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 of the House."