Texas Republican Aims to Rename 'New York Strip' Steak to 'Texas Strip' While Remaining Quiet on Measles Outbreak

Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, a Republican, took to social media to announce legislation renaming a cut of beef from the New York Strip to the "Texas Strip", whilst having said nothing about the measles outbreak the state is currently battling.

"Factoid: Texas has about 12.2 million head of cattle, the most in America. I met with the Texas Cattle Feeders and Cattle Raisers this week," Patrick wrote to X.

"Out of curiosity, I asked each of them their favorite cut of meat. A few said New York Strip. I asked why we didn't call it a 'Texas Strip' because New York has mostly dairy cows. Just because a New York restaurant named Texas beef a New York Strip in the 19th century doesn't mean we need to keep doing that," he continued.

Patrick then revealed that Texas' State Senate was preparing to file a concurrent resolution officially calling to change the name of the New York Strip to the "Texas Strip". Restaurants and grocery stores within the Lone Star State will be asked to rename the cut upon reprinting their menus.

"In a world filled with serious issues that we address every day at the Texas Capitol, this simple resolution will help better market Texas beef. That's good for the Texas cattle industry. The Cattle Associations sure liked the idea," he continued.

Users took to the replies of Patrick's post to criticize Texas's state legislature for focusing on seemingly trivial issues while residents of the state were subject to an outbreak of measles that has resulted in at least one death and over 150 cases.

"Glad to see you're focused on the crucial issues plaguing your constituents. Very important cause here and not at all ridiculous or a waste of time," wrote one user.

"So many other things yall could be doing," wrote another.

"Wow, we pay you guys for this BS? Our state is on fire 🔥🔥. I'm sure you are trying to be relavant and funny but it's NOT, and the time is NOW to get things done," said another.

"Solving true 1st world problems, I see. How about we focus on the real issues instead of participating in nonsense renaming of things?! When the left did it y'all got upset, just saying," wrote a fourth user.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) confirmed on Monday that the number of measles cases recorded within the state is up to 158, with one child having died of the illness last month.

"I cannot link this to international travel. I don't know – usually, we can find the link, and so, it's driving me crazy. But we don't know what the link is here," said DSHS Commissioner Jennifer Shuford, speaking about how the child who passed away contracted the illness in the first place.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a long record of doubting vaccines and questioning their efficacy, wrote an op-ed for Fox News in which he encouraged people to get vaccines in the wake of the outbreak in Texas.

"Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons," he wrote.