Texas Democrats Flee State in Attempt to Block Republican Voting Bill

Storyful
3 年前

At least 51 House Democrats in the Texas legislature boarded planes for Washington DC on July 12, in an attempt to block a Republican-backed voting bill in their state.

According to local reports, the move would deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass new voting restrictions, which aim to rein in drive-through and 24-hour voting as well as further tighten postal voting.

According to House rules, two-thirds of the 150-member chamber must be present to conduct business.

Footage shared by Representative Trey Martinez Fischer shows him at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport about to board a flight to Washington DC. Other House Democrats tweeted that they could be away for weeks.

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, a Republican, said that the House would use “every available resource” to secure a quorum. Credit: Trey Martinez Fischer via Storyful