In a historic move, the Texas House gave initial approval today to Senate Bill 2, a school choice proposal backed by Gov. Greg Abbott.
The vote marks the first time a school choice bill has cleared the Texas House—a major shift from just last session when a similar proposal was voted down. The change comes after Abbott made the issue a defining battle in last year’s Republican primaries, endorsing challengers against GOP incumbents who had opposed school choice. Many of those incumbents were ousted, clearing the way for today’s vote.
Ahead of the floor debate, House Republicans met privately and heard from both Gov. Abbott and President Donald Trump, who called into the meeting and urged them to stay united.
“I just think it’s a really forward-thinking vote,” said Trump on the call. “There’s nothing complex about it. You’re not going to get hurt by it. It’s actually almost the opposite. People really want it.”
While the chamber overwhelmingly passed House Bill 2—a school spending measure allocating $8 billion to public education—on a 144-4 vote, debate over SB 2 was far more divisive.
Democrats, who praised the public school funding package, were unified in their opposition to the school choice plan and made it one of their marquee fights this session. The chamber was locked in hours of contentious debate, stretching into the early morning.
State Rep. Brad Buckley (R–Salado) carried the bill in the House.
One of the most dramatic moments came when State Rep. James Talarico (D–Austin) proposed an amendment to put the measure before voters as a referendum—a concept he said was inspired by former Gov. Rick Perry. Talarico accused Abbott of threatening lawmakers behind closed doors and said the public deserved the final say.
Abbott, however, has previously dismissed the idea of a referendum, comparing it to the policies of California.
Talarico’s amendment was tabled on an 86-62 vote, with former Speaker Dade Phelan (Beaumont) being the only Republican to side with Democrats.
Another amendment by State Rep. Chris Turner (D–Grand Prairie), which sought to kill the bill by striking its enacting clause, was similarly tabled 85-60.
Despite the lengthy debate and dozens of amendments—most of which failed along party lines—the outcome of the vote became clear by night’s end.
The bill ultimately passed 86-63, with Phelan and State Rep. Gary Vandeaver (New Boston) being the only GOP members to vote against the measure.
