The push, first reported this week, comes as the Texas Senate prepares for its next session. Patrick, who presides over the Senate and controls committee assignments, has asked GOP members to support changes that would reduce Goodwin's role, according to people familiar with the discussions.

Goodwin, a Democrat from Austin, has been an outspoken voice on issues including voting rights, public education and climate policy. Her office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The move is the latest flashpoint in a long-running effort by Republican leaders to consolidate control over the legislative process. In recent sessions, Patrick has used his authority to strip Democratic senators of committee chairmanships and to reshape the Senate's rules in ways that favor the majority party.

Critics say the effort targeting Goodwin is a retaliatory act aimed at silencing a vocal opponent. "This is about punishing a Democrat for doing her job," said one progressive activist who works on voting rights in Travis County. "Voters sent Sen. Goodwin to Austin to represent them, and the lieutenant governor is trying to override that."

Supporters of the move argue that the Senate's leadership has the right to organize the chamber as it sees fit, and that committee assignments should reflect the will of the majority.

The Texas Legislature is set to convene in January. It remains unclear whether Patrick has the votes to enact the changes, but the request signals that the Senate's Republican caucus is prepared to take a harder line against Democratic members.

For Central Texas residents, the outcome could affect how effectively Goodwin can advocate for local priorities, including transportation funding, water infrastructure and protections for the region's growing workforce. Her district includes parts of Austin and surrounding areas that have been at the center of debates over housing affordability and climate resilience.

Goodwin was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2022 after serving in the Texas House. She has built a reputation as a detail-oriented legislator who frequently questions state agencies during budget hearings.

The effort to limit her power also comes amid broader national scrutiny of state-level efforts to weaken minority-party influence. Watchdog groups have warned that such moves can erode public trust in democratic institutions.

"When leaders manipulate the rules to target individual lawmakers, it undermines the principle that every district deserves a fair voice," said a spokesperson for a nonpartisan government accountability group. "Texans should pay attention to who is trying to change the rules and why."

Patrick's office did not respond to a request for comment. The lieutenant governor has previously defended his leadership style as necessary to advance conservative priorities in a state where Republicans hold a majority in both chambers.

The Texas Senate's rules are typically adopted at the start of each legislative session. Any changes to committee assignments or member powers would require a vote of the full Senate.