Mutiny On The House Floor — Speaker Craddick Refuses To Bring Ouster To A Vote

AUSTIN Chaos erupted in the statehouse Saturday when House Speaker Tom Craddick refused to recognize a motion to remove him from office, citing House rules as the reason he is allowed to choose what will be heard.

Amid lengthy recesses, the resignations of two parliamentarians, threats by House members to take Craddick’s actions to court, and shouts among legislators, the situation was not settled on Saturday, but was expected to arise again Sunday following possible approval of a $153 billion budget.

Setting off the open confrontation was a question asked by Rep. Jim Dunnam of Waco, who queried about the removal procedure.

Craddick’s answer was that the speaker does not have to recognize a member with a motion to remove the leader, and the speaker’s ruling cannot be appealed.

When it appeared that gridlock was in place until this question was answered to the satisfaction of other House members, Craddick recessed the House until 11 p.m. and departed, which resulted in House members chiding Craddick and demanding his return and resignation, so that House business could be continued.

During the chaos, House members supporting and not supporting Craddick yelled across the chamber at each other and Parliamentarian Denise Davis, whose advice Craddick was said to have been ignoring, resigned.

When Craddick returned at 11 p.m., he announced the appointment of a new parliamentarian and assistant parliamentarian, but his opponents objected.

When Craddick declined to recognize Rep. Dunnam for a motion to elect a new parliamentarian, Dunnam asked, “Does anybody’s voice in this chamber matter other than yours?”

“We’re going to follow the House rules,” Craddick said.

“When?” Dunnam asked.

For several weeks, House members have been revolting against Craddick, who has a reputation for strong-arming members.

When members attempted to vote him out during the weekend, Craddick made it clear he would exercise the speaker’s prerogative not to recognize anyone for that resolution, while opponents argued that a motion to remove the speaker is a privileged motion that a speaker must recognize for action, citing historical precedent. Craddick’s new parliamentarian, former Austin Rep. Terry Keel, argued that the speaker is a constitutional officeer and can be removed only by impeachment or other constitutional provisions.