Texas took “decisive action” in favor of property owners last month when legislation known as the “Squatters Bill” was passed, offering protection against bad-faith tenants and serial squatters.
Predictably, Democrats opposed the bill using a familiar argument seen from the party when it comes to deporting illegal immigrants, claiming due process was “being stripped” from squatters.
Texas state Rep. Steve Toth (R) shared a video from the House floor the night the bill was passed, aptly describing the position taken by Democrats.
This is so insane
Texas Rep Steve Toth showing Democrats went on the house floor for over 2 hours to argue that people who move into your home illegally while you go on vacation, should be allowed to stay
Yes, this is real
“This bill seeks to keep squatters out of our House.… pic.twitter.com/rrqBfxUMj3
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) June 19, 2025
“This bill seeks to keep squatters out of our House,” Toth explained. “Democrats have fought for two hours for the right — I don’t even know how to say this — for the right of people that don’t belong in your house to stay in your house in the event that you leave for a month or two and a squatter goes in and takes your house over.”
“Democrats are fighting for the ability of those people to be able to stay in your house,” he continued. “Most jacked up thing I’ve ever heard.”
The legislation was introduced by state Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) in response to what he called a “crisis” in the state.
“Texas ranks #2 in the nation for squatting, that is a crisis,” Bettencourt said. “Property owners are facing financial devastation and dangerous confrontations, from a $6,000 dental bill after a squatter dropped a refrigerator on a woman, to over $130,000 in legal fees just to evict unlawful occupants. That ends now, as this is a focused anti-squatters bill.”
Evictions can be handled more efficiently as a result of the new legislation, which comes in response to serial squatters exploiting the existing eviction system to stay in properties rent-free for months on end, creating significant financial burdens for landlords.
Social media users were quick to question Democrats’ priorities — here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen on X:
It’s insanity!
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) June 19, 2025
Maybe someone should move in to one of these Democrats’ house while they’re away at work. We’ll see what tune they sing then.
— Darryl (@just_darryl) June 19, 2025
The left is going after Texas HARD! If Texas doesn’t push back now, they will become another California. Their first experiment was California. We used to be red. When we were red, we were literally the most innovative and wealthiest state in the country. Now we are a piece of…
— Meezmo April (@MeezmoApril) June 19, 2025
Democrats really spent two hours fighting for squatters’ rights to your home while you’re chilling at the beach. Tell me your priorities are upside-down without telling me.
— The Undercurrent (@NotTheirScript) June 19, 2025
what is the end goal?
lose the property?
own nothing and be happy?
pure evil!
bad enough you have to pay property tax the rest of your life!
WHAT HAPPENED TO TEXAS?
— Based. (@basedperiod) June 19, 2025
Writers and editors can be contacted at writers@bizpcreview.com with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.