Following reports this week that more than 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment , U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Friday appeared on Fox Business’ “Varney & Co.” and Fox News’ “The Daily Briefing,” to talk about his priorities for re-opening the economy and safely getting the American people back to work. Excerpts of Sen. Cruz’s interviews are below.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has established six Senate working groups to discuss challenges the state will face in the next legislative session as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Price gouging laws apply to any person or entity selling necessities, such as food, at an exorbitant or excessive price after a disaster has been declared by the Governor or the President.

The need for SNAP recipients to utilize online grocery delivery has never been more important because of the impact of COVID-19.

The funds will be used to support programs and services administered by the state’s 28 Area Agencies on Aging such as home delivered meals, help with household chores, assistance with groceries, and respite care or other services for family caregivers.

Rep. Brooks Landgraf is communicating with Governor Greg Abbott about ideas he has received from West Texans on how to reopen businesses and get back to work safely amid the Coronavirus outbreak.

 The district court’s injunction imposed limits on the transfer of inmates, required unrestricted access to face masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies for each inmate, and imposed a plan for testing every single inmate for COVID-19.

The WH Task Force will advise and address the question of when our country should reopen the economy, a three-phase plan which will act as guidelines aimed at softening restrictions.

Men and women in law enforcement risk their lives every day as they continue to heroically serve the public during these trying times. They were told that hardened criminals would be released because they feared COVID-19 in prison and are now being told to criminalize anyone caught without wearing a mask.” 

Governor Abbott’s Executive Order GA-16 on religious services recommends strategies for houses of worship to effectively slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) while serving their respective communities of faith.  

Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the 2020 Family Land Heritage application deadline has been extended to July 1, 2020.

RRC continues discussion on the issue of proration, ongoing relief initiatives of the agency, and the formation of a Blue Ribbon Task Force for oil economic recovery.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today applauded the ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which once again upheld Gov. Greg Abbott’s Executive Order GA-09.

The public health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the subsequent economic and energy crises, have been especially devastating for energy producers and blue collar workers in Texas.

These funds come from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program authorized by the federal Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations Act.

Texas Secretary of State Ruth Hughs convened via video conference the second Border Trade Advisory Committee (BTAC) meeting of 2020, bringing together stakeholders from throughout the Texas-Mexico border region.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is urging Texans to shop online or practice strict social distancing measures for in-store purchases during the sales tax holiday for emergency preparation supplies.

Governor's Small Business Webinar Series provides Texas small business owners and entrepreneurs with timely, relevant, and actionable information on COVID-19 recovery resources.