https://www.texastribune.org/about/staff/matthew-choi/The latest news by Matthew Choi.enWed, 15 May 2024 15:19:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/15/san-antonio-direct-flights-washington-dc-faa/The push to get more nonstop flights to the nation’s capital pit Texans against Virginians, who were opposed to the expansion.By Matthew ChoiWed, 15 May 2024 15:19:21 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/15/san-antonio-direct-flights-washington-dc-faa/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/15/texas-state-university-presidential-debate-biden-trump/Texas State was slated to be the first Texas university to host a presidential debate, with an event scheduled Sept. 16.By Matthew ChoiWed, 15 May 2024 12:42:56 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/15/texas-state-university-presidential-debate-biden-trump/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/14/henry-cuellar-republicans-nrcc-south-texas/Instead, Republicans are trying to tie Cuellar’s allegations of bribery and corruption to Democrats in other competitive races in South Texas.By Matthew ChoiTue, 14 May 2024 11:56:29 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/14/henry-cuellar-republicans-nrcc-south-texas/US Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2022 in Austin.Sandi Villarreal, deputy editor for digital at Texas Monthly, moderates a panel with US Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, and former speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus at The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 24, 2022 in Austin, TX.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/13/texas-mexico-water-treaty-congress-cruz-cornyn/A 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.By Matthew ChoiMon, 13 May 2024 09:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/13/texas-mexico-water-treaty-congress-cruz-cornyn/The Rio Grande at Los Ebanos in Hidalgo Co. on Jan. 14, 2022. The United States is on the right, Mexico on the left.The Rio Grande at Los Ebanos in Hidalgo Co. on Jan. 14, 2022. The United States is on the right, Mexico on the left.Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/10/troy-nehls-texas-ethics-investigation-campaign-funds/The Richmond Republican faces allegations of improperly using campaign funds for his own gain, according to an Office of Congressional Ethics report made public Friday.By Matthew ChoiFri, 10 May 2024 16:28:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/10/troy-nehls-texas-ethics-investigation-campaign-funds/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/08/texas-henry-cuellar-indictment-resignation-calls/Some Texans called on Sen. Bob Menendez and former Rep. George Santos to resign amid their own scandals, but have been silent about the Laredo Democrat.By Matthew ChoiWed, 08 May 2024 14:04:35 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/08/texas-henry-cuellar-indictment-resignation-calls/U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, at a Get Out the Vote rally in San Antonio on May 4, 2022.Henry Cuellar GOTV Rally San Antonio, TX May 4th 2022Chris Stokes for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/henry-cuellar-texas-indicted-doj/Cuellar said he and his wife, Imelda, are innocent, and that he is still seeking reelection this November.By Matthew ChoiFri, 03 May 2024 10:40:10 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/03/henry-cuellar-texas-indicted-doj/U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, speaks about the U.S.-Mexico border at the World Trade Bridge at a news conference in Laredo on Feb. 17, 2023.U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, speaks about the U.S.-Mexico border at the World Trade Bridge at a news conference in Laredo on Feb. 17, 2023.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/22/tony-gonzales-republicans-matt-gaetz-scumbags/Gonzales’ interview on CNN infuriated members of the House Freedom Caucus, causing one to endorse his primary opponent.By Matthew ChoiMon, 22 Apr 2024 15:21:59 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/22/tony-gonzales-republicans-matt-gaetz-scumbags/U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, gives an interview in his office at Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on April 28, 2023. Gonzales is a member of the House Appropriations Committees.U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, gives an interview in his office at Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. on April 28, 2023. Gonzales is a member of the House Appropriations Committees.Eric Lee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/20/texas-congress-ukraine-israel-tik-tok/Hardline conservatives opposed the bills without more legislation to harden the southern border. And some progressives wanted more protections for Palestinians.By Matthew ChoiSat, 20 Apr 2024 13:11:43 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/20/texas-congress-ukraine-israel-tik-tok/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/18/mayra-flores-outraises-vicente-gonzalez/National Republicans are investing heavily in Flores’ bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez in South Texas.By Matthew ChoiThu, 18 Apr 2024 16:38:55 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/18/mayra-flores-outraises-vicente-gonzalez/U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, at a GOP event in McAllen on Nov. 6, 2022.U.S. Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Los Indios, at a GOP event in McAllen on Nov. 6, 2022.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/17/mayorkas-impeachment-texas-republicans-cruz-cornyn/Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called the trial the “least legitimate, least substantive, and most politicized impeachment trial in the history of the United States.”By Matthew ChoiWed, 17 Apr 2024 16:42:34 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/17/mayorkas-impeachment-texas-republicans-cruz-cornyn/U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, center, gives remarks during a visit to Brownsville while President Joe Biden, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen listen on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, center, gives remarks during a visit to Brownsville while President Joe Biden, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen listen on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/16/michael-mccaul-august-pfluger-mayorkas-impeachment/Two Texans are among 11 House impeachment managers initiating a trial of the Homeland Security secretary in the Senate.By Matthew Choi and Sejal GovindaraoTue, 16 Apr 2024 15:32:24 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/16/michael-mccaul-august-pfluger-mayorkas-impeachment/U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, right, listens as President Joe Biden receives a briefing from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, USCIS and ICE during a visit to Brownsville on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, right, listens as President Joe Biden receives a briefing from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, USCIS and ICE during a visit to Brownsville on Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024.Eli Hartman/The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/16/tony-gonzales-brandon-herrera-campaign-donors-texas/A majority of donors have been from out of state for both candidates.By Matthew ChoiTue, 16 Apr 2024 12:33:26 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/16/tony-gonzales-brandon-herrera-campaign-donors-texas/U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, and his challenger in the GOP runoff, Brandon Herrera. The runoff is May 28.From left: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, and his challenger in the GOP runoff, Brandon Herrera. Election Day is May 28.The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/colin-allred-beto-orourke-ted-cruz-fundraising/U.S. Rep. Colin Allred raised over $9.5 million for his U.S. Senate campaign this quarter, surpassing Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 first quarter sum of $6.7 million.By Matthew ChoiMon, 15 Apr 2024 16:19:02 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/15/colin-allred-beto-orourke-ted-cruz-fundraising/U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, smiles as the crowd claps and cheers for him during a stop for his U.S. Senate campaign in McAllen on Feb. 17, 2024.U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, smiles as the crowd claps and cheers for him during a stop for his U.S. Senate campaign in McAllen on Feb. 17, 2024.Rep. Allred is running against Texas Senator Roland Gutierrez for the March 5 primary election in hopes to be the Democratic candidate that goes head to head with incumbent Ted Cruz for the general election in November.Michael Gonzalez for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/11/judge-shopping-texas-amarillo-kasmaryk-senate/Judge shopping has made a federal courthouse in Amarillo with a Trump-appointed judge a destination for conservative litigants challenging Biden administration policies.By Matthew ChoiThu, 11 Apr 2024 17:14:40 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/11/judge-shopping-texas-amarillo-kasmaryk-senate/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/10/ted-cruz-bipartisan-senate-reelection/Cruz rose to fame as a right-wing fighter, but he hopes to highlight his unsung accomplishments as he faces Rep. Colin Allred.By Matthew ChoiWed, 10 Apr 2024 05:00:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/10/ted-cruz-bipartisan-senate-reelection/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/09/ted-cruz-campaign-finance-complaint-podcast/End Citizens United and the Campaign Legal Center asserted Cruz could have broken campaign finance rules.By Matthew ChoiTue, 09 Apr 2024 09:30:00 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/04/09/ted-cruz-campaign-finance-complaint-podcast/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/26/troy-nehls-house-ethics-investigation-texas/It did not specify the focus of the investigation, but Nehls said it was related to his campaign’s finances.By Matthew ChoiTue, 26 Mar 2024 14:19:06 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/26/troy-nehls-house-ethics-investigation-texas/https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/25/brandon-herrera-tony-gonzales-primary-runoff/Gonzales is taking heat from the right for his vote in support of the bipartisan gun safety bill passed after the Uvalde school shooting.By Matthew Choi and Renzo DowneyMon, 25 Mar 2024 17:40:01 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/25/brandon-herrera-tony-gonzales-primary-runoff/Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for the U.S. House for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, speaks during a campaign event at the Angry Elephant, a politically themed bar, on March 14, 2024 in San Antonio.Brandon Herrera, Republican candidate for the US House for Texas’ 23rd congressional district, speaks during a campaign event at the Angry Elephant, a politically themed bar, March 14, 2024 in San Antonio.Christopher Lee for The Texas Tribunehttps://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/22/kay-granger-house-appropriations-chair/Her role as as committee chair made her one of the most influential Texans in Congress.By Matthew ChoiFri, 22 Mar 2024 13:19:19 -0500https://www.texastribune.org/2024/03/22/kay-granger-house-appropriations-chair/U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, will step down early as chair of the influential House Appropriations Committee.Incumbent U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, spoke to supporters at Blue Mesa restaurant as the 2020 primary election results trickled in on March 3, 2020.Leslie Boorhem-Stephenson for The Texas Tribune