Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has removed State Rep. Joe Moody from his position as Speaker Pro Tem following Moody’s departure from Texas with other Democrats in protest of bills under consideration by the Texas Legislature.

Moody, who was the highest ranking Democrat in the Texas House, was relieved of his duties by Phelan on Thursday after Moody and other Democrats departed the state, breaking the House’s quorum shortly after the start of the legislative session. Phelan’s removal of Moody was effective immediately.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Moody downplayed the removal, saying that he plans to stick to his values.

"The most important titles in my life will never change: Dad, Husband, El Pasoan," Moody said. "Nothing political has ever even cracked the top three, so nothing has changed about who I am or what my values are."

Moody is among the 51 Democrats who left Texas this week to break the House’s quorum. Phelan has chartered a plane to return the Democrats to Texas who are in Washington, D.C., although the absent legislators have made it appear their return is unlikely at this time.