House Public Health Committee Chairman Gary VanDeaver, empowered by Speaker Dustin Burrows, has refused to schedule hearings on any of TFVC’s priority bills this session—legislation critical to protecting medical liberty across the state.
Despite overwhelming support from the grassroots, as well as fellow lawmakers, Chairman VanDeaver has repeatedly failed to act on key bills that safeguard informed consent, simplify the exemption process, and protect Texans from healthcare discrimination based on vaccination status.
TFVC is deeply disappointed by Chairman VanDeaver’s inaction. He has ignored the voices of thousands of Texans who expect their legislators to uphold their right to medical autonomy free of coercion. Instead, Chairman VanDeaver has heard 32 Democrat-authored bills, voting 20 of these out of committee.
Among the bills being held hostage in committee are:
HB 730 (Swanson): allows Texans to print exemption forms at home
HB 1356 (Schatzline): prohibits the denial of medical care based on vaccination status
HB 1468 (Leo Wilson) & HB 4927 (Shofner): protects vaccine choice rights for healthcare workers and students
TFVC supporters and grassroots advocates have made thousands of calls, emails, and visits to the Capitol urging movement on these measures. Yet, Chairman VanDeaver has chosen to prioritize politics over people, leaving families across Texas vulnerable to mandates and overreach. He has even gone so far as to label our common sense priorities as “anti-vax”!
“This is not leadership,” said TFVC Political Director Michelle Evans. “This is obstruction. Texans deserve better from their elected officials, and we expect more from the man chosen by House leadership to run the Public Health Committee.”
TFVC urges Speaker Dustin Borrows to intervene and ensure these bills receive the hearings they deserve. With only a few weeks remaining in the current Legislative Session for bills to move, it’s time for Chairman VanDeaver to stop slow-rolling these bills and start doing more to protect Texans’ medical freedoms.
Contact for Chairman VanDeaver:
Phone: 512-463-0692
Email: [email protected]
