Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people into Texas, and preventing and interdicting trans-national criminal activity between the Official U.S. Ports of Entry. To date Texas has bused over 25,900 Illegal Immigrants to New York City, more than 21,000 to Chicago, and 12,500+ to Washington, D.C. since August 2022.

Veterans Land Board Chairwoman, and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the 2023 Holiday Wreath Laying Ceremony Locations for the Abilene, Corpus Christi, and Mission, Texas State Veterans Cemeteries on Saturday, December 16th. This year, the VLB is working with Wreaths Across America at three VLB Cemeteries to ensure all of our Veterans and their family members are honored and remembered.

It's well known that Iran is the largest state-sponsor of terrorism, and it was no accident that Hamas’ evil attack on Israel shortly followed President Biden’s decision to unfreeze $6 Billion in Iranian assets on September 11th. What's even more unacceptable, the Biden White House chose to unfreeze an additional $10 billion in assets for Iran after the attack. Last week, my amendment strengthening the "No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act" passed the House of Representatives.

This past week, the House passed my "No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act," blocking the $6 billion from going to Iran – the most consequential thing we can do to stop their financing of vile operations globally. President Biden and many Congressional Democrats want the world to believe this money can only be used for "humanitarian purposes" – however, Iran's president has stated otherwise, bragging his regime would spend it "wherever we need it."

Governor Greg Abbott today announced the next 2023 Governor’s Small Business Summit, honoring women small business owners, will be held in Houston on Thursday, December 7. The Governor’s Small Business Summits aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs reach new heights by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen, and grow a business.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement after the passage of Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz’s (R-Texas) resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives highlighting that Texas farmers are experiencing acute water shortages and supporting diplomacy to ensure that Mexico fulfills its treaty obligations to provide annual deliveries of water.

According to the National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms moving across the state tomorrow could bring a slight to enhanced risk of tornadoes with additional threats – including damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding to the eastern half of Texas. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has placed state emergency response resources on standby to support severe weather response operations if needed.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is encouraging Texans to vote for the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center as the "Best New Attraction in America" in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. The Alamo Exhibit has been nominated for this prestigious award, which not only recognizes incredible attractions and businesses, but also provides the locations as recommendations to readers for future experiences.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today he has completed the transfer of about $3.06 billion into the State Highway Fund (SHF) and $5.46 billion to the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF; commonly known as the “Rainy Day Fund”). The Rainy Day Fund, which normally receives the same amount as the SHF, received $2.41 billion more because of the general revenue (GR) surplus at the end of fiscal 2023.

On Feb. 5th, 2021, Joe Biden lifted terrorism-related sanctions on the Iranian-controlled Houthis and three of their leaders. "Now the Houthis and other Iranian-controlled terrorists are openly and routinely attacking the United States and our allies – but the Biden White House refuses to reverse its decision," said Sen. Ted Cruz, reintroducing his legislation to impose terrorism-based sanctions as acts of violence continue to escalate in the Middle East.

U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), along with other members of the House Appropriations Committee, participated in a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Antarctica to witness the ongoing research activities being carried out by American scientists and servicemembers.

Governor Greg Abbott skydived with 106-year-old World War II veteran Al Blaschke at Skydive Spaceland San Marcos to honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans. The Governor and Mr. Blaschke were flown in a de Havilland DHC-6-200-Twin Otter aircraft and jumped at 8,500 feet. This was Governor Abbott's first skydiving jump.

“The Texas oil & natural gas industry's doing its part to ensure that no matter the weather, we're winter ready – but we urge all Texans and Texas industries to be prepared as well​​​​​​​,” said Texas Oil & Gas Association president Todd Staples. "Texas produces more than enough natural gas to meet our needs here at home, but we can't operate without electricity" Staples said, as Oil & Natural Gas Operators across the state have been preparing months in advance for cold weather.

"I keep hearing from many in education – teachers' associations, the media, those who oppose parental choice (for school children) – that Texas greatly underfunds education, or that school choice would take money away from public education. Neither is true. Texas spends about 50% of our entire budget on public & higher education. That's one out of every two dollars. Some who voted against school choice attended private schools, or send their kids or grandkids to them."

Congressional District 23, which I represent, spans more than 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico Border – stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. Crime and violence are unfortunate common denominators that I hear about time and time again, and whether in urban areas, rural towns, or along the border, there's a sense that crime is on the rise and that Law Enforcement is stretched too thin. That's why I’ve been laser-focused on working with Local, State & Federal Officials to "Back the Blue" in San Antonio.

Consider a hypothetical proposal for the Federal Government to spend $100 billion in a year. It could be to help secure the border, or it could be anything. That sounds large — and it is large. So, what would that $100 billion cost the "Average" U.S. Family? In the United States there are approximately 131 million households – and, you might not think that you're "average," either. But there’s a lesson here: If you want to make a good case, tell people what the spending will cost an "average" family.

During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing last week, I questioned Homeland Security Sect. Mayorkas and FBI Director Wray about the global threats the U.S. homeland has opened itself up to thanks to Joe Biden's open borders disaster – and demanded answers about detainees on "The Terrorist Watchlists." Both openly admitted there are known or suspected terrorists who've crossed the southern border – and have not been detained. This is an unacceptable threat to the safety of each and every American.

Governor Greg Abbott celebrated new graduates joining the most elite law enforcement agency in the nation at the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Recruit Class B-2023 Graduation Ceremony in Austin. During his keynote address, the Governor congratulated the 94 graduate troopers on completing a rigorous 30-week training program and thanked them for answering the call to serve and protect their fellow Texans.

“Texas has been forced to develop new solutions after the federal government abdicated enforcement – and even weaponized immigration law to intensify surges at the border to historic levels of unvetted foreign aliens,” said Attorney General Ken Paxton, fulfilling his obligation to give written notice of Texas' new law to the "commanding authority" after Border Patrol Agents were given the power to enforce State Felony Offenses at Port of Entry or Border Patrol Traffic Checkpoints.

“I'm proud to be with President Trump today to thank the 1,000s of Texas National Guard soldiers & DPS Troopers who are stationed along the border for Operation Lone Star to respond to President Biden’s border crisis," said Gov. Greg Abbott, as he and the 45th President thanked and served meals to over 240 Texas National Guard soldiers, Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers, and other service members stationed on the border in Edinburg over Thanksgiving.