Ted Cruz says conservatives “will regret” Trump’s FCC chairman going after Jimmy Kimmel
The Texas senator compared Brendan Carr’s threat to ABC to that of a mafia boss. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/bcaa1321a3853baf0e169efcc70be1ca/Cruz%20Commerce%20Commitee%20REUTERS.JPG)
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/2025_Gabby_Birenbaum_2x3.jpg)
Gabby Birenbaum is the Washington Correspondent for the Texas Tribune. She covers the Texas congressional delegation and the impact of federal policy on Texas. Gabby previously covered Washington for The Nevada Independent, where she wrote the weekly D.C. Download newsletter and covered the 2024 presidential election and competitive Senate race. Prior to The Nevada Independent, Gabby worked at The Washington Monthly and Vox. Gabby graduated from Northwestern University, where she studied journalism and political science. She is a native of Arlington, Virginia and is based in Washington, DC. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, watching movies and being a long-suffering fan of DC sports teams. Her work is supported by a partnership with Report for America.
Latest Contributions
-
![Chairman U.S. Sen Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks at a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation hearing with CEO of Boeing Kelly Ortberg in the Dirksen Senate office building in Washington, D.C., on April 2, 2025.]()
Credit: Annabelle Gordon/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Rep. Michael McCaul, foreign policy hawk in an increasingly isolationist GOP, recounts 20 years in Congress
The longtime Austin Republican, who is retiring at the end of his term, said he is concerned about the direction of his party and Congress as a whole. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5b347678776774881dd0884fd753d016/20231114%20Michael%20McCaul%20Exit%20Interview%20REUTERS.JPG)
![U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, speaks at a press conference in the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023.]()
Credit: Annabelle Gordon/CNP/Sipa USA via REUTERS -
Tejano star Bobby Pulido launches South Texas congressional run
The musician and Democrat is looking to flip Texas’ 15th Congressional District, which voted for President Donald Trump by 18% in 2024. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/fdb6568348de11d5a87bbda15f28f342/Bobby%20Pulido%20REUTERS.jpg)
![Tejano singer Bobby Pulido of Edinburg, Texas holds his award backstage at the Premio lo Nuestro latin music awards show in Miami February 22, 2007.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Molly Skipper -
Texas GOP may be banking on low Hispanic turnout in new map
Republicans note that some of the districts they intend to flip were redrawn to become majority-Hispanic. Democrats say the GOP made sure to add Hispanic Texans who are unlikely to vote. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e2ca86156ac05818046e4b424beed975/1105%20Election%20Day%20Houston%20AM%2002.jpg)
![Presiding judge Dina Patel checks her watch as she waits for polls to open at Parker Elementary on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Houston.]()
Credit: Annie Mulligan for The Texas Tribune -
Texas solar program left in limbo after Trump administration pulls the plug on $250 million grant
Texas’ Solar for All program was intended to bring solar panels and batteries to low-income neighborhoods and create jobs by training workers to install the technology. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f34ef4bbe461bcde5b1938d0e9ae2960/0416%20Solarcycle%20EH%2033.JPG)
![An Oberon solar project on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, in Notrees, Ector County. The farm, operated by 174 Power Global, produces 180 megawatts of power and according to Chariot Energy has an estimated lifespan of 25 to 30 years.]()
Credit: Eli Hartman for The Texas Tribune -
How Democrats pressured U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to step aside for the next generation
Doggett’s shocking decision to retire signals U.S. Rep. Greg Casar’s growing strength among Democrats in Austin politics and in Congress. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d0d0145c4b3a728c99290f49324a78ca/0731%20Jeffries%20Dems%20Presser%20BD%20TT%2030.jpg)
![U.S. Reps Lloyd Doggett and Rep. Greg Casar, both of Austin, at a press conference with Texas Democratic leaders at the state Capitol on July 31, 2025.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Jodey Arrington, Brandon Creighton being considered for Texas Tech System’s top job
Arrington represents Lubbock in Congress. Creighton is a longtime state lawmaker. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c8f38a40a06b7de1cd2193cf6d6a81d7/Arrington-Creighton%20Split.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, left, and state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe.]()
Credit: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via REUTERS, Juan Figueroa/The Texas Tribune -
Minneapolis gunman appears to promote “Brandon Herrera for president” in video posted before shooting
Herrera, a gun rights activist with millions of online followers, said he was “disgusted” to be mentioned by the shooter. Herrera is challenging U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales in the Republican primary. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c35d5657ca91556635d99df96c63cd98/0314%20Brandon%20Herrera%20CL%2035.JPG)
![Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz and Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for the US House for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, were seen during a campaign event at the Angry Elephant, a politically themed bar, in San Antonio, Texas on March 14, 2024.]()
Credit: Christopher Lee for Texas Tribune -
Cruz, Paxton issue dueling endorsements in Texas attorney general GOP primary
Aaron Reitz and Chip Roy, positioning themselves as Paxton’s ideological heirs, have served as top aides for both the attorney general and Cruz. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/552c605d2facac5fc5a585dbacd91a2e/Diptych%20Roy%20Reitz.jpg)
![Aaron Reitz, left, and U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, right, are both running for Texas attorney general after previously serving as top aides to the outgoing incumbent, Ken Paxton.]()
Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect and Julia Nikhinson for The Texas Tribune -
Here are the Republicans who might run for Texas’ newly drawn congressional seats
State Rep. Briscoe Cain kicked off what operatives expect to be a flurry of campaign announcements with a bid for Houston’s 9th Congressional District. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/084cba85d4c3283c3eb006b452eb1528/US%20Capitol%20DC%20REUTERS%20TB%20TT.jpg)
![Pedestrians walk along the East Front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on Dec. 4, 2020.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Tom Brenner