Congress

TribWeek: In Case You Missed It

By Evan Smith May 19, 2012

Aaronson on why the latest Texas job gains are a mixed bag, Aguilar on the fight over an Eagle Pass coal mine, Batheja on nasty U.S. Senate race ads, Galbraith on El Paso's water woes, Grissom on John Bradley's tough primary, Hamilton and M. Smith on the controversial chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, Murphy's cool higher ed stats interactive, Ramsey talks to Robert Draper about what's wrong with Congress, Ramshaw on Joe Barton vs. himself, Root on Perry's Mitt embrace and my exclusive sit-down with the chancellor of the UT System: The best of our best content from May 14-18, 2012. Full Story

Article thumbnail — Credit: Graphic by Todd Wiseman

Book Excerpt: Draper on Blake Farenthold

By Ross Ramsey May 17, 2012

An excerpt on U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, from Robert Draper's new book on Congress — Do Not Ask What Good We Do — from a chapter titled "Coffee with Your Congressman." Full Story

Book Excerpt: Draper on Sheila Jackson Lee

By Ross Ramsey May 16, 2012

An excerpt on U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, from Robert Draper's new book on Congress — Do Not Ask What Good We Do — from a chapter titled "Woman of a Certain Rage." Full Story

Robert Draper: The TT Interview

By Ross Ramsey May 15, 2012

The author of a new book on Congress on what's wrong in Washington, whether the new members or the establishment is more to blame, what might change things, whether the insiders know their system is broken, and whether he thinks more or less of the institution after seeing it up close. Full Story

Robert Draper: The TT Interview

By Ross Ramsey May 15, 2012

The author of a new book on Congress on what's wrong in Washington, what might change things and whether he thinks more or less of the institution after seeing it up close. Full Story

Jack Abramoff: The TT Interview

By Ross Ramsey May 8, 2012

The former lobbyist on how to regulate lobbying in Washington, why he thinks the system is essentially corrupt, when money in politics is a problem and when it's not, and why anyone should listen to someone like him. Full Story

Video: The U.S. Senate Candidate Forum

By Evan Smith May 4, 2012

In case you missed it, here's an archived copy of last night's U.S. Senate candidate forum, featuring four Republicans and two Democrats who hope to succeed Kay Bailey Hutchison. Full Story

Campaign Chatter

By Ross Ramsey May 4, 2012

Big endorsements, little endorsements, new attack websites and other political news of the week. Full Story

Sometimes It's Just Safer Not to Be a Superstar

By Ross Ramsey April 20, 2012

High expectations can raise the risks for a candidate, especially in a rookie campaign against a wealthy incumbent. Falling short when the predictions are rosy can affect future runs for office. Full Story

The 4 leading contenders for the U.S. senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison -- Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, former Dallas mayor Tom Leppert, former Texas solicitor general Ted Cruz and former ESPN sportscaster Craig James -- gathered in Dallas for the Belo debate on Friday, April 13, 2012.

New Dewhurst, Cruz Ads Focus on Cruz

By Aman Batheja April 17, 2012

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz, both candidates for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination, launched new television ads this morning on the same topic: Ted Cruz. Full Story

Obama Endorses U.S. Rep. Reyes' Bid for Re-election

By Julián Aguilar April 16, 2012

UPDATED: On the heels of last week’s announcement that former President Bill Clinton is endorsing U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, Reyes' campaign announced today that President Obama is also lending his support. Full Story

Campaign Chatter

By Ross Ramsey April 6, 2012

The filings are in, the candidates are raising money and looking for support. It is finally primary season in Texas. Full Story

Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams announces U.S. Senate candidacy at TribLive on January 27, 2011. — Credit: Bob Daemmrich

TribLive: A Conversation with Paul Sadler

By Evan Smith March 26, 2012

Full video of Evan Smith's March 22 TribLive conversation with former state Rep. Paul Sadler, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. Full Story

TribLive: Sadler Defends "Obamacare"

By Evan Smith March 22, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Paul Sadler unhesitatingly argued against repealing the Affordable Care Act. Full Story

TribLive: Sadler Knocks Dewhurst

By Evan Smith March 22, 2012

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Paul Sadler laid out the case against his possible general election opponent, Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Full Story

First Cruz TV Ad Touts Conservative Cred

By Evan Smith March 21, 2012

Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz is selling his "proven conservative record" in his first TV ad of the U.S. Senate campaign, telling GOP primary voters, "You know what you're getting." Full Story

Texas Congressman Arrested at D.C. Protest With Clooney

By Paul Theobald March 16, 2012

U.S. Rep. Al Green, D-Houston, was arrested this morning in front of the Sudanese Embassy in D.C. He was one of more that a dozen demonstrators there to bring awareness to starvation in Sudan — including actor George Clooney. Full Story

Cruz Video: No Time for "Timid Career Politician"

By Evan Smith Feb. 29, 2012

In a new video, GOP U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz is posing the race as a choice between a "strong conservative" (that would be him) and "timid career politician" David Dewhurst. Full Story

New Dewhurst Video Links Cruz to Obama Via Donors

By Evan Smith Feb. 28, 2012

In a new campaign video, David Dewhurst assails Ted Cruz, his rival in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate, over the donations his law firm has made to Democrats — including Barack Obama. Full Story

TribLive: A Conversation with Craig James

By Evan Smith Feb. 26, 2012

Full video of my February 23 TribLive conversation with Republican U.S. Senate candidate Craig James. Full Story