New data from the Texas Workforce Commission indicate that upstream oil and gas employment climbed by 2,200 in May compared to April – and by 7,300 jobs (3.6%) through the first five months of the 2025. At 208,200 upstream jobs, compared to the same month in the prior year, May 2025 employment rose by 5,000, or 2.5%.

As a member of "The Greatest Generation," Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh epitomized the American values of courage, patriotism & self-sacrifice. Throughout his life, he served as an Army paratrooper and special forces soldier, a CIA officer, and for a while as a U.S. postal worker. Working with Sergeant Waugh's family and the U.S. Postal Service, hosting a ceremony to dedicate the Bastrop Post Office was an honor.

The Texas Legislature took major action this legislative session with historic funding for the Railroad Commission of Texas, appropriating more than $593 million for the agency over the next two fiscal years. This appropriation includes $100 million for oil and gas well plugging to be used by the RRC’s renowned State Managed Plugging Program (SMP) to address critical plugging projects. This is the largest one-time infusion of funds from the Legislature to support the SMP, which has plugged more than 46,000 wells since its inception in 1984.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced the final list of 1,155 bills signed into law and 28 bills vetoed from the 89th Regular Legislative Session. “Working with the Texas Legislature, we delivered results that will benefit Texans for generations to come,” said Governor Abbott. “Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and the Texas House and Senate worked hard to send critical legislation to my desk. This session has seen monumental success, but there is more we can do.”

These riots didn’t erupt in a vacuum. They are the direct result of a culture of lawlessness that Democrats have allowed and even encouraged. Cities under the Left’s control have turned into chaos zones, where criminals are emboldened, flags are burned, and the police are told to stand down. These ideas are dangerous. And they’re spreading because too many elected officials refuse to stand up for common sense and the rule of law.

The U.S. House passed one of the most consequential and historic pieces of legislation. The One Big Beautiful Bill unleashes American energy, extends the 2017 Trump Tax cuts for hardworking families, provides relief for seniors, eliminates taxes on tips and overtime, and much more. Congress must continue on an aggressive timeline to get the One Big Beautiful Bill to President Trump's desk to be signed into law.

The Texas labor market set new record highs in both total jobs and the size of the civilian labor force in May. Texas added 28,100 positions over the month to reach a total of 14,340,800 nonfarm jobs. The state added 213,300 jobs over the year, which left the annual nonfarm growth rate unchanged at 1.5 percent and outpaced the national growth rate by 0.4 percentage points. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 270,900 people.

Governor Greg Abbott celebrated Texas being recognized with the state's 12th Gold Shovel Award by Area Development magazine for outstanding achievement in job creation and capital investment in 2024. Texas has now been recognized with a Gold or Silver Shovel in each of the 20 years of the award program.  Area Development recognized Texas with a Gold Shovel Award for more than $10.6 billion in high-value expansion and location projects in 2024.

“This is a significant threat, and it’s critical we stay ahead of it. Texas has historically been at the forefront of American agriculture and we're prepared to assist Sect. Rollins and the USDA in protecting our Livestock, Economy, and Food Supply,” said Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, joining U.S. Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins at the Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas to unveil an $8.5 million initiative against the New World Screwworm.

“The GLO is the tip of the spear when it comes to the battles that matter the most to Texans, and I'm proud to wake up and fight every single day for the Texas we all know and love,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, announcing her re-election bid for Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. Making history in 2022 as Texas’s 1st female Land Commissioner, Buckingham has spearheaded countless victories for Texas.

Outgoing Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today administered the Oath of Office to former State Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-Ft. Worth,) naming him Chief Clerk of the Texas Comptroller’s Office. Hancock will assume the responsibilities of Acting Comptroller effective July 1, 2025. Texas' Comptroller of Public Accounts Is the state’s Chief Financial Officer, which provides revenue estimates to State Legislators that guide the biennial budgeting process.

“Lawmakers knew we had to be proactive this Session and deliver a significant investment to help Texas meet its future water needs – this legislation not only helps secure Texans’ access to water, it will support continued economic growth and job creation across our state,” said Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows earlier today as Gov. Greg Abbott signed a crucial Texas-sized legislative investment bill into law.

Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins launched an $8.5 million sterile New World screwworm (NWS) fly dispersal facility in South Texas and announced a sweeping five-pronged plan to enhance USDA’s already robust ability to detect, control, and eliminate this pest. Per the USDA, the facility in South Texas is expected to be ready within six months.

Since 1775, the Army has served as a cornerstone of our nation's defense, adapting to evolving challenges while upholding its commitment to protect our great Republic and interests. This past weekend, we honored the U.S. Army's 250th Birthday – celebrating their grit, sacrifice, and unyielding defense of our nation. ​​​As we mark this milestone, we salute the service members past and present – who inspire future generations.

“When I became Governor, the homestead exemption was $15,000 – with Senate Bill 4, the homestead exemption is now $140,000, an almost 1,000% increase. And Seniors’ homestead exemption now goes all the way up to $200,000. This is truly unprecedented – no state in American history has devoted such a large percentage of their budget to tax relief,” said Governor Abbott.

"Just last week – for the first time in nearly two decades – Iran was formally declared to be in violation of its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Commitments by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Over 60 days ago, Iran was given a choice – and once again it has chosen to be an enemy of the free world. In response, Israel launched overnight military strikes, successfully eliminating some of Iran’s top military leaders," explains Cong. August Pfluger.

We are told that either today or tomorrow Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo will announce his draft plan for the Senate version of the "One Big Beautiful Bill." To make the bill more beautiful – it's time to go from good to great. Here's what we would suggest for improving the House-passed bill.

Frederick Douglass was the first Black reporter ever to be allowed into the Capitol Press Galleries. This afternoon, the U.S. House passed Cong. Byron Donalds' H.Res.137 – "The Bipartisan Frederick Douglass Press Gallery Renaming Resolution" by unanimous, bipartisan, voice vote to officially name the U.S. House of Representatives Press Gallery after the legendary writer and statesman.

Israel took action to defend itself from a potential nuclear attack by striking Iranian nuclear sites and military leadership — including their top military official. Prime Minister Netanyahu was clear: The alternative to diplomacy would be strikes on Iran — a message he reiterated to me when I met with him earlier this month. Unfortunately, the Iranian Regime chose not to take the path of peace, instead prioritizing its nuclear ambitions over the well-being of its own people.

Last week I participated in a House Oversight Committee hearing to examine the growing concerns about Americans’ genetic data in light of 23-and-Me’s recent Bankruptcy Filing. As personal DNA Data becomes more accessible and commercially valuable, we must ensure it's not vulnerable to misuse, exploitation, or sale to foreign adversaries. The privacy of genetic information is a consumer protection AND National Security and Biomedical Research Issue.