A Republican lawmaker is accusing Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows of cutting deals with Democrats and rewarding them with priority legislation after they returned from an intentional quorum break that stalled the special legislative session.
In an interview with The Dallas Express, Rep. Brian Harrison claimed Burrows had continued his “tradition of servicing the Democrats,” citing the advancement of House Bill 10, sponsored by Democratic Rep. Senfronia Thompson. The bill, introduced August 15 and referred to committee August 18, would create an affirmative defense for individuals facing prostitution charges under certain circumstances.
“You would have to be an idiot to watch what’s happening and not understand that the Speaker is continuing his tradition of servicing the Democrats,” Harrison said. “The Democrats are his constituency.”
Harrison alleged that Burrows had released Democrats during a critical floor session on July 30, allowing them to meet with U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and accused him of relying on Democratic support since his election as Speaker. “He assisted the Democrats with the quorum break,” Harrison remarked.
“The quorum break happened with the full assistance of Speaker Burrows,” said Harrison.
Harrison also pointed to Hugh Brady, the Texas House’s parliamentary counsel, who previously worked in the Obama White House, as evidence that Democratic influence was guiding the Speaker’s decisions.
“The top official advising the so-called Republican Speaker in the Texas House is a former Obama White House lawyer,” Harrison said.
On August 18, Harrison aired his criticism on social media:
It gets worse… in one of his first moves since Democrats returned… Speaker Burrows passes over almost every Republican to GIVE PRIORITY TREATMENT TO A DEMOCRAT'S BILL.
A Democrat who… you guessed it… just finished breaking quorum!
He's literally rewarding them. pic.twitter.com/TeH38lhM8R
— Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) August 18, 2025
The quorum break by more than 50 House Democrats earlier this month blocked Republicans from advancing a redistricting plan that could have added five new GOP-leaning districts in Texas. Some Republicans, including Rep. Briscoe Cain, had urged the party to seize national redistricting opportunities, but Harrison argued Burrows had surrendered on the issue.
“The maps only have five seats. Why the hell don’t they have at least seven or eight? This is total capitulation,” Harrison said. “They won. We lost. It’s that simple.”
Harrison further dismissed Republican leadership’s claims of action on property tax relief, calling Senate Bill 10 a “sham” that would not reduce taxes.
“Texans are being hosed by their elected leaders. They’re being lied to. They’re being deceived,” Harrison said.
The first special session ended on August 19. Governor Greg Abbott has called for another special legislative session to address redistricting again.
The Dallas Express reached out to Burrows but did not receive a response.