It is with a heavy heart that I write to you about the horrific attack on two members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C. Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were ambushed while serving our nation, standing watch to protect our capital. Tragically, Sarah lost her life in this horrific act of violence, and Andrew remains in critical condition, fighting for his life. These are young patriots who volunteered to serve and protect the American people.

Governor Greg Abbott reappointed Theresa Chang and Karen Partee to the Texas Commission on the Arts for terms set to expire on August 31, 2031. The Commission fosters the development of a receptive climate for the arts that will culturally enrich and benefit state citizens in their daily lives and attract outstanding artists to become state residents.

Governor Greg Abbott announced that a Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) grant of $9.8 million has been extended to Temple College for a new Central Texas Chips Hub in Taylor. This is the second TSIF grant to a Texas higher education institution. Governor Abbott signed the Texas CHIPS Act to establish the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF), a grant program to continue Texas’ leadership in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing, as well as the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium.

U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04), and Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX-21) filed an amicus brief defending the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools. The brief argues that the Ten Commandments are part of the United States’s historical foundation, and contends that displaying the Commandments is consistent with longstanding national traditions and with the First Amendment.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today praised the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for granting conditional approval of Exzolt Cattle-CA1, the first topical drug ever approved in the United States to treat and control both New World screwworm and Cattle Fever Tick in cattle. Miller called the decision a landmark achievement for livestock health and a major victory for the nation’s cattle industry.

“Joe Biden & Pete Buttigieg illegally twisted mileage standards to create an Electric Vehicle Mandate — jacking up car prices for American Families and forcing manufacturers to produce vehicles that no one wanted. I’m proud to stand with President Trump in the Oval Office today to say – those days are over,” said  Transportation Sect. Sean Duffy, as he and President Trump reversed the Biden-Buttigieg requirements that far exceeded those originally mandated by Congress.

“Next year, millions of American children will open a 'Trump Account' – a groundbreaking new investment vehicle enacted as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that will launch a once-in-a-generation expansion of economic opportunity and prosperity for every American child, helping millions of families realize the American dream," said Sen. Cruz of the private, tax-advantaged accounts that will be created for every American child at birth.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today announced the state’s Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) program has been restructured under emergency rules and will now operate as Veteran Heroes United in Business (VetHUB), a program focused exclusively on small businesses owned and operated by veterans with a 20 percent or higher service-connected disability.

Governor Greg Abbott today asked the U.S. Dept. of Treasury and Sect. Scott Bessent to launch an investigation into the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and suspend the organization's 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt status, as he continues to take action to uphold the rule of law and defend Texas from threats posed by Sharia Law, the Muslim Brotherhood, and CAIR.

“The Dark Web Interdiction Act would give Law Enforcement Officers the resources they need to help combat the rising trend of dark web drug dealers who have used the platform as a way to peddle illegal drugs across the U.S.,” said Cong. Tony Gonzales, introducing his bipartisan legislation alongside Cong. Chris Pappas (D-NH) in the U.S. House. The bill strengthens penalties on drug dealers and targets international fentanyl trafficking through the dark web.

This private money will be for kids under age 10 who don't qualify for the $1,000 that will be deposited by the federal government for every newborn baby with a Social Security number. The tax-free accounts can be supplemented by families and employers and will be invested in low-cost index funds. When a child turns 18, money could be withdrawn with incentives to use it for education or to buy a first home.

Governor Greg Abbott has directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to request that officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) join Texas State & Local partners to conduct joint preliminary damage assessments in Southeast Texas communities impacted by recent severe storms and tornadoes. The assessments will help determine if Texas meets the threshold for federal disaster assistance, and the teams are expected to arrive this week.

Among the sectors driven mostly by Consumer Spending, the retail trade and service sectors increased solidly compared to November 2024 and tax receipts from sectors primarily affected by business spending were generally up as well. “Results from nearly all major economic sectors were positive, as the Texas economy continues broad-based expansion at a moderate pace,” said Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock.

Following a District Court injunction that halted the implementation of Texas’s congressional map, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed an appeal with the Supreme Court and sought an emergency stay of the injunction on November 21st. Within hours of the filing, Justice Alito issued an administrative stay temporarily halting the District Court’s injunction. The liberal plaintiffs then filed responses to Attorney General Paxton in SCOTUS.

"Americans deserve assurance that their Retirement Savings are being invested in the most fiscally responsible ways – but instead investment fund managers are using retirement savings to push ESG and DEI agendas that conflict with their investors’ interests," said Sen. Ted Cruz, introducing his 2-page "Stop TSP ESG Act" bill to prevent professional asset managers from pushing Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG,) and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) policies.

Texas citrus producers ship nationwide, fuel local economies, and help anchor the entire Gulf Coast fruit industry. When Texas growers are supported, it strengthens the entire national supply chain. Texas is one of the largest citrus-producing states in the nation, and Texas growers have weathered hurricanes, freezes, drought, price swings, and federal overreach, all while producing the sweetest, freshest citrus to be found anywhere in America.

“Texas leads the nation in energy production, providing nearly one-fourth of the country's domestically produced energy,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “This new 455 MW power plant investment by NRG in Harris County – the 5th largest Metropolitan Area in America – will add more power to Texas' energy infrastructure, and will ensure every Texas home has affordable, reliable power for decades to come.” It marks the 6th loan agreement approved.

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) demand  Mexico immediately address their failure to meet the minimum delivery obligations to the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty. Preliminary data indicates Mexico has a remaining delivery deficit of over 800,000 acre-feet of water—equivalent to roughly two and a half years of required deliveries.

Last week, the UN Security Council finally did something right: They endorsed President Trump's plan for Gaza. President Trump's 20-point plan offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance at peace in the Middle East. I'm encouraged so many other nations agree and hope their endorsement will put more pressure on Hamas to disarm, end its oppression of the Palestinian people, and allow peace to prevail.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is observing National Rural Health Day today by highlighting initiatives that strengthen health care in rural communities. Since its establishment in September 2023, the HHSC Office of Rural Hospital Finance has distributed $50 million in grant funding to rural hospitals to reduce debt and improve services, including labor and delivery. HHSC will announce new grant opportunities in early 2026.