AUSTIN, Texas — Legislative days are getting longer and lawmakers’ patience for the legislative process is getting shorter. 

What You Need To Know

  • At this point in the legislative session, lawmakers are doing everything they can to get their bills passed

  • In protest of the voucher bill, the House Democratic Caucus has abstained from voting on any resolution for constitutional amendments which require a yes vote from two-thirds of the body to pass

  • That move has held up even uncontroversial bills like one to decrease housing costs for adults with intellectual disabilities

  • One expert suggests that plan could backfire because one of the governor’s emergency items to change the bail system requires a constitutional amendment

At this point in the legislative session, lawmakers are doing everything they can to get their bills passed. House members stayed in the chamber overnight to pass the governor’s priority school voucher bill last week.

The passage of that legislation served as a catalyst for some lawmakers to air their frustrations and others to slow down the legislative process.

In protest of the voucher bill, the House Democratic Caucus has abstained from voting on any resolution for constitutional amendments which require a yes vote from two-thirds of the body to pass, meaning they need at least 12 Democratic votes if all Republicans vote yes.

That move has held up even uncontroversial bills like one to decrease housing costs for adults with intellectual disabilities.

“Democratic members of the Texas House may be in the minority, but we will use the tools we have to protect the independence of the House and ensure the voices of the millions of Texans we represent are heard and respected in this chamber,” the caucus said in a statement.

One expert suggests that plan could backfire because one of the governor’s emergency items to change the bail system requires a constitutional amendment.

“They always run the risk that the governor calls a special session for bail reform,” said Mark Jones, a political science professor at Rice University.

Jones suspects the governor’s emergency legislative priorities will pass. Hardline social conservatives in the House are also racing to get their bills passed before a May 15 deadline. 

State Rep. Steve Toth, R-Conroe, has proposed a bill that would require the reporting of sexual assaults in schools, which is pending in committee. The pending status inspired him to say the typically quiet part of the legislative process out loud.

“It has little to no chance to make it to the session because this committee took so long to hear it,” said Toth.

State Rep. Brent Money, R-Greenville, had a bill to apply murder penalties to abortions, but it fell victim to one of the many ways to kill a bill.

“To say that it’s not even worthy of having a conversation is very disappointing,” said Money.

And tensions are rising. Last week, House conservatives killed a memorial resolution by Democrats to honor Cecile Richards, the daughter of a former governor, because of her affiliation with Planned Parenthood.

“By putting this resolution on our calendar today, we are putting Planned Parenthood over ending taxpayer funded DEI,” said Rep. Brian Harrison, R-Midlothian.

Passing a bill involves a hard game of inside baseball, with more members striking out than making it home plate.

“You can kill a bill by never bringing it up in committee. You can kill a bill by never voting on a committee. You can kill a bill by sending it late to calendars. You can kill a bill in calendars by not sending it to the floor. Or you can kill a bill in calendars by sending it to the floor, but too late for it to be passed,” said Jones.

Texas Republican Party Chair Abraham George is worried it may be too late for their party priorities.

“Texas Senate, led by strong conservatives, is working hard and has already passed or is working on passing all of these priorities. The Texas House, well, they haven’t passed a single one yet,” said George.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has maintained a sense of optimism about the process, posting on X, “We still have a lot of work to do and the clock is ticking, but we are on a positive path.”