Kristi Noem Rejects Criticism of FEMA’s Texas Flood Response

Rep. Greg Casar: "Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delayed FEMA search and rescue by 72 hours. Approving that shouldn't take longer than 72 seconds. Texans deserve answers."

Rep. Pat Fallon: "If someone is thinking the federal government with 2+ million employees is working at maximum efficiency, I have bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you. We need the Senate to pass President Trump's rescissions package to put an end to billions that became waste, fraud & abuse."

Senator John Cornyn: "Every American should be outraged that Biden's inner circle made a conscious effort to conceal his cognitive decline & used his signature to authorize thousands of pardons. This recent interview confirms that Biden's aides continue to use him as a pawn to mislead the American people & avoid the consequences of their own actions."

Governor Gregg Abbott: "President Trump approved my request to add Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Tom Green counties to his Major Disaster Declaration. 10 counties are now eligible for critical financial assistance. More can be added later. We will help every impacted community rebuild."

Kristi Noem Rejects Criticism of FEMA’s Texas Flood Response — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is rejecting criticism that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was unprepared for the deadly floods that devastated Texas Hill Country earlier this month.

Flash Floods Strike Texas, Raising Death Toll to 132 — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — Flash floods continue to devastate Central Texas, with the death toll rising to 132 as new storms swept through the already battered region.

Texas Power Grid Gets Backup Boost with $233M Battery Storage Deal — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield — Texas’ strained power grid is set to receive a major boost as Lydian Energy announced it has secured $233 million in financing for three large-scale battery storage projects. The Washington, D.C. based independent power producer closed the deal on July 9, with funding from ING and KeyBank.

Cornyn Raises $3.9M in Q2, Outpacing Paxton in Senate Race — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — Senator John Cornyn’s (R) re-election campaign announced it had fundraised $3.9 million for the second quarter of 2025, bolstering his war chest to a total of $8.9 million on hand.

Paxton Announces 9 Indictments in Vote Harvesting Scheme — By Texas Politics' Daniel Molina — Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced the indictment and arrest of nine individuals, including several public officials, in connection with a vote harvesting conspiracy uncovered in Frio County.

Salazar to Introduce Dignity Act as Trump Admin. Wrestles With Deportations — By Texas Politics' Mateo Guillamont — Representative Maria Elvira-Salazar (R-FL) announced she will soon re-introduce her ‘Dignity’ Act to update the US’s legal immigration framework and address the illegal immigration crisis. 

Kristi Noem Rejects Criticism of FEMA’s Texas Flood Response — By Texas Politics' Raeylee Barefield

Heavy rains return to Texas 10 days after catastrophic flooding — By Marlene Lenthang and Kathryn Prociv for NBC News

LONESTAR is written by Javier Manjarres and Daniel Molina