WASHINGTON D.C. — The State of the Union is a time for the President to share his administration’s successes so far and to lay out his policy goals moving forward. This year will be no different. Although there was some uncertainty over when the event would actually take place during the recent government shutdown, the State of the Union address will now be held February 5.

As Texans tune in, here are a few things to watch:

Border Wall Funding

Border security and immigration continues to be a top priority for President Trump. Trump will likely talk about his plans to build a $5.7 billion wall along the U.S./Mexico border, much of which is in the state of Texas.

According to the administration's plan, Trump also wants Congress to allocate funds to secure the border:

  • $805 million for technology, canines, and personnel at the border
  • $800 million in humanitarian assistance, medical support, and new temporary housing
  • $782 million to hire an additional 2,750 border agents
  • $563 million to support our immigration court system

Likely, even if the money is allocated as part of the budget, it will require the government to invoke eminent domain to acquire the land on which the wall is to be built, and Texans have a long and storied tradition of fighting that sort of takeover. It will bear watching whether or not the president will address the method by which he intends to complete the project at any point during the speech.

Republicans are standing firm with the President on border security, while Democrats are pushing back against funding any part of a wall. Both sides will be watching closely to see if Trump addresses immigration in a broad, comprehensive way.

Economy

President Trump will also likely tout low unemployment numbers and positive job creation over the past year. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ final monthly Employment Situation Report of 2018, 312,000 jobs were created at the end of December. The report also said a lot of significant job gains were made in education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and in manufacturing.

The President will likely credit a low unemployment rate and the consistent employment gains in 2018 to his administration’s economic policies. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Texas’s unemployment rate held at a steady 3.7 percent in December 2018, which is commensurate with the national average.

NASA

It may be unlikely, but if President Trump added money to NASA’s budget then both parties in Texas would be pleased. Johnson Space Center is located in Houston and is the home of the Mission Control Center for the U.S. human space flight program.

Should the president mention space exploration or any funding for NASA as a part of the new Space Patrol initiative, it would be a reason for Texans to sit up and take notice.

MAIN CONGRESSIONAL PLAYERS

  • Sen. John Cornyn (R)
  • Sen. Ted Cruz (R)
  • Rep. Michael McCaul (R)
  • Rep, Lloyd Doggett (D)
  • Rep. Joaquin Castro (D)
  • Rep. Chip Roy (R)