After Tuesday night’s Republican victory in Texas, the question now arises of whether these newly elected Republican officials will hold to the legislative priorities decided by Texan voters earlier this year.
In June of this year, more than 5,000 voting delegates attended the Republican state convention, approving eight topics to be designated as the legislative priorities for the 2023 session.
However, with the state Legislature historically ignoring these priorities, can Texans rely on Republican representatives to deliver?
Below are the priorities of the Republican Party of Texas:
Protect Our Elections
Since the 2020 election, some of the mail-ballot processing issues have been resolved, but there are still serious concerns with in-person voting equipment and ballots.
Republican voters say they want election integrity so they know that their vote matters and elections are protected.
- Legislation must be passed to restore felony penalties and enact civil penalties for Election Code violations. These penalties would then be enforceable by any Texas jurisdiction.
- Voters must present citizenship verification when they go in to vote to ensure only Texas citizens can vote and the voter is a Texan citizen at the time they cast their vote.
- Legislation must also be passed to restrict the distribution of mail-in ballots so that only disabled, military, and currently out-of-state citizens can obtain and use them.
- The early voting window should also be shortened, with the three-day gap between early voting and Election Day eliminated. Primary elections must be made to be closed elections.
Secure the Border and Protect Texans
Last year was a record-breaking year for illegal border crossings: 2.7 million illegal aliens during the fiscal year. Since President Biden’s inauguration, it was reported that the U.S. Border Patrol apprehended more than 3.8 million illegal aliens at the border, not including the estimated 900,000 “known gotaways.”
Throughout the state of Texas, child and sex trafficking have increased heavily. The open border has allowed for easier and more efficient trafficking methods and protects traffickers from lawsuits and punishments.
Violent crime has skyrocketed throughout the state, as studies show that illegal aliens commit violent crimes at a higher rate than Texans. Criminals are being sent to Texas from other countries, and the open border policy allows them in without checking backgrounds. Cartel violence is also being traced to areas in Texas, and cartel wars and issues continue to affect the state and country.
Fentanyl is also becoming an increasingly severe issue, as cartels and traffickers are able to bring it over the border without being checked and without being incarcerated when revealed. The amount of fentanyl overdoses is growing quickly.
- Texan citizens need to be protected by their government from invasion. The border crisis is constantly growing in severity, and voters want this to be a priority this session.
- Taxpayer dollars must immediately stop going to illegal aliens. Illegal aliens should not be awarded taxpayer money or services, food, or equipment paid for with taxpayer dollars.
- The party also calls on Gov. Abbott to fulfill his duty as governor and declare an invasion of the border, calling upon his constitutional power of Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3. It is his responsibility to protect his citizens from this invasion and the threats it presents.
- And lastly, the GOP explains that “the legislature shall direct the Governor to enter into an Interstate Compact with one or more states for Border Security.”
Ban Gender Modifications on Children
In February, Gov. Greg Abbott moved to have the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) investigate cases of child gender mutilation as child abuse.
However, despite this move, these investigations rarely come to fruition.
One of the most prominent cases that favored the gender mutilation of children was the James Younger case. Earlier this year, a Dallas judge ruled that the mother of the little boy should be allowed to take him out of state, against his father’s will, to have permanent gender-destroying surgeries.
Schools continue to push the transgender agenda, and Texas universities continue to sponsor conferences that push puberty blockers, sex-changing surgeries, and sterilizing hormones.
- Texans want the gender mutilation of children to be put to an end imminently.
- Sterilizing cross-sex hormones, puberty blocks, and surgeries all alter the child’s body permanently. Parents and doctors should not affirm this mental illness or permit children to make permanently harmful medical decisions.
- Any process or drug used to modify and mutilate a child’s gender must be outlawed.
Stop Sexualizing Texas Kids
Texas children are actively being sexualized throughout the state.
Children are given unrestricted access to pornographic literacy both in schools and the children’s sections of libraries. If a parent is disturbed by this and pushes to have a book removed, they are critized for not being “accepting.”
Drag shows “for children” are one of the biggest issues with the sexualization of children in Texas. There are countless such events centered around exposing children to sexually promiscuous activities, words, play, and people. Places of business that host these events refuse to be registered as “sexually oriented businesses,” so investigations on this are ignored.
- Texans want the Obscenity Exemption, Texas Penal Code 43.24(c) and 43.25(f)(2,3), repealed. This exemption allows children access to harmful, explicit, and pornographic materials, and it also allows for sexual performance by a child if it’s for medical, governmental, or educational purposes.
- Legislation must be passed this upcoming session to repeal the exemption and prohibit the teaching, exposure, or discussion of sexual matters (mechanics, feelings, orientations, and “gender identity”) to children.
Ban Democrat Chairs
One of the biggest issues in the Texas Legislature currently is the practice of awarding chairmanships to the minority party, the Democrat Party. This practice has prevented or complicated the passing of conservative legislation for multiple sessions.
The minority party has caused issues with the passing of certain conservative bills—including the Heartbeat Act, bills regarding the right to bear arms, and child-friendly education bills—by simply denying a hearing before they enter the floor for a vote.
- This practice must end so that all legislative Republican priorities are given a fair opportunity to become law.
- Pass legislation that would ban awarding chairmanships to the minority party.
Abolish Abortion in Texas
While many Texans believe abortion has been completely outlawed and is therefore impossible in Texas, that is not the case. There are still severe problems with illegal abortions: out-of-state abortions, companies paying for out-of-state abortions, border clinics opening to Texans, district attorneys refusing to prosecute, and illegally mailed abortion drugs.
- Legislation must be passed to further ensure the right to life and equal protection laws for the unborn.
- Legislation must also be passed to punish DAs for refusing to enforce laws and to protect life when DAs fail to do so.
Defend Our Gun Rights
Last year, Gov. Abbott signed seven bills into law that expanded Texans’ Second Amendment freedom.
Even still, Texan voters want to broaden the protection of their Second Amendment rights.
- Legislation must be passed to remove red-flag laws, federal and state restrictions, and gun-free zones.
Parental Rights and Educational Freedom
Texas voters have made it clear that they believe parents should get the final say in decision-making for their children—school choice is no different. It is the right of the parents to decide what they want their children to be taught and where they want their children to receive their education.
Taxpayer money should follow the child wherever the child’s parents choose to educate them, instead of limiting it to just public schools.
- Legislation should be passed to protect parents’ rights to decide where the school their children, with money following the children, no strings attached.
- There must also be enforcement and penalty mechanisms when these parental rights are infringed upon.
Texans are ready for a difference in the Legislature and legislation in the upcoming session. The legislative session is set to convene on January 10, 2023.
