Texas Democrats leave state to try to stop GOP voting bill

And exactly what shall they be arrested for?
A violent insurrection ;)
Considering they can only be charged with a political charge I doubt they can be arrested.
Aww c'mon .. It'd be super fun to see Gov Fappit send his shuriff to DC to arrest over 50 people.
Is Shuriff Joe available? He could drive his old tank out there! :lol:

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News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

Even your article, quoting the Governor listed no statute that would allow for arrest and no penalties. I would be interested in seeing it, if it exists. I have never heard of a law anywhere in the country that says people walking of the job, can be arrested or imprisoned. Has Texas fallen to a communist takeover by it's own Governor?
You need to re-read the entire thread. We've covered this.

Texas Constitution: Art 3, Section 10

QUORUM; ADJOURNMENTS FROM DAY TO DAY; COMPELLING ATTENDANCE. Two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.

And until there is a quarum, no decisions to this shall be made. The only thing this whole this is doing is making the State Government of Texas look like a bunch of Idiots.
Damn, you're pissed.

You seem to be missing the point of the process.

Once their attendance is compelled by force, there will be a quorum. They don't need to be there willfully. They don't even need to vote. They just need to be present to make up a quorum, so shit can get done, including their punishment.

Hey, I ain't pissed. Iive in Colorado where we don't have to resort to such stupid and entertaining methods as you Texans do. You should start your own TV channel for these things.

Let's see, there has already been a GoFundMe and other things started up to raise money so that they can stay away indefinitately if that's what it takes. In order for you to get your DEMAND they would first have to be present. Hope they packed their swim suits and party clothes. It's going to be a long 1.5 years.

Sounds to me like it's YOUR tantrum and it's you that are pissed. Meanwhile, the rest of us will just sit by, drink our martinis and beer and continue to be entertained by the new TV Cable Channel, "As the Morons Turn".

Yeah...you guys are a bunch geniuses.
Maybe it's the thin air.....
 
Apparently, being a state legislator who flees the state so there can’t be a vote on election reform legislation makes you a savior of democracy. You’d think, the last thing liberals would want to see is state legislators thwarting the will of the people. "For the People Act", remember? But for democrats, not if the will of the people voted for the other party.


Once, the left understood that such shenanigans were hardly pro-democracy. When Oregon Republicans pulled a similar stunt in 2020, Vox headlined an article: “Oregon Republicans are subverting democracy by running away. Again.” In the commentary, author David Roberts lamented, “It is an extraordinary escalation of anti-democratic behavior from the right, gone almost completely unnoticed by the national political media.”

But now, Texas Democrats—unlike the Oregon Republicans—are on the “Right Side of History.”


According to The Texas Tribune, the oh-so-controversial election bills would nix 24-hour early voting, but require more time for early voting.

The Tribune also reported that both the state House and Senate versions of the bills “prohibit local election officials from sending unsolicited applications to request a mail-in ballot” and “bills would set new ID requirements so voters must provide their driver’s license number, or if they don’t have one, the last four digits of their Social Security number on applications for [vote-by-mail and returned] ballots.”

That’s hardly despotic legislation that would make it impossible to vote. In fact, Texas is beating some blue states on voting access. Heritage Action for America notes that “Texas offers 2 weeks of in-person early voting, more than New York or New Jersey. If the proposed reforms pass, Texas would have longer early-voting hours than in Maryland and New Mexico.


THIS is voter suppression?

What this really is is political bullshit on the part of the democrats.

Same as filibustering. You against that too?
 
News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

Even your article, quoting the Governor listed no statute that would allow for arrest and no penalties. I would be interested in seeing it, if it exists. I have never heard of a law anywhere in the country that says people walking of the job, can be arrested or imprisoned. Has Texas fallen to a communist takeover by it's own Governor?
You need to re-read the entire thread. We've covered this.

Texas Constitution: Art 3, Section 10

QUORUM; ADJOURNMENTS FROM DAY TO DAY; COMPELLING ATTENDANCE. Two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.
Arrest not mentioned in what you posted. It does say "under penalties as each house may provide", but certainly does not mention turning it over to the whim of the Governor. What else does the Governor get to arrest you for in Texas? If you walk off your job at McDonalds, can the Governor of Texas order you arrested, confined or fined? Has he been successful at this sort of thing in the past or is this a new gubernatorial power he is trying to assert on his own, to see if they don't mind? What if the legislator do not wish to be arrested and resist? Can he have the Texas Highway patrol shoot them or beat them into submission? Not being personally familiar Texas state code, it sounds like a fascist power grab.

The dims tried this same tactic in the past.....guess what happened.
This is nothing but show boating.
 
News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "


that’s not an arrest, it’s abduction. A federal felony. Of which abbot and the house speaker can be arrested.

you sat giddy up to your mouth before you hitch your mind up to it governor.
 
Bootney Lee Farnsworth
I agree. I was watching the news at break and they had pics of these idiots on a private plane with a case of beer. Doesn't sound like they take what they are doing very serious now does it.

The news also said the reason they were leaving was bogus as hell.
 
News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

Even your article, quoting the Governor listed no statute that would allow for arrest and no penalties. I would be interested in seeing it, if it exists. I have never heard of a law anywhere in the country that says people walking of the job, can be arrested or imprisoned. Has Texas fallen to a communist takeover by it's own Governor?

They can be compelled to return to make the quorum, and since the legislature isn't the executive, the legislature's leadership can and has to ask the governor to use whatever methods he has availible to compel them to return.
So you are saying he does not get to do it on his own, as he threatened and cannot actually arrest, but only bring to the legislature. That is understandable. It was probably just misspeak on his part. He gets excited and has been under a lot of pressure, ever since he presided over the power fiasco, back in the winter. Maybe he is trying to come out, projecting as a strong man.

When you take a person into custody to compel them to return, you are making an arrest. It's the only legal pathway to holding a person, either for arraignment, or dragging their dumb ass back to the legislature.
 
News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

Even your article, quoting the Governor listed no statute that would allow for arrest and no penalties. I would be interested in seeing it, if it exists. I have never heard of a law anywhere in the country that says people walking of the job, can be arrested or imprisoned. Has Texas fallen to a communist takeover by it's own Governor?
You need to re-read the entire thread. We've covered this.

Texas Constitution: Art 3, Section 10

QUORUM; ADJOURNMENTS FROM DAY TO DAY; COMPELLING ATTENDANCE. Two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.

And until there is a quarum, no decisions to this shall be made. The only thing this whole this is doing is making the State Government of Texas look like a bunch of Idiots.
Damn, you're pissed.

You seem to be missing the point of the process.

Once their attendance is compelled by force, there will be a quorum. They don't need to be there willfully. They don't even need to vote. They just need to be present to make up a quorum, so shit can get done, including their punishment.

Hey, I ain't pissed. Iive in Colorado where we don't have to resort to such stupid and entertaining methods as you Texans do. You should start your own TV channel for these things.

Let's see, there has already been a GoFundMe and other things started up to raise money so that they can stay away indefinitately if that's what it takes. In order for you to get your DEMAND they would first have to be present. Hope they packed their swim suits and party clothes. It's going to be a long 1.5 years.

Sounds to me like it's YOUR tantrum and it's you that are pissed. Meanwhile, the rest of us will just sit by, drink our martinis and beer and continue to be entertained by the new TV Cable Channel, "As the Morons Turn".
That's a lot of words to say you're not pissed.
 
Apparently, being a state legislator who flees the state so there can’t be a vote on election reform legislation makes you a savior of democracy. You’d think, the last thing liberals would want to see is state legislators thwarting the will of the people. "For the People Act", remember? But for democrats, not if the will of the people voted for the other party.


Once, the left understood that such shenanigans were hardly pro-democracy. When Oregon Republicans pulled a similar stunt in 2020, Vox headlined an article: “Oregon Republicans are subverting democracy by running away. Again.” In the commentary, author David Roberts lamented, “It is an extraordinary escalation of anti-democratic behavior from the right, gone almost completely unnoticed by the national political media.”

But now, Texas Democrats—unlike the Oregon Republicans—are on the “Right Side of History.”


According to The Texas Tribune, the oh-so-controversial election bills would nix 24-hour early voting, but require more time for early voting.

The Tribune also reported that both the state House and Senate versions of the bills “prohibit local election officials from sending unsolicited applications to request a mail-in ballot” and “bills would set new ID requirements so voters must provide their driver’s license number, or if they don’t have one, the last four digits of their Social Security number on applications for [vote-by-mail and returned] ballots.”

That’s hardly despotic legislation that would make it impossible to vote. In fact, Texas is beating some blue states on voting access. Heritage Action for America notes that “Texas offers 2 weeks of in-person early voting, more than New York or New Jersey. If the proposed reforms pass, Texas would have longer early-voting hours than in Maryland and New Mexico.


THIS is voter suppression?

What this really is is political bullshit on the part of the democrats.

Same as filibustering. You against that too?

No, I am not against filibustering, that is a procedural tactic that the minority party (both sides) uses for a political advantage and it's part of doing your job as a senator. And so the Senate moves on to other matters if they can't arrive at a compromise on a particular issue. They don't leave town and thereby prevent any future business from being done, and THAT is the difference. As noted in my post above , at one time or place both parties have left town rather than do the job they were elected to do, and I have a big problem with that. That is not how democracies are supposed to work. In fact, like the Oregon Repubs the Texas Dems are subverting the will of the people and are anti-democracy.

I'm sure you see leaving town as just another procedural tactic, but I see it as dereliction of duty. Rather than staying in town and doing your job, you bailed out and IMHO that is wrong. In the military they put you in prison for that, maybe it's time we did the same thing to politicians.
 
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News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

Even your article, quoting the Governor listed no statute that would allow for arrest and no penalties. I would be interested in seeing it, if it exists. I have never heard of a law anywhere in the country that says people walking of the job, can be arrested or imprisoned. Has Texas fallen to a communist takeover by it's own Governor?
Legislators have a fiduciary duty, they must perform for The People when they refuse to do so there must be recourse for The People.
Imagine if a police officer stood there watching criminal acts take place and refused to do anything to stop said crimes from happening.
 
News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

UPDATE: Gov. Abbott Says Dem Lawmakers Who Fled Texas 'Will Be Arrested' Upon Return - Headline USA

Wow, did someone crap in this Fascists Oatmeal again?
Democrats have been shitting in everyone's oatmeal for 5 years now.
 
News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

Even your article, quoting the Governor listed no statute that would allow for arrest and no penalties. I would be interested in seeing it, if it exists. I have never heard of a law anywhere in the country that says people walking of the job, can be arrested or imprisoned. Has Texas fallen to a communist takeover by it's own Governor?
Every state in the Union has code of conduct laws for their elected legislators....it's on a contract of sorts that they all sign before being seated. So...
Not only are you not right......you're not even wrong.....Wrong would be a step up from where you are.
Somehow, I doubt the Representatives are getting ready to be handcuffed, thrown in the back of a squad car and perp-walked, as is the case with standard arrests. It sounds hard core for the Governor and his supporters but, but I doubt it works that way. We shall see. I personally do not care, as I am not from Texas. Ought to be fun to watch, no matter how it turns out.
 
I thought this was hilarious
A private plane is readied for Democrats from the Texas Legislature as they arrive by bus to board and head to Washington, D.C., Monday, July 12, 2021, in Austin, Texas. By leaving, Democrats again deny the GOP majority a quorum to pass bills, barely a month after their walkout thwarted the first push for sweeping new voting restrictions in Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats in the Texas Legislature bolted Monday for Washington, 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.​
Private planes carrying more than 50 Democrats left Austin for Dulles International Airport midafternoon, skipping town just days before the Texas House of Representatives was expected to give early approval to sweeping new voting restrictions in a special legislative session. The numbers meant the House would not have enough lawmakers in attendance to conduct business and could not, at least for now, vote on the bill.​
The cross-country exodus was the second time that Democratic lawmakers have staged a walkout on the voting overhaul, a measure of their fierce opposition to proposals they say will make it harder for young people, people of color and people with disabilities to vote. But like last month’s effort, there remains no clear path for Democrats to permanently block the voting measures, or a list of other contentious GOP-backed proposals up for debate.​
Hours after they took off, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott told an Austin television station he would simply keep calling special sessions through next year if necessary, and raised the possibility of Democrats facing arrest upon returning home.​
“As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done,” Abbott said.​
As they arrived in Washington Monday evening, the lawmakers said they would not be swayed.​
“We are determined to kill this bill,” said state Rep. Chris Turner, who said he and his colleagues were prepared to run out the clock on a special session that ends early next month.​
Democrats’ decision to hole up in Washington is aimed at ratcheting up pressure on President Joe Biden and Congress to act on voting at the federal level. Biden is set to deliver a major address on the issue Tuesday in Philadelphia, after facing growing criticism for taking what some on the left call too passive a role in the fight.​
“This is a now-or-never for our democracy. We are holding the line in Texas,” said Democratic state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer. “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.”​
The Texas bills would outlawing 24-hour polling places, banning ballot drop boxes used to deposit mail ballots and empowering partisan poll watchers.​
The measures are part of the GOP’s rush to enact new voting restrictions in response to former President Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. More than a dozen states this year have already passed tougher election laws — but only in Texas have Democrats put up this kind of fight.​
The state has a history of attention-getting political tactics. Texas Democrats, shut out of power in the state Capitol for decades, last fled the state in 2003 to thwart a redistricting plan. They ultimately lost that fight.​
Turner noted this time the state lawmakers had dual goals. They called on Congress to pass the Democrat-backed, federal voting rights law prior to when they go on August recess, which is around the same time Texas’ special session will end. He said the group would meet with Democrats across Washington, but a White House official said there are no current plans for a White House visit.​
Turner said in order to pass the voting rights expansion law, the Senate may have to modify its procedural rules, but added, “I don’t really care how they do it.”​
Back in Texas, Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan promised to use “every available resource” to secure a quorum. He did not elaborate, but some House Republicans signaled they would take action when the chamber reconvenes Tuesday. When Democrats fled the state two decades ago state troopers were deployed to bring them back.​
In an interview with Austin television station KVUE, Abbott said he was prepared to keep calling special sessions though next year’s election.​
“If these people want to be hanging out, wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year, he said.​
But it was not immediately clear who was footing the bill for the Democrats’ trip. Martinez Fischer said he would use his own campaign funds to pay for hotels for House members, but declined to comment on who funded the chartered flights.​
Speaking in the airport parking lot, he blasted the governor for likening the group, which includes many Black and Latino lawmakers, to “animal or property, to say he will corral us and he will cabin us in the capitol to get this agenda.” After addressing the media, Black lawmakers led the group in singing ”We Shall Overcome.”​
Over the weekend, Texas Republicans began advancing measures that also bring back provisions to ban drive-thru voting, add new voter ID requirements to absentee ballots and prohibit local elections officials from proactively sending mail-in ballot applications to voters. Abbott also gave lawmakers a lengthy to-do list this summer, heavy on hot-button conservative issues including restrictions over how race is taught in schools and banning transgender athletes from playing in girls’ sports.​
The decision to flee carries risks, and no guarantee of victory in the long run.​
Abbott, who is up for reelection in 2022 and has demanded new election laws in Texas, could keep calling 30-day special sessions until a bill is passed. He also punished Democrats after their May walkout by vetoing paychecks for roughly 2,000 Capitol employees, which will begin taking effect in September unless the Legislature is in session to restore the funding.​
Staying away for an extended time could also carry repercussions in next year’s midterm elections, although many Texas Democrats are already expecting a difficult cycle in 2022, particularly with Republicans set to begin drawing new voting maps this fall that could cement their majorities.​
For weeks, Democrats have signaled they were ready to draw a line. Adding to their anger: A Houston man who gained attention last year after waiting more than six hours to cast a ballot was arrested on illegal voting charges a day before the special session began Thursday. Attorneys for Hervis Rogers say the 62-year-old did not know that his being on parole for a felony burglary conviction meant he wasn’t allowed to vote.​
Vice President Kamala Harris applauded Texas Democrats for their “courage and commitment” before they boarded the flight. Back in Texas, Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick signaled that he would still try to pass a voting bill as early as Tuesday in the Senate. It was unclear whether Democrats in that chamber would continue showing up.​
___​
Weissert reported from Sterling, Virginia.​
The last time the Democrats went out of state to make Republicans sorry, the state's businesses and the public got mad at them for taking gummint business elsewhere. People here want Texas businesses to benefit from state legislative meetings. The whole state went with righties who didn't do stupid stuff.
 
News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

Even your article, quoting the Governor listed no statute that would allow for arrest and no penalties. I would be interested in seeing it, if it exists. I have never heard of a law anywhere in the country that says people walking of the job, can be arrested or imprisoned. Has Texas fallen to a communist takeover by it's own Governor?
You need to re-read the entire thread. We've covered this.

Texas Constitution: Art 3, Section 10

QUORUM; ADJOURNMENTS FROM DAY TO DAY; COMPELLING ATTENDANCE. Two-thirds of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner and under such penalties as each House may provide.

And until there is a quarum, no decisions to this shall be made. The only thing this whole this is doing is making the State Government of Texas look like a bunch of Idiots.
They have looked like that, ever since their electrical power debacle came to light, with Texans dying of Governmental regulatory stupidity in the freezing cold.
 
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News reports showed happy Democrat members of the Texas legislature laughing and joking, on a private charted jet, designed to take them out of the state, to thwart a vote on election integrity, by stopping a quorum. When they come back they're going to be arrested, and will be doing jail time. Maybe the news media will show us the before and after pictures. Should be an interesting contrast.

Amazing how these legislators turned criminals, can so lightly and flippantly think they can use election fraud to get themselves re-elected, as if the fraud-riddled 2020 election outrages, should now be thought of as normal. Nothing could be farther from the truth. This important vote on election integrity is going to happen, and the laws that need to be passed are going to be.

One of the Democrat legislators flying out of the state, state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer said “We’ve left our jobs, we’ve left our families, we’ve left our homes. Because there is nothing more important than voting rights in America.” What he really means is >> there is nothing more important TO DEMOCRATS, than ILLEGAL voting rights FOR ILLEGAL ALIENS, In America.”

Here is a quote from Texas governor Greg Abbot, from KVUE, 2 hours ago>>

"There is something the governor can do. First of all, I’ll tell you what the House of Representatives can do. What the speaker can do is issue a call to have these members arrested. In addition to that, however, I can and I will continue to call a special session after special session after special session all the way up until election next year. And so if these people want to be hanging out wherever they’re hanging out on this taxpayer-paid junket, they’re going to have to be prepared to do it for well over a year. As soon as they come back in the state of Texas, they will be arrested, they will be cabined inside the Texas Capitol until they get their job done. "

Even your article, quoting the Governor listed no statute that would allow for arrest and no penalties. I would be interested in seeing it, if it exists. I have never heard of a law anywhere in the country that says people walking of the job, can be arrested or imprisoned. Has Texas fallen to a communist takeover by it's own Governor?
Every state in the Union has code of conduct laws for their elected legislators....it's on a contract of sorts that they all sign before being seated. So...
Not only are you not right......you're not even wrong.....Wrong would be a step up from where you are.
Somehow, I doubt the Representatives are getting ready to be handcuffed, thrown in the back of a squad car and perp-walked, as is the case with standard arrests. It sounds hard core for the Governor and his supporters but, but I doubt it works that way. We shall see. I personally do not care, as I am not from Texas. Ought to be fun to watch, no matter how it turns out.
Oh no pal. I live here. I know how this process works.

It is literally handcuffed and hauled to the capitol building.

It is no different than a witness who has been subpoenaed to trial but refuses to appear. The judge will issue a bench warrant and the cops or sheriffs deputies will go down there arrest that motherfucker and haul them in there. In cuffs.
 

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