Texas legislators spar over the word 'racism' ahead of election bill vote

Debate over a sweeping elections bill in Texas took a bizarre turn on Thursday after Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan asked members not to use the word 'racism' while debating a bill Democrats have said will make it harder for people of color to vote.

“Intentional discrimination of people of a certain race, is that racism?” state Rep. Gina Hinojosa said as other members cried out in anger within the chamber.

“We can talk about racial impacts of this legislation without accusing members of this body of being racist,” Phelan said from the speaker’s...