Catch 22, Texas Style

Down in Austin, Texas, a majority of the State House of Representatives is highly dissatisfied with the speaker and would like to replace him. To oust the speaker before his term is up, a lawmaker must make a parliamentary maneuver known as a motion to vacate, and a majority of the House must vote in favor of it. It's called a privileged motion, and a lawmaker must be recognized by the speaker before he or she may speak to the House to make such a motion. The speaker won't do this and claims there is nothing anyone can do about his refusal. The House members were yelling and screaming and fighting with the speaker Friday night until about 1:30am Saturday morning. The parliamentarian and his deputy reportedly resigned.