“Enough is enough. The tragic death of Jocelyn Nungaray was entirely preventable. The two illegal aliens suspected of assaulting & murdering her were released by the Biden White House – despite ICE detention beds being available," said Sen. Cruz. The "Justice for Jocelyn Act" would crack down on Joe Biden's “Alternative to Detention” practice in the Dept. of Homeland Security by requiring every ICE detention bed to be filled – and if filled, would require the Secretary of DHS to exhaust all reasonable efforts to keep an alien in custody.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a major victory, blocking the Biden White House’s unlawful and indefinite ban on approving applications to export liquified natural gas (“LNG”) while the lawsuit continues. Texas is the nation’s leading producer of both crude oil and natural gas, meaning the Biden Administration’s ban stood to harm the Texas economy severely – as well as those who rely on Texas energy.
President Joe Biden is incapable of governing. Americans can see it, and perilously our adversaries can too. The U.S. Constitution spells out a remedy in the 25th Amendment. But a constitution is just a piece of paper, only as good as the people who have taken an oath to live by it. The 25th Amendment says a president unable to serve can either voluntarily transfer authority to the Vice President or be removed at the instigation of the Vice President.
Driven in large part by the increasing concerns among his own party's Democrat Voters, just 37% of U.S. "Registered Voters" now say they believe that Joe Biden is "mentally fit" – down from an already low 42% prior to his debate performance with Donald Trump – and voter's perceptions of Biden’s age and physical fitness have also hit record lows according to the most recent Morning Consult Weekly Tracking Poll. Since the debate, American's perception of whether Biden is in "good health" fell from 41% to 35% among All Voters.
Governor Greg Abbott today delivered remarks at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea while in Seoul on the second day of a three-nation economic development mission to Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. The special Texas evening reception was hosted by the U.S. Embassy at the Ambassador’s residence in Seoul and attended by invited dignitaries and business leaders from South Korea.
Acting Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement today following his press conference with TDEM Chief Nim Kidd: “As Hurricane Beryl passes through Texas, the state’s efforts have switched from preparedness to response, and in some areas are quickly moving into recovery. Texas has assets deployed throughout the Coastal Bend, the Houston area, and Deep East Texas, and they will work diligently to assist their fellow Texans.
The agency has launched State Tracking and Reporting (LoneSTAR), a project that further improves efficiencies at the agency to save time and resources for oil and gas operators as well as RRC staff. The first LoneSTAR release allows operators to make online filings for Form P-5, which are required to become, or renew as, an oil or gas operator or pipeline operator. P-5s are required in order to operate in Texas.
The House Appropriations Committee has included crucial funding for our beloved Southeast Texas in the fiscal year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations bills. While these projects have been approved by the full committee, we're still awaiting the final passage by the full House of Representatives. Here's a sneak peek at what’s in store for us.
When asked repeatedly and in different ways if he would take an independent Neurological Exam, Joe Biden refused – claiming he is mentally fit and doesn't need a test because he's tested "every day." He even went so far as to say over the 4th of July Weekend that his test is "running the world." Well, the world is in bad shape, and that pretty much sums up the concerns of an increasing number of Democrats. And it's not just his mental state, but his policies as well.
Acting Governor Dan Patrick urged Texans to make final preparations and announced that he has added 81 counties to the state’s Hurricane Beryl Disaster Declaration as storm forecasts have shifted the expected landfall north and east of previous projections. This brings the total number of Texas counties included in the state’s disaster declaration to 121 counties. Upon updating the disaster declaration, Acting Governor Patrick issued the following statement
Governor Abbott and President Lai explored opportunities for Texas and Taiwan to work together to strengthen trade relations and investment in critical economic drivers like the semiconductor, energy, and electric vehicle manufacturing industries. The Governor also highlighted the countless economic opportunities Texas offers companies from across the globe, including a highly skilled workforce, low taxes, and the best business climate in the United States.
The use and production of natural gas has resulted in billions of dollars being available to fund schools, road and other basic needs, is the dominant reason for declining CO2 emissions in the power sector and is one of the most affordable energy sources available. Every family has benefited from a robust natural gas sector and LNG exports play an ever-growing role in a stronger Texas and America."
In February 2023, the Department of Defense issued a memorandum prohibiting uniformed Service Members from participating in the unfurling of large flags at sporting events because those flags are often unfurled and displayed horizontally. The U.S. Flag Code prohibits carrying the American flag horizontally. Sen. Ted Cruz's "Updating National Flag Use to Reaffirm Liberty" (UNFURL) Act would amend the U.S. Flag Code and rescind the DOD's policy at sporting events & patriotic observances.
During a recent briefing from the White House press room, the president’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, denounced videos putting President Biden in an unflattering light as “cheap fakes” and “misinformation.” These entertaining videos – which certainly do not show the president in the most favorable light – will undoubtedly be the topic of debates by the pundit class during this year’s presidential election.
In recent testimony before the Senate Business and Commerce committee, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas testified that Texas may need 150,000 megawatts of power to power our grid by 2030. That is only six years away. Currently, Texas typically has approximately 85,000 megawatts of power available counting wind, solar, coal, nuclear, and natural gas. If the new estimate is correct, the updated numbers provided by Mr. Vegas call for an immediate review of all policies concerning the grid.
Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted for the final passage of three Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations bills in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Gonzales is a member of the House Appropriations Committee and helped craft H.R. 8774, the Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025, H.R. 8752, the Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025, and H.R. 8771, the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025.
American families are fed up with the Biden Administration’s consistent refusals to address the crisis at our southern border and the risks it poses to our national security. Thankfully, House Republicans are taking action. We passed legislation that counters President Biden’s border crisis by providing $600 million for the construction of the border wall, investing in border security technology, forcing Secretary Mayorkas to adhere to U.S. border laws, and supporting 22,000 Border Patrol agents.
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today said state sales tax revenue totaled $3.94 billion in June, 0.4 percent more than in June 2023. Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in June 2024 was up 0.5 percent compared with the same period a year ago. Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 57 percent of all tax collections.
