Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Texas
Democratic
· Representative
Philip Cortez
Represents District 117 in the House of Representatives.
Votes with Democrats
79%
on 838 party-line votes · House Democrats median 93%
Cast a vote
91%
Yea or Nay on 3,881 of 4,272 roll calls · House median 95%
Their bills that became law
23 of 71
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 22.5
Roll calls on record
4,272
89th Legislature Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 12, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 89th Legislature Regular Session.
How Philip Cortez votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Philip Cortez sits in the House
Each dot is one member of the House, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Philip Cortez is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
175 of 838 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.
SB1660 · Relating to the retention and preservation of toxicological evidence of certain intoxication offenses.
House adopts conference committee report RV#4160 · 2025-06-01 · Passed 109–25 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB40 · Relating to the business court.
House adopts conference committee report RV#4156 · 2025-06-01 · Passed 95–39 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB119 · Relating to the registration as a lobbyist of persons who engage in certain lobbying activities on behalf of a foreign adversary and to prohibitions on the receipt of compensation related to those lobbying activities; providing a civil penalty.
House adopts conference committee report RV#4135 · 2025-06-01 · Passed 101–36 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB2017 · Relating to increasing the criminal penalty and changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for certain persons convicted of intoxication manslaughter.
House adopts conference committee report RV#4128 · 2025-06-01 · Passed 96–38 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB379 · Relating to prohibiting the purchase of sweetened drinks and candy under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
House adopts conference committee report RV#4118 · 2025-05-31 · Passed 84–45 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB2018 · Relating to the strong families credit against certain taxes for entities that contribute to certain organizations.
House adopts conference committee report RV#4116 · 2025-05-31 · Passed 97–27 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB509 · Relating to requiring notice to the attorney general in an action under the Election Code seeking a temporary restraining order.
House adopts conference committee report RV#4092 · 2025-05-30 · Passed 97–37 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB521 · Relating to accommodating voters with a disability; creating a criminal offense.
House concurs in Senate amendment(s) RV#4026 · 2025-05-29 · Passed 89–44 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1234 · Relating to certain procedures required for the denial of certain applications for a license to carry a handgun.
House concurs in Senate amendment(s) RV#4033 · 2025-05-29 · Passed 104–28 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB2038 · Relating to the issuance by the Texas Medical Board of certain licenses to practice medicine and the authority of an insured to select certain license holders under the insured's health policy; requiring an occupational license; authorizing fees.
House concurs in Senate amendment(s) RV#4025 · 2025-05-29 · Passed 108–31 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
SB1 · General Appropriations Bill.
Amendment as amended fails of adoption RV#143 · 2025-04-11 · Failed 72–72
HB2060 · Relating to a study on the coverage of certain infants under Medicaid.
Read 3rd time RV#2872 · 2025-05-16 · Failed 59–58
HB871 · Relating to the residential and commercial building codes of municipalities.
Amended RV#2718 · 2025-05-15 · Failed 64–63
SB30 · Relating to recovery of health care-related damages in certain civil actions.
Amendment amended RV#3582 · 2025-05-26 · Passed 72–70
HB4838 · Relating to conducting an assessment of language accessibility with respect to certain health and human services programs and 2-1-1 services provided by the Texas Information and Referral Network.
Read 2nd time RV#1948 · 2025-05-09 · Failed 66–64
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Ryan GuillenRepublican · District 31 · 1,839 shared contested votes
83%
Charlie GerenRepublican · District 99 · 1,660 shared contested votes
83%
Ken KingRepublican · District 88 · 1,570 shared contested votes
83%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (391 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Texas Delegation
YeaAbsentYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayNayYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaAbsentNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaNayYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Philip Cortez was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced71
Out of committee39
Passed one chamber31
Passed both chambers23
Became law23
Never left committee32
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the House has 22.5 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Health 20Military & Veterans 11Health–Other Diseases & Medical Conditions 11Resolutions 9County Government 9Property Interests 7
Relating to the ballot application requirements for the election of a precinct chair.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-22
Relating to health benefit plan coverage of telemedicine, teledentistry, and telehealth appointments with an originating site or distant site located outside this state.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-22
Relating to certain authorities of the adjutant general for procurement and construction.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Relating to the transfer of functions relating to certain veteran mental health programs and plans to the Texas Veterans Commission.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Relating to the projects undertaken by a public improvement district, municipal management district, water control and improvement district, fresh water supply district, or municipal utility district.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Relating to the text on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Relating to the authority of a political subdivision to regulate construction and renovation of structures owned by certain counties.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a qualifying condition or disease.
Became lawSee remarks for effective date · 2025-06-20
Relating to the instructions for an application form for an early voting ballot.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Relating to the recognition of a handgun license issued by another state.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Relating to fireworks sales to the public by retail fireworks permit holders in certain counties.
Became lawEffective immediately · 2025-06-20
Relating to the possession and administration of epinephrine delivery systems by certain entities.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Designating May 23 as Family Abduction Awareness Day for a 10-year period ending in 2035.
Became lawSigned by the Governor · 2025-06-20
Relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty license plates.
Became lawEffective on 9/1/25 · 2025-06-20
Congratulating State Representative Ryan Guillen and State Representative Richard Peña Raymond on becoming the longest-serving desk mates in the history of the Texas House.
Became lawReported enrolled · 2025-06-03
Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
SCR55 · 2025-06-02
Instructing the enrolling clerk of the senate to make corrections in S.B. No. 1964. (Adopted RV#4168)
HCR172 · 2025-06-02
Instructing the enrolling clerk of the senate to make corrections in S.B. No. 441. (Adopted RV#4169)
HCR171 · 2025-06-02
Instructing the enrolling clerk of the house to make corrections in H.B. No. 46. (Adopted RV#4167)
SB293 · 2025-06-02
Relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation and related retirement benefits, and the reporting of certain judicial transparency information; authorizing an administrative penalty. (Rules suspended RV#4170)
SB293 · 2025-06-02
Relating to the discipline of judges by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation and related retirement benefits, and the reporting of certain judicial transparency information; authorizing an administrative penalty. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4171)
HB2017 · 2025-06-01
Relating to increasing the criminal penalty and changing the eligibility for community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole for certain persons convicted of intoxication manslaughter. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4128)
SB8 · 2025-06-01
Relating to agreements between certain sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law and a grant program to cover the costs of implementing those agreements. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4130)
SB2900 · 2025-06-01
Relating to certain advisory entities and work groups under the jurisdiction of the comptroller of public accounts or on which the comptroller's office is represented and to the repeal or redesignation of certain of those entities. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4140)
HB2885 · 2025-06-01
Relating to allowing the governing bodies of certain political subdivisions to call for a local option election relating to the sale of alcoholic beverages. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4127)
SB650 · 2025-06-01
Relating to requiring the use of electronically readable information to verify a purchaser's age in the retail sale of alcoholic beverages. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4149)
HB3642 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the designation of portions of the state highway system as memorial highways, to certain memorial markers on certain highways, and to the installation of highway signs for certain cultural attractions. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4142)
SB3059 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the preservation, maintenance, restoration, and protection of the Alamo complex and surrounding area by the Alamo Commission. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4136)
HB1545 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the sunset review process and certain governmental entities subject to that process. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4161)
HB5246 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the administration, powers, and duties of the Texas Space Commission and Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium, to other governmental entities regarding aerospace, aviation, and space exploration initiatives and activities, and to the abolishment of the spaceport trust fund. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4129)
HR1499 · 2025-06-01
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 650. (Adopted RV#4148)
SB568 · 2025-06-01
Relating to special education in public schools, including funding for special education under the Foundation School Program. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4139)
HB2516 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the eligibility of certain individuals younger than 65 years of age to purchase Medicare supplement benefit plans. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4147)
HB2963 · 2025-06-01
Relating to diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of certain digital electronic equipment. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4150)
HR1514 · 2025-06-01
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, H.B. No. 40. (Adopted RV#4155)
SB2024 · 2025-06-01
Relating to a prohibition on marketing, advertising, offering for sale, or selling certain e-cigarette products; increasing a criminal penalty; creating a criminal offense. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4165)
SB1405 · 2025-06-01
Relating to increasing access to and reducing taxation of Internet services. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4134)
SB2878 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court security, court documents and arrest warrants, document delivery, juvenile boards, constitutional amendment election challenges, mandatory expunction for certain persons, record retention, and youth diversion; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing fees. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4131)
SCR54 · 2025-06-01
Instructing the enrolling clerk of the senate to make a correction in S.B. No. 2268. (Adopted RV#4126)
SB15 · 2025-06-01
Relating to size and density requirements for residential lots in certain municipalities; authorizing a fee. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4137)
SB2753 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the integration of early voting by personal appearance and election day voting, including the manner in which election returns are processed and other related changes. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4157)
HB119 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the registration as a lobbyist of persons who engage in certain lobbying activities on behalf of a foreign adversary and to prohibitions on the receipt of compensation related to those lobbying activities; providing a civil penalty. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4135)
SB268 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the procedure for certain complaints against health care practitioners. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4144)
HB46 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis under and the administration of the Texas Compassionate-Use Program; requiring registration. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4162)
SB1610 · 2025-06-01
Relating to sexually violent predators, to the Texas Civil Commitment Office, and to the prosecution of the offense of harassment by sexually violent predators and other persons confined in certain facilities; amending certain sex offender registration requirements; increasing criminal penalties. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4151)
HB40 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the business court. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4156)
HB705 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the Cosmetology Licensure Compact; authorizing fees. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4153)
HR1523 · 2025-06-01
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, H.B. No. 46. (Adopted RV#4162)
SB2972 · 2025-06-01
Relating to expressive activities at public institutions of higher education. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4159)
HB493 · 2025-06-01
Relating to ineligibility to serve as a poll watcher. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4145)
HR1501 · 2025-06-01
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 568. (Adopted RV#4138)
SB1660 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the retention and preservation of toxicological evidence of certain intoxication offenses. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4160)
SB2217 · 2025-06-01
Relating to certain election practices and procedures. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4146)
HR1519 · 2025-06-01
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, H.B. No. 705. (Adopted RV#4152)
SB1540 · 2025-06-01
Relating to maintaining the confidentiality of the personal information of election officials and their employees. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4154)
HR1515 · 2025-06-01
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 2972. (Adopted RV#4158)
HR1496 · 2025-06-01
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, H.B. No. 3642. (Adopted RV#4141)
HR1495 · 2025-06-01
Suspending limitations on conference committee jurisdiction, S.B. No. 2308. (Adopted RV#4132)
HB46 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the medical use of low-THC cannabis under and the administration of the Texas Compassionate-Use Program; requiring registration. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4163)
HB3909 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the use of a wireless communication device at a polling place. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4143)
SCR56 · 2025-06-01
Instructing the enrolling clerk of the house of representatives to make corrections in H.B. No. 46. (Adopted RV#4164)
SB2308 · 2025-06-01
Relating to the establishment of a consortium to conduct United States Food and Drug Administration's drug development clinical trials with ibogaine to secure the administration's approval of the medication's use for treatment of opioid use disorder, co-occurring substance use disorder, and any other neurological or mental health conditions for which ibogaine demonstrates efficacy and to the administration of that treatment. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4133)
SB37 · 2025-05-31
Relating to the governance of public institutions of higher education, including review of curriculum and certain degree and certificate programs, a faculty council or senate, training for members of the governing board, and the establishment, powers, and duties of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Office of the Ombudsman. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4104)
SB447 · 2025-05-31
Relating to authorizing certain municipalities to change the date on which their general election for officers is held. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4113)
SB1566 · 2025-05-31
Relating to connection of utilities by certain entities in certain subdivisions formerly located in a municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4112)
SB1506 · 2025-05-31
Relating to the frequency with which the Board of Pardons and Paroles reconsiders inmates for release on parole. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4111)
HB3372 · 2025-05-31
Relating to prohibiting certain personal services performed by school district administrators; providing a civil penalty. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4108)
HB3595 · 2025-05-31
Relating to an emergency preparedness and contingency operations plan, including temperature regulation, for assisted living facility residents during an emergency; providing penalties. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4106)
HB300 · 2025-05-31
Relating to the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4099)
SB441 · 2025-05-31
Relating to criminal and civil liability related to sexually explicit media and artificial intimate visual material; creating a criminal offense; increasing a criminal penalty. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4122)
HB2067 · 2025-05-31
Relating to declination, cancellation, or nonrenewal of insurance policies. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4110)
SB457 · 2025-05-31
Relating to the regulation of certain nursing facilities, including licensing requirements and Medicaid participation and reimbursement requirements. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4109)
SB2018 · 2025-05-31
Relating to the strong families credit against certain taxes for entities that contribute to certain organizations. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4116)
SB2337 · 2025-05-31
Relating to the regulation of the provision of proxy advisory services. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4121)
SB763 · 2025-05-31
Relating to standard permits for certain concrete plants. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4114)
HB145 · 2025-05-31
Relating to risk mitigation planning and associated liability for providers of electric service; providing an administrative penalty. (House adopts conference committee report RV#4120)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 4272 total roll-call votes this session).
Official Links
Follow Philip Cortez
One email a week, only when there’s something: every time they broke with their party, and the closest votes they cast. Free, and you can stop any time.