On December 18, Governor Abbott signed Historic Border Security Measures in Brownsville in front of the Texas border wall. Governor Abbott signed a transformative package of border security legislation passed during Special Session #3 and Special Session #4 of the 88th Texas Legislature.  Operation Lone Star continues to fill the dangerous gaps created by the Biden Administration’s refusal to secure the border.

“I am so proud to serve as your first female Land Commissioner and of the tremendous successes your General Land Office has made in education, historical preservation, veteran support, coastal conservation, and strategic land management. This past year marked the beginning of a new era, and our team has wasted no time getting to work for Texans."

The RRC's Year in Review highlights our commitment to protecting Texans and the environment by surpassing high standards set by the Legislature and by meeting or exceeding critical performance measures in orphaned well plugging and pipeline safety inspections.

"There's no time to delay further on this issue, and failure to act may lead to a point of no return. We know what policies are needed to end this chaos, and we need to act now," said South Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales, calling on Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to take Emergency Action on the border crisis. "I'm calling on all lawmakers to take emergency action for our border.”

"Voting is a privilege, and right reserved for American citizens to participate democratically in deciding the leadership of our country. Under Joe Biden’s watch, the integrity of our electoral process has been compromised," said Senators Ted Cruz and Katie Britt, members on the Senate Rules & Administration Committee, joining together with their colleagues to introduce the "Citizen Ballot Protection Act" to ensure that states have the authority to verify that only American citizens are voting in Federal Elections.

Texas’ labor market achieved a new record high as the state’s seasonally adjusted job count reached 14,094,900, an increase of 26,800 positions over the month of November. Lone Star State employment set new record high levels in each of the last 26 months and added 407,100 positions since November 2022, ranking No. 1 in the nation in over the year increase of seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) is partnering with the City of Port Isabel, the City of South Padre Island, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, and the Port Isabel Navigation District to provide residents there with a free event to dispose of inoperable vessels. The "Vessel Turn-In Program" (VTIP) will take place January 18th-20th, 2024, from 9 am to 5 pm.

This bill also applies to foreign missions in the U.S. conducted by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. This legislation requires a monthly report of the notification logs from the State Department to the President, Senate Homeland Security Committee, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee. . .

“Last week, I sent a letter with bipartisan support alongside members of the For Country Caucus urging the Biden administration to secure their release as soon as possible. I am grateful Eyvin, Jerrel, Joseph, and the other American hostages who were detained have made it home safely.”

In a majority opinion sloppy in specifics and wrongheaded in the main, the Colorado Supreme Court has taken a Reconstruction-Era Prohibition on Confederate Rebels holding office and used it to deny Colorado Voters a choice of their preferred presidential candidate. As they themselves write: “We travel in uncharted territory.” One would think such an admission would preface an appeal to caution, but apparently we can no longer take for granted that the courts will always serve as a neutral arbiter.

“Four years ago, the United States had the fewest illegal border crossings in decades. It was policies put in place by the Trump Administration that led to such a low number. Today, I sign three laws to better protect Texas — and America — from President Biden’s neglect," said Gov. Greg Abbott, signing into law Border Security Legislation passed by the Texas Legislature. The laws bolster Texas’ unprecedented border security efforts against Human Smuggling, the flow of Illegal Crossings, and funds the ongoing construction of a Border Wall.

Unfortunately, the White House has refused to cooperate in good faith, forcing House Republicans to formalize an official impeachment inquiry. We've followed the facts and money for a year now, working to reveal whether or not President Biden knew about, was involved with, or benefited from his family’s corrupt influence peddling schemes. It’s crucial to know whether the president, or any members of his family, were influenced by improper foreign business dealings. Congress will use our Article I inquiry authorities to get answers.

"While mass migrant caravans pull Customs & Border Protection personnel off the front lines, multiple Border Patrol checkpoints have been shut down – allowing criminals to flow in without resistance. Trade's slowly coming to a standstill, Law Enforcement Officers are exhausted, demoralized, and working overtime," said South Texas Cong. Tony Gonzales, following the Biden Administration's decision to suspend operations at the International Bridges in Eagle Pass & El Paso, Texas, at 8 AM Monday morning.

Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA), in partnership with South Texas College, Texas State Technical College, Texas Southmost College, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will use these funds to provide education and training programs in high demand occupations, including healthcare and specialized trades, for 420 students.

“Today, we gather to honor those who served our country to ensure the freedoms we enjoy each & every day,” said Gov. Greg Abbott, as he and Texas' 1st Lady Cecilia Abbott honored the service and sacrifice of Texas Veterans at the Wreaths Across America wreath-laying ceremony at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin earlier today. Held as part of the annual National Wreaths Across America Day, this is the fifth year Gthe governor has participated in the ceremony.

“The Biden administration has announced CBP will issue yet another closure of two Texas-Mexico rail bridges, which will stop critical goods like farmers' grain and other consumer goods from flowing between our countries. President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas's failed immigration policies must not stand in the way of commerce."

“As a 20-year Navy veteran, taking care of the men & women in our military and those protecting our homeland is a top priority of mine,” said South Texas Cong. Tony Gonzales. "This 2024 National Defense Authorization Act strengthens our National Security efforts, delivers for our Servicemembers and their families, and enhances Congressional District 23’s Military Installments," Gonzales said, after several of his initiatives and priorities were included in the bill – including a provision to increase Border Patrol Agents in TX-23's overtime pay.

“We have a collective responsibility to make sure that we provide the power & electricity to support our growing state by adding new, reliable power plants like this one," said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, celebrating Texas’ effort to add new, reliable power plants to the Freestone County Energy Center expansion project. The expansion – expected to come online in 2024 – will bring over 300 new jobs to Freestone County, and 425 megawatts of new, dispatchable generation to the Texas Grid.

“This Proposed Rule ignores nearly seven years of oversight conducted by Congress and the Office of Inspector General, and reveals chronic foot-dragging — if not total reluctance — when it comes to protecting vulnerable children. It provides ample protections to government bureaucrats — at the expense of children. ​​​​Even more concerning, the requirements in this proposed rule are already being enforced by the Office of Refugee Resettlement,” said Senators Ted Cruz, Chuck Grassley, and 37 other Senate Republicans.

"Over the past decade, we’ve seen Texas rise to be a top state for the nation's Tier 1 Research Universities. Also, this past year Texas has created far more new jobs and is home to more Fortune 500 Company Headquarters than any other state – and the primary reason CEOs are choosing Texas is because of our premier workforce,” said Gov. Greg Abbott earlier today, celebrating the higher education achievements Texas has made at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (THECB) 2023 Higher EDge Leadership Conference.