(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) Texas officials called for the resignation of the state’s House speaker, Republican Dade Phalen, after a video of him hosting a session on the House floor while seemingly intoxicated went viral.
Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement at the end of the legislative session, requesting that Phalen step down and seek help, the Daily Caller reported.
Speaker Dade Phelan should resign. pic.twitter.com/ZD920VOt1X
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 23, 2023
“Texans were dismayed to witness his performance presiding over the Texas House in a state of debilitating intoxication,” Paxton wrote in a statement. “His conduct has negatively impacted the legislative process and constitutes a failure to live up to his duty to the public.”
During the Friday session, the representatives covered a bill that would prevent foreign enemies from purchasing land in the state.
However, they did not vote due to the slow pace of the meeting and the expiration of the legislative session. If intoxicated, Speaker Phelan’s actions may have killed the bill. Several state-level GOP legislators expressed their dismay at the failure.
“Texans were relying on the House to pass critical conservative priorities including protecting the integrity of our elections and preventing Chinese spies from controlling Texas land,” Paxton said in his statement. “His failures as Speaker have created a credibility crisis for all Republicans candidates and for our entire party.”
Some Twitter users speculated that Phelan had an adverse reaction to the COVID vaccine.
If he's had his covid shot, I would be worried for him, not good…
— Gentin Media (@CarlosGentino) May 21, 2023
Paxton closed his statement by wishing Speaker Phelan the best, but concluded that he is “unworthy of Texans’ trust and incapable of leading the Texas House.”
The Texas House wrangled two bills concerning election oversight and administrative positions in Harris County, which continued to the Senate for debate.
Despite the “credibility crisis,” Texas recently managed to pass a law protecting children from genital mutilation surgeries and preventing use of taxpayer funds to pay for said treatments.
“We don’t treat mental health disorders with surgery, we treat mental health disorders with mental health treatments,” said Rep. Tom Oliverston, R-Cypress.
