Oliverson discussed declining rates of hospitalizations and new COVID-19 cases, noting that there was a seven-day average of about 7,300 new coronavirus cases as compared to a 22,000 seven-day average when the regular session began.
“I personally believe, as do many medical experts, that this is largely resulting from the fact that we’ve been highly successful in Texas as far as our effort in vaccinations and getting people immunized against the virus,” Oliverson said. “As of April 18, Texas had over 10 million vaccinated residents, with 7.3 million being fully vaccinated.”
When Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin) asked Oliverson about U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, he noted that the CDC also recommends shaving or trimming one’s beard or wearing a mask fitter. The House has never required members to alter their beards or wear mask fitters, he contended, so it is faulty to suggest that a CDC recommendation must necessarily translate to a House requirement.
In the wake of Gov. Greg Abbott’s decision in March to end the statewide mask requirement, Democrats made anguished predictions of increased hospitalizations and mortality related to COVID-19. Hospitalizations continued to go down in the weeks that followed.
No one on the floor spoke against HR 333. The Texas House Administration Committee passed the resolution on Tuesday.
The Democrats who joined Republicans to vote for ending the requirement are Reps. Rafael Anchia (D-Dallas), Elizabeth Campos (D-San Antonio), Terry Canales (D-Edinburg), Phillip Cortez (D-San Antonio), Yvonne Davis (D-Dallas), Alex Dominguez (D-Brownsville), Harold Dutton Jr. (D-Houston), Art Fierro (D-El Paso), Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio), Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City), Tracy King (D-Batesville), Oscar Longoria (D-Mission), Ina Minjarez (D-San Antonio), Eddie Morales Jr. (D-Eagle Pass), Claudia Ordaz Perez (D-El Paso), Mary Ann Perez (D-Houston), Richard Peña Raymond (D-Laredo), Toni Rose (D-Dallas), and Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston).
Rep. Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) is the only Republican who voted to keep the mask requirement in place. His office declined a request for comment.
The House also chose on Friday by a vote of 100 to 26 to allow members of the media back on the floor of the chamber.
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- Alex Dominguez
- Art Fierro
- Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
- Claudia Ordaz Perez
- coronavirus
- COVID-19
- Donna Howard
- Eddie Morales Jr.
- Elizabeth Campos
- Greg Abbott
- Harold Dutton
- Ina Minjarez
- Mary Ann Perez
- Oscar Longoria
- Philip Cortez
- Rafael Anchia
- Richard Peña Raymond
- Ryan Guillen
- Senfronia Thompson
- Steve Allison
- Terry Canales
- Texas House
- Tom Oliverson
- Toni Rose
- Tracy King
- Yvonne Davis
Hayden Sparks
Hayden Sparks is a senior reporter for The Texan and a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State. He has coached competitive speech and debate and has been involved in politics since a young age. One of Hayden's favorite quotes is by Sam Houston: "Texas has yet to learn submission to any oppression, come from what source it may."
