Email from Rep. McCaul

Democrats Celebrate Their Shutdown

On September 19, House Republicans passed a clean, non-partisan bill to continue funding our government. It's the same bill Democrats voted for 13 times under President Biden, but they refuse to pass it today.

Senate Democrats could vote at any moment to pass this bill and re-open our government. Instead, they continue to ignore Americans' pain for their own gain. Senator Schumer even went as far this week as to say, "Every day gets better for us." While Democrats celebrate about holding our government hostage, our troops will start to miss their paychecks next week.

I sent a letter to the chief administrative officer at the Capitol, asking that my pay be withheld too. If our troops aren't getting the money they deserve for defending our nation each day, neither should members of Congress. Click here to read the letter.

Peace in the Middle East

This week, we finally saw positive news in the Middle East, with President Trump announcing that both Israel and Hamas have signed onto phase one of his peace plan. That means, if Hamas lives up to their word, the hostages will be coming home very soon. Only President Trump could have pulled off this historic achievement, and I couldn't be more relieved and grateful for the extensive work he and his team have done over the past few months. I've met with many of the hostages' family members and know they've dreamt of hearing this news every day since their loved ones were brutally captured on October 7, 2023.

This week also marked two years since Hamas' brutal massacre. I will never forget visiting Israel in the wake of October 7 and watching the harrowing footage of Hamas' barbaric attack — footage I agreed to bring home and show to other members of Congress. Hamas' savagery on that day knew no bounds. They not only assaulted women, burned children, and murdered entire families in cold blood, but they also recorded themselves doing it.

Two years later, we are closer to an end to this conflict than we have ever been, thanks to President Trump. As we look forward to the upcoming hostage release, we also remember the horrors of that day, honor the nearly 1,200 innocent lives lost and 251 people taken captive, and pray for lasting peace in the region.

ICYMI: McCaul Talks Yogurt Shop Murders on "State of Texas"

Thirty-five years after the Yogurt Shop Murders, I applaud the Austin Police Department for solving this harrowing case and bringing closure to the families. As an Austin resident, a former federal prosecutor for the Department of Justice, and then as Texas' deputy attorney general, I've met with the families many times and closely followed the case for many years — and I even passed legislation to help families just like these.

This weekend, I joined KXAN's "State of Texas" to discuss the breakthrough in the case, my Homicide Victims' Families' Rights Act, and what more can be done to swiftly solve other cold cases. Watch the full interview. ⬇️

Click to watch

ICYMI: The Texas Tribune Covers McCaul's Legacy

It's been an honor to serve for more than two decades in Congress and defend our nation from global threats. I recently sat down with the Texas Tribune to discuss some of my proudest moments and my hopes for the country. Click here to read the full story.