The Texas Senate voted late Wednesday to bar state Senator Angela Paxton from deciding the political fate of her husband, Ken Paxton, in his upcoming impeachment trial.
The order was part of a package of nearly three dozen rules the chamber laid out for the proceeding after hours of closed-door discussions. Under the agreed framework, the now-suspended attorney general will be required to appear in person when the trial begins on Sept. 5.
The trial will be open to the public, aside from final closed-door deliberations among senators when they attempt to reach a verdict. Paxton was impeached in May by the Texas House and immediately relieved of his duties over allegations he accepted bribes and abused the power of his office to benefit a friend and campaign donor.
Senators approved the rules on a 25-3 vote, with Angela Paxton among the trio of opposition votes. Her chief of staff did not immediately respond to a request for comment, though she previously appeared ready to vote in the trial, saying in a statement this week that “my constituents deserve it.”
Under the rules, Angela Paxton will be present for the trial but is otherwise barred from participating in private deliberations or voting on any matter. Her recusal does not appear to lower the threshold of 21 votes — two-thirds of the 31-member Senate — required to permanently remove Ken Paxton from office or disqualify him from holding future office.
The rules also specify that witnesses cannot be present to hear other witness testimony, potentially complicating things if Angela Paxton is called to testify.
Senators were unanimous in ordering Ken Paxton to appear before them in person, though they didn’t outline penalties for if he doesn’t comply. Paxton’s attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did lead prosecuting attorneys.
He has denied all wrongdoing and cast the trial as politically motivated, rushed and unfair.
For a longer version of this article, please visit the Houston Chronicle here: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/texas/article/paxton-barred-impeachment-vote-18163143.php
The Texas Lawbook has an exclusive editorial partnership with the Houston Chronicle.