In a bid to restrict the governor’s extensive emergency powers, Texas Republicans are taking swift action before Democrat Gina Hinojosa assumes office. Lawmaker Brian Harrison is pushing for a special legislative session, urging outgoing Governor Greg Abbott to act decisively.
Harrison highlighted the urgency following Hinojosa’s electoral victory, which concluded three decades of Republican governance. He publicly called for Republicans to leverage their remaining time to impose restrictions on emergency authority before Hinojosa’s inauguration in January.
“We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of preserving the separation of powers and curtailing emergency powers that Hinojosa would inherit, which he believes could infringe upon individual freedoms.
I call on Gov. Abbott to IMMEDIATELY convene a special session to REIN IN EXECUTIVE EMERGENCY POWERS… before Gina Hinojosa is sworn in!
Republicans lost last night, but Democrats were not sworn in.
We still have total power in Texas, and we must act like it by using the remaining ten weeks to restore separation of powers and limit the emergency powers that Governor-Elect Hinojosa is set to inherit, which would allow her to destroy liberty in Texas by executive fiat.
I’ve warned since I was first elected that NO governor, Republican or Democrat, should have unchecked emergency powers!
Now that Texas has elected a Democrat Governor, the urgency is undeniable… and inaction is intolerable.
Without action, Governor Hinojosa will inherit the powers of a DICTATOR.
Due to the absurd (and almost certainly unconstitutional) Texas emergency powers laws, Gov. Hinojosa will literally have the power to modify laws, ignore laws, or create and enforce laws – including criminal laws – on a whim!
Today is a day for ACTION, and bold leadership.
The Texas Legislature must immediately pass, and Governor Abbott must sign, legislation like HB911, which I filed in 2022 and warned at the time, that “Never ending emergency powers are antithetical to representative government and render people powerless. Legislative bodies allowing a single executive branch official to both write and enforce laws is the biggest threat to our constitutional system of divided government and should be opposed irrespective of which political party runs the executive branch.”
My legislation would protect liberty from executive fiat by, among other things, taking the following actions:
1. Prohibit the Governor from suspending or modifying statutes
2. Sunset emergency orders in 30 days if the legislature does not ratify the order
3. Prohibit the governor from reissuing emergency orders that expired or the legislature rejected
4. Require emergency orders to be narrowly tailored
5. Subject emergency orders to expedited judicial review
We have TEN WEEKS LEFT to protect Texas from near total Democrat rule.
I encourage every elected Republican in Texas to join my demand for Gov. Abbott to call a special session.
The future of liberty in America is literally on the line in Texas, and Texans deserve leadership that acts accordingly.
@GregAbbott_TX
— Brian Harrison (@brianeharrison) November 4, 2026
The key component of his initiative is House Bill 911, aimed at limiting what governors can do during emergencies without legislative consent. This legislation would prevent governors from altering existing laws during such times and ensure that emergency orders expire after 30 days unless explicitly extended by lawmakers.
Harrison’s proposal includes provisions that ensure emergency actions are specific and allow for judicial review of any challenges. He insists that legislative authority should remain intact and not be usurped by unilateral executive actions, regardless of party affiliation.
The recent election has heightened these concerns as Hinojosa’s administration may implement policies that conflict with GOP ideals, especially regarding responses to economic and educational challenges.
Despite securing the governorship, the Democrats do not have complete control, as Republicans maintain a majority in the State Senate. However, Harrison emphasizes the necessity of implementing robust safeguards before the change in administration.
His push has not gone unnoticed, garnering attention from conservative figures who view it as a crucial moment for Texas politics. Yet, navigating the procedural challenges remains a hurdle, as only the governor can initiate a special legislative session.
Critics of the proposal caution that altering the rules post-election could undermine Hinojosa’s authority, but Harrison argues his stance on limiting emergency powers is consistent and should transcend partisan lines.
As the clock ticks down to Hinojosa’s January 19th inauguration, the potential for legislative action hangs in the balance, dependent on Abbott’s willingness to reconvene lawmakers.
