Paxton on call for Phelan to resign: 'He has proven himself unworthy of Texans' trust and incapable of leading the Texas House'

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) faces a call to resign from Texas Attorney General (TXAG) Ken Paxton in response to alleged drunken behavior on the floor of the lower chamber of the state legislature.

“After much consideration, it is with profound disappointment that I call on Speaker Dade Phelan to resign at the end of this legislation session,” Paxton said in a statement he posted to Twitter, according to a report from The Texas Tribune. “His conduct has negatively impacted the legislative process and constitutes a failure to live up to his duty to the public.”

Paxton’s demand comes just as the 88th legislative session is approaching its stated conclusion. 

The Texas Tribune reported that a viral video clip purportedly showed Phelan exhibiting slurred speech while presiding over House floor proceedings late Friday. 

According to the Austin-based online media outlet, neither the Southeast Texas lawmaker nor his office commented on the clip.

The AG added he hopes Phelan seeks assistance, Austin FOX affiliate KTBC reported.

“He has proven himself unworthy of Texans' trust and incapable of leading the Texas House,” Paxton said.

KTBC reported that Paxton additionally requested the House General Investigating Committee to investigate the speaker.

If Phelan decides to resign, it’ll mark the second time this session and the third in Texas history that a state legislator did so.

Former state Rep. Bryan Slaton, a Republican who served Royce City in East Texas, resigned earlier this month after allegations arose that he had inappropriate relations with a woman in his office.

The House ultimately voted to expel the 45-year-old Slaton, who’s believed to be an ally of Phelan’s.

Among the lawmaker’s defenders happens to come from the other side of the aisle, Beaumont CBS affiliate KFDM reported.

"Speaker Phelan wasn't drunk," State Rep. Christian Manuel (D-Beaumont) said, KFDM reported. “That's crazy. The speaker was tired.”

Manuel added that Phelan went to get water in the members’ lounge, accusing the latter’s detractors of “being mean-spirited.”

“Within seconds, he was speaking normally,” Manuel said.

Phelan is close to concluding his second term as speaker, a position he ascended to on the strength of an overwhelming 145-3 vote in January.