Settling Dust

It is after two in the morning here in DC. I need to go to bed. But I cannot sleep in good conscious until I make a few comments about the recent events in the Texas Senate.

First, to Senator Wendy Davis: my hat is off to you ma’am. There are very few issues on which we agree, and abortion is not one of them. However, your efforts today should be acknowledged. It was gutsy to attempt a thirteen-hour filibuster, and you did so with class and a great deal of respect for the democratic process.

The end of this situation has yet to be resolved – as of the writing of this post. Whether the bill passed or not is not important right now. The actions by both the members of the Senate and the individuals in the gallery have been deplorable. Members on both sides have used gimmicks and tricks to get their side the win. It would be easy to point out individuals that I believe are at fault, but I will not. This is a stain on the Senate and the state as a whole.

However, the most glaring assault on our democratic character was the action by the individuals in the gallery. When the clock got near its end, the gallery erupted as the Senate tried to proceed through multiple motions on the floor. The noise was so disruptive that the body could not hear the voices of the chair or one another. By cheering and chanting for nearly fifteen minutes, the mob effectively ran out the clock on the special session.

There are rules for decorum in the Senate chamber, and DPS officers removed many of the protesting onlookers from the gallery. At one point, I could hear someone yell, “we are the people” over and over, which I can only assume had the intention of communicating “we are the people, and we deserve to be heard”.

“We the People” of Texas have every right to have their voice heard, but where you lose me is in any defense of the actions on the gallery mob as any form of the democratic process. Allow me to explain just a few ways that “We the People” of Texas have been heard:

 “We the People” of Texas have elected Representatives and Senators to craft, debate, and pass our laws. Voting and elections is the most poignant and powerful voice the people have.

“We the People “ of Texas have had ample time to notify our Representatives and Senators of our support or opposition to the bill in question. Write a letter. Make a phone call. From someone who has been there and been apart of the process, let me assure you that the do matter and your voices are not ignored.

“We the People” of Texas, at least the opposition in this case, were vehemently defended in the form of Senator Davis’ filibuster. The filibuster is one of the most democratic tools in the arsenal of legislators. It gives the minority the chance to be heard regardless of the desires of the majority.

“We the People” of Texas were heard and their opinions were considered, so the argument that the actions of the gallery mob were in any way democratic is foolish. In fact, the founders of the United States voiced their concern about overbearing factions and the tyranny of the majority (Federalist 10). They specifically designed a system to combat those concerns.

The actions of the gallery mob were exactly what the founders were concerned about. They were ridiculous and undemocratic, at best. At the end of the day, this is not about abortion – it is about the travesty that the recent Senate deliberations became.

I blogged earlier today, saying that as Texans we are better than personal attacks on one another over partisan differences. The same is true here. As Texans were are better than this. We should expect and demand better from our elected officials. We should act in a way that is becoming of our great heritage as Texans and as Americans - we did not show that today. As the dust settles on the entire situation, remember that we are better than this and we need to act like it. 

Better Than This

As I am writing, Senator Wendy Davis of Ft. Worth is filibustering a pro-life bill that would curb many dangerous abortion practices in Texas. She has been speaking for nearly five house and will need to speak for more than eight hours more to kill the bill. As someone who is pro-life, it would be easy to fall into the temptation to spout conservative rhetoric in opposition to Senator Davis’ argument. But that is not the topic that has bothered me throughout the day.

Reading the Twitter feeds and the Facebook comments, I am disturbed by the fundamental failure to understand the democratic process and the conviction that our representatives have to stand before the world and defend their beliefs.

Late last night, there was major controversy over the Senate attempting to suspend a constitutional rule that requires the body to wait twenty-four hours before concurring on any House amendments. To suspend the rule, the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote in favor of suspension. There was an outcry that the body was attempting to circumvent the state constitution in order to ram an unpopular bill through the process. That cannot be further from the truth. Every day, both the Senate and the House, suspend constitutional rules to conduct daily business.

Parliamentary procedure notwithstanding, there have been countless instances of disrespectful commentary from members of both sides of the argument. Not only is this uncalled for, but the arguments I am hearing are not well thought out or well reasoned.

Senator Lucio, a staunchly religious man, is known the state over for his Democratic voting. However, on the issue of abortion, he has voted his Catholic beliefs – standing up for the unborn. Last night, during the controversy over suspending the twenty-four hour rule, there were those that attacked Senator Lucio for his willingness to vote to suspend, indicating his support for the pro-life bill. His politics were questioned, his convictions were attacked, and at one point I read an individual who said he would personally run a primary opposition campaign if the Senator were to seek reelection.

Here is what I do not understand: For years, the citizens of this state have continually decried the members of our government for wavering in the face of difficult decisions and bending to the whims of special interests. We have called for principled leadership and moral courage.

Is that not what Senator Lucio has done in pledging support for this pro-life legislation? Instead of bending to his party platform or parroting the arguments of the pro-choice interests, he has placed principle ahead of politics. This is something to be praised, not condemned.

Similar attacks have been launched against Lt. Gov. Dewhurst (pro-life) and Senator Davis herself (pro-choice).

Disrespectful and personal attacks against one another because of a difference in opinion are neither constructive nor productive. At the end of the day, these are the elected officials of Texas. The job that they have is immeasurably difficult. Months and weeks away from family and friends, long days in tense deliberation over complex legislation, and late nights understanding a breadth of issues most could not begin to tackle. These are just a few of the challenges that are faced when pursuing a life in elected office. They deserve the utmost of honor and respect as they stand on the front lines of the effort to make our state a better place.

Unfortunately, this is not the case and that is a shame. Regardless of political position or ideological foundation, we are Texans and we are better than this.

Week Eight: Out of My League

There are many times that I step into a room and feel exceptionally out ranked. While many of the Senators, Representatives, and other elected officials that I meet are very personable and approachable, it is still intimidating to carry on conversations with them. However, there have been two specific instances where I have felt out of my league.

A few weeks back, I wrote about going to Camp Mabry for a National Guard brief. When I arrived, we were provided breakfast. As I was eating, the Adjunct General of the TX NG walked into the room. Being an ROTC cadet, my first instinct was to call the room to attention, but quickly decided it was not the place or the proper crowd. Throughout the day, I had the chance to talk with Lt. Col.'s, Col.'s, and Generals. It is a very different type of experience to speak conversationally and candidly with such high ranking officials. If I was in my ROTC uniform, I would get looked over, if acknowledged at all. But because I am with a Senator's office, I am given preference and respect. Talk about a reversal of roles…

The same  type of thing happened this last week during Baylor Day at the Capitol. Sen. Birdwell's office hosted the delegation from Baylor, which included Judge Ken Starr (President of Baylor), his wife Alice, Director of Constituent Engagement Tommye Lou Davis, and a number of other notable members of the administration. Again, I felt a bit star struck. I had the opportunity to escort the group to the Senate floor to be recognized, stand in for a photo on the Senate floor, escort them throughout the Capitol to attend different meetings, and join them for a lunch with alumni from the Austin area. Needless to say, it was a memorable day for me.

If you didn't know, Judge Starr is second only to God on Baylor's campus. Many college presidents have celebrity status on their respective campuses, but I think Judge Starr has a special place in the hearts of Baylor students. So having the opportunity to spend time with him last week was very special for me - its not something many Baylor students get the chance to do. And I have to say, he is exceptionally easy to talk to and is truly interested in bettering the lives of the students at Baylor. Sic 'Em Ken Starr!

The opportunities that this internship provides are second to none. I have had the chance to meet some incredible people, and the two examples above are only a taste. I am truly blessed by where I am.

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On a details note: By TX constitutional mandate, we are not allowed to hear bills on the floor until the 60th day of session. That window closes on Friday, so it is about to be full speed ahead for the next three months. I'm sure I will have plenty to talk about in the upcoming posts, so stay tuned.

[N.B. - All the opinions expressed in this blog are mine, and mine alone. I do not represent the opinions of the office of Sen. Birdwell, the Texas Senate, or the State of Texas.]

Three Weeks

I have been slacking and not keeping up on my updates the way that I need to. Sorry guys. Instead of walking through the last few weeks chronologically, I just want to look at them topically.

First, let me talk about Community Leadership days. In many of the larger cities and towns around the state offer community leadership programs that provide an opportunity for citizens to learn about their local and state governments. Though each group is unique, it is special to be able to honor them with floor resolutions during session. Over the last three weeks we have had groups from Granbury, Cleburne, and Waxahachie come to the Capitol.

It is encouraging for me - as someone who is passionate about governance - to see other people interested in making their communities a better place. The news often talks about national and statewide issues, but rarely do we hear about local leaders and the difference they are making. The participants in these classes are businessmen and women, lawyers, doctors, and other community leaders. These are the people changing your cities. These are the people making your lives better. So it is encouraging for me, and I know it is a highlight for many of the members, to recognize these leadership classes.

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The Texas Tribune is a non-partisan news outlet here in Texas. Last Friday, Sen. Birdwell had the opportunity to sit on what the Tribune calls a "Hot Seat". The Hot Seats are conversations, hosted by different universities around the state, that bring together Evan Smith (the Tribune's CEO and Editor in Chief) and elected officials to discuss state issues. The most recent event had a panel of Sen. Birdwell, Rep. "Doc" Anderson (represents Waco / McClennan County) and Rep. Kyle Kacal (represents the section between College Station and Waco).

The issues ranged from water and transportation - specifically using the Rainy Day Fund to help pay for them - to public education and Medicaid expansion. To brag on my boss a bit… Though I wasn't there (I actually only got to watch the video of it this morning), I believe Sen. Birdwell did a great job. One of the things that I really like about working for the Senator is his ability to get down to the root of issues. He doesn't just take our briefings and regurgitate facts, figures, or talking points (believe me, the office was very busy prepping him for the Hot Seat much of last week). Instead, he can easily cut to the core and clearly articulate the big ideas that are at work behind the scenes.

Watch the Hot Seat here: http://www.texastribune.org/2013/02/26/the-hot-seat-a-conversation-with-waco-lawmakers/

I'll get off my soap box, but I really enjoy working the Sen. Birdwell.

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Lastly, tomorrow is Baylor Day at the Capitol. I get to wear my green and yellow bow tie, and hopefully won't get too much grief about it.

I'm not sure if I mentioned it before, but earlier in the session I got to meet Judge Starr and a number of other top Baylor administrators. Needless to say, I was a little star struck (no pun intended). [For those of you who don't attend Baylor, Ken Starr is second only to God…. Yes… He is that cool.]

We have a reception to attend, a recognition on the floor of Judge Star and other dignitaries, and meetings with Baylor representatives.

Sic Em Bears!

[N.B. - All the opinions expressed in this blog are mine, and mine alone. I do not represent the opinions of the office of Sen. Birdwell, the Texas Senate, or the State of Texas.]

Week 4: Warriors

Outside of those committees that I am directly assigned, I have the opportunity to participate with the Veteran's Affairs and Military Installations and the Higher Education policy areas. Week Four became a week where I became engrossed in Veterans and Military issues and had some great opportunities to learn and grow.

Monday morning, Jason (the head VAMI policy analyst in our office) and I had the chance to go to Camp Mabry here in Austin. Mabry serves as the National Guard headquarters for the state of Texas. While there, we were briefed on the missions and operational ability of the TX NG by the sitting Adjunct General. I knew some of what the NG did, but didn't fully realize the contributions that they make to handling a wide range of state issues. Tasks can range from defense support of local law enforcement to rapid disaster relief efforts. I learned a lot.

Friday, I got another chance to go off site - this time to travel to Fort Hood. Some legislative members and a handful of staff members loaded buses early Friday morning and drove to Killeen, TX (roughly a ninety minute drive). While there we learned about the educational opportunities for our military personnel offered by Texas A&M - Central Texas and Central Texas College. Once we got to base, the fun began. We were able to try a number of the simulators that soldiers train on every day. Technology has changed the way that our military trains, and we got to see that first hand. Almost like a video game, soldiers can train in mock ups of Humvees and other tracked and wheeled vehicles, practice on virtual weapons ranges, and walkthrough shoot houses to drill room and home clearing. Add to that the helicopter tour we got of the entire base, and Ft. Hood was a fantastic day.

However, the most meaningful experience of last week was on Wednesday during the Senate session. It was Wounded Warriors day at the capitol, and Sen. Van de Putte (Chair - VAMI) invited and recognized a number of wounded service men and women. What was most special was that she surprised Sen. Birdwell by recognizing him on the floor as a wounded warrior himself. As I have mentioned before, Sen. Birdwell was severely injured in the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon. He has had a miraculous recovery since and his story is quite powerful. Check it out: http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/brian-birdwell/

Until next time…

[N.B. - All the opinions expressed in this blog are mine, and mine alone. I do not represent the opinions of the office of Sen. Birdwell, the Texas Senate, or the State of Texas.]

Weeks 2 and 3: Perspective

I know I am late to the game in blogging over the last two weeks, but I want to give an update anyway. So here it goes…

A few general updates: (1) Lt. Governor Dewherst assigned Senate committees, and Senator Birdwell will sit on Government Organization, Economic Development, Higher Education, and is the Vice Chair for Veterans’ Affairs and Military Installations. (2) The senators drew for term lengths, and the senator received a four year term, so he will not be up for reelection until the 2016 cycle. (3) Since my first post, I have been assigned another committee for the session, taking my total to three (Intergovernmental Relations, Administration, and Open Government).

Since session has begun slowly, I have had a decent amount of time to catch up on some reading that I need to do for school. I recently finished Decision Points by George W. Bush. It was one I had read before, but this time it was nice to dig a little deeper into the content. For the academic assignment, it is my job to dig through my readings and analyze the impact the figure or event had on Texas political history. While I will submit a formal report to my professor, I want to share a couple of thoughts here.

The book is organized uniquely. Instead of a chronological memoir, it traces the big decisions that President Bush made, specifically while he served as President.  It offers a candid perspective into the thought process of a President. One of the most striking thing to me was how each of the big decisions overlapped. Since it was not written chronologically, I missed it the first time around. But from a timing perspective, it was really interesting to see that major domestic policies (Medicaid reform, No Child Left Behind, etc.) were being handled at the same time that discussions were being had about Iraq, Afghanistan, the Surge, and Hurricane Katrina. Being an “outsider” to that world of politics and decision making, it became almost overwhelming to think about having to handle all those life changing decisions at the same time.

However, I am beginning to understand that that is just the world of politics. In a single day at the Capitol, it is not uncommon go from a breakfast briefing to the floor with the senator and then back to the office to have meetings with constituents and lobbyists on any and all topics. That would even be considered a light day. I have to give high credit to the ability of those I am working with; they are doing a fantastic job modeling how to balance all the different demands we have as staff, but handling it all with grace. I have a long way to go to truly understand how it all works, but I could not ask for a better group to grow and learn under.

Back to President Bush for a moment: From a Texas perspective, the other important thing I noticed throughout the book was his grit and determination to stand up for the right thing, regardless of political, professional, or political consequence. Being around the capitol, I have come to appreciate the fact that many of my colleagues and the majority of the senators and representatives want to do the right thing for Texas and for their constituents. It is inspiring to see the camaraderie that comes out of the shared purpose of bettering the state and caring for its people.

 I am privileged to work for a senator that believes in this principle wholeheartedly. No political agenda comes before caring for the people of his district. Even if it means standing alone in a vote, Senator Birdwell will consistently stand up for what he believes is right. That is absolutely refreshing to see in a politician, and it makes me excited to come into work each day. 

Constitutionally Yours.

[N.B.  – All the opinions expressed in this blog are mine, and mine alone. I do not represent the opinions of the office of Sen. Birdwell, the Texas Senate, or the State of Texas.]

Week 1: And So It Begins

And so it begins.

Today marks the beginning of my second week here at the Texas state capitol. Let me start by saying that the stereotypes are true. Most every Texan believes that this state is the greatest in the country, and I must say that I'm beginning to believe them (sorry Colorado, I still love you, I promise). This legislative session looks bright and I believe that a lot of good can happen for the state through the decisions Representatives and Senators will make, and I believe that some of those quality policy propositions will come from the office in which I am working.

I am working for Senator Brian Birdwell. A retired Army Lt. Col., Senator Birdwell has a storied past that makes him uniquely qualified to represent Texas SD 22. He served two operational tours of duty as an  officer and was stationed at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. During the attack, Birdwell was severely burned and critically injured. His recovery, after months in the hospital and numerous operations, borders on the miraculous. After his retirement from the Army, he started the non-profit  "Face the Fire Ministries" designed to assist traumatic burn victims, wounded servicemen and women, and their families.

In 2010, Senator Birdwell won a special election to the Texas State Senate. A lifelong conservative, the senator served as Vice-Chairman of the Higher Education committee and the Veteran's Affairs and Military Installations committee. He also sat on the Economic Development and Government Affairs committees as well as being appointed to the Sunset Advisory Commission.

We have yet to draw for this session's committees - that will be done on Wednesday of this week - but hope to serve in the same capacities as last session. The senator and our policy staff have some pretty ambitious legislative priorities, all designed about making Texas a safer and more productive state.

A little bit about what I will be doing: My technical title is "Legislative Aide" and I will be serving two rolls. First, I am part of the policy team and have been tasked with handling the Administration Committee and the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. Tracking bills, making policy recommendations, and keeping the senator up to date on everything happening with those committees is the bulk of my job description. I will also be participating as much as possible with the Veteran's Affairs Committee and the Higher Education Committee. The other side of my job will be helping with administrative things around the office - the general things an intern is expected to help out with. However, they have expressly said that I will not have to make anyone coffee, so that is a relief (J).

I am really excited about the opportunities that I have been afforded to be working with such a great staff and the chances I am going to have to grow myself in my understanding of policy and politics. I am going to use this blog to talk about my experiences at the capitol and potentially to share my opinions about some of the policy being made. Since I have to submit weekly updates for the academic side of the internship, this will also serve as the medium to do that.

Constitutionally Yours.