Politics
Rick Perry Exports His Pay-to-Play Politics to Ukraine
As Pete Sessions Tries to Revive his Political Career, He May Get Sucked into Ukraine
The once-powerful Republican congressman is trying to claw his way back to Washington at a time when his allies in Trumpworld are under fire.
Former Congressman Pete Sessions stood behind a lectern at the McLennan County Republican Party headquarters in Waco, flanked by a man holding a campaign sign a...Read More
Mac Thornberry’s Retirement Leaves the Defense Industry With One Less Close Friend
The Panhandle congressman has been an unwavering hawk and a champion for bigger war budgets.
Mac Thornberry, a Panhandle Republican representing Texas’ 13th Congressional District, announced on Monday that he will not run for reelection. That makes hi...Read More
Who Is John Cornyn Serving?
The senior senator from Texas has mastered the art of political subservience, making him very powerful—and perhaps vulnerable.
After 20 years in Washington, the senior senator from Texas has mastered the art of political subservience—first to the Republican establishment and now to Tr...Read More
Why a Texas Gun Control Activist is Optimistic About the Chances for Reform
Texas Gun Sense’s Ed Scruggs on how Abbott and Patrick talk about guns behind closed doors—and what that says about the prospects for change.
Ed Scruggs has been on the frontlines of the battle to reform Texas’ gun laws ever since the Sandy Hook massacre. That 2012 tragedy galvanized a movement that...Read More
The Roots of Narendra Modi’s Divisiveness Are at Odds With the Idea of a Diverse Houston
Opinion: The “Howdy Modi” event is drawing criticism for welcoming the Indian prime minister amid human rights issues plaguing his country.
When the NRG stadium in Houston opens its doors Sunday morning to welcome Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and his estimated 50,000 supporters, about 8 milli...Read More
Trump’s USDA Lets Animal Abusers Off the Hook
A South Texas facility has been repeatedly penalized for violating animal treatment standards. Under newly loosened rules, will it and other offenders be held to account next time?
On June 6, an inspector with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s animal-welfare division made a macabre discovery. At a sprawling animal research facility in...Read More
Texas’ Presidential Candidates Break Out Briefly During the Democratic Debate
But it’s probably not enough to challenge the frontrunners.
by Amal Ahmed, Gus Bova, and Andrea Valdez September 13, 2019 The third Democratic presidential debate and all its attendant hullabaloo stampeded into Texas Thu...Read More
Texas Leads in Polling Place Closures Since 2013
750 polling places in Texas have been shuttered since Shelby v. Holder, the Supreme Court decision that released the state from federal oversight in changing its voter laws and practices.
If you’ve been on the voting rights tour bus in Texas, what a ride it’s been—especially since 2013. Prior to then, the state was beholden to the Voting Ri...Read More
Senator Lucio Draws Serious Primary Challenge
The Texas Senate’s most conservative Democrat faces two opponents. Is the Valley ready for change?
Democratic state Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. starts choking up over the phone. The 29-year veteran of Texas’ upper chamber is recalling legislation he passed in 2...Read More
