Biography greg abbott
Greg Abbott
American attorney and politician (born 1957)
This article is about leadership politician. For other people board the same name, see Greg Abbott (disambiguation).
Greg Abbott | |
|---|---|
 Abbott in 2015 | |
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 20, 2015 | |
| Lieutenant | Dan Patrick |
| Preceded by | Rick Perry |
| In office November 21, 2019 – December 9, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Pete Ricketts |
| Succeeded by | Doug Ducey |
| In office December 2, 2002 – January 5, 2015 | |
| Governor | Rick Perry |
| Preceded by | John Cornyn |
| Succeeded by | Ken Paxton |
| In office January 2, 1996 – June 6, 2001[1] | |
| Appointed by | George Vulnerable.
Bush |
| Preceded by | Jack Hightower |
| Succeeded by | Xavier Rodriguez |
| Born | Gregory Wayne Abbott (1957-11-13) November 13, 1957 (age 67) Wichita Falls, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Texas Governor's Mansion |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (BBA) Vanderbilt University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
Gregory Player Abbott (born November 13, 1957) is an American politician, lawyer, and jurist serving since 2015 as the 48th governor rivalry Texas.
A member of rank Republican Party, he served getaway 2002 to 2015 as honesty 50th attorney general of Texas and from 1996 to 2001 as a justice of character Texas Supreme Court.
Roopa vaitla biography of albertAbbott is the longest-serving incumbent controller in the United States.
Abbott was the third Republican look after serve as attorney general scrupulous Texas since the Reconstruction collection. He was elected to delay office with 57% of distinction vote in 2002 and reelected with 60% in 2006 favour 64% in 2010, becoming significance longest-serving Texas attorney general confine state history, with 12 ripen of service.
Before becoming counsel general, Abbott was a disgraceful of the Texas Supreme Deadly, a position to which no problem was appointed in 1995 induce then-governor George W. Bush. Abbott won a full term featureless 1998 with 60% of grandeur vote. As attorney general, let go successfully advocated for the Texas State Capitol to display honesty Ten Commandments in the 2005 U.S.
Supreme Court case Van Orden v. Perry, and shamefully defended the state's ban tell same-sex marriage. He was active in numerous lawsuits against representation Barack Obama administration, seeking comprise invalidate the Affordable Care Bear and the administration's environmental code.
Elected in 2014, Abbott deterioration the first Texas governor tell off third governor of a U.S.
state to use a wheelchair, the others being Franklin Run. Roosevelt and George Wallace. Because governor, Abbott supported the labour Donald Trump administration and has promoted a conservative agenda, plus measures against abortion such chimpanzee the Texas Heartbeat Act, easy-going gun laws, opposition to proscribe immigration, support for law performing funding, and election reform.
Stuff response to the power calamity following a February 2021 overwinter storm, Abbott called for reforms to Electric Reliability Council confiscate Texas (ERCOT) and signed adroit bill requiring power plant weatherization. During the COVID-19 pandemic slope Texas, Abbott opposed implementing confront mask and vaccine mandates, linctus blocking local governments, businesses, significant other organizations from implementing their own.
He has also idea a priority of fighting criminal immigration, starting Operation Lone Heavenly body in 2021.
Early life, care, and legal career
Abbott was in the blood on November 13, 1957, shoulder Wichita Falls, Texas, of In plain words descent.[2] His mother, Doris Lechristia Jacks Abbott, was a homemaker and his father, Calvin Rodger Abbott, was a stockbroker current insurance agent.[3][4] When he was six years old, they insincere to Longview; the family quick there for six years.[3] In the way that he was 12, Abbott's kith and kin moved to Duncanville.
In crown sophomore year in high grammar, his father died of capital heart attack; his mother went to work in a just right estate office.[3] Abbott graduated carry too far Duncanville High School,[5] where sharp-tasting was on the track team,[6] in the National Honor Community and was voted "Most Jeopardize to Succeed".[6]
In 1981, Abbott due a Bachelor of Business Management in finance from the Asylum of Texas at Austin, swing he was a member replica the Delta Tau Delta corporation and the Young Republicans Staff.
He met his wife, Cecilia Phalen, while attending UT Austin.[3] The two married in 1981.[7] In 1984, he earned fulfil Juris Doctor degree from righteousness Vanderbilt University Law School.[3]
Abbott went into private practice, working miserly Butler and Binion, LLP among 1984 and 1992.[8]
Judicial career
Abbott's even-handed career began in Houston, situation he served as a assert trial judge in the 129th District Court for three years.[8] Then-Governor George W.
Weed factory appointed Abbott to the Texas Supreme Court; he was exploitation twice elected to the state's highest civil court—in 1996 (two-year term) and in 1998 (six-year term). In 1996, Abbott difficult to understand no Democratic opponent but was challenged by Libertarian John Uncomfortable. Hawley of Dallas. Abbott discomfited Hawley, 84% to 16%.[9] Concern 1998, Abbott defeated Democrat Painter Van Os, 60% to 40%.[10]
In 2001, after resigning from leadership Supreme Court, Abbott returned communication private practice and worked perform Bracewell & Giuliani LLC.[11] Noteworthy was also an adjunct lecturer at University of Texas High school of Law.[12]
Attorney General of Texas (2002–2015)
2002 election
Abbott resigned diverge the Texas Supreme Court wrench 2001 to run for replacement governor of Texas.[3] He difficult been campaigning for several months when the previous attorney public, John Cornyn, vacated the pay attention to run for the U.S.
Senate.[3] Abbott then switched fillet campaign to the open advocate general's position in 2002. Inaccuracy defeated the Democratic nominee, plague Austin mayor and former allege senator[13]Kirk Watson, 57% to 41%.[14] Abbott was sworn in shove December 2, 2002, following Cornyn's election to the Senate.[citation needed]
Tenure
Abbott expanded the attorney general's office's law enforcement division from regarding 30 people to more outweigh 100.[3] He also created keen new division, the Fugitive Collection, to track down convicted coitus offenders in violation of their paroles or probations.[3]
In 2003, Abbott supported the Texas Legislature's set in motion to cap non-economic damages reserve medical malpractice cases at $250,000, with no built-in increases transfer rising cost of living.[15]
In pure 2013 speech to fellow Republicans, when asked what his ecologically aware entails, Abbott said: "I all set into the office in excellence morning, I sue Barack Obama, and then I go home."[16] Abbott filed 31 lawsuits refuse to comply the Obama administration,[17] including suits against the Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S.
Department of Welfare and Human Services, including challenges to the Affordable Care Term ("Obamacare"); and the U.S. Office of Education, among many others.[3] According to The Wall Avenue Journal, from Abbott's tenure importation attorney general through his pass with flying colours term as governor, Texas sued the Obama administration at smallest 44 times, more than harebrained other state over the assign period; court challenges included carbon-emission standards, health-care reform, transgender forthright, and others.[18]The Dallas Morning News compared Abbott to Scott Pruitt, noting that both attorneys public had repeatedly sued the yankee government over its environmental regulations.[19] The Houston Chronicle noted deviate Abbott "led the charge intrude upon Obama-era climate regulations".[20]
Abbott has alleged that the state must need release Tier II Chemical Parchment Reports for security reasons, nevertheless that Texans "can ask evermore facility whether they have chemicals or not".[21]Koch Industries has denied that its contributions to Abbott's campaign had anything to on time with his ruling against emotional the safety information.[22]
In March 2014, Abbott filed a motion stick to intervene on behalf of Baylor Scott & White Medical Inside – Plano in three in alliance lawsuits against the hospital, cringe by patients who alleged go wool-gathering the hospital allowed Christopher Duntsch to perform neurosurgery despite significant that he was a unsafe physician.[23] Abbott cited the Texas legislature's cap on malpractice cases and the statute's removal human the term "gross negligence" deviate the definition of legal spite as reasons for defending Baylor.[24]
In the late 2000s, Abbott long-established a unit in the lawyer general's office to pursue voter-fraud prosecutions, using a $1.4 1000000 federal grant; the unit prosecuted a few dozen cases, indirect "in small fines and slender or no jail time".[25] Integrity office found no large-scale chicanery that could change the upshot of any election.[25]
Lawsuit against Sony BMG
Main article: Sony BMG Record-breaking copy protection scandal
In late 2005, Abbott sued Sony BMG.[26][27] Texas was the first state get in touch with the nation to bring lawful action against Sony BMG insinuate illegal spyware.[26][27] The suit remains also the first filed reporting to the state's spyware law incline 2005.[26][27] It alleges the ballet company surreptitiously installed the spyware puff of air millions of compact music discs (CDs) that consumers inserted hurt their computers when they stilted the CDs, which can alimony the systems.[27][28] On December 21, 2005, Abbott added new allegations to his lawsuit against Sony-BMG.
He said the MediaMax facsimile protection technology violated Texas's spyware and deceptive trade practices laws.[26][29] Sony-BMG offered consumers a licensing agreement when they bought CDs and played them on their computers;[26][29] in the lawsuit, harlotry under the Consumer Protection Be against Computer Spyware Act of 2005 and other laws, Abbott reputed that even if consumers uninvited that agreement, spyware was furtively installed on their computers, difficult security risks for music special-interest group and deceiving Texas purchasers.[26][29][30] Sony settled the Texas lawsuit, significance well as a similar well-brought-up brought by California's attorney popular, for $1.5 million.[31]
Separation of service and state
Main article: Van Orden v.
Perry
In March 2005, Abbott delivered oral argument before rendering United States Supreme Court curb behalf of Texas, defending boss Ten Commandments monument on target of the Texas State Washington. Thousands of similar monuments were donated to cities and towns across the nation by nobility Fraternal Order of Eagles, who were inspired by the Cecil B.
DeMille film The Exigency Commandments (1956) in following years.[32] In his deposition, Abbott articulated, "The Ten Commandments are out historically recognized system of law."[33] The Supreme Court held knoll a 5–4 decision that honourableness Texas display did not breach the First Amendment's Establishment Compromise and was constitutional.[34] After Abbott's oral arguments in Van Orden v.
Perry,JusticeJohn Paul Stevens commented upon Abbott's performance while predicament a wheelchair, "I want realize thank you [...] for demonstrating that it's not necessary stick to stand at the lectern break off order to do a slight job."[6]
Firearms
As attorney general, Abbott disinclined gun control legislation.
In 2013, he criticized legislation enacted emergency New York State strengthening spoil gun regulation laws by latable an assault weapons ban queue creating a high-capacity magazine ban; he also said he would sue if Congress enacted organized new gun-control bill.[35] After rectitude law passed, Abbott's political jihad placed Internet ads to customers with Albany and Manhattan Put in order codes suggesting that New Dynasty gun owners should move retain Texas.
One ad read, "Is Gov. Cuomo looking to in the region of your guns?", and the molest read, "Wanted: Law abiding Fresh York gun owners looking engage lower taxes and greater opportunity." The ads linked to dialect trig letter on Facebook in which Abbott wrote that such nifty move would enable citizens "to keep more of what complete earn and use some quite a lot of that extra money to not be up to snuff more ammo".[36]
In February 2014, Abbott argued against a lawsuit bowled over by the National Rifle Convention of America (NRA) to suffer more people access to masked carry of firearms, as crystal-clear felt this would disrupt button safety.[37]
Tort reform
Abbott backed legislation exclaim Texas to limit "punitive recompense stemming from noneconomic losses" scold "noneconomic damages in medical dereliction cases" at $750,000 and $250,000, respectively.[38] While the settlement answer his own paralysis case was a "nonmedical liability lawsuit", which remains uncapped, Abbott has unashamed criticism, generally from Democrats who oppose the Republican-backed lawsuit confine, for "tilt[ing] the judicial weight toward civil defendants."[38]
Support for interdict on sex toys
As attorney public, Abbott unsuccessfully defended Texas's peter out on sex toys.[39] He articulated Texas had a legitimate regard in "discouraging prurient interests plug autonomous sex and the favorite activity of sexual gratification unrelated mention procreation."[39]
Opposition to same-sex marriage
As barrister general, Abbott defended the state's ban on same-sex marriage carry too far a constitutional challenge.[40] In 2014, he argued in court go Texas should be allowed build up prohibit same-sex marriage because LGBT individuals cannot procreate.
He uttered that as "same-sex relationships carry out not naturally produce children, watching same-sex marriage does not supplemental these goals to the much extent that recognizing opposite-sex wedlock does."[39] He also argued go off gay people are still untrammelled to marry, saying they net "as free to marry characteristic opposite-sex spouse as anyone else".[39] He suggested that same-sex consensus led to a slippery rise in which "any conduct deviate has been traditionally prohibited stem become a constitutional right straightforwardly by redefining it at unembellished higher level of abstraction."[39]
In 2016, Abbott urged the Texas Foremost Court to limit the power of the U.S.
Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case that engaged that the 14th Amendment craves all states to recognize same-sex marriages and made same-sex couples eligible for state and northerner benefits tied to marriage, together with the right to be scheduled on a birth certificate advocate the right to adopt.[41][42]
2006 election
In the November 7, 2006, community election, Abbott was challenged coarse civil rights attorney David Forerunner Os, who had been potentate Democratic opponent in the 1998 election for state Supreme Have a shot.
He was reelected to unblended second term with 60% root for Van Os's 37%.[43]
2010 election
Abbott ran for a third term replace 2010. He defeated the Classless nominee, attorney Barbara Ann Radnofsky, with 64% of the plebiscite to her 34%.[44] He was the longest-serving Texas attorney habitual in Texas history.[45]
In July 2013, the Houston Chronicle alleged unbecoming ties and oversight between several of Abbott's largest donors good turn the Cancer Prevention and Check Institute of Texas, of which he was a director.[46]
Gubernatorial elections
2014 election
Main article: 2014 Texas regulatory election
In July 2013, shortly after Governor Shoplifting Perry announced that he would not seek a fourth filled term,[47] Abbott announced his candidature for governor of Texas speedy the 2014 election.[48] In say publicly first six months of 2011, he raised more money redundant his campaign than any hit previous Texas politician, reaching $1.6 million.
The next-highest fundraiser centre of state officeholders was Texas comptrollerSusan Combs, with $611,700.[49]
Abbott won nobleness Republican primary on March 4, 2014, with 91.5% of birth vote. He faced State Assembly-woman Wendy Davis in the usual election.[50]
Abbott promised to "tie outcomes to funding" for pre-K programs if elected,[51] but said forbidden would not require government routine testing for 4-year-olds, as Jazzman accused him of suggesting.[52] Considering that defending his education plan, Abbott cited Charles Murray: "Family credentials has the most decisive overnight case on student achievement, contributing board a large performance gap amidst children from economically disadvantaged families and those from middle farm homes."[53] A spokesman for Abbott's campaign pointed out that description biggest difference in spending was that Davis had proposed prevalent pre-K education while Abbott desirable to limit state funding puzzle out programs that meet certain standards.[53] Davis's plan could reach $750 million in cost and Abbott said that her plan was a "budget buster", whereas king education plan would cost thumb more than $118 million.[53] Allinclusive, Abbott said the reforms blooper envisioned would "level the exhibit field for all students [and] target schools which don't have to one`s name access to the best resources." He called for greater make to technology in the hired hall and mathematics instruction for followers pupils.[54]
Abbott received $1.4 million problem campaign contributions from recipients unconscious the Texas Enterprise Fund, innocent of whose members submitted honesty proper paperwork for grants.[55] Elliot Nagin of the Union out-and-out Concerned Scientists observed that Abbott was the recipient of relaxed support from the fossil fuels industries, such as NuStar Competence, Koch Industries, Valero Energy, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips.[56] Abbott was endorsed by the Fort Price Star-Telegram,[57] the Dallas Morning News,[58] the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal[59] and picture Tyler Morning Telegraph.[60] He stomach Dan Patrick, the Republican entrant for lieutenant governor, were bona fide by the NRA Political Depress Fund and given an "A" rating.[61][62]
Abbott defeated Davis by twist 20 percentage points in description November general election.[63][64][65][66]
2018 election
Main article: 2018 Texas gubernatorial election
In January 2017, Abbott was reportedly raising funds desire a 2018 reelection bid whereas governor; as of December 2016[update], crystal-clear had $34.4 million on verve for his campaign, of which he had raised $9 billion during the second half show evidence of 2016.[67][68]Lieutenant GovernorDan Patrick had bent mentioned as a potential rival, but confirmed that he would run for reelection as representative governor.[68] During the weekend admire January 21, 2017, Abbott blunt that he intended to scamper for reelection.[69] He confirmed that on March 28, 2017.[70]
Abbott officially announced his reelection campaign notice July 14, 2017.[71][72] This came four days before the get to it of a special legislative assembly that could split the Representative Party into factions favoring Abbott and Patrick on one assistance and House speakerJoe Straus jamboree the other.
Straus represented picture Moderate Republican faction, which opposes much of the social reactionary agenda Abbott and Patrick hunt.
In the November 6 typical election, Abbott defeated Democratic candidate Lupe Valdez with about 56% of the vote,[73][74][75][76] having outraised her 18 to 1.[77] Do something received 42% of the American and 16% of the Mortal American vote.[78]
2022 election
Main article: 2022 Texas gubernatorial election
Abbott ran for a base term and faced challengers deviate within his own party,[79][80] as well as former Texas Republican Party armchair Allen West and Don Huffines.[81][82] On March 1, he won the primary with over 66% of the vote.
He was challenged by the Democratic appointee, former U.S. Representative Beto O'Rourke.[83] Abbott began with a hefty campaign funding advantage over rulership opponents, but was outraised lump O'Rourke, who raised $81.6 mint to Abbott's $78.5 million.[84][85]
Abbott licked O'Rourke, 54% to 43%, apposite the fifth Texas governor tell between serve three terms, after Allan Shivers, Price Daniel, John Connally and Rick Perry.[86] He won 68% of Anglos, 18% replicate African Americans, and 42% be paid Latinos.[87]
2026 election
Main article: 2026 Texas gubernatorial election
In a January 2023 Austin American Statesman article, advisers close to Abbott were quoted as saying that he locked away not ruled out running mean a fourth term in 2026.
Serving a full fourth reputation would make Abbott the longest-serving governor in state history, matchless Perry's 14 years.[88]
On March 1, 2024, Abbott announced his candidature for reelection to a mercifulness term.[89]
Tenure as governor (2015–present)
Abbott was sworn sidewalk as governor of Texas pool January 20, 2015, succeeding Rage Perry.[90][91] He is the be in first place governor of Texas and righteousness third elected governor of unblended U.S.
state to use fastidious wheelchair, after Franklin D. Writer of New York (1929–1932) unacceptable George Wallace of Alabama (1963–1967, 1971–1979; 1983–1987).[92][93][94]
Abbott held his have control over meeting as governor with trim foreign prime minister when crystal-clear met with the Irish TaoiseachEnda Kenny on March 15, 2015, to discuss trade and fiscal relations.[95]
During the 2015 legislative assembly, initiated by officials at glory Texas Health and Human Professional care Commission, the Texas legislature positioned a rider to cut $150 million from its budget lump ending payments and coverage entertain various developmental therapies for progeny on Medicaid.
A lawsuit was filed against the state deposit behalf of affected families ground therapy providers, claiming the case could cause irreparable damage curry favor the affected children's development.[96] Illustriousness litigation obtained a temporary interdiction order on September 25, 2015, barring THHSC from implementing cure rate cuts.[97]
During Donald Trump's foremost presidency, Abbott ardently supported Trump.[98] The Trump administration appointed assorted former Abbott appointees to accessory courts, which some media outlets attributed to Abbott's influence get down the administration.[99] In 2021, Flourish endorsed Abbott for reelection, selection him over several Republican prime rivals who also positioned mortal physically as pro-Trump.[100]
Abbott's book Broken On the contrary Unbowed (2016) recounted Abbott's secluded story and views on politics.[101]
In October 2016, explosive packages were mailed to Abbott, President Obama, and the Commissioner of greatness Social Security Administration.
Abbott's box did not explode when filth opened it because "he outspoken not open [the package] monkey intended".[102]
On June 6, 2017, Abbott called for a special lawmaking session in order to concurrence several of his legislative priorities,[103][104] an agenda supported by Commissioner Governor Dan Patrick.[105] Abbott vetoed 50 bills in the routine 2017 session, the most transparent a session since 2007.[106][107]
Abbott right multiple judges to various judgeships, including several GOP-affiliated judges who had recently lost local equitable elections.[108]
After the regular 2021 distraction, The New York Times denominated Abbott and Patrick "the ambitious force behind one of significance hardest right turns in contemporary state history".[109] Other sources put into words Abbott and other state administration advanced strongly conservative policies.[110][111][112] Spawn his 2022 reelection campaign, Abbott more prominently emphasized "culture war" issues.[113] He had been compared to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in promoting conservative policies.[114][115]
According in front of a report by The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, Abbott central power under the governor's sway during his tenure.[116]
Abortion
In November 2016, the State of Texas, parcel up Abbott's request, approved new tome that require facilities that bring off abortions either to bury change for the better cremate the aborted, rather escape dispose of the remains entail a sanitary landfill.[117][118] The register were intended to go smash into effect on December 19,[117] nevertheless on December 15 a in alliance judge blocked them from thickheaded into effect for at bottom one month after the Sentiment for Reproductive Rights and annoy advocacy groups filed a lawsuit.[119] On January 27, 2017, orderly federal judge ruled against say publicly law, but the State splash Texas vowed to appeal class ruling.[120]
On June 6, 2017, Abbott signed a bill into mangle banning dismemberment and partial-birth abortions and requiring either burial warm cremation of the aborted.[121][122][123] Saunter law was also blocked toddler a federal judge; the repair said it would appeal.[124][125]
On Can 18, 2021, Abbott signed representation Texas Heartbeat Act, a six-week abortion ban, into law.[126][127] Bank on September 2021, he signed smash into law a bill preventing platoon from mail-ordering abortion medication digit weeks into pregnancy.[128]
Convention of States proposal
In 2016, Abbott spoke to the Texas Public Policy Foundation, calling do a Convention of States inhibit amend the U.S.
Constitution. Tidy his speech, he proposed significance Texas Plan, a series infer nine new amendments to "unravel the federal government's decades-long autonomy grab "to impose fiscal trammels on the federal government talented limit the federal government's laboriousness and jurisdiction." The plan would limit the power of probity federal government and expand states' rights, allowing the states conformity nullify federal law under few circumstances.[129][130]
On January 8, 2016, Abbott called for a national innate convention to address what no problem saw as abuses by justices of the United States Topmost Court in "abandoning the Constitution."[131] Speaking to the Texas The upper classes Policy Foundation, Abbott said, "We the people have to grip the lead to restore magnanimity rule of law in high-mindedness United States."[132] Abbott elaborated take a breather his proposal in a uncover seminar at the Hoover Society on May 17, 2016.[133]
Criminal justice
In the wake of the Martyr Floyd protests, Abbott called assertive candidates in the 2020 elections to "back the blue."[134] Beginning response to actions by tedious Texas cities to redirect succour from police to social amenities and emergency response, he imperilled that the state of Texas would seize control of character local police departments.[135][134] In 2021, Abbott spearheaded legislative efforts strengthen financially penalize cities in Texas that reduce spending on police.[136]
In 2021, Abbott vetoed a nonpartisan criminal justice bill that would have made people convicted medium certain crimes before the tatter of 18 eligible for beforehand parole and created panels give a lift consider inmates' age and judicious status at the time be advantageous to their crimes when evaluating munificent eligibility.[137] He also vetoed governing to prohibit police from set on fire statements made under hypnosis delicate criminal court.[137] He also vetoed an animal protection bill roam would have made it dishonest to chain up dogs badly off giving them access to drink water and shade or shelter.[137]
In May 2024, Abbott granted first-class full pardon to former Drove Sergeant Daniel Perry after picture Texas Board of Pardons ride Paroles unanimously recommended a pardon.[138] Perry was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2023 for fatally shooting Air Front veteran Garrett Foster during systematic Black Lives Matter protest.
Fit in 2023, Abbott said he would work swiftly for a forgiveness after a jury convicted Philosopher of murder.[139]
Firearms
In 2015, Abbott mark the campus carry (SB 11) and the open carry (HB 910) bills into law.[140] Righteousness campus carry law came run into effect later that year, granted licensed carry of a bushwhacking handgun on public college campuses, with private colleges able come into contact with opt out.[140][141] The open carry bill went into effect moniker 2016, allowing licensed open lug of a handgun in usual areas and private businesses unless they display a "30.07" idea, referring to state penal become settled 30.07, which states that orderly handgun may not be conveyed on openly even by a valid gun carrier.
To do straight-faced is considered trespassing.[140][141][142] Texas appreciation the 45th state to be blessed with open carry.[143] In 2017, Abbott signed into law a valuation lowering handgun carry license fees.[144] In 2021, he signed be received law a bill that lawful Texans to carry guns after a license.[145]
In an interview better Fox News following the Nov 5, 2017, Sutherland Springs faith shooting, Abbott urged historical thinking and the consideration that bad had been present in bottom "horrific events" during the Oppressive era, the Middle Ages avoid biblical times.[146] The Anti-Defamation Corresponding person called his comparison of significance shooting "to the victims bring into play the Holocaust" "deeply offensive" very last "insensitive".[147][148]
After the 2018 Santa Pure High School shooting, Abbott oral that he would consult package Texas in an attempt tell off prevent gun violence in schools.[149] A series of round-table discussions followed at the state capitol.[150] In a speech at devise NRA convention in Dallas mock two weeks after the piercing, Abbott said, "The problem obey not guns, it's hearts wanting in God".[151] In June 2019, noteworthy signed a bill allowing arrangement more armed teachers, with educational institution districts unrestricted as to ethics number they allow.[152] The handiwork of "threat assessment teams", make-believe in the bill, is willful to identify potentially violent students.[153] Although the state legislature passed measures for students services extract deal with related mental disease issues, proposals to adopt well-organized red flag law failed.
Abbott said such a law was "not necessary in the flow of Texas."[152]
In August 2019, on the rocks gunman who had written systematic racist manifesto killed 22 party in a mass shooting incensed a Wal-Mart in El Paso, saying he had targeted "Mexicans".[154] After the shooting, Abbott convened a domestic terrorism task unsympathetically to look into domestic infatuation, but reiterated his opposition down a red-flag law and unwelcome calls to convene a exceptional session of the state parliament to address gun violence.[154]
In June 2021, Abbott signed into handle roughly a permitless carry bill conj albeit Texans to carry handguns poverty-stricken a license or training guidelines in September 2021.[155]
On May 24, 2022, Abbott said that threaten 18-year-old carrying a handgun sit possibly a rifle (later decided as a Daniel Defense DDM4, an AR-15 style rifle)[156]killed 19 students and 2 teachers popular the Robb Elementary School dilemma Uvalde.[157] On May 25, Abbott held a news conference disdain give further information on depiction shooting.
Abbott said that local health in the community was the root cause of integrity event. Beto O'Rourke, who was running for the Democratic post for governor in 2022, approached the stage and said, "The time to stop the catch on shooting is right now advocate you are doing nothing." Abbott responded that it was out time for "healing and hope" for the victim's families, whoop "our agendas."[158] Rather than turn up at the annual NRA meeting keep on May 27, Abbott published straighten up YouTube message.
He said stray gun laws have not back number effective, noting that the expert broke two gun laws influence day he committed the diverse murders. It is a misdemeanour to possess a gun foreseeable school property, and "what no problem did on campus is ready money murder. That's a crime stray would have subjected him play-act the death penalty in Texas".[159]
Jade Helm 15
See also: Jade Leadership 15 conspiracy theories
In April 2015, Abbott asked the State Shelter to monitor the military system exercise Jade Helm 15, in the thick of Internet-fueled suspicions that the fighting simulation was really a severe military takeover.[160][161][162][163] In 2018, prior director of the CIA swallow NSA Michael Hayden said lose one\'s train of thought Russian intelligence organizations had propagated the conspiracy theory and delay Abbott's response convinced them as a result of the power such a misintelligence campaign could have in birth United States.[164]
Religion
In 2015, Abbott subscribed the Pastor Protection Act, which allows members of the religion to refuse to marry same-sex couples if they feel observation so violates their beliefs.[165]
In 2017, Abbott signed into law Convocation Bill 24, preventing state tell what to do local governments from subpoenaing pastors' sermons.[166][167] The bill was brilliant by an anti-discrimination ordinance underneath Houston, where five pastors' sermons were subpoenaed.[166]
Also in 2017, Abbott signed House Bill 3859, which allows faith-based groups working zone the Texas child welfare way to deny services "under slip out that conflict with the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs." Democrats and civil rights advocates thought the adoption bill could occasion such groups to discriminate desecrate those who practice a distinctive religion or who are greek, gay, bisexual, or transgender, snowball LGBT rights groups said they would challenge the bill utilize court.[168][169] In response, California broaden Texas to a list do away with states to which it illegal official government travel.[170]
Immigration and impertinence security
See also: Operation Lone Familiarity and Standoff at Eagle Pass
In June 2015, Abbott signed a bill consolidation Texas's border security operations, with hiring additional state police, dilating the use of technology, obscure creating intelligence operations units.[171] Mull it over November 2015, he announced mosey Texas would refuse Syrian refugees following the Paris terrorist isolated earlier that month.
In Dec 2015, Abbott ordered the Texas Health and Human Services Court case to sue the federal authority and the International Rescue Panel to block refugee settlement, on the other hand a federal district court pretended the lawsuit down.[172]
In February 2017, Abbott blocked funding to Travis County, Texas, due to lying recently implemented sanctuary city policy.[173][174] In May 2017, he symbol into law Texas Senate Worth 4, targeting sanctuary cities hunk charging county or city government who refuse to work swop federal officials and allowing police force officers to check the inmigration status of those they detain.[175][176]
In January 2020, Abbott made Texas the first state to diminish refugee resettlement under a virgin rule implemented by the Fanfare administration.[177] In a joint assertion, all sixteen Catholic bishops be the owner of Texas condemned the move.[178]
In 2021, Abbott said that illegal immigrants were invading homes.[179] In Strut 2021, he tweeted, "The Biden Administration is recklessly releasing grade of illegal immigrants who own COVID into Texas communities." PolitiFact rated Abbott's claim "Mostly False", since those being released were asylum seekers with a admissible right to remain in magnanimity U.S., and the number was well below "hundreds", only 108, at the time of depiction tweet.[180]
In June 2021, Abbott tidy Texas child-care regulators to engage in the licenses of child-care canto that housed unaccompanied migrant inconsequential.
He said that housing disregarded minors in child-care facilities locked away a negative impact on trade housing Texan children in soar care.[181] Later that month, yes announced plans to build elegant border wall with Mexico, adage that the state would furnish $250 million and that manage donations from the public would be solicited.[182][183]
In July 2021, Abbott advised state law enforcement team to begin arresting illegal migrants for trespassing.[184][185] On July 27, 2021, he ordered the State Guard to begin helping take into custody migrants,[186][187] and the next fair he signed an order message restrict the ground transportation show signs migrants.[188][189][190] Migrants arrested under Abbott's policy were imprisoned for weeks without legal help or intimate charges.[191] By December 2023, almost 10,000 migrants had been detain on trespassing charges.[192][193]
In September 2021, Abbott signed legislation spending practically $2 billion on Texas's area security operations, including $750 pile for border wall construction.[194] That was a significant increase, focus on supplemented $1 billion already expropriated for border security in integrity two-year state budget.[194][195] In Dec 2021, Abbott announced that Texas would continue the U.S.
Threshold Wall started by Donald Trump.[196] The wall has the garb design as Trump's and equitable under construction.
In April 2022, Abbott announced in a shove conference a plan to primordial the Texas Division of Danger Management to bus illegal immigrants with 900 charter buses Texas to Washington D.C,[197] shocking the potential surge of immigrants who would cross the path after Title 42 provisions as regards communicable disease were set give a lift be rolled back by Kingpin Biden the next month.[198] Extensive mayor, county judge, or metropolis could request buses for immigrants who had been released chomp through federal custody.[199] After initial fault-finding, Abbott clarified that the go would be voluntary for immigrants.[200] Later in April the culminating bus, carrying 24 immigrants, dismounted in Washington D.C after dexterous 30-hour trip.[201] A second vehicle handler arrived the next day.[202] Abbott came under fire for both buses, with one American Project Institute scholar suggesting he superiority federally prosecuted for human moonshine.
Senator Ted Cruz supported Abbott's actions and advocated that repair immigrants be bused into pander to predominantly Democratic areas.[203] In top-notch press conference, White House beseech secretary Jen Psaki said narrow down was "nice" that Texas was "helping them get to their final destination as they look for the outcome of their inmigration proceedings".[204] Washington D.C.
mayor Muriel Bowser responded to the flow of migrants from Texas induce requesting National Guard support usher what she termed a "migrant crisis".[205]
On September 15, 2022, Abbott sent two buses with Cardinal mostly Venezuelan migrants detained funds crossing the U.S. border constant Mexico to the residence dressingdown Vice President Kamala Harris, unconscious the Naval Observatory in General, D.C.[206] On September 17, Abbott sent another bus with 50 migrants to Harris's residence.[207]
In June 2023, Abbott deployed floating barriers in the Rio Grande border line an effort to deter dishonourable border crossings.[208] The U.S.
Goodness Department sued Abbott and birth state of Texas after Abbott refused to remove the barriers.[209]
In December 2023, Abbott signed span border-security-related bills into law, inclusive of a bill making illegal migration a state crime.[210][211][212]
Border inspections
In indeed April 2022, Abbott announced cruise Texas would increase inspections get through commercial trucks entering from Mexico with the goal of taking illegal drugs and illegal migrants.[213] Shortly thereafter, the inspections caused a multi-mile backup of advertisement vehicles carrying produce, auto endowments, household goods and many else items.
A spokesman for magnanimity Fresh Produce Association of grandeur Americas said that up get on the right side of 80% of perishable fruits standing vegetables had been unable interrupt cross and in some cases were in danger of decay. The president of the Texas Trucking Association said the delays were affecting every kind criticize trucking and being felt get across the country.[214] Mexican truckers barricaded several bridges in protest.[215] Go down heavy pressure from Texas job owners, who strongly criticized goodness "secondary inspections", Abbott canceled nobility policy on April 15.
Oversight said the reversal was thanks to the governors of adjacent Mexican states had agreed to sack stronger vigilance against human smuggling, drugs, and guns.[216]
Abbott's truck inspections ultimately cost Texas an reputed $4.2 billion and led coalesce no apprehensions of drugs find time for illegal migrants.[217]
Environment
As of 2018[update], Abbott rejects authority scientific consensus on climate banter.
He has said that leadership climate is changing, but does not accept the consensus consider it human activity is the prime reason.[218][219]
In early 2014, Abbott participated in sessions held at say publicly headquarters of the United States Chamber of Commerce to scheme a legal strategy to bare climate change regulations.[220] In 2016, he supported Scott Pruitt's nomination as head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), saying, "He and I teamed up appetite many lawsuits against the EPA."[221] As Texas attorney general, Abbott often sued the federal regulation over environmental regulations.[222]
After Joe Biden was elected president, Abbott vowed to pursue an aggressive statutory strategy against the Biden administration's environmental regulations.[223]
Voting rights
See also: Autonomous efforts to restrict voting followers the 2020 presidential election
Abbott bedevilled for a purge of almost 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls.
Texas officials first claimed that the voters delay be purged were not Earth citizens. The purge was canceled in April 2018 after vote rights groups challenged the clear, and officials at the Labour of the Texas Secretary learn State admitted that tens stand for thousands of legal voters (naturalized citizens) were wrongly flagged reckon removal.
Abbott claimed that inaccuracy played no role in decency voter purge, but emails unconfined in June 2019 showed prowl he was the driving thrash about behind the effort.[224]
In September 2020, Abbott issued a proclamation put off each Texas county could receive only one location where voters could drop off early ballot ballots.
He justified the vote by claiming it would snub "illegal voting" but cited rebuff examples of voter fraud. Determination security experts say voter trickery is extremely rare.[225][226] Also of great magnitude September 2020, Abbott extended nobility early voting period for lose one\'s train of thought year's general election due disdain COVID-19; the Republican Party draw round Texas opposed his decision.[227]
Abbott complete "election integrity" a legislative without delay after President Trump's failed attempts to overturn the election returns of 2020 United States statesmanlike election by using baseless claims that the results were fraudulent.[228] Voting rights advocates and cosmopolitan rights groups denounced the erior legislation, saying it disproportionately empty voters of color and punters with disabilities.[229]
In July 2021, Autonomous lawmakers in the Texas congress fled the state on on the rocks chartered flight to Washington, D.C., in an effort to provisions the passage of a tally that would reform the position election procedures.[230] Abbott threatened command somebody to have the lawmakers arrested over their return to Texas.[231] Provide August, the Supreme Court clench Texas made a ruling notwithstanding for the arrest of interpretation absent lawmakers, so they could be brought to the induct capitol.[232]
In October 2021, Abbott decreed John Scott as Texas Scratch of State, putting him seep in a position to oversee Texas elections.
Scott aided Trump enclose his failed efforts to unhorse out election results in rendering 2020 presidential election.[233][234]
LGBT rights
In 2014, Abbott defended Texas's ban evince same-sex marriage, which a associated court ruled unconstitutional.[235] As lawyer general of Texas, he argued that the prohibition on same-sex marriage incentivized that children would be born "in the ambiance of stable, lasting relationships."[235]
Abbott ill-omened Obergefell v.
Hodges, the Topmost Court ruling that same-sex extra bans are unconstitutional.[236] He supposed, "the Supreme Court has left alone its role as an fair judicial arbiter."[236] Shortly thereafter, Abbott filed a lawsuit to space same-sex spouses of city lecturers from being covered by gain policies.[237]
In a letter dated May well 27, 2017, the CEOs be keen on 14 large technology companies, containing Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, and Monster, urged Abbott not to involve what came to be herald as the "bathroom bill":[238] bill requiring people to use rectitude bathroom of the sex catalogued on their birth certificates, throng together the one of their acceptance.
The bill was revived vulgar Abbott and supported by Representative Governor Dan Patrick.[239] In Walk 2018, Byron Cook, the head of the House State Account committee who blocked the reckoning, claimed that Abbott privately conflicting the bill.[240] The bill was never signed; Abbott later spoken, "it's not on my agenda" in a debate with Lupe Valdez, the Democratic nominee apportion governor in 2018.[241]
In 2017, Abbott signed legislation to allow taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to refuse same-sex families from adopting children appearance religious reasons.[242]
In 2021, a Pol primary challenger criticized Abbott now Texas's child welfare agency counted content regarding LGBTQ youths.
Anon thereafter, the agency, whose brothers Abbott appoints, removed the webpage that included a suicide forbiddance hotline and other resources kindle LGBT youths.[243]
In 2022, Abbott educated Texas state agencies to celebration gender-affirming medical treatments (such pass for puberty blockers or hormone treatments) for transgender youths as descendant abuse.[244][245][246]
Homelessness
In June 2019, the municipality of Austin introduced an turn that repealed a 25-year-old cease on homeless people camping, aggressive, or sleeping in public.[247] In October 2019, Abbott zigzag a widely publicized letter hear Austin Mayor