Senator John Cornyn

Senator Cornyn has worked across party lines to find common sense solutions to problems facing Texas and America, and to reform the way Washington works. He is determined to reduce the excessive partisan bickering in Washington. Senator Cornyn regularly cooperates across party lines, without compromising his principles, to advance Texas interests.

The OPEN Government Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., led the bipartisan effort to enact the most sweeping expansion in decades of the laws guaranteeing citizen access to the workings of their government. TheOPEN Government Act, signed into law in 2007, increases transparency and accountability, and combats government secrecy. They have introduced several other bills to shed sunshine on government, including legislation to further reform FOIA, disclose presidential records, and improve communications between the White House and Justice Department regarding investigations.

The Veterans’ Housing Benefits Enhancement Act

Senator John Cornyn and Senator Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, introduced The Veterans’ Housing Benefits Enhancement Act to assist wounded service members and their families. Senator Cornyn authored provisions that were enacted into law in 2008 to help burn victims and other wounded service members obtain housing and automobile adaptation grants assistance.

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act Modernization

Senator Cornyn joined Intelligence Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and a bipartisan majority of the Senate in supporting legislation to modernize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The bill provides American intelligence professionals with additional tools to gather critical information to detect and deter terrorists. It was enacted into law in 2008.

The Military Citizenship Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced The Military Citizenship Act, which accelerates the citizenship process for non-citizens who serve in the military. He believes those who help defend this country should be first in line for citizenship. In 2003, this became Senator Cornyn’s first legislation enacted into law.

The Fight to End Human Trafficking

Senator Cornyn and Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., introduced a resolution making January 11^tha National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. The legislation’s was enacted in 2007, and the first day of awareness was observed in January 2008. Senator Cornyn has introduced or supported several other bipartisan efforts to crack down on human trafficking and sex slavery, including The Stop Trafficking of Persons (STOP) Act, The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, which was enacted into law in 2003 and The End Demand for Sex Trafficking Act, parts of which were enacted into law in 2005.

The Risk-Based Homeland Security Grants Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., spearheaded efforts to change homeland security funding allotment so it is based more on risk assessment. Their legislation would allow states like Texas to receive a fairer share of port and other security resources. They introduced TheRisk-Based Homeland Security Grants Act, and their work led to reforms that have benefited Texas.

The Secure Fence Act and Border Security Enhancement

Senator Cornyn and a bipartisan majority of 80 Senators, including Obama and Clinton, supported legislation to provide the resources to better secure the border. Following passage of The Secure Fence Act, Senator Cornyn worked closely with public officials and community leaders to ensure that local views and ideas are considered as we regain control of our borders. He also pushed legislation that helped lead to enactment of provisions to double the Border Patrol to 18,000 agents, increased funding for law enforcement, and promoted technology and other security measure solutions.

The Gang Abatement and Prevention & Going After Nefarious Gangs (GANG) Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., backed The Gang Abatement and Prevention Act and The Going After Nefarious Gangs (GANG) Act, which establish new criminal laws and tougher penalties to deter and punish members of street gangs. Both bills also provide funding for gang enforcement, prevention and intervention programs. The GANG Act passed the Senate in 2007.

Assisting Families Caring for Wounded Military Service Members

Senator Cornyn and Senator Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., introduced an amendment to assist families caring for wounded service members. The measure, approved by the Senate, requires the Secretary of Defense to provide an assessment to the relevant Congressional oversight committees on the need for additional employment assistance or protection for a family member caring for a wounded service member.

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., introduced TheFamily Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which will lead to healthier young people and reduced health care costs. This legislation provides the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco products to assist smokers in quitting and prevent marketing of tobacco products to minors.

The Genocide Accountability Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., introduced TheGenocide Accountability Act, which closed a loophole in federal law that prevents the U.S. Justice Department from prosecuting people in the United States who have committed genocide in other countries. It was signed into law in 2007. Senator Cornyn has supported numerous other bipartisan efforts to fight genocide in Darfur, including The Sudan Divestment Authorization Act, The Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, and legislation urging China to help stop genocide and violence in Darfur.

The Protection of Homes, Small Businesses and Private Property Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Bill Nelson, D-Fla., introduced TheProtection of Homes, Small Businesses and Private Property Actto protect property rights in response to the Supreme Court’s controversial 2005 Kelo v. New London ruling. The legislation would prevent the power of eminent domain for private use, or land takings to advance private economic development purposes, consistent with the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.

Defending Texas Border Patrol Agents Ramos and Compean

Senator Cornyn and Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., are leading the efforts to secure a sentence commutation for El Paso Border Patrol agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean. The Senators have repeatedly urged President Bush to commute the sentences, particularly following the guilty plea of a drug smuggler who had an altercation with the agents. Senator Cornyn believes that the case raises numerous unanswered questions, and the punishment of Ramos and Compean does not fit the crime.

The Child Support Protection Act

Senators Cornyn and Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., introduced The Child Support Protection Act toprovide state agencies the assistance to build upon improvements in collecting child support payments.

The Workforce Health Improvement (WHIP) Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, introduced TheWorkforce Health Improvement (WHIP) Act to encourage healthier lifestyles in the workforce, ultimately reducing health care costs. The bill would correct an inequity in the tax code, allowing employers to deduct the cost of both on and offsite fitness centers on a pre-tax basis.

The Artists’ Rights and Theft Prevention Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., led the effort to give artists greater protection from copyright piracy. They introduced The Artists’ Rights and Theft Prevention Act, which was enacted into law 2005.

The Federal Research Public Access Act

Senator Cornyn and Senator Joe Lieberman, D/I-Conn., introduced The Federal Research Public Access Act toincrease taxpayers’ access to federally funded research. The bill requires every federal agency with an annual research budget of more than $100 million to implement a public access policy.

The Drug Sentencing Reform Act

Senator Cornyn joined Senators Mark Pryor, D-Ark., and Ken Salazar, D-Colo., in introducing The Drug Sentencing Reform Act, which wouldupdate the law to make it more effective in cracking down on drug use given current trends.

The Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act

Senator Cornyn and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., introduced The Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act to strengthen the enforcement of U.S. federal laws aimed at combating betrayals of public dollars and public trust. The bill makes substantive changes to public corruption laws and gives prosecutors new tools to use in their battle against corrupt officials.

The Patent Reform Act

Senator Cornyn joined Patrick Leahy, D.-Vt., and others in introducing The Patent Reform Act, which protects American innovation and competitiveness by making key reforms to the patent system.

Renewing Bipartisanship on Judicial Confirmations

Senator Cornyn led a bipartisan effort with Senator Mark Pryor, D-Ark., when he arrived in the Senate calling for a fresh start on the sometimes acrimonious judicial confirmation process.