Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) introduced the Curbing Offenses on Policing Services (COPS) Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The COPS Act increases penalties for individuals who assault first responders and law enforcement officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon.

Anti-Trump groups determined to disqualify the leading Republican candidate for president are urging state election officials across the U.S. to remove Donald Trump from the ballot, claiming he's an "insurrectionist." They're citing an arcane clause in the 14th Amendment, written after the Civil War, that disqualifies anyone who "engaged in insurrection" against the United States from holding public office.

“As someone who was raised near the coast and lived in Galveston for over a decade, I'm committed to safeguarding our shoreline and ensuring the stewardship of our coastal lands, habitats, and ecosystems,” said Texas General Land Comm. Dawn Buckingham earlier today, announcing the allocation of $10 million for use to plug orphaned wells in Trinity Bay.

According to a just-released Associated Press-NORC Center Survey, more than 7 in 10 Americans – 77% – now say Joe Biden is too old to effectively serve another term as president. That negative view of Biden’s age is held across all age groups – which is actually a good sign for America. This 77% may be the broad-based building block our nation needs to unite in the future.

A majority of voters believe economic conditions have worsened under Joe Biden, with 52% of "Likely U.S. Voters" saying they believe the economy has gotten worse since he became president, while 31% say the economy has gotten better and 14% believe the U.S. economy is about the same. See the August 29th-31st survey questions here.

“Revenues for Fiscal Year 2023 were ahead of our projections released in January,” said Comptroller Glenn Hegar, announcing that August 2023 State Sales Tax Revenues increased 5.7% over August 2022. Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending August 2023 were up 5.0% from the year earlier. At 57% of all collections, Sales Taxes are the largest source of state funding.

The parents of these brave young Americans gave powerful testimonies on the heartache they've endured after losing their sons and daughters. Despite consistent efforts from the families – and my committee – the Biden White House has held no one accountable for this tragedy, and continues to stonewall Congress by withholding key documents requested by my committee.

Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas National Guard continue to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons & people into Texas, and prevent and stop trans-national criminal activity. To date the effort has led to over 427,600 illegal immigrant apprehensions, and more than 33,800 criminal arrests.

As the workforce in Texas continues to grow at a record-setting pace, the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is moving to ensure that Texans continue to thrive as they progress in their careers by providing training, information, and skills development for long-term success. The Lone Star State continues to enjoy global renown.

There wasn’t a single member of the White House press corps in the Reagan, Bush or Trump eras who weren’t adversarial. That’s how it should be – yet there've been dozens of Hunter Biden revelations, with few questions and no follow-ups or independent investigations. No one's even asked why the President’s family set up more LLCs than most small towns have.

For several years top Republican leaders – both here in Texas and across the nation – have urged businesses to move away from being so overtly focused on the so-called Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) topics. Now, a new report provides proof Wall Street firms are starting to change their behavior – and its no stretch to say these developments are something Texas’ Republican legislators can take credit for.

“Texas stands with Law Enforcement & Firefighters bravely and selflessly responding to the wildfire tragedy on Maui, and I encourage 1st Responders there to reach out through the Texas Law Enforcement Peer Network and speak with a fellow first responder who can help share the burden,” said Governor Greg Abbott, announcing that Texas is offering free virtual peer-to-peer counseling services in response.

The Texas Tuition Promise Fund offers parents & loved ones the chance to prepay for a child's future tuition, and some fees at Texas public colleges and universities at today's prices, excluding medical and dental schools. To celebrate the plan's birthday, the $25 application fee to enroll in the plan will be waived for September and October 2023. (Enrollment must be postmarked by Oct. 31, 2023.)

“Judge John Kazen was recommended though our bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee. Based on that assessment, my own review, and Judge Kazen’s experience in private practice and on the bench, I recommended him to the White House for nomination to this federal seat in Laredo," said Sen. Cruz. "I'm confident he'll continue his father’s tremendous legacy once he is confirmed," said Sen. Cornyn.

Joe Biden repeatedly lied when he said he knew nothing of son Hunter's influence-peddling businesses. He prevaricated that he had no involvement in Hunter's various shake-down schemes. And, the media continues to misinform by serially ignoring these facts. Had journalists just been honest and independent, then-candidate Joe Biden might have lost a presidential debate – and even the 2020 Election.

It will be the first time a sitting U.S. President will not attend any of the observances commemorating the tragedies of 9/11 at the historical sites of New York City, Pennsylvania, or at the Pentagon in Virginia just across the Potomac from Washington, D.C. Mr. Biden will skip the 9/11 Anniversary at those locations, and will instead observe the 22nd Anniversary of the nation's worst terrorist attack while at a military base in Alaska.

“In Corpus Christi and in the Panhandle, farmers and ranchers told us the same story — under Joe Biden we’ve seen the highest inflation in 40 years, which is making feed, fertilizer, diesel and equipment more and more expensive," said Sen. Ted Cruz, as he and the Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture & Nutrition Committee, John Boozman, met with Texas agricultural leaders about the upcoming Farm Bill.

Reentering the workforce can be a challenge for individuals who have been incarcerated. Time away from the labor market and a criminal record can be barriers to employment – yet many employers are facing labor shortages exacerbated by the tremendous economic growth Texas is experiencing. As a result, the Texas Workforce Commission is hosting its "Growth through Reentry to Advance Careers & Employment" (GRACE) Conference.