Grassroots conservatives are planning a return trip to the Texas Capitol on the opening day of the state’s 89th Legislative Session to show support for a new House speaker and repeat calls for the Republican-led chamber to ban Democrat committee chairs.
The Texas GOP committee Ban Democrat Chairs is organizing the January 14 event.
“To ensure our Republican legislature stands firm and does what is right, buses from around the state will be chartered to the Capitol on the opening day of session, alongside car caravans and individual supporters,” according to a website dedicated to the legislative priority.
Once House members select a speaker, they can vote on rules—including whether to stop awarding committee chairmanships to Democrats.
The Texas House is one of the only legislative bodies in the country that grants powerful positions to the opposing party.
GOP activists argue that a majority of Texans did not elect Democrats, nor did they elect Republicans to give away their power to Democrats.
Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan killed a vote on the issue last session.
At their convention this year, Republicans again made it a legislative priority to ban Democrat committee chairs.
North Texas conservative leader Brandon Burden is coordinating the bus trips to Austin on opening day.
Burden told Texas Scorecard they plan on chartering 10-20 buses.
The grassroots activist, pastor, and author believes Christians should be actively engaged in civil government at all levels.
During the 2023 legislative session, Burden’s group Daniel Nation organized multiple bus trips that took hundreds of activists to the Texas Capitol to advocate for conservative priorities.
Burden also organized a bus trip to Phelan’s district to campaign for Phelan’s primary opponent.
Phelan won re-election to his House seat, but withdrew Friday from the current speaker race.
Members of the House Republican Caucus will meet Saturday to vote on their preferred candidate for speaker.
“Whoever gets elected speaker, we’re going to make our voice loud and clear: we don’t want Democrats chairing committees,” said Burden.
He added that lawmakers can expect conservatives from across Texas to have a regular presence at the Capitol next session to advocate for GOP priorities.
“The grassroots are very motivated,” he said.
Burden will be speaking about opportunities for citizens to engage in the upcoming legislative session at the Southwest Dallas County Republicans meeting on Tuesday, December 10,
