Texas House Democrats
@TexasHDC
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The official page of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, the organizational arm of the 62 Texas House Democrats fighting for ALL Texans. #txlege
Austin, Texas
Joined March 2012
Yesterday, the 89th Texas Legislature was sworn in. Congrats to our Elected Officers and to ALL of our members!. Treasurer: @Christian4Texas.Whip: @VentonJonesTX.Chair: @GeneforTexas.Vice Chair: @plesafortexas.General Counsel: @RepLongoria.2nd Vice Chair: @ronereynolds
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Friendly reminder: Last year, every Republican—under Greg Abbott's direction—voted against a teacher pay raise. Twice. Actions speak louder than tweets.
Texas teachers are among the best in the nation. In 2019, I signed a law establishing the Teacher Incentive Allotment to put teachers on a path to earn a six-figure salary. Texas thanks our hardworking teachers for educating our future leaders.
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BREAKING: Texas House Democrats break quorum and kill SB 7. "We had no choice but to take extraordinary measures to protect our constituents and their right to vote." @ChrisGTurner . #txlege.
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@ChrisGTurner, @RafaelAnchia, @NicoleCollier95, @Senfronia4Texas & @GFColeman release official join statement on the TX House Democrats' quorum break. #txlege .
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House Democrats are united:.No vouchers and no deals.
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Nearly a year after Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a task force to look at the state’s teacher shortages, the group is recommending that lawmakers increase salaries, improve training and commit to respecting teachers’ time.
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"Gov. Greg Abbott said in May that if the state’s positivity rate went over 10 percent, it would be considered a red flag. That red flag has been present every single day since late June." @thedailybeast.
“There’s a fog around Texas right now as to what’s actually going on”.
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Texas schools aren't for sale. Not now. Not ever. And the House Democratic Caucus will not stop fighting voucher scams.
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It's high noon in the Lone Star State, and way past time to invest in Texas children. #txlege . 📷: @GinaForAustin
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Great meeting today with @SenSchumer as we continue our meetings to advocate for the Senate to pass legislation that will protect our freedom to vote #txlege #ForthePeopleAct #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct
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Landed in DC, speaking for why we broke quorum:. "Do not make it harder to vote in Texas - yet Republicans are determined to ignore that, to promote the Big Lie that Trump won the last election. We are determined to kill this bill in this special session." @ChrisGTurner #txlege
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House Democrats are united:. Vouchers are a scam that threatens everything we love about our public schools. We must all come together—Democrats and Republicans, parents and teachers, rural Texans and urban Texans—to protect our neighborhood schools. RT if you agree.
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A bipartisan coalition in the House has once again defeated Abbott’s voucher scam. This is a major victory for students across Texas. House Democrats will NEVER sell out our kids with a voucher scam that would defund our schools to subsidize private education for the wealthy few
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Billionaires like Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks are spending millions bankrolling the fight for vouchers. Why? Because schools empower everyone, and the rich want to monopolize power for themselves. Watch as Rep. @jamesTalarico explains how:.#txlege.
Two billionaire mega-donors are trying to dismantle public education in Texas. Voucher scams, book bans, CRT scares — it’s all part of their plan to close our neighborhood schools. I explained their strategy in a community meeting… #txlege
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1/ Another Texas winter is just around the corner. And despite what @GovAbbott keeps repeating, everything that needed to be done was NOT done to fix our power grid (THREAD). #txlege.
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Today, Texas House Democrats were successful in our efforts to stop Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton, their billionaire donors, and the politicians they bought from selecting the Speaker of the House. Our statement:
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Instead of a voucher scam that would siphon off billions from our underfunded classrooms, we can:. FULLY fund our schools.LOWER class sizes.HIRE more counselors.RAISE teacher pay by $15,000.INVEST IN more programs for our children. THAT is what House Dems are fighting for.#txlege.
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"This is not Iowa, Governor. This is not New Hampshire. This is not even Florida. This is Texas. And in Texas, we support our public schools.".— Rep. @GinaForAustin .#txlege.
In this 3rd “Special” #txlege Session called by @GovAbbott, TX parents of 5.4 million public school kids know the only emergency is that #txed schools are $40 Billion below the natl average in student $. #NoGimmicks.#NoVouchers
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Private school vouchers leave working families behind. Rep. @JamesTalarico explains why:.#txlege
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"We put everything on the line. I know this - we are here to fight, and we are not alone. Democracy itself sits at one minute to midnight, and we need Congrees to help us turn back the clock." - @moodyforelpaso #txlege
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"Vouchers take money from our constitutionally required tuition-free public schools and give that money to publicly unaccountable tuition charging private schools," said State Rep. @DonnaHowardTX (D-Travis County). #txlege .
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“Vouchers drain money from Texas’ already underfunded schools,” @GinaForAustin said. “We should be focused on investing more into our schools to ensure they’re best in the nation — not taking funding away.” #txlege.
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You cannot understand the upcoming #txlege Special Session without reading this thread by Rep. @JamesTalarico:.
Meet Tim Dunn & Farris Wilks—two billionaires from West Texas. They bought Paxton’s acquittal for $3 million. Now they’re pushing a private school voucher scam. Their ultimate goal is even more ambitious: transforming Texas into an authoritarian, Christian Nationalist state. 🧵
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If passing private school vouchers is Governor Abbott’s dream, then House Democrats will be his nightmare. The HDC and karma vibe like that.🧣
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Tonight, Gov. Abbott will brag about Texas' historic state budget. Meanwhile, BILLIONS of the budget is the result of federal stimulus + relief, including the American Rescue Plan—which not a single Republican voted for. It's clear: Democrats deliver while Abbott deceives #txlege
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The U.S. House is planning to take up The John Lewis Act on Aug. 23. This is big news for Texas voters! . Thank you to @SpeakerPelosi and all MOCs who met with us and listened to our appeal for urgent federal voter protection legislation. #JohnLewisVotingRightsAct #txlege.
HOUSE to return AUG 23, per scheduling update Leader Hoyer just sent to members
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“I’m here just to show support for the legislators… the country is watching those guys on the dais and you’re propping them up” - @LinaHidalgoTX visiting one (of many) rooms full of advocates waiting to testify against anti-voter HB 3/SB 1 #txlege
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Vouchers are not a Republican vs. Democrat fight. It’s a fight between the bipartisan, pro-public education coalition in the Texas House and Governor Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and the billionaire mega-donors who control their agenda.
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"We are here today because our backs were against the wall. we came today because we know that the Republican-led Legislature is not trying to make these elections fair and free. we're not gonna take it." - @NicoleCollier95 #txlege
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A handy calculator for how much Greg Abbott has proposed to invest in your neighborhood school: . Take 5,156,972 students in public schools. Multiply it by 0. Greg Abbott's school funding plan gave $0 to our public schools despite a $33 billion budget surplus. #txlege
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"We refuse to be [hostages]…I am an American and I want to vote.". We are simply asking for the right to vote. Democrats like Dean @Senfronia4Texas will fight as long as it takes to combat the exclusionary and discriminatory voter suppression attempts by Republicans. #txlege
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📺TONIGHT at 9 PM CT on @MSNBC - Join @TexasHDC members with @CapehartJ as we discuss our ongoing fight to protect our democracy and freedom to vote. #Txlege
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🧵(1/x) The Texas House Democrats breaking quorum have had a banner few days of progress as we head into the final week of the special session #txlege #freedomtovote.
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.@RepMaryGonzalez makes good on her promise to bring books on critical race theory for author of HB 3979, Rep. Steve Toth, who admitted to not reading the source material on the very topic he is censoring from our schools #txlege
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“The tyrannical veto of the legislative branch is the latest indication that Abbott is simply out of control. Our caucus is exploring every option, including immediate legal options, to fight back against Abbott’s abuse of power.” #txlege. Full statement:
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Big news from D.C. - the House will have a hearing on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act tomorrow. Important moves towards federal protections for all voters - especially in Texas where Republicans continue to attack the freedom to vote #txlege.
Speaker Pelosi tells House members that the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Monday, 8/16 on the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and vote on passage of the bill some time after the House returns early from recess on 8/23. #VRAA
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@johnbryantfortx @TMFtx @RepAbelHerrero NEW: a historic bipartisan vote successfully bans public funds to be put towards private school vouchers. The adoption of this amendment from @RepAbelHerrero into the House budget is a huge win for Texas public schools! #txlege
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Its 1:30 AM on the House floor and here's what you need to know:. HB4 is unconstitutional, poorly written, and cruel. With every minute, all three are becoming clearer and clearer as Democrats offer common-sense fixes that Republicans refuse to accept. We will not give up.#txlege.
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“The Speaker should save his money. We won’t be needing a plane anytime soon, as our work to save democracy from the Trump Republicans is just getting started." #txlege. Joint statement from @ChrisGTurner, @RafaelAnchia & @NicoleCollier95:.
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Today, the @txblackcaucus joined the VA and MD Black Caucuses for a press conference at the historic Kate Waller Barrett Library in Arlington, VA #freedomtovote #txlege
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Every elected official in Texas should condemn Shelley Luther’s racist remarks. This kind of anti-Asian hate has no place in our state. Thank you, @genefortexas for your leadership and for fighting back against bigotry and hate. #txlege.
We sent out a statement today condemning the bigoted and ignorant statements made by Republican candidate Shelley Luther. The Asian American community will not be your passive scapegoat.
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Luci Baines Johnson addresses the Texas House Democrats at an event with faith leaders:. “I want to tell you how grateful every generation of our family is. … if we don’t protect the right to vote we gain the opportunity to lose our democracy.” . @txblackcaucus @MALCTx
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Voucher scammers know how unpopular their plan is. That’s why they’re trying to rebrand by calling vouchers “Education Savings Accounts” and using misleading messaging like “school choice” and “parental rights.”. Don’t let them fool you: voucher scams hurt you and help the rich.
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HB 1 is a poisoned bill. It doesn’t even catch our schools up with inflation. Gov. Abbott is offering crumbs to our starving schools as an attempt to bribe lawmakers to pass his voucher scam that will leave our schools with fewer resources, fewer teachers, and larger class sizes.
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Thank you, @BetoORourke, for your support of Texas House Democrats' fight for the freedom to vote #txlege.
.@BetoORourke's quorum-break fundraising is going directly to the @TexasHDC, per @cassi_pollock: #txlege.
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.@GinaForAustin is right. Texas must fully fund our schools because there is no better investment we can make in our kids and in our future. #txlege
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We are live on MSNBC for the Texas House Democrats' town hall with @CapehartJ and @Lawrence. Follow this thread for live updates! #txlege.
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“Before we are Democrats, before we are Republicans, we are mothers, we are fathers and we are Texans.".— Rep. @GinaForAustin
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"I left because I am tired of sitting as a hostage by Republicans. we have citizens who are part of the fabric of this country that are having their rights stripped away." @Senfronia4Texas #txlege
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Yesterday, House Democrats released the Fully Fund Our Future Act. A transformative bill that:.GIVES teachers a $15K raise.INCREASES school safety.HIRES more school counselors.COMBATS COVID learning loss.CLOSES the special education funding gap. Watch more:.#txlege
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Texas House Democrats will be going live in a press conference from Capitol Hill at 10:00am. Follow along live at Txlege.
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WATCH LIVE: Texas House Democrats respond to 2025 Texas House rules, which put partisan loyalty over public service and cut millions of Texans out of the political process.
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Texas House Democrats will join @POTUS in leading with solutions, not stunts. It is up to Republicans in Austin and Washington to decide whether they want slogans and bumper stickers—or an orderly, secure border. House Democrats stand ready to get to work for Texas families.
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(1/2) “The passage of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act marks an historic moment in our country’s history, and is of monumental importance to all Texas voters, whose freedoms have been under relentless attack by TX Republicans for years." - HDC Chair @ChrisGTurner #txlege.
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"(TX House Democrats') brought their message here on behalf of state legislators from across the nation who are fighting for this freedom. So I give them tremendous credit for that" - @SenJeffMerkley . Thank you, Senator, for hosting us this morning. #txlege
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Save the date! Texas House Democrats will be having a town hall on MSNBC next Monday at 10pm ET #txlege.
Monday at 10pmET on @MSNBC — @CapehartJ sits down with all of the Texas House Democrats in DC as they push for voting rights. #exclusive
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Texas schools are facing a funding crisis that must be solved before students return this Fall. The House Democratic Caucus is ready to sit down and deliver a bipartisan solution for the children of Texas.
1. Thanks for giving us props for killing your voucher scheme, it was a pleasure. 2. The bill still had some much needed relief for public schools but you like vetoes, not kids. 3. @TexasHDC is ready to talk about solutions for public schools, not veto threats and voucher scams.
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.@MiFamiliaVota and @SEIUTX are kicking off their week-long Voting Rights Roundtable with TX House Democrats this morning. We are looking forward to spending a week with civil rights heroes like @DoloresHuerta to learn how to fight back against attacks on democracy #txlege
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“Early this morning, Republicans voted to advance a bill to ban 24-hour voting, following an overnight committee hearing that lasted nearly 24 hours." #txlege. Read HDC Chair @ChrisGTurner's full statement on the passage of HB 3 in committee:
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“We used every tool in our toolbox. And tonight, we used our last one.” @NicoleCollier95, Chair of the @txblackcaucus #txlege
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Our rotunda today showcases qualities that make Texas great:.❤️ Joyful.💛 Inclusive.💙 PROUD. There's no place for hate in Texas.
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All Texans deserve the freedom to make their own health care decisions — including the choice to have an abortion.
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It's time for freshman of the year! All Members of the Caucus vote for who they think had an outstanding session. This year, Members chose @VoteAnnJohnson! Congratulations on a great Session. #txlege.
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This is a historic hearing. Not just because of our distinguished witnesses. But because of their courageous actions. We must fight to fulfill the American promise. -- @RepMaloney #txlege.
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A MAJORITY of Texans agree:. Private school vouchers are a scam pushed by billionaire mega-donors to defund and starve our neighborhood schools in order to benefit the wealthy few.
poll finds nearly 60 percent of texans oppose using public dollars for private school vouchers:
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Today, Texas House Democrats have declared a historic victory for Texas voters by officially killing the TX GOP’s anti-voter bills. Members of @TexasHDC, @TXBlackCaucus & @MALCTX will continue to fight for all Texans’ #freedomtovote! #txlege
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“This isn’t about politics. Throughout the entire pandemic, Gov. Abbott has not only been a poor leader — he has actively made decisions that have made this disaster worse.". Read HDC Chair @ChrisGTurner's latest statement on COVID-19 in TX:.
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Chairman @TMFtx opens our press conference announcing the Fully Fund our Future Act. Follow as we hear from speakers @GinaForAustin @jamestalarico , & @GeneforTexas.
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“I stand firm in my resolve to remain with the Democratic Caucus until the special session ends, and to do whatever it takes to fight for the freedom to vote for all Texans” - @CortezPhilip on his return to Washington, D.C. #txlege .
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"It would've been on the back burner had we not pushed and forced this conversation and brought it to their doorstep.". Watch @washingtonpost's recap of Texas House Democrats' last few weeks pushing for progress in Washington, D.C.
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"Once again, it will be up to Democrats to fight for real solutions for all Texans, while Republicans play political games.” . Read HDC Chair @ChrisGTurner's full response to @GovAbbott's special session agenda on our website. #txlege.
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Texas House Democrats have said it. John Lewis has said it. The people of Texas have said it. Voting rights are not up for debate.
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Rep. @JamesTalarico is right:. Billionaire mega-donors are the primary force behind voucher scams, and they are spending millions of dollars bankrolling the fight for vouchers. Why? Because schools empower everyone, and the rich want to monopolize power for themselves. #txlege.
Two billionaire mega-donors bought Ken Paxton’s acquittal. Now those same billionaires are funding the effort to privatize our public schools with a voucher scam. Follow the money. 🧵 #txlege #tribfest23
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The Texas House Democratic Caucus stands firm tonight, declaring that the Texas House is not and will never be for sale.
While the GOP is divided, Texas House Democrats couldn’t be more united. As Leader Hakeem Jeffries advised our Caucus last week, our unity is our strength and House Democrats will use that unity to continue to put people over politics. #txlege
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At the El Paso Strong rally with @RepMaryGonzalez @CesarJBlanco and @moodyforelpaso #ElPasoStrong #txlege
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“We want to send a message loud and clear. We are coming. We are calling this the “Suppression Session”. - Co-founder of @BlackVotersMtr @MsLaToshaBrown #txlege #BlackVotersMatter
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Congrats to @BucyForTexas for his nomination as the House Democratic Caucus Freshman of the Year! His work on health care in Texas has been outstanding, and our Caucus is lucky to have him as part of our tremendous freshmen class! #txlege #RealSolutions
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