Category: Rick Perry

Panel voids 3 Texas congressional districts

In a 2-1 ruling, the panel concluded that race, instead of partisan advantage, drove the decisions by the Republican-controlled Legislature to redraw District 23, which is held by U.S. Rep. Will Hurd , R-San Antonio; District 35, which stretches from Austin to San Antonio and is held by Democrat U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett , and District 27, which includes Nueces County. The nearly 200-page ruling invalidates those districts, and could have a filter-down effect on nearby districts if the ruling stands.

Democrats may call on business community in anti-“sanctuary” bill fight

As Texas Democrats strategize how to continue pushing back against state-based immigration proposals, they’re considering a tactic often embraced by some far-right members of the Republican Party to assist their efforts. “I would just say that all options are on the table to expose the hypocrisy of only focusing on immigrants and not on Texas businesses that rely heavily on them,” state Rep. Rafael Anchia , D-Dallas, told the Tribune.

The Latest: AOL emails among records Gov. Pence kept private

Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington.

WH defends Pence’s use of private email while governor

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. WASHINGTON – A White House spokeswoman said Friday that Vice President Mike Pence “did everything to the letter of the law” after public records revealed that he used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana’s governor.

Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering…

Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. less Vice President Mike Pence pauses while speaking before administering the oath of office to Energy Secretary Rick Perry, left, Thursday, March 2, 2017, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White … more WASHINGTON – Vice President Mike Pence used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana’s governor, according to public records obtained by the Indianapolis Star .

EU calls on Canada to defend Paris climate accord against global ‘uncertainties’

The European Union’s environment commissioner is making a noisy pitch about joining forces with Canada to fight to preserve the Paris climate change accord in the face of “geopolitical uncertainties.” EU Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete didn’t mention Donald Trump by name, but his statement Thursday prior to his arrival in Ottawa seemed squarely aimed at the U.S. president.

Perry regrets call to eliminate Energy Department

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Energy Department, said Thursday he regrets his infamous statement about abolishing the federal agency and insisted it performs a critical function. Perry told a Senate committee that if confirmed, he will be a passionate advocate for the department’s core missions and will seek to draw “greater attention to the vital role played by the agency,” especially in protecting and modernizing the nation’s nuclear stockpile.

Thursday’s Trump Cabinet confirmations: What to watch

Donald Trump’s Cabinet confirmation hearings continue Thursday, just one day before the President-elect is set to take the oath of office. Steven Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs banker, is scheduled to face the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday at 10 a.m. ET, according to the committee’s website.

Ted Cruz: I dona t see a GOP primary …

Sen. Ted Cruz said Thursday that as it stands now, he doesn’t see anyone who is likely to mount a GOP primary challenge against him in his 2018 bid for re-election but that he’s taking nothing for granted. “At this point, I don’t see anyone that is likely to run, but I am going to assume that the threat is serious and prepare accordingly,” Mr. Cruz told radio host Hugh Hewitt.

Rick Perry’s Texas giveaways: There’s something fishy about…

Donald Trump’s selection of Rick Perry to lead the Department of Energy has prompted many Democrats to question Perry’s qualifications for the position. While he governed a state rich in fossil fuels and wind energy, Perry has far less experience than President Obama’s two energy secretaries, both physicists, in the department’s primary work, such as tending the nuclear-weapons stockpile, handling nuclear waste and carrying out advanced scientific research.

What do we want?

President-elect Donald Trump put on Twitter last week that new economic indicators are uncommonly good. Then he wrote, “Thanks, Donald.”

States face off over Clean Power Plan

Two weeks after officials in two dozen states asked Republican President-elect Donald Trump to kill one of Democratic President Barack Obama’s signature plans to curb global warming, another group of state officials is urging Trump to save it. Democratic attorneys general in 15 states plus four cities and counties sent a letter to Trump asking him to preserve Obama’s Clean Power Plan, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, the lead author, announced Thursday.

Not All CIA Agents Think Alike: ‘BradCast’ 12/26/2106

It’s a very white Christmas for many on the right, as ‘PDiddie’ finds in this year’s collection of Holiday toons… Guest: Daniel Nichanian on proactive, state-by-state measures Dems can and must take to expand voting rights; And much more!… Freakishly hot Arctic; New Obama drilling bans; Climate change juiced extreme events: NOAA; Trump voters support carbon regulation; PLUS : Solar now world’s cheapest energy… Also: NC’s brazen GOP coup a model for nation, and Obama’s last ditch efforts to save the planet from Trump… High lead levels in 1000s of towns; Water safe again in Corpus Christi; Int.

Not All CIA Agents Think Alike: ‘BradCast’ 12/26/2106

It’s a very white Christmas for many on the right, as ‘PDiddie’ finds in this year’s collection of Holiday toons… Guest: Daniel Nichanian on proactive, state-by-state measures Dems can and must take to expand voting rights; And much more!… Freakishly hot Arctic; New Obama drilling bans; Climate change juiced extreme events: NOAA; Trump voters support carbon regulation; PLUS : Solar now world’s cheapest energy… Also: NC’s brazen GOP coup a model for nation, and Obama’s last ditch efforts to save the planet from Trump… High lead levels in 1000s of towns; Water safe again in Corpus Christi; Int.

Paul Choiniere

To continue reading up to 10 premium articles, you must register , or sign up and take advantage of this exclusive offer: While many focus on holiday preparations, it is that time of year for a crusty old political writer such as myself to take stock of the political scene and where things may be headed. Not to be a complete pre-recovery Scrooge, however, I tuned the radio to some Christmas tunes while writing.

Outsiders selected by Trump aim to unnerve Washington

President-elect Donald Trump wishes supporters a Merry Christmas to kick off his “thank you” rally in Hershey, Pa., on Thursday. Seven men and one woman named by Trump to run vast government agencies share a common trait: once confirmed, their presence is meant to unnerve – and maybe even outright undermine – the bureaucracies they are about to lead.