In 2017 Texas became the 11th state to pass the Convention of States resolution. However, if a convention is not called by the 8th anniversary of passage, the resolution will be automatically repealed (May 2025). We will not allow Texas to become the first state to withdraw from this Article V process.
The Texas legislature meets every other year for 140 days. The last day of the 88th legislative session is May 31. Our Capitol Brigade has been at the Capitol 3 days a week every week this session, working to remove or extend the expiration date. Our Capitol Brigade, joined by other volunteers across the state, had a steady and positive presence in the Capitol. They built relationships and lived our core values every day. They started each day with a Bible study, regularly participated in the Tuesday night Capitol prayer service and visited with 181 legislators and their staffers.
Dawn Bednarz, Capitol Brigade team member and happy warrior commented:
“I love all of it!! …I find the whole thing so fascinating. The strategy…. Just wow!!! I have a lot to learn and have great teachers. I do not regret one day spent in Austin. My spiritual life grew, and I treasure the fellowship with the team and time with legislators. A whole new world opened to me. …Forever grateful”
Excellent progress was made towards passage. The Texas Senate passed SJR 52 in March to extend the expiration by eight years. After much grassroots effort, the House State Affairs Committee passed it on May 17th, clearing the way for a House floor vote on Tuesday, May 23.
We had completed multiple “whip counts” in concert with our legislative sponsors, to know that we had the votes for passage. On the other hand, May 23rd was the last possible day to pass a 2nd reading in the House for the session, with an overfull calendar, and with many House members using delay tactics "chubbing" so that many bills would die without a vote.
What happened?
It was a long day watching the progression through the calendar. We watched through lunch; willing movement to get to bottom of page five of the calendar, and our bill.
Most of us broke for an evening prayer service at the Capitol, while a few stayed and tracked our progress. David Barton, "America’s historian", spoke at the prayer service, quoting John Quincy Adams: “Duty is ours, the results are God’s”. It felt like God was using David to speak directly to us, to persevere in the face of struggles. He also quoted Dr. Benjamin Rush, to encourage us “to do good” tirelessly. We can enjoy rest when we are in heaven.
After a day of watching seemingly endless debate on other bills, our bill was read at 10:14 PM. Our team was in the House gallery looking upon our legislators in anticipation. After brief discussion among the house Representatives, a “point of order” was raised that there was a clerical error, which then killed SJR 52 among many other good bills that were heard in the in the May 23rd House State Affairs Committee, without the vote ever occurring. If there were days left in the session, the bill would be returned to the Committee for correction and then returned to the floor for a vote. But when the clock struck twelve, our bill and many others died as the regular session ended.
After the vote, the team met in the Capitol rotunda to praise God for His will and His timing, wisdom, and the courage to persevere. We sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.
"He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat"
The sun will never set on liberty in Texas!
What’s next?
Nothing of worth is easily attained. Success requires faith, prayer, study, and sustained effort. All great movements have experienced their greatest growth under stress and persecution. Ours will be no different!
We will persevere in the march to a Convention of States. We will remove the expiration date in the next Texas session!
