“Opportunity knows no bounds in Texas – thanks to the hardworking men and women of this great state," said Governor Greg Abbott earlier today, celebrating Texas’ continuing economic momentum as new data released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows the Texas economy expanded faster than the nation as a whole for the 4th Quarter in a row. Second quarter 2023 real GDP — the value of all goods and services produced — grew in Texas at an annual rate of 4.9%, well ahead of the U.S. rate of 2.1%.

"Given the $800 billion in trade that Texas has with Mexico each year, shortening the lengthy delays in border bridge crossings will help lower the cost of goods for American families," said Sen. Ted Cruz, after House & Senate lawmakers announced agreement on the annual Defense Authorization Bill that included Cruz's effort– pushed by a bi-partisan & bi-cameral coalition of Texas Legislators – to streamline the Presidential Permitting Process for new & expanded bridges across the Rio Grande River in Brownsville, Laredo & Eagle Pass, Texas.

U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) issued the following statement after permitting reform language for cross-border bridges was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year (FY) 2024. Working with Senator Ted Cruz, Cuellar secured provisions reforming the Presidential permitting process for the World Trade Bridge expansion project in Laredo.

The U.S. is a global leader in reducing emissions, not through regulation – but technological innovation. In fact, methane emissions in the U.S. are down about 66% and down 76% in Texas. Additionally, EPA regulated emissions are down 78% in the last 50 years, while the economy boomed by 286%, population increased by 61%, and energy use is up by 37%. 

The U.S House passed bipartisan legislation earlier today naming the interstate highway-designated segments of West Texas' Ports-to-Plains Corridor as “Interstate Route 27” after Congressmen Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28,) and Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19) successfully pushed companion bills through the House. The bill must now return to the Senate before heading to the President’s desk.

Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard are continuing to work together to secure the border, stop the smuggling of drugs, weapons and people into Texas, and preventing and interdicting trans-national criminal activity between the Official U.S. Ports of Entry. To date Texas has bused over 25,900 Illegal Immigrants to New York City, more than 21,000 to Chicago, and 12,500+ to Washington, D.C. since August 2022.

Veterans Land Board Chairwoman, and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced the 2023 Holiday Wreath Laying Ceremony Locations for the Abilene, Corpus Christi, and Mission, Texas State Veterans Cemeteries on Saturday, December 16th. This year, the VLB is working with Wreaths Across America at three VLB Cemeteries to ensure all of our Veterans and their family members are honored and remembered.

It's well known that Iran is the largest state-sponsor of terrorism, and it was no accident that Hamas’ evil attack on Israel shortly followed President Biden’s decision to unfreeze $6 Billion in Iranian assets on September 11th. What's even more unacceptable, the Biden White House chose to unfreeze an additional $10 billion in assets for Iran after the attack. Last week, my amendment strengthening the "No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act" passed the House of Representatives.

This past week, the House passed my "No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act," blocking the $6 billion from going to Iran – the most consequential thing we can do to stop their financing of vile operations globally. President Biden and many Congressional Democrats want the world to believe this money can only be used for "humanitarian purposes" – however, Iran's president has stated otherwise, bragging his regime would spend it "wherever we need it."

Governor Greg Abbott today announced the next 2023 Governor’s Small Business Summit, honoring women small business owners, will be held in Houston on Thursday, December 7. The Governor’s Small Business Summits aim to help Texas small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs reach new heights by connecting them with the resources and information needed to start, strengthen, and grow a business.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement after the passage of Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz’s (R-Texas) resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives highlighting that Texas farmers are experiencing acute water shortages and supporting diplomacy to ensure that Mexico fulfills its treaty obligations to provide annual deliveries of water.

According to the National Weather Service, severe thunderstorms moving across the state tomorrow could bring a slight to enhanced risk of tornadoes with additional threats – including damaging winds, large hail, heavy rainfall, and flash flooding to the eastern half of Texas. The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has placed state emergency response resources on standby to support severe weather response operations if needed.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is encouraging Texans to vote for the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center as the "Best New Attraction in America" in the USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. The Alamo Exhibit has been nominated for this prestigious award, which not only recognizes incredible attractions and businesses, but also provides the locations as recommendations to readers for future experiences.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced today he has completed the transfer of about $3.06 billion into the State Highway Fund (SHF) and $5.46 billion to the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF; commonly known as the “Rainy Day Fund”). The Rainy Day Fund, which normally receives the same amount as the SHF, received $2.41 billion more because of the general revenue (GR) surplus at the end of fiscal 2023.

On Feb. 5th, 2021, Joe Biden lifted terrorism-related sanctions on the Iranian-controlled Houthis and three of their leaders. "Now the Houthis and other Iranian-controlled terrorists are openly and routinely attacking the United States and our allies – but the Biden White House refuses to reverse its decision," said Sen. Ted Cruz, reintroducing his legislation to impose terrorism-based sanctions as acts of violence continue to escalate in the Middle East.

U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28), along with other members of the House Appropriations Committee, participated in a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Antarctica to witness the ongoing research activities being carried out by American scientists and servicemembers.

Governor Greg Abbott skydived with 106-year-old World War II veteran Al Blaschke at Skydive Spaceland San Marcos to honor the service and sacrifice of U.S. military veterans. The Governor and Mr. Blaschke were flown in a de Havilland DHC-6-200-Twin Otter aircraft and jumped at 8,500 feet. This was Governor Abbott's first skydiving jump.

“The Texas oil & natural gas industry's doing its part to ensure that no matter the weather, we're winter ready – but we urge all Texans and Texas industries to be prepared as well​​​​​​​,” said Texas Oil & Gas Association president Todd Staples. "Texas produces more than enough natural gas to meet our needs here at home, but we can't operate without electricity" Staples said, as Oil & Natural Gas Operators across the state have been preparing months in advance for cold weather.

"I keep hearing from many in education – teachers' associations, the media, those who oppose parental choice (for school children) – that Texas greatly underfunds education, or that school choice would take money away from public education. Neither is true. Texas spends about 50% of our entire budget on public & higher education. That's one out of every two dollars. Some who voted against school choice attended private schools, or send their kids or grandkids to them."

Congressional District 23, which I represent, spans more than 800 miles of the U.S.-Mexico Border – stretching from San Antonio to El Paso. Crime and violence are unfortunate common denominators that I hear about time and time again, and whether in urban areas, rural towns, or along the border, there's a sense that crime is on the rise and that Law Enforcement is stretched too thin. That's why I’ve been laser-focused on working with Local, State & Federal Officials to "Back the Blue" in San Antonio.