Thank you, JC. As we've heard from
these members by walking out again,
the Democrats have potentially killed
legislation that benefits our teachers.
That works for our foster kids.
Excuse me. The benefits are seniors.
Takes care of our families and all
Texans who want a Texas solution
to the drug trafficking and human
smuggling that occurs along our border.
They've done all this while gallivanting,
across our nation's capital,
making appearances on TV,
raising money, and enjoying a three
week vacation while we Republicans.
Are here along with the citizens of Texans,
awaiting their return.
And we do absolutely hope for
that their actions show a lack of
respect for their constituents.
Who elected them.
We'd announce that decision to flee
the state and to avoid voting on
critical legislation that Texans
desperately need and care about.
I asked the Texas taxpayers.
Is this what you expect from
your elected representatives?
I'll be happy to yield for a
few questions before we wrap up.
From the call of the House and Basically
what is basically a is procedure.
the procedure, the assumed yes
and maybe the Rangers organs.
They deserve jurisdiction extend only
to Texas or yes Dave the They the only.
only ability they have is within the
state and we hope that all those
legislators not here will buy their
own will choose to come back and do
the work that we're elected to do.
So. That was the oath we swore to.
Those are the rules we adopted and we
think their better angels will prevail.
And we'll see him here.
We think things have been delayed,
not denied.
As far as Construct trying
compromise to on strike a the
compromise electric on bill the or
election get Bill Norgate down.
Democrats, Personalities now come
we back come with back with yeah,
a yeah, stay Chris, at and Chris
and I I think think we've we've.
already compromised on the bill
that Bill's been negotiated.
We had a great bill last session.
It's been improved by the Democrats
own admission. They were on the
committee that heard the bill.
Many of the people were here spent 24 hours
working on that bill over the weekend.
Those bills can be amended
on the House floor.
It is there legislation.
It's nearest the shape.
It's theirs to work on and
we await their presence.
Mr. Chairman, what about about the the?
I guess the The The stalemate stalemate
here here that that we we could could
see see you you know know Democrats.
Democrats. They They they essentially
essentially told told us us they they
have have no no immediate immediate
plans plans to to come come back. back.
The The governor governor could could
keep keep calling calling special special
sessions sessions over over and and over.
over. How How long long could could
this this draw draw out out in?
in? January January of of 23 23
is the short snappy answer to that,
but I really think when they
look at their constituents and
see that they need tax relief,
they need funding for schools.
They need. CPS addressed.
Our teachers need to be paid that
they're going to want to come back and
do the work they were elected to do.
I really think that's just a matter of time.
It may be days, maybe weeks.
It may be months.
It's the governor's decision whether or
not we return for more special sessions.
But I think that's very much his desire.
and our desire.
To do the work that we were elected to do,
what Democrats happens hold if
out Democrats for hold out weeks,
for months weeks, and months,
and and we,
and we we we continue continue to
to have have this this group group
here here in in the the Chamber?
What Chamber.
are What your are plans your and plans?
what is I what mean,
is what this is body what prepared to is do?
this Well,
body I prepared think we're to spending do?
a Well, lot I of think money to respect.
be here,
and I think at some point the people
of Texas are going to say what
are we paying for to get nothing.
And I think they will have to
rise up and speak for themselves
were delivering a message.
We want our colleagues back.
We respect their work.
I respect their opinions.
We want to embrace them and work with them.
But we have work to do,
but I'm hoping the people of Texas
will now take that message to them
because that's for whom they're working.
What's your message It to shouldn't,
specially specially the the reps
reps you you say say they they are?
are working on the DC right now.
Well Well, I I mean.
mean I don't know what they're working
on because the work of the Texas
House occurs in the Texas House in the
committee rooms as we work on bills,
there's no work going on
there for the Texas House.
They need to be here.
That's why we measure quorum
every day when we register.
There's a frustrating.
I mean, I mean, if if you're you're
saying saying they're they're not not
working working up up there and there,
they they've kind kind of of Cold
War halted period. work here.
It's going on inside for the
past 4 1/2 hours. Well, Well,
I I mean we mean would we certainly.
would certainly like to see them here,
but it's not the first time this
legislators moved a little more slowly
than some of us would recommend, right?
And so this is just par for the course.
We've all had some pretty tough days.
We've had some pretty long days days
that became multiple days on the floor,
so we're up to the challenge.
That's not a big deal.
We want them to come back.
That's our message.
Question what are were there Are
things there you things could you
should be be working working on? on?
During their you just go ahead
and employees Our our are.
committees are unable to help our teachers.
They're unable to consider tax relief.
They're unable to handle
the crisis at the border.
We are at a standstill,
ready to work Dave,
but as stand still.
Thank you very much.