Texas Republicans Push Special Session To Curb Emergency Powers Before Hinojosa Takes Office
State Rep. Brian Harrison is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to call a special session to limit the governor’s emergency powers before Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa is sworn in Jan. 19, in a post viewed more than 3 million times on X. Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson called the idea irresponsible, according to other local news sources.
AUSTIN, Texas – A day after Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican state lawmaker is calling on Abbott to bring legislators back to Austin to strip the governor’s office of its emergency powers before she is sworn in.
State Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican who represents House District 10, posted a letter to Abbott on X on Wednesday, Nov. 4, demanding a special session “to rein in executive emergency powers before it’s too late.” The post had been viewed more than 3.1 million times by early Thursday.
Post by state Rep. Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) on X.
“Republicans lost last night, but Democrats were not sworn in,” Harrison wrote. “We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it.” He said that without a change, “Governor Hinojosa will inherit the powers of a DICTATOR.”
What Harrison wants changed
Harrison asked lawmakers to pass legislation like House Bill 911, which he filed for the 2023 legislative session. According to his post, the bill would:
- Bar the governor from suspending or changing state laws
- End emergency orders after 30 days unless the Legislature approves them
- Stop the governor from reissuing orders that expired or that lawmakers rejected
- Require emergency orders to be narrowly tailored
- Allow fast-track court review of emergency orders
Harrison said he has pushed the same limits since 2022, when Abbott held the office, and that “NO governor, Republican or Democrat, should have unchecked emergency powers.” The bill did not advance in the Legislature, according to other local news sources.
Pushback from Democrats
Attorney General-elect Nathan Johnson called Harrison’s demand “irresponsible,” according to other local news sources. “I also think that with such an overwhelming vote, that would not be welcomed by the public,” Johnson said, according to other local news sources.
Texas Senate Republicans also met Wednesday to discuss reorganizing the chamber and limiting the powers of Lieutenant Governor-elect Vikki Goodwin, according to other local news sources.
Abbott has not announced a special session. Only the governor can call one.
Hinojosa looks ahead
Hinojosa, who will be the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since 1990 and the first Latina to hold the office, posted a video on X Wednesday evening with the message, “We will lead with a politics of courage, not convenience.” She is set to take office Jan. 19, 2027, a week after the regular legislative session begins.
Video posted by Governor-elect Gina Hinojosa (@GinaHinojosaTX) on X.
Maverick County voters backed Hinojosa 8,651 to 4,111 over Abbott, according to final unofficial county results.
Read our earlier coverage: Talarico Wins Texas Senate Seat And Hinojosa Ousts Abbott In Historic Democratic Night
Also read: Ted Cruz Warns Republicans Could Lose Every Statewide Race In Texas As Early Vote Nears 7 Million
Sources: Rep. Brian Harrison on X | Gina Hinojosa on X | Texas Legislature Online, HB 911 (88th Legislature) | Maverick County Elections Department results
About The Author
