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A symbolic resolution honoring a former Planned Parenthood president unexpectedly triggered a legislative meltdown in the Texas House on Friday, leading to a collapse of not one but two floor calendars and what some lawmakers are calling the "Maundy Thursday Massacre."
The conflict centered around a resolution authored by Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin), intended to memorialize Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood and daughter of late Texas Gov. Ann Richards. Although similar memorials are typically routine business in the Legislature, this one ignited weeks of behind-the-scenes tension that erupted on the House floor.
The resolution had been placed on the House's Memorial & Resolutions Calendar by Local & Consent Calendars Chair Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), alongside other tributes — including one to the late Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and Republican activist Jill Glover. But for several members on the far-right flank of the Republican caucus, the inclusion of Richards was unacceptable.
From the back microphone, conservative Republicans including Reps. Brent Money, Mitch Little, Tony Tinderholt, Nate Schatzline, Brian Harrison, and Andy Hopper expressed sharp objections. Hopper even requested time for a personal privilege speech to speak against the resolution — an unusual move in what is typically a ceremonial proceeding.
“I don’t think that any member of this body — Democrat or Republican — should be asked to drink a little bit of poison to their soul,” Schatzline said passionately on the floor. “If there is something in the calendar that is objectionable on any basis, no member of this House of Representatives should be required to vote the entire calendar up or down.”
Tradition Meets Turmoil
Historically, members vote on memorial calendars as a whole, with any individual objections noted in the House journal — a procedural compromise that allows for legislative efficiency while respecting differences of opinion. But this time, emotion overrode tradition.
Democrats responded in kind. Rep. Ramon Romero (D-Fort Worth) pushed back against the objections, saying the House had long honored people from all walks of life, regardless of political alignment. “We don’t have to agree, but if somebody meant something to you or to me, the tradition of this House is that we honor those persons whether we agree with that person’s life or not,” Romero said.
He went further, venting frustration about his own resolution for labor rights icon Cesar Chavez being blocked. “I thought I was going to come up here and talk about the congratulatory and memorial calendar,” he said, visibly emotional. “But that wasn't allowed because some people don't want to honor Cesar Chavez anymore.”
A Legislative Breakdown
After an hour of heated debate, the chamber took a break — conveniently aligning with a scheduled Easter egg hunt hosted by the governor at the mansion nearby.
When lawmakers reconvened, the leadership’s attempt to salvage the memorial calendar fell apart. Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) withdrew his motion to move the calendar, and with it, the slate of resolutions collapsed.
In a ripple effect, the House also scrapped the Local & Consent Calendar — a batch of typically noncontroversial, fast-tracked bills — after enough Republican members signed off to have Rep. Mary González’s (D-Clint) bills pulled in retaliation for procedural moves made during last week’s budget fight.
This tit-for-tat quickly escalated, echoing past legislative blowups. In 2017, the Texas Freedom Caucus similarly tanked the Local & Consent Calendar to protest leadership decisions under then-Speaker Joe Straus. This time, the faction of reform-minded conservatives once again used the tactic to flex their growing influence.
Members of that group were still fuming over earlier slights — including the abrupt end to debate on House rules spearheaded by Chair Patterson, and more recently, their thwarted budget amendments.
Timing Is Everything
The fireworks came less than 24 hours after the House had pushed through a controversial education savings account bill — a cornerstone conservative policy long opposed by Democrats. Many in the minority party were still simmering after the late-night vote, which wrapped around 3:00 a.m.
The resolution honoring Richards, known nationally for her leadership of Planned Parenthood, was the spark that ignited long-simmering grievances and political power plays.
Conservative lawmakers had made their warning clear: remove the Richards resolution or face chaos. Leadership gambled — and lost.
The Bigger Picture
While the moment may appear isolated, the blowup reflects deeper tensions inside a 150-member chamber divided not just by party lines, but by factions within those parties. The Texas House has seen increasing friction between traditional conservatives and hardline Republicans eager to push procedural and policy reforms — often at the expense of legislative decorum.
The collapse of two calendars will likely delay noncontroversial local bills and memorials, frustrating lawmakers across the spectrum. But to some, it was a necessary stand.
To others, it was a needless implosion.
“It’s unfortunate when a moment meant to honor people — no matter their politics — becomes a battlefield,” one longtime Capitol observer said. “But this is where the House is right now. And maybe where it’s been heading for a while.”
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