Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick weighed in on Facebook about yesterday’s delegate take back attempt.
“There has been much discussion on events at the convention today. I want to set the record straight.
There are rules put in place by the RNC to ensure orderly debate in a hall with thousands of delegates. To be clear, at no time would I, or did I, prohibit anyone from speaking.
Here’s what transpired this afternoon: The Committee Report on the Rules was brought to the floor for consideration. A voice vote was held, and the chair ruled the “ayes” prevailed and the report was adopted.
Following a break in the action, the motion to adopt the Rules Committee report was reconsidered. Again a voice vote was held and the chair ruled that the “ayes” prevailed.
A delegate from Utah stood and sought a roll call vote. To have a roll call floor vote, the RNC rules require a minimum of 7 states to submit a petition to the Chair for a floor vote.
The chair announced that there were not 7 states submitting a valid petition. Therefore, a roll call vote on the floor was not in order and there was nothing to debate.
Texas was not one of the states submitting a petition. Some Texas delegates had talked to me about their desire for a roll call vote, but again, under RNC rules, no one was allowed to speak because there was no debate on the floor. If there had been a floor debate, as Chair, I would have motioned for our delegates to speak.
I greatly appreciate all of our delegates who wanted a floor debate. They worked hard but fell short.”
