This is the first time in decades that the Texas House won’t have any members of the minority party leading any committees.
AUSTIN, Texas — East Texas representatives, including Rep. Cole Hefner of Mt. Pleasant, are praising Thursday’s vote that bans Democrats from chairing committees in the Texas House.
“It’s a huge win for conservatives going forward,” Hefner said. “All committees will be chaired by Republicans and so it’s something we’ve heard about and yesterday we got it done.”
This is the first time in decades that the Texas House won’t have any members of the minority party leading any committees. While some Republicans are celebrating this move, others like Rep. Daniel Alders are worried it could set a new precedent for partisanship politics.
“I don’t know that these rules will stand in the way of a conservative policy being passed…but rather will allow all members to represent their districts and fight for conservative victories,” a statement from Alders read.
John Barrett, who serves as a political science professor at LeTourneau University, said bipartisanship is becoming less common across the board as political polarization grows.
“There’s been more of a tradition of bipartisanship,” Barrett said. “George W. Bush famously worked with the Democrats in the Texas House when he was governor and so what you’re seeing today is certainly an indicator that we’re moving past that era of bipartisanship and we’re in a more polarized political situation.”
While Democrats won’t be able able to serve as committee chairs, the new rules ensure that the minority party serves as vice chairs on house committees. Both Barrett and Hefner say this keeps Democrats involved in the legislative process.
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