The U.S. Congress is on the verge of lifting a 40-year ban on crude oil exports onto the international market, an issue that pitted Texans who work in oil production — and their House representatives — against those who work in refineries.
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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Demographics
Roundup: Refugees, Visa Waivers, Supreme Court
In this special edition of the Political Roundup: Texas lawmakers introduce and advance legislation in Washington to create new curbs on Syrian refugees entering the country. And the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in two Texas cases.
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Demographics
Halt All Refugee Resettlement, Two Texas Congressmen Say
As Republicans push to temporarily freeze admissions of Syrian refugees into the U.S., U.S. Reps. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, and Brian Babin, R-Woodville, on Wednesday called for a temporary suspension of all refugee resettlement efforts.
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Politics
Was Roger Williams’ Auto Dealer Amendment a Conflict of Interest?
Buried within a massive federal transportation bill is a little-noticed provision that is of great interest to automobile dealers. The man who offered the amendment is U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, a second-generation car dealer.
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Politics
Texas Delegation Raises, Shares Big Money
Recently filed campaign finance reports show whether Texas congressional incumbents are building viable re-election operations, and they also reveal how Texans spread their campaign wealth to colleagues.
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Demographics
After Paris Attacks, Cruz Vows to Call Out Terrorism
Campaigning in South Carolina on Saturday, Ted Cruz said that as president, he would not be afraid to call “radical Islamic terrorism by its name.” But he stopped well short of calling for the U.S. to engage in a land war targeting ISIS in the Middle East.
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Politics
Hinojosa Announces Retirement From Congress
Saying he was most proud of his work in making college affordable for a diverse group of students, U.S. Rep. Rubén Hinojosa announced Friday that he would not seek another term in Congress.
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Politics
A Lot of People Just Don’t Like Ted Cruz. How Come That’s OK With Him?
Ted Cruz has been branded a “wacko bird” by a Senate colleague and a “jackass” by the former speaker of the House. Cruz does not appear to be bothered.
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Congress
Texans Pitch In to Show Support for New Colleague Ratcliffe
Not so long ago, John Ratcliffe might have felt like he was running against the entire Texas GOP House delegation. But these days, Ratcliffe is a part of the family.
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Politics
Could Texas Fatigue Affect Brady’s Bid to Be Ways and Means Chair?
As the race to become U.S. House Ways and Means chairman comes to a head this week, lots of related conversations are revolving around U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady’s home state.