Texas Democrats who have gone to Washington D.C. to block action on a bill dealing with elections in Austin say they will stay out of Texas as a second session begins Saturday. Democrats say they will work with federal lawmakers to pass national election guidelines.
"I'm not saying we're leaving, but if we have to come back here, we're willing to fight," says Texas Representative Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston). "We're willing to risk whatever it takes in order to preserve the rights of ourselves to vote but those who are coming behind us."
"They say everything is bigger in Texas," says U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon). "But what is bigger than defending our national right to vote and freedom to vote? They say, 'Don't mess with Texas.' Well, I say, 'Don't mess with these Texan legislators who are defending the right to vote in their home state."
Merkley spoke at an event with Texas Democrats Friday, saying he would continue to push for passage of the federal "For the People" Act.
The measure would require states to allow same-day voter registration for federal elections, establish automatic voter registration, expand vote-by-mail and make Election Day a federal holiday. The measure would also set national standards for redistricting and limit the ability for campaign donors to hide their identity by donating through political action committees.
"We have voter intimidation and suppression as a virus challenging the health of our democracy," Merkley says.
The Texas bill, SB1, would ban drive-thru voting, 24-hour voting locations and prevent county elections departments from sending unsolicited vote-by-mail applications.
"These bills are just the latest in a systematic attack by 'Trump Republicans' in Texas and across the country to undermine our democracy and silence the voices of our people," says Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner.
Governor Greg Abbott had called a special session to cover 11 items. Republicans say the Democrats who have broken quorum will prevent the passage of other bills, including bail reform and a measure ensuring retired teachers would receive a supplemental payment from the state retirement system.
"We're not seeing legislation that impacts Texans on a daily basis getting accomplished because Democrats are too busy running away to D.C.," the Dallas County Republican Party's Will Busby said in a recent interview.
Republicans also say Texas already offers more early voting hours than President Joe Biden's home state of Delaware, and the bill would require polling places to stay open an extra hour and give those submitting absentee ballots a way to correct an error or verify their signature.
The special session ends Friday, and a second session will begin Saturday. This week, Abbott issued a new list of 17 items to be addressed. Among the items he added was, "legislation relating to legislative quorum requirements."
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