Most of these controversial bills are expected to pass or at least be debated on the floor. However, it is the voting rights bill that is currently on everyone s mind. Earlier this year, Democrats walked out of the House to prevent a quorum, thereby stopping debate of the bill. Now, they ve fled the state entirely, angering Republicans. In response, Abbott has threatened to resort to arresting the lawmakers, in a bitter campaign over the upcoming elections.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on May 4, 2018, in Dallas, Texas. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
(RNS) In this moment of reckoning, white evangelical Protestants the denominational family to which Southern Baptists belong are increasingly out of step.
Senator Charles Schwertner, who sponsored the bill in the Senate said on Monday, May 24, This is a simple restoration of Texans’ constitutional right under the Second Amendment, a right of the people to keep and bear arms. I think it is a bill that is the strongest bill I’ve seen in my legislative career regarding the rights of our Second Amendment.
Advocating for the rights of gun owners, a group of demonstrators stage a counter-protest near a March for Our Lives rally on March 24, 2018, in Killeen, Texas (Getty Images)
A roller coaster ride
The bill wasn t easy to pass. The House initially passed the bill, but on May 5, the Senate voted to make certain amendments. That included support for law enforcement, and protecting domestic violence victims. Eventually, the Senate voted to remove the provisions that would have expunged some weapons-related charges, allow law enforcement officers to temporarily disarm a detained person and temporarily strip the permitless carry rights
Bishop T.D. Jakes speaks during the MegaFest Women Thou Art Loosed closing session at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. | Cooper Neill/Getty Images for MegaFest 2017
As the nation slowly emerges from the deadly grip of the COVID-19 pandemic with vaccinations and declining case numbers, the Church will be needed more than ever to treat the âresidue of traumaâ left in the wake of the virus, according to megachurch leader and televangelist Bishop T.D. Jakes.
Jakes, who is senior pastor of The Potter s House in Dallas, Texas, shared his thoughts on recovering from the pandemic during an event hosted by the Ad Council Thursday called âFinishing The Race!â to promote COVID-19 vaccine confidence among the faith community.
Churches needed more than ever to treat COVID-19 trauma : TD Jakes crossmap.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from crossmap.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.