FILE – The Senate Chamber is shown at the Texas Capitol, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, in Austin, Texas. As a Texas special session focused on school choice and border security comes to a close, infighting among state leaders could spell trouble for legislation on both of those fronts.
"In the likely event that Governor Abbott calls us back into session next week, my intent is to file this bill at the earliest opportunity," Buckley said in a letter attached to the policy. "Now that the expanded call has given the House the tools it needs to take this bill up for debate, we will plan to move forward with its consideration. My reason for disseminating this draft is to give each of you a jumpstart on examining this bill ahead of the next special session.
Though no official word has been made on when such a special session would take place, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who presides over the Senate, stated on social media that he informed Abbott he supported waiting for a special session until Feb. 5, 2024, just a month before primary elections. Just hours earlier, Patrick had criticized the House's plan for House Bill 4, which would create a state-level criminal penalty for illegal border crossings. Phelan responded, with a rare direct statement to Patrick's post.