"Never before has an election mattered so much. We're facing an invasion on our southern border. Not figuratively—a literal invasion. 11.5 million people have crossed our border illegally under Joe Biden. Look around you, this arena holds about 18,000 souls. Now imagine 639 arenas just like this filled to the brim. That is 11.5 million people—larger than all but eight states in the nation."

The state’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment, which is estimated independently of the civilian labor force statistics and refers to the number of filled jobs within Texas, showed a decrease of 1,200 jobs—from 14,190,000 in May to 14,188,800 in June. However, Texas’ nonfarm job count grew by 267,400 positions since June 2023. This reflected a 1.9 percent annual growth rate, which outpaced the nation by 0.2 percentage points.

“Texans are rightfully upset with the overwhelming failure of electric utility companies to restore power in a timely fashion following Hurricane Beryl. The electric utility companies’ failure cannot be tolerated, especially when it was so obvious a storm was headed toward Texas," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, announcing the creation of the Senate Special Committee on Hurricane and Tropical Storms that will be chaired by State Sen. Charles Schwertner, with Sen. Phil King serving as Vice Chair.

From 1909 to 1965, the Blackwell School served as the only school for children of Mexican descent in Marfa, Texas. In 2019, the school was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and met qualifications to become a National Historic Site. The Blackwell School National Park Site is one of the few national park sites designated to commemorate Latino history and culture in the United States.

“As communities recover and rebuild from Hurricane Beryl, Texas continues working to ensure that impacted Texans have access to fresh, quality food. With power outages still affecting Texans, this federal approval for 36 Counties will help eligible Texans purchase hot, ready-to-eat meals for themselves and their families," said Governor Greg Abbott earlier today after the Texas Health & Human Services Commission received federal approval. Here's a listin of the 36 Counties, and how to apply.  

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today said he will not release a formal revision of the Certification Revenue Estimate (CRE), citing the fact that net general revenue-related (GR-R) collections through the first 10 months of fiscal 2024 are tracking with the 2024-25 CRE (PDF) issued last October. The October 2023 CRE forecast a 2024-25 ending certification balance of $18.3 billion.

After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of the Great State of Ohio. J.D. honorably served our Country in the Marine Corps, graduated from Ohio State University in two years, Summa Cum Laude, and is a Yale Law School Graduate, where he was Editor of The Yale Law Journal, and President of the Yale Law Veterans Association

​​​​​​"Everyone should be prepared for severe weather events, including during hurricane season. That's why the lack of power provided by CenterPoint compromises our No. 1 Goal: protecting life," said Gov. Greg Abbott as he toured a resource staging area at NRG Park in Houston, thanking 1st Responders who've worked around the clock to help their fellow Texans throughout Hurricane Beryl. After the tour Abbott held a Press Briefing with State & Local Officials to provide an update on the state’s continued response and recovery efforts.

“Texas farmers and cities are suffering because Mexico has consistently failed to uphold its end of the bargain and provide Texans with the water they count on in the framework of the 1944 Water Treaty. This amendment strengthens the Treaty by introducing measures the Secretary of State must and can take to ensure Mexico provides predictable and reliable deliveries," said Sen. Ted Cruz, as he and Sen. John Cornyn introduced their effort to create a new framework for the waters of the Colorado, Tijuana, and Rio Grande Rivers.

AG Ken Paxton sent a letter to the U.S. Senate detailing the pressing need to support legislation passed by the United States House to safeguard American elections by requiring people to provide proof of citizenship before being allowed to vote in federal elections. Current federal law prohibits states from requiring proof of citizenship, even though federal law also prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal elections.

The courage and determination of former President Trump during and after Saturday's events were heroic. I'm saddened to learn of the passing of Corey Comperatore, an innocent attendee who died shielding his wife and daughter from gunfire. He is a father, husband, and beloved retired Fire Chief in his community – and epitomizes the America we all long for. Within minutes of Saturday’s events, I mobilized the House Subcommittee on Intelligence & Counterterrorism to review U.S. Secret Service actions before, during & after the event.

"This disastrous rule threatens American jobs and undermines the production of energy in the Permian Basin," said Sen. Ted Cruz, introducing legislation to reverse a "Final Rule" issued by the Biden White House's Fish & Wildlife Service listing the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard under the Endangered Species Act. "We will not allow the President to take control of private property, kill energy jobs in the Permian Basin, and increase energy costs for American consumers,” said Cong. August Pfluger.

The Texas Workforce Commission is now accepting applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) as a result of severe weather due to Hurricane Beryl. Workers and self-employed individuals in Brazoria, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Montgomery, Orange, Polk, San Jacinto, Walker, and Wharton Counties who have been unable to work due to damage sustained from Hurricane Beryl may be eligible for DUA benefits.

President Biden had nominated Sarah Netburn to serve as U.S. Dist. Judge for the Southern District of New York. While serving as a Magistrate Judge, Netburn went against Federal Bureau of Prisons recommendations and housed a biological male serial rapist in a women’s prison in Texas – who has now reportedly committed another sexual offense against the women in the prison. "Congratulations, Judge Netburn, that’s what you’re doing to the women in this prison.”

On Monday, I took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives with a certificate signed by Gov. Greg Abbott to extend my thanks to Lt. Jack Kielty (Ret.) of FDNY. Back in March, Lt. Kielty came to Franklin, Texas to present a mortgage-free personalized smart home to Sgt. Maj. Sid Hamid, USA (Ret.), through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. At the event, Lt. Kielty shared the story of the founding of Tunnel to Towers by the siblings of firefighter Stephen Siller – a hero who gave his life rescuing others on 9/11.

“I’m proud to be able to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, which has one of the most important jobs in Congress – ensuring that your taxpayer dollars are used responsibly. Our taxpayer dollars do no good sitting in Washington for the federal government to burn, which is why I’ve remained focused on bringing funding home to South & West Texas for tangible projects that improve our communities,” said Cong. Tony Gonzales of the 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) programs he is working to push through Congress.

“Enough is enough. The tragic death of Jocelyn Nungaray was entirely preventable. The two illegal aliens suspected of assaulting & murdering her were released by the Biden White House – despite ICE detention beds being available," said Sen. Cruz. The "Justice for Jocelyn Act" would crack down on Joe Biden's “Alternative to Detention” practice in the Dept. of Homeland Security by requiring every ICE detention bed to be filled – and if filled, would require the Secretary of DHS to exhaust all reasonable efforts to keep an alien in custody. 

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has secured a major victory, blocking the Biden White House’s unlawful and indefinite ban on approving applications to export liquified natural gas (“LNG”) while the lawsuit continues. Texas is the nation’s leading producer of both crude oil and natural gas, meaning the Biden Administration’s ban stood to harm the Texas economy severely – as well as those who rely on Texas energy.

Governor Greg Abbott today delivered remarks at the U.S. Embassy in the Republic of Korea while in Seoul on the second day of a three-nation economic development mission to Taiwan, South Korea, and Japan. The special Texas evening reception was hosted by the U.S. Embassy at the Ambassador’s residence in Seoul and attended by invited dignitaries and business leaders from South Korea.

Acting Governor Dan Patrick issued this statement today following his press conference with TDEM Chief Nim Kidd: “As Hurricane Beryl passes through Texas, the state’s efforts have switched from preparedness to response, and in some areas are quickly moving into recovery. Texas has assets deployed throughout the Coastal Bend, the Houston area, and Deep East Texas, and they will work diligently to assist their fellow Texans.