After Democrats in the Texas House successfully blocked a GOP elections bill by walking out at the end of the regular session in May, they decided to resort to a long-distance method of breaking quorum over the same issue Monday.
More than 50 members of the House Democratic Caucus left Austin on a pair of chartered jets bound for Washington, D.C. The lawmakers said they are ready to remain in the nation's capital as long as necessary.
Gov. Greg Abbott was immediately critical of the move, calling it a "partisan political game." The governor said the Democrats will face "legal consequences" for leaving Texas during the special session, even threatening to have them arrested upon their return. However, Univ. of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus said despite the tough talk, Abbott does not have that authority in this case. Then again, once the missing Democrats eventually return to Austin, House Speaker Dade Phelan may have the ability to keep them at the Capitol until an election reform bill is finalized and sent to the governor.
Rottinghaus said the stakes are especially high for Democrats with this second walkout. Texas Democrats last broke quorum by leaving the state in 2003, when it actually happened twice. One of those disputes was over redistricting, an issue that lies ahead later this year.
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