Texas House Republicans Clash Over Awarding Chairmanships to Democrats

Grass-root conservatives protest against the GOP ceding power

Conservative Republicans Melody Allen (L) and Beverly Gatlin (R) traveled from the Dallas area to the state capital to oppose the tradition of allowing Democrats to chair committees in the Republican-led House. Darlene McCormick Sanchez/The Epoch Times

AUSTIN, Texas—The opening of the 88th Texas legislative session this week was just as tense as any Western high-noon showdown.

Grass-root Texas conservatives flocked to Austin this week wearing “Ban Democratic Chairs” T-shirts to protest against the appointment of chairs from the minority party to House committees.