Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California
FRESNO, Calif. – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement on the two-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack against Israel. “Today marks two years since Hamas brutally attacked Israel, killing 1,200 individuals and the taking of 251 hostages. On this somber day, we recognize the lives lost to Hamas’ brutal and unprovoked attacks, the largest such instance of violence against Jews since the Holocaust. I saw the results of the senseless violence committed by Hamas when I visited the Nova music festival site and Kibbutz Be’eri six months after the attacks.
Two years later, the Middle East remains in the midst of a devastating war. This conflict has also claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, with over a third being innocent women and children.
With negotiations taking place in Egypt, now is the time to reach a ceasefire agreement that results in the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza. More humanitarian aid must reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza who have nothing to do with Hamas. It is time to end the violence and focus on achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)
LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released a video highlighting obstruction from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which is preventing completion of important flood mitigation projects in Lafayette Parish.
Despite conducting years of studies and acquiring full funding and authorization from Congress, USACE has failed to allow completion of the Homewood Detention Ponds Project, which is designed to provide flooding resilience for homeowners in Lafayette Parish. Failure to complete the project leaves the surrounding communities vulnerable to flooding. The failure to perform appears to be a pattern nationwide for the USACE. Dredging the Vermilion is another local example, and there are many, many more.
In a statement released on social media, Congressman Higgins said, “This is one of HUNDREDS of projects nationwide that are stalled by USACE red tape. Projects authorized by Congress and funded by Congress and coordinated with local government entities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has become a massive obstructionist bureaucracy. It no longer serves the best interests of our Republic. These projects should be 100% turned over to the sovereign States and local government partners. I intend to force this debate into the House of We the People, and to the attention of our President…”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)
Grothman Stands with Israel on Second Anniversary of October 7 Attacks
Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) released a statement today remembering the lives lost and hostages taken in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel:
“Two years ago, on October 7, the world watched in horror as Hamas terrorists launched an unprovoked and barbaric attack on Israel,”said Congressman Grothman.“The lives of over 1,200 innocent men, women, and children were lost, making this the deadliest assault on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. It was a stark reminder that antisemitism and terrorism remain powerful threats that must never be ignored or excused.
“Families lost loved ones, and hostages were taken from their homes. We must never forget those lives, and we continue to pray for the safe return of every hostage and for the families still grieving this horrific attack.
“The United States must stand with Israel, our strongest ally in the Middle East, and reject terrorism wherever it appears. President Trump’s leadership and plan to end this war and bring every hostage home gives hope for lasting peace and security.”
U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)
WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on the two-year anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel.
“Today marks two years since Hamas’ devastating terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 in Israel. It was a dark, evil day that amounted to the worst mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. Two years later, dozens of families still agonize over whether and when their loved ones who are being held hostage will come home.
“For so many around the world, witnessing the October 7 attack and what followed spurred pain and anguish that endure today. I share in the sorrow of the victims’ families, the families of the hostages, and the families of every innocent person who has been killed in this war.
“The past two years have been devastating, and I hope to see an end to this conflict very soon. I am cautiously optimistic about the progress on a peace plan supported by regional leaders and the international community to return the hostages, remove Hamas from power, and surge aid to Palestinian civilians. The Administration must do everything it can to increase humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. What the Administration is doing in terms of humanitarian aid is clearly not enough and is unacceptable. I also urge Hamas to accept the ceasefire deal so we can end the war and suffering and set a path to peace.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
[LEADER JEFFRIES ON UNIVISION: “DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO FIGHT FOR HARDWORKING LATINO FAMILIES”]
Hoy, el Líder de los Demócratas Hakeem Jeffries apareció en Despierta América, donde enfatizó que mientras los estadounidenses de todo el país están recibiendo avisos de enormes aumentos en su cobertura médica debido a los republicanos quienes no quieren negociar, los demócratas estamos listos para encontrar una solución que resuelva esta crisis y que ponga fin al cierre de gobierno.
[Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Despierta América, where he emphasized that as Americans across the country receive notices of huge increases in their healthcare premiums from Republicans who won’t negotiate, Democrats are ready to find an agreement to resolve this crisis and end the government shutdown.]
SATCHA PRETTO: Hoy el gobierno federal entra en su séptimo día de cierre. Para entender porque demócratas y republicanos no logran un convenio, esta mañana hablamos en vivo con representantes de ambos partidos. Damos inicio con el congresista Hakeem Jeffries, líder de la minoría demócrata en la cámara de representantes. Él nos acompaña en vivo desde Washington, DC. Muy buenos días congresista Jeffries, gracias por estar con nosotros.
LÍDER JEFFRIES: Buenos días. Es un placer estar contigo de nuevo.
[LEADER JEFFRIES:Good morning. Great to be back with you.]
SATCHA PRETTO: Varios aeropuertos comienzan a sentir la escasez de personal debido al cierre. El de Hollywood Burbank en California se paralizó por completo en horas de la noche. ¿Está dispuesto el partido demócrata a enfrentar una crisis aérea si no se logra un acuerdo con el partido republicano para financiar el gobierno?
LÍDER JEFFRIES: Bueno, desde un principio nosotros hemos dicho claramente que nos sentaremos con nuestros colegas republicanos en cualquier momento, en cualquier sitio, aquí en el capitolio o allá en la Casa Blanca, para tratar de encontrar un acuerdo bipartidista que reabra el gobierno, termine el cierre por parte de Trump, realice un acuerdo para mejorar las vidas de todos los estadounidenses y la comunidad Latina y aborde la crisis que hay de salud republicana que está devastando a las familias en todo el país.
[LEADER JEFFRIES:Well, from the very beginning, we have made clear that we will sit down with our Republican colleagues any time or any place, here at the Capitol or back at the White House, to try to find a bipartisan agreement that reopens the government, ends the Trump shutdown, enacts a spending agreement that actually improve the lives of everyday Americans and the Latino community and addresses the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating families all across the country.]
SATCHA PRETTO: El presidente Donald Trump dice que está dispuesto a trabajar con los demócratas, pero solo si antes abren el gobierno. ¿Cómo responde a esta condición que exige el mandatario? ¿Qué es lo que piden concreto su partido para lograr un convenio y cuándo sería la próxima votación?
LÍDER JEFFRIES: Bueno, los republicanos tienen la presidencia, naturalmente, Donald Trump es republicano. Tienen la cámara baja y el senado. Y el gobierno ha estado cerrado, naturalmente, por parte de los republicanos debido a que ellos rehúsan dar una atención médica a bajo costo al pueblo estadounidense. Nosotros hemos dicho claramente desde un principio que cualquier acuerdo tiene que abordar la crisis sobre la salud y darle los créditos fiscales de Obamacare, porque si se permiten que esto se venza decenas de millones de personas en todo el país, incluyendo muchos de la comunidad Latina, van a ver que sus costos de seguro médico van a subir muchísimo por millares de dólares al año. Y esto es un problema en los Estados Unidos, debido a que el costo de la vida es demasiado alto. Donald Trump prometió que los costos iban a bajar el primer día de su presidencia, pero los costos no están bajando debido a las políticas republicanas y los aranceles y otras cosas que ellos han hecho con respecto a proyectos de ley. Los Estados Unidos se está convirtiendo en un país aún mucho más costoso. Los alquileres son muy altos, los costos de los víveres son muy altos, las cuentas de electricidad son muy altas y ahora hay un riesgo que las primas, copagos y deducibles por seguro médico van a aumentar drásticamente de una manera cara que esto será no costeable para millones en la comunidad latina y más allá .
[LEADER JEFFRIES:Well, Republicans have the presidency—of course, Donald Trump is a Republican—they have the House and the Senate. To the extent that the government has been shut down, of course, it’s been shut down by Republicans because of their refusal to provide affordable healthcare to the American people. We’ve made clear from the very beginning that any agreement has to address the healthcare crisis and extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits because if they are allowed to expire, tens of millions of people across this country, including many within the Latino community, are going to see their healthcare costs skyrocket by thousands of dollars per year. This is already a problem in America because the cost of living is far too high. Donald Trump promised that costs would go down on day one, but costs aren’t going down because of Republican policies and the tariffs and other things that they’ve done in terms of legislation. America is becoming even more expensive. Rent is too high. Grocery costs are too high. Electricity bills are too high. And now there’s a risk that healthcare premiums, co-pays and deductibles are going to dramatically increase in a way that will make healthcare unaffordable for millions within the Latino community and beyond.]
SATCHA PRETTO: Pero si no se logra un convenio en las próximas dos semanas, los programas de asistencia alimentaria SNAP y WIC se quedarían sin fondos. Escuchemos lo que dice una de las beneficiarias.
GRABACIÓN DE VIDEO: Trabajaba mi esposo. No más la leche, a mí la leche me ayudó bastante para mis niños porque había veces que no tenía para ellos. Que siga. Hay mucha gente que lo ocupa y lo necesita y es mucha gente pobre, si, que no tiene para comprar.
SATCHA PRETTO: Congresista Jeffries, ¿qué les dice hoy a estas familias que se verían directamente afectadas y a las que ya dejan de recibir salario, aquellos empleados federales?
LÍDER JEFFRIES: Bueno, nosotros estamos luchando para apoyar a los trabajadores federales que naturalmente han estado bajo ataque desde el primer día de la presidencia de Trump. Donald Trump y su administración ya han despedido a decenas de miles de trabajadores federales, muchos de ellos Latinos, muchos de ellos veteranos que han servido a este país y desafortunadamente decidieron continuar con esta crueldad como política. También es importante recordar que los republicanos aprobaron su proyecto de ley grande, feo a principio de año y fue el recorte mayor a Medicaid en historia estadounidense y literalmente le quitó alimentos de las bocas de los niños hambrientos, a mujeres y familias y personas de tercera generación y veteranos, recortando el programa de asistencia nutricional por la cantidad mayor en la historia de este país. Y los republicanos hicieron todo esto para poder darle recortes fiscales masivos a sus donantes multimillonarios. La posición de los demócratas es que vamos a luchar a favor de los trabajadores estadounidenses de la clase media, las familias Latinas que trabajan tanto mientras que los republicanos continúan luchando a favor de los multimillonarios.
[LEADER JEFFRIES:Well, we are fighting to support our federal workers, who, of course, have been under attack since the first day of the Trump presidency. Donald Trump and his administration have already fired tens of thousands of federal workers, many of them Latinos, many of them veterans who have served this country well. And unfortunately, they’ve decided to continue this cruelty as a policy. It’s also important to remember that Republicans passed their One Big Ugly Bill earlier this year. It enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, and it literally took food from the mouths of hungry children and women and families and seniors and veterans by cutting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program by the largest amount in this country’s history. And Republicans did all of this in order to provide massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors. The Democratic position is that we’re going to fight for working-class Americans, for middle-class Americans, for everyday Americans, for hardworking Latino families, while Republicans continue to fight for billionaires.]
SATCHA PRETTO: Congresista Hakeem Jeffries, líder de la minoría demócrata en la cámara baja. Gracias por conversar con nosotros esta mañana en vivo en Despierta América desde Washington, D.C.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, in which he stressed the importance of addressing the Republican healthcare crisis and protecting the healthcare of working-class Americans.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning, everyone.
Before I proceed any further, let me acknowledge the two-year anniversary of the horrific terrorist Hamas attack on the people of Israel on October 7, 2023. More than 1200 Israeli citizens and many American citizens were brutally murdered, and hundreds more were violently kidnapped and held captive in Gaza. Later on today, I’ll meet with several hostages who thankfully were released, as well as the families of those whose loved ones were tragically killed in Gaza. Two years later, it’s incredibly important that every single hostage is returned and returned at the same time. It’s important that we restore the ceasefire that Donald Trump inherited and that was broken in a matter of weeks during the Trump presidency. It’s important that the devastation in Gaza end and that we surge humanitarian assistance into Gaza to provide relief to Palestinian civilians, who, for two years, have been in harm’s way in a theater of war through no fault of their own. And it’s important that we find a just and lasting peace that can be implemented for the good of the people of Israel, our close ally, and for the good of the Palestinian people, so that we have Israel and the Palestinian people living side-by-side in peace, security and prosperity.
This is day seven of the Trump shutdown of the federal government, and Democrats in the House and Democrats in the Senate continue to hold the line on behalf of the American people. Why? Because we’re fighting to protect their healthcare in the midst of a crisis that has been inflicted upon them by Republicans from the very beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency. Republicans have hurt everyday Americans in order to reward their billionaire donors. That’s what the One Big Ugly Bill was all about. Largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Stole food from the mouths of children, seniors and hungry veterans in order to provide massive tax breaks—permanent in nature—for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected.
Democrats have a very different approach to what we should be doing in order to make life better for the American people. And at this moment in time, that’s addressing the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating millions of people all across the country. And because of the Republican continued refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, tens of millions of Americans are about to experience dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles that will bankrupt them or deprive them of the healthcare that they need for themselves, their children and their families. That’s completely and totally unacceptable. And the government remains shut down right now because of the refusal and unwillingness by Donald Trump and Republicans to actually provide healthcare to working-class Americans. That’s an unacceptable position. And that’s why the Democrats continue to fight this fight on behalf of the American people—whether they live in a blue state, a purple state or a red state, this fight that Democrats are waging is on behalf of all Americans.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California
October 07, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman issued a statement blasting President Trump’s decision to permit the Ambler Road Project:
“We’re in the middle of another Republican shutdown where American families, workers, and small business are suffering. Instead of working with Democrats to reopen the government and save health care, Trump is rushing to give big polluters everything they want. Last week it was cancelling billions of dollars in clean energy projects, and now it’s a blatant attempt to hand over treasured land to mining interests on the taxpayer’s dime.
“As with every other shortsighted, self-serving decision by this administration, this move is silencing the people who will be impacted the most. Trump is sidestepping the views of Native Alaskans and short circuiting the federal government’s obligation to hear from them—just like he’s ignoring the pleas of the American people to address the cost of health care and other necessities.
“The mining industry hasn’t even been able to prove that there are any resources in Brooks Range that would be worth the cost, difficulty, or destruction of mining. Trump’s Ambler Road to nowhere is just another one of his world-class grifts: it’s not guaranteed to produce any minerals, much less give Americans a return on their investment or aid local Alaskan communities. The only guarantees are despoiled landscapes, decimated wildlife populations, and increased hardships for the Indigenous communities who rely on thriving habitats for their culture and subsistence ways of life.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California
October 07, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) joined 24 of his California colleagues to send a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for the release of the U.S. citizens – including California residents – who have been detained in Israel since the Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli military on October 1st and 2nd.
On October 1st and 2nd, the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying over 450 participants from more than 40 countries – including nearly two dozen U.S. citizens – was intercepted by the Israeli military. Twenty-one U.S. citizens remain in Israeli detention, including three individuals who reside in our state of California. We call on you to immediately do everything in your power to ensure the release of these U.S. citizens and to ensure their fair and safe treatment.
Among the U.S. citizens currently being detained is California resident, David Adler. David is the co-General Coordinator of Progressive International and a Jewish American. Additionally, Tommy Marcus who resides in California, Geraldine Ramirez of Cathedral City, and Logan Hollarsmith from San Francisco remain in custody. Like the other participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla, David, Tommy, Geraldine, and Logan joined in this non-violent mission to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
The humanitarian situation is growing more dire by the day. 100% of the population, 1.98 million people, are currently food insecure. 92% of all housing units are either damaged or destroyed. 1.5 million people are in need of emergency shelter items. 49% of the population does not have access to a minimum standard of drinking water per day. We call for humanitarian aid to be sent to the people of Gaza.
The U.S. has an obligation to protect its citizens abroad and must act immediately. We understand most of the flotilla was in international waters when it was boarded, reportedly still seventy nautical miles from shore. We call on you to work for the immediate and safe release, including arranging the logistics of a plane to ensure their speedy recovery, of U.S. citizens who were on the flotilla and are still being held in Israeli prisons, including California residents.
Sincerely,
List of signers: Representatives Nanette Barragán, Judy Chu, Gilbert Cisneros, Jim Costa, Mark DeSaulnier, Laura Friedman, John Garamendi, Robert Garcia, Jared Huffman, Sara Jacobs, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Ro Khanna, Sam Liccardo, Zoe Lofgren, Doris Matsui, Kevin Mullin, Nancy Pelosi, Scott Peters, Luz Rivas, Raul Ruiz, Lateefah Simon, Eric Swalwell, Mark Takano, Mike Thompson, and Derek Tran.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
Congressional Democrats Own the Government Shutdown
The House has passed the clean CR, a bipartisan majority of the Senate supports it, the President says he will sign it — the only thing standing in the way is Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats
Washington, October 7, 2025
WASHINGTON — House Republicans did our job. Two weeks ago, the House passed a clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open — with 216 Republicans and one Democrat voting to fund the government. The measure now sits in the Senate, where it requires 60 votes to advance. There are only 53 Republican Senators. Instead of joining House and Senate Republicans to reopen the government, Senate Democrats are rejecting the clean, nonpartisan continuing resolution and preventing the 60 votes needed to pass it. Due to this, and put very simply: it is Democrats and Democrats alone that own the consequences of the government shutdown.
HOUSE REPUBLICANS KEPT THE GOVERNMENT OPEN
SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE SHUTTING IT DOWN
Despite bipartisan support for the clean CR, Senate Democrats continue to block it. Their obstruction IS THE ONLY REASON the government shutdown continues.
THE FACTS:
While Democrats try obfuscate over who owns the shutdown, the truth is simple:
The HOUSE passed the clean CR.
The SENATE Democrats are stalling the clean CR.
REPUBLICANS voted to keep the government open.
DEMOCRATS voted to keep it closed.
BOTTOM LINE
No amount of spin can change the simple facts. Republicans did our job. Democrats are holding the government hostage by preventing the clean CR from achieving 60 votes in the Senate. It’s time for the media to understand these simple facts and it’s time for five more Senate Democrats to stop the theatrics, vote for the clean CR, and let the government get back to work for the American people.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)
October 07, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led nine of his Democratic colleagues, including Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32), Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Congressman Greg Casar (TX-35), Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16), and Congressman Al Green (TX-09), in calling out Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s cooperation with President Trump’s illegal deployment of the Texas National Guard across the country and demanding their immediate withdrawal. This letter comes a day after Governor Abbott sent 200 Texas National Guard troops to Chicago to assist Trump’s invasion of American cities.
“As Members of Congress representing Texans, we urge you to immediately decline, withdraw, and refuse any cooperation or support for the deployment of the Texas National Guard to Portland, Oregon, Chicago, Illinois, or any other state for civilian or criminal law enforcement purposes. Despite Illinois’ pending litigation in federal court, you’ve willingly sent 200 Texas National Guard troops to Chicago. This request is urgent, grounded in U.S. law, public safety, and our responsibility to the people of Texas,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Already, a federal court in Oregon has prohibited the deployment of federalized National Guard troops, including those from Texas to Portland in the Administration’s September 28th memorandum. In her order, Judge Karin Immergut, an appointee of President Trump to the U.S. District Court in Oregon, noted that based on the facts on the ground, this deployment violated constitutional and other federal statutory law. At a moment when the Administration is threatening to send federalized National Guard troops hundreds of miles away from their families, job, and communities, and without a clear factual and legal explanation for the scope and duration of the alleged mission, this deployment violates the rule of law, puts Texas National Guard servicemembers at risk, and sets a precedent that undermines the ability of Texas to resist a similar imposition by other states in the future,”the lawmakers continued.
“Texans did not join the National Guard to be used as a political weapon aimed at fellow American citizens in another state. Our Guard members are citizen-soldiers who serve in disasters, defend our state, and serve overseas when required. Turning them into a domestic police force in another state – especially over that state’s objections – erodes public trust and undermines the Guard’s core mission,” the lawmakers continued.
“Our state faces hurricanes, wildfires, and other emergencies that demand readiness at home. When the federal government sends our troops to police our neighbors, it creates more fear and distrust, and is an inappropriate and unacceptable diversion of personnel, equipment, and funds. Deploying Texas troops to another state, even under a federalized posture, is deeply concerning, and it sets a dangerous precedent that states can police one another’s communities. Texans would oppose any other state that deployed military forces into our cities without our consent. If any other state deployed their National Guard to Texas without our consent, we would call that an invasion of Texas. We must not do the same to Oregon, Illinois, or any other American state,” the lawmakers continued.
“As noted in the Oregon decision, the Administration has not provided a compelling justification for the use of federalized National Guard troops in Portland, and while individuals in the Trump administration have made statements about the intended use of troops in Chicago and elsewhere, the Administration has similarly not provided a legal or factual justification for taking our National Guard from their families and communities to be used as a federal police force. We do not believe that the President’s use of his authority under Title 10 or any other statute to deploy the Texas National Guard is lawfully justify,” the lawmakers concluded.
Lawmakers demand that Governor Abbott:
Publicly commit that, to the maximum extent possible under law, Texas will not cooperate with, enable, or facilitate deployments of Texas National Guard personnel into other states for domestic policing purposes over the objection of those states.
Request the Administration rescind their decision to deploy the Texas National Guard to Oregon, Illinois, or other states.
Direct the Texas Adjutant General that no Texas National Guard personnel, equipment, or logistical support will be provided for such operations, to the maximum extent possible under law, and that Texas will not serve as a staging ground for cross-state domestic missions.
Release the Governor’s Office and Texas Military Department legal analyses regarding the scope and limits of presidential authority to federalize and redeploy Texas National Guard units for domestic law-enforcement functions in other states.
Coordinate with the Attorney General of Texas to ensure full compliance with federal court orders, the Constitution, and all other federal laws to avoid exposing Texas National Guardsmen to personal legal jeopardy.
Reaffirm that Texas National Guard readiness and resources will prioritize Texas emergencies and federally authorized missions that comport with the Constitution and federal law.
Pursue litigation against the Federal government, if necessary, to protect the rights of the State of Texas under the Constitution.