A Busy Time of Year, and Merry Christmas!

It’s been a busy month since Thanksgiving, and I’d like to share a few highlights. First, however, Terry and I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. May this be a special time reflecting on the greatest gift ever given, when Christ came into this world to provide us eternal life.

Fort Worth Hosts the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) National Conference
The first week after Thanksgiving, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) national conference was held in Fort Worth. We had a record number of attendees – over 1,000! Terry was able to join me for much of the conference, and many of my Senate and House colleagues attended.

Over the course of three days, state lawmakers from almost all 50 states met to share best practices as well as consider state-based solutions to issues affecting our nation and our citizens. Speakers included Governor Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, Senator Ted Cruz, Secretary of Agriculture (and Fort Worth resident) Brooke Rollins, former Governor Rick Perry and more.

What exactly is ALEC, you might ask? Well, it’s the largest nonpartisan, voluntary membership organization of state legislators in the country. The group is dedicated to principles of limited government, free markets and federalism. Back in 2015, I was honored to have served as the national chairman for this great group of like-minded individuals, and I remain active as a member of the national board. Much of the conservative legislation enacted in Texas over the past several decades began with discussions and brainstorming at ALEC conferences. 

At ALEC, we had the opportunity to welcome Fort Worth resident Brooke Rollins, our U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, back to her hometown. 


The ALEC National Board of Directors toured the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility in Fort Worth,  where thousands of North Texans help manufacture the F-35. Terry joined me for the tour of this absolutely massive production facility. We also got to say hello to our son-in-law Rick who works at Lockheed. 

National Interview on the Hugh Hewitt Show

While attending ALEC, I took some time to visit with national radio host Hugh Hewitt where I discussed the status of our redistricting efforts and the “Big Beautiful Map.” At the time of the interview, the U.S. Supreme Court had not yet ruled in favor of Texas’ new maps, which were drawn to create five new GOP congressional seats. As I stated in the interview, we want new seats because we know if the left controls Congress during Trump’s last two years we’ll have nothing but impeachments and bogus inquiries; the work of the people will grind to a halt. On December 4th, the Supreme Court did rule favorably, as common sense and the rule of law prevailed. This provides us the opportunity to increase our GOP majority in Congress, but now we need to make sure we win those seats in November of 2026. To listen to the interview, click on the photo above.

New Laws Going into Effect
During the two special sessions, we enacted new laws that are beginning to take effect this month and into January. Here are just a few examples: 

• Private citizens can sue anyone who manufactures or distributes abortion drugs to or from Texas. Effective date of December 4th.
• The STAAR test will be replaced by three shorter tests throughout the year. Students will take the new assessments beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
• More penalties will be applied to lawmakers who break quorum to delay legislation, including harsher fines, new limits on funds they raise as well as loss of seniority and committee posts. Effective date of December 4th.
• Senate Bill 8 requires transgender individuals to use restrooms and changing facilities for their biological gender. This will keep men out of women’s restrooms and other areas and is known as the “Women’s Privacy Act.” Effective date of December 4th.
• Senate Bill 11 will protect human trafficking victims from prosecution for crimes they are forced to commit by their captors. Effective date of December 4th.

Our Pro-Family Work is Honored by WallBuilders
At the WallBuilders Pro Family Conference, several of us were honored for our work in restoring the Ten Commandments back in the Texas classrooms.    

It was a privilege to be recognized along with Rep. Candy Noble and Senator Jim Dotson of Arkansas, for working to restore the Ten Commandments back in the classroom.

“Faith and Family Champion” Award from Texas Values

On December 6th I had the honor of speaking at a Texas Values meeting held at the home of Vince & Mona Puente in Arlington. The organization president, Jonathan Saenz, presented me with the “Faith & Family Champion Award” in recognition for my voting record, which aligns with the conservative and faith-based ideals of Texas Values Action. 

Thank you again for taking time to read these updates. 

Merry Christmas!