WEATHER ALERT
Congress shielded gun companies from lawsuits. Some blue states think they've found a loophole
Read full article: Congress shielded gun companies from lawsuits. Some blue states think they've found a loopholeTwo decades after a Republican-controlled Congress gave gun manufacturers immunity from being sued over crimes committed with their firearms, a growing number of Democratic-led states are trying to penetrate that legal shield.
The federal shutdown will halt November SNAP benefits. Here’s what you need to know.
Read full article: The federal shutdown will halt November SNAP benefits. Here’s what you need to know.In Texas, 3.5 million Texans — including 1.7 million children — rely on SNAP, also referred to as food stamps, each month.
Trump administration must restore grants for school counselors, judge rules
Read full article: Trump administration must restore grants for school counselors, judge rulesA federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration must release millions in grants meant to address the shortage of mental health workers in schools.
Independent Candidate George Foreman IV says he’s ready to ‘bridge the divide’ for the 18th Congressional District
Read full article: Independent Candidate George Foreman IV says he’s ready to ‘bridge the divide’ for the 18th Congressional DistrictIndependent candidate George Foreman IV, an educator and workforce training advocate, says he’s running for Congress out of a sense of duty and a legacy of public service.
Trump wants to cancel more funding during the shutdown. Courts have hampered his earlier efforts
Read full article: Trump wants to cancel more funding during the shutdown. Courts have hampered his earlier effortsPresident Donald Trump’s administration has canceled, or threatened to cancel, billions of dollars of previously approved federal spending and wants to go after even more funding during the shutdown.
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt announces run for Michael McCaul’s seat in Congress
Read full article: State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt announces run for Michael McCaul’s seat in CongressThe Austin Democrat will face an uphill battle in the GOP-leaning district. McCaul announced earlier this year he would not seek reelection.
H-E-B donates $6 million to help feed Texans as threat of SNAP benefit cuts continues
Read full article: H-E-B donates $6 million to help feed Texans as threat of SNAP benefit cuts continuesH-E-B announced a $6 million donation to help feed Texans. The company is giving $5 million to food banks across the state and another $1 million to Meals on Wheels programs that serve homebound seniors.
Part-time jobs, loans and worry: Texas federal workers contend with government shutdown
Read full article: Part-time jobs, loans and worry: Texas federal workers contend with government shutdownMany federal workers missed their first full paycheck this weekend as the shutdown nears the one-month mark.
How John Cornyn’s historic gun safety bill has become a reelection liability
Read full article: How John Cornyn’s historic gun safety bill has become a reelection liabilityCritics accuse Cornyn of capitulating to Democrats’ gun control demands — even though the bill largely did not restrict gun owner’s existing rights.
Texans could lose SNAP benefits if Congress fails to reach a deal by tomorrow
Read full article: Texans could lose SNAP benefits if Congress fails to reach a deal by tomorrowNearly 900,000 people in the Houston area rely on SNAP benefits to buy groceries, but those payments could stop in November if Congress doesn’t reach a deal to fund the government by tomorrow.
Shutdowns began as a way to enforce federal law. Now Trump is using it to take more power
Read full article: Shutdowns began as a way to enforce federal law. Now Trump is using it to take more powerThe government shutdown is quickly becoming a way for President Donald Trump to exercise new command over the government.
Texas’ congressional delegation wants Trump to punish Mexico for missing key water deadline
Read full article: Texas’ congressional delegation wants Trump to punish Mexico for missing key water deadlineThe state’s citrus industry is at risk, farmers say, after Mexico failed to deliver water it owes Texas as part of a 1944 treaty.
Isaiah Martin says it’s time for generational change in the 18th Congressional District
Read full article: Isaiah Martin says it’s time for generational change in the 18th Congressional DistrictIsaiah Martin, a University of Houston graduate and the youngest candidate in the race for Texas’ 18th Congressional District, says it’s time for a new generation of leadership in Washington. Leaning on his experience as a former advisor to the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Martin says he’ll focus on lowering the cost of living, expanding health care, and securing federal funding for local communities.
Pentagon accepts $130 million donation to help pay the military during the government shutdown
Read full article: Pentagon accepts $130 million donation to help pay the military during the government shutdownThe Pentagon has confirmed it's accepted an anonymous $130 million gift to help pay members of the military during the government shutdown.
How a 2018 Supreme Court decision paved the way for meteoric growth in legal sports betting
Read full article: How a 2018 Supreme Court decision paved the way for meteoric growth in legal sports bettingA 2018 Supreme Court decision opened the floodgates to the legalized sports-betting industry, now worth billions of dollars a year, even as it recognized that the decision was controversial.
Carmen Maria Montiel says she’ll use GOP majority to pass laws for Houston’s 18th District
Read full article: Carmen Maria Montiel says she’ll use GOP majority to pass laws for Houston’s 18th DistrictCarmen Maria Montiel, a businesswoman and former journalist, is running as the leading Republican candidate for Houston’s 18th Congressional District, aiming to address long-standing issues in the community.
Trump allies, undeterred by setbacks in courts and Congress, push anew for citizenship proof to vote
Read full article: Trump allies, undeterred by setbacks in courts and Congress, push anew for citizenship proof to votePresident Donald Trump’s attempts to impose a proof-of-citizenship requirement to vote in the U.S. have stalled in Congress and been blocked by the courts.
This newly drawn Houston district could unearth tensions between Democrats of color
Read full article: This newly drawn Houston district could unearth tensions between Democrats of colorA primary challenge to Rep. Sylvia Garcia underscores Latino Democrats’ fears of being unrepresented in Harris County.
How two Texas redistricting cases, 37 years apart, set the stage for the latest congressional redraw
Read full article: How two Texas redistricting cases, 37 years apart, set the stage for the latest congressional redrawThe 5th Circuit last year overturned its previous ruling that allowed racial groups to band together to challenge voting maps, laying the groundwork for Texas’ mid-decade redistricting.
Peru's president declares state of emergency in capital as it tries to stem surging violence
Read full article: Peru's president declares state of emergency in capital as it tries to stem surging violencePeru’s new president declared a state of emergency in the capital in the government's latest attempt to stem a surge in violence that has stirred protests and contributed to the recent downfall of his predecessor.
Hegseth changes policy on how Pentagon officials communicate with Congress
Read full article: Hegseth changes policy on how Pentagon officials communicate with CongressLeaders at the Pentagon have significantly altered how military officials will speak with Congress after a pair of new memos issued last week.
TribCast: The Hunt is on in the GOP Senate primary
Read full article: TribCast: The Hunt is on in the GOP Senate primaryMatthew and Eleanor are joined by Tribune D.C. reporter Gabby Birenbaum and radio host Chad Hasty to unpack the three candidates vying to be the Republican nominee for Senate in 2026.
Judge says DHS social media posts in Rep. McIver prosecution are 'prejudicial' and should be removed
Read full article: Judge says DHS social media posts in Rep. McIver prosecution are 'prejudicial' and should be removedA federal judge overseeing the Trump administration’s prosecution of U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver on charges she assaulted and impeded immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center told the government to remove social media posts he called “prejudicial” to the congresswoman.
In special election for Houston congressional seat, candidates confront a bewildered electorate
Read full article: In special election for Houston congressional seat, candidates confront a bewildered electorateVoters in the heavily Democratic district have expressed confusion about who can vote — after the boundaries were upended by a GOP gerrymander — and what November’s special election is for.
3.5 million Texans will see food assistance halted if government shutdown continues
Read full article: 3.5 million Texans will see food assistance halted if government shutdown continuesTexas officials say food stamp benefits, which go to 1.7 million children, would not be distributed in November under an extended shutdown.
Food assistance is safe through October, but it may be at risk if the shutdown continues
Read full article: Food assistance is safe through October, but it may be at risk if the shutdown continuesAbout 40 million people could see food assistance disappear next month if the federal government shutdown continues.
As the shutdown drags on, these people will lose if health care subsidies expire
Read full article: As the shutdown drags on, these people will lose if health care subsidies expireMillions of Americans with Affordable Care Act marketplace health insurance will face higher costs next year if Congress doesn't extend enhanced premium tax credits that have made the plans more affordable.
Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, reject government funding bill for 10th time
Read full article: Senate Democrats, holding out for health care, reject government funding bill for 10th timeSenate Democrats are rejecting for the 10th time a stopgap spending bill that would reopen the government.
Supreme Court case could lead to loss of Black representation in Congress, but the scope is unknown
Read full article: Supreme Court case could lead to loss of Black representation in Congress, but the scope is unknownThe Supreme Court has indicated a willingness to limit race-based districts under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Supreme Court takes up Republican attack on Voting Rights Act in case over Black representation
Read full article: Supreme Court takes up Republican attack on Voting Rights Act in case over Black representationA Republican attack on a core provision of the Voting Rights Act that's designed to protect racial minorities comes to the Supreme Court this week, more than a decade after the justices knocked out another pillar of the 60-year-old law.
Trump's intervention in Washington prompts calls for its 18-term House delegate to step down
Read full article: Trump's intervention in Washington prompts calls for its 18-term House delegate to step downEleanor Holmes Norton has been an outspoken advocate for the District of Columbia during her 18 terms as the city's delegate in Congress.
Crypto spent millions to defeat Sherrod Brown and elect allies. It's ready for a repeat in 2026
Read full article: Crypto spent millions to defeat Sherrod Brown and elect allies. It's ready for a repeat in 2026The cryptocurrency industry spent millions last year to unseat a longtime critic, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio, and install its allies in Washington.
Peru’s Congress removes President Boluarte as a crime wave grips the country
Read full article: Peru’s Congress removes President Boluarte as a crime wave grips the countryPeru’s Congress voted early Friday to remove deeply unpopular President Dina Boluarte from office as a crime wave grips the South American nation.
Troops will miss paychecks next week without action on the government shutdown
Read full article: Troops will miss paychecks next week without action on the government shutdownThe federal government shutdown is raising anxiety levels among service members and their families because those in uniform are working without pay.
Trump has yet to provide Congress hard evidence that targeted boats carried drugs, officials say
Read full article: Trump has yet to provide Congress hard evidence that targeted boats carried drugs, officials sayThe Trump administration hasn't provided evidence to lawmakers that recent U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats were justified.
Senate Republicans vote down legislation to check Trump's use of war powers against cartels
Read full article: Senate Republicans vote down legislation to check Trump's use of war powers against cartelsSenate Republicans have voted down legislation that would have put a check on President Donald Trump’s ability to use deadly military force against drug cartels.
Texas GOP lawyer and former FEC chair Trey Trainor announces run for Chip Roy’s seat in Congress
Read full article: Texas GOP lawyer and former FEC chair Trey Trainor announces run for Chip Roy’s seat in CongressThe longtime GOP operative has spent decades as a lawyer for Texas Republicans and conservative causes.
Trump considers cutting US refugee intake to 7,500, focusing on white South Africans, officials say
Read full article: Trump considers cutting US refugee intake to 7,500, focusing on white South Africans, officials sayPresident Donald Trump is considering admitting far fewer refugee into the U.S. this year – as few as 7,500, and mostly white Afrikaners.
Will the government shutdown affect next year's election? Recent history provides clues
Read full article: Will the government shutdown affect next year's election? Recent history provides cluesPolitical leaders in Washington are spending much of their energy these days blaming the other party for what could be a significant government shutdown.
The Oval Office meeting didn't stop a shutdown, but the Trump 2028 hats and a sombrero set a tone
Read full article: The Oval Office meeting didn't stop a shutdown, but the Trump 2028 hats and a sombrero set a toneHalfway through Donald Trump’s inaugural White House meeting with congressional leadership, the red "Trump 2028" hats appeared on the president’s desk.
Lawsuit seeks to stop Trump's $100,000 fee for H-1B visas
Read full article: Lawsuit seeks to stop Trump's $100,000 fee for H-1B visasIn what appears to be the first major challenge to the new $100,000 fee required for H-1B visa applications, a coalition of health care providers, religious groups, university professors and others filed a federal lawsuit Friday to stop the plan.
Just before shutdown, most Americans wanted health insurance tax credits extended, KFF poll finds
Read full article: Just before shutdown, most Americans wanted health insurance tax credits extended, KFF poll findsA new poll conducted just prior to the current government shutdown showed most Americans wanted Congress to extend tax credits that could expire at the end of the year.
Hegseth announces latest strike on boat near Venezuela he says was trafficking drugs
Read full article: Hegseth announces latest strike on boat near Venezuela he says was trafficking drugsDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth says he ordered another strike on a small boat he accused of carrying drugs off Venezuela.
Trump says US is in 'armed conflict' with drug cartels after ordering strikes in the Caribbean
Read full article: Trump says US is in 'armed conflict' with drug cartels after ordering strikes in the CaribbeanPresident Donald Trump has declared drug cartels to be unlawful combatants and says the United States is now in an “armed conflict."
Republican Carlos De La Cruz announces run for redrawn 35th Congressional District
Read full article: Republican Carlos De La Cruz announces run for redrawn 35th Congressional DistrictU.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz's brother is the latest to enter a GOP primary field vying for the San Antonio-area district newly gerrymandered to favor Republicans.
The Latest: Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and punishment
Read full article: The Latest: Trump uses government shutdown to dole out firings and punishmentPresident Donald Trump has seized on the government shutdown as an opportunity to reshape the federal workforce and punish detractors, by threatening mass firings of workers and suggesting “irreversible” cuts to programs important to Democrats.
Newly elected Arizona lawmaker has yet to be sworn into office, as House Democrats welcome her
Read full article: Newly elected Arizona lawmaker has yet to be sworn into office, as House Democrats welcome herA week after her decisive win in an Arizona special election for the U.S. House, Democrat Adelita Grijalva has yet to take office.
Both parties blame each other on 1st day of government shutdown as tourist sites close
Read full article: Both parties blame each other on 1st day of government shutdown as tourist sites closeThe government shutdown has sparked intense political battles, with both parties blaming each other even as major job cuts — and major disruptions to iconic sites like the Liberty Bell and Pearl Harbor — have begun taking hold.
Fired Surface Transportation Board member sues Trump over his dismissal ahead of rail merger review
Read full article: Fired Surface Transportation Board member sues Trump over his dismissal ahead of rail merger reviewA former Democratic member of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board has filed a lawsuit challenging his dismissal by President Donald Trump.
What polling shows about the politics of government shutdowns
Read full article: What polling shows about the politics of government shutdownsPresident Donald Trump got a significant amount of blame during the last partial government shutdown, which took place toward the end of his first term after he forced a shutdown over border wall funding — but with Democrats embracing the shutdown fight this time, the outcome could be different.
Trump administration could process new DACA applications after Texas’ lawsuit paused enrollment
Read full article: Trump administration could process new DACA applications after Texas’ lawsuit paused enrollmentIf a judge accepts the plan, the Trump administration will reopen new applications for DACA for the first time in four years — but Texas applicants would no longer receive work permits.
National Flood Insurance Program is set to expire Tuesday, halting new policies and some home loans
Read full article: National Flood Insurance Program is set to expire Tuesday, halting new policies and some home loansAuthorization for the largest residential flood insurance program in the U.S. is set to expire at the end of Tuesday.
Government headed to a shutdown after last-ditch vote fails in Senate
Read full article: Government headed to a shutdown after last-ditch vote fails in SenateSenate Democrats have voted down a Republican bill to keep funding the government, putting it on a path to a shutdown after midnight Wednesday.
The Latest: Congressional leaders meet with Trump in late effort to avoid a government shutdown
Read full article: The Latest: Congressional leaders meet with Trump in late effort to avoid a government shutdownDemocratic and Republican congressional leaders heading to the White House for a meeting with President Donald Trump on Monday in a late effort to avoid a government shutdown.
Can Texas use its new congressional map for 2026? A trio of judges will decide.
Read full article: Can Texas use its new congressional map for 2026? A trio of judges will decide.The same plaintiffs who are challenging the state’s 2021 maps have asked the court to block the new GOP-approved districts from being used in the fast-approaching midterms.
About $675 million earmarked for Texas projects is in limbo as Congress careens toward shutdown
Read full article: About $675 million earmarked for Texas projects is in limbo as Congress careens toward shutdownTexas’ congressional delegation obtained tentative funding for infrastructure improvements, university research and other initiatives, but the nearly 350 earmarks are all in jeopardy.
Congressional leaders leave White House meeting without deal to avoid government shutdown
Read full article: Congressional leaders leave White House meeting without deal to avoid government shutdownDemocratic congressional leaders have left a White House meeting without a deal with President Donald Trump and Republicans to avoid a government shutdown.
Trump's vast federal cuts create distrust on Capitol Hill as shutdown risk grows
Read full article: Trump's vast federal cuts create distrust on Capitol Hill as shutdown risk growsAs Congress confronts a possible government shutdown, it's also weighing the Trump administration's willingness to simply halt federal spending — even when it's against the law.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Trump is marching the country into a government shutdown
Read full article: Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries says Trump is marching the country into a government shutdownHouse Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said President Donald Trump and the Republican Party are “marching the country” into a government shutdown.
White House budget office tells agencies to draft mass firing plans ahead of potential shutdown
Read full article: White House budget office tells agencies to draft mass firing plans ahead of potential shutdownThe White House is telling agencies to prepare large-scale firings of federal workers if the government shuts down next week.
Federal judge refuses to reinstate eight former inspectors general fired by Trump administration
Read full article: Federal judge refuses to reinstate eight former inspectors general fired by Trump administrationA federal judge has refused to reinstate eight former inspectors general who sued after the Trump administration fired them with no warning and little explanation.
Cornyn nabs endorsements from 15 former GOP members of Congress in primary vs. Paxton
Read full article: Cornyn nabs endorsements from 15 former GOP members of Congress in primary vs. PaxtonIt’s a further sign of how the Washington establishment has consolidated behind the senior Texas senator, who is being backed by the Senate GOP’s campaign arm in his primary.
Democratic leaders in Congress demand a meeting with Trump as government shutdown looms
Read full article: Democratic leaders in Congress demand a meeting with Trump as government shutdown loomsA possible federal shutdown is looming at month's end, and the Democratic leaders of Congress are demanding a meeting with President Donald Trump to negotiate.
House turns back effort to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar over remarks about Charlie Kirk
Read full article: House turns back effort to censure Rep. Ilhan Omar over remarks about Charlie KirkThe House declined late Wednesday to punish one of its own over commentary in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Texas GOP may be banking on low Hispanic turnout in new map
Read full article: Texas GOP may be banking on low Hispanic turnout in new mapRepublicans note that some of the districts they intend to flip were redrawn to become majority-Hispanic. Democrats say the GOP made sure to add Hispanic Texans who are unlikely to vote.
Longtime GOP Rep. Michael McCaul says he will not seek reelection to Congress
Read full article: Longtime GOP Rep. Michael McCaul says he will not seek reelection to CongressThe Austin lawmaker, first elected in 2004, chaired the influential House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees. He is the second Texas Republican this week to bow out of Congress.
Democratic voters favor undeclared candidates O’Rourke and Crockett in hypothetical Senate primary, poll finds
Read full article: Democratic voters favor undeclared candidates O’Rourke and Crockett in hypothetical Senate primary, poll findsThe survey found many Texas voters are either undecided or would support candidates who haven’t actually entered the race. It also showed GOP Sen. John Cornyn leading Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Vessel struck by US military off Venezuela was heading back to shore, AP sources say
Read full article: Vessel struck by US military off Venezuela was heading back to shore, AP sources sayThe U.S. military strike on what the Trump administration says was a drug-carrying speedboat from Venezuela came after the vessel had turned around and was headed back to shore.
Republican U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell will not seek third term in Congress
Read full article: Republican U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell will not seek third term in CongressThe Houston-area Republican’s departure continues the drain of tenure from Texas’ GOP delegation, which was already poised to add several freshmen in the midterms.
Texas solar program left in limbo after Trump administration pulls the plug on $250 million grant
Read full article: Texas solar program left in limbo after Trump administration pulls the plug on $250 million grantTexas’ Solar for All program was intended to bring solar panels and batteries to low-income neighborhoods and create jobs by training workers to install the technology.
“This is going to be hard”: Texas public radio stations fighting to stay on the air after budget cuts
Read full article: “This is going to be hard”: Texas public radio stations fighting to stay on the air after budget cutsThirty stations must figure out how to make up for the loss of at least $17.7 million in federal funding that came at the direction of the president without wearing out supporters.
Senate Republicans barely defeat effort by Democrats to force release of Epstein files
Read full article: Senate Republicans barely defeat effort by Democrats to force release of Epstein filesSenate Republicans have barely defeated an effort by Democrats to insert language into Congress’ annual defense authorization bill that would have forced the public release of case files on the sex trafficking investigation into the late Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump administration cuts grants for minority-serving colleges, declaring them unconstitutional
Read full article: Trump administration cuts grants for minority-serving colleges, declaring them unconstitutionalThe Trump administration is ending several grant programs reserved for colleges that have large numbers of minority students, saying they amount to illegal discrimination.
Appeals court rules Trump doesn't have the authority to fire Copyright Office director
Read full article: Appeals court rules Trump doesn't have the authority to fire Copyright Office directorA divided appeals court has ruled President Donald Trump doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally remove and replace the director of the U.S. Copyright Office.
Trump's emergency order for DC is set to expire, but House moves to place new limits on the city
Read full article: Trump's emergency order for DC is set to expire, but House moves to place new limits on the cityPresident Donald Trump’s emergency order that federalized Washington’s police force is set to expire.
Michigan dismissal highlights the challenges in prosecuting cases against Trump's 2020 fake electors
Read full article: Michigan dismissal highlights the challenges in prosecuting cases against Trump's 2020 fake electorsThe dismissal of fraud charges against 15 Michigan Republicans is the latest and most dramatic setback in the cases against the fake electors who were part of President Donald Trump's attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Texas voters have mixed views on redistricting and Trump’s megabill, poll finds
Read full article: Texas voters have mixed views on redistricting and Trump’s megabill, poll findsThe statewide survey found that more voters disapprove of the mid-decade redraw than support it, fueled by overwhelming opposition from independent and Democratic voters.
In U.S. Senate bid, Rep. James Talarico promises to take on GOP billionaires and bridge political divides
Read full article: In U.S. Senate bid, Rep. James Talarico promises to take on GOP billionaires and bridge political dividesA former public school teacher, Talarico has emerged as one of Texas Democrats’ strongest communicators. He joins Colin Allred and Terry Virts in the primary.
Chief justice lets Trump remove member of Federal Trade Commission for now
Read full article: Chief justice lets Trump remove member of Federal Trade Commission for nowChief Justice John Roberts has let President Donald Trump remove a member of the Federal Trade Commission, the latest in a string of high-profile firings allowed for now by the Supreme Court.
Republicans are eager for President Trump to expand his use of the military on US soil
Read full article: Republicans are eager for President Trump to expand his use of the military on US soilPresident Donald Trump is swiftly implementing his vision of the military as an all-powerful tool for his policy goals.
How Democrats pressured U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to step aside for the next generation
Read full article: How Democrats pressured U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett to step aside for the next generationDoggett’s shocking decision to retire signals U.S. Rep. Greg Casar’s growing strength among Democrats in Austin politics and in Congress.
Trump hosts White House dinner for GOP lawmakers at paved space he dubbed 'Rose Garden Club'
Read full article: Trump hosts White House dinner for GOP lawmakers at paved space he dubbed 'Rose Garden Club'President Donald Trump hosted a dinner Friday night for members of Congress in the newly paved White House Rose Garden, telling them they were the first gathering of what he dubbed the “Rose Garden Club.”.
Texas Rep. James Talarico to launch Democratic primary bid for U.S. Senate
Read full article: Texas Rep. James Talarico to launch Democratic primary bid for U.S. SenateThe Austin Democrat has made a name for himself with his viral social media presence. His entry to the race pits him against former U.S. Rep. Colin Allred in the increasingly crowded primary.