Latest news with #DanCrenshaw
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State Rep. Steve Toth to challenge Congressman Dan Crenshaw in Republican primary
State Rep. Steve Toth, a Conroe Republican aligned with the rightmost faction of the Texas Legislature, announced a primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw on Tuesday, setting up the state's latest intra-party midterm clash. Toth, who is serving his fifth term in the Texas House, is part of a group of hardline GOP lawmakers who have rebelled against their own party's leadership, including Gov. Greg Abbott, for being insufficiently conservative. Seen as one of the most conservative members of the 150-person chamber, Toth has openly campaigned against his GOP colleagues, joined with the minority that voted against impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton and thrown himself in the middle of the Legislature's numerous partisan battles over social and cultural issues. Now, Toth has Crenshaw — a Houston Republican who has represented his Harris County-based district since 2019 — in his crosshairs. 'The people of Congressional District 2 deserve an unwavering conservative who will fight for our convictions and never bend the knee to the radical left,' Toth said in a statement, citing Crenshaw's support of Ukraine aid and past comments about far-right members of Congress. Crenshaw has racked up a solidly conservative voting record in Congress while focusing his legislative efforts on standard GOP priorities, from border security to barring federal funding for gender-affirming care. But he has publicly sparred with the far-right House Freedom Caucus and key movement figures like Tucker Carlson — a difference he sees as being over the seriousness with which they take governance rather than a stringent ideological dispute. Crenshaw has referred to obstructionists in the conservative movement as 'grifters' and expressed frustration with right-wing members of Congress who ousted then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy and falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen. In a statement, Crenshaw pointed to legislative victories including securing flood mitigation funding for the Houston area, authorizing a study into breakthrough therapies for veterans with traumatic brain injuries and efforts to take on Mexican cartels. He also accused Toth of living outside the 2nd Congressional District, which was redrawn in 2021 and now covers more than half the residents of Montgomery County. 'I don't have much to say about Steve Toth—because there's not much to say,' Crenshaw said. 'While he was busy redrawing his home outside of TX-02, I was working hard for the people of TX-02.' Montgomery County voter registration records indicate that Toth's Conroe home is in the neighboring 8th District. Members of Congress do not have to live in the district they represent, though candidates who live outside the boundaries often face attacks from their opponents. Toth did not deny that he lives in the 8th District, but noted in a statement that his Texas House district overlaps almost entirely with Crenshaw's congressional district. 'I know this community, and I've been serving them for nearly a decade,' he said. The district boundary could soon change again, with congressional redistricting on the agenda for the Legislature's upcoming special session. Toth is by far the best-known primary opponent Crenshaw has faced in his career. Right-wing activist Jameson Ellis primaried Crenshaw in his past two elections — losing by 19 percentage points last year — but has said he is not running again this cycle. The primary challenge is Toth's second attempt to take down a sitting Republican member of Congress. In 2016, he challenged then-Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands, pushing Brady to the lowest vote share of his 26-year congressional career. Despite being outspent by over $1.4 million, Toth came within 20,000 votes of unseating Brady, winning 37% in a four-way race. Shape the future of Texas at the 15th annual , happening Nov. 13–15 in downtown Austin! We bring together Texas' most inspiring thinkers, leaders and innovators to discuss the issues that matter to you. Get tickets now and join us this November. TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Fox News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Texas turns to faith as Gov. Abbott declares 'Day of Prayer' amid devastating floods
Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, declared Sunday, July 6, a "Day of Prayer" as Texas grapples with the devastating floods that have left at least 91 people dead. "I urge Texans of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds to offer prayers on that day for the healing of individuals, safety of our first responders and public safety officers, rebuilding of communities, and restoration of the region struck by this disaster," Abbott said in a proclamation. And over breakfast tacos in Kerrville on Sunday morning, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, posted a video of a restaurant streaming a First Baptist service. "Only in Texas… Great is thy faithfulness, indeed," Roy said. "Prayer works," Abbott said Sunday morning. And across the political aisle, a former Texas congressman and 2020 presidential candidate, Democrat Beto O'Rourke, encouraged prayer and donations for those impacted by the floods. "Please pray with me while over 500 first responders continue their search for those still missing. Pray we find survivors," Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, said as he encouraged Texans to join the day of prayer. Texas is one of the more religious states in the U.S., particularly in the South, according to the Pew Research Center's Religious Landscape study released in 2024. The same study found 67% of Texans are Christian. "Please pray right now for everyone in the Hill Country, especially Camp Mystic," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas., said Friday. Camp Mystic is a private Christian summer camp for girls. As of Monday afternoon, at least 27 young girls who were staying at Camp Mystic were confirmed dead. There were 750 attendees when the wall of water slammed into the camp. Like many in Texas, Camp Mystic has turned to prayer during the tumultuous time for the young community. "Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe river. Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly," according to a statement on the camp's website. Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told Fox News Channel that at Camp Mystic, "The water was at the door. The camp counselor took a rock and smashed out the window. They climbed out the window in bare feet and nothing but a night gown on, in neck-high water." "Please continue to pray for the families affected by this tragedy," Patrick urged Texans. And Attorney General Ken Paxton said, "Texans are praying for these families. God be with them during this time of unimaginable pain and suffering."
The Independent
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Transgender people notch rare win in fight over Trump's ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill'
Transgender Americans received a surprising mini-victory amid the Republican passage of President Donald Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' when an attempt to restrict gender-affirming care died in the legislative process. The bill had included language that would have banned Medicaid from covering gender-affirming care for transgender minors. But in a final deal made to appeal to conservatives, the legislation struck the term 'for minors.' Republicans passed the legislation via the process of budget reconciliation, which allowed them to avoid a Democratic filibuster. But that meant the legislation had to relate to federal spending and the Senate Parliamentarian, who determines whether legislative language complies with the so-called 'Byrd Rule' criteria found it was not germane. Initially, the Senate version included similar language. But the parliamentarian found that it did not comply with the Byrd Rule after Democratic staff argued for it. Still, Republicans included it in the language of the text they hoped to put on the floor. That would have required Democrats to raise a point of order on the legislation, which would mean the amendment would need 60 votes and the 53 Republican senators would need to pick off seven Democrats. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) said he thought that would be an easy fight. 'It's a good bet to take,' he said on X. 'For one thing, nothing to lose so why not try? But second, I believe the Democrats won't want to pick this battle. This is a very very popular provision. I think the Democrats know they've lost the battle. The science isn't on their side and neither is the public.' But transgender people had a powerful ally in Sen. Ron Wyden, one of the remaining lawmakers who opposed the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, the law that made the federal government recognize marriage as one man and one woman. Wyden said at the time that he would raise a point of order if needed. 'I was first senators come out and support marriage equality and I said if you don't like gay marriage, don't get one,' the Oregon Democrat told The Independent. 'This is the same thing. This is a private choice for adults should be blankship belong to them.' According to the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law, about 276,000 transgender adults use Medicaid. But Republicans have focused heavily on anti-trans rhetoric and policy, with numerous state legislatures enacting bans on gender-affirming care for youth with gender dysphoria. In addition, late last year, House Republicans included a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that banned TRICARE, the health care program for active-duty military servicemembers, from covering 'certain medical procedures for children that could result in sterilization.' In 2024, the Trump campaign ran an advertisement criticizing his Democratic opponent Kamala Harris for allowing taxpayer-funded gender-affirming surgeries for undocumented immigrants in prison, famously using the tagline: 'Kamala is for They/Them' while 'President Trump is for you.' In the end, the final agreement that led to the legislation being passed in the Senate excluded the language on gender-affirming care without the Democrats having to raise a point of order. Rep. Mark Takano of California, the chairman of the Congressional Equality Caucus, heralded the win for transgender people, saying that the four big fights for them are access to medical care, freedom from bullying and harassment at school, freedom from harassment at the workplace and the ability to participate in sports. 'The fact that this was achieved in the Senate, rather painlessly, was a was a pretty remarkable time of events,' Takano told The Independent. Initially, it looked like Republicans would want to include amendments to the Senate version. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene proposed an amendment to restore the ban. But Republicans opted to pass the legislation without amendments, meaning the language was not included in the final bill. Before the final House bill's passage, Rep. Sarah McBride of Delaware praised the fact the language died. 'I think there are a lot of people who are rightfully relieved,' she said.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The GOP Has a New Public Enemy Number One
Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough has struck some notable provisions from President Trump's 'big, beautiful bill,' leading a growing chorus of GOP lawmakers to call on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to overrule or fire her. Being a reconciliation bill—which can pass with a simple majority, rather than the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster—the legislation cannot contain provisions unrelated to the budget. Currently, MacDonough is tasked with whittling away at 'extraneous' measures that run afoul of that rule. In doing so, she has incensed some MAGA hardliners, most recently pushing some over the edge by lopping off a number of Medicaid cuts on Thursday morning. Reacting to the news, Senator Tommy Tuberville on X accused MacDonough of advancing 'a woke agenda,' writing, 'THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN SHOULD BE FIRED ASAP.' Senator Roger Marshall joined Tuberville, citing the firing of Parliamentarian Robert Dove in 2001 and declaring that 'we need to again fire the Senate Parliamentarian.' The calls are coming from inside the House, as well. Representative Dan Crenshaw—who was particularly upset about the removal of his proposal to ban federal Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care—said MacDonough 'has shown clear political bias, applying ideology and not the rules of the Senate.' Also pushing to remove or override MacDonough are Representatives Greg Steube, Keith Self, and Jeff Van Drew. As the majority leader, Thune could theoretically call for a vote to overrule MacDonough, or fire and replace her. But the South Dakota senator seemingly has no intention of doing so, telling reporters on Thursday that overruling her 'would not be a good option for getting a bill done'—echoing his previous comments. 'These are … short-term setbacks,' Thune said, according to The Hill. 'Speed bumps, if you will.' GOP lawmakers endure these speed bumps as they race toward Trump's July 4 deadline to pass the bill.
Fox News
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
'THEY'RE ALL LIARS': Rep. Dan Crenshaw SLAMS 'Woke Right' Voices Betraying Trump
Rep. Dan Crenshaw, former Navy SEAL and current Congressman for Texas' 2nd district, joined The Guy Benson Show today to weigh in on President Trump's decision to strike Iran's nuclear facilities–calling it a strong and necessary red line. Crenshaw slammed the 'low confidence' intelligence leaks aimed at downplaying the effectiveness of the strike and took aim at what he called the 'MAGA grift'–Republicans who chase online clout while betraying the president's national security goals. He also warned of the potential for Iranian sleeper cell attacks here at home in response to U.S. and Israeli military actions. Listen to the full interview below! Listen to the full interview below: Listen to the full podcast below: Rep. Crenshaw had this to say on 'MAGA' influencers who are going against Trump for money and engagement:
