Governor Greg Abbott today delivered remarks and participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of Texas Instruments' (TI) new 300 mm semiconductor wafer fabrication facility in Sherman. TI’s new semiconductor facility will be home to cutting edge technology, employing thousands of Texans with an expected capital investment of $40 billion over the coming decades.
U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mike Lee (R-UT), and John Kennedy (R-LA) released the following statements after their Enhancing Necessary Federal Offenses Regarding Child Exploitation (ENFORCE) Act, which would hold those who use generative AI to create or distribute Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and obscenity accountable by ensuring they are subject to the same statutory penalties as those who create or distribute other forms of child pornography, passed the Senate unanimously:
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after the announcement of a guilty verdict by the Hong Kong High Court against Jimmy Lai. Earlier this month, Sen. Cruz met with the family of Jimmy Lai, where he discussed the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party and his ongoing wrongful detention.
The Texas Trucking Association (TXTA) has joined forces with a broad group of state and national trucking associations from across the country in support of a comprehensive policy blueprint to eliminate bad actors who exploit regulatory gaps, undermine safety, and create unfair competitive advantages in the commercial trucking industry.
All day long, breathless speculation swirled. Cable panels whispered. Social media “experts” pontificated. Anonymous sources hinted darkly that Trump was about to announce a war with Venezuela. The tone was familiar—panic first, facts later. Or never. But when the President spoke, there was no declaration of war. No saber-rattling theatrics. No diversionary foreign adventure. Instead, he did something far more threatening to the political class and its media enablers: he talked about results.
Congressman Pfluger also underscored the indispensable role Texas had in securing the Nation's Southern Border when the Biden-Harris Admin failed to do so, highlighting the over $11 billion the Lone Star State invested to protect our country's communities during the Biden Border Crisis. Pfluger worked to secure Texas' Federal Reimbursement for "Operation Lone Star" and more.
"I'm just glad President Trump's doing what needs to be done to save American lives," said Sen. Cornyn after being briefed by Sect. of State Marco Rubio & Sect. of War Pete Hegseth on the careful planning that went into these strikes - and the legal justification which is consistent with other previous interventions by other administrations in the region. Noted Cornyn, Cocaine, Fentanyl & more are weapons of mass destruction being trafficked by designated terrorist organizations.
This bill would extend the term of the Civil Rights Cold Case Review Board by four years. The board is tasked with investigating criminal investigations from the Civil Rights Era, led by a panel of private citizens appointed by the President. In 2022, Sens. Cruz and Ossoff wrote and passed into law the Civil Rights Cold Case Investigations Support Act of 2022, which extended the board.
Reading & Math Scores all across the Nation are abysmal, and national testing results have documented that Illiteracy Rates are rising: The number of 16 to 24-year-olds reading at the lowest literacy levels increased from 16% in 2017 to 25% in 2023. As an economist, this is our country's greatest crisis - and it puts the future of American prosperity in grave danger.
As Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I’m also proud to say that the NDAA included provisions to accelerate space capabilities that counter Chinese and Russian nuclear arsenals, as well as space surveillance. We must continue to stay one step ahead of our adversaries, equipping the Space Force with everything it needs to advance American interests. Space is the next battleground, and we’re not ignoring it.
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today announced the launch of the Local Government Bond, Tax, and Project Transparency Database, an online tool that provides the public with transparent access to current and historical information on local government bonds, voter-approved tax rate elections and related projects statewide. The database also advances the intent of its enabling legislation, House Bill 103, to give Texans clearer insight into how local bond issuances and tax rates impact property tax burdens.
In addition to improving our servicemembers’ pay and quality of life, the bill delivers new capabilities to our warfighters at a faster pace, revitalizes our defense industrial base to improve readiness and boost our economy, and funds the president's Golden Dome, which will protect Americans from modern threats like hypersonic missiles for years to come. I was proud to vote for this bill and ensure our nation is prepared to face — and overcome — the challenges of the 21st century.
Commissioner Sid Miller and the TDA hosted agricultural and epidemiological leaders from Latin America to tackle the threat of the New World screwworm. The two-day visit in Austin, Texas, brought together experts from Mexico, Central America, and the United States to coordinate early detection efforts, strengthen cross-border surveillance, and develop unified livestock protection strategies.
Time Magazine, which, like so much in print journalism, has suffered from a loss of readers, has published its annual list called the "Most Influential People of 2025." The list includes "Artists, Innovators, Titans, Icons, Leaders, and Pioneers." Time's "Person of the Year" is Artificial Intelligence. That might also apply to Congress. Most of the people Time considers influential, I have never heard of, so they haven't influenced me. Maybe it's a generational thing.
This legislation will lower costs, expand consumer choice, and increase transparency for patients. By establishing Health Freedom Accounts and a Health Freedom Waiver Program, MACA will put health care decisions back where they belong: in the hands of American families, not Washington bureaucrats. This legislation will also provide small businesses with critical tax relief to encourage employer-sponsored coverage and will codify price transparency for patients.
Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted to pass the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The FY26 NDAA is a must-pass, yearly policy package that outlines the funding provisions for our nation’s defense priorities and military quality of life initiatives. "As a 20-year Navy veteran, taking care of the men and women in our armed services is a top priority for me.”
Governor Greg Abbott, Southwest Airlines, and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson today announced at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) that Southwest will establish a new pilot and flight attendant crew base in Austin. Southwest’s expansion will lay the groundwork for future operational growth in the state and is expected to create 2,000 jobs in Austin by mid-2027. A (TEF) grant of $14 million has been extended to Southwest Airlines. In addition, the company has been offered a $375,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus.
Iowa Senator Joni Ernst chaired a hearing last week revealing that federal agencies shoveled out $162 billion in improper payments last year. That's billions with a B. Federal programs that loan out money to "socially and economically disadvantaged businesses" were a rich target for fraudsters, a particular magnet for fraudsters. Scamsters who claimed to be over 115 years old scored loans worth $333 million, including $36,000 to a 157-year-old.
