Angry Republican Rep Unsuccessfully Attempts to Oust Speaker Burrows

AUSTIN, TX — Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock was elected Speaker of the Texas House in January. The election accompanied controversy in that a small band of the right, having enlisted the help of national Republicans, had previously ousted Rep. Dade Phelan who had served as the Speaker of the House last session, in 2023. Phelan survived being "primaried" in 2024, forcing him to spend nearly $1,000 per vote to retain his seat. Even President Donald Trump endorsed his opponent.

Burrows, as the new Speaker, is now subjected to a similar backlash from the right, generally spearheaded by Rep. Brian Harrison, who represents District 10 and Waxahachie.

Harrison has been unmerciful on X calling for Burrows' scalp but most view his shenanigans as looking for attention. 

This morning at 10:20 a.m., Harrison introduced HR 823, a motion to vacate the chair, or fire Burrows. The motion was tabled by the Texas House with only two Republicans — Harrison and Rep. David Lowe, District 91 in North Richland Hills — voting to proceed. The motion to table, or kill, Harrison's resolution was 141-2 with five Democrats voting "present" and two absent.