Even though Democrats are no longer allowed to chair committees under the new House rules, they still have considerable influence over legislation because of the increased authority of the vice-chair position.
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New Texas House rules would prevent Democrats from holding committee chairs, but it would increase the power of the vice-chairs of those committees.
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Democrats were instrumental in electing Rep. Dustin Burrows as House Speaker, believing they would keep some committee chairs.
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Under the new rules, vice-chairs will have the power to call witnesses to testify at hearings and their own budget.
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New Texas House rules would prevent Democrats from holding committee chairs, but it would increase the power of the vice-chairs of those committees.
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Democrats were instrumental in electing Rep. Dustin Burrows as House Speaker, believing they would keep some committee chairs.
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Under the new rules, vice-chairs will have the power to call witnesses to testify at hearings and their own budget.
Members of the minority party are not allowed to lead committees under new rules for the 89th Texas legislative session.
Democrats who supported Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) for speaker of the House on the grounds that he would designate certain Democrats to chair committees are directly at odds with the rules. Nevertheless, by giving committee vice-chairs more authority, the new regulations enable Democrats to maintain their representation in the House.
Reasons to be concerned:
The Texas House of Representatives’ rules were created by House Resolution 4.
Every legislative session, the House enacts rules that address everything from floor procedures to committee operations to the speaker’s duties and rights. Democrats have previously been nominated to head House committees despite being a minority.
The rules for this session were introduced by Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi).
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Representative Todd Hunter will introduce House Resolution 4 in a speech before the Texas House.
One of the modifications is the clause stating that committee leaders may only be chosen from among members of the House’s dominant political party. Then, a person from outside that party would have to serve as the vice-chair.
The Republican majority in the house is currently 88-62.
One member was present when the new House rules were passed on Thursday, 116-23.
Vice-chairs will have their own budget under the new regulations, and they will be able to designate topics for public hearings as well as invite witnesses to testify.
Vice-chairs were merely a title under earlier regulations.
Now, vice-chairs have the same authority as committee chairs to oversee the creation of impact statements.
Hunter contends that the creation of standing subcommittees under the new house rules will enable the consideration of additional proposals.
Democrats in Texas discuss the House rules vote that forbids Democratic chairs.
What they’re saying:
The modifications, Hunter explained to the other members of the House on Thursday, were an attempt to promote collaboration between committee chairs and vice-chairs.
“If we’re really, truly a body that works together, then this concept works,” Hunter stated. “We were chosen to represent the state of Texas with 150 representatives. It is our responsibility to accomplish something.
Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu stated during a press conference after the House vote that while the party’s strength was diminished, it was still possible for them to participate in the legislative process and have a seat at the table.
Following the House’s vote to enact new regulations prohibiting Democrats from serving as committee chairs, Representative Gene Wu spoke to the media.
“It has hurt Democrats and reduced our power, but at least gives us some ability to interact in the process and have our constituents’ needs met,” Wu stated.
Although he wished to chair a committee, Rep. Ramon Romero (D-Fort Worth) stated that he believed Thursday was a new day for House members who were there to work.
“This is a new day and today the men and women that have always come to Austin that really want to do the work, they voted for this package,” Romero stated.
The regulations allow Democrats an opportunity to push for change, according to Rep. Ann Johnson (D-Houston).
“We have a seat at the table to advocate for true public education and public education funding,” Johnson stated. “We are able to advocate that having the largest percentage of children without insurance is no longer acceptable. We are here to inform you that we will fight to ensure that the state no longer has the highest rates of maternal death and morbidity.
Rep. Jared Patterson put out what is known as the “nuclear option” before to the vote. There would be no discussion and a vote on the resolution if a member had 25 signatures.
“We are not here to play games today,” Patterson declared. “We are here to work.”
The action infuriated Abraham George, the chair of the GOP Party.
“Today, the coalition of House Republicans and Democrats who defied their voters to elect coalition Speaker Dustin Burrows worked to shut down Republicans amending the rules,” George stated. “While they will claim they have banned Democrat chairs, they have instead given the Democrats, the party Texas voters rejected, more power than ever before that’s why the Democrats voted in support of this rules package and of the Burrows regime.”
The backstory
On January 14, 2025, Rep. Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) takes the oath of office as House Speaker. Burrows defeated Rep. David Cook (R-Mansfield) on a vote of 85-55.
During theopening session of the Texas House, 49 Democrats sided with 36 Republicans to vote for Burrows over Mansfield Rep. David Cook.
The Democrats feared that Cook would keep them from holding committee chairs. Historically, a small number of committee chairs have been appointed by the minority party.
Burrows addressed the concerns during his acceptance speech on Jan. 14.
“Every individual. Every member will have a voice. each district. Every district will have a seat at the table,” said Burrows.
Wu said Burrows’ win would make sure the full electorate’s voice was heard.
But not everyone was on board with the election of Burrows as speaker.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said the election was the “first time in our nation s history where the minority partyopenlyelected the speaker of a legislative body instead of the majority party.”
After Thursday’s vote, some Republicans still believe the Democrats have too much power in the House.
How do committees work?
House standing committees fill half of their members by seniority as each House member identifies three standing committees they wish to participate in.
The other half of the committee is filled by speaker appointment. The speaker additionally appoints the committee’s chair and vice-chair.
House members can only serve on two standing committees during a session.
The rules restrict the committee chairs of the State Affairs, Ways and Means and Appropriations committees from serving on additional committees.
The Origin:Information in this article comes from HR4, the Jan. 23, 2025, House Session and previous FOX reporting.
