Fallon, who made the decision 24 hours after filing to run for his old Texas Senate seat, did not say why he changed his mind. His staff said the congressperson would provide more information later.

Fallon served in the Texas Senate for two years before running for Congress. He won’t see reelection in the U.S. House.

The move would let the House act on legislation amid the Israel-Hamas war and other priorities, but several Texans recoiled at the idea, saying it would hand power to Democrats and break trust with supporters.

Three Texas House Democrats testified before a congressional committee on their efforts to thwart voting restrictions — and were met with heat from their Republican counterparts.

The Texas House of Representatives on Jan. 13, 2021. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas TribuneSaturday is election day to fill the final vacant seat in the Texas House, as five candidates vie to fill the position that Republican Drew Springer left to join the state Senate. The safely Republican district covers a large swath of rural northwest Texas wrapping around Wichita Falls and up into the Panhandle. Because of the number of candidates, the race is likely to go to a runoff. Springer vacated the seat last month after winning a special election runoff to replace now-U.S. Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, in the Texas Senate. Greg Abbott ordered a sped-up special election for Springer's state House seat due to the legislative session, which began earlier this month.

Former State Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, spoke during a Texas Tribune panel in 2019. Greg Abbott has selected Jan. 23 as the date of the special election to fill the seat of state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, who recently won a promotion to the Texas Senate. At least two Republicans have already announced campaigns for the House seat. State law gives Abbott the power to order a sped-up special election when a vacancy occurs within 60 days of the session. The special election for Springer's House seat is the latest development in a game of political dominoes that began when former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, was named director of national intelligence earlier this year.

Dallas salon owner Shelley Luther and state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster. Greg Abbott announced Saturday that Dec. 19 will be the date for the special election runoff to succeed state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper. The runoff in Fallon's solidly red district pits state Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster, against fellow Republican Shelley Luther, the Dallas salon owner who was jailed earlier this year over her refusal to close her business due to coronavirus restrictions. Luther and Springer finished close together in the Sept. 29 special election, which included three other Republicans and a Democrat. Luther edged out Springer, 32.17% to 31.93%, ahead by 164 votes out of 68,807 total.

Shelley Luther and state Rep. Drew Springer are among six candidates looking to replace state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper. The special election was triggered by Fallon’s nomination in August to replace former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, on the November ballot now that he is director of national intelligence. Abbott has not endorsed in the special election, and a spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on the race. Another statewide political figure who looms over the special election is Lt. Gov. Among the Republican candidates, the referendum on Abbott’s pandemic decisions is not limited to Springer and Luther.

Republican Texas Senate candidate Shelley Luther received a $1 million campaign loan from conservative megadonor Tim Dunn. Credit: The Texas TribuneSign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. The conservative megadonor Tim Dunn is backing Shelley Luther in her Texas Senate bid with a $1 million loan, a large amount for such a race. Luther's campaign confirmed the $1 million loan Friday evening, three days before a campaign finance deadline in the race. In a statement explaining his support for Luther, Dunn praised her for standing up to what he described as bipartisan government overreach in the fight against the pandemic.

State Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, is shown on the Senate floor in 2019. Credit: Juan Figueroa/The Texas TribuneSix candidates have filed in the rapid-fire special election to fill the seat of state Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, according to the secretary of state's office. On Saturday, Fallon submitted his resignation from his state Senate seat, saying it will be effective Jan. 4. Minutes after Abbott announced the special election, Springer jumped into the race with Fallon's backing. Early voting for the special election begins Sept. 14.

Barbers Lynese Marchic and her son Nicholas Gasper in their Austin shop on their first day of being open after closing during the coronavirus pandemic. Unlike those politicians, the coronavirus doesnt listen to pollsters. That race wont be on the November ballot, but in a special election that would follow if Fallon is elected. And Fallon wont be the only candidate running to fill an empty congressional seat. By then, voters wont be guessing what might happen when we open schools for in-person classes or start playing football with or without fans.

State Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, on the Senate floor on April 9, 2019. Juan Figueroa/The Texas TribuneSULPHUR SPRINGS State Sen. Pat Fallon, R-Prosper, has won the Republican nomination to replace former U.S. Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Heath, on the November ballot and will likely succeed him. Greg Abbott opted against calling a special election to finish Ratcliffe's term, so the winner in the November election will take office in January to serve a full new term. Fallon's victory means there will be a special election to replace him in Texas Senate District 30, which is safely Republican. The timing of that special election depends on when Fallon vacates the seat, either by resigning early or taking office in January.

On Saturday afternoon, roughly 150 local GOP officials will get together and decide who will likely become Texas' newest member of Congress representing the 4th Congressional District. The election was triggered in late May when the U.S. Senate confirmed Ratcliffe as director of national intelligence. While Ratcliffe cannot endorse Ross given his position in Washington, Ratcliffe's wife, Michele Ratcliffe, has backed Ross. Despite their endorsements, Ross, Fallon and Harris are far from the only contenders making a serious run for the appointment Saturday. A few candidates, including Fallon, have largely or exclusively self-funded their campaigns, with loans in the low to mid-five figures.