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://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2348,"Social Security Fairness Act, Co-Sponsored by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, Heads to President’s Desk",2024-12-30,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Monica De La Cruz,D000594,delacruz.house.gov,delacruz,https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz celebrates the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) through the Senate. The legislation, which Congresswoman De La Cruz co-sponsored and championed as one of her first acts after taking office, is now headed to President Biden to be signed into law after passing the Senate this month. It passed the House on November 12th.

The Social Security Fairness Act repeals the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), two outdated policies that unfairly reduced Social Security benefits for teachers, first responders, and other public service employees who earned additional Social Security benefits through part-time work or careers prior to or after entering public service. These changes will ensure that retirees receive the benefits they earned.

“For too long, public servants—our teachers, police officers, and firefighters—have been penalized for dedicating their lives to serving our communities,” said Congresswoman De La Cruz. “Listening to teachers and public employees in my district, I understood the inequities they faced. That’s why I co-sponsored this legislation early in my tenure, and the bill’s passage reflects our commitment to fairness and respect for those who serve. This is a victory for fairness and justice, and I am thrilled to see the hard work of so many finally come to fruition.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
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://jackson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2243,Rep. Jackson Applauds Fiscal Year 2025 NDAA Being Signed into Law,2024-12-24,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Ronny Jackson,J000304,jackson.house.gov,jackson,https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) issued the following statement after the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) was signed into law. Jackson’s leadership on this critical legislation includes provisions that enhance servicemembers' quality of life, modernize our military, support our allies, and strengthen national security.

Jackson said: “Ensuring the U.S. military remains the most lethal fighting force in the world and that Texas’ Thirteenth Congressional District continues to play a vital role in national security are among my top priorities in Congress. I’m proud this year’s NDAA includes many provisions to modernize the Pantex Plant in Amarillo, strengthen the workforce at Bell in Amarillo, improve the quality of life for service members and their families at Sheppard Air Force Base, and bolster our defense-focused workforce. These provisions will benefit our dedicated servicemembers and hardworking Texans who are important to the security of our nation. Thank you, Chairman Rogers, for your steadfast leadership in the passage of this year’s NDAA, and I look forward to continuing to support America’s national defense priorities under President-elect Trump’s leadership soon!”

Jackson serves on the House Armed Services Committee. For additional details on the NDAA provisions Jackson led, click here.

Jackson spoke on the House Floor in favor of the FY25 NDAA prior to the House vote.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
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://vanduyne.house.gov/2024/12/rep-van-duyne-introduces-legislation-to-secure-our-elections-and-cities-from-illegal-immigrants,Rep. Van Duyne Introduces Legislation to Secure our Elections and Cities from Illegal Immigrants,2024-12-23,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Beth Van Duyne,V000134,vanduyne.house.gov,vanduyne,https://vanduyne.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne recently introduced the Voter Eligibility Verification Act and the No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act to push back on Democrats’ attempts to overwhelm our nation with mass illegal immigration.

“The open border policies we’ve seen for the last 3.5 years from Democrat leadership have made our nation less safe and our elections less secure,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “From sanctuary city mayors refusing to honor our nation’s immigration laws, to Washington, D.C. bureaucrats unlawfully withholding citizenship data from states, Democrats’ willful disregard is evident and those responsible must be held accountable.”

TheVoter Eligibility Verification Act requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to respond to state inquiries regarding citizenship data within 30 days of receiving the request.

“After Texas requested necessary data from USCIS to verify voter citizenship and clean the voter rolls, USCIS failed to respond, leaving Texas struggling to ensure only eligible voters could vote,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “The Voter Eligibility Verification Act will fix this by requiring USCIS to respond to state requests for citizenship data within 30 days. I will continue working with state leaders to ensure they have the tools needed to protect our elections.”

The No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act would prohibit the use of Congressionally-appropriated community project funds from cities that have sanctuary city policies—such as laws, ordinances, regulations, or practices that obstruct immigration enforcement or shield individuals from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“President Trump's deportation plan relies on cooperation from local law enforcement and sanctuary city policies compromise those efforts,” said Rep. Van Duyne. “My proposal to withhold community project funds from sanctuary cities would pressure local governments to allow greater cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.”

Congresswoman Van Duyne was joined by Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) in introducing the Voter Eligibility Verification Act.

BACKGROUND:

Rep. Van Duyne recently launched a new effort to deport criminal aliens from our communities by empowering our mayors and local law enforcement to work with ICE.

The No Congressional Funds for Sanctuary Cities Act will ensure that cities that refuse to cooperate with ICE to protect their citizens will be held accountable.

After finding and removing 6,500 potential noncitizens from its voter rolls, Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson requested citizenship data from USCIS to verify the eligibility of voters before the November 5th election. USCIS failed to comply with Texas’ request.

In October 2024, Rep. Van Duyne joined her colleagues in demanding immediate action from USCIS to release the citizenship data so Texas could ensure eligible voters were allowed to cast a ballot.",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://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2523,"Arrington Votes to Deliver Funding to WTX Farmers, Clear the Way for Trump’s America First Agenda",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement after House passage of a funding bill:

“As a result of Democrats’ reckless spending and Biden’s failed economic policies, our farmers have been walking the high wire of production agriculture with effectively no safety net.

“Without passing emergency Farm Bill supplemental funding to address the catastrophic effects of historic drought and record inflation, we threaten our food supply, jeopardize our young farmers, and put entire rural communities at risk.

“As Budget Chairman, I’m proud to have worked with Speaker Johnson and my colleagues to ensure these necessary resources were a part of any year-end funding bill.

“Going forward, it is imperative for farmers and taxpayers alike that we move away from un-budgeted, ad hoc emergency spending by fixing the Farm Bill’s broken safety net.

“I’m honored to have worked with Speaker Johnson and the GOP House leadership to deliver disaster relief, clear the way for President Trump’s America First agenda, and secure a commitment to significantly reduce deficit spending through reconciliation next year.

“Republicans are uniting under the leadership of President Trump and Speaker Johnson to close out the disastrous four years of the Biden-Harris administration and pave the way for a safer and more prosperous future for America.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://crenshaw.house.gov/2024/12/rep-crenshaw-helps-secure-hurricane-and-federally-declared-disaster-funding,Rep. Crenshaw Helps Secure Hurricane and Federally-Declared Disaster Funding,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Dan Crenshaw,C001120,crenshaw.house.gov,crenshaw,https://crenshaw.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Crenshaw issued a statement on the bipartisan government funding bill that includes more than $100 billion in disaster relief for states and communities hit by natural disasters, including Texas during Hurricane Beryl and the Houston Derecho:

“Funding that provides critical resources for my constituents in Harris and Montgomery County as they continue to recover from the impact of Beryl and the Houston Derecho is one of my main priorities,” said Rep. Crenshaw. “I'm proud to have worked alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this funding approved.”

While specific funding levels for states and communities will be based on need, the legislation approves the following funding nationally:

Natural Resources Conservation Service – $920 million for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program for debris removal, watershed stabilization, and cleanup efforts related to recent natural disasters.

Food and Nutrition Service – $25 million in infrastructure funds for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to assist food banks damaged by natural disasters.

Economic Development Assistance Programs – $1.5 billion for economic development assistance to communities impacted by tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters occurring in 2023 and 2024.

Army Corps – $1.5 billion for the Corps of Engineers for rehabilitation and repairs needed due to natural disasters, to expedite studies and projects to reduce the risks of future disasters, and to address water infrastructure needs due to disasters.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loans Program – $2.2 billion to support the subsidy needs of SBA disaster loans to small businesses and individuals, including funding for the SBA Office of Inspector General for audits and reviews of disaster loans.

U. S. Coast Guard – $312.7 million for the response to disasters, including the hurricanes, and to make repairs to shore facilities and aids to navigation.

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Disaster Relief Fund – $29 billion for response, recovery, and mitigation activities related to Presidentially declared major disasters. Includes a $4 million transfer to DHS’s Office of Inspector General for oversight activities related to the funds.

Government Accountability Office – $10 million to support audits and investigations related to disasters declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

Federal Highway Administration – $8.1 billion for the Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program to reimburse states for highway and bridge repairs.

Community Planning and Development Fund – $12 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program to help local, state, and Tribal governments recover from Presidentially declared disasters.

Background:

Congressman Crenshaw has been pushing for federal assistance since both Hurricane Beryl and the Houston Derecho hit the 2nd District. For months, the Congressman has worked with Congressional leadership and appropriators to deliver on the $100 billion appropriation.

On July 8, 2024, Congressman Crenshaw released a resource page for constituents impacted by Beryl.

Later in July and August, 2024, Congressman Crenshaw provided additional information on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan resources.

On October 3, 2024, Congressman Crenshaw joined a bipartisan Texas Delegation letter to Congressional Leadership on the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl and the Derecho, and the urgent need to pass an appropriations package to support constituents affected by the disasters.

On December 20, 2024, Congress passed critical disaster aid legislation.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2347,"Continuing Resolution Passes, Maintains Critical Block Grant Aid for South Texas Farmers Secured by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz",2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Monica De La Cruz,D000594,delacruz.house.gov,delacruz,https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz announced Friday that the Continuing Resolution (CR), which passed the House tonight, maintains language to fund critical block grants to provide economic relief for South Texas farmers. This measure will address significant economic losses caused by Mexico's ongoing failure to meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty.

""South Texas farmers have endured immense hardships due to Mexico's continued violations of the 1944 Water Treaty,"" said Congresswoman De La Cruz. ""Securing and maintaining these block grants was a top priority because our agricultural producers urgently need this support to recover and rebuild. This victory ensures they have the resources to overcome the challenges caused by Mexico’s treaty violations and continue to thrive. This helps our local farmers and is a win for Texas and the entire nation.""

The block grants allow the Secretary of Agriculture to provide targeted economic aid to agricultural producers in South Texas. These grants reflect provisions of Congresswoman De La Cruz's South Texas Agricultural Assistance Act, introduced in November, which directed similar relief to mitigate the impact of Mexico's failure to meet its treaty-mandated water deliveries.

Under the 1944 Water Treaty, Mexico is required to deliver a set amount of water to the United States. Persistent noncompliance has led to severe water shortages for farmers in South Texas, devastating crops, costing jobs, and threatening the local economy. Key agricultural sectors, including citrus growers and sugar producers, have been hit particularly hard.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-troy-e-nehls-votes-pass-american-relief-act,Rep. Troy E. Nehls Votes to Pass the American Relief Act,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Troy E. Nehls,N000026,nehls.house.gov,nehls,https://nehls.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) released the following statement after voting for the American Relief Act:

“Today, I proudly voted for the American Relief Act, which is an important piece of legislation for the America First agenda,” said Congressman Nehls. “This legislation provides funds for our nation’s hardworking farmers who feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Additionally, this legislation provides relief for those who were affected by the catastrophic hurricanes earlier this year. The American people gave us, the Republican Party and President Trump, a mandate to make America great again, and this bill paves the way for us to do so. I look forward to President Trump’s historic return to the White House. January 20th can’t come soon enough.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-issues-statement-hr-10545,Rep. Roy issues statement on H.R. 10545,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Chip Roy,R000614,roy.house.gov,roy,https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — On Friday, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement on H.R. 10545:

""Today, notwithstanding significant progress over the last few days, I voted against H.R. 10545, the 3rd version of the government funding 'CR.'

While this bill was a marked improvement on the 1,547 page 'cramnibus' that was released earlier this week, it still included $110 billion in supplemental funding with no offsets or pay-fors, which I cannot support. While supporting Americans impacted by recent hurricanes and our nation’s farmers is a worthy cause, we must pursue those ends in a fiscally responsible way or we risk losing our country altogether.

My efforts this week along with House 'fiscal hawks' resulted in two important things: 1) avoiding $5 trillion being added to our existing $36 trillion national debt with zero spending cuts or structural reforms; and 2) delivering for President Trump a path to stop Chuck Schumer from abusing the debt ceiling to roil financial markets by delivering a framework for substantial and necessary spending cuts.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure we do just that in the 119th Congress.

Onward.""

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://sessions.house.gov/2024/12/congressman-sessions-votes-yes-on-the-continuing-resolution,Congressman Sessions Votes YES for American Relief Act,2024-12-20,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Pete Sessions,S000250,sessions.house.gov,sessions,https://sessions.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) released the following statement regarding the passage of the American Relief Act of 2025:

Congressman Sessions said, “Today, I voted YES for the American Relief Act of 2025. This bill was supported by President Trump and PASSED. From the outset, I made it clear that I would only support a Continuing Resolution that includes vital assistance for our agricultural community. This legislation delivers on that promise by supporting farmers and ranchers, providing critical disaster relief for those impacted by recent hurricanes, and ensuring government funding through March 14, when President Trump will be in office. These three priorities were my focus going into these discussions, and I am pleased we were able to address these essential needs of the American people. I look forward to getting back to work in the 119th Congress.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
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://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2511,"Arrington Slams Politically-Motivated, Anti-LNG Study",2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) releasing its final study aimed at restricting President-elect Trump’s ability to unleash U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports when he returns to office in January:

“Biden's DOE released a blatantly biased study on the environmental impact of U.S. LNG exports - a resource that produces significantly fewer carbon emissions than other types of energy sources,” said Chairman Arrington. “This purely political move is an effort to restrict future exports of American energy and roadblock President Trump's pro-growth agenda.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2515,Arrington Introduces ‘America First Act’ to Prevent Illegal Immigrants from Accessing Federal Benefits,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) was joined by Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) in introducing H.R.10469, the America First Act, legislation to prevent illegal immigrants paroled into the United States from accessing billions of dollars in welfare and other benefits intended for American families. President Biden’s unprecedented abuse of parole for foreign citizens illegally entering our country has resulted in millions of illegal aliens being supported and subsidized by struggling American families through their tax dollars, worsening the border crisis. The bill has also been introduced in the Senate by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).

“Over the last four years, the unprecedented and unmitigated crisis at the southern border has devastated our communities. As long as we provide taxpayer funded social services to illegal immigrants, there is no physical barrier or number of border patrol agents that will stop them,” said Chairman Arrington. “To add insult to injury, we’re paying $9,000 per illegal immigrant - more than we spend on Medicaid for our most vulnerable Americans or military retirement benefits for our soldiers. Today, I am proud to join Chip Roy and Mike Lee in introducing the America First Act, which would cut off federal benefits for illegals and save over $177 billion.”

“Millions of illegal aliens are exploiting U.S. welfare and aid programs that are meant to help struggling Americans,” said Rep. Roy. “This is inexcusable. Continuing to hand out welfare to illegals only acts as a magnet for them to keep flooding our communities. That’s why we introduced the America First Act to end illegal aliens’ ability to profit off of American taxpayer dollars once and for all.”

""For years, Americans have been told that illegal immigrants are barred from receiving federal benefits to distract from Washington’s complete failure to secure our borders,” said Senator Lee. ""This is a lie. Millions of illegal immigrants “paroled” into the United States, many for fraudulent asylum claims, have gained the ability to access welfare and aid programs originally designed to help American families, not attract and support massive populations of foreign citizens. The America First Act pulls the plug on this criminal redistribution scheme forced upon the American people by Joe Biden and generations of dishonest politicians.”

Background

In July of this year, the Congressional Budget Office found that the Biden administration’s failure to secure the border will add “$0.3 trillion to outlays for federal mandatory programs and net spending for interest on the debt over the 2024–2034 period.”

Further, CBO found that “[m]ost of those outlays are for premium tax credits, other refundable tax credits, and Medicaid” while “SNAP, child nutrition programs, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, Medicare, and assistance for higher education account for smaller amounts.”

The Foundation for American Immigration Reform has estimated that the combined cost of federal, state, and local assistance to non-citizens is at least $150.7 billion a year.

Bill Specifics:

Section 2 – PRWORA Requirements

Amends PRWORA to exclude illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, and those withheld from deportation from receiving welfare, including SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, CHIP, and certain housing benefits. This significantly reduces eligibility for most federal benefits for illegal aliens who have been wrongfully paroled into the United States by the Biden-Harris administration.

Section 3 – Head Start

Removes Head Start eligibility from illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, temporary protected status (TPS) recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation.

Section 4 – Federal Health Care Benefits

Eliminates Medicare eligibility and Medicaid subsidies for illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those with deportation withheld.

Prohibits Federally Qualified Health Centers from providing non-emergency care to illegal aliens.

Section 5 – Housing

Restricts federal housing assistance to only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and would make asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation ineligible for federal housing programs.

Prohibits illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation. from living in a housing unit financed by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.

Section 6 – Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit

Requires all taxpayers who claim the EITC, CTC, and/or the $500 “other dependent” tax credit to have a valid Social Security Number in order to claim either credit.

Section 7 – FEMA Reform

Eliminates the Shelter and Service Program (SSP), which has funneled $640 million to sheltering illegal aliens in FY24 and ensures that FEMA disaster funds are only provided to American citizens and lawful permanent residents.

Section 8 – FAFSA Eligibility

Removes FAFSA eligibility for non-citizens.

Section 9 – ESEA Funding for Sanctuary Jurisdictions

Restricts ESEA funding for sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to comply with federal immigration authorities.

Section 10 – Limitations on Services for Haitian Immigrants

Removes the special benefit designation for Haitian entrants under PRWORA.

Section 11 – Limitations on Reasonable Opportunity Periods (ROPs) for Medicaid Enrollment

Requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship before receiving Medicaid benefits.

Limits the number of ROPs for individuals unable to provide proof of citizenship when applying for Medicaid.

Section 12 – Verification of Citizenship for WIC and School Meal Programs

Removes eligibility for WIC and School Meal Programs for illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation.

Section 13 – Restrictions on the Use of Community Development Block Grants

Restricts Community Development Block Grant Program recipients from using funds to provide illegal aliens, asylees, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation with monetary contributions or in-kind goods or services.

Restricts 501(c)(3) organizations from using federal grant funding, appropriated funding, or any other federal funding source to provide illegal aliens, parolees, TPS recipients, deferred action or enforcement recipients, and those withheld from deportation with monetary contributions or in-kind goods or services.

Section 14 – Regulations and Guidance

Directs the head of each appropriate agency to promulgate necessary guidance and rulemaking to carry out the provisions of the Act.

###

Heritage Action for America:

“Heritage Action supports the America First Act, important legislation designed to rein in the vast abuses of taxpayer dollars being used on illegal aliens. The America First Act is a critical step toward stopping the main attractor of illegal immigration, and restoring fiscal sanity by closing these loopholes and prohibiting welfare eligibility for individuals who should not be here in the first place. Now is the time to restore order, protect American workers, and secure the future of our nation’s fiscal stability.”

– Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President, Heritage Action for America

Immigration Accountability Project:

“The border crisis of the last four years has devastated the country and cost American taxpayers billions of dollars as illegal aliens have gained access to public benefits. During this crisis, the Biden-Harris Administration systematically abused its authority under immigration law to grant amnesty to millions, putting them on the path to direct welfare access. If nothing is done to change loopholes in the law, the coming cost will be catastrophic. The America First Act would put a stop to this magnet for illegal immigration, preserve benefits for American citizens, and cut off funds from states that actively hinder immigration enforcement. The Immigration Accountability Project commends Senator Lee and Congressmen Arrington and Roy for introducing this critical piece of legislation and is proud to support it.”

- Grant Newman, Director of Government Relations, Immigration Accountability Project

Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC) for America:

“The open borders policies of the Biden-Harris Administration have caused chaos and encouraged a dramatic increase in illegal immigration. The Congressional Budget Office says that the Biden-Harris surge of illegal immigration costs American taxpayers billions in welfare benefits for illegal aliens every year. The America First Act would close the loopholes. I thank Senator Mike Lee, Chairman Jodey Arrington, and Representative Chip Roy for their important work.”

- Paul Winfree, President and CEO, Economic Policy Innovation Center (EPIC)

Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR):

""Illegal immigration now costs American taxpayers over $150 billion each year, and without meaningful change, the border crisis of the last four years will only continue to rack up costs at the federal, state and local levels. Congress must make it a priority to roll back the failed policies of the Biden administration and ensure that Americans are not forced to shoulder the burden of uncontrolled illegal immigration. FAIR is proud to support the America First Act, and we encourage all members of Congress to support the safeguards found in this legislation that help ensure illegal aliens cannot take advantage of public benefits.""

- Julie Kirchner, Executive Director, Federation for American Immigration Reform

Texas Public Policy Foundation:

""The America First Act addresses critical problems our nation is facing. Out of control numbers of illegal aliens taking advantage of our welfare system and bloated overspending by the federal government are things that do not help Americans. The Texas Public Policy Foundation applauds this legislation and will always support putting Americans first.""

- Greg Sindelar, CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation

Eagle Forum:

“The United States still stands as in exceptional beacon of freedom and opportunity. Sadly, the Biden administration has opened the floodgates by declaring illegal immigrants as “parolees” and therefore eligible for billions of dollars in taxpayer benefits. Not only have they ignored the dangers of mass illegal immigration, but are subsidizing it by providing otherwise ineligible illegals with federal benefits. Congress must act in order to deter this abuse of the system and protect the fiscal integrity of our current welfare programs designed to assist Americans in need. The America First Act is a crucial step to ensure that our laws and taxpayer dollars are respected by those who exploit immigration laws. Eagle Forum is please to endorse the America First Act and encourages Congress to enact it now.”

- Kris Ullman, President of Eagle Forum

Tea Party Patriots Action:

“The ‘America First Act’ addresses the Biden administration's misuse of the alien parole law, which has allowed 1.6 million illegal aliens to enter the country. The bill aims to prevent further abuse by blocking these individuals from accessing taxpayer-funded welfare and tightening federal welfare eligibility to safeguard taxpayer funds. On behalf of our three million members and supporters, I strongly support this legislation and urge its quick passage and enactment.”

- Jenny Beth Martin, Honorary Chairman, Tea Party Patriots Action

CatholicVote:

“The Biden administration and Democrats have abused our nation's laws and our generosity, creating a growth in drug and human trafficking, resulting in a dangerous environment for American citizens. Sen. Lee, Budget Chairman Arrington, and Rep. Roy’s America First Act makes it very clear: we can welcome the stranger with open arms, but we will not reward criminal activity.""

- Tom McClusky, Director of Government Affairs for CatholicVote

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2518,Arrington Leads Bicameral Resolution to Repeal Biden Natural Gas Tax,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) joined Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11) and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND) in introducing a bicameral Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval to block implementation of the Biden administration’s Natural Gas Tax, which was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, Democrats’ reckless tax-and-spend legislation in 2022.

New fees or taxes on energy companies will raise costs for customers, creating a burden that will fall most heavily on lower-income Americans. The Natural Gas Tax would also hurt small and independent energy producers by stifling production, innovation, and capital investment.

“The Waste Emissions Charge is just another unnecessary and wasteful regulation levied by the EPA to go after oil and gas - the lifeblood of our economy,"" said Chairman Arrington. ""I’m proud to join my colleague and neighbor, Rep. August Pfluger, in preserving reliable, low-cost energy produced by our independent oil and gas companies by fighting to repeal this burdensome regulation, and getting a head start on President Trump’s pro-growth, energy DOMINANCE agenda.”

“President Biden’s promise to end fossil fuels hurt the hardworking energy producers of my district who have worked diligently to increase production while fueling our allies abroad,” said Rep. Pfluger. “If implemented, the ill-conceived natural gas tax will handicap technological innovation, reduce supplies of affordable energy, and increase both costs and emissions. I am proud to lead this CRA to rescind implementation of the natural gas tax.”

“American households and businesses depend every day on access to affordable and reliable energy,” said Senator Hoeven. “The best way to bring down prices for U.S. consumers is to increase supply. That’s why we’re working to rescind policies like the Natural Gas Tax, among the many other costly and burdensome taxes and regulations imposed under the Biden administration. Doing so will help unleash our domestic energy production and make our nation energy dominant once again.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2520,Arrington Introduces Bill to Repeal Electric Vehicle Tax Credits,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced legislation to end the federal electric vehicle and charging stations tax credit. The Eliminating Lavish Incentives to Electric (ELITE) Vehicles Act would stop taxpayer money from subsidizing the purchase of luxury electric vehicles for high-income individuals and corporations. Companion legislation has been filedin the Senate by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY).

“Fueled by the climate-crazed Left, Democrats jammed through legislation that provided tax subsidies for expensive electric vehicles, which has worsened inflation for working families and stuck the American people with the bill - to the tune of billions of dollars,”said Chairman Arrington. “I’m proud to join Senator John Barrasso and lead my colleagues in the House to repeal this wasteful and heavy-handed tax law.”

Background:

The ELITE Act repeals the $7,500 tax credit for new electric vehicles, eliminates the tax credit for purchasing used electric vehicles, ends the federal investment tax credit for electric vehicle charging stations, and closes the “leasing loophole” that has allowed certain taxpayers and foreign entities like China to evade restrictions on electric vehicle incentives.

The Joint Committee on Tax originally scored these electric vehicle tax credits to cost $14 billion over 10 years, but private firms later estimated the real cost would be over $390 billion.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2521,Arrington to Vote Yes on Short-Term Funding Bill,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement ahead of voting in support of tonight’s short-term funding bill:

“The purpose of the debt ceiling has always been to force our nation’s leaders to deal with our unsustainable national debt and the out-of-control spending that’s driving it,” said Chairman Arrington. “I believe President Trump when he says he’s committed to using reconciliation to rein-in deficit spending and reignite economic growth. Our children’s future depends on it, and failure is not an option! Tonight, I will be voting to clear the way for President Trump and our unified Republican leadership to restore our nation’s fiscal health, secure our children’s future, and make America prosperous again.”

Tonight, President Trump said on Truth, “The United States will cut Hundreds of Billions of Dollars in spending next year through Reconciliation!”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://crenshaw.house.gov/2024/12/rep-crenshaw-joins-e-c-republicans-request-for-hhs-watchdog-to-investigate-the-promotion-of-gender-transition-procedures-for-children,Rep. Crenshaw Joins E&C Republicans Request for HHS Watchdog to Investigate the Promotion of Gender Transition Procedures for Children,2024-12-19,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Dan Crenshaw,C001120,crenshaw.house.gov,crenshaw,https://crenshaw.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — In a new letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General Christi Grimm, Rep. Crenshaw joined House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans in requesting an investigation into the strength, quality, and types of evidence-based scientific and pediatric medical literature relied on by the department to promote gender transition procedures for children.

“We’re witnessing a dangerous trend: children being pushed into irreversible gender transition procedures. This isn’t science—it’s radical ideology,” said Rep. Crenshaw. “Yet Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services continues to cave to the demands of the woke left. The Office of Inspector General must step in and hold them accountable.”

BACKGROUND:

Under the Biden administration, HHS has advocated for gender transition procedures on minors, including the use of serum puberty blockers, which have historically been used to treat children with precocious puberty (i.e., early onset puberty affecting about one percent of U.S. children) and sex offenders.

Puberty blockers, however, are known to stunt normal childhood development in children unaffected by precocious puberty.

HHS officials contend that gender transition procedures on minors are an unanimously accepted medical practice.

HHS Secretary Becerra testified before Congress that “every major medical association,” “medical journals,” and “scientific and medical evidence” has demonstrated the benefits of transitioning children’s biological sex.

When asked, via a Freedom of Information Act request, for the underlying scientific or medical basis for its position, HHS was only able to produce a two-page brochure that was already publicly available.

In contrast to HHS, a growing body of literature from medical experts and authorities around the world, including those in Europe, caution against performing such procedures on minors.

Courts and government health agencies responsible for determining child welfare have sought to limit child gender transition procedures.

Other countries have banned these interventions and surgeries on minors altogether.

An article published in the British Journal of Medicine found “there is great uncertainty about the effects of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries in young people.”

A court in the United Kingdom noted the obvious about administering puberty blocking chemicals onto children: “[i]t is highly unlikely that a child aged 13 or under would be competent to give consent to the administration of puberty blockers. It is doubtful that a child aged 14 or 15 could understand and weigh the long-term risks and consequences of the administration of puberty blockers.”

In April 2024, the Cass Review, an independent review of gender identity services for children and young people, commissioned by the National Health Service England, found “[w]hile a considerable amount of research has been published in this field, systematic evidence reviews demonstrated the poor quality of the published studies, meaning there is not a reliable evidence base upon which to make clinical decisions, or for children and their families to make informed choices.”

The Cass Review also found that “[t]he rationale for early puberty suppression remains unclear, with weak evidence regarding the impact on gender dysphoria, mental or psychosocial health,” as well as unknown effects on cognitive and psychosexual development.

In August 2024, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) became the first major U.S. medical association to express caution on the use of gender surgery for gender dysphoria in adolescents. In its formal statement, the association stated: “ASPS currently understands that there is considerable uncertainty as to the long-term efficacy for the use of chest and genital surgical interventions for the treatment of adolescents with gender dysphoria, and the existing evidence base is viewed as low quality/low certainty. This patient population requires specific considerations.”

The letter was signed by Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Health Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rep. Gary Palmer (R-AL), Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), and Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL).

CLICK HERE to read the letter.",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://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2328,Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz Secures Relief for South Texas Farmers in Continuing Resolution,2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Monica De La Cruz,D000594,delacruz.house.gov,delacruz,https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) today announced a critical victory for South Texas farmers with the inclusion of language in the Continuing Resolution (CR) granting the Secretary of Agriculture authority to provide block grants for economic relief to agricultural producers in South Texas. This measure addresses significant economic losses caused by Mexico's ongoing failure to meet its water delivery obligations under the 1944 Water Treaty.

""Our farmers are the backbone of South Texas, and they have faced tremendous hardship due to Mexico's refusal to fulfill its treaty obligations. These water shortages have devastated crops, cost jobs, and threatened our local economy,"" said Congresswoman De La Cruz. ""By securing this relief, we are delivering real solutions to the families, businesses, and communities who rely on agriculture to thrive.""

The relief language mirrors provisions in Congresswoman De La Cruz's South Texas Agricultural Assistance Act, introduced in November, which directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide targeted economic aid to South Texas agricultural producers impacted by the water delivery shortfall.

Under the 1944 Water Treaty between the United States and Mexico, Mexico is required to deliver a set amount of water to the United States. Persistent noncompliance has led to severe water shortages for farmers in South Texas, impacting citrus growers, sugar producers, and other key agricultural sectors.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://hunt.house.gov/media/press-releases/immediate-release-rep-hunt-introduces-carla-walker-act,For Immediate Release: Rep. Hunt Introduces the Carla Walker Act,2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Wesley Hunt,H001095,hunt.house.gov,hunt,https://hunt.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"This legislation is named after Carla Walker, who was abducted in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1974 before being found dead three days later.

""This is an issue that transcends party lines and unites the American public. Whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, the ability to identify perpetrators and prevent future crime is fundamental to ensuring the safety of our nation. Supporting innovative companies like this, based right here in Houston, Texas, is something I wholeheartedly stand behind,"" said Congressman Wesley Hunt.

“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.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-urges-support-his-bill-renaming-bastrop-post-office-sergeant,McCaul Urges Support for His Bill Renaming Bastrop Post Office in Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh’s Honor,2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Michael T. McCaul,M001157,mccaul.house.gov,mccaul,https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) spoke on the House Floor in support of his bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, as the “Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office,” which passed by unanimous consent.

Image

Click to watch

– Remarks as Delivered –

Mr. Speaker,

You and I just returned from Luxembourg to honor the veterans of WWII who fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

I was there on behalf of the House of Representatives, at the Speaker’s request, to honor the Greatest Generation and their sacrifices to defeat evil and ensure that freedom would persevere.

Those soldiers that braved the Nazi onslaught and the frozen forests of the Ardennes to liberate Europe are known as ‘The Greatest Generation.’

Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh was part of that great generation.

The service website military.com, using the colloquial name for Special Forces made famous during the Vietnam War, called Mr. Waugh, ‘The unparalleled godfather of the Green Berets.’

For his long years of service and numerous missions with them, he led a lifelong commitment to his country from a young age. He understood, as [President] Reagan did, that ‘Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for and protected.’

Sergeant Major Waugh was born in 1929 and raised in Bastrop, Texas, in my district.

And in 1945, after meeting two local United States Marines who returned from fighting in World War II, [the] then 15-year-old Mr. Waugh was inspired to enlist in the Marine Corps.

Knowing that it was unlikely that he would be allowed to enlist in Texas due to his young age, Waugh decided to hitchhike to Los Angeles, where he believed he only had to be 16 years old.

He got as far as Las Cruces, New Mexico, before being turned around and sent back to Bastrop by a local police officer. That shows you the amount of patriotism this young 15-year-old had.

Later, in 1948, he enlisted and served his country as an Army paratrooper and Special Forces soldier until 1972.

Sergeant Major Waugh was no stranger to the front and served seven years in combat during the Korean and Vietnam wars, where he was shot multiple times.

While in combat, he was part of a high-altitude, low-opening, or HALO parachute assault, the first of its kind in military history.

For his service, Sergeant Major Waugh received dozens of military awards and medals, including the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, and eight Purple Hearts for his combat wounds — placing him third on the list of most Purple Hearts ever received in the history of the United States military.

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 pursued terrorists, including Carlos the Jackal and Osama Bin Laden.

Mr. Waugh never lost his sense of duty, patriotism, and his enduring love of freedom.

And at the age of 71, Mr. Waugh participated in Operation Enduring Freedom from October to December 2001 as a member of the CIA's Northern Alliance Liaison Team, which went into Afghanistan to work to topple the Taliban regime and Al Qaeda at the Battle of Tora Bora.

Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh passed away last year at the age of 93.

He epitomized the American values of courage, patriotism, and self-sacrifice.

Through his unparalleled life of service, he undoubtedly saved countless American lives and pushed back terrorism and evil around the world.

After a life of service to his country, it is only fitting that the post office located at 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, be named after him.

Naming this post office after him is a testament to a life well-lived and an opportunity for all Texans to pay homage to this great American hero.

I am inspired by him and … that he’s from Texas.

I support this measure, and may God hold Sergeant Major Waugh in the palm of His hand.

I urge my colleagues to support this measure.

I yield the balance of my time.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/roy-cruz-fight-ensure-texas-gets-fair-share-infrastructure-funds,Roy & Cruz fight to ensure Texas gets a fair share of infrastructure funds,2024-12-17,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Chip Roy,R000614,roy.house.gov,roy,https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — On Tuesday, Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) introduced the House companion to Senator Ted Cruz’s (TX) Highway Formula Fairness Act, which would help ensure that Texas and other states receive a fairer share of infrastructure funding via the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF).

Historically, Texas has received a less than 95 percent rate of return on its contribution to total deposits paid into HTF via the federal gas tax. The legislation introduced Thursday would establish a minimum guarantee for fuel tax revenue received by states tied to the percentage of total monies paid into the fund.

Representative Roy said, “The Highway Trust Fund has repeatedly shortchanged Texas, even though our state contains more interstate miles than any other state of the union. All while Texas bears massive infrastructure burdens associated with being the 8th largest economy in the world, energy production, and countless illegal border crossings.

That’s why Senator Cruz and I have introduced this legislation to help states like Texas keep more of what we pay into the fund to improve our critical infrastructure.”

Co-sponsors of the bill include Dan Crenshaw (TX-21), Jake Ellzey (TX-6), Brian Babin (TX-36), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), and Randy Weber (TX-14).

Read the full piece of legislation here.

###",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://gonzales.house.gov/2024/12/rep-tony-gonzales-statement-on-abundant-life-christian-school-shooting,Rep. Tony Gonzales Statement on Abundant Life Christian School Shooting,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Tony Gonzales,G000594,gonzales.house.gov,gonzales,https://gonzales.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan School Safety and Security Caucus, issued the below statement following the tragic school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.

“Today’s school shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Wisconsin is devastating—no parent, family, or community should ever have to experience a tragedy like this. It’s shameful for lawmakers to stand by while mass violence continues to plague school campuses. We need a national strategy to detect and prevent this kind of terrorism from taking place across our nation,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales.

The Bipartisan School Safety and Security Caucus is focused on moving past partisan gridlock in Congress to advance school safety and security solutions. Earlier this year, Congressman Gonzales introduced the National Strategy for School Security Act, which seeks to prevent mass shootings on school campuses by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a comprehensive plan to combat these threats. For more information, click here.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
https://gooden.house.gov/press-releases?ID=396AF15D-1872-4985-8FF7-49A8BD4B1A93,Release: House Passes Rep. Gooden's  Bipartisan Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Lance Gooden,G000589,gooden.house.gov,gooden,https://gooden.house.gov/press-releases,page_html,"Washington - Today, Congressman Lance Gooden applauded the passage of his bipartisan Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act (FJSA), legislation introduced alongside Representative Ted Lieu (D-CA), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI). This important bill transitions 10 existing temporary federal judgeships to permanent status, providing much-needed stability and efficiency to America’s federal court system.

“The Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act is a commonsense solution to ensure the efficient operation of our nation’s courts,” said Congressman Gooden. “By making these judgeships permanent, we allow our judicial system to function without unnecessary disruptions. This legislation doesn’t create new judgeships or shift the balance of power—it simply ensures our courts can serve the American people effectively and fairly. I am grateful for Senator Cruz’s support on my bill and look forward to this becoming law in the coming weeks.”

The 10 affected judicial districts include:

Alabama-Northern

Arizona

California-Central

Florida-Southern

Hawaii

Kansas

Missouri-Eastern

New Mexico

North Carolina-Western

Texas-Eastern

“These judgeships are vital to addressing backlogs and ensuring timely access to justice,” Gooden continued. “I’m proud to have worked to advance this bipartisan bill, which strengthens our judiciary and serves the needs of every American, regardless of party or state.”

Read the full bill",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-03-30T11:08:25Z
https://sessions.house.gov/2024/12/sessions-and-mfume-send-bipartisan-letter-requesting-gao-to-review-persistent-issues-with-dod-s-vetting-system,Sessions and Mfume Send Bipartisan Letter Requesting GAO to Review Persistent Issues with DOD’s Vetting System,2024-12-16,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Pete Sessions,S000250,sessions.house.gov,sessions,https://sessions.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (TX-17) and Ranking Member Kweisi Mfume (MD-7) continue their bipartisan oversight of the Department of Defense’s personnel vetting practices. The lawmakers remain concerned about delays and issues with the National Background Investigation Service (NBIS) program. In a letter to the U.S. Government and Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro, they requested a GAO review of NBIS citing longstanding concerns about missed deadlines and cost overruns associated with developing a modernized security clearance vetting system that facilitates appropriate and secure access to our nation’s most sensitive materials.

“The Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce remains concerned with the status of the Department of Defense’s (DOD) personnel vetting practices, especially given the ongoing problems with the National Background Investigation Service (NBIS) program, overseen by DOD’s Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA),” wrote the lawmakers. “We are further concerned that national security personnel are not undergoing all required record checks, non-sensitive personnel have not been enrolled in a continuous vetting system, and there are indications that there are challenges implementing continuous vetting across the federal government.”

In 2015, cybersecurity incidents on information technology (IT) systems that supported personnel vetting compromised the data of more than 22 million federal employees and contractor personnel. Subsequently, DOD established NBIS to replace and improve upon the compromised IT systems. However, GAO has repeatedly reported on significant delays with NBIS’ system and included the government-wide personnel security clearance process on its High-Risk List. In June 2024, the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing to examine how DOD has fallen short in its mission to modernize the IT infrastructure of NBIS. At the hearing, lawmakers expressed bipartisan concern about the continued delays with the NBIS system and potential cascading effects on our nation’s national security.

“Continuous vetting involves reviewing the background of a covered individual through automated record checks in various areas, including criminal records, terrorism, and financial issues, during an individual’s period of eligibility. Unfortunately, these changes have not occurred as planned due to continued NBIS delays,” continued the lawmakers in their letter to GAO. “Given the importance of a timely, accurate and comprehensive personnel vetting process, we request that GAO conduct a review on continued NBIS development and continuous vetting.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-06T19:07:19Z
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://sessions.house.gov/2024/12/congressman-sessions-statement-of-support-for-our-agricultural-community,Congressman Sessions Statement of Support for Our Agricultural Community,2024-12-14,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Pete Sessions,S000250,sessions.house.gov,sessions,https://sessions.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – In response to news that the government funding Continuing Resolution expected to reach the House floor this week will not include economic aid to farmers and ranchers, Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) issued the following statement:

Congressman Sessions said, “Farmers and ranchers rely on Congress to provide necessary economic support before the new year. Now, with the end of this Congress approaching, we are failing the agricultural community. We cannot allow our rural areas to disappear; the work of our farmers is the backbone of our nation. Thousands of farm families who have worked our American soil for generations are at risk of insolvency. The 17th Congressional District of Texas is one of the largest agricultural districts in the nation. I will not abandon them. As a 28 year member of the Texas Farm Bureau and a lifetime member of the Texas Forestry Association, I have stood with the agricultural community for years. I plan on voting NO to any Continuing Resolution that does not include economic support for our farm and ranch families.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2503,Arrington Urges Trump to Boost WTX Cotton Exports,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) led 15 of his colleagues in a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump urging his administration to pursue favorable trade deals that boost exports of American cotton. Seeking new trade agreements expanding cotton exports would increase commodity prices and restore U.S. market dominance after the Biden administration’s failed policies have caused the U.S. to fall behind Brazil in global sales for the first time.

“Record droughts, soaring input costs, and falling commodity prices have posed significant challenges for these producers, causing many to accrue skyrocketing levels of debt and even go out of business. The absence of an updated Farm Bill has only exacerbated this dire situation, as producers face a lack of certainty and outdated federal support that has not adjusted to the historic inflation of the early 2020s,” the letter reads. “Negotiating the removal of foreign trade barriers would expand export opportunities for the cotton industry, helping American exporters regain their global market dominance and adding a much-needed boost to the industry following the challenges of the last few years. As you take office on January 20th, we strongly encourage you to keep the priorities of our country’s farmers and ranchers in mind and expand market access for American cotton.”

Click HERE to read the full letter.

“We appreciate Congressman Arrington for recognizing the challenging economic landscape facing U.S. cotton and for his call to remove foreign trade barriers that restrict market access for U.S. exports,” said Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council.

“As U.S. cotton consumption has drastically shifted to the export market and global competition continues to intensify, establishing meaningful market access is critically important,” saidBuddy Allen, President and CEO of the American Cotton Shippers Association. “The American Cotton Shippers Association commends Congressman Arrington for recognizing this in his recent letter to President-elect Trump. Amid severe droughts, depressed markets, and record-high input costs, Congressman Arrington is taking essential steps to ensure the continued viability of cotton production in Texas and across the nation.”

“I would like to thank Congressman Arrington and his colleagues for reaching out to President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect Vance urging them to work on, enforce, and enhance our agricultural trade agreements,” saidBrad Heffington, Cotton Producer and Past President of Plains Cotton Growers. “Trade is so important to many agricultural commodities we produce and has a direct impact on prices. As a cotton producer, exports are imperative to our success in being able to grow crops profitably. Trade should be a top priority to help producers not have to be dependent upon the farm safety net. Thank you greatly for your efforts on behalf of producers.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2506,"Arrington Applauds Passage of National Defense Funding Bill, Including Two of His Amendments",2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement after passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“This year’s NDAA roots out radical ideology in the military – like removing Green New Deal climate footprint restrictions from our weapons systems – and puts America First by bolstering our southern border, supporting our allies, and deterring our adversaries,” said Chairman Arrington. “I am especially proud to have secured two provisions in the NDAA to honor the life of Lubbock native Private Caleb Smither, who died needlessly while on active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This legislation helps ensure tragedies like the passing of Caleb Smither never happen again while adequately equipping our military to be the most lethal fighting force in the world.”

The NDAA includes two of Chairman Arrington’s provisions, honoring 19-year-old Lubbock native Private Second Class Caleb “Smitty” Smither, who died on active duty at Fort Bragg, North Carolina:

To direct the Army to report to Congress on the implementation and enforcement of the “Smitty Check” protocol that was developed in response to Caleb Smither’s death, requiring the Army to thoroughly monitor service members following an injury; and

To require the Department of Defense (DoD) to disclose on medical records whether a service member received care from a DoD doctor or a civilian doctor.

Other provisions also included in the NDAA:

Affirm DoD support of law enforcement operations along the southwest border and maritime borders.

Fully supports deployment of National Guard troops to augment Border Patrol activities at the southwest border.

Authorizes $90 million for construction of a new Command and Control Facility to detect and interdict illegal migrants and narcotics.

Improve servicemember quality of life to address military recruitment, retention, and readiness.

Authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers.

Authorizes $176 million for construction of new childcare centers.

Root out woke ideology from the military.

Banned critical race theory in the military, gutted DEI at the DoD, and included the Parents Bill of Rights to ensure military parents’ right to review curriculum, meet with teachers, and provide consent before any medical exams or screenings at school.

Permanently bans DoD from funding transgender medical treatments for children.

Prohibits new climate change rules that give preference to weapon systems with lower climate impacts or hamper the defense industrial base.

Deter Chinese Communist Party aggression:

Authorizes $15.6 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative to enhance U.S. deterrence and defense posture in the Indo-Pacific.

Prohibits contracting with subsidiaries of any Chinese civil-military companies, sharing of sensitive missile defense information with China, and Chinese nationals from being admitted to nuclear facilities.

###

Related News",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://keithself.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-keith-self-leads-letter-urging-texas-republicans-hold-line-against,Congressman Keith Self Leads Letter Urging Texas Republicans to Hold the Line Against Democrat Committee Chairs,2024-12-13,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Keith Self,S001224,keithself.house.gov,keithself,https://keithself.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congressman Keith Self led a letter with Congressman Wesley Hunt, Congressman Michael Cloud, Congressman Tony Gonzales, and Congressman-elect Brandon Gill to the Republican Members of the Texas House of Representatives. The letter urged each Member to support the Texas Republican Caucus Speaker nominee and stand firm against appointing Democrats to chair Texas House committees.

The letter reads, “There is no justification for any Republican Texas House Member to work with Democrats to elect a Speaker who will appoint Democrats to chair committee positions in exchange for political support. As you know, a committee chairman wields significant power— they determine what is considered by a committee, committee schedules, and what will ultimately be brought to the House Floor for a vote. Ceding that power to Democrats is an abdication of the authority granted by the people who elected you. For several years, crucial conservative priorities and legislation have been blocked by Democrat Chairmen—including the critical Resolutions Calendar Committee, which determines which resolutions are considered on the Floor.”

“President Trump’s November 5th mandate sent a clear signal that Republicans at both state and federal levels need to deliver conservative policies,” said Congressman Keith Self. “Texas House Republican Members should not kneecap their own majority by ceding committee positions to Democrats. Congress does not operate that way—the Texas House should not either. Fight, fight, fight!”

“President Trump overwhelmingly won a mandate to make America safe again. In Congress, Republicans only elect Republicans to chair committees and deliver on our agenda of closing the border, protecting our Second Amendment rights, and fighting for freedom of speech. As Texans, we expect Texas to do the same,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
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://crenshaw.house.gov/2024/12/reps-crenshaw-presses-the-congressional-budget-office-to-estimate-the-cost-of-gender-transition-for-minors,Rep. Crenshaw Presses the Congressional Budget Office to Estimate the Cost of Gender Transitions for Minors in Federal Programs,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Dan Crenshaw,C001120,crenshaw.house.gov,crenshaw,https://crenshaw.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC—On December 12th, Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) sent a letter to the Congressional Budget Office requesting a budgetary score on the total cost of gender transitions for minors in federal programs.

“Cosmetic self-harm for minors is not medicine. Children’s hospitals offering gender-transition procedures should be stripped of their federal funding.” said Congressman Crenshaw. ""To eliminate support, we must first expose the full extent of government complicity in this ideological fantasy, paving the way to cut it during budget reconciliation next Congress.”

Read the full letter here.

What they are saying:

“Children are held hostage for the rest of their lives by the irreversible nature of sex change treatments. Do No Harm applauds Rep. Crenshaw for holding the Biden administration accountable for misusing tax dollars to fund these harmful procedures. Every American should be alarmed by this malpractice, especially when every American is financing this malpractice. Between 2019 and 2023, nearly 14,000 minors underwent sex change treatments. Yet we continue to see a rise in these patients expressing deep regret for their treatments–treatments that manifest as physical and emotional scaring for decades to come.” – Stanley Goldfarb, MD, Board Chair of Do No Harm.

""Family Policy Alliance commends Rep. Crenshaw for this hard work. Kids are not experiments. The Federal government should not be funding these barbaric sterilization and mutilation procedures. This is the right step toward further understanding how deep this insidious problem goes so we can tackle it head on. FPA believes that this should be investigated with same rigor as the Tuskegee experiments. Our federal government has not been honest with their experimentation on children and adults."" – Craig DeRoche, President and CEO of Family Policy Alliance.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-leads-bipartisan-congressional-delegation-commemorate-80th,McCaul Leads Bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Michael T. McCaul,M001157,mccaul.house.gov,mccaul,https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"Luxembourg – Starting today, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — is leading a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to Belgium and Luxembourg on behalf of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

On Friday, December 13th, and Saturday, December 14th, the delegation will take part in observances of the anniversary along with veterans and their families, active duty servicemembers, government and military officials, and foreign dignitaries.

“The memory of the Battle of the Bugle reinforces the moral clarity to defend freedom at all costs,” said Rep. McCaul. “My father’s generation fought to eradicate evil, and we must never forget their sacrifices. This battle serves as a reminder that freedom is never free, and democracies around the world must rally together when it comes under attack. I am proud to lead this bipartisan delegation to honor our heroes and reaffirm our commitment to protecting the freedoms for which they fought.”

“In the early hours of December 16, 1944, 80 years ago, Nazi Germany waged a surprise attack against the Allied powers. Now known as the deadliest battle fought by the United States in the entire war, the Battle of the Bulge exemplified the tenacity and determination of U.S. and Allied forces who were willing to sacrifice everything in service of total victory over the Nazis,” Speaker Johnson said. It is my honor to host this Congressional delegation to the site of the Battle of the Bulge and join the world in celebrating the heroic contributions of the young men who fought and died on the battlefield and ultimately changed the course of human history.”

The Members of the Congressional Delegation are:

The Honorable Michael McCaul, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs

The Honorable Gary Palmer, Chair, House Republican Policy Committee

The Honorable Mike Bost, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita

The Honorable Mark Takano, Ranking Member, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

The Honorable Joe Wilson

The Honorable Salud Carbajal

The Honorable Neal Dunn

The Honorable Lloyd Smucker

The Honorable John Joyce

The Honorable Andrew Clyde

The Honorable Scott Fitzgerald

The Honorable Scott Franklin

The Honorable Mariannette Miller-Meeks

The Honorable Thomas Kean Jr.

The Honorable Nathaniel Moran

The Honorable Keith Self

The Honorable Derrick Van Orden

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-troy-e-nehls-applauds-passage-judges-act,Rep. Troy E. Nehls Applauds Passage of JUDGES Act,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Troy E. Nehls,N000026,nehls.house.gov,nehls,https://nehls.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) released the following statement after the United States House of Representatives passed S. 4199, the bipartisan Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act of 2024:

“Today, I proudly voted to pass S. 4199, which would add desperately needed federal judgeships to resolve understaffed and backlogged federal courts,” said Congressman Nehls. “I am pleased to have led this necessary effort in the House alongside three of my colleagues. Currently, federal district courts are experiencing severe backlogs, causing many Americans, including Texans, to be denied access to our nation’s justice system. I’m proud to see this reformative legislation overwhelmingly pass the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration has threatened to veto this commonsense legislation that would address a widespread issue that affects millions of Americans across the country, including my constituents. I encourage President Biden to stop playing political games and sign this bill into law.”

Background

Congressman Nehls, alongside Congressmen Darrell Issa (R-CA-48), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), and Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), introduced the JUDGES Act in the United States House of Representatives in September 2024. If signed into law by the President, this bill would add critically needed federal judgeships to resolve currently understaffed and backlogged courts. Congress last authorized new district court judgeships more than two decades ago.

The bipartisan JUDGES Act would:",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-chip-roy-issues-statement-judges-act,Rep. Chip Roy issues statement on JUDGES Act,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Chip Roy,R000614,roy.house.gov,roy,https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement on the JUDGES Act:

""I voted against S. 4199, the Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved (JUDGES) Act. This legislation would authorize 66 new federal judgeships in districts nationwide.

While Texans benefit from the additional judges, I voted against the bill as a matter of keeping my word. In a letter I sent on December 19, 2022, I pledged to vote against any legislative priority put forward by any senator who voted for the fiscal year 2023 omnibus, which — among its myriad problems — was passed in a lame-duck Congress controlled by Democrats and perpetuated the federal government’s war on the liberty and security of the American people.

Additionally, as I highlighted in two separate letters in October, the Judicial Conference’s pursuit of eliminating single-judge divisions while simultaneously asking for the JUDGES Act passage has remained unresolved. I remain committed to ensuring Texas has all the legal tools available to fight federal overreach in court.""

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-roy-issues-statement-fy25-national-defense-authorization-act,Rep. Roy issues statement on the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Chip Roy,R000614,roy.house.gov,roy,https://roy.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) issued the following statement on the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5009):

""I voted NO on the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 5009).

I was very happy to see that the NDAA adhered to spending caps in law and made some strides to restore mission focus at the Pentagon, primarily through language banning Critical Race Theory and prohibiting taxpayer funded sex-change procedures for minors under Tricare. I also commend Speaker Johnson and House GOP leadership for holding the line against the female draft language that the Senate tried to inject into the bill.

It is important to note that many Democrats opposed this bill simply because it prohibits taxpayer-funded child mutilation, which is truly emblematic of how radical and out of step their movement has become.

However, I could not ultimately support the final product in its totality, as I did the House version of the legislation earlier this year. Unfortunately, it did not go far enough. The final NDAA failed to eliminate DEI positions, such as the Chief Diversity Officer, and did not end Pentagon-funded sex-change surgeries for servicemembers. There is more work to be done. I look forward to continuing to work with President Trump to restore the readiness and lethality of our military.""

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://weber.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2176,"Rep. Weber Introduce Securing Every Vector, Enhancing Networks Act",2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,"Randy K. Weber, Sr.",W000814,weber.house.gov,weber,https://weber.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Reps. Randy Weber (TX-14) and August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the Securing Every Vector, Enhancing Networks (SEVEN) Act, a bill designed to strengthen America’s defenses against cyber threats targeting the Signaling System 7 (SS7) telecommunications protocol. The legislation aims to address these vulnerabilities by coordinating efforts across the government and creating a task force of cybersecurity experts to develop solutions.

“For far too long, foreign adversaries have exploited critical weaknesses in the SS7 telecommunication protocol to track, spy on, and steal from Americans,” said Rep. Weber. “This cannot stand. The SEVEN Act delivers a decisive path forward to shut these vulnerabilities down and ensure our communications systems are secure—all without disrupting our networks. This is about protecting our citizens and safeguarding our national security, and we must act now.”

“Our adversaries around the globe are exploiting vulnerabilities in the digital backbone of our telecommunications infrastructure to spy on everyday Americans,” said Rep. Pfluger. “The SEVEN Act will ensure the safety of U.S. networks by establishing a dedicated task force to address this issue head-on. We must act swiftly to protect our national security.”

Read the bill here.

Background:

SS7 is a global telecommunication protocol that facilitates call routing, billing, and messaging. It is a crucial backbone of modern communication systems but has significant vulnerabilities. Hackers with access to a SS7-specific license (known as a “Global Title”) can exploit SS7 to intercept calls, read messages, and track locations. In June, Reps. Weber and Pfluger sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This letter was prompted by a CISA employee’s claim that unauthorized attempts to access user location data through SS7 and related protocols have occurred in the U.S. By addressing these vulnerabilities, the SEVEN Act seeks to protect Americans' communications and bolster national security.",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/chairman-williams-cheers-passage-national-defense-authorization-act,Chairman Williams Cheers Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in Victory for Veteran Entrepreneurs,2024-12-12,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Roger Williams,W000816,williams.house.gov,williams,https://williams.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5009, the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes the full authorization of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Boots to Business program for four years. Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, issued the following statement.

“The SBA’s Boots to Business program has provided assistance to tens of thousands of veterans starting their entrepreneurial journey,” said Chairman Williams. “America’s service members put their lives on the line for us, and we owe it to them to provide the resources they need to be successful in civilian life. The Boots to Business program does just that, capitalizing on service members’ unique skills to help them to become successful entrepreneurs and fully achieve the American Dream.”

The text of the bill can be found here.

Background:

The National Defense Authorization Act includes one of the first bills the House Committee on Small Business passed in 2023, of which Congressman Williams was an original cosponsor, codifying the SBA’s Boots to Business Program. Originally beginning as an initiative in 2012, every Congress since 2013 has attempted to codify the Boots to Business program. The Boots to Business program has proven to be successful in assisting prospective veteran entrepreneurs to be successful in civilian life. Part of the Transition Assistance Program, Boots to Business has grown to help nearly 24,000 returning service members annually.

###

Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.",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://arrington.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2507,Arrington Celebrates Key Wins for Dyess Air Force Base in NDAA,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Jodey C. Arrington,A000375,arrington.house.gov,arrington,https://arrington.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement celebrating critical wins for Dyess Air Force Base in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):

“At a time when the world is more dangerous and U.S. military funding is dwindling, this defense bill provides our troops with the resources they need to be safe and successful in the first and most important job of our government. Furthermore, this year’s NDAA roots out radical ideology in the military – like removing Green New Deal climate footprint restrictions from our weapons systems – and puts America First by securing our southern border, supporting our troops, and deterring our adversaries, like China,” said Chairman Arrington. “I am especially proud to have delivered over $30 million – the largest investment in a National Defense Authorization bill in Dyess history – for infrastructure and resources to support the B-21’s arrival. This investment will maintain Dyess as the tip of the spear of our air arsenal, ensuring our airmen’s safety and success in their most important mission – to provide for the common defense.”

To support the B-21 beddown at Dyess Air Force Base, the NDAA includes:

$12.8M for a B-21 Logistics Readiness Squadron Fuels Admin Lab

$18.5M for a B-21 Refueler Truck Yard

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://gonzales.house.gov/2024/12/rep-tony-gonzales-advances-legislation-to-raise-servicemember-pay-and-support-texas-military-bases,Rep. Tony Gonzales Advances Legislation to Raise Servicemember Pay and Support Texas Military Bases,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Tony Gonzales,G000594,gonzales.house.gov,gonzales,https://gonzales.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted for the final passage of the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, also known as the FY25 NDAA in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will raise junior enlisted servicemembers’ pay by 14.5% and provide all servicemembers across the board with a 4.5% pay raise—a priority that Congressman Gonzales has strongly advocated for in Congress. Additionally, the FY25 NDAA will improve military housing, support law enforcement operations at our nation’s borders, prioritize quality of life initiatives for military families, and equip our armed services to defend against America's adversaries.

“Addressing cost of living issues and improving the quality of life for our men and women in uniform is a top priority of mine. When I enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the ‘90s—I brought home less than $900 a month. Today, E-1s make just over $24,000 a year. It’s beyond time we give our junior troops a much-needed raise. The FY25 NDAA will kick in a 14.5% pay raise for our junior enlisted servicemembers and a 4.5% pay bump for servicemembers across the board in 2025. The FY25 NDAA will also fund much-needed infrastructure projects to ensure our troops have safe living arrangements and are prepared, trained, and ready to defend our nation when the call arrives. As a part of the FY25 NDAA, I helped secure over $260 million to improve military housing and infrastructure for military installations across South and West Texas,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “The men and women who answered the call to serve are vital to our nation’s national security mission. This issue is deeply personal to me; I served for 20 years in the military. Putting our servicemembers and military families at the front of the line will always be a top priority, and the passage of the FY25 NDAA is a win for our troops.”

TX-23 Wins Advanced by Congressman Tony Gonzales:

$60 million in authorized construction to support Rep. Gonzales’ Community Project Funding Request for Basic Military Training Classrooms and a Dining Facility at Lackland AFB (San Antonio).

$77 million for barracks at Fort Sam Houston Medical Education & Training Campus (San Antonio).

$24 million to support family housing at Lackland AFB (San Antonio) (roofing, Heating, Ventilation and Cooling units, repairs, and whole-house renovations).

$38 million for the T-7 Ground-Based Training System at Laughlin AFB (Del Rio) This provides for an adequate Flight Simulator Facility for pilots to train and maintain proficiency in the T-7A aircraft.

$18 million for the T-7 Unity Maintenance Training Facility at Laughlin AFB (Del Rio) This facility will have the tools and classrooms needed to train students on the maintenance and repair of the T-7A aircraft.

$44 million for the completion of the Rail Yard at Fort Bliss (El Paso). This will eliminate current infrastructure bottlenecks, prevent mission-critical delays, and ensure the installation meets its 72-hour deployment turnaround requirement, safeguarding its role as a key Power Projection Platform for Army operations.

Permits the Secretary of the Army to transfer 65 acres of land at Fort Bliss to El Paso Water for Stormwater flood control purposes

Key Priorities Advanced by Congressman Gonzales:

Improves servicemember quality of life to address military recruitment, retention, and readiness:

Authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers

Addresses chronic underfunding of housing maintenance to address poor conditions like sewage overflows, gas leaks, and mold

Ensures access to medical care, including mental health services and specialty providers

Increases access to childcare by authorizing $176 million for the construction of new childcare centers

Supports military spouses by making it easier to find and maintain employment

Improves DoD schools by authorizing over $110 million to build new schools for children of servicemembers

Enhances career transition assistance, including ensuring the Transition Assistance Program includes a pathway to aid retiring members of the reserve components

Address the Biden-Harris’ administration’s failure to reach annual recruiting goals by extending military recruitment bonuses, increasing funding and support for JROTC programs, and expediting the processing of medical records to get recruits into the service quicker

Continues DoD support of law enforcement operations along our southwest and maritime borders

Fully supports deployment of National Guard troops to augment Border Patrol activities at the southwest border

Authorizes $90 million for the construction of a new Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South (JIATF-S) Command and Control Facility to detect and interdict illegal migrants and narcotics

Increases funding by $10 million for DoD counternarcotics activities

Expands DoD’s authority to assist law enforcement in the interdiction of narcotics traffickers

Improves military readiness, strengthens our industrial base, and supports the deployment of innovative and new technologies to ensure our warfighters are prepared for whatever lies ahead

Blocks the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to reduce the number of U.S. Special Forces and request to divest certain aircraft

Increases funding to develop and procure counter-drone systems

Supports investments in shipyard infrastructure and industrial base

Increases oversight and accountability of the DoD

Saves taxpayers $31 billion, or 4%, of current DoD spending levels by cutting inefficient programs, obsolete weapons systems, and unnecessary Pentagon bureaucracy

Requires all DoD components to undertake an annual independent audit and reduces funds available to such components by 1.5% if it fails to undertake the audit

Deters Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Aggression

Increases funding for innovative new technologies needed to deter the CCP, including hypersonics and AI

Prevents Chinese espionage by prohibiting contracting with the subsidiaries of any Chinese civil-military companies to include any subsidiaries, the sharing of sensitive missile defense information with China, and Chinese nationals from being admitted to nuclear facilities

Bolsters Taiwan’s defense and supports our Indo-Pacific allies and partners",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://luttrell.house.gov/media/press-releases/luttrell-scores-big-wins-final-passage-fy25-ndaa,Luttrell Scores Big Wins with Final Passage of FY25 NDAA,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Morgan Luttrell,L000603,luttrell.house.gov,luttrell,https://luttrell.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"December 11, 2024

WASHINGTON – Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX), a member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), achieved several key victories in the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This critical legislation, which establishes funding levels and policies for the Department of Defense, passed with bipartisan support in the House of Representatives. Congressman Luttrell's provisions underscore his commitment to bolstering defense capabilities, supporting servicemembers, and advancing national security priorities for Texas and the nation.

“As a combat veteran, I know that military success depends on preparation, resources, and undeterred focus on the mission. The FY25 NDAA is shaped to ensure our warfighters have the support they need to win on any battlefield,” said Congressman Luttrell. “From investing in advanced technology like AI and hypersonics to providing our troops with better medical care, housing and pay, this NDAA will keep America strong and secure. The FY25 NDAA also breaks new ground on treatments for veterans by funding innovative therapies for PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

“While I’m disappointed that my amendment to evaluate the need for a Cyber Force was scaled back, the NDAA provides vital resources for our military and strengthens our defense capabilities. Cybersecurity is one of the most critical challenges we face in ensuring the safety and security of our nation, and I’m committed to further advancing cybersecurity as part of our national security strategy.""

The FY25 NDAA includes critical provisions that align with Congressman Luttrell’s mission to recognize cyberspace as a critical warfighting domain, boost hypersonic research and development, and support service members and veterans, such as:

A requirement for an independent study on the establishment of a Cyber Force

Investments to advance the Department of Defense’s (DoD) ability to develop and deploy hypersonic technologies

Direction to DoD to improve the data in our service members’ medical records, ensuring the best and most through care possible

$20M increase in funding for counter-narcotics support across the DoD

Oversight and improvement of DoD’s Transition Assistance Program

Support for initiatives that strengthen our alliance with Israel

Provisions that leverage the work, research, and ingenuity of Texas’ universities and businesses to strengthen our national security

Strengthened prohibitions to make sure our nation’s enemies cannot access our military’s education and training resources

A briefing from DoD’s Chief Digital and AI Officers on efforts to support Replicator

A provision that directs research into tools, including leveraging artificial intelligence models, to prevent veteran suicide

The FY25 NDAA also:

Authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raises for all other servicemembers

Provides billions in funding for housing and barracks improvements

Improves servicemember healthcare through streamlining bureaucratic systems and providing more healthcare professionals

Increases access to childcare across the Force

Supports military spouses by ensuring their ability to work and thrive alongside their partners wherever they are stationed

Bans transgender medical treatments for children

Bans critical race theory

Cuts DEI across the Force

Counters antisemitism through prohibitions on organizations that refuse to do business with Israel to do business with the DoD

Provides $15.6 billion for deterrence of Chinese aggression

Takes corrective actions on the F-35 program to ensure responsible government spending

Cuts $3.9 billion in wasteful DoD spending

Requires the Secretary of Defense to notify Congress when unable to perform their duties

Provides support to our ally Israel

Prohibits the reduction of Special Forces

Provides extensive resources to bolster counter drug interdiction and security at the Southern border

Provides $895 billion in total for American military preparedness",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/mccaul-votes-fund-us-military-support-servicemembers-and-restore-dod,"McCaul Votes to Fund U.S. Military, Support Servicemembers, and Restore DoD Lethality",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Michael T. McCaul,M001157,mccaul.house.gov,mccaul,https://mccaul.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) issued the following statement after voting for the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement Act and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025.

“The world is on fire, our adversaries are on the move, and the United States cannot afford to fall behind,” said Rep. McCaul. “I was proud to support this year’s National Defense Authorization Act to restore the focus of our military back to lethality, give our warfighters the tools they need to combat our adversaries, and counter the increased aggression of the Unholy Alliance. But most importantly, this bill improves the quality of life of our brave men and women in uniform. It authorizes a pay raise, improves housing, and provides adequate healthcare to ensure these heroes have access to the resources they earned.”

Rep. McCaul also supported many other conservative victories in the FY25 NDAA, which:

Authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% pay raise for all other servicemembers;

Constructs new housing and childcare facilities for military families;

Expands access to medical care, including mental health providers for servicemembers;

Restores the focus of our military on lethality by ending radical Democrat policies, strengthening the United States defense industrial base, and supporting innovation;

Deters the Chinese Communist Party by providing deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, preventing Chinese espionage, and supporting Taiwan;

Defends our ally Israel by supporting it with the weapons it needs to counter Iran-backed terrorist groups;

Secures our southern border by supporting law enforcement operations; and

Cuts wasteful spending within the Department of Defense, saving taxpayer dollars.

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-troy-e-nehls-releases-statement-after-voting-pass-fy25-ndaa,Rep. Troy E. Nehls Releases Statement After Voting to Pass FY25 NDAA,2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Troy E. Nehls,N000026,nehls.house.gov,nehls,https://nehls.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) released the following statement after voting “YES” to pass the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025:

“Today, I voted ‘YES’ to pass the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2025,” said Congressman Nehls. “This legislation authorizes a 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted servicemembers and supports a 4.5% raise for all other servicemembers. Additionally, this critical legislation combats the Left’s woke and radical ideology by banning our defense department from providing transgender medical treatments for children. Additionally, this legislation prohibits critical race theory in military academies.

“Further, this bill increases oversight and accountability of the Department of Defense (DOD).”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://sessions.house.gov/2024/12/after-dod-fails-its-seventh-financial-audit-sessions-asks-gao-to-address-waste-fraud-and-abuse,"After DOD Fails its Seventh Financial Audit, Sessions Asks GAO to Address Waste, Fraud, and Abuse",2024-12-11,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Pete Sessions,S000250,sessions.house.gov,sessions,https://sessions.house.gov/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce Chairman Pete Sessions (TX-17) is requesting the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) continue to support efforts to conduct oversight of U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and its failure to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse within the Department. In a letter to GAO Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Subcommittee Chairman Sessions requests GAO’s ongoing assistance in analyzing the results of DOD’s fiscal year 2024 audits which provides Committee investigators insight to progress in reducing waste, fraud, and abuse within the DOD.

“In September 2024 the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce held a hearing to examine DOD’s financial management practices and progress towards achieving a clean audit opinion,”wrote Subcommittee Chairman Sessions. “During that hearing, we released a DOD Financial Management Scorecard with DOD earning mostly failing grades across the board. The Committee was significantly informed by the scorecard developed with GAO’s support.”

In fiscal year 2024, DOD underwent its seventh financial statement audit, and again received a disclaimer of opinion. For the seventh time consecutively, auditors were unable to “obtain sufficient, appropriate audit evidence to support an opinion.” GAO continues to designate DOD’s financial management and business systems modernization efforts as high risk because of pervasive deficiencies in the department’s business processes, internal controls, financial reporting, and financial management systems.

“To continue informing this Committee’s oversight of DOD financial management, and given GAO’s extensive work in this area, we are requesting GAO’s ongoing assistance in analyzing the results of DOD’s Fiscal Year 2024 audits,”continued Subcommittee Chairman Sessions. “This will allow us to track DOD’s progress toward achieving a clean audit opinion as well as progress in key areas that support a clean audit—the status of DOD financial management system modernization efforts and compliance with relevant legislative requirements. This analysis and the updated scorecard will provide the Committee with a valuable monitoring tool to effectively inform the DOD oversight work of this Committee.”",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://babin.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=13999,"Babin Selected to Chair House Science, Space, and Technology Committee in 119th Congress",2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Brian Babin,B001291,babin.house.gov,babin,https://babin.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) released the following statement on his selection as the next House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman for the 119th Congress by the Republican Steering Committee:

“It’s an incredible honor to be chosen to serve as the next House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman,” said Babin. “Between our nation’s booming science, space, and tech sectors and the growing threat posed by adversaries like Communist China, there has never been a more important time for this committee. Falling behind in any of these critical arenas is not an option.

“The SST Committee has a unique opportunity to chart a course that will produce a generational impact. We must ensure our nation is not tethered to Earth by red tape – industry should operate at the rapid speed of innovation rather than the sluggish pace of bureaucracy. Under my chairmanship, our committee will continue America’s legacy of shepherding the human race to new celestial heights and leading the world in new discoveries. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running in the 119th Congress.”

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2225,Rep. Jackson Leads Letter Demanding Prohibition of Funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Ronny Jackson,J000304,jackson.house.gov,jackson,https://jackson.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, Representative Ronny Jackson (TX-13) sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging the prohibition of funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in any upcoming fiscal year 2025 appropriations bill. This action addresses UNRWA's repeated hostility toward Israel and its appeasement of terrorist organizations such as Hamas.

Jackson said: “UNRWA, which had numerous employees participate in the horrific October 7th attack on Israel, is more interested in fueling terror and supporting Hamas than it is in helping innocent civilians. The United States cannot be subsidizing an entity that unapologetically supports terrorist organizations like Hamas and works to destroy Israel. Our greatest ally in the Middle East took action against UNRWA, and the United States must stand with Israel at this decisive moment by taking similar action. America must lead with principle and strength, and I thank my colleagues for their support in working to ensure that our taxpayer dollars are not supporting corrupt, terror-supporting organizations like UNRWA.”

Jackson’s letter is supported by the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA).

The full letter can be found here.

Additional background from Jewish Insider can be found here.

Co-signers include Representatives Randy Weber (TX-14), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Keith Self (TX-03), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Joe Wilson (SC-02), and Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07).

###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://nehls.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-nehls-bill-increase-transparency-within-amtrak,House Passes Nehls’ Bill to Increase Transparency Within Amtrak,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,Troy E. Nehls,N000026,nehls.house.gov,nehls,https://nehls.house.gov/media,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials announced that his bill, H.R. 8692, the Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act, passed the United States House of Representatives.

This bill would require Amtrak to be subject to the same requirements of the Government in Sunshine Act, also known as the Sunshine Act, as other federal agencies and government-sponsored style entities. The Sunshine Act requires meetings of certain federal agencies to be open to public observation. Under the Sunshine Act, there are ten exemptions to open meeting requirements. While Amtrak is not deemed a federal agency, Amtrak is considered a government entity and receives funding from American taxpayers. Despite receiving funding from American taxpayers, meetings of the Amtrak Board of Directors (“the Board”) are often conducted without any opportunity for the American public or stakeholders to observe or comment.

Chairman Nehls’ bill would require Amtrak to notify the public of the time, place, and location of pending meetings and allow for public observations unless closed under an exemption of the Sunshine Act. If a meeting is closed for observation, Amtrak would be required to produce a set of minutes providing a full and accurate summary of matters discussed and actions taken to the public.

“I’m proud to announce my bill, the Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act, has passed the United States House of Representatives,” said Chairman Nehls. “Sunshine is the best disinfectant. Opening up Amtrak’s Board meetings to the American public will better ensure that their decisions are made in the best interest of the People. I encourage the Senate to swiftly consider my legislation to provide the American people with the transparency and accountability they deserve.”",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-07T22:13:55Z
https://weber.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2171,Rep. Weber Applauds House Passage of the Water Resources Development Act,2024-12-10,2024,2024-12,Republican,House,TX,"Randy K. Weber, Sr.",W000814,weber.house.gov,weber,https://weber.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, a bipartisan measure to improve the nation’s water infrastructure. This legislation includes critical projects advocated by U.S. Rep. Randy Weber to bolster ports, improve waterways, and drive economic growth in Texas’ 14th District. The 2024 WRDA features high-priority authorizations for TX-14 that will enhance the region’s infrastructure, promote economic development, and improve the safety and functionality of vital waterways.

Projects included in WRDA 2024 for Southeast Texas:

Galveston Harbor Channel Extension - This project authorizes modifications to the Galveston Harbor Channel, including further deepening and extending the Federal channel and Turning Basin 2. These upgrades will enable fully loaded vessels to safely navigate to Texas International Terminals, while the expanded Turning Basin will accommodate the new Oasis Class cruise ships at the Royal Caribbean terminal. The new terminal is expected to generate 800 jobs and $1.4 billion in local economic activity annually.

Sabine-Neches Waterway Widening Feasibility Study- Authorization was secured for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite the review and coordination of the feasibility study for widening the Sabine-Neches Waterway. This critical navigation improvement project will address constraints impacting the safety and efficiency of maritime traffic in one of the nation’s busiest waterways.

Galveston Bay Ship Channel Feasibility Study - A feasibility study was authorized to evaluate improvements to ship channels and barge lanes in the Galveston Bay area, including the Galveston Bay entrance, Houston, Galveston Harbor, and Texas City ship channels. These enhancements are vital to maintaining the region's role as a cornerstone of America’s energy security, supply chain, and economic development.

Cedar Port Deep-Water Navigation Study - The legislation authorizes USACE to expedite a feasibility study for developing a new deep-water federal navigation channel between the Houston Ship Channel and the Cedar Port terminal facilities. This project aims to reduce vessel congestion and increase operational capacity to support growing container volumes, benefiting industries throughout the Gulf Coast.

“Southeast Texas is home to seven ports—more than any other district in the nation—and vital waterways that power both our local and national economies,"" said Rep. Weber. ""Our region plays a critical role on the global stage, and these investments are key to sustaining its leadership in energy, commerce, and job creation while improving the safety and efficiency of our waterways. I was proud to advocate for these projects in WRDA and will continue working to ensure they become a reality.”",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