Securing the Border and Keeping Our Communities Safe
When former President Biden refused to secure the border, Charles Schwertner fought back to protect Texans. He helped secure over $6 billion to defend our southern border and passed legislation to give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on drug cartels, terrorists, and human smugglers. Schwertner also helped pass legislation that requires all state agencies to participate in the E-Verify program, ensuring that the State of Texas does not hire illegal immigrants.
As the author of Texas' 287(g) program bill, Charles Schwertner strengthened the enforcement of our immigration laws by ensuring sheriffs partner with ICE through the federal program to help identify, detain, and deport criminal illegal aliens. President Trump lauded Schwertner's bill as a major victory in the fight to crack down on illegal immigration and secure the border.
Lowering and Eliminating Taxes
Charles Schwertner has always fought to lower and eliminate taxes for all Texans. This last session, he joint-authored legislation that would increase the homestead exemption to $200,000 for seniors and $140,000 for non-seniors. He also helped pass laws that compress the maintenance and operations tax rate, empower property owners with tools to challenge and participate in their appraisal process, and rein in out-of-control city and county spending by capping how much they can increase the tax rate without voter approval.
Schwertner also co-sponsored the constitutional amendment making it illegal for Texas to implement a state income tax and passed legislation raising franchise and property tax exemptions for small businesses.
Protecting the Integrity of our Elections
Charles Schwertner believes that safeguarding the integrity of our elections is essential to preserving the foundation of our Constitutional Republic. That's why he helped pass the strongest election integrity legislation in the nation that prevents ballot harvesting and guarantees that only legal ballots are counted. Schwertner is committed to ensuring that Texans have trust and confidence in our election system.
Defending the Second Amendment
As the author of the State's landmark "Constitutional Carry" law, Charles Schwertner is a staunch defender of the Second Amendment. He authored legislation to prevent credit card companies from targeting lawful firearm purchases and legislation to stop Texas from using taxpayer dollars to contract with companies that discriminate against the Second Amendment. He has been "A+" rated and endorsed by the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association (TSRA).
Defending Life and Liberty
As a pro-life champion, Charles Schwertner is committed to protecting innocent human life. He passed legislation that prohibits dismemberment abortions and the selling of fetal tissue, and joint-authored the heartbeat bill, which outlaws any abortion when a heartbeat is detected.
Protecting Texas Land and Private Property Rights
Charles Schwertner comes from six generations of farmers, ranchers, and landowners and has witnessed how eminent domain can easily be abused. That's why he authored legislation that permanently protects the private property rights of all Texans against big government abuses of eminent domain.
Schwertner also joint-authored legislation to stop the threat posed by foreign adversaries like China, who have tried to gain a foothold in our state by buying up our farmland and land near military bases.
Empowering Parents and Improving Education
As a public school graduate himself and father of three graduates, Charles Schwertner knows the importance of classroom excellence. He helped deliver the largest increase in public education funding in Texas history, raised teacher pay, and passed legislation expanding career and technical education so students can pursue high-demand jobs immediately after graduation.
Charles Schwertner also co-authored landmark legislation to establish school choice, empowering Texas families with the freedom to send their children to a school that fits their educational needs.
Safeguarding Texas Children
Charles Schwertner stood up to the liberal left and banned gender modification surgeries on minors, safeguarding children from these permanent and irreversible procedures. He also co-authored legislation to keep sexually explicit books out of our school libraries and empower parents with the freedom to review and restrict their child's access to certain materials.
Schwertner has also worked to protect Texas children by increasing funding for Child Protective Services and fighting to protect children at risk of abuse or neglect.
Strengthening The Electric Grid
After Winter Storm Uri, Charles Schwertner was appointed Chairman of the Senate Business and Commerce Committee, where he led efforts to reform and strengthen the Texas electric grid. As Chairman, he passed critical legislation to strengthen the State's prevention of and preparation for energy emergencies, encourage the construction of new and reliable power generation, and protect the grid from cyber and physical threats by foreign adversaries.
Charles Schwertner also sponsored legislation to build upon President Trump's "Nuclear Renaissance" in Texas, encouraging the development and construction of nuclear energy to bolster future energy security and economic growth.
Protecting Seniors from Abuse
Charles Schwertner played a leading role in fighting to protect seniors from abuse and neglect. He passed legislation establishing a "three strikes" policy that requires the Department of Aging and Disability Services to revoke the operating license of any Texas nursing home after three serious violations of abuse or neglect of a senior.
