Texas state Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican, called on Gov. Greg Abbott to “immediately convene a special session” to limit executive emergency powers before Democrat Gina Hinojosa takes her oath of office.

“Republicans lost last night, but Democrats were not sworn in. We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it by using the remaining ten weeks to restore separation of powers and limit the emergency powers that Governor-Elect Hinojosa is set to inherit, which would allow her to destroy liberty in Texas by executive fiat. I’ve warned since I was first elected that NO governor, Republican or Democrat, should have unchecked emergency powers!” Harrison said.

“Now that Texas has elected a Democrat Governor, the urgency is undeniable… and inaction is intolerable. Without action, Governor Hinojosa will inherit the powers of a DICTATOR. Due to the absurd (and almost certainly unconstitutional) Texas emergency powers laws, Gov. Hinojosa will literally have the power to modify laws, ignore laws, or create and enforce laws – including criminal laws – on a whim! Today is a day for ACTION, and bold leadership,” Harrison continued.

“The Texas Legislature must immediately pass, and Governor Abbott must sign, legislation like HB911, which I filed in 2022 and warned at the time, that ‘Never ending emergency powers are antithetical to representative government and render people powerless. Legislative bodies allowing a single executive branch official to both write and enforce laws is the biggest threat to our constitutional system of divided government and should be opposed irrespective of which political party runs the executive branch,'” he added.

The Hill shared further:

Hinojosa defeated Abbott with 52.78 percent of the vote to his 45.66 percent, according to The Hill’s election partner Decision Desk HQ. Abbott conceded and told supporters that he would “assist her and her team in a period of transition.” Her win flipped the governor’s mansion blue for the first time since former Gov. Ann Richards won in 1990.

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Hinojosa will likely enter her new role with more powers than anticipated on the campaign trail, the Houston Chronicle reported. She could also face roadblocks, as Texas Republicans have vowed to “hold the line” against the Democrat’s agenda.

Texas state Rep. Dade Phelan (R) told the outlet that he expects Hinojosa to accomplish her plans even with GOP opposition, as they don’t hold a majority big enough in the state Senate “to govern with an iron fist.”

“Things have to occur,” Phelan told the Chronicle. “They don’t have every lever of government like they are accustomed to.”

The strong night for Democrats in Texas did not apply solely to Hinojosa and Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-Texas), as Democratic state Rep. Vikki Goodwin defeated Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R), and Democrats won the races for state attorney general, comptroller, railroad commissioner and agriculture commissioner.

Harrison said his legislation would “protect liberty from executive fiat by, among other things” taking the following actions:

1. Prohibit the Governor from suspending or modifying statutes

2. Sunset emergency orders in 30 days if the legislature does not ratify the order

3. Prohibit the governor from reissuing emergency orders that expired or the legislature rejected

4. Require emergency orders to be narrowly tailored

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5. Subject emergency orders to expedited judicial review

“We have TEN WEEKS LEFT to protect Texas from near total Democrat rule. I encourage every elected Republican in Texas to join my demand for Gov. Abbott to call a special session. The future of liberty in America is literally on the line in Texas, and Texans deserve leadership that acts accordingly,” he said.

Watch below:

NewsNation noted:

It remains unclear whether Abbott will heed Harrison’s call. Similar debates have emerged in other states following Democratic victories, but no special session has been announced. Hinojosa is expected to take office in January, ending more than a decade of Abbott’s tenure as governor.

 

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