Past Contributions

• Texans in the Nation's Capital Share a Special Sense of Camaraderie

  By Elena Schneider March 7, 2014

  Despite the capital’s buttoned-up atmosphere, many Texans have flocked here for government posts and lobbying jobs. They are always eager to meet fellow Texans, grab some barbecue and talk about life back home. Full Story 

• U.S. House Panel's Hearing Centers on EPA and Texas

  By Elena Schneider Feb. 5, 2014

  The contentious relationship between Texas and the Environmental Protection Agency was the primary focus of a Wednesday hearing of the U.S. House Science, Space and Technology Committee. Full Story 

• At State of the Union, Weber Calls Obama "Socialist Dictator"

  By Elena Schneider Jan. 29, 2014

  Not long before President Obama delivered his sixth State of the Union address, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber, R-Pearland, had another name for the man at the podium: "Kommandant." Full Story 

• Stockman Resurfaces, Claims He Was Never Hiding

  By Elena Schneider Jan. 27, 2014

  The media search party for U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman can rest easy. The Friendswood Republican released a statement on his campaign website Monday saying he'd been on a 10-day congressional delegation trip to Egypt, Israel and Russia. Full Story 

• Combs Defends Conservation Program

  By Elena Schneider Nov. 5, 2013

  Texas Comptroller Susan Combs on Tuesday defended a controversial program her office oversees to conserve the state's threatened dunes sagebrush lizard. Full Story 

• Bill Could Speed Up Permitting of Cross-National Pipelines

  By Elena Schneider Oct. 29, 2013

  U.S. House members on Tuesday touted legislation, co-authored by U.S. Rep. Gene Green, D-Houston, that would streamline the cross-border pipeline permitting process. But Federal Energy Regulatory Commission officials and environmental advocates have concerns. Full Story 

• Congressional Democrats Write Letter to Boehner on Shutdown

  By Elena Schneider Oct. 14, 2013

  Eight Democrats in Texas' congressional delegation sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner on Monday outlining the effects of the federal government shutdown on the state and demanding a clean continuing resolution. Full Story 

• Immigration Rally Draws Thousands, but Reform Remains Uncertain

  By Elena Schneider Oct. 8, 2013

  UPDATED; More than 200 protestors were arrested after blocking a street during an immigration rally on Tuesday, including U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston. Full Story 

• Federal Government Shutdown to Keep Texas Workers Home

  By Elena Schneider Sept. 30, 2013

  Thousands of “nonessential” Texas federal employees will be off the job until Congress passes legislation to turn the government’s lights back on. Texas has the nation's third-highest concentration of federal employees. Full Story 

• Cruz's Marathon Speech May Not Have Lasting Effect on Cornyn

  By Elena Schneider Sept. 26, 2013

  U.S. Sen. John Cornyn's decision not to “#StandWithCruz” raised a firestorm of criticism from the Tea Party grassroots. But it isn’t likely to have a long-term effect on the senior senator's political viability, experts say. Full Story