Good morning,

Some Democrats are just fine with the Communist Party of China and its minions buying land in Texas....

Yesterday, we asked who readers would select as the 2024 Republican presidential nominee. You will find the results, and reader comments, at the conclusion of today's Texas Minute.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 

Cornyn Preparing Immigration Compromise

• During a trip to the southern border with other U.S. senators, John Cornyn discussed the need for federal immigration reform. Darrell Frost reports that Cornyn says he is working on a proposal to create “an immigration system that is safe, orderly, humane and legal.”

      

• Back in 2018, Cornyn co-sponsored legislation that would have provided a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million illegal immigrants eligible for former President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. In 2020, Cornyn pressed for action benefiting “Dreamers”—individuals brought to the country illegally as children.

Proposed Law Would Let Texas Deport Illegals As Long As Federal COVID Rules Remain In Place

• Illegal aliens would be expelled from Texas by state officials until the federal government ends all COVID-19 restrictions. Sydnie Henry filed a report about the legislation put forward by Republican State Rep. Brian Harrison of Waxahachie.
    
• “If Biden is going to force America to exist under a COVID Public Health Emergency he can no longer justify—along with vaccine mandates—and, at the same time, open the entire southern border to human traffickers, cartels, and millions of unscreened illegal aliens, then Texas should use every tool available to fight back and secure the border ourselves,” explained Harrison.

 Reining in Rogue District Attorneys

• Under proposed legislation, the state's attorney general would be permitted to file suit against district attorneys, criminal district attorneys, and county attorneys who willfully disregard Texas law. Emily Wilkerson has the details.
     
• State Rep. David Cook (R–Mansfield) and State Sen. Tan Parker (R–Flower Mound) partnered together to introduce identical legislation in their respective chambers designed to rein in rogue district attorneys.
      
• The legislation comes after some district attorneys in cities around Texas claimed they will not prosecute abortion crimes.
     
• “We know that certain policies adopted by some district attorneys in our state have hindered the enforcement of criminal offenses, thereby placing the public at risk,” said Sen. Parker. “This is unacceptable, and action must be taken to ensure that district attorneys are held accountable for their actions and carry out their duties by enforcing the laws we have on our books.”

Democrat Opposes Ban on CCP Ownership of Texas Land

• At Houston’s Chinese Community Center last week, Democrat State Rep. Gene Wu spoke out against legislation designed to block enemy nations from purchasing land in the Lone Star State. Katy Drollinger has the story. 
     
• Predictably, Wu framed the effort as a racist action. 
      
• The legislation in question was filed by State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and has the full support of Gov. Greg Abbott. Her office said the legislation pushed back on Wu's narrative. So did Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, who has been sounding the alarm about foreign ownership of property in the state.
     
• “If you want to legally come be part of our American story, welcome,” said Miller. “You want to become a citizen, swear your allegiance, and pay taxes then you can enjoy the privilege of home ownership in Texas regardless of where you were born. Period.”
      
• “What we are saying to you today is that we should target no one,” said Wu at a press conference with other Democrats trying to protect the CCP. “We should not target China, we should not target Russia, we should not target any place.”
              
• Kolkhorst pointed to a recent purchase of 130,000 acres in South Texas near Laughlin Air Force Base by a former member of the Chinese communist army in 2021.
      

• Earlier this month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promised to ban foreign entities from countries like China and Iran from carrying out business in his state. DeSantis signed an executive order directing Florida’s Department of Management Services to ensure that the state is not vulnerable to hostile activities from “foreign countries of concern.”

Y'All Answered

Here is a sampling of the thoughts folks passed along after voting...

• “I’ll vote Trump in the primary, but either Trump or DeSantis would be my pick for a great president.” – Frances Davis
     

• “There’s something surreal about picking our favorites for 2024 when the GOP has done little to eliminate the massive fraud blatantly displayed in 2020 and 2022. DeSantis would be my pick, but unless our side gets serious, it won’t make any difference who we run. If you have mail-in ballots, you have fraud.” – John Trudo
     

• “I support Trump the POLICY, but not Trump the PERSON. DeSantis is easily the best, most-electable candidate because of his politics and persona. His age is a nice bonus.” – Dirk P. DeKoch
     

• “America needs another four years of Donald Trump. He put America first, he stood up to the real enemies facing us today, his policies improved the lives of the people. We cannot trust any other ‘politicians’ because of their ties to outside influences. DJT can get America back on track; he has already done it once.” – Steve Crevier
     

• “While I have been a Trump supporter and believe President Trump accomplished many great things, his temperament and lack of control tend to hurt the GOP. We must be able to move forward to accomplish our goals. I believe Ron DeSantis can and will accomplish our conservative values. I stand behind him.” – Lynn Tannehill
     

• “We need a president who has the resolve to encourage and support reducing the size of government, its spending habits and purpose. We need a fighter who understands the system and is willing to stand against the evil coming from our government. Our next president should focus on and support returning our government to its constitutional purposes and no more.” – Phil Papick
     

• “Even though I voted Trump in your survey, I have reservations. I just don’t know of anyone else who has the stamina, resources, and hutzpah Trump has to take the abuse a Republican candidate has to take to get elected and remain in office.” – Betty Bailey-Lucas
     

• “I picked Ron DeSantis. I believe that he has the ability to get our nation moving in the right direction. He stands up for freedom of the people and has the strength and wisdom to fight the "swamp creatures" for that freedom. This sets him apart from the others; he is not weak, or obnoxious, or a turncoat, or all talk and no action.” – Jim Hughes
     

• “Abbott has shown his true colors. He has no business being the Texas governor! DeSantis is a no for now... as much as I think he has been more bold compared to Abbott, I have a wait-and-see approach. Too many so-called ‘conservatives’ turn sheepish and cave when it really matters. Trump has been consistently right and has a record to back it up.” – Shonda Juarez
     

• “I consider President Trump a TRUE American president. He ALWAYS put our nation first!” – John Mako
     

• “Of the potential names listed, Senator Cruz and Governor DeSantis are the two most likely to stick to conservative ideals. While I think Senator Cruz would make an excellent president, I would prefer to see him as a justice on the Supreme Court.” – Monte Long
     

• “I think President Trump did a great job even with all the attacks on him from the deep state, which includes RINOs. However, he still continues to support the COVID vaccine and he has a lot of baggage. I selected Gov. DeSantis because he did a great job with COVID and he doesn't have the baggage.” – Laura Morton
     

• “Donald Trump has gone off the rails with his recent comments about suspending the Constitution and mocking of Glenn Youngkin and Ron DeSantis. His act has grown old.” – Jerry Harben
     

• “I would nominate Sen. Ted Cruz for president. He has a proven track record of conservatism and he is not a beltway insider. He is quite bright and expresses himself very well when he addresses the public and in congressional hearings.” – Charlie Busbey
     

• “Donald Trump has his flaws, but by-golly, he is an America First guy, and he is fearless! He won’t be fooled by deep staters this time.” – Mary Matthews
     

• “Never claimed to be any good at picking winning candidates, but the names of two I might have some small trust to uphold the spirit and principles of the Constitution are missing from your survey: Rand Paul and Chip Roy.” – John Bolgiano
     

• “We need NEW blood in all areas of politics. All these establishment hacks need to go! Wipe the slate clean and start over!” – Dawn Martin
    

• “Until someone else proves that they have the cojones to make real changes and go up against the ‘deep state,’ I'll go with The Donald.” – Bruce Delater

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