I’m thankful every day for our military service members and the veterans that have fought to keep us safe. And Thursday was a special day to commemorate specifically those who were wounded or killed in combat while defending America abroad. Purple Heart Day celebrates the 1.9 million U.S. troops who have earned the Purple Heart Medal, including the almost 50,000 men and women in uniform who have received a Purple Heart for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan. My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have made such great sacrifices for our country, and the families of all Purple Heart recipients.

Right here in Lubbock, we’re taking every opportunity to honor those who have served. You may remember that Texas Tech University was recently named a “Purple Heart University” for its

HOUSTON, Texas — Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto signed a new law reforming the nation’s energy industry. It is expected this new law will bring in billions of dollars in investments to expand oil and natural gas production in Mexico. The move could create opportunity for Texas companies who are already studying the law and the new investment arenas. Read more about New Mexican Energy Laws Could Spell Opportunity for Texas Companies

We’ve all heard about the violence in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas. As Israel tries to defend itself against thousands of rockets fired by the terrorist group Hamas, death tolls continue to grow, and communities have been devastated. I support Israel’s efforts to destroy the Hamas-built tunnel system they’ve been using to traffic terrorists and weapons into Gaza, and I fully support Israel’s right to defend itself from terrorism. Read more about Protecting Israel and Escalating Violence in Iraq

One of the topics I hear most about is the proposed streetcar project in San Antonio. During a recent telephone town meeting with hundreds of Bexar County constituents, I decided to gauge their views on the subject. (These were random calls to voters of all political stripes.)

Ninety percent of respondents said they were opposed to the streetcar project. Only 3 percent supported it, and 7 percent were undecided. Read more about Let Voters Decide If Streetcars Are Their Desire

Obama's Mideast policy can be classified as disaster jointly administered by John Kerry, who shows why the voters were right to reject him in 2004, and Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state, who left office before her policy misjudgment became evident.

What is amazing is that Obama's foreign policy team was warned of this possibility, but there was no contingency plans ready, nor was Obama prepared to arm the Kurds who are presently out match by Isis armory, much of which stolen from the Iraqi’s army. Read more about Another Obama Foreign Policy Mistake!

Never has a president shown so much range, going from ordering a few strikes of ISIS to golfing.

Four hours after ordering another military strike on ISIS targets, Obama was golfing with friends on Martha’s Vineyard.

We’ve talked often about the quantity of Obama’s vacations, but the timing can be amazing. Read more about From Bombings to Golf

Joblessness and poverty in California are more severe than just about anywhere in America.

In an election year, this is a reality incumbents tend to gloss over. California’s improving, they say, so keep us in charge.

For the millions of Californians suffering in poverty, can’t find a job, or are underemployed, these assurances don’t go very far. Real hope requires job growth, and that means growing small businesses. Read more about New reformers needed to curb the lawsuit abuse killing jobs in California

Bruce Braley's chicken dispute is demonstrating how Democrats view their fellow citizens and to what extent they will go to in order to remind others that they are the ruling class. In a recent episode dealing with his neighbor's wandering chickens, Braley showed a heavily leaded political touch that could end his political career in Iowa.

The congressman was the heavy favorite to keep the Iowa seat Democratic before a tape surfaced showing him at a fundraising event badmouthing his fellow Republican Senator,

The NRA has abandoned the blind on gun rights. So… who’s next? What group of people will be next to lose support for their basic human right to defend life?

This article is my response to the decision of the NRA to pull NRA Commentator, Dom Raso’s video supporting gun rights for the blind.

The House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would expand access to care for veterans, expedite the firing of negligent VA employees, provide for additional medical staff, and lease facilities for 27 new VA hospitals and clinics. Specifically, the legislation would consolidate several San Antonio-area clinics into a new, 191,000 square foot facility as part of a broader VA medical facilities lease plan. Read more about VA Bill Balances Accessibility and Accountability