Governor Greg Abbott today issued a disaster declaration for 60 Texas counties in response to widespread wildfire activity throughout the state. Additional counties may be added if conditions warrant. Governor Abbott also directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate additional state emergency response resources to support local firefighters responding to multiple wildfires burning Texas.

Senator Ted Cruz participated in a town hall in Laredo, Texas, on Sunday, February 25th. The conversation was moderated by United States Hispanic Business Council President & CEO Javier Palomarez. Sen. Cruz was joined by Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina (D) and Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino (D) as panelists, and they answered questions on the economy, energy, international trade, immigration policies, infrastructure, human trafficking, and drug smuggling, among others.

The CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act would prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC directly to anyone, ensuring the Federal Reserve can’t mobilize itself into a retail bank. It would also bar the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC indirectly to individuals through financial institutions or other third parties, as well as prevent the Federal Reserve from using a CBDC as a tool to implement monetary policy and control the economy.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced three  JET grants totaling more than $713,000 were awarded to three schools in the Temple area by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). These JET grants will support career and technical education (CTE) training programs by helping schools purchase and install equipment to initially train over 600 students for high-demand occupations including welding, licensed vocational nursing, and medical assistance.

TVN is a statewide collaborative of veteran-serving, community-based organizations, government agencies and national service providers that have come together to utilize Combined Arms' innovative technology to improve the quality of life for Texas Veterans, Service Members, and their families. This network allows Veterans, Service Members, Military families, and caregivers across Texas seeking resources and services to connect with member organizations that help navigate their transition from service.

On January 26th, President Joe Biden inexplicably announced an indefinite ban on pending LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) Export Projects. It will cost our communities along the Gulf and across Texas countless jobs – and lead to so much unnecessary uncertainty. We are talking about jobs. We're talking about American energy, about clean energy. We are talking about the future of the greatest Nation the world has ever known – and the fact that our allies don't have to rely on Russia for their energy if it comes from the United States.

One of the most crucial rights granted in the U.S. Constitution is a state’s ability to secure its own border. James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution,” emphasized that Article I, Section 10, Clause 3 would allow Virginia’s state militia “to be called forth to suppress smugglers” who had endangered their state. Today, Texas faces a similar but starker threat than Virginia’s smugglers – Mexican drug cartels that operate as paramilitary forces on our border.

Sen. Cruz authored and introduced a resolution cosponsored by Sen. Cornyn 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. In October, Sen. Cruz secured a vote in the Senate for a related amendment he authored, requiring the Secretary of State to utilize the full range of American diplomacy to secure Mexican compliance with its treaty obligations.

“These challenges to our Postal System are not only found in Texas, but are affecting Americans nationwide," said Cong. Pete Sessions, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Government Operations, after leading a bi-partisan Congressional Briefing with U.S. Postal Service Officials in Houston to confront the persistent mail delivery disruptions & delays there – and other areas of Texas. Their goal is to find the root causes that are severely impacting both Residential & Commercial Deliveries.

“This grant to Northeast Texas Community College will help equip hardworking Texans with the skills they need to succeed in critical industries like manufacturing, and ensure Texas has the talent needed to thrive as our economy continues to lead the nation,” said Gov. Greg Abbott, announcing a Skills Development Fund Grant Award provided by the Texas Workforce Commission. The grant will help train more than 85 new & current workers in robotics, logic & motor controllers, and other relevant industry skills.

A school official in the Denton Independent School District located just north of Dallas used her government email to circulate voting guidelines for her fellow school employees, directly violating the Texas Election Code’s prohibition against use of “state or local funds or other resources to electioneer for or against any candidate, measure or political party.” Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued Denton ISD for illegal electioneering & using taxpayer-funded resources to stump for specific candidates.

"Living in the Southwest, we're surrounded by the impacts of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo everyday," said Kathryn Siefker, Curator at the Bullock Museum. "This exhibition is an opportunity to better understand the historical events that shaped the borderlands – and the Treaty's impact on the people of the region."  The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was the result of some 40 years of borderlands tension involving Mexico, Spain, Tribal Nations, Texas, and the United States.

“Texas is America’s jobs engine, thanks to our welcoming business climate, robust infrastructure, and skilled and growing workforce. But we can't be complacent – we're now competing both nationally and globally in industry sectors critical for tomorrow's growth,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. “The JETI program is a new, transparent economic development incentive tool to help communities attract transformational capital investments that create good-paying jobs for generations to come."

“The Biden Administration’s decision to pause approvals of new LNG export facilities – citing a potential to raise domestic energy prices – is another baseless ploy to end American energy production. These decisions squander the American energy leadership that starts in Texas – and puts energy security worldwide at risk,” said Texas Oil & Gas Assoc. president Todd Staples, as the group released a new study showing natural gas prices hit a 30 year low in mid-February – as LNG exports neared record highs.

“I’m encouraging Texas families & individuals to remember that the upcoming Leap Day Deadline to lock in today’s rates for all or some of their future tuition costs at Texas' 2-year and 4-year public colleges and universities comes next week,” said Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, noting that while this year's General Enrollment Period ends Thursday, Feb. 29th, the enrollment period for children younger than 1 to maintain 2023-24 prices is extended through July 31st. The next enrollment period begins Sept. 1st – with new prices based on 2024-25's Academic Year.

In January, the Biden White House announced a halting of government approvals for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports – despite studies showing that American LNG exports protect global energy security, create American jobs, and reduce emissions. Banning LNG exports will only increase our dependency on China – the biggest climate polluter in the world. But then again, during a recent Press Conference, Mr. Biden referred to Egypt's president as the "president of Mexico."

“Over the past decade, I’ve made many trips to our Southern Border, often bringing my colleagues in the Senate down with me. On a recent trip we had a conversation with a girl who was only 10 years old. She was with a man who claimed to be her father, who had his arm draped forcefully around her, and it was obvious to everyone that the two were not related," said Sen. Ted Cruz.

The Texas Military Department acquired 80 acres of land in Eagle Pass to construct a Forward Operating Base that will house up to 1,800 Texas National Guard Soldiers, with the ability to accommodate an additional 500 for deployment in response to the Biden Border Crisis. The camp will feature a 700-seat dining facility, recreation & laundry facilities, as well as Chaplaincy, Psychological & Medical Health Facilities.

Last week, I proudly stood with my colleagues and constituents to declare "Enough is Enough" as we officially voted to impeach Homeland Security Sect. Mayorkas, the architect of our nation's border destruction. I look forward to serving as an impeachment manager for the upcoming Senate trial, where I will use my experience as a Federal Prosecutor to stand up for our Constitution – and the safety of the American people.

First Lady Cecilia Abbott, Honorary Chair of the Governor's Volunteer Awards, today announced the recipients of the 40th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards, presented in conjunction with OneStar Foundation, honor the exemplary service of individuals, groups, and organizations that have made a significant contribution to Texas communities through service and volunteering in the past year.