The Legislative
Branch
Chapter
8
Learning Objectives
8.1
Describe the structure of the Texas
legislature.
8.2
Describe the membership of the Texas
legislature, including legislators’ formal and
informal qualifications and compensation.
8.3
Compare the organization of the Texas
House of Representatives and the Texas
Senate.
8.4
Outline the responsibilities of the Texas
legislature.
8.5
Explain the influences on legislators’ voting
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rights reserved.
2
Legislative Framework
§
Election and Terms of Office
§
Bicameral
§
§
§
House: 150 members, two-year terms.
Regardless of redistricting after the census, all
of its 150 members are up for reelection
Senate: 31 members, four-year terms-After the
census and redistricting, 16 won't have to
stand for election until four years where 15 of
the 31 members, will have to stand for election
the following two years.
3
Elected in the Even years but conduct business
Legislative Framework
§
Sessions
§
Regular session
§
§
§
Begins on second Tuesday in January,
of odd-numbered years
140 days maximum (usually ends end of
May, first day of June)
Included in the 1876 Constitution because if
the Texas legislature (House and Senate) in
session too long more damage to citizens
4
Legislative Framework
§
Sessions
§
Special session-legislature may
consider only those matters placed
before it by the governor
§
Called by governor
§
Texas legislature cannot set agenda
§
30 days maximum
§
Can call additional 30 day special sessions
§
Redistricting, abortion legislation
5
Senator Wendy Davis (D-Ft. Worth)
successfully filibusters a bill to
reduce the number of abortion
providers in Texas during the First
Special Session of the 83rd
Legislature. The bill had passed in
the Texas House of Representatives.
Critical Thinking Question:
Would a unicameral legislature benefit or harm Texas?
Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All
rights reserved.
6
Legislative Framework
§
Districting
§
Approximately equal districts
§
Based on federal decennial census
§
State legislative districts
§
§
Reynolds v. Sims (population-based)-seats in
both houses of a bicameral state legislature
must be apportioned on a population basis
Gerrymandering-drawing the boundaries of a
district, such as a state senatorial or
representative district to include or exclude 7
Legislative Framework
§
Districting
§
Single-member district-elects only one
representative to a policymaking body, such as a
state House, state Senate or US Congress
(Representative)
§
§
Redistricting-Redrawing boundaries after the
federal decennial census with approximately
equal population
In 2011, Texas was required to get
preclearance from the Department of Justice
( DOJ) and the maps challenged in court.
8
Perez v. Perry claimed the plans discriminated
Legislative Framework
§
Districting
§
When heard by the Supreme Court ordered the
maps redrawn in a way that was more consistent
with the legislatures' original redistricting plans
§
San Antonio Courts redrew the map and ordered
the primaries be held on May 29, 2015 ( normally
held in the first week of March)
§
2012 maps temporary and so legislature had to
redraw maps ( went into special session).
Identical to those drawn in the San Antonio
district court
9
Legislative Framework
§
Districting
§
Shelby County v. Holder-The US Supreme Court
ruled that the automatic preclearance
requirements of the Voting Rights Act were no
longer applicable
§
Must now file a lawsuit to prove discrimination
§
So plaintiffs in Perez v. Perry immediately
challenged the House and congressional
redistricting plans. The Texas Attorney general's
office contended than any dilution of minority
voting strength was a by-product of the legal
10
practice of partisan gerrymandering
Legislative Framework
§
Districting
§
Can redistrict on partisan but not racial factor
(otherwise would be going back to doing the very
thing which should not be allowed); yet cannot
dilute the minority voting district once established
§
In the 2014 primaries, used the 2013 maps
§
In the end, two new Anglo and two new Hispanic
districts
§
US Congressional Districts ( in DC, 36
congressional districts (698,488 within each
district). Used the same maps for 2014 and still
11
under challenge.
Legislative Framework
●
●
Question: In which type of
legislative session does a
governor have more authority, a
regular session or a special
session?
Gerrymandered districts are
illegal
12
Court-Ordered Interim Texas State Senate
Districts (for electing state senators in 2012–2014)
Critical Thinking Question: Should drawing maps that favor the
election of members from a specific political party be illegal?
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13
Court-Ordered Texas State House Districts
(for electing state representatives in 2012–2014)
Critical Thinking Question: Should state representatives be
elected on a multimember or single-member basis?
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14
Constitutional Qualifications for
Membership in the Texas Legislature
Qualification
House
Senate
Citizenship
U.S. citizen
U.S. citizen
Voter status
Qualified Texas voter
Qualified Texas voter
Residence in
district
One year preceding
election
One year preceding
election
Texas residence
Two years preceding
election
Two years preceding
election
Age
21 years
26 years
Source: Constitution of Texas, Art. 3, Secs. 6 and 7.
Learning Check
Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All
rights reserved.
Critical Thinking
15
Legislators
§
Qualifications and Characteristics
§
May not hold another government office
§
Informal
§
Gender and ethnic classifications
§
§
Dominated by Anglo males, but improving
Political party affiliation (98 R 52 D)
Republican
majority (1961-no Republican held a seat in the Texas
legislature)
§
Education and occupation (attorneys and business owners
or managers). Teachers,ranchers, real estate.
§
Mostly college-educated; often attorneys or business
16
State Senator Leticia Van
de Putte, a Latina, mother
of six children, and a
pharmacist, waves to the
crowd before giving remarks
at a Planned Parenthood
rally at the state Capitol on
March 8, 2011.
Austin AmericanStatesman/World Picture
Network LLC
Critical Thinking Question: How would increasing the
number of women in elected office affect public policy?
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rights reserved.
17
Legislators
§
Qualifications and Characteristics
§
Informal
§
Religious affiliation
§
§
Mostly Christian-affiliated (Catholics, followed by Baptists,
Methodists, and Episcopalians)
Legislative experience
§
Recent House turnover rate 17%
§
Recent Senate turnover rate 9%
§
Usually more effective with experience (Whitmire longest in
Senate)
§
No term limits
18
Legislators
§
Compensation
§
Pay and per diem allowance
§
§
§
$7,200 annually (since 1975)-specified by the
Texas Constitution
$150 daily per diem (Texas Ethics Commission
Expense allowances
§
§
§
Official travel within Texas, postage, office
operations and staff
House members = about $13,000 monthly
Senate members = about $38,000 monthly
19
Legislators
§
Compensation
§
Retirement pension
§
Complex formula
§
Many don’t serve long enough to qualify
§
But payments may begin at relatively young
age
Learning Check
20
●
●
Question: A formal qualification
for a member of theTexas
legislature is that she or he must
be a practicing Christian
During a legislator's term of
office, which will be higher:
legislators' salaries or their per
diem
allowances?
Learning Check
21
Annual Salary of Legislators
for the Year of Last Regular
Session
Most
Annual
U.S. States
Annual
Populous
U.S. States
Salary
Bordering
Texas
Salary
California
$90,526
Arkansas
$15,869
Florida
$29,697
Louisiana
$16,800*
New York
$79,500
New Mexico
$0**
Oklahoma
$38,400
Texas
$7,200
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22
Legislative Organization
§
Presiding Officers
§
President of the Senate: The
Lieutenant Governor
§
Elected for four-year term (by citizens)
§
Most powerful elected official-presides or
becomes involved in the daily business of the
Senate
§
Not a member of the Senate-not elected from
any of the state senate districts, elected
statewide. Only votes in a tie
23
Legislative Organization
§
Presiding Officers
§
President of the Senate: The
Lieutenant Governor
§
First in line of succession in the event of the
death, resignation, or removal of the governor
§
When governor absent, receives gubernatorial
salary ($400 per day) but when not receives
$600 per month which comes out to $20 per day
§
If Lt. Governor dies, resigns or is elected to
another office, the Senate elects one of its
members to serves as “acting” Lt. Gov.
24
Legislative Organization
§
Presiding Officers
President of the Senate: The Lieutenant
Governor
Plays leading role in legislative matters (Table 8.3):
Issues interim charges to standing committees for
subjects to be studied in the interim between regular
sessions
Creates and abolishes committees and appoints
Senate committees subcommittee chairs and vice
chairs and appoints members of the Senate
25
committees and subcommittees
Legislative Organization
§
Presiding Officers
President of the Senate: The Lieutenant
Governor
Determines the Senate committees to which a bill will
be sent after introduction
Recognizes senators who wish to speak on the
Senate floor or make a motion
Serves as joint chair of the Legislative Council, the
Legislative Budget Board (LBB), and the legislative
Audit Committee (LAC) and Legislative Redistricting
26
Board (LRB)
Legislative Organization
§
Presiding Officers
§
Speaker of the House
§
§
§
§
Serves as representative (1 out of the 150
members so still representative of a district)
Elected by members to two-year term- Open
vote. Induce members to support. Reelection
easier. (Straus)
Controls House proceedings Table 8.3):
Issues interim charges to standing committees
for subjects to be studied in the interim
27
between regular sessions
Legislative Organization
§
Presiding Officers
§
Speaker of the House (cont)
§
§
Appoints House committee and
subcommittee chairs and vice-chairs;
and members of House committees
(limited by seniority rules)
Creates and abolishes committees
28
Legislative Organization
§
§
§
§
§
Presiding Officers (House cont)
Determines the House committee to which
a bill will be sent after introduction
Recognizes members who wish to speak on
the House floor or make a motion
Votes (rarely) on all bills and resolutions
Serves as joint chair of the Legislative
Council, the Legislative Budget Board and
the Legislative Audit Committee; Legislative
29
Redistricting Board
Legislative Organization
Committee System
§
House
Committees
§
Senate
Committees
§
Substantive
§
Standing
§
Procedural
§
Select
§
Select
§
Special interim
Critical Thinking Question:
How could serving on a specific committee benefit a legislator?
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30
Legislative Organization
§
§
Committee System- House and Senate
committees play important roles in the fate
or fortune of all bills and resolutions.
Determines the amount and type of
legislative output during a session.
Permanent staff members are assigned and
and may work on interim study committees
to look at legislative issues between regular
sessions
See Table 8.4 of important House and Senate
committees as well as Procedural
31
committees/State Affairs/Finance/Appropriation
Legislative Organization
§
§
§
Established under House rules adopted in
each regular sessions
1. Substantive committee-considers bills
and resolutions related to the subject
identified by it name ( House Agriculture
Committee) and may recommend passage
of proposed legislation to the appropriate
calendar committee (major legislation/bills)
2.Procedural committee-resolutions relating
primarily to procedural legislative matters.
So looking at Calendars committee and 32
Legislative Organization
§
§
3.Select- Created independently by
the House Speaker of the Lieutenant
governor, may consider legislaiton that
crosses committee jurisdictional lines
or may conduct special studies
4. Interim committee -A House or
Senate committee appointed by the
Speaker or lieutenant governor to
study an important policy issue
33
between regular sessions
Legislative Organization
§
§
§
Committees in the Senate
1.Standing committee- a Senate committee
appointed by the lieutenant governor for the
purpose of considering proposed bills and
resolutions before possible floor debate and
voting by senators (similar to substantive
committee in House)
2.Select- Lt. Governor to consider
legislation that crosses committee
jurisdictional lines or may conduct special
34
studies
Legislative Organization
§
§
Committees in the Senate
3.Special Interim committee – Senate
committee appointed by the Speaker or
lieutenant governor to study an important
policy issue between regular sessions
35
Legislative Organization
§
Legislative Caucus System-An
organization of legislators who seek to
maximize their influence over issues in
which they have a special interest
§
Prohibited from receiving pubic money
§
Facebook/Twitter
36
Legislative Organization
§
Party caucuses-strengthening of party
caucuses in each chamber of Texas
legislature. No formal organizational role
in either chamber, party caucuses take
policy positions on some issues and
promote unity among their members
§
Racial/ethnic caucuses-Members of the
caucus led efforts to establish the
University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
UT Pan American and UT Brownsville
37
medical school
Legislative Organization
§
Ideological caucuses-Conservative and
liberal caucuses reflect opposing view on
most issues. Texas Conservative Coalition
Republicans and Conservative Democrats;
Liberal Legislative Study Group;
Independent Conservative Republicans
(ICRT); Tea Party Caucus
§
Bipartisan caucuses- Some caucuses are
framed around specific issues important
to Republicans and Democrats.
Houston's W omen's Health Caucus and
38
Farm to table caucus
Legislative Organization
§
§
§
Question:
The Speaker of the House presides over
that body but cannot vote on a bill or
resolution.
In the Texas Senate, who determines the
committee to which a bill will be sent after
the introduction?
39
State Senators Dan
Patrick (R-Houston) and
Leticia Van de Putte (DSan Antonio) discuss an
issue during the 82nd
Legislature. The two
opposed each other in
2014 as nominees for
their respective parties in
the race for lieutenant
governor. Patrick won
that election.
Critical Thinking Question:
What is the appropriate relationship between elected officials who
are members of opposing political parties?
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40
Legislative Operations
§
Powers and Immunities-1.Making
public policy
§
Resolutions-a legislative statement of opinion
on a certain matter
§
1. Simple resolution (HR or SR)- A resolution that
requires action by one legislative chamber only and is
not acted on by the governor. Ex. House or Senate
procedures, invitations to nonmembers to readiness a
particular chamber
§
2. Concurrent resolution (HCR or SCR) -adopted by
both the House and Senate majorities and then
approved by the Governor. Ex. A request for action
41
by Congress or authorization for someone to sue the
state/state icons(pumpkins);state musical instrument
Legislative Operations
§
Powers and Immunities
§
Making public policy
§
3.Joint resolution (HJR or SJR)- A
resolution that must pass by a majority vote
in each house when used to ratify an
amendment as the US Constitution (¾ of
the states). Ex #2 As a proposal for an
amendment to the Texas Constitution, a
joint resolution requires a two-thirds
majority vote in each house. Does not need
the governor's signature
42
Legislative Operations
§
Powers and Immunities
§
Making public policy
§
§
§
Bills- A proposed law (HB or SB):
Special-an exception to general laws for the
benefit of a specific individual, class or
corporation
General -apply to all people or property in all
parts of Texas. Pass by a simple majority. For
emergency measures, need 2/3 of each
chamber to take effect upon the governor's
43
signature
Legislative Operations
§
Powers and Immunities
§
Making public policy
§
§
Bills (con't)
Local-creates or affects a single unit of
local government (a city, county, or
special district. Such bills usually pass
without opposition if sponsored by all
legislators representing the affected
area
44
Legislative Operations
§
Powers and Immunities
§
2.Constitutional amendment power
(Remember need joint resolution of
both chambers)
§
3.Administrative and investigative
powers
§
Oversight-requiring state agencies to make
both periodic and special reports to the
legislature. Auditor and the the six member
committee of top elected officials on the
45
Legislative Audit committee.
Legislative Operations
§
Powers and Immunities
§
Second control over state agencies through the
Sunset Advisory commission which makes
recommendations to the House and Senate
concerning the continuation, merger, division, or
abolition of nearly every state agency.
§
Legislature may subpoena witnesses, administer
oaths, and compel submission of records and
documents
46
Legislative Operations
§
Powers and Immunities
§
Senatorial courtesy-before appointment the
governor is expected to obtain approval from the
state senator in whose district the prospective
appointee resides. Failure to do so would cause
the Senate to “bust” the appointee.
§
4.Impeachment and Removal Powers- House
impeaches majority vote (charge) and the Senate
removes(tries the individual)in Senate chambers
by 2/3. Disqualification form holding any other
pubic office under the Texas composition. Crime,
prosecution before court. Elected executive 47
officers such as governor/appointed state officials
Legislative Operations
§
§
§
Powers and Immunities
5. Immunities- May not be sued for
slander or otherwise held accountable for
any statements made in a speech or
debate during a legislative proceeding.
My not be arrested while attending a
legislative session or while traveling to or
from the legislature's meeting place for
the purpose of attending (unless treason,
felony, or breach of the peace).
48
Legislative Operations
§
Rules and Procedures
§
Rules and Procedures
§
Bills and adopting resolutions principal
means whereby members of the Texas
legislature participate in making public
policy
§
Each chamber adopts own rules at the
beginning of each regular session
49
Legislative Operations
§
Rules and Procedures
§
Procedural issues decided by presiding
officer Lt. Governor (Senate) and Speaker
of the House
§
Whether a bill is passed or defeated
depends heavily on the skills of sponsors
and opponents in using House rules and
Senate rules
§
Lt. governor /and Speaker of the House
instrumental in the interpretation of rules
50
Route Followed
by a House Bill
from Texas
Legislature to
Governor
Critical Thinking
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51
Legislative Operations
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law
(Can be introduced in either House or Senate;
companion bill in the other chamber helps speed
passage)
1. Introduction in the House- Parliamentarian
provides advice on procedural questions to
Speaker and Lt. Governor
First 30 days introduction of bills and
resolutions, emergency appropriations , and
52
recess appointments during recess.
Legislative Operations
§
§
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Second:30 days devoted to committee
consideration of bills/resolutions
Last 80 days devoted to floor debate and voting
on bills/resolutions
At any time emergency matters may be
considered by governor
53
Legislative Operations
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont)
2. First Reading (House) and Referral to
Committee-chief clerk reads aloud the
caption ( a summary of contents ) and
announces the committee to which the bill
has been assigned by the Speaker
54
Legislative Operations
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont)
3. House Committee Consideration and
Report (Bill analysis and whether fiscal note
(LBB). Also, impact statement (change
punishment for felony offense or change the
public school finance system). Might have
subcommittee involvement.
55
Legislative Operations
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont)
Proposed bills from either full or
subcommittee may have amendments and
vote on each amendment or substitute new
bill for the proposed bill
56
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont)
Two committeess determine the order in which
bills are cleared for floor action:
§
§
§
1.Local and consent. Local bills, consent and
noncontroversial resolutions
2. Calendar committeeEmergency; all taxing and
spending(appropriations) bills/
57
§
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont)
Major state calendar; statewide impact;
insurance general state calendar (statewide but
limited legal and policy effect; a fixed tuition plan
Constitutional Amendment
Minor state calendar
58
Legislative Operations
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont)
4. Second Reading (House)-The author of a bill,
the committee member reporting on behalf of
the committee , or another designated member
has the privilege of beginning and ending floor
debate with a speech of not more than 20
minutes. Usually reads caption only. Only
requires a majority vote for amendments. Can
avoid third reading with 4/5. electronic and no
ghost voting with strict enforcement
59
Legislative Operations
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont)
Chubbing- a practice whereby representatives
engage in a lengthy debate for the purpose of
using time and thus preventing a vote on a bill
that they oppose. (No filibuster in House)
60
Legislative Operations
§
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont)
To prevent logjams no nonlocal House bill
during the last 17 days, no local House bills
during the last 10 days, and no Senate bills
during the last 5 days.
5. Third Reading (House)- passage of a bill
requires a simple majority but amendments
will require two thirds. After approval of
amendments, copy, and ENGROSSED. 61
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law
6. First Reading (Senate)-Secretary of Senate
reads aloud the House bill's caption and
and announces the committee assignment
chosen by the Lt. Gov.; must have a Senate
sponsor and Senate sponsor when it goes
to House (start in Senate)
62
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law
7. Senate Committee Consideration and
Report- may tag a bill; effective during
the last days of the session. Bills are
listed on the Senate's Regular Order of
Business in order in which the secretary
of the Senate receives them (not like
sections on the Calendar committee in
the House)
63
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Senate Administration Committee-“parks” a
blocking bill “rosebush or blocker bill
Need two thirds of Senate to vote to suspend
the rules (So if you have 21 votes and the
other side has only 10 votes (remember 31
total in Texas Senate), the majority party
controls the agenda and vote to suspend
the rules and take the legislation around64the
Legislative Operations
§
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Once that is done, only need a majority to pass
(16). So actually takes 2/3 to suspend rules to
hear legislation but only a majority (16) to pass
once they discuss matter.
If minority side has 11, they can prevent further
discussion on legislation. Some think this gives
the minority too much power and some attempts
to get rid of the blocker bill. Dan Patrick (Lt. Gov)
65
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Second Reading in the Senate-debates the bill
and makes amendments.
May filibuster a bill (prolonged debate).Not as
powerful as when done in the US Senate
because can be halted with a majority or or
a motion to adjourn or recess. Most
effective if undertaken toward the end of a
session when time is short. (Wendy Davis)
66
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont.)
9. Third Reading (Senate)-If passed on the
second reading, a bill can have its third
reading suspended with 4/5 majority vote.
Amending requires 2/3 but only need a
majority to pass
10. Return to the House -clerk supervises a
perfect copy of the bill and delivers it to the
Speaker. After they accept all the
amendments given in the Senate. If not
67
goes to a Conference Committee
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont.)
11. Conference Committee-Each presiding
officer appoints five members to serve on
conference committee. Adjust differences
and promote a compromise
12. Conference Committee Report-must be
fully accepted or rejected by a simple
majority vote in each chamber
68
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont.)
13. Enrollment-After Both chambers have
accepted a conference report or both
agreed to the amendments added to the
bill, the House prepares a perfect copy of
the bill and stamps ENROLLED. Presented
to House
14. Signatures of the Chief Clerk and SpeakerChamber or origin, read by number only,
and certifies the vote by which it passed
69
Legislative Operations
§
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont.)
15. Signatures of Secretary of Senate and
Lieutenant Governor
16. Action by the Governor -When the
legislature remains in session, the governor
has three options:
1.Governor can sign the bill
2. Allow it to remain unsigned for 10 days, after
which it becomes law without the chief
70
executive's signature (governor)
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont.)
3.Veto the measure, returning it to the House
unsigned and giving the reasons for the
veto. The House and Senate can override
by having 2/3 in each chamber (Remember
House and Senate still in session)
71
Legislative Operations
§
How a Bill Becomes a Law (cont.)
. Action by the Governor -When the legislature
adjourns and the session end the governor
can:
20 days to veto the pending legislation and file the
rejected bills with the Secretary of State. If he
doesn't veto, automatically becomes law after
20 days.
Veto-This post adjournment veto is important
because the legislature is not in session
72
and cannot be overridden.
Legislative Operations
§
§
Question: What is the most typical
way in which the legislature
exercises its legislative power?
Members of the Texas House of
Representatives have no way to
delay a vote on a bill through
debate.
73
Influences Within the Legislative
Environment
ü
Constituents- “folks back home” should
be the most important but at times take
a back seat to other influences. Not
complete indifference but at times falls
short
ü
Presiding officers- in the House and
Senate
ü
Governor
74
Influences Within the Legislative
Environment
ü
Attorney general and judges
ü
State comptroller-estimates state
revenue for budgeting purposes
ü
Lobbyists (special interests)
ü
Events
ü
Research organizations
ü
Media
75
Influences Within the Legislative
Environment
§
§
Most Texas legislators depend heavily
on information provided by their staffs,
administrative agencies and by
lobbyists
Research Organizations
§
The Texas Legislative Council-Provides
bill drafting , advice for legislators,
interim study committee research
support demographic and statistical
76
data (Lt. Gov, Speaker, 6 H, 6 S
Influences Within the Legislative
Environment
§
–
House Research Organization- Daily
Floor Reports-analyze important bills,
provided a summary of bill content
and presenting arguments for and
against each bill
–
The Senate Research Centeranalyzes bills under consideration by
the Senate
77
Influences Within the Legislative
Environment
§
§
The Center for Public Policy PrioritiesRobert Junell (D- San Angelo) believes
liberal bias (state taxation, appropriation
to education and health care)
The Texas Public Policy FoundationLimited government, free enterprise,
private property rights, and individual
responsibility. Energy, education, health
care as well. More conservative
78
Influences Within the Legislative
Environment
§
The Media
§
Social media influence
§
Online news sites
§
Texas Tribune
§
Quorum Report
§
Austin-American Statesman
§
Texas Monthly
§
Texas Insider
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Questions:
§
§
The House Reserch Organization
influences the House through the
Daily Floor Report, which presents
arguments for and against each
bill.
How do social media provide
insight on media sources that are
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important to legislators
TX Sen Wendy Davis—
Abortion Bill—Never Give Up
Click on picture to view video
Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All
rights reserved.
81
Video Discussion Questions
1.
2.
3.
What is the purpose of a filibuster?
What interests or groups does
Senator Wendy Davis represent?
Is it easier to pass or to defeat
legislation in Texas?
Copyright © 2016 Cengage Learning. All
rights reserved.
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