During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last week, I questioned Homeland Security Sect. Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray about the global threats the U.S. homeland has opened itself up to thanks to Joe Biden's open borders disaster – and demanded answers about detainees on "The Terrorist Watchlists." Both openly admitted there are known or suspected terrorists who've crossed the southern border – and have not been detained. This is an unacceptable threat to the safety of each and every American.
Governor Greg Abbott celebrated new graduates joining the most elite law enforcement agency in the nation at the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Recruit Class B-2023 Graduation Ceremony in Austin. During his keynote address, the Governor congratulated the 94 graduate troopers on completing a rigorous 30-week training program and thanked them for answering the call to serve and protect their fellow Texans.
“Texas has been forced to develop new solutions after the federal government abdicated enforcement – and even weaponized immigration law to intensify surges at the border to historic levels of unvetted foreign aliens,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton, fulfilling his obligation to give written notice of Texas' new law to the "commanding authority" after Border Patrol Agents were given the power to enforce State Felony Offenses at Port of Entry or Border Patrol Traffic Checkpoints.
The Biden-Mayorkas strategy isn’t working. Customs & Border Protection continues to encounter alien criminals who've been previously convicted of crimes like sexual assault, theft, and murder. Just a few days ago Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens said his agents have been arresting an average of 47 aliens with “serious criminal histories” per day this year. Local Law Enforcement is seeing the same, too. And the costs of every one of these crimes and arrests, falls on taxpayers.
As the 1st Family again sought to keep the president's Monday birthday muted and out-of-sight this year, the moment nevertheless highlights his greatest liability – his advanced age and voters ever growing concern that his declining physical & mental health isn't up to the responsibilities of being president. As he addressed the Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Pardon this morning, Biden confused pop stars Britney Spears & Taylor Swift, saying it was Britney who was currently on a South America "Eras" tour.
“I'm proud to be with President Trump today to thank the 1,000s of Texas National Guard soldiers & DPS Troopers who are stationed along the border for Operation Lone Star to respond to President Biden’s border crisis," said Gov. Greg Abbott, as he and the 45th President thanked and served meals to over 240 Texas National Guard soldiers, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers, and other service members stationed on the border in Edinburg over Thanksgiving.
October marked the highest number of migrant encounters for any October on record. These record numbers prove what Texans already know: The crisis at our border is unsustainable and pose a serious threat to our homeland. I will not be silent when it is clear the Biden administration's failed open-border policies — and Secretary Mayorkas' dereliction of duty — have created the worst border crisis I've ever seen.
Commissioner Christian sent a letter in early November encouraging the SBOE board to adopt curriculum that would include the benefits of Texas oil and natural gas production. The Texas State Board of Education voted on its Proclamation 2024 which determines the types of textbooks and materials students will use in the 2024-2025 school year. Following the SBOE’s actions, Texas Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian applauded the outcome.
Ballots have been tallied from election day and voters have made it clear— state parks matter to the people of Texas. Proposition 14, which creates the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, passed with overwhelming support from Texas voters. The fund is made from a portion of state budget surplus and creates a dedicated funding stream for acquiring and developing state parks.
Proportionality in war is a synonym for lethal stalemate – if not defeat. When two sides go at it with roughly equal forces, weapons, and strategies, the result is often a horrific deadlock – like the four years of toxic trench warfare on the Western Front of World War I that resulted in 12 million fatalities. The purpose of war is to defeat the enemy as quickly as possible – with the least number of causalities, thereby achieving political ends.
“When I was a senator, it was hard building support to increase the Homestead Exemption. I had allies as a Senator, but not enough to move the needle. When I became Lt. Governor in 2015 – and Sen. Bettencourt took my spot – our army in the Texas Senate quickly grew. We've made good progress since then, but never before did we have the budget surplus funds we did this year," said Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “What's next? I'm never getting off the bus for lower property taxes.”
"I have long said that educating our children is the most important thing we do," said Texas Land Commissioner & Texas Permanent School Fund (PSF) Corp. Board Member Dawn Buckingham earlier today, highlighting that with over $55 billion, the PSF is essential to supporting public education in the Lone Star State. It is the largest fund of its kind in the nation, and the corporation's board has just named Bob Borden as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The Lone Star State’s civilian labor force reached a new record high of 15,162,100 – after growing by 20,900 people over the month in October. This marked the 10th consecutive monthly increase, and included the addition of 21,100 Texans employed over the month. The state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%. “The Texas economy continues to grow, and there are nearly 480,000 job listings for individuals with the right skills,” said Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel.
When the massive Univision Hispanic TV Network recently announced it would be doing an extensive interview with Donald Trump, the Biden Campaign moved to run political ads during the broadcast – but the network refused. One Democrat National Committee member revealed the palpable panic: “The new ownership is essentially co-opting and kidnapping the soul & mission of what Univision has been,” they said. That "Soul & Mission" was – apparently – full dedication to Democrats alone. The reality is shaking Democrats.
No issue threatens to break Joe Biden's already fragile coalition apart within the Democrat Party. The strife within Democrat National Party Headquarters saw nearly 20% of the DNC's 300-odd employees sign a letter demanding a "ceasefire." A junior State Dept. Foreign Officer sent a massive internal email to organize a "dissent cable" to Biden's Israel policy – and some are threatening to leave the party.
The Associated Press recently told its reporters not to call Hamas fighters “terrorists” – after they massacred civilians, raped women, and took a couple 100 hostages from Israel on Oct. 7th. Americans were, and still are among those hostages. According to the AP, these fighters are to be called “militants,” because “terrorist” has “become politicized.” But there's nothing “politicized” in recognizing that Hamas intentionally targeted civilians, and mowed down unarmed participants at a Peace Concert. They burned civilians alive in their homes.
"We implore you to reverse course and recommit to a strong campaign of diplomatic and economic pressure to hasten transition to a democratic government in Venezuela. Failure to do so only benefits the Maduro regime, and its strategic partners China, Russia, and Iran," said Sens. Ted Cruz & Jim Risch (R-ID,) who along with six other Senate Republicans called on President Biden to reverse his easing of economic pressures ahead of Venezuelan elections in 2024.
On the two-year anniversary of President Biden signing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Cong. Henry Cuellar announced over $1.2 billion in federal funding for South Texas. The landmark law is providing critical funding for South Texas' roads, broadband, water systems, airports, and legacy pollution cleanup. As the projects improve the area's quality of life and create good-paying jobs, "I'll continue to fight to improve our infrastructure,” said the Congressman.
