Scot Lehigh: Texas pols should live up to their inspiring rhetoric

It may be an impolitic point to make at this meteorological moment, but sometimes bluntness helps clear the conceptual clouds. So here goes: The rhetoric around the Texas disaster relief effort is inspiring, but shouldn't political leaders' professed concern about their fellow citizens transcend national emergencies? Or to put it another way, why don't President Trump and the leading politicians of Texas practice what they preach? This week, Greg Abbott, Texas's governor, spoke movingly about the spirit of generosity and community on display in the Houston area's Dunkirk-like response to this natural disaster.

Harvey victims urged to file insurance claims fast

Homeowners whose properties were damaged by Harvey may face another challenge: filing insurance claims before a new Texas law takes effect on Friday. The statute, House Bill 1774 , limits penalties for property-casualty insurers when policyholders sue them for being slow to settle a claim, offer a lowball payout or decline a claim altogether.

Texas prepares as Harvey strengthens to Category 2 storm

Conditions were deteriorating along Texas's Gulf Coast on Friday as Hurricane Harvey strengthened and slowly moved toward the state, with forecasters warning that evacuations and preparations "should be rushed to completion." Millions of people were bracing for a prolonged battering from the hurricane, which could be the fiercest such storm to hit the U.S. in nearly a dozen years.

Federal Judge Tosses Out Texas Voter ID Law

In her second ruling on the Texas Senate Bill, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos said changes made to 2011 voter ID law did not "fully ameliorate" its "discriminatory intent." LM Otero/AP hide caption In her second ruling on the Texas Senate Bill, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos said changes made to 2011 voter ID law did not "fully ameliorate" its "discriminatory intent."

Two House districts illegally skew vote, Texas told by court

A federal court invalidated two of Texas' congressional districts on Tuesday, concluding that they violated the Constitution and the Voting Rights Act by diluting the voting power of minorities. In a 107-page ruling -- part of a long-running legal battle -- a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas found that District 27, which includes Corpus Christi, had been drawn to deny voters in a heavily Hispanic county "their opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice," and that ethnicity had been the primary factor in drawing District 35, a narrow strip that stretches from San Antonio to Austin.

A snapshot of Guam before US-North Korea conflict and now

In this image released by the U.S, Air Force, a B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, prepares for takeoff from Andersen AFB, Guam, to conduct a sequenced bilateral mission with South Korean F-15 and Koku Jieitai F-2 fighter jets, July 7, 2017. In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, a B-1B Lancer assigned to the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over the Pacific Ocean March 10, 2017.

Texas set to restrict insurance coverage for abortion

The Republican-controlled Texas Legislature is poised to restrict insurance coverage for abortions over the objections of opponents who say doing so could force some women to make heart-wrenching choices because no exceptions will be made in cases of rape and incest. A bill requiring women to purchase extra insurance to cover abortions except amid medical emergencies already cleared the state House after hours of emotional debate.

‘Dancing With the Stars’ boss talks Spicer, political castings

The cast of "Dancing With the Stars" Season 25 is still taking shape, and while former White House communications director Sean Spicer won't be among those hitting the ballroom this year, executive producer Deena Katz is leaving her options open as she rounds out the lineup. "I may," Katz told CNN when asked if she would consider recruiting someone from the growing list of former White House staffers for the upcoming season of "DWTS."

McCaul unveils border security bill

The top homeland security Republican in the House unveiled a border security bill Friday that would codify President Donald Trump's border wall, boost resources for Border Patrol and authorize the National Guard and Defense Department to provide support to those efforts. The Border Security for America Act by Texas Rep. Mike McCaul is a scaled back version of a bill that McCaul had been working on with fellow Texan Republican Sen. John Cornyn, as CNN first reported.

Is abortion law constitutional?

In 1973, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision of Roe V. Wade established three major aspects of abortion procedures: az A state having a compelling interest can intervene if an abortion will adversely affect the "potentiality" of the life of the fetus . Senate Bill 8, which the Texas Legislature passed and was signed into law last month, requires abortion providers to bury or cremate fetal remains following an elective abortion.

Oregon approves measure requiring insurers to cover abortion

Insurance companies in Oregon would be required to cover abortions and other reproductive services at no cost to the patient regardless of income, citizenship status or gender identity under a measure approved Wednesday by lawmakers. Oregon already has some of the most liberal abortion laws in the U.S., leaving out otherwise common requirements for waiting periods or spending limits on taxpayer funds.

U.S. Congressmen introduce Bill revoking Pakistan’s MNNA status

Washington [U.S.] , June 23 :Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington, two influential U.S. Congressmen have introduced a bill revoking Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally , saying Islamabad's "treachery" has led to the deaths of too many American citizens. Congressman Ted Poe and Congressman Rick Nolan have introduced H.R. 3000, a bipartisan bill revoking Pakistan's major non-NATO ally status.

Texas moves to soften voter ID law after judge finds bias

A weakened Texas voter ID law moved closer to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's desk on Tuesday, watering down an original version that a judge compared to a "poll tax" and ruled had intentionally discriminated against minorities. Republicans are pushing changes with urgency: the Texas Legislature has less than a week left to pass bills before adjourning until 2019, and federal courts that have confronted the state over voting rights in recent years are watching.