INSIDER
John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump's GOP?
Read full article: John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump's GOP?Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is competing intensely to become the next Republican leader in the Senate.
Senate rejects legislation that would expand child tax credit and restore business tax breaks
Read full article: Senate rejects legislation that would expand child tax credit and restore business tax breaksSenators are heading home for the month after failing to advance a bill to expand the child tax credit and restore some business tax breaks.
In Austin, Biden slams “extreme” U.S. Supreme Court
Read full article: In Austin, Biden slams “extreme” U.S. Supreme CourtBiden asked Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to end to presidential immunity during a speech to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at the Lyndon B. Johnson Library.
Many Senate Republicans were done with Trump after Jan. 6. Now they want him back in the White House
Read full article: Many Senate Republicans were done with Trump after Jan. 6. Now they want him back in the White HouseAfter the 2020 election, many Republican senators distanced themselves from Donald Trump.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, joins race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leader
Read full article: Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, joins race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leaderFlorida Sen. Rick Scott says he will run for Senate Republican leader when Mitch McConnell steps down from the post, becoming the third Republican in the race.
Texas delegation urges Congress to withhold aid to Mexico over water treaty dispute
Read full article: Texas delegation urges Congress to withhold aid to Mexico over water treaty disputeA bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers are demanding appropriators withhold funds for the country until Mexico lives up to its end of a 1944 water treaty that requires it to send 1.75 million acre-feet to the U.S. every five years.
UT-Austin’s Jay Hartzell praised by GOP leaders as university presidents nationwide take heat over protest response
Read full article: UT-Austin’s Jay Hartzell praised by GOP leaders as university presidents nationwide take heat over protest responseHartzell’s protest response has also resulted in condemnations from students and faculty.
Texas Republicans rue Democrats for dismissing Mayorkas impeachment without trial
Read full article: Texas Republicans rue Democrats for dismissing Mayorkas impeachment without trialMajority Leader Chuck Schumer called the trial the “least legitimate, least substantive, and most politicized impeachment trial in the history of the United States.”
Feds arrest five men accused of smuggling illegally purchased guns to cartels in Mexico
Read full article: Feds arrest five men accused of smuggling illegally purchased guns to cartels in MexicoThe men were charged with two criminal offenses, including straw purchasing of firearms, created by the 2022 bipartisan gun safety bill authored by Sen. John Cornyn.
Wyoming Sen. Barrasso will run for No. 2 spot in GOP leadership, narrowing race to replace McConnell
Read full article: Wyoming Sen. Barrasso will run for No. 2 spot in GOP leadership, narrowing race to replace McConnellWyoming Sen. John Barrasso says he'll run for the No. 2 spot in the Senate Republican conference after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell leaves at the end of the year.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune jumps into race to succeed McConnell as Senate leader
Read full article: South Dakota Sen. John Thune jumps into race to succeed McConnell as Senate leaderSouth Dakota Sen. John Thune is entering the race to be the next Republican leader of the U.S. Senate after Sen. Mitch McConnell steps away from the post in November.
Texas Sen. Cornyn announces run for GOP leader as scramble to succeed McConnell begins in the Senate
Read full article: Texas Sen. Cornyn announces run for GOP leader as scramble to succeed McConnell begins in the SenateTexas Sen. John Cornyn has informed his colleagues that he intends to run for Senate Republican leader.
“I’ve made no secret of my intentions”: Cornyn poised to launch bid to succeed McConnell as Senate GOP leader
Read full article: “I’ve made no secret of my intentions”: Cornyn poised to launch bid to succeed McConnell as Senate GOP leaderSen. Ted Cruz held back when asked if he would back Cornyn. “Oh, there’ll be plenty of time to assess those questions,” he told reporters.
Democrats embrace tougher border enforcement, seeing Trump's demolition of deal as a 'gift'
Read full article: Democrats embrace tougher border enforcement, seeing Trump's demolition of deal as a 'gift'Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says Democrats plan to “constantly over the next year” remind voters that it was Donald Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee, who torpedoed a bipartisan bill on border enforcement.
John Cornyn and Ted Cruz flee US Senate hearing as Democrats vote on Harlan Crow subpoena
Read full article: John Cornyn and Ted Cruz flee US Senate hearing as Democrats vote on Harlan Crow subpoenaThe Texas Republicans opposed subpoenaing conservative donor Crow over his ties to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, casting it as a partisan attack.
Who is Pete Sessions and why is he running for House Speaker?
Read full article: Who is Pete Sessions and why is he running for House Speaker?Sessions is the longest-serving representative running to become U.S. House Speaker. He previously led the House Republican campaign arm through a record-breaking victory, but he still faces a steep battle to secure the gavel.
Biden is dangling border security money to try to get billions more for Israel and Ukraine
Read full article: Biden is dangling border security money to try to get billions more for Israel and UkrainePresident Joe Biden is trying to sweeten his pitch for more money for Ukraine by mixing in billions of dollars for securing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Texas AG Ken Paxton attacks rivals, doesn't rule out US Senate run in first remarks since acquittal
Read full article: Texas AG Ken Paxton attacks rivals, doesn't rule out US Senate run in first remarks since acquittalTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton is attacking his Republican rivals while speaking out for the first time since his acquittal on corruption charges in his impeachment trial.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn throws support behind Biden impeachment inquiry
Read full article: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn throws support behind Biden impeachment inquiryTexas’ senior senator said there’s “more than enough smoke” to warrant a deeper look at the president’s ties to his son, who was indicted Thursday.
Texas congressional Democrats say impeaching Biden is “not comparable” to Trump impeachments
Read full article: Texas congressional Democrats say impeaching Biden is “not comparable” to Trump impeachmentsSpeaker Kevin McCarthy announced his plans Tuesday to launch an impeachment inquiry, saying it was the “logical next step” after months of probing by House Republicans into the Biden family. The investigations have so far yet to turn up evidence that the president violated the law.
McConnell tries to reassure colleagues about his health, vows to serve out term as Senate GOP leader
Read full article: McConnell tries to reassure colleagues about his health, vows to serve out term as Senate GOP leaderSenate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell declared again that he plans to finish his term as leader despite freezing up twice at news conferences over the summer, brushing off questions about his health as he sought to reassure colleagues he’s still up to the job.
Attention returns to Sen. John Cornyn’s future after GOP Leader Mitch McConnell’s latest health scare
Read full article: Attention returns to Sen. John Cornyn’s future after GOP Leader Mitch McConnell’s latest health scareThe senior senator from Texas has the ambition to become the Senate’s top Republican, but he remains loyal to McConnell, who has downplayed concerns about his well-being.
Carla Walker Act: US Senator John Cornyn introduces new bill that will help solve cold cases
Read full article: Carla Walker Act: US Senator John Cornyn introduces new bill that will help solve cold casesOn Wednesday, U.S. Senator John Cornyn will join forensic DNA experts, law enforcement leaders, and the brother of murder victim Carla Walker for a roundtable at Othram Inc. to discuss his legislation to help solve cold cases, the Carla Walker Act.
Motivated by grieving parents, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has made fentanyl crisis a priority
Read full article: Motivated by grieving parents, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has made fentanyl crisis a priorityThe Republican from Texas has combined attention to border issues with efforts to address deadly overdoses, including ideas that are opposed by some in his party, such as decriminalizing test strips.
How the Texas AG’s office became a pipeline for conservative federal judges
Read full article: How the Texas AG’s office became a pipeline for conservative federal judgesIn just a few decades, the Texas attorney general’s office became a powerhouse in national legal fights over abortion, health care and immigration. Here’s a timeline of how it happened.
Texans in Congress take bipartisan path to boost semiconductors, a crucial industry to the state
Read full article: Texans in Congress take bipartisan path to boost semiconductors, a crucial industry to the stateRepublicans like Sen. Ted Cruz and Democrats like Rep. Colin Allred — opponents in the 2024 election — propose streamlining environmental reviews to promote investment and expansion by chipmakers.
Leaders gather to discuss legislative reforms for live events ticketing system
Read full article: Leaders gather to discuss legislative reforms for live events ticketing systemU.S. Senator John Cornyn along with local sports and entertainment leaders gathered Wednesday to hold a roundtable discussion focused on legislative reforms to the current ticketing system for live performances and events.
Part 1: In 1998, a legal revolution was quietly born in Texas. It would pull America’s courts rightward.
Read full article: Part 1: In 1998, a legal revolution was quietly born in Texas. It would pull America’s courts rightward.With his election as Texas attorney general, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn planted the seeds of conservatism. Gov. Greg Abbott used his tenure to cultivate them into an aggressive strain of right-wing activism aimed at driving the nation’s courts and laws to the right.
Part 2: Texas backlash to Obama fueled conservative drive to reinterpret U.S. Constitution
Read full article: Part 2: Texas backlash to Obama fueled conservative drive to reinterpret U.S. ConstitutionBarraging the Obama administration with lawsuits, the Texas attorney general’s office wasn’t just trying to block policies. It was injecting disruptive, overtly Christian legal philosophies into the mainstream, and grooming a generation of conservative legal warriors.
Part 3: Under Trump, Texas’ foot soldiers became federal judges, securing a conservative stronghold in the courts
Read full article: Part 3: Under Trump, Texas’ foot soldiers became federal judges, securing a conservative stronghold in the courtsA federal judiciary full of ideological allies is helping Texas block Democratic priorities and advance right-wing legal doctrines. But the bigger prize is conservative control of the rule of law itself.
Texans in Congress lead bipartisan efforts to allow fentanyl test strips
Read full article: Texans in Congress lead bipartisan efforts to allow fentanyl test stripsThe legislation comes after a bill to decriminalize the test strips passed the Texas House but died in the Senate despite support from Gov. Greg Abbott.
Senators call for Supreme Court to follow ethics code like other branches of government
Read full article: Senators call for Supreme Court to follow ethics code like other branches of governmentThe chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says it's time for Supreme Court justices to bring their conduct in line with the standards of other branches of government.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wants the U.S. to train Mexican troops to fight drug cartels
Read full article: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wants the U.S. to train Mexican troops to fight drug cartelsThe Republican from Texas introduced the legislation after meeting with Mexico’s president and calling for more cooperation between the two countries.
Texas Republicans in Congress stand behind Donald Trump after federal indictment
Read full article: Texas Republicans in Congress stand behind Donald Trump after federal indictmentGOP lawmakers dismiss the charges over classified documents as a partisan attack, but Democrats say the matter proves nobody is above the law.
Democrats and Republicans are skeptical of US spying practices, an AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Democrats and Republicans are skeptical of US spying practices, an AP-NORC poll findsThe American public is broadly skeptical of common intelligence practices and of the need to sacrifice civil liberties for security.
Sen. Cornyn discusses US school safety law in Pasadena that provided funds to Houston schools, $10.8B for mental health
Read full article: Sen. Cornyn discusses US school safety law in Pasadena that provided funds to Houston schools, $10.8B for mental healthUnited States Senator John Cornyn is holding a news conference in Pasadena to discuss a mental health and school safety law that provided $10 million in grants to Houston-area schools.
For a Texan who wants to build bridges in Congress, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has burned quite a few
Read full article: For a Texan who wants to build bridges in Congress, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has burned quite a fewThe two-term Republican, criticized by his own party for breaking with the GOP on key votes, is not inclined to change his ways.
Biden to nominate Texas judge to be first Latina on federal appeals court
Read full article: Biden to nominate Texas judge to be first Latina on federal appeals courtBoth of Texas’ Republican senators voiced support for Irma Carrillo Ramirez’s nomination to the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Homeland security chief calls Ted Cruz’s comments “revolting” in heated border hearing
Read full article: Homeland security chief calls Ted Cruz’s comments “revolting” in heated border hearing“You’re willing to let children be raped to follow political orders,” Cruz told Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas at the hearing. “This is a crisis. It’s a disgrace.”
Sen. Cornyn, Mayor Turner, HPD Chief Finner to highlight new Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act
Read full article: Sen. Cornyn, Mayor Turner, HPD Chief Finner to highlight new Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training ActSen. John Cornyn will join Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, and community leaders Tuesday at Houston City Hall to discuss the senator’s new Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act, which was just signed into law on Dec. 27, 2022.
Cruz, Cornyn renew calls for release of Mark Swidan, Texan detained in China for 10 years
Read full article: Cruz, Cornyn renew calls for release of Mark Swidan, Texan detained in China for 10 yearsThe two Texas Republicans are drumming up attention to the decade-old case as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang this week.
Past defeats on police reform bedevil newly divided Congress
Read full article: Past defeats on police reform bedevil newly divided CongressThe release of footage showing Memphis, Tennessee, police officers violently beating Tyre Nichols has renewed calls for Congress to pass police reform legislation.
Federal officials hold hearing on Live Nation and concert tickets, but Congressional investigation still ongoing nearly 15 months after Astroworld tragedy
Read full article: Federal officials hold hearing on Live Nation and concert tickets, but Congressional investigation still ongoing nearly 15 months after Astroworld tragedyA United States Senate hearing focused on “Promoting Competition and Protecting Consumers in Live Entertainment,” specifically related to Live Nation was held on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. last week.
Texas progressives want Title 42 ended, highlighting wide ideological gulf on Congressional immigration deal
Read full article: Texas progressives want Title 42 ended, highlighting wide ideological gulf on Congressional immigration dealThe spectrum of ideas on immigration could throw cold water on hope that there will be a breakthrough in Congress.
TribCast: Is bipartisan immigration reform a realistic goal?
Read full article: TribCast: Is bipartisan immigration reform a realistic goal?In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Washington correspondent Matthew Choi and immigration reporter Uriel J. García about U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s trip to the border and the odds of Congress passing a major immigration bill.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn eyes the seemingly impossible: a bipartisan deal on immigration
Read full article: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn eyes the seemingly impossible: a bipartisan deal on immigrationRiding the success of his historic congressional session last year where he helped pass the first gun safety bill signed into law in a generation, Cornyn is hopeful that his ability to strike deals across the aisle will help Congress achieve another elusive legislative goal: an immigration deal.
Sen. Cornyn hosts roundtable to highlight new law protecting child survivors in response to FBI’s Larry Nassar investigation
Read full article: Sen. Cornyn hosts roundtable to highlight new law protecting child survivors in response to FBI’s Larry Nassar investigationU.S. Senator John Cornyn joined a roundtable discussion Thursday morning with Houston child abuse prevention advocates, law enforcement, and a survivor of Larry Nassar’s abuse to highlight a new law protecting child survivors at the Children’s Assessment Center.
Congress passes bill to fund police de-escalation training
Read full article: Congress passes bill to fund police de-escalation trainingThe House has passed bipartisan legislation that would empower law enforcement agencies to adopt de-escalation training when encountering individuals with mental health issues.
Cruz: “Of course” Trump was wrong to call for terminating Constitution
Read full article: Cruz: “Of course” Trump was wrong to call for terminating ConstitutionU.S. Sen. Ted Cruz condemned the comment by the former president, but he also said that reporters were overblowing the story and should instead “focus on what matters.” Sen. John Cornyn called the move “irresponsible” on Monday.
Legal battle continues over use of Title 42 along the border
Read full article: Legal battle continues over use of Title 42 along the borderA controversial law used along our borders in response to rising apprehensions is set to expire in less than month’s time. However, the battle to continue using Title 42 is not over.
Same-sex marriage bill heads for Senate passage over opposition from Cornyn and Cruz
Read full article: Same-sex marriage bill heads for Senate passage over opposition from Cornyn and CruzThe bill would provide federal recognition and interstate portability of same-sex marriages, but it stops short of guaranteeing a right to such marriages.
As Trump announces his run, Cruz and Cornyn signal openness to other GOP presidential candidates
Read full article: As Trump announces his run, Cruz and Cornyn signal openness to other GOP presidential candidatesRepublican support for Trump has faltered after a midterm performance by the party that many considered a resounding disappointment.
John Cornyn doubles down on support for embattled Georgia Republican Herschel Walker with Senate fundraising effort
Read full article: John Cornyn doubles down on support for embattled Georgia Republican Herschel Walker with Senate fundraising effort“I do support Herschel because he may well be the 51st Republican elected this cycle,” Cornyn said in an interview Thursday.
5 Houston area school districts, including Santa Fe ISD, awarded $1.3M federal grant to improve school safety
Read full article: 5 Houston area school districts, including Santa Fe ISD, awarded $1.3M federal grant to improve school safetyU.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced Thursday that five school districts in the Houston area were awarded federal grants totaling $1,304,709 to improve school safety measures.
Manchin rails against 'revenge politics' on permit plan
Read full article: Manchin rails against 'revenge politics' on permit planSen. Joe Manchin on Tuesday railed against what he called “revenge politics″ being used against him, as liberals in the House and Senate team up with Republicans to oppose his plan to speed permits for natural gas pipelines and other energy projects.
What would happen in Texas if rail workers go on strike?
Read full article: What would happen in Texas if rail workers go on strike?If labor unions and railroads don’t reach a deal by the end of Thursday, freight trains will come to a stop across the country, posing a major threat to the nation’s economy.
Senate to vote on same-sex marriage in coming weeks
Read full article: Senate to vote on same-sex marriage in coming weeksMajority Leader Chuck Schumer says the Senate will vote on legislation to protect same-sex marriage “in the coming weeks” as a bipartisan group backing the bill is tweaking it to gain Republican support.
Texas will plug 800 abandoned oil and gas wells, funded by $25 million federal infrastructure grant
Read full article: Texas will plug 800 abandoned oil and gas wells, funded by $25 million federal infrastructure grantThe initial grant will allow Texas to plug a fraction of the state’s approximately 7,400 documented abandoned oil and gas wells.
FBI search of Trump home was likely vetted carefully, despite Texas Republicans’ claims of a witch hunt
Read full article: FBI search of Trump home was likely vetted carefully, despite Texas Republicans’ claims of a witch huntFederal authorities would have needed to meet an extraordinarily high threshold for probable cause to sign off on such a high-profile, politically explosive operation, legal experts say.
Surprise Senate vote would overturn Biden environmental rule
Read full article: Surprise Senate vote would overturn Biden environmental ruleIn a surprise victory for Republicans, the Senate on Thursday voted to overturn a Biden administration rule requiring rigorous environmental review of major infrastructure projects such as highways, pipelines and oil wells — a victory enabled in part by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
U.S. Senate approves bill containing Texas’ “Ike Dike” coastal protection project
Read full article: U.S. Senate approves bill containing Texas’ “Ike Dike” coastal protection projectThe U.S. Senate voted to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning for a massive coastal barrier project in Galveston Bay meant to protect against hurricanes’ storm surge. Funding is not yet secured.
Cruz, Cornyn, fellow Republicans held joint new conference after touring Texas-Mexico border
Read full article: Cruz, Cornyn, fellow Republicans held joint new conference after touring Texas-Mexico borderU.S. Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn spoke at a joint news conference Friday with several other Republican senators to discuss border policies.
John Cornyn’s disapproval among Texas voters worsened dramatically as he negotiated a bipartisan gun bill, new poll shows
Read full article: John Cornyn’s disapproval among Texas voters worsened dramatically as he negotiated a bipartisan gun bill, new poll showsThe Republican U.S. senator shepherded landmark gun legislation through the Senate last month. Between April and June, his disapproval rating went from 39% to 50%, according to a Texas Politics Project poll.
How John Cornyn and the U.S. Senate defied 26 years of inaction to tackle gun violence
Read full article: How John Cornyn and the U.S. Senate defied 26 years of inaction to tackle gun violenceFour senators, including Cornyn, used a distinctive combination of policy expertise, legislative experience and political courage to push past obstacles that had repeatedly stymied previous attempts at compromise.
Biden signs bipartisan gun measure negotiated by Sen. John Cornyn after Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Biden signs bipartisan gun measure negotiated by Sen. John Cornyn after Uvalde shootingThe new law contains modest provisions but is the most significant gun measure passed by Congress in nearly three decades.
GOP unity? Some aim for reconciliation after tough primaries
Read full article: GOP unity? Some aim for reconciliation after tough primariesTwo days after losing a bitter primary to a rival she once deemed a “sellout” for occasionally working with Democrats, Katie Arrington appeared at a “unity rally” to urge South Carolina Republicans to come together and back Rep. Nancy Mace in the fall general election.
U.S. Senate approves first major gun legislation since 1994, one month after Uvalde shooting
Read full article: U.S. Senate approves first major gun legislation since 1994, one month after Uvalde shootingThe legislation still needs to clear the House, where it is expected to pass. President Joe Biden has signaled he will sign the bill into law.
Texas is unlikely to adopt key provision of bipartisan gun bill — a red flag law to take guns away from people deemed dangerous
Read full article: Texas is unlikely to adopt key provision of bipartisan gun bill — a red flag law to take guns away from people deemed dangerousRed flag laws likely remain a nonstarter among Republican leaders in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott already faced a conservative backlash after he asked the Legislature to consider them four years ago.
Texas Republican Convention calls Biden win illegitimate and rebukes Cornyn over gun talks
Read full article: Texas Republican Convention calls Biden win illegitimate and rebukes Cornyn over gun talksSome 5,100 delegates and alternates voted on a party platform that also calls for ending the federal income tax, requiring education about fetal gestation and limiting the Legislature’s right to regulate guns.
TribCast: What should we make of a Republican special election win in South Texas?
Read full article: TribCast: What should we make of a Republican special election win in South Texas?In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Abby about the week in Texas politics and Cassandra about financial practices of the conservative nonprofit True the Vote.
Caught between an A+ NRA rating and a nation reeling from shootings, John Cornyn is key to whether gun safety deal advances
Read full article: Caught between an A+ NRA rating and a nation reeling from shootings, John Cornyn is key to whether gun safety deal advancesThe bipartisan gun legislation could end up being a career definer for John Cornyn, Texas’ senior senator. He’s shown a past willingness to compromise but faces critics farther to his right, including his fellow senator Ted Cruz.
The Texas Republican Party convention starts Thursday. Here’s what we’re watching.
Read full article: The Texas Republican Party convention starts Thursday. Here’s what we’re watching.Every two years, the convention is an opportunity for the GOP’s most devoted members to update its platform, craft its legislative priorities and elect party officers.
Ted Cruz is skeptical about red flag provision in federal bipartisan deal on guns
Read full article: Ted Cruz is skeptical about red flag provision in federal bipartisan deal on gunsRed flag laws are designed to keep guns out of the hands of individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has championed the bipartisan agreement.