Quorum Report Daily Buzz Quorum Report Daily Buzz Login into the Quorum Report Subscribe toQuorum Report
Quorum Report Daily Buzz

May 24, 2015      10:15 PM

Rep. Stickland and Chairman Cook nearly come to blows on the House floor

Stickland upset because SB 575 to ban abortion insurance coverage died in Calendars

Security had to move to quickly to break up what almost became a fistfight on the Texas House floor between Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, and State Affairs Chairman Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana.

Stickland was upset with Cook after a bill that would have banned insurance coverage for abortion died in Calendars.

Earlier in the day, Stickland had agreed to pull down a controversial anti-abortion amendment during a discussion of a sunset bill. He had done so on the condition that SB 575 to ban insurance coverage for abortion procedures get a vote in the Calendars Committee. It did get a vote but it was not placed on the calendar.

Per Brian Rosenthal at the Houston Chronicle, Cook said he had promised Stickland that the bill would get a vote in Calendars, which it did receive. "You gave me your word," Stickland yelled.

"My commitment was to get the bill to Calendars,” Cook said. “What I can't do is interfere with other members' ability to vote their conscience."