The proposed House rules would, however, require committee vice chairmanships to be given to minority party members, who are outnumbered 88-62.

Although Democrats will be prohibited from chairing the main legislative committees, the chamber voted to expand the powers they can have as vice chairs.

New Texas House rules passed on Thursday prevent members of the minority party from holding influential committee chair positions. This change breaks a long-standing tradition in the chamber — and could signal that a contentious legislative session lies ahead.

The Texas Legislature voted to make a big change in how they conduct business.The Texas House of Representatives adopted new rules for this legislative session

Conservative activists in the GOP caucus called any power sharing with the minority party a betrayal of Republican voters.

While new House rules prevent Democrats from leading committees, it increases the power of the vice-chair position which will still give Democrats some say in legislation.

But the party is deeply fractured ... Though Republicans control both legislative chambers and every statewide office in Texas, Democratic lawmakers have continued to wield some influence over the lawmaking process — and how the state spends its money ...

"This may be the first time in our nation’s history where the minority party openly elected the speaker of a legislative ... and banning Critical Race Theory in higher education. Texas Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu said that the election will make ...

Lubbock Republican state Rep. Dustin Burrows clinched the Texas House speakership Tuesday in the culmination of an unusually long and unusually public mudfight for the role.

Texas GOP Representative-elect Shelley Luther wrote on X: "Today, the RINO (anti-MAGA) Establishment laughed in the faces of our Republican grassroots. They chose Democrat chairs and Lobbyist buddies over their voters. I look forward to seeing if they're still laughing after the next round of primaries. The fight starts today."

AUSTIN, Texas — A push by Texas’ hard right to widen control in the state Capitol fell short Tuesday after House lawmakers rejected its choice for the powerful speakership amid a Republican feud accelerated by the historic impeachment of Attorney General Ken Paxton .

Thierry, from Houston, became a Republican cause celebré for breaking with Democrats over her views on transgender rights.