There was a time when the United States' Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense – along with administrations that they served under – were respected. But for three years our current administration, the State Department, and the Department of Defense have become a laughingstock. The inarguably disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the current advice they have for Israel, demonstrates that not much has been learned in the last three years.
The newest Gallup Poll paints a bleak picture for Joe Biden – his support from Independents has plummeted 8% in just the past month as conflicts in the Middle East escalated. In September, Gallup said 41% of Americans identify as "Independent" – compared to 28% who identify as Republican, and 28% who identify as Democrat. By a few percentage-points, Democrats and those leaning Democrat typically outnumber Republicans and those leaning Republican – but that advantage has evaporated for Biden.
Thankfully, many Texas employers offer Health Care Coverage options like discounted prescriptions at certain more-affordable pharmacies. Patients like having those choices: in fact, a recent poll shows that more than 70% of Texas voters would rather go to a specific pharmacy if it meant having access to more affordable prescription drugs. Meanwhile, big drug companies continue to raise prescription drug prices – without any accountability.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement after the passage of Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz’s (R-Texas) resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives highlighting that Texas farmers are experiencing acute water shortages and supporting diplomacy to ensure that Mexico fulfills its treaty obligations to provide annual deliveries of water.
According to the National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms moving across the state tomorrow could bring a slight to enhanced risk of tornadoes with additional threats – including damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding to the eastern half of Texas. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has placed state emergency response resources on standby to support severe weather response operations if needed.
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is encouraging Texans to vote for the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center as the "Best New Attraction in America" in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. The Alamo Exhibit has been nominated for this prestigious award, which not only recognizes incredible attractions and businesses, but also provides the locations as recommendations to readers for future experiences.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today he has completed the transfer of about $3.06 billion into the State Highway Fund (SHF) and $5.46 billion to the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF; commonly known as the “Rainy Day Fund”). The Rainy Day Fund, which normally receives the same amount as the SHF, received $2.41 billion more because of the general revenue (GR) surplus at the end of fiscal 2023.
The "rules of war" are violated by Hamas daily. International protocols require combatants to not to blend in with civilians, not to use them as shields, not to murder non-combatants, not to rape them, not to mutilate them, not to execute civilians without trial, and to wear uniforms. Why, then, would millions ally themselves with this odious reincarnation of the SS? Are they ignorant of the history of the Middle East? Are they arrogant – since few challenge their hate and threats?
On Feb. 5th, 2021, Joe Biden lifted terrorism-related sanctions on the Iranian-controlled Houthis and three of their leaders. "Now the Houthis and other Iranian-controlled terrorists are openly and routinely attacking the United States and our allies – but the Biden White House refuses to reverse its decision," said Sen. Ted Cruz, reintroducing his legislation to impose terrorism-based sanctions as acts of violence continue to escalate in the Middle East.
U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), along with other members of the House Appropriations Committee, participated in a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Antarctica to witness the ongoing research activities being carried out by American scientists and servicemembers.
Governor Greg Abbott skydived with 106-year-old World War II veteran Al Blaschke at Skydive Spaceland San Marcos to honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans. The Governor and Mr. Blaschke were flown in a de Havilland DHC-6-200-Twin Otter aircraft and jumped at 8,500 feet. This was Governor Abbott's first skydiving jump.
“The Texas oil & natural gas industry's doing its part to ensure that no matter the weather, we're winter ready – but we urge all Texans and Texas industries to be prepared as well,” said Texas Oil & Gas Association president Todd Staples. "Texas produces more than enough natural gas to meet our needs here at home, but we can't operate without electricity" Staples said, as Oil & Natural Gas Operators across the state have been preparing months in advance for cold weather.
With New Yorkers complaining about Mayor Eric Adams's announced cuts to Police Protection and Sanitation, he's saying, "Don't yell at me – yell at D.C." He's trying to shift the blame to Joe Biden and the Democrats' open-borders policies. But don't fall for it. The surge of Illegal Immigrants inundating New York accounts for less than half (42%) of the city's looming fiscal crisis, and Adams is proposing to shrink New York City Police Force to its lowest level since the 1990s.
An increasing chorus of Democrats fear that Joe Biden's current standing with the American Electorate has the potential to reshape the Democrat vs. Republican alignment for years to come. And a wide array of polls have recently shown that both Latino & Black "Working-Class Voters" are now shifting toward the Republican Party in rejection of Democrat's “woke” ideology on Crime, Immigration and LGBTQ rights. One year from Election Day, what exactly is driving their move to the GOP?
"I keep hearing from many in education – teachers' associations, the media, those who oppose parental choice (for school children) – that Texas greatly underfunds education, or that school choice would take money away from public education. Neither is true. Texas spends about 50% of our entire budget on public & higher education. That's one out of every two dollars. Some who voted against school choice attended private schools, or send their kids or grandkids to them."
Congressional District 23, which I represent, spans more than 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico Border – stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. Crime and violence are unfortunate common denominators that I hear about time and time again, and whether in urban areas, rural towns, or along the border, there's a sense that crime is on the rise and that Law Enforcement is stretched too thin. That's why I’ve been laser-focused on working with Local, State & Federal Officials to "Back the Blue" in San Antonio.
Consider a hypothetical proposal for the Federal Government to spend $100 billion in a year. It could be to help secure the border, or it could be anything. That sounds large — and it is large. So, what would that $100 billion cost the "Average" U.S. Family? In the United States there are approximately 131 million households – and, you might not think that you're "average," either. But there’s a lesson here: If you want to make a good case, tell people what the spending will cost an "average" family.
I’ll put this out there right off: the American Dream is not dead! What is dead, however, is most people’s idea of what that phrase means. The Wall Street Journals just wrote, “The American Dream — the proposition that anyone who works hard can get ahead regardless of their background — has slipped out of reach in the minds of many Americans.” So, we need an intervention... someone who embodies that dream to virtually smack us across the face with a dead fish to wake us up, because the Dream is not guaranteed.
