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On Sunday, May 21, a video of Texas speaker Dade Phelan slurring went viral across various social media platforms. The video, which was recorded during a house session, led several Twitter users to speculate on the cause behind the supposed slurring. While some said that Phelan may have been inebriated, others suggested that he may have been suffering from a health issue.
Despite the slurring and stuttering, Dade Phelan appeared relatively unphased during the house session.
In the wake of the controversy, he has not responded to allegations that he was drunk.
Twitter users respond to Dade Phelan's house session
During the session, Dade Phelan was attempting to discuss an amendment. Twitter users particularly focused on one section of the speech, where Phelan's slurring was particularly pronounced.
Phelan could be heard saying:
“Mr. Kuempel, the Senate amendat — the amendment is [inaudible] is the objection to the opposite amendment, and the [inaudible] amendat — amendment is adopted. The chair recognizes Mr. — Mr. Johnson of Harris? Mr. Johnson of Harris to speak in opposition to…the bill.”
Twitter users have offered various theories regarding the issues in Dade Phelan's speech. Some of the more extreme users claimed that if Phelan was indeed drunk, the incident was a clear sign of alcoholism, and that he should resign.
Jonathan Strickland, a government representative, made an even more scathing accusation. He claimed that getting drunk was a routine activity among speakers in Texas, and that Phelan was one of many perpetrators. Strickland alleged that their supposed drunkenness is clearly seen in their behavior during house sessions.
Other netizens joked that Phelan may not have been drinking, but instead using other drugs, such as marijuana.
Texas politician Jonathan Schober questioned why no officials have responded to the incident. He acknowledged that Phelan may have been suffering from a medical condition, but added that even if this was the case, government figures still have a responsibility to address this.
Other users have come to Phelan's support, arguing that the wild speculation about alleged substance abuse should not be promoted. In the wake of the incident, anonymous texts accusing Phelan of drunkenness began circulating around Texas, calling for the house speaker's resignation.
Dade Phelan assumed office in the Texas House of Representatives in 2015
Dade Phelan is an American real estate developer. A 1998 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, he assumed office in the Texas House of Representatives in January 2015.
In January 2021, Phelan was elected the 76th speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He is best known for banning house speakers from saying the word 'racism' during house sessions. It remains to be seen whether he will face any consequences over the slurring incident.
