HJR 78: Same Quorum Rule, Opposite Majority. Who Still Means It?

A Republican just filed a bill that would make it easier for the new Democratic House to do business.

Without a single Republican in the room.

Same rule. Opposite majority. Let's see who still means it.

Plain English summary

On November 13, 2026, State Rep. Cody Vasut filed House Joint Resolution 78. It is a proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution.

Right now, Article III, Section 10 says two-thirds of the members of each chamber make a quorum. No quorum, no business. No votes. No bills.

HJR 78 changes one word set. "Two-thirds" becomes "a majority."

If two-thirds of both chambers pass it, Texas voters would decide it at the constitutional amendment election on November 2, 2027.

Why it matters

The Texas House has 150 members.

Two-thirds of 150 is 100. That means today, if 51 members walk out, the House cannot do business.

A majority of 150 is 76.

Here is the turn. Reported results from the November 3 election show Democrats flipping the Texas House for the first time in more than two decades. KUT reported Democrats were on track for 83 seats to Republicans' 67, if those results hold.

Do that math.

Under the rule we have now, 67 Republicans are enough to break quorum and shut the House down.

Under HJR 78, 83 Democrats would be enough to run the House by themselves.

That is not a talking point. That is arithmetic.

The receipt

FACT: HJR 78 was filed November 13, 2026, by Rep. Vasut. The text strikes "Two-thirds" and inserts "A majority" in Article III, Section 10. It sets the vote for November 2, 2027. Bill text. Bill history.

FACT: This is not new for him. Rep. Vasut filed the same change as HJR 23 and HJR 9 in the 2021 special sessions, and as HJR 41 in the 2025 regular session. HJR 41 was referred to House State Affairs on March 3, 2025, and the record shows it stayed in committee. HJR 23 (2021). HJR 9 (2021). HJR 41 (2025).

FACT: A constitutional amendment needs a two-thirds vote of each chamber before it goes to voters. Texas Constitution, Article XVII.

DOCUMENTED INFERENCE: The House seat count of 83 Democrats and 67 Republicans is reported and unofficial until the canvass. KUT, Nov. 4, 2026.

DOCUMENTED INFERENCE: In August 2025, House Democrats left the state to break quorum over congressional redistricting, then returned. CBS News.

What Ryan says

RYAN STATEMENT: A rule you only like when your side is winning is not a principle. It is a weapon.

When Republicans held the House, walking out was the Democrats' play. Rep. Vasut filed to end the two-thirds rule three times.

Now the House flipped. The minority is Republican. And the walkout card is in Republican hands.

So here is the test for every member of the 90th Legislature.

If you backed a majority quorum when you were in charge, do you still back it now that you are not?

If you fought it when you were in the minority, are you suddenly for it now that you hold the gavel?

I want to see the votes. On the record. With names.

RYAN STATEMENT: My view is simple. East Texas sends people to Austin to show up and vote. Yes or no. Walking out is not a vote. But the people of Texas, not the party in power, should decide how the room works. That is why this goes on the ballot, and that is why it deserves a straight answer from both sides.

What this does not prove

It does not prove HJR 78 will pass. It needs 100 House votes and 21 Senate votes. Neither party has that alone in the House.

It does not prove anyone plans to break quorum in 2027.

It does not prove Rep. Vasut's motive. He filed the same change three times when his party held the majority. The record shows consistency on paper. It does not tell us what he is thinking.

It does not prove the final House seat count. Recounts and the canvass are still the official word.

What it does prove

It proves the two-thirds quorum rule is back on the table in Austin.

It proves the math flipped with the House. The rule that protected one minority now protects the other.

It proves every lawmaker will have to show whether this was ever about the rule, or only about who holds the gavel.

The bottom line

Same rule. Opposite majority.

Watch who changes their answer.

The record does not lie.

Do not threaten anyone. Do not harass anyone. Do not contact anyone in my name. Read it. Share it. Send receipts, evidence, witnesses. Put eyes on the record.