After years of debate and previous failures, the Texas House of Representatives voted overnight to advance Senate Bill 2. "There being 85 ayes and 63 nays, Senate Bill 2 is passed to engrossment," ...

House Speaker Mike Johnson refused to introduce ... The House voted against Johnson's measure to prevent a vote on the bill, with nine Republicans siding with Democrats. As a result of the vote ...

Using strong-arm tactics in a bid to block the measure, Mr. Johnson tried an extraordinary use of the speaker’s power to prevent the House from even considering a measure backed by half its members.