This past week Senator John Cornyn addressed the Austin Chamber of Commerce and gave an update on the state of Congress. Cornyn, Texas’ senior senator and the No. 2 Republican in the upper chamber, spoke at length about issues in Washington and how they relate to Austin.

He talked about the importance of creating an environment that helps businesses grow, expand, and create jobs. In particular, he touched on how a prosperous economy will help improve schools, infrastructure projects, and spur economic development while arduous government regulations stifle expansion. He observed:

"Texans know this isn’t the recipe for economic growth. We’re an economic powerhouse because when our entrepreneurs dream big, we help, not hinder, them. We encourage that type of innovation and thinking. Having low taxes, and a commonsense regulatory environment contributes to that."

Specifically, he mentioned the "Small Business Taxpayers Bill of Rights Act," legislation Cornyn sponsored that would lower taxes and reduce constricting regulations.

A Houston native, Cornyn is a graduate from Trinity University and St. Mary's University School of Law. Cornyn was a Judge on Texas' 37th District Court from 1985 to 1991, until he was elected an associate justice of the Texas Supreme Court, where he served 1991 to 1997. In 1998, Cornyn was elected Attorney General of Texas, serving one term until winning a seat in the U.S. Senate in 2002. He was re-elected to a second term in 2008 and to a third term in 2014.

Click here to view photos from this event.