Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dustin Burrows announced they are forming joint select committees in the Texas Legislature to examine free speech and civil discourse in higher education, citing the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk as proof of an urgent problem.
“The First Amendment guarantees the freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, of assembly, and of petition,” Patrick said. “It is the First Amendment because it is the foundation of all our rights. In that list, the free exercise of religion is paramount. Take away a person’s right to free exercise of religion and every other right falls quickly.”
Patrick pointed to Kirk’s murder as evidence of those rights under assault.
“Charlie Kirk was my friend. He was assassinated for simply expressing his First Amendment rights. The attack on Charlie was an attack on the First Amendment. Those who cheered his murder are also cheering for the death of America. We cannot tolerate either at our institutions of higher learning.”
Burrows stressed that the assassination, and the way some on college campuses responded to it, demand immediate attention. Videos of students from campuses including the University of Texas at Austin, University of North Texas, and Texas Tech celebrating Kirk’s death circulated on social media last week.
“The political assassination of Charlie Kirk—and the national reaction it has sparked, including the public celebration of his murder by some in higher education—is appalling and reveals a deeper, systemic problem worth examining,” he said. “This disturbing reality underscores the urgency of creating these committees. Charlie dedicated his life to open, respectful dialogue with those he disagreed, and that approach is something we should all celebrate and fight to protect. This committee will help identify ways to better protect the fundamental right of free speech on our campuses, including measures to ensure political gatherings are safe and secure, and its recommendations will guide the Legislature’s policy decisions moving forward.”
The Senate committee will be chaired by State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston), with State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R–Tyler) as vice chair. Other members are State Sens. Cesar Blanco (D–El Paso), Donna Campbell (R–New Braunfels), Bob Hall (R–Edgewood), Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D–McAllen), and Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham).
On the House side, the committee will be chaired by State Rep. Terry Wilson (R–Georgetown). State Rep. Richard Raymond (D–Laredo) will serve as vice chair, along with State Reps. Brad Buckley (R–Salado), Caroline Fairly (R–Amarillo), James Frank (R–Wichita Falls), Shelby Slawson (R–Stephenville), and Senfronia Thompson (D–Houston).
The committees will also monitor reforms already passed during the last legislative session.
But in the wake of Kirk’s assassination, lawmakers argue more must be done to ensure Texas campuses protect open discourse and the First Amendment rights of students and faculty.
