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They just made Dustin Burrows the Speaker. He's Republican, and swore a few years ago that he would make Texas a 2nd Amendment sanctuary state. He had some Democrat support, mainly because they wanted to keep their committee chair positions. However, they ALSO passed a new House rule that only members of the current majority party (i.e. Republicans) could lead committees.

Sounds pretty promising, you think?

I think we won't really know until the Legislative Session is over and see what they accomplished to further liberty and freedom.

There was a lot of hair pulling between Burrows and Rep. David Cook. Cook was selected by the Republican Caucus, and the caucus said that the Speaker should only be chosen ONLY by the party in power*. Burrows cobbled together a coalition from both parties, and was able to get a majority of the membership (49 Democrats and 36 Republicans) to vote for him. He’s also been involved in multiple business dealings with former Speakers Phelan and Bonnen.

The new rules for the House, which were passed yesterday ban Democrats from chairing committees. Republicans hold a 88-62 majority. The new House rules were passed 116-23, which means 28 Democrats voted in favor of the rules. I read that Burrows refused to acknowledge Rep. Troy Tinderholdt, who wanted to make a motion to wait on voting for the rules, because nobody had had an opportunity to read them…the rules were emailed out Thursday morning, and were voted on that day (you have to pass the bill to find out what’s in the bill?). The fact that 28 Democrats were willing to vote in favor of them NOT being able to chair committees tells me they know something the rest of us don’t. Also, while Democrats can’t be a chairman, they can be vice-chair, and will have leadership positions on all committees.

The Republican Caucus also said that anyone who refused to follow their guidelines (Speaker should be elected by only Republicans) can expect to be primaried in the next election cycle.

I think only time will tell how much progress we will see this session.

Sounds good, until you get into the details.
One rule stipulates that only members of the majority party (Republicans) can serve as committee chairs, while members of the minority party (Democrats) would exclusively hold vice-chair positions. This would ostensibly ensure that Republicans lead all standing committees. However, the rules grant significant new powers to vice-chairs, effectively enhancing Democrat influence within the committee system.

Specifically:
The chair of each committee shall schedule the work of the committee and determine the order of consideration of measures and matters referred to the committee in direct consultation with the vice-chair of the committee.

For a detailed analysis, go here:
https://texasscorecard.com/state/propos ... xas-house/

As always, the truth lies not in what they say but in what they do.

I'll crawl out on the limb and suggest that almost none of the Republican agenda, as set forth by the grass roots organizations, will be accomplished in this session. There will be no new 2nd Amendment bills. We can only hope that there are not firearms restriction bills, though I doubt that even the Rhinos responsible for the Speaker outcome are brazen enough to pass those. j

When every Democrat applauds the outcome of the new rules, you know it is not going to be good for any MAGA loving citizen.

Ruark wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2025 3:08 pm They just made Dustin Burrows the Speaker. He's Republican, and swore a few years ago that he would make Texas a 2nd Amendment sanctuary state. He had some Democrat support, mainly because they wanted to keep their committee chair positions. However, they ALSO passed a new House rule that only members of the current majority party (i.e. Republicans) could lead committees.

Sounds pretty promising, you think?

I'll bet Dade Phelan voted against that rule!

Burrows just dropped new rules. Rules that were not voted on by the whole chamber.
Burrows dictated the new rules.
Among other things, the new rule give vice chairmen (Reserved for democrats only.) an additional $4000 budget.
That is your money he is giving to the Texas democrats.

Does anyone still think this guy is a republican?

Despite hard fought primaries, this session is going to be worse as Democrats actually have more power than last session. And just like the last session, an Obama lawyer is the parliamentarian of the "Republican" controlled Texas House:

https://x.com/brianeharrison/status/1884046335344796104

And below image is from freshman Rep. Shelly Luther:
https://x.com/ShelleyLuther/status/1884290066761281831

Chemist45 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:27 am Does anyone still think this guy is a republican?

Yes. It's past time for everyone to understand that the term "RINO" applied to elected republicans like Burrows is a misnomer. "Republican In Name Only" has morphed into "Democrat Masquerading As Republican". The values of the average elected "republican" more closely align with democrats than the republican voters who elected them.
Expect nothing from so-called republican officials and you won't be disappointed.

Chemist45 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:27 am Burrows just dropped new rules. Rules that were not voted on by the whole chamber.
Burrows dictated the new rules.
Among other things, the new rule give vice chairmen (Reserved for democrats only.) an additional $4000 budget.
That is your money he is giving to the Texas democrats.

Does anyone still think this guy is a republican?

Speaker Burrows Confirms House Rules Were Written by Democrat Lawyer
https://texasscorecard.com/state/speake ... at-lawyer/

The sleazy, slimy republicans always find a way to appease their uniparty associates.