After four years of the Biden administration hamstringing American energy, stifling our economy, and ceding national security ground to our adversaries, House Republicans and the Trump administration are getting this country back on track. I joined my Republican colleagues in voting to pass the 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, legislation that will strengthen U.S. energy production, fuel job creation and economic growth, and reduce our reliance on other countries for critical minerals.

Last week, President Trump made a historic move to restore strength and clarity to our nation’s military. On Friday, he announced that the Department of Defense will return to its original name: the Department of War. For nearly 200 years, America operated proudly under the banner of the Department of War—an unapologetic reminder that our Armed Forces exist to win and defend this nation.

Sen. Cruz has long been a leader in pushing for American energy dominance and protecting America’s energy workers. In July, Sen. Cruz sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to expeditiously reissue the appropriate authority for the Rio Grande LNG project. This project supports thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of investment in the Rio Grande Valley.

Since the devastating floods swept through Central and West Texas on July 4th, my office and I have been working closely with local leaders and officials to ensure that residents in Texas's 11th Congressional District have access to the resources and assistance they need.  FEMA has extended the deadline for residents impacted by the floods to apply for FEMA assistance. I strongly encourage homeowners, renters, and students who have not yet applied to do so before the new deadline on Sunday, September 28th.

The word “genocide” is tossed around by Democrats very casually these days, where everything from their terrorist friends losing a war they started to white people eat Chinese food. Of course, nothing these grievance studies major-leftists call genocide is actually genocide – “the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group” – but drama queens are gonna drama queen.

"I think that there will be positive things that will be seen that happen in Washington, D.C., to where public demand (in other cities) would say, 'yes we would like this,'" Sessions said. "It's obvious that Chicago has a problem – and what happens is, that in this political dialog the president wants to be able to prove that everybody in the in the U.S.is entitled to a safe neighborhood, and the safety by government. 

Under the "no tax on tips" provision of H.R. 1 – "The One Big Beautiful Bill" various occupations are excluded from federal taxes on tipped income, and up to $25,000 can be deducted in tipped income annually from 2025–2028. The Trump administration has officially released the list of occupations that qualify for the "no tax on tips" provision of H.R. 1. See further Treasury Department sourcing.

Homeowners and renters whose homes sustained damage and aren't insured now have until Sunday, Sept. 28 to apply, according to the agency. Several counties, including Kerr, where more than 100 people from all across the state died when the Guadalupe River rose to historic levels the morning of July Fourth, were designated for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration in the wake of the natural disaster.

Our good friend Nigel Farage, the leader of Britain's Reform Party, was in Washington, warning Congress against adopting a version of the United Kingdom's Online Safety Act. That law requires tech platforms to remove legal but "harmful" content if a bureaucrat declares it so. Apparently banned speech is like pornography - they know it when they see it. This poses a danger to commercial speech not only for the British but also for Americans who travel to or do business in the UK.

Every week, President Trump is putting America first on the world stage, cutting tougher trade deals, squeezing NATO freeloaders, and making sure foreign governments finally pay their bills. Now Congress is stepping up to back him. Right before the August recess, lawmakers tucked language into an appropriations bill blasting foreign governments that have been stiffing U.S. businesses and taxpayers. Now that they’re back, they’re ready to turn up the heat.

"We are shaping the Texas economy as the best state for business development, job opportunities, and exports," said Governor Greg Abbott, delivering remarks that touted the legislative victories of the 89th Legislature during the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce "State of the State" luncheon earlier today. “Together, we'll continue to remain the No. 1 state for doing business," said Abbott.

The National Strategy for School Security Act requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a comprehensive, federal framework for school campuses across the nation to improve their security posture against threats of targeted violence. This national strategy must identify specific school security vulnerabilities and outline all existing recommendations, funding, and programs that are available to overcome these threats.

The VLB Veterans Land Loan Program is the only one of its kind in the nation, giving Texas Veterans and Military Members the opportunity to borrow up to $150,000 to purchase land at a competitive interest rate with a minimum five percent down payment for tracts of one acre or more. Through the Dual Spouse Land Loan Benefit, two Veterans who are spouses and are individually eligible to borrow up to $225,000.

The Democrats are going full “Dodgeball” by deciding – after their latest perverted, weirdo constituent went on a mass murder spree of little Christian kids – that they should take aim at the idea of prayer. Apparently the big problem in the aftermath of yet another Dem-aligned killer is that we Americans are turning to God – not our Elite Democrat betters. They think we should be on our knees before them, submitting.

We engage in an enormous amount of trade each year, about $800 billion in total. Nearly $300 billion of that is between the United States and Texas alone. Texas and Mexico have long had an intertwined history. We share culture, family, and significant economic ties. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, I have been especially vigorous in leading the fight for more trade between the United States and Mexico, and in particular, advocating for building more bridges between South Texas and Mexico.

Recently, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) was hosted by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in Alaska for an update on national security missions in the Arctic Circle. Congressman Gonzales started the strategic visit in Anchorage and traveled to meet with U.S. Coast Guard leadership at USCG Base Kodiak for an update on the U.S. Coast Guard’s missions in the Arctic. The U.S. Coast Guard is a vital lifeline for the Arctic region, often serving as the first agency to respond to lifesaving missions and national security incidents.

“The Texas Senate is committed to protecting the unborn. Today, we passed HB 7 to make sure abortion-inducing drugs cannot be distributed in Texas for the purpose of carrying out an unlawful abortion. Once enacted, this bill will protect the lives of thousands of Texas children. I thank Sen. Hughes for his continued impassioned defense of life in Texas.”

To help combat a critical criminal issue in the Texas energy industry – the theft of petroleum products – the Railroad Commission is now accepting applications for membership on the State Taskforce on Petroleum Theft (STOPTHEFT).The task force was created in Senate Bill 494 passed by the 89th Legislature, with the aim to study and make recommendations related to preventing petroleum theft.