Latest news with #R-Austin
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
John Cornyn says tax and spending bill must reimburse Texas $11 billion for border security
Texas Republicans in Congress are ramping up their requests for the federal government to reimburse Texas for years of state spending on border security. Sen. John Cornyn told The Texas Tribune that any amount less than $11.1 billion for Governor Greg Abbott's 'Operation Lone Star' would be 'unacceptable.' The Senator said he is not willing to vote for a spending package – also known as the budget reconciliation bill – that does not include reimbursement for Texas. 'I've seen some other numbers thrown around, but anything less than full compensation is unacceptable,' Cornyn said. Abbott started Operation Lone Star in 2021 with a surge of state resources to the southern border as he accused the Biden administration of not doing enough to enforce immigration laws and prevent border crossings. Since the start of the second Trump administration, Abbott and Texas Republicans in Congress have pressured President Donald Trump and congressional leaders to reimburse the state for its border security operation. 'We didn't give it, we loaned it, they need to pay us back,' Rep. Roger Williams, R-Willow Park, told The Tribune. 'We did everything the federal government should have done, so we need to get the money.' Multiple members said they are cautiously optimistic that reimbursement would be included in the budget reconciliation package, which is currently being drafted in the House of Representatives. The package will be a large collection of bills related to federal spending and taxes created to match the budget outline Congress passed last month, which promised significant cuts. Many of the 27 Texas Republicans in Congress have the ability to strongly influence the budgeting process. This includes Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, who chairs the House Budget Committee, which is tasked with combining the budget recommendations from House committees into one bill. Arrington told The Tribune on Thursday that the amount that may be reimbursed to Texas is undetermined, but that the 'commitment is there,' from Trump and Republican leadership to compensate the state. 'I just believe that when the ink is dry on the final product that that will be in the mix,' Arrington said. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, listed reimbursing Texas as one of his five reforms he wants included in budget reconciliation in a letter to House leadership. Roy, a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus, has in the past held out on supporting major legislation — including last month's budget vote — to persuade leadership to make promises or alter a bill. Roy told The Tribune that reimbursing Texas is one of many items he is pushing for, and one that he believes will be included in the final bill. 'What was the benefit of joining the union if the union isn't going to defend the country?' Roy said. Roy, like many Republican members, has pushed for sharp cuts to federal spending. But the congressman doesn't view reimbursing Texas for Operation Lone Star as contradictory to this wider goal. 'We already spent it when it was the federal government's job,' Roy, a member of the House's budget and judiciary committees, said. Roy said his other reconciliation priorities include an overhaul of Medicaid, repealing the Inflation Reduction Act and extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts. His main focus, he added, is making sure the 'math adds up' in the final bill and he is hesitant to draw any red lines. Within the Judiciary Committee's budget recommendations is nearly $800 million set aside for the reimbursement for state and local participation in supporting immigration enforcement and decreasing criminal gangs, transnational criminal organizations and human trafficking. While Texas would have a claim to this reimbursement, the total amount is well below the $11 billion requested by Texas Republicans and would likely be split with other states. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, is the vice-chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, which did not include refunding Texas in its portion of the budget bill. McCaul said more details need to be worked out regarding how to repay other states that funded border security efforts. 'Texas had to stand up and do the federal government's job when they weren't doing it,' McCaul said. 'I think it's very appropriate that we reimburse the state and the other states that helped out as well.' McCaul said that he wants the reimbursement of Texas to be added to the final bill – adding that the state deserves the money. 'It's probably one of those things you don't want to call a lot of attention to,' McCaul said in an interview. 'Sometimes it's better to put something in and not make a lot of fanfare about it until afterwards.' House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, said this week that he wants the House to pass the package by Memorial Day. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Williams' wife passes from brain cancer
A funeral was held Saturday to honor the life of Patty Jung Williams, the wife of U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin. Williams represents the 25th Congressional District, which includes Johnson County. Patty Williams passed after a long battle with brain cancer, and her husband shared the news of her death on his social media pages. 'It is with a heavy heart that I announce that on Jan. 17, 2025, my beloved wife of 41 years Patty Jung Williams went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,' he wrote. 'Patty was an extraordinary businesswoman, philanthropist and partner, but mostly I will remember her as a loving mother to our two beautiful daughters and the greatest CoCo anyone could ask for to our two amazing granddaughters. 'Ever the patriot, Patty loved our country and was a fierce voice for causes that matter most to her. While today may mark the end of her journey here on this earth, her spirit and resolve will live on in all of us as we carry her flame daily. Thank you for your prayers for our family during this difficult time.' During Tuesday's Johnson County Republican Women's meeting, members shared their condolences for the family. 'Roger is a big friend of the Republican Women, and Patty has been, too,' JCRW President Elaine Wilmore said. 'She's just been ill the last couple of years. It's been very hard on Roger, and he has been so faithful. He's a good man.' Verlie Edwards, the curator for Roger Williams' personal museum, thanked the club. 'I just want to let you know how much we, not only as his staff, but his family, ask for your prayers to continue for them, and we appreciate all your support,' she said. 'It's been a tough two weeks for us.' The Patty and Roger Williams Glioblastoma Multiforme Cancer Research Fund has been established at the Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University, and Wilmore urged members to consider contributing. 'If you would like to contribute to that, I'm sure that the Williams family would appreciate it very much,' she said. 'It's not a contribution to the Republican Women. It's a contribution to Duke University's research fund in Patty's name.' In July, Roger Williams introduced a resolution expressing support for the designation of July 17, 2024, as 'Glioblastoma Awareness Day.' The resolution increases glioblastoma awareness, which is critical to research and treatment advancements and expresses support for those battling this disease. 'Awareness is crucial in the ongoing fight against glioblastoma,' he said. 'This resolution brings hope to patients and their families as they fight this devastating disease. Together, we will continue to build on the progress we have made as we search for a cure to end this disease.' In 2023, there were about 14,490 new cases of glioblastoma diagnosed in the United States. Glioblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor, accounting for almost half of all primary malignant brain tumors. Williams served as the president of the Roger Williams Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep & Ram in Weatherford, and was an active member of Willow Park Baptist Church, where she spent two years of treatment writing several inspirational songs and poems, two of which were recorded by Sonny and Jolie Burgess of Cleburne. Prior to entering the automobile industry, she worked in the hotel hospitality business under her father in Fort Worth, and was the sales manager for Hyatt Hotels and a director of sales for state associations for AMFAC Hotels/DFW Airport. In 1995, Texas Gov. George W. Bush appointed her to the Automobile Theft Prevention Authority, and then she was elected as the first female chairman. Gov. Rick Perry appointed her to serve as a public member/director of the State Bar of Texas in 2002. Williams was involved in several area organizations, including the Better Business Bureau of Fort Worth and Tarrant County, where she became the first female president of the board; Jewel Charity Ball; Tarrant Area Food Bank; Texas Women for the Arts; Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Steering Women for Business (affiliate of Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo); Fort Worth Council for Life; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; Austin College President's Council; Weatherford Wags and Saving Hope Animal Rescue. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Roger Williams; children, Jaclyn 'J.J.' Williams Contreras and husband, Eric; Sabrina Williams Speirs and husband, Jesse; grandchildren, Clara Contreras and Emmy Mac Speirs, all of Willow Park; sister, Susan Davis and husband, Greg of Cedar Park; and many devoted nieces and nephews.
