Straus' Big Test

As a storm gathers outside of the House Chamber, Speaker Straus (center) tries to calm one inside (Photo by Richard Whittaker)

Last session, former Speaker Tom Craddick faced criticism for his style of management: Well, plus ca change, plus ca meme chose. The current chubbing on the floor is the biggest single test of Speaker Joe Straus' time holding the gavel. But as the House members head to dinner and caucus meetings, he's standing by his methods. "I've tried this entire session to let the process work," he said. "The members are going are to figure this out, and I'm just trying to facilitate this."

Every time Straus talks about his management style, it's been as a hand's off organizer, not a whip-cracking manager. Even with Democrats using the Local and Consent Calendar as a delaying tactic to keep voter ID off the floor (the tactic known as chubbing), he's letting members fix their own strife. "There's discussions going on," he said. "Both caucuses have to get together and talk about options. But those that began this exercise to slow things down realize that it's not a sustainable strategy."

He was coy about exactly what tool can be used to resolve the chubbing ("There's a few out there that we'll be continuing to talk about") but the proposal by Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, to take bills out of order, pushing them ahead of voter ID, is still out there. So, it can be remembered, is the consensus voter ID language that Reps. Rafael Anchia and Todd Smith were floating earlier this session.

Straus has not been the public face of the House administration's response to this struggle: It's been Speaker Pro Tem Craig Eiland on the dias throughout the chubbing. There's been a murmur of criticism that Straus should be more publicly pro-active: But L&C, well, that's pro tem work. "I think it would be extraordinary if I were there to say, 'Well, I'll do the Local and Consent Calendar,'" Straus said.

That's arguably underselling his role in bridging the divide: All afternoon, a series of closed-door meetings have taken place in his offices, and while no-one is saying anything, there could be some sort of deal in the offing. "I think everyone realizes that everyone is in a difficult spot because of this and other issues," Straus said. Top of the list is obviously "voter ID, but there's some other issues too that are contentious."

The need is pressing. If the House can't get moving not simply voter ID dies. The massive number of amendments hanging over Top 10% and unemployment insurance alone will start burning up the time to the midnight Tuesday deadline for debate – if they ever get to the floor.