Today marks Day 17 of the Government Shutdown. The Senate still has not passed the House-passed Continuing Resolution, which would reopen the government at previously approved funding levels. I was in Washington this week to advocate for fixing, not fighting. Democrats chose to continue to blocking paychecks & Federal Programs. Each week the shutdown costs our economy an estimated $15 billion in GDP.

“This investment will further grow our power supply, and keep prices affordable for homes & businesses in North Texas. We will ensure continued reliability for all Texans as we add more power and fortify the state grid,” said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, announcing the fourth "Texas Energy Fund" (TxEF) loan agreement for a 460 megawatt natural gas power plant in Fairfield, Texas.

The bad news is that because of anti-mining restrictions that date back to the Clinton era, the U.S. is now needlessly reliant on a Chinese monopoly of critical minerals which they are exploiting to threaten the U.S. with an embargo of metals needed for technology, manufacturing, microchips, etc. The good news is, no nation on earth has more Rare Earth Minerals than we do – and they're valued AT more than $12 trillion.

Before each regular legislative session, the Comptroller's office issues a Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) that estimates how much revenue will be available for spending in the state's next two-year budget cycle. After the session — and this year after two special sessions — the agency releases the CRE to provide the detailed basis by which the Comptroller certified the budget and any other bills making appropriations. 

"Every day gets better for us," said Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer last week, as he continues to lead Democrats against voting for the same non-partisan funding bill that Democrats voted for 13 times under President Biden. They could vote to reopen the government at any moment, but instead ignore Americans' pain – supposedly for their own political gain. Almost a month ago, on September 19th, the House passed its own non-partisan bill.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows today announced the Senate and House General Investigating Committees on the July 2025 Flooding Events. Created by Senate Resolution 2 and House Resolution 177 during the 2nd Special Session, these committees will meet jointly. Upon announcement, Lt. Gov. Patrick and Speaker Burrows named Committee Members, and gave instructions.

Democrats shut down the government for one thing: their pandemic-era Obamacare handouts. These so-called “temporary” subsidies – created for a COVID emergency that ended years ago – now come with a 10-year, $450 BILLION price tag. But here’s the kicker: these taxpayer-funded subsidies aren’t just for struggling families, they're going to households making up to $500,000 Annually.

The Governor was joined at the annual walk by San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz-Jones, "Soles Walking 4 Souls" Directors Kathy Drago and Christina Villagrana, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, San Antonio Police Department Chief of Police William McManus, KSAT-TV News Anchor Courtney Friedman, and other fentanyl poisoning awareness advocates.

We are now in the second full week of the Democrats' reckless Government Shutdown. Senate Democrats have voted seven times to keep the government closed, all to appease their radical-left base. If their theatrics continue, American Service Members, Border Patrol Agents and 1,000s of others will not receive a paycheck. Democrats are putting their own woke political interests ahead of the American people.

The government shutdown has continued since October 1st. Democrats are cynically and destructively voting to prolong the shutdown, insisting that American Taxpayers spend hundreds of billions of dollars to pay for healthcare for Illegal Immigrants. It's way past time we put our troops and Americans first, not illegals. Our offices in Addison (Texas) and Washington, D.C. will continue to remain open and available to help you. 

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), in partnership with other organizations, will host the 2025 White Cane Day celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025. This event is held to educate the world about blindness and how the blind and visually impaired can live and work independently while giving back to their communities. TWC also participates in the White Cane Day March which starts at 9 a.m. at various locations.

The Wall Street Journal is calling it the real-life Emerald City. Bellevue, Washington may be the fastest growing city in a Blue State – and if trends continue, it may be home to more tech jobs than neighboring Seattle.  When Seattle & Portland went woke, Bellevue went smart – and like a magnet, pulled jobs out of both cities at a breathtaking pace. What was once a cow town 50 years ago, is now a thriving metropolis.

“Since October 7th, our Israeli allies have fought with incredible bravery and commitment to destroy Iran's genocidal terror groups and infrastructure across the Middle East, which threaten their existence and our own national security. President Trump provided Israel with unprecedented support in their campaign, and in recent weeks he established the contours of a peace plan that will now — thankfully — bring an end to the war and the release of the hostages Hamas seized."

Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Chairman of the Republican Congressional Hispanic Conference, has initiated and led a letter to the U.S. Department of Education requesting that the agency reverse a decision to cease $350 million in grant funding for Hispanic Serving-Institutions (HSIs) that encompass colleges and universities with at least a 25% enrollment rate of Hispanic students. 

“With a second case nearing the Texas-Mexico border, time is of the essence. The time is now for our state and federal partners to get on board with the deployment of pesticide bait. When utilized right, alongside TDA Swormlure, this is a proven method for eradication. This isn’t just a livestock issue, it’s about protecting Texas jobs, rural communities, and our agricultural lifeblood."

“The Left’s progressive base & allies in the media have conjured up an ignorant illusion that they can force Republicans to accept their demands in exchange for keeping the lights on, but that could not be further from the truth,” said Sen. Cornyn after Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, once again voted against a government funding bill passed by the House, ensuring that the Federal Government will remain shut down.

If anything good has come out of the Schumer Government Shutdown, it's the revelation that Obamacare is, was, and always will be a financial sham. That's ironic, because Obama and his supporters say the health law was his "greatest achievement." The "Affordable Care Act" was supposed to expand health coverage and lower costs – but its doing just the opposite. Obamacare was always a racket, and The Left's known it all along.

Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas DPS to toughen enforcement action against vape and smoke shops that are not in compliance with state laws and regulations. Last month, Governor Greg Abbott issued an executive order, directing the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, and DPS to take immediate action to protect Texas children from hemp-derived products.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock today announced the formal name for Texas’ School Choice Program — Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) — and the selection of Odyssey as the Certified Educational Assistance Organization that will help launch the program. The announcement marks two major steps toward rolling out the largest school choice initiative in the nation, set to begin in the 2026-27 school year.

​​​​​​​As the founder of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus, I've long fought for these precious children in Washington — and that's exactly what they're getting from President Donald Trump. Last week the president announced he's doubling the amount of Pediatric Cancer funding for research using artificial intelligence — which could lead to historic breakthroughs, and eventually cures for this heartbreaking disease.