SCHWERTNER SURRENDERS HHS CHAIRMANSHIP
Senator Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown) announced last week that he has requested Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick name a new Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee for the coming legislative session.
Schwertner, who has chaired the committee since 2014, has faced sexual harassment charges for alleged lewd texting directed at a University of Texas graduate student last summer. Schwertner has denied the accusation. An investigation by the university concluded last month neither supported nor cleared him.
Patrick issued a statement after Schwertner’s announcement saying the request was “consistent with what I was already planning for the upcoming session.”
Schwertner’s letter also stated that he plans to remain in the Senate.
Patrick has not announced a replacement for Schwertner but new committee assignments are expected later this month.