Under U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson’s change to the annual defense policy bill, service members could no longer be paid travel expenses if they are stationed in a state where abortion is not available.
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.
Republican Mayra Flores announces bid to retake South Texas congressional seat
Flores won a special election in 2022 but lost to U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a Democrat, five months later in the general election. Redistricting may complicate her comeback.
Texas Sen. Roland Gutierrez enters Democratic primary targeting U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz in 2024
Known for pushing gun restrictions after the Uvalde school shooting in his district, Gutierrez will vie for the opportunity to take on Republican Cruz in the general election. U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, is already running in the primary.
With new federal food stamp limits coming, advocates mobilize to inform Texas recipients
A requirement to work 80 hours a month, starting in September, could affect 44,000 Texans over age 49. Meanwhile, attention in Congress shifts to the farm bill’s significant impact on food stamp policy.
National GOP recruiting Mayra Flores, ousted from her South Texas seat, to run again for Congress
The Los Indios Republican won a special election in 2022 but lost to U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez five months later in the general election.
U.S. Rep. Colin Allred raises $6.2 million in first 2 months of Senate race
Allred also transferred $2.4 million from his House campaign account, giving him $8.6 million in total receipts through the end of June.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wants the U.S. to train Mexican troops to fight drug cartels
The Republican from Texas introduced the legislation after meeting with Mexico’s president and calling for more cooperation between the two countries.
State Rep. Julie Johnson announces she is running for U.S. Rep. Colin Allred’s seat
Johnson, first elected to the Texas House in 2018, joins a crowded primary to succeed Allred, who is giving up his solidly Democratic seat to run against U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz next year.
Staff for U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia take first step toward forming a union
Employees for the Houston Democrat become the first congressional office from Texas trying to unionize under rules adopted last year.
Texas Democrat leads renewed push in Congress to grant citizenship to DACA recipients
With support from several Republicans, U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia hopes migrants brought illegally to the country as children can get out of “limbo.”







