House Uses ‘Nuclear Option’ To Force Through Rules Empowering Democrats
The rushed release and subsequent vote raised concerns about transparency and Burrows’ willingness to prioritize the party’s agenda.
By Brandon Waltens | January 23, 2025Just 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 the party’s agenda.
During the debate—or lack thereof—State Rep. Todd Hunter attempted to shield Burrows from criticism, claiming that no member, including Burrows, received the rules early. Hunter urged members to direct their frustrations at him instead.
State Rep. Tony Tinderholt proposed postponing consideration of the rules to allow members time to review and amend the 250-page document, as members only received it after 4 a.m. this morning. However, Burrows refused to entertain the motion.
Before amendments could even be offered, efforts were cut off by State Rep. Jared Patterson, who invoked the motion for the previous question, commonly referred to as a “nuclear option.” This rare procedural move immediately ends all debate and forces a vote.
The motion passed 107-35, effectively shutting down any opportunity to discuss or amend the rules.
https://texasscorecard.com/state/house-uses-nuclear-option-to-force-through-rules-empowering-democrats/
