Austin American-Statesman: Texas lawmakers react to Donald Trump Jr.’s contact with Russian

Republican members of the U.S. House representing Central Texas were silent Tuesday on the revelation that Donald Trump Jr. in 2016 sought damaging information on Hillary Clinton from a Russian government official to benefit his father's presidential campaign.

The American-Statesman requested comment from the seven members of Congress representing Central Texas, as well as the state's two U.S. senators. Not responding: U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul, R-Austin; Roger Williams, R-Austin; Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio; Bill Flores, R-Bryan; and John Carter, R-Round Rock. A spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold, R-Corpus Christi, told the Statesman that the situation is developing and that Farenthold, who represents parts of Bastrop and Caldwell counties, did not want to comment without knowing more.

Here's who commented:

"We're conducting an investigation on the Judiciary and on the Intelligence Committees. I'm a member of both those committees and I'm confident we'll get to the bottom of it." — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas

"Washington is obsessed right now. It is the Democratic talking point du jour. But when I go back to Texas, nobody asks about Russia. You know, I've held town halls all across the state of Texas, you know how many questions I've got on Russia? Zero." — U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to reporters on Capitol Hill

"Like a House of Cards, the Trump Administration is being exposed as a House of Lies, compromised by the Russians and seriously jeopardizing our national security. As with Trump's prior repeated duplicities, most Republicans once again sit mute — willing to ignore any wrongdoing in the hope that he will deliver the golden ticket to secure more tax breaks, gratify Wall Street, and deny millions health care access." — U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin