Today, I filed HB 3596, which is commonly known as the “Texas Independence Referendum Act," or TEXITTexas Rep. Bryan Slaton has filed a bill that would allow Texans to vote on the state seceding from the United States.
The bill, HB #3956, or the Texas Independence Referendum Act, would place a referendum on the ballot in the next general election that will allow Texans to vote on becoming a sovereign nation.
If passed, it will place a referendum on the ballot during the next general election, allowing the people of Texas to vote on whether or not the State https://t.co/WWnGUi4btL… https://t.co/KyfozJMRc4 pic.twitter.com/OJbrWySnWa
— Bryan Slaton (@BryanforHD2) March 6, 2023
"The Texas Constitution is clear that all political power resides in the people. After decades of continuous abuse of our rights and liberties by the federal government, it is time to let the people of Texas make their voices heard," Rep. Slaton tweeted after filing the bill. "On this 187th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo I’m proud to file this bill to let the people of Texas vote on the future of our State. Texas was born out of a desire for liberty and self-governance, and that desire continues to burn in the hearts of all Texans."
If the majority vote "yes" on the referendum, a commission would be established to investigate the feasibility of leaving the union and provide those recommendations to the state legislature.
“All political power rests in the People of Texas, and they deserve to have an opportunity to make their voice heard about the future of Texas. I’m proud to introduce HB #3596, which, if passed, will give people that opportunity,” Rep. Slaton said in a statement provided to Timcast News.
Rep. Slaton officially filed the long-awaited bill on Monday morning.
The bill was celebrated by the Texas Nationalist Movement (TEXIT) — which has long been pushing for the vote.
In a statement provided to Timcast News, TNM president Daniel Miller said that two-thirds of likely Texas voters support a vote on the issue.
“The people of Texas will look back on this day as a historic first step in taking back our autonomy and our right to self-determination from the federal government,” Miller said. He added that, “66% of likely voters in Texas support this referendum coming up for a vote, and we thank Rep. Slaton for taking heed and giving them the opportunity to make their voice heard at the ballot box. We look forward to working with legislators to get this bill passed and the referendum on the ballot.”
According to TNM, the Texas Nationalist Movement is the “largest grassroots movement pushing for Texas independence, and one of the largest independence movements in the world.”
The organization claims to have over 440,000 active members.
