WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19) and Rep. Adrian Smith (NE-3) sent a bipartisan letter to the Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Jovita Carranza to request rural hospitals and rural health clinics (RHCs) who have facilities owned or operated by state or local governments are eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program. This bipartisan letter has the  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Nanette Barragan, D-California, issued the following news release: Congresswomen Nanette Diaz Barragan (Calif.-44) and Lizzie Fletcher (Texas-7) introduced legislation to protect millions of Americans at risk of losing their Medicaid healthcare coverage. The Barragan-Fletcher bill would postpone the Trump Administration's Medicaid Fiscal Accountability Regulation (MFAR) for two years. MFAR proposes a number of highly technical changes in the way state governments f  more

DALLAS, Texas, April 16 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, issued the following statement: The President announced at a coronavirus press briefing that he plans to instruct his "administration to halt funding of the World Health Organization while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus." Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) m  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: Congressman Michael McCaul (R-TX), Lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), along with 16 Republican members of the committee, sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump in support of the Administration's April 14th announcement of a review and hold on U.S. voluntary contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) d  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a decision denying in part and dismissing in part a bid protest filed by 1400 Chapman LLC of El Paso, Texas. According to the GAO, 1400 Chapman LLC, "protests the General Services Administration's (GSA) award of a lease to Windward Marina Stuart, LLC, of Aventura, Florida, under request for lease proposals (RLP) No. 6FL0513, for office space for a federal tenant agency. The protester challenges the evaluation of proposals a  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a decision denying a bid protest filed by Airline Data of Dallas, Texas. According to the GAO, Airline Data Inc. LLC, a small business, "protests the issuance of a subscription agreement and purchase order to Relx, Inc., doing business as Reed Business Information, of New York, New York, under request for quotations (RFQ) No. 05GA0A20Q0002, issued by the Government Accountability Office, Acquisition Management, (GAO-AM), fo  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a decision denying a bid protest filed by Asset Protection and Security Services of Corpus Christi, Texas. According to the GAO, Asset Protection & Security Services LP, "protests the award of a contract to Akima Global Services, LLC, of Herndon, Virginia, under request for proposals (RFP) No. HSCEDM-16-R-00001, issued by the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), for guard, transportati  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-321R) is entitled "Border Security: U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Management of a Temporary Facility in Texas Raised Concerns about Resources Used". The report was sent to Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, D-Mississippi, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, Sen. Michael F. Benn  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-389) is entitled "Defense Acquisitions: Action Is Needed to Provide Clarity and Mitigate Risks of the Air Force's Planned Advanced Battle Management System". 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, Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Alabama, chairman, Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-241) is entitled "Cybersecurity: DOD Needs to Take Decisive Actions to Improve Cyber Hygiene". 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, Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Alabama, chairman, Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Defense, Rep. Adam S  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-356) is entitled "Presidential Helicopter: Program is Meeting Cost Goals but Some Technical and Schedule Risks Remain". 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, Sen. Richard C. Shelby, R-Alabama, chairman, Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Illinois, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations subcommitte  more

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report (GAO-20-414R) is entitled "Sexual Harassment Policies: Smithsonian Has Procedures for Prevention, but Could Improve Guidance and Monitoring". The report was sent to Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, chairwoman, and Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma, ranking member of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, on April 9, 2020. Here are excerpts of summaries associated with the report. What GAO Found: "The Sm  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Statistics are current as of April 10, 3:00pm CT * In Texas, 115,918 people have been tested, resulting in 11,671 cases and 226 deaths, as reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. * Tarrant County has at least 637 confirmed cases; Parker County has 11 confirmed cases; and Wise County has 4. Yesterday, April 9 was the ninth consecutive day Tarrant County confirmed at least one coronavirus-r  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) joined a bipartisan effort to urge the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide answers and information regarding delays seen by Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Grant applicants. "I know from hearing from North Texans that our small businesses are facing delays getting the relief they need and it's unacceptable," said Allred. "Every day matters and we have no time to   more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, issued the following Op-Ed: Rep. Arrington stressed the importance of providing equitable support for rural communities and their health care providers in the following Washington Examiner op-ed. To read the full piece, click here :( https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/we-must-also-flatten-the-curve-of-rural-hospital-closures?fbclid=IwAR0U-ckgI7WxNLjhQZCXdvreg6MuRSphyF0BLYcUd6nawvh403E2RrjT-MA) "Hiding in the shadows cast by   more

WOODLANDS, Texas, April 17 -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement after being selected by President Trump to join the President's Task Force on Reopening the Economy: "The President is right: We can continue to apply maximum pressure on the coronavirus while reopening our economy safely and responsibly. Not only can we -- we must if we hope to prevent hurting working families and the jobless with an unnecessa  more

ROUND ROCK, Texas, April 14 -- Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, issued the following news release: On Friday, Congressman John Carter (TX-31) and over 100 House members sent a letter to House and Senate leadership urging reauthorization and additional funding for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in the next Coronavirus response package. "There is a lot of fear and uncertainty amongst Americans right now, and for the victims of domestic violence, there is even more fear because of these stay-at-  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, issued the following news release: U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor led the Florida Congressional Democratic delegation in calling for Governor Ron DeSantis to take immediate steps to protect the health and wellbeing of Floridians during the COVID-19 crisis. These steps include ensuring congressionally passed aid gets to states and localities, expanding Medicaid, reinstating Medicaid retroactive eligibility, boosting resources to enroll Floridians in   more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, issued the following news release: As countries close their borders and take action to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, impacting the travel of U.S. citizens and nationals around the world, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) are leading new legislation to enhance the ability of the State Department to protect U.S. citizens and nationals overseas. The Expanding Vital American Citizen Services Ov  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after the Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced $19 billion in relief funding for farmers and ranchers: "Tonight's announcement of $19 billion in relief for U.S. farmers and ranchers is an important down payment. Secretary Perdue was spot-on when he indicated that significant additional support will be absolutely necessary to see our farme  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, issued the following statement on April 16 after funding for the Paycheck Protection Program ran out: "The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a pivotal component of the CARES Act, has been a critical lifeline for small businesses across the nation as they struggle to keep the lights on. "Approximately 88,000 Texas businesses have taken part in this program so far, and we've already saved an estimated 15 million jobs nationwide. "Howe  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, issued the following news release: House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and HEAT members Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) released the following statements after OPEC reached an agreement to resolve global crude oil market manipulation. Last week, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and members of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) led a joint let  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced legislation that would allow Americans to sue China in federal court to recover damages for death, injury, and economic harm caused by the coronavirus. Specifically, the bill would amend the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to create a narrow exception for damages caused by China's dangerous handling of the coronvirus outbrea  more

ENCINAL, Texas, April 15 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $20,000 in federal funds for the Cotulla-La Salle County Airport. This funding, awarded through Airport Improvement Program in the CARES Act, will be used to help the Cotulla-La Salle County Airport pay for the incurred costs due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as critical safety and capacity projects to continue regardless of airport's current financial ci  more

PLEASANTON, Texas, April 15 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $20,000 in federal funds for the Pleasanton Municipal Airport. This funding, awarded through Airport Improvement Program in the CARES Act, will be used to help the Pleasanton Municipal Airport pay for the incurred costs due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as critical safety and capacity projects to continue regardless of airport's current financial circu  more

LAREDO, Texas, April 18 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $53,750 in federal funds for the City of Laredo and their efforts to prevent or minimize the impact of this pandemic on people with HIV/AIDS. This funding, awarded through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will assist Laredo in reducing the number of new HIV diagnoses while maintaining access to care, medication, and prevention services.   more

LAREDO, Texas, April 15 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $18,506,692 in federal funds for the Laredo International Airport. This funding, awarded through Airport Improvement Program in the CARES Act, will be used to help the Laredo International Airport pay for the incurred costs due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as critical safety and capacity projects to continue regardless of airport's current financial circu  more

LAREDO, Texas, April 16 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $19,044,197 federal funding for colleges, universities, and trade and vocational schools in Laredo. This funding, awarded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will assist students and schools with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. "Now more than ever, students in Laredo need our help weat  more

LAREDO, Texas, April 18 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $307,026,008 in federal funding to the State of Texas to meet needs of students across Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, awarded through the Department of Education's Governor's Emergency Education Relief Funds (GEER), is authorized under the CARES Act. "Schools across Texas are facing enormous costs and challenges as they continue to educate our  more

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, April 15 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $39,708,109 in federal funds for the San Antonio International Airport. This funding, awarded through Airport Improvement Program in the CARES Act, will be used to help the San Antonio International Airport pay for the incurred costs due to the coronavirus pandemic as well as critical safety and capacity projects to continue regardless of airport's current   more

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, April 16 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $50,303,554 in federal funding for colleges, universities, and trade and vocational schools in the San Antonio region. This funding, awarded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will assist students and schools with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. "Now more than ever, students in t  more

MISSION, Texas, April 16 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $54,417,724 federal funding for colleges, universities, and trade and vocational schools in the Rio Grande Valley. This funding, awarded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, will assist students and schools with expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. "Now more than ever, students in South Tex  more

LAREDO, Texas, April 10 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) joined a bipartisan letter to Secretary Alex Azar and Deputy Secretary Eric D. Hargan of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), urging them to equitably distribute funding to small rural hospitals, critical access hospitals and other rural providers who are in desperate need of help during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Rural hospitals are struggling to keep their d  more

BOCA RATON, Florida, April 16 -- Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Florida, issued the following news release: The Florida Congressional Democratic delegation called for Governor Ron DeSantis to take immediate steps to protect the health and wellbeing of Floridians during the COVID-19 crisis. These steps include ensuring congressionally passed aid gets to states and localities, expanding Medicaid, reinstating Medicaid retroactive eligibility, boosting resources to enroll Floridians in Medicaid and CHIP, maint  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-South Carolina, issued the following news release: House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and HEAT members Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) released the following statements after OPEC reached an agreement to resolve global crude oil market manipulation. Last week, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and members of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) led a joint l  more

EL PASO, Texas, April 18 -- Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Monica Lombrana, Chief Operations and Transportation Officer for the City of El Paso announced that the El Paso International Airport (ELP) has been awarded a total of $15,431,799 in federal grant funding to assist with prevention, preparedness, and response to the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. "The El Paso International Airport is an impor  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 11 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release on April 10: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced $1,798,780 in federal CARES Act funding for two community health centers in Texas' Seventh Congressional District. Specifically, Houston Area Community Services, Inc. will receive $912,080 and Saint Hope Foundation will receive $886,700. "Health care providers in my district are working around the clock to combat COVID-19. They are on the fro  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) called on Congressional leadership to provide additional funding for small business relief. This comes as the Small Business Association (SBA) announced that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program had already committed all of their funds. "We must move swiftly to provide additional funds for the Paycheck Protection P  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 15 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), along with Representatives Doris Matsui (CA-06), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), and David McKinley (WV-01), called on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to expand the types of providers eligible to provide telehealth services under Medicare during the COVID-19 pandemic to include physical therapy practitioners, occupational therapy practitioners,   more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) led members of the Texas delegation calling on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to reverse an effective ban on abortion procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. In March, AG Paxton announced that Governor Greg Abbott's emergency order banning elective surgeries and procedures included abortions. Although a federal appeals court struck down the restriction as applied t  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 10 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) announced that five health centers in the 29th Congressional District have been awarded more than $6.6 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Supplemental Funding to help meet the healthcare needs of people in the district during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The CARES Act is a $2.2 trillion economic relief package passed b  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 17 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) announced that William P. Hobby Airport was awarded nearly $50.9 million under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020, and it includes $10 billion in emergency funds to be awarded as economic relief to save our nation's airports and their employees. This funding will support continuing operat  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 15 -- Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) joined Congressmen Jesus "Chuy' Garcia (IL-04), Danny Davis (IL-07), and 21 other Members of Congress in sending a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury urging them to issue final guidance for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and to conduct proactive outreach in underserved and minority communities, which cannot   more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, issued the following statement regarding President Trump's decision to withhold funding from World Health Organization: "President Trump did the right thing in withholding funding from the World Health Organization (WHO) and he should be thanked by every American. "WHO frequently relayed false statements by China and joined the coverup of the contagiousness to humans and deadliness of the disease. The United States should not fund WHO again  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 14 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced $1,502,405 for the Nuestra Clinica Del Valle as part of the funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. "This funding is a vital step in supporting health care professionals as they continue to lead us through this crisis," said Congressman Gonzalez. "I will continue to do everything within my reach to ensure that South   more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 16 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced the availability of$38 million in federal funds through the Texas Governor's Public Safety Office (PSO) to local governments in Texas. These funds come from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by Congress and signed into law by the president in late-March. "I will continue to help our local governments and first responders obtai  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 16 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced $55,764,850 for higher education institutions in the 15th District of Texas. This federal funding comes as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which will help colleges and universities with the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19). "Higher education institutions and students in South Texas are in much need of aid as a  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 14 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced the availability of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the Small Business Administration (SBA) for drought-related disasters. These funds are available to businesses in Brooks, Duval, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Karnes, Live Oak, and Wilson Counties in the 15th District of Texas. "Due to ongoing drought conditions in South Texas, the SBA has m  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 18 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) announced the postponement of the Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Lapel Pinning Ceremony originally scheduled for Sunday, April 19 until further notice due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). "Many Vietnam War veterans are in the demographic that is most susceptible to COVID-19. I am postponing the Vietnam War Commemoration Ceremony until medical professionals deem that  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 18 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following statement regarding the exhaustion of funds for the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program: "Republicans and Democrats need to come together and help the hardworking American people and small businesses that are suffering as a result of this pandemic. "We need to pass an interim emergency funding package that replenishes funding for and guarantees eligibility and access to key Sm  more

MCALLEN, Texas, April 16 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) is urging constituents in the 15th District of Texas to download the U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS "Get My Payment" web application. "Get My Payment" is an online app that will display on any desktop, phone or tablet. It does not need to be downloaded from an app store. The FREE app allows taxpayers who filed their tax return in 2018 or 2019 but did not  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) and 77 of his colleagues sent a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma asking them to work with states, localities, and private labs to immediately collect and publicly report facility-level data on the number of long-term care residents affected by the 201  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on April 16: Today, Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12), Republican Leader of the Appropriations Committee, was appointed by President Trump to serve on the President's Task Force on Reopening the Economy - a bipartisan task force addressing when and how to reopen the American economy amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Congresswoman Granger sai  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, issued the following news release on April 16: Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12), Republican Leader of the Appropriations Committee, was appointed by President Trump to serve on the President's Task Force on Reopening the Economy - a bipartisan task force addressing when and how to reopen the American economy amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Congresswoman Granger said, "The coronavirus pandemic is unlike any threat our nation has faced b  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump's announcement that he is suspending funds to the World Health Organization for 60 days while the administration conducts a review of the agency's role in the coronavirus outbreak and allegations that they protected China and allowed them to downplay the severity of the situation: "President Trump is right to be concerned about the  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Statistics are current as of April 14, 5:30pm CT * In Texas, 146,467 people have been tested, resulting in 14,624 cases and 318 deaths, as reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services. An estimated 2,580 coronavirus patients in Texas have successfully recovered. * Tarrant County has at least 876 confirmed cases; Parker County has 15 confirmed cases; and Wise County has 5. * In the United State  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, issued the following e-newsletter: As a former small business owner in Fort Worth, I know firsthand how small businesses are the heartbeat of our Texas economy. As our country and our state work to address the public health and economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic, our state's nearly two and a half million small businesses--and the almost four and a half million Texans they employ--have had to make hard decisions about how to stay afloa  more

STAFFORD, Texas, April 17 -- Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, issued the following news release on April 16: On Thursday, April 16, 2020, Congressman Al Green, Fort Bend County Judge KP George, Missouri City Mayor Yolanda Ford, and Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella hosted a personal protective equipment (PPE) donation drive. They released the following statement: "Our frontline medical professionals and first responders need an ample supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) to continue combatting t  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Representative Will Hurd (TX-23) along with U.S. Representative Michael Conaway (TX-11) wrote Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Elaine Chao advocating for the approval of the Texas Department Transportation's (TxDOT) application for the BUILD Program. The two projects submitted are key to the needs of the Texas energy sector and will address problem areas in the Permian Basin. "The Permian Basin  more

DALLAS, Texas, April 16 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded a total of $811,535,430 to airports in Texas through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ARES Act funding is allocated to eligible U.S. airports to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus impacts, including support for con  more

DALLAS, Texas, April 17 -- Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded critical emergency COVID-19 funding to the following Dallas entities for their Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programs: * Dallas County: $970,865 * Parkland Health & Hospital System: $207,966 * The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center: $78,875 "This significant funding will ensure th  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement on April 13 on the World Health Organization urging China to close wildlife or wet markets as some of the markets have begun to reopen: A wildlife market in Wuhan, China is the suspected source of the COVID-19 outbreak. Congressman McCaul sent a letter to Director General Tedros earlier this month with a group of bipartisan lawmakers calling on t  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release: House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and HEAT members Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) released the following statements after OPEC reached an agreement to resolve global crude oil market manipulation. Last week, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and members of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) led a joint le  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Pete Olson, R-Texas, issued the following statement: Rep. Pete Olson (TX-22) issued the following statement in support of action by President Trump that resulted in an agreement between Russian and Saudia Arabian leaders to halt oil-market dumping and market manipulation: "This OPEC agreement is welcome news to a crippled energy industry in Texas and throughout the United States. While demand is at an unprecedented low due to COVID-19, this energy war between Russi  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Roy sent the letter to Treasury Sec. Mnuchin urging him to work within the Treasury and with Congress to quickly get capital to small businesses that need it now. * * * To: The Honorable Steven Mnuchin, Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20220 Dear Secretary Mnuchin: Thank you for the work of you and your team during this time of crisis. Ou  more

WASHINGTON, April 14 -- Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: House Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) and HEAT members Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) released the following statements after OPEC reached an agreement to resolve global crude oil market manipulation. Last week, House Republican Whip Steve Scalise and members of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) led a joint lett  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Rep. Van Taylor, R-Texas, issued the following statement on the need to immediately replenish Paycheck Protection Program funding which was depleted: "This is an unprecedented moment for Texas and for our nation - a threat unlike any we have experienced in our lifetimes. Instead of working together to help Americans, those in Congress who are stalling efforts to replenish the Payroll Protection Program are materially hurting the very people they were elected to help. Peo  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai circulated a draft order supporting Ligado's plans to take over spectrum for 5G development in a way that would damage global positioning system and U.S. national security: "Much of America's national security and economic security depends on the GPS system. That is why all the major federa  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following news release: Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, released a discussion draft of legislation chartering an Indo-Pacific Deterrence Initiative, modeled on the European Deterrence Initiative. In releasing the legislation, Thornberry said: "Senior officials from both parties, military commanders, and international  more

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 13 -- Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Rep. Marc Veasey announced that he has partnered with Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley and the North Texas-based Mary Kay Cosmetics to secure the distribution of hand sanitizer to the citizens of Tarrant County to bolster public health as a way to combat the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic. "I applaud the efforts of North Texas' own Mary Kay Cosmetics to help Texans stop the spread of the Coronavir  more

LAREDO, Texas, April 18 -- Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, issued the following news release: Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) and Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) introduced legislation, H.R. 6499, that would authorize a study by the Department of Interior needed to designate the Los Caminos del Rio region as a National Heritage Area (NHA). The 200 mile Rio Grande region would join 55 other national heritage landmarks and become the first area in Texas to bear the national heritage designati  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon, ranking Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following joint statement with Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas, on how provider relief from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act is being disbursed: "As health care providers continue to provide care during the pandemic, it's important Congress and the administration work hand in glove to get them the resources they need. There is broad, bipartisan   more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, issued the following news release: Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Representative to the United Nations Kelly Craft to address the crackdown of free speech in China and in countries across four continents, including Turkey, Bangladesh, Niger and Cambodia, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.   more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following statement: U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX)released the following statement after Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats blocked a second effort by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to pass additional funding for the small business Paycheck Protection Program, which shut down due to a lack of funds. "There's just no sense of urgency, apparently, when it comes to small businesses that need this life  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following op-ed, published in the San Antonio Express-News: U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the San Antonio Express-News on the success of the Paycheck Protection Program established in the CARES Act and the need for additional funding to keep Texas small businesses afloat: As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Texas continues to grow, we can't help but ask, "when?" When will the outbreak peak?  more

WASHINGTON, April 17 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Representative Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) introduced legislation that would allow Americans to sue China in federal court to recover damages for death, injury, and economic harm caused by the Wuhan Virus. Specifically, the bill would amend the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act to create a narrow exception for damages caused by China's dangerous handling of the Wuhan Virus outbr  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following statement: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement in support of granting American refineries relief during these three unprecedented crises: the public health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the subsequent economic and energy crises, which have been especially devastating for energy producers and blue collar workers in Texas. Letters signed by five state governors, including Texas Govern  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 15 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following op-ed on coronavirus, which was provided to the New York Post: In his new op-ed in the New York Post, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), warns about the dangers of "pandemic authoritarianism" and urges state and local leaders to protect Americans' civil liberties as we all work together to combat the novel coronavirus. As Sen. Cruz writes: "This crisis has shown us the character of the American people. We have seen that Ameri  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 16 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following op-ed on coronavirus, which was provided to the KCBD News Channel: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) appeared on Lubbock's KCBD News Channel 11 during his statewide tele-tour to talk about the importance of defeating the coronavirus pandemic, getting our economy back on its feet, and getting Texans and the American people safely back to work. Explaining the dangers of keeping the economy closed for too long, Sen. Cruz said: "  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 17 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release on April 16: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was asked to join President Trump's task force to re-open the economy as the nation continues to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Following a phone call with the president and a bipartisan group of lawmakers this morning, Sen. Cruz said: "The consequences of the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic are serious and dire. In just the last four weeks, 22  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 15 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced his intention to introduce the "Ending Chinese Medical Censorship and Cover Ups Act of 2020," legislation to sanction Chinese officials involved in the ongoing suppression of medical experts, journalists, and political dissidents, amid Chinese censorship of its citizens that is helping to fuel the global pandemic of the   more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 16 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: As the nation works to defeat the coronavirus pandemic and re-open America's economy, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) announced his intention to introduce two pieces of legislation when Congress returns to expand healthcare access and make testing more accessible and widely available. To expand healthcare access, especially in the communities hit hardest by the coronavirus, Sen. Cruz will introduce the Equal Ac  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) completed another week of his statewide tele-tour across 27 cities to connect with communities combatting COVID-19 and the economic devastation that has followed. Sen. Cruz, who has been tapped to join President Trump's bipartisan task force to re-open the economy, kicked off this week with phone calls and video conferences with members of the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, Abilene  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: COVID-19 is a new disease that causes respiratory illness in people and can spread from person to person. This virus was first identified in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 RESOURCES For the most up to date information and resources, visit the following: * Centers for Disease Control and Prevention * CDC: Testing for COVID-19 * Texas Department of State Health Services * Texas Division of Emergency Management *  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 13 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact communities in Texas and all across the country, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a new video, 'Coronavirus Coverup: How Chinese Censorship Led to a Global Pandemic.' First reported in the Dallas Morning News, the new video highlights the role of the Chinese Communist Party in silencing medical experts who   more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 13 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) released the following video in observance of Easter Sunday. "Heidi and I want to wish to you and your family a wonderful and blessed Easter. Today we celebrate Jesus' triumph over death and sin that allows all of us to live in fellowship with God. "These are dark and challenging times for our country and for the world as we battle the coronavirus pandemic. And yet the truth and  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging their departments to issue regulations as soon as possible confirming that U.S.  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Sen. James M. Inhofe, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to intervene to prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting the license modification request of Ligado Networks, which w  more

ATLANTA, Georgia, April 15 -- Sen. Kelly Loeffler, R-Georgia, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) joined four of her colleagues in urging the State Department and the United States Mission to the United Nations to address the crackdown on free speech by China and other countries amid the coronavirus outbreak. In sending the letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. Representative to the United Nations Kelly Craft, Loeffler joined Senators Marsha Black  more

WASHINGTON, April 15 -- Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urging their departments to issue regulations as soon as possible confirming  more

WILMINGTON, Delaware, April 17 -- Sen. Christopher Coons, D-Delaware, issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced their intention to press for a $12 million appropriation in the upcoming Phase 4 / CARES 2 bill to enhance partnerships between companies in the United States and Israel to develop innovative medical projects aimed at detecting, treating, and curing COVID-19. The push is mo  more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 17 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced their intention to press for a $12 million appropriation in the upcoming Phase 4 / CARES 2 bill to enhance partnerships between companies in the United States and Israel to develop innovative medical projects aimed at detecting, treating, and curing COVID-19. The push is modeled on language in   more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 14 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: Men and women from all walks of life are doing their part to combat the two crises our nation faces: the serious health crisis caused by COVID-19, and the resulting economic crisis. The strength and resolve of the American spirit will get us through these crises, which is why U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) today launched the #CombatCOVID19Challenge, a social media challenge to e  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), and colleagues in the Senate on Tuesday sent a letter to Steven Mnuchin, Secretary of the Treasury, and Jovita Carranza, Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to thank them for the recently issued interim final rule on protections for faith-based entities during the continued rollout of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, a  more

WASHINGTON, April 18 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release: U.S Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a group of Senate colleagues in a letter urging President Donald Trump to "work with our allies and partners such as Japan, South Korea, and European nations to pursue an open and transparent investigation into the origins of COVID-19, as well as the WHO's decision-making related to the crisis." Joining   more

HOUSTON, Texas, April 16 -- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, issued the following news release on April 15: U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Senate colleagues on Tuesday sent a letter to President Trump urging the Administration to maintain pro-life protections during the search for treatments and cures for COVID-19. The letter, which was signed by 35 senators, refutes a request by 15 pro-abortion state attorneys general requesting waivers to prohibitions on the use of fetal ti  more

WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The Senate Armed Services Committee issued the following news release: U.S. Sens. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to intervene to prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting the license modification request of Ligado Networks, which  more