U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) voted in favor of H.R. 7176, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024 would remove restrictions on the import and export of natural gas and require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to deem the import or export of natural gas to be consistent with the public interest.

Today, the Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with Congressman Tony Gonzales’ (TX-23) support. The Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act lifts restrictions on natural gas imports and exports while also prohibiting trade with an individual or foreign country under sanction or listed as a state sponsor of terrorism.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management (JPMAM) and State Street Global Advisors announced they would withdraw from the Climate Action 100+ (CA100+), with State Street commenting that the “enhanced Climate Action 100+ Phase 2 requirements for signatories are not consistent with our independent approach to proxy voting and portfolio company engagement.” Additionally, BlackRock Inc. simultaneously announced it would scale back its commitment to the CA100+ and transfer its membership to a subsidiary, BlackRock International Ltd.

“If new legislation absolutely must happen, there is a straightforward and viable option: H.R. 2. This bill, which I’ve led in the Senate, is the only serious border legislation that has been considered this Congress, and it contains real solutions for the border crisis such as building the wall, tightening asylum standards, reinstating the Remain-in-Mexico policy, increasing the number of Border Patrol agents, and more. . ."

The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security – at the direction of Sect. Mayorkas & President Biden – is seeking to establish an "Asylum Rule Transfer" by moving authority given by Congress to U.S. Immigration Judges to the more lenient processing position known as an "Asylum Officer." Because this violates the statutory system Congress established, as well as the Appointments Clause of the Constitution, Texas sued to halt the move. The Federal Government then sought to have case dismissed, but a U.S. District Court has rejected that White House request.

“Texans are no strangers to traffic congestion,” said Texas Trucking Association President John Esparza, adding, "unfortunately, all that congestion means our state’s economy takes a hit – as does our roadway safety and our environment." He made the comments as the American Transportation Research Institute released its 13th Annual List highlighting the most congested bottlenecks for trucks in America – and 13 Texas locations made the "Top 100."

The federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had planned to retire soil moisture sensors in Texas relied upon by the state’s agricultural community to spot potential droughts. However, NOAA has delayed any action on the sensors after an inquiry from Sen. Cruz, who sent an oversight letter to NOAA about its initial decision and upcoming plans.

Jeff Bezos one of the 10 richest people on the planet — announced that he was moving his residence from Washington to Florida, we strongly suspected that taxes were a major factor in that decision. Florida has no capital gains tax and Washington recently enacted its first-ever capital gains tax at 7%. We calculated that Bezos would save hundreds of millions of dollars, but he denied taxes were a consideration.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced the results of the Galveston County Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP). During the VTIP, 52 boats were relinquished, totaling 927 linear feet, with 155 gallons of fuel recovered. The Texas GLO partnered with Galveston County and the TPWD to provide the residents of Galveston County with this free event to dispose of inoperable vessels.

The so-called 'shutdown' authority in the bill is anything but, riddled with loopholes that grant far too much discretionary authority to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas – who has proven he will exploit every measure possible, in defiance of the law, to keep the border open. The bill also fails to stop the President's abuse of parole authority adequately. It provides taxpayer funds to fly and house illegal immigrants in hotels through FEMA Shelter and Services Program.

The Biden White House closed four Border Ports of Entry in December, including 2 key railroad bridges in El Paso & Eagle Pass, Texas. The closures gave the appearance that Customs & Border Protection (CBP) was assisting Border Patrol to apprehend illegal immigrants – however, the CBP’s latest monthly update admits that the agents were used to “quickly process individuals.” Shutting down lawful commerce to welcome illegal aliens is unacceptable – and must be prevented.

Governor Greg Abbott yesterday championed Texas’ booming energy industry and highlighted ways the state can continue to defend this critical industry from federal government overreach during a fireside chat at the 2024 NAPE Summit in Houston. The Governor was joined by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt during the fireside chat moderated by Jacki Deason.

"Working together, we will expand Texas' current operations to decrease illegal immigration and add more soldiers in other areas of the border region," said Gov. Greg Abbott, as he was joined at a press conference in Eagle Pass's Shelby Park by State Reps. Greg Bonnen, Ben Bumgarner, Dustin Burrows, Briscoe Cain, Giovanni Capriglione, Mano DeAyala, Stan Gerdes, Cody Harris, Cole Hefner, Lacey Hull, Stan Kitzman, Stephanie Klick, Jeff Leach, Candy Noble, Matt Shaheen, John Smithee, David Spiller, Lynn Stucky, Kronda Thimesch & Ellen Troxclair.

“The Biden White House must not be permitted to ignore Congress and violate the Constitution. We take every opportunity to hold Mr. Biden accountable for his unlawful overreach,” said Texas Att. Gen. Ken Paxton, after a court ruled in Texas' favor that Mr. Biden's proposed "Asylum Rule" violates both the statutory system Congress established, and the Constitution – a significant development that could provide future precedent for other courts to find Texas has standing to challenge Biden’s unlawful immigration policies.

Both state and federal legislators are actively pushing legislation designed to “protect our children online.” There is, of course, already a federal Children’s Online Privacy Act regulating the online collection of personal information on children under 13 years of age – so the shift toward heavy regulation and liability has been leading some industry-watchers to speculate whether the real motive is to drive up costs for social media so the companies will be put out of business by a weaponized Federal Government.

​​​​​​​"The Agency’s refusal to cooperate with requests for information by Members of the U.S. Senate regarding whistleblower allegations is unacceptable. The CIA has an obligation to be responsive to Congressional Oversight Requests by all members of the Senate, regardless of what committees they are assigned to,” said Senators Ted Cruz & Rand Paul (R-KY,), along with several Republican colleagues in the Senate to CIA Director William J. Burns following a prior request for information related to the CIA’s investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

"The 'Continued Service Series' provides a unique window into the lives of our Veterans who have gone on to serve their communities as elected officials in the Texas Legislature," said Texas Land Commissioner & Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announcing the first installment of the VLB Series. The Texas General Land Office & VLB started the initiative with the goal of highlighting members of the Texas Legislature who are Veterans of the Armed Forces.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today that he will be sending the state's cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose districts $1.3 billion in local sales tax allocations for February, a 1.6% increase over the February 2023 figures.

“Southeast Texas is uniquely placed on the Gulf Coast, its full of the world's cleanest refineries and ports to ship our nation's Oil & Gas to allies across the world, the Sabine-Neches Waterway's projected to be the largest LNG exporter in the U.S. – but President Biden just killed this all with a stroke of his pen. We have the ability to produce energy cleaner, more efficiently, and at lower costs than any other nation in the world – and we need to start acting like it instead of hindering our own ability.”

Illegal immigrants are invading our country, evading our laws, and getting away with it under this Administration. I voted for four bills last week that would crack down on criminal illegal aliens and close loopholes that allow them to avoid deportation.