INSIDER
Trump pressures candidates for Senate GOP leader to fill his Cabinet right away
Read full article: Trump pressures candidates for Senate GOP leader to fill his Cabinet right awayDays before Senate Republicans pick their new leader, President-elect Donald Trump is pressuring the candidates to change Senate rules and give him more power to appoint unconfirmed nominees.
Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOP
Read full article: Election Day updates: South Texas continues dramatic shift toward Donald Trump, GOPTexas might not be a swing state, but many of its races will have major consequences to the national political landscape and on the lives of everyday Texans.
Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader? It remains deeply uncertain
Read full article: Who will replace Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader? It remains deeply uncertainSenate Republicans vying to replace longtime leader Mitch McConnell have been crossing the country to campaign and fundraise for colleagues, making their final arguments before an important upcoming Senate vote.
John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump's GOP?
Read full article: John Thune is striving to be the next Republican Senate leader, but can he rise in Trump's GOP?Sen. John Thune of South Dakota is competing intensely to become the next Republican leader in the Senate.
US Rep. Castro highlights impact of Hispanic-serving institutions during Hispanic Heritage Month
Read full article: US Rep. Castro highlights impact of Hispanic-serving institutions during Hispanic Heritage MonthHispanic Heritage Month is officially underway and Congressman Joaquin Castro and other political leaders are putting a focus on Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI).
Senate rejects legislation that would expand child tax credit and restore business tax breaks
Read full article: Senate rejects legislation that would expand child tax credit and restore business tax breaksSenators are heading home for the month after failing to advance a bill to expand the child tax credit and restore some business tax breaks.
In Austin, Biden slams “extreme” U.S. Supreme Court
Read full article: In Austin, Biden slams “extreme” U.S. Supreme CourtBiden asked Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to end to presidential immunity during a speech to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act at the Lyndon B. Johnson Library.
Political figures react to assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump
Read full article: Political figures react to assassination attempt on former president Donald TrumpSeveral political figures have spoken out regarding the alleged assassination attempt on former United States President Donald Trump on Saturday.
Senators Cornyn, Booker introduce bill to help law enforcement better prosecute child abusers
Read full article: Senators Cornyn, Booker introduce bill to help law enforcement better prosecute child abusersSenators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) have introduced a new bill that could close loopholes to existing criminal child sexual abuse cases.
Many Senate Republicans were done with Trump after Jan. 6. Now they want him back in the White House
Read full article: Many Senate Republicans were done with Trump after Jan. 6. Now they want him back in the White HouseAfter the 2020 election, many Republican senators distanced themselves from Donald Trump.
Donald Trump, Texas politicians react to guilty verdict in hush money trial
Read full article: Donald Trump, Texas politicians react to guilty verdict in hush money trialFormer President Donald Trump, who was found guilty on all 34 counts related to falsifying records in a hush money trial, spoke to reporters Thursday afternoon outside a New York courtroom.
Cornyn hosts annual military service academy send-off ceremony in San Antonio
Read full article: Cornyn hosts annual military service academy send-off ceremony in San AntonioU.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas on Monday hosted his annual send-off ceremony in San Antonio for Texas students who will be attending U.S. military service academies this summer.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, joins race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leader
Read full article: Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close Trump ally, joins race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leaderFlorida Sen. Rick Scott says he will run for Senate Republican leader when Mitch McConnell steps down from the post, becoming the third Republican in the race.
Texas delegation urges Congress to withhold aid to Mexico over water treaty dispute
Read full article: Texas delegation urges Congress to withhold aid to Mexico over water treaty disputeA bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers are demanding appropriators withhold funds for the country until Mexico lives up to its end of a 1944 water treaty that requires it to send 1.75 million acre-feet to the U.S. every five years.
UT-Austin’s Jay Hartzell praised by GOP leaders as university presidents nationwide take heat over protest response
Read full article: UT-Austin’s Jay Hartzell praised by GOP leaders as university presidents nationwide take heat over protest responseHartzell’s protest response has also resulted in condemnations from students and faculty.
Texas Republicans rue Democrats for dismissing Mayorkas impeachment without trial
Read full article: Texas Republicans rue Democrats for dismissing Mayorkas impeachment without trialMajority Leader Chuck Schumer called the trial the “least legitimate, least substantive, and most politicized impeachment trial in the history of the United States.”
Feds arrest five men accused of smuggling illegally purchased guns to cartels in Mexico
Read full article: Feds arrest five men accused of smuggling illegally purchased guns to cartels in MexicoThe men were charged with two criminal offenses, including straw purchasing of firearms, created by the 2022 bipartisan gun safety bill authored by Sen. John Cornyn.
Wyoming Sen. Barrasso will run for No. 2 spot in GOP leadership, narrowing race to replace McConnell
Read full article: Wyoming Sen. Barrasso will run for No. 2 spot in GOP leadership, narrowing race to replace McConnellWyoming Sen. John Barrasso says he'll run for the No. 2 spot in the Senate Republican conference after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell leaves at the end of the year.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune jumps into race to succeed McConnell as Senate leader
Read full article: South Dakota Sen. John Thune jumps into race to succeed McConnell as Senate leaderSouth Dakota Sen. John Thune is entering the race to be the next Republican leader of the U.S. Senate after Sen. Mitch McConnell steps away from the post in November.
Texas Sen. Cornyn announces run for GOP leader as scramble to succeed McConnell begins in the Senate
Read full article: Texas Sen. Cornyn announces run for GOP leader as scramble to succeed McConnell begins in the SenateTexas Sen. John Cornyn has informed his colleagues that he intends to run for Senate Republican leader.
“I’ve made no secret of my intentions”: Cornyn poised to launch bid to succeed McConnell as Senate GOP leader
Read full article: “I’ve made no secret of my intentions”: Cornyn poised to launch bid to succeed McConnell as Senate GOP leaderSen. Ted Cruz held back when asked if he would back Cornyn. “Oh, there’ll be plenty of time to assess those questions,” he told reporters.
Democrats embrace tougher border enforcement, seeing Trump's demolition of deal as a 'gift'
Read full article: Democrats embrace tougher border enforcement, seeing Trump's demolition of deal as a 'gift'Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says Democrats plan to “constantly over the next year” remind voters that it was Donald Trump, the likely Republican presidential nominee, who torpedoed a bipartisan bill on border enforcement.
‘If they die, there’s no more chances’: Mom who lost son applauds federal bill to legalize fentanyl test strips
Read full article: ‘If they die, there’s no more chances’: Mom who lost son applauds federal bill to legalize fentanyl test stripsTexas is one of a few states where fentanyl strips are still illegal, considered drug paraphernalia. Federal lawmakers are trying to change that. Senate Bill 2569 is continuing to gain bipartisan support, an update applauded by local families who lost loved ones to fentanyl.
John Cornyn and Ted Cruz walk out of U.S. Senate hearing as Democrats vote on Harlan Crow subpoena
Read full article: John Cornyn and Ted Cruz walk out of U.S. Senate hearing as Democrats vote on Harlan Crow subpoenaThe Texas Republicans opposed subpoenaing conservative donor Crow over his ties to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, casting it as a partisan attack.
Sen. Cornyn tells KSAT he’s confident rape kit backlog bill will pass
Read full article: Sen. Cornyn tells KSAT he’s confident rape kit backlog bill will passIt's been made clear, party lines don't matter when it comes to rape kit testing. Two weeks ago, the U.S. House passed a version of the Debbie Smith act of 2023, which would continue funding to end the backlog of untested DNA evidence in sexual assaults.
Who is Pete Sessions and why is he running for House Speaker?
Read full article: Who is Pete Sessions and why is he running for House Speaker?Sessions is the longest-serving representative running to become U.S. House Speaker. He previously led the House Republican campaign arm through a record-breaking victory, but he still faces a steep battle to secure the gavel.
Biden is dangling border security money to try to get billions more for Israel and Ukraine
Read full article: Biden is dangling border security money to try to get billions more for Israel and UkrainePresident Joe Biden is trying to sweeten his pitch for more money for Ukraine by mixing in billions of dollars for securing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Texas AG Ken Paxton attacks rivals, doesn't rule out US Senate run in first remarks since acquittal
Read full article: Texas AG Ken Paxton attacks rivals, doesn't rule out US Senate run in first remarks since acquittalTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton is attacking his Republican rivals while speaking out for the first time since his acquittal on corruption charges in his impeachment trial.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn throws support behind Biden impeachment inquiry
Read full article: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn throws support behind Biden impeachment inquiryTexas’ senior senator said there’s “more than enough smoke” to warrant a deeper look at the president’s ties to his son, who was indicted Thursday.
Texas congressional Democrats say impeaching Biden is “not comparable” to Trump impeachments
Read full article: Texas congressional Democrats say impeaching Biden is “not comparable” to Trump impeachmentsSpeaker Kevin McCarthy announced his plans Tuesday to launch an impeachment inquiry, saying it was the “logical next step” after months of probing by House Republicans into the Biden family. The investigations have so far yet to turn up evidence that the president violated the law.
McConnell tries to reassure colleagues about his health, vows to serve out term as Senate GOP leader
Read full article: McConnell tries to reassure colleagues about his health, vows to serve out term as Senate GOP leaderSenate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell declared again that he plans to finish his term as leader despite freezing up twice at news conferences over the summer, brushing off questions about his health as he sought to reassure colleagues he’s still up to the job.
Attention returns to Sen. John Cornyn’s future after GOP Leader Mitch McConnell’s latest health scare
Read full article: Attention returns to Sen. John Cornyn’s future after GOP Leader Mitch McConnell’s latest health scareThe senior senator from Texas has the ambition to become the Senate’s top Republican, but he remains loyal to McConnell, who has downplayed concerns about his well-being.
Motivated by grieving parents, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has made fentanyl crisis a priority
Read full article: Motivated by grieving parents, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has made fentanyl crisis a priorityThe Republican from Texas has combined attention to border issues with efforts to address deadly overdoses, including ideas that are opposed by some in his party, such as decriminalizing test strips.
How the Texas AG’s office became a pipeline for conservative federal judges
Read full article: How the Texas AG’s office became a pipeline for conservative federal judgesIn just a few decades, the Texas attorney general’s office became a powerhouse in national legal fights over abortion, health care and immigration. Here’s a timeline of how it happened.
Texans in Congress take bipartisan path to boost semiconductors, a crucial industry to the state
Read full article: Texans in Congress take bipartisan path to boost semiconductors, a crucial industry to the stateRepublicans like Sen. Ted Cruz and Democrats like Rep. Colin Allred — opponents in the 2024 election — propose streamlining environmental reviews to promote investment and expansion by chipmakers.
Part 3: Under Trump, Texas’ foot soldiers became federal judges, securing a conservative stronghold in the courts
Read full article: Part 3: Under Trump, Texas’ foot soldiers became federal judges, securing a conservative stronghold in the courtsA federal judiciary full of ideological allies is helping Texas block Democratic priorities and advance right-wing legal doctrines. But the bigger prize is conservative control of the rule of law itself.
Part 1: In 1998, a legal revolution was quietly born in Texas. It would pull America’s courts rightward.
Read full article: Part 1: In 1998, a legal revolution was quietly born in Texas. It would pull America’s courts rightward.With his election as Texas attorney general, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn planted the seeds of conservatism. Gov. Greg Abbott used his tenure to cultivate them into an aggressive strain of right-wing activism aimed at driving the nation’s courts and laws to the right.
Part 2: Texas backlash to Obama fueled conservative drive to reinterpret U.S. Constitution
Read full article: Part 2: Texas backlash to Obama fueled conservative drive to reinterpret U.S. ConstitutionBarraging the Obama administration with lawsuits, the Texas attorney general’s office wasn’t just trying to block policies. It was injecting disruptive, overtly Christian legal philosophies into the mainstream, and grooming a generation of conservative legal warriors.
Texans in Congress lead bipartisan efforts to allow fentanyl test strips
Read full article: Texans in Congress lead bipartisan efforts to allow fentanyl test stripsThe legislation comes after a bill to decriminalize the test strips passed the Texas House but died in the Senate despite support from Gov. Greg Abbott.
Senators call for Supreme Court to follow ethics code like other branches of government
Read full article: Senators call for Supreme Court to follow ethics code like other branches of governmentThe chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee says it's time for Supreme Court justices to bring their conduct in line with the standards of other branches of government.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wants the U.S. to train Mexican troops to fight drug cartels
Read full article: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn wants the U.S. to train Mexican troops to fight drug cartelsThe Republican from Texas introduced the legislation after meeting with Mexico’s president and calling for more cooperation between the two countries.
Texas Republicans in Congress stand behind Donald Trump after federal indictment
Read full article: Texas Republicans in Congress stand behind Donald Trump after federal indictmentGOP lawmakers dismiss the charges over classified documents as a partisan attack, but Democrats say the matter proves nobody is above the law.
Democrats and Republicans are skeptical of US spying practices, an AP-NORC poll finds
Read full article: Democrats and Republicans are skeptical of US spying practices, an AP-NORC poll findsThe American public is broadly skeptical of common intelligence practices and of the need to sacrifice civil liberties for security.
‘Hardening’ SAISD schools with federal grant money to make them safer
Read full article: ‘Hardening’ SAISD schools with federal grant money to make them saferOne month after the shooting at Robb Elementary, the federal government passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. One grant went to SAISD, specifically to "harden schools", keeping dangerous people out and strengthening communication inside
UIW gets $5.2 million to help place more mental health professionals in local schools
Read full article: UIW gets $5.2 million to help place more mental health professionals in local schoolsThe most recent round of federal funding went to the University of the Incarnate Word to help place more mental health professionals in our schools.
For a Texan who wants to build bridges in Congress, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has burned quite a few
Read full article: For a Texan who wants to build bridges in Congress, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales has burned quite a fewThe two-term Republican, criticized by his own party for breaking with the GOP on key votes, is not inclined to change his ways.
Biden to nominate Texas judge to be first Latina on federal appeals court
Read full article: Biden to nominate Texas judge to be first Latina on federal appeals courtBoth of Texas’ Republican senators voiced support for Irma Carrillo Ramirez’s nomination to the conservative 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Homeland security chief calls Ted Cruz’s comments “revolting” in heated border hearing
Read full article: Homeland security chief calls Ted Cruz’s comments “revolting” in heated border hearing“You’re willing to let children be raped to follow political orders,” Cruz told Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas at the hearing. “This is a crisis. It’s a disgrace.”
Cruz, Cornyn renew calls for release of Mark Swidan, Texan detained in China for 10 years
Read full article: Cruz, Cornyn renew calls for release of Mark Swidan, Texan detained in China for 10 yearsThe two Texas Republicans are drumming up attention to the decade-old case as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang this week.
Past defeats on police reform bedevil newly divided Congress
Read full article: Past defeats on police reform bedevil newly divided CongressThe release of footage showing Memphis, Tennessee, police officers violently beating Tyre Nichols has renewed calls for Congress to pass police reform legislation.
Texas progressives want Title 42 ended, highlighting wide ideological gulf on Congressional immigration deal
Read full article: Texas progressives want Title 42 ended, highlighting wide ideological gulf on Congressional immigration dealThe spectrum of ideas on immigration could throw cold water on hope that there will be a breakthrough in Congress.
TribCast: Is bipartisan immigration reform a realistic goal?
Read full article: TribCast: Is bipartisan immigration reform a realistic goal?In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Washington correspondent Matthew Choi and immigration reporter Uriel J. García about U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s trip to the border and the odds of Congress passing a major immigration bill.
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn eyes the seemingly impossible: a bipartisan deal on immigration
Read full article: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn eyes the seemingly impossible: a bipartisan deal on immigrationRiding the success of his historic congressional session last year where he helped pass the first gun safety bill signed into law in a generation, Cornyn is hopeful that his ability to strike deals across the aisle will help Congress achieve another elusive legislative goal: an immigration deal.
Congress passes bill to fund police de-escalation training
Read full article: Congress passes bill to fund police de-escalation trainingThe House has passed bipartisan legislation that would empower law enforcement agencies to adopt de-escalation training when encountering individuals with mental health issues.
DACA deal for ‘Dreamers’ fizzling as Texas Republicans prioritize border security
Read full article: DACA deal for ‘Dreamers’ fizzling as Texas Republicans prioritize border securityOver 100,000 DACA recipients live in Texas, and their status in the United States continues to be subject to legal challenges, including from the state of Texas itself.
Cruz: “Of course” Trump was wrong to call for terminating Constitution
Read full article: Cruz: “Of course” Trump was wrong to call for terminating ConstitutionU.S. Sen. Ted Cruz condemned the comment by the former president, but he also said that reporters were overblowing the story and should instead “focus on what matters.” Sen. John Cornyn called the move “irresponsible” on Monday.
Same-sex marriage bill heads for Senate passage over opposition from Cornyn and Cruz
Read full article: Same-sex marriage bill heads for Senate passage over opposition from Cornyn and CruzThe bill would provide federal recognition and interstate portability of same-sex marriages, but it stops short of guaranteeing a right to such marriages.
As Trump announces his run, Cruz and Cornyn signal openness to other GOP presidential candidates
Read full article: As Trump announces his run, Cruz and Cornyn signal openness to other GOP presidential candidatesRepublican support for Trump has faltered after a midterm performance by the party that many considered a resounding disappointment.
Voting rain or shine: San Antonio’s rainiest, warmest, and coldest Election Days since 1900
Read full article: Voting rain or shine: San Antonio’s rainiest, warmest, and coldest Election Days since 1900Whatever the weather, Texans and San Antonians still have to find a way to show up and vote on Election Day -- even during extremes.
John Cornyn doubles down on support for embattled Georgia Republican Herschel Walker with Senate fundraising effort
Read full article: John Cornyn doubles down on support for embattled Georgia Republican Herschel Walker with Senate fundraising effort“I do support Herschel because he may well be the 51st Republican elected this cycle,” Cornyn said in an interview Thursday.
Manchin rails against 'revenge politics' on permit plan
Read full article: Manchin rails against 'revenge politics' on permit planSen. Joe Manchin on Tuesday railed against what he called “revenge politics″ being used against him, as liberals in the House and Senate team up with Republicans to oppose his plan to speed permits for natural gas pipelines and other energy projects.
Senate to vote on same-sex marriage in coming weeks
Read full article: Senate to vote on same-sex marriage in coming weeksMajority Leader Chuck Schumer says the Senate will vote on legislation to protect same-sex marriage “in the coming weeks” as a bipartisan group backing the bill is tweaking it to gain Republican support.
Texas will plug 800 abandoned oil and gas wells, funded by $25 million federal infrastructure grant
Read full article: Texas will plug 800 abandoned oil and gas wells, funded by $25 million federal infrastructure grantThe initial grant will allow Texas to plug a fraction of the state’s approximately 7,400 documented abandoned oil and gas wells.
Bexar County GOP hasn’t censured Cornyn & Gonzales, but chairman says it could still happen
Read full article: Bexar County GOP hasn’t censured Cornyn & Gonzales, but chairman says it could still happenResolutions to censure the two Texas Republicans ultimately didn’t pass. But the local party chairman says it’s not because they were voted down; it’s because a procedural issue meant they couldn't be voted on at all.
FBI search of Trump home was likely vetted carefully, despite Texas Republicans’ claims of a witch hunt
Read full article: FBI search of Trump home was likely vetted carefully, despite Texas Republicans’ claims of a witch huntFederal authorities would have needed to meet an extraordinarily high threshold for probable cause to sign off on such a high-profile, politically explosive operation, legal experts say.
Surprise Senate vote would overturn Biden environmental rule
Read full article: Surprise Senate vote would overturn Biden environmental ruleIn a surprise victory for Republicans, the Senate on Thursday voted to overturn a Biden administration rule requiring rigorous environmental review of major infrastructure projects such as highways, pipelines and oil wells — a victory enabled in part by Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia.
U.S. Senate approves bill containing Texas’ “Ike Dike” coastal protection project
Read full article: U.S. Senate approves bill containing Texas’ “Ike Dike” coastal protection projectThe U.S. Senate voted to authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin planning for a massive coastal barrier project in Galveston Bay meant to protect against hurricanes’ storm surge. Funding is not yet secured.
Cornyn, Cruz among GOP senators visiting Texas-Mexico border on Friday
Read full article: Cornyn, Cruz among GOP senators visiting Texas-Mexico border on FridayA delegation of Republican senators led by Ted Cruz and John Cornyn of Texas will pay a visit to the Rio Grande Valley on Thursday and Friday to survey the current state of the U.S.-Mexico border.
John Cornyn’s disapproval among Texas voters worsened dramatically as he negotiated a bipartisan gun bill, new poll shows
Read full article: John Cornyn’s disapproval among Texas voters worsened dramatically as he negotiated a bipartisan gun bill, new poll showsThe Republican U.S. senator shepherded landmark gun legislation through the Senate last month. Between April and June, his disapproval rating went from 39% to 50%, according to a Texas Politics Project poll.
How John Cornyn and the U.S. Senate defied 26 years of inaction to tackle gun violence
Read full article: How John Cornyn and the U.S. Senate defied 26 years of inaction to tackle gun violenceFour senators, including Cornyn, used a distinctive combination of policy expertise, legislative experience and political courage to push past obstacles that had repeatedly stymied previous attempts at compromise.
Biden signs bipartisan gun measure negotiated by Sen. John Cornyn after Uvalde shooting
Read full article: Biden signs bipartisan gun measure negotiated by Sen. John Cornyn after Uvalde shootingThe new law contains modest provisions but is the most significant gun measure passed by Congress in nearly three decades.
GOP unity? Some aim for reconciliation after tough primaries
Read full article: GOP unity? Some aim for reconciliation after tough primariesTwo days after losing a bitter primary to a rival she once deemed a “sellout” for occasionally working with Democrats, Katie Arrington appeared at a “unity rally” to urge South Carolina Republicans to come together and back Rep. Nancy Mace in the fall general election.
U.S. Senate approves first major gun legislation since 1994, one month after Uvalde shooting
Read full article: U.S. Senate approves first major gun legislation since 1994, one month after Uvalde shootingThe legislation still needs to clear the House, where it is expected to pass. President Joe Biden has signaled he will sign the bill into law.
Texas is unlikely to adopt key provision of bipartisan gun bill — a red flag law to take guns away from people deemed dangerous
Read full article: Texas is unlikely to adopt key provision of bipartisan gun bill — a red flag law to take guns away from people deemed dangerousRed flag laws likely remain a nonstarter among Republican leaders in Texas, where Gov. Greg Abbott already faced a conservative backlash after he asked the Legislature to consider them four years ago.
Texas Republican Convention calls Biden win illegitimate and rebukes Cornyn over gun talks
Read full article: Texas Republican Convention calls Biden win illegitimate and rebukes Cornyn over gun talksSome 5,100 delegates and alternates voted on a party platform that also calls for ending the federal income tax, requiring education about fetal gestation and limiting the Legislature’s right to regulate guns.
TribCast: What should we make of a Republican special election win in South Texas?
Read full article: TribCast: What should we make of a Republican special election win in South Texas?In this week’s episode, Matthew speaks with Abby about the week in Texas politics and Cassandra about financial practices of the conservative nonprofit True the Vote.
Caught between an A+ NRA rating and a nation reeling from shootings, John Cornyn is key to whether gun safety deal advances
Read full article: Caught between an A+ NRA rating and a nation reeling from shootings, John Cornyn is key to whether gun safety deal advancesThe bipartisan gun legislation could end up being a career definer for John Cornyn, Texas’ senior senator. He’s shown a past willingness to compromise but faces critics further to his right, including his fellow senator Ted Cruz.