The Texas Legislature is looking more like the U.S. Congress. Last week the Republican-controlled state House approved new rules that prevent Democrats from serving as committee chairs, a move that reflects the Legislature’s rapid shift toward the Washington-style politics that shut the minority party out of powerful leadership posts.

Although Democrats will be prohibited from chairing the main legislative committees, the chamber voted to expand the powers they can have as vice chairs.

New Texas House rules passed on Thursday prevent members of the minority party from holding influential committee chair positions. This change breaks a long-standing tradition in the chamber — and could signal that a contentious legislative session lies ahead.

New proposed bills aim to increase pay for all state employees and provide the first cost-of-living-adjustment for retirees in 25 years.

The proposed House rules would, however, require committee vice chairmanships to be given to minority party members, who are outnumbered 88-62.

Conservative activists in the GOP caucus called any power sharing with the minority party a betrayal of Republican voters.

While new House rules prevent Democrats from leading committees, it increases the power of the vice-chair position which will still give Democrats some say in legislation.

However, the minority party has yet to muster any viable ... The largest contributor to individual Democratic candidates was the Texas Sands PAC, which gave $542,000. The group is lobbying ...

Texas GOP Representative-elect Shelley Luther wrote on X: "Today, the RINO (anti-MAGA) Establishment laughed in the faces of our Republican grassroots. They chose Democrat chairs and Lobbyist buddies over their voters. I look forward to seeing if they're still laughing after the next round of primaries. The fight starts today."

The unusually public battle to helm the Texas House divided both Democratic and Republican lawmakers between Rep. Dustin Burrows and Rep. David Cook.

Will Texas House Republicans face censure following Speaker vote? Can they legally be removed from primary ballot?

The Republican-led Texas House voted Thursday to bar Democrats from holding powerful committee chair posts, ending a longstanding tradition that members credited with fostering a bipartisan spirit ...