Senate confirms U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe of Texas as director of national intelligence
The congressman from Heath will oversee 17 intelligence agencies. His appointment creates a vacancy in one of Texas' most conservative districts. Full Story
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Sam Manas
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Sam Manas was a 2020 reporting fellow. He received a master's in journalism from the University of Missouri. Sam has worked as an associate producer for Missouri Business Alert, a newsletter fellow for The Conversation, a public health and safety reporter for the Columbia Missourian, and a communications and design intern for the Jesuit Refugee Service. He has bachelor’s degrees in English and sociology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Past Contributions
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![U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: Gabriella Demczuk/Pool via REUTERS -
Senate committee advances nomination of U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe for director of national intelligence
The Texas representative's nomination will go to the full Senate after receiving approval from the Senate Intelligence Committee. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-TX, testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee nomination hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on May 5, 2020.]()
Credit: Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS -
In confirmation hearing for intelligence director, U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe promises he "won't shade the intelligence"
President Donald Trump has nominated the congressman from Texas to oversee the nation's 17 intelligence agencies. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, speaks during a House Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 12, 2019.]()
Credit: Andrew Harrer/Pool via REUTERS -
Texans in Congress look for ways to help as oil prices tank
While some companies can access small-business funds, the major stimulus that has made its way through Congress has no specific help for the energy sector. Members from Texas are looking for other ways to help. Full Story
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![A pump jack in the Eagle Ford oil patch south of San Antonio.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Diversion of aircraft purchases for border wall puts some Texas Republicans in a difficult position
Military aircraft construction is vital to the Fort Worth economy. The diversion drew condemnation from Democrats and at least one Texas Republican. Full Story
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![Fort Worth residents posed for photos on Dec. 21, 2016, with a model of the F-35 fighter plane, which is manufactured at a Lockheed Martin plant in the city.]()
Credit: Abby Livingston/The Texas Tribune -
Texas freshman Rep. Veronica Escobar boosts national profile with State of the Union response in Spanish
Escobar said she plans to highlight health care, immigration, climate change and impeachment in her speech Tuesday night. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, votes no on the first article of impeachment against President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 13, 2019.]()
Credit: Patrick Semansky/Pool via REUTERS -
Sen. Ted Cruz launches daily podcast about Trump impeachment trial
In the podcast, Cruz reacts to what he's seen in the trial and makes the case for defending the president. Full Story
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![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, questions judicial nominees during a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 4, 2019.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Joshua Roberts