Over the last two weeks, I had the opportunity to speak with many Texans across our great State including folks in Lubbock, San Antonio, and the Rio Grande Valley.
It’s clear that the high price of gasoline tops the list of economic concerns facing Texas families. Despite the recent positive news that the Texas economy is among the strongest in the 50 states, skyrocketing gas prices are hitting Texas families hard, particularly as the summer travel season approaches.
Too many Texas families are now paying the price for inaction by the Congress. That is unacceptable. Congress can and should take immediate action to improve both our security and our economy by increasing American-based energy production – from exploring ANWR and the Outer Continental Shelf to increasing American refining capacity. Unfortunately, some of my colleagues have continually obstructed any effort to step-up domestic energy production – dating back to President Clinton’s veto to stop such development in ANWR, which would have made available nearly 1,000,000 barrels of oil a day.
Members of Congress on a bipartisan basis must work together to try to bring some of these policies to the floor as soon as possible, without a moment of unnecessary delay. I am working hard to see this action through.
Another area that I have been working hard on concerns the care and treatment of our Veterans. Texas is the proud home of roughly 1.6 million U.S. Veterans, and we have a solemn obligation to ensure that each one of them receives the important benefits they have earned and deserve. This week I was proud to co-sponsor the Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment through Education Act, S. 2938, which will strengthen the existing Montgomery G.I. Bill to improve benefits for active duty service members, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve.
I was also proud to help pass the Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act, S. 1315, which contains a number of key reforms to VA benefits programs. This legislation included new housing benefits for our wounded warriors and their families which was the direct result of conversations I had with wounded soldiers and their families at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
Finally, on a related note, one of our Texas heroes and Veterans was honored on Capitol Hill last week. I was proud to join President Bush and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in presenting Dr. Michael DeBakey with the Congressional Gold Medal. During World War II, Dr. DeBakey helped develop the concept of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) units, which saved thousands of lives during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He later became head of surgery at the Baylor University College of Medicine in Houston in 1948, and helped lead the Texas Medical Center to the position of international prominence it enjoys today.
Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you on some of the issues currently before the Congress. I hope you will take a moment to read through some of the other issues I have spoken out on over the last two weeks and as always, please share any thoughts you have by clicking here.
More News
Cornyn Co-Sponsors Bill To Boost Education Benefits For Military, Veterans - 04/30/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined several Senate colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to expand education benefits for military personnel and veterans. The Enhancement of Recruitment, Retention, and Readjustment through Education Act, S. 2938, will enhance the existing Montgomery G.I. Bill to improve benefits for active duty service members, veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserve... [more]
Sen. Cornyn: Congress' Failure to Act on Domestic Energy Production is Hurting Working Families - 04/29/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, spoke on the Senate floor again this morning in support of common-sense efforts to address rising gas prices and said that Congress’s inaction on strengthening exploration and production here at home is hurting working families in Texas and across the country. Below are key excerpts from Senator Cornyn’s remarks. The full text and video of his speech can be viewed here. "It's been two years since Speaker Pelosi said that her party, the Democratic Party, had a common-sense plan to bring down prices at the pump. And I'm left to wonder how long we'll have to wait to hear what that common-sense plan is…" [more]
Sen. Cornyn Highlights Values, Efforts Of Texas Migrant Council - 04/25/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today attended the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Senator John Cornyn Texas Migrant Seasonal Head Start School. The school, with more than 220 students currently enrolled, was renamed in Sen. Cornyn’s honor due to his continued support for the Texas Migrant Council (TMC) and its initiatives. [more]
Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Veterans Benefits Enhancement Act - 04/24/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Armed Services Committee, joined Senate colleagues Thursday in overwhelmingly approving legislation to provide increased benefits for veterans and wounded warriors. The Veterans’ Benefits Enhancement Act of 2008, S. 1315, which passed by a vote of 96-1, includes provisions authored by Sen. Cornyn to improve benefits for veterans, wounded warriors and military families. "This bill enhances and supplements important benefits that our veterans have earned and deserve..." [more]
Cornyn Introduces Bill To Impose Additional Penalties On Syria - 04/24/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced legislation Thursday to impose further U.S. sanctions against Syria and maintain sanctions currently in place until Syria meets certain criteria. Under the Syria Accountability and Liberation Act (SALA), sanctions will continue until Syria ceases its support for terrorism, dismantles its various weapons of mass destruction programs, recognizes the right to exist of neighboring countries in the Middle East, and shows that it values the human rights and civil liberties of its own people. The bill will also apply additional diplomatic pressure in several areas. "This legislation will send a strong message to the Syrian regime that it’s threatening and irresponsible actions will not be tolerated by the United States..." [more]
Cornyn: DeBakey Helped Change The World - 04/23/2008
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, Vice Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, made the following statement Wednesday regarding a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol to present Dr. Michael DeBakey with the Congressional Gold Medal. Sen. Cornyn, who co-sponsored the bill, joined President Bush, Sen. Hutchison and others for the event. “Dr. Michael DeBakey’s accomplishments are legendary. His lifelong commitment to the medical field and helping others has impacted the lives of countless Texans and, indeed, people around the world. Dr. DeBakey has helped millions of people to live longer and more productive lives. He is a Texan who has helped change the world, and a Texan worthy of this honor.” [more]
Cornyn Urges Sec. Gates To Review New Study Indicating 1 Of 5 Returning Troops Suffers From Mental Health Conditions - 04/18/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, hosted a conference call Friday, April 18, with Texas reporters to discuss a troubling recent report indicating 1 in 5 U.S. troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan now suffers from depression or stress disorders and that many are not receiving the proper care. The study, conducted by the Rand Corporation, also reports that of those troops suffering from mental health problems, only about half have sought treatment and even fewer of those with head injuries have seen doctors. [more]
Sen. Cornyn & Fellow San Antonians Kick Off Fiesta San Antonio 2008 - 04/18/2008
John Cornyn, R-Texas, was joined today by Texas First Lady Anita Perry as honored guests of the Fiesta San Antonio 2008 Opening Ceremony. The annual ceremony kicks off 10 days of 100 Fiesta events celebrated by millions of patrons in San Antonio and the region. "Fiesta San Antonio is an impressive, long-honored celebration of San Antonio’s rich culture and traditions. Having been raised in San Antonio, I was honored to help kick off this celebration and join fellow San Antonians in paying tribute to our city’s vibrant history. I hope all San Antonio residents will have the opportunity to participate in the 10-day celebration, show pride for their city, and spend time with friends and family." [more] [slideshow]
Cornyn Calls For Public Education Reform To Return Decision-Making, Flexibility To Local Level - 04/18/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today called for public education reform that will return more decision-making and flexibility to the local level with parents, teachers and schools. In remarks to the Texas Public Education Reform Foundation’s 2008 Statewide Education Summit in Austin, Sen. Cornyn also highlighted the need to ensure that young people are well-prepared with the education and skills necessary for successful careers in an increasingly innovative, high-tech economy. The event drew hundreds of teachers, administrators, and members of the Texas academic community... [more] [slideshow]
Cornyn Introduces Bill To Boost Taxpayer Access To Federal Spending Records And Earmark Information - 04/14/2008
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a leading open government advocate and Budget Committee member, introduced legislation Monday in advance of Tax Day to boost taxpayers’ access to federal spending records and earmark information. The Federal Spending and Taxpayer Accessibility Act of 2008 will shed more light on government spending by creating an online earmark tracking system, providing taxpayer record statements and enhancing agency expenditure transparency. "One of my top priorities in the Senate has been to increase public access to government information," Sen. Cornyn said. "This latest effort will provide taxpayers unprecedented information about how their money is spent, and how their taxes are paid..." [more]
Texas Times Weekly Column
Texas-Sized Tracks: George’s sharp-eyed discovery of what turned out to be dinosaur footprints helped open an exciting chapter in Texas and U.S. natural history. Much later, researchers from across the country poured into the area southwest of Fort Worth, putting Glen Rose at the center of the world of paleontology. This area today is home to Dinosaur Valley State Park. At this sprawling preserve, a National Natural Landmark, visitors can see dinosaur tracks as large as three feet long by two feet wide. This tranquil terrain along the Paluxy River, once home to the Caddo and Tonkawa tribes, today differs markedly from the era when dinosaurs roamed...
Trade boosts Texas prosperity, national security: Texans work hard and efficiently, and what we produce is highly valued around the globe. In the early days of Texas statehood, cotton was king, and most of it was exported to mills abroad. Then came the Texas cowboy and cattle drive era, the beginning of our international beef industry. Today, Texas leads all states in exports of goods, ranging from agricultural products to computer and electronic equipment, and we don’t do badly in services—such as gas and oil technology. Exports are the difference between sustainability and prosperity for our agriculture sector—they’ve helped keep farms and ranches thriving across our state. Some 23 percent of our agricultural production is sent abroad. That includes two-thirds of our cotton crop (it’s still our biggest money-maker), two-thirds of our rice, one-third of our peanuts and virtually every bushel of wheat...
