Thursday - November 21, 2024
U.S. Congressional Tipoffs Involving Texas Newsletter for Sunday October 27, 2024 ( 34 items )  

52 Bipartisan Congressmembers Urge Biden Administration to Tighten Russian Oil Sanctions and Question Exception Approval
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, issued the following news release: TX-37) and Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4) led a bipartisan effort(link is external) to demand a tightening of Russian oil sanctions and to question an exception granted to a U.S.-based company, Schlumberger (SLB). Specifically, the lawmakers are questioning Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary Antony Blinken as to why the Biden administration has permitted SLB to serve as an accomplice to Vladimir Putin.   more

Arrington Fights for Economic Assistance for WTX Farmers in Congressional Disaster Relief Bill
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Lubbock, Texas With Congress expected to consider additional disaster relief funding when it returns, House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) urged Speaker Mike Johnson to include economic assistance for West Texas farmers who have suffered from record droughts, skyrocketing input costs, and rock-bottom commodity prices. Congressman Arrington has been a champion for farmers, ranchers, and Rural Ameri  more

Committee Leaders Blast Biden-Harris Administration Social Security Rulemaking Costing Taxpayers Nearly $40B
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release: Four finalized rules from the Social Security Administration (SSA) are the latest examples of the Biden-Harris Administration's expansion of federal power at a substantial cost to taxpayers, write House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-TX), House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), Work and Welfare Subcommittee Chairman Darin LaHood (R-IL), Social   more

Congressman Gonzalez and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Del Toro Tour Naval Air Station Kingsville
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: KINGSVILLE, TEXAS -Yesterday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) and U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro visited Naval Air Station Kingsville (NASK). Together, they toured on-site facilities and spoke with NASK leadership on plans to improve the physical security and well-being of the base and its personnel. These projects include the construction of a new "Pass & Tag Facility" to improve visit  more

Cruz, Lankford Challenge Biden-Harris Administration's 'Gender Identity' Guidance Targeting Women, People of Faith
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: ASHINGTON, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, and Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra about new guidance from HHS that compels speech, targets the ability of federal employees to practice their faith, and endangers women. In the lette  more

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul Congratulates Dolly Parton on Receiving Peace Through Music Award
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Oct. 25, 2024: Austin, Texas - Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul -- author of the Peace Through Music Diplomacy Act -- congratulated Dolly Parton on receiving the Peace Through Music Award for the ways in which her music has promoted peace and represented the United States across the globe. "Music has a powerful and inexplica  more

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul on Reported Leak of Classified Information
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on Oct. 22, 2024: * * * Austin, Texas - Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the following statement expressing concern over the alleged leak of classified information on Israel's planned attack on Iran. "I am very concerned by the reported leak of classified information. "Any leak of this gravity would be an inexcusable bre  more

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul on State Department OIG Reports: 'Persistent Refusal to Address Systemic Issues'
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on Oct. 22, 2024: * * * Austin, Texas - House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul issued the below statement following receipt of two reports from the State Department's inspector general (IG), which further confirm the chairman's investigative finding that U.S. Embassy Kabul abandoned and failed to secure significant amounts of sensitive securit  more

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman McCaul, Reps. Hill, McCormick, McClintock on Release of Tigran Gambaryan
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on Oct. 24, 2024: Austin, Texas - Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Representatives French Hill (R-Ark.), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), and Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) released the following statement on the release of U.S. citizen Tigran Gambaryan, who was unjustly detained by the Government of Nigeria since February 2024. "  more

House Oversight & Accountability Subcommittee Issues Testimony From Texas Public Policy Foundation Chief National Initiatives Officer DeVore
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy and Regulatory Affairs released the following testimony by Chuck DeVore, chief national initiatives officer for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, from a Sept. 25, 2024, hearing entitled "Kitchen Table Economics: How Failed Biden-Harris Policies Continue to Hurt Consumers": * * * The COVID-triggered recession of 2020 lasted two months, starting in February and ending in March, with the  more

House Oversight Committee Members Comer, Fallon, Higgins Demand Transparency From DOE Following Revelation That Biden-Harris Administration is Hiding Study on Impacts of LNG Exports
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, issued the following news release: House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs Chairman Pat Fallon (R-Texas), and Representative Clay Higgins (R-La.) are continuing to investigate the Department of Energy's (DOE) ban on new permits for Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) exports to non-  more

ICYMI: Biden & Harris "are lying to the American people" about the border crisis
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, issued the following news release: On Wednesday, on Mornings with Maria, Representative Chip Roy (TX-21) demanded accountability from the Biden-Harris administration on the violent Tren de Aragua gang members being released into the country. Some key quotes from Representative Roy are below, and footage of the remarks can be found at the link here.(link is external) *"What Senator Cruz and I are really trying to do, is set the stage for what we n  more

ICYMI: Sen. Cruz Receives Recognition for Pivotal Bipartisan Victory, Championing South Texas Economy
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: In Case You Missed It: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, was honored yesterday by the city of Laredo and awarded the Key to the City for his leadership in streamlining the presidential permitting process and securing presidential permits to build and expand four major international bridges in South Texas, including two in Laredo. Read the ar  more

KLTV: Heroes Flight Honorees Get Hero's Welcome in DC, Followed by Tours of Capitol, Library of Congress
WASHINGTON, Oct. 21 -- Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Heroes Flight Honorees Get Hero's Welcome in DC, Followed by Tours of Capitol, Library of Congress KLTV October 21, 2024 By Blake Holland The East Texas veterans traveling with the Brookshire's Heroes Flight were greeted Monday by patriotic balloons, and applause from strangers after landing safely at Reagan National Airport in Washington D.C. Also there to greet them were the TJC Apache Belles and Eas  more

McCaul Presents Texas A&M President Mark Welsh with Resolution at Investiture Ceremony
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, issued the following news release: College Station, Texas Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) presented a resolution(link is external) to Texas A&M University's president, retired Air Force General Mark A. Welsh III, for his dedication and commitment to the United States, Texas, and Texas A&M University. "It was an honor to introduce this resolution and present it to President Welsh at his investiture ceremony today," said R  more

McCaul Slams the Biden-Harris Admin for FY 2024 Migrant Encounters
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Austin, Texas Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) chairman emeritus of the House Committee on Homeland Security issued the following statement after U.S. Customs and Border Protection released their Fiscal Year 2024 migrant encounter numbers, which reached over 2.1 million. "Under the Biden-Harris administration, America's border is wide open, enabling terrorists, violent criminals, and drug traffickers  more

McCaul to Postmaster General: "These conditions are completely unacceptable"
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, issued the following news release: College Station, Texas Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul sent a letter to the United States Postmaster General DeJoy on behalf of his constituents about the persistent issues with the United States Postal Service (USPS) in the Bryan and College Station area. "Constituents have conveyed distressing stories of checks, bills, and medication being delayed or lost in transit, leading to detrimental effec  more

Pfluger Leads Effort Demanding Transparency from DOE on LNG Export Ban
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) led a coalition of 45 lawmakers in sending a letter to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability within the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding the Biden-Harris Administration's handling of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports. Pfluger and his colleagues call for answers regarding studies allegedly conducted by the   more

Rep. Babin, GOP Colleagues Condemn New DHS Policy Protecting Lebanese Nationals
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) led eleven of his House Republican colleagues on a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas condemning his recent announcement that Lebanese nationals currently in the U.S. will be eligible for Temporary Protected Status and work authorization due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. "While Israel is suffering weekly rocket bombardments from  more

Rep. Casar Leads 60+ Members of Congress Calling for Release of Political Prisoners in Pakistan, Including Former Prime Minister Imran Khan
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, issued the following news release on Oct. 23, 2024: Today, U.S. Representatives Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), and Summer Lee (D-Penn.), along with 59 other Members of Congress, are calling on President Joe Biden to center human rights in U.S. policy towards Pakistan following the country's Feb. 2024 National Assembly elections, and on Pakistani authorities to release political prisoners, including former Pakistan Prime Minister Im  more

Rep. Cuellar Announces $260,700 in Federal Funding for TAMIU Research on Self-Driving Vehicles
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Laredo, TX Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced $260,700 in federal funding for TAMIU research for self-driving vehicles. "This funding will be pivotal in the future of autonomous vehicles and our infrastructure," said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. "I would like to thank Dr. Tashtoush, Acting President Castillo, and the US Army Contracting Command for thei  more

Rep. Cuellar Attends Groundbreaking of New $285 Million Joint Processing Center in Laredo
WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Laredo, TX Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) attended the groundbreaking of the new $285 million Joint Processing Center in Laredo, TX. "The Laredo Joint Processing Center will help with current efforts to curb irregular migration at the border, as it integrates CBP and ICE operations, reduces costs, and creates more jobs for our community," said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of the House Appro  more

Rep. Cuellar Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for the New Gateway Community Health Center-West Clinic in Laredo
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: LAREDO, TX Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Ph.D. celebrated the ribbon cutting for the new Gateway Community Health Center-West Clinic in Laredo. "Gateway Community Health Center is the backbone of Laredo's health system. I secured Congressionally directed funding in FY22 to help expand Gateway's reach and provide Laredo residents with the quality health care they need to live healthy, fulfilling   more

Rep. Cuellar Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for the Rio Grande City Public Safety Building
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: RIO GRANDE CITY, TX Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) celebrated the ribbon cutting for the Rio Grande City Public Safety Building. "I was pleased to secure $2.5 million in federal funding to support the new RGC Public Safety Building. This building will provide critical help to our local law enforcement officials and boost public safety for the community," said Dr. Cuellar, a senior member of  more

Rep. De La Cruz Announces $2M in Funds for Community Projects for UTRGV & City of Edinburg
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz announced Wednesday (October 23rd) nearly $2 million in funding for community projects in South Texas. University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley will receive $500,000 in funds dedicated to its Manufacturing Incubator Dry Room Project, which will encourage innovation and investment into the RGV. The City of Edinburg will receive nearly $1.4 million for Lift Station No. 19 Forc  more

Rep. Keith Self Announces Major Upgrades to Melissa Post Office
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Rep. Keith Self, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Keith Self applauds improvements to the Melissa Post Office campus. The recent progress constitutes a major milestone in the delayed upgrades to working conditions for postal employees. "The harsh work environment exposed postal workers to extreme temperatures ranging from near zero in the winter to 108 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer, with little more than plastic tents for shelter that often   more

Rep. Monica De La Cruz Introduces Bill to Reauthorize National Diabetes Prevention Program
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 -- Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) has introduced the Diabetes Prevention Program Reauthorization Act of 2024, with bipartisan support from Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46). The bill reauthorizes and increases funding for the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a nationwide partnership of public and private organizations focusing on preventing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes. In the U.S., ne  more

Rep. Monica De La Cruz Introduces Legislation to Honor Local War Hero, Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula
WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. Monica de la Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz introduced the Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula Congressional Gold Medal Act on Friday (October 18th). The bill would posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to Edinburg, Texas, native Lance Corporal Dustin Sekula. The legislation seeks to honor Sekula's courageous service and ultimate sacrifice for his country. Lance Corporal Sekula was the first Edinburg native to be  more

Rep. Sylvia Garcia Issues Statement on Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Rule to Boost Consumer Rights & Privacy
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following statement on Oct. 22, 2024: * * * Houston, TX - Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement in response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's final rule implementing Section 1033 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010: "I'm pleased the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking this critical step to strengthen consumer rights, privacy, and competit  more

Rep. Sylvia Garcia Issues Statement on Specialist Vanessa Guillen Legacy
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following statement on Oct. 22, 2024: * * * Houston, TX - Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement on the life and legacy of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen, a constituent from Texas' 29th Congressional District, in response to the publication of today's article in The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/10/trump-military-generals-hitler/680327/): "Vanessa was and always will   more

Sen. Cornyn on VP Harris Last-Minute Trip to Houston: 'Too Little, Too Late'
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news: AUSTIN - U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement in response to Vice President and Border Czar Kamala Harris' trip to Houston, Texas: "Vice President Kamala Harris' visit to Texas just ahead of Election Day is too little, too late for Texans who have had to endure more than three and a half years of her reckless open-border policies and the worst inflation in decades." "Millions of migrants h  more

Sen. Cruz Honored for Major South Texas Victory, Awarded Key to the City of Laredo
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Laredo, TEXAS U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, was honored today by the city of Laredo and awarded the Key to the City for his leadership in streamlining the presidential permitting process and securing presidential permits to build and expand four major international bridges in South Texas, including two in Laredo. Upon receiving the Key   more

Sen. Cruz Issues Statement Following Senate's Passage of Bipartisan Bill Cracking Down on Contraband and Organized Crime in Federal Prisons
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement following the Senate passage of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act to crack down on the smuggling of contraband cellphones into federal prisons by upgrading the charge for smuggling a contraband cellphone into a federal prison from a misdemeanor offense to a felony. The bill is now headed to the House   more

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index: Chairman Arrington Issues Statement on September Report
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release on Oct. 23, 2024: Earlier this week, The Conference Board released its Leading Economic Index (LEI) report for September 2024. The report showed that the LEI for the U.S. declined by 0.5 percent, to 99.7, following a 0.3 percent decline in August. These declines are part of a disturbing, yearlong pattern. The LEI fell 2.6 percent over the most recent six-month period,   more