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AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas House Democrats appear at odds over strategy after three more members returned to the House Floor on Thursday.
What you need to know
- With the return of the Democrats, the chamber had a quorum for the first time since the majority of the faction fled to DC
- Some Democrats stand firm and are not returning
- Others said the next phase of this fight was in Austin. takes place
Her return gave the Chamber a quorum for the first time since the majority of factions fled to DC to crush a GOP electoral law at the start of the first special session.
“I am devastated because I can tell you with absolute certainty that my Democratic counterparts have just injured all of Texas,” said Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas.
“At the end of the day, this is still a family. Families have differences of opinion and we have differences of opinion over tactics, “said Rep. Jarvis Johnson, D-Houston.” But this is not an individual sport … we must all work together to achieve our goal. ”
Several members of the caucus question the legitimacy of Thursday’s quorum. The Texas Tribune reported that not all of the MPs counted in attendance on Thursday were in attendance, despite having appeared in the room in the past few days.
“What the Republicans did is they spread that lie and said, ‘Oh, we have a quorum’ … and then they fell silent and said we’d be out by Monday,” Rep. Johnson told the numbers want to count for that house level … it’s easy to require strict enforcement, and if they have the numbers then so be it. ”
Some Democrats stand firm and are not returning.
“I refuse to be a part of what’s going to happen and you can mark my words, none of this will go well,” said Rep. Crockett.
Others said the next phase of this fight is in Austin.
“I have no doubt that all 99 of the members present yesterday will be physically on stage on Monday. So the reality is that quorum has been restored and it is time we all stood together. I am confident that every single one of my Democratic colleagues, regardless of disagreement about tactics, will act on the basis of our common values, “said MP Erin Zwiener, D-Kyle.
With lawmakers able to resume business, the Democrats still see their quorum break as a victory.
“We blocked this first session of the Republican anti-electoral law and used this time to effectively advance the discussion of the need for federal voting rights at the national level,” said Rep. Chris Turner, D-Arlington.
“Lobbying Congress feels like putting your hands on a boulder and praying for it to move, and our wildest hopes have come true. The boulder is rolling, ”said Zwiener.
Despite the faction’s split strategy, Turner said he hoped the fight continues
“All 66 of our members are in full agreement and determined to do everything in our power to oppose anti-voter laws and the entire Abbott priority list for red meat.”
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