With 446,000 signatures, Republican Rep. Bryan Slaton filed a bill Monday proposing the secession of Texas from the United States. HB 3596, if passed, would result in a referendum in the Lone Star State. If approved, Texans would have the opportunity to vote for or against "Texit" in 2024.
Slaton calls it the constitutional right of Texans to decide whether or not their future should remain tied to the other 49 states. "The Texas Constitution is clear that all political power resides in the people. After decades of continuous abuse of our rights and liberties by the federal government, it is time to let the people of Texas make their voices heard," Slaton said in a press release.
Today, I filed HB 3596, which is commonly known as the “Texas Independence Referendum Act," or TEXIT
If passed, it will place a referendum on the ballot during the next general election, allowing the people of Texas to vote on whether or not the State https://t.co/WWnGUi4btL… https://t.co/KyfozJMRc4 pic.twitter.com/OJbrWySnWa
— Bryan Slaton (@BryanforHD2) March 6, 2023
Slaton's proposal raised criticism within the GOP itself. Fellow Texas Rep. Jeff Leach charged on Twitter against Slaton, accusing him of disloyalty to the flag and the values he swore to uphold upon taking office in the Texas House.
This same State Representative - who here is violating his very oath of office - will proudly pledge allegiance to the American flag every day when we commence #txlege session.
This ridiculous bill is the very definition of hypocritical & seditious treason & it is already dead. https://t.co/3FUhFxBdFi
— Jeff Leach (@leachfortexas) March 6, 2023
The Democratic opposition in Texas also branded Slaton's plan as "un-American."
