Today we’re releasing the program for our signature annual ideas conference (Sept. 20-25 on the screen of your choice). It’s chock full of powerful conversations on big issues. And we’ve added even more marquee speakers.
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
Texas Congressman Michael McCaul says Biden administration “totally blew” Afghanistan withdrawal
McCaul, the highest ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, says Biden ignored intelligence briefings and underestimated the Taliban’s strength.
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Health care
Colin Allred is the first known member of Congress to take paid paternity leave. Now he’s pushing for it nationally.
With COVID-19 making paid parental leave even more critical, the Dallas Democrat is helping lead the move to change federal policy for fathers as well as mothers.
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Politics
Ted Cruz shuts down federal voting bill before U.S. Senate leaves for recess, dashing Texas Democrats’ hopes
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz blocked a last Democratic attempt to pass federal voting rights legislation this summer. The Senate left town but is expected to pick up the issue again in the fall.
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The 2021 Texas Tribune Festival
T-Squared: With COVID cases and hospitalizations climbing, The Texas Tribune Festival will be all-virtual after all
We’d hoped to present some programs in person, but the health and well-being of our attendees, speakers and staff is top of mind. The good news is that we can stream the same smart conversations online, where they can be viewed conveniently, comfortably and safely.
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Energy
U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, Ted Cruz vote against infrastructure bill that could give Texas more than $30 billion
The Senate approved a $1 trillion, bipartisan bill that also earmarks money for broadband internet access. It’s not yet known how much money set aside for the country’s aging electricity infrastructure could go to Texas’ main power grid.
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Texas 2022 Elections
Jessica Cisneros will again challenge U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar in Democratic primary for congressional seat
Cuellar’s campaign confirmed that the congressman, who has served since 2005, will seek another term in 2022.
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Texas Legislature 2021
With time running out, Texas Legislature still at impasse on GOP elections bill
Republicans believe they have already compromised enough on the legislation, while Democrats are distrustful of both the policy driving the bill and their GOP colleagues after seeing how they have managed the process around the proposal so far.
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Politics
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar joins Sen. Lindsey Graham in demanding that Biden appoint border czar
Cuellar and Graham’s letter is the latest in a series of criticisms against the Biden administration’s border security response.
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Coronavirus in Texas
As federal eviction moratorium expires, tenants and rent advocates scramble to obtain state and local rental relief funds
In the first phase of funding from the federal government for emergency rental assistance, Texas received about $2 billion. Now the state has to get those funds in the hands of Texans.