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Austin American-Statesman
The Texas House voted Tuesday to send for the Democrats who left the state for Washington in a dramatic move intended to block the passage of a GOP priority elections bill using arrest warrants if needed to compel attendance.
Democrats officially broke quorum in the chamber on Tuesday, when the 150-member body convened just after 10 a.m. with only 80 members present. Of the 67 Democrats in the chamber, 63 were absent.
The remaining lawmakers voted 76-4 to authorize the issuance arrest warrants for absent members after a lack of quorum was established in the chamber. Members, the sergeant-at-arms and the officers appointed by him are directed to send for all absentees whose attendance is not excused for the purpose of securing and maintaining their attendance under warrant of arrest, if necessary, House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, said from the floor. Any member who wishes to leave the hall must have the written permission of the Speaker
Republicans voted 76-4 to direct state law enforcement officers to track down absent members.
Gov. Greg Abbott said he intends for the members to be detained upon their return to the state.
The Texas House voted Tuesday to send for the Democrats who left the state for Washington in a dramatic move intended to block the passage of a GOP priority elections bill authorizing the use of arrest warrants if needed to compel attendance.
Democrats officially broke quorum in the chamber on Tuesday, when the 150-member body convened just after 10 a.m. with only 80 members present. Of the 67 Democrats in the chamber, 61 were absent without a valid excuse.
By Maria Recio
Special to American-Statesman
The lawmakers arrived on chartered jets paid for by the House Democratic Caucus.
Texas lawmakers plan to push Congress on the For the People Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
Furious Texas Republicans call the stunt a taxpayer-funded vacation.
DULLES, Virginia More than 50 Texas House Democrats arrived at the Dulles International Airport on Monday evening, leaving the state in a gambit to deny Republicans a quorum and thus prevent a vote Democrats say curbs voting rights.
Their only weapon, they say in the GOP-controlled Legislature, is to remove themselves and force gridlock.
It is the second time this summer that Texas Democrats have resorted to this tactic avoiding the House chamber but this time they fled the state, not just the state Capitol building, arriving in Washington in style by two private jets.
Texas House authorizes arrest warrants for Democrats who walked out statesman.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from statesman.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.