Texas Democrats leave state to deny legislative quorum, head to D.C. to save voting rights

[turbinetree]

Joan McCarter
Daily Kos Staff
Monday July 12, 2021 · 1:44 PM EDT

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Democrats are going to have nothing to do with the special session Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called. That's because he's not trying to deal with critical issues like COVID-19 or fixing the state's broken and fatal electrical grid, but to "to prioritize 11 issues that largely appeal to conservatives who wanted more out of the regular session." That includes the new voting restriction bills blocked previously by Democrats, as well as banning critical race theory in education, and transgender student athletes from playing sports.

At least 58 Texas House Democrats are leaving the state to deny a quorum and block these bills, particularly the voting restrictions. "The majority of the members plan to fly to Washington, D.C., on two private jets chartered for the occasion and use the time there to rally support for federal voting legislation," a source told NBC. Others plan to go to D.C. as well, by other means.

What are they going to do in D.C. to convince lawmakers there to deal with voter suppression? "Literally anything," NBC reports.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/7/12/2039406/-Texas-Democrats-leave-state-to-deny-legislative-quorum-head-to-D-C-to-save-voting-rights

[FoxNewsSucks]

1. I know of two in particular

they can start with

[FBaggins]

2. That would be particularly ironic

If what you're saying is that they should convince them to dump the filibuster (a tool used by minorities to block legislation that they object to)...

... while they are using a tool (quorum busting) that is actually against the rules (making them subject to arrest) that minorities use to block legislation that they object to.

[FoxNewsSucks]

4. In most cases, yes it would be extremely ironic

however, in this case, it's working to the same goal - ensuring people can vote for Democrats and that vote will be counted accurately with meaningful results.

These TX Democrats are showing the kind of spine and willingness to act that I want to see from every elected Democrat. Voting and democracy in the US is beyond emergency. Time is running out.

I saw one of them this morning with Brianna Keilar. She did say those two were top of their list to speak with about a filibuster exception for S1. I forgot her name, and the video isn't yet posted. She was a lawyer who impressively made her case while talknig about their goals and purpose for going to DC. She clearly knew the law, probably better than Gov. Asshole. He's been all over TV yelling about "arresting the Dems", but according to the lawmaker it's not a crime. "Detain" is the word which should be used, and it's not up to him anyway, it would have to be the TX Speaker of the House who ordered them detained at the capitol.

[FBaggins]

5. It isn't a crime, but "arrest" is still the correct term

By the rules that she voted for:

Speaker Pro Tempore. — A call of the house may take place with a speaker pro tempore in the chair, 4 Hinds § 2989, and the speaker pro tempore may issue a warrant for the arrest of absent members under a call of the house. 50 Cong. Rec. 5498 (1913).

There are other places in the rules (or in the constitution itself) that say "compel" or "bring in" absent members. But a legal authority restricting your freedom of movement is an "arrest" either way.

[FoxNewsSucks]

7. Good point, I still hope they succeed.

Our future depends on it.

[FBaggins]

8. Hyperbolic rhetoric is often useful, but our future does not actually depend on winning this one

We'll pick up at least as many votes through increased turnout driven by this fight... as we'll lose from any of these measures.

I suspect that this is actually the goal here (as well as with HR1).

[FelineOverlord]

3. Texas Democrats leave state to deny legislative quorum, head to D.C. to save voting rights

Link to tweet

[Takket]

6. Will Manchin and Sinema meet with them? hear their appeals?