I think we can all agree that being drunk on the job is a big no-no. And for Texas state House Speaker Dade Phelan, it just might be the end of his career.
As KDFW-TV reported, a video was taken of parts of Friday’s 14-hour House session. And in those clips, Phelan appears to be so drunk he can barely speak, let alone be comprehended.
Naturally, Texas leaders weren’t impressed with this performance. And the state’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, has even called for Phelan’s resignation.
In a statement posted on Twitter Tuesday afternoon, Paxton said, “After much consideration, it is with profound disappointment that I call on Speaker Dade Phelan to resign at the end of this legislative session. Texans were dismayed to witness his performance presiding over the Texas House in a state of apparent debilitating intoxication.”
Unprecedented. Here is the video of the incident in question: #txlege https://t.co/LF6vH8WQkg pic.twitter.com/cXPIgVtuYx
— Matt Beebe (@TheMattBeebe) May 23, 2023
Indeed, it does appear that Phelan has had a bit too much to drink if the video is accurate. At certain points, he can be heard talking but in complete nonsense, slurring words, and sometimes not at all understandable sentences.
As Paxton says, “His conduct has negatively” affected both the legislative process and the entire Republican Party.
Others claim that perhaps Phelan wasn’t drunk. Maybe he was having a stroke. In either case, there is clearly a problem in which Phelan needs some help.
Dade Phelan supports Child Genital Mutilation.
Here he is recently presiding over the TX House.
Phelan is either HAMMERED drunk or he's having a stroke. pic.twitter.com/sNHr0vERqJ
— Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) May 21, 2023
Several individuals have pointed out that drinking on the job isn’t uncommon for lawmakers. In fact, more than a few are known to imbibe once they exit the floor during sessions. However, showing up drunk is an entirely different matter, which would affect one’s ability to do their job.
Of course, Phelan’s spokeswoman says that the whole thing is just a way for Paxton and those against Phelan to get rid of him. Cait Wittman said, “The motives for and timing behind Paxton’s statement today couldn’t be more evident… (It) amounts to little more than a last-ditch effort to save face.”
Phelan himself has yet to comment on either the video or his performance.
