In the first half of fiscal 2024 – from October 2023 to March 2024 – Border Patrol Agents on the U.S.-Mexico Border caught 24,214 Chinese illegal immigrants who had come into the country by walking through unfenced areas. An already frightening, and growing surge of illegal Chinese immigrants have replaced individuals from Hispanic countries as the largest group crossing into the United States – and its triggering another National Security concern in the Nation's Capitol.
“No SEAL should ever have to choose between the needs of their children and the needs of their country – and no matter where we are in the world, family is always at the forefront of our minds," said Master Chief Navy SEAL (Ret.) Jon Echols, marking April's "Month of the Military Child" designation while the SEALKIDS Organization joined communities across the nation to support the most vulnerable of the Military Community – its children.
After reports surfaced last week that State Representative Gary VanDeaver received thousands of dollars in donations from pro-Taxpayer Funded Lobbying Supporters in Austin – while voting against legislation to ban lobbying by taxpayer-funded government entities such as Cities or Counties – Mr. VanDeaver (HD-1) has now been hit with two new ethics complaints while in the middle of a hotly-contested Primary Run-Off Election in Northeast Texas.
After Joe Biden ignored the Chinese Communist spy balloon – and allowed it to cross the U.S. collecting sensitive national intelligence – he's now recently said Israel should ignore 335 Drones & Missiles fired at their country by Iran. Watching his bizarre performance, it hit me – the "Biden Doctrine" is to cripple your allies, and help your enemies. He warned Iran not to attack Israel with the single word “Don’t,” yet Iran did. He set himself and our nation up to look foolish and weak.
"It's been humbling to receive the support I did from voters in the March primary,” said candidate Trey Wharton, adding, "House District 12 represents the birthplace of Texas, it consists of hardworking men & women who want their conservative values protected, and now we must make sure we get all our voters out plus those who supported John Harvey Slocum – who came in third but has since endorsed my candidacy,” said Wharton, announcing a new list of endorsements supporting his effort.
Semiconductor chips are the backbone of U.S. National Security – the brains behind everything from toasters to our nation's most advanced weapons systems. I authored & introduced the "CHIPS for America Act" at the request of President Trump's national security team to onshore U.S. production of this critical asset – and since its passage, we've embarked on the greatest Tech Revolution since the Manhattan Project. I couldn’t be prouder to see Samsung leading the way right here in Central Texas.
“Last year, I signed a law to provide funding for the construction of a new, modernized Behavioral Health Campus to support the entire Uvalde community and its neighboring counties. This new facility will provide Texans experiencing a mental health crisis with access to mental health professionals and around-the-clock treatment to address their needs," said Gov. Greg Abbott today, announcing a $34 million project that will serve 32 counties in the surrounding area.
U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee & Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) celebrated the Senate passage of their bipartisan and bicameral "Federal Judiciary Stabilization Act" by unanimous consent. Their bill would transition 10 temporary federal judgeships to permanent status in order to maintain the current level of access to the federal court for millions of Americans across the nation.
Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D. introduced the next series installment highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this episode, we hear the story of Texas Veteran Victor Egger. For about 18 years, he volunteered at a Naval Air Station and Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, showing his love for helping service members.
If the economy is so good, why do small business leaders feel so bad? The latest Small Business Optimism Index from the National Federation of Independent Business could hardly be more depressing. It finds that the men and women who run our 33 million Small Businesses and hire more than half of American workers are in a somber mood. The survey finds that small-business confidence has reached its lowest point in 12 years.
“This continued momentum is a testament to the strength of our young, skilled, diverse and growing workforce, our welcoming business climate, and the strategic investments that we continue to make as a state," said Gov. Greg Abbott, celebrating Texas again leading the nation in annual job creation following the release of March's employment numbers. With 270,700 jobs added from March 2023 to March 2024, Texas has added over 2.3 million jobs during Abbott’s time in office.
"I strongly supported the End the Border Catastrophe Act because it would have closed asylum loopholes, reinforced Border Security Infrastructure, and delivered more resources to enforce against illegal immigration. As usual though, partisan politics got in the way, keeping many of my colleagues from voting yes to put America first and secure our border," said Cong. Gonzales after voting in favor of the End Border Catastrophe Act and foreign aid legislation to support America’s allies.
These bills included the End the Border Catastrophe Act of 2024 (H.R. 3602), 21st Century Peace through Strength Act of 2024 (H.R. 8038), Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 8036), Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 8034), and Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2024 (H.R. 8035).
Since the COVID-low point in September of 2020, months of increase in upstream oil and gas employment in Texas have outnumbered months of decrease by 33 to 9. In that time, industry has added 39,500 Texas upstream jobs, an average growth of 940 jobs a month. These jobs pay among the highest wages in Texas, with employers in oil and natural gas paying an average salary of over $124,000 in 2023.
I’m concerned, folks. Maybe I’m off base, but I think the evidence is clear Joe’s a senile old serial liar whose inability to tell the truth is matched only by his grubby corruption. Other than that, he’s fine. I’m laughing at all the Democrats looking at all the polls showing Trump's ahead in the Battleground States. Trump was barely ever even in any 2020 Poll, but now he's leading, consistently. They’ve got to be scared – and especially terrified because people hide their support for Donald Trump.
More bad news for Democrats: Compared to four years ago, Joe Biden's lost significant ground with voters under 30 – including a 20-point decline among young men. And, with over half (51%) saying its a more important issue than any other, young men’s views on immigration is playing a significantly larger role in 2024 than in previous elections. By a margin of 37% to 10% they believe immigration has made the U.S. economy worse – and interestingly, young women say they agree.
Special interests of the Hard Liquor Lobby in Washington, D.C. are attempting to take advantage of the complicated U.S. Tax Code to make hard-working Americans pay the taxes of multi-national companies. They're lobbying quietly and pushing legislation in the U.S. House & Senate, hoping to attach one of their bills to an Omnibus Spending Bill in a way that typically goes unnoticed. By Congressional definition, its the ultimate earmark for hard liquor.
"9.5 million illegal immigrants have been encountered at our borders, and over 2 million illegal immigrants are currently living in Texas. In South and West Texas, we know the dangers of the border crisis all too well. Republicans are focused on passing the End the Border Catastrophe Act this week. Every Member of Congress has the opportunity to submit amendments to this legislation."