U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, visited Amarillo on Friday to promote federal investments in agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and health care while addressing immigration, workforce shortages, and the national debt.
The visit underscored Amarillo’s growing role in national priorities, from artificial intelligence to agriculture, amid political debates over shifting federal energy subsidies from wind to natural gas.
At a Chamber of Commerce luncheon hosted by Amarillo National Bank, Cornyn joined broadcaster Brice Sheets for a fireside chat followed by audience questions. The discussion centered on the 2025 omnibus legislation informally dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which funds border enforcement, rural hospitals, data infrastructure, and energy projects.
“It’s great to be back in the Panhandle, where innovation and growth are shaping Texas’ future,” Cornyn said.
Amarillo Mayor Cole Stanley introduced the senator, thanking the Chamber and bank for hosting the event.
“Senator Cornyn’s work brings federal support to our community, driving prosperity,” Stanley said.
Local impact: AI, agriculture, and energy policy Cornyn highlighted the HyperGrid project, a public-private partnership near the Pantex Plant involving Fermi America and Texas Tech University. The AI campus is expected to create more than 500 high-tech jobs and enhance national security through advanced data infrastructure.
“HyperGrid is a game-changer, leveraging Amarillo’s energy infrastructure for AI innovation,” Cornyn said.
The legislation also allocates $300 million to combat the screwworm fly, a pest threatening Texas cattle herds. The funds support sterile fly release programs, credited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with eradicating the parasite in the 1960s.
“Ranchers need these funds to protect herds without delay,” said John Welch, president of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, in a 2025 “AgriLife Today” statement.
The law phases out wind and solar tax credits by 2027 while introducing new tax benefits for fossil fuels, including coal used in steelmaking and carbon capture technology for oil and gas.
A 2025 “Texas Tribune” report warned the shift could raise electricity costs, as natural gas prices outpace those of renewables. Doug Lewin, a Texas energy consultant, noted in the same report that wind and solar met more than half of ERCOT’s peak demand in June 2025.
Judd Messer of the Advanced Power Alliance added that ending wind subsidies could cost Texas $50 billion in clean energy investment and significantly impact rural landowners who rely on lease revenue from wind farms.