As a former fighter pilot who's served in many different theaters abroad, I spent my entire military career looking at the threats facing the United States — specifically foreign terrorists. Now, as Chair of the Counter-Terrorism, Law Enforcement & Intelligence Subcommittee, I'll be focusing on the real threats facing our country to keep our communities safe. It's an honor to have been selected to serve.

“This rule was a targeted attempt to implement an unlawful, top-down federal approach aimed at advancing a Radical Environmentalist Agenda... This isn’t going to fly in Texas,” said Att. Gen. Ken Paxton, issuing a required "Notice of Intent” to the Biden White House in order to begin suing both the Interior Department and U.S. Fish & Wildlife. “I'll not tolerate Biden’s efforts to run roughshod over Texans property rights."

"We cannot allow far-left bureaucrats in the Executive Branch to get away with pressuring financial institutions to punish their customers who don't fall in line with the left’s political whims," said Sen. Ted Cruz, re-introducing his bill to prohibit regulators from using coercion and influence to force banking institutions to terminate their relationships with upstanding legal businesses simply because of the business they are in – such as Oil & Gas.

Due to federal legislation passed by Congress, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will no longer receive additional COVID-related "emergency" benefits after the month of February. While Gov. Abbott just announced Texas Health & Human Services has over $345.9 million in Emergency SNAP food benefits for February, SNAP households should log into their YourTexasBenefits.com account or use the mobile app to find out how much their regular monthly benefit amounts will be without the emergency allotment.

While these existing airports, and other potential future airports, qualify as ports of entry under the CBP’s criteria through their association with the nearest land border crossing, they have not received this designation­—resulting in increased costs for these airports and travelers who fly in and out of these airports.

Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department 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 prevent, detect, and interdict transnational criminal behavior between ports of entry.

We can not continue to allow the Administration to expand this federal overreach and prolong the government’s reckless spending of taxpayer dollars, all in the name of COVID.

Attorney General Paxton has joined a multistate letter sent to Commissioner Califf of the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) after the FDA made radical changes to its policy regarding specific abortion drugs. Previously, the FDA had imposed restrictions on certain abortion-inducing drugs, including mifepristone.

"We will pay our creditors and protect the good faith and credit of the United States. However, we will not let politicians bankrupt this country and destroy our children’s future. We cannot issue new credit cards until Democrats agree to spending constraints and fiscal reforms," said new House Budget Committee Chair and Lubbock Congressman Jodey Arrington. "I encourage my Democrat colleagues to move beyond the alarmist rhetoric."

“I was proud to work with John Cornyn and our bipartisan Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee to recommend Damien Diggs to serve as a U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas. Once confirmed, Damien will be the first African-American U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, he's a skilled prosecutor and community leader, and his nomination sends a strong, positive message,” said Senator Ted Cruz.

“No one knows better how a child can flourish than their parents. Our job as leaders of Texas, is to provide the best education possible for our children,” said Governor Abbott. “Hundreds of thousands of people move to Texas every year because of the freedom and opportunity that Texas provides. Parents know that same freedom and opportunity should apply to their children’s education," said Abbott.

Governor Greg Abbott provided an update on the State of Texas' response to severe winter weather conditions impacting large portions of Texas this week following a briefing at the State Operations Center in Austin. Texans in the North, West, and Central regions of the state should prepare for continued freezing cold temperatures, wind-chills, freezing rain, sleet, and icing conditions today through Thursday.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) reintroduced the Energy Freedom Act, in order to make America energy secure again by accelerating federal permitting for energy projects and pipelines, mandating new onshore and offshore oil and gas lease sales, approving pending liquified natural gas (LNG) export licenses, and generally speeding up solar, wind, and geothermal development.

The Railroad Commission of Texas’ preparations for Winter Storm Mara began well ahead of time as we began tracking the approaching weather last week; activated the RRC Emergency Management Team on Sunday; and also issued a notice to operators on Sunday on the incoming impact to the state.  

In response to the number of opioid-related drug deaths stemming from prescription misuse over the course of the last 20 years, Texas and 13 other states filed a lawsuit against several pharmaceutical companies for their role in causing the opioid crisis. As a result, Texas will receive an anticipated $1.6 billion over the next 18 years from six different companies through settlement agreements.

"As an award-winning Border Patrol Agent with decades of Federal Law Enforcement & Border Security experience, Mike Banks is the perfect choice to oversee Texas' fight against the surge of illegal immigration, lethal drugs, and deadly weapons flowing into our state and our nation," said Gov. Greg Abbott from a border wall construction site on the Texas border, announcing the new position of Texas Border Czar.

Like any true patriot, I believe this country is the home of the free because of the brave. We owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our Service Members & Veterans. As the only program of its kind in the U.S., the Texas Veterans Land Board stands as a model to the nation, providing low interest loans to our veterans who want to buy a house, buy land or renovate their home.

In the first Budget Bill filed by incoming Senate Finance Chair and Houston Senator Joan Huffman, homeowners could see a $70,000 Homestead Exemption for the taxable value on their homes, up from the current $40,000. Though just a first draft, "We have an obligation to the people of Texas to continue our state's incredible trajectory to keep Texas as the best place to live, work, and raise a family," said Huffman.

Continuing to fill the gaps left by Joe Biden's refusal to secure the border, updated Operation Lone Star figures now show the multi-agency effort has led to over 345,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions, and more than 24,000 criminal arrests – including over 21,000 felony charges. DPS has seized an unbelievable 356+ million lethal doses of fentanyl during the mission, which would have otherwise made their way into communities across Texas.

Following a series of flooding, winter freezes and other natural disasters, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is alerting Texans to be cautious of scammers who try to take advantage of consumers in the wake of recent severe weather. The personal, emotional, and financial hardship of dealing with severe weather can be devastating, and can be compounded as Texans try to rebuild.