Texas Republicans Chip Roy and Louie Gohmert among few to vote against U.S. House bill to help poor mothers access formula
The bill, which passed in the House, would expand the formula brand choices available to mothers on a federal assistance program in an attempt to mitigate a disruptive baby formula shortage around the country.
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Analysis: When elected problem-solvers become part of the problem
Greg Abbott talks about border security at a news conference at Anzalduas Park in Mission on March 9, 2021. Credit: Jason Garza for The Texas TribuneEditor's note: If you'd like an email notice whenever we publish Ross Ramsey's column, click here. “I think there's an old saying in Texas about — find all the rope in Texas and get a tall oak tree. You know we take justice very seriously, and we ought to do that— round up the bad guys,” he added. Democrats are fretting loudly, but even some Republicans, like Texas GOP Chair Allen West, think Roy went over the line.
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U.S. Rep Chip Roy rebuked after using hearing on violence against Asian Americans to attack China over coronavirus
The hearing, scheduled before the attack, was intended to address the acceleration of attacks against Asian Americans in the year since the COVID-19 pandemic overtook American life. "And as a former federal prosecutor, I'm kind of predisposed and wired to want to go take out bad guys. AdMeng, first elected in 2012, has spearheaded efforts to stop discrimination against Asian Americans amid the pandemic. Asian Americans have been victim to a rise in racist attacks since the onset of the virus, which was first detected in China. You know we take justice very seriously and we ought to do that, round up the bad guys,” he added.
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Gov. Greg Abbott pushes Legislature to protect businesses from coronavirus-related lawsuits
Greg Abbott is pushing state lawmakers to protect individuals and companies that opened businesses during the pandemic against coronavirus-related lawsuits, he said Tuesday. It’s another in a long line of Abbott’s attempts to support businesses despite the worsening public health crisis and ongoing economic turbulence in Texas. He told a table of business leaders Tuesday in San Antonio that businesses “have gone above and beyond" to remain open during the pandemic. “And yet those same businesses, they face the threat of potential lawsuits for the fact that they opened up," he said. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, unsuccessfully pushed for federal legislation that would have included similar civil liability protections for businesses.
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Austin can prohibit late on-site dining over holiday weekend, judge rules. But the state could appeal.
Elia Montoya serves breakfast dishes to U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and his family at Juan In A Million in East Austin in May. After the ruling, Deputy Attorney General Aaron Reitz announced on Twitter that the state would appeal. Under the curfew, patrons are not ordered to leave at 10:30 p.m., but they could not be served on-site. “It is our position that these local officials are in the best position to make the best decision for this jurisdiction,” said Travis County attorney Leslie Dippell. “My executive order stops cities like Austin from arbitrarily shutting down businesses,” he said.
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Texas Republicans fighting off Democrats in battleground congressional races
Texas Democrats are hoping to flip several congressional seats held by Republicans on Election Day. At least five Republican incumbents whom Democrats targeted cruised to reelection, according to races called by Decision Desk HQ. Similarly, U.S. Rep. Van Taylor, R-Plano, also held off a challenge from Democrat Lulu Seikaly in Collin County's 3rd Congressional District. Three new members-elect in safe Republican seats also won their races, according to Decision Desk HQ. In the 4th Congressional District that covers the northeastern part of the state, State Sen. Pat Fallon will replace John Ratcliffe, who is now director of National Intelligence.
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Chip Roy and Wendy Davis go down to the wire in a tight TX-21 race that has Texas’ full attention
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, is in a close contest with Democratic challenger Wendy Davis. That brawl is between two Austin-based political heavyweights, Republican U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and Democratic former state Sen. Wendy Davis. “I’m Chip Roy, and here’s some Texas common sense: We can reopen safely. “Chip Roy is an elected leader, but he’s all over town not wearing a mask in crowded indoor places, dismisses reports about the danger to children and Chip Roy continues to advise an extreme plan to infect two-thirds of the population to stop the virus,” he said. And Davis re-emerged on the Texas political scene as the face of the Austin's Women's March in 2017, pink hat and all.
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Democrats overwhelm Republicans in latest fundraising period for Texas' hottest U.S. House races
But the Democratic fundraising shows serious momentum as the national party reaches the finale of its drive to make Texas the top congressional battleground nationwide this November. At least five of the 12 races being targeted by both have drawn millions of dollars in outside spending by national groups such as the DCCC; the National Republican Congressional Committee; House Majority PAC, which supports Democrats; and Congressional Leadership Fund, which backs Republicans. The biggest disparity was between Roy and his Democratic foe, Wendy Davis, who more than doubled his fundraising, $3.5 million to $1.6 million. Regardless of candidate-to-candidate comparisons, though, the latest filings showed a staggering wave of money is pouring in to the races. Allred ended the period with more money in the bank, $1.7 million to Collins’ $1 million.
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton says he won’t resign after accusations of criminal activity by top aides
In his limited public statements on the allegations, Paxton has pointed the finger back at the top deputies accusing him of wrongdoing. My obligation as attorney general is to conduct an investigation upon such referral,” Paxton said. “I am confident that he will diligently and faithfully serve the office and the people of Texas,” Paxton said in a statement. “For the good of the people of Texas and the extraordinary public servants who serve at the Office of the Attorney General, Attorney General Ken Paxton must resign,” Roy said in a statement. Roy served as Paxton’s initial first assistant attorney general during Paxton’s first term, but resigned upon Paxton’s request in a major shake-up of senior staff in 2015.
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Texas congressman calls on state attorney general to resign
FILE - In this June 28, 2020 file photo, Texas State's Attorney General Ken Paxton waits on the flight line for the arrival of Vice President Mike Pence at Love Field in Dallas. Roy said in a Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, statement that Paxton must resign for the good of the people of Texas. Paxton asked a Houston lawyer to act as special prosecutor in the investigation of Paul's claims, the newspapers reported. Paxton's defense attorney, Philip Hilder, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “Rooting out corruption is on the ballot,” Manny Garcia, the Texas Democratic Party’s deputy executive director, said in a statement.
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U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, Attorney General Ken Paxton’s former top aide, calls for Paxton's resignation
WASHINGTON – From left, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Attorney General Ken Paxton. "For the good of the people of Texas and the extraordinary public servants who serve at the Office of the Attorney General, Attorney General Ken Paxton must resign," he said in a statement. Roy called the office of the attorney general "too critical to the state and her people to leave in chaos." "The Attorney General deserves his days in court, but the people of Texas deserve a fully functioning AG’s office," he added. Roy served as Paxton's initial first assistant attorney general during Paxton'd first term, but left, in a major shake-up of senior staff, in 2015.
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TV ad blitz kicks off in high-profile battle between U.S. Rep. Chip Roy and Wendy Davis
U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, is being challenged by Democratic former state Sen. Wendy Davis in Texas' 21st Congressional District. The TV ad campaign is getting a relatively early start in the race for Texas' 21st Congressional District, foretelling a contentious, expensive sprint to November for U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, and his well-known Democratic opponent, Wendy Davis. Davis' campaign is going up with a spot that highlights her biography and the fact that she's a grandmother. Meanwhile, the pro-Roy Club for Growth is starting to air an attack ad against Davis, whom the ad calls a "self-serving politician." Roy's seat is among seven that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting this fall in Texas.

Texas was always key to Democrats 2020 congressional ambitions. Less than three months from Election Day, their confidence is growing.
There are as many as nine congressional races in Texas that have the attention of at least one of the national parties. The DCCC, she added, is "very optimistic that we're going to make a lot of headway in Texas this year." "Texas Democrats nominated an unelectable slate of socialist extremists who are far out of step with voters," Bob Salera, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement for this story. As for the seven seats that national Democrats are working to flip, a general hierarchy has emerged around where they are most hopeful. "I have no interest in trying to align or differentiate myself from any national Democrats because ultimately it's about the people of this district."
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Gov. Greg Abbott calls for resignation of Bexar County GOP chair after she floats racist George Floyd conspiracy theory
Republican Party of Bexar County Chairman Cynthia Brehm. Greg Abbott is calling for the resignation of the Republican Party chair in one of the state's biggest counties after she floated a conspiracy theory about the death of George Floyd. "Cynthia Brehm should immediately resign her position as Chair of the Bexar County Republican Party." Garcia's tweet prompted U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, whose district includes Bexar County, to call for Brehm to step down immediately. The Bexar County Republican Party chair has a new conspiracy theory.