With Texas’ new map blocked by a federal court, California Democrats are emerging victorious — though the Supreme Court has yet to weigh in.
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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Health care
A small Texas think tank cultivated COVID dissidents. Now they’re running U.S. health policy.
People with ties to Brownstone Institute have significant authority over access to vaccines and scientific research.
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Economy
Texas moves ahead with regulating hemp industry as federal ban looms
TABC intends to proceed with the adoption of permanent regulations on the hemp industry in Texas despite the potential ban.
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Congress
Entire Texas congressional delegation votes to release Epstein files
Rep. Troy Nehls of Richmond was among House Republicans who had previously opposed releasing the files, but reversed their stances this week.
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2026 Texas Elections
Abbott sets Jan. 31 runoff for special election to replace U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner
The Houston-based seat will have been without representation for about 11 months.
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The 2025 Texas Tribune Festival
Joaquin Castro on why a Democratic Senate logjam stopped him from running for AG
The San Antonio Democrat said at The Texas Tribune Festival that he hoped to form a statewide slate with Colin Allred, Beto O’Rourke and James Talarico, but the group couldn’t find consensus.
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Congress
Voters in Texas’ 18th District waited months for an election. They’ll soon have two more.
The race to fill Texas’ long-vacant 18th Congressional District seat is headed to a runoff, just before the start of a new election cycle.
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Congress
Fresh off defeating state THC ban, Texas hemp industry faces wipeout under federal deal to end shutdown
The issue roiled Texas politics earlier this year when Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a ban on THC products spearheaded by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
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Congress
U.S. House OKs funding deal to reopen government with support from Texas Republicans
The spending package includes a provision that will criminalize the sale of almost all consumable hemp products nationwide, restoring a similar ban to the one vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
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Congress
Texas Sens. Cornyn, Cruz vote for funding deal to end government shutdown
If approved by the House, the agreement would fund the government through the end of January, with certain agencies funded through September, including those that provide food assistance.