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House adopts SCR 16 allowing multi-day adjournment after floor debate over long weekend
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Summary
The Texas House adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 16, authorizing an adjournment from Feb. 20–25, 2025, after floor debate that included objections from members who urged staying in session to take up priority legislation; the resolution passed on a recorded vote that the clerk said was required by the constitution.
The Texas House on Feb. 19 adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 16, which authorizes the legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning Feb. 20, 2025, and ending Feb. 25, 2025.
The resolution drew floor debate about whether members should leave Austin for an extended break while priority legislation remains pending. Representative Hunter, who explained the resolution on the floor, described it as “a senate concurrent resolution adopted by the senate yesterday in accordance with the senate's planned work schedule for this week and next week.”
The issue prompted several members to urge against a long weekend. One member, identified in the transcript as Representative (unnamed), said, “Voting against long weekends, as we have been doing, tells our constituents that we're ready and willing to work,” and urged colleagues to remain in session to take up items including school choice, property tax relief and water infrastructure. Representative Harrison also spoke against the adjournment, asking, “what the hell are we doing? Another long vacation week,” and criticized repeated extended recesses during the session.
The chair put the question on adoption of SCR 16 and directed a recorded vote “required by the constitution.” The clerk announced the tally as 18 ayes and 21 nays, and the chair stated the resolution was adopted. The transcript records the adoption language exactly as read on the floor.
The debate also included procedural exchanges about committee activity while the House is in session. Earlier in the day Representative Hunter moved that “the house grant permission for all committees and subcommittees to meet while the house is in session pursuant to their committee postings or recess motions,” a motion the chair adopted without objection. Representative Garren earlier moved to defer reading and referral of bills until the end of the day's business; that motion was also adopted without objection.
The recorded floor debate and vote occurred as the House moved through ceremonial recognitions and adoption of other resolutions. The transcript shows members pressing for floor time to consider legislation they described as priorities during the remainder of the session.
Votes at a glance
• SCR 16 (Zaffarini) — Motion: adoption of Senate Concurrent Resolution 16 (authorizing adjournment from Feb. 20, 2025 through Feb. 25, 2025). Mover: Representative Hunter (explained the resolution); recorded vote announced by the clerk as 18 ayes, 21 nays. Chair declared the resolution adopted per the transcript.
Context: The resolution implements a multi-day adjournment window agreed by the Senate and House schedules. Members opposing the adjournment said staying in session would allow the House to consider bills they identified as priorities; supporters characterized the resolution as matching the Senate's plan for the week.
