AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
With the sound of the clerk ringing the bell...
(SOUNDBITE OF COURT BELL RINGING)
RASCOE: ...There was a stunning development in the Texas House of Representatives yesterday.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
DADE PHELAN: Mr. Murr voting aye.
(SOUNDBITE OF COURT BELL RINGING)
RASCOE: One headline called it an intra-GOP showdown. But when the votes were in...
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PHELAN: Have all members voted?
(SOUNDBITE OF COURT BELL RINGING)
RASCOE: ...One hundred and twenty-one House members, including 60 Republicans, voted to impeach Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
PHELAN: The resolution is adopted. The chair directs the chief clerk to notify the governor of the House's action.
RASCOE: The impeachment stems from allegations made by former staffers of Ken Paxton accusing him of bribery, improper influence and abuse of office. The allegations date back to 2020, but a few months ago, Paxton announced he'd reached a settlement of $3.3 million with the staffers and asked the state to pick up the tab. That led to a Texas House committee investigation and, eventually, yesterday's impeachment. Ken Paxton has denied any allegations of wrongdoing, calling the proceedings a sham. Next up, a trial in the Texas Senate, where members include Paxton's own wife. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
