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This is the Texas Minute for Wednesday, January 17, 2024.

– Michael Quinn Sullivan 

Liberal Republican Donors Line Up for Nikki Haley in Texas

• Fresh off her third-place finish in Iowa this week, Nikki Haley has announced a swing through Texas next month raising money. As Adam Cahn reports, her fundraising team in the Lone Star State runs to the left of the GOP mainstream.
       
• For example, Houston businessman John Nau has a history of supporting gun control and amnesty for illegal aliens. He is the former chairman of the Texas Historical Commission; he played a prominent role in efforts to move the Alamo cenotaph a decade ago.
          
• An analysis of the Haley Texas funders reveals longstanding ties to Associated Republicans of Texas and Texans for Lawsuit Reform. Both organizations have historically supported some of the most liberal members of the Texas Legislature and worked against conservative reforms.
      
• The ART/TLR connection has led some—like Rolando Garcia of the State Republican Executive Committee—to speculate that propping up Haley has more to do with Texas' legislative primaries than the presidential race.
      
• "Haley has no chance of beating Trump, but perhaps the Austin blob knows that she will draw Democrats to the GOP primary to help their #txlege candidates," wrote Garcia on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Border Official Calls Federal Immigration Compromise ‘Treason’

• According to Kinney County Attorney Brent Smith, a proposed immigration deal in the U.S. Senate is “treason.” Amelia McKenzie has the report.
      
• Fox Business initially reported details of the Senate deal. It would increase the number of green cards given out by 50,000 per year, provide work permits for illegal aliens to work jobs that would otherwise require American citizens to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and would also provide taxpayer-funded lawyers for illegal aliens who are minors or declared “mentally incompetent.”
   
• It would also grant immediate work permits for illegal aliens released from federal custody, restrict parole given to those who entered the country without authorization, and would only authorize deportation for a limited period of time.
       
• "This is not a compromise. It’s treason." – Brent Smith
       
• U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced his opposition to the plan.

Secret Facility Funded by Federal Tax Dollars Transports Illegal Aliens

• In a recently published exposé, journalist James O'Keefe revealed a secret facility in Arizona transporting illegal aliens to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport. Will Biagini has the details.
       
• The facility is run by the International Rescue Committee, a non-governmental organization that receives federal funding. O'Keefe and his team tracked a bus ferrying illegal aliens from the IRC facility to the Phoenix airport.
      
• O'Keefe reported he was told by those who crossed into the U.S. illegally that the company was paid by the federal government to provide transportation under the guise of aiding refugees.

Paxton Rallies For Phelan Challenger

• Despite freezing temperatures, Attorney General Ken Paxton stumped in southeast Texas in support of David Covey, who is challenging Dade Phelan for the GOP nomination in House District 21. Brandon Waltens was there for the event.
       
• “Defeating the speaker will change the trajectory of this state,” said Paxton at the True Texas Project gathering as he introduced Covey.
       

• Paxton explained that Phelan leans into the culture of Austin, which rewards Democrats with leadership positions despite Republican majorities. Paxton is currently traveling the state in support of candidates who will oppose Phelan's pro-Democrat policies.

Union Endorses Lawmaker Who Was Dishonorably Discharged From Police Department

• Despite State Rep. Frederick Frazier receiving a "dishonorable discharge" from the Dallas Police Department, the Dallas Police Association is endorsing him for re-election. As Emily Medeiros notes, Frazier was convicted late last year on one count of criminal mischief and two counts of attempted impersonation of a public servant connected to 2022 campaign activities.

       
• The Dallas Police Association held a fundraiser for Frazier yesterday. According to records from Transparency USA, Frazier's top two donors are Texans for Lawsuit Reform and House Speaker Dade Phelan.
       
• Frazier has two challengers in the Republican primary: Keresa Richardson and Chuck Branch.

Quote-Unquote

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. ... Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."

– Dwight D. Eisenhower
Farewell Address, 1/17/1961

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