A group of Texas Democratic lawmakers fled a special session of the state legislature on July 12 called by Gov. Greg Abbott in another effort to thwart Republican-sponsored election integrity legislation.
In a sequel to the walkout at the conclusion of the regular 87th Legislative Session in May, the representatives flew to Washington, D.C. in hopes of securing the passage of bills protecting voting rights.
The Wall Street Journal reported that nearly 60 Democrats left Texas to deprive both GOP-majority chambers a quorum to vote on Senate Bill 1.
SB 1, which was authored by State Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) relates “to election integrity and security, including by preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state, increasing criminal penalties, creating criminal offenses and providing civil penalties.”
Hughes and his Republican colleagues assert SB 1 is necessary to secure future elections in the Lone Star State while Democrats claim the measure disenfranchises black and brown voters.
Abbott chastised the absentee lawmakers for their actions, accusing them of eschewing their responsibilities to the people of Texas.
“Texas Democrats’ decision to break a quorum of the Texas Legislature and abandon the Texas State Capitol inflicts harm on the very Texans who elected them to serve,” the governor said in a statement issued immediately after the Democrats’ departure obtained by the Wall Street Journal. “The Democrats must put aside partisan political games and get back to the job they were elected to do.”
Abbott additionally warned the legislators that they’ll be arrested upon their return to Texas.
The Austin American Statesman reported that the Texas House of Representatives voted 76-4 to order the arrest of any non-excused absent member after the absence of a quorum was established.
It was not the first time Democratic lawmakers fled the state to deny a vote on a bill they strongly oppose.
In 2003, the small Oklahoma town of Ardmore was thrust into the national spotlight as it became the temporary home of Democrats seeking to block a Republican-drawn redistricting plan.
The stunt was ultimately unsuccessful while it remains to be seen if the latest escape achieves its purpose.
The Wall Street Journal reported that a poll conducted by conservative think tank Texas Public Policy Foundation, 54% of Texans don’t support lawmakers walking away from sessions.
TPPF spokesman Brian Phillips called the latest Democratic walkout “a childish and desperate move” in a statement obtained by the publication.