First, they hope to deprive the Legislature of a quorum, the minimum number of representatives who have to be present for the body to operate The second goal has probably already been achieved — drawing attention to the GOP push to tighten Tx. voting laws
on the last day of the legislative session in late May, and lawmakers are hoping for a repeat during the 30-day special session called by the state's Republican governor, Greg Abbott.WHAT'S THE GOAL?
A minority party walking out of state legislatures to block a bill's passage is rare, but has plenty of precedent. In Texas, you could say Democrats won the first round with their walkout last month. When Republicans who control the legislature tried to rush a revised elections bill through at the final hour, Democrats walked out and the session ended and the bill died. But Abbott called them back last week for a special session and this one lasts a month. It will be much harder to run out the clock.
In May, the Texas Democrats didn't have to travel out of state because they only needed to gum up the statehouse floor for a couple of hours to kill the bill before the midnight deadline. They will need to stay off the floor for far longer this time.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas House Democrats to leave state to block Republican voting restrictionsTexas House Democrats are preparing to leave the state Monday in an effort to block Republicans from passing a restrictive new voting law in the remaining 27 days of the special legislative session called by Gov. Greg Abbott, sources say
Read more »
Texas Democrats to Leave State as GOP Renews Attack on Voting RightsOnce again, the Texas GOP is pushing forward a bill that would suppress voting in the state, and once again, Democratic legislators in the state are planning to leave the state to stop it from passing.
Read more »
Texas Democrats to flee state in effort to block GOP-backed voting restrictionsNEW: Texas Democrats to flee state in effort to block GOP-backed voting restrictions. The Texas lawmakers will head to DC, risking arrest by leaving the state during the special legislative session.
Read more »
Texas Democrats plan to leave state to stop GOP voting billAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats in the Texas Legislature were planning Monday to leave the state for Washington, D.C., in a second revolt against a GOP overhaul of election laws, creating another dramatic showdown over voting rights in America.
Read more »
Texas Democrats leave state to try to stop GOP voting billAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats in the Texas Legislature on Monday bolted for Washington, D.C., and said they were ready to remain there for weeks in a second revolt against a GOP overhaul of election laws, forcing a dramatic new showdown over voting rights in America.
Read more »