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.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-announces-new-committee-assignments-for-119th-congress/,Cornyn Announces New Committee Assignments for 119th Congress,2024-12-30,2024,2024-12,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) issued the following statement announcing that he will serve as a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Budget Committees during the 119th Congress, in addition to the three committees on which he currently serves:

“For the past four years, the Biden-Harris administration has diminished America’s standing on the world’s stage and spent hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars on partisan spending sprees. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues and President Trump to restore respect for America across the globe and tackle our growing national debt, and I am honored to be a voice for Texans in these new roles.”

In addition to joining the Senate Foreign Relations and Budget Committees, Sen. Cornyn will continue to serve as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Senate Finance Committee, and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in the 119th Congress, which is set to begin on January 3, 2025.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-passing-of-president-jimmy-carter/,Cornyn Statement on Passing of President Jimmy Carter,2024-12-29,2024,2024-12,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) issued the following statement after the passing of former President Jimmy Carter:

“As a naval officer, Georgia state senator, governor, and President of the United States, Jimmy Carter served our nation with honor,” said Sen. Cornyn. “His love for his home state of Georgia and for those he served through his beloved Maranatha Baptist Church and charities like Habitat for Humanity was evident throughout his life, and his legacy will remain a cherished part of our great American story. My prayers are with the entire Carter family during this time.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-statement-on-passing-of-jimmy-carter,Sen. Cruz Statement on Passing of Jimmy Carter,2024-12-29,2024,2024-12,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) today issued the following statement on the passing of former President Jimmy Carter:

""Heidi and I are saddened by the passing of President Jimmy Carter. At age 100, President Carter was the oldest former president in history, and he left a legacy of honorable military and public service. His decades-long dedication to building homes for those in need was truly remarkable. Our hearts and prayers are with the Carter family during this difficult time. We pray for peace and comfort for his loved ones as they mourn his loss, and take solace in knowing that he is now reunited with his beloved wife, Rosalynn.""

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-bill-to-help-prevent-child-abuse-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Help Prevent Child Abuse Signed into Law",2024-12-26,2024,2024-12,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), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) released the following statements after their Jenna Quinn Law, which would allow current grant funds to be used to train and educate students, teachers, caregivers, and other adults who work with children in a professional or volunteer capacity on how to prevent, recognize, and report child sexual abuse, was signed into law earlier this week. The bill is named for Jenna Quinn, a Texan and child abuse survivor, and is modeled after successful reforms passed by the Texas Legislature in 2009.

“Inspired by Texan Jenna Quinn, our landmark legislation modeled after successful reforms in Texas will ensure every student, teacher, and caregiver across the country has the tools to recognize and prevent abuse of vulnerable children,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law is years in the making, and I want to thank the bill’s namesake, Jenna Quinn, Representatives Moran and McCaul, and all of my colleagues in Congress for their support.”

“Members of both parties are united in our mission to find additional ways to keep children safe from sexual abuse,” said Sen. Hassan. “Our bipartisan legislation will help ensure that parents, teachers, and other community members receive evidence-based training to help protect children from sexual abuse.”

“Every child deserves protection from abuse. Ensuring all adults, teachers, and caregivers are equipped with the knowledge to identify, prevent, and report child sexual abuse is a necessary and life-saving mechanism,” said Sen. Luján. “Jenna’s Law is implemented across several states – including New Mexico – and should be federally recognized. I’m proud that this legislation was signed into law, bringing us one step closer to providing funding to train and educate students, teachers, and parents on best practices to prevent and report abuse.”

Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) also cosponsored this legislation, and Representatives Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Susan Wild (PA-07) led the legislation in the House.

Background:

Jenna Quinn has been an outspoken advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse and was the driving force behind what is now known as Jenna’s Law in Texas. Unanimously passed by the Texas Legislature, Jenna’s Law was the first child sexual abuse prevention law in the U.S. that mandates K-12 trainings for students and school staff and was amended in 2017 to include sex trafficking prevention education in schools. More than half of all states have adopted a form of Jenna’s Law.

After Jenna’s Law passed in Texas in 2009, a study found educators reported child sexual abuse at a rate almost four times greater after training than during their pre-training career. The Jenna Quinn Law will:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-bills-to-enhance-u-s-defense-procurement-capabilities-signed-into-law/,Cornyn Bills to Enhance U.S. Defense Procurement Capabilities Signed into Law,2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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) released the following statement after two of his bills to enhance U.S. defense procurement capabilities, the Capability-Based Trade and Unconventional Resource Engagement (CAPTURE) Act and the Encouraging Qualitative Upgrades and Innovative Procurements (EQUIP) Act, were signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:

“For America to effectively confront the evolving threats around the globe, our military must be modern and nimble,” said Sen. Cornyn. “These bills will enhance and expand our defense procurement capabilities to ensure we can answer the call at a moment’s notice, and I’m glad to see them signed into law.”

Background:

The Capability-Based Trade and Unconventional Resource Engagement (CAPTURE) Act creates a pilot project permitting contracting officers to use an alternative capability-based analysis to determine whether the proposed price or fee for a commercial product or service offered by a nontraditional defense contractor is fair and reasonable, giving them more flexibility to choose the most cost-effective options regardless of contractor.

The Encouraging Qualitative Upgrades and Innovative Procurements (EQUIP) Act permits the use of the Defense Modernization Fund as a source of funding to procure and integrate commercial technologies to satisfy a joint urgent operational need or validated service requirement.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cruz-bill-to-expand-service-members-access-to-health-care-information-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Cruz Bill to Expand Service Members’ Access to Health Care Information Signed Into Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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) released the following statements after their Private Smither Act, which would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide a health care provider’s affiliation in a patient’s medical record, was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:

“Private Second Class Caleb Smither’s life and service to our country was sadly cut short, and my hope is that this law will help us prevent similar tragedies in the future,” said Sen. Cornyn.“Now law,this legislation will ensure our service members have access to key health care information and hold DoD-contract health care providers accountable for the quality of care they provide.”

“Private Caleb Smither, from Lubbock, Texas, was a proud Paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division who served faithfully until his life was cut short by preventable circumstances,” said Sen. Cruz. “Caleb’s mother, Heather Baker, has advocated for greater transparency concerning military medical malpractice, and this bill honors Caleb’s service and Heather’s advocacy in ensuring that transparency. We owe it to Caleb, and all the brave men and women of the armed forces to prioritize their safety, and I am proud to see the Private Smither Act signed into law.”

Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced the legislation in the House of Representatives in July.

Background:

In 2020, Texan and Army Private Second Class (PV2) Caleb Smither, who was stationed at Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty, passed away after enduring a head injury and receiving medical care from an independent contractor at the base’s Womack Army Medical Center.

The Private Smither Act requires the DoD to include a health care provider’s affiliation (DoD or non-DoD) in a patient’s medical record. By including this information in a patient’s medical record, the patient will know whether or not to pursue a claim against the military or the non-personal services contractor’s medical malpractice insurance in the event of medical malpractice.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-hassan-bill-to-improve-contractor-services-along-southern-border-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Hassan Bill to Improve Contractor Services Along Southern Border Signed into Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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 Maggie Hassan (D-NH) released the following statements after their DHS Border Services Contracts Review Act, which requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Under Secretary for Management to deliver a report assessing contracts for services performed along the U.S.-Mexico border and implement a plan to improve procurement and delivery of those services, was signed into law:

“As a founding member of the Senate DOGE Caucus, I’m interested in any and every opportunity to streamline government processes, including at our southern border,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law will identify new ways to better protect taxpayer dollars and support our Border Patrol agents, CBP officers, and other personnel who work tirelessly to safeguard Texans.”

“We need to continue working across the aisle to strengthen border security,” said Sen. Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation is one additional way to better achieve that mission, and I am pleased that the President has signed it into law. It will help ensure that the Department of Homeland Security and its contractors are operating as effectively as possible at the border.”

U.S. Representatives Josh Brecheen (OK-02) and Mark Green (TN-07) led companion legislation in the House.

Background:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General has previously reported instances when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) failed to timely contract for adequate facilities to detain illegal migrants and provide medical services.

This law will mitigate instances similar to those by requiring the DHS Under Secretary for Management to assess contracts valued at a minimum of $50 million for services performed by contractor personnel along the southern border. DHS would also be required to develop a strategy and implementation plan to improve procurement and delivery of services. As part of the analysis, DHS is required to consider the impact of contracts on the ability of Border Patrol agents to carry out their primary mission responsibilities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-klobuchar-colleagues-bill-to-improve-investigations-of-online-child-exploitation-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Klobuchar, Colleagues’ Bill to Improve Investigations of Online Child Exploitation Signed into Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) released the following statements after their Project Safe Childhood Act, which would make improvements to the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation, was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:

“No child should be exposed to vicious threats from online predators,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law will make key strategic improvements to give law enforcement officers and federal prosecutors the tools to go after online child predators and ensure more children are shielded from this horrific crime.”

“We must do everything we can to protect our children from online exploitation and abuse,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “By modernizing the Project Safe Childhood program, our bipartisan legislation will ensure that law enforcement has the tools and resources it needs to rescue victims and prosecute those who commit these terrible crimes.”

“Too many young lives have been lost or destroyed by online sexual abuse,” said Sen. Grassley. “By empowering local law enforcement and federal prosecutors to take down online predators, we can protect vulnerable kids and bring criminals to justice.”

“The Project Safe Childhood Act takes a major step forward in the fight to protect children from the horrendous crime of online sexual exploitation,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “Safeguarding our nation’s children from such abhorrent abuse is urgent and imperative, and this critical legislation empowers law enforcement to combat these serious dangers and hold predators accountable. I’ve long championed efforts to better protect children in an increasingly online society, and I look forward to swift action from the President.”

“It is our duty to protect the most innocent among us: our nation’s children,” said Sen. Blackburn. “Kids need more protections in this rapidly increasing digital age, and the Project Safe Childhood Act will modernize how we investigate and prosecute online child predators by giving state and local law enforcement the federal support and training they need.”

Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chris Coons (D-DE), John Kennedy (R-LA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and James Lankford (R-OK) cosponsored this legislation.

Background:

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The Project Safe Childhood Act would modernize the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation crimes and would make improvements to how federal prosecutors and law enforcement work together and use new technology to go after predators. This bill would require federal prosecutors and the DOJ to coordinate with law enforcement and experts to develop training materials and strategies to identify and rescue child victims while quickly arresting offenders.

The legislation is endorsed by the National District Attorneys Association, National Association of Police Organizations, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Fraternal Order of Police, Rights 4 Girls, National Children’s Alliance, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-ossoff-lankford-sinema-bill-to-enhance-law-enforcements-fentanyl-detection-capabilities-now-law/,"Cornyn, Ossoff, Lankford, Sinema Bill to Enhance Law Enforcement’s Fentanyl Detection Capabilities Now Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statements after their Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of (DETECT) Fentanyl and Xylazine Act, which authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct research and development, testing, and evaluation on equipment that would help law enforcement better detect fentanyl and other drugs, was signed into law:

“Fentanyl is a silent killer that lurks in the shadows of our communities,and we must assist law enforcement in rooting it out to stop the loss of more innocent lives,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law will ensure our brave men and women in uniform have every available tool to safely identify these deadly drugs and help put a stop to this devastating epidemic.”

“Illegal fentanyl trafficking is devastating Georgia families and putting our kids at risk,”said Sen. Ossoff. “We brought Republicans and Democrats together to pass our bill into law that will strengthen detection and prevention of fentanyl trafficking.”

“For anyone outside of the Washington, DC beltway, there is no doubt that the border is in chaos,” said Sen. Lankford. “Besides a record number of illegal border crossers being released into the country with no idea who they are, where they are from, or where they are going, the crisis has also resulted in massive amounts of fentanyl coming into our country, which has been deadly to many communities across the US. Sadly, Oklahoma is no stranger to the terrible impact of fentanyl. We are calling on DHS to stop illegal immigration and develop a new way to detect, stop, and investigate fentanyl trafficking into the US. This is one step in stopping the chaos, but one that will have a huge impact on our communities and families.”

U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) is a cosponsor of this legislation. U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota (NY-01), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Don Davis (NC-01) led companion legislation in the House.

Background:

Established in 2003, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is the research and development arm of DHS tasked with providing evidence-based scientific and technical expertise to inform policies that address a broad spectrum of current and emerging threats, from sexual abuse to natural disasters to narcotics. S&T has an opioid detection research program, but it is not explicitly set up by law.

The DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act will:

Create a new statutory responsibility for S&T to carry out, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), research, development, testing, evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of drug detection equipment and reference libraries used by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to identify unknown substances;

Establish three focus areas with flexibility to adopt other focuses in the future:

Portable detection equipment that requires only minimal handling of sample;

Equipment that can separate complex mixtures with low concentrations of drugs and high concentrations of cutting agents into component parts to enable detection; and

Technologies that use AI and machine learning to predict whether a substance is a controlled substance analogue or other new psychoactive substance not yet included in a reference library.

Require S&T to follow the recommendations, guidelines, and best practices set out in the federal government’s Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework; and

Direct S&T to look to the DEA’s State and Territory Report on Enduring and Emerging Threats and the DHS’s Homeland Threat Assessment in establishing priorities.

The DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act is endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, National Border Patrol Council, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, National HIDTA Directors Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Sergeants Benevolent NYPD, National Treasury Employees Union, and Shatterpoof.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-padilla-bill-to-safeguard-veterans-access-to-quality-education-now-law/,"Cornyn, Padilla Bill to Safeguard Veterans’ Access to Quality Education Now Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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 Alex Padilla (D-CA) released the following statements after their Isakson-Roe Education Oversight Expansion Act, which would improve the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) oversight capabilities to ensure veterans can access quality education at reputable institutions, was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:

“Our veterans deserve to put their hard-earned education benefits toward degrees and certifications from trustworthy institutions,” said Sen. Cornyn.“This law will help the VA root out fraud among schools and ensure veterans have access to quality education.”

“Veterans should have access to their hard-earned GI Bill benefits without fear of exploitation,” said Sen. Padilla. “This bipartisan legislation becoming law is an important step toward that mission, and I will keep fighting to break down the barriers to quality higher education access.”

U.S. Representatives Morgan McGarvey (KY-03) and Mike Levin (CA-49) led companion legislation in the House.

Background:

Through the G.I. Bill, many veterans earn education benefits to help pay for college, graduate school, and vocational training at institutions approved by the VA. Given the number of educational institutions, however, the VA is not always aware of those that are engaged in deceptive practices or have been subjected to punitive action by a state or federal authority. This can result in veterans using their benefits at bad-actor schools or those in jeopardy of losing accreditation.

To help mitigate fraud and ensure veterans use their benefits at reputable schools, the Isakson-Roe Education Oversight Expansion Act will require all VA-approved institutions to report within 30 days any adverse actions taken against them to the State Approving Agencies (SAA) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-padilla-wicker-bill-to-bolster-solid-rocket-motor-supply-chain-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Padilla, Wicker Bill to Bolster Solid Rocket Motor Supply Chain Signed into Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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 Alex Padilla (D-CA), along with Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS), released the following statements after their Solid Propulsion Enhancement and Advancement for Readiness (SPEAR) Act, which would help secure and stabilize the domestic supply chain of solid rocket motors commonly used in missiles and rockets, was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:

“State-of-the-art solid rocket motors are critical to America’s defense industrial base, and I’m glad our legislation to ensure their continued production on U.S. soil is now law,” said Sen. Cornyn.

“Solid rocket motors are key to America’s national defense, and we must increase domestic production to address growing demand for hypersonic technology,” said Sen. Padilla. “California is a leader in the hypersonic industry, and I’m glad to see this legislation signed into law.”

“For years, over a dozen solid rocket motor producers, including many new, innovative companies, have struggled to move quickly because of Pentagon planning instability and lack of conviction,” said Sen. Wicker. “The SPEAR Act requires the Pentagon to begin reversing this trend through a roadmap for future manufacturing of SRMs. We need to put our defense industrial base on a wartime footing, and I am grateful to have partnered with Senator Cornyn on legislation that moves us in the right direction.”

Background:

Solid rocket motors (SRM) are key components of missiles and rockets’ propulsion capabilities. The Solid Propulsion Enhancement and Advancement for Readiness (SPEAR) Act directs the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to conduct a study and compile a report to Congress on ways to secure and stabilize industrial SRM production capacity, resiliency, and surge capability for the next five years.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-peters-webster-carbajal-bill-to-strengthen-cybersecurity-at-ports-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Peters, Webster, Carbajal Bill to Strengthen Cybersecurity at Ports Signed into Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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 Gary Peters (D-MI) and U.S. Representative Daniel Webster (FL-11) released the following statements after their Protecting Investments in Our Ports Act, which will ensure that all applicants for competitive grant funding from the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) may only purchase secure digital infrastructure or secure software components and applicants must certify they have a security plan addressing cyber risks, was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:

“As technology continues to advance and global tensions rise, we must take steps to address the growing threat posed by adversaries looking to access sensitive information or disrupt supply chains at our ports,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This law will mitigate the risk of cyber-espionage by foreign countries and help ensure the digital infrastructure and technology at our ports is secure.”

“Our shipping ports play a crucial role in building resilient supply chains, supporting economic growth, and strengthening our national security. We must do everything we can to protect our port infrastructure from cybersecurity threats,” said Sen. Peters. “This law will incentivize our ports to put the appropriate guardrails in place to protect against cyberattacks, helping to improve the security and efficiency of operations.”

“We must ensure our seaports have the resources and are taking the steps necessary to counter threats posed by the introduction of new software and digital infrastructure,” said Rep. Webster. “This critical measure will help insulate port operations against any potential attacks by those wishing to disrupt our supply chains.”

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24) is a cosponsor of this legislation in the House.

Background:

Chinese-made cranes operating at American ports across the country, including several at strategic ports used by the military, have embedded technology that could be used to spy on and disrupt U.S. port operations. The Protecting Investments in our Ports Act will require applicants of the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) under the Maritime Administration that are acquiring digital infrastructure or a software component to certify that they have an approved National Maritime Transportation Security Plan that addresses cyber risks.

This legislation builds on Sen. Cornyn’s Cranes of Concern at our Ports (CCP) Act, which was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY24 and requires the federal government to evaluate threats to U.S. ports posed by cranes manufactured in countries of concern, especially those made by China’s Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company (ZPMC). The Protecting Investment in Our Ports Act makes sure competitive grant funding from the PIDP is being used to purchase secure infrastructure and provides another layer of checks on security.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-shaheen-bill-to-prevent-military-personnel-transferring-skills-to-foreign-adversaries-now-law/,"Cornyn, Shaheen Bill to Prevent Military Personnel Transferring Skills to Foreign Adversaries Now Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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 Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statements after their Safeguarding Tactics and Operational Procedures from (STOP) Enemies Act, which would update the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to prohibit active duty and retired service members from providing military education, military training, or tactical advice to foreign adversaries, was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:

“Our military prohibits U.S. service members from providing our enemies with weapons, ammunition, and intelligence, but military education, training, and skills need to be added to that list,” said Sen. Cornyn.“This law will make it clear that active duty or retired service members who transfer their institutional knowledge to our enemies will face serious consequences.”

“U.S. service members are the most well-trained and prepared fighting force on the planet – they must know that sharing any knowledge of their training or U.S. capabilities with adversaries is strictly prohibited,” said Sen. Shaheen. “I’m glad that our bipartisan legislation has been signed into law to clarify the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and ensure that any service member who chooses to betray their oath will face severe consequences.”

Background:

Article 103b of the UCMJ currently prohibits U.S. active duty and retired service members from providing material items such as arms, ammunition, supplies, or money to the enemy as well as harboring, protecting, or providing intelligence to the enemy. This legislation would clarify the scope of Article 103b to prohibit individuals subject to the UCMJ from providing military education, military training, or tactical advice to enemies of the U.S., which could include any hostile body that our forces may be opposing, such as a rebellious mob or a band of renegades; organized forces of the enemy in time of war; and members of military organizations.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-warner-lankford-kelly-bill-to-foster-intelligence-community-partnerships-signed-into-law-2/,"Cornyn, Warner, Lankford, Kelly Bill to Foster Intelligence Community Partnerships Signed into Law",2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,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), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), and Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released the following statements after their Enable IC Partnerships Act, which would encourage public and private partnerships with the Intelligence Community to streamline acquisitions and adoption of cutting-edge technologies and support workforce development, was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act:

“Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and data sciences are on pace to revolutionize intelligence gathering and analysis,” said Sen. Cornyn.“By fostering IC public-private partnerships, we can better equip our Intelligence Community with the tools and cutting-edge technology that will strengthen our national security.”

“As Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I’m acutely aware of the challenges our Intelligence Community faces to combat the threats posed by our adversaries,” said Sen. Warner. “As our adversaries rapidly advance their technological capabilities, it’s crucial that we streamline our processes in order to keep up. This law will help give the IC the support, funding, and flexibility needed better protect our national security.”

“Innovation is key to protecting America’s cybersecurity and national security,” said Sen. Lankford. “As adversaries from across the globe attempt to undermine the United States, our intelligence community needs to be prepared with the technology, training, and programs to stay one step ahead.”

“Our intelligence community is stronger when they’re given the tools needed to anticipate national security threats,” said Sen. Kelly. “This bipartisan effort will make it easier for our intelligence agencies to leverage partnerships to secure state-of-the-art technology and talent, ensuring the U.S. maintains an edge over adversaries.”

Background:

In light of global threats to national security, acquisition leaders in the Intelligence Community must be able to explore the use of public and private capital partnerships to secure technological advantages for the intelligence community through the identification, development, and transfer of promising technologies to full-scale programs capable of meeting IC requirements.

This legislation will encourage acquisition leaders to explore partnerships with federal lending agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Strategic Capital, and private capital partnerships. It will also support IC talent and workforce development in technology-related fields, including computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and others.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cruz-bill-to-rename-plano-va-clinic-in-honor-of-congressman-sam-johnson-heads-to-presidents-desk/,"Cornyn, Cruz Bill to Rename Plano VA Clinic in Honor of Congressman Sam Johnson Heads to President’s Desk",2024-12-21,2024,2024-12,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 Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statements after their legislation, which would designate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community-based outpatient clinic in Plano, Texas, as the “U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic,” passed the Senate and now heads to the President’s desk:

“Sam Johnson was an American hero, a statesman, a loving husband and father, and a friend,” said Sen. Cornyn. “With more than five decades of service to our nation in the Air Force and Congress, Sam’s life was a shining example of American patriotism, and I am glad that my Senate colleagues have passed this legislation to preserve his extraordinary legacy.”

“I’m proud to have worked with Senator Cornyn to rename this facility the Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic, honoring Congressman Johnson’s unwavering service to our nation, our veterans, and Texas military families,”said Sen. Cruz.“The renaming of this facility reflects our commitment to deepening and embodying those values.”

The legislation was led in the House of Representatives by Congressman Keith Self (TX-03).

Background:

Born in 1930 in San Antonio, Sam Johnson served in the Air Force for 29 years. He flew combat missions in Korea and Vietnam, earning several valor awards and two purple hearts for wounds received in action. In 1966, he was shot down on his 25th combat mission in Vietnam and held as a prisoner of war for seven years, with much of that time served in solitary confinement. He returned to Texas after the war, serving in the Texas House of Representatives until successfully running for U.S. Congress in 1991.

Rep. Johnson was a long-time member of the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means and has a room named in his honor in the Rayburn House Office Building. He retired from Congress in 2019 and passed away in 2020 at the age of 89 in Plano, Texas.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-provision-to-provide-relief-for-south-texas-farmers-amp-ranchers-signed-into-law/,Cornyn Provision to Provide Relief for South Texas Farmers & Ranchers Signed Into Law,2024-12-21,2024,2024-12,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 his provision granting the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture the authority to issue block grants to farmers and ranchers in South Texas who have been impacted by Mexico’s failure to provide water as obligated by the 1944 Water Treaty was signed into law as part of the government funding bill:

“I am relieved that this provision to authorize grants to South Texas farmers and ranchers has been signed into law,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Mexico’s repeated delayed water deliveries and refusal to live up to its obligations in the 1944 Water Treaty have devastated South Texas farmers and ranchers for far too long, and this new authority will help provide much-needed economic relief to agriculture communities in South Texas.”

Background:

This measure was included in the continuing resolution, which Senator Cornyn supported.

Under the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, Mexico is obligated to deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually over a five-year cycle as its contribution to the Rio Grande’s water supply. However, Mexico has consistently delayed fulfilling its water obligation until the end of the five-year cycle, which hinders South Texas farmers and ranchers from being able to plan for and grow crops. As of November 2024, Mexico is behind approximately 980,000 acre-feet on water deliveries.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-releases-statement-on-passage-of-government-funding,Sen. Cruz Releases Statement on Passage of Government Funding,2024-12-21,2024,2024-12,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) released the following statement regarding passage of a continuing resolution to fund the government through March 14, 2025:

“I voted for this resolution to ensure our government remains fully operational and ready to hit the ground running on day one of President Trump’s administration. The American people made their voices loud and clear—they support bold, decisive change. This funding measure allows Congress to immediately get to work confirming President Trump’s nominees and implement the policies Texans and Americans overwhelmingly voted for.

“I am pleased to have secured critical relief for Texans in this bill. I championed a provision that ensures South Texas agricultural producers suffering from Mexico’s blatant failure to meet its obligations under the 1944 Treaty on Utilization of Waters of the Colorado, Tijuana, and Rio Grande Rivers. This funding will provide immediate relief for hardworking Texans.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-issues-statement-after-congress-passes-water-resources-development-act,Sen. Cruz Issues Statement After Congress Passes Water Resources Development Act,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,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) released the following statement after Congress passed the 2024 Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), which includes provisions he secured to support important infrastructure projects in Texas.

Following passage, Sen. Cruz said, “I am proud to secure so many key legislative priorities for the Lone Star State in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act. The provisions I championed will authorize new construction projects, keep ongoing projects on schedule, and boost economic growth for Texas and the United States.”

Read the full text of the bill here.

The following provisions impact the State of Texas:

Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement Project

Directs actions to address delays, including a Sense of Congress that the Secretary should expedite required documentation. If justified, the Secretary is directed to proceed directly to preconstruction, planning, engineering, and design.

Sabine-Neches Waterway Navigation Improvement Project

Directs the Secretary to expedite review and coordination of the Section 203 feasibility study for this project.

La Quinta Ship Channel Expansion Project

Directs the Secretary to expedite review and coordination of the Section 203 feasibility study for this project.

Galveston Bay Ship Channel Feasibility Study

Authorizes the Corps to study improving and deepening ship channels and barge lanes in the broader Galveston Bay area.

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Coastal Resilience Program, Brazoria and Matagorda Counties

Authorizes the Corps to begin construction on the project to improve navigation of the waterway and repair and enhance the existing barrier system for hurricane and storm damage risk reduction.

Cedar Port Navigation and Improvement District Channel Deepening Project

Directs the Secretary to expedite review and coordination of the Section 203 feasibility study for this project.

Process to Release Excess Easements or Transfer of Excess Lands for Harris or adjacent counties

Directs the Army Corps to assist in converting a current placement area into a new or expanded container terminal.

Waco Lake

Directs the Secretary to expedite review and consider the City of Waco's request to participate in repairing the embankment adjacent to Waco Lake.

Matagorda Ship Channel Design Deficiency Cost Share

Sets the federal cost-share at 90% to correct design deficiencies in the Matagorda Ship Channel jetties.

Expedited Consideration of Future WRDA Projects

Allows for expedited consideration of standalone legislation to authorize one or more projects to advance to the next development stage.

Cost-Share Change to Navigation Construction Projects

Increases from 50-feet to 55-feet the existing 75% federal cost-share for navigation construction projects.

Red River Chloride Control Project

Reaffirms Congressional support for this project, providing water quality control to the City of Wichita Falls and Sheppard Air Force Base.

Cost-Share Change to Navigation Operations & Maintenance Projects

Increases from 50-feet to 55-feet the existing 100% federal cost-share for operations and maintenance navigation projects.

Operations and Maintenance Building in Galveston

Authorizes the design and construction of an operations and maintenance building for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Galveston.

New Office Construction in Corpus Christi

Authorizes the design and construction of an administration building, maintenance building, and covered boat house for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Corpus Christi.

Addicks and Barker Reservoirs

Authorizes modifications to the project for flood risk management.

Westside Creek, San Antonio Channel

Authorizes modifications to the project for ecosystem restoration.

Resacas ecosystem restoration, Brownsville

Provides the Secretary with the authority to extend pay flexibility to the non-Federal cost-share of the project.

Guadalupe County, including the City of Santa Clara

Authorizes a feasibility study for the project for flood risk management.

Halls Bayou, Harris County

Authorizes a feasibility study for the project for flood risk management and ecosystem restoration

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Brazos River Floodgates and Colorado River Locks

Directs the Secretary to expedite the feasibility study for the project for navigation

Raymondville Drain Project, Lower Rio Grande Basin

Directs the Secretary to expedite the review and coordinate the feasibility study for the project for flood control.

Buffalo Bayou Tributaries and Resiliency Study

Instructs the Secretary to expedite the completion of the study while including recommendations that align with community objectives and deliver the final report by December 31, 2025.

Environmental Infrastructure

Authorizes funding under the Environmental Infrastructure account towards water and wastewater infrastructure for the following municipalities:

Austin

Amarillo

Brownsville

Clarendon

Quinlan

Runaway Bay

Webb County

Zapata County

Dallas County Region

San Antonio Channel, San Antonio

Modifies the existing project for flood control.

Lakes Program

Adds Falcon Lake of Zapata County and Lake Casa Blanca of Webb County to the Lakes Program.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-lujan-bill-to-expand-preserve-big-bend-national-park-passes-senate/,"Cornyn, Luján Bill to Expand, Preserve Big Bend National Park Passes Senate",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,,0,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/on-fox-cornyn-discusses-biden-admins-sale-of-border-wall-materials/,"On Fox, Cornyn Discusses Biden Admin’s Sale of Border Wall Materials",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today on Fox News’ The Story with Martha MacCallum, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to sell unused border wall materials and President-Elect Trump’s plan to deport criminals who are here illegally. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

On the Biden-Harris Administration’s Border Wall Auction:

“It’s outrageous, of course. And it seems like the Biden administration not only is determined to destroy our country by opening our borders to anybody and everybody who wants to come across, but positively make it easier for them to get here.”

“I think we’re going to be paying the price for decades to come from this uncontrolled border policy of the previous administration.”

“I’m looking forward to January 20, when President Trump begins to enforce the laws that are already in place that Joe Biden refuses to enforce.”

On President-Elect Trump’s Deportation Plan:

“Catch-and-release is the basic policy flaw of the Biden administration, because if you release people into the interior of the country, they’re going to just keep coming. More will keep coming because they know they’ll be able to successfully get into the United States and be able to stay.”

“Detaining is really important and, of course, the Biden administration has reduced the capacity of our ability to detain individuals dramatically.”

“Because of President Trump’s threat of mass deportation, it’s already deterred migrants from coming to the United States in the first place.”

“So this isn’t just about enforcing the law, about catching and detaining people—this is about consequences, and it’s beginning to work.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/video-cornyn-outlines-priorities-for-doge-pentagon-reforms/,VIDEO: Cornyn Outlines Priorities for DOGE Pentagon Reforms,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,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) outlined ways the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) can reform the Pentagon to ensure America’s armed forces are efficient, effective, and able to reestablish dominance on the world stage following years of weakness and irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars under President Biden. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“One of the priorities I’m looking forward to working with DOGE on is to accomplish, as a founding member, is to reform and, hopefully, revitalize the Pentagon.”

“We need to make sure that the money that is spent is spent efficiently and accurately.”

“The lack of competition in this area, combined with our penchant for requiring unique defense systems, has hampered our bargaining power and led to waste and abuse.”

“The goal should be deterrence—preventing the next war.”

“The Pentagon should move away from cost-plus contracts, toward reliance on fixed-price contracts. Under a fixed-price model, cost overruns are borne by the contractor instead of the buyer, which in this case is the Pentagon.”

“Newer, nontraditional defense companies like Anduril and Palantir, as well as Elon Musk’s SpaceX in my home state of Texas, have made a strong case for this commonsense business approach.”

“I’m optimistic that the Pentagon can and will, with our help and encouragement, make progress on all of these fronts in order to be prepared for the challenges that our country faces ahead.”

“I’m confident that under new leadership, including that of Secretary-designate Hegseth, in collaboration with people like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy at the Department of Government Efficiency, we can continue and build on this process and make additional needed reforms at the Pentagon.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-celebrates-passage-of-share-it-act-requiring-agencies-share-code,Sen. Cruz Celebrates Passage of SHARE IT Act Requiring Agencies Share Code,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,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. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement after his bipartisan Source Code Harmonization And Reuse in Information Technology (SHARE IT) Act passed the Senate, and will head to President Biden’s desk for his signature. The SHARE IT Act, introduced with U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-Mich.), would require government agencies to share custom-developed source code—thereby avoiding redundant government contracts to build software.

Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-N.Y.-23) introduced companion legislation in the House, which passed that chamber earlier this month.

Upon the passage of the SHARE IT Act in the Senate, Sen. Cruz said, “American taxpayers deserve government efficiency wherever possible. Congress should take advantage of every opportunity to reduce duplicative spending and boost government transparency in procurement. I am proud to have worked with Chairman Peters and Rep. Langworthy to advance the SHARE IT Act and bring greater fiscal responsibility and accountability to the federal government’s information technology needs.”

Sen. Peters said, “By facilitating custom code sharing among federal agencies, we can significantly cut costs for taxpayers, enhance the efficiency of government services, boost security and foster software innovation. This bipartisan legislation enhances the federal government’s digital capabilities and will benefit Americans as they access government services online. I am thankful for Senator Cruz’s leadership on this effort and am happy to see it heading to the President’s desk.”

Rep. Nick Langworthy said, “The SHARE IT Act’s passage in the Senate is a win for American taxpayers and the first step toward President Trump’s agenda of making our government more efficient and accountable. I want to thank Senator Ted Cruz for his leadership in championing this bipartisan effort in the Senate. By eliminating wasteful spending on redundant software and requiring agencies to share solutions, we’re streamlining our federal government while delivering real savings for the American people. I look forward to seeing this commonsense bill signed into law.”

BACKGROUND

Currently, the federal government spends approximately $12 billion annually purchasing software, including “custom-developed” software for agencies, such as websites, analytical models, and apps. Despite the fact that much custom-developed code is not classified or sensitive, agencies generally do not make custom software available to one another, even though there is an existing website created for agencies to do so. This inefficiency results in duplicative government contracts and needless spending when agencies hire contractors to reproduce code that another agency has already procured.

The SHARE IT Act improves and updates federal source code policy by requiring agencies to publicly list custom code they make or buy and share this code with the rest of the government, and ensures transparency by requiring agencies to publicly list their custom code. The legislation contains exceptions for national security systems, classified code, or code whose disclosure would create an identifiable risk to individual privacy.

The SHARE IT Act requires no additional funding, as agencies already have the flexibility to share code via existing government infrastructure like code.gov, open-source tools like Git, or commercial platforms like GitHub or Bitbucket.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-bill-to-help-adjust-military-life-insurance-for-inflation-passes-senate/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Help Adjust Military Life Insurance for Inflation Passes Senate",2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,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), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Angus King (I-ME), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) released the following statements after their Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act, which would help ensure life insurance packages for service members and veterans account for increases in cost of living and inflation, passed the Senate:

“As the nation continues to feel the effects of inflation, we need to make sure service members, veterans, and their families have the financial support they need and deserve,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Our bill would help ensure the Veterans Affairs Department can offer competitive life insurance packages that keep pace with the current cost of living.”

“Our nation’s service members and veterans put their lives on the line to protect America and defend our freedom,” said Sen. Cruz. “I am proud to partner with my colleagues to honor and provide for those who bravely sacrificed to serve the United States of America. Adjusting the value of the life insurance policies of servicemembers and veterans in line with inflation will ensure that America rightly honors their memory and cares for their loved ones after they are gone.”

“Servicemembers, veterans and their families have selflessly dedicated their lives in service to our nation, and for that we are forever indebted,” said Sen. King. “The bipartisan Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act will ensure military life insurance coverage can keep up with the current cost of living. Providing this simple financial safety net is the least we can do for the brave men and women who serve. This bill makes clear our commitment to standing by military families, and I am grateful to my colleagues for helping to pass this important legislation in the Senate.”

“As the cost of living increases for people across the country, it is crucial our veterans are able to access life insurance plans that keep pace with rising costs,” said Sen. Hirono. “The Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act will help improve life insurance options for servicemembers, veterans, and their families. As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I’m proud to see this bill pass the Senate and I’ll keep fighting to ensure all of our veterans and their loved ones receive the support they deserve.”

“As a veteran myself, I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices service members and their families make,” said Sen. Kelly. “For too long, life insurance coverage for servicemembers and their families has failed to keep up with the rising cost of living, leaving them without the financial security they deserve. That’s going to change with our bipartisan bill that ensures these military benefits keep pace with inflation, honoring their service and sacrifice.”

This legislation was also cosponsored by Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10).

Background:

The Fairness for Servicemembers and their Families Act would help ensure the maximum group insurance available to service members and veterans account for increases in cost of living. From 2006 to 2023, the maximum insurance value available for service members and veterans remained static, lagging far behind inflation rates. This bill would improve the financial safety net for veterans, service members, and their families by helping to ensure coverage amounts don’t remain static when cost of living goes up. It would also improve reporting requirements to prevent the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department, the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs from going years without assessing inflation rates.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-meets-with-dni-nominee-tulsi-gabbard/,Cornyn Meets with DNI Nominee Tulsi Gabbard,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,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 today with Tulsi Gabbard, whom President-Elect Trump has announced he will nominate to serve as Director of National Intelligence. Please see photo below.

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-on-outbound-investment-provisions-included-in-government-funding-bill/,Cornyn on Outbound Investment Provisions Included in Government Funding Bill,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,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 language to increase transparency and prohibit investments by American entities in sensitive technologies in China, an effort he has led in the Senate with Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), was included in the government funding bill:

“China will stop at nothing to win the global power competition, and certain investments – including intellectual property and capital – by American companies in the country can be weaponized by the Chinese Communist Party to get ahead,” said Sen. Cornyn. “With the inclusion of outbound investment language in the government funding bill, we’re taking a necessary step to safeguard American innovation against bad actors and ensure our lasting dominance on the world stage, and I commend congressional leaders for their work to include this important issue in the final text.”

Background:

The provisions included in this year’s government funding agreement would:

Authorize the President to impose sanctions on any People’s Republic of China (PRC) entity that engages in significant operations in the PRC’s military and intelligence sectors;

Permit the Secretary of Treasury to prohibit a U.S. person from investing in certain sensitive technologies;

Require the Secretary of Treasury to set up a notification regime for the covered technologies the Secretary chooses not to prohibit;

Require annual reports to Congress containing information on covered investments and trends;

And direct the Secretary of Treasury, in coordination with other agencies, to engage with partner countries on establishing comparable outbound investment regimes.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-ossoff-lankford-sinema-bill-to-enhance-law-enforcements-fentanyl-detection-capabilities-heads-to-presidents-desk/,"Cornyn, Ossoff, Lankford, Sinema Bill to Enhance Law Enforcement’s Fentanyl Detection Capabilities Heads to President’s Desk",2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,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), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), James Lankford (R-OK), and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) released the following statements after their Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of (DETECT) Fentanyl and Xylazine Act, which would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct research and development, testing, and evaluation on equipment that would help law enforcement better detect fentanyl and other drugs, passed the House and now heads to the President’s desk:

“Fentanyl is an unyielding silent killer that lurks in the shadows of our communities, and we must assist law enforcement in rooting it out to stop the loss of more innocent lives,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would ensure our brave men and women in uniform have every available tool to safely identify these deadly drugs and help put a stop to this devastating epidemic, and I urge the President to sign it without delay.”

“Illegal fentanyl trafficking is devastating Georgia families and putting our kids at risk,” said Sen. Ossoff. “We brought Republicans and Democrats together to pass this bill that will strengthen detection and prevention of fentanyl trafficking.”

“For anyone outside of the Washington, DC beltway, there is no doubt that the border is in chaos,” said Sen. Lankford. “Besides a record number of illegal border crossers being released into the country with no idea who they are, where they are from, or where they are going, the crisis has also resulted in massive amounts of fentanyl coming into our country, which has been deadly to many communities across the US. Sadly, Oklahoma is no stranger to the terrible impact of fentanyl. We are calling on DHS to stop illegal immigration and develop a new way to detect, stop, and investigate fentanyl trafficking into the US. This is one step in stopping the chaos, but one that will have a huge impact on our communities and families.”

“Over half of the fentanyl coming into the U.S. comes through Arizona,” said Sen. Sinema. “Our bipartisan bill will help stop this dangerous flow of drugs by supplying law enforcement with new tools to detect opioids and crack down on the trafficking of fentanyl.”

U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota (NY-01), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Don Davis (NC-01) led companion legislation in the House.

Background:

Established in 2003, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is the research and development arm of DHS tasked with providing evidence-based scientific and technical expertise to inform policies that address a broad spectrum of current and emerging threats, from sexual abuse to natural disasters to narcotics. S&T has an opioid detection research program, but it is not explicitly set up by law.

The DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act would:

Create a new statutory responsibility for S&T to carry out, in coordination with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), research, development, testing, evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of drug detection equipment and reference libraries used by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to identify unknown substances;

Establish three focus areas with flexibility to adopt other focuses in the future:

Portable detection equipment that requires only minimal handling of sample;

Equipment that can separate complex mixtures with low concentrations of drugs and high concentrations of cutting agents into component parts to enable detection; and

Technologies that use AI and machine learning to predict whether a substance is a controlled substance analogue or other new psychoactive substance not yet included in a reference library.

Require S&T to follow the recommendations, guidelines, and best practices set out in the federal government’s Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework; and

Direct S&T to look to the DEA’s State and Territory Report on Enduring and Emerging Threats and the DHS’s Homeland Threat Assessment in establishing priorities.

The DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act is endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, National Border Patrol Council, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, National HIDTA Directors Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Sergeants Benevolent NYPD, National Treasury Employees Union, and Shatterpoof.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-supported-defense-bill-passes-senate-2/,Cornyn-Supported Defense Bill Passes Senate,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,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 released the following statement after the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025 passed the Senate:

“As the global threat landscape continues to evolve and grow increasingly dangerous, America must take strategic steps to bolster our military readiness and deter foreign adversaries,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation will strengthen our national security, support our service members, and help ensure our allies trust us and our enemies fear us once again.”

Sen. Cornyn’s Legislation Included in the Bill:

Enable IC Partnerships Act: Encourages public and private partnerships with the Intelligence Community to streamline acquisitions and adoption of cutting-edge technologies and support workforce development.

Project Safe Childhood Act: Makes improvements to the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation.

Protecting Investments in our Ports Act: Ensures that all applicants for competitive grant funding from the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) may only purchase secure digital infrastructure or secure software components and applicants must certify they have a security plan addressing cyber risks.

Encouraging Qualitative Upgrades and Innovative Procurements (EQUIP) Act: Permits the use of the Defense Modernization Fund as a source of funding to procure and integrate commercial technologies to satisfy a joint urgent operational need or validated service requirement.

Capability-Based Trade and Unconventional Resource Engagement (CAPTURE) Act: Creates a pilot project permitting contracting officers to use an alternative capability-based analysis to determine whether the proposed price or fee for a commercial product or service offered by a nontraditional defense contractor is fair and reasonable, giving them more flexibility to choose the most cost-effective options regardless of contractor.

Solid Propulsion Enhancement and Advancement for Readiness (SPEAR) Act: Helps secure and stabilize the domestic supply chain of solid rocket motors commonly used in missiles and rockets.

Safeguarding Tactics and Operational Procedures (STOP) Enemies Act: Updates the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to prohibit active duty and retired service members from providing military education, military training, or tactical advice to foreign adversaries.

Private Smither Act: Requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide a health care provider’s affiliation in a patient’s medical record.

Provisions to authorize the Secretary of the Army to grant a land conveyance from Boyle Memorial Army Reserve Center to Paris Junior College.

Other Texas-Specific Provisions Include:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/house-passes-cornyn-bill-designating-bastrop-post-office-in-honor-of-sergeant-major-billy-d-waugh-now-heads-to-the-presidents-desk/,House Passes Cornyn Bill Designating Bastrop Post Office in Honor of Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Now Heads to the President’s Desk,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) issued the following statements after the House of Representatives passed their bill designating the United States Post Office located on Main Street in Bastrop, Texas as the “Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office.”

“I am proud to champion legislation alongside Senator Cruz to designate the post office in Bastrop, Texas, after Sergeant Major Waugh, a decorated combat war veteran and eight-time Purple Heart recipient who dedicated five decades of service to our country,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Now that this bill has passed the House, we are one step closer to renaming this facility in his honor, which will serve as a reminder of his impressive legacy and lifetime of service for generations to come.”

“Sergeant Major Billy Waugh dedicated his life to serving his state and country,”said Sen. Cruz. “As an Army paratrooper, Special Forces Soldier, CIA paramilitary officer, Postal Service member, and eight-time Purple Heart recipient, he embodied the highest ideals of American patriotism and sacrifice. By naming the Bastrop Post Office after Sergeant Major Waugh, we honor his legacy of resilience, courage, and sacrifice.”

Background:

Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was born in December 1929 and raised in Bastrop, Texas. He served his country as an Army paratrooper and Special Forces Soldier from 1948 to 1972, including seven years in combat during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He also was part of the first high-altitude, low-opening (HALO) combat parachute assault in military history.

For his military service, Sergeant Major Waugh received dozens of awards and medals, including the Silver Star and eight Purple Hearts for his combat wounds. After retirement, he joined the United States Postal Service before again serving his country as a paramilitary operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, where he successfully pursued terrorists including Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden.

Sergeant Major Waugh eventually returned to his hometown of Bastrop and passed away in April 2023 at the age of 93.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/what-the-defense-bill-means-for-texas-11/,What the Defense Bill Means for Texas,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025, which includes multiple priorities for Texas and legislation authored by U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) that will benefit Texas service members and military installations, boost job creation, as well as support ongoing national security efforts.

“As the global threat landscape continues to evolve and grow increasingly dangerous, America must take strategic steps to bolster our military readiness and deter foreign adversaries,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation will strengthen our national security, support our service members, and help ensure our allies trust us and our enemies fear us once again.”

Sen. Cornyn’s Legislation Included in the NDAA:

Protecting Investments in our Ports Act: Ensures that all applicants for competitive grant funding from the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) may only purchase secure digital infrastructure or secure software components and applicants must certify they have a security plan addressing cyber risks.

Enable IC Partnerships Act: Encourages public and private partnerships with the Intelligence Community to streamline acquisitions and adoption of cutting-edge technologies and support workforce development.

Safeguarding Tactics and Operational Procedures (STOP) Enemies Act: Updates the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to prohibit active duty and retired service members from providing military education, military training, or tactical advice to foreign adversaries.

Private Smither Act: Requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide a health care provider’s affiliation in a patient’s medical record.

Provisions to authorize the Secretary of the Army to grant a land conveyance from Boyle Memorial Army Reserve Center to Paris Junior College.

Encouraging Qualitative Upgrades and Innovative Procurements (EQUIP) Act: Permits the use of the Defense Modernization Fund as a source of funding to procure and integrate commercial technologies to satisfy a joint urgent operational need or validated service requirement.

Capability-Based Trade and Unconventional Resource Engagement (CAPTURE) Act: Creates a pilot project permitting contracting officers to use an alternative capability-based analysis to determine whether the proposed price or fee for a commercial product or service offered by a nontraditional defense contractor is fair and reasonable, giving them more flexibility to choose the most cost-effective options regardless of contractor.

Solid Propulsion Enhancement and Advancement for Readiness (SPEAR) Act: Helps secure and stabilize the domestic supply chain of solid rocket motors commonly used in missiles and rockets.

Project Safe Childhood Act: Makes improvements to the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation.

Other Texas-Specific Provisions Include:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-applauds-passage-of-cruz-cornyn-legislation-boosting-high-quality-education-for-children-of-military-families,Cruz Applauds Passage of Cruz-Cornyn Legislation Boosting High-Quality Education for Children of Military Families,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,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), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) released the following statements after their provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) directing the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide an updated assessment of schools on military bases was signed into law enabling new schools in temporary housing to become eligible for consideration as permanent facilities.

Upon passage, Sen. Cruz said, “This provision paves the way for Laughlin Air Force Base's Roberto Barrera Elementary STEM Magnet School to be assessed, ranked, and considered for future construction funding. This move is a top priority for the Del Rio and Laughlin Air Force Base community. I am proud to support educational opportunities for the children of our servicemembers.”

Sen. Cornyn said, “I am proud to champion legislation alongside Senator Cruz to designate the post office in Bastrop, Texas, after Sergeant Major Waugh, a decorated combat war veteran and eight-time Purple Heart recipient who dedicated five decades of service to our country. Now that this bill has passed the House, we are one step closer to renaming this facility in his honor, which will serve as a reminder of his impressive legacy and lifetime of service for generations to come.”

BACKGROUND

The DoD Education Activity (DoDEA), formerly the Department of DoD Dependents Schools and DoD Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools, operates 160 schools located in 11 foreign countries, seven states, and two territories.

This legislation directs the DoD to conduct a study and report on the condition and capacity of DoDEA schools throughout the enterprise.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/house-passes-cruz-bill-designating-bastrop-post-office-in-honor-of-sergeant-major-billy-d-waugh-now-heads-to-the-presidents-desk,House Passes Cruz Bill Designating Bastrop Post Office in Honor of Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Now Heads to the President’s Desk,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,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) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed his bill designating the United States Post Office located on Main Street in Bastrop, Texas as the “Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office.” The bill memorializes the service of Sergeant Major Waugh, a Silver Star, and eight-time Purple Heart recipient, and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law.

Upon passage, Sen. Cruz said, “Sergeant Major Billy Waugh dedicated his life to serving his state and country. As an Army paratrooper, Special Forces Soldier, CIA paramilitary officer, Postal Service member, and eight-time Purple Heart recipient, he embodied the highest ideals of American patriotism and sacrifice. By naming the Bastrop Post Office after Sergeant Major Waugh, we honor his legacy of resilience, courage, and sacrifice.”

Sen. Cornyn said, “I am proud to champion legislation alongside Senator Cruz to designate the post office in Bastrop, Texas, after Sergeant Major Waugh, a decorated combat war veteran and eight-time Purple Heart recipient who dedicated five decades of service to our country. Now that this bill has passed the Senate, we are one step closer to renaming this facility in his honor, which will serve as a reminder of his impressive legacy and lifetime of service for generations to come.”

BACKGROUND

Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was born in December 1929 and raised in Bastrop, Texas. He served his country as an Army paratrooper and Special Forces Soldier from 1948 to 1972, including seven years in combat during the Korean and Vietnam wars. He also was part of the first high-altitude, low-opening (HALO) combat parachute assault in military history.

For his military service, Sergeant Major Waugh received dozens of awards and medals, including the Silver Star and eight Purple Hearts for his combat wounds. After retirement, he joined the United States Postal Service before again serving his country as a paramilitary operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, where he successfully pursued terrorists including Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden.

Sergeant Major Waugh eventually returned to his hometown of Bastrop and passed away in April 2023 at the age of 93.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-advances-key-national-security-priorities-for-texas-and-america-in-fiscal-year-2025-national-defense-authorization-act,Sen. Cruz Advances Key National Security Priorities for Texas and America in Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act,2024-12-18,2024,2024-12,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 Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement securing passage of eight provisions in the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), securing critical wins for Texas military communities, service members, and national security.

Upon passage, Sen. Cruz said, “The FY25 NDAA includes many significant provisions for Texas and our national security. It incorporates eight of my high-priority requests, including my COMMAND Act, which ensures that all newly commissioned officers receive training on the U.S. Constitution, and the UNFURL Act, which allows uniformed servicemembers to participate in the ceremonial unfurling of large American flags at sporting events. Additionally, it includes my provision authorizing a transfer of land from Fort Bliss to El Paso’s Water Public Service Board to enhance flood control—an essential infrastructure improvement for the region—and directs the Department of Defense to share the information of highly qualified applicants to our Military Service Academies with our Senior Military Colleges, including Texas A&M University.

The NDAA also contains important provisions aimed at protecting our children and families. It prohibits TRICARE from providing puberty blockers or sterilization treatments to minors and reallocates wasteful diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) funding to critical counter-narcotics efforts. This legislation also provides a long overdue salary increase for our servicemen and women. And critically, it does not contain a Senate Democrat provision that would have required women to register for the draft. I have long opposed that proposal and will continue to do so.

I am proud of the accomplishments within this bill, and I will continue to advocate for accountability, readiness, and the strength of our armed forces.”

BACKGROUND

Key Sen. Cruz Legislative Provisions:

UNFURL Act: Amends the U.S. Flag Code to permit uniformed military servicemembers to participate in the ceremonial unfurling of large American flags at sporting events.

COMMAND Act: Requires the Department of Defense to provide constitutional training for all newly commissioned military officers.

Additional Funding for Joint Task Force North: Authorizes a $25M increase in funds to help JTF-N counter transnational criminal organizations along the southwest border

Fort Bliss Land Conveyance: Authorizes the Army to convey land to the El Paso Water Public Service Board to improve flood control.

Public Schools on Military Installations: Requires an updated assessment schools on military bases, enabling new schools in temporary housing to become eligible for consideration of permanent facilities.

Motor Pools at Fort Cavazos: Secures $147 million for two critically needed motor pools.

Service Academy Information Sharing: Directs the Military Service Academies to refer interested applicants to senior military colleges, including Texas A&M University, enhancing recruitment efforts.

STOP TRANQ Act: Requires the Department of State to include reporting on xylazine (“tranq”) in the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Ranking Member Cruz Legislative Provisions:

Texas A&M University’s State Maritime Academy: Secures training of seamen for strategic sealift.

Veteran Transitions: Removes barriers for veterans transitioning to the maritime industry by removing duplicative bachelor’s degree requirements.

Deepwater Ports: Expedites the process for amended license applications for deepwater ports, helping companies like Delphin Midstream in Houston.

Categorical Exclusions: Clarifies that MARAD can use additional categorical exclusions that are already available to the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, and Federal Transit Administration to streamline the permitting of certain port projects. The provision also directs MARAD to start a rulemaking to consider additional categorical exclusions.

‘Learning Period’ Extension: Extends the federal moratorium on potentially burdensome commercial spaceflight regulations known as the ‘learning period.’

Co-Sponsored Provisions:

JROTC Expansion: Reduces the minimum student count required to qualify for a JROTC program to 50 students, expanding educational opportunities for Texas students.

Medical Liability Clarification: Requires the DOD to improve transparency and accountability concerning the use of healthcare contractors in the military health system.

NDAA Highlights for Texas:

Personnel and Readiness:

Delivers a 14.5% pay increase for junior enlisted servicemembers and 4.5% for all others.

Expands JROTC programs and improves childcare access for military families.

$25M increase in funds to help JTF-N counter transnational criminal organizations along the southwest border.

Anti-Woke Provisions:

Halts DOD funding of gender dysphoria treatments via TRICARE.

Prohibits promotion of CRT and freezes DEI hiring for a year.

Requires constitutional training for all new officers.

Funds Authorized for Military Construction in Texas:

$147M for two motor pools at Fort Cavazos

$44M for a rail yard at Fort Bliss

$12.8M for a B-21 fuel lab at Dyess Air Force Base

$18.5M for a B-21 refueller truck yard at Dyess Air Force Base

$215M for a basic training classroom at Joint Base San Antonio

$77M for barracks at Fort Sam Houston

$38M for a T-7A Ground Based Training System at Laughlin Air Force Base

$18M for a T-7 Unity Maintenance Training Facility at Laughlin Air Force Base

$79.3M for a general-purpose warehouse at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi

$130M for a C-130J fuel cell building at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth

$75M for aircraft hangar repair at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth

$24M to renovate family housing at Lackland Air Force Base

$34M for a vehicle paint shop at Red River Army Depot

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-blumenthal-colleagues-bill-to-combat-child-exploitation-passes-senate/,"Cornyn, Blumenthal, Colleagues’ Bill to Combat Child Exploitation Passes Senate",2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,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), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Representatives Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) released the following statements after their PROTECT Our Children Act, which would reauthorize and modernize the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, passed the Senate:

“For decades, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program has played a critical role in protecting our children from exploitation,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By extending and modernizing this program, our bill would help put vicious criminals behind bars and safeguard our next generation, and I urge the House to pass it swiftly.”

“We must save children who are victims of the most ongoing vile, stomach-churning crimes because child sexual abuse goes unstopped,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “Protecting such victims is urgent and imperative—and we have an obligation to provide tools and resources necessary to do it. The PROTECT Our Children Act reauthorizes and modernizes the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Programs, enabling law enforcement to combat the exploding, serious dangers of abhorrent abuse in an online society. This essential legislation will help safeguard our children and hold predators accountable.”

“There is no frontier that poses a bigger threat to the next generation than technology and the internet,” said Sen. Hawley. “The PROTECT Our Children Act gives law enforcement the resources, assistance, and infrastructure they need to combat child sexual exploitation and internet crimes. I’m proud to support reauthorization of this crucial program.”

“In almost every aspect of the real world, child safety is a top priority. That sense of urgency should extend to the virtual world too,” said Sen. Durbin. “I’m pleased that our legislation to ensure that the ICAC Program has the resources it needs so state and local law enforcement can continue to hold perpetrators accountable and make the internet safer for its youngest users passed the U.S. Senate.”

“This legislation is critical to ensuring that children are not left at the mercy of evil predators,” said Rep. Moran. “It is imperative that we combat these heinous crimes, ensure thorough investigations and swift justice for victims, and advance the important work of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program. Reauthorizing this task force will empower law enforcement to dismantle networks of exploitation and protect vulnerable children from online predators nationwide.”

“Children deserve to grow up safe, without the fear of exploitation, and the ICAC Task Force Program helps us secure that possibility. ICAC arrests have gone up significantly over the years, with nearly 11,000 made last fiscal year alone, getting perpetrators off the streets and away from our children. But more needs to be done. I’m grateful for and proud to work with my colleagues across the aisle to reaffirm our commitment to America’s children and build on the original PROTECT Act that I authored over a decade ago,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.“Technology evolves rapidly, so we have to move just as fast to make the internet a safe space for children and guard against those who try to exploit them.”

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) are cosponsors of the legislation.

Background:

The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program helps state and local law enforcement agencies develop an effective response to technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and Internet crimes against children. This encompasses forensic and investigative components, training and technical assistance, victim services, and community education. This national network of 61 coordinated task forces represents more than 5,400 federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies engaged in both proactive and reactive investigations, forensic investigations, and criminal prosecutions.

Since 1998, ICAC Task Forces have trained more than 826,700 law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and other professionals on techniques to investigative and prosecute ICAC-related cases. They have also reviewed more than 1,452,040 reports of online child exploitation, resulting in the arrest of more than 123,790 suspects.

The PROTECT Our Children Act would:

Update and modernize the requirements for the National Strategy for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction, including requiring the U.S. Department of Justice to provide detailed, useful information on efforts to protect children nationwide;

Provide liability protection for ICAC Task Forces in the course of conducting criminal investigations of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and child abuse material;

Make needed technical improvements and clarifications to the statutory text of the program to match it to current technology and needs;

Focus the ICAC program on both proactive and reactive investigations;

And reauthorize the ICAC Program through 2027 with an escalator authorization.

The PROTECT Our Children Act is endorsed by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), National Children’s Alliance, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Rights 4 Girls, National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), Raven, Fraternal Order of Police, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), and the National Criminal Justice Training Center (NCJTC).",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-bill-to-help-prevent-child-abuse-heads-to-presidents-desk/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Help Prevent Child Abuse Heads to President’s Desk",2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,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), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) released the following statements after their Jenna Quinn Law, which would allow current grant funds to be used to train and educate students, teachers, caregivers, and other adults who work with children in a professional or volunteer capacity on how to prevent, recognize, and report child sexual abuse, passed the House and now heads to the President’s desk. The bill is named for Jenna Quinn, a Texan and child abuse survivor, and is modeled after successful reforms passed by the Texas Legislature in 2009.

“Congress must ensure every state has robust resources to train those who work with children on how to identify and prevent the vicious cycle of child sexual abuse,”said Sen. Cornyn.“This legislation, inspired by Texan Jenna Quinn, would give students, teachers, and caregivers more tools to protect vulnerable children nationwide, and I urge the President to sign it without delay.”

“Members of both parties are united in our mission to find additional ways to keep children safe from sexual abuse,” said Sen. Hassan. “Our bipartisan legislation will help ensure that parents, teachers, and other community members receive evidence-based training to help protect children from sexual abuse, and I look forward to the President signing this commonsense bill into law.”

“Every child deserves protection from abuse. Ensuring all adults, teachers, and caregivers are equipped with the knowledge to identify, prevent, and report child sexual abuse is a necessary and life-saving mechanism,” said Sen. Luján. “Jenna’s Law is implemented across several states – including New Mexico – and should be federally recognized. I’m proud to see this bipartisan legislation passed the House and Senate, bringing us one step closer to providing funding to train and educate students, teachers, and parents on best practices to prevent and report abuse.”

The Jenna Quinn Law passed the Senate on February 9th, 2024. Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) also cosponsored this legislation, and Representatives Nathaniel Moran (TX-01), Michael McCaul (TX-10), and Susan Wild (PA-07) led it in the House.

Background:

Jenna Quinn has been an outspoken advocate for survivors of child sexual abuse and was the driving force behind what is now known as Jenna’s Law in Texas. Unanimously passed by the Texas Legislature, Jenna’s Law was the first child sexual abuse prevention law in the U.S. that mandates K-12 trainings for students and school staff and was amended in 2017 to include sex trafficking prevention education in schools. More than half of all states have adopted a form of Jenna’s Law.

After Jenna’s Law passed in Texas in 2009, a study found educators reported child sexual abuse at a rate almost four times greater after training than during their pre-training career. The Jenna Quinn Law would:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-hassan-bill-to-improve-contractor-services-along-southern-border-heads-to-presidents-desk/,"Cornyn, Hassan Bill to Improve Contractor Services Along Southern Border Heads to President’s Desk",2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,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 Maggie Hassan (D-NH) released the following statements after their DHS Border Services Contracts Review Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Under Secretary for Management to deliver a report assessing contracts for services performed along the U.S.-Mexico border and implement a plan to improve procurement and delivery of those services, passed the Senate and now heads to the President’s desk:

“As a founding member of the Senate DOGE Caucus, I’m looking for any and every opportunity to streamline government processes, including at our southern border,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would identify new ways to better protect taxpayer dollars and support our Border Patrol agents, CBP officers, and other personnel who work tirelessly to safeguard Texans.”

“We need to continue working across the aisle to strengthen border security,” said Sen. Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation is one additional way to better achieve that mission. It will help ensure that the Department of Homeland Security and its contractors are operating as effectively as possible at the border.”

U.S. Representatives Josh Brecheen (OK-02) and Mark Green (TN-07) led companion legislation in the House.

Background:

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General has previously reported instances when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) failed to timely contract for adequate facilities to detain illegal migrants and provide medical services.

This legislation would mitigate instances similar to those by requiring the DHS Under Secretary for Management to assess contracts valued at a minimum of $50 million for services performed by contractor personnel along the southern border. DHS would also be required to develop a strategy and implementation plan to improve procurement and delivery of services. As part of the analysis, DHS is required to consider the impact of contracts on the ability of Border Patrol agents to carry out their primary mission responsibilities.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-meets-with-ustr-nominee-jamieson-greer/,Cornyn Meets with USTR Nominee Jamieson Greer,2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,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 today with Jamieson Greer, whom President-Elect Trump has announced he will nominate to serve as U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Please see below.

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-praises-finalized-direct-flight-route-from-san-antonio-to-d-c/,Cornyn Praises Finalized Direct Flight Route from San Antonio to D.C.,2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,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 on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) announcement that a new direct flight route between San Antonio and Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport serviced by Texas-based American Airlines has been officially established:

“As a San Antonio native and staunch advocate of Texas’ airline industry, I am pleased that the DOT has finalized a direct route between San Antonio and the District of Columbia,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Serviced by DFW-based American Airlines, this new direct route will open up new opportunities for Texans in ‘Military City, USA’ and our nation’s capital, and I am pleased to see it come to fruition.”

Background:

In May, Sen. Cornyn voted in favor of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, now law, which included a range of reforms to improve public safety, efficiency, and consumer confidence and allowed for a direct route from San Antonio to Washington, D.C.

In July, Sen. Cornyn joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Representative Chip Roy (TX-21), Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and others in sending a letter urging Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to allocate San Antonio International Airport (SAT) one of the new long-haul, round-trip flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) allowed for in the FAA reauthorization legislation.

In October, DOT announced plans to establish a new direct flight route between San Antonio and Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport to be serviced by Texas-based American Airlines.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/the-twinkliest-towns-in-texas/,The Twinkliest Towns in Texas,2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"The holidays are the perfect time to create memories that will warm your heart for years to come, and there’s no better place to celebrate the season than Texas. With millions of lights, Texas-style parades, and calendars full of holiday events, Texas’ festive towns offer something for everyone.

For 35 years, Johnson City, Texas, has been spreading holiday cheer. Their display, called Lights Spectacular, earned Johnson City the title of the “Twinkliest Town in Texas.” With more than two million lights adorning everything from the ground up to the trees, it’s a sight to behold, even for NASA astronauts who have reported that the warm lights can be seen from space. That’s a lot of sparkle for a small town!

The fun begins with the lighting of the courthouse, where thousands of twinkling lights fill the town square and officially kick off the season. Then, the Lighted Hooves & Wheels Parade rolls through town, with glowing floats, horses, and classic cars. Each weekend brings something new, including carriage rides, holiday markets, and a chance to meet the man in red himself, Santa Claus. But the true stars of the event are the holiday light displays, where more than a million lights transform the trees into something straight out of a holiday postcard.

Lights Spectacular has grown into more than just a light show. It’s a true community effort, fueled by local businesses owners and volunteers. As the town lights up, it also lights the way for local businesses, many of which stay open late for special deals and offer unique holiday gifts. A portion of the proceeds go toward scholarships for local high school seniors, making this event a celebration that gives back to the community in more ways than one. Texas is known for its spirit of generosity, and that’s exactly what makes this event so special.

While Johnson City might take the prize for the most lights, nearby Texas towns like Holly, Garland, Blessing, Bells, and Rudolph each bring their own holiday magic, some of which began more than a century ago.

Blessing, for example, wasn’t always called that. Settlers initially suggested “Thank God,” but eventually settled on “Blessing.” Rudolph, named after U.S. Congressman Rudolph Kleberg in the early 1900s, may remind you of the famous reindeer, but it’s the city’s lights that steal the show. Bells, once known as Dugansville after a local pioneer family, was renamed in 1879, likely due to the prominence of church bells in the area. Garland was named for an attorney general under President Grover Cleveland, but I like to think of it as a reminder of the season and all Texas has to be grateful for. It is one of the top cities in the state for manufacturing, after all. Finally, Holly, Texas, reminds us of the iconic tree that sports red berries and evergreen leaves. Each of these towns adds a little extra cheer to the season, adding to the festive spirit of Texas.

Whether you’re visiting Johnson City, Holly, Garland, Blessing, Bells, or Rudolph, you’ll find the holiday spirit is alive and well in the Lone Star State. No matter where you find yourself celebrating this year, my wife Sandy and I wish you a joyful holiday season filled with peace and happiness.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-hirono-bipartisan-federal-judicial-stabilization-act-secures-senate-passage-and-heads-to-the-presidents-desk,"Cruz, Hirono Bipartisan Federal Judicial Stabilization Act Secures Senate Passage, and Heads to the President’s Desk",2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, secured passage of his bipartisan legislation yesterday, alongside Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), to provide for the permanent appointment of temporary district judgeships located in Texas and elsewhere. The Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.

Upon passage, Sen. Cruz said, “Texans need to know their court system is reliable and consistent. My bipartisan legislation takes a temporary judgeship in Texas and makes it permanent so your access to justice no longer depends on unpredictable annual appropriation fights.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-calls-for-action-on-outbound-investment/,Cornyn Calls for Action on Outbound Investment,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,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 urgent national security threats posed by continuing to turn a blind eye to outbound investment in countries of concern like China and urged his colleagues to take swift action before the end of the year by supporting including his provisions with Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) in the government funding bill. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“No one can claim to be serious about the China threat while turning a blind eye toward outbound investment transparency.”

“I’m disappointed that the House and the Senate have, so far, failed to take action on this matter that is of critical importance to our strategic competition with the Chinese Communist Party.”

“We simply cannot wait another year to address this issue.”

“It’s simply foolish for the United States to help China to modernize its military and create this very dangerous scenario by investing in technologies that could be used, ultimately, to kill American soldiers.”

“We are feeding the hand that is preparing to bite us, and the truth is, addressing outbound investment transparency will only become more painful if we wait.”

“I remain optimistic that progress will be made on this critical matter before the end of the year.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-ossoff-lankford-sinema-bill-to-enhance-law-enforcements-fentanyl-detection-capabilities-passes-senate/,"Cornyn, Ossoff, Lankford, Sinema Bill to Enhance Law Enforcement’s Fentanyl Detection Capabilities Passes Senate",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,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), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statements after their Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of (DETECT) Fentanyl and Xylazine Act, which would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct research and development, testing, and evaluation on equipment that would help law enforcement better detect fentanyl and other drugs, passed the Senate:

“Fentanyl is an unyielding silent killer that lurks in the shadows of our communities,and we must assist law enforcement in rooting it out and stop the loss of more innocent lives,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would ensure our brave men and women in uniform have every available tool to safely identify these deadly drugs and help put a stop to this devastating epidemic, and I encourage the House of Representatives to take action and send this important bill to the President’s desk.”

“Illegal fentanyl trafficking is devastating Georgia families and putting our kids at risk,” said Sen. Ossoff. “We brought Republicans and Democrats together to pass this bill that will strengthen detection and prevention of fentanyl trafficking.”

“For anyone outside of the Washington, DC beltway, there is no doubt that the border is in chaos,” said Sen. Lankford. “Besides a record number of illegal border crossers being released into the country with no idea who they are, where they are from, or where they are going, the crisis has also resulted in massive amounts of fentanyl coming into our country, which has been deadly to many communities across the US. Sadly, Oklahoma is no stranger to the terrible impact of fentanyl. We are calling on DHS to stop illegal immigration and develop a new way to detect, stop, and investigate fentanyl trafficking into the US. This is one step in stopping the chaos, but one that will have a huge impact on our communities and families.”

U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) is also a cosponsor of this legislation. U.S. Representatives Nick LaLota (NY-01), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Don Davis (NC-01) led companion legislation in the House.

Background:

Established in 2003, the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is the research and development arm of DHS tasked with providing evidence-based scientific and technical expertise to inform policies that address a broad spectrum of current and emerging threats, from sexual abuse to natural disasters to narcotics. S&T has an opioid detection research program, but it is not explicitly set up by law.

The DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act would:

Create a new statutory responsibility for S&T to carry out research, development, testing, evaluation, and cost-benefit analysis to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of drug detection equipment and reference libraries used by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to identify unknown substances;

Establish three focus areas with flexibility to adopt other focuses in the future:

Portable detection equipment that requires only minimal handling of sample;

Equipment that can separate complex mixtures with low concentrations of drugs and high concentrations of cutting agents into component parts to enable detection; and

Technologies that use AI and machine learning to predict whether a substance is a controlled substance analogue or other new psychoactive substance not yet included in a reference library.

Require S&T to follow the recommendations, guidelines, and best practices set out in the federal government’s Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Framework; and

Direct S&T to look to the Drug Enforcement Agency’s State and Territory Report on Enduring and Emerging Threats in establishing priorities.

The DETECT Fentanyl and Xylazine Act is endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, National Border Patrol Council, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, National HIDTA Directors Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Sergeants Benevolent NYPD, National Treasury Employees Union, and Shatterpoof.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/blogs/e-newsletter-week-of-december-13th,e-Newsletter: Week of December 13th,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Good Evening,

Last week, the Senate unanimously passed my TAKE IT DOWN Act—a monumental step toward empowering innocent victims, particularly teenage girls, to seek justice against those who exploit them by publishing abusive images. This week, I stood proudly with my colleagues, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), and alongside courageous victim advocates to urge the House of Representatives to take immediate action and pass this legislation. The TAKE IT DOWN Act will criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated ""deepfakes,"" ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. At the press conference, victim advocates shared powerful stories, highlighting how this legislation can spare countless women, teenage girls, and boys from enduring similar trauma. I am determined to see it passed into law before the end of this Congress. The time to act is now.

ICYMI: Victim Advocates Join Sens. Cruz and Klobuchar to Urge House to Pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act

READ: Ted Cruz urges House to OK bill requiring websites to cut AI-generated nonconsensual imagery

“[The TAKE IT DOWN Act] has passed the Senate unanimously. 100 to nothing. Amy and I worked on both sides of the aisle. Every single Democrat in the Senate supported it. Every single Republican in the Senate supported it. … All of us have spoken to House leadership urging the House to take it up and pass it before the end of the year. … If this bill gets a vote in the House it will pass. The only question is, will it get a vote or not? We’re here today on behalf of the victims, on behalf of women, on behalf of teenage girls across this country to say: bring this up for a vote. Pass it and put it on the President’s desk. We can get it done and we can get it done before the end of the year.”

As a father of two teenage girls, I am appalled by the pain and trauma inflicted upon women and teenage girls who experience non-consensual AI-generated intimate images published of them on social media. In today’s hyperconnected world, such exploitation is not just harmful—it’s devastating. This year, I had the privilege of meeting fifteen-year-old Elliston Berry, a courageous victim advocate from Aledo, Texas, whose story exemplifies the urgent need for change. When Elliston was in 9th grade, she became the victim of a deepfake image. Despite her mother’s repeated pleas to Snapchat, it took over nine agonizing months—and one call from my office—to have the image removed. It should not require intervention from a sitting senator to achieve what Big Tech companies are fully capable of doing immediately. The TAKE IT DOWN Act will mandate that social media platforms and similar websites promptly comply with users’ requests to remove non-consensual imagery, ensuring no one else endures what Elliston and her family went through. This legislation is essential to holding tech companies accountable and protecting victims.

“I will say one of the real keys to this getting passed has been Elliston just telling her story. There's another, another teenage girl [in New Jersey], Francesca Mani who had almost the identical thing happen to her, at almost the exact same time. Both of them were freshmen in high school, [and] both of them [experienced] a boy in their class taking innocent pictures from social media and using an AI app to create fake naked pictures of them. In Elliston’s case, [the photos were] sent to everyone of her classmates. It is hard to be a teenager period today, but the nightmare of going through that it's fundamentally wrong.

“When Elliston and her mom came to meet with me several months ago in my office, … I asked, ‘What's happen with the pictures now?’ They said, ‘They're still up [and] it's been nine months.’ Elliston’s mom said she'd called Snapchat, she'd email them, and they wouldn't do anything. I turned to my team, and I said, ‘I want you to get the CEO of Snapchat on the phone today. I want those photographs down today.’ Within an hour, they pulled them down. … It shouldn't take a sitting senator making a phone call. Elliston should have the right to say, this is garbage. This is me. I didn't consent. Take it down.”

I am confident that with President Trump back in the White House and a Republican majority in both chambers of Congress, we will deliver real and meaningful change for the American people. The nation has spoken with a clear mandate: it’s time to restore order, accountability, and common sense to Washington. Together, we will secure our borders, tackle inflation, and wars across the world. The failures of Joe Biden and the Democrats have left America weaker and more vulnerable, but we stand ready to clean up their mess and rebuild a stronger, safer, and more prosperous nation. The time for action is now, and we are ready to get to work.

“We have a real obligation to deliver on our promises. … Number one, we will secure the border. I think Texans and people across the country are deeply dismayed with Joe Biden and the Democrats open borders. … We're going to follow it up by having Congress pass legislation providing funding to ensure that we secure the border and keep our communities safe.

“I think there’s also a clear mandate to get the economy moving [and] to get inflation under control. There are a lot of elements of that. One is reining in out-of-control spending from Washington, but another critical element of that is ending the Biden administration's war on energy and Texas oil and gas.

“And finally, when it comes to foreign policy and national security, when Trump was president last we had peace and prosperity. We saw peace flowering in the Middle East, and [then] Joe Biden and the Democrats came into office. They produced utter chaos [and] two major wars waging simultaneously across the globe. I believe [both of those wars] … because that's what happens when you have a strong commander in chief who our enemies are afraid of.”

The chaos at our southern border under Democratic leadership is unprecedented and unacceptable. As of July 2024, ICE has released an astonishing 650,000 criminals into the United States—14,944 of them murderers, 20,061 convicted of sexual assault, and 105,461 with assault charges. This staggering failure has put countless American lives at risk. Under a renewed Trump administration, we will take decisive action to deport illegal aliens and restore safety and security to our communities.

This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard the devastating testimony of Patty Morin, the mother of Rachel Morin, who was tragically murdered by an illegal alien due to Joe Biden's reckless open border policies. Patty's story is a chilling reminder of the human cost of this administration's negligence. I am confident that with President Trump’s leadership, we will end the wave of violence, murders, and assaults to ensure that no other American family endure such unimaginable loss.

“Elections have consequences. For the last four years, we have seen the most radical experiment in open borders this nation has ever seen. … I would ask my Democrat colleagues if they were here, why does the Biden administration not go and arrest every one of these criminals and deport them? What rational world says America is better off with more criminals?

“Ms. Morin, thank you for being here. The country grieves the loss of your daughter. Your daughter was beautiful. She was a mom, who I know loved her kids, and she's not with us today. She was raped and murdered because this administration chose to release a violent criminal into America. … I cannot imagine the pain. … No parent should have to bury their child. Children should bury their parents, not the other way around.”

Rest assured, change is coming for our country. God Bless!

Keep Texas Strong,

MORE FROM SEN. CRUZ:

ICYMI: Sens. Cruz, Bennett, Cornyn, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Pass Resolution Celebrating Hispanic Restaurant Industry

READ: Sen Cruz: How the Media Will Cover Illegal Alien Deportations

ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill Memorializing Corpus Christi Post Office in Honor of Capt. Robert E. ‘Bob’ Batterson

State Spotlight

Texas Tuesday with Team Cruz

Visit https://cruz.senate.gov/texas-tuesday-with-ted-and-staff to sign up to attend the next Texas Tuesday event!

Texas Bankers Association

Commerce Corner

Ted Sarandos, CEO, Netflix",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-sen-cruz-deepfake-victim-elliston-berry-urge-the-house-to-pass-bipartisan-legislation-to-criminalize-ai-generated-explicit-images,"ICYMI: Sen. Cruz, Deepfake Victim Elliston Berry Urge the House to Pass Bipartisan Legislation to Criminalize AI-Generated Explicit Images",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –– In case you missed it, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Elliston Berry, a 15-year-old high school student from Aledo, Texas, and a victim of deepfake pornography, this week urged the U.S. House to pass the bipartisan, bicameral TAKE IT DOWN Act, which Sen. Cruz introduced with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

The TAKE IT DOWN Act, which passed the Senate unanimously last week, will criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated images (commonly referred to as “deepfakes”). Notably, the legislation will also require social media and other websites to remove such images within 48 hours of receiving notice from the victim.

Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) have introduced companion legislation in the House, where the bill currently awaits consideration.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act has received widespread support from nearly 100 organizations, including victim advocacy groups, law enforcement, and tech industry leaders.

Earlier this week, Sens. Cruz and Klobuchar held a press conference with victim advocates to urge the House to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act before the end of this year. During the press conference, Ms. Berry and other victim advocates spoke about the importance of enacting the TAKE IT DOWN Act to ensure other women and girls don’t face the same horrific trauma.

Watch Sen. Cruz and Ms. Berry’s interviews below.

FOX NEWS: This new legislation would give everyone the right to take deepfakes down, says Sen. Ted Cruz

NEWSMAX: Sen. Cruz to Newsmax: Bill Vital to Thwart Deepfake Porn

CNN: Sen. Cruz and Elliston Berry on The Source with Kaitlan Collins

FOX NEWS: Teen victim of graphic deepfake pornography works with senators to pass AI crime bill

Dallas Morning News: With time running out, Ted Cruz presses House to pass his crackdown on deepfake nudes",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-bennett-cornyn-hickenlooper-colleagues-pass-resolution-celebrating-hispanic-restaurant-industry,"Sens. Cruz, Bennett, Cornyn, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Pass Resolution Celebrating Hispanic Restaurant Industry",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) joined Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) in celebrating the Senate’s unanimous passage of their bipartisan resolution commemorating September 22nd through October 3rd as National Hispanic Restaurant Week.

Upon passage, Sen. Cruz said, “Growing up in a Cuban household in Texas, I know Latino food isn’t just about flavor—it’s about family, tradition, and community. From my Abuela’s empanadas, picadillo, and arroz con pollo, Hispanic cuisine is woven into the fabric of our lives. In every corner of Texas—from the Valley to the Panhandle—Hispanic restaurants are integral in fostering community across the Lone Star State. Texans hold this culinary heritage close to their hearts, and I’m proud that our Hispanic Restaurant Week Resolution celebrating the hardworking men and women who bring these culinary traditions to life, successfully passed the Senate.”

Sen. Bennet said, “Through their rich culinary traditions and hard work, Hispanic restaurant workers and owners contribute significantly to our communities and economy. I’m grateful to have worked in a bipartisan manner to honor them through this resolution.”

Read the full text of the legislation here.

Sens. Cruz, Bennet, Cornyn, and Hickenlooper were joined by Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) in co-sponsoring the resolution. Reps. Yadira Caraveo (D-Colo.) and Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) also joined the bipartisan resolution.

BACKGROUND

The Hispanic Restaurant Association with support from community sponsors Door Dash, Remy Martin, Texas Restaurant Association, Where Food Comes From, and The Colorado Beef Council, along with dozens of others support the resolution.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sens-cruz-cornyn-colleagues-bill-renaming-border-patrol-checkpoint-after-fallen-agent-james-r-dominguez-signed-into-law,"Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, Colleagues Bill Renaming Border Patrol Checkpoint After Fallen Agent James R. Dominguez Signed into Law",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,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 John Cornyn (R-Texas), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statements after their James R. Dominguez Memorial Act was signed into law renaming the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. Highway 90 West in Uvalde County after James Ray Dominguez, a Border Patrol agent who tragically lost his life on July 19, 2012, while clearing debris from the side of Highway 90 near Cline, Texas.

Upon the bill being signed into law, Sen. Cruz said, “Agent Dominguez was a true patriot, a devoted family man, and an exemplary public servant. His unwavering dedication to protecting our nation will forever inspire the men and women of our Border Patrol to serve with the same courage and commitment. Naming the Border Patrol checkpoint in Uvalde in his honor is a fitting tribute to his legacy, and I am proud to join Sen. Cornyn in ensuring his memory lives on.”

Sen. Cornyn said, “Agent Dominguez was a courageous officer, loving father, and devoted public servant who tragically died while working to protect his fellow Texans. I’m grateful this legislation to rename a Border Patrol checkpoint in Agent Dominguez’s honor has been signed into law, ensuring his impressive legacy as a respected agent who served his community selflessly and humbly is preserved.”

Sens. Cruz and Cornyn were joined by Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) in introducing the bill, which passed the Senate last month. This legislation was led by Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas-23) in the U.S. House of Representatives and passed on May 21, 2024.

BACKGROUND

Agent James Ray Dominguez served with the U.S. Border Patrol from 2000 to 2012. On July 19, 2012, he stopped to assist a stranded motorist with a flat tire, was struck by a passing vehicle while helping clear debris along U.S. Highway 90 West near Cline, Texas, and tragically passed away. He was assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Uvalde Station in the Del Rio Sector and is survived by his wife and four children.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-bill-to-increase-transparency-of-federal-grant-application-process-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Increase Transparency of Federal Grant Application Process Signed into Law",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,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), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Thune (R-SD), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statements after their Grant Transparency Act, which would require government agencies to provide competitive grant applicants with more information about their selection criteria and evaluation process, was signed into law:

“Grant applicants often don’t have enough information to know why they are not awarded a competitive grant despite meeting the criteria,”said Sen. Cornyn. “The Grant Transparency Act will require government agencies to shine a light on how they decide between applicants behind closed doors, and I’m glad to see it become law.”

“Federal grant funding provides essential support to small towns and organizations, but the current process can often leave applicants in the dark about how their applications will be evaluated,” said Sen. Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will help grant applicants understand exactly how they can successfully compete for federal funding that can make a real difference in their local communities.”

“State and local leaders work hard to develop a strong application process for federal funding,” said Sen. Thune. “This legislation will require agencies to increase transparency of the grant application process, which will help ensure that funding is truly based on merit, not political favoritism.”

“Grant dollars can be a game changer for communities, but too often applicants lack the information needed to effectively compete for these important federal investments,” said Sen. Peters. “This law will help applicants across Michigan and the country better understand how their projects will be evaluated, making sure every community has a fair shot at accessing these resources.”

“Louisianians deserve to know how the government chooses competitive grant recipients,” said Sen. Kennedy. “I’m glad to see the Grant Transparency Act become law so our people have more information about how their organizations can access this crucial funding.”

“Communities throughout Georgia rely on federal grants to better the lives of their community members. But too often, the lack of transparency and clarity from federal agencies makes the barrier to entry for these grants almost unfeasible for the communities that need them most,” said Sen. Warnock. “Because of our bipartisan efforts, legislation to more easily connect our local communities with federal resources has now become law.”

Background:

The Grant Transparency Act will require the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for competitive grants to include:

A description of any rating system, evaluation, and selection criteria the agency uses to assess applications for the competitive grant;

A statement of whether the agency uses a weighted scoring method and a description of any weighted scoring method the agency uses for the competitive grant, including the amount by which the agency weights each criterion;

And any other qualitative or quantitative merit-based approach the agency uses to evaluate an application for a competitive grant.

Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) is also a cosponsor of the legislation. U.S. Representatives Russell Fry (SC-07) and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) led companion legislation in the House.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-cruz-bill-to-rename-border-patrol-checkpoint-after-fallen-agent-james-dominguez-signed-into-law/,"Cornyn, Cruz Bill to Rename Border Patrol Checkpoint After Fallen Agent James Dominguez Signed Into Law",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,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 released the following statements after their James R. Dominguez Memorial Act, a bill to rename the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. Highway 90 West in Uvalde County after James Ray Dominguez, a Border Patrol agent who tragically lost his life on July 19, 2012, while clearing debris from the side of Highway 90 near Cline, Texas, was signed into law:

“Agent Dominguez was a courageous officer, loving father, and devoted public servant who tragically died while working to protect his fellow Texans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m grateful this legislation to rename a Border Patrol checkpoint in Agent Dominguez’s honor has been signed into law, ensuring his impressive legacy as a respected agent who served his community selflessly and humbly is preserved.”

“Agent Dominguez was a true patriot, a devoted family man, and an exemplary public servant,” said Sen. Cruz. “His unwavering dedication to protecting our nation will forever inspire the men and women of our Border Patrol to serve with the same courage and commitment. Naming the Border Patrol checkpoint in Uvalde in his honor is a fitting tribute to his legacy, and I am proud to join Sen. Cornyn in ensuring his memory lives on.”

Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Joe Manchin (I-WV) also cosponsored the bill, which passed the Senate last month. This legislation was led in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and passed on May 21, 2024.

Background:

Agent James Ray Dominguez served with the U.S. Border Patrol from 2000 to 2012. On July 19, 2012, he stopped to assist a stranded motorist with a flat tire, was struck by a passing vehicle while helping clear debris along U.S. Highway 90 West near Cline, Texas, and tragically passed away. He was assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol’s Uvalde Station in the Del Rio Sector and is survived by his wife and four children.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-welch-introduce-the-carla-walker-act-to-help-solve-cold-cases/,"Cornyn, Welch Introduce the Carla Walker Act to Help Solve Cold Cases",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,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 Peter Welch (D-VT) today introduced the Carla Walker Act, which would dedicate federal grant funds to support forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) DNA analysis and help solve previously unsolvable cold cases. The bill is named for Carla Walker, a Fort Worth native whose murderer was finally identified 46 years after her death with the help of this technology.

“46 years after Carla Walker’s tragic murder left her family desperately seeking answers, her killer was finally identified and brought to justice thanks to advanced FGG DNA analysis,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation in Carla Walker’s honor so that we can provide the resources needed to give more families in Texas and across the country the peace, healing, and resolution that comes through the power of a case solved.”

“Advancements in forensic DNA technology have revolutionized our ability to combat crime. In Vermont, detectives were able to use forensic genetic genealogy analysis to help provide answers to a family who thought they might never come. We’ve also seen how this technology can be a powerful tool in giving those wrongly accused a chance to clear their names,” said Sen. Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will help investigators across the country harness the incredible power of FGG technology to crack cold cases and deliver justice to countless victims and families, and I’m thankful for Senator Cornyn’s leadership on it.”

U.S. Representatives Wesley Hunt (TX-38) and Eric Swalwell (CA-14) are leading companion legislation in the House.

Background:

Typically, when a suspect’s identity is unknown, a crime laboratory uploads the genetic material recovered from a crime scene into the FBI’s national database to search for DNA matches between the forensic sample and any known offenders. While this traditional form of forensic DNA profiling only examines 13-20 Short tandem repeat (STR) DNA markers, forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) technology examines over half a million Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that span the entirety of the human genome. It does so by cross-referencing shared blocks of SNP markers to identify relatives of the genetic profile by uncovering shared blocks of DNA. This enables criminal investigators to build family trees that ultimately help determine the sample’s identity and solve cases.

Carla Walker was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 17, 1974. Her body was found three days later in a drainage ditch just 30 minutes south of Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Police Department was able to collect a few forensic samples and clothing items from the crime scene, but law enforcement could not solve the murder due to limited forensic technology at the time. Carla’s brother, Jim Walker, never stopped searching for answers and nearly 50 years later, FGG DNA analysis was conducted on the last remaining DNA on a piece of Walker’s clothing, which led to a successful DNA match with the McCurley family and ultimately identified Glen McCurley, Jr. as the killer, who confessed in 2021 and died in prison on July 14, 2023.

Sen. Cornyn’s Carla Walker Act would create a pilot program to make this cutting-edge technology and FGG DNA analysis more widely available to investigative agencies to:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/video-cornyn-highlights-doge-priorities-to-cut-federal-spending/,VIDEO: Cornyn Highlights DOGE Priorities to Cut Federal Spending,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,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 goals of President-elect Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in conjunction with the Senate DOGE Caucus, of which he is a founding member. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“I’m very excited about [President Trump’s] partnership with my fellow Texan, Elon Musk, who will help lead the newly created Department of Government Efficiency.”

“Our nation’s debt has skyrocketed to more than $36 trillion.”

“Where we spend what we spend is almost as important as how much we spend.”

“[DOGE] can highlight ways we can cut waste and inefficiency, and whether it’s the President through executive order, whether it’s the Congress through Congressional Review Acts, or through other legislation, we can join them in cutting our spending.”

“Simply preventing the implementation of President Biden’s rule limiting vehicle carbon emissions—effectively an electric vehicle mandate—would save $150 billion.”

“Another simple but effective way of eliminating waste would be to eliminate COVID-era work policies for employees at federal agencies.”

“The people who rely on these agencies for services, the public, are often faced with extended wait times due to federal employees working remotely.”

“If federal employees don’t want to show up for work, then American taxpayers should not have to pay them.”

“I look forward to working with the DOGE Committee [on] all of our efforts to identify and eliminate areas of government waste, and rein in reckless and wasteful spending, and improve the lives of Texans and all Americans in the process.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-introduces-bill-memorializing-corpus-christi-post-office-in-honor-of-capt-robert-e-bob-batterson,Sen. Cruz Introduces Bill Memorializing Corpus Christi Post Office in Honor of Capt. Robert E. ‘Bob’ Batterson,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,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) introduced a bill designating the United States Post Office located on North Tancahua Street in Corpus Christi as the “Captain Robert E. ‘Bob’ Batterson Post Office.” The bill memorializes the service of Capt. Batterson as a United States Navy veteran and former Naval Aviator.

Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas-27) introduced the bill in the House of Representatives. The bill passed the House on December 5, 2024.

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “Captain Robert E. ‘Bob’ Batterson was a man of great integrity with a heart for service. He bravely faced one of the worst assaults on American soil, the attack on Pearl Harbor. By the grace of God, he went on to serve his country as a Naval Aviator and later educated generations of Americans about his first-hand experience defending our nation during World War II. By naming this post office in his honor, we will ensure his legacy endures here in Corpus Christi, serving as a lasting testament to his dedication to his community, his country, and the defense of freedom.”

Rep. Cloud said, “I am honored to introduce legislation to designate a post office in downtown Corpus Christi in the name of Captain Robert E. ‘Bob’ Batterson for his legacy of service, through his exemplary military career and his dedication to preserving the memory of those who perished at Pearl Harbor. Captain Batterson serves as an inspiration to us all. Naming this post office in his honor ensures that his contributions to our nation and our community are remembered for generations to come and is in keeping with our community’s commitment toward those who have served our nation in uniform. May the Lord continue to bless his family in the months and years ahead.”

Read the full text of the bill here.

BACKGROUND

Captain Robert E. ‘Bob’ Batterson enlisted in 1939 and served our nation for 35 years in the United States Navy. He earned his wings at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi following the attack on Pearl Harbor where he was stationed on December 7th, 1941. He served as a Navy Aviator flying F6F Hellcats until the end of World War II. Following the war, Captain Batterson continued his contributions to the Supply Corps until his retirement in 1974.

Following his military career, he volunteered for 26 years at the U.S.S. Lexington Museum in Corpus Christi and could often be found at the Pearl Harbor exhibit. His dedication to preserving history and educating future generations earned him deep admiration from all who had the privilege of knowing him. He passed away in 2023 at the age of 102, leaving behind a legacy of service to his community and country.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-meets-with-cia-director-nominee-john-ratcliffe/,Cornyn Meets with CIA Director Nominee John Ratcliffe,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,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) made the following remarks to media after meeting with former Congressman representing Texas’ 4th congressional district and Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, whom President-Elect Trump has announced he will nominate to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA):

“I’ve known John Ratcliffe for a number of years, even before he came to Congress, and of course, worked with him as part of the Texas delegation. I had the honor of introducing him with his previous nomination for Director of National Intelligence, so I think that’s an outstanding pick by President Trump.”

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-van-hollen-warner-murray-urge-biden-to-provide-update-on-austin-tice/,"Cornyn, Van Hollen, Warner, Murray Urge Biden to Provide Update on Austin Tice",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,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 Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Patty Murray (D-WA) today sent a bipartisan letter to President Joe Biden urging him to provide an update on efforts to locate and free Austin Tice in light of the fall of the Assad regime. Tice is an American journalist, Houston native, and Marine veteran who has been held captive in Syria for 12 years.

They wrote: “We write to request an update regarding U.S. efforts to bring home Austin Tice, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and who has been detained in Syria since 2012. Given the recent fall of the Assad regime and the rapidly changing dynamics on the ground in Syria, we think this moment presents a critical opportunity to secure Austin’s release and bring him home to his family.”

“As a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran, Austin represents the best our nation has to offer and deserves the full and active support of our government to secure his release. Congress is committed and more than willing to work with you to return him to his loving family.”

“Twelve years is far too long for Austin to be held. We ask that you direct the relevant members of your administration to provide us a briefing by December 20 on current U.S. efforts to identify Austin’s whereabouts and bring him home so that the Congress and your Administration can continue working hand-in-hand on this important issue.”

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

December 11, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

The White House

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Biden:

We write to request an update regarding U.S. efforts to bring home Austin Tice, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and who has been detained in Syria since 2012. Given the recent fall of the Assad regime and the rapidly changing dynamics on the ground in Syria, we think this moment presents a critical opportunity to secure Austin’s release and bring him home to his family.

We know that you are familiar with Austin’s case, as your administration publicly acknowledged Austin’s detention by the Syrians in 2022, and you also met with Austin’s parents, Debra and Marc Tice, in 2022. We also know that National Security Advisor (NSA) Sullivan met with Austin’s family on December 6. Moreover, Congress has pressed for Austin’s release for several years, most recently in a joint letter led by Senator Van Hollen and Senator Cornyn and signed by 34 Senators on August 6, 2024.

On December 8, you said that your administration believes he is alive and that “We want to get him out. We have to identify where he is.” We appreciate those comments as well as those of NSA Sullivan on December 9, saying “This is a top priority for us – to find Austin Tice, to locate the prison where he may be held, get him out, get him home safely to his family.”

For more than 12 years, Austin’s parents have demanded our government bring him home, and given the evolving situation in Syria, we urge you to seize this opportunity to launch an urgent effort to secure Austin’s release. As a beloved son, brother, Eagle Scout, journalist, and veteran, Austin represents the best our nation has to offer and deserves the full and active support of our government to secure his release. Congress is committed and more than willing to work with you to return him to his loving family. We encourage your administration to utilize all available means to further discourage the hostage taking of American citizens.

Twelve years is far too long for Austin to be held. We ask that you direct the relevant members of your administration to provide us a briefing by December 20 on current U.S. efforts to identify Austin’s whereabouts and bring him home so that the Congress and your Administration can continue working hand-in-hand on this important issue.

Sincerely,

/s/",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/photo-cornyn-meets-with-texas-land-commissioner-dawn-buckingham/,PHOTO: Cornyn Meets with Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,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 today with Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham to discuss Texas’ leadership in reversing the Biden-Harris administration’s reckless border policies and reforming how the federal government handles disaster relief funding to make it more efficient for Texas communities. See photo below.

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-addresses-the-consequences-of-democrats-radical-open-border-agenda,Sen. Cruz Addresses the Consequences of Democrat’s Radical Open Border Agenda,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered remarks at a hearing yesterday addressing the Democrat’s catastrophic open border crisis and its impact on Texas and the nation. Patty Morin, mother of Rachel Morin, delivered a heartbreaking testimony about how the Biden administration’s open border policies resulted in her daughter being brutally murdered by an illegal alien.

Watch Sen. Cruz’s remarks before the Senate Judiciary Committee below:

In committee, Sen. Cruz said, “Elections have consequences. For the last four years, we have seen the most radical experiment in open borders this nation has ever seen. There are many reasons the American people showed up in overwhelming numbers to re-elect Donald Trump, to elect a Republican majority in the Senate, and to re-elect a Republican majority in the House, but there was no reason more front and center than the open borders of the last four years.

“I would ask my Democrat colleagues if they were here, why does the Biden administration not go and arrest every one of these criminals and deport them? What rational world says America is better off with more criminals?

“Ms. Morin, thank you for being here. The country grieves the loss of your daughter. Your daughter was beautiful. She was a mom, who I know loved her kids, and she's not with us today. She was raped and murdered because this administration chose to release a violent criminal into America. Your daughter should still be alive, and every one of these victims should still be alive. Lake and Riley, a name that the Democrats on this committee can't bring themselves to utter should still be alive. In my hometown of Houston, Jocelyn Nungaray [should still be alive.] I've gotten to know Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis, very well. Ms. Morin, like you, Alexis is incredibly brave. I cannot imagine the pain. … No parent should have to bury their child. Children should bury their parents, not the other way around.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/victim-advocates-join-sens-cruz-and-klobuchar-to-urge-house-to-pass-the-take-it-down-act,Victim Advocates Join Sens. Cruz and Klobuchar to Urge House to Pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,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. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and victim advocates today held a press conference to urge the House to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act, bipartisan legislation to criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated images (commonly referred to as “deepfakes”). The bill, which passed the Senate unanimously last week, would require social media and other websites to remove such images within 48 hours of receiving notice from the victim.

Reps. Salazar and Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) have introduced companion legislation in the House, where the bill currently awaits consideration. The TAKE IT DOWN Act has received widespread support from nearly 90 organizations, including victim advocacy groups, law enforcement, and tech industry leaders.

During the press conference, victim advocates spoke about how other women and teenage girls will not face the same horrific trauma if the TAKE IT DOWN Act is enacted.

Click HERE to watch the full press conference

Key excerpts of the press conference can be found below.

Sen. Cruz:

“[The TAKE IT DOWN Act] has passed the Senate unanimously. 100 to nothing. Amy and I worked on both sides of the aisle. Every single Democrat in the Senate supported it. Every single Republican in the Senate supported it.”

“All of us have spoken to House leadership urging the House to take it up and pass it before the end of the year.”

“If this bill gets a vote in the House it will pass. The only question is, will it get a vote or not? We’re here today on behalf of the victims, on behalf of women, on behalf of teenage girls across this country to say: bring this up for a vote. Pass it and put it on the President’s desk. We can get it done and we can get it done before the end of the year.”

Sen. Klobuchar:

“Every one of our Senate colleagues supported this bill, from Bernie Sanders to Rick Scott. That’s a broad spectrum, and that’s because this is truly an issue for our kids and for the privacy of people throughout this country.”

“This work is about building a future, about taking on the challenges of the new environment we live in, and not just pretending it’s not happening anymore. Fewer Americans will have their lives turned upside down if we can get this done, fewer children will have their innocence snatched away from them, and more victims can seek justice that they deserve. Let’s get it done in the House.”

Rep. Salazar:

“I commit to work very hard in the House . . . and I am sure that with the help of God that we’re going to be able to put this either in suspension or make it a vote and the TAKE IT DOWN Act will be the law of the land before the end of the year. Why? Because it has nothing to do with political parties. It has to do with commonsense.”

“We’re going to do what’s right for our constituents . . . and nothing can be more right than this. So count on me . . . we’re going to put all the effort, energy and interest into making this law.”

Ms. Elliston Berry, high school student and advocate for fellow victims of deepfake pornography:

“It is so healing and so validating to know that my story is relevant, and there are so many cases all around the world, millions of not only girls, but boys, teenagers, women, children are being harassed and they are being targeted and victimized. And there’s nothing out there that can help them and that can save them. I just remember feeling that hopelessness and just feeling terrified of what the future had to hold. But thanks to the TAKE IT DOWN Act, we are able to give victims a voice. We are able to protect not only future generations, but the survivors of this AI crime.”

“I urge the House to pass this bill immediately to protect so many people, because this is a serious matter.”

Ms. Francesca Mani, high school student and advocate for ethical technology and youth empowerment:

“Today, I am calling on every Congressman and Congresswoman to stand with me, with Elliston, and with all the girls who are not here today but have been deeply affected. Because we matter. It’s time for Congress to see us, hear us, and act for us.”

“We need swift and decisive action. We need this bill to pass to protect us. Without it, we remain vulnerable. This is not a political issue—it’s a human issue, and I hope we can all agree that protecting our children is something worth uniting for.”

S.C. State Rep. Brandon Guffey, the father of a victim of online sexual extortion and an advocate for legislation to protect future victims:

“If my son would have had something like the TAKE IT DOWN Act in place, then perhaps that decision would have been different. I can’t do anything to bring my son back. But what I can do is try to fight to keep another teen from feeling that hurt and feeling that shame.”

“I want to urge the House to pass this bipartisan bill. That is the most important thing. This bill is completely bipartisan. Who doesn’t want to protect our kids? We see what’s before us, we have to stand up and fight.”

Ms. Breeze Liu, a victim of deepfake pornography and the founder of software to allow victims to identify and remove fake and abusive content:

“This is why the Take It Down Act matters. It creates accountability where there was none before. It ensures that victims can have harmful content removed swiftly, lifting the unbearable burden survivors have long carried alone.”

“The same technology that created this problem can also power its solution. The algorithms used to harm us can be redirected to protect us. This legislation is part of that moonshot. So let’s pass this Bill. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. Stop blaming the victims, and stop justifying the abuse.”

“While there is darkness, we shall let there be light, and even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise. So let us heal the divide and build a brighter future for the next generation, we owe it to our children, a future that is worth living in, not just simply surviving. Do not let my yesterday become their tomorrow.”

Ms. Samantha McCoy, a victim of revenge pornography, an attorney, and an advocate for sexual assault survivors:

“Had this legislation been in place at the time of my case, I would not have experienced the constant and repeated pain, as the video of the attack would have been promptly removed, significantly reducing the chance of wider circulation on other platforms. It would have further empowered me to feel as though I had options to protect myself and ensured that the perpetrator would be held accountable for the irreparable harm he caused.”

“That is why I am calling on the House leadership to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act immediately.”

“We must finally prioritize protecting survivors of image-based sexual abuse by passing this legislation to shield those who are targeted and hold those who facilitate this abhorrent crime accountable. Survivors are counting on you. Our children are counting on you. And future generations are counting on you.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-meets-with-secretary-of-defense-nominee-pete-hegseth/,Cornyn Meets with Secretary of Defense Nominee Pete Hegseth,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,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 today with Pete Hegseth, whom President-Elect Trump has announced he will nominate to serve as U.S. Secretary of Defense. Please see photo below.

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-sounds-alarm-on-outbound-investment/,Cornyn Sounds Alarm on Outbound Investment,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,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 need to prohibit investments by American entities in sensitive technologies in countries of concern like China, an effort he has led in the Senate with Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), and urged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) to support provisions prohibiting certain investments in such countries before the end of the year. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“At this very moment, American entities are fueling China’s aggression by funneling huge amounts of capital into capabilities that could eventually be used against the United States and our allies.”

“From advanced semiconductors to quantum computing to artificial intelligence, it’s high time that the United States becomes serious about limiting the flow of U.S. dollars into the arsenal of our biggest strategic adversary.”

“By some estimates, U.S. Investments in Chinese companies totaled more than $2.3 trillion in market value in 2020… That includes $21 billion in semiconductors, $54 billion in military companies, and a whopping $221 billion in artificial intelligence.”

“Last year, the Senate made good progress on this issue by including a provision to address outbound investment transparency in the Senate-passed National Defense Authorization Act.”

“The Senate voted 91-6 to include my amendment in the NDAA last year, showing an overwhelming bipartisan consensus on the need to address this issue.”

“We’ve had some great partners in the House. I want to thank, in particular, John Moolenaar, Chair of the Select Committee in the House, Congressman Michael McCaul, Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee, and the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, who have all contributed to our efforts to advance this issue.”

“The Senate had another opportunity to include these provisions in the Defense Authorization Act this year, but House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries chose to block these provisions.”

“I understand over the last day, Leader Jeffries has listened to the voice of reason and come back to the negotiating table, and I’m hopeful that these conversations will continue to be productive and yield a positive outcome.”

“The national security of our country depends on it, and we must not squander this opportunity to confront the Chinese Communist Party while time is running out.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-meets-with-ambassador-to-the-united-nations-nominee-elise-stefanik/,Cornyn Meets with Ambassador to the United Nations Nominee Elise Stefanik,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,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 today with U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (NY-21), whom President-Elect Trump has announced he will nominate to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Please see photo below.

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-meets-with-fbi-director-nominee-kash-patel/,Cornyn Meets with FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel,2024-12-09,2024,2024-12,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 today with Kash Patel, whom President-Elect Trump has announced he will nominate to serve as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Please see photo below.

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-warner-lankford-kelly-introduce-bill-to-foster-intelligence-community-partnerships/,"Cornyn, Warner, Lankford, Kelly Introduce Bill to Foster Intelligence Community Partnerships",2024-12-06,2024,2024-12,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), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), and Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Enable IC Partnerships Act, which would encourage public and private partnerships with the Intelligence Community to streamline acquisitions and adoption of cutting-edge technologies and support workforce development:

“Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, and data sciences are on pace to revolutionize intelligence gathering and analysis,”said Sen. Cornyn. “Through IC partnerships with federal lending agencies like DOD’s Office of Strategic Capital and fostering greater IC public-private partnerships, we can better equip collectors and analysts with the tools to meet workforce demand and strengthen our national security.”

“As Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I’m acutely aware of the challenges our Intelligence Community faces to combat the threats posed by our adversaries,” said Sen. Warner. “As our adversaries rapidly advance their technological capabilities, it’s crucial that we streamline our processes in order to keep up. This legislation would help give the IC the support, funding, and flexibility needed better protect our national security.”

“Our intelligence community is stronger when they’re given the tools needed to anticipate national security threats,” said Sen. Kelly. “This bipartisan effort will make it easier for our intelligence agencies to leverage partnerships to secure state-of-the-art technology and talent, ensuring the U.S. maintains an edge over adversaries.”

Background:

In light of global threats to national security, acquisition leaders in the Intelligence Community must be able to explore the use of public and private capital partnerships to secure technological advantages for the intelligence community through the identification, development, and transfer of promising technologies to full-scale programs capable of meeting IC requirements.

This legislation would encourage acquisition leaders to explore partnerships with federal lending agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Office of Strategic Capital, and private capital partnerships. It would also support IC talent and workforce development in technology-related fields, including computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and others.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/blogs/e-newsletter-week-of-december-6th,e-Newsletter: Week of December 6th,2024-12-06,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Good Evening,

Mark Swidan has finally returned home to Texas after enduring twelve years as a political prisoner of the Chinese Communist Party. This moment is not just a triumph for Mark and his family, but for every Texan and American. I am deeply proud to have fought for his long-overdue release. Over the past twelve years, Mark endured the brutal reality of an unjust detention and death sentence. For years, I have relentlessly advocated across the government and fought to apply direct pressure on Chinese officials to secure his release. In the Senate, we united to pass a unanimous resolution I introduced calling for Mark's freedom. This week, the day we fought and prayed for finally arrived. Mark’s release sends an unshakable message to the rest of the world that America will always fight for its citizens and will not waver in its convictions to defend the principles of freedom and justice.

ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Issues Statement on Release of Unjustly Held Americans from China

“I am celebrating the return of three Americans, especially Mark Swidan. Mark Swidan is a Texan from Houston [and for] twelve years [he was] unjustly imprisoned in communist China. I have raised it directly with the Foreign Minister of China. I've raised it with President Biden. I've raised it with Secretary of State, Tony Blinken. I will give him credit on this [as] Tony Blinken, just two weeks ago, pressed the Chinese government and [now] Mark Swidan is back home with his mother. …. This is a time where all Texans and Americans should be celebrating.”

We secured another major victory this week with the Senate’s unanimous passage of my bipartisan bill, the TAKE IT DOWN Act. This important legislation will require social media companies and other sites to remove non-consensual intimate imagery within 48 hours of notice from a victim and criminalize the person who published the images. After the bill passed, I spoke with Elliston Berry of Texas and Francesca Mani of New Jersey – the driving forces behind this legislative victory. Both of these teenage girls are victims of AI-deepfakes and they bravely told their stories to help enact real change. For young victims and their parents, these deepfakes are a matter requiring urgent attention and protection under the law. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Washington to move this common-sense bipartisan legislation quickly through the House and to the President’s desk so it can be signed into law.

ICYMI: Senate Unanimously Passes Cruz-Klobuchar Bill Stopping AI ‘Revenge Porn’

READ: U.S. Senate passes Ted Cruz bill cracking down on deepfake nudes

Defending the rights and freedoms of Texans has always been a driving force guiding my work in the Senate. As the United States Supreme Court prepares to hear the case of Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, I led a group of my Republican colleagues in filing an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold American sovereignty and the Second Amendment. In the brief we argue a lawsuit filed by Mexico in U.S. federal court against American firearms manufacturers, for crimes committed by Mexican cartels in Mexico, is a violation of American sovereignty and sets a dangerous precedent threatening the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. This case is about more than legal technicalities; it’s about defending our Constitution and ensuring that foreign governments cannot dictate our domestic policies or infringe on the rights of American citizens.

ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Leads Bicameral Amicus Urging Supreme Court to Uphold American Sovereignty and the Second Amendment

READ: Ted Cruz, GOP lawmakers urge SCOTUS to end 'Mexico's assault on our Second Amendment'

Rest assured, I will continue to fight for your rights and freedoms. God Bless!

Keep Texas Strong,

MORE FROM SEN. CRUZ:

ICYMI: Cruz Calls Out Potentially Illegal Foreign Influence on U.S. AI Policy

READ: Cruz On Biden Pardoning His Son: ‘It Is About Protecting His Own Rear End’

ICYMI: Sen. Ted Cruz Statement on Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire

READ: Ted Cruz predicts illegal immigration will 'plummet' immediately after Trump's inauguration

State Spotlight

East Texas Chambers of Commerce

Harris County District Attorney, Kim Ogg

Commerce Corner

Expedition 70 Astronauts",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/video-on-fox-cornyn-discusses-doge-pam-bondi-meeting/,"VIDEO: On Fox, Cornyn Discusses DOGE, Pam Bondi Meeting",2024-12-05,2024,2024-12,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today on Fox News’ The Faulkner Focus, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed ways Republicans can work with the incoming Trump administration to rein in spending and get our economy back on track, including his role as a founding member of the Senate DOGE Caucus, as well as his meeting with Pam Bondi, whom President-Elect Trump has announced he will nominate to serve as U.S. Attorney General. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

On GOP 2025 Economic Agenda:

“We all know this is a change election.”

“The American people felt like the country was heading in the wrong direction, and one of those big reasons is because of inflation… because the size of the federal government, and $36 trillion in debt.”

“The federal government has gotten bigger and more bloated as it’s taken on more responsibility, but that’s because of the taxing power the federal government has.”

“In a very dangerous world, perhaps the most dangerous we’ve seen since World War II, we are on a path where we’re now spending more money on interest on the national debt than we are on defense. We have to fix that.”

On Senate DOGE Caucus:

“Raising the visibility of this issue, as Elon [Musk] and Vivek [Ramaswamy] have done, I think will give us an opportunity to try to find some consensus.”

“We need to rack and stack our priorities where we can have the biggest impact quickly, but this is a small window of opportunity now.”

“Congress has tried to kick the can down the road on some of the hard decisions, which are where we should cut and where we should seek efficiencies, but frankly, Martha, we have run out of road to kick that can down.”

“I’m really excited about the opportunity we have now.”

On Meeting with Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi:

“We both share a desire to restore [the] most fundamental institutions like the Department of Justice and FBI into nonpolitical entities.”

“People now don’t trust the FBI, they don’t trust the Department of Justice to be impartial.”

“I know she is committed to doing that, and I intend to do everything I can to help her.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-bill-to-increase-transparency-of-federal-grant-application-process-heads-to-presidents-desk/,"Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Increase Transparency of Federal Grant Application Process Heads to President’s Desk",2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,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), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Thune (R-SD), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Kennedy (R-LA), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statements after their Grant Transparency Act, which would require government agencies to provide competitive grant applicants with more information about their selection criteria and evaluation process, passed the Senate and now heads to the President’s desk:

“Grant applicants often don’t have enough information to know why they are not awarded a competitive grant despite meeting all of the criteria,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The Grant Transparency Act would require government agencies to shine a light on how they decide between applicants behind closed doors, and I urge the President to swiftly sign it into law.”

“Federal grant funding provides essential support to small towns and organizations, but the current process can often leave applicants in the dark about how their applications will be evaluated,” said Sen. Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will help grant applicants understand exactly how they can successfully compete for federal funding that can make a real difference in their local communities.”

“State and local leaders work hard to develop a strong application process for federal funding,” said Sen. Thune. “This legislation would require agencies to increase transparency of the grant application process, which would help ensure that funding is truly based on merit, not political favoritism.”

“Grant dollars can be a game changer for communities, but too often applicants lack the information needed to effectively compete for these important federal investments,” said Sen. Peters. “This bipartisan legislation will help applicants across Michigan and the country better understand how their projects will be evaluated, making sure every community has a fair shot at accessing these resources.”

“Louisianians deserve to know how the government chooses competitive grant recipients,” said Sen. Kennedy. “The president should move quickly to sign the Grant Transparency Act into law so that applicants can better understand how organizations can access this crucial funding.”

“Communities throughout Georgia rely on federal grants to better the lives of their community members. But too often, the lack of transparency and clarity from federal agencies makes the barrier to entry for these grants almost unfeasible for the communities that need them most,” said Sen. Warnock. “Because of our bipartisan efforts, legislation to more easily connect our local communities with federal resources is on its way to becoming law.”

Background:

The Grant Transparency Act would require the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for competitive grants to include:

A description of any rating system, evaluation, and selection criteria the agency uses to assess applications for the competitive grant;

A statement of whether the agency uses a weighted scoring method and a description of any weighted scoring method the agency uses for the competitive grant, including the amount by which the agency weights each criterion;

And any other qualitative or quantitative merit-based approach the agency uses to evaluate an application for a competitive grant.

Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) is also a cosponsor of the legislation. U.S. Representatives Russell Fry (SC-07) and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) led companion legislation in the House.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-meets-with-attorney-general-nominee-pam-bondi-2/,Cornyn Meets with Attorney General Nominee Pam Bondi,2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,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 today with Pam Bondi, whom President-Elect Trump has announced he will nominate to serve as U.S. Attorney General. Please see photo attached and below.

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/photo-cornyn-meets-with-nasa-astronauts/,PHOTO: Cornyn Meets with NASA Astronauts,2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,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 NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Texas native Loral O’Hara who recently returned from Expedition 70, which marked the 70th long-duration mission to the International Space Station (ISS). They discussed the scientific research conducted during Expedition 70, NASA’s priorities, and their shared commitment to ensuring Texas and America continue to pave the way in space exploration. See photo attached and below.

This image is in the public domain, but those wishing to do so may credit the Office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn.

Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-leads-bicameral-amicus-urging-supreme-court-to-uphold-american-sovereignty-and-the-second-amendment,Sen. Cruz Leads Bicameral Amicus Urging Supreme Court to Uphold American Sovereignty and the Second Amendment,2024-12-04,2024,2024-12,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, filed an amicus brief in Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) joined Sen. Cruz’s brief. Additionally, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.-48) led 22 House Members in joining Sen. Cruz’s brief. In their brief, they argue a lawsuit filed by Mexico in U.S. federal court against American firearms manufacturers, for crimes committed by Mexican cartels in Mexico, is a violation of American sovereignty and threatens the Second Amendment.

Sen. Cruz stated, “I am leading this amicus brief to uphold American sovereignty and our Second Amendment. The lawsuit filed by Mexico seeks to trample on our Constitution. I look forward to the Supreme Court ending this madness, putting an end to Mexico’s assault on our Second Amendment, and sending a clear message that American sovereignty will not be eroded by any country.”

Rep. Issa said, “I joined Senator Cruz and my House GOP colleagues in this case because it was the right thing to do and the only choice to make. This lawsuit has unified our friends and allies almost as never before, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Firearms Regulatory Accountability Coalition, and now the Supreme Court will listen to our petitions to hear this case. This is a landmark legal question and weighs whether to allow foreign governments to violate American sovereignty, bankrupt our firearms industry with lawfare, and undermine our Second Amendment rights. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to our constitutional freedoms. Our cause will prevail.”

BACKGROUND:

When the case was heard by the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, Sen. Cruz led an amicus brief defending American sovereignty and the Second Amendment joined by Sens. Scott, Budd, and Blackburn, as well as 35 members of the House of Representatives. Sen. Cruz led 10 Senators and 14 House Members in an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to grant certiorari in this case.

Sen. Cruz’s Supreme Court amicus brief is available here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-welch-risch-introduce-bill-to-mitigate-foreign-influence-on-u-s-policymaking/,"Cornyn, Welch, Risch Introduce Bill to Mitigate Foreign Influence on U.S. Policymaking",2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,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), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Jim Risch (R-ID) today introduced the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions (CLEAR) Path Act, which would mitigate foreign influence on U.S. policymaking by prohibiting former government employees from lobbying on behalf of countries of concern:

“When it comes to influencing U.S. policymaking, our adversaries will stop at nothing to get what they want – including using our own citizens to act on their behalf,” said Sen. Cornyn.“This commonsense legislation would permanently ban former U.S. government employees from lobbying for countries of concern like Russia and China.”

“Public trust in our democratic institutions has been eroding,” said Sen. Welch. “It’s vital we set higher standards against potential conflicts of interest for former government employees, particularly when it involves foreign adversaries that might be working to influence U.S. policy.”

“Competition with America’s adversaries is hard enough without former senior U.S. officials working on their behalf. Whether it’s Huawei or Nord Stream 2, our adversaries have demonstrated that they will pay top dollar for the sensitive information, access, and connections of senior U.S. officials. This kind of corruption undermines U.S. national security, allows our adversaries to manipulate and obstruct key policies and regulations, and creates bad incentives for senior U.S. officials looking to enter the private sector,” said Sen. Risch.“This long-overdue legislation will ban former senior State Department officials from working on behalf of China, Russia, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, and the Assad regime.”

Background:

Despite heightened focus on attempts by foreign actors to manipulate the U.S. political and governing processes in recent years, regulations surrounding the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) haven’t been updated in more than 15 years. To mitigate foreign influence and modernize FARA, the CLEAR Path Act would:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/video-cornyn-praises-trumps-energy-and-environment-nominees/,VIDEO: Cornyn Praises Trump’s Energy and Environment Nominees,2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,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) praised President Trump’s energy and environment nominees and discussed the importance of unleashing Texas’ energy sector to provide affordable, reliable, and secure energy nationwide. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“It should be no surprise to the Biden administration that Texans voted against a president who prioritized keeping radical climate activists happy at the expense of average Americans.”

“With President Trump at the helm, I have no doubt that Texans will be able to breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to their energy needs.”

“Chris Wright, who the President has tapped to lead his Department of Energy, will bring a wealth of experience in the oil and gas sector.”

“I also look forward to working with former Congressman Lee Zeldin, who the President has chosen to be the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.”

“And then there’s the former Governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, an outstanding choice lead the Department of the Interior.”

“I look forward to working with President Trump’s team, and I’m confident that together we can put the full force of the Texas energy sector back on display and, once again, unleash affordable, reliable, and secure energy right here in America.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-unanimously-passes-cruz-klobuchar-bill-stopping-ai-revenge-porn,Senate Unanimously Passes Cruz-Klobuchar Bill Stopping AI ‘Revenge Porn’,2024-12-03,2024,2024-12,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. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) bipartisan legislation, the TAKE IT DOWN Act, today passed the Senate unanimously and now moves to the House for consideration. The TAKE IT DOWN Act, which Sen. Cruz introduced with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), would criminalize the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated NCII (commonly referred to as “deepfake revenge pornography”), and require social media and similar websites to have in place procedures to remove such content within 48 hours of notice from a victim.

Upon passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, Sen. Cruz said:

“Over the past several months, courageous victims of AI-deepfake ‘revenge porn’ have shared their stories to raise awareness and inform lawmakers’ efforts to stop this despicable behavior. Passage of our bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act will give innocent victims — many of whom are teenage girls —the opportunity to seek justice against deviants who publish these abusive images. It will also hold Big Tech accountable by making sure websites remove these disgusting fake videos and pictures immediately.

“For young victims and their parents, these deepfakes are a matter requiring urgent attention and protection in law. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Washington to move this common-sense bipartisan legislation quickly through the House and to the President’s desk so it can be signed into law.”

Sen. Klobuchar said:

“We must provide victims of online abuse with the legal protections they need when intimate images are shared without their consent, especially now that deepfakes are creating horrifying new opportunities for abuse. This bipartisan legislation builds on my work to ensure that victims can have this material removed from social media platforms and will ensure law enforcement can hold perpetrators accountable.”

The TAKE IT DOWN Act has received widespread support from nearly 90 organizations, including victim advocacy groups, law enforcement, and tech industry leaders.

Leaders from both large and small social media platforms, dating apps, and tech organizations, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, TikTok, Bumble, Match Group, Entertainment Software Association, IBM, TechNet, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Internet Works, are rallying behind the bipartisan legislation. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, spearheaded a letter with 23 additional groups calling for the swift passage of this bill. The National Fraternal Order of Police has also sent a letter to Senate leadership endorsing the legislation.

Last month, the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, Microsoft, and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) sent a letterto Senate and House leadership urging the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act this Congress.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act has also been endorsed by editorial boards ofthe Seattle Times, Houston Chronicle, and Dallas Morning News.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Sens. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Martin Heinrich (D-N. Mex.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

Reps. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.) and Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) have introduced companion legislation in the House.

Background:

While nearly every state has a law protecting people from NCII, including 31 states with laws explicitly covering deepfake NCII, these state laws vary in classification of crime and penalty and have uneven criminal prosecution. Further, victims struggle to have images depicting them removed from websites, increasing the likelihood the images are continuously spread and victims are retraumatized.

In 2022, Congress passed legislation creating a civil cause of action for victims to sue individuals responsible for publishing NCII. However, bringing a civil action can be incredibly impractical. It is time-consuming, expensive, and may force victims to relive trauma. Further exacerbating the problem, it is not always clear who is responsible for publishing the NCII.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act would protect and empower victims of real and deepfake NCII while respecting speech by:

Criminalizing the publication of NCII in interstate commerce. The bill makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly publish NCII on social media and other online platforms. NCII is defined to include realistic, computer-generated pornographic images and videos that depict identifiable, real people. The bill also clarifies that a victim consenting to the creation of an authentic image does not mean that the victim has consented to its publication.

Protecting good faith efforts to assist victims. The bill permits the good faith disclosure of NCII, such as to law enforcement, in narrow cases.

Requiring websites to take down NCII upon notice from the victim. Social media and other websites would be required to have in place procedures to remove NCII, pursuant to a valid request from a victim, within 48 hours. Websites must also make reasonable efforts to remove copies of the images. The FTC is charged with enforcement of this section.

Protecting lawful speech. The bill is narrowly tailored to criminalize knowingly publishing NCII without chilling lawful speech. The bill conforms to current First Amendment jurisprudence by requiring that computer-generated NCII meet a “reasonable person” test for appearing indistinguishable from an authentic image.

In June, Sen. Cruz held a field hearing in Dallas, Texas, where victims of revenge and AI-generated deepfake pornography shared powerful testimony and advocated for Congress to pass the TAKE IT DOWN Act. To watch the full field hearing, CLICK HERE.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/video-cornyn-on-hunter-biden-pardon-blatant-corruption/,VIDEO: Cornyn on Hunter Biden Pardon: ‘Blatant Corruption’,2024-12-02,2024,2024-12,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 President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, after repeated claims from his administration to the contrary. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“This is blatant corruption, and an abuse of the office, and a blatant example by President Biden of him continuing to mislead and lie to the American people.”

“Justice means nothing if it’s not applied evenhandedly.”

“The notion that someone could be above the law simply because his father happens to be president is an affront to law-abiding citizens.”

“It’s frankly absurd and contrary to all available facts for President Biden to claim that his son was selectively and unfairly prosecuted, especially after a sweetheart deal that was almost struck in his favor.”

“Hunter Biden was rightfully prosecuted for committing crimes and breaking the law, and it’s unfair and selective for this President to single out his son for a pardon, and it sets a horrible example for future administrations.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-new-ibwc-mexico-agreement-on-water-dispute/,Cornyn Statement on New IBWC-Mexico Agreement on Water Dispute,2024-11-09,2024,2024-11,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 International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) within the U.S. Department of State signed an agreement with Mexico on the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande that provides Mexico with new tools to facilitate water deliveries to the United States:

“I appreciate Commissioner Giner’s willingness to foster open dialogue between Mexico and the State Department to negotiate new tools that will further pressure Mexico to meet their obligations under this treaty, but there is still much more work to be done,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Our border communities in the Rio Grande Valley are being crushed by Mexico’s repeatedly delayed water deliveries, and I urge the State Department to prioritize ensuring South Texas farmers and ranchers have the water they are rightfully owed on a more predictable basis.”

Background:

Under the Treaty Relating to the Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande, Mexico is obligated to deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually over a five-year cycle as its contribution to the Rio Grande’s water supply. However, Mexico has consistently delayed fulfilling its water obligation until the end of the five-year cycle, which hinders South Texas farmers and ranchers from being able to plan for and grow crops. As of November 2024, Mexico is behind approximately 980,000 acre-feet on water deliveries.

The new agreement will allow for transfer of ownership at the Amistad and Falcon Reservoirs, permit Mexico to receive potential credit for deliveries made earlier in the cycle, and give them the opportunity to consider deliveries from the San Juan and Alamo Rivers to address the shortfall if agreed to by the U.S.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:02:12Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-wicker-risch-colleagues-press-biden-harris-administration-to-reverse-policy-toward-state-of-qatar,"Cruz, Wicker, Risch, Colleagues Press Biden-Harris Administration to Reverse Policy Toward State of Qatar",2024-11-08,2024,2024-11,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), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee, along with Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss), and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-Idaho), sent a letter to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding Qatar hosting Hamas terrorists.

In the letter, the senators wrote, “The defeat of Hamas is within reach, and ending the safe haven that its leadership enjoys abroad is vital to defeating it. We urge you to act expediently so that this Iranian-backed terrorist organization is finally held responsible for the horrific terrorist massacre of October 7, 2023, and the war that it deliberately unleashed across the region.”

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Rick Scott, (R-Fla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), and Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) also signed the letter.

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Secretary Blinken and Attorney General Garland:

The Israel Defense Forces’ killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar presents a critical opportunity for the United States to compel Hamas’ surrender. This would end the war that Hamas started with its brutal terrorist massacre on October 7, 2023, in which it killed nearly 1200 people, including 46 Americans, and took 250 hostages, including twelve Americans. We therefore urge you to act quickly against Hamas’ remaining leadership, so that the organization is destroyed and defeated.

First, we urge you to reverse the Biden-Harris administration’s policy toward the State of Qatar, whereby the administration has permitted Qatar to facilitate negotiations by hosting Hamas’ leadership. Hamas’ Doha-based leaders have exploited this arrangement, and used the relative freedom that Qatar has afforded them to oppose ceasefire negotiations in international media, host Iranian officials at Hamas’ Doha headquarters, and travel abroad. Qatari officials have said repeatedly that they would change their policy towards Hamas if the Biden-Harris administration asked it to do so, and we believe that it is long past time the administration ask Qatar to freeze Hamas leaders’ assets, shut their access to international media, end their ability to host foreign visitors, and prevent them from traveling abroad.

Second, we urge you to seek the extradition to the United States of Hamas leader Khaled Meshal, who currently resides in Qatar. The Department of Justice unsealed indictments pertaining to multiple Hamas leaders, including Mr. Meshal, on September 3, 2024, and he should face justice for his leadership of a terrorist group that has American blood and hostages on its hands.

Third, we urge you to seek indictments for Hamas’ other senior officials abroad, foremost among them Khalil Al-Hayya, who resides in Qatar. According to The New York Times, during the year prior to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 terrorist massacre, Mr. Al-Hayya sought Iranian and Hezbollah support for Hamas’ brutal attack, with the goal of assaulting Israel on multiple fronts.2 Mr. Al-Hayya should no longer be permitted to live risk-free in Doha. He should be indicted immediately for his role in killing Americans and taking Americans hostage, and then extradited to the United States to face justice.

The defeat of Hamas is within reach, and ending the safe haven that its leadership enjoys abroad is vital to defeating it. We urge you to act expediently so this Iranian-backed terrorist organization is finally held responsible for the horrific terrorist massacre of October 7, 2023 and the war that it deliberately unleashed across the region.

Sincerely,

/X/

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-president-trumps-victory/,Cornyn Statement on President Trump’s Victory,2024-11-06,2024,2024-11,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 on the results of the Presidential election:

“Congratulations to President Trump on his historic victory. Texans have made their voices heard and have had enough of Democrats’ failed policies and absent leadership. Faced with higher costs for just about everything, a wide-open southern border, and a lagging economy that doesn’t work for them, the American people are rightly fed up with a Biden-Harris administration that has only made their lives harder, not easier.

“I’m confident President Trump will hit the ground running to restore the Office of the President to what it should be – one that keeps the American people safe and prosperous. It is critically important that the Senate is prepared to enact his pro-growth agenda from day one. Come January, we must be ready to confirm his nominees, pass a budget, address our debt, extend the Trump tax cuts, and reverse Kamala Harris’ disastrous border security policies.

“Over the years, President Trump and I have worked closely together, especially while I served as Senate Majority Whip, on some of his biggest achievements like landmark tax reform and the confirmations of Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. I am looking forward to continuing to serve our nation working hand in glove with him and my Republican colleagues to kickstart his administration and make America great again by making the Senate work again.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:02:12Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-statement-on-the-new-conservative-senate-majority/,Cornyn Statement on the New Conservative Senate Majority,2024-11-06,2024,2024-11,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 election returns indicating that Republicans have won the majority in the Senate:

“Tonight, the American people have roundly rejected Chuck Schumer and the Senate Democrat majority’s years of disastrous border policies, reckless spending, and failed management that has caused the Senate to lurch from one avoidable crisis to the next. Chuck Schumer has broken the Senate, but I’m confident our new conservative majority can restore our institution to the essential role it serves in our constitutional republic.

“From my experience both as Whip advancing President Trump’s agenda through the Senate to serving as a rank-and-file member now, I have learned what works and what does not. We will restore the important role of Senate committees and reestablish the regular appropriations process. We will improve communication, increase transparency, and tap into the wealth of talent in the conference to include everyone’s expertise and opinions. And we will return power back to the members; there will be no more backroom deals or forced votes on bills without adequate time for review, debate, and amendment.

“As I’ve said, this election is not about us but rather what is best for the conference and the nation. I look forward to working with President Trump and our new conservative majority to make America great again by making the Senate work again.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:02:12Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-cruz-cornyn-trevino-rio-grande-guardian-op-ed-on-defending-texas-energy-and-jobs-in-the-face-of-federal-overreach,"ICYMI: Cruz, Cornyn, Treviño Rio Grande Guardian Op-Ed on Defending Texas Energy and Jobs in the Face of Federal Overreach",2024-11-05,2024,2024-11,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), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño, Jr., discussed the U.S. Court of Appeals decision vacating already-issued liquefied natural gas permits in South Texas in a recent op-ed for the Rio Grande Guardian. The Texas senators and county judge doubled down on defending Texas energy and touted the Cruz-Cornyn Protect LNG Act to ensure that no court has the authority to vacate a previously authorized LNG permit, to clarify the venue for LNG lawsuits before federal courts, and to mandate that courts grant expedited decisions in relevant cases.

In the piece, the Texas officials said, “Let’s not allow misguided federal policies—or, worse, misapplied decisions from judges who preside over courts outside of Texas—to undermine Texas energy. It’s time to stand up for the men and women who power our state, for the communities that will thrive because of major investments in LNG projects, and for American- and Texan-led energy production.”

Read the full story here or below.

In less than a decade, the United States transformed from exporting almost no liquefied natural gas (LNG) to becoming the world’s leading exporter, surpassing other energy-producing giants like Russia and Qatar. Texas energy producers and innovators drove this remarkable achievement, playing a pivotal role in making America a global energy powerhouse.

America’s new role as the leading LNG exporter comes at a critical time. The Energy Information Administration projects a 48% increase in global demand for natural gas by 2050. To meet this rising demand, we need greater investment in America’s LNG sector. As elected officials in the Lone Star State, we believe that Texas energy—produced by blue collar workers from the Permian Basin to the Rio Grande Valley—should be at the forefront of this effort. If we don’t take action, countries like Russia and Iran are poised to overtake America as the world’s primary energy supplier.

That’s why we are concerned about the recent U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decision to block permits for LNG export facilities in Texas. The court’s unprecedented decision to revoke already-issued permits creates a new reality that threatens thousands of jobs, undermines economic growth in Texas, and, according to a former Obama Administration official, even puts future investment in renewable energy infrastructure at risk.

The Rio Grande Valley is an area rich in culture, history, potential—and exploding economic development. And it stands to lose the most from this disastrous court decision. One of the impacted projects, NextDecade’s Rio Grande LNG, would create over 6,000 jobs and bring more than $18 billion in investment to South Texas. By revoking these permits, the D.C. Circuit Court imposes yet another costly bureaucratic roadblock to developing critical energy infrastructure and, most importantly, denies Valley communities the new economic growth that local leaders are championing.

What’s more, undermining American LNG hurts the environment—something appellate judges in Washington D.C. ought to care about. America is by far the world’s largest producer of natural gas, and our environmental standards for production outrank nearly every other country on earth. If you want the world to use cleaner energy, the U.S. is the very best possible supplier. Unfortunately, the panel of judges’ permit-killing decision puts producing clean energy domestically that much further out of reach.

This is also why we are fighting for the Cruz-Cornyn Protect LNG Act. This bill ensures that a court cannot vacate a previously authorized LNG permit, and that the appeals court for Texas, and not DC, would rule on lawsuits regarding LNG projects in Texas. Finally, it would force courts to grant expedited decisions in relevant cases, so LNG exporters aren’t tied up in years of litigation.

Let’s not allow misguided federal policies—or, worse, misapplied decisions from judges who preside over courts outside of Texas—to undermine Texas energy. It’s time to stand up for the men and women who power our state, for the communities that will thrive because of major investments in LNG projects, and for American- and Texan-led energy production.

BACKGROUND

In September, Sens. Cruz and Cornyn introduced the Protect LNG Act to protect energy producers from attacks instigated by fringe environmental groups and politicized courts.

In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated reauthorizations for the Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG projects, threatening 7,000 jobs and undermining $24 billion in investments in the Rio Grande Valley. On September 25, 2024, Sen. Cruz sent aletter to the Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission urging him to appeal this terrible decision.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-cruz-cloud-gerdes-denounce-biden-harris-administration-after-twice-deported-illegal-alien-killed-a-texan-in-bastrop-county,"ICYMI: Cruz, Cloud, Gerdes Denounce Biden-Harris Administration After Twice-Deported Illegal Alien Killed a Texan in Bastrop County",2024-11-04,2024,2024-11,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Rep. Michael Cloud (R-Texas-27), and Texas State Rep. Stan Gerdes (R-HD-17) condemned the Biden-Harris administration after a Texan from Bastrop County was killed by an illegal alien drunk driver. The suspect had previously been deported twice, once by the Obama administration and again by the Trump administration, but was able to illegally re-enter the country under the Biden-Harris administration, which is now responsible for yet another preventable tragedy.

Following the preventable tragedy, Sen. Cruz said, “Yet another Texan is dead directly because of the Biden-Harris border crisis. Texans deserve answers about why this illegal alien was allowed back into our country after being deported twice. This crime was both infuriating and avoidable, but the Biden-Harris administration has made a cynical decision to keep the border open for political purposes. The resulting crimes are avoidable, infuriating, and unacceptable.”

Rep. Cloud said, “Another family’s worst nightmare has come to pass, and it’s directly because of the Biden-Harris Administration’s reckless, open-border policies. Their refusal to enforce our immigration laws has taken another innocent life. How many American citizens have to be killed by illegal immigrants before Joe Biden and Kamala Harris decide to act?”

Rep. Gerdes said, “What happened to Grayson Davis and his grieving family was completely avoidable. Our entire community is heartbroken. The failure of the Biden-Harris administration on our southern border has cost countless lives. While Senator Cruz and Congressman Cloud carry on the fight at the federal level, I will be filing legislation this coming session, ‘Grayson's Law,’ that addresses illegal immigrant crime at the state level.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-colleagues-send-letter-opposing-palestinian-effort-to-suspend-israel-from-un-general-assembly,"Sen. Cruz, Colleagues Send Letter Opposing Palestinian Effort to Suspend Israel from U.N. General Assembly",2024-11-04,2024,2024-11,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), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Linda Thomas-Greenfield regarding Palestinian moves to suspend Israel from participation in the UN General Assembly. The letter outlined steps that would be taken in response, including limiting American funding and participation across the UN and comprehensively downgrading the U.S.-Palestinian relationship.

In the letter, the senators wrote, “Regarding the U.S.-UN relationship, America’s participation in international organizations is predicated on that participation advancing American national security interests. America’s global security architecture is at the core of those interests and Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East, a geopolitically critical region. The effort to diplomatically isolate Israel is aimed at ultimately destroying the Jewish state, which is both obscene and antithetical to American national security interests. If Israel is suspended from the UN General Assembly, we will move to limit American participation and funding across the UN, including UN Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations, both those in which the PLO participates and generally.

“Regarding the U.S.-Palestinian relationship, it is grounded in and structured by agreements going back to the Oslo Accords. Those agreements committed the Palestinians not to internationalize their conflict with Israel outside the contours of bilateral negotiations, which the United States has traditionally mediated. The proposal by President Abbas to suspend Israel from the UN General Assembly would straightforwardly violate and fundamentally abrogate those commitments, in turn requiring a comprehensive reevaluation of the U.S.-Palestinian

relationship. We would pursue such a reevaluation, which will minimally include downgrading cooperation with the PA, ending assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, terminating all Palestinian-related offices across the U.S. government including the Palestinian-facing consulate and the Office of Palestinian Affairs, and broadly curtailing diplomatic, economic, and security engagements between American and Palestinian officials.”

Sen. Cruz was joined by Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) in signing the letter.

Read the full letter here or below:

Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield:

In the coming months, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) will formally move to suspend Israel from full participation in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, according to statements made by Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas at the opening of

the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in September. We write to describe what the consequences of such an action are likely to be, especially for America’s relationships with the UN and the Palestinians, and to urge you to use all available resources to deter the PLO from

taking that action.

Regarding the U.S.-UN relationship, America’s participation in international organizations is predicated on that participation advancing American national security interests. America’s global security architecture is at the core of those interests and Israel is America’s closest ally in the Middle East, a geopolitically critical region. The effort to diplomatically isolate Israel is aimed at ultimately destroying the Jewish state, which is both obscene and antithetical to American national security interests. If Israel is suspended from the UN General Assembly, we will move to limit American participation and funding across the UN, including UN Programmes, Funds, and Other Entities and Bodies, as well as its Specialized Agencies and Related Organizations, both those in which the PLO participates and generally.

Regarding the U.S.-Palestinian relationship, it is grounded in and structured by agreements going back to the Oslo Accords. Those agreements committed the Palestinians not to internationalize their conflict with Israel outside the contours of bilateral negotiations, which the United States has traditionally mediated. The proposal by President Abbas to suspend Israel from the UN General Assembly would straightforwardly violate and fundamentally abrogate those commitments, in turn requiring a comprehensive reevaluation of the U.S.-Palestinian relationship. We would pursue such a reevaluation, which will minimally include downgrading cooperation with the PA, ending assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, terminating all Palestinian-related offices across the U.S. government including the Palestinian-facing consulate and the Office of Palestinian Affairs, and broadly curtailing diplomatic, economic, and security engagements between American and Palestinian officials.

Additionally, the PLO and PA are both already subject to American antiterrorism sanctions, though those sanctions are vitiated by licenses and waivers, and are primarily limited to Americans’ ability to assist those groups. Should the PLO move to suspend Israel from the UN General Assembly, we will seek to ensure that those licenses and waivers are ended, and to expand American antiterrorism sanctions to include third parties. More specifically, in 1987 Congress determined “that the PLO and its affiliates are a terrorist organization and a threat to the interests of the United States, its allies, and to international law” (P.L. 100-204, 101 Stat. 1406), and Americans are in general prohibited from conducting transactions on their behalf or issuing diplomatic visas to PLO officials. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury has determined “pursuant to OFAC’s terrorism sanctions programs, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the Palestinian Authority unless authorized” as a result of elections held in 2006, in which Hamas was empowered to form the majority party within the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) and hold high-level offices within PA. OFAC has issued a series of general licenses authorizing a wide range of such transactions, and special licenses are routinely granted for provisioning visas to PLO officials. Beyond the termination of those licenses, we would seek to impose binding restrictions on the movement of Palestinian officials operating under diplomatic visas related to UN activities, to freeze transactions related to funds controlled by the PA and PLO when they come within U.S. jurisdiction including those related to the Palestine Investment Fund, to designate the PA as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and to implement and enforce primary and secondary antiterrorism sanctions against individual PLO and PA officials.

As always, we stand ready to provide you and the Department with any resources you need to advance the national security interests of the United States.

Sincerely,

/X/

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-leads-bipartisan-bicameral-amicus-brief-defending-texas-energy,"Sen. Cruz Leads Bipartisan, Bicameral Amicus Brief Defending Texas Energy",2024-11-01,2024,2024-11,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to rehear or rehear en banc City of Port Isabel v. FERC. Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) joined Sen. Cruz’s brief. Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas-02) co-led the amicus brief in the House of Representatives and was joined by Representatives Steve Scalise (R-La.-01), Brian Babin (R-Texas-36), Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas-26), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas-28), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas-34), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas-38), August Pfluger (R-Texas-11), and Randy K. Weber (R-Texas-14).

Sen. Cruz stated, “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan, bicameral effort. My number one priority in the U.S. Senate is jobs. There are 7,000 jobs and billions in investment in the Rio Grande Valley at stake. This decision and the current environmental process threaten the economic and energy security of Texas and America, and would cede America’s energy dominance to adversaries and rivals such as Russia, which advance their own interests through gas exports. The D.C. Circuit should rehear and reverse this erroneous decision.”

Rep. Crenshaw said, “Texas has the resources to supply the world with clean, affordable LNG. Unprecedented decisions that inject massive uncertainty into future investments aren’t just short-sighted—they’re morally indefensible. We cannot afford to hand the global energy market to adversaries like Russia, who produce dirtier, high-emission fuels.”

BACKGROUND:

In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated reauthorizations for the Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG projects, threatening 7,000 jobs and undermining $24 billion in investments in the Rio Grande Valley. Sen. Cruz is leading this amicus brief to overturn that disastrous decision and defend high-paying Texas jobs and investments in the Rio Grande Valley.

In addition to his amicus brief, Sen. Cruz sent a letter urging the Biden-Harris administration to appeal the decision. Additionally, he was joined by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) in introducing the Protect LNG Act to ensure that a court cannot vacate a previously authorized LNG permit, clarify the venue for LNG lawsuits before federal courts, and mandate that courts grant expedited decisions in these cases.

Sen. Cruz’s amicus brief is available here and here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:07:06Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-colleagues-demand-answers-from-biden-harris-admin-on-destruction-of-u-s-immigration-policies/,"Cornyn, Colleagues Demand Answers from Biden-Harris Admin on Destruction of U.S. Immigration Policies",2024-10-31,2024,2024-10,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), along with Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Hoeven (R-ND), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Tim Scott (R-SC), today sent a letter to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding the Biden-Harris administration answer for their direct role in eroding the U.S. immigration system, compromising the safety of American families, and fueling a national security crisis through a series of destructive executive orders:

“Within hours of taking office, your administration weakened our national security and undermined the integrity of U.S. immigration laws through a series of flawed executive orders and proclamations,” said the lawmakers.

“Instead of addressing the flow of illegal immigration and illicit drugs across our borders, your administration has turned its back on those who wish to immigrate here legally and welcomed illegal aliens with open arms. Instead of directing resources to securing our borders and processing legal immigrant applications, your administration has crippled our immigration enforcement capabilities and prioritized amnesty applications.”

“The administration has one job—to enforce the law of the land. Instead of detaining and deporting illegal aliens, your administration has shown a blatant disregard for the rule of law and national security,” they wrote.

Full text of the letter is here and below.

October 31, 2024

The Honorable Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

President of the United States

The White House

Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Kamala D. Harris

Vice President of the United States

The White House

Washington, D.C.

CC: The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

245 Murray Lane SW

Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear President Biden and Vice President Harris,

We write to you with serious concerns regarding the failure of your executive leadership to secure our southern border, enforce longstanding immigration policies, and protect the American people.

Your administration has prioritized illegal aliens over the safety of American communities since day one. Within hours of taking office, your administration weakened our national security and undermined the integrity of U.S. immigration laws through a series of flawed executive orders and proclamations.

On January 20, 2021, your administration arbitrarily proclaimed the national emergency at the southern border “unwarranted” and halted construction of the border wall. With one proclamation, your administration terminated a project critical to fortifying our southern border and pulled security resources—leaving our nation more vulnerable than ever to illegal crossings, drug trafficking, and potential terrorist threats.

On February 2, 2021, you signed an executive order to “restore faith in our legal immigration systems.” It unequivocally had the opposite effect. The order destabilized immigration enforcement by unilaterally expanding pathways for illegal aliens to stay in the country. It strained resources needed to process legitimate claims, and directly impacted the ability of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to detain and remove illegal aliens. In short, your administration knowingly undercut CBP and ICE officers’ capacity to execute the law.

Your administration reversed years of progress made under the Trump administration and fueled a crisis that spread from the southern border to small towns across America.

Under your administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) made the decision to terminate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), commonly known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, caused an unprecedented surge at the border.] Our CBP and ICE enforcement personnel and border facilities were overrun, allowing thousands of illegal aliens to enter the U.S. with little to no vetting. Your administration briefly reinstated MPP as a result of litigation—but only further weakened it by reducing the standard migrants had to meet to be exempted from the program.] To make matters worse, your administration suspended and terminated agreements with El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras that would have required migrants to seek asylum in those countries.

In addition to your administration’s attempts to circumvent Congress by implementing immigration policy through executive orders, your administration has taken every opportunity to bend existing immigration law in its favor. Now, immigration officials are applying case-by-case processes like humanitarian parole to large classes and groups of people. Under this administration, the parole process, originally designed to be limited in scope, is now a tool for mass amnesty.

Instead of addressing the flow of illegal immigration and illicit drugs across our borders, your administration has turned its back on those who wish to immigrate here legally and welcomed illegal aliens with open arms. Instead of directing resources to securing our borders and processing legal immigrant applications, your administration has crippled our immigration enforcement capabilities and prioritized amnesty applications. The administration has one job—to enforce the law of the land. Instead of detaining and deporting illegal aliens, your administration has shown a blatant disregard for the rule of law and national security.

The border crisis is not an accident—it is a direct result of this administration’s deliberate choices. As members of Congress, we demand accountability to restore common-sense immigration enforcement policies that prioritize the safety and security of the American people.

In light of the foregoing facts, and for the purpose of oversight and accountability, we demand comprehensive responses to the following questions by November 30, 2024:

How many illegal aliens crossed the U.S. southern border between your administration’s executive order halting border wall construction and the October 2023 determination that existing laws must be waived “to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads” along the southern border?

Has the implementation of the DHS’s rule to terminate the MPP policy, intentionally lowering standards for credible fear screenings, significantly impacted the immigration court backlog? Has the number of immigration officials processing asylum applications increased?

How many DHS personnel were reassigned from other responsibilities specifically to process illegal migrants?

Describe the responsibilities and locations from where immigration officers have been reassigned as well as the number of officers.

How much of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and FY 2025 DHS budget is allocated to implementing the Biden-Harris parole-in-place programs? Please provide both the percentage and the dollar figure for each of these two fiscal years.

Sincerely,

/s/",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-cruz-scott-op-ed-in-wall-street-journal-what-four-years-of-biden-harris-cost-you,"ICYMI: Cruz, Scott Op-Ed in Wall Street Journal: ‘What Four Years of Biden-Harris Cost You’",2024-10-30,2024,2024-10,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 Rick Scott (R-Fla.) wrote in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed that the past four years of runaway inflation has strained the ability of countless American families to make ends meet. In the piece the senators lay out the ways that the “bundled” effect of runaway inflation means families could be struggling for decades to get back to their pre-Biden-Harris economic stability.

In the piece, the senators wrote, “The past four years, runaway inflation has made it increasingly difficult for families to make ends meet. Since the Biden-Harris administration took office, consumer prices in U.S. cities have risen 26% faster than private-sector wages. Paychecks now buy less than they did in January 2021. During the four years Donald Trump was in office, inflation-adjusted private-sector wages rose by 8.1%. That means real private-sector wages today are effectively 11.8% lower than they would have been if the Trump-era economy had continued for another four years.”

The op-ed ran in the Wall Street Journal and can be read here or below.

The kitchen table is where the American dream is built. Every month, families gather there to pay their bills and plan for the future. In a good economy, a couple can buy a home, purchase a car once every decade and help their kids pay for college.

But in the past four years, runaway inflation has made it increasingly difficult for families to make ends meet. Since the Biden-Harris administration took office, consumer prices in U.S. cities have risen 26% faster than private-sector wages. Paychecks now buy less than they did in January 2021. During the four years Donald Trump was in office, inflation-adjusted private-sector wages rose by 8.1%. That means real private-sector wages today are effectively 11.8% lower than they would have been if the Trump-era economy had continued for another four years.

Yet the inflation rate greatly understates the “bundling” effect of higher prices. A new car today costs $47,870 versus $40,857 in January 2021. And the total annual cost to operate that car has soared.

The interest rate on an average new car today is more than 8%, compared with about 5% in January 2021, increasing the cost of a 60-month loan by $726 a year. The average annual auto insurance policy cost $1,567 in 2021. By the end of 2024, it’s expected to hit $2,469. A year’s worth of gasoline that cost $995 in 2021 now runs $1,281. A family in 2021 paid on average $11,579 to own a new car and cover its associated costs for the year; today, doing so costs $15,337 a year. The car price rose 17% but its total annual costs—financing, insurance, and gasoline—rose 32%.

Home ownership is where families have suffered from the Biden-Harris inflation the most. The average home cost $303,900 in January 2021. In August, the cost hit $416,700. But with mortgage rates recently at 6.44% versus 2.77% in January 2021, the total cost of buying and financing a home has more than doubled—from $14,928 to $31,404 a year. Homeowner’s insurance that cost $1,966 annually in 2021 costs $2,499 today. The average annual electric bill was $1,464 in 2021. Today it is $1,868. The average annual natural-gas utility bill was $761 in 2021 but now is $965. The cost of owning and living in a home rose from $19,119 a year in 2021 to $36,736 today. The annual cost of owning a new car and home, then, is 70%, or $21,375, higher than it was four years ago. Do we really want four more years of these policies?

That $21,375 exceeds the annual in-state tuition for any public university in Florida or Texas. Given S&P 500 performance, that money annually invested over four years could provide more than $550,000 for retirement in 20 years.

Families are still burdened by the Biden-Harris inflation. A decade of good economic policy is likely needed to overcome the failures of the current administration. America needs to restrain spending, enforce work requirements in welfare, stop illegal immigration, reduce regulatory burdens and let working families keep more of their income to build their dreams at kitchen tables across America.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-rep-roy-demand-answers-from-biden-harris-administration-on-growing-presence-of-tren-de-aragua-gang-in-texas-us,"Sen. Cruz, Rep. Roy Demand Answers from Biden-Harris Administration on Growing Presence of Tren de Aragua Gang in Texas, U.S.",2024-10-29,2024,2024-10,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas-21) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers about the growing presence of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Argua (TdA) in Texas and across America.

In the letter, the Texas lawmakers wrote, “Alleged TdA affiliates have committed heinous crimes against Americans. The two Venezuelan illegal aliens charged with raping and murdering 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray before tossing her dismembered body into a Houston bayou, both of whom were released under your tenure after they unlawfully crossed into Texas earlier this year, are believed to have ties to TdA. Further, on October 4, 2024, authorities announced the arrest of three additional Venezuelan illegal aliens in Northwest Dallas in September for their alleged involvement in a robbery of a woman who was tied-up and told that her fingers would be cut off if she did not comply during the crime.

“Additionally, TdA has subjected illegal aliens smuggled into the U.S. to sex trafficking. The South American ring is forcing illegal alien women into prostitution in eight states, including Texas, to pay off their smuggling debts, rendering them vulnerable to all forms of abuse.

…

“Our law enforcement community and the Texans they serve deserve answers on the scope of infiltration of TCOs under this administration”

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Secretary Mayorkas:

The Biden-Harris administration has imported Venezuelan illegal aliens at an alarming rate, allowing criminals – including the gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) – to gain a foothold in Texas and communities throughout the United States. Texans and the American people deserve better.

The massive increase in crime committed by Venezuelan illegal aliens is a direct result of this administration’s purposeful policies. Since October 2022, 117,000 Venezuelans have been paroled into the U.S. via the fraud-ridden Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) program. Further, since January 2021, nearly 750,000 Venezuelans have been encountered at the southern border– many of whom have been released into the U.S. interior.

As you know, on October 5, 2024, law enforcement executed “Operation Aurora,” a sting targeted at TdA members occupying a San Antonio apartment complex that had been forcefully taken over by the violent gang, similar to the situation recently seen in Aurora, Colorado. Authorities arrested 19 Venezuelan illegal aliens , four of whom are confirmed TdA members, after receiving numerous complaints of TdA seizing vacant apartment units for drug-related crimes and human trafficking, and threats to apartment employees. One of the arrested suspects was reportedly a TdA gang leader. Moreover, 15 of the 19 detained individuals had immigration detainers placed on them by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for likely for removal from the U.S.

Thankfully, the raid concluded without incident. The task force, comprised of law enforcement officials from the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Border Patrol, and HSI, should be commended for their efforts. While the apprehension of TdA members and other foreign criminals is a welcome development, this dangerous incident, and similar incidents, may have been avoided if DHS took appropriate action to secure the border and stop the mass release of illegal aliens into our communities.

Indeed, this is not the first incident involving TdA in Texas. On September 26, 2024, reports revealed DPS arrested over 20 suspected TdA members at an El Paso hotel for human smuggling, prostitution, and narcotics possession, among other crimes. On September 19, 2024, HSI and SAPD reportedly arrested two individuals linked to TdA for their involvement in a firearms smuggling operation. In March 2024, more than 100 suspected TdA members were arrested for their involvement in charging at National Guardsmen and DPS troopers at the El Paso border in March 2024.

Alleged TdA affiliates have committed heinous crimes against Americans. The two Venezuelan illegal aliens charged with raping and murdering 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray before tossing her dismembered body into a Houston bayou, both of whom were released under your tenure after they unlawfully crossed into Texas earlier this year, are believed to have ties to TdA. Further, on October 4, 2024, authorities announced the arrest of three additional Venezuelan illegal aliens in Northwest Dallas in September for their alleged involvement in a robbery of a woman who was tied-up and told that her fingers would be cut off if she did not comply during the crime.

Additionally, TdA has subjected illegal aliens smuggled into the U.S. to sex trafficking. The South American ring is forcing illegal alien women into prostitution in eight states, including Texas, to pay off their smuggling debts, rendering them vulnerable to all forms of abuse.

TdA members have also demonstrated brazen indifference to public safety officials. On July 30, 2024, Border Patrol issued a bulletin warning that TdA gave the “green light” to its over 1,000 members to fire on and attack law enforcement. In response to the gang’s proliferation and threat to the public, the state of Texas has heightened its security measures amid the federal government’s failure to secure the border from foreign crime syndicates.

Our law enforcement community and the Texans they serve deserve answers on the scope of infiltration of TCOs under this administration. As such, we request you respond to the following questions by October 31, 2024:

Please provide a full accounting of the number of Venezuelans released into the country via CHNV, other forms of parole, release after apprehension at the border, or otherwise, including:

The last known whereabouts of each Venezuelan, broken down by state.

The number of Venezuelans released into the United States without identification documents and their last known whereabouts, broken down by state.

The number of released Venezuelans that have committed a crime in the United States, and their last known whereabouts, broken down by state.

The number of released Venezuelans with known or suspected gang affiliations and their last known whereabouts, broken down by state.

The number of released Venezuelans that are known or suspected members of TdA.

The number of Venezuelans paroled into the United States that have since been removed, and the reason for their removal.

The number of Venezuelans released from the southern border that received a Notice to Appear.

The number of Venezuelans released from the southern border that received a Notice to Report.

How many criminal aliens has DHS arrested in the United States as of January 2021? Please include the following information:

Date of arrest, location of arrest, date of the alien crossing the border, date of release from the border, gang affiliation (if applicable), criminal charges received, previous criminal history, country of origin, and current status (is the alien detained at an ICE facility, on the non-detained docket, or was removed from the U.S.).

How many of these criminal aliens have charges and/or convictions for human trafficking, child exploitation, or forced labor at the federal or local level?

Of all criminal aliens arrested in Texas, how many have a detainer placed by ICE?

What future operations does DHS and/or ICE plan to conduct to mitigate TdA’s presence in Texas?

What other transnational criminal organizations are present in Texas that DHS has detected?

What policies or action has DHS implemented to recruit the cooperation of sanctuary jurisdictions in Texas that limit or refuse to cooperate with federal immigration detainers and/or authorities?

Sincerely,

/X/

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/whispers-in-the-texas-wind/,Whispers in the Texas Wind,2024-10-28,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"As the leaves shift from green to shades of red and brown, Fall brings more than just hayrides, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treating. You may not realize it while carving your jack-o’-lantern, but Texas is home to more than just famous haunted houses—you don’t have to look far to stumble upon a graveyard with a story to tell.

Texas boasts around 14,000 cemeteries, many of which are steeped in legends that will send a chill up your spine. Some gravestones hold dramatic tales of early settlement, disease, natural disasters, and war. From the Panhandle to the Gulf Coast, these cemeteries are living pieces of history wrapped in a touch of the supernatural.

Take Oakwood Cemetery in Austin, the state’s oldest graveyard. It spans 40 acres of centuries-old tombstones and is the resting place of Texas Revolution and Civil War veterans, as well as former governors like General Sam Houston. Some of the most haunting stories come from these graves. One such grave belongs to Eula Phillips a teenager murdered on Christmas Eve in 1885. Legend has it her spirit floats through the cemetery at night, searching for answers to her untimely death.

Farther southeast, in Galveston, lies the Old City Cemetery, where spirits are rumored to be more restless. This graveyard serves as a somber reminder of the catastrophic Hurricane of 1900 that devastated the island. Thousands lost their lives, including many who were swept into the Gulf of Mexico. On stormy nights, the howling wind is said to carry the cries of men calling for help and wails of women searching for their lost children.

Among those buried there is Elize Romer Alberti, Galveston’s “Demented Mother,” who poisoned her five children in 1894, four of whom succumbed to it. After the murders, she was sent to the San Antonio Asylum, but returned to Galveston, where she eventually died. Buried with her children, she is said to haunt the cemetery grounds to this day.

In El Paso, Concordia Cemetery is one of Texas’ largest cemeteries, covering 52 acres and holding the graves of more than 60,000 souls, including buffalo soldiers and Texas Rangers. Its most famous occupant is John Wesley Hardin, the notorious gunslinger of the Old West. Under the moonlight, the spirits of Hardin and other outlaws are rumored to roam the grounds, earning Concordia the nickname “El Paso’s Boot Hill” due to its rowdy history.

Texas cemeteries hold more than tombstones, they are places where the living just might happen upon spirits of the past. So whether you believe in ghosts or not, this is the season to gather around a campfire and share a scary story or two, because you never know what—or who—may be dying to hear it.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-sen-cruz-op-ed-in-dallas-morning-news-bipartisan-work-brought-microchip-jobs-to-texas,ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Op-Ed in Dallas Morning News: ‘Bipartisan Work Brought Microchip Jobs to Texas’,2024-10-28,2024,2024-10,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), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, today published an op-ed for the Dallas Morning News about legislation he led to streamline the process for approving microchip manufacturing plants, which is critical to enabling manufacturing jobs to Texas, boosting investment in Texas, and decreasing American dependency on Chinese manufacturing. Sen. Cruz worked with Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) to introduce and secure passage of the legislation. It received widespread bipartisan support, unanimously passed the Senate last December and the House last month, and was signed into law by President Joe Biden.

The op-ed ran in the Dallas Morning News and can be read here.

In the piece, Sen. Cruz wrote:

“The issues facing our country are significant, but so are the opportunities. The Kelly-Cruz legislation shows what is possible when we work together to deliver results for Texans. By streamlining the regulatory process and ensuring that Texas and other states can compete fairly, we are securing our future. These reforms are just the beginning, and I will continue to fight for policies that put Texas and America first, protect our national security, and empower hardworking Texans who make this nation great.”

Read the full text below:

The Kelly-Cruz Building Chips in America Act is an example of bipartisan leadership delivering serious results for Texans. With our military and economy increasingly reliant on advanced technologies, it is critical that we manufacture advanced microchips on American soil.

Last year, Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., introduced a bill that streamlined the environmental review process for microchip manufacturing plants. This bill was written with good intentions, but it contained a fatal flaw: it would have created a preference for new microchip manufacturing in states that mimic the federal government’s burdensome, time-consuming environmental review laws. These states, the majority of which are exceedingly liberal enclaves like California and New York, would have received a massive leg up over states like Texas in any competition for new microchip facilities.

I worked across the aisle with Sen. Kelly and together we rewrote the bill to create a better, fairer solution. The rewritten bill leveled the playing field for all states, ensuring that federal law didn’t preference blue states like California over Texas so that both can compete fairly for new microchip manufacturing facilities and jobs.

Sen. Kelly and I built a strong bipartisan coalition to support our bill. President Joe Biden’s Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo even praised our leadership in streamlining the process for this national security imperative. And Secretary Raimondo explicitly urged Congress to pass the Cruz-Kelly amendment because it will “help us a lot to move faster.”

Get smart opinions on the topics North Texans care about.

Our bipartisan effort was successful, and in December Majority Leader Chuck Schumer advanced the Kelly-Cruz legislation on the Senate floor with unanimous bipartisan support. Over the last 10 months, I worked hand in hand with Republican leadership and rank-and-file members in the U.S. House of Representatives to secure a vote on our bill, which passed the House overwhelmingly without any changes. And on Oct. 2, very quietly and without fanfare, President Biden signed it into law.

I am proud to have led the effort for new microchip manufacturing in the United States, but I also want to make sure we do it the right way. That is why I wrote and passed the Building Chips in America Act, but it is also why I voted against the 2022 Chips and Science Act. That bill combined many other bills, including the Facilitating American-Built Semiconductors (FABS) Act — of which I was a co-sponsor — which created tax incentives for new semiconductor manufacturing. But I was forced to vote against the final 2022 version because it gave tens of billions of taxpayer dollars directly to extremely profitable multinational corporations. I oppose corporate welfare; it far too often leads to corruption.

My concerns have unfortunately been realized. Micron, which will get over $6 billion in U.S. taxpayer dollars, recently announced it had begun construction on a new semiconductor packaging and testing plant in China. Similarly, unable to get progressive bills through Congress, the administration has improperly conditioned Chips and Science Act grants on companies adopting green energy and liberal social policies.

Though I made my case at the time, mine was not the prevailing view and enough of my colleagues voted to advance the bill that it became law. But as I’ve said before, regardless of whether I voted for it or not, once taxpayer money is flowing out of Washington, it’s my job to make sure that Texas gets its fair share. That is why I’ve vigorously advocated for companies building in Texas to get chips funding.

But it’s also why I was so focused on the Kelly-Cruz Building Chips in America Act. By easing the regulatory burden for manufacturers, our bill incentivizes companies to create jobs on American soil. It will result in new manufacturing plants being built in Texas and will bring billions in investment and thousands of new high-paying jobs to Texas — and the economic growth that comes with that.

The issues facing our country are significant, but so are the opportunities. The Kelly-Cruz legislation shows what is possible when we work together to deliver results for Texans. By streamlining the regulatory process and ensuring that Texas and other states can compete fairly, we are securing our future. These reforms are just the beginning, and I will continue to fight for policies that put Texas and America first, protect our national security, and empower hardworking Texans who make this nation great.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-on-vp-harris-last-minute-trip-to-houston-too-little-too-late/,"Cornyn on VP Harris’ Last-Minute Trip to Houston: ‘Too Little, Too Late’",2024-10-25,2024,2024-10,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) released the following statement in response to Vice President and Border Czar Kamala Harris’ trip to Houston, Texas:

“Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Texas just ahead of Election Day is too little, too late for Texans who have had to endure more than three and a half years of her reckless open-border policies and the worst inflation in decades.”

“Millions of migrants have illegally entered our country under Border Czar Harris’ watch, including two in Houston – where Harris is visiting – who raped and murdered 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. Of course, today she will not address that or the flow of deadly drugs like fentanyl that have killed more than 100,000 of our fellow Americans in just one year alone. Instead, she will make a tone-deaf attempt to shift the focus away from her many failures as second-in-command.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/media-research-center-honors-sen-cruz-with-inaugural-free-speech-award,Media Research Center Honors Sen. Cruz with Inaugural Free Speech Award,2024-10-25,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Media Research Center (MRC) has honored U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) as one of the recipients of its inaugural Free Speech Award.

About the award, Sen. Cruz said, “I am honored to be recognized by the Media Research Center as a champion of free speech. Throughout my tenure in the U.S. Senate, I have fought relentlessly to protect the inalienable rights and freedoms that have made our country the world’s greatest democracy. Liberty can only prevail when the right to speak freely is protected, but as President Ronald Reagan wisely said, ‘Freedom is a fragile thing, and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction.’ That is truer now than ever before.

“Our first amendment right to freedom of speech is under attack, as radicals on the left try to silence anyone who disagrees with them. The path forward requires us to stand firm against those who seek to suppress free speech. I remain committed to fighting our ‘first freedoms.’”

BACKGROUND

Sen. Cruz was recognized as one of 35 leaders fighting to protect free speech. Sen. Cruz was honored alongside members of Congress, members of government service, and private citizens who all share a common commitment – to counter the forces that aim to stifle our First Amendment rights.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-sen-cruz-receives-recognition-for-pivotal-bipartisan-victory-championing-south-texas-economy,"ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Receives Recognition for Pivotal Bipartisan Victory, Championing South Texas Economy",2024-10-24,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – In Case You Missed It: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, was honored yesterday by the city of Laredo and awarded the Key to the City for his leadership in streamlining the presidential permitting process and securing presidential permits to build and expand four major international bridges in South Texas, including two in Laredo. Read the articles below:

From Texas Border Business: Sen. Ted Cruz’s Leadership Secured Approval for Four International Bridges

“In a remarkable display of bipartisan cooperation and a commitment to advancing the interests of South Texas, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, has achieved a significant legislative victory, securing the approval for four international bridges. This achievement was celebrated in Laredo, Texas, where Cruz was honored with the Keys to the City by Mayor Dr. Victor D. Treviño. The event was momentous for the Laredo community and the region’s future prosperity.

“Mayor Treviño, in his heartfelt presentation, said, ‘The City of Laredo hereby presents the key of the City of Laredo to the United States Senator Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas, for supporting the Laredo community with historic legislation that advances international trade and ensures future prosperity.’ These words underscored the city’s recognition of Cruz’s pivotal role in championing Laredo’s economic and infrastructural future.

“Taking to the podium, Senator Ted Cruz expressed his deep gratitude: ‘Mayor, thank you very much. I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive the key to the city—an incredible distinction from an amazing place in Texas. I have to say I love South Texas. I love the city of Laredo. It is an incredible hub of commerce, an incredible port to the entire world.’ Cruz’s admiration for the region is evident, but his dedication to improving its infrastructure is even more profound.”

From KGNS News: Laredo hosts trade talks with Sen. Cruz, federal, and international leaders

From Laredo Morning Times: Laredo presents 'long overdue' Key to the City to Sen. Ted Cruz

“Cruz gave a brief speech after receiving the honor and spoke about working together on four new bridges in South Texas: two in Laredo, one in Eagle Pass and one in Brownsville.

“‘They were delaying those bridges for three, four, five years,’ Cruz said. ‘A delegation from the city of Laredo asked me to help, asked me to lead the effort, and I told them I was proud to do so.’ …

“Cruz said the legislation could help Texas farmers, ranchers, small businesses and consumers. He briefly mentioned another bipartisan effort involving Interstate Highway 27, which would start in Laredo and extend to Montana.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-honored-for-major-south-texas-victory-awarded-key-to-the-city-of-laredo,"Sen. Cruz Honored for Major South Texas Victory, Awarded Key to the City of Laredo",2024-10-23,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"Laredo, TEXAS – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, was honored today by the city of Laredo and awarded the Key to the City for his leadership in streamlining the presidential permitting process and securing presidential permits to build and expand four major international bridges in South Texas, including two in Laredo.

Upon receiving the Key to the City, Sen. Cruz said, “I am honored and humbled to receive the Key to the City—an incredible distinction from an amazing place in Texas. I have to say I love South Texas, I love the city of Laredo, it is an incredible hub of commerce and port to the entire world. My passion, my number one priority is jobs, jobs, jobs, and that means fighting for the people of Laredo, fighting for the people of South Texas, to have more jobs, and better jobs, and higher wages.

“I will say, over the past several years, I've been proud to work very closely with Mayor Treviño, and very closely with my friend Congressman Henry Cuellar, and County and business leaders, fighting for jobs here in Laredo and throughout South Texas. We worked together on expediting the permitting of four bridges here in South Texas: two in Laredo, one in Eagle Pass, and one in Brownsville. All four of those bridges were delayed by bureaucratic roadblocks coming from the Biden-Harris White House. A delegation from the city of Laredo asked me to help, asked me to lead the effort to get this done. I told them I'd be proud to do so, and we were able to draft legislation, bipartisan legislation, and pass it through the Senate with bipartisan support. I worked hand in hand with Congressman Cuellar, we passed it through the House with bipartisan support. It was signed into law in December of last year, and just a few months ago those permits were granted.”

BACKGROUND

Last year, Sen. Cruz authored and secured into law a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024 to streamline the presidential permitting process for new and expanded bridges across the Rio Grande in Webb, Cameron, and Maverick Counties. The language required the State Department to submit for approval and the White House to approve or deny the permits for these projects in 60 days respectively. Sen. Cruz was joined by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas), Monica de la Cruz (R-Texas), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), and Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) in working to secure this provision.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-lankford-challenge-biden-harris-administrations-gender-identity-guidance-targeting-women-people-of-faith,"Cruz, Lankford Challenge Biden-Harris Administration’s ‘Gender Identity’ Guidance Targeting Women, People of Faith",2024-10-22,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"ASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra about new guidance from HHS that compels speech, targets the ability of federal employees to practice their faith, and endangers women.

In the letter, the senators wrote, “We write out of deep concern over Guidance you issued entitled ‘Gender Identity Non-Discrimination and Inclusion Policy for Employees and Applicants.’… According to the Guidance, failure to use the preferred names and pronouns an individual asks to be addressed with ‘contribute[s] to an unlawful hostile work environment.’ Notably, your Guidance states that the Department cannot ‘require a legal change of name or gender marker, medical certification, or other documentation.’ In other words, anyone can change their names and pronouns and compel coworkers to use that name or pronoun, or face disciplinary action.

“Perhaps more egregious than the Guidance’s position on compelled speech related to pronoun usage is the policy on bathroom, locker room, and lactation room usage. According to the Guidance, HHS will ‘ensure there are no barriers to equally accessing restrooms, locker rooms, lactation rooms, or other personal care spaces.’… Including lactation rooms in this same Guidance is blatantly offensive—males cannot breastfeed their children, and claiming to be female does not change that reality. The only reason for including this in the Guidance is to continue to push a radical agenda in every facet of the federal workplace.”

Sens. Cruz and Lankford were joined by Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) in signing the letter.

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Mr. Secretary:

We write out of deep concern over Guidance you issued entitled “Gender Identity Non-Discrimination and Inclusion Policy for Employees and Applicants.” This Guidance denies science, compels speech, jeopardizes the ability of federal employees to practice their faith without fear of retaliation, endangers women, and further erodes the American people’s trust in public institutions. We urge you to reverse course and rescind this Guidance.

According to the Guidance, failure to use the preferred names and pronouns an individual asks to be addressed with “contribute[s] to an unlawful hostile work environment.” Notably, your Guidance states that the Department cannot “require a legal change of name or gender marker, medical certification, or other documentation.” In other words, anyone can change their names and pronouns and compel coworkers to use that name or pronoun, or face disciplinary action. The Guidance also stipulates that training on this guidance will be included in “all new employee training.” It also says additional trainings regarding gender identity will be made available, and that “specialized training” may be deemed necessary “for particular offices or Department-wide.” There is no mention anywhere in the Guidance about accommodations for those with religious or conscience objections to the compelled use of incorrect pronouns.

In addition to violating extremely clear, long-standing Supreme Court precedents on compelled speech, reaffirmed as recently as 303 Creative v Elenis, this also violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In forcing employees to choose between deeply held religious beliefs or losing their job, HHS is creating a hostile work environment for employees.

Perhaps more egregious than the Guidance’s position on compelled speech related to pronoun usage is the policy on bathroom, locker room, and lactation room usage. According to the Guidance, HHS will “ensure there are no barriers to equally accessing restrooms, locker rooms, lactation rooms, or other personal care spaces.” The Guidance notes that, “HHS will not condition this access on an employee having undergone or providing proof of gender-affirming surgeries or other medical procedures.” Further, if any employees are made uncomfortable by having to share bathrooms, locker rooms, or lactation rooms with individuals using the wrong space, they will be directed to use other facilities, because “employees will not be barred from using the restroom consistent with their gender identity.”

Given the Guidance’s stipulation on not requiring any evidence of gender dysphoria or gender transition procedures, women could be forced to be exposed to fully male anatomy in the bathroom or in the locker room. This creates a hostile work environment for women who may have no other option than using the facilities at work. A female employee who has used a women’s restroom for more than a decade will be told that she has to find a new option for a restroom if she is uncomfortable with a biological male in her restroom. Women deserve better. Including lactation rooms in this same Guidance is blatantly offensive—males cannot breastfeed their children, and claiming to be female does not change that reality. The only reason for including this in the Guidance is to continue to push a radical agenda in every facet of the federal workplace.

Finally, the Guidance’s denial of science—and incorporation of that denial into the hiring, firing, and promotion process—raises questions about the work and research being done through the HHS. Gender is not, as the Guidance erroneously asserts, “a social construct of identities, norms, behaviors, and roles that vary between societies over time.” There are only two sexes: male and female. Research by the HHS at taxpayer expense should not be done in contravention of that scientific and self-evident fact.

HHS is rapidly losing the confidence of the American people over the last three years. According to Pew Research polling, in 2020, HHS had a favorable/unfavorable rating of 73/19. In 2023, that favorability metric had plummeted to 55/30. By rejecting science and diving deeper into the culture wars, HHS risks further undermining faith in critical public institutions. We urge you to rescind this Guidance, and request answers to the following questions no later than October 30.

In your response to a Finance Committee question for the record, you stated that this Guidance does not change any religious protections for employees, but you did not answer whether there was a specific exemption process in place for this guidance. What exemption process is HHS providing to employees and managers being required to follow or implement this guidance based on religious or conscience objections?

Please provide detailed account of the exemption process; how HHS is ensuring employees are aware of this process; if individuals have to apply for an exemption; and how many individuals have received exemptions.

The Guidance requires managers who become aware of “derogatory remarks or demeaning behaviors” to “take appropriate steps to immediately and effectively stop these activities.”

Is an employee’s refusal to use preferred name or pronouns considered “derogatory remarks or demeaning behavior?”

What does HHS consider “appropriate steps?”

How many HHS employees have faced employment consequences of any type for not abiding this guidance?

The Guidance refers to updating websites, policies, programs, trainings, and publications to “replace gendered language with gender-neutral and gender-inclusive language.”

Please provide detailed accounts of how many hours have already or will be used on this, the total cost of updating training materials, and any other expenses incurred as a result of this change.

Will information pertaining to male and female specific medical issues—including testicular or ovarian cancer, maternal health, etc.—also be changed to gender neutral language?

The Guidance creates an “LGBTQI+ Coordinating Committee.”

Who will determine the members of this committee?

What funds will be used to pay for the activities of this committee?

Will there be a member on this committee dedicated to ensuring the protection of employees with religious and conscience objections?

On what statutory authority does HHS base this Guidance?

We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

/X/

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-presses-mayorkas-for-answers-on-vetting-of-afghan-parolee-charged-in-connection-with-terror-plot/,Cornyn Presses Mayorkas for Answers on Vetting of Afghan Parolee Charged in Connection with Terror Plot,2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,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), along with Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), today sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting more information in light of reports suggesting Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, an Afghan national recently arrested in connection with a plot to commit a violent attack on behalf of ISIS in the United States on Election Day, was not vetted for a special immigrant visa as the Biden-Harris Justice Department originally claimed:

“We remain deeply troubled by the increasing likelihood that foreign extremists may successfully exploit the weaknesses of our immigration system or our southern border to commit an act of political violence or an act of terror here on U.S. soil, and the policies of the Biden-Harris administration have only made matters worse,” they wrote.

“This ongoing failure to protect Americans from potential terroristic threats is unacceptable and it is only a matter of time before it yields deadly results. As part of our ongoing oversight of DHS’s use of immigration parole and its response to the heightened threat environment the U.S. finds itself in, we are requesting that you provide to us for review a copy Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi’s alien file (a-file) and any other records related to his parole and vetting he received prior to his arrest, no later than November 1, 2024,” the lawmakers concluded.

Full text of the letter is here and below.

October 18, 2024

The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas Secretary

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

3801 Nebraska Ave N.W.

Washington D.C. 20016

Dear Secretary Mayorkas:

We write today to request more information about the immigration status of Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, the Afghan national who was recently arrested in connection with a plot to commit a violent attack on behalf of ISIS in the United States on Election Day. According to the criminal complaint filed by the Department of Justice, Tawhedi “entered the United States on September 9, 2021, on a special immigrant visa and is currently on parole status pending adjudication of his immigration proceedings.” However, according to reporting from Fox News, Tawhedi was never approved for a special immigrant visa and was not “well known to the US government” when he was brought to the United States.

We remain deeply troubled by the increasing likelihood that foreign extremists may successfully exploit the weaknesses of our immigration system or our southern border to commit an act of political violence or an act of terror here on U.S. soil, and the policies of the Biden-Harris administration have only made matters worse. It was President Biden and Vice President Harris’ disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan that led to Tawhedi being in the United States in the first place. In the chaos following the withdrawal, the Biden-Harris administration paroled into the U.S. over 77,000 Afghans with no or significantly incomplete security checks done on them prior to their arrival.

In the three years since, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has failed to conduct proper vetting of these parole recipients. A DHS Office of Inspector General report from May 2024 found that DHS has no established process or dedicated component for monitoring parole expiration for the Afghan parolee population, and that there are significant gaps in how DHS responds to potential derogatory information discovered in the recurrent vetting process.

This ongoing failure to protect Americans from potential terroristic threats is unacceptable and it is only a matter of time before it yields deadly results. As part of our ongoing oversight of DHS’s use of immigration parole and its response to the heightened threat environment the U.S. finds itself in, we are requesting that you provide to us for review a copy Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi’s alien file (a-file) and any other records related to his parole and vetting he received prior to his arrest, no later than November 1, 2024.

Thank you for your prompt attention and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

/s/",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-issues-statement-following-senates-passage-of-bipartisan-bill-cracking-down-on-contraband-and-organized-crime-in-federal-prisons,Sen. Cruz Issues Statement Following Senate’s Passage of Bipartisan Bill Cracking Down on Contraband and Organized Crime in Federal Prisons,2024-10-18,2024,2024-10,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement following the Senate passage of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act to crack down on the smuggling of contraband cellphones into federal prisons by upgrading the charge for smuggling a contraband cellphone into a federal prison from a misdemeanor offense to a felony. The bill is now headed to the House of Representatives.

Upon passage, Sen. Cruz said, “Prison isn’t a taxpayer-funded hotel. Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati was murdered for doing his job and enforcing rules against contraband. I’m proud to work with Sens. Ossoff and Grassley on their bipartisan legislation to place stricter penalties on criminals who violate prison contraband rules, to better protect security guards like Lieutenant Albarati.”

Sen. Cruz joined Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing the legislation.

Read the full text of the bill here.

BACKGROUND

The legislation is named in honor of Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati, a Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officer who was murderedcompleting his shift at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) Guaynabo in Puerto Rico in 2013. Five men who later pleaded guilty to the crime admitted they targeted Albarati as a direct result of continuous seizures of contraband, including cellphones. The inmate who placed the hit on Albarati did so using a contraband cellphone.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-praises-selection-of-american-airlines-for-san-antonio-to-d-c-direct-flight-route/,Cornyn Praises Selection of American Airlines for San Antonio to D.C. Direct Flight Route,2024-10-16,2024,2024-10,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) released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) announcement of the establishment of a direct flight route between San Antonio and Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport to be serviced by Texas-based American Airlines:

“As a proud native of San Antonio, I am pleased with the DOT’s decision to establish a direct route between San Antonio and the District of Columbia, and glad to hear that it will be served by DFW-based American Airlines,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This new route will make travel more efficient for military personnel, business travelers, or simply families visiting their nation’s capital, and I was proud to work with Senator Cruz and countless others to make this major win for ‘Military City, USA’ a reality.”

Background:

In May, Sen. Cornyn voted in favor of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, now law, which includes a range of reforms to improve public safety, efficiency, and consumer confidence and allows for a direct route from San Antonio.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-cramer-capito-file-bicameral-amicus-brief-to-overturn-fhwas-unlawful-emissions-rule,"Cruz, Cramer, Capito File Bicameral Amicus Brief to Overturn FHWA’s Unlawful Emissions Rule",2024-10-16,2024,2024-10,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and several Republican colleagues in filing a bicameral amicus brief against the Biden-Harris administration’s greenhouse gas emissions rule on highways.

The Members of Congress requested that the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit uphold the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas’s decision to vacate the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) final rule requiring states to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on the highways.

In the brief, the members argued, “Congress considered, and ultimately rejected, providing [FHWA] with the authority to issue a GHG performance measure regulation, but [FHWA] contorted ancillary existing authorities to impose one anyway. In doing so, [FHWA] impermissibly usurped the Legislative Branch’s authority and promulgated the GHG performance measure without statutory authority delegated by Congress.

“Put simply, when [FHWA] established a GHG performance measure regulation, it exceeded the powers Congress authorized. And it did so both at the expense of separation of powers and in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act.”

Sens. Cruz, Cramer, and Capito were joined by Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Ark.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) in filing the brief.

The senators were also joined by Reps. Sam Graves (R-Mo.-6) and Rick Crawford (R-Ark.-1) in filing the brief.

Read the full amicus brief here.

BACKGROUND

In November 2023, the FHWA adopted a final rule requiring state departments of transportation and metropolitan planning organizations to measure GHG emissions on the highway system and set declining targets. Sen. Cruz previously joined a bipartisan Congressional Review Act joint resolution of disapproval to overturn the rule. The resolution passed the Senate in April by a vote of 53 to 47, reiterating Congress’s opposition to FHWA’s overreach.

Shortly after the rule was finalized, 21 state attorneys general, including Texas, filed litigation challenging the regulation. The U.S. District Court found the Biden-Harris administration rule to be illegal, but FHWA appealed the decision to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and it remains under further consideration.

The bicameral amicus brief requests the Appeals Court uphold the District Court’s decision vacating the rule. The brief argues that Congress debated and rejected granting the FHWA the authority to issue GHG performance measure rules and the FHWA then intentionally misconstrued Congressional intent to justify its improper exercise of authority. It also argues the rulemaking is not consistent with recent Supreme Court decisions paring back Executive Branch overreach, and FHWA is bypassing principles of federalism to further its own policy agenda.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-cruz-celebrates-announcement-of-direct-flight-from-san-antonio-to-washington-dc,"Sen. Cruz Celebrates Announcement of Direct Flight from San Antonio to Washington, D.C.",2024-10-16,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following statement after the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced their intent to award an additional, beyond perimeter slot for a nonstop flight between San Antonio International Airport (SAT) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

In May, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which Sen. Cruz co-authored as the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee, was signed into law allocating five new, round-trip flights between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and previously excluded beyond-perimeter locations. In July, Sen. Cruz and Reps. Roy and Castro led a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in urging the DOT to award a direct flight for the proposed SAT-DCA route.

Upon the announcement, Sen. Cruz said, “I’m proud to have led Republicans and Democrats in delivering a landmark victory not just for the City of San Antonio but the entire Lone Star State. The new American Airlines SAT-DCA flight is the culmination of a years-long effort to connect our nation’s capital with the fastest-growing city in the country. My bipartisan provision adding five long-haul slots in this year’s FAA reauthorization bill overcame fierce, well-funded opposition. I am thankful to the many city leaders, partners, and stakeholders across the greater San Antonio region who entrusted me with this responsibility and united behind our effort to deliver for Military City USA. I am looking forward to soon celebrating with my friends in San Antonio as we step foot onto the very first direct flight from SAT to DCA.”

Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports, San Antonio Airport System said, “The City of San Antonio has been fighting for a direct flight to Washington, D.C. for decades. Today’s announcement from the Department of Transportation is tremendous news for San Antonians and Texans and would not have been possible without the strong leadership of Senator Ted Cruz and Representatives Chip Roy and Joaquin Castro. San Antonio is excited for American Airlines to begin flying from Military City USA to Washington, D.C. very soon.”

Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, President and CEO, greater:SATX said, “Today is monumental for San Antonio with the approval of a new nonstop route from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Washington, D.C. We are grateful to Senator Ted Cruz who championed this effort and to the Texas congressional delegation. San Antonio—previously the largest U.S. city without nonstop DCA service—now gains critical access to D.C. and Northern Virginia. This route will boost corporate retention, expansion, and recruitment, supporting San Antonio’s rapid growth and future development.”

Lamar Smith, Former U.S. Representative, 21st Congressional District of Texas said, “Today’s announcement that the Department of Transportation will award a direct flight from Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport to San Antonio is a tremendous win for Texans, and especially for the people of San Antonio. This victory is the result of years of hard work and a united effort from countless stakeholders, including the City of San Antonio and organizations across South Texas. I was proud to play a part in that effort during the years I represented Texas’s 21st congressional district, and I am delighted to see it finally come to a positive resolution. The strong, bipartisan leadership from Senator Ted Cruz, who authored the provision and fought to include it in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, deserves special recognition as well. His relentless advocacy for San Antonio ensured this got over the finish line, even in the face of stiff opposition. This new, direct flight will help provide lower prices for consumers, bolster Military City USA’s connection to D.C., and grow the region’s leadership in healthcare, science, and defense sectors, and that is something we can all be proud of.”

Wayne Peacock, CEO, USAA said, “Nonstop air service connecting Military City, USA to DCA in our nation’s capital has been a top priority for our region for decades. Securing direct-service flights will have a significant impact on the military community and their families serving here, as well as our fast-growing business community. This is a phenomenal milestone and the culmination of decades of persistent effort by local and statewide leaders working on behalf of our San Antonio region. Business leaders stand ready to support this new nonstop route and continue to build San Antonio’s presence as one of America’s leading cities for economic growth and development.”

Joe Straus, Former Speaker, Texas House of Representatives said, “San Antonians have long sought nonstop air service to the heart of our nation’s capital and today is a victory in that effort. Nonstop air service to Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is critical to San Antonio’s economic strength — especially in the sectors of cybersecurity, defense contracting, aerospace and financial services. Thanks to the dedicated advocacy of our elected leaders in Washington and key voices here in our community, our region is now positioned for continued opportunity and economic activity.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-cornyn-tillis-colleagues-introduce-bill-to-stop-biden-harris-amnesty-program,"Cruz, Cornyn, Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Stop Biden-Harris Amnesty Program",2024-10-15,2024,2024-10,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), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to introduce the Visa Integrity Preservation Act, which would close a loophole in current immigration law that the Biden-Harris administration exploited to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants who have entered the United States without inspection or overstayed a visa.

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “The Biden-Harris administration has failed to secure our southern border and politically exploits the crisis they’ve created. What they call their ‘keep families together’ agenda is being used as a loophole to allow illegal immigrants to bypass our legal immigration process, granting amnesty to 500,000 illegal aliens. We must send a clear message that the United States will not tolerate any manipulation of our immigration laws. That is why I am proud to join Senators Cornyn, Tillis, and several of my Republican colleagues to stop this exploitation of our immigration system.”

Sens. Cruz, Cornyn, and Tillis were joined by Sens. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in introducing the bill.

BACKGROUND

Current U.S. immigration laws do not allow illegal immigrants who overstay their visas to reenter the United States for up to 10 years if they leave, and those who illegally enter the U.S. are not allowed to reenter at all. The law also requires that temporary visa applicants interview abroad at a U.S. consulate before they can receive their visas, so illegal immigrants are not eligible to regularize their status using the temporary visa programs. The law does allow the U.S. Secretary of State to waive the consular interview requirement, but only on a case-by-case basis in the national interest of the United States or in emergency situations.

In June 2024, the Biden-Harris administration announced a new initiative to grant amnesty to over half a million illegal immigrants, including spouses of American citizens. As part of that initiative, President Biden and Vice President Harris waived the consular interview requirement for nonimmigrant visas, enabling immigrants who have illegally entered the U.S. or overstayed a visa to obtain temporary work visas. The Biden-Harris administration’s decision to waive this policy encroaches on Congress’s authority and threatens to transform nonimmigrant visa programs into a tool to provide amnesty to illegal immigrants.

The Visa Integrity Preservation Act would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to clarify that immigrants who have entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed a visa for more than 180 days are not eligible for a waiver of the in-person consular interview requirement and would instead be required under all circumstances to depart the U.S. for an interview before they could receive a nonimmigrant visa. Under existing law, they are barred from reentering the U.S. upon presenting for inspection at a Port of Entry.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-op-ed-now-a-national-historic-site-blackwell-school-is-a-symbol-of-progress-toward-equality/,"Cornyn Op-Ed: Now a National Historic Site, Blackwell School is a Symbol of Progress Toward Equality",2024-10-11,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,TX,John Cornyn,C001056,www.cornyn.senate.gov,cornyn,https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/,scraper,"RENO, NEVADA – During National Hispanic Heritage Month, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the El Paso Times to run in print this Sunday, celebrating the historic designation of the Blackwell School in Marfa, Texas, as a national park, which was made possible through his Blackwell School National Historic Site Act:

Now a National Historic Site, Blackwell School is a Symbol of Progress Toward Equality

Senator John Cornyn

El Paso Times

October 10, 2024

https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/opinion/2024/10/10/blackwell-school-is-a-symbol-of-progress-toward-equality-cornyn/75568740007/

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

These words in the Declaration of Independence are the revolutionary principles that form the cornerstone of our country. They have shaped the American way of life and served as a catalyst for change and justice since our nation’s inception.

However, we haven’t always lived up to this standard — something especially apparent for the children of Mexican descent who experienced racism and prejudice in Marfa, Texas, in the 20th century.

For decades, Mexican and Mexican-American children in Marfa were forced to attend the Blackwell School, formerly known as the Ward or Mexican School, where they were segregated from their white peers. Built in 1909, the school operated under de facto segregation and continued to do so even after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Despite this pronouncement from our nation’s highest court in 1954, the Blackwell School remained the only school that Mexican-American children living in the area could attend until it closed its doors in 1965.

The walls of the Blackwell School hold the stories of countless young students of Mexican descent who endured racial prejudice and were encouraged to bury their heritage and deprived of the same educational opportunities as their peers.

In one instance, the students were instructed to write Spanish words on a piece of paper and then marched into the schoolyard, where their papers were buried on the grounds in a mock funeral ceremony. The students were also given secondhand learning materials and faced numerous obstacles as they fought to obtain a proper education, something many take for granted today.

Since 2021, I have fought for the Blackwell School to be named a National Historic Site to ensure the memories and lessons it holds are protected and taught to current and future generations of Americans. The Blackwell National Historic Site Act, which I authored and helped pass into law in 2022 alongside my good friend, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23), designates the Blackwell School as one of the few National Park sites in the United States that commemorates Latino history and culture.

When the Blackwell School’s story was brought to my attention by the local community in Marfa, I was deeply moved by its history. Upon learning more, I knew I wanted to help Rep. Gonzales champion the efforts to memorialize the school.

After years of hard work with my congressional colleagues, I was proud to see the Blackwell School finally established as our country’s 430th National Park as of this July, and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have on the visitors who will pass through its doors.

The designation will help ensure the stories of the Mexican-American students forced to receive a segregated education are taught to future generations of Americans from all backgrounds and walks of life. It will preserve the experiences of the Marfa community and stand as a demonstration of the progress we’ve made as a nation.

This historic undertaking would not have been possible without the support of the National Parks Conservation Association, National Park Foundation, Blackwell School Alliance, Marfa Independent School District, city of Marfa, and the devotion of the Big Bend community.

The Blackwell School is a powerful testament to our nation’s tremendous progress toward equality and a solemn reminder of the work that still remains. Today and for decades to come, the schoolhouse will stand as an important cultural landmark and a symbol of resilience, telling the stories of those who faced injustice and reminding us of the importance of applying lessons from the past as we shape the next chapter of American history.

As we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor the experiences of Latino-Americans in the Big Bend community and all across Texas. While it is easy to turn away from the pain caused by prejudice, it’s important we never forget the darkest pages of our nation’s story.

In the wake of immeasurable pain, Texans band together and journey toward healing. Last month, the Blackwell School held a ribbon cutting ceremony in honor of the historic park site establishment, where former students, Marfa community members, and local leaders gathered to celebrate. During the ceremony, attendees listened to a traditional mariachi band and viewed a ballet folklórico performance, all things that would have been previously discouraged, if not banned, when the school was still in operation. They also shared stories, smiles, and – I would assume – a few tears. I have no doubt it acted as a salve to the scars of former students formed long ago as they walked through the hallways of the Blackwell school.

The Blackwell School may have taught students subjects like math, reading, and science in its day, but from now on, it will teach future generations how to remember our nation’s history, honor the progress we have made as a nation, and resolve to continue taking steps forward to ensure our country lives up to our guiding principles. If we join together, we can learn from our past and continue to create a better and brighter future for every American, and that may be one of the most important lessons of all.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-cornyn-colleagues-send-letter-urging-restoration-of-nadbanks-water-infrastructure-program,"Cruz, Cornyn, Colleagues Send Letter Urging Restoration of NADBank’s Water Infrastructure Program",2024-10-10,2024,2024-10,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), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and members from the Texas delegation wrote to the North American Development Bank (NADBank) urging its board to revive the Water Infrastructure Fund to assist border communities facing water shortages.

In the letter, the members wrote, “As it did in previous years, NADBank should use funding from retained earnings to provide concessional financing such as grants or subsidized loans for water conservation and diversification projects. This investment is essential to the well-being of our American municipalities and agricultural projects, and we fully support the Bank’s role in overseeing and implementing the fund to ensure these resources are allocated effectively.”

Sens. Cruz and Cornyn sent the letter with Reps. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas-15), Vincente Gonzalez (D-Texas-34), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas-23), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas-16), and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas-28).

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Members of the Board:

We are writing to express our strong support for the re-establishment of NADBank’s Water Infrastructure Fund and to urge the Board to take swift action in restoring this critical program. The need for sustainable water management in the U.S.-Mexico border region is greater than ever. Re-establishing the fund would be a significant step in ensuring long-term water security for both municipal and agricultural communities.

As it did in previous years, NADBank should use funding from retained earnings to provide concessional financing such as grants or subsidized loans for water conservation and diversification projects. This investment is essential to the well-being of our American municipalities and agricultural projects, and we fully support the Bank’s role in overseeing and implementing the fund to ensure these resources are allocated effectively.

Any grant funding re-established through this program must be directed to both municipal and agricultural projects. These projects should not only conserve water, but also explore new ways to create additional water sources in the border region. In doing so, NADBank can address the urgent need for water security on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The flexibility of the grant program is critical. NADBank must be permitted to fund partial project costs in coordination with loans to enable solutions for a wide variety of projects. Additionally, NADBank should not be prohibited from providing loan financing to cover any remaining costs so as to ensure the fund remains adaptable and accessible.

Leveraging resources from other federal and state agencies such as the USDA-Rural Development, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Texas Water Development Board, will be critical in closing the funding gap for these water projects. We urge the Board to coordinate efforts with these entities to maximize the impact of NADBank’s investments.

Lastly, we request that U.S. Board members encourage Mexico to meet its capital commitments in a timely manner, and that the U.S. Board use its voice and vote to expedite the release of the remaining U.S. capital in line with Mexico’s payments.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We are confident that the re-establishment of the Water Infrastructure Fund will greatly benefit both sides of the border, ensuring that our communities have the water resources they need for the future.

Sincerely,

/X/

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-hagerty-biggs-colleagues-raise-alarm-over-dojs-inaction-on-non-citizens-registered-to-vote,"Cruz, Hagerty, Biggs, Colleagues Raise Alarm Over DOJ’s Inaction on Non-Citizens Registered to Vote",2024-10-10,2024,2024-10,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. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.-5), and several of their Republican House and Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland raising their concerns about the Department of Justice’s failure to address non-citizens registered to vote in American elections. This letter comes after Attorney General Garland ignored a prior request for information as state officials revealed more examples of non-citizens being registered to vote.

In the letter, the member wrote, “We are deeply concerned by reports of non-citizens registering to vote and voting in federal elections. As of today, there has been no response from you or your Department regarding the inquiry on July 12, 2024, seeking information on efforts undertaken by your Department to enforce laws prohibiting non-citizen voting. Given that the 2024 Presidential Election is in less than 34 days, your Department’s inaction and refusal to provide any information regarding its efforts to promote public trust and confidence in our elections is especially alarming.”

Sens. Cruz and Hagerty were joined by Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), John Kennedy (R-La.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) in signing the letter.

Rep. Biggs was joined by Reps. Andy Harris (R-Md.-1), Clay Higgins (R-La.-3), Gary Palmer (R-Ala.-6), Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.-2), Ralph Norman (R-S.C.-5), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.-2), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.-5), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.-4), Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.-2), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.-1), Bob Good (R-Va.-5), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.-7), Mike Ezell (R-Miss.-4), Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.-3), Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.-7), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.-3), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.-24), Michael Guest (R-Miss.-3), Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.-1), Ben Cline (R-Va.-6), Chip Roy (R-Texas-21), Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.-11), Mary Miller (R-Ill.-15), Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.-9), Lance Gooden (R-Texas-5), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.-3), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.-2), Mike Collins (R-Ga.-10), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.-2), Greg Lopez (R-Colo.-4), Keith Self (R-Texas-3), Brian Babin (R-Texas-36), August Pfluger (R-Texas-11), Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.-2), Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.), Randy Weber (R-Texas-14), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.-6), and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.-1) in signing the letter.

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Attorney General Garland:

We are deeply concerned by reports of non-citizens registering to vote and voting in federal elections. As of today, there has been no response from you or your Department regarding the inquiry on July 12, 2024, seeking information on efforts undertaken by yourDepartment to enforce laws prohibiting non-citizen voting. Given that the 2024 Presidential Election is in less than 34 days, your Department’s inaction and refusal to provide any information regarding its efforts to promote public trust and confidence in our elections is especially alarming.

Since the initial letter, several more concerning reports have been released by state officials indicating that a large number of non-citizens appear on their voter rolls. For example, the Virginia Attorney General recently announced that 6,303 non-citizens were identified on and removed from Virginia’s voter rolls in 2022 and 2023. In another troubling report released in August, over 6,500 non-citizens registered to vote in Texas were identified and removed from voter rolls. Of the 6,500 non-citizens identified, 1,930 had a voter history.

Clearly, there is a non-negligible amount of voter participation by non-citizens in federal elections, which is not only a serious threat to the integrity of our elections and the democratic process they represent, but also has the potential to reduce Americans’ trust and confidence in election results.

Accordingly, we respectfully reiterate the July 12 request for information on your Department’s enforcement efforts. The initial deadline for providing this information was July 26, 2024, so the response is now 9 weeks overdue.

Please provide responses to the following no later than October 16, 2024:

Please provide the number of aliens who have been charged, tried, or convicted under 18 U.S.C. § 611 since January 20, 2021, including the status of each case.

Please provide the number of aliens who been charged, tried, or convicted under 52 U.S.C. § 20511 since January 20, 2021, including the status of each case.

3. Please provide the number of aliens who have been prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 911 since 2021, including the status of each case.

4. Please provide the number of referrals received from other government officials or the public in reference to the statutes cited in questions 1 through 3.

How does the Department of Justice investigate allegations received of non-citizen voting or voter registration?

What affirmative steps have the Department of Justice taken to detect, prevent, and deter illegal aliens and other non-citizens from registering and voting in federal elections?

What affirmative steps have the Department taken to obtain relevant information from the Department of Homeland Security on aliens who have registered or voted in elections?

What steps have been taken by U.S. Attorneys and the Public Integrity Section of the Criminal Division, which is responsible forprosecuting election crimes and assisting U.S. Attorneys in prosecuting election crimes, to obtain jury-related information thatindicates aliens have unlawfully registered to vote?

As the 2024 election nears, what steps will the Department take to detect, investigate, and prosecute non-citizens who violate 18U.S.C. § 911, 52 U.S.C. § 20511, or 18 U.S.C. § 611 by voting or registering to vote in the 2024 election?

What steps have the Department taken to contact Virginia and Texas election officials to obtain information and the voter registration and voter history files on each of the aliens removed from the voter rolls who were unlawfully registered and voting in those states?

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to your prompt reply.

Sincerely,

/X/

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cruz-warren-blackburn-colleagues-introduce-bipartisan-resolution-honoring-women-volunteers-in-world-war-ii,"Cruz, Warren, Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Honoring Women Volunteers in World War II",2024-10-09,2024,2024-10,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 Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and several of their colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) resolution to recognize the women who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “We must never forget the unwavering dedication and immense sacrifices made by the courageous women who volunteered to serve our country during World War II. Their contributions to the war effort were pivotal and our nation owes them a debt of gratitude. I am honored to stand with Senators Warren and Blackburn in introducing this bipartisan resolution to give them the full recognition they deserve.”

Sens. Cruz, Warren, and Blackburn were joined by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) in introducing the resolution.

Read the full text of the resolution here.

BACKGROUND:

After World War I, laws limited women to the role of nurses during war. The Navy Women’s Reserve Act, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in July 1942, reversed this law and established WAVES, allowing women to volunteer in support of war efforts. Women were then recruited to perform military assignments, including training thousands of aspiring male naval aviators, gunners, and navigators.

More than 400,000 women served our country in military capacities in World War II. In fact, women accounted for about 2.5% of the Navy, including almost 80,000 officers and enlisted personnel during the program’s peak.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/icymi-sen-cruz-demands-transparency-on-tim-walzs-ties-to-the-wuhan-institute-of-virology,ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Demands Transparency on Tim Walz’s Ties to the Wuhan Institute of Virology,2024-10-08,2024,2024-10,Republican,Senate,TX,Ted Cruz,C001098,www.cruz.senate.gov,cruz,https://www.cruz.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, last week, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter to the Hormel Institute regarding its partnership with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and financial resources secured for the Hormel Institute by Governor Tim Walz. The WIV has been credibly implicated as the point of origin of COVID-19 and conducts its activities under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party.

In the letter, Sen. Cruz wrote, “For over a decade, Governor Tim Walz has acted as one of the Institute’s most ardent supporters, securing millions of taxpayer dollars to fund its operations, including over $2 million in federal funding for technology acquisitions and a $5 million earmark to expand your Institute’s reach. The Governor’s support for the Hormel Institute has remained steadfast, continuing even after the FBI concluded on February 28, 2023 that COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from the WIV.

“Governor Walz’s personal connections to China—his honeymoon there, over 30 trips, and public comments downplaying the strategic threat posed by the CCP13—only raise further questions about his motivations for promoting your institution.

“Your institute’s ongoing partnership with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and by extension the People’s Liberation Army, reflects a troubling disregard for national security concerns…The American people deserve assurance that their resources and institutions are not inadvertently supporting the goals of our chief geopolitical adversary.”

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Director Clarke:

I write to you today with growing concern regarding the Hormel Institute’s longstanding partnership with China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV).

The WIV, as you are certainly aware, has been credibly implicated as the likely point of origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even more troubling are its direct ties to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and its involvement in classified military research including laboratory animal experiments under the auspices of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) at least as recently as 2017. Despite these alarming connections which raise obvious national security concerns, the institute you lead has not only maintained its collaboration with WIV but it has done so with the backing of Minnesota’s top elected official.

For over a decade, Governor Tim Walz has acted as one of the Institute’s most ardent supporters, securing millions of taxpayer dollars to fund its operations, including over $2 million in federal funding for technology acquisitions and a $5 million earmark to expand your Institute’s reach. The Governor’s support for the Hormel Institute has remained steadfast, continuing even after the FBI concluded on February 28, 2023 that COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from the WIV.

In recent years, researchers at the Hormel Institute have collaborated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology on a variety of projects, including a 2020 COVID-19 study and, as more recently as of 2024, on structural biology research.

The COVID-19 study, titled “A dynamic regulatory interface on SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase,” was authored by four WIV researchers, three Hormel Institute researchers, and a Yale School of Medicine professor. Similarly, in January 2024, Hormel Institute researchers published a study on genes with the WIV’s Lina He, Wei Zhou, and Yangbo Hu. In 2023, WIV’s Yangbo Hu also worked with the Hormel Institute’s Dmytro Kompaniiets, Dong Wang, and Bin Liu on research titled “Structure and molecular mechanism of bacterial transcription activation,” among other collaborations.

Furthermore, the resignation of your predecessor, Dr. Zigang Dong, who served as Executive Director for nearly 18 years and resigned following an FBI investigation into his “possible failure to disclose foreign backing when applying for grants,” should have prompted a thorough reassessment of your institute’s engagements with foreign entities. Yet, despite this disconcerting event, Governor Walz continues to promote and direct public resources to your institute. Even after the U.S. government ceased funding to organizations working with the WIV, Governor Walz toured your facility and publicly praised its work.

Governor Walz’s personal connections to China—his honeymoon there, over 30 trips, and public comments downplaying the strategic threat posed by the CCP—only raise further questions about his motivations for promoting your institution.

Additionally, in 2020, the Hormel Institute’s disclosure in a 2020 EMBO Journal Study that it received “help from the Core Facility and Technical Support” of the WIV for “radioactive and fluorescent tests” adds to the concern. Further raising suspicions is that Bin Liu, a professor at the Hormel Institute who worked on that 2020 EMBO Journal study, attended Wuhan University. Federal records indicate that the researchers for this particular study included those affiliated with the WIV, in addition to the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and China’s Zhengzhou University.

In light of these recently-disclosed facts, it is critical to understand the full extent of your institute’s involvement in a partnership that risks benefitting our nation’s chief geopolitical adversary. Accordingly, for the purposes of oversight, I request that you respond to the following questions and requests by October 31, 2024:

1. How much public and private funding has the Hormel Institute received specifically for projects involving collaboration with the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV)? Please provide an itemized accounting of all such funding.

2. When did the Hormel Institute first initiate collaboration with the WIV, and what were the specific reasons for choosing to partner with a facility known to have ties to China’s People’s Liberation Army?

3. What actions has the Hormel Institute taken to ensure that its collaborative work with the WIV does not benefit China’s military or pose a risk to U.S. national security?

a. If no such actions were taken, what was the rationale behind this decision?

4. Given the WIV’s ties to China’s military, why has the Hormel Institute not publicly disclosed the full extent of its collaborations with the WIV?

a. If this information has been withheld, please explain why.

5. Please provide all internal documentation or communications related to the Hormel Institute’s partnerships with Chinese research facilities, including but not limited to the WIV.

6. What was the Institute’s reasoning behind continuing its collaboration with the WIV, even after serious concerns about the origins of COVID-19 and the lab’s military affiliations became widely known?

7. How can the American public trust that the Hormel Institute’s partnerships with the WIV are not inadvertently advancing China’s geopolitical goals, particularly in biotechnology and biomedical research?

8. Given the U.S. government’s cessation of funding to other nonprofits with ties to the WIV, what justifications does the Hormel Institute offer for continuing its relationship with the WIV?

9. Why did the Hormel Institute continue collaborating with the WIV after your predecessor, Dr. Zigang Dong, resigned amid an FBI investigation into his failure to disclose foreign funding when applying for grants?

10. The Hormel Institute’s work with the WIV includes research on gene structures and SARS-CoV-2 RNA polymerase. What measures have been taken to ensure that no sensitive intellectual property or technology has been transferred to China’s military-backed labs during these studies? If no measures were taken, why not?

11. Please provide any documentation or communications between the Hormel Institute and the Office of the Minnesota Governor regarding the Institute’s partnerships with Chinese research facilities, particularly the WIV.

Your institute’s ongoing partnership with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, and by extension the People’s Liberation Army, reflects a troubling disregard for national security concerns. The devastating impact of COVID-19 has highlighted the seriousness of these issues, as the pandemic has severely affected lives and economies worldwide. The American people deserve assurance that their resources and institutions are not inadvertently supporting the goals of our chief geopolitical adversary. As Executive Director, it is crucial that you address these concerns transparently. Failure to do so will only deepen public mistrust and undermine confidence in your institute’s integrity and intentions.

The American people look forward to your timely and comprehensive response.

Sincerely,

/X/

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T21:57:20Z
https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/news/cornyn-leads-colleagues-in-urging-restoration-of-nadbanks-water-infrastructure-program/,Cornyn Leads Colleagues in Urging Restoration of NADBank’s Water Infrastructure Program,2024-10-07,2024,2024-10,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), along with Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representatives Monica De La Cruz (TX-15), Vincente Gonzalez (TX-34), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Henry Cuellar (TX-28), today sent a letter to the North American Development Bank (NADBank) expressing strong support for the re-establishment of NADBank’s Water Infrastructure Fund and urging the board to take swift action in restoring this critical program to improve water security for border communities.

“The need for sustainable water management in the U.S.-Mexico border region is greater than ever. Re-establishing the fund would be a significant step in ensuring long-term water security for both municipal and agricultural communities,” they wrote.

“As it did in previous years, NADBank should use funding from retained earnings to provide concessional financing such as grants or subsidized loans for water conservation and diversification projects. This investment is essential to the well-being of our American municipalities and agricultural projects, and we fully support the Bank’s role in overseeing and implementing the fund to ensure these resources are allocated effectively.”

“We are confident that the re-establishment of the Water Infrastructure Fund will greatly benefit both sides of the border, ensuring that our communities have the water resources they need for the future,” the lawmakers concluded.

Full text of the letter is here and below.

October 7, 2024

United States Board Members

North American Development Bank

203 S. St. Mary’s St., Ste 300

San Antonio, Texas 78205

Dear Members of the Board,

We are writing to express our strong support for the re-establishment of NADBank’s Water Infrastructure Fund and to urge the Board to take swift action in restoring this critical program. The need for sustainable water management in the U.S.-Mexico border region is greater than ever. Re-establishing the fund would be a significant step in ensuring long-term water security for both municipal and agricultural communities.

As it did in previous years, NADBank should use funding from retained earnings to provide concessional financing such as grants or subsidized loans for water conservation and diversification projects. This investment is essential to the well-being of our American municipalities and agricultural projects, and we fully support the Bank’s role in overseeing and implementing the fund to ensure these resources are allocated effectively.

Any grant funding re-established through this program must be directed to both municipal and agricultural projects. These projects should not only conserve water, but also explore new ways to create additional water sources in the border region. In doing so, NADBank can address the urgent need for water security on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.

The flexibility of the grant program is critical. NADBank must be permitted to fund partial project costs in coordination with loans to enable solutions for a wide variety of projects. Additionally, NADBank should not be prohibited from providing loan financing to cover any remaining costs so as to ensure the fund remains adaptable and accessible.

Leveraging resources from other federal and state agencies such as the USDA-Rural Development, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Texas Water Development Board, will be critical in closing the funding gap for these water projects. We urge the Board to coordinate efforts with these entities to maximize the impact of NADBank’s investments.

Lastly, we request that U.S. Board members encourage Mexico to meet its capital commitments in a timely manner, and that the U.S. Board use its voice and vote to expedite the release of the remaining U.S. capital in line with Mexico’s payments.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We are confident that the re-establishment of the Water Infrastructure Fund will greatly benefit both sides of the border, ensuring that our communities have the water resources they need for the future.

Sincerely,

/s/",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T18:55:29Z