Home > Trail Blazers Blog

Author Archives: Kimberly Railey

3 Texas judicial nominees don’t get committee vote

WASHINGTON — As expected, the three nominees for lifetime judicial posts in Texas didn’t get a committee vote Thursday.

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee regularly choose to hold over votes on judicial nominees for a week, a tactic allowed under Senate rules. The committee is now set to vote next Thursday on the nominees: U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman of San Antonio, Texarkana lawyer Robert Schroeder III, and Sherman Magistrate Judge Amos Mazzant III.

If the committee approves them, the candidates must then garner a majority vote in the full Senate.

It remains unclear whether that can happen before next year. In early January, Republicans will take over the committee and Senate.

3 Texas judicial nominees likely won’t get committee vote Thursday

Robert L. Pitman, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas, speaks during a news conference June 4 in Midland. (AP Photo/Odessa American, Courtney Sacco)

WASHINGTON — Three candidates for federal judgeships in Texas aren’t likely to get a committee vote Thursday, giving the Senate less time to approve the nominations by the end of the year.

Under Senate rules, any Judiciary Committee member can postpone the vote by one week, a move Republicans have traditionally used for judicial nominees. Once a nominee clears that hurdle, the full Senate would vote on confirmation for U.S. Attorney Robert Pitman of San Antonio, Texarkana lawyer Robert Schroeder III, and Sherman Magistrate Judge Amos Mazzant III.

“Standard protocol would be for them to be held over to the next business meeting,” said Beth Levine, a spokeswoman for Republicans on the committee. Democrats control the committee and Senate only until early January, when the new Congress is sworn in.

Confirmation requires a majority of votes in the Senate. At a committee hearing in September, Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz publicly backed the trio of Texas nominees, whom they had jointly recommended to the White House.

On Tuesday, a Cornyn aide reiterated the senator’s support. Both Texas senators sit on the Judiciary Committee. President Barack Obama announced the nominations in June.

It’s unclear whether the full Senate will vote to confirm the nominees by the end of the year, Levine said.

Democrats will likely try to move as many nominees as they can before Republicans take over, said Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond who tracks judicial nominations.

The handover in power means Republicans have less incentive to act quickly.

“They’re not in a hurry because they’re going to take over,” he said, “and then they can run the whole show.”

The seat Pitman is up for has been vacant since the end of 2008. Pitman would become Texas’ first openly gay federal judge.

Mazzant, a federal magistrate judge in Sherman, would fill a post in Marshall. Schroeder, a partner at the law firm Patton, Tidwell, Schroeder & Culbertson, is up for a position in Texarkana.

Ralph Hall, recovering from accident, may not be in Washington next week

Rep. Ralph Hall (R-Texas) questions witnesses during a House Committee on Science, Space and Technology hearing on Nov. 19, 2013. (T.J. Kirkpatrick/The New York Times)

WASHINGTON — Rep. Ralph Hall, R-Rockwall, is expected to make a full recovery from a car accident last month — but it’s unclear if he’ll be in Washington next week when Congress returns from recess.

Hall is being treated at an inpatient rehabilitation facility after a car wreck in Trenton forced him to have hip surgery. His district director, Tom Hughes, declined to comment on when Hall would leave the facility, saying that decision falls to Hall, his family and his doctor.

“Our goal is for him to get those final votes up there and keep his record going,” Hughes said.

Lawmakers are set to return to Washington next week after a seven-week long recess. As Hall recovers, staff members have been updating him daily on issues, Hughes said.

Hall, the oldest-ever lawmaker in the U.S. House, is heading into the final weeks of his term, after losing a primary runoff in May to John Ratcliffe.

Following the car accident, the 91-year-old suffered a hip injury, in addition to minor cuts and bruises. He was taken by helicopter to Medical Center of Plano.

Hall was a passenger in the car, which was being driven by his friend Howard Zielke. The congressman’s office said he had been attending a parade in Fannin County.

Ratcliffe, a former U.S. attorney, will replace Hall in early January, when the next congressional term begins.

Hinojosa, Hurd to be most vulnerable Texans in U.S. House next year

WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Rubén Hinojosa and Republican Will Hurd will head into Congress next year as the most vulnerable lawmakers in the Texas delegation.

It’s common for lawmakers in the 23rd District, which Hurd will represent, to be top targets for the opposing party. Elections for the West Texas seat are known to be competitive, and Hurd’s win marked the fifth time the district elected a new congressmen in 10 years.

Rep. Ruben Hinojosa, D-Mercedes (AP Photo/HO, File)

Will Hurd, former CIA operative (Hurd campaign)

In his Democratic-leaning district, Hinojosa won with 54 percent of the vote. In Congress, he’s in his ninth term and chairs the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Hinojosa, a Mercedes Democrat, faced Republican opponent Eddie Zamora, who received 43 percent of the vote. The candidates ran in the 15th District, located in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Zamora raised about $107,000, while Hinojosa raised about $438,000, according to the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Hinojosa’s vote margin is his lowest in recent years. The Democrat won 61 percent of the vote in 2012 and 56 percent in 2010.

Zamora also took on Hinojosa in 2010 and 2008.

Hurd, a former CIA operative who knocked off Democratic incumbent Rep. Pete Gallego, won just under 50 percent of the vote to Gallego’s 47.7 percent.

Gallego raised about $2.3 million to Hurd’s $1.1 million for the seat, which runs from San Antonio to El Paso. The congressional district is famously volatile and is by far the most competitive in Texas.

Roger Williams won’t seek NRCC chairmanship after GOP’s big wins

WASHINGTON — Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, won’t challenge National Republican Committee Chairman Greg Walden’s bid for a second term, Roll Call reported Wednesday.

Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin. (Michael Ainsworth/Staff)

A day after Republicans enjoyed sweeping election victories in Congress, Williams wrote a letter saying that “now is not the time for more political gamesmanship” — though he noted he was encouraged to consider running. Roll Call confirmed with Williams’ office that the letter means he won’t make a play for the position.

“Now is the time to work together as a team with strong Republican leadership,” Williams wrote.

Under Walden, House Republicans saw their majority expand to its largest total in more than 60 years. The GOP also seized control of the Senate.

Walden, an Oregon Republican, could still be opposed in his re-election. Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Ill., has signaled he may run.

Williams, first elected in 2012, said he looks forward to working with the NRCC and Walden going forward.

“The NRCC has to out-work, over-perform, and out-hustle our opposition this next cycle,” he wrote.

In TX 23, Will Hurd defeats Pete Gallego; other Texans in U.S. House win re-election

Update, 12:58 a.m.: The Gallego campaign has conceded. In a statement, Gallego said he will “embrace the will of the voters in this election” and congratulated Hurd on his win.

“Texans deserve far better than what Congress has been giving them and I intend to provide Will any and all help I possibly can to help him work to correct that problem as he prepares to take office,” Gallego said.

Update, 12:50 a.m.: The Congressional Leadership Fund and the American Action Network — two GOP groups who spent a combined $1.6 million to boost Hurd – said the Republican’s victory sends a strong message to “stop runaway government in Washington.”

“Texans can look forward to Will’s leadership as he supports center-right solutions for creating jobs, protecting Americans from Obamacare, and increasing opportunities for all Americans,” the groups said in a statement.

Update, 12:39 a.m.: In a statement, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Greg Walden congratulated Hurd on a “hard-earned victory.”

“Will ran a fantastic campaign that focused on the issues Texans care about. Will truly has dedicated his life to helping his country and this is yet another proud chapter,” Walden said. “I’m honored to call him a friend and colleague.”

Update, 12:29 a.m.: Hurd has unseated Gallego, the freshman Democrat from Alpine, according to the Associated Press. The pickup means that the Texas delegation will now have 25 Republicans and 11 Democrats, including three freshmen.

Hurd won 50 percent of the vote to Gallego’s 48 percent, or by a little more than 2,000 votes, with nearly all precincts reporting.

Update, 12:24 a.m.: With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Hurd leads by 2,124 votes.

Update, 12:05 a.m.: Gallego is trailing Hurd by 3,050 votes, with 90 percent of precincts reporting.

Update, 11:33 p.m.: Hurd is clinging to a lead of 3,559 votes, with 85 percent of precincts reporting.

In northeast Texas, Ratcliffe said he’s humbled by the trust voters have placed in him.

“My future job title will be United States Representative, and I take that very seriously,” he said in a statement.  “It means that I work for the people and not the other way around.”

Update, 11:04 p.m.: Hurd is still leading 50 percent to 47 percent, or by 3,361 votes. So far, 84 percent of precincts have been reported and counted.

Update, 10:44 p.m: Hurd’s lead over Gallego has widened to 3,596 votes. He’s up 50 percent to Gallego 47 percent, with 81 percent of precincts reporting.

Update, 10:23 p.m.: It’s become an even closer race. Gallego trails Hurd now by just 535 votes, with 60 percent of precincts reporting.

In another U.S. House race in Texas, Corpus Christi Rep. Blake Farenthold, fresh off his re-election, vowed to continue to try to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut government spending.

“Tonight’s results show our dedication to meeting the needs of the people of Texas, our message of securing the border, making government accountable to the people, ensuring our veterans receive the benefits they have earned, and providing conservative leadership resonates with the voters of the 27th Congressional District of Texas.” the Republican said in a statement.

Update, 10:01 p.m.: The race could go down to the wire. Hurd continues to lead Gallego, but his margin his shrinking. Just 832 votes separate the candidates, with 58 percent of precincts reporting.

Update, 9:30 p.m.: With 39 percent of precincts reporting, Hurd is up 51 percent to Gallego’s 46 percent.

Meanwhile, Sam Johnson, R-Plano, who sailed to re-election, called his win a “true blessing.”

“I want to thank everyone for their belief in me and for their vote,” Johnson said in a statement. “It’s humbling and I vow to continue to fight for you.”

Update, 9:05 p.m.: Hurd leads by about 2,200 votes, out of almost 62,600 cast. One-fifth of precincts have been counted.

Update, 8:36 p.m.: Hurd still retains an edge over Gallego, 52 percent to 46 percent, with 10 percent of precincts reporting.

In other House races in Texas, there aren’t any surprises: All incumbents appear headed for re-election.

After winning Tuesday night, Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, said he was “honored” to be re-elected.

“I am hopeful that we will expand our Conservative presence in the House and win a Republican majority in the Senate,” Barton said in a statement. “The American people have spoken and I urge the President to work with us so we can accomplish the things we were elected to do.”

Update, 8:01 p.m.: Hurd leads Gallego 54 percent to 44 percent, with 4 percent of precincts reporting.

The Associated Press has called several other U.S. House races in Texas, all in favor of incumbents.

Democratic Reps. Marc Veasey, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Sheila Jackson Lee and Lloyd Doggett all cruised to another term. On the Republican side, Reps.  Blake Farenthold, Michael Burgess, Mike Conaway, Mac Thornberry, Kay Granger, Pete Olson, Pete Sessions, John Culberson, Michael McCaul, Kenny Marchant and Bill Flores were re-elected. Babin’s victory has also been sealed.

Original post:

WASHINGTON —  There are 36 U.S. House elections in Texas today — but only one that’s truly competitive.

In West Texas, Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, is taking on Republican challenger Will Hurd, a former CIA operative. The famously volatile 23rd District, which stretches from San Antonio to El Paso, has elected four congressmen in the past 10 years.

Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine (AP Photo)

Republican Will Hurd, a former CIA operative (Hurd campaign)

Gallego and his team are watching returns tonight at Don Pedro, a Mexican restaurant in San Antonio. Hurd and his campaign are at the Eilan Hotel, also in San Antonio.

In two other U.S. House races in the state, newcomers are poised to win: Dr. Brian Babin in suburban Houston and John Ratcliffe in northeast Texas. No other seats are expected to change hands.

Babin, a Republican, is set to replace Rep. Steve Stockman, who gave up his seat in an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. Senate. Ratcliffe, also a Republican, defeated 17-term incumbent Rep. Ralph Hall in a primary runoff in May.

Texas Republicans raise concerns about federal Ebola response

Senate Minority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, center, and GOP lawmakers speak to reporters after a Republican caucus meeting, at the Capitol in Washington on May 6, 2014. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

updated at 3:51 p.m. with comment from HHS.

WASHINGTON — Texas Republicans are demanding answers from the Health and Human Services Administration about how existing public resources were used to combat the Ebola outbreak.

In a letter sent Friday, Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz — joined by all 24 Texas Republicans in the U.S. House — raise concerns that new Ebola cases emerged on U.S. soil despite the department’s funding for public health crises.

According to the letter, a 2013 law gave nearly $1.4 billion to “public health preparedness and response activities,” part of it to support efforts in Dallas and other metropolitan cities.

“[I]t is especially troubling to witness the federal government’s communications missteps and confusion about protocols knowing that a wide range of federal resources have already been in place for years,” the lawmakers write.

In a statement Friday afternoon, HHS said it looks forward to responding to the letter.

“HHS values working with members of Congress on this important public health matter,” spokesman Bill Hall said.

National Ebola protocols came under scrutiny after two Dallas health care workers contracted the disease while treating an Ebola patient. The patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, died but the two nurses, Nina Pham and Amber Vinson, have been declared Ebola-free.

Labeling Dallas “ground zero” for the first Ebola case, the Texas lawmakers say it’s necessary to understand how the U.S. government has applied its resources before charting a path forward.

In their letter, they tick through a number of requests to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell, including an explanation of how policies under a 2006 law are helping to contain and treat the disease.

That law created the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, a position whose responsibilities Texas lawmakers also want detailed.

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates endorses Will Hurd

In this June 2011 file photo, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates takes questions from the media at the Pentagon. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

WASHINGTON — Former CIA director and Defense Secretary Robert Gates is backing Republican congressional candidate Will Hurd, Gates’ first endorsement this election cycle.

“Will [has served] our country on the front lines of the War on Terror, he knows the cost of freedom, and you can count on him to take care of our veterans here at home,” Gates said in a statement issued by the Hurd campaign. “[Will] is a man of courage, integrity, and ability, and I enthusiastically support [his] election to the United States Congress.”

Will Hurd, the Republican candidate in the 23rd District. (Hurd campaign)

Hurd, a former CIA operative, is running as a Republican against freshman Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine, in a sprawling West Texas district. During his CIA tenure, Hurd collected intelligence in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.

On Thursday, Hurd expressed gratitude for Gates’ support. Gates served as Secretary of Defense from 2006 to 2011, under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

“It is a true honor to have the support of such a highly respected National Security expert,” Hurd said in a statement. “I hope to continue fighting to keep our country strong and to protect freedom and democracy, as Secretary Gates has done.”

Ted Cruz on Apple’s Tim Cook coming out: “I love my iPhone”; gay rights groups unamused

Sen. Ted Cruz speaks at a news conference on immigration at the US Capitol on Sept. 9, 2014. (AFP photo/Mandel Ngan )

WASHINGTON — Sen. Ted Cruz on Thursday called Apple CEO Tim Cook’s coming out as gay a “personal decision.”

“Those are his personal choices,” Cruz said on CNBC. “I’ll tell you, I love my iPhone.”

The Texas Republican, a vocal opponent of gay marriage, then pivoted to his stance on the broader issue. Cruz said marriage is a question best left to the states because of the country’s federalist system.

“My focus is on the constitutional question of who has the authority to make decisions,” Cruz said.

Last month, Cruz vowed to introduce a constitutional amendment that would ensure states can ban gay marriage. His announcement came after the Supreme Court let stand a series of lower court rulings that legalized the practice, a move Cruz called “tragic and indefensible.”

Cook came out in a Bloomberg Businessweek opinion piece on Thursday, revealing publicly for the first time that he is gay.

“Let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me,” Cook wrote.

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay-rights organization, had harsh words for Cruz’s remarks.

“Coming out is the most courageous and important thing that an LGBT person will do in their lifetime,” spokesman Fred Sainz said. “Tim Cook showed great courage and leadership in doing so. He no doubt will save lives by inspiring those struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity. All we get from Senator Cruz is either backhanded compliments or his backhand.”

Ebola lobbying hits Washington

WASHINGTON — Ebola lobbying is going viral in Washington.

Over July through September, more than 15 groups cited the disease in lobbying reports filed with the Secretary of the Senate’s Office of Public Records. The organizations include drugmakers, hospitals and health professional associations, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, which noted the lobbying trend.

Cerus Corporation, which is seeking compassionate use approval of its anti-viral blood treatment technology, has spent $20,000, the reports indicate. Zimek Technologies, which has touted its disinfecting system for hospital rooms, also shelled out $20,000.

Another company, Hemispherx BioPharma, brought on the firm Squire Patton Boggs to “to bring our experimental drug Ampligen and FDA approved drug Alferon online as potential therapeutics for Ebola,” according to a statement provided to Politico.

Last month, Congress approved $88 billion for Ebola drug research as part of a short-term spending bill. There aren’t any drugs or vaccines approved to treat the disease in the U.S., but several experimental drugs have been used.

Another company, Sanford Health, has been lobbying on “issues related to [the] Ebola outbreak, including education, research and funding needed for treatment,” according to the filings.

Other organizations that listed Ebola in the reports include Sarepta Therapeutics, which is pushing for fast-track approval of its experimental Ebola treatment, and ONE Action, U2 singer Bono’s advocacy group.