The Blog

The name Hamas has frequently dominated headlines, causing many people to ask, “Who is Hamas?” It is a Palestinian terrorist organization that governs the Gaza Strip. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massive surprise attack on southern Israel, killing more than 1,400 men, women and children while taking hundreds of innocent civilians as hostages. They are in league with ISIS, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and Hezbollah and have been at the center of numerous conflicts with Israel. But what is the story behind this terorist group, and what drives its actions? This guide will explore the origins, goals, and strategies of Hamas, as well as its impact on ordinary Palestinians and the international community’s stance on the movement.

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When it comes to consumer protection, our country has let too many of our seniors down, especially when it comes to blocking spam calls. Spam calls are an annoyance for everyone, but for seniors, they can be particularly harmful. According to the National Council on Aging, elder financial abuse costs seniors an estimated $2.9 billion annually.

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As we stand at the crossroads of American history, the soul of our country is under attack. We are facing generational defining challenges that will shape the trajectory of the future of America. Our overseas adversaries, reminiscent of the strategies seen during the era of the Soviet Union, continue to threaten the American dream. At home, we face challenges that threaten both the urban areas and rural regions of the u.s. economy: out-of-control illegal immigration, a growing drug crisis, stagnant inflation, increasing crime, and persistent homelessness in our cities.

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Artificial Intelligence and robotics are rapidly evolving industries and technologies, raising the question: “Will robots take my job?” I’ve explored this question for almost a decade. I held the first congressional hearing on artificial intelligence (AI) in 2015, I wrote the U.S. national strategy for AI that was signed into law in 2020, and since being out of government I’ve both advised and served on the boards of companies on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence.

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The world needs to produce more electricity to meet energy consumption needs AND reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We know what we need to do: stop putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, take some of the carbon emissions that are already in the atmosphere out, and generate at least 2 times more electricity by 2050. We can do all three — at the same time. Climate change prevention and U.S. energy independence are not mutually exclusive objectives.

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The United States of America has built a global order following World War II that has benefitted America because every other country on Earth wanted to participate in it. This international order has led to America becoming the sole global superpower. It has enabled the economic success we call the American Dream to be the envy of the world. Unfortunately, this world order that has been beneficial to every American is now unraveling. If we don’t stop this unraveling, it will significantly erode our quality of life.

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As a former congressman who represented the single largest southern border district, and a former overseas CIA officer, I’ve been dealing with threats to our homeland security and Americans’ well being for my entire adult life. Dealing with border security and addressing the rising number of undocumented immigrants crossing our borders – while getting increasingly complicated – just needs common sense to fix it.

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On May 24, 2022, a fourth-grade classroom at Robb Elementary School in the city of Uvalde, Texas — a small, quiet community that I represented in Congress — became a war zone. Nineteen beautiful, innocent children and two dedicated, brave teachers are gone forever because of a vicious massacre. It’s infuriating. It’s heartbreaking. It was preventable.

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In today’s rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, understanding the intricacies of global politics is more important than ever. This exclusive excerpt is from an interview conducted at the recent Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TCRA) event in Fort Worth, Texas on March 24, 2023. TSCRA Vice President Carl Ray Polk sits down with me to discuss a topic that has captured the attention of the world – the new cold war with China.

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I’ve always been and will always be a momma’s boy. Mary Alice Hurd wore many hats — a department store buyer, master seamstress, puppet maker, cosmetologist, beauty supply owner, and beauty school director. But her favorite role was being a mom, not just to her three wild kids, but to everyone she met. My mom joined her Heavenly Father on March 1, 2023, and while those who loved her will no longer get to enjoy her physical presence, we can try to live every day by the leadership principles she taught us to be better people.

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