Chaos in the chamber Friday, ignited by a bold attempt to unseat Craddick, turned into a parliamentary battle of wills Saturday. As long as Craddick didn’t recognize opponents to kick him out of office, the 150-member chamber couldn’t vote to do so.
His opponents punctuated the day by reading from rule books and the state constitution, all quoting passages they were certain prove their side is right. The House adjourned shortly after 8 p.m.
The floor session ended much calmer than Friday’s, when rebels sought to boot Craddick from office, sergeants-at-arms restrained insurgents trying to overtake the speaker’s podium and the House parliamentarian resigned on the verge of tears.
“He’s a natural scrapper,” said Rep. Will Hartnett, a Dallas Republican who supports Craddick. “He’s fought and won many battles for many years.”
Hartnett said the rebellion is nothing more than ambitious lawmakers who seized an opportunity to boost themselves into the powerful House leadership role.
Throughout the day, insurgents tried to revive the rebellion. Craddick stepped away from his podium and Speaker Pro Tempore Sylvester Turner, a Houston Democrat, fended off questions about whether the House has the ability to oust the speaker.
“Let’s finish the House business,” Turner told Rep. Tommy Merritt, a Longview Republican trying to appeal a decision not to recognize him to make a parliamentary motion to unseat Craddick.
With two days left in the legislative session, lawmakers have spent the week hurdling through remaining legislation and much was left to be completed before Monday, including the $153 billion state budget. Speculation arose around the chamber that lawmakers would reject the budget, the only bill that the Legislature is legally required to pass this session. Such a move would force a special session and ratchet up the pressure on Craddick.
The House was expected to take up the budget Sunday.
“What we’re seeing is Speaker Craddick on the playground acting like the school yard bully,” said Democratic Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio. “The only way you can face down the school yard bully is to take him on and not run.”
Before Saturday’s proceedings began, Craddick appeared to be at ease when he and wife Nadine took a photograph with House staff. He later mingled throughout the chamber, at times looking sober and studious but other times laughing and joking with lawmakers.
His nonchalance belied the drama that unfolded the night before when Craddick survived an open House rebellion that lasted into early Saturday and put on display the bare-knuckle tenacity that boosted him to power.
Republican Rep. Fred Hill, who has filed his candidacy to replace Craddick, made a parliamentary request that would allow the chamber to vote to oust Craddick before the 140-day session ends Monday. The move capped weeks of simmering discord over Craddick’s leadership.
Craddick refused to recognize Hill to make the motion.
Hill next asked to allow the House to vote to appeal the speaker, which would have required a two-thirds vote of the body.
“The speaker’s discretion to recognize a member on a motion on any matter is unappealable,” Craddick said.
When Craddick convened again Saturday, it didn’t take long for his opponents to start needling him again, questioning the appropriateness of new parliamentarian, Terry Keel, and assistant parliamentarian Ron Wilson, both former state representatives.
At one point Craddick ally Leo Berman, R-Tyler, took the microphone and said there are many House members “who give you an outstanding vote of confidence and thank you for what you’re doing.”
Craddick’s supporters applauded.
When Turner took the podium, Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, one of six speaker candidates hoping to replace Craddick, tried to seize the opportunity to spark another coup attempt.
But Turner refused to recognize Pitts.
“Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,” yelled Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, questioning Turner’s statements. “I appeal that ruling. I appeal that decision. I appeal whatever you want to call it.”
The longest-serving member of the Legislature, Craddick helped propel the Republicans to House majority status in 2003 for the first time in more than 130 years. His grateful colleagues promptly chose Craddick to be their leader - and Texas’ first Republican speaker since 1871.
