The latest Congress news from The Texas Tribune.
The Wyoming congresswoman and vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee is the grand finale of this year’s Texas Tribune Festival. With a critical election looming and another one just over the rise, she’ll talk about the state of our democracy in the final conversation of our jam-packed ideas conference. Full Story
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Gonzales broke with his party to support sweeping gun safety legislation that passed after the city’s tragedy. He drew backlash from GOP activists again after he voted to protect same-sex marriage. Full Story
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Progressive Democrat Michelle Vallejo and conservative Republican Monica De La Cruz face off in a South Texas district long represented by moderate Democrats. Full Story
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Monica De La Cruz runs on a campaign against runaway spending and “socialist” policies, blasting Democratic measures to expand federal assistance amid the pandemic. Full Story
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In Texas, married couples generally can claim only one such exemption, meant to provide some tax relief on properties considered “principal residences.” Homestead exemptions cannot typically be claimed on commercial properties, second homes or income properties. Full Story
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Gohmert was a precursor to former President Donald Trump’s brand of populist, establishment-bucking conservatism that delights in offending progressives and makes no apologies for spreading misinformation. Full Story
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The Tribune and a host of news organizations are seeking records related to a January raid on U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar’s Laredo home. Full Story
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The bill would invest billions into issues acutely impacting Texas, including climate change and health care, and is the result of months of intraparty fighting between moderates and progressives. Full Story
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A Texas elections administrator from Tarrant County told a U.S. House committee there was a social media call for his violent death, and election workers nationwide have reported more than 1,000 “hostile contacts” over the past year. Full Story
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Le Roy and Rosie Torres founded the Burn Pits 360 group that advocated for years for Congress to help veterans suffering from injuries caused by the massive disposal sites on overseas bases. Le Roy came home from Iraq suffering from breathing problems. Full Story
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The handful of Texas Democrats who have a penchant for defending the state’s oil and gas industry includes members of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee and representatives from some of the top oil producing, refining and transporting regions of the state. Full Story
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Cruz drew ire last week for fist bumping another senator who also voted against advancing the bill that will help provide care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits. On Tuesday, he joined Senators in passing the legislation. Full Story
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The chamber’s attempt to ban semi-automatic weapons after a series of mass shootings appears destined to fail in the Senate. Full Story
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The U.S. Senate voted to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning for a massive coastal barrier project in Galveston Bay meant to protect against hurricanes’ storm surge. Funding is not yet secured. Full Story
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Four corporate landlords, including Dallas-based Invitation Homes, tried to evict thousands of tenants during a federal ban on evictions, according to an investigation by a congressional subcommittee. Full Story
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In spite of strong support among Texas GOP leaders, nearly all Texas House Republicans voted against the bill intended to boost the state’s semiconductor industry. Full Story
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The House passed the measure, but it will have a harder time getting through the evenly divided Senate. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales was the only Texas Republican to vote for a bill seeking to codify the right to same-sex marriage. The measure passed the House, but its fate in the Senate is uncertain. Full Story
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Escobar was part of a demonstration with several other Democratic congresswomen, including high-profile Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.; Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.; Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.; and Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass; all of whom were also arrested. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez’s campaign has a history with the politics blogger, using more than $1,000 in campaign funds to pay him for advertising services. Full Story
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