The Texas General Land Office posted the State of Texas 2021 Winter Storms Action Plan for $43,632,000 in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds earlier today for public comment. These funds were allocated to Texas by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for disaster recovery for areas affected by the 2021 Winter Storms from Feb. 11-21, 2021.

As Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists continue to wage an unprovoked and barbaric war against our friend and ally Israel, it's more vital than ever the United States demonstrates strength towards Iran — not weakness. Congress overwhelmingly passed my resolution last week (H.Res.559,) to make it clear – the official policy of the United States is that a nuclear Iran is unequivocally unacceptable. Here are my full remarks.

"The strength and hope displayed as I met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Herzog, survivors of the October 7th attack and families of kidnapped Israelis was truly inspiring. ​​​​​​​Texas will continue to help support Israel safeguard their freedom against brutal terrorist organizations like Hamas," said Gov. Greg Abbott, after meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials in Jerusalem.

To kick off its "Season of Thanks," Harmony Public Schools began November with a special surprise for its roughly 5,000 staff members across Texas. Last Wednesday, the Texas-born, Texas-wide public charter school system announced a 5% "Season of Thanks" Appreciation Bonus will be paid to teachers the week before Thanksgiving, with all Harmony teachers receiving a minimum of $2,700, and many receiving more.

Senator Ted Cruz & Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska,) along with several of their Republican colleagues sent a letter to the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (FPISC) about its proposed changes to regulations to re-classify “mining” projects for coverage under the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. President Donald Trump had added mining industries to the list to boost the economy and bring supply chains home.

“Texas is the proud home to more veterans than any other state – and by translating their Military Leadership Skills into business success, veterans are among the 3.1 million Texas Small Business owners who grow jobs and help drive the mighty Texas economy,” said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, announcing that the next 2023 Governor’s Small Business Summit – this one designed to honor Veteran Small Business Owners – will be held in San Antonio on Thursday, November 9th.

“Texas students don’t need to be brainwashed in the classroom that oil and gas is evil – our schools should be preparing them for the real world. ​​​​​​​The last thing Texas needs is a woke environmental agenda pushed by Joe Biden and Al Gore teaching our kids to hate fossil fuels,” Railroad Commissioner Wayne Christian told the State Board of Education, advocating for more STEM skills that are needed for today's high-paying jobs.

“For the first time in 31 months following the end of the pandemic restrictions, monthly state sales tax collections failed to grow on an annual basis,” said Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Thursday, noting that State Sales Tax Revenues totaled $3.81 billion for the month of October, down 0.3% from October 2022.  At 57% of all tax collections, Sales Taxes represent the largest source of funding for the State Budget.

"Unfortunately, never has freedom in Israel been more threatened than it is right now – and the people of Israel are vigorously fighting to defend it," said Texas Governor Greg Abbott earlier this morning, as he arrived in Israel to reaffirm Texas’ enduring and unwavering support of the State of Israel, the Israeli people, and Israel’s right to self-defense amid acts of war by the brutal terrorist organization Hamas. ​​​​​​​

"Today a substantial bipartisan majority of senators voted to support this common-sense legislation, and I will continue to work in a bipartisan fashion to address the crisis that Lone Star State farmers and ranchers face – which is driven in part by Mexico’s noncompliance," said Sen. Ted Cruz, a member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee earlier today after a majority voted to support his Texas water rights amendment.

Today begins the Texas Workforce Commission’s 12th annual "Hiring Red, White & You!" statewide hiring event, which provides veterans, transitioning military members and military spouses opportunities to connect with employers from across Texas.  Since 2012 the free hiring event has served more than 20,000 employers, and connected more than 114,000 job seekers to meaningful job opportunities.

“Working with Speaker Phelan and his House leadership team, the Speaker and I reached an agreement on school choice for Texas families – and I'm now expanding the agenda for Special Session #3,” said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, issuing a proclamation to add the items of school finance, teacher pay raises, school safety, and special education to the Special Session's agenda.

“As a young student studying history, I never understood how the world could remain silent during the rounding up of Jews in Europe. We all know what happened next. Because I believe it was the right thing to do, I announced last week that my campaign would purchase $3 million in Israeli Bonds to help our friends and show my strong of support of Israel. The positive response was overwhelming," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

"The Biden White House has poured hundreds of millions of dollars into the Gaza Strip – despite knowing this would benefit Hamas terrorists – and allowed roughly $100 billion to flow to the Iranian regime. They knew the Ayatollah would pass this along to Hamas," said Sen. Ted Cruz earlier today, introducing the "Hamas Sanctions Act" as the first piece of legislation needed to comprehensively target the internationally recognized terrorist group.

"It's been an incredible privilege to work with employers, local communities, and partners across Texas to develop workforce solutions that ensure the state's economy stays on top," said the Commissioner responsible for representing Texas employers at the Texas Workforce Commission, Aaron Demerson, as he was recently  appointed to serve as the new President & CEO of Texas Economic Development Corporation. 

“The federal government’s outrageous escalation in response to our lawsuit demonstrates Biden’s disturbing contempt for the State of Texas, for the citizens of the United States, and for our country’s entire foundation of the rule of law," said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, securing an emergency restraining order after Federal Agents were documented destroying barrier fencing and waving aliens through to facilitate the surge on the Texas-Mexico Border.

As a result of a marathon floor session last Wednesday, the Texas House approved three monumental border security bills – and legislation banning COVID-19 vaccine requirements by private employers. They also designated drug cartels as terrorist organizations and increased penalties on fentanyl smuggling coming across the border.  Here's what's next for those bills

During his first speech as Speaker of the House, Cong. Mike Johnson laid out seven "Core Principles" to guide the House of Representatives and set a clear agenda for helping the American people. Also, as I reflect on the tragedy unfolding in Israel, its clear our own Southern Border is far from secure and poses real threats and significant danger to the United States. House Republicans will act on this problem as well.

For decades, our Israeli allies have sought to counter Hamas's terrorism while the international community — including, and far too often, the United States — urged engagement and appeasement. Those approaches inevitably strengthened and emboldened Hamas, forcing Israel to deploy military force, which quickly and inevitably led to international pressure on Israel to accept inconclusive outcomes.

I was honored to have my resolution supporting Israel and condemning Hamas and its sponsors for their atrocities be the very first piece of legislation brought to the House floor under Speaker Johnson. This resolution condemns in the strongest possible terms the atrocities of Hamas and reiterates Israel’s right to defend itself. It also condemns Iran for its support for Hamas and terrorist proxies.