Abbott action draws GOP praise, Dems’ wrath
Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday announced his plan to lift most COVID-19 restrictions as well as the statewide mask mandate as of next Wednesday, an extremely politically polarizing move that had lawmakers on both sides of the aisle speaking out.
Here’s what they had to say:
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-beaumont
“The unparalleled efforts of government and the pharmaceutical industry to defeat the novel coronavirus prove what we’ve always known: vaccines work. With greater access to vaccinations, better treatment options, and decreasing hospitalization rates, the Texas approach empowers citizens to exercise personal responsibility about their health in the fight against COVID-19. Today’s action marks an important step in the reopening of Texas, improving the mental health of our students, increasing the reporting of domestic violence and child abuse, and revitalizing our business climate. I also appreciate that there are safeguards in place to prevent spread from increasing as the state reopens. The past year has been difficult for all Texas families, and there is now hope that we will defeat and eradicate COVID-19,” he said in a statement.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick:
“The Texas economy is coming back stronger than ever and Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement today will help us restore the livelihoods of millions of Texas even faster. Texas has proved what I have said throughout this long year of the pandemic — we can do two things at once — maintain our economy and fight COVID-19. Today, Texas is one step closer to a return to normalcy,” he said in a statement.
State Rep. Diego Bernal, D-san Antonio
“No mask mandate. No vaccines for teachers. No expansion of Medicaid. Politically ‘pro life’ with ‘let die’ policies,” he tweeted.
Rep. John Bucy III, D-austin
“No more masks or restrictions, but Texas has the worst uninsured rate in the country, a growing physician shortage, and leads the nation in rural hospital closures,” he tweeted.
State Rep. Jeff Cason, Rbedford
“The Texas shutdown has cost our state jobs and impeded the liberty of all Texans. I am very pleased that Governor Abbott will be lifting those state mandates next Wednesday and I look forward to seeing Texas prosper once more. I will also work to ensure that shutdowns can never happen again without legislative approval,” he tweeted.
Rep. Art Fierro, D-EL Paso
“By lifting the mask order, the governor is trying to distract from his failures during the catastrophic blackouts last month. I stand with our city of El Paso, the state of Texas, and promise to hold the governor — and everyone else involved — responsible,” he tweeted.
Sen. Bob Hall, R-edgewood
“Very pleased that the long overdue reopening of Texas is happening. I hope the lessons learned from the COVID shutdown will serve as a reminder that this should never be allowed to happen again. I am committed to working with my Legislative colleagues to pass legislation that makes sure no shutdown ever occurs without the approval of the legislature,” he wrote on Facebook.
Rep. Matt Krause, R-fort Worth
“This is a good start!” he tweeted.
Rep. Geanie Morrison, Rvictoria
“It is on ALL of us to do our part and keep our communities safe even as these rules are lifted,” Morrison tweeted.
Rep. Angela Paxton, R-mckinney
She wrote on Twitter: “Today is a day to celebrate! #reopentexas.”
Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-missouri City
“By lifting the mask order, the governor is trying to distract from his failures during the catastrophic blackouts last month. I stand with the people of Texas, and promise to hold the governor — and everyone else involved — responsible. We cannot let the grid fail again,” he tweeted.
Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, Daustin
“Texas is 49th in the nation in vaccine distribution. @Govabbott’s new order to open all businesses & end statewide mask mandate is reckless and dangerous, just after Texans died by a manmade energy crisis overseen by our State leaders. This is outrageous,” he tweeted.
Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-tyler
“A statewide mask-mandate violates the separation of powers enshrined in the Texas Constitution. A local mask-mandate is equally offensive to our legal framework,” he tweeted.
Rep. James Talarico, Dround Rock
“Texas is now ‘encouraging’ people to wear masks like we encouraged power plants to winterize,” he tweeted.
Rep. Gene Wu, D-houston
“Let’s distract from one failure that’s killed people with a bigger failure that will kill more people,” he tweeted.
Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-driftwood
“My office, upon hearing about the mask mandate being lifted. Please note the masks still on our faces,” Zwiener wrote. “Masks are one of our best tools to slow the spread of COVID-19, and ours aren’t going anywhere.”