The Texas Legislature is looking more like the U.S. Congress. Last week the Republican-controlled state House approved new rules that prevent Democrats from serving as committee chairs, a move that reflects the Legislature’s rapid shift toward the Washington-style politics that shut the minority party out of powerful leadership posts.

Conservative activists in the GOP caucus called any power sharing with the minority party a betrayal of Republican voters.

Although Democrats will be prohibited from chairing the main legislative committees, the chamber voted to expand the powers they can have as vice chairs.