Government briefly shuts down, Harvey funding secured
The federal government shut down briefly Thursday night, over U.S. Sen. Rand Paul's procedural objections over increased spending. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2015/01/31/Rand_Paul_1.jpg)
-
![U.S. Sen. Rand Paul delivers the keynote speech at the Dallas GOP "Reagan Day" event on Friday, January 30, 2015.]()
Credit: Laura Buckman -
U.S. Senate strikes deal on disaster funding that will help Harvey victims
The U.S. House and Senate are on track to secure $90 billion in disaster aid for storm-ravaged states like Texas — and to fund the government for two years. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/09/24/Cornyn_close_TT.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, at the 2017 Texas Tribune Festival.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Where's the "bathroom bill" in the 2018 primaries? (podcast)
On this week's TribCast, Emily talks to Patrick, Abby and Jay about the noticeable absence of the "bathroom bill" on the 2018 primary trail, the hottest congressional races, and a particularly timely campaign contribution received by Land Commissioner George P. Bush. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/11/22/TTE-tribcast_leadart.png)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Emily Albracht / Todd Wiseman -
Amarillo-area nuclear weapons plant affected by cost overruns for federal program
Millions of dollars in promised savings at the Pantex Plant in the Panhandle and another nuclear weapons facility in Tennessee haven’t appeared. But the federal government has still awarded a contractor extra profits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2018/02/01/Pantex_Nuclear_DOE_TT.jpg)
![The east gate to the U.S. Department of Energy's Pantex Plant near Amarillo.]()
Credit: U.S. Department of Energy -
How U.S. Reps. Mike Conaway and Will Hurd explained their votes to release secret memo
Three Texans voted on the U.S. House committee that paved the way for President Donald Trump's release Friday of a a high-profile GOP memo alleging surveillance abuses by the FBI. The committee's deliberations shed light on their thinking on the divisive issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/20/Joaquin_Castro_Mike_Conaway_and_Will_Hurd.jpg)
![(L-R) U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, Mike Conaway, R-Midland and Will Hurd, R-Elotes all serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.]()
Credit: Official House Portraits -
Texans in U.S. House send letter to Senate urging vote on Harvey relief
A dozen U.S. House members from Texas sent a letter to leaders in the U.S. Senate Thursday urging quick action on a bill that would provide billions more in Hurricane Harvey relief, calling the bill "critical to the lives and livelihoods of our constituents and the nation at large." Full Story
Credit: Illustration by Michael Stravato/Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Wealthy self-funder could upend open race to replace Houston U.S. Rep. Gene Green
Just a few weeks ago, Houston political observers were predicting state Sen. Sylvia Garcia would easily win the Democratic primary to replace U.S. Rep. Gene Green. Then Tahir Javed pledged to “spend whatever it takes" to come out on top. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2018/01/30/Garcia_Javed_TT.jpg)
![State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, and businessman Tahir Javed. Garcia and Javed are two of seven Democratic candidates running for U.S. Congressional District 29.]()
Credit: Facebook campaign pages -
Campaign finance for dummies: A guide to Texas election rules
We’ve compiled an overview of everything Texans should know about campaign finance reports and why they’re important. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/02/07/vote-for-me.jpg)
![Article thumbnail]()
Credit: Illustration by Jacob Villanueva -
Cruz allies raise $1.7 million for new super PAC
Allies of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, have raised $1.7 million for a new super PAC that could come in handy as Cruz seeks a second term. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/09/24/Cruz_close.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz joins fellow Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Tribune CEO Evan Smith for the closing day of The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
In first State of the Union address, Trump tells natural disaster victims: "We are with you"
In his first State of the Union address, President Donald Trump touted a "new tide of optimism" sweeping the country in the wake of his administration's "righteous mission" to address immigration reform and unemployment, among other issues. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2018/01/30/Trump_SOTU_2018_2.jpg)
![President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address on Jan. 30, 2018.]()
Credit: The White House -
Texas lawmakers hope Trump's State of the Union speech clarifies his immigration plan
After the release of a framework of the White House's plan on immigration and border security, President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech will preview how much he is willing to compromise to get something to his desk. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/28/Trump_addresses_Congress_2_TT.jpg)
![President Donald Trump addresses a joint session of Congress in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28, 2017.]()
Credit: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque -
U.S. Rep. Kay Granger seen as contender to chair powerful Appropriations Committee
A New Jersey congressman's announcement Monday that he was retiring immediately set off speculation as to who might replace him as chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. One contender: U.S. Rep. Kay Granger. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/89848f4e9c7899071410d614df1fe0ae/.Kay_Granger_FB_TT_crop.jpg)
![U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth.]()
Credit: Facebook -
Beto O'Rourke adds state Rep. Joe Moody to U.S. Senate campaign
State Rep. Joe Moody is joining fellow El Paso Democrat Beto O'Rourke's campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/03/13/X-CJHouse068_JoeMoodyTT.jpg)
![Chairman of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Joe Moody, D-El Paso, listens to testimony on March 13, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for the Texas Tribune -
At Koch network retreat, Cornyn acknowledges a need for a tax reform sales job
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, acknowledged Saturday that Republicans will need to fight to sell their tax overhaul that was recently signed into law by President Donald Trump, saluting plans by the influential Koch network to spend up to $20 million to promote the law's benefits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/25/CornynTT.jpg)
![U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, speaks at the Texas State Rifle Association general meeting in Round Rock on Feb. 25, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Houston fundraiser with New York Democrat Chuck Schumer rankles some Texans
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, one of the most visible Democrats in Congress, is coming to Houston for a fundraiser this weekend. Both the location and the host sparked tension among Texas political players on Friday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2018/01/26/Beto_Schumer_Culberson.jpg)
![Left to right: U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York, and U.S. Rep. John Culberson, R-Houston.]()
Credit: Official portraits -
As anti-abortion activists prepare to rally in Austin, they celebrate a "sensational" year
When anti-abortion activists march outside the state Capitol on Saturday, they'll do so celebrating a year of multiple successes at the state and federal level. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/01/28/IMG_2341.JPG)
![Anti-abortion demonstrators march up Congress Avenue toward the Capitol in Austin for the Texas Rally for Life on Jan. 28, 2017.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
AG Paxton says he will consider suing to end DACA if court case drags on
In an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday stated that if the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program still exists in June, his office would consider filing suit to eliminate the program. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/09/05/DACA_protest_AG_JA_TT.jpg)
![DACA supporters held a press conference in front of the Texas Attorney General's Office in Austin on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, after the Trump administration announced the program was ending.]()
Credit: Julián Aguilar / The Texas Tribune -
These Texas lawmakers are forgoing their pay during the government shutdown
The Texas Tribune checked with all the Texans in Congress about whether they planned to forgo their pay during the government shutdown that began Saturday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/09/07/TX_delegation_TT.jpg)
![Members of the Texas congressional delegation from both parties discuss funding for recovery from Harvey at a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Abby Livingston / The Texas Tribune -
Federal government shutdown ends after Congress breaks logjam
The federal government shutdown ended Monday after the U.S. Senate and House passed a previously stalled funding measure. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/11/SKnowles-USCapitol-1.jpg)
![The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on June 7, 2017.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Texas AFL-CIO declines to endorse O'Rourke after he misses convention
The political arm of the Texas AFL-CIO decided not to endorse U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, in his campaign to unseat U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas. The group offered no endorsement in the race. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/08/02/APrice-TexasAFLCIO-3.jpg)
![The headquarters of Texas AFL-CIO in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Austin Price / The Texas Tribune
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/268039591d26bca7177cb62813ceb008/DONT%20USE%20HarveyRecoveryFund_art)