Texas Democrats suggest returning to Austin would first require Abbott to reverse legislative funding veto
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WASHINGTON (KXAN) – In a speech outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday morning, Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives suggested that their return to Austin would first require the governor to restore funding to the state’s legislature.
Texas MP Chris Turner, chairman of the House Democratic Committee, told reporters at a press conference that if he did, he and his colleagues could potentially begin negotiating any kind of deal with Republican lawmakers. He spoke to more than 50 lawmakers who left the state on Monday in yet another revolt against a GOP-led overhaul of electoral laws debated during the special session of the legislature.
“This caucus is prosecuting the Texas Supreme Court because we believe what … [Abbott] has done is unconstitutional, “said Turner,” so the first port of call would be the governor to withdraw. And then we could start talking. “
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In June, Governor Greg Abbott vetoed part of the state budget that funds the Texas legislature, its staff and legislative bodies. It was in retaliation against another Democratic strike at the end of the regular legislature that killed an earlier version of the Republican vote proposed.
In response to the Democrats’ decision to leave the state, Abbott said Monday he would convene special sessions until the voting laws are passed. However, Democratic lawmakers said they plan to stay in Washington, DC at least until the end of this current session.
“Our intent is to stay out and crush this law in this session and use the time in between… begging the people in this building behind us to pass federal voting laws to protect voters in Texas and across the country “Said Turner.
Turner also said 57 lawmakers sent letters to the House of Representatives magazine clerk to lock down their voting machines, ensuring a lack of quorum for doing business in the chamber.
The Democrats said they would urge Congress to pass two federal laws in particular – the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Both bills have not found their way into the US Senate. Last month, Republican senators used the filibuster to block a major overhaul of the country’s elections.
“I’m not here on a Washington, DC vacation,” said Texas Representative Senfronia Thompson. “I will not be held hostage and allow my constituents’ rights to be withdrawn. We fought too long and too hard. “
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This week, US MP Jim Clyburn, the House majority leader, called for a filibuster amendment to the voting legislation. In their statements on Tuesday, Texas Democratic lawmakers repeatedly raised this as a possible way to enforce federal electoral law. However, it is unclear whether President Joe Biden would support this type of effort. He will give a speech on suffrage on Tuesday.
“If you can take over from a right-wing Supreme Court judge, why can’t you have a detachment to protect the very foundations of our democracy?” Turner said Tuesday.
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