The latest politics news from The Texas Tribune.
President Trump set off even more confusion than usual at the U.S. Capitol this week by announcing he would ban transgender people from the military. Take a look at where Texans in Congress stand on the issue. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/27/Transgender-Military.png)
As a political outsider, radio launched Dan Patrick's career. But now that he's mostly off the airwaves and in the lieutenant governor's seat, Patrick's station continues to push his conservative agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/25/KSEV700-Radio-Lead.jpg)
The Texas Senate has approved a bill aiming to crack down on mail-in ballot fraud, largely by beefing up criminal penalties — a response to voting irregularities in Dallas County. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/26/UP9A0071.jpg)
Texas women would have to pay a separate health insurance premium to get coverage for non-emergency abortions under a bill passed by the Texas Senate. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/26/UP9A0002.JPG)
The rift over the bathroom bill in the Texas Legislature won't end with the special session; it's a prelude to the March 2018 primary elections. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/25/_95I5516_signs.jpg)
Texans in the U.S. House on Tuesday uniformly backed sanctions against Russia and limited President Donald Trump's power to ease them. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/28/Trump_addresses_Congress_TT.jpg)
A Texas GOP congressman says if the three female Republican senators who oppose a bill repealing Obamacare were men from South Texas, he might challenge them to a duel. One of those senators was caught on a hot mic mocking him. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7bb2b4388be7d7f2a310943612968069/BD%20INC%20Farenthold%2007%202011)
A bill that largely relies on increased penalties to crack down on mail-in ballot fraud is headed to the Senate floor. Its movement is a new path for lawmakers who previously focused on rare in-person voter fraud. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/02/12/Ballot-Texas.jpg)
For the third time this year, state lawmakers on Friday held a marathon hearing on measures to restrict bathroom use for transgender Texans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/21/Line_for_bathroom_bill_MKC_TT.jpg)
Former U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas told a panel of Senate lawmakers on Thursday that she will take a hard line on Russia if she is confirmed as ambassador to NATO. She appears to be on track for confirmation. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/20/KBH_NATO_TT.jpg)
The national Episcopal Church is urging Texas House Speaker Joe Straus to remain "steadfast" in his opposition to legislation to restrict bathroom use for transgender Texans. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/02/09/__BDP2447_signs.jpg)
A fast-moving Senate gave approval to critical “sunset legislation” after midnight Thursday, using two bills to extend the life of five state agencies held political hostage at the end of the regular legislative session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/20/FullSizeRender.jpg)
Statewide officials, state lawmakers and the candidates who'd like to unseat them faced a Monday deadline to report their campaign finances for the first half of the year. Here are some highlights. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2014/01/31/Ballots-MoneyBags.jpg)
Federal courts should trust Texas to properly educate voters on new ID rules ahead of the 2018 elections instead of insisting that money be spent on a marketing campaign, President Trump’s justice department argues. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/06/27/EARLYVOTING3444.jpg)
On the opening day of the special session, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick took a step to fast-track two bills reauthorizing the Texas Medical Board and four other state agencies jeopardized by inaction during the regular session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/18/__95I3958_GarciaLOW.jpg)
Both proponents and opponents of a Texas "bathroom bill" are steeling themselves once again as a special session kicks off in which Gov. Greg Abbott has vowed to add the hot-button issue to the agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/06/29/APrice-StonewallRally-6.jpg)
The coming weeks will reveal whether the ongoing hostility between Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Joe Straus has paralyzed state policymakers as they take up the 20 items on Gov. Greg Abbott's agenda. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/14/Patrick_Abbott_Straus_BD_TT.jpg)
Four Texans in Congress – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, and U.S. Reps. John Culberson of Houston, Ted Poe of Humble and Lamar Smith of San Antonio – were outraised by a Democratic challenger in the last quarter. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/07/17/Abby_4_split_TT.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott says he's going to keep a list of lawmakers who oppose his agenda during the special legislative session, and that property tax reform is his top priority. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/06/06/Abbott_special_MKC_TT.jpg)
Former U.S. Rep. Pete Gallego is considering another run for the U.S. House seat he lost to Republican Will Hurd. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2016/11/09/ShelbyKnowles-November_08_2016-4.jpg)