Biden uses feisty State of the Union to contrast with Trump, sell voters on a second term
President Joe Biden delivered a defiant argument for a second term in his State of the Union speech Thursday night, lacing into GOP front-runner Donald Trump for espousing โresentment, revenge and retributionโ and for jeopardizing freedom at home and abroad.
โI am not comfortable:โ Rep. Al Green on mail-in ballots and USPS delay issues
For weeks now - weโve been following these problems. The United States Postal Service says this is because they are working to modernize their mailing system. U.S. Representative Al Green talked with KPRC 2โฒs Amy Davis about how the hold-up could impact voters.
Woman says her dad hasnโt received his heart medication as USPS mail issues at Missouri City processing center continue
Several Houstonians are still upset after not receiving their mail due to problems tied to the new Missouri City Processing Center. According to United States Rep. Al Green (D-Houston), actions are being taken to resolve the issues, however, several people said they still have not received their important packages.
US Rep. Al Green requests USPS establish customer service team to help people with package delays in Missouri City
United States Rep. Al Green (D-Houston) wrote a letter to USPS to ask them to establish a customer service team to help those who have experienced their packages being delayed at the Missouri City mail facility.
Mental wellness service expansion: Ibn Sina Foundation receives $1.6 million in community project funding
A mental wellness service expansion is happening at Ibn Sina Foundation, thanks to $1.6 million in community project funding under Omnibus Appropriation Bill for the 2023 fiscal year, according to a news release.
Telephone Road Project: Mayor Turner introduces $21M RAISE grant for construction
The United States Department of Transportation announced Tuesday that the City of Houston will receive $20.96 million in federal funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) grant program for the Telephone Road: Main Street Revitalization Project.
Port of Houston $1B expansion aims to widen, deepen commercial waterway by 2025, official says
The $1 billion expansion project will be the 11th major improvement project the Houston Ship Channel has undergone in its more than 150-year history as a commercial waterway, Congressman Al Greenโs Office said in a news release Wednesday.
Federal funding for COVID-19 tests and treatments for uninsured Americans running out
Federal funding for COVID-19 testing and treatment of uninsured Americans has dried up as of two days ago. Health Services and Resources Administration also announced coverage for COVID-19 vaccines for the uninsured will no longer be available after April 5.
Congressman Al Green addresses Russiaโs invasion of Ukraine, announces measures to aid Houstonโs Ukrainian community
Congressman Al Green held a press conference with the Consul General of Ukraine, and the president of the Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston, addressing Russiaโs invasion of Ukraine and announcing measures to aid the Ukrainian community at home and abroad. Green sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking for the government to send Ukraine ammunition, hardware, and fuel.
Houstonians gather for 44th annual Original Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, along with members of the Black Heritage Society released details Wednesday for the 44th annual Original Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
Here is everything you should know about the 44th annual Original Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congressman Al Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, along with members of the Black Heritage Society released details Wednesday for the 44th annual Original Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
Texas Senate approves congressional map that draws no new Black or Hispanic districts even as people of color fueled population growth
Texas gained two new seats in Congress based on population growth fueled by people of color. But the Senateโs proposal provides no new majority-Black or majority-Hispanic districts to reflect that growth.
Houston-area leaders to call on the General Land Office to ensure city, county receive Harvey funds
Houston area representatives gathered Thursday to call upon the Texas General Land Office to ensure the worst-hit areas by Hurricane Harvey in the city and Harris County will receive the funds allocated by Congress.
Attorney Ben Crump, family of George Floyd and other local leaders react to decision to indict former officers involved in Floydโs arrest and death
Attorney Ben Crump, the family of George Floyd, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Congressman Al Green held a news conference Saturday morning where they spoke about hope for change in the nation.
American Rescue Plan: Local officials to address how $1.9T plan will impact Houston, Harris County
HOUSTON โ Local officials are slated to hold a news conference Friday at 2:30 p.m. to discuss the passage of the American Rescue Plan and its direct impact on Houston, Harris County, and area school districts. U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Texas Rep. Al Green (TX-09); U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Mayor Sylvester Turner, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, Houston Independent School District Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, and other local officials are expected to attend the event. KPRC will broadcast a live stream of the event. Be sure to watch in the video player at the top of this article when the video becomes available.
U.S. House passes COVID-19 relief bill that would give millions of Texans $1,400 checks
Known as the American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion bill shores up and builds upon previous COVID-19 spending bill provisions. On Saturday, both of the state's Republican senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, voted against the bill. The bill also funds an additional $300 in unemployment payments per week until early September. The House passed a previous version of this bill in late February but Democratic moderates in the Senate were successful in scaling back the legislation. The original House bill also included a minimum wage hike to $15 per hour, but the Senate parliamentarian ruled out that provision.
LIST: Food and water distribution sites in the Houston area
HOUSTON โ Many local businesses and organizations have opened food and water distribution sites in the Houston area in the wake of the recent winter storms. Various distribution sites pop up daily, so please keep checking this list if youโre in need. Houston Community College-North Forest CampusTexas State Representative Senfronia Thompson, NACC Disaster Services, Teamsters Union, Houston Community College (HCC)- North Forest campus, HCC Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones, Peoples United Summit, and other volunteer groups host water and food distribution in northeast Houston. The organizers will provide food and water for about 1,000 vehicles. Pet owners will receive free pet food, supplies, and information on additional resources such as the Houston Humane Societyโs free spay/neuter program.
What you need to know about the new Houston and Harris County winter storm relief fund
HOUSTON โ Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced the Greater Houston 2021 Winter Storm Relief Fund on Monday during a news conference at 1 p.m.Turner said Hidalgo could not be at the news conference, but the relief fund is a joint effort between the city and the county. The fund will focus on relief and recovery efforts across the City of Houston and Harris County. The Greater Houston Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Houston will jointly oversee and administer the grant distribution process with the help of a grants committee. โ...We learned after Hurricane Harvey that there were a lot of unmet needs. Here are other things you need to know about the fund:
โNegrohead Lakeโ is a name that still exists: Local leaders, NAACP call for name change in Baytown
BAYTOWN, Texas โ Texas Rep. Al Green joined the NAACP Houston Branch and several of Houstonโs elected officials in convening a press conference to demand the racially, insensitively named โNegrohead Lakeโ be renamed โLake Henry Doyleโ Monday morning. The Baytown lake, which was formerly named โNi**er Lakeโ before it was changed in 1962, has caused officials to stand firm against its name that has caused much offense over the years. Officials are asking lawmakers to move swiftly in the renaming of the lake as a way to come against racism and social inequality. Officials said the lake is one of 33 landmarks in Texas with similar offensive names. He ended up going to TSU, where he studied at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Bledsoe continued.
Called โMr. Impeachmentโ: Rep. Al Green recalls harrowing flight experience in call for penalty notice for making disturbances on airplanes
HOUSTON โ Congressman Al Green held a press conference on Monday to propose a deterrence to in-flight disruptions on airplanes, ahead of the inauguration. Hereโs the letter:Sample HTML blockGreen recalled a harrowing personal experience on a commercial flight to Nashville, Tenn., in which he was called โMr. Impeachmentโ by Trump supporters and remarks were made that โsomething was going to happenโ on that flight. Green said he was concerned that his head was exposed and he couldnโt look backward on the plane. The full news conference -- including Greenโs recollection of his frightening plane experience -- will be posted shortly in the video player at the top of this article.
Congressman Al Green discusses impeachment options for Trump
___4:55 p.m.Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has become the first Republican member of the Senate to call for President Donald Trumpโs resignation. His call comes two days after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol and unsuccessfully tried to stop Congress from affirming Bidenโs victory. โAlan Fram___12:45 p.m.A leading centrist Democratic senator says it seems unlikely that President Donald Trump can be quickly removed from office. Schiff said Friday that Democrats warned during Trumpโs impeachment that he would โtry to cheatโ to remain in office. ___8:40 a.m.A police officer has died from injuries he suffered when President Donald Trumpโs supporters stormed the Capitol.
โUn-Americanโ: US Rep. Nehls recalls exchange he had with mob storming Capitol as he helped barricade House doors
โWhatโs taking place here right now is un-American,โ Nehls said as the Capitol was being occupied by protesters. โThis is a sacred house.โAs house members were evacuated to safety, Nehls stayed behind. Through a broken window, Nehls said he tried to negotiate with the protesters, hoping to convince them to stand down. โSomething close to seditionโ: Green talks about Capitol being stormedU.S. Rep Al Green (D-Dist. He said that while he believes in peaceful protests, the chaos that engulfed the Capitol was indicative of an uprising against the government.
Houston Newsmakers: Local U.S. Reps weigh in on COVID-19, stimulus negotiations, presidential power
The only way to stop the pandemic is through personal actionsU.S. Representatives Dan Crenshaw, (R) 2nd and Al Green, (D) 9th, are from different political parties with sometimes wildly different ideas about how to get things done for the benefit of America. Yet somehow both say personal responsibility plays a big role in helping to end the pandemic that has claimed more than 250 thousand American lives. We canโt conquer this alone.โ See more of this conversation on this weekโs NEWSMAKERS EXTRA with U.S. Rep Al Green . Other top topics:Challenge of passing COVID Stimulus BillRecognition of President-Elect BidenTrump Impact on current and future U.S. PoliciesMore Information:U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R), 2nd Congressional District-Website: https://crenshaw.house.gov/-Twitter: @RepDanCrenshawU.S. Rep. Al Green, (D), 9th Congressional District-Website: https://algreen.house.gov/-Twitter: @RepAlGreen
Houstonโs Nigerian community hosts protest in support of the End SARS movement
HOUSTON โ Momentum is growing on an outcry for justice in Nigeria, where more than 50 civilians have been killed during peaceful protests. In Houston, Congressman Al Green joined the Coalition Against Human Rights Abuse and the Houston Nigerian community to protest the killings on Saturday. โIt is time for us to let Nigeria know we will not allow human rights to be ignored.โโPeople who look like me are dying everyday,โ said a Houston resident. The End SARS movement calls for an end to violence and police brutality being done by the special anti-robbery squad in the west African country. The movement has been viral on social media for days.
Father of Joshua Johnson, veteran shot in deputy-involved-shooting, reveals new surveillance video from scene
โ175 days ago, Harris County Sheriffโs Deputy Tu Tran killed Joshua Johnson,โ Green said at the site of Johnsonโs questionable shooting death. Johnson, a Navy veteran, was shot down the street from his parents' home on East Ritter Circle on April 22. โI was a father...a father that would have glad took a bullet for his family-- for his son,โ Beary said. According to investigators, Johnson was shot and killed by a Harris County Sheriffโs deputy on the Gulf Coast Task Force who was on a stakeout for a capital murder suspect in October. Investigators said words were exchanged and then the deputy, later identified as Tu Tran, a 12-year veteran of the HCSO, shot Johnson killing him.
โWinning Texas is possibleโ: Jill Biden rallies supporters in Houston on first day of early voting
A poll by the University of Texas and the Texas Tribune published last week found that President Donald Trump holds a five-point lead over former Vice President Joe Biden. Jill Biden, former second lady and wife of the former vice president, stumped in El Paso, Dallas and Houston on Tuesday -- the first day of early voting in Texas. At the drive-in rally in Houston, supporters used their horns to cheer on Jill Biden as she talked about her husbandโs vision for America and the importance of their votes. โFor the first time in a long time, winning Texas is possible,โ Jill Biden said. Early voting runs until Oct. 30.
โModern-day voter suppressionโ: Advocates, officials call on Abbott to rescind order limiting ballot drop-off sites
Greg Abbott to rescind the order he issued last week that limits the number of mail-in ballot drop-off sites to one per county. Abbott said Thursday that his order is meant to strengthen voting security and prevent illegal voting attempts during the coronavirus pandemic. Most people who spoke at Mondayโs news conference highlighted the sheer size of Harris County when making the case against reducing the number of drop-off sites in the county from 12 to one. Max Miller Jr., leader of the ministers' association, called Abbottโs order โcrookedโ and โmodern-day voter suppression,โ saying that Abbott knows his order is directed at the Black community. Limiting the number of drop-off sites available to absentee voters reduces the options Texans have to participate in the 2020 election without risking their health,โ Drazin continued.
2 new testing sites at Sunnyside apartments opening Thursday
HOUSTON โ Two apartment-based COVID-19 testing sites in Houstonโs Sunnyside will be open to everyone Thursday, officials said. Congressman Al Green will be on-site to launch two free walk-up community testing sites located at Lansborough and Magnolia Place apartments. โIt is our hope that senior citizens will get the testing they need,โ Congressman Al Green said. โSo what we have decided to do is bring the testing sites to the senior citizens.โEveryone is welcomed to come and get tested, regardless of symptoms or referrals. Here is a list of the testing sites and their availability:
Texas congressional leaders seek legislation to protect USPS
HOUSTON The U.S. Postmaster General announced Tuesday he will halt operational changes at the United States Postal Service until after the 2020 election. Some Texas congressional members called for legislation to prevent the postmaster from doing another about-face. Embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy announced Tuesday that hell wait until after the November election to make operational changes at the USPS. DeJoy said retail hours wont change, mail processing equipment and collection boxes will stay where they are and overtime for employees will be restored. Two other Democratic congressional members also held press conferences Tuesday where they called the operational changes on the USPS an attack orchestrated by the nations highest office.
WATCH LIVE: Mayor Turner announces voting initiative honoring late Congressman Mickey Lelands legacy.
HOUSTON Mayor Sylvester Turner joins Congressman Al Green, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, NAACP Houston, and Mi Familia Vota to announce an initiative to increase voter participation in Harris County. The initiative will include a series of billboards across the county that highlight a memorial of the late Congressman Mickey Leland, which was recently installed in Hermann Park.
Center for Race and Justice proposed
Center for Race and Justice proposed for Prairie View A & M University (KPRC)THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE CENTER FOR RACE AND JUSTICE:1-PVAMU President Dr. Ruth Simmons came up with the idea in the wake of the racial unrest after the George Floyd killing. 2-Goal will be to address issues of race and to expose students to cutting edge research and activists whove lived a life of uplifting their communities. 3-One million dollar personal contribution was made by Charles Butt, Chairman of H-E-B to kick start the funding for the center to be named after Dr. Ruth Simmons. Ruth Simmons, Ph.D., President of Prairie View A & M University, says the idea behind the center is to address issues and work to find solutions to race related problems that continue to exist in this country. With funding underway and curriculum being developed she says all thats needed now is approval from the Texas A & M University System board of regents.
Floyd's death spurs question: What is a black life worth?
In this June 1, 2020, photo, people gather near the Cup Foods grocery store where George Floyd died in Minneapolis. And for George Floyd, it was an accusation he used a fake $20 bill at a grocery store. The Movement for Black Lives is behind a push for local communities to defund police departments nationwide, and reinvest in struggling black communities to address economic inequality and disparities in education and health care. That is a big piece that I think we need to focus on.Last week, Floyds family forwarded their pleas for racial justice to the United Nations. Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights lawyer and former president of the Minneapolis NAACP, said the demand that black lives are valued like white lives must begin at the community level.
Houston rappers, lawmakers and activists host โSlab Rideโ to protest the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery
Running for Ahmaud Arbery had evolved to riding for him. More than 50 slab riders took to the Houston streets Saturday afternoon to ride for justice for Arberyโs death. Organizers said the โSlab Rideโ was to protest hate and violence against Black people. Riders completed two loops around 610, commemorating the 2-mile run Arbery made before being killed. and Real Beauty Real Women.
Waiting for your stimulus check? Here are a few things that might help you get it faster
But there are qualified people still waiting for their stimulus money. According to Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Bill Spencer, here are four things you can do that might help you get your stimulus money faster:Sign up for the stimulus programIf you havenโt already, go to the IRS payment portal and see if you qualify for a payment. Make sure you use direct depositIf you have a bank account, make sure you choose direct deposit for your payment. Youโre more likely to get your money faster than having a check sent in the mail. 2nd District - Rep. Dan Crenshaw7th District - Rep. Lizzie Fletcher8th District - Rep. Kevin Brady9th District - Rep. Al Green10th District - Rep. Mike McCaul14th District - Rep. Randy Weber18th District - Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee22nd District - Rep. Pete Olson29th District - Rep. Sylvia Garcia36th District - Rep. Brian Babin
Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Al Green discuss federal response to coronavirus
Senator Cornyn says the federal response improves dailySenator John Cornyn, (R) Texas, said the response to the COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest challenge of his career. Pat Sorrells is the CEO of Camp for All and Elise Hough is the CEO of Easter Seals Greater Houston. Easter Seals:Easter Seals Greater Houston is taking its annual fundraiser virtual. Support Easter Seals Greater Houston, in partnership with Prosperity Bank, until April 25. Senator John Cornyn, R, TexasU.S. Rep. Al Green, (D), 9th Congressional DistrictElise Hough, CEO Easter Seals Greater HoustonPat Sorrells, CEO, Camp For All
Congressman Al Green hosts webinar for small business owners suffering amid coronavirus pandemic
HOUSTON โ With the extension of the Stay Home, Work Safe order in Harris County, many small business owners are dealing with uncertain times. Only essential businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and food establishments, are permitted to be open with limited hours and altered policies during the coronavirus pandemic. Congressman Al Green has partnered with the Small Business Administration to host a webinar for small businesses. Individuals will learn about the ways their businesses can get assistant. Date: Thursday, April 2Time: 12 p.m.Webinar link: score.zoom.us/J/928722786Dial: (346)248-7799Meeting ID: 928722786