In 1980, Texas became the first state to adopt Juneteenth as a holiday. It is officially recognized in all but three states: Hawaii, North Dakota and South Dakota. As Americans continue to march for racial justice, black Texans say the holiday has taken on additional weight.
Congress
Read the latest Texas Tribune coverage of Congress, from the state’s lawmakers in Washington to key legislation and political debates shaping Texas and the nation.
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Politics
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn will file bill to make Juneteenth a federal holiday
Cornyn is not the first Texas lawmaker to take similar steps toward celebrating Juneteenth. On Monday, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, introduced a resolution aiming to recognize the historical significance of the holiday. Her measure has more than 200 cosponsors.
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Coronavirus in Texas
U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia moves to self-quarantine after exposure to coronavirus
The Houston Democrat isn’t the first member of the state’s delegation who has taken such action.
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Congress
Reversing course, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn signals openness to removing Confederate names from military bases
A day earlier, Cornyn had pushed back against the notion of changing base names, saying “I am for looking forward, not looking backward.”
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Politics
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn resistant to renaming Fort Hood, military base named after a Confederate general
Cornyn said he’s worried efforts to erase America’s history could lead to people forgetting their mistakes.
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Police brutality in Texas
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo tells U.S. House committee defunding police is “not the answer”
George Floyd’s brother Philonise Floyd was also a featured witness at the hearing, where he spoke about the pain of losing his brother.
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Coronavirus in Texas
Texans could receive up to a year of unemployment benefits under second extension of aid
The state triggered an extended benefits period, adding an additional 13 weeks of unemployment starting in July. It is the second benefits extension this year.
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Politics
Texans in Congress divided over President Donald Trump’s protest response
Members of Congress and staff worry that the country’s political dysfunction has rendered the federal government incapable of addressing police violence legislatively before the November elections.
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Energy
Long a GOP voice on health care, U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess seeks a higher post
The North Texas representative is vying to be the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
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Health care
T-Squared: Here’s our plan for the virtual Texas Tribune Festival. Tickets are on sale now.
Our signature ideas weekend is now an ideas month, and that’s only one of the many pandemic-inspired changes we have in store.
