Lawmakers from both parties urge Trump administration to keep funding seven coronavirus testing sites
The federal government plans to cease funding for the sites at the end of June. Full Story
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![A coronavirus checkpoint in Houston.]()
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Donald Trump's support, rural roots fuel budding drama in Panhandle congressional runoff
The runoff has rapidly turned contentious between President Donald Trump's choice for the seat, Ronny Jackson, and Josh Winegarner, who is backed by retiring incumbent Mac Thornberry. Full Story
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![From left, Josh Winegarner and former White House physician Ronny Jackson.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Comment on looting brings bipartisan heat to Kim Olson's congressional campaign
"Even if people loot, so what? Burn it to the ground if, you know, if that’s what it’s gonna take to fix our nation," Olson said. The comment, and her explanation afterward, drew criticism from Republicans and the Congressional Black Caucus, which supports her primary runoff opponent. Full Story
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![Kim Olson, right, at a Texas Tribune Festival panel on Sept. 27, 2019.]()
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U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia moves to self-quarantine after exposure to coronavirus
The Houston Democrat isn't the first member of the state's delegation who has taken such action. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, at The Texas Tribune Festival in 2018.]()
Credit: Stephen Spillman for The Texas Tribune -
Reversing course, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn signals openness to removing Confederate names from military bases
A day earlier, Cornyn had pushed back against the notion of changing base names, saying "I am for looking forward, not looking backward." Full Story
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![U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, enters a hearing room before chairing a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to confirm five nominees on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.]()
Credit: Allison Shelley for The Texas Tribune -
Texans in Congress divided over President Donald Trump's protest response
Members of Congress and staff worry that the country's political dysfunction has rendered the federal government incapable of addressing police violence legislatively before the November elections. Full Story
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![A view of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on April 13, 2020.]()
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Long a GOP voice on health care, U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess seeks a higher post
The North Texas representative is vying to be the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Full Story
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![U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville, gives an opening statement during the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing at the U.S. Capitol in response to COVID-19 outbreak. May 14, 2020.]()
Credit: Greg Nash/Pool via REUTERS -
Julián Castro makes his support for Joe Biden official
Castro's endorsement came Tuesday after the former vice president delivered a speech calling on Congress to pass police reform. Full Story
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![Former San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro at the 2019 Texas Tribune Festival in downtown Austin.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
Cascade of endorsements animates Texas' Democratic U.S. Senate runoff, which coronavirus has upended
A steady stream of endorsements has been illuminating some of the battle lines between MJ Hegar and Royce West as they vie to take on U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Full Story
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![Sen. Royce West, D-Texas, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate MJ Hegar.]()
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Race to replace U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe gathers steam as Republican activists set date to pick his likely successor
The Heath Republican is on track to be confirmed as the director of national intelligence, which would create a vacancy in his solidly red district. Full Story
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![John Ratcliffe, Republican candidate for Texas' 4th U.S. Congressional District speaks in Fort Worth on June 5, 2014.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune -
How gun control advocates plan to make Texas a top political priority in 2020
One group, Everytown for Gun Safety, has already committed $8 million to the state this election cycle and is now naming three hires, including two seasoned Democratic operatives, to help see the plan through. Full Story
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![Guns at McBride's Guns in Austin on Mar 26, 2013.]()
Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune -
Pete Sessions incurs legal bills — and opponent's criticism — in campaign to return to Congress
The former Dallas congressman has spent over $80,000 on legal fees since launching his campaign to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, R-Bryan. Full Story
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![Former U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions announces his candidacy for the 17th District at McLennan County Republican Party Headquarters in Waco on Oct. 3, 2019.]()
Credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune -
Only 23% of Texas registered voters approve of the job Congress is doing — and that’s an improvement over 18% in February
There's no partisan split among Texas voters when it comes to assessing Congress' performance: 53% of Democrats and 57% of Republicans disapprove of the job federal lawmakers are doing. Full Story
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![The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2020.]()
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Congress approves another $484 billion to help people and businesses hit by coronavirus’ economic crisis
The bill will temporarily replenish about $320 billion into a forgivable loan fund earmarked for small businesses. Full Story
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Kim Olson's departure from the Air Force hasn't been a political liability. Will that change in 2020?
Olson retired from the Air Force amid a contracting scandal. Some Democrats worry the circumstances will make her vulnerable as she runs for a battleground U.S. House seat. Full Story
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![Kim Olson, the Democratic candidate for agriculture commissioner, speaks with Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith at the Tribune's Studio 919 on Nov. 1, 2018.]()
Credit: John Jordan/The Texas Tribune -
MJ Hegar far outpaces Royce West in U.S. Senate fundraising, but both are far behind John Cornyn
The Texans' campaigns are announcing their latest fundraising numbers ahead of an end-of-day deadline to disclose them to the Federal Election Commission. Full Story
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![From left, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R-Texas, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate MJ Hegar and State Senator Royce West.]()
Credit: The Texas Tribune -
Texas' small-business owners tap patience and experts to navigate coronavirus relief options
Companies trying to prevent layoffs are turning to banks, accountants and nonprofits to help them apply for federal assistance during the coronavirus pandemic. Full Story
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![Shuttered bars on Austin's Sixth street during the COVID-19 pandemic on March 19, 2020.]()
Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune -
Candidate jolts battleground congressional race with ad blasting China for coronavirus
The ad from Republican Kathaleen Wall says China "poisoned our people" with the coronavirus. The Democratic nominee for the seat, Sri Preston Kulkarni, denounced it as "race-baiting." Full Story
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![Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni and Republican Kathaleen Wall are vying for U.S. House Texas District 22. Kulkarni is the Democratic nominee; Wall is in a runoff with Republican Troy Nehls.]()
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Many Texans in Congress scrambled to join vote as U.S. House passes coronavirus spending bill
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the bill into law. Full Story
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![House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks to reporters while walking to the House Chamber floor, ahead of a vote on a coronavirus relief bill on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 27, 2020.]()
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Four former rivals endorse Pete Sessions in runoff to replace U.S. Rep. Bill Flores
The group includes George Hindman, who narrowly missed the runoff in the 12-way March 3 primary. Full Story
![Former U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions announces his candidacy for the 17th District at McLennan County Republican Party Headquarters in Waco on Oct. 3, 2019.]()
Credit: Angela Piazza for The Texas Tribune