Early last week, Amarillo-based U.S. Dist. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk delivered a landmark ruling halting the approval of Mifepristone, a dangerous chemical abortion drug that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved and deregulated – despite known safety risks to women, in addition to killing the unborn baby. His decision was immediately appealed, so I want to provide an update.

Our business today is to consider two bills. The first I’ll discuss is H.R. 734, the 'Protection of Women and Girls In Sports Act of 2023.' Our second measure , H.J. Res. 42, would disapprove of the 'Comprehensive Policing & Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022,' another radical piece of legislation that will make it harder for the District of Columbia to recruit and retain police officers at a time when crime is skyrocketing.

"The Texas Senate has allocated over $4 billion in its base budget to continue 'Operation Lone Star,' but more must be done to secure our border and keep Texans safe. Senator Birdwell's bill creates a new state crime for entering Texas illegally, and will allow Texas to take matters into our own hands. This makes it abundantly clear – to all who enter illegally, Texas is serious about enforcing our border."

"This session, we will pass this school choice program while at the same time provide more funding than ever before for public education,” said Gov. Greg Abbott during a Parent Empowerment Night in San Antonio, championing his support while highlighting other state's successes from implementing such efforts. Abbott also discussed how public schools will remain fully funded in Texas as school choice expands.

“You only have to see that Harris County filed suit in Travis County to BLOCK the release of the November 8th Election Records that the Texas Attorney General ordered released to see why we need SB 1039 passed by the Texas House too!" said Senator Paul Bettencourt. "These dramatically increased penalties are a direct result of Harris County Elections Officials flagrantly flouting the law, refusing to tell the public what truly happened.”

With the severe weather season upon us, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is reminding Texans that they can purchase certain items tax-free during the state’s sales tax holiday for emergency preparation supplies, which begins at 12:01 a.m. this Saturday and ends at midnight Monday, April 24th. "Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Take the time now to get prepared,” Hegar says. Here's a list of some of the items that are covered.

“Main Street America is signaling inflation is still their top concern, and with rising interest rates and an increasingly uncertain credit environment they see no relief in sight," said Texas Cong. Roger Williams – who serves as Chairman of the House Small Business Committee – following the release of the latest inflation and Consumer Price Index (CPI) Report. The index for shelter was by far the largest contributor to the increase.

For decades, Texas has been the envy of virtually every other state because of our phenomenal job growth and friendly economic policies that make our economy the unparalleled example of success. That's why Texas just won Site Selection Magazine's "Governor’s Cup" for an 11th straight year – but Texas has recently been disarmed in the battle between states for jobs, and that needs to change.

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star, over 363,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions – including more than 26,000 criminal arrests with over 24,000 felony charges, have occurred. In the fight against fentanyl, DPS has seized over 380 million lethal doses during the mission. "The historic levels of fentanyl flooding across our border is the single deadliest drug threat Texas and our nation have ever seen," said Gov. Abbott.

As we face the generational threat of the Chinese Communist Party, the United States must strengthen its relationships with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. That's why I led a bi-partisan Congressional trip to the region & Taiwan last week. Throughout our visit, the Chinese Communists escalated aggression in the Taiwan Strait and sent our delegation intimidating messages – but we will not back down.

A "rendition" is a list of the taxable inventory, furniture & fixtures, machinery, equipment and other property owned or managed as of Jan. 1st each year. An appraisal district may use the information to set property values. Owners whose property has been damaged by storm, flood or fire during the last year may file a Special Decreased Value Report, which indicates the property’s condition as of Jan. 1, 2023.

"The Senate’s grid reform package levels the playing field between Dispatchable & Renewable Energy sources by elevating dispatchable energy to put ratepayers first," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick today, after passage of the Texas Senate’s bills. “Since Winter Storm Uri, I've been abundantly clear we must bring new dispatchable generation (primarily new natural gas plants) online to make sure Texans have power under any circumstance."

"In the 2022 primary, the former Harris County Elections Administrator couldn’t find 10,000 Primary Ballots to be counted from both parties – but swore in court she had counted all the ballots," said Sen. Paul Bettencourt after two more Election Integrity bills passed the Texas Senate Thursday. “This is a textbook case of intent by the Elections Administrator to not follow the election code that clearly states the steps to verify Absentee Ballots by mail."

​​​​​​​"With five Texans losing their lives every day to this clandestine killer, I launched our statewide 'One Pill Kills' campaign last fall to combat the growing fentanyl crisis that's wreaking havoc on innocent Texans and communities across our state," said Gov. Greg Abbott, unveiling a new $10 million multi-media awareness initiative to educate Texans on how to prevent, recognize, and reverse fentanyl poisonings as part of his statewide effort.

"From the first day I arrived in the Texas Senate, my goal and my passion has been to improve public education... Republicans, Independents & Democrats all support school choice because Texans agree that families must have choice in education so that every child has the best chance of success," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earlier today, following the Texas Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 8 by Sen. Brandon Creighton.

“Texans unapologetically believe in the rule of law, and expect their Judges & District Attorneys to follow Texas law. It's unacceptable that rogue DA's and Judges, primarily in big cities, are not following our laws. These bills send a clear message their delinquent behavior will not be tolerated," said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.

Governor Greg Abbott today commended Texas banking institutions for helping provide support to Texas communities as a financial backbone at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Texas Bankers Association (TBA) headquarters building in Austin.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), the Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, today is touring the Priefert Headquarters in Mount Pleasant, Texas, and M&F Western Products Manufacturing Facility in Sulphur Springs, Texas,

A federal judge agreed with Attorney General Paxton and set aside a Biden Administration policy that would have mandated all Head Start program staff and volunteers receive the Covid-19 vaccine. The rule would have also forced all parents, staff, volunteers, and children over the age of two to be masked while participating in the program and attending school.  

"The Senate and I have been committed to banning the practice of child gender modification, and last session the Senate passed two bills, but neither received a hearing in the House and both died. That is why Senate Bill 14 is one of my top priories this session,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick earlier today after the Texas Senate passed Sen. Donna Campbell's SB 14 to end Child Gender Modification.