The latest Congress news from The Texas Tribune.
U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, announced Thursday he would retire from Congress after finishing his current term following new allegations that included former employees describing him as verbally abusive and sexually demeaning. Full Story
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The U.S. Senate confirmed Don Willett, a Texas Supreme Court justice, to the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals Wednesday. A confirmation vote on Jim Ho, a former state solicitor general, is expected later this week. Full Story
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House Speaker Joe Straus praised Alabama for rejecting Roy Moore in Tuesday's special election and urged mainstream Texas voters to get involved in 2018 primaries to keep people like Moore out of power. Full Story
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Past congressional elections in Texas have favored Republicans, but Texas Democrats are hopeful. Here's a look back. Full Story
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The Department of Homeland Security’s announced a near-record decline in the number of people caught trying to enter the country illegally. Yet the Trump administration still wants to hire thousands of more border agents. Full Story
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Department of Homeland Security officials said on Tuesday that apprehensions of people attempting to enter the country illegally dipped to historic lows during the 2017 fiscal year. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, on Monday blasted Democrats for threatening to shut down the federal government under the guise of helping undocumented immigrants. Full Story
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As Texans in Congress grow increasingly anxious about Hurricane Harvey relief funding, some joined a bipartisan group of U.S. House members from Florida Friday, threatening to oppose a relief bill unless funding is "significantly improved." Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold used taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment claim brought by a former staffer, according to a Politico report published Friday. Full Story
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During the next two fiscal years, Texas is set to spend roughly $200 per child per month through the Children's Health Insurance Program. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, the longest-serving Texan in Congress, announced that he is retiring after a tumultuous week. Full Story
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Texas is pushing the federal government for temporary funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program while Congress fights over a permanent solution. Full Story
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The decision by two of the country’s top Democrats to back out of a meeting at the White House doesn’t mean legislation protecting young undocumented immigrants from deportation is off the table. It could signal even further delays, though. Full Story
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Texans in Congress are set to face a dizzying docket of legislation in the coming days, ranging from a tax overhaul to children's health insurance. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Joe Barton told a woman to whom he had sent sexually explicit photos that he would report her to the Capitol Police if she exposed his behavior, according to a recording reviewed by The Washington Post. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, released a statement Wednesday apologizing for a graphic nude photo of him that circulated on social media earlier this week. He announced his re-election bid earlier this month. Full Story
Bruce Jacobson, a Christian TV executive from North Richland Hills, announced Thursday that he is challenging Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in 2018. Full Story
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Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett, a nominee of President Donald Trump to a federal court, defended past tweets about transgender people and same-sex marriage as jokes at a confirmation hearing Wednesday. Full Story
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Three Texas Republicans are at or near the top of a list of politicians who have spent the most in campaign-related funds at President Donald Trump’s privately-owned properties over the last year, according to a new Washington Post report. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Gene Green, a Houston Democrat, is retiring from Congress, a spokesman told The Texas Tribune on Monday afternoon. Full Story
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