(C) Texas Tribune This story was originally published by Texas Tribune and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . The Blast: Abbott got his entry bill. Are vouchers next? [1] [] Date: 2023-11 Nov 15, 2023 | View in browser By Renzo Downey and The Texas Tribune Politics Team 21 days until sine die, 26 days until the 2024 candidate filing deadline BABY’S FIRST VOUCHER BILL After another long day in the Texas House last night, members passed Republicans’ latest shot at border funding and illegal entry bills. Republicans finally passed the illegal entry bill (Senate Bill 4) with a version that is copacetic to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Meanwhile, the Senate has to take up the House amendments to the border bill (Senate Bill 3), which it is expected to do tomorrow. Gov. Greg Abbott is likely to sign the bill, so the next real test will be whether it will hold up in court. And Abbott should be happy that both chambers have finally approved money to address Colony Ridge-type developments, which lawmakers did despite the testimony of Abbott’s own Department of Public Safety director, Col. Steve McCraw, that the $40 million is unnecessary. Patrick jumped in today to tout SB 4, even before House Speaker Dade Phelan posted a statement. “I am pleased to see the Texas House and Senate work together to send such a strong border security bill to Gov. Abbott’s desk,” Patrick said in his statement. Given their recent animosity, Phelan should cherish the rare praise from Patrick. It likely won’t last beyond tomorrow. On Friday, the House is expected to schedule its education omnibus measure, House Bill 1, for the chamber floor. That will mark the first time the House has ever taken up school voucher legislation on the floor. However, the expectation is that the majority of House members, which oppose vouchers, will remove that language in the amendment process or kill the bill entirely, condemning the Legislature to another six weeks of special sessions this winter — or however the Groundhog Day saying goes. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. HIDDEN AD DEMS CHANNEL “THE WORST PERSON YOU KNOW” MEME ENERGY In a blistering speech on the floor of the U.S. House, Rep. Chip Roy excoriated House GOP leadership over the handling of the budget process and its year back in the majority. The Austin Republican’s speech came one day after the House, under the new leadership of Speaker Mike Johnson, passed a continuing resolution that would keep the government open through the holidays. Roy’s speech ran nearly an hour. “I didn’t come here for second place. I didn’t come here for more excuses. I didn’t come here to have a speaker of the House assume the position and, in 17 days, pass a continuing resolution off the floor of this House through suspension of the rules,” Roy said. Roy has continually criticized House GOP leadership for passing continuing resolutions that extend the budget approved last year under Democratic leadership. House Republicans have squandered their leverage as part of a divided government, Roy argues. And he extends that argument to border security, “woke” policies “I want my Republican colleagues to give me one thing — one — that I can go campaign on and say we did. One! Anybody sitting in the Complex, if you want to come down to the floor and come explain to me one material, meaningful, significant thing the Republican majority has done besides, well, I guess it’s not as bad as the Democrats,” Roy said. Roy had been a headache for ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and it sounds like he isn’t going much easier on the new guy. In the immediate fallout, President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign posted the clip of Roy’s “one thing” rant to various social media platforms under its “Dark Brandon”-inspired Biden-Harris HQ profile, including former President Donald Trump’s Truth Social website. Of course, the campaign decided to clip the bit about the Democrats. Democrats, including the White House, have already taken advantage of the “The Worst Person You Know” meme a handful of times, so that one was apparently off the table. But the Democratic National Committee’s “War Room” account chimed in with similar energy. “He has a point…” they wrote. But Roy wasn’t the only Texas Republican opposed to the budget extension. U.S. Reps. John Carter, Michael Cloud, Pat Fallon, Tony Gonzales, Lance Gooden, Wesley Hunt, Morgan Luttrell, Nathaniel Moran, Keith Self, Beth Van Duyne, Randy Weber and Roger Williams also voted against the bill — just over half the state’s GOP delegation. The Tribune’s D.C. correspondent, Matthew Choi, has more details on the vote here. SAN ANTONIO PREACHER UNDER FIRE — AGAIN Organizers of a pro-Israel rally were strongly condemned this week for allowing San Antonio megachurch pastor John Hagee to speak at their Tuesday event. Hagee, the pastor of the massive Cornerstone Church, is a well-known supporter of the Israeli government. He’s also repeatedly been criticized as antisemitic — including in 2008, when Sen. John McCain’s presidential campaign distanced itself from Hagee over a sermon in which he said that “God sent Hitler” to drive the Jews out of Europe and into Israel. Hagee is a prominent practitioner of Christian Zionism, which prophecies that the apocalypse and rapture will commence once Jews are in control of Jerusalem. Recent research by the Southern Baptist Convention’s polling arm found that roughly half of evangelicals said that they support Israel because they believe it is important to fulfilling end-time prophecy. — Robert Downen The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. HIDDEN AD BUZBEE WARS, HARDIN AWARDED Houston City Council candidate and former Ken Paxton impeachment attorney Tony Buzbee continues to fight online with Texas Republicans — this time, with a member of the state GOP’s executive committee. The latest squabble came with Rolando Garcia, a Houston-based activist who is heavily involved in state Republican politics, who said that Buzbee spent significant money but barely made his ongoing runoff race with the incumbent, Mary Ann Huffman. “Buzbee’s forays into politics enrich all the grifters and opportunists who latch onto to [sic] his campaign, but voters just aren’t buying it,” Garcia wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Buzbee responded in kind, disputing Garcia’s claims about the amount of money he spent in the race before calling Garcia a “loser and a liar.” “Don’t be jealous because you are poor,” Buzbee added. “You claim to be a Republican. Work harder.” Garcia responded with a photo of endorsement letters for Buzbee’s failed 2019 Houston mayoral campaign that Garcia said he had printed and delivered across town. “You weren’t my first choice for mayor, but I believed beating Sylvester Turner was more important,” Garcia added. “Putting ego aside to do what’s right is what leaders do, whether they’re rich, poor or in between.” In more Paxton/Houston crossover news, impeachment prosecutor Rusty Hardin was announced Wednesday as the recipient of an award for civility and ethics by the Texas Chapters of American Board of Trial Advocates. — Robert Downen HIDDEN IMAGE The House Calendars Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, when it is expected to schedule the House’s education bills for Friday’s floor meeting. The Senate will convene at 11 a.m. Thursday. The House will convene at 10 a.m. Friday. Watch online here. View the House floor calendar here after the House Calendars Committee approves it. HIDDEN IMAGE There were a few notable absences in last night's vote on Senate Bill 4. Three border area lawmakers were marked absent on the vote despite having voted on previous House business: Reps. Bobby Guerra , D-Mission, Ryan Guillen , R-Rio Grande City, and Sergio Muñoz , D-Palmview. [h/t Brad Johnson of The Texan] , D-Mission, , R-Rio Grande City, and , D-Palmview. [h/t Brad Johnson of The Texan] In the middle of the amendment process on SB4, House Speaker Dade Phelan reminded members that they may not post photos or record and post video of the House floor or face a potential ethics complaint. Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, joked, “But OnlyFans doesn’t count, right?” [h/t Hayden Sparks of, again, The Texan] Supposedly, Rep. Ana-Maria Ramos, D-Richardson, was filming people’s conversations on the floor. Join us Wednesday, Nov. 29, for “ The Interconnected Future of San Antonio and Austin ,” a conversation event on the state's next hot spot for growth and development, happening in Austin and online. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has been famously dubbed as the Metroplex, though many North Texans reject the moniker. Similarly, there’s another part of the state experiencing fast development, exponential population growth and increased economic significance — the region between San Antonio and Austin. We’ll talk with Central Texas leaders about what’s driving the region’s favorable business climate, the impact that fast growth is having on local infrastructure and housing, and the opportunities and challenges on the horizon. Speakers include: Mike Kamerlander , president and CEO of the Greater San Marcos Partnership , president and CEO of the Greater San Marcos Partnership Ed Latson , CEO of Opportunity Austin , CEO of Opportunity Austin Jonathan Packer , president and CEO of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce , president and CEO of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and CEO of greater:SATX Moderated by: Henry Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development RSVP today! campaign roundup TX-18: Carroll Robinson, the former Houston City Council member who heads the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats, announced this morning he would not run for U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee’s seat. At the same time, he endorsed Amanda Edwards, who’s already running in the Democratic primary for the seat. Lee, the incumbent Houston Democrat, is currently in the mayoral runoff and it’s unclear whether she’ll run for reelection. Robinson said in a statement that Edwards, a fellow alum of the Houston City Council, has the “vision, fresh perspective and innovative approach” for the job. At least three other Democrats are running, including Gen Z organizer Isaiah Martin. — Patrick Svitek TX-26: State Sen. Tan Parker says he won’t run for the seat that will be left open by the retiring U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville. Former state Rep. Ron Simmons, R-Carrollton, says he’s considering a run and will have a decision to announce “shortly.” Luisa del Rosal, the 2020 Republican nominee for House District 114, is “seriously considering” running for TX-26, a person close to her says. — Patrick Svitek SD-30: Read up on U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon’s reversal on running for his old seat in The Texas Tribune with Matthew Choi’s latest from his conversations with the Frisco Republican. But on The Mark Davis Show, state Rep. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, told Davis that he thinks state Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, will run for the seat being left open by state Sen. Drew Springer. HIDDEN IMAGE After eight U.S. House Republicans voted with 201 Democrats to relegate the impeachment resolution of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to committee, U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, blasted his colleagues in a statement to Punchbowl News. “It’s clear Democrats don’t want to do anything and they’ll use any dirty tactic that they can get their grubby little hands on.” HIDDEN IMAGE Gov. Greg Abbott will share the stage with former President Donald Trump on Sunday in Edinburg as they thank Operation Lone Star service members stationed there over Thanksgiving. will share the stage with former President on Sunday in Edinburg as they thank Operation Lone Star service members stationed there over Thanksgiving. Karen and Karl Rove will host a fundraiser reception for state Rep. Craig Goldman on Dec. 13 as the Fort Worth Republican makes his bid for Congress. The Texas Tribune thanks its sponsors. Become one. HIDDEN AD HIDDEN IMAGE State Rep. Jeff Leach rubs it in Tony Buzbee’s face: HIDDEN IMAGE HIDDEN IMAGE (Nov. 16) U.S. Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Irving SPONSOR MESSAGES TNP is celebrating National Nurse Practitioner Week. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are the fastest-growing profession in the country, and Texas is home to 40,000 NPs providing care to Texans every day. Learn more here. BNSF’s capital investments play a key role in operating a safe and reliable network. This year, BNSF will invest nearly $4B into our railroad. Texas Association of Community Colleges - Texas community colleges are the state’s economic engine for recovery. Our colleges provide credentials that meet regional and local workforce demands. Visit tacc.org. Texas Biomed pioneers and shares scientific breakthroughs that protect our communities. Health starts with science; health starts at Texas Biomed. [END] --- [1] Url: https://mailchi.mp/texastribune/the-blast-abbott-got-his-entry-bill-are-vouchers-next Published and (C) by Texas Tribune Content appears here under this condition or license: Used with Permission: https://www.texastribune.org/republishing-guidelines/. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/texastribune/