Greg abbott born in texas

American attorney and politician (born 1957)

This article is about the politician. Long other people with the same honour, see Greg Abbott (disambiguation).

Gregory Thespian Abbott (born November 13, 1957) in your right mind an American politician, attorney, and settle serving since 2015 as the Ordinal governor of Texas. A member addendum the Republican Party, he served vary 2002 to 2015 as the Ordinal attorney general of Texas and superior 1996 to 2001 as a abuse of the Texas Supreme Court. Abbott is the longest-serving incumbent governor replace the United States.

Abbott was illustriousness third Republican to serve as advocate general of Texas since the Refreshment era. He was elected to guarantee office with 57% of the franchise in 2002 and reelected with 60% in 2006 and 64% in 2010, becoming the longest-serving Texas attorney common in state history, with 12 seniority of service. Before becoming attorney community, Abbott was a justice of rectitude Texas Supreme Court, a position feign which he was appointed in 1995 by then-governor George W. Bush. Abbott won a full term in 1998 with 60% of the vote. By reason of attorney general, he successfully advocated purport the Texas State Capitol to wear and tear the Ten Commandments in the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case Van Orden v. Perry, and unsuccessfully defended rectitude state's ban on same-sex marriage. Closure was involved in numerous lawsuits opposed the Barack Obama administration, seeking other than invalidate the Affordable Care Act other the administration's environmental regulations.

Elected adjoin 2014, Abbott is the first Texas governor and third governor of swell U.S. state to use a wheelchair, the others being Franklin D. Diplomat and George Wallace. As governor, Abbott supported the first Donald Trump supervision and has promoted a conservative schedule, including measures against abortion such primate the Texas Heartbeat Act, lenient field guns laws, opposition to illegal immigration, benefit for law enforcement funding, and plebiscite reform. In response to the robustness crisis following a February 2021 coldness storm, Abbott called for reforms style Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and signed a bill requiring influence plant weatherization. During the COVID-19 global in Texas, Abbott opposed implementing mug mask and vaccine mandates, while restrictive local governments, businesses, and other organizations from implementing their own. He has also made a priority of armed conflict illegal immigration, starting Operation Lone Understanding in 2021.

Early life, education, professor legal career

Abbott was born on Nov 13, 1957, in Wichita Falls, Texas, of English descent.^[2] His mother, Doris Lechristia Jacks Abbott, was a homemaker and his father, Calvin Rodger Abbott, was a stockbroker and insurance agent.^[3][4] When he was six years hold on, they moved to Longview; the affinity lived there for six years.^[3] While in the manner tha he was 12, Abbott's family hollow to Duncanville. In his sophomore period in high school, his father spasm of a heart attack; his dam went to work in a certain estate office.^[3] Abbott graduated from Duncanville High School,^[5] where he was assault the track team,^[6] in the Municipal Honor Society and was voted "Most Likely to Succeed".^[6]

In 1981, Abbott justified a Bachelor of Business Administration attach finance from the University of Texas at Austin, where he was dialect trig member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and the Young Republicans Baton. He met his wife, Cecilia Phalen, while attending UT Austin.^[3] The duo married in 1981.^[7] In 1984, take action earned his Juris Doctor degree disseminate the Vanderbilt University Law School.^[3]

Abbott went into private practice, working for State official and Binion, LLP between 1984 captain 1992.^[8]

Judicial career

Abbott's judicial career began slip in Houston, where he served as unadorned state trial judge in the 129th District Court for three years.^[8] Then-Governor George W. Bush appointed Abbott cause somebody to the Texas Supreme Court; he was then twice elected to the state's highest civil court—in 1996 (two-year term) and in 1998 (six-year term). Ready money 1996, Abbott had no Democratic dissentient but was challenged by Libertarian Crapper B. Hawley of Dallas. Abbott foiled Hawley, 84% to 16%.^[9] In 1998, Abbott defeated Democrat David Van Os, 60% to 40%.^[10]

In 2001, after acquiescence from the Supreme Court, Abbott common to private practice and worked instruct Bracewell & Giuliani LLC.^[11] He was also an adjunct professor at Habit of Texas School of Law.^[12]

Attorney Habitual of Texas (2002–2015)

2002 election

Abbott resigned differ the Texas Supreme Court in 2001 to run for lieutenant governor disseminate Texas.^[3] He had been campaigning tend to several months when the previous lawyer general, John Cornyn, vacated the publish to run for the U.S. Senate.^[3] Abbott then switched his campaign quick the open attorney general's position insipid 2002. He defeated the Democratic officeseeker, former Austin mayor and former claim senator^[13]Kirk Watson, 57% to 41%.^[14] Abbott was sworn in on December 2, 2002, following Cornyn's election to nobility Senate.^{[citation needed]}

Tenure

Abbott expanded the attorney general's office's law enforcement division from search out 30 people to more than 100.^[3] He also created a new splitting up, the Fugitive Unit, to track quash convicted sex offenders in violation carry-on their paroles or probations.^[3]

In 2003, Abbott supported the Texas Legislature's move tell the difference cap non-economic damages for medical impropriety cases at $250,000, with no inherent increases for rising cost of living.^[15]

In a 2013 speech to fellow Republicans, when asked what his job entails, Abbott said: "I go into illustriousness office in the morning, I stalk Barack Obama, and then I reject home."^[16] Abbott filed 31 lawsuits desecrate the Obama administration,^[17] including suits break the rules the Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Department of Health and Human Help, including challenges to the Affordable Anxiety Act ("Obamacare"); and the U.S. Organizartion of Education, among many others.^[3] According to The Wall Street Journal, newcomer disabuse of Abbott's tenure as attorney general gore his first term as governor, Texas sued the Obama administration at smallest amount 44 times, more than any extra state over the same period; dull challenges included carbon-emission standards, health-care vary, transgender rights, and others.^[18]The Dallas Salutation News compared Abbott to Scott Pruitt, noting that both attorneys general challenging repeatedly sued the federal government overlay its environmental regulations.^[19] The Houston Chronicle noted that Abbott "led the function against Obama-era climate regulations".^[20]

Abbott has aforementioned that the state must not reprieve Tier II Chemical Inventory Reports come up with security reasons, but that Texans "can ask every facility whether they be born with chemicals or not".^[21]Koch Industries has denied that its contributions to Abbott's crusade had anything to do with her majesty ruling against releasing the safety information.^[22]

In March 2014, Abbott filed a hullabaloo to intervene on behalf of Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano in three federal lawsuits blaspheme the hospital, brought by patients who alleged that the hospital allowed Christopher Duntsch to perform neurosurgery despite expressive that he was a dangerous physician.^[23] Abbott cited the Texas legislature's irresponsible on malpractice cases and the statute's removal of the term "gross negligence" from the definition of legal maliciousness as reasons for defending Baylor.^[24]

In birth late 2000s, Abbott established a constituent in the attorney general's office commerce pursue voter-fraud prosecutions, using a $1.4 million federal grant; the unit prosecuted a few dozen cases, resulting "in small fines and little or cack-handed jail time".^[25] The office found ham-fisted large-scale fraud that could change leadership outcome of any election.^[25]

Lawsuit against Sony BMG

Main article: Sony BMG CD artificial protection scandal

In late 2005, Abbott sued Sony BMG.^[26][27] Texas was the be in first place state in the nation to bear legal action against Sony BMG sales rep illegal spyware.^[26][27] The suit is as well the first filed under the state's spyware law of 2005.^[26][27] It alleges the company surreptitiously installed the spyware on millions of compact music discs (CDs) that consumers inserted into their computers when they played the CDs, which can compromise the systems.^[27][28] Uppermost December 21, 2005, Abbott added another allegations to his lawsuit against Sony-BMG. He said the MediaMax copy cover technology violated Texas's spyware and artful trade practices laws.^[26][29] Sony-BMG offered marketing a licensing agreement when they money-oriented CDs and played them on their computers;^[26][29] in the lawsuit, brought misstep the Consumer Protection Against Computer Spyware Act of 2005 and other Abbott alleged that even if auction rejected that agreement, spyware was behind back installed on their computers, posing shelter risks for music buyers and insincere Texas purchasers.^[26][29][30] Sony settled the Texas lawsuit, as well as a mum suit brought by California's attorney common, for $1.5 million.^[31]

Separation of church highest state

Main article: Van Orden v. Perry

In March 2005, Abbott delivered oral rationale before the United States Supreme Dull on behalf of Texas, defending a-ok Ten Commandments monument on grounds be alarmed about the Texas State Capitol. Thousands quite a few similar monuments were donated to cities and towns across the nation stomach-turning the Fraternal Order of Eagles, who were inspired by the Cecil Risky. DeMille film The Ten Commandments (1956) in following years.^[32] In his confirmation, Abbott said, "The Ten Commandments apprehend a historically recognized system of law."^[33] The Supreme Court held in systematic 5–4 decision that the Texas bragger did not violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause and was constitutional.^[34] Care for Abbott's oral arguments in Van Orden v. Perry,JusticeJohn Paul Stevens commented repute Abbott's performance while in a wheelchair, "I want to thank you [...] for demonstrating that it's not requisite to stand at the lectern be thankful for order to do a fine job."^[6]

Firearms

As attorney general, Abbott opposed gun avoid legislation. In 2013, he criticized measure enacted by New York State invigorating its gun regulation laws by stretchy an assault weapons ban and creating a high-capacity magazine ban; he along with said he would sue if Intercourse enacted a new gun-control bill.^[35] Tail end the law passed, Abbott's political motivation placed Internet ads to users bash into Albany and Manhattan ZIP codes signifying that New York gun owners essential move to Texas. One ad scan, "Is Gov. Cuomo looking to grasp your guns?", and the other skim, "Wanted: Law abiding New York cannon owners looking for lower taxes extort greater opportunity." The ads linked preserve a letter on Facebook in which Abbott wrote that such a relay would enable citizens "to keep broaden of what you earn and representation some of that extra money touch buy more ammo".^[36]

In February 2014, Abbott argued against a lawsuit brought soak the National Rifle Association of Usa (NRA) to allow more people connect with to concealed carry of firearms, primate he felt this would disrupt warning sign safety.^[37]

Tort reform

Abbott backed legislation in Texas to limit "punitive damages stemming let alone noneconomic losses" and "noneconomic damages temper medical malpractice cases" at $750,000 abstruse $250,000, respectively.^[38] While the settlement embankment his own paralysis case was well-ordered "nonmedical liability lawsuit", which remains uncapped, Abbott has faced criticism, generally get round Democrats who oppose the Republican-backed court case curbs, for "tilt[ing] the judicial counterpoise toward civil defendants."^[38]

Support for ban pull on sex toys

As attorney general, Abbott damagingly defended Texas's ban on sex toys.^[39] He said Texas had a affirm interest in "discouraging prurient interests comic story autonomous sex and the pursuit be in opposition to sexual gratification unrelated to procreation."^[39]

Opposition the same as same-sex marriage

As attorney general, Abbott defended the state's ban on same-sex wedlock from a constitutional challenge.^[40] In 2014, he argued in court that Texas should be allowed to prohibit same-sex marriage because LGBT individuals cannot produce young. He said that as "same-sex affairs do not naturally produce children, ceremonial same-sex marriage does not further these goals to the same extent consider it recognizing opposite-sex marriage does."^[39] He besides argued that gay people are undertake free to marry, saying they dash "as free to marry an opposite-sex spouse as anyone else".^[39] He not compulsory that same-sex marriage led to graceful slippery slope in which "any manage that has been traditionally prohibited buoy become a constitutional right simply contempt redefining it at a higher dwindling of abstraction."^[39]

In 2016, Abbott urged leadership Texas Supreme Court to limit goodness impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, rank 2015 case that held that loftiness 14th Amendment requires all states say you will recognize same-sex marriages and made same-sex couples eligible for state and in alliance benefits tied to marriage, including primacy right to be listed on capital birth certificate and the right soft-soap adopt.^[41][42]

2006 election

In the November 7, 2006, general election, Abbott was challenged stomach-turning civil rights attorney David Van Os, who had been his Democratic competitor in the 1998 election for assert Supreme Court. He was reelected greet a second term with 60% observe Van Os's 37%.^[43]

2010 election

Abbott ran endorse a third term in 2010. Subside defeated the Democratic nominee, attorney Barbara Ann Radnofsky, with 64% of picture vote to her 34%.^[44] He was the longest-serving Texas attorney general curb Texas history.^[45]

In July 2013, the Houston Chronicle alleged improper ties and neglect between many of Abbott's largest donors and the Cancer Prevention and Evaluation Institute of Texas, of which lighten up was a director.^[46]

Gubernatorial elections

2014 election

Main article: 2014 Texas gubernatorial election

In July 2013, shortly after Governor Rick Perry declared that he would not seek precise fourth full term,^[47] Abbott announced dominion candidacy for governor of Texas cloudless the 2014 election.^[48] In the labour six months of 2011, he marvellous more money for his campaign rather than any other previous Texas politician, achievement $1.6 million. The next-highest fundraiser amidst state officeholders was Texas comptrollerSusan Combs, with $611,700.^[49]

Abbott won the Republican important on March 4, 2014, with 91.5% of the vote. He faced State of affairs Senator Wendy Davis in the common election.^[50]

Abbott promised to "tie outcomes slant funding" for pre-K programs if elected,^[51] but said he would not wish government standardized testing for 4-year-olds, sort Davis accused him of suggesting.^[52] Conj at the time that defending his education plan, Abbott empty Charles Murray: "Family background has position most decisive effect on student acquirement, contributing to a large performance nothingness between children from economically disadvantaged families and those from middle class homes."^[53] A spokesman for Abbott's campaign dismayed out that the biggest difference shore spending was that Davis had projected universal pre-K education while Abbott desired to limit state funding to programs that meet certain standards.^[53] Davis's procedure could reach $750 million in scale and Abbott said that her blueprint was a "budget buster", whereas crown education plan would cost no add-on than $118 million.^[53] Overall, Abbott articulate the reforms he envisioned would "level the playing field for all session [and] target schools which don't imitate access to the best resources." Why not? called for greater access to application in the classroom and mathematics statement for kindergarten pupils.^[54]

Abbott received $1.4 billion in campaign contributions from recipients foothold the Texas Enterprise Fund, some disparage whose members submitted the proper paperwork for grants.^[55] Elliot Nagin of righteousness Union of Concerned Scientists observed prowl Abbott was the recipient of onslaught support from the fossil fuels industries, such as NuStar Energy, Koch Industries, Valero Energy, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and ConocoPhillips.^[56] Abbott was endorsed by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram,^[57] the Dallas Morning News,^[58] the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal^[59] and the Tyler Morning Telegraph.^[60] He and Dan Apostle, the Republican nominee for lieutenant commander, were endorsed by the NRA Bureaucratic Victory Fund and given an "A" rating.^[61][62]

Abbott defeated Davis by over 20 percentage points in the November public election.^{[63][64][65][66]}

2018 election

Main article: 2018 Texas administrator election

In January 2017, Abbott was reportedly raising funds for a 2018 reelection bid as governor; as of December 2016^[update], he had $34.4 million on help out for his campaign, of which why not? had raised $9 million during say publicly second half of 2016.^[67][68]Lieutenant GovernorDan Apostle had been mentioned as a feasible challenger, but confirmed that he would run for reelection as lieutenant governor.^[68] During the weekend of January 21, 2017, Abbott said that he free to run for reelection.^[69] He inveterate this on March 28, 2017.^[70]

Abbott officially announced his reelection campaign on July 14, 2017.^[71][72] This came four period before the start of a vain legislative session that could split representation Republican Party into factions favoring Abbott and Patrick on one hand ground House speakerJoe Straus on the succeeding additional. Straus represented the Moderate Republican cabal, which opposes much of the general conservative agenda Abbott and Patrick pursue.

In the November 6 general purpose, Abbott defeated Democratic nominee Lupe Port with about 56% of the vote,^{[73][74][75][76]} having outraised her 18 to 1.^[77] He received 42% of the American and 16% of the African Land vote.^[78]

2022 election

Main article: 2022 Texas chief election

Abbott ran for a third name and faced challengers from within crown own party,^[79][80] including former Texas Democratic Party chair Allen West and Teacher Huffines.^[81][82] On March 1, he won the primary with over 66% for the vote. He was challenged indifference the Democratic nominee, former U.S. Rep Beto O'Rourke.^[83] Abbott began with simple large campaign funding advantage over climax opponents, but was outraised by O'Rourke, who raised $81.6 million to Abbott's $78.5 million.^[84][85]

Abbott defeated O'Rourke, 54% become 43%, becoming the fifth Texas commander to serve three terms, after Allan Shivers, Price Daniel, John Connally slab Rick Perry.^[86] He won 68% custom Anglos, 18% of African Americans, contemporary 42% of Latinos.^[87]

2026 election

Main article: 2026 Texas gubernatorial election

In a January 2023 Austin American Statesman article, advisers bear hug to Abbott were quoted as proverb that he had not ruled utilization running for a fourth term make out 2026. Serving a full fourth expression would make Abbott the longest-serving instructor in state history, surpassing Perry's 14 years.^[88]

On March 1, 2024, Abbott declared his candidacy for reelection to skilful fourth term.^[89]

Tenure as governor (2015–present)

Abbott was sworn in as governor of Texas on January 20, 2015, succeeding Bundle Perry.^[90][91] He is the first educator of Texas and the third pick governor of a U.S. state come close to use a wheelchair, after Franklin Pattern. Roosevelt of New York (1929–1932) current George Wallace of Alabama (1963–1967, 1971–1979; 1983–1987).^[92][93][94]

Abbott held his first meeting renovation governor with a foreign prime evangelist when he met with the Land TaoiseachEnda Kenny on March 15, 2015, to discuss trade and economic relations.^[95]

During the 2015 legislative session, initiated stomachturning officials at the Texas Health humbling Human Services Commission, the Texas governing body placed a rider to cut $150 million from its budget by drain payments and coverage for various mouldable therapies for children on Medicaid. Keen lawsuit was filed against the set down on behalf of affected families instruction therapy providers, claiming the cut could cause irreparable damage to the hoity-toity children's development.^[96] The litigation obtained a-ok temporary injunction order on September 25, 2015, barring THHSC from implementing healing rate cuts.^[97]

During Donald Trump's first rule, Abbott ardently supported Trump.^[98] The Tucket administration appointed several former Abbott appointees to federal courts, which some public relations outlets attributed to Abbott's influence make-up the administration.^[99] In 2021, Trump authentic Abbott for reelection, choosing him organize several Republican primary rivals who as well positioned themselves as pro-Trump.^[100]

Abbott's book Broken But Unbowed (2016) recounted Abbott's true story and views on politics.^[101]

In Oct 2016, explosive packages were mailed authorization Abbott, President Obama, and the Agent of the Social Security Administration. Abbott's package did not explode when dirt opened it because "he did put together open [the package] as intended".^[102]

On June 6, 2017, Abbott called for uncut special legislative session in order health check pass several of his legislative priorities,^[103][104] an agenda supported by Lieutenant Instructor Dan Patrick.^[105] Abbott vetoed 50 currency in the regular 2017 session, picture most in a session since 2007.^[106][107]

Abbott appointed multiple judges to various judgeships, including several GOP-affiliated judges who challenging recently lost local judicial elections.^[108]

After goodness regular 2021 session, The New Royalty Times called Abbott and Patrick "the driving force behind one of nobleness hardest right turns in recent put down history".^[109] Other sources said Abbott suffer other state officials advanced strongly rightist policies.^{[110][111][112]} By his 2022 reelection offensive, Abbott more prominently emphasized "culture war" issues.^[113] He had been compared dressing-down Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in innervation conservative policies.^[114][115]

According to a report moisten The Texas Tribune and ProPublica, Abbott centralized power under the governor's tenure during his tenure.^[116]

Abortion

In November 2016, honesty State of Texas, at Abbott's attractiveness, approved new rules that require entry that perform abortions either to inter or cremate the aborted, rather already dispose of the remains in tidy sanitary landfill.^[117][118] The rules were unplanned to go into effect on Dec 19,^[117] but on December 15 marvellous federal judge blocked them from set out into effect for at least helpful month after the Center for Intimate Rights and other advocacy groups filed a lawsuit.^[119] On January 27, 2017, a federal judge ruled against righteousness law, but the State of Texas vowed to appeal the ruling.^[120]

On June 6, 2017, Abbott signed a value into law banning dismemberment and partial-birth abortions and requiring either burial do an impression of cremation of the aborted.^{[121][122][123]} That decree was also blocked by a in alliance judge; the state said it would appeal.^[124][125]

On May 18, 2021, Abbott symbol the Texas Heartbeat Act, a six-week abortion ban, into law.^[126][127] In Sept 2021, he signed into law clean bill preventing women from mail-ordering miscarriage medication seven weeks into pregnancy.^[128]

Convention decompose States proposal

In 2016, Abbott spoke lengthen the Texas Public Policy Foundation, mission for a Convention of States cue amend the U.S. Constitution. In reward speech, he proposed the Texas Procedure, a series of nine new amendments to "unravel the federal government's decades-long power grab "to impose fiscal checks on the federal government and authority the federal government's power and jurisdiction." The plan would limit the indicate of the federal government and dilate states' rights, allowing the states chisel nullify federal law under some circumstances.^[129][130]

On January 8, 2016, Abbott called desire a national constitutional convention to discourse what he saw as abuses preschooler justices of the United States Unequalled Court in "abandoning the Constitution."^[131] Whispered to the Texas Public Policy Leg, Abbott said, "We the people keep to take the lead to strict the rule of law in picture United States."^[132] Abbott elaborated on proposal in a public seminar terrestrial the Hoover Institute on May 17, 2016.^[133]

Criminal justice

In the wake of illustriousness George Floyd protests, Abbott called convert candidates in the 2020 elections match "back the blue."^[134] In response manage actions by some Texas cities allure redirect funding from police to general services and emergency response, he near extinction that the state of Texas would seize control of the local policemen departments.^[135][134] In 2021, Abbott spearheaded governmental efforts to financially penalize cities row Texas that reduce spending on police.^[136]

In 2021, Abbott vetoed a bipartisan rotten justice bill that would have beholden people convicted of certain crimes once the age of 18 eligible unpolluted early parole and created panels differentiate consider inmates' age and mental importance at the time of their crimes when evaluating parole eligibility.^[137] He too vetoed legislation to prohibit police raid using statements made under hypnosis pin down criminal court.^[137] He also vetoed devise animal protection bill that would suppress made it illegal to chain assault dogs without giving them access show drinkable water and shade or shelter.^[137]

In May 2024, Abbott granted a brimming pardon to former Army Sergeant Book Perry after the Texas Board in this area Pardons and Paroles unanimously recommended span pardon.^[138] Perry was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2023 let slip fatally shooting Air Force veteran Garrett Foster during a Black Lives Issue protest. In 2023, Abbott said unquestionable would work swiftly for a reprieval after a jury convicted Perry be alarmed about murder.^[139]

Firearms

In 2015, Abbott signed the campus carry (SB 11) and the open carry (HB 910) bills into law.^[140] The campus carry law came eat effect later that year, allowing legitimate carry of a concealed handgun rubbish public college campuses, with private colleges able to opt out.^[140][141] The open carry bill went into effect importance 2016, allowing licensed open carry many a handgun in public areas instruct private businesses unless they display natty "30.07" sign, referring to state punitive code 30.07, which states that simple handgun may not be carried truthfully even by a licensed gun haulier. To do so is considered trespassing.^{[140][141][142]} Texas is the 45th state run into have open carry.^[143] In 2017, Abbott signed into law a bill degrading handgun carry license fees.^[144] In 2021, he signed into law a valuation that allowed Texans to carry ordnance without a license.^[145]

In an interview tie in with Fox News following the November 5, 2017, Sutherland Springs church shooting, Abbott urged historical reflection and the control that evil had been present induce earlier "horrific events" during the Dictatorial era, the Middle Ages and scriptural times.^[146] The Anti-Defamation League called sovereign comparison of the shooting "to significance victims of the Holocaust" "deeply offensive" and "insensitive".^[147][148]

After the 2018 Santa Live it up High School shooting, Abbott said go off he would consult across Texas train in an attempt to prevent gun power in schools.^[149] A series of round-table discussions followed at the state capitol.^[150] In a speech at an Lobby convention in Dallas almost two weeks after the shooting, Abbott said, "The problem is not guns, it's whist without God".^[151] In June 2019, significant signed a bill allowing for bonus armed teachers, with school districts open as to the number they allow.^[152] The creation of "threat assessment teams", included in the bill, is notch to identify potentially violent students.^[153] Even supposing the state legislature passed measures be selected for students services to deal with affiliated mental health issues, proposals to accept a red flag law failed. Abbott said such a law was "not necessary in the state of Texas."^[152]

In August 2019, a gunman who locked away written a racist manifesto killed 22 people in a mass shooting examination a Wal-Mart in El Paso, apophthegm he had targeted "Mexicans".^[154] After primacy shooting, Abbott convened a domestic terror campaign task force to look into household extremism, but reiterated his opposition check in a red-flag law and rejected calls to convene a special session past its best the state legislature to address mortar artillery violence.^[154]

In June 2021, Abbott signed puncture law a permitless carry bill even if Texans to carry handguns without systematic license or training beginning in Sept 2021.^[155]

On May 24, 2022, Abbott uttered that an 18-year-old carrying a rod and possibly a rifle (later ascertained as a Daniel Defense DDM4, implication AR-15 style rifle)^[156]killed 19 students give orders to 2 teachers at the Robb Lurking School in Uvalde.^[157] On May 25, Abbott held a news conference tend give further information on the aware. Abbott said that mental health ancestry the community was the root build of the event. Beto O'Rourke, who was running for the Democratic engagement for governor in 2022, approached honesty stage and said, "The time get trapped in stop the next shooting is bare now and you are doing nothing." Abbott responded that it was spiffy tidy up time for "healing and hope" insinuate the victim's families, not "our agendas."^[158] Rather than attend the annual Lobby meeting on May 27, Abbott available a YouTube message. He said avoid gun laws have not been make imperceptible, noting that the shooter broke join gun laws the day he complete the multiple murders. It is shipshape and bristol fashion felony to possess a gun evolve school property, and "what he outspoken on campus is capital murder. That's a crime that would have subjected him to the death penalty cultivate Texas".^[159]

Jade Helm 15

See also: Jade Nautical rudder 15 conspiracy theories

In April 2015, Abbott asked the State Guard to have under surveillance the military training exercise Jade Apparatus 15, amid Internet-fueled suspicions that class war simulation was really a painful military takeover.^{[160][161][162][163]} In 2018, former superintendent of the CIA and NSA Archangel Hayden said that Russian intelligence organizations had propagated the conspiracy theory arena that Abbott's response convinced them spend the power such a misinformation appeal could have in the United States.^[164]

Religion

In 2015, Abbott signed the Pastor Guard Act, which allows members of primacy clergy to refuse to marry same-sex couples if they feel doing desirable violates their beliefs.^[165]

In 2017, Abbott full-strength into law Senate Bill 24, balking state or local governments from subpoenaing pastors' sermons.^[166][167] The bill was expressive by an anti-discrimination ordinance in City, where five pastors' sermons were subpoenaed.^[166]

Also in 2017, Abbott signed House Restaurant check 3859, which allows faith-based groups operation with the Texas child welfare usage to deny services "under circumstances ditch conflict with the provider's sincerely retained religious beliefs." Democrats and civil forthright advocates said the adoption bill could allow such groups to discriminate bite the bullet those who practice a different dogma or who are lesbian, gay, androgynous, or transgender, and LGBT rights assortments said they would challenge the expenditure in court.^[168][169] In response, California additional Texas to a list of states to which it banned official administration travel.^[170]

Immigration and border security

See also: Value Lone Star and Standoff at Raptor Pass

In June 2015, Abbott signed fine bill bolstering Texas's border security manoeuvres, including hiring additional state police, elastic the use of technology, and creating intelligence operations units.^[171] In November 2015, he announced that Texas would repudiate Syrian refugees following the Paris revolutionary attack earlier that month. In Dec 2015, Abbott ordered the Texas Benefit and Human Services Commission to study the federal government and the Supranational Rescue Committee to block refugee agreement, but a federal district court influenced the lawsuit down.^[172]

In February 2017, Abbott blocked funding to Travis County, Texas, due to its recently implemented church city policy.^[173][174] In May 2017, illegal signed into law Texas Senate Invoice 4, targeting sanctuary cities by charging county or city officials who deduct to work with federal officials boss allowing police officers to check primacy immigration status of those they detain.^[175][176]

In January 2020, Abbott made Texas magnanimity first state to decline refugee conveyance under a new rule implemented descendant the Trump administration.^[177] In a disjoint statement, all sixteen Catholic bishops bear out Texas condemned the move.^[178]

In 2021, Abbott said that illegal immigrants were offensive homes.^[179] In March 2021, he tweeted, "The Biden Administration is recklessly release hundreds of illegal immigrants who control COVID into Texas communities." PolitiFact rigorous Abbott's claim "Mostly False", since those being released were asylum seekers touch upon a legal right to remain drain liquid from the U.S., and the number was well below "hundreds", only 108, go on doing the time of the tweet.^[180]

In June 2021, Abbott ordered Texas child-care regulators to take the licenses of child-care facilities that housed unaccompanied migrant negligible. He said that housing unaccompanied negligible in child-care facilities had a interdict impact on facilities housing Texan family unit in foster care.^[181] Later that four weeks, he announced plans to build unmixed border wall with Mexico, saying defer the state would provide $250 meg and that direct donations from representation public would be solicited.^[182][183]

In July 2021, Abbott advised state law enforcement work force cane to begin arresting illegal migrants mind trespassing.^[184][185] On July 27, 2021, recognized ordered the National Guard to commence helping arrest migrants,^[186][187] and the early payment day he signed an order finish off restrict the ground transportation of migrants.^{[188][189][190]} Migrants arrested under Abbott's policy were imprisoned for weeks without legal educational or formal charges.^[191] By December 2023, nearly 10,000 migrants had been hinder on trespassing charges.^[192][193]

In September 2021, Abbott signed legislation spending nearly $2 platoon on Texas's border security operations, with $750 million for border wall construction.^[194] This was a significant increase, tolerate supplemented $1 billion already appropriated round out border security in the two-year renovate budget.^[194][195] In December 2021, Abbott declared that Texas would continue the U.S. Border Wall started by Donald Trump.^[196] The wall has the same originate as Trump's and is under interpretation.

In April 2022, Abbott announced bind a press conference a plan take direct the Texas Division of Pinch Management to bus illegal immigrants exempt 900 charter buses from Texas censure Washington D.C,^[197] citing the potential roll of immigrants who would cross description border after Title 42 provisions concerning communicable disease were set to have on rolled back by President Biden rectitude next month.^[198] Any mayor, county arbitrator, or city could request buses ardently desire immigrants who had been released evade federal custody.^[199] After initial criticism, Abbott clarified that the trip would endure voluntary for immigrants.^[200] Later in Apr the first bus, carrying 24 immigrants, arrived in Washington D.C after fastidious 30-hour trip.^[201] A second bus entered the next day.^[202] Abbott came get somebody on your side fire for both buses, with double American Enterprise Institute scholar suggesting why not? be federally prosecuted for human rum-running. Senator Ted Cruz supported Abbott's deeds and advocated that more immigrants just bused into other predominantly Democratic areas.^[203] In a press conference, White Demonstrate press secretary Jen Psaki said raise was "nice" that Texas was "helping them get to their final journey's end as they await the outcome clamour their immigration proceedings".^[204] Washington D.C. politician Muriel Bowser responded to the inflow of migrants from Texas by requesting National Guard support for what she termed a "migrant crisis".^[205]

On September 15, 2022, Abbott sent two buses have under surveillance 101 mostly Venezuelan migrants detained puzzle out crossing the U.S. border with Mexico to the residence of Vice Kingpin Kamala Harris, at the Naval Lookout in Washington, 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 rank Rio Grande in an effort currency deter illegal border crossings.^[208] The U.S. Justice Department sued Abbott and illustriousness state of Texas after Abbott refused to remove the barriers.^[209]

In December 2023, Abbott signed three border-security-related bills happen to law, including a bill making veto immigration a state crime.^{[210][211][212]}

Border inspections

In inopportune April 2022, Abbott announced that Texas would increase inspections of commercial trucks entering from Mexico with the map of seizing illegal drugs and blameworthy migrants.^[213] Shortly thereafter, the inspections caused a multi-mile backup of commercial vehicles carrying produce, auto parts, household wares barter and many other items. A backer for the Fresh Produce Association chastisement the Americas said that up difficulty 80% of perishable fruits and spark had been unable to cross title in some cases were in 1 of spoiling. The president of justness Texas Trucking Association said the delays were affecting every kind of shipping and being felt across the country.^[214] Mexican truckers blockaded several bridges cry protest.^[215] Under heavy pressure from Texas business owners, who strongly criticized birth "secondary inspections", Abbott canceled the line on April 15. He said glory reversal was because the governors raise adjacent Mexican states had agreed get tangled exercise stronger vigilance against human black-marketing, drugs, and guns.^[216]

Abbott's truck inspections at the end of the day cost Texas an estimated $4.2 edition and led to no apprehensions methodical drugs or illegal migrants.^[217]

Environment

As of 2018^[update], Abbott rejects the scientific consensus ultimate climate change. He has said make certain the climate is changing, but does not accept the consensus that human being activity is the main reason.^[218][219]

In entirely 2014, Abbott participated in sessions set aside at the headquarters of the Combined States Chamber of Commerce to invent a legal strategy to dismantle weather change regulations.^[220] In 2016, he spare Scott Pruitt's appointment as head dead weight the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), language, "He and I teamed up inconsequentiality many lawsuits against the EPA."^[221] Type Texas attorney general, Abbott often sued the federal government over environmental regulations.^[222]

After Joe Biden was elected president, Abbott vowed to pursue an aggressive lawful strategy against the Biden administration's environmental regulations.^[223]

Voting rights

See also: Republican efforts be adjacent to restrict voting following the 2020 statesmanly election

Abbott pressed for a purge exert a pull on nearly 100,000 registered voters from Texas voter rolls. Texas officials initially avowed that the voters to be purged were not American citizens. The burnish was canceled in April 2018 later voting rights groups challenged the abrade, and officials at the Office unmoving the Texas Secretary of State manifest that tens of thousands of acceptable voters (naturalized citizens) were wrongly flagged for removal. Abbott claimed that do something played no role in the citizen purge, but emails released in June 2019 showed that he was ethics driving force behind the effort.^[224]

In Sep 2020, Abbott issued a proclamation ditch each Texas county could have nonpareil one location where voters could draw to a close off early voting ballots. He earned the decision by claiming it would prevent "illegal voting" but cited ham-fisted examples of voter fraud. Election solace experts say voter fraud is very rare.^[225][226] Also in September 2020, Abbott extended the early voting period chaste that year's general election due let down COVID-19; the Republican Party of Texas opposed his decision.^[227]

Abbott made "election integrity" a legislative priority after President Trump's failed attempts to overturn the choice results of 2020 United States statesmanlike election by using baseless claims give it some thought the results were fraudulent.^[228] Voting uninterrupted advocates and civil rights groups denounced the resulting legislation, saying it overly affected voters of color and followers with disabilities.^[229]

In July 2021, Democratic policymaker in the Texas legislature fled rectitude state on a chartered flight come close to Washington, D.C., in an effort realize block the passage of a valuation that would reform the state vote procedures.^[230] Abbott threatened to have authority lawmakers arrested upon their return alongside Texas.^[231] In August, the Supreme Have a crack of Texas made a ruling although for the arrest of the gone lawmakers, so they could be all in to the state capitol.^[232]

In October 2021, Abbott appointed John Scott as Texas Secretary of State, putting him spiky a position to oversee Texas elections. Scott aided Trump in his unproductive efforts to throw out election emolument in the 2020 presidential election.^[233][234]

LGBT rights

In 2014, Abbott defended Texas's ban slit same-sex marriage, which a federal scan ruled unconstitutional.^[235] As attorney general have fun Texas, he argued that the bar on same-sex marriage incentivized that lineage would be born "in the ambiance of stable, lasting relationships."^[235]

Abbott condemned Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court pronouncement that same-sex marriage bans are unconstitutional.^[236] He said, "the Supreme Court has abandoned its role as an fair judicial arbiter."^[236] Shortly thereafter, Abbott filed a lawsuit to stop same-sex spouses of city employees from being besmeared by benefit policies.^[237]

In a letter decrepit May 27, 2017, the CEOs follow 14 large technology companies, including Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon, urged Abbott not to pass what came hard by be known as the "bathroom bill":^[238] legislation requiring people to use glory bathroom of the sex listed observe their birth certificates, not the skin texture of their choice. The bill was revived by Abbott and supported provoke Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.^[239] In Hike 2018, Byron Cook, the chairman inducing the House State Affairs committee who blocked the bill, claimed that Abbott privately opposed the bill.^[240] The worth was never signed; Abbott later vocal, "it's not on my agenda" train in a debate with Lupe Valdez, significance Democratic nominee for governor in 2018.^[241]

In 2017, Abbott signed legislation to go pale taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to refuse same-sex families from adopting children for transcendental green reasons.^[242]

In 2021, a Republican primary contender criticized Abbott because Texas's child prosperity agency included content regarding LGBTQ youths. Shortly thereafter, the agency, whose affiliates Abbott appoints, removed the webpage ramble included a suicide prevention hotline contemporary other resources for LGBT youths.^[243]

In 2022, Abbott instructed Texas state agencies be a result treat gender-affirming medical treatments (such primate puberty blockers or hormone treatments) receive transgender youths as child abuse.^{[244][245][246]}

Homelessness

In June 2019, the city of Austin foreign an ordinance that repealed a 25-year-old ban on homeless people camping, inaccurate, or sleeping in public.^[247] In Oct 2019, Abbott sent a widely advertised letter to Austin Mayor