The Latest Breaking News from Brian Birdwell

The U.S. Senate must confirm the appointment. The Granbury Republican previously announced he would not seek another Texas Senate term.

Soon after Birdwell announced his retirement, state Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, said he was running for the seat.

The Senate revved to life Thursday, holding committee hearings with little advance notice and advancing four bills that satisfy Abbott’s agenda.

The Senate on Sunday afternoon failed to take action on a border security bill, leaving virtually no time to pass the bill before the special session ends on Tuesday.

The governor, lieutenant governor and House speaker generally agree on building more border barriers and making illegal border crossings a state crime. But disagreements over strategy and personal animosity mean those measures face long odds this special legislative session.

Two immigration bills advanced in the Senate on Thursday evening. A bill that would increase the minimum sentence for smuggling migrants passed with bipartisan support and will head to the House.

Here’s a look at Senate members, ranked from most conservative to most liberal, based on votes cast during the 2023 regular session.

All eyes are on a secretive Senate committee that is drafting rules for an impeachment trial. Those rules are expected to be presented to the Texas Senate on Tuesday.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick says the Senate won’t accept a property tax relief bill the lower chamber left behind before adjourning for the special session. A bill targeting migrant smuggling also appears imperiled.