Lone Star clout and the benefits it generates back home look to be on the decline in the coming years.
Mac Thornberry
In U.S. House, Texans Hold Leadership Roles with Expiration Dates
Texas Republicans currently hold seven chairmanships in the U.S. House, giving the state an outsized role in moving forward key legislation. But almost all of those members are due to to hand over their gavels in the next five years.
U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan to Make Texas Fundraising Swing
During an upcoming U.S. House recess this month, House Speaker Paul Ryan will make several stops in some of the richest pockets of the state: Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Midland and San Antonio.
Texas Delegation Raises, Shares Big Money
Recently filed campaign finance reports show whether Texas congressional incumbents are building viable re-election operations, and they also reveal how Texans spread their campaign wealth to colleagues.
House Votes to Reauthorize Export-Import Bank
With more Republicans joining the cause โ including six Texans โ the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly, 313-118, on Tuesday to reauthorize the controversial Export-Import Bank of the United States.
If Conditions Are Met, Ryan Will Run for U.S. House Speaker
The political anarchy among U.S. House Republicans could be coming to an end, as U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., announced Tuesday that he would run for speaker of the House if all warring GOP factions agree to back him.
The Brief: May 22, 2015
Four large donors to the nonprofit currently documenting Texas lawmakers this session are well-known backers of conservative causes.
U.S. Rep. Thornberry Juggles Politics as House Armed Services Chairman
U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry is one of the most powerful players on Capitol Hill. But his new gavel as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee comes with scrutiny.
The Brief: Jan. 8, 2015
Unexpectedly tough lines of questioning by federal appeals court judges hearing arguments over Texas’ requirement that abortion clinics meet hospital-like standards buoyed hopes of abortion rights supporters on Wednesday.
The Brief: Nov. 19, 2014
Despite his challenger’s vow to take a speaker vote to the floor on the first day of session, backers of House Speaker Joe Straus spent Tuesday trying to demonstrate the race is already a foregone conclusion.


