Free Republic

Just hours after controversial draft rules for the Texas House were released, the chamber rushed through a vote to approve them—without allowing debate or amendments—escalating tensions between reform-minded Republicans and House leadership. As reported earlier today, the proposed rules maintained and expanded a power-sharing arrangement between Republicans and Democrats, granting Democrat vice-chairs significant authority and introducing pathways for Democrat control of new standing subcommittees. While Republicans would only be eligible to serve as chairs, all vice-chairs would be required to be Democrats. The rushed release and subsequent vote raised concerns about transparency and House Speaker Dustin Burrows’ willingness to prioritize...

On Sunday evening, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick unleashed a fiery critique on social media, accusing five key figures—Dade Phelan, Dennis Bonnen, Greg Bonnen (Dennis’ brother and a current House member), Dustin Burrows, and Cody Harris—of running the Texas House like a “personal business” through a revolving door of leadership positions and shared financial interests.