AUSTIN — The Texas House formally delivered the article of impeachment to the state Senate on Monday for the removal of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The House voted to move forward with impeachment on Saturday, the first time the chamber has done so since 1975. The House voted 136-4 to send the articles of impeach to the Senate.
“What happened this week is nothing I take pride in … but it was necessary and it was just,” Speaker Dad Phelan, a Republican, said earlier in the day. “The Texas House spoke and sent a strong message for the future of Texas.”
Paxton has been accused of 20 acts of wrongdoing including bribery, abuse of official capacity, conspiracy, retaliation, misuse of information and other charges. Since the House voted to impeach him Saturday, he has been suspended.
He has maintained his innocence.
The House also named the 12 House members who will work as impeachment managers, overseeing the trial in the Senate. They are:
State Rep. Andrew Murr, R-JunctionState Rep. Ann Johnson, D-HoustonState Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort WorthState Rep. Joe Moody, D-El PasoState Rep. Terry Canales, D-EdinburgState Rep. Jeff Leach, R-PlanoState Rep. Oscar Longoria, D-MissionState Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-University ParkState Rep. Briscoe Cain, R-Deer ParkState Rep. Cody Vasut, R-AngletonState Rep. David Spiller, R-JacksboroState Rep. Erin Gamez, D-Brownsville
During a press conference Monday, Murr said that the role of the managers is to put on the trial and the Senate members will act as jurors.
Paxton’s wife, Angela Paxton is a state senator. Murr said the senate will determine the rules of the trial, including the potential for Angela Paxton to reuse herself.
Murr said the Senate will also determine the timeline of the trial.
“This is about facts, and this is about evidence, and at the end of the day my colleagues and I will not stand for public corruption,” Murr said.
On Monday evening, the Senate named seven senators to the special committee to recommend rules and procedures for court of impeachment. They will deliver the rules by June 20.
Those members are state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury; state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen; state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe; state Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton; state Sen. Joan Huffman, R-Houston; state Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford and state Sen. Royce West, D-Dallas.
Patrick confirmed that once the rules are drafted, a date will be set for when the Senate will hold the trial. The trial will begin by Aug. 28, senators agreed.