Texas Democrats in the state legislature denied its speaker a legislative quorum Monday by leaving the state, forestalling plans proposed by the White House to redistrict Texas’s congressional lines to more greatly favor Republicans.
Democrats hold 62 of the 150 seats in the legislature’s lower chamber, so as long as at least 51 members remain out of Austin, the Texas legislature cannot move forward with any votes, including a plan to redraw the state’s congressional maps to give Republicans five more seats in Congress.
In an extraordinary escalation, the state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, said he he had ordered the Texas department of public safety to “locate, arrest and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans”
So what’s the end game for democrats on this? Stay away forever, or at least until the 2026 midterms are over? Get Abbott to pinky swear that they’ve abandoned redistricting and then return? I recognize that they don’t have a lot of power here and few options, but I don’t see preventing a quorum as a viable strategy for any length of time.
Oregon Republicans did it and stalled any legislation from being passed for most of a session. For the Tx Dems, I hope that is long enough…
They’re democrats. Just enough of them will limp back into the office so republicans can pass this within a week.
most likely correct about that, given their performance so far
i think there is a deadline since this a special session. texas legislature is part time
Abbott has consistently shown that he will call unending special sessions over and over again. He uses it is a weapon really. To beat down and out last opponents of his agenda.
Hope that Abbot dies? Other republicans grow a soul? Good questions
The real answer to our fascism infection will not be through legal recourse
In all of human history only two fascist regimes have ever given up power peacefully, and I guarantee you that won’t happen here
Which two?
Spain and Portugal
Spain when Franco’s appointed successor Juan Carlos dismantled the regime after Franco’s death
Portugal during the Carnation Revolution of 74, was remarkably bloodless
Well we’re definitely fucked, then.
I didn’t want to go the blood route, but if that’s what it takes to stop evil men…
yeah, get out of the country if you can, they’re going to close the borders before too long just like every fascist regime
If you can’t, get a firearm, if you already have one, practice with it weekly