Our business today is to consider two bills. The first I’ll discuss is H.R. 734, the 'Protection of Women and Girls In Sports Act of 2023.' Our second measure , H.J. Res. 42, would disapprove of the 'Comprehensive Policing & Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022,' another radical piece of legislation that will make it harder for the District of Columbia to recruit and retain police officers at a time when crime is skyrocketing.

Every schoolkid in America knows – or at least used to know – that the United States has three branches of government. At least that's what the textbooks say. In reality, today we have four branches... because Congress, the legislative branch, has for decades delegated lawmaking authority to an unconstitutional 4th branch of government: Independent Regulatory Agencies. By some estimates, there are more than 300 of them sticking their noses into every aspect of American life.

"The Texas Senate has allocated over $4 billion in its base budget to continue 'Operation Lone Star,' but more must be done to secure our border and keep Texans safe. Senator Birdwell's bill creates a new state crime for entering Texas illegally, and will allow Texas to take matters into our own hands. This makes it abundantly clear – to all who enter illegally, Texas is serious about enforcing our border."

"This session, we will pass this school choice program while at the same time provide more funding than ever before for public education,” said Gov. Greg Abbott during a Parent Empowerment Night in San Antonio, championing his support while highlighting other state's successes from implementing such efforts. Abbott also discussed how public schools will remain fully funded in Texas as school choice expands.

“You only have to see that Harris County filed suit in Travis County to BLOCK the release of the November 8th Election Records that the Texas Attorney General ordered released to see why we need SB 1039 passed by the Texas House too!" said Senator Paul Bettencourt. "These dramatically increased penalties are a direct result of Harris County Elections Officials flagrantly flouting the law, refusing to tell the public what truly happened.”

With the severe weather season upon us, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding Texans that they can purchase certain items tax-free during the state’s sales tax holiday for emergency preparation supplies, which begins at 12:01 a.m. this Saturday and ends at midnight Monday, April 24th. "Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Take the time now to get prepared,” Hegar says. Here's a list of some of the items that are covered.

A Wall Street Journal Poll just revealed a deeply troubling trend for those of us who believe in the traditional values that shaped America's founding and our national character. It shows a significant decline in the importance of Patriotism, Religious Faith & Family Values. This disintegration can be traced to the woke left's relentless attack on the "American Way" and pushing for radical change in the name of diversity & inclusion.

There's been a real & actual "assault on democracy" in Tennessee the past 10 days, and it appears that nothing says "democracy" to Democrats like a bullhorn and obstructing legislative work on the floor of the House of Delegates there. The Left's rising rhetoric over the expulsion of 2 Tennessee legislators perfectly captures Democrat's amplified rage & fear. Expect more of it in the future: Welcome to Politics BYOB – Bring Your Own Bullhorn.

In the states that have legalized sports and online gambling or betting, authorities report that when the presence of wagering and gambling are introduced, a "sort of addiction pandemic" quickly occurs – as does the need for "Addiction Services" and numerous other state-provided and expensive Social Services, which typically skyrocket and become an issue as gambling is allowed to expand.

“Main Street America is signaling inflation is still their top concern, and with rising interest rates and an increasingly uncertain credit environment they see no relief in sight," said Texas Cong. Roger Williams – who serves as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee – following the release of the latest inflation and Consumer Price Index (CPI) Report. The index for shelter was by far the largest contributor to the increase.

This is bad. Its bad such a baffling Pentagon leak of Classified U.S. Intelligence Documents could somehow appear on social media, its bad how its swiftly unfurling into a significant debacle for Mr. Biden and his White House as he travels to Ireland, and its bad that the U.S.'s assessment of Ukraine’s abilities are so modest or grim. Its also bad that apparently lots of foreign-policy experts have doubts about the administration, but are afraid to say so publicly.

For decades, Texas has been the envy of virtually every other state because of our phenomenal job growth and friendly economic policies that make our economy the unparalleled example of success. That's why Texas just won Site Selection Magazine's "Governor’s Cup" for an 11th straight year – but Texas has recently been disarmed in the battle between states for jobs, and that needs to change.

We are now on to a brand new round of Victims: The Democrat politician who's thrown out of office for breaking the rules of the chamber in which they serve. They have quickly supplanted the real victims of Nashville's Covenant School massacre that left six dead, including three children. Kamala Harris even made a hastily-arranged Good Friday trip to Tennessee to give an angry, partisan sermon attacking Republicans – she couldn't be bothered to meet with the families slaughtered by a trans shooter.

After the Texas House General Investigating Committee received a formal complaint that State Rep. Brian Slaton has had an inappropriate relationship with an intern, some of his fellow State Legislators are saying enough is enough. Tweeted one earlier this morning: "What’s most troubling about the events of this story is that his behavior appears to be predatory. He needs to resign. Now!"

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, over 363,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions – including more than 26,000 criminal arrests with over 24,000 felony charges, have occurred. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 380 million lethal doses during the mission. "The historic levels of fentanyl flooding across our border is the single deadliest drug threat Texas and our nation have ever seen," said Gov. Abbott.

As we face the generational threat of the Chinese Communist Party, the United States must strengthen its relationships with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. That's why I led a bi-partisan Congressional trip to the region & Taiwan last week. Throughout our visit, the Chinese Communists escalated aggression in the Taiwan Strait and sent our delegation intimidating messages – but we will not back down.

A "rendition" is a list of the taxable inventory, furniture & fixtures, machinery, equipment and other property owned or managed as of Jan. 1st each year. An appraisal district may use the information to set property values. Owners whose property has been damaged by storm, flood or fire during the last year may file a Special Decreased Value Report, which indicates the property’s condition as of Jan. 1, 2023.

"The Senate’s grid reform package levels the playing field between Dispatchable & Renewable Energy sources by elevating dispatchable energy to put ratepayers first," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick today, after passage of the Texas Senate’s bills. “Since Winter Storm Uri, I've been abundantly clear we must bring new dispatchable generation (primarily new natural gas plants) online to make sure Texans have power under any circumstance."