Texas Senate Leads the Way!

In the spirit of the celebration of Texas Independence week, the Texas Senate, led by Primary Author Senator Brian Birdwell, passed the Convention of States Project Texas resolution, SJR2, on a 20-11 straight party line vote.

Pictured above are all 20 Texas GOP Senators (standing, L-R, Creighton, Huffines, Hancock, Nichols, Buckingham, Huffman, Hall, Kolkhorst, Van Taylor, Hughes, Schwertner, Perry, Campbell, Bettencourt (seated), Larry Taylor, Nelson, Seliger, Burton, Birdwell, Estes), Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and Governor Greg Abbott (both seated), last November celebrating Governor Abbott's birthday. All 22 elected officials are champions for the Convention of States in Texas!

The vote continues the momentum toward final passage in Texas this session.

Getting through the Senate became a top priority for Convention of States after May, 2015, when the resolution failed to pass out of the Senate State Affairs Committee.

The Senate win culminates from a combination of the outreach by the massive grassroots army of activists in the state, the full support of Gov. Abbott, and Lt. Gov. Patrick’s unwavering leadership in the Senate.

March 1^st marked the 181^st anniversary of Texas Independence, where delegates officially declared independence and drafted the state constitution. This notable parallel inspired activists, as they saw themselves as an active part of a new chapter in Texas history. This win should be celebrated by anyone who believes in federalism and appreciates the Texans who fought valiantly to be strong, free and independent.

The four-hour Senate floor debate and vote included three pieces of Article V legislation: SJR38 –which clears the slate of all previous Article V applications, SB21—The ‘Faithful Delegate Act’ which sets guidelines for convention commissioners, and SJR2—The Convention of States resolution.

All passed the Senate, and are now staged for consideration in the Texas House. Anticipation is high that the House will move swiftly on this Legislative Priority.

More than 100 Convention of States activists listened intently during the Senate floor debate, some traveling nine hours to attend the vote today. Thousands of phone calls and emails were sent to senators since passing the State Affairs committee two weeks ago. Activists departed the Texas Capitol more energized than ever for the upcoming House Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility hearing and future floor vote in the House.

“Years from now, each of these senators will look back at this vote as their defining moment as a legislator,” said Paul Hodson, Co-director for the Convention of States Project Texas. “These heroic legislators cast a vote that says they trust the People and the States, not Congress, to fix the issues at the federal level.”

“Senator Brian Birdwell was great today—masterful in his discussion of legislative actions in the 1800’s and 1900’s to end segregation that was shut down for 70 years by the Supreme Court,” stated Tamara Colbert, Co-director, Convention of States Project Texas. “His keen knowledge of history and respect for his opponents is an example that America has statesmen who are ready to lead an Article V amending convention.”

“The timing between Governor Abbott and Lt. Governor Patrick, as well as the huge build-up of more than 114,000 activists across the state made all the difference,” explained Martin Harry, Legislative Liaison for the Convention of States Project Texas. “We took nothing for granted and worked hard until the morning of the vote today, believing that relationships would win the day.”

Texas Will Lead!

Convention of States Texas volunteers and supporters understand that Texas is viewed as the nation's leader for liberty and support for our Constitutional Republic.

The following comments were made by Convention of States volunteers around the nation as they watched the 85^th Texas Senate Debate and Vote on the Convention of States Emergency Item Legislation – SJR 38, SB 21, and SJR 2.