As Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, I’m also proud to say that the NDAA included provisions to accelerate space capabilities that counter Chinese and Russian nuclear arsenals, as well as space surveillance. We must continue to stay one step ahead of our adversaries, equipping the Space Force with everything it needs to advance American interests. Space is the next battleground, and we’re not ignoring it.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today announced the launch of the Local Government Bond, Tax, and Project Transparency Database, an online tool that provides the public with transparent access to current and historical information on local government bonds, voter-approved tax rate elections and related projects statewide. The database also advances the intent of its enabling legislation, House Bill 103, to give Texans clearer insight into how local bond issuances and tax rates impact property tax burdens.

In addition to improving our servicemembers’ pay and quality of life, the bill delivers new capabilities to our warfighters at a faster pace, revitalizes our defense industrial base to improve readiness and boost our economy, and funds the president's Golden Dome, which will protect Americans from modern threats like hypersonic missiles for years to come. I was proud to vote for this bill and ensure our nation is prepared to face — and overcome — the challenges of the 21st century.

Commissioner Sid Miller and the TDA hosted agricultural and epidemiological leaders from Latin America to tackle the threat of the New World screwworm. The two-day visit in Austin, Texas, brought together experts from Mexico, Central America, and the United States to coordinate early detection efforts, strengthen cross-border surveillance, and develop unified livestock protection strategies.

This legislation will lower costs, expand consumer choice, and increase transparency for patients. By establishing Health Freedom Accounts and a Health Freedom Waiver Program, MACA will put health care decisions back where they belong: in the hands of American families, not Washington bureaucrats. This legislation will also provide small businesses with critical tax relief to encourage employer-sponsored coverage and will codify price transparency for patients.

Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) voted to pass the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. House of Representatives. The FY26 NDAA is a must-pass, yearly policy package that outlines the funding provisions for our nation’s defense priorities and military quality of life initiatives. "As a 20-year Navy veteran, taking care of the men and women in our armed services is a top priority for me.”

Governor Greg Abbott, Southwest Airlines, and Austin Mayor Kirk Watson today announced at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) that Southwest will establish a new pilot and flight attendant crew base in Austin. Southwest’s expansion will lay the groundwork for future operational growth in the state and is expected to create 2,000 jobs in Austin by mid-2027. A (TEF) grant of $14 million has been extended to Southwest Airlines. In addition, the company has been offered a $375,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst chaired a hearing last week revealing that federal agencies shoveled out $162 billion in improper payments last year. That's billions with a B. Federal programs that loan out money to "socially and economically disadvantaged businesses" were a rich target for fraudsters, a particular magnet for fraudsters. Scamsters who claimed to be over 115 years old scored loans worth $333 million, including $36,000 to a 157-year-old.

Governor Greg Abbott today celebrated Texas as America’s jobs leader with the largest 12-month jobs gain in the nation based on September employment data. The state also set new records for the number of Texans working, the size of the Texas labor force, and total Texas jobs. Texas reached a new high with the largest labor force ever in the state’s history at 15,879,000.

Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) requested an update from Department of Homeland Security Secretary (DHS), Kristi Noem, on current Coast Guard operations in Venezuela and showed his appreciation for DHS personnel across the agency during the House Committee on Homeland Security hearing on "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland." "I think it'd be important for the American people to get an update on the role Coast Guard played in the Venezuela oil tanker seizure."

The "One Big Beautiful Bill" created a dollar-for-dollar Federal Tax Credit of up to $1,700 a year for individual contributions to a qualified Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). Credits for donations in excess of $1,700 can be carried forward for up to five years - and sudents from families at or below 300% of the Local Median Income Level are eligible to apply to SGOs for scholarships to be used for tuition or other educational expenses at a public or private school.

Cong. Tony Gonzales, Sen. John Cornyn & Cong. August Pfluger are leading members of the Texas Congressional Delegation to galvanize efforts for the State Administrators to work more closely with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services's (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in prioritizing funding from the Working Families Tax Cuts’ $50 billion in Rural Health Transformation Programs for the Lone Star State.

Senators Ted Cruz & Mike Lee (R-Utah), along with their colleagues are calling on President Trump's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin calling to not to move forward with currently outstanding proposals that would reallocate Exempted Renewable Volume Obligations - saying the proposals will shift compliance costs onto oil refineries across the country and undermine the President's American Energy Dominance Agenda.

Texas had a total of 14,343,800 nonfarm jobs after adding 4,600 positions in September. Over the year, the state added 168,000 jobs for an annual nonfarm growth rate of 1.2 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.4 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,879,000 after adding 21,700 people over the month and reaching a new record high level for the series. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 164,000 people.

In collaboration with the Houston Police Department and other Local & Federal Law Enforcement partners, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is placing a renewed focus on repeat offenders who are prone to violent criminal acts. Law enforcement identifies offenders and prioritizes Field Operations to ensure compliance with any court-ordered conditions - and arrested those terrorizing Texas communities.

The hospitals and doctors aren’t the only people ripping off the medical system and causing costs to skyrocket. The states are also bilking Federal Taxpayers out of tens of billions of dollars, as reported last week. No governor is more guilty of this scam than Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Why stop with Minnesota? Any state, Red or Blue, caught defrauding federal taxpayers should be penalized by being cut out of the program.

After an Emergency Meeting of the Leander ISD Board of Trustees last week, one thing became abundantly clear and should be at the forefront of everyone's mind as we continue to navigate the financial challenges facing the District: the Leander Board of Trustees needs to reassert our collective leadership role in the process – and our outgoing Superintendent even said as much. We should take him up on it.

"Veterans make up nearly a quarter of all deaths by suicide. I served in the Navy for 20 years — and I'll always stand with my brothers and sisters to ensure they get the care they've earned in their hour of need,” said Cong. Tony Gonzales. “The bipartisan VA 'Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act' builds upon the VA’s prevention efforts, and it’s on us to fight for them in VA Medical Centers across the country,” said Gonzales and Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee.

American companies are being unfairly penalized for pollution originating outside the United States. We’ve seen how even the mention of a nonattainment designation, like when the Biden EPA threatened to redesignate the Permian Basin, can create significant uncertainty for businesses and communities. These designations delay permits and hurt economic growth, while failing to address the very problem they are trying to solve.

This year's $1 million award - the "Pulitzer Prize for Education Innovation" - went to Chesterton Schools Network (CSN), which has opened 70 affordable classical high schools across the country, stressing a rigorous curriculum, character formation and a love of learning. Chesterton's model is so popular with parents and kids that it is on pace to expand to 150 high schools in states that allow education freedom.