Texas Republicans Pranked During Transgender Debate
A video of the hearing shared on Twitter by trans rights advocate Erin Reed shows how the Texas House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence was temporarily derailed as the chair called a series of clearly fake names for public comment after hearing a teacher criticize the anti-trans proposed legislation.In Texas, residents have the right to voice their opinion on various pieces of legislation."Is there a Connie Lingus here?
What about Anita Dickenmee? Or Holden Middick? Ok, are any three of those people here?" Republican Rep. Jeff Leach, who was presiding over the public testimony period for the bill and several other pieces of legislation, asked the room."Okay, you had your moment.
Hope you enjoy it," Leach concluded, as the room exploded into roaring laughter.The Republican said that the prank was actually welcome."In the midst of the rough and tumble of politics and policy-making, it's good to know we can still laugh and smile together," Leach told Mediaite in a comment published the day after. "If me being the brunt of a joke is what it takes to remind people of that – then I'm okay with it.
And though they weren't able to attend last night's hearing, I look forward to meeting Connie, Holden and Anita one day soon."A similar prank occurred at the Florida House last month, when the state's Republican Rep.
