Ask Speaker Phelan and your State Rep. to ban Democrat committee chairs
Texas Speaker Dade Phelan
November 21, 2022 | Austin, TX
The decision whether to ban Democrats from chairing Texas House committees will likely receive a vote in the first few days of the session via an amendment to the proposed House rules. Currently, the Speaker awards chairmanships to Democrats as well as Republicans.
Last session, despite a Republican majority, approximately 40 percent of House committees were chaired by Democrats. This must change if we are to pass meaningful legislation.
Why is this such an important issue?
Democrats in leadership have a pulpit and significant power over legislation. They control what bills are heard and what bills are voted upon.
Democrat chairs fundraise off their chairmanships and use that money to defeat Republicans during elections.
There are eight current Democrat members of the LGBT caucus who are committee chairs. If any of our bills to protect children from sexual orientation and gender ideology indoctrination end up in their committees, they will not advance.
When the Democrats broke quorum last session and fled to Washington D.C., Speaker Phelan indicated their chairmanships could not be revoked. So, if he is re-elected Speaker, he will not remove them, no matter what they do in their positions.
For a summary of the issue, click here to watch Rep. Brian Harrison’s recent appearance on Newsmax.
What can you do to encourage our representatives to vote for a rule change?
If you have not already done so, send a handwritten postcard to Speaker Phelan, asking that he not appoint Democrat committee chairs. The address is PO Box 2910, Austin, 78768. Also, send a postcard to your own Representative - it's the same address.
After you've sent a postcard, make phone calls to your own State Representative and Speaker Phelan's office, asking that they support the rule change to ban Democrat chairs. If they have already come out in favor of the rule change, thank them.
Ask your representative to make a public statement supporting the Ban Democrat Chairs Legislative Priority, such as a Tweet, a Facebook post, or saying it in a public forum.
Speaker Phelan Contact Information - Call either or both:
512-463-1000 (Austin)
409-745-2777 (District Office)
To find your State Representative’s contact information, click here.
Ban Democrat Chairs t-shirt campaign
The Republican Party of Texas has partnered with a Texas small business to sell shirts that say, "Ban Democrat Chairs".
You can order the shirt by clicking here. They are $15 plus $10 shipping. Shipping is a flat rate of $10 no matter how many you order. Post pictures of yourself wearing your shirt with the hashtag, #NoDemChairs to social media.
The Republican Party of Texas Legislative Committee will be in Austin the week of opening session, Jan. 10 - 12, wearing these shirts and meeting with Representatives. They would love for you to join them and participate.
Contact info@texasgop.org with questions.