WASHINGTON, June 17 -- Rep. Kenny Marchant, R-Texas, issued the following news release: As the country continues to grapple with an affordable housing and homelessness crisis, a bipartisan, bicameral group of U.S. Senators and Representatives today introduced legislation to increase investment in affordable housing and provide more resources and stronger protections for at-risk groups. The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2019 was introduced by U.S. Representatives Kenny Marchant (  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following news release: Today, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) sent a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine requesting all studies and analyses conducted by NOAA and NASA regarding the impacts of the FCC's proposed 5G transmissions in the 24 GHz band and the adja  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, issued the following news release: "This year marks the 400th anniversary of the first documented arrival of Africans brought to America and forced into chattel slavery. The trajectory of slavery closely paralleled the fight for independence and the foundation of the United States. However, there came a point when the freedom Americans sought from British authority was obtained, and enslaved individuals still suffered in cotton fields and on auctio  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Doggett (D-TX), Chair of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, announced that he will co-chair the Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus. His chairmanship was welcomed by the Hydrocephalus Association (HA) and the Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation (PHF). Rep. Doggett will share the chair responsibilities of the bipartisan House caucus with Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ).   more

WASHINGTON, June 17 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) a $400,000 grant for their Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE) Program. "All Central and South Texans deserve access to affordable, quality healthcare," said Congressman Gonzalez. "These funds will allow UTRGV to continue educating   more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced that the 15th District of Texas was awarded $243,890 in AmeriCorps funding. The OneStar Foundation, Texas's National Service Commission, announced ChildFund International USA as the recipient of the grants. "I am pleased that AmeriCorps has made such investment in the 15th District," said Congressman Gonzalez. "Programs like AmeriCorps strengthen our c  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) secured crucial language in H.R. 3167, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Reauthorization Act of 2019, a House Financial Services Committee bill that would reauthorize the NFIP, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for five years. The bill passed 59 to 0. Congressmen Gonzalez and Alexander X. Mooney (WV-02) identified a key missing p  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2740, a crucial piece of a comprehensive appropriations package that will fund America's defense and military operations for the 2020 Fiscal Year. Today's package includes an amendment introduced by Congressman Veasey that guarantees an additional $9 million dollars to modernize and increase the effectiveness of the United States Army's future helicopter fleet.   more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded an Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant to Fort Worth Alliance Airport. The award, which is for $5.5 million, will go to support a taxiway extension project needed after Amazon announced that it will open a regional air hub at the airport. The taxiway extension will provide Alliance the needed infrastructu  more

DALLAS, Texas, June 20 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a grant totaling $21,589,101 to Head Start of Greater Dallas. Prorated for the term July 2019 through March 2020, the grant was administered under the department's Head Start and Early Head Start programs which targets sch  more

DALLAS, Texas, June 20 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a grant totaling $5,493,321 to ChildCareGroup, a local organization that focuses on early childhood education. Prorated for the term July 2019 through March 2020, the grant was administered under the department's Head Star  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to strengthen border security and address law enforcement shortages at ports of entry throughout the country advanced in the Senate this week. The Securing America's Ports of Entry Act of 2019 was unanimously approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and now awaits a vote by the full Senate. "When CBP  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news release: After conversations with local officials in Texas, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) sent a letter urging Senate appropriators to reimburse local Texas communities and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for migrant care directly from the Department of Homeland Security. Due to increased border crossings in recent months, local governments and NGOs have spent significant resources on transportation, food, and s  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that he will oppose President Donald Trump's Texas district court nominee Matthew Kacsmaryk, who has repeatedly written in his personal capacity about his opposition to LGBTQ rights and the Obergefell case. Durbin also called out Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for spending another week rubber-  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, issued the following news release: In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today slammed President Trump and Senate Republicans on their continued efforts to destabilize and undermine America's health care system. Durbin cited the pending lawsuit, Texas v. United States, in which the Trump Administration is seeking to eliminate the entire Affordable Care Act, including important protections for people with pre-e  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, issued the following news release: Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) today introduced a resolution recognizing June as "Immigrant Heritage Month." "Immigrants have been at the heart of what America symbolizes since its founding," said Feinstein. "I'm proud to introduce this resolution today and make clear that our country welcomes - and must continue to welcome - immigrants. For g  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following joint statement with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, Reps. Devin Nunes, R-California, ranking Republican member of the House Permanent Select Intelligence Committee, Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, on their meeting at the White House on Iran's increased aggression: "Iran directly  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- The U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of four individuals for positions in the Trump Administration on June 19: Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, of Texas, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Texas. Allen Cothrel Winsor, of Florida, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Florida. James David Cain, Jr., of Louisiana, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana. Greg Gerard Guidry, of Louisiana, to   more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Department of Defense's management of historic properties in use on U.S. installations. The report (GAO-19-335) is titled "Defense Infrastructure: Additional Actions Could Enhance DOD's Efforts to Identify, Evaluate, and Preserve Historic Properties". The report was sent to Sen. John Boozman, R-Arkansas, chairman, Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Militar  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on Military Employment Assistance Centers. The report (GAO-19-438R) is titled "Transitioning Servicemembers: Information on Military Employment Assistance Centers". The report was sent to Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, chairman, Sen. Jack Reed, D-Rhode Island, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Rep. Adam Smith, D-Washington, chairman, and Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking member of the Hou  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed his bipartisan amendment to H.R. 3055 that increases financial support for the Keep Young Athletes Safe Act, which provides funding for nonprofit organizations, including the United States Center for Safesport, to pr  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations issued the following hearing information: Protecting Title X and Safeguarding Quality Family Planning Care at 2123 Rayburn House Office Building at 10 a.m. on June 19: Witnesses Panel I * Diane Foley, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Populations Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Panel II * Clare Coleman, President & Chief E  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: House Foreign Affairs Committee Lead Republican Michael McCaul (R-TX) appeared on Fox News' "Your World" with Neil Cavuto and Fox Business' "Making Money" with Charles Payne to discuss Iran. Key highlights below: Fox News' "Your World" with Neil Cavuto Click to watch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWFAuzVfJ88) "It is important to note tha  more

WASHINGTON, June 17 -- Sen. Martha McSally, R-Arizona, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Martha McSally (R-AZ) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter urging the Administration protect American consumers and farmers by keeping a "seasonality" provision out of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter sent to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, McSally and her colleagues from Arizona, Texas, and California express their opposition to the inclusi  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, issued the following news release: Following disturbing reports about migrant children being held in appalling conditions at a Border Patrol facility in Clint, Texas, Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley today pushed Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kevin McAleenan for an immediate plan to fix these abusive and harmful conditions. Lawyers inspecting the Clint facility recently found unsanitary conditions, poor nutrition, signif  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, issued the following statement after the House passed a funding package that includes four appropriations bills: Labor-Health and Human Services-Education, Energy and Water Development, State-Foreign Operations and Defense: "This bill makes key investments in health care and education, as well as clean energy research that will help drive our economy forward. "I thank Chairwoman Lowey for her leadership on this spending package and her attent  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-California, issued the following statement in observance of Juneteenth: "On June 19, 1865, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect, Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas and declared that enslaved African descendants in Texas were indeed free. That historic day, now remembered as Juneteenth, marked the end of one of the saddest chapters in our nation's history. "More than 150 years later,   more

WASHINGTON, June 12 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairwoman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following statement at a hearing entitled "Combating Sexual Harassment in Science": "We are here today to grapple with a very tough challenge facing the scientific community. Sexual harassment and gender hostility in the sciences is not new. Women have long endured demeaning comments, professional sabotage, unwelcome sexual advances, and other offensive and hos  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairwoman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency announced the final text of the Affordable Clean Energy rule, designed to replace the Obama administration's Clean Power Plan: "The Trump Administration has chosen yet again not to act on climate--inaction that comes at the expense of protecting the health and safety of the American people. "Reducin  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Bill Flores (R-Texas) issued the following statements regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), H.R. 2740 and H. Res. 430: USMCA "Free trade is critical to America's Promise, Prosperity and Safety - it opens new markets for American-made goods and fuels our economic growth. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) modernizes and rebalances our trade relationship  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement after the Mexican Senate passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement: "I congratulate the Mexican Senate for voting overwhelmingly to ratify USMCA this afternoon. "Today's action, combined with passage of Mexico's landmark labor legislation earlier this spring, demonstrate Mexico's solid commitment to serious reform and tough new rules to create fairer t  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Health, issued the following opening remarks at a subcommittee hearing entitled "Strengthening Health Care in the U.S. Territories for Today and Into the Future": "Thank you, Madam Chair. During our last extenders hearing two weeks ago, I noted that we had left out an incredibly important piece of the conversation - Medicaid in U.S. Territories. I would like to thank   more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on June 20, on the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 3055): My amendment would place a funding limitation on the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to utilize the Title 42 hiring authority. The Title 42 hiring authority gives the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the ability to incentivize and expedite the r  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, issued the following statement after voting against the minibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2740): "The Democrat appropriations bill fails to adequately address several of the issues facing the country. "It ignores the crisis at the border and cuts critical Defense programs, all while raising spending for wasteful domestic programs and repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force, which would jeopardize the DoD's ability to conduct count  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following statement on World Refugee Day: "Right now, we're witnessing a humanitarian crisis on our own doorstep. Families fleeing violence, persecution and death are arriving at our Southern border searching for a better life. Instead of acting with compassion and human decency, the Trump Administration has implemented policies - like Remain in Mexico, metering, lowering the number of refug  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Rep. Chip Roy released the following statement Thursday regarding the appointment of Matthew Kacsmaryk to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas: "Matt is a friend, a University of Texas Law School classmate, and a patriot. I am thankful for his and his family's willingness to serve the nation and the state of Texas. We are all better for his strong commitment to the Constitution and   more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, issued the following statement on the departure of his Chief of Staff Mark Williams: "Mark has dutifully served the American people in Congress for over fifteen years, and I've been privileged to have him aide me in serving the people of Texas's 11th District for the last five. "Throughout that time, I've come to rely on Mark as a close friend and trusted advisor. "His leadership and contagious laugh will be greatly missed in our office  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement announcing the departure of his Chief of Staff, Mark Williams: "Mark has dutifully served the American people in Congress for over fifteen years, and I've been privileged to have him aide me in serving the people of Texas's 11th District for the last five. "Throughout that time, I've come to rely on Mark as a close friend and trusted advisor. "H  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Eliot Engel, D-New York, issued the following news release: Congressman Eliot Engel, a top member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, once again joined dozens of House colleagues as an original cosponsor of a Resolution recognizing June 19, 2019 for its historical significance as Juneteenth Independence Day. On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and announced to the remaining slaves that they were finally free. This announcement  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following statement in observance of Juneteenth, marking the day when federal officials arrived in Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation: Today, Congresswoman Escobar, will participate in a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties hearing on H.R. 40, the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African-Americans Act. "On June 19, 1865, the last Africa  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following statement in recognition of World Refugee Day: Congresswoman Escobar is a cosponsor of H.R. 3376, the Lady Liberty Act, a bill that supports U.S. refugee resettlement and sets the refugee admissions ceiling at a minimum of 110,000 refugees annually. "World Refugee Day comes this year at a time when President Trump and his administration continue their efforts to undermine the dignity and right to due process of thousan  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee introduced a border supplemental package: The package includes $60M for reimbursements to local communities, including El Paso taxpayers and nongovernmental organizations, for the humanitarian relief they provide to migrants, $200M to establish a pilot program that allows the integration of nonprofits into government facilities to assist with migrant services and proces  more

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- Rep. Bill Flores, R-Texas, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on June 20, recognizing Waco City Councilmember Alice Rodriguez: I rise today to recognize Alice Rodriguez of Waco, Texas, who recently retired from the Waco City Council. Alice was first elected to the Waco City Council in 1991. At the time of her election, she was the first Hispanic woman on the city council. She served for 10 years before taking a break from 2001 to  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Vice Chair on Urban Poverty for the Task Force on Poverty and Opportunity and other members of the Task Force sent a letter to Acting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought urging him not to implement the recently announced changes to the federal poverty calculations. In the letter, the Members wrote: "The ramifications of the proposal to lower the pove  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia voted for first appropriations minibus bill, H.R. 2740. This important bill provides a total $982.8 billion in essential government funding and consists of the Fiscal Year 2020 Labor-Health and Human Services, Education, Defense, State-Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development spending bills. "I am proud to be a part of this Congress, which has done the hard work  more

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * - The Bill Sponsored by Rep. Garcia Would Prevent 55,000 Children From Becoming At-Risk of Eviction and Homelessness * * * Today, the House Financial Services Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) for full consideration by the House of Representatives. The bill, the Keeping Families Together Act, H.R. 2763, would block a proposed US Department of Housing and   more

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) introduced H.R. 3182, a bipartisan bill to delay the implementation of CECL while cost-benefit studies are done to explain the impact on certain kinds of business. Congressmen David Scott (GA-13), Brad Sherman (CA-30), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Roger Williams (TX-25), Ted Budd (NC-13) and French  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after opposing the Democrats' appropriations bill (H.R. 2740) that includes Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, Defense, State and Foreign Operations and Energy and Water Development: Seven Democrats joined all Republicans in opposing the measure with a final vote of 226 to 203. "Unfortunately, this package does not provide the resources  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the selection of Secretary of the Army Mark Esper by President Trump to be the Acting Secretary of Defense: "I am very pleased that President Trump has selected Secretary Mark Esper to be the Acting Secretary of Defense. "I have known Secretary Esper for many years, and he is an outstanding leader and a true patriot. "We need a strong Secretary o  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, issued the following news release: On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, Congressman Al Green thanks Congressman Cedric Richmond for including language in H.R. 3256 that reflect his concerns for the vulnerable communities that surround chemical facilities. "The Greater Houston area is home to numerous facilities that store chemicals found on the chemical facility anti-terrorism standards (CFATS) 'chemicals of interest' list, including benzene, sulfur dioxi  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, issued the following statement on the National Science and Technology Council's release of an updated national artificial intelligence research and development strategic plan: "The United States is in a race to master the transformational technology of our time: artificial intelligence. "Research and development funding by the federal government to augment existing efforts by the private sector is essential to ensure continued American leadershi  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * - Senate Action Builds off Hurd's Letter Requesting that Communities Receive Needed Relief * * * U.S. Representative Will Hurd (TX-23) praised the work from Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to include $30 million of federal funding to reimburse communities strained by the humanitarian crisis on our Southern border. Representative Hurd penned a bipartisan letter and then introduced an amendment last week to th  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee announced today that the University of Houston has been awarded a $642,065 grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for its "Clinical Research Related to Neurological Disorders" program. "I am delighted that the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has awarded the University of Houston a grant in the amount of $642,065 whi  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee on Energy issued the following statement by full committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, at a hearing entitled "Fossil Energy Research: Enabling our Clean Energy Future": "Good afternoon and thank you for holding today's hearing on the Department of Energy's efforts to mitigate the environmental impacts of fossil fuels used in the power sector as well as in manufacturing processes. "Historically, fossil fu  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following statement on affordable clean energy rule: Earlier today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the final text of the Affordable Clean Energy Rule (ACE), which serves as a replacement of the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan. This rule establishes new emission guidelines for states as they develop plans to limit and address greenhouse  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on June 19, recognizing the importance of Juneteenth National Freedom Day: Today, I rise to recognize, June 19th, 2019 as Juneteenth National Freedom Day. Juneteenth, or the "19th of June", recognizes the day, in 1865, in Galveston, Texas, when Union Army Major General Gordon Granger announced freedom for all slaves in Texas. Major General Granger's arrival in Galveston   more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after voting against an appropriations bill (H.R. 2740) that would end counterterrorism operations: "As the Lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the former Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, I know well the threats to the homeland and the importance of maintaining a strong national defense. "I have many conce  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Yesterday, Congressman Michael T. McCaul (R-TX-10), the Lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Chairman Emeritus on the House Homeland Security Committee, participated in a bipartisan meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The leaders discussed the benefits of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the importance of Congress moving forward on the trade deal.  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Rep. Michael T. McCaul, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Congressman Michael T. McCaul (R-TX-10), the Lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Chairman Emeritus on the House Homeland Security Committee, Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers (R-AL-3), Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), and Congressman Bill Keating (D-MA-9) introduced H.R. 3377, the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) A  more

SUGAR LAND, Texas, June 18 -- Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Last night, Rep. Pete Olson (R-TX) acted to establish an advisory group to provide perspective on healthcare issues. Olson announced that Dr. Anna Allred, Veronica Daniels-Lewis, Justin Moehn, Ashlea Jenkins Quinonez and Lt. Scott Soland are the inaugural members of his Health and Research Advisory Council (HRAC). The HRAC is a new Advisory Council for Congressman Pete Olson, which provides a forum to dis  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Rep. John Ratcliffe's (R-Texas) Washington staff met with 12 high school essay contest winners from the 4th District of Texas today. The students were selected to visit the nation's capital on an all-expense paid trip for winning an annual essay contest put on by the Texas Electric Cooperatives. They joined a group of 150 winning students from across the state of Texas on a "Government-in-Action Youth Tour.  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following remarks on the withdrawal of Acting Secretary of Defense Pat Shanahan's nomination, appointment of Secretary of the Army Mark Esper as Acting Secretary of Defense and the need to have a Secretary of Defense nominated and confirmed by the Senate: "Pat Shanahan has performed the duties of Acting Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense well. I am g  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Reps. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, ranking Republican member of the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight and Department Operations, issued the following remarks: Today, the House Agriculture Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations Subcommittee held a hearing on the impacts of eliminating an administrative abuse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ca  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Reps. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Glenn Thompson, R-Pennsylvania, ranking Republican member of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, issued the following remarks: Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a public hearing examining how farm policy helps farmers in adverse conditions. "Farmers are facing unprecedented struggle  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, a bipartisan group of House members led by Congressman A. Donald McEachin (D-VA) and Congressman Pete Olson (R-TX) introduced the Locking Up Robocallers Act of 2019, which directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide evidence of unlawful robocall violations to the Attorney General. This would strengthen enforcement of current robocall laws aimed at ending the scourge of predatory robocal  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Reps. Pete Olson, and R-Texas, David E. Price, D-North Carolina, co-chairs of the Congressional Moldova Caucus, issued the following joint statement on the creation of a governing coalition in Moldova as a result of the Feb. 24, 2019 parliamentary elections: "We are encouraged by the progress made in Moldova towards a peaceful transition of power through political dialogue and democratic processes after the parliamentary elections on February 24, 2019. "We urge all Moldo  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Today, Representatives David E. Price (D-NC) and Pete Olson (R-TX)--co-chairs of the Congressional Moldova Caucus--issued the statement below following the creation of a new governing coalition in Moldova as a result of the February 24, 2019, parliamentary elections: "We are encouraged by the progress made in Moldova towards a peaceful transition of power through political dialogue and democratic processes afte  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Maryland, issued the following statement on Juneteenth: This year's Juneteenth marks the 154th anniversary of the date on which Army General Gordon Granger, in Galveston, Texas, freed the last remaining slaves- two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. "Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom but also a celebration of the spirit. On this important day, we take the time to recognize and honor the hardship and the dignity of the men, woman, and   more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced a Senate resolution in honor of Juneteenth. Text is below, and you can view the full resolution here (https://www.cornyn.senate.gov/sites/default/files/Juneteenth%20Resolution%202019.pdf). "Designating June 19, 2019, as ''Juneteenth Independence Day'' in recognition of June 19, 1865, the date on which news of the end of slavery reached the slaves in the Southwestern S  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following statement after the Senate Appropriations Committee announced an agreement on a border supplemental package, which includes $30 million available for reimbursements to local governments, states and non-governmental organizations for migrant care through the Federal Emergency Management Agency: Sen. Cornyn sent a letter yesterday to key appropriators requesting this inclusion after hearing from many local Texas officials and   more

RENO, Nevada, June 15 -- Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, issued the following news release: Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) participated in Reno's thirtieth annual Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the Northern Nevada Black Cultural Awareness Society (NNBCAS). Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day that news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached the last enslaved African and African descendant people in Galveston, Texas. "In recognition of this i  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Marco Rubio (R-Florida), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), and John Cornyn (R-Texas) sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to utilize the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act, imposing additional sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran. The full text of the   more

HOUSTON, Texas, June 17 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Following the Senate's unanimous passage of the bipartisan Cruz-Kaine resolution condemning all forms of anti-Semitism, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today called on Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to follow suit: "Last week the Senate came together and in one voice condemned anti-Semitism as a unique prejudice with a unique history, which has resulted in unique horrors throughout history. "The House has t  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, chairman of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution, issued the following opening remarks at a hearing entitled, "Keeping Congress Accountable: Term Limits in the U.S.": The hearing examined the use of term limits as an avenue to break the cycle of career politicians and encourage accountability in Congress. Sen. Cruz previously introduced a constitutional amendment imposing term limits on congressional members with Rep. Francis Roon  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement in support of President Trump's nomination of Kelly Craft to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations: "Ambassador Craft demonstrated today that she has the experience and temperament to be the next United States ambassador to the United Nations and to advance America's interests in this challenging post," Sen. Cruz said. "As Ambassador to Canada she worked tirel  more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following statement in response to the decision by Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, to deploy 1,000 troops from the Texas National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border: "The security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border is one that Texas faces firsthand, and it only continues to escalate because Democrats have refused to prioritize the safety and security of Americans. "In the past few months we have seen an astonishing number of appreh  more

WASHINGTON, June 17 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following statement after the decision by Hong Kong's Chief Executive Carrie Lam to suspend consideration of the controversial extradition bill: "The decision to suspend the extradition bill's reading is a positive step but inadequate to address the continued, worrying erosion of Hong Kong's autonomy by the Chinese Communist Party. "The bill should be completely withdrawn from future consideration and officials should take steps to res  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today participated in a nominations hearing where he questioned Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg, President Trump's nominee to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia, and Mr. Andrew P. Bremberg, the nominee to serve as the Ambassador to the United Nations Mission in Geneva. The hearing highlighted the strategic importance of our partner  more

HOUSTON, Texas, June 21 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: * * * - Meets with Border Trade Alliance, Rio Grande Valley Partnership, highlights crisis at Texas-Mexico border on Ben Shapiro Show * * * U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) this week held meetings in his Washington, D.C. Senate office with members of the Border Trade Alliance and the Rio Grande Valley Partnership. In those meetings, Sen. Cruz participated in a dialogue with the members, and discussed his views   more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas: "June is the month that we recognize as Pride Month to celebrate the lesbian and gay community - and to acknowledge that individuals should not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. "Yet, today we are voting on a nominee, Mr.   more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas: "June is the month that we recognize as Pride Month to celebrate the lesbian and gay community - and to acknowledge that individuals should not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. "Yet, today we are voting on a nominee, Mr.   more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on the nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas: "June is the month that we recognize as Pride Month to celebrate the lesbian and gay community - and to acknowledge that individuals should not be discriminated against on the basis of their sexual orientation. "Yet, today we are voting on a nominee, Mr.   more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, issued the following statement, which was published in the Congressional Record on June 18, opposing the nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to the U.S. district court for the Northern District of Texas: I rise today in opposition to the nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. June is the month that we recognize as Pride Month to celebrate the lesbian and gay community and to  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, issued the following news release: A bipartisan group of Senate Judiciary Committee members today introduced legislation that modernizes and strengthens criminal laws against money laundering - a critical source of funding for terrorist organizations, drug cartels and other organized crime syndicates. The Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2019 updates criminal money laundering and counterfeiting  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vermont, issued the following statement on the Trump administration's action on LGBTQ issues and the nomination of Matthew Kacsmaryk to be U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Texas: "Later this month our nation will mark the 50th anniversary of the momentous uprising at the Stonewall Inn, an occasion that led to June being designated as Pride Month. From parades and celebrations to quiet remembrances, millions of Americans are reflect  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Gary Peters, D-Michigan, issued the following statement recognizing Juneteenth Independence Day: On June 19th each year, Juneteenth Independence Day commemorates the day the last remaining African-American slaves in Galveston, Texas, learned of their emancipation. "As we recognize Juneteenth Independence Day and the closing of one of our nation's darkest periods, we must acknowledge that the battle for equality is far from finished. "From fighting against efforts t  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee issued the following testimony by Tim Spisak, state director for New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas at the Bureau of Land Management, at a hearing to examine opportunities and challenges for advanced geothermal energy development: "I am pleased to join you today to discuss the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)'s role in responsibly developing the Nation's geothermal energy resources. "The Administration is committed to   more

WASHINGTON, June 21 -- The Senate Judiciary Committee issued the following hearing information: Executive business meeting at 226 Dirksen Senate Office Building at 10 a.m. on June 27: Agenda I. Nominees * Peter JosephPhipps, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit * Charles R.Eskridge III, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Texas * William ShawStickman IV, to be United States District Judge for the Western District of Pennsylvania * Jennifer Phi  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- The Senate Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution issued the following testimony by John David Rausch Jr., Teel Bivins professor of political science at West Texas A&M University, at a hearing entitled "Keeping Congress Accountable: Term Limits in the United States": "My name is Dr. Dave Rausch. I am the Teel Bivins Professor of Political Science at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. The ideas and opinions expressed in this statement are mine alone and not th  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following statements after the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Jason Pulliam to fill a judicial vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio: "Jason has served Texas and his country both as a judge and as a U.S. Marine, and I have no doubt he will excel in this new role," said Sen. Cornyn. "I want to thank President Trump for nominating Jason, and I urge my colleagues   more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following statements after the Senate voted to confirm Matthew J. Kacsmaryk to be a district judge for the Northern District of Texas: "I am glad to see the Senate vote today to confirm my good friend, Matt Kacsmaryk, to fill this crucial judicial vacancy for the Northern District of Texas," Sen. Cruz said. "As a passionate constitutionalist, Matt has served Texas well in his various professional and public ser  more

WASHINGTON, June 20 -- Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following statements after the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Jason Pulliam to fill a judicial vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas in San Antonio: "Jason has served our country and the Lone Star State with excellence," Sen. Cruz said. "His experience, coupled with his commitment to public service and professionalism will serve Texans in the Western District well, and I urge  more

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) this week sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to utilize the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act, imposing additional sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran. The letter was signed by Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Mike Rounds (R-S. D.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas). "After t  more

WASHINGTON, June 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Reps. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.) and Elaine Luria (D-Va.) today introduced the Countering Hezbollah in Lebanon's Military Act of 2019, which would withhold 20 percent of U.S. military assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) unless the President can certify they're taking necessary steps to end Hezbollah and Iran's influence over the LAF. United Nations Security  more