As Congress looks to slash spending and raise revenue for President Donald Trump’s tax bill, Republicans have turned attention to the huge endowments amassed by the country’s wealthiest colleges.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers urge the Trump administration to scrap plans to kill more than 450,000 invasive barred owls in West Coast forests in coming decades.

Republican Mike Johnson has narrowly won reelection to the House speakership on a dramatic first-ballot vote, overcoming hard-right GOP holdouts in a tense standoff.

The House has passed what was once a bipartisan effort to expand the number of federal district trial court judgeships across the country.

Alex Chadwell, who worked for the congressman in Washington and Texas, said he was pushed out of Nehls’ office because of his sexual orientation.

Sen. Ted Cruz will hold a press conference Friday morning on the “Justice for Jocelyn Act” to crack down on the Department of Homeland Security’s “Alternative to Detention.”

The independent office that reviews allegations against House members has found probable cause that Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas converted campaign funds to personal use.

Despite once condemning the violent attack, Nehls has since downplayed the insurrection and defended many of the rioters who have been prosecuted.

New House Speaker Mike Johnson is facing his first big test as he tries to win House Republican support for a short-term funding plan to avert a government shutdown.

The move would let the House act on legislation amid the Israel-Hamas war and other priorities, but several Texans recoiled at the idea, saying it would hand power to Democrats and break trust with supporters.

The two Texas holdouts, combined with a handful of other members who have vowed to vote against Rep. Steve Scalise, could delay the selection of the next House speaker.

Texas has by far the largest Republican delegation in the House, and gaining their support would be a major boost for any candidate as the conference meets to pick new leaders next week.

In January, some Republican Texans led the charge to challenge McCarthy’s leadership bid. But this time, all Texas Republicans who were present voted to save McCarthy and every U.S. House Democrat voted to remove him.

The funding bill was a long shot, but far-right U.S. representatives said it didn’t go far enough in promoting their priorities, including border security and defunding investigations into Donald Trump.

The Texas Republican’s campaign, which recouped most of the money, has reported the case to the FBI. The Federal Elections Commission is also looking into it.

Republicans in Congress are not only defending Donald Trump against the FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago home.

An end to the mask mandate for domestic airports and airlines?

U.S. Capitol Police officers are facing increasingly heated and baseless claims from House Republicans that the department’s officers are operating as politically driven spies.

Support from leaders and law enforcement agencies in Texas and the Houston area are pouring in following the news of three Houston police officers being shot Thursday afternoon following an apparent chase.

Former Fort Bend County Sheriff, U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R) Tx-Dist. 22 was on his third day in Congress when hundreds of people who refused to believe President Donald Trump lost the election stormed the Capitol building. in Washington D.C.

Here are things to know for Wednesday, Dec. 15:

In August, U.S. Representative Troy Nehls told KPRC 2 Investigates he had questions over how the Mickey Leland International Terminal Program at Bush Intercontinental Airport was being managed by the Houston Airports System and its director Mario Diaz.

Not every change in the state’s political maps starts with party affiliation. Geography and population are giving Republican mapmakers new headaches.

Nehls said the shooting should be investigated and brought to a grand jury. He also added that he's taking a deep dive into the events that unfolded on Jan. 6.

U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas says he’s tested positive for COVID-19 and has moderate symptoms.

Republicans and Democrats have something in common when it comes to recruiting candidates they hope will deliver majorities in Congress after the 2022 election, and that's their pursuit of military veterans.

U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas says that he’s tested positive for COVID-19 and has moderate symptoms.

In June 2014, the Houston Airport System announced the construction of a new Mickey Leland International Terminal at Bush Intercontinental Airport.

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy has picked five Republicans to sit on the new select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.

While President Joe Biden was exiting the stage from delivering his first address to Congress on Wednesday night, a Houston-area congressman stopped him for a quick exchange.

The first bus carrying unaccompanied migrant children arrived at a facility in north Houston Friday evening, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee told KPRC 2.

HOUSTON – After 44 years of covering some of the biggest stories in Houston Phil Archer is signing off from his reporting duties at KPRC 2. Phil Archer reflects on his time at KPRC 2. I mean I’m hearing from people, I haven’t talked to in decades, wishing me happy retirement,” said Phil Archer. AdRELATED: Phil Archer reunites with dog he, sheriff saved in 2016 floodsPhil and Archer were reunited on Houston Life. RELATED: Thank you, Phil: Look back at the 44-year career of KPRC 2 senior reporter Phil Archer

Here are things to know for Wednesday, Feb. 3:1. CVS to administer COVID-19 vaccines at 70 pharmacy locations across TexasCVS has announced pharmacies will begin to administer COVID-19 vaccines to eligible populations at 70 CVS Pharmacy locations across Texas Thursday, Feb. 11. For CVS Pharmacy locations that will begin to offer COVID-19 vaccinations on Feb. 11, appointments will become available for booking as early as Feb. 9 as stores receive shipments of the vaccine. Black Houston entrepreneurs changing narrative, numbers in beauty supply store industryLloyd Ford and his business partner, Randy Shelby, opened The Black Store: Beauty Supply Experience in January 2020. The Black Store also features more than 70 Black-owned brands, giving shelf space to small business owners who can’t find it elsewhere.

HOUSTON – Several congressional Republicans met in Houston on Tuesday to decry President Joe Biden’s energy policies, which they said will have a negative impact on Texas. The Republican leaders are referring to Biden’s executive order aimed at tackling climate change. “You’re destroying the Texas economy,” said U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-District 2). AdHowever, if you ask University of Houston Chief Energy Officer Ramanan Krishnamoorti about the executive order, his outlook isn’t as bleak. “This executive order, in my opinion, in the short term, is going to have very little impact on the energy industry in Houston,” said Krishnamoorti.

HOUSTON – Late Thursday a growing number of Texas Congressional leaders called for President Donald trump’s ouster. The calls came despite President Trump denouncing the violence at the Capitol and promising a smooth transition of power in a pre-recorded message released Thursday evening. Democratic Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia announced she is co-sponsoring a resolution to impeach President Trump if Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet doesn’t invoke the 25th Amendment for his removal. However, newly elected Republican Congressman Troy Nehls, disagreed with his colleagues, saying President Trump will leave office on January 20th. “We’re delighted that one of our very own, former Sheriff Troy Nehls was instrumental in helping many members,” said Lee.

“What’s taking place here right now is un-American,” Nehls said as the Capitol was being occupied by protesters. “This is a sacred house.”As house members were evacuated to safety, Nehls stayed behind. Through a broken window, Nehls said he tried to negotiate with the protesters, hoping to convince them to stand down. ‘Something close to sedition’: Green talks about Capitol being stormedU.S. Rep Al Green (D-Dist. He said that while he believes in peaceful protests, the chaos that engulfed the Capitol was indicative of an uprising against the government.

Fort Bend County – Firt Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls is now also Congressman-elect Troy Nehls after a solid win in the race for Congressional District-22. Headed to Washington next week for freshman orientation -- Nehls said in addition to veteran and citizen mental health he’ll be focused on flood mitigation and infrastructure funds for District-22. “I believe whatever side wins there’s probably gonna be a very large infrastructue bill,” Nehls said. “Believe it or not we shook each others hands and gave a hug,” said Nehls. We’re professionals.”Nehls plans to spend three-to-four days a week in Washington but as much of his time will be in District-22.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls has been sent to the House of Representatives after a win in District 22. A Texas sheriff who drew national attention in 2017 over threatening to prosecute a driver with an anti-Trump sticker on their truck has won a congressional seat in Houston. Republican Troy Nehls' victory Tuesday thwarted heavy spending by Democrats to flip the district that stretches south and west of Houston into booming suburbs, which is among the most racially and ethnically diverse in the nation. WATCH: Nehls gives victory speech after win:RELATED READ: Recapping the primary race in District 22Nehls defeated Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni, who also ran for the seat in 2018. You can view the results below:U.S. Representative, District 22 View All CandidatesYou can see more election results here.

HOUSTON – There are hundreds of races being decided by Houston-area voters on Election Day. Here are the five biggest races to watch. Senator View All CandidatesU.S. House District 2Republican and freshman congressman Dan Crenshaw is up for reelection this cycle. U.S. Representative, District 2 View All CandidatesU.S. House District 7Democratic U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher is also a first-term member of Congress who is up for reelection this time around. U.S. Representative, District 7 View All CandidatesU.S. House District 22This seat is wide open after Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Olson announced he is retiring.

SIENNA, Texas – A man being sought in connection with Monday’s fatal shooting in Sienna has turned himself in to authorities. Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls said Matthew Reshon Jacobs, 32, surrendered to authorities at the Missouri City Police Department. Jacobs is accused of gunning down his ex-wife’s new boyfriend outside a home in the 2500 block of Amethyst Isle Lane and then fleeing the scene. Nehls said Jacobs followed his ex-wife and her new boyfriend into the neighborhood and then an argument began. Nehls said surveillance video showed the fatal shooting, which he described as an “execution.”Deputies have identified the victim as 28-year-old Martez Hurt.

You’ve seen the campaign ads, mudslinging and muckraking on both sides in the District 22 congressional race. Ad against NehlsKPRC 2 Investigates examined two key sections in each campaign ad -- both produced by outside groups, not the campaigns themselves. We spoke with Adams and political strategist Keir Murray about the campaign ads circulating in the District 22 congressional race. Interactive mapLearn more about the makeup of Congressional District 22 with this information from the U.S. Census Bureau. A look at the primary season in District 22 leading up to the November 2020 election.

In the Houston area’s 22nd Congressional District, the issue is playing a more personal role. This isn’t the first time Nehls has faced attacks on his record in a competitive race. One of the key questions in the race is how the district responds to that pitch — and Nehls’ background. The suburban district was long considered solidly red but is viewed as a top pickup opportunity for Democrats in Texas. I believe the people of this district value law enforcement and reject the idea of defunding law enforcement.”Kulkarni does have name recognition in the district, however.

HOUSTON – A postal worker has been indicted on federal charges after a video surfaced in June showing a Postal Service worker dumping campaign fliers for Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls' into a dumpster. Officials said Lovely Eliabe, 24, of Richmond, turned herself in to federal authorities after being indicted on Sept. 15 on a charge of destroying U.S. mail. Postal Service when the crime was committed on June 26, prosecutors said. READ: Postal worker caught on camera dumping Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls' campaign fliers, he saysThe business owner said he showed Nehls the video footage of a postal worker throwing an object in the dumpster behind a building near FM 359. The owner said when he went to go retrieve what was thrown away, he found Nehls’ campaign fliers.

There are as many as nine congressional races in Texas that have the attention of at least one of the national parties. The DCCC, she added, is "very optimistic that we're going to make a lot of headway in Texas this year." "Texas Democrats nominated an unelectable slate of socialist extremists who are far out of step with voters," Bob Salera, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in a statement for this story. As for the seven seats that national Democrats are working to flip, a general hierarchy has emerged around where they are most hopeful. "I have no interest in trying to align or differentiate myself from any national Democrats because ultimately it's about the people of this district."

Democrats boast an ever-expanding target list that includes a half-dozen Republican seats in Texas plus others outside Atlanta, Cincinnati, Los Angeles and Phoenix. The tale of two districts 1,600 miles apart spotlights that many pivotal House races hinge on suburban voters. We're still on offense, said Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill., who leads House Democrats' campaign organization. Since January 2019, all 29 Democrats in House districts Trump carried in 2016 have banked more money than their GOP challengers, usually by multiples. The same is true for all but two of the 24 other Democrats in seats Republicans said they'd pursue aggressively this year.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls took an early lead Tuesday in the primary runoff election against challenger and Conservative activist Kathaleen Wall. The two were battling it out for the GOP ticket for Congressional District 22 and Nehls face off against Democrat Sri Preston Kulkarni in November. The race has been contentious with Wall’s campaign releasing several negative TV ads slamming Nehls over the last month. The unofficial tally shows Nehls won by a landslide with 70% of the vote. Donald Trump has his election to handle and we have ours in CD-22.”See the final, unofficial tally below:

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. REUTERS/Alexander DragoThe general election is shaping up in Texas congressional battlegrounds. In the Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs, Candace Valenzuela declared victory in her bid against Kim Olson for the Democratic nomination for the 24th Congressional District. She was first elected to the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school board in 2017 and resigned late last year to focus on the congressional race. "This is the result of years of work by an unstoppable coalition that reflects the incredible diversity of this district," Siegel wrote on Twitter. Two years ago, she unsuccessfully ran for the nomination in the Houston-based 2nd Congressional District and also made significant investments then too.

On the GOP ballot are Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls and conservative activist Kathaleen Wall. District 22 covers the majority of Fort Bend County and parts of Brazoria and Harris counties. Map of TX-22 Congressional District (Wikipedia)Meet the candidatesTroy NehlsTroy Nehls is currently the Fort Bend County Sheriff, serving a total of eight years. He fought to “keep Fort Bend County armed,” according to his campaign website. Kathaleen WallKathaleen Wall (Courtesy of Kathaleen Wall for Congress)A conservative activist who planted her roots in Texas, Wall, a businesswoman working in the technological sector, has helped Republican candidates win races in previous elections.

It is the second ad released by Wall in recent weeks questioning Nehl’s commitment to battling human trafficking. Both ads are partially based on a pair of Houston Chronicle articles in recent years highlighting Nehls' reluctance to label human trafficking as a widespread problem in Fort Bend County. For Wall, the runoff represents an opportunity to avenge her embarrassing 2018 loss in the GOP primary for the nearby 2nd Congressional District. Advisory Council on Human Trafficking. “I don’t have money to go on TV, I’m running a frugal grassroots campaign,” Nehls wrote Monday on Facebook.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls says an unidentified postal worker threw away a bundle of his campaign mailers fliers Friday. Nehls, who is up against fellow Republican Kathaleen Wall in the July primary runoff election, says he learned of the incident from a business owner who called him. The business owner showed Nehls the video footage in which a postal worker can be seen throwing an object in the dumpster behind a building near FM 359. The owner said when he went to go retrieve what was thrown away, he found Nehls’ reelection campaign fliers. We have the federal government, the postal service, throwing away political mailers.

SIENNA PLANTATION, Texas – Fort Bend County Precinct 4 Deputy Constable Caleb Rule was shot and killed Friday in a friendly-fire incident while responding to a call, according to investigators. The deputy constable is survived by his wife and four children ages 13 to 18, officials said. His eldest daughter was set to graduate Friday night, according to Constable Trever Nehls. “I would say that was one of the key trademarks of Deputy Rule,” Trever Nehls said. “His engagement and love for the community he served.”Update on deputy constable's death Update on the death of Fort Bend County Deputy Constable Caleb Rule.

That is why the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office started giving it away. However, Sheriff Troy Nehls said politics played a part in killing the program. Fort Bend County spent about $130,000, providing a bleach and water mixture free to residents. But Sheriff Nehls, who initiated the program, said he believes the program's demise is more about politics than money. Sheriff Nehls said he would like to restart the program if he can find alternative funding.

Fort Bend County officials will begin providing free disinfectant solution to county residents to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Fort Bend residents will receive a 32-oz plastic container and 1-gallon of disinfectant product, officials said. I ask all residents of Fort Bend County to assist us in this goal.”To pick up the products, residents must provide identification and sign an acknowledgment form. We will do a one-for-one exchange.”Fort Bend County partnered with De Nora Water Technologies Texas in Sugar Land to provide residents with the free cleaning products. Fort Bend County residents can check the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page for up-to-date information about the disinfectant distribution.

FORT BEND COUNTY – Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls’ twin brother, Trever won the Republican party ticket for the seat soon to be vacated by his brother, and will faceoff against a Democratic challenger in November. Troy Nehls is running for a seat in Congress and is in a runoff with challenger Kathaleen Wall, vying for the GOP nomination for outgoing Member of Congress Pete Olson’s seat. Democrats Geneane Hughes and Eric Fagan are also headed for a runoff election to determine who will get the party nomination and go up against Trever Nehls in November. See results below:DemocratsRepublicans

HOUSTON – A major race to watch on Super Tuesday is the race for Texas Congressional District 22 that covers most of Fort Bend County. The seat will soon be vacated by Republican Rep. Pete Olson who chose to not run for reelection. Fort Bend County Sheriff Troy Nehls and conservative activist Kathaleen Wall are headed for a May 26 runoff election to determine who will win the party ticket for District 22 race in November. See the results of the Texas Primary below:RepublicanDemocratAmong those vying for the Republican ticket was political newcomer Peirce Bush, grandson of President George H.W. He was the first member of his family to lose a race in Texas in more than 40 years.