Tag Archives: Congress

RNC scales down Hispanic outreach efforts

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Fine by me. A Hispanic outreach center that the National Republican Committee opened on San Antonio’s Southeast Side in 2021 is among numerous minority outreach offices across the country that have been shuttered for the 2024 election cycle. Democrats say … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged CD15, CD28, CD34, Congress, Election 2022, Election 2024, HD118, HD37, Latino voting, Michelle Vallejo, Monica de la Cruz-Hernandez, Republican Party, RNC, SD27, Senate, Texas, The Lege | Comments Off

The Fifth Circuit has its merits hearing on SB4

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This is the big one. A federal appeals court heard arguments Wednesday from Texas and the federal government about whether it should continue blocking a new Texas law that would let state police arrest migrants suspected of entering the U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, American Gateways, Bastrop County, Congress, Donald Trump, DPS, El Paso, Election 2024, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Greg Abbott, Harris County, Hidalgo County, immigration, Joe Biden, Justice Department, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, lawsuit, MALDEF, McLennan County, Mexico, SCOTUS, Senate, Steve McCraw, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, The Lege | Comments Off

More on Rep. Nehls’ ethics investigation

Posted on April 4, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Again, could be something, could be nothing. U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls said he is cooperating with a House ethics committee “matter” that he says is related to his campaign finances. After the House Ethics Committee last week acknowledged they were … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged CD22, Congress, ethics, FEC, Texas, Troy Nehls | 1 Comment

Fifth Circuit leaves SB4 block in place

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Good. A federal appeals panel late Tuesday night declined to put Texas’s migrant deportation law back in effect, saying the state law seizes powers that are “likely reserved to the United States.” The 2-1 opinion from the 5th Circuit Court … Continue reading →

House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Troy Nehls

Posted on March 28, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Could be something. We’ll see. U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Richmond, is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee, the bipartisan panel announced Tuesday. It did not specify the focus of the investigation, but Nehls said it was related to his … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged CD22, Congress, ethics, FEC, Texas, Troy Nehls | 2 Comments

Mexico asks Fifth Circuit to keep blocking SB4

Posted on March 25, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

They definitely have an interest in this. The Mexican government is urging a federal court to block Texas’ migrant deportation law, arguing it will trample the country’s right to regulate its own borders, terrorize the 2.4 million Mexican nationals living … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, American Gateways, Bastrop County, Congress, Donald Trump, DPS, El Paso, Election 2024, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Greg Abbott, Harris County, Hidalgo County, immigration, Joe Biden, Justice Department, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, lawsuit, MALDEF, McLennan County, Mexico, SCOTUS, Senate, Sheriff’s Association of Texas, Steve McCraw, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, Texas Municipal Police Association, Texas Police Chiefs Association, The Lege | Comments Off

Fifth Circuit has its SB4 hearing

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

More whiplashing. The chief judge on an appeals panel weighing whether to block Texas’ new migrant deportation law appeared skeptical that it does not run afoul of longstanding precedent leaving immigration enforcement solely to the federal government. Questioning the state’s … Continue reading →

And just like that, SCOTUS flipflops on SB4

Posted on March 20, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

UPDATE: It’s blocked again! A federal appeals court late Tuesday night stopped a state law allowing Texas police to arrest people suspected of illegally crossing the Texas-Mexico border — hours after the U.S. Supreme Court had allowed it to go … Continue reading →

SCOTUS pauses SB4 again

Posted on March 19, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This time indefinitely. The Supreme Court on Monday extended a temporary block on a new Texas immigration law that is being challenged by the Biden administration. In an order issued by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, the court again imposed a … Continue reading →

SB4 remains on hold

Posted on March 13, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Fine by me. No rush. The Supreme Court on Tuesday further delayed a new Texas law empowering state authorities to arrest and deport migrants that would transform immigration enforcement long left to the federal government. Justice Samuel Alito extended an … Continue reading →

Evaluating the polls

Posted on March 8, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This year we got a set of polls for various Democratic primary races from the UH Hobby Center. Because of the nature of some of the races and the fact that we don’t usually get this kind of polling data, … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Amanda Edwards, Angeanette Thibodeaux, Annette Ramirez, Ashton Woods, Beto Cardenas, CD07, CD18, Charlene Ward Johnson, Christian Menefee, Clint Horn, Colin Allred, Congress, Danyahel Norris, Democratic primary, District Attorney, Ed Gonzalez, Election 2024, Harold Dutton, Harris County, Harris County Attorney, Harris County Sheriff, Harris County Tax Assessor, HD139, HD142, HD146, Jarvis Johnson, Jerry Ford, Karthik Soora, Kim Ogg, Lauren Ashley Simmons, Lizzie FLetcher, Michelle Bonton, Mo Jenkins, Molly Cook, Pervez Agwan, polls, Roland Gutierrez, Rosalind Caesar, SD15, Sean Teare, Senate, Shawn Thierry, Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas, The Lege, Todd Litton, Umeka Lewis-Piccolo | Comments Off

Initial thoughts on the 2024 primary

Posted on March 7, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Some opening considerations as we peruse the final unofficial voting data. Before you read my words, go check out Stace, Campos, Reform Austin, and the Texas Signal. Here we go: – Final turnout in Harris County was 176,396 for Dems … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged 14th Court of Appeals, Annette Ramirez, Armando Perez-Serrato, Barack Obama, Cameron County, CD12, CD23, CD32, Colin Allred, Congress, Constable, Democratic primary, Desiree Broadnax, early voting, Election 2012, Election 2018, Election 2020, Election 2022, Election 2024, Gillespie County, hand counting, Harris County, Harris County Tax Assessor, HD139, HD146, Hidalgo County, Jarvis Johnson, Joe Biden, judicial races, Julie Johnson, Michelle Bonton, Molly Cook, President, primaries, runoff, SD15, Senate, special election, Texas, The Lege, Todd Litton, turnout, Webb County | 2 Comments

Primary 2024 results: Republican headlines

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

It’s going to be a late night and I have a couple of long days ahead of me, so I’m going to do some quick summaries based on what I now know, and will come back later to fill the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Barbara Hervey, Brandon Gill, Brandon Herrera, CD12, CD23, CD26, Christi Craddick, Congress, Court of Criminal Appeals, Craig Goldman, Dade Phelan, Election 2024, Gillespie County, Greg Abbott, hand counting, Harris County, HD121, HD138, HD21, HD26, impeachment, Jacey Jetton, Jared Woodfill, judicial races, Ken Paxton, Lacey Hull, Michelle Slaughter, primaries, runoff, Sharon Keller, Steve Allison, Texas, The Lege, Tony Gonzales, vouchers | 2 Comments

The Fifth Circuit remains extremely on brand

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Of all the Fifth Circuits in the world, they’re the Fifth Circuitest. A new law empowering state authorities to arrest and deport migrants seeking asylum in the United States may soon take effect after an appeals court stepped in to … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, American Gateways, Congress, Donald Trump, DPS, El Paso, Election 2024, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Greg Abbott, immigration, Joe Biden, Justice Department, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, lawsuit, Mexico, SCOTUS, Senate, Steve McCraw, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, The Lege | 1 Comment

Abortion and IVF roundup

Posted on March 5, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Texas IVF patients are dealing with a lot of uncertainty right now. Heather Burzlaff has four embryos in a freezer in Dallas and she doesn’t know what to do with them. After seven years of medications, egg retrievals and waiting, … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged abortion, adoption, Alabama, California, Congress, Election 2024, gay rights, Greg Abbott, IVF, Ken Paxton, Louisiana, mifepristone, Mihaela Plesa, SCOTUS, Senate, Supreme Court, telemedicine, Texas, The Lege | 1 Comment

SB4 blocked by federal court

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Good. A federal judge in Austin on Thursday halted a new state law that would allow Texas police to arrest people suspected of crossing the Texas-Mexico border illegally. The law, Senate Bill 4, was scheduled to take effect Tuesday. U.S. … Continue reading →

Posted in La Migra, Legal matters | Tagged ACLU of Texas, American Gateways, Congress, Donald Trump, DPS, El Paso, Election 2024, Greg Abbott, immigration, Joe Biden, Justice Department, Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, lawsuit, Mexico, SCOTUS, Senate, Steve McCraw, Texas, Texas Civil Rights Project, The Lege | 1 Comment

You’re not going to fall for Greg Abbott’s BS about IVF, are you?

Posted on February 28, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s count the ways in which he dodged and weaved. Gov. Greg Abbott said Sunday that he supports Texas families having access to in vitro fertilization treatments and has “no doubt” the state will address issues raised by a recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged abortion, Alabama, Congress, Greg Abbott, IVF, lawsuit, Texas, The Lege | 3 Comments

That other guy in CD18 drops out and endorses SJL

Posted on February 26, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Obviously earth-shaking news. Robert Slater, the longshot candidate challenging U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in the upcoming March primary, said he will suspend his campaign Sunday and endorse the incumbent congresswoman. Slater, a Houston chef and businessman, faced long odds … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Amanda Edwards, CD18, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, endorsements, Robert Slater, Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas | Comments Off

More Dem primary polls from UH/Hobby Center

Posted on February 23, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I asked, and I received. Just months after a bruising campaign for mayor of Houston, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee is leading her top challenger in the 18th Congressional District by five points, suggesting the closest race for the position … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Amanda Edwards, Angeanette Thibodeaux, Ashton Woods, Beto Cardenas, CD07, CD18, Charlene Ward Johnson, Clint Horn, Congress, Danyahel Norris, Democratic primary, Election 2024, Harold Dutton, Harris County, HD139, HD142, HD146, Jarvis Johnson, Jerry Ford, Karthik Soora, Lauren Ashley Simmons, Lizzie FLetcher, Michelle Bonton, Mo Jenkins, Molly Cook, Pervez Agwan, polls, Rosalind Caesar, SD15, Senate, Shawn Thierry, Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas, The Lege, Todd Litton | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: Sticking with SJL

Posted on February 20, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron, in what I believe is its final endorsement of interest for this cycle, stays with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee in CD18. Jackson Lee, Espinosa told us, “has a track record of really stepping in for families.” That record … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Amanda Edwards, CD18, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2023, Election 2024, endorsements, Houston, Mayor, Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas | 2 Comments

SB4 lawsuit has its day in court

Posted on February 18, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

We’ll see what happens. Lawyers for the Biden administration and Texas faced off in a federal court in Austin on Thursday to argue whether a new state law that would allow police to arrest people suspected of crossing the Texas-Mexico … Continue reading →

Endorsement watch: Three big ones

Posted on February 18, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron races to finish up their primary endorsements before the start of Early Voting. Three more for your consideration: They endorse Rep. Lizzie Fletcher in CD07. Ever since Democratic voters picked her to take on and eventually defeat a … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Ashton Woods, Beto Cardenas, CD07, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, endorsements, HD146, Jarvis Johnson, Karthik Soora, Lauren Ashley Simmons, Lizzie FLetcher, Michelle Bonton, Molly Cook, Pervez Agwan, SD15, Senate, Shawn Thierry, Texas, The Lege, Todd Litton | 1 Comment

Interview with Marquette Greene-Scott

Posted on February 16, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

And here we are at the final interview of the cycle (no, I was never able to get something scheduled with Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee), though I may find more to do for the runoffs and the May HCAD election. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged CD22, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, interviews, Marquette Greene-Scott, Texas | Comments Off

Two Congressional race updates

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This story uses the throughline of John Whitmire’s election as Mayor to discuss the SD15 and CD18 primaries, but I’m just going to focus on the latter. After losing the mayoral election by nearly 30 percentage points, [Rep. Sheila] Jackson … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Amanda Edwards, CD07, CD18, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, Lizzie FLetcher, Pervez Agwan, Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas, text messages | 1 Comment

January 2024 campaign finance reports – Congress

Posted on February 11, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

PREVIOUSLY: State offices Harris County offices Senate As noted, we’re still doing the Congressional reports separately until we winnow down the fields. The October 2023 reports are here, the July reports for both Congress and Senate are here, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Alex Cornwallis, Amanda Edwards, Brian Williams, Callie Butcher, campaign finance reports, CD03, CD06, CD07, CD15, CD18, CD24, CD28, CD32, CD38, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2022, Election 2024, Francine Ly, fundraising, Gion Thomas, Henry Cuellar, Isaiah Martin, John Love, Julie Johnson, Justin Moore, Lizzie FLetcher, Melissa McDonough, Michelle Vallejo, Pervez Agwan, Raja Chaudhry, Rhetta Bowers, Sam Eppler, Sandeep Srivastava, Sheila Jackson Lee, Texas | 5 Comments

Interview with Gion Thomas

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

We wrap up Legislative And Congressional Week #1 with our next contender in CD38, Gion Thomas, who moved to Katy as a 12-year-old in 2005 after being forced out of his home by Hurricane Katrina. A graduate of Katy High … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged CD38, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, Gion Thomas, interviews, Texas | Comments Off

Endorsement watch: Two at a time

Posted on February 9, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron is meandering along through their primary endorsements. I can’t complain too much, they’re making progress and we’re still more than a week away from the start of early voting, it’s just that there’s no pattern to it. Whatever. … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Allison Jackson Mathis, CD38, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, endorsements, Gion Thomas, Harris County, judicial races, Melissa McDonough, Ramona Franklin, Texas | Comments Off

Interview with Melissa McDonough

Posted on February 8, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

We’re going to finish up the week with two interviews from CD38, the still-new drawn-to-be-red district on the west side of the county. We have two candidates vying for the nomination, and today we will hear from Melissa McDonough, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged CD38, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, interviews, Melissa McDonough, Texas | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: Two uphill battles

Posted on February 7, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

Two new endorsements from the Chron, in races that aren’t likely to be competitive but whose primaries feature a candidate who’s going to give their best shot and a candidate who’s literally nothing but a name on the ballot. First … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged CD22, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, endorsements, Marquette Greene-Scott, Nasir Malik, SD07, Senate, Texas | 2 Comments

Interview with Rep. Lizzie Fletcher

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve made it to the end of this weird week, which includes running this interview on Friday instead of Wednesday as I had originally planned. These things happen, and so we adjust. I still do have two days of interviews … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged CD07, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, interviews, Lizzie FLetcher, Texas | 1 Comment

Interview with Pervez Agwan

Posted on January 25, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

I said on Monday that this was going to be a slightly weird week schedule-wise, and so it remains. My intent was to follow with my interview with Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, but the schedule gods had other ideas. That is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged CD07, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, interviews, Pervez Agwan, Texas | Comments Off

Interview with Amanda Edwards

Posted on January 22, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

This is going to be a slightly weird week, as I have had some recent scheduling challenges. Happens every cycle, not a big deal, but in the short term it can scramble things a bit for me. My original plan … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2024 | Tagged Amanda Edwards, CD18, Congress, Democratic primary, Election 2024, interviews, Texas | Comments Off

Lawsuit seeking January 6 emails from Abbott and Paxton can proceed

Posted on January 21, 2024 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a lot of lawsuits out there against the state and/or the likes of Greg Abbott and Ken Paxton. I do my best to be aware of them and keep track of them, but inevitably some things get lost in … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged American Oversight, Congress, Donald Trump, Election 2020, Greg Abbott, insurrection, Ken Paxton, lawsuit, President, sedition, Supreme Court, Texas, Third Court of Appeals, Travis County | Comments Off

The problem of inadequate police responses to mass shootings is national

Posted on December 30, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

More great reporting from ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and FRONTLINE on how police departments across the country have no idea how to react to mass shootings. During an October conference to prepare law enforcement for dealing with an active shooter, … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center, Congress, DPS, El Paso, guns, Nevada, police, Santa Fe, Texas, Uvalde | 2 Comments

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