the BSCA, the only penalty a criminal faced for a straw purchase was for lying on their firearms transaction form, a minor offense that many prosecutors would not bother to litigate. Now, because of my law, the DOJ has a way to combat cartel violence and prosecute individuals who engage in firearms trafficking.

This law also incentivized states to upload disqualifying juvenile criminal and mental health records into NICS, so they can be considered for purchasers between the ages of 18 and 21.

The lack of such records in NICS is the reason the Uvalde shooter had no problem buying weapons within days of his 18th birthday. His juvenile records would have shown he was a deeply troubled young man who had a history of fighting, threatening fellow students and abusing animals. These warning signs were no less serious simply because they happened while he was a minor.

This provision has been knowingly mischaracterized as a mandatory waiting period for anyone younger than 21 seeking to purchase a firearm. Quite the opposite, this law requires a determination based on the review of NICS records to be made within a strict, short window of time.

Less than 0.01% of all firearms background checks are affected by this review, but those that have, have proven necessary. They include an 18-year-old who attempted to purchase a long gun in Nebraska after making terroristic threats as a minor, as well as a 20-year-old drug dealer with a juvenile felony adjudication who attempted to do the same in Arizona. Without the BSCA, these individuals never would have been discovered or rightfully denied access to purchase a firearm.

Perhaps the most significant misinterpretation of this law is that it incentivized states to create red flag laws. On the contrary, no federal red flag was included. Furthermore, the BSCA created a new due process framework that states with red flag laws must adopt to be eligible for BSCA funding, ensuring Americans’ Second Amendment rights are protected even in blue states.

The vast majority of BSCA funds have gone to state mental health programs, veterans courts, crisis intervention and school safety measures, which have nothing to do with red flag provisions.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act marked a generational investment in Texas’ resources for mental health and school safety, alongside commonsense reforms to prevent known dangerous criminals from attaining weapons. This carefully crafted, bipartisan legislation prevented the far left from having their dream of an assault weapons ban or universal background checks, which I oppose.

It represents what the world’s greatest deliberative body was meant to do — prevent bad ideas from becoming law and address hard, polarizing problems through bipartisan consensus.",1,2026-06-30T06:29:10Z,2026-06-30T06:30:42Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-kaine-introduce-bill-to-strengthen-americas-defense-industrial-base,"Sens. Cruz, Kaine Introduce Bill to Strengthen America's Defense Industrial Base",2026-06-26,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the Feedstocks, Uniformity, Safety, and Energetics (FUSE) Act. This legislation establishes a Pentagon pilot program to evaluate the extent 3D-printable energetic materials can safely expand domestic production capacity and strengthen the defense industrial base.

Sen. Cruz said, “Critical energetic materials like RDX and HMX are essential to modern weapons systems but are hazardous to produce and rely on a limited domestic supplier base, creating safety and supply chain vulnerabilities. This legislation will enable the Department of War to test the performance and scalability of 3D-printable energetic materials at secure facilities and provide a controlled means of conducting assessments. I’m proud to introduce it and urge my colleagues to move it toward passage.”

Sen. Kaine said, “Additive manufacturing in defense technologies has enormous capacity to boost our military readiness by enabling us to quickly develop parts and munitions and strengthen our supply chains. Virginia is home to many innovative additive manufacturing companies. This legislation would help us better understand how additive manufacturing can be applied to produce energetics and explosives and reduce chokepoints in production.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

This provision creates a pilot program to assess whether 3D-printable explosive and propellant materials can be safely used in military manufacturing. The program will test whether these materials can make munitions production safer, more reliable, and less vulnerable to supply chain disruptions compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

RDX and HMX are utilized in the manufacture of melt-castable explosives, nuclear devices, plastic explosives, rocket fuels, and booster charges that are employed in military applications. RDX and HMX are also extensively used in quarrying, metal mining, coal mining, and non-metal mining industries.",1,2026-06-27T06:16:17Z,2026-06-27T06:17:30Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-chairs-drug-caucus-hearing-on-national-security-threats-posed-by-mexican-drug-cartels/,Cornyn Chairs Drug Caucus Hearing on National Security Threats Posed by Mexican Drug Cartels,2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) delivered the following opening remarks during the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control hearing he chaired entitled, “Beyond Our Shores: The Global Reach of Mexican Drug Cartels and Risks to U.S. National Security.” Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.

“This Caucus’ first two hearings in the 119th Congress focused on the illicit activities of nefarious nature from outside the Western Hemisphere in our own backyard, namely Hezbollah, Chinese-organized criminal groups, but today’s hearing looks outward to expose the activities of Mexican drug cartels largely beyond the Western Hemisphere and the web of criminal connections that they have spun around the world.”

“President Trump has made countering the cartels in Mexico a major priority of his second administration.”

“Nationwide, fentanyl seizures by the DEA have decreased from a high of 77 million pills and 12,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2023 to 47 million pills and 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder in 2025.”

“The cartels can fetch approximately double the price for cocaine in Europe compared to sales here in the United States, so it should come as no surprise that the cartels are exploiting the European market, nor is it surprising that the cartels have expanded trafficking to Australia and New Zealand, two of the most lucrative drug markets in the world.”

“I would understand the temptation to dismiss this as Europe’s problem, or India’s problem, or Africa’s problem, or Australia’s problem, but where do those revenues from the drug sales ultimately flow? Well, they come right back to this continent.”

“Cartels are not merely a U.S. problem or a Mexican problem. In other words, they are a global problem. The purpose of today’s hearing is to investigate their worldwide activities. We will explore how the U.S. and other countries have been working to address this threat and will identify opportunities to improve on those efforts.”",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-warnock-kennedy-cassidy-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-protect-american-shrimpers,"Sens. Cruz, Warnock, Kennedy, Cassidy Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect American Shrimpers",2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced the Save Our Shrimpers Act. This bipartisan legislation prevents funds distributed through international financial institutions from being used to support foreign shrimp farming, processing, or export projects.

Sen. Cruz said, “International financial institutions are financed by American taxpayer dollars and sustained through our diplomacy. They should not be boosting foreign shrimp operations that undercut Texan shrimpers. This bipartisan effort will protect the jobs, families, and coastal communities that depend on this Texas industry. I’m proud to lead it, and call on my colleagues to advance it expeditiously.”

Sen. Warnock said, “The Georgia shrimp industry has been decimated by unfair foreign shrimp dumping that has squeezed Georgia shrimpers and processors and threatened the livelihoods of Georgia’s coastal communities. Our bipartisan legislation will help level the playing field, support American producers and ensure Georgia’s shrimping industry has a fair chance to compete and thrive.”

Sen. Kennedy said, “Louisiana shrimpers work hard, follow the rules and feed America — we ought to have their backs. The Save Our Shrimpers Act would stop U.S. taxpayer dollars from bankrolling foreign shrimp operations that undercut our shrimpers and coastal communities.”

Sen. Cassidy said, “An American business’s tax dollars should not go to a foreign competitor that is trying to undercut the business paying the taxes. If we apply this principle, it will protect the Louisiana shrimping industry, the jobs, and their families.”

U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, which passed the House in May.

Rep. Nehls said, “America’s hardworking shrimpers, including those in the 22nd Congressional District of Texas, are struggling to stay afloat due to an excess of foreign shrimp flooding our markets. Worse, American tax dollars are funding foreign shrimp operations, which are putting U.S. shrimpers out of business. My Save Our Shrimpers Act puts American shrimpers first by directing the U.S. to oppose projects that use American tax dollars to fund foreign shrimp farms and operations. I encourage the U.S. Senate to pass my legislation quickly and do some good for our nation’s shrimpers.”

This legislation is supported by the Texas Shrimp Association, Southern Shrimp Alliance, American Shrimp Processors Association, and Port Arthur Area Shrimper's Association.

Texas Shrimp Association President Chris Londrie said, “We fully support the Save Our Shrimpers Act which will go a long way to achieving a level playing field. For too long, our foreign competitors have been unfairly funded by International Financial Institutions (IFI's) and the millions of dollars that have been used to finance shrimp farms overseas have flooded our markets. This practice has drastically reduced the price of shrimp to a point where shrimpers can no longer make a profit. This practice must change! Thank you to all who stand with U.S. shrimpers to support our industry.”

Southern Shrimp Alliance Director Blake Price said, “Ecuador's shrimp industry was built on funding from U.S. taxpayers through international financial institutions. Now, Ecuadorian shrimp is aggressively taking sales in the U.S. market from American shrimpers and other foreign suppliers. The Save Our Shrimpers Act will help end non-market-based support for shrimp aquaculture and give domestic commercial fishermen a fighting chance. The Southern Shrimp Alliance is thankful to Senator Cruz for moving this important legislation forward.”

American Shrimp Processors Association President Trey Pearson said, “America's shrimp processors strongly support the Save Our Shrimpers Act,” said Trey Pearson, President of the American Shrimp Processors Association. “For far too long, international institutions have poured public dollars into overseas shrimp farming and processing, fueling massive overcapacity and waves of unfair imports that have repeatedly harmed our domestic shrimp industry. This bill will put an end to this practice and ensure that international institutions which are financed with U.S. taxpayer dollars do not use those funds to prop up our competitors overseas.”

Port Arthur Area Shrimper's Association President Kyle Kimball and Vice President Tricia Kimball said, “Currently US tax dollars are being used by the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank to provide loans to shrimp farms in foreign countries. These countries will then dump the shrimp produced at the farms being funded onto our US market, further driving down the US domestic price at the docks and causing unfair competition for our American shrimp. It is a slap in the face to American shrimpers that our hard-earned tax money is helping our competition drown us with their contaminated shrimp, taking away even more American jobs and livelihoods.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND

Specifically, the Save Our Shrimpers Act requires the Treasury Department to ensure that U.S. funds provided to international financial institutions are not used for activities related to foreign shrimp farming, processing, or exports.",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-hails-chips-successes-texas-semiconductor-boom/,"Cornyn Hails CHIPS Successes, Texas Semiconductor Boom",2026-06-23,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed the importance of maintaining U.S. strategic competition with China in critical industries and highlighted the progress that has been made in restoring American leadership in semiconductor manufacturing since his CHIPS for America Act became law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 and was fully funded by Congress through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“Never in the history of the world has the United States’ strategic competition with China mattered more. Perhaps the most critical nexus of this competition is in manufacturing in critical industries, such as advanced semiconductors.”

“Now, we find ourselves in an increasing position of vulnerability and in competition with them for this most advanced technology to fuel the data centers, to train the artificial intelligence that are going to determine how everything from our weapons systems to our industrial economy work in the future.”

“The Trump administration had already contemplated the issue of chips and this vulnerability before COVID and asked Congress to act, and I still remember the Secretary of State, in particular, Mike Pompeo, and the Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur Ross, were the first ones in the first Trump administration to bring this to the attention and to sound the alarm.”

“In 2020, I got together with our colleague, Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, to introduce the CHIPS for America Act. The goal of the bill was pretty simple: to restore American leadership in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.”

“With the good help of our friends across the Capitol in the House of Representatives, particularly my friend Michael McCaul, a Congressman from the Austin area, within six months, the CHIPS Act became law, and about a year and a half later, it was fully funded by Congress through the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act.”

“Most important to me in the CHIPS and Science Act was the major investment that this produced in my state, the State of Texas. We used this funding to build new semiconductor fabs at Samsung, Texas Instruments, and other places, create new workforce pathways, and quickly upskill Texans for these industries that accelerate advanced chip manufacturing.”

“Texas has the second largest semiconductor workforce in the nation, totaling more than 42,000 well-paying jobs, thanks to these investments.”

“There’s certainly a lot more work that needs to be done to address America’s supply chain vulnerabilities, not only for semiconductors, but for mining and processing and rare earth elements and active pharmaceutical ingredients as well, but the CHIPS and Science Act was an important step toward reshoring our critical industries.”

“As I look back, I’m very proud of the work we all did together through this CHIPS and Science Act, which transformed not only our national security, but transformed Texas and put us in a posture to ensure that America leads the way for generations yet to come.”",1,2026-06-24T06:25:30Z,2026-06-24T06:26:49Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-coons-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-bolster-ukraines-defense-arsenal-using-seized-russian-sovereign-assets/,"Cornyn, Coons, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Bolster Ukraine’s Defense Arsenal Using Seized Russian Sovereign Assets",2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today introduced the Seized Assets for Battlefield Equipment and Readiness (SABER) Act, which would amend current law to allow Ukraine to use assets confiscated from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and other Russian sovereign assets for the purchase of military equipment to defend against Vladimir Putin’s war machine:

“The REPO Act laid important groundwork for seizing and repurposing billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets to help the Ukrainian people defend their own sovereignty after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By extending the law’s permissible use of funds to replenish Ukraine’s arsenal, this legislation would go one step further to helping our ally defend against Russian aggression and force Putin to foot the bill for arming Ukraine.”

“Ukraine is on the frontline of freedom in Europe, protecting the rest of the world from Putin’s unprovoked aggression,” said Sen. Coons. “Ukraine’s army has fought courageously under incredibly difficult circumstances, and we need to ensure they have the tools and funds they need to defeat Putin on the battlefield and build back stronger once the war ends. With this bipartisan legislation, we are opening up new pathways for support so we can assure our and Ukraine’s security.”

“The Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians (REPO) Act ensured that frozen Russian assets be used to support Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty. As Ukrainians continue to resist Russia’s assault, they should have every means available to defend themselves. The SABER Act would build on existing law, allowing confiscated Russian sovereign assets to be used to purchase military equipment Ukraine needs to defeat Putin’s war machine,” said Sen. Wicker.

“The resolve and resilience of Ukrainians in defending their homeland from Russian forces has been commendable, and the international community must continue to do all we can to ensure Ukraine has what it needs to be successful on the battlefield and rebuild their country,” said Sen. Kaine. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to allow the use of Russian sovereign assets to buy defense articles that would support Ukraine’s fight against Russia.”

“Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine sparked the largest land war in Europe since World War II, and the United States must do our part to stand with our Ukrainian allies. Our bipartisan legislation assists Ukraine as they continue to defend against Putin’s unrelenting attacks. Importantly, this support for Ukraine comes at no cost to the American taxpayer,” said Sen. Grassley.

“Seizing Russian sovereign funds so that war criminal Putin can’t use them for his illegal invasion in Ukraine was the first step, and we achieved that through our bipartisan REPO law,” said Sen. Whitehouse. “Hundreds of billions of dollars in frozen Russian funds should be put to good use repelling Russian invaders and supporting the brave Ukrainians fighting for freedom.”

U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson (SC-02) is leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Background:

The Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians (REPO) Act, now law, currently permits frozen Russian sovereign assets under U.S. jurisdiction to be confiscated and transferred to Ukraine for the use of:

Making contributions to an international body, fund, or mechanism established consistent with that is charged with determining and administering compensation or providing assistance to Ukraine;

Supporting reconstruction, rebuilding, and recovery efforts in Ukraine;

And providing economic and humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine.

Senator Cornyn’s SABER Act would add another permissible use, allowing seized Russian sovereign bank assets to be used for Ukraine’s purchasing of defense articles and services to respond to and recover from the consequences of the aggression of the Russian Federation.",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-padilla-introduce-bill-to-strengthen-electric-grid-reliability/,"Cornyn, Padilla Introduce Bill to Strengthen Electric Grid Reliability",2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) today introduced legislation that would reauthorize their Preventing Outages With Enhanced Resilience and Operations Nationwide (POWER ON) Act to help weatherize electric grids across the nation:

“Texas is no stranger to extreme weather events, and it’s imperative that we have the infrastructure capable of withstanding the gamut of everything from freezing cold temperatures to sweltering heat waves, flooding, and devastating wildfires,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the grid resilience program Senator Padilla and I created, which is essential to preventing outages and ensuring Texans can depend on the power they need to weather any storm.”

“As we continue to grapple with threats to the electric grid from extreme weather, investing in projects to improve the flexibility and resiliency of the power system is crucial,” said Sen. Padilla. “The GRIP program is a major success, driving improvements and innovation to make the electric grid more secure and efficient. Our bipartisan effort will continue to help us keep the lights on and keep costs down for future generations.”

Background:

In February 2021, record amounts of snow, ice, and prolonged sub-zero temperatures overwhelmed the Texas power grid and forced the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) to shut off electricity for more than four million Texans, leaving them without heat for days on end. More than 200 lives were lost. This disaster laid bare the vulnerabilities of our electric grid infrastructure and the need for electricity providers and suppliers to protect against future extreme weather events. Insufficient grid resiliency increases the likelihood of blackout events, which threaten lives and cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars.

Following Winter Storm Uri, Senator Cornyn introduced the Preventing Outages with Enhanced Resilience and Operations Nationwide (POWER ON) Act, now law, which established the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to provide critical resources to help states weatherize electric grids.

This legislation would reauthorize the grid resilience grant program at the DOE to prevent a lapse in federal funding that is essential to protecting energy facilities and energy infrastructure against future extreme weather events.",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-senate-colleagues-introduce-resolution-honoring-juneteenth/,"Cornyn, Senate Colleagues Introduce Resolution Honoring Juneteenth",2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), who successfully led the effort in Congress to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, today led 21 of his colleagues in introducing a Senate resolution honoring Juneteenth National Independence Day. Text is below, and you can view the full resolution here.

“Whereas news of the end of slavery did not reach the frontier areas of the United States, in particular the State of Texas and the other Southwestern States, until months after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than 2 1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863;

Whereas, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were free;

Whereas African Americans who had been slaves in the Southwest celebrated June 19, commonly known as “Juneteenth National Independence Day”, as inspiration and encouragement for future generations;

Whereas African Americans from the Southwest have continued the tradition of observing Juneteenth National Independence Day for more than 150 years;

Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day began as a holiday in the State of Texas and is now a Federal holiday that is celebrated in all 50 States and the District of Columbia as a special day of observance in recognition of the emancipation of all slaves in the United States;

Whereas Juneteenth National Independence Day celebrations have been held to honor African-American freedom while encouraging self-development and respect for all cultures;

Whereas the faith and strength of character demonstrated by former slaves and the descendants of former slaves remain an example for all people of the United States, regardless of background, religion, or race;

Whereas slavery was not officially abolished until the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States in December 1865; and

Whereas, over the course of its history, the United States has grown into a symbol of democracy and freedom around the world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) commemorates June 19, 2026, as “Juneteenth National Independence Day”;

(2) recognizes the historical significance of Juneteenth National Independence Day to the United States;

(3) supports the continued nationwide celebration of Juneteenth National Independence Day to provide an opportunity for the people of the United States to learn more about the past and to better understand the experiences that have shaped the United States; and

(4) recognizes that the observance of the end of slavery is part of the history and heritage of the United States.”

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) co-led the resolution, and Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Todd Young (R-IN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jim Justice (R-WV), Katie Britt (R-AL), and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) joined the resolution.

Background:",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-committee-passage-of-southern-district-of-texas-judicial-nominations/,Cornyn Statement on Committee Passage of Southern District of Texas Judicial Nominations,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee approved President Trump’s nominations of John George Edward Marck to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas – McAllen Division and Arthur Roberts “Rob” Jones to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas – McAllen Division. Video of Sen. Cornyn introducing Marck and Jones in the Senate Judiciary Committee can be found here.

“John Marck and Rob Jones have distinguished records of holding dangerous criminals accountable and enforcing the laws on the books to keep Americans safe and our southern border secure,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I was proud to recommend these astute Texans to President Trump, and I look forward to seeing them serve on the federal bench.”

Sens. Cornyn and Ted Cruz (R-TX) recommended John George Edward Marck and Arthur Roberts “Rob” Jones to President Trump following an extensive review and interview process of the candidate pool by the bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC). The Senators established the FJEC, a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas, to help identify the most qualified candidates to fill judicial vacancies. The panel reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, and made recommendations to the Senators, who interviewed individuals before making their recommendations to the President.

John G.E. Marck began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in New York City where he prosecuted a high-volume caseload of major felonies, including murder, manslaughter, robbery and gang assault. He entered the Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Corpus Christi and Victoria Divisions of the Southern District of Texas and managed a diverse criminal docket that included charges of illegal reentry following deportation, alien smuggling, drug trafficking and other cartel-related offenses. Marck continued his federal prosecution career in the National Security and Public Corruption Section and was later promoted to Associate Deputy Criminal Chief before being named First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the district.

Rob Jones started his career in 2002 as a line Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) in the office’s Laredo Division, where he handled all aspects of border related crime. In 2011, he joined the office’s Houston-based Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Forces. Just prior to his appointment as Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney, Jones served as the deputy chief of the National Security and Public Corruption section. Prior to becoming an AUSA, Rob served on active duty as a judge advocate and officer in the U.S. Air Force’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps from January 1995 to September 2002, specializing in criminal litigation. He separated from the Air Force in September 2002 to become an AUSA but continued to serve as a judge advocate in the Air Force Reserve until his retirement in February 2023.",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-remarks-on-senate-commerce-committee-advancing-the-protect-college-sports-act,Sen. Cruz Remarks on Senate Commerce Committee Advancing the Protect College Sports Act,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, delivered remarks as the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced the Protect College Sports Act with overwhelming bipartisan support (19–9), sending the legislation to be considered by the full Senate.

Click here or on the image above to watch Sen. Cruz’s remarks on the?Protect College Sports Act.

Please see below for Sen. Cruz’s opening remarks as prepared for delivery:?

“For years, athletes, fans, and universities have watched the foundation of college athletics crumble. Court decisions, settlements, state laws, conference realignment, transfer disputes, NIL collectives, and uneven enforcement have all pushed college sports into a system where the rules are uncertain, the incentives are distorted, and the people with the least power are too often left exposed.

“Protect College Sports Act is a landmark, bipartisan bill that will preserve and strengthen our uniquely American system of college athletics. I want to thank Ranking Member Cantwell, Senator Eric Schmitt, and Senator Chris Coons, all of whom have spent months and years working to craft this legislation and build the bipartisan coalition behind it. I also want to thank members of this Committee who have contributed constructively to the process, including Senator Fischer for her work on the Super League prohibition. Similar concerns and amendments were raised by Senators Baldwin, Peters, Young, and Wicker, and we’ve listened and worked to address them. I also want to thank Senators Budd, Capito, Hickenlooper, and Rosen whose work has helped improve the bill before us today.

“No one got everything they wanted, but we did create a framework that stabilizes college athletics in the NIL and revenue-sharing era. The substitute we are considering reflects that work. It strengthens the bill, responds to concerns raised by members and stakeholders, and preserves the bipartisan agreement that brought us here.

“The new version includes a more balanced approach to the Super League issue. Rather than targeting any one conference or treating the SEC and Big Ten differently from everyone else, it focuses on the broader principles we are trying to protect: fair competition, broad opportunity, and a college sports system that remains open to more than a handful of the wealthiest programs.

“The new agreement also reflects the importance of Olympic sports. That is a major part of what this bill is about. College athletics is not only football and men’s basketball. It is also swimming, wrestling, rowing, gymnastics, track and field, softball, and many other sports that create educational opportunities and help develop America’s future Olympians and future leaders.

“That’s because the greatest risk facing college athletics today is not any single controversy, court decision, or headline. The greatest threat to college sports is inaction.

“The laws enacted by past Congresses are the reason why the current system is growing more unstable. If Congress doesn’t fix these laws and pass this bill, the cost of our failure will be measured not only in dollars or wins and losses. The cost of failure will be measured in opportunities. Opportunities to earn a scholarship, to compete, and to earn a college degree. Doing nothing means fewer chances for young athletes to represent their schools while building their futures.

“I know some say that because college athletics is so popular, Congress should not get involved. But high television ratings or rabid fan bases do not prove that the system is healthy. It just proves that the product is worth saving.

“Millions of Americans care deeply about college sports. They care about the athletes and the schools. They care about the rivalries and traditions that connect families, towns, campuses, and states.

“This is precisely why Congress cannot simply hope that the system will correct itself.

“Any serious solution must begin with reality. The NIL era is here. The Protect College Sports Act embraces this new environment, while establishing the rules necessary to end the chaos. Student athletes should be able to earn money from their name, image, and likeness.

“But a system that protects athletes also needs rules. Real NIL is not the same thing as a disguised recruiting payment. Revenue sharing is not the same thing as unlimited cap evasion. Athlete mobility is not the same thing as permanent roster free agency. And legal certainty does not mean a blank check.

“The Protect College Sports Act draws those lines.

“It protects legitimate NIL activity while distinguishing real endorsement deals from payments used to buy rosters.

“It protects scholarships, strengthens medical coverage, restores structure to transfers and eligibility, and protects athletes from inducements and tampering.

“Athletes get real NIL certainty, medical protections, academic and scholarship protections. Schools get enforceable rules and stability. Fans get stronger protections for rivalries, access to games, and fair competition.

“Let me give an analogy about where we are today.

“On the football field, punting on fourth down is often the prudent choice. But there are moments in the game when the stakes, the field position, and time left on the clock demand that you go for it.

‘We have studied the challenges and seen the consequences of standing still. The future of college athletics is now in Congress’s hands. We can sit in the stands and watch the system continue to unravel, or we can step onto the field and lead. I believe the moment calls for leadership.

“No more punting. We are in fourth-down territory. Time to go for it.

“I strongly urge my colleagues to support the Protect College Sports Act.”

BACKGROUND:

As of today, 24 collegiate athletic conferences, 267 colleges and universities across 49 states and Washington, D.C., including historically black colleges and universities and current student-athletes, have all publicly supported and praised the Protect College Sports Act. Additional endorsements for the bill include: the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), the National Basketball Coaches Association, American Football Coaches Association, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), Team USA Athletes’ Commission (Team USA AC), and National Governing Body Council (NGBC).",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-bill-to-prevent-foreign-adversaries-from-influencing-u-s-policy-passes-senate-foreign-relations-committee/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Prevent Foreign Adversaries from Influencing U.S. Policy Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee",2026-06-17,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jim Risch (R-ID), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Peter Welch (D-VT), and John Kennedy (R-LA) released the following statements after their Preventing Adversary Influence, Disinformation and Obscured Foreign Financing (PAID OFF) Act, which would help close Foreign Agents Registration Act loopholes that allow unregistered agents of foreign adversaries to lobby in the United States, passed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

“American policy should not in any way reflect the handiwork of foreign adversaries who are actively working to tip the scales in their favor and undermine our interests,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By exposing the efforts of countries of concern like China or Russia to exert malign influence, this legislation would better safeguard U.S. decision making.”

“When foreign adversaries skirt loopholes to lobby Congress, they directly threaten our democracy,”said Sen. Whitehouse.“This bipartisan legislation is long overdue and will help prevent unregistered foreign agents from putting a thumb on the scale of American policy.”

“For years, the United States’ biggest adversaries have exploited loopholes in U.S. lobbying laws to influence senior government officials and advance their geopolitical goals,”said Sen. Risch.“Well-known examples include Russia’s efforts to prevent sanctions against its Nord Stream 2 pipeline and Chinese surveillance firm Hikvision’s attempts to avoid sanctions. This provision will close key loopholes to ensure transparency and accountability of malign foreign lobbying efforts in the United States.”

“Foreign adversaries like China and Russia should never be allowed to covertly influence American policy or public opinion,” said Sen. Tillis. “I’m proud this bipartisan legislation passed out of committee so we can close dangerous loopholes and strengthen our national security.”

“Americans ought to know if a foreign government is attempting to sway policy decisions in the United States,” said Sen. Grassley. “I applaud the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for advancing our bipartisan PAID OFF Act, which will close loopholes to ensure unregistered foreign agents can no longer secretly stick their noses in American politics.”

“Our foreign adversaries are working hard to gain influence over U.S. politics,” said Sen. Fischer. “We need to reform FARA – the law requiring foreign agents to disclose who they’re working for – so we can better expose those who are quietly working on behalf of foreign governments. I thank Senator Cornyn for leading this important bill – let’s get it over the finish line.”

“With one of the highest rates of misinformation and disinformation in the world, it’s no wonder that the American people are losing trust in our democratic institutions,” said Sen. Welch. “Foreign adversaries have exacerbated that distrust by using loopholes in U.S. lobbying laws to undermine U.S. decision-making and influence politics. Congress must pass this bipartisan legislation to close these loopholes, protect our national security, and hold bad actors accountable.”

“Foreign agents working for our adversaries like China and Iran shouldn’t be able to hide in the shadows while they try to bend American policy to their will. If you’re being paid to push the interests of our enemies, the American people deserve to know who is signing the checks and what you’re up to. The PAID OFF Act strengthens our disclosure laws and ensures full transparency,” said Sen. Kennedy.

Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) is a cosponsor of this legislation.

U.S. Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) is leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Background:

The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) has not been amended since the 1990s, and the law has not kept up with modern foreign adversary influence campaigns using commercial activities and registration loopholes as subterfuge to advance malign interests. Currently, agents representing foreign adversaries are able to avoid FARA registration by claiming a commercial activity, domestic interest, or Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) exemption, which shields their influence and advocacy from the Department of Justice. This legislation would close these loopholes by requiring agents working on behalf of a Chinese, Russian, Iranian, North Korean, or Cuban government or commercial entity to register under FARA, providing greater transparency into their influence campaigns. The legislation would sunset after five years. Additionally, the legislation includes a mechanism for the Secretary of State to propose additions or deletions to the countries of concern list in the State Department Basic Authorities Act. Any additions or deletions would become effective if Congress passes a joint resolution of approval.",1,2026-06-18T06:41:00Z,2026-06-18T06:43:25Z