Austin (1080 KRLD) - For just the fourth time in Texas history lawmakers walked out during the legislative session in order to break quorum to kill legislation.
This time it was House Democrats in protest of Governor Abbott's must-pass emergency item election integrity bill. The omnibus bill would limit polling times and locations, empower poll watchers, and force those assisting the elderly or disabled to take an oath or face legal action. Republicans claim it ensures free and fair elections, while the Democrats call it an attempt to suppress the vote.
The Texas House was set to vote on whether to accept the conference committee agreement over Senate Bill 7 when the Democrats walked out, breaking the quorum needed to vote on legislation. With just an hour left in the Session deadline to vote on bills, House Speaker Dade Phelan announced that based on the tally sheet provided by the House clerk that a quorum was no longer present and then he adjourned the House till 10 am on Monday.
The move came after Republican State Representatives Travis Clardy and Briscoe Cain rolled out the committee report that included 23 new "out of bounds" provisions that weren't on either of the versions of the bill originally passed by the House and Senate. The newest version of the bill would also limit the definition of disabled, as it pertains to those allowed to vote by mail and would make it easier for the courts to overturn election results.
News of the actions in the House quickly made it down the hallway to the State Senate. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, who presides over the chamber took to the microphone to blame fellow Republican, House Speaker Dade Phelan for causing the problem. Patrick has been critical of Phelan for scheduling the vote on the final day lawmakers can vote on bills. "You put yourself in a box, where you're up against a deadline, and I can't even blame it on the other party for walking out," Patrick said to the 31 State Senators.
"They got the opportunity to walk out because of the deadline."
Governor Abbott was quick to respond to the House Democrats move. Abbott went on Twitter saying:
"Election Integrity & Bail Reform were emergency items for this legislative session. They STILL must pass. They will be added to the special session agenda. Legislators will be expected to have worked out the details when they arrive at the Capitol for the special session."
House Speaker Dade Phelan released the following statement:
"Today, on the second to last day of session, a number of members have chosen to disrupt the legislative process by abandoning the legislative chamber before our work was done. In doing so, these members killed a number of strong, consequential bills with broad bipartisan support including legislation to ban no-knock warrants, reform our bail system, and invest in the mental health of Texans – items that their colleagues and countless advocates have worked hard to get to this point. Texans shouldn't have to pay the consequences of these members' actions -- or in this case, inaction -- especially at a time when a majority of Texans have exhibited clear and express support for making our elections stronger and more secure."
The Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Chris Turner released the following statement:
"The 67 members of the House Democratic Caucus have been fighting SB7 — the Republican anti-voter legislation — all year long. Tonight, we finished that fight. Ahead of a midnight deadline to pass legislation, dozens of Democratic Members were prepared to give speeches against this measure, which is designed to disenfranchise and discriminate against Texans.
We were determined to run out the clock. It became obvious Republicans were going to cut off debate to ram through their vote suppression legislation. At that point, we had no choice but to take extraordinary measures to protect our constituents and their right to vote. Republicans have only themselves to blame for the way this Session is ending."
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