Sen. Cornyn was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in San Antonio, the second of three children. His father was a B-17 pilot in World War II before becoming an Air Force dentist. At various points Sen. Cornyn’s family was also stationed in El Paso, Texas; Biloxi, Mississippi; Washington, D.C.; and Tachikawa, Japan.
Sen. Cornyn graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas with a degree in journalism. After starting as a biology major, hoping to become a doctor, Sen. Cornyn realized science wasn’t his passion and he switched to journalism and worked for the school paper.
Fighting dangerous criminals and providing justice to victims are some of our most important commitments. I will always stand strong for our law enforcement officers, making sure they have the resources needed to keep Texas safe and secure.
Senator John Cornyn
Sen. Cornyn knows firsthand the dedication of the men and women who protect our fellow Texans. While serving as Attorney General of Texas, the state's chief law enforcement officer, Sen. Cornyn created and backed numerous initiatives to strengthen law enforcement, including the groundbreaking Texas Exile program, which increases penalties for criminal gun use by convicted felons, and the Texas Internet Bureau, which targets child predators and human traffickers.
Senator Cornyn has taken his Texas experience to the United States Senate, advocating for issues that bolster law enforcement through his work on the Judiciary Committee. He believes that local, state, and federal authorities must work together as partners to enforce the law, and that they must be given the legal tools and funding resources necessary to do their jobs well. He believes policymakers in Washington, D.C. can learn many commonsense lessons from the successes of the Texas criminal justice system.
We must take immediate action to secure our borders and to fix our broken immigration system. The people of Texas demand results, not more broken promises from Washington.
Senator John Cornyn
As a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which handles immigration and border security issues, Sen. Cornyn is a leader on issues that affect the lives of Texans every day. He strongly believes that securing our southern border must be a top priority in dealing with our national security and our broken immigration system. Sen. Cornyn believes common-sense reforms are needed to improve legal immigration and increase the flow of legitimate trade and travel through our ports of entry.
The role of the government is not to create wealth, but to foster an environment where America's entrepreneurial spirit can thrive and achieve great things. We must help the economy grow, encourage the creation of jobs and opportunities, and help Americans keep more of their hard-earned money to save and spend as they see fit.
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Cornyn believes that the goal of our economic policies should be to create an environment that fosters economic production, job growth, and an increase in real wages.
The key to a prosperous economy is reducing the high level of taxation on Americans and businesses that has stunted their economic growth. Tax relief will allow American businesses to innovate and create jobs, and allow American families to keep more of what they earn. In 2017, the Senate passed the most comprehensive tax reform in the last three decades, and you can learn about this historic legislation here.
Congress must also be careful stewards of your tax dollars, focusing on lowering annual deficits and recovering from our $22 trillion debt so future generations can enjoy the same opportunities available today. By eliminating excessive spending and increasing economic activity over time, we can reduce the current budget deficit.
Our ability to innovate is crucial to the success of our economy and competitiveness with other countries. Investing in science and technology, and increasing our ability to innovate, is an important part of keeping the economy in Texas and America strong.
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Cornyn believes innovation is crucial to our growing economy. Career and technical education are important building blocks that increase America’s competitiveness in a global economy, fostering workforce development here at home.
Instilling a strong foundation of the science, technology, education, and math (STEM) fields in our youth will help them succeed as citizens and individuals in any field they may choose. By investing in science and technology education initiatives, we equip new workers with valuable skills required for success — encouraging innovation and energizing our economy.
Children are our nation's most valuable resource, and it is essential that every child has an equal opportunity to improve their future and develop to their fullest potential through a quality education.
- Senator John Cornyn
As the father of two daughters educated in public schools, Senator Cornyn believes every child deserves the best start in life, and that means access to a first-class education system. He understands the necessity of helping all children achieve their potential and knows that good schools strengthen our society by giving young Texans a strong foundation to help them succeed as citizens and individuals.
Senator Cornyn understands the results we want for our children require accountability for education providers but that federal bureaucracy and red tape keep us from reaching it. That is why his efforts in the Senate are focused on providing states and local school districts the freedom to design innovative, educational programs that fit the needs of each child and individual school districts. He believes higher education provides individuals with opportunities for success and economic mobility, whether that means an associate’s degree, a workforce certification, or a bachelor’s degree and beyond. For this reason, he has supported expanding aid for low-income students, increasing dual-credit or early college courses, and implementing market-based reforms to federal loan interest rates to help students and parents.
As the son of a veteran, I am personally dedicated to looking out for the interests of all military personnel, active and retired, who call Texas home. The honor-bound agreement between our men and women in uniform and our nation does not end at retirement. No veteran should ever be forgotten.
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Cornyn learned the value of patriotic service to our country from his father who spent 31 years in the military, beginning as a B-17 pilot in World War II. Growing up in an Air Force family and moving from base to base, Sen. Cornyn saw firsthand the sacrifices made by those who dedicate themselves to defending freedom at home and abroad.
Senator Cornyn knows our nation can never do enough to repay those who have selflessly served and sacrificed for our country. He is committed to making certain that our nation’s active duty, National Guard, and Reserve military forces receive the best training, equipment, and education, and that our veterans receive the highest-quality health care, services, and benefits they so rightly deserve.
Texas is home to almost one in every 12 U.S. service members, as well as 15 major military installations and several defense production facilities that manufacture critical military aircraft vital to sustaining American air superiority. These programs are good for Texas and good for America, providing thousands of high-paying jobs while producing the tools our military needs to dominate the modern battlefield and keep our nation safe.
We need more energy. Government should get out of the way, let the free market work, and allow more domestic energy production. This would reduce gas prices even in the near-term, expand job opportunities in Texas — a world energy leader — and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Senator John Cornyn
Senator Cornyn is an ardent proponent of maximizing Texas’ and America’s energy resource potential as a comprehensive approach for our nation. In the Senate, he has supported efforts to encourage conservation while increasing the responsible production of our domestic sources of fossil fuels, and exploring alternative sources to make our nation more energy secure.
Texas is the nation’s leading producer of oil and natural gas, and Texas refineries make up almost 30 percent of the nation’s refinery capacity. Texas is also a trailblazer in the area of renewable energy, including wind, solar, and biomass, and our state leads the nation in wind-powered electricity generation capacity. The energy industry is creating millions of American jobs and helping to fuel our economic growth. Senator Cornyn knows that the keys to supporting our robust energy sector include creating a competitive tax and policy environment, providing for a trained workforce, and ensuring sensible regulation.
Senator Cornyn supports environmental policies that ensure economic viability while protecting public health. However, he opposes efforts by federal agencies to expand their regulatory reach beyond their legal authority. Under the Obama Administration, there were numerous examples of EPA overreach and abuse of authority. Senator Cornyn fought those efforts and believes environmental regulations should be based on the best available science and risk-based standards.
Agriculture is vital to the Texas economy; one in seven jobs in our state is related to the agriculture industry. We must ensure that the United States continues to enjoy the safest and most abundant food supply in the world.
Senator John Cornyn
Texas is the leading farming and ranching state, and one in seven jobs in Texas are related to the agriculture industry. Farming and ranching are sewn into the fabric of Texas history and agriculture remains a driver of the Texas economy, and Sen. Cornyn is committed to ensuring Texas agricultural producers have a voice in the Senate.
Texas is the leading farming and ranching state, and one in seven jobs in Texas are related to the agriculture industry. Farming and ranching are sewn into the fabric of Texas history and agriculture remains a driver of the Texas economy, and Sen. Cornyn is committed to ensuring Texas agricultural producers have a voice in the Senate.
When it comes to health care, Texans deserve lower costs, better coverage, and greater access. The status quo is unacceptable. Premiums have skyrocketed, coverage options have disappeared, and small businesses have struggled under crushing taxes and mandates. Texas families need more options, not less, so that they can pick the plan that's right for them.
From introducing bills to lower prescription drug prices to supporting efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare, I have fought in the Senate for everyday Texans worried that an unexpected hospital stay, medical bill, or charge at the pharmacy counter could put a strain on their finances or send them into bankruptcy. By taking decision-making out of the hands of Washington bureaucrats and giving it to states, doctors, and patients, Congress can provide Texans with a health care system that fits their needs.
We must always remember that our government's primary responsibility is to protect and defend the American people and advance the interests of the United States.
Senator John Cornyn
A clear foreign policy strategy is critical as we face a growing number of threats to America’s national security. Senator Cornyn has consistently supported responsible intelligence gathering efforts and constructive diplomatic relationships with strategic partnerships around the world to ensure Texans and all Americans are safe here at home.
Senator Cornyn’s office can offer assistance with federal programs like Medicare or Social Security. In order to help you with these issues, you will have to submit a privacy form located at the bottom of their respective pages. Please click either the Medicare or Social Security link on the left hand side of this page.
If you need assistance with a health care issue, please click the Health Care link on the left side of this page. From that page, you can find detailed information about each of these programs and access the specialized online form you can fill out and submit to Senator Cornyn’s office.
If you are seeking information regarding immigration, visas and United States citizenship, you may wish to review the material provided below. If you still have questions, concerns or difficulties following your review of this information, Sen. Cornyn’s office can offer assistance. If the matter you are experiencing is time sensitive or an emergency, please do not hesitate to call the Dallas office at 972-239-1310.
For students looking to expand their education outside of the classroom, Sen. Cornyn’s office provides opportunities to gain real-world experience and insight into the legislative process.
High school students interested in government can apply to the Senate Page program for a chance to work and study in our nation’s capital.
College students are encouraged to apply to our Senate internship program. Fall, Spring, and Summer internships are available in five of our state offices and in Washington, D.C.
Law students looking to serve as law clerks on the Judiciary Committee can apply for a clerkship in our Washington, D.C office.
If you are experiencing difficulty obtaining a U.S. passport or your application has exceeded the normal processing time, our office can make an inquiry on your behalf with the U.S. Department of State.
Please take a few minutes to read the information below. There are also several links below to the State Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection that may be helpful to you as well.
If you need additional assistance, please fill out and print the online form at the bottom of this page, and return it with a signed privacy release to the Dallas office.
Applying for a Passport
The Passports section of the U.S. Department of State website provides comprehensive information on the application process for passports and passport cards including fees, forms, processing times, application status, lost or stolen passports, and more.
The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air.
Renewing a passport
By Mail — You can renew your passport by mail if you meet all of these criteria. Your most recent U.S. Passport must be:
In Person — If you do not meet all four requirements above, you must submit your passport application in person.
For additional information,
Routine Service: The processing time for routine passport applications is approximately 4-6 weeks from time of application.
Expedited Service: Processing time for expedited service for passport applications, including overnight delivery to and from the passport agency, is approximately 2-3 weeks door-to-door.
Urgent Requests: The nearest Passport Agency schedules appointments if you need your U.S. passport in less than two weeks for international travel, or if you need your U.S. passport within four weeks to obtain a foreign visa. You can make an appointment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by using the automated appointment system at 1-877-487-2778. Appointments are available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today announced the Center for Effective Lawmaking named him one of the top five most effective Republican Senators in the 115th Congress:
“The past two years have been an unmitigated success for the country. We've delivered on promises we made. We've put money back in the pockets of hardworking families. We enhanced community safety and fought for victims. We've modernized infrastructure and supported our men and women in uniform. And I hope we can continue this momentum into the 116th Congress.”
The Center released the following statement congratulating Sen. Cornyn on this honor, which you can read more about here:
“He was very active in sponsoring 65 separate bills, and achieved great success in navigating eight of his sponsored bills through the Senate and into law, including measures that dealt with human trafficking, forensic evidence reporting requirements for sexual assaults, and the reauthorization of the national internet crimes against children task force program,” said the Center for Effective Lawmaking’s Co-Director Alan Wiseman.
The safety and health of Texans is my absolute top-priority, and I’ve been working to ensure state and local officials from Texas cities affected by the Coronavirus have a seat at the table as we work together to keep Texans safe.
I encourage every Texan to be ready for severe weather, especially during hurricane season. It is recommended that you prepare an emergency kit, make a plan, learn local evacuation routes, and always listen to the warnings of local leaders and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
After experiencing Hurricane Harvey, Texans know the force these powerful storms bring with them and how important preparation is leading up to, during, and after landfall.
Here are six basic hurricane preparedness tips from Ready.gov: