H.R. 2, the "Secure the Border Act of 2023," will be considered and debated on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives under a "Closed Rule" which waives all points of order against consideration of the bill, provides that the bill shall be considered as read, and that for consideration of H.R. 1163, the "Protecting Taxpayers & Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act," all points of order against consideration are waived. 

With President Joe Biden ending Title 42 this Thursday, Governor Greg Abbott is enhancing Texas’ unprecedented border security efforts with the tactical deployment of 100s of Texas National Guard soldiers to join the 1,000s already deployed there as part of "Operation Lone Star," serving on the new Border Force for targeted responses as the nation braces for an expected spike in illegal immigration.

Republicans have a plan — the Secure the Border Act of 2023 — to resume border wall construction, upgrade technology, and provide the funding necessary to hire and retain quality Border Patrol Agents. President Biden & Set. Mayorkas' policies have created a national security and humanitarian crisis at our Southern Border. And with Title 42 expiring in just six days, the chaos is only going to get worse.

As the COVID-19 emergency declarations come to a rightful end, Title 42, a public health order that allowed for immigrants to be sent back to their country of origin, is now set to expire next week. Instead of reimplementing policies that work, Biden is pouring United States resources into "regional processing hubs.”

Last week, U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member and Chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, respectively, introduced two bi-partisan national weather bills aimed at modernizing the nation’s weather communication and radio service to help Texans and all Americans stay safe during weather disasters.

In a case with wide-ranging consequences for the State of Texas, Attorney General Paxton successfully stopped the Biden Administration’s judge-shopping efforts and secured the stay of an Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) action that would have imperiled the State’s ability to properly manage its environment. 

“I'm proud that 1,000s of Texans with disabilities have opened a 'Texas ABLE Account' over the past five years — expanding their opportunity to live a more independent life and save toward a better financial future. Being able to save for qualified disability expenses, while maintaining eligibility for critical means-tested state & federal benefits is a game changer for a better quality of life and greater financial security,” said Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar.

The Texas House was active this week as it kicked off the final month of the 88th Legislative Session. House Republicans worked diligently on the floor and in committees throughout the week, and the efforts will go a long way toward keeping Texas the greatest state in the nation. Of the many bills making their way through the House, we’ve recapped the priorities that were up for consideration this week. 

Currently, cities in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) and counties in unincorporated areas are abusing their authority to approve plats by not following current restrictions in the Local Government Code. Senator Bettencourt’s office was made aware of many instances of cities and counties using roundabout methods to impose minimum lot sizes as a way to decide who and what they want in their backyard.

“A State Trooper was assaulted in the Texas Capitol earlier this week by a participant in the demonstrations by transgender activists who were attempting to disrupt the proceedings of the Texas House of Representatives. The individual was arrested, and charged with assault on a Peace Officer, resisting arrest, and was booked into the Travis County Jail. Within hours, Travis County DA Jose Garza dropped the charges," said Paxton.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is reminding Medicaid recipients who received renewal packets in April to return their information to the agency to avoid potential gaps in coverage if they are still eligible.

Governor Greg Abbott pledged to expand the availability of educational freedom options for all Texas Students at a Parent Empowerment Event last night before a packed audience of over 350 parents, students and educators in Houston – noting that a majority of rural, urban, and suburban Texans want to protect parents' right to access their children’s curriculum, school libraries, and classroom materials.

You need to come to the Negotiating Table, Mr. President. All we're asking you to do as President is exactly what you did as Vice President, and exactly as you did when you were a member of the Senate – come to the table and work with us to enact common-sense spending controls as we raise the debt ceiling, pay our bills, and protect the credit security of the United States. Come negotiate in good faith.

Given the unprecedented political power and influence over the Federal Government's ability to coerce compliance with unjust & illegal COVID-19 interventions – even at the cost of citizens’ employment – means this investigation into potential manipulation of vaccine trial data, as well as the scientific and ethical basis on which public health decisions were made, is more important than ever.

"This bill creates targeted funding to address the education of our most vulnerable kids in a more individualized way than ever before. It also incorporates the input of the people who know the kids the best: their parents," said Sen. Angela Paxton, as she and Sen. Paul Bettencourt passed their bill to dramatically improve special ed in Texas for students with disabilities based on their individual needs.

In an effort to reveal the details of a hidden pressure campaign run by environmental activists and the Biden administration to ban gas stoves, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) have sent bicameral letters to Consumer Reports, the Climate Imperative Foundation, and Stacey Abrams’ Rewiring America group.  

"You're right – 'this situation is completely untenable,' but its not a Texas problem. This is a problem for the entire United States. Texas began busing migrants to Sanctuary Cities like your 'Welcoming City,' along with Washington, D.C., New York City & Philadelphia to provide relief to our overrun Border Communities. ​​​Until President Biden secures the border, Texas will continue this necessary program," said Gov. Abbott.

Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in April 2023 was up 8.8% compared with the same period a year ago, with April 2023 revenues up 6.7% more than in April 2022, said Comptroller Glenn Hegar. Sales tax is the largest source of state funding for the Texas State Budget, accounting for 56% of all tax collections.

"She did enormous work deepening the U.S.-Israel Alliance, which is critical to the National Security of both our countries – and the safety & security of Americans," said Sen. Ted Cruz, as he and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) today introduced bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislation directing the Treasury Dept. to mint a Commemorative Coin in honor of Golda Meir, Israel’s 4th Prime Minister and the first woman to lead the Jewish State.

Last week's Small Business Committee hearing explored how reckless government spending is wreaking havoc on American's Pocketbooks, and how its causing inflation. We also looked at how to help strengthen small businesses across the country – and how not every student needs to take on piles of debt to secure a promising career. We need to assure them there are other additional ways.