AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- The Texas House reached a quorum on Thursday for the first time in nearly six weeks, ending at least for now a logjam that paralyzed the Legislature's lower chamber.
99 members were recorded as present Thursday evening with 49 stated absences, enabling House members to conduct business and refer a number of bills to committees.
The resignation of state Rep. Leo Pacheco (D-San Antonio) went into effect Thursday, dropping the two-thirds threshold for a quorum in the House to 99 from 100.
"It's time to get back to the business of the people of Texas," said House Speaker Dade Phelan. "I appreciate every one of you. I'm looking forward to working with you over the coming week or two."
It's the first time the House has been able to reach a quorum since more than 50 Democrats fled the Capitol in July to block GOP efforts to pass election reforms. That effort saw the lawmakers flee to Washington, D.C., where they met with key figures advocating for federal voting rights legislation.
The current 30-day special session, which began on August 7, is nearing the halfway mark. It remains to be seen if the House will be able to maintain a quorum through the end of the session on September 5.