John Cornyn Shelves Trump-Named Interstate Bill After Primary Defeat

U.S. Senator John Cornyn announced that the legislation he introduced in May to rename a 1,800-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 287 as Interstate 47—dubbed “Trump Interstate”—will not be a priority for the next seven months. The decision follows Cornyn’s loss in the Republican primary for a fifth Senate term to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

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Cornyn, a four-term Republican, had previously praised President Donald Trump, posting a photo of himself reading *The Art of the Deal* and supporting Trump’s 2022 invasion of Iran. In 2023, however, Cornyn dismissed Trump’s bid to return to the White House. During the 2024 primary, Trump endorsed Paxton, describing him as “the leader of our party.” After the primary, Cornyn said he is “looking forward to working in the private sector” and will support Paxton in the general election.

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• John Cornyn – U.S. Senator from Texas, sponsor of the interstate-renaming bill.

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• Donald Trump – Former president, whose endorsement propelled Paxton’s primary victory and who publicly called Cornyn “disloyal.”

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• Ken Paxton – Texas Attorney General, primary winner, credited Trump for his success.

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• Cynthia Lummis – U.S. Senator from Wyoming, co-sponsor of the bill.

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The targeted route, U.S. 287, handled more than 923 million tons of freight within Texas in 2022. A Texas Department of Transportation feasibility study projected that upgrading the corridor to interstate standards could yield $5.4 billion in travel-cost savings, create over 46,000 jobs, and generate $11.6 billion in annual GDP growth by 2050—a 161 percent return on investment.

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Cornyn told Hearst Newspapers that the bill “may not make into my priorities the next seven months,” emphasizing a shift away from confrontation while pledging to address “areas where we differ.” He also indicated his intent to back Paxton in the upcoming general election. Wyoming Senator Lummis, a fellow Republican, cosponsored the legislation, underscoring its perceived safety and economic benefits. The Texas Department of Transportation study cited above was referenced by Cornyn to justify the project’s potential cost-effectiveness.

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President Trump has publicly derided Cornyn as “disloyal” for supporting Paxton. Cornyn responded by distancing himself from the “Wounded Bear Caucus,” a term used for Republicans ousted by Trump’s influence, and reiterated his long-standing support for the Republican ticket. The internal party tension highlights divergent strategies for honoring Trump’s legacy.

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• “When everyone in Washington told him to abandon me and abandon the people of Texas, he didn’t listen. President Trump is the leader of our party, and his endorsement is the most powerful force in politics.” — Ken Paxton, Texas Attorney General

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• “I'm not part of the, what do they call that, the 'Wounded Bear Caucus,'” — John Cornyn, U.S. Senator

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• “Tonight we’ve come up short,” — John Cornyn, U.S. Senator

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Cornyn is expected to transition to private-sector work while continuing to endorse Paxton’s campaign. The interstate-renaming proposal remains dormant, though supporters such as Senator Lummis may seek to revive it in future legislative sessions.

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