WLTR reported Sunday on a viral video that showed Texas House Speaker Rep. Dade Phelan (R) conducting state congressional matters while appearing intoxicated or having a health impairment.
In the clip, Phelan’s speech becomes slurred and it’s impossible to comprehend what he’s saying to the congressional body.
“This is video from last night in the Texas House of Representatives where it appears that TX House Speaker Dade Phelan is either really drunk or having a stroke,” Twitter user Greg Price wrote Saturday evening.
“Interestingly, nobody stopped and asked him if he was okay. The House just kept on debating a bill and Phelan kept on going until they adjourned,” Price added.
WATCH:
This is video from last night in the Texas House of Representatives where it appears that TX House Speaker Dade Phelan is either really drunk or having a stroke. pic.twitter.com/dbSG7AO30r
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 20, 2023
“So @DadePhelan, can you explain what’s going on here?” Blaze TV’s Sara Gonzales asked.
So @DadePhelan, can you explain what’s going on here?pic.twitter.com/UeHIJesSSn
— Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) May 21, 2023
“Anyone who watches the #txlege House knows many of the members are regularly intoxicated. Watching the Speaker be this wasted is absolutely unacceptable. These Representatives are making laws that impact 30 million Texans. It must stop,” former Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives Jonathan Strickland wrote.
Anyone who watches the #txlege House knows many of the members are regularly intoxicated.
Watching the Speaker be this wasted is absolutely unacceptable.
These Representatives are making laws that impact 30 million Texans. It must stop.pic.twitter.com/ETYH1sue9j
— Jonathan Stickland (@RepStickland) May 21, 2023
One Twitter user asked Strickland if there was any video manipulation.
“100% real, no manipulation,” Strickland responded.
100% real, no manipulation.
— Jonathan Stickland (@RepStickland) May 21, 2023
UPDATE
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday called for Dade Phelan to resign and accused the Republican lawmaker of "presiding over the Texas House in a state of apparent debilitating intoxication."
"Speaker Dade Phelan should resign," Paxton tweeted with his full statement.
Speaker Dade Phelan should resign. pic.twitter.com/ZD920VOt1X
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 23, 2023
"Based on a review of Speaker Dade Phelan presiding over the House of Representatives in an obviously intoxicated state, I am calling upon the Committee to open investigation into Speaker Phelan for violation of House rules, state law, and for conduct unbecoming his position," Paxton wrote.
Today, I referred this to the House General Investigating and Ethics Committee. https://t.co/znDm9Dty65
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) May 23, 2023
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