In what has been characterized as an unprecedented move, House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced Monday that members of the Texas House would not vote on the standard housekeeping resolution typically passed at the start of each legislative session. This procedural step, which addresses matters like staff pay and office budgets, also serves as an opportunity for members to propose and vote on amendments addressing House operations.
By opting to bypass a vote, Burrows effectively blocked consideration of numerous pre-filed amendments, some of which touched on high-profile issues.
Texas Scorecard has obtained copies of some of these pre-filed amendments.
Among the amendments that were prevented from reaching the floor for discussion were the following:
- Requiring all House employees to be U.S. citizens
- Restricting restroom access in the House chamber based on biological sex
- Prohibiting staff from enforcing the use of “preferred pronouns”
- Reducing office budgets if the House does not deliver at least $12 billion in property tax relief this session
- Banning alcohol in any House offices, including the Speaker’s
- Mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in the House chamber
Speaker Burrows has stated that office budgets, including a proposed increase for Democrat vice chairs, will be adjusted without requiring member input.
However, the lack of discussion and transparency on the proposed amendments is likely to remain a topic of debate as the session continues. On Tuesday, Burrows refused to answer questions from State Reps. Brian Harrison, David Lowe, Brent Money, and Andy Hopper about the issue.
