Republican Lawmakers Push to Overhaul Texas House Rules to Diminish Democratic Influence

Title: GOP Lawmakers Push to Overhaul Texas House Rules to Diminish Democratic Influence

In a bold move to reshape the dynamics of the Texas House, nearly two dozen GOP state lawmakers and candidates have come together to push for significant changes to the chamber’s rules. Their goal is to further diminish the influence of Democrats and weaken key levers of power used by the current speaker to control the House.

In an open letter titled “Contract with Texas,” the Republican signatories outlined a list of conservative demands aimed at challenging Speaker Dade Phelan’s leadership. They accused Phelan of giving too much power to the Democratic minority and called for a new House leader to commit to their proposed changes.

One of the proposed changes includes ending the practice of appointing Democrats to chair House committees, a move that Phelan defended as a way to prevent gridlock while critics saw it as a sign of his insufficiently conservative record.

The letter, signed by 23 Republicans including primary challengers and incumbents, outlines a dozen changes that would fundamentally transform how the Texas House operates. These changes include ensuring that GOP priorities receive a floor vote before any Democrat bills, limiting the speaker to two terms, and preventing the speaker from distributing political funds.

With Phelan facing challenges from within his own party, the push for these changes reflects a growing bloc of GOP members willing to defy the current leadership. The letter also aims to prevent Democrats from using procedural tactics to hinder conservative legislation, signaling a shift in the chamber’s dynamics.

As the battle for control of the Texas House intensifies, the upcoming speaker election in January of odd years will be a pivotal moment. Recent speakers, including Phelan, have traditionally garnered support from both Republicans and Democrats, but the new “contract with Texas” calls for the next speaker to only solicit support from Republican members.

The outcome of this power struggle will not only shape the future of the Texas House but also have implications for the state’s legislative agenda. With Democrats holding enough seats to block certain items that require two-thirds support, the balance of power in the House hangs in the balance.

As the political landscape in Texas continues to evolve, the fight for control of the House underscores the deep divisions within the Republican party and sets the stage for a contentious battle for leadership in the upcoming session.