By State Rep. James White
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. (Edmund Burke)
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Faith-based constitutional common sense conservatives like myself saw the current controversy involving
Obamacare mandates coming that require faith-based organizations to violate their religious principles and offer the abortion morning after pill in their employee health care plans. This is morally wrong and unconstitutional. Not only did I co-author & fight for important legislation I voted for HJR 135 twice on the House floor.
During the 82nd Legislature the Texas House of Representatives considered HJR 135.This constitutional amendment proposal sought to amend the Texas Constitution to prevent the state government from directly indirectly or incidentally substantially burdening an individuals or a religious organizations conduct that was based on a sincerely held religious belief unless the government was: acting to further a compelling governmental interest; and used the least restrictive available means to do so.
On May 12 2011 I voted in favor of this amendment proposal on the second reading And I voted in favor again on May 13 2011. The Texas Constitution requires a proposed amendment to get a two-thirds majority in both houses of the Texas Legislature before it is sent to the voters in a constitutional amendment election.
HJR 135 was introduced in the House and needed 100 votes to pass before being to the State Senate. Unfortunately HJR 135 did not get the support from 100 state representatives.
This election season I do have an opponent Michael Tuffy Hamilton who is fighting against our Pro-Life agenda tried and true conservative values and our stand against the Austin and Washington D.C. political establishments
Hamilton is so
hostile against my faith-based constitutional commonsense conservative message and voting record that he moved his entire family and household to Hardin County from Orange County to run against me in the Republican Primary.
Unfortunately Hamilton also displayed this hostility against conservative values when the Legislature was considering HJR 135 on the House floor on May 12 2011.
During the floor debate for HJR 135 a small group of liberal Democrats and so-called moderate Republicans fought conservatives on this religious freedom state constitutional amendment. Again a constitutional amendment proposal needs 100 votes in the House to pass. On May 12th 79 members of the Texas House voted in favor of religious liberty and supported HJR 135. Hamiltons absence with 20 other absent legislators (21 total) denied giving Texas voters the opportunity to ratify this amendment and protect their state from Obamacare.
On May 12 2011 Hamilton reported present for roll call and he recorded votes on every other piece of legislation considered on that date.
There is no excuse for Hamiltons hostility indifference and ambivalence toward our Constitution keeping socialized medicine out of Texas and fighting for Southeast Texas.
If Hamilton would have stood with conservatives during the legislative session instead of trying to defeat them in Republican primaries the Texas Legislature and the Attorney General would have the constitutional legal tools to prevent nationalized health care from violating our First Amendment religious freedoms.
Again I am a tried and true conservative that is a champion of Pro-Life an advocate for family faith and freedom and I am a fighter against the entrenched political establishment that threatens our Southeast Texas values.
