Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Statement on the Texas Senate’s Unanimous Passage of Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68 – Impeachment Reform – “I Kept My Promise”



 

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the unanimous passage of Senate Bill 2051 and Senate Joint Resolution 68, Impeachment Reform, by Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury:

“Following Former Speaker Phelan’s failed 2023 impeachment of the Texas attorney general, I was very critical of the House’s process. I vowed to pass legislation to improve the impeachment process for future legislatures.

“Promises made, promises kept.

“In 2023, House members were rushed into taking an impeachment vote without proper time to deliberate or even see the evidence themselves. No witnesses were placed under oath by the House General Investigating Committee. As a result, witness testimony fell apart when they were placed under oath at trial in the Senate. The attorney general was not paid from the time he was impeached by the House and acquitted at trial in the Senate. Even after he was acquitted, he did not receive back pay. Former Speaker Phelan did all he could to cover up the true cost of impeachment from taxpayers. It took Texans over 18 months to learn the truth: Phelan’s failed political gambit cost taxpayers over $5.1 million.

“With a new speaker and many new members, it is time to look forward. Sen. Birdwell’s bill and joint resolution are about making sure future impeachments, should they be necessary, are fair for the accused and fully transparent for taxpayers.”

Senate Bill 2051, by Sen. Brian Birdwell, amends the impeachment statute to require all witness testimony before the House General Investigating Committee occur under oath. SB 2051 requires 72 hours for House members to review evidence prior to floor deliberations and an additional 72 hours following floor deliberations before the final vote so members have proper time to consider their votes. The bill also requires both the Texas House and Senate to compile their impeachment costs, and both chambers must promptly submit their costs after the trial.

Senate Joint Resolution 68, by Sen. Brian Birdwell, ensures impeached state office holders continue to get paid while impeachment proceedings move forward.