John Cornyn

Cornyn was born in Houston, Texas in 1952, He warned a B.A. from Trinity University in 1973 and a J.D. from St. Mary’s School of Law in 1977, and an LLM from the University of Virginia in 1995. Cornyn was a Bexar County district court judge from 1984 to 1990 and a Texas Supreme Court justice from 1990 to 1997. Cornyn served as Texas attorney general from 1999 until his election to the U.S. Senate in 2002. Cornyn served as the Senate majority whip from 2013 to 2019.[1]

John Cornyn did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteCornyn's campaign website stated the following:Protecting Texas & Securing the BorderFor years, Texas has been under full-scale invasion—not from a foreign army, but from the unchecked flood of illegal migrants pouring across our border. And who opened the gates? Joe Biden and his leftist handlers. So Texas did what Texas does best: We took the job into our own hands and took action. We built the barriers Biden tore down. We deployed our own National Guard. Texas spent $11 BILLION of YOUR tax dollars doing Joe Biden’s job.

Senator Cornyn’s take? It’s time for payback. That’s why Senator Cornyn has demanded that the federal government reimburse the Lone Star State for every penny spent doing the federal government’s job.

Throughout his career, he’s led the fight to restore order at the border and keep dangerous criminals out of our country, including:Authored a key provision of the Laken Riley Act, President Trump’s first law of his second term, ensuring the detention of violent illegal immigrants.Led efforts to crack down on drug cartels, successfully passing laws to combat fentanyl and human trafficking.Fighting to END sanctuary cities, supporting legislation that blocks federal funding to cities that refuse to enforce immigration laws.Protecting LifeSenator Cornyn has been a tireless defender of the unborn, fighting to protect innocent life and stop taxpayer funding of abortion. With a 100% pro-life voting record, he is committed to standing for the rights of the unborn and ensuring that Texas remains a pro-life state.Cosponsored the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, ensuring babies who survive an abortion receive medical care.Fought to make the Hyde Amendment permanent, blocking taxpayer dollars from funding abortionEarned an “A+” rating from Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and a 100% rating from National Right to Life.Defending the Second AmendmentSenator Cornyn has been a champion for gun rights, standing up to the radical left’s attempts to dismantle the Second Amendment and ensure that only criminals have access to firearms. Earned an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association and an A rating from the National Shooting Sports Foundation.Opposed Biden’s gun control agenda, fighting to protect Texans’ right to bear arms.Has been a leader on concealed carry reciprocity legislation, which would allow concealed carry licenses in one state to apply to other states that allow it.Defended President Trump’s nominees for FBI Director and U.S. Attorney General from Democrat attacks during their confirmation processesSupports efforts to remove burdensome rules and fees on silencers.Urged the Trump administration to undo Joe Biden’s unconstitutional rulemaking, including the pistol brace rule and the ghost-gun rule.Defended Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) against Joe Biden’s harmful zero tolerance policy and unconstitutional implementation of “engaged in the business” provisions.Successfully passed into law the Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act to stop the Biden administration’s push to restrict hunting education in schools. Standing With IsraelSenator Cornyn has been a leader in ensuring our allies—especially Israel—have the support they need. He has worked to defend Israel against attacks, crack down on antisemitism here at home, and prevent radical left-wing efforts to delegitimize America’s strongest ally in the Middle East. Cosponsored the Antisemitism Awareness Act to crack down on antisemitism on college campuses.Backed sanctions against Hamas, holding terrorist groups accountable.Strongly supports the Iron Dome to ensure Israel can defend itself.Opposes efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel, including the liberal Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.Championing Texas AgSenator Cornyn is a friend and steadfast advocate for Texas farmers, ranchers, and producers. The Lone Star State has the most farms and ranches in the country, and they know that Senator Cornyn has their back as they do the tireless work of providing food, fiber, and fuel for the entire nation.Introduced Agriculture Secretary and Texan Brooke Rollins at her committee hearing and worked to ensure her confirmation.Actively partnering with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to force Mexico to meet their water delivery commitments for South Texas.Helped lead the passage of Pres. Trump’s U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement to even the playing field for American agriculture producers and consumers.Reduced taxes on family farms through the Trump Tax Cuts and is fighting to renew them.Pushed back against unnecessary EPA regulations that negatively affect agriculture.Fighting back against pests like cattle fever tick and foot and mouth disease by introducing legislation to combat infestations and respond quickly to animal disease outbreaks across the country.Led the charge to protect seed cotton eligibility for the Farm Bill safety net.Voted to successfully end mandatory Country of Original Labeling (COOL) regulations for pork and beef.Unleashing American EnergyTexas’ energy sector is only as strong as those who fight to protect it, and Senator Cornyn has been a fearsome defender of our oil and gas industry at every turn. From promoting job creation through LNG expansion to preserving drilling in the Gulf of America, Senator Cornyn is working in lockstep with the Trump administration to unleash American energy after four years of Joe Biden’s America Last policies.Led the charge to lift the crude oil export ban, transforming Texas’ energy sector.Fought back against Joe Biden’s LNG permitting freeze and applauded President Trump for reversing this horrific decision.Cosponsored legislation to promote nuclear energy and reduce burdensome regulations on oil and gas production in the Gulf of America.Voted for the Keystone XL PipelineSupports drilling in ANWRServed as chief vote counter for passing Pres. Trump’s U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which benefited the Texas energy sector and strengthened North American energy independence.Opposed taxes on windfall profits, which would harm domestic production and lead to an increase in foreign energy dependence..Spoke out against the Green New Deal and other woke policies that would decimate our energy sector.— John Cornyn's campaign website (November 19, 2025)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

John Cornyn did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Cornyn’s campaign website stated the following:

Immigration and Border Security

"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.

Economic & Fiscal Responsibility

"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.

Science & Technology

"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.

Education

"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.

Military & Veterans

"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.

Energy & Environment

"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

"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.

Healthcare

"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."

-Senator John Cornyn

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.

Crime & Law Enforcement

"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.

Click here for information on Senator Cornyn's bill, the Fix NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) Act.

Foreign Affairs & National Security

"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.[14]

—John Cornyn’s campaign website (2020)[15]

Cornyn's campaign website listed the following issues:[16]

Federal Budget and Debt

Excerpt: "For far too long government spending has run amok, resulting in trillion-dollar deficits, a ballooning national debt, and a government that now borrows forty cents out of every dollar it spends from places like China. As our nation continues to head down a fiscally-unsustainable path, Senator Cornyn will keep fighting to preserve the American Dream for the next generation of Texans."

National Defense

Excerpt: "Senator Cornyn is committed to ensuring a strong military that has the resources necessary to meet the challenges our nation faces and preserve our way of life for the next generation of Texans."

Economy and Jobs

Excerpt: "To jump start the economy, Senator Cornyn has introduced plans to live within our means by reforming our convoluted tax code, ease Washington regulations on Texas businesses, and tap into the abundant energy resources we have here at home."

Health Care

Excerpt: "Senator Cornyn believes that the President's health care law must be repealed and replaced with patient-centered reforms that lower costs and increase access. Under the President's health care law, Texans continue to face skyrocketing premiums, employers are abandoning plans to expand and laying off workers, and Washington bureaucrats – not patients and their Doctors – are making treatment decisions."

Tax Relief

Excerpt: "Most folks know you can't tax and spend your way out of a recession, and Senator Cornyn continues to fight the Obama Administration's permanent campaign to raise taxes on Texas families and small businesses. He has consistently voted to protect taxpayers, allowing Texans to keep more of their hard-earned money in their wallets instead of sending it to Washington."