The U.S House passed bipartisan legislation earlier today naming the interstate highway-designated segments of West Texas' Ports-to-Plains Corridor as “Interstate Route 27” after Congressmen Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28,) and Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) successfully pushed companion bills through the House. The bill must now return to the Senate before heading to the President’s desk.

Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people into Texas, and preventing and interdicting trans-national criminal activity between the Official U.S. Ports of Entry. To date Texas has bused over 25,900 Illegal Immigrants to New York City, more than 21,000 to Chicago, and 12,500+ to Washington, D.C. since August 2022.

Veterans Land Board Chairwoman, and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the 2023 Holiday Wreath Laying Ceremony Locations for the Abilene, Corpus Christi, and Mission, Texas State Veterans Cemeteries on Saturday, December 16th. This year, the VLB is working with Wreaths Across America at three VLB Cemeteries to ensure all of our Veterans and their family members are honored and remembered.

Green groups are supposed to be about keeping our rivers, lakes and streams clean. They are supposed to be about fighting litter and keeping toxic chemicals out of the air. Their job is to maintain the beauty of our national parks and save elephants and tigers. Not anymore. The New York Times recently reported in a disturbing headline: "Environmental Groups Cut Programs as Funding Shifts to Climate Change."

It's well known that Iran is the largest state-sponsor of terrorism, and it was no accident that Hamas’ evil attack on Israel shortly followed President Biden’s decision to unfreeze $6 Billion in Iranian assets on September 11th. What's even more unacceptable, the Biden White House chose to unfreeze an additional $10 billion in assets for Iran after the attack. Last week, my amendment strengthening the "No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act" passed the House of Representatives.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today said state sales tax revenue totaled $4.1 billion in November, 3.7% more than in November 2022. And, total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in November 2023 was up 2.1% compared with the same period a year ago. Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 57% of all tax collections.

This past week, the House passed my "No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act," blocking the $6 billion from going to Iran – the most consequential thing we can do to stop their financing of vile operations globally. President Biden and many Congressional Democrats want the world to believe this money can only be used for "humanitarian purposes" – however, Iran's president has stated otherwise, bragging his regime would spend it "wherever we need it."

Governor Greg Abbott today announced the next 2023 Governor’s Small Business Summit, honoring women small business owners, will be held in Houston on Thursday, December 7. The Governor’s Small Business Summits aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs reach new heights by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen, and grow a business.

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.