Today marks Day 24 of the federal government shutdown. The House has already passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats have refused to act, choosing instead to hold up government funding in exchange for extending costly COVID-era Obamacare subsidies, a policy that should be debated separately, not tied to basic government operations.

Every Day 'Gets Better' for Democrats, Worse for America. For three weeks, hardworking Americans, from our troops and border agents to TSA workers and park rangers, have been caught in the crossfire of a completely avoidable government shutdown. This isn't about healthcare, protecting Americans, or fiscal responsibility. It's about politics, plain and simple. It's Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).

According to the National Weather Service, a storm system will push through the state, bringing with it a threat of severe thunderstorms including large hail, damaging winds, possible tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding. Excessive rainfall on very dry, drought-hardened ground may cause water to run off more quickly, therefore increasing the risk of localized flash flooding.

(RRC) hosted senior representatives from four leading Canadian pension funds and five major Canadian banks at its Austin headquarters October 22, to discuss the agency’s role as a global leader in energy regulation. Led by the Honorable Susan Harper, the Consul General of Canada in Dallas, the delegation received an overview of the RRC’s regulatory duties and Texas’ leadership in energy development.

President Donald J. Trump is taking a bold stand against China and unfair trade, and the results are unmistakable. The stock market is soaring, inflation is nearly invisible, employment is holding steady, and American manufacturing is roaring back to life. The same economists who predicted collapse under Trump’s trade policies are now forced to confront an inconvenient truth: the United States is thriving precisely because we chose to fight back.

Regardless of the sector of business you find yourself in, each and every businesses today has effectively become Tech Businesses. From boutique companies run out of a garage, to the ‘Magnificent 7’ global tech giants, the same principle applies: embrace new ways to enhance efficiencies, solve problems, and reach new customers or fall behind. Here in Texas, our policymakers understand the principles better than most: Keep government small, the Regulation's touch light, Help businesses scale up.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that an NRG Energy natural gas facility that will be constructed at the existing TH Wharton Generating Station in Harris County has been designated as a qualified project under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology & Innovation (JETI) Program. The new, simple cycle 456 MW Natural Gas Facility represents an estimated $360 million NRG capital investment, and “Texas energy powers our state’s booming economy,” said Gov. Abbott.

If anyone still doubts that the Trump Administration is serious about standing up for America’s farmers and ranchers, the latest round of agricultural tariffs should put those doubts to rest. For far too long, our producers have been treated as bargaining chips in a global trade system tilted against them, especially by foreign powers like China, where the playbook has been simple: let America and American consumers take the hit.

President Trump and his cabinet secured a historic achievement. He gave Hamas a "take it or leave it" offer and translated Israel's historic military successes into several diplomatic successes. Now, Hamas is obligated to release all the hostages, living or dead. The release of all hostages has been long overdue, and I pray the families may find some measure of solace as they are reunited with their loved ones. Heidi and I carry their sorrows in our hearts and uplift them in prayer.

Donald Trump has announced one million barrel a day purchases of oil for the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve – or SPR. The price has fallen to $58 a barrel, which is the lowest price in roughly five years. Recall that Prresident Joe Biden pulled about 250 million barrels of precious reserves out to try and fight spiraling oil prices in 2018 and 2019 – which of course was due to his own anti-drilling policies. Meanwhile, China is building up its oil reserves.

People who are protesting and complaining that President Trump is behaving like a dictator apparently skipped history classes or took them at liberal universities where professors have rewritten the subject to conform to their worldview. Mark Levin, who hosts a daily syndicated radio program and weekend programs on Fox News Channel reminded his audience that some who are regarded as some of our best presidents did things far worse than what Trump is accused of doing.

Just as Americans are asked to show identification for far less consequential activities, it's entirely reasonable to require proof of citizenship to participate in our elections," said Sen. Ted Cruz, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Federal Courts, Oversight, Agency Action & Federal Rights, and Cong. Eli Crane (R-AZ) in a bi-cameral effort in support of an America First Legal Foundation petition to require proof of U.S. Citizenship to register for federal elections.

During the cleanup operations, 24 repeat felony offenders were arrested, 48 encampments and over 3,000 pounds of debris were removed – 10 subjects had outstanding warrants. Several were identified in their warrants as being armed and dangerous. One was wanted out of state for "Aggravated Escape from Custody." Additionally, 24 of the subjects arrested were identified as repeat felony offenders. Firearms, drug paraphernalia and more were taken from public areas across Austin.

Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales is urging U.S. Army Leadership to consider not only retaining, but expanding the operational footprint and number of personnel assigned to Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio – known as "Military City, USA" – as part of the proposed merging of U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South into one single "Western Hemisphere Command" in the ideal location to add more personnel and operational bandwidth to ensure success. 

"East Texas has been an energy lifeline for Texas & the Nation since the World Wars, fueling our military victories and sustaining our economy for generations. While oil & gas production here has slowed in recent years, today’s groundbreaking brings hope," said Texas Railroad Comm. Wayne Christian earlier today, joining Select Water Solutions and Mariana Minerals to celebrate the groundbreaking of Texas’ first produced water lithium extraction facility in Joaquin, Texas.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Kendra Briggs was more than understanding with the 15-year-old girl who pepper-sprayed a man as a friend pummeled him, and others in her group tried to steal his car. The perpetrator has had a difficult life, Briggs noted. "I know you are not unfamiliar to trauma... the trauma you've already suffered in life is kind of how you ended up on U Street that day," she said. ​​​​​​​Donald Trump should receive credit for his efforts to break up this system. It makes a mockery of justice.

When CNN says the latest polls show Donald Trump's had an INCREASE in his "Approval Rating," when 65% say Democrats should accept Republicans’ clean, non-partisan bill, when 55% say they're “just trying to please their base,” well, it just might be the case that Democrats are losing their messaging war. By every measure, this Schumer Shutdown is a disaster for Democrats – yet they continue to vote against reopening.

After disasters such as Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Flooding – not to mention unforeseen special projects such as Border Security – the last two decades in Texas have proven the need for specially trained "Surge Forces" that can respond to future emergency needs across Texas. The most recent Special Legislative Session saw at least one initiative passed calling for the Texas State Guard to meet the challenge.