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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The Texas Constitution, Article III, Section 5, |
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mandates that members of the Texas House of Representatives fulfill |
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their legislative duties during sessions called by the Governor, |
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including special sessions convened to address critical state |
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matters; and |
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WHEREAS, A quorum, defined as two-thirds of the elected |
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members of the Texas House of Representatives, is required to |
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conduct official legislative business, as established by Texas |
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House Rule 5, Section 1, and Article III, Section 10 of the Texas |
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Constitution; and |
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WHEREAS, On August 3, 2025, a significant number of |
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Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives |
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deliberately absented themselves from the state to prevent the |
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establishment of a quorum, thereby obstructing legislative |
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proceedings during a special session called to address urgent |
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issues, including congressional redistricting; and |
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WHEREAS, This intentional quorum break, publicly |
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acknowledged by participating Democratic members, disrupted the |
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legislative process, delayed critical legislation, and imposed |
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financial burdens on the state through the costs associated with |
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efforts to restore quorum; and |
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WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives has the authority |
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under its rules to impose penalties for actions that undermine its |
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ability to function, including the absence of members for the |
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purpose of denying a quorum, as demonstrated by the adoption of |
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fines for quorum-breaking in 2023; and |
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WHEREAS, Monetary punishments are a necessary and |
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appropriate response to ensure accountability and deter future |
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disruptions of the legislative process; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives of the 89th |
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Legislature hereby: |
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1. Imposes a Daily Fine: All Democratic members who |
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participated in the quorum break beginning on August 3, 2025, shall |
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be fined $500 per day for each day they were absent from the House |
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without leave, starting from the date the quorum was broken until |
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their return or the conclusion of the special session, with fines to |
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be deducted from their legislative salaries or personal funds; and |
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2. Permanently Reduces Office Budgets: The office |
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budgets of all Democratic members who participated in the quorum |
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break shall be reduced by 30 percent for the remainder of the 89th |
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Legislature, reflecting the financial impact of their absence on |
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the efficient operation of the House; and |
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3. Removes Stipends for Committee Chairs: All |
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Democratic members who participated in the quorum break and hold |
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committee chairmanships shall have any stipends or additional |
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compensation associated with those positions revoked for the |
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duration of the 89th Legislature, as their actions demonstrate a |
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failure to fulfill the responsibilities of leadership; and |
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4. Requires Payment of Retrieval Costs: All Democratic |
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members who participated in the quorum break shall be jointly and |
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severally responsible for reimbursing the state for costs incurred |
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in efforts to restore quorum, including but not limited to expenses |
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for law enforcement, legal actions, or other measures authorized by |
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the House or the Governor, with such costs to be assessed and |
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collected by the House Administration Committee; and be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the Texas House of |
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Representatives shall direct the House Administration Committee to |
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calculate and enforce the fines, budget reductions, stipend |
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removals, and retrieval cost assessments, ensuring compliance with |
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all applicable House rules and state laws; and be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Speaker shall notify affected members of |
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their obligations under this resolution and provide a mechanism for |
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appeal consistent with House rules; and be it further |
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RESOLVED, That this resolution takes effect immediately upon |
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its adoption by a majority vote of the Texas House of |
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Representatives, in accordance with House rules and applicable |
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state law. |