Texas speaker criticized for blocking amendments, appointing Democratic chairs
https://www.thecentersquare.com/texas/te...ontent=headline
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor Jan 12, 2023

Texas Abortion

Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont
Eric Gay | AP file photo

(The Center Square) – Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan is facing criticism from conservatives for blocking amendments to House rules that would have prevented him from appointing Democrats to committee chairs.

Phelan, R-Beaumont, was first elected speaker by gaining the support of House Democrats in 2021. He again received their support on Tuesday, when he was re-elected by a vote of 145-3.

Of the House’s 150 members, 86 are Republicans; 64 are Democrats.

Republican voters have overwhelming voted against a process by which the Republican House speaker appoints Democrats as committee chairs. Banning the process is a key priority of the Republican Party of Texas.

Under Phelan’s leadership during the last legislative session, some of the most progressive Democrats were appointed chairs. They in turn blocked conservative bills from being considered. Elected Democrats also absconded to Washington, D.C., in the middle of session, protesting an election reform bill. Their actions cost taxpayers an estimated $1.5 million.

Gov. Greg Abbott called for their arrest, although none were ever arrested. Upon their return, Democrats successfully amended the election integrity bill, which Republicans passed and Abbott signed into law, weakening pre-existing law by lowering the charge for illegal voting from a felony to a Class A misdemeanor.

Phelan said the Texas legislature has an extensive committee process, “allowing for hundreds of riders, and hundreds of floor amendments,” with the House passing the last biennial budget in 2021 by a vote of 149-0.

But knowing hundreds of Texans had planned to attend a House rules debate and vote scheduled for Thursday, when state Rep. Bryan Slaton planned to introduce an amendment to ban Democratic chairs, Phelan moved the rules vote to a day earlier, Slaton said.-- excerpt, rest at link above --