Texas GOP Infighting Increases After House Rules Package Vote

GOP members in the Texas House are pointing the finger at each other and directing accusations of empowering Democrats. The GOP infighting comes after the Texas House approved a measure banning minority party chairmanships as part of its new House rules.

The decision to ban minority party chairmanships has since fueled internal Republican discord, causing GOP members to be at odds with each other. Some Republican lawmakers touted the vote as a step toward advancing conservative priorities, but others disagree. Some Republicans instead warn that the vote has inadvertently bolstered Democratic influence by allowing Democrats to take on empowered vice-chairmanships.

Under the new rules, Democrats are not able to chair committees, but the vote also allocated every vice-chair position to minority party members.

Taking to social media to criticize the move, State Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R) alleged that the vote expanded Democratic power rather than curbing it.

“Some Republicans are bragging about banning Democrat chairs,” he wrote on X. “What they are failing to tell voters is that they then gabe all of the approximately 30 vice chairmanships to only Democrats & an additional $2.88 million biannually & even more power than they ever had with 8-9 chairmanships. Don’t fall for it!”

However, not all Republicans agree. Some Republicans like State Rep. Jared Patterson (R) instead blame State Rep. David Cook (R) for empowering Democrats.

The state congressman defended the rules package, emphasizing his support for the ban on Democratic chairs and dismissing the criticism directed at the vote as being politically motivated.

On social media, state Rep. Patterson responded by writing, “last week I cast my vote to ban minority party chairmanships in the Texas House rules.” “While 72% of Republicans did, a small faction chose not to ban Democratic Chairs, going against their word and their commitment to their voters.”

“That same faction supported David Cook for Speaker, who not only voted for the rules himself, but originated the idea of Democratic Vice Chairs and creating a budget for Vice Chairs,” he added. Writing that “their ‘team’ originated the concept,” state Rep. Patterson went on to explain that “these handful of members supported Cook’s proposal in word and in deed, but now claim it’s a liberal conspiracy.”

After winning the speakership, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) expressed a willingness to unite the Texas House, but it’s clear that his Republican colleagues are anything but united.