Latest news with #GeneWu
CBS News
2 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Texas Democrats threaten walkout over "Trump takeover" as special session begins
With an ambitious agenda before them, Texas lawmakers kicked off the first of what could be several special sessions. "I'll focus on getting everything done in this special session. The one and only special session," joked Rep Brian Stiller. Gov. Greg Abbott has set an agenda of 18 items for the Legislature to tackle over the next 30 days. "We need to get families and communities the care that they need and the recovery dollars. So I think obviously that should be our number one priority," said Rep. Mihaela Plesa, of the need to provide relief to Central Texas flood victims. Democratic party leaders, though, have warned they're willing to walk if conservative issues overshadow the response to the deadly floods. Rep. Gene Wu, chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, has said the party is worried the proposed flood relief could be a ruse to get a conservative agenda passed. The governor has also tasked lawmakers with further restricting abortion access, setting limits on women's restrooms, and redrawing Congressional districts. "Gov. Abbott is using this tragedy, using the deaths of hundreds of Texans as the doorway to get what he wants politically," he said. At a press conference in the Capitol, U.S. Representative Greg Casas said the party has a multi-step plan in place to stop what it's calling a "Trump takeover." "We will need to buy time, and that means keeping everything on the table, doing whatever it takes, having on the table filibusters, dragging out hearings, quorum breaks," he said. At least one Democrat is needed in the Senate and 18 in the House to have the required number of members present to do business. Democrats fled the state in 2021 and 2003 to halt legislative action. Wu, though, said the party's waiting to see what Republicans prioritize. "We will see what they do. We will see if they have hearings on flooding first. We will see if they bring that legislation to us first," he said. President Trump himself has requested new Congressional districts just four years after state lawmakers approved the current ones, calling for a map that would help the GOP pick up more seats. "I think certainly we do it every 10 years, but we're entitled to do it anytime that we need," said Rep Stiller, who has been assigned to a House redistricting. He wouldn't say whether his aim on the committee would be to increase Republican representation or address constitutional concerns the Department of Justice has alleged it has with several Texas districts. "I'm just going to keep my powder dry on that and just say, look, we just need to hear the testimony from interested persons, and look at that, and we can make a determination on what, if anything, needs to be done," said Spiller. North Texas Democrats, likewise, aren't getting too specific about their strategy. Asked if she has a bag packed, Plesa said, "I live in North Dallas and work in Austin. I always have a bag packed."
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Texas reps. attending anti-Trump rally warned of 'credible threats'
The Texas Department of Public Safety has warned Saturday that 'credible threats' have been made to state legislators and their staff who plan to attend an anti-Trump rally at the Capitol in Austin. This comes hours after two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot by a former appointee of the state's governor , Tim Walz. The DPS alert was sent out just before 1pm on Saturday, according to emails obtained by The Texas Tribune . Austin's 'No Kings Day' protest was scheduled to begin at 5pm, and roughly a half hour before, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair and state Rep. Gene Wu confirmed it would commence as planned, despite the threats. 'We have every indication from the Austin No Kings organizers and Hands Off Central TX that our demonstration will continue,' Wu said in a statement. 'We are in active conversations with public safety officials, as well as state and local leaders to ensure have the opportunity to exercise their First Amendment rights without fear, intimidation, or violence,' he added. And ten minutes before 5pm, a man was arrested in connection to the threats made this afternoon, a spokesperson with Texas DPS told A state trooper with DPS arrested the man in La Grange, a city 65 miles southeast of Austin. The spokesperson said there is no longer an active threat against the Austin protest, which is one of more than 2,000 'No King Day' events across the country on Saturday meant to protest President Donald Trump's actions in his second term. Officials scheduled to speak at the Capitol protest include Democratic US Reps. Greg Casar and Lloyd Dogfgett; Democratic state Reps. Lulu Flores and John Bucy III; and Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt. Organizations involved with coordinating this large-scale resistance are strongly pushing back against what they describe as Trump's march toward authoritarianism on issues such as immigration enforcement, civil rights and cuts to the federal government through DOGE. The simple message people involved want to get across is that 'we don't do kings in America,' said Ezra Levin, the co-executive director of progressive organizing group Indivisible. The protests were also meant to counter Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C. , which began at 6:30pm ET. The threat against Austin's 'No Kings Day' protest came at a particularly sensitive moment. Early on Saturday morning, a gunman entered the residence of Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday, shooting both and leaving them critically injured. He then proceeded to the home of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, where she and her husband were fatally shot. Both lawmakers who were shot were Democrats. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who was appointed by Walz in 2019 to serve a four-year stint on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, has been identified as the suspect in the quadruple shooting. The first shooting occurred just after 2am at Hoffman's home in Champlin, about 20 miles from Minneapolis. Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times, KSTP reported. The second attack took place at around 4am at Hortman's Brooklyn Park residence, eight miles south. After that shooting, police engaged the suspect in a gunfight on the street, officials said. Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, confirmed that the suspect escaped during the exchange and remains at large. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Boelter stands at 6-foot-1, weighs roughly 220 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Texas reps. planning to attend anti-Trump rally warned of 'credible threats' following 'politically motivated' shooting
The Texas Department of Public Safety has warned Saturday that 'credible threats' have been made to state legislators and their staff who plan to attend an anti-Trump rally at the Capitol in Austin. This comes hours after two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot by a former appointee of the state's governor, Tim Walz. The DPS alert was sent out just before 1pm on Saturday, according to emails obtained by The Texas Tribune. Austin's 'No Kings Day' protest was scheduled to begin at 5pm, and roughly a half hour before, Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair and state Rep. Gene Wu confirmed it would commence as planned, despite the threats. 'We have every indication from the Austin No Kings organizers and Hands Off Central TX that our demonstration will continue,' Wu said in a statement. 'We are in active conversations with public safety officials, as well as state and local leaders to ensure have the opportunity to exercise their First Amendment rights without fear, intimidation, or violence,' he added. And ten minutes before 5pm, a man was arrested in connection to the threats made this afternoon, a spokesperson with Texas DPS told A state trooper with DPS arrested the man in La Grange, a city 65 miles southeast of Austin. The spokesperson said there is no longer an active threat against the Austin protest, which is one of more than 2,000 'No King Day' events across the country on Saturday meant to protest President Donald Trump's actions in his second term. Officials scheduled to speak at the Capitol protest include Democratic US Reps. Greg Casar and Lloyd Dogfgett; Democratic state Reps. Lulu Flores and John Bucy III; and Democratic state Sen. Sarah Eckhardt. Organizations involved with coordinating this large-scale resistance are strongly pushing back against what they describe as Trump's march toward authoritarianism on issues such as immigration enforcement, civil rights and cuts to the federal government through DOGE. The simple message people involved want to get across is that 'we don't do kings in America,' said Ezra Levin, the co-executive director of progressive organizing group Indivisible. The protests were also meant to counter Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C., which began at 6:30pm ET. The threat against Austin's 'No Kings Day' protest came at a particularly sensitive moment. Early on Saturday morning, a gunman entered the residence of Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday, shooting both and leaving them critically injured. He then proceeded to the home of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman, where she and her husband were fatally shot. Both lawmakers who were shot were Democrats. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who was appointed by Walz in 2019 to serve a four-year stint on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, has been identified as the suspect in the quadruple shooting. The first shooting occurred just after 2am at Hoffman's home in Champlin, about 20 miles from Minneapolis. Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times, KSTP reported. The second attack took place at around 4am at Hortman's Brooklyn Park residence, eight miles south. After that shooting, police engaged the suspect in a gunfight on the street, officials said. Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, confirmed that the suspect escaped during the exchange and remains at large. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Boelter stands at 6-foot-1, weighs roughly 220 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen on Saturday morning in Minneapolis, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeve shirt, and light pants.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Houston Democrat sponsoring Saturday ‘No Kings' Capitol protest
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The 'No Kings' protest scheduled for this Saturday at the Texas Capitol — one of two confirmed cities where the governor has called in the Texas National Guard — was sponsored by Houston Democratic state lawmaker Rep. Gene Wu, KXAN confirmed through the State Preservation Board. A sponsor is 'required for approval of all events' held at the Texas State Capitol grounds and can include the governor, lieutenant governor or state lawmaker, according to the Texas Capitol Events Sponsorship Form. The form notes it will be considered 'incomplete' if it isn't signed by an official sponsor. 'For three decades, Texans have watched Republicans like Greg Abbott and Donald Trump sell out working families while stripping away our freedoms and driving up costs. I'm sponsoring the 'No Kings' protest at our Capitol to give every Texan a chance to make their voices heard when they've been systematically ignored by those in power,' Wu said in a statement when asked about his involvement. 'The group organizing Saturday's protest has a well-established record of peaceful advocacy and responsible civic engagement, and the event was approved by the State Preservation Board (of which Gov. Abbott and Lt. Gov Patrick both are members) with the expectation of a safe, respectful gathering,' he added. Hands Off Central TX, one of the organizers of Saturday's event at the Capitol, said its relationship with Wu began in February when he attended a protest 'to show solidarity with the people.' 'Since then, he's sponsored the majority of permits for our events, and has continued to show the same commitment to the foundational principles of democracy,' said Hands Off Central TX Vice President Melody Tremallo in a statement Texas National Guard on standby for 'No Kings' protests in Austin, San Antonio On Thursday, Gov. Abbott released new details related to his decision to bring in reinforcements to undisclosed locations. The mayors of Austin and San Antonio said they were informed that Texas National Guard soldiers will be on standby in their cities. More than 5,000 Texas National Guard soldiers and more than 2,000 Texas Department of Public Safety troopers will be 'strategically positioned' to bolster local law enforcement in response to planned protests advertised across the state, fueled by recent immigration enforcement actions, the governor said. Tremallo called that a 'gross overreaction' to Texans exercising their First Amendment right to protest. She said Saturday's carnival-themed event at the Capitol, also called 'Kick Out The Clowns,' was planned weeks ago and will include 'audacious activities such as face painting, juggling … drag performers, the chicken dance and circus acts.' 'We strongly condemn [Abbott's] attempt to intimidate and suppress … constitutional rights,' she added. KXAN previously found at least 63 Texas locations listed online where anti-Trump demonstrations are advertised to take place on June 14. 'Peaceful protests are part of the fabric of our nation, but Texas will not tolerate the lawlessness we have seen in Los Angeles in response to President Donald Trump's enforcement of immigration law,' Abbott said in a statement. 'Anyone engaging in acts of violence or damaging property will be arrested and held accountable to the full extent of the law. Don't mess with Texas — and don't mess with Texas law enforcement.' Democratic Congressman Greg Casar is one of Saturday's scheduled speakers at the Capitol. He said that the protests are meant to highlight concerns over mass deportations. 'No Kings' protest organizer calls TX National Guard an overreaction 'These are concerning things that people should be allowed to bring up without the governor trying to crush that message and intimidate people by sending in the National Guard,' Casar said. The event's sponsor, Wu, previously served as a prosecutor in the Harris County District Attorney's Office before being elected in 2012 and is currently an attorney in private practice, according to his official biography. He is the vice chair of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. 'I categorically condemn any escalation into violence and vehemently support the right of Texans to exercise their First Amendment without intimidation or fear from the Governor or the President,' Wu said. 'In America and in Texas, we have no kings – and we will not be bullied into surrendering our constitutional rights.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Texas House passes ban on sexuality-based school clubs after emotional debate
Texas House Democrats rebuked their Republican colleagues in unusually personal terms Saturday over a bill that would ban Texas schools from authorizing clubs on 'sexuality or gender identity,' with Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu of Houston labeling it the work of "monsters.' The proposal, Senate Bill 12, passed from the House last week without the Senate version's ban on school-sponsored LGBTQ pride clubs and other sexuality-based groups. But lawmakers replaced that provision when negotiating a compromise, and the House adopted those changes in a 77-40 vote on Saturday night. Democrats warned the prohibition would apply to Girl Scouts and Christian men's athletic groups as much as it would pride clubs — but that only those groups for gay teens would end up facing enforcement. 'This bill is hate,' said state Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Dripping Springs, who identifies as bisexual. 'This is one of the most nakedly hateful bills we have had on the floor of this House.' Republicans have labeled SB 12 from state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, the 'Bill of Parental Rights.' The 36-page proposal bans diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public schools, which Republicans argue detract from educational instruction and foster division based on race and sex. It also tightens parental notification and consent requirements regarding a child's mental or physical health, psychological treatment and sex education. The bill's Republican sponsor said public schools have no place hosting clubs based on sexuality. He also said he's been 'repulsed' at 'some of the things I've heard defended in our public schools,' including in debates over school library book restrictions. 'We're not going to allow gay clubs, and we're not going to allow straight clubs,' said state Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano. 'We shouldn't be sexualizing our kids in public schools, period. And we shouldn't have clubs based on sex.' More: Texas House passes bill to implement sweeping restrictions on school libraries Democrats argued the ban on sexuality-based clubs will strip LGBTQ youth of a safe space from bullying, which disproportionately impacts gay teens and preteens. They also fiercely contested Leach's characterization of the prohibited clubs as 'sex clubs," for which he later apologized and said he "misspoke." 'There is nothing inherently more sexual about the existence of LGBTQ people than there is of straight people,' Zwiener told him. 'And if we are concerned about overly sexualized behavior in our schools, I would hope you would focus more on the comments young men make about young women in the locker room than about a bunch of queer kids getting together to support each other.' Over several hours of debate, other Democratic House members shared personal stories to illustrate why they opposed the measure. State Rep. Rafael Anchia, D-Dallas, said his daughter was the vice president of her school's pride club, where students colored, watched movies and went to a musical together. 'I don't know why grown-ups in this body are so triggered by that,' he said. Later, state Rep. Christian Manuel, D-Houston, asked a colleague, "What club in your school taught you to be gay or to be a lesbian?" "Nobody taught me to be who I am today," Democratic state Rep. Jessica González of Dallas, who is lesbian, responded. "It's just how I felt." Several Republicans expressed incredulity that their colleagues across the aisle found the ban objectionable. State Rep. Alan Schoolcraft, R-McQueeney, said organizations like the Gay-Straight Alliance and GLSEN are 'efforts to fundamentally change the moral and social fiber of this country' and that "they're attacking us through our children." The bill will soon be sent to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and would apply beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. A spokesperson for Abbott signaled the governor supports the legislation. "DEI agendas divide us rather than unite us and have no place in the state of Texas, which is why Governor Abbott called on the Legislature to ban DEI in grades K-12," said Abbott spokesman Andrew Mahaleris. "The Governor will thoughtfully review any legislation sent to his desk that helps achieve this goal.' This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas to ban school LGBT clubs under bill passed by state Legislature
