Get Ready For The GOP-Controlled Congress And The New Texas Legislature

Hopefully you're fully rested, because by this time next week, it will be all hands on deck.

January 3, 2023, marks the first day of the 118th Congress. Republican are due to take control with 222 seats vs. Democrats’ 212 seats. But, if you haven’t heard, Congressional Republicans are in complete disarray. And if you haven’t had enough “firsts” in the last few years, today marks the first time in 100 years that a new congressional session is opening without a House Speaker.

The House Freedom Caucus, the far-right wing of the Republicans in Congress, has taken a stand against electing Kevin McCarthy unless he makes certain concessions. These extremists want to reinstate an arcane rule that would empower any member to vote to oust a sitting speaker at any time, among other things.

Texas Congressman Chip Roy has been among the loudest of the members of the House Freedom Caucus, urging his colleagues not to vote for McCarthy unless this rule is reinstated.

This is a win for Democrats. As long as there is no speaker, there is no Republican agenda, no committees, and no moving forward with Republican priorities. Those priorities include investigating Hunter Biden and defunding the IRS.

If the House Freedom Caucus gets its way and the rule to vacate is reinstated, it’s still a win for Democrats because they could vote to oust Kevin McCarthy every day of the 118th Congress.

And, just this morning, Congressman Matt Gaetz floated the idea that the 118th Congress could see Democratic Congressman Hakeem Jeffries as the new speaker, even though Republicans have the majority.

Whatever happens, rest assured, Republicans in DC will not get their act together any time soon. But, aside from slowing down their agenda, it should bring us countless hours of entertainment.

Remember to follow Living Blue in Texas on YouTube, where I will post the best clips of Texas Congresspeople.

Now that we’re moving into the 118th Congressional Session, it’s a good time to revisit what the Congressional delegation did in the 117th:

The 88th Texas Legislature starts on January 10.

While the shenanigans in DC will be disastrous for Republicans, the shenanigans of far-right Republicans in Austin will be catastrophic for the people of Texas.

Several members of the Tea Party faction also aim to block the appointment of Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan. Even though Phelan is a hard-line Conservative and led one of the most fascist legislative sessions to date, the Tea Party faction calls him a RINO for bipartisanship.

Unfortunately, this infighting within the Republican Party in Texas won’t stop Phelan from getting elected and won’t stop the far-right from pushing terrible bills.

Some of the bills they are pushing, which will likely get passed in the coming months:

• Banning gender reaffirming care for LGBTQ youth.

• Making sure Texas libraries are free from all LGBTQ or anti-racist books.

• Banning children from seeing counselors in school.

• Implementing criminal charges for women who leave the state to seek abortions.

School vouchers will not pass, as there are too many Republicans who still believe in the public education system. Likewise, most Democratic priorities will not pass, as the GOP has a majority.

Again, make sure you follow Living Blue in Texas on YouTube, and I will post all of the best clips from committees and the House floor.

Millionaires in the Texas State House?

Be on the lookout later this week for the jaw-dropping article I have coming. I’ve spent the last few weeks digging up Republicans’ backgrounds and financial statuses, and you won’t believe how many Texas House Reps are millionaires. (Hint: a lot) Stay tuned.