UPDATED: 7/13/21
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Democrats in the Texas Legislature bolted for Washington, D.C., to try to stop Republicans from enacting new voting restrictions.
They say they’re ready to remain there for weeks in a second revolt against a GOP overhaul of election laws.
Private planes carrying more than 50 Democratic Texas lawmakers took off from an airport in Austin on Monday and landed at Dulles Airport in suburban Washington later that evening.
Democrats are skipping town just days before the Texas House of Representatives was expected to take up sweeping new voting restrictions in a special legislative session ordered by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. Moments after Democrats jetted off, Abbott issued a statement blasting them for leaving.
Via Twitter Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said House Democrats are “abandoning” constituents.
Smiling House Dems fly off to DC on a private jet with a case of Miller Lite, breaking House quorum, abandoning their constituents, while the Senate still works. It’s my hope that Senate Dems report tomorrow to do what they were elected to do. We will vote on #SB1. #txlege pic.twitter.com/5Kcc4emNFg
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) July 12, 2021
Meantime, conservative Texas Senator Dawn Buckinghap also shared her thoughts on the matter:
Not what I had in mind when we passed #BeerToGo. Glad the House Democrats are drinking, smiling, and taking a private plane to DC while we stay and work hard for the people of Texas. #txlege pic.twitter.com/4xCrHlByKz
— Dawn Buckingham (@DrBuckinghamTX) July 12, 2021
—
Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Democrats in the Texas Legislature are planning to leave the state in another revolt against a GOP overhaul of election laws. A person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press that Democrats are set to once again break quorum at the Texas Legislature in a dramatic showdown over voting rights in America.
In May, Democrats walked out of the Texas Capitol to block a sweeping bill that included bans on 24-hour polling places and provisions to empower partisan poll watchers. It would be the first time since 2003 that Texas Democrats have crossed state lines to break quorum.
