Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is stepping up his race for the U.S. Senate with early voting about to begin in his state. On Monday night the Republican headlines his first scheduled campaign rally since entering the race. Early voting is set to start Tuesday for the March 3 primary. Paxton plans several stops across Texas and has started airing ads that tie him to President Donald Trump. He's seeking the GOP nomination over longtime Republican Sen. John Cornyn and Rep. Wesley Hunt. Republican Senate leaders have spent heavily attacking Paxton over his impeachment and personal scandals. Paxton has drawn national attention for filing lawsuits to pursue conservative issues.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to warn Congress that President Donald Trump is ready to take new military action against Venezuela if the country’s interim leadership strays from U.S. expectations. In prepared testimony for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio says the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela and that its interim leaders are cooperating. But he says the Trump administration won't rule out additional force if needed following its capture of former President Nicolás Maduro to face trial in New York. Also, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing rising calls for her firing or impeachment, and few Republicans are rising to her defense.