The latest Congress news from The Texas Tribune.
The Uyghurs are a predominantly Muslim group who live in China’s northwestern region. The Chinese persecution of these people reportedly includes indoctrination camps and forced sterilization of women. Full Story
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The filibuster stands in the way of Democrats passing bills aimed at expanding access to the vote. Meanwhile, the executive branch has lost one of its most powerful tools for intervening. Full Story
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Texas GOP Chairman Allen West, Republican U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert and Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller each delivered remarks at the event. Marketing for the event included a logo featuring a cowboy hat with the letters “WWG1WGA” around its band, a QAnon motto. Full Story
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Senate Bill 7, a Republican priority voting bill, would limit early voting hours, curtail local voting options and further clamp down on mail-in voting, among several other provisions. Full Story
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U.S. Senate Republicans successfully blocked the establishment of a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Cruz and Cornyn voted against proceeding with debating the commission. Full Story
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The federal government blocked an attempt to rename these places 30 years ago when Texas passed a law to eliminate the term. Now, lawmakers are once again pushing for the change. Full Story
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The bill creating the commission, which would have subpoena power, passed 252-175. Republican U.S. Reps. Tony Gonzales of San Antonio and Van Taylor of Plano were the only two GOP Texans to support the measure. Full Story
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Roy announced Thursday that he was seeking the post but was quickly denounced by former President Donald Trump. Full Story
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The runoff pits Wright's widow, Susan Wright, against state Rep. Jake Ellzey of Waxahachie. Both are Republicans. Full Story
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The federal government also announced that undocumented and international students can now receive those emergency funds, too, rolling back a Trump administration rule that allowed schools to distribute grants only to students who qualified for federal financial aid. Full Story
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Texas voters have a strong preference for politicians from their own parties, but overall, the president is as popular here as the governor or either of the state's U.S. senators. Full Story
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A runoff date has yet to be scheduled in the race, which drew 23 candidates vying to replace U.S. Rep. Ron Wright, R-Arlington. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, the former sheriff of Fort Bend County, made the request after Biden's joint address Wednesday night. Biden's answer: "I’ll reach out to you." Full Story
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The newly released funds come after educators and state Democrats urged the governor to unlock the pandemic relief money as schools plan their budgets for the next school year Full Story
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The former president is set to appear on a tele-town hall Thursday to get out the vote for Wright in Saturday's contest. Full Story
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Susan Wright is among 11 Republicans — and 23 candidates total — vying to replace her late husband, Ron Wright, R-Arlington, in Congress. Election day for the special election is Saturday. Full Story
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The Texas woman’s death exposed a pattern of violence and abuse against soldiers at Fort Hood, the U.S. military’s largest active-duty base. It also sparked national outrage over federal officials’ handling of sexual harassment and noncombat deaths. Full Story
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The junior senator from Texas initially slammed the bill as “a messaging tactic” but supported it in the final vote because he said an amendment made it more palatable. Full Story
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The bill backed by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, would create four new processing facilities for asylum seekers and add to federal staffing along the border. Full Story
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A national group is spending six figures to try to stop Ellzey ahead of the May 1 election, and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz came out against him on Tuesday. Full Story
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