A former staffer in the congresswoman's office claims Jackson Lee fired her after the staff member reported a rape by a supervisor at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Jackson Lee was the foundation's board chair before stepping down Wednesday.

At issue was a December announcement that the U.S. Treasury Department would lift sanctions against companies tied to a Russian oligarch with strong ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Houston congresswoman is accused of firing an employee after the employee sued the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation over an alleged 2015 rape.

Gov. Greg Abbott and 22 members of Congress from Texas sent a letter to President Trump stating their opposition to using Harvey aid for a border wall.

The partial federal shutdown could come to a head Friday, when tens of thousands of Texas federal workers will miss their paychecks. Meanwhile, officials also worry about small businesses who rely on federal contracts.

Thornberry, the former chair of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, said "it is not a responsibility of the Department of Defense" to build the wall.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi took back the chamber gavel amid a gloomy partial government shutdown.

Members from both chambers left the U.S. Capitol Friday evening, kicking the negotiations into the weekend. Dozens of agencies will be impacted by the shut down, potentially leaving border patrol agents to work without pay.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, pushed the bill, which was inspired in part by reforms made in the Lone Star State.

The bill, which calls for an overhaul in how prisoners are treated and prepared for release, has wide bipartisan backing. It is expected to pass the U.S. House and garner President Trump's signature.

Republican Texans in Congress were disappointed the $867 billion package didn't include stricter work requirements for SNAP recipients. But they cheered passage because the bill provides financial certainty for the state's farmers.

The state's senior senator is seeking a fourth term in the chamber.

An influential GOP group voted Thursday to select Granger, the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Texas, to be the party's ranking member on the budget-writing panel once Democrats take over control of the chamber.

Some close watchers of the Texas congressional delegation expect a rash of retirements ahead of the 2020 elections, in part due to GOP members unhappy with their new minority status in the chamber.

The Texan joined 15 other members and members-elect in signing the letter, which has complicated Pelosi's bid to return as House speaker.