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September 24, 2023
NEWS DIGEST
by Brandon Waltens
Good morning,
In 58-2 vote, the Republican Party of Texas approved a resolution calling on Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan to resign.
The resolution was approved during the Senate Republican Executive Committee meeting in Corpus Christi on Saturday, and cites Phelan’s embrace of the failed impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton as well as his appointment of Democrats to leadership positions:
WHEREAS, Speaker Dade Phelan voted for the impeachment of Attorney General Warren Kenneth Paxton and through his leadership team pressured other House members to vote for the impeachment as well, and continues to defend this action despite the weaknesses of the case as demonstrated in the Senate trial that resulted in General Paxton’s acquittal;
WHEREAS, Speaker Dade Phelan appointed nine (9) Democrats to chair important legislative committees, in direct defiance of the wishes of Republican voters and the Legislative Priorities
of the Republican Party of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Speaker Dade Phelan ignored or actively undermined several GOP priorities during the regular session, failing to prioritize legislation to secure our borders and elections; and
WHEREAS, new leadership is needed in the House of Representatives for the upcoming special session, and potential subsequent special sessions, to ensure that conservative priorities are achieved and members are no longer pressured to act and vote contrary to the platform, principles, and priorities of the Party they represent and its voters; now
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Republican Party of Texas calls on Speaker Dade Phelan to step down from his leadership role as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, and to allow a new Speaker to be elected after a caucus vote in accordance with the Republican Party of Texas Platform; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should Speaker Dade Phelan fail to step down from the Speaker chair for this upcoming special session, the Republican representatives should vote to vacate the chair and allow for a new Speaker who has pledged to honor and support the priorities and principles of the Republican Party to be elected.
On Friday evening, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Phelan is “undeserving of his leadership position.”
The only two members of the SREC to vote against the resolution were Bill Fairbrother and Morgan Graham.
Featured
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton returned to the office this week following his acquittal by the Texas Senate on all impeachment charges last weekend.
Paxton released a statement Friday afternoon saying it is a “great honor to be back at work this week,” while thanking his wife, children, and staff for their support.
State
ERCOT CEO Gives the Embattled Texas Power Grid An ‘A’ Rating
The power grid broke the record for all-time demand several times this summer.
Two Texas Lawmakers Call for Special Session to Secure the Border
State Reps. Harrison and Schaefer are asking Gov. Abbott to call the legislature back immediately.
Dan Patrick: Dade Phelan Needs to Be a Man
Since AG Ken Paxton was acquitted, Patrick has been critical of the House-led impeachment.
Local
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson Switches to Republican Party
Before being elected as mayor in 2019, Johnson previously served a decade in the Texas House of Representatives as a Democrat.
New Braunfels Public Libraries Filled with Sexually Explicit Books
The books were found in both libraries’ youth sections.
Travis County GOP Unanimously Passes Medical Liberty Resolution
Travis County joins Ellis, Dallas, Williamson, and El Paso counties in calling on Gov. Abbott to add the Texas COVID-19 Vaccine Freedom Act to a special session call.
Federal
Will AG Ken Paxton Challenge John Cornyn for US Senate Seat?
Paxton hinted at a possible 2026 challenge in an interview with Tucker Carlson.
Commissioner Sounds the Alarm Over Weaponization of the FEC
In comments to Congress, Commissioner Trey Trainor warns that the federal speech regulator is abusing citizens’ rights.
New Data Shows Thousands More Foreign Nationals Paroled into US Than Reported
A Freedom of Information Act Request from the Center for Immigration Studies discovered that more than 200,000 foreign nationals have flown directly into the U.S.
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Quoting...
"There are no coincidences in Austin."
- Tony Buzbee
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