Some see U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee as a publicity hound, but according to dozens of interviews with members of Congress, House staffers and political players back home in Houston, there is a method to her madness.
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.
Posted in
Demographics
Rio Grande Valley officials welcome federal lawmakers’ visits but keep expectations low
Local leaders say the many members of Congress who have visited the region recently won’t glean a clear perspective of border life in a one-day visit.
Posted in
Politics
Texas congressional Democrats fear “dreamers” will lose benefits
Texas Democrats in Congress are bracing for the possibility of the Trump administration ending benefits for people who were brought into the U.S. illegally as children.
Posted in
Politics
Most Texans in Congress not planning in-person town halls over recess
Few of the 38 Texans in Congress plan on reaching out to constituents at in-person public forums during this congressional recess, according to a Tribune search of lawmakers’ websites and social media.
Posted in
Congress
Texans in Congress raise questions about Russia, Trump administration
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn said the Senate should investigate now-former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, according to a news report.
Posted in
Congress
Vela on the ICE raids, the border wall, and Beto vs. Joaquin (video)
Full video of Evan Smith’s 2/13 conversation with U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville.
Posted in
Politics
U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela will back Joaquin Castro if he runs for Senate
U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela says he will back U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, should the San Antonio Democrat challenge U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2018.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
At homeland security hearing, McCaul calls Trump’s travel ban rollout “problematic”
U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, the top House Republican on homeland security issues, strongly criticized the Trump administration Monday for the chaotic rollout last month of a travel ban of mostly Muslim countries.
Posted in
Politics
With Trump on their side, Abbott and Cruz hopeful for term limits on Congress
With his calls to “drain the swamp,” President Trump has cast his election victory as a rebuke against career politicians. Now two Texas Republican leaders suggest that the timing is right to impose term limits on members of Congress.
Posted in
Politics
Survey of Texans in Congress shows most Republicans back Trump’s travel ban
As of late Monday, nearly all of the 38-member Texas congressional delegation had taken a position on President Trump’s travel ban executive order. Most Republicans backed the measure, while Democrats viscerally opposed it.