Let me be clear: if a shutdown occurs, it will be because of the Democrats and their reckless spending demands. Their last-ditch proposal would have piled on an additional $1.4 trillion in wasteful spending and dismantled much of President Trump’s progress. While Republicans are working to fund the government responsibly, Democrats continue to push their progressive wish list that the American people have already rejected.

Under federal regulations finalized during the first Trump administration, legal hemp must be tested for total delta-9 THC, which includes both THC and its precursor, THCA. Texas law, however, remains unclear, and some argue only requires testing for delta-9 THC. This lack of clarity has created “loopholes” in state law which have allowed retail stores to sell marijuana masquerading as hemp that would be illegal to harvest in all 50 states per federal regulations. 

Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) Chairman Jim Wright was honored to accept the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission Chair’s Stewardship Award for Environmental Partnership on behalf of the agency during the IOGCC Annual Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Wright: “This is the third time the Commission has won the Stewardship Award for Environmental Partnership."

For all the media spin about Donald Trump dragging down the GOP, at the moment CNN’s own data guru pretty clearly believes what Democrats fear the most: Voters don’t trust Democrats, and do trust Republicans on the issues that decide elections – and Republicans are stronger now than they were in 2022 when they took back the House. “Whatever Democrats are doing, it ain’t working. Republicans have the lead on all three issues.”

I made a big announcement on ABC's "This Week" on Sunday: While I'll continue to serve you to the best of my ability throughout the remainder of this Congress, I will not seek another term. This is not a decision I reached lightly – and I couldn't be more grateful to the people of Texas for entrusting me to represent them for more than two decades. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve you in the United States Congress.

We're happy to hear about former West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin's act of contrition – oh but wait, that's right; the last of the now-extinct moderate Democrat breed in Congress is out trying to sell his new book... while lashing out at his former party. He says Democrats are in the grip of "ideological purity tests" and a lust for power. Manchin says it was "all in the name of advancing their agenda."

In July, Pope Leo XIV announced the appointment of Bishop Daniel E. Garcia as the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Austin. We are happy to welcome you to his Installation on September 18th, 2025. Prior to this appointment, Bishop Garcia, a native Texan, was ordained a priest and served in various leadership roles here in Central Texas before being installed at as Bishop of Monterey, California in 2019. Today we celebrate his return!

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows today announced the formation of Senate and House Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education. These select committees will meet jointly to study and issue reports on bias, discourse, and freedom of speech across Texas college campuses. The State of Texas has a responsibility to ensure its publicly funded institutions foster open dialogue and do not discriminate against students, faculty, or staff based on their beliefs.

I was horrified and deeply saddened to learn about Charlie Kirk's assassination. This kind of sickening political violence has no place in our nation and must be fully condemned by leaders across the political spectrum. I'm extremely grateful the Trump administration worked around the clock to bring the suspect into custody, and I look forward to justice being served in his case. Charlie's death is a horrific loss.

Last week, we were confronted with images almost too horrific to bear. First came the haunting video of a young, defenseless woman’s murder at the hands of a savage career criminal. Then came the shocking murder of Charlie Kirk, gunned down in cold blood, execution style, on an American college campus, targeted for his sincerely held conservative, Christian beliefs.

This week has been one of profound sorrow for our nation. We remember the attacks of September 11, 2001, and we also mourn the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk. Politically motivated violence has no place in America, and terrorism has no place in our world. Such actions can never be justified. I am deeply shocked and horrified by the violence in Utah as well as Colorado this week.

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Funds for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling more than $7.9 million were awarded to 38 organizations in the Southeast Texas Gulf Coast and Houston area as part of the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) Grants Across Texas Tour. Administered by TVC, the funding will provide services to over 5,200 area veterans and their families across 13 counties.

On January 17th, 2025, Joe Biden issued 2,490 commutations – more in a single day than any President had in an entire presidency. The controversial move is being investigated by Members of Congress and the U.S. Dept. of Justice, and in his role as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Federal Courts, Oversight & Agency Actions Subcommittee, Sen. Ted Cruz vowed to provide Attorney General Pam Bondi all the resources necessary.

Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) has introduced legislation to codify and enforce President Trump's Executive Order requiring commonsense rules of the road for American truck drivers. H.R. 5177 – Requires that all weigh stations along interstate highways review the Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) of truckers for irregularities and verify the English language proficiency of truckers.

Governor Greg Abbott today delivered the keynote address and presented awards to honor the service & sacrifice of Peace Officers, Firefighters, and 1st Responders at the 2025 Star Of Texas Awards in Austin. He honored and recognized the heroism of those who've sacrificed their lives to serve their fellow Americans on that fateful day.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock reminds families that it's not too late to save on enrollment in the Texas Tuition Promise Fund®, the state’s prepaid college tuition plan. The $25 application fee to enroll in the plan will be waived for September and October enrollments. (Enrollments by mail must be postmarked by Oct. 31, 2025.) Enrollment began Sept. 1 and runs through Feb. 28, 2026.

Gov. Abbott directed all State Government Buildings to lower the United States & Texas flags to half-staff, in accordance with President Trump's proclamation honoring the memory of Charlie Kirk. "Charlie was a close friend. We first met when he was just 18," said Sen. Ted Cruz. Texas is standing with the rest of the nation in mourning & honoring his enduring legacy, and flags can be returned to full-staff at sunset Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025.

Twenty-four years later, the images of brave first responders rushing toward danger, the strength of families who endured unimaginable loss, and the unity of a nation that stood tall in the face of evil remain etched in our minds. In Texas, we honor those who perished and pay tribute to the men and women who have served and sacrificed to keep our country safe in the years since. Their courage and devotion remind us that freedom is never free.

The ripples from Charlie Kirk will go on in our politics and culture for decades. His work helped bring Donald Trump back into the White House. Countless young people got into the movement through Turning Point USA, just like countless folks got their start in this movement through Andrew Breitbart. There’s going to be a Turning Point USA president somewhere down the road, someone who got his start at one of Charlie’s conventions, listening to a podcast, or attending a campus visit.

Sen. Cruz met with top Panamanian officials, including the Minister of Economy and Finance, Felipe Chapman; Minister of Public Security, Frank Abrego; and Panama Canal Authority Administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales. During these meetings, Sen. Cruz reiterated the growing threats posed by China and other foreign actors seeking to exert influence over the region, threatening both American and Panamanian national and economic security.