Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) in introducing H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. This legislation would provide nationwide reciprocity for concealed carry license holders and for residents of Constitutional Carry states. H.R. 38 is supported by major pro-Second Amendment organizations, including the (NRA-ILA), (USCCA), and the (NSSF).

The grant agreement provides for an initial three-year term with an optional renewal. Program services must meet the fentanyl education requirements of House Bill 3908, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, also known as Tucker’s Law, and be aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for school health programs so that they may be offered in Texas public schools. 

TWC is working to increase the number of qualified child care workers and has now awarded more $1.8 million to support the development of new Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Programs. In addition to the six grants in 2022, TWC awarded three grants for a total of $793,401 to create two new early childhood apprenticeship programs and expand one existing program.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress. The amendment would limit U.S. Senators to two six-year terms and Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to three two-year terms after its enactment. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.-5) introduced the amendment in the House of Representatives.

Governor Greg Abbott today provided an update on Texas’ ongoing response to severe winter weather impacting large portions of the state following a briefing with state officials at the State Operations Center in Austin. Texans across the state should prepare for below freezing temperatures, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow through the next few days.

TXOGA Annual Energy & Economic Impact Report Shows: Texas Oil and Natural Gas Industry Paid Record $27.3 Billion in State and Local Taxes and State Royalties in Fiscal Year 2024, Shattering Previous High by Almost $1 Billion -- Texas Independent School Districts Receive $2.92 Billion, Counties Received $1.03 Billion in Property Taxes from Oil and Natural Gas Production, Pipelines and Gas Utilities

First Lady Cecilia Abbott today announced that the Governor's Response Against Child Exploitation (GRACE) initiative will host the fifth annual Week of Prayer to End Human Trafficking from January 6 through January 12, 2025. The statewide interfaith week of prayer coincides with Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the state of Texas and serves as a call to action to the faith-based community to unite in prayer.

This has been a year of rousing success for the Texas General Land Office (GLO). I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished in 2024, and I wanted to take a moment to provide you this year in review. The GLO has had an accomplished year of supporting public education, stewarding state land, coordinating the restoration of the Alamo, honoring our veterans, securing the border, protecting Texas's coast, and facilitating disaster recovery and mitigation.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar last week said state sales tax revenue totaled $4.1 billion in December, 1 percent more than in December 2023. The majority of December sales tax revenue is based on sales made in November and remitted to the agency in December. Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 58 percent of all tax collections.

For more than a month the Railroad Commission of Texas has taken important steps to help ensure adequate natural gas supply for winter weather, including this week’s wintry conditions. Starting in the first week of December, RRC’s Critical Infrastructure Division (CID) began weatherization inspections of critical natural gas facilities in the state’s electricity supply chain.

It is one of my greatest honors to serve the people of Texas' 10th Congressional District, and 2024 was another successful year! My team and I have worked diligently to serve my constituents, and as we enter 2025, I want to highlight some of the things we have accomplished over the past 12 months. Over the past year, my team and I have conducted 576 meetings in my district — and hundreds more in D.C.

Last Friday, I took the oath of office to represent the incredible people of Texas’ 11th Congressional District. It is truly the honor of a lifetime to represent you in Congress and fight to protect our Texas way of life. Texas is the best place to live and raise a family, and it is truly humbling to serve this remarkable district. I was delighted to be joined by my wife Camille, our three girls, and other close family members during the swearing-in proceedings.

After learning that the Texas Medical Board has a Planned Parenthood employee as it’s Medical Director, today Rep. Brian Harrison sent the attached letter to Governor Abbott asking that the employee be removed and that all state agencies are directed to ensure there are no other Planned Parenthood officials employed by any state agency, including in advisory roles.

Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) for engaging in false, deceptive, and misleading practices by marketing sporting events as “women’s” competitions only to then provide consumers with mixed sex competitions where biological males compete against biological females. That only biological women will compete in the events is an important reason consumers choose to support women’s sports.

At age 100, President Carter was the oldest former president in history, and he left a legacy of honorable military and public service.  His decades-long dedication to building homes for those in need was truly remarkable. Our hearts and prayers are with the Carter family during this difficult time.

This year, I visited with business leaders and government officials in India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom to showcase the booming Texas economy and attract more businesses to invest in our great state. As Texas looks toward growing our economy even more in 2025, we will continue to provide leading businesses from across the nation and the world with the opportunities they need to thrive in Texas.”

Attorney General Ken Paxton secured a victory for President-elect Donald Trump’s border-security agenda during a hearing today before a federal judge. The hearing was called at Attorney General Paxton’s request to uncover potential legal violations committed by the Biden Administration after recent reports that segments of the border wall were auctioned off for pennies on the dollar. 

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) bipartisan Source Code Harmonization And Reuse in Information Technology (SHARE IT) Act passed the Senate, and will head to President Biden’s desk for his signature. The SHARE IT Act, introduced with U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-Mich.), would require government agencies to share custom-developed source code—thereby avoiding redundant government contracts to build software.

If the sections of the wall that are being sold were purchased with the funds that must be used to secure the border, then the Biden Administration would be in violation of the federal court order. President-Elect Donald Trump has called for the outgoing government to immediately halt the sale of any materials. Attorney General Paxton has now filed a motion with the court to intervene and prevent any sections of the wall from being sold illegally. 

Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan, Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman, and House Appropriations Chair Dr. Greg Bonnen today pledged to allocate funding to stabilize minimum unemployment insurance rates for businesses across the state during the 2025 legislative session. The Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund managed by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is projected to need additional funding next year.