Stories we're following this morning at Progress Texas:

Senate Republicans including Ted Cruz and John Cornyn cave to pressure from Donald Trump, backing out of a deal to end their so-called "invasion" at the border: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/cruz-cornyn-border-bill-18653781.php

The deal, to be fair, was not universally loved by Democrats: https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/07/politics/senate-border-ukraine-israel-aid-vote/index.html

All this echoes failure in the U.S. House in their attempted Alejandro Mayorkas impeachment, derailed in part by South Houston's Rep. Al Green: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/07/us/politics/johnson-impeachment-israel-aid.html

From Fox News, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' comments on Al Green's vote: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/jefferies-defend-surprise-appearance-texas-democrat-failed-mayorkas-impeachment-vote

Yet another tough guy photo op and press conference today with Governor Greg Abbott in Eagle Pass today: https://www.kcbd.com/video/2024/02/08/gov-abbott-host-texas-house-representatives-border-security-news-conference-eagle-pass-2/

Eagle Pass residents are fed up and fearful of political and racial violence: https://www.tpr.org/border-immigration/2024-02-07/right-wing-border-convoy-leaves-eagle-pass-residents-on-edge

The stabbing attack on a Palestinian man in Austin has been determined by the Austin Police Department to likely have been a hate crime: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/stabbing-palestinian-american-man-texas-motivated-bias-police-say-rcna137783

Ken Paxton, whose legal team have helped delay his securities fraud trial for eight years, is now complaining that he's not been given a speedy trial: https://www.kxan.com/news/texas-politics/paxton-looks-to-dismiss-securities-fraud-charges-says-right-to-speedy-trial-was-violated/

Paxton-backed Texas House hopeful Jared Woodfill of Houston is under renewed scrutiny over allegations he misappropriated hundreds of thousands of dollars from his clients: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/07/jared-woodfill-kim-ogg-fraud-investigation/

While an Amarillo House candidate is dogged by allegations that her rich father is trying to buy her election: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/fairly-texas-legislature-vouchers-18651969.php

Black History Month is underway! Progress Texas has a full schedule of events to follow: https://progresstexas.org/blog/celebrating-african-american-arts-and-artisans-black-history-month

Progress Texas is seeking to add 29 new recurring donors during our February membership drive - we'd appreciate the support: https://progresstexas.org/donate