NRA stages big gun show in Texas days after school massacre
The National Rifle Association begins its annual convention in Houston on Friday, and leaders of the powerful gun-rights lobbying group are gearing up to โreflect onโ -- and deflect any blame for -- the deadly shooting earlier this week of 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Houston Newsmakers: Acevedo heading to Miami
We talk about COVID Relief, efforts to reach bipartisan agreements, the immigration crisis at the border and Republican efforts to revamp voting rights in states across the country, on this weekโs Houston Newsmakers and here on Newsmakers EXTRA with Rep. Lizzie Fletcher. They never lost their job.โCongressman Dan Crenshaw, (R) 2nd says the American Rescue Plan is overloaded with spending not needed. โIs this really fair?โ he said on this weekโs Houston Newsmakers with Khambrel Marshall. Also this week, the challenge of working across the aisle on other issues such as infrastructure and his highest priorities local on Newsmakers EXTRA with Rep. Dan Crenshaw. More Information:Chief Art Acevedo, Houston Police Chiefยท Website: https://www.houstontx.gov/police/chief/ยท Twitter: @ArtAcevedoU.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D), 7th Congressional DistrictAdยท Website: https://fletcher.house.gov/ยท Twitter: @RepFletcherU.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R), 2nd Congressionalยท Website: https://crenshaw.house.gov/ยท Twitter: @RepDanCrenshaw
5 things for Houstonians to know for Tuesday, March 2
Here are things to know for Tuesday, March 2:1. Crenshaw said his legislation would also ensure that the president could not impose national lockdowns or bans on interstate travel. Waitlist for NRG Park coronavirus vaccine clinic being expandedThe waitlist for the NRG Park coronavirus vaccine clinic is being expanded. Williams said the large number of vaccines that can be administered at the NRG Park site necessitated the widening of those who qualify for the waitlist. Espinosaโs family โ like many in Texas โ is again facing that same choice between buying groceries or paying rent on time.
Congressman Dan Crenshaw introduces anti-lockdown legislation to end shutdown during pandemic
HOUSTON โ U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Houston) introduced anti-lockdown legislation Monday that he said would end the economic shutdown during the coronavirus pandemic. In order to qualify for COVID recovery aid, the End Lockdowns Now Act would require states and localities to submit economic reopening plans. Crenshaw said his legislation would also ensure that the president could not impose national lockdowns or bans on interstate travel. AdAccording to Crenshaw, the bill also requires that the Treasury Department Inspector General take steps to recover funds if the disclosure requirements are not met. The bill will not intervene in steps taken to protect the public under the Public Health Services Act and will allow governors the authority to limit travel to their state in the event of a disaster declaration, according to Crenshaw.
No, frozen wind turbines arenโt the main culprit for Texasโ power outages
โTexas is a gas state,โ said Michael Webber, an energy resources professor at the University of Texas at Austin. While Webber said all of Texasโ energy sources share blame for the power crisis, the natural gas industry is most notably producing significantly less power than normal. We didnโt run out of natural gas, but we ran out of the ability to get natural gas. At least they show us where idiots live.โWhile wind power skeptics claimed the week's freeze means wind power can't be relied upon, wind turbines โ like natural gas plants โ can be "winterized," or modified to operate during very low temperatures. Natural gas power plants usually donโt have very much fuel storage on site, experts said.
Texasโ Crenshaw pens op-ed explaining U.S. election process to rioters
Following Wednesdayโs storming of the U.S. Capitol, Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) shared his thoughts of those challenging the electoral count, explaining they misunderstand how America elects its presidents. โOn Wednesday the Capitol of the most powerful nation the world has ever known was stormed by an angry mob. The congressman went on to explain Jan. 6 attack of the Capitol is the exact situation the founders of this nation sought to avoid. For this reason, the Founders opted to diffuse responsibility to electors from each state,โ Crenshaw wrote. Ultimately, Crenshawโs op-ed communicated those who challenge the electoral count misunderstand the process of electing United States presidents.
Texas politicians united in pleading for calm as Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol
โI like many people voted for President Trump in the 2020 election and hoped for a different result,โ tweeted U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin. Over the ensuring hour, scenes emerged of Trump supporters storming barricades, breaching the Capitol and even reaching at least one of chambers. The Capitol building has been breached and both chambers are locked down,โ wrote U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso. Texas Democrats, meanwhile, were explicit in linking the harrowing scene to Trumpโs refusal to accept the election outcome and belligerent rhetoric. โThis is what Trump wanted,โ tweeted U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin.
Watch: US Rep. Dan Crenshaw creates โAvengersโ-style viral video. Can you spot the โLone Survivorโ Easter egg?
Rep. Dan Crenshaw as seen in his "Georgia Reloaded" video on YouTube, as collected on Dec. 16, 2020. HOUSTON โ U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw had some fun with the upcoming Senate runoff election in Georgia with an โAvengersโ-style video that is going viral Wednesday on YouTube. The video has more than 100,000 views, whereas his previous videos on the account average about few thousand. The video entitled โGeorgia Reloadedโ shows Crenshaw being called into service to fight for the Georgia runoff election, standing in support of Republican incumbent Georgia Sens. The video also includes clips of New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also known by her initials AOC, and Vice-President-Elect Kamala Harris.
More Texas Republicans in Congress are acknowledging Joe Bidenโs victory, but many holdouts remain
But a large number of GOP members of the Texas delegation still have not acknowledged Biden's victory. Upon Biden securing 306 electoral votes during Monday's meeting of the Electoral College, The Texas Tribune polled all Texans in Congress with the question: "With a majority of the Electoral College voting for Biden today, do you accept Joe Biden as the president-elect?" Until the Monday ceremonial vote, many Republicans resisted the idea of a Biden victory. More than a dozen Texas Republicans joined a last-ditch lawsuit filed by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton seeking to overturn the results: U.S. Reps. Jodey Arrington, Brian Babin, Kevin Brady, Michael Burgess, Michael Cloud, Mike Conaway, Bill Flores, Louie Gohmert, Lance Gooden, Kenny Marchant, Randy Weber, Roger Williams, Ron Wright and Crenshaw. Here is what the Texas lawmakers had to say:
Texas politicians flock to Georgia to aid in fight for U.S. Senate majority
No candidate cleared 50% of the vote in the respective races, and Georgia law requires a runoff in such cases. Earlier this week, Castro, the former U.S. housing secretary and San Antonio mayor, spent two days in Georgia stumping with both Ossoff and Warnock. Another high-profile Texas Republican, Crenshaw, has already visited the state and plans to return before the end of the month. The state party has been mobilizing volunteers on its Mighty Texas Strike Force to head to Georgia, with the largest deployment expected to happen after Christmas. In a sign of how the political world has gone all in on Georgia, the campaigners from Texas have not gone unnoticed by other out-of-state surrogates.
Watchdog faults VA chief over handling of sex assault report
โThe response of Secretary Wilkie and senior VA officials to the veteranโs complaint of sexual assault was troubling,โ Missal said in a statement. โThe tone set by Secretary Wilkie appears to have influenced aspects of the initial VA police investigation and the conduct of other VA employees,โ the report said. On Thursday, Biden said he will nominate Denis McDonough, who served as President Barack Obamaโs White House chief of staff, to be VA secretary. VA officials did not examine the information, the report said. A study released by the VA last year found 1 in 4 female veterans using VA health care reported inappropriate comments by male veterans on VA grounds.
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
Army secretary says wreath-laying event at Arlington back on
WASHINGTON โ Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy has reversed the COVID-related cancellation of an annual wreath-laying event at Arlington National Cemetery next month, following criticism on social media and pleas to the White House. President Donald Trump said later Tuesday it was he who had reversed โthe ridiculous decisionโ to cancel the event. Each year, volunteers around the country place wreaths on the tombstones and markers of veterans as part of Wreaths Across America. The tradition began in 1992 when a Maine wreath maker donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington. On Monday, Arlington National Cemetery announced that it was โwith great regret,โ cancelling the Wreaths Across America event scheduled for Dec. 19, due to COVID-19.
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.
US Rep. Dan Crenshaw wins reelection in House District 2
A freshman congressman has won a second term in Congress in U.S. House District 2, according to a projection by the Associated Press. The oddly shaped district, which runs from southwest Houston, out to west Harris County, up to north Houston and then east to the Kingwood area, has been in Republican hands since 2005. U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, the Republican incumbent, won election after former U.S. Rep. Ted Poe retired from Congress. Sima Ladjevardian, the Democratic challenger, served as a senior advisor and finance chair to the OโRourke campaign during both his 2018 Senate bid and his 2020 presidential run. U.S. Representative, District 2 View All CandidatesYou can get more election results here.
5 biggest races to watch on Election Day
HOUSTON โ There are hundreds of races being decided by Houston-area voters on Election Day. Here are the five biggest races to watch. Senator View All CandidatesU.S. House District 2Republican and freshman congressman Dan Crenshaw is up for reelection this cycle. U.S. Representative, District 2 View All CandidatesU.S. House District 7Democratic U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher is also a first-term member of Congress who is up for reelection this time around. U.S. Representative, District 7 View All CandidatesU.S. House District 22This seat is wide open after Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Olson announced he is retiring.
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw calls expanding mail-in voting โplaying with fireโ despite rareness of voter fraud
Republicans and President Donald Trump have repeatedly tried to sow doubt over the reliability of voting by mail, alleging it allows for widespread fraud. During the interview with Politicoโs Tim Alberta, Crenshaw raised concerns about voting practices in Pennsylvania and Nevada, falsely saying that Pennsylvania was sending unsolicited ballots to voters. Crenshaw suggested in the interview that he worried that some ballots might be mailed to the wrong addresses, inviting fraud. Just 372 possible cases of double voting or voting on behalf of dead people were identified, the Post reported. โItโs no secret that in the suburbs and especially amongst women, that theyโre simply turned off by Donald Trump,โ Crenshaw said, later adding, โThey have a personal dislike for him.โ
Crenshaw focuses on healthcare, flood mitigation in first term
They discuss the successes in Crenshawโs first term while also taking aim at his opponent, Democrat Sima Ladjevardian, who accuses Democrats of โdrug pricing lies." Crenshaw also defends President Donald Trumpโs coronavirus response and pushes back against Senate Democrats who voted against the Republican โskinnyโ stimulus bill. On President TrumpIn newly released audio-recorded comments between Trump and journalist Bob Woodward and Trump, Trump admits that he downplayed the danger of the coronavirus. Crenshaw took issue with the comment that the United States has not done well when compared to other countries. John Hopkins Universityโs Global Map for COVID-19Missed breast cancer diagnosesAn estimated 80 thousand breast cancer diagnoses have been missed because of the pandemic.
Sima Ladjevardian upsets plans for Congressman Crenshaw
Sima Ladjevardian immigrated to the United States from Iran as a child and embraced the American dream. She hopes to take that dream to a higher level by defeating 1st term Republican Congressman Dan Crenshaw in November. The 2nd has been the district where opponents of former Congressman Ted Poe routinely lost by huge margins. Crenshaw, in his first run for congress in 2018, beat Todd Litton by 7 percentage points and Democrat Ladjevardian sees an opening. For more than 20 years The Madd Hatta morning show was a staple in Houston.
WHAT TO WATCH: Pence, Conway and protest pushback at RNC
Pence, whose future political aspirations could hinge on November, has campaigned aggressively for the president. Pence has helped steer the White House response to the coronavirus, leading a task force and frequently working with the nations governors. The GOP convention has mentioned the virus far less than Democrats did last week, but Pence could throw it back into focus if he speaks about the work hes led. Conway, whose husband has become an outspoken Trump critic, says she is stepping away to spend more time with her family. Clarence Henderson, a civil rights activist from the 1960s, is expected to speak on the true meaning of peaceful protest."
Dan Crenshaw will make a prime time appearance at the RNC Wednesday. Here's what you need to know about the Houston Republican.
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, will speak Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention. Credit: REUTERS/Carlos BarriaU.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw will take the stage at the Republican National Convention Wednesday night as the sole GOP elected official from Texas with a prime time speaking slot. Hell appear alongside New York Rep. Elise Stefanik before an address by Vice President Mike Pence. Crenshaw and Stefanik, both 36, are the youngest Republicans members of the House. Heres what you need to know about the Houston Republican:Before running for office in 2018, Crenshaw served 10 years as a Navy SEAL.
TribCast: Hurricane Laura, coronavirus on campus and the RNC
U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2018. Credit: Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune(Audio unavailable. Click here to listen on texastribune.org.) In this week's TribCast, Matthew speaks with Ross, Alex and Patrick about the incoming hurricane, the first week of college classes and the Republican National Convention.
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