Thank You, Texas Democrats

• • • •
Democratic caucus members of the Texas House join a rally on the steps of the Texas Capitol to support voting rights, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (Credit: Eric Gay)
Democratic caucus members of the Texas House join a rally on the steps of the Texas Capitol to support voting rights, Thursday, July 8, 2021, in Austin, Texas. (Credit: Eric Gay)

For the second time, Texas Democrats have walked out of a state legislative session in order to block a series of voting restrictions from becoming law.

Over 50 Democrats left the Texas House on Monday in an effort to boycott a special legislative session convened by Governor Greg Abbott. The governor had called members back specifically to give lawmakers time to pass two bills that would overhaul Texas’ voting laws.

Democratic lawmakers blocked the measures from becoming law once already by walking out of a regular session in May, breaking quorum and preventing the remaining Republican members from moving forward on any business.

The lawmakers are now in Washington and have vowed to remain there until the session expires on August 6. Texas law allows authorities to arrest State House members and physically force them back to the Capitol if they remain anywhere in the state during the boycott.

A statement released by Texas Democrats claims, “Today, Texas House Democrats stand united in our decision to break quorum and refuse to let the Republican-led legislature force through dangerous legislation that would trample on Texans’ freedom to vote. We are now taking the fight to our nation’s Capitol. We are living on borrowed time in Texas. We need Congress to act now to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to protect Texans — and all Americans — from the Trump Republicans’ nationwide war on democracy.”

Among other things, the legislation being pushed by Texas Republicans would:

  • Ban drive-thru voting
  • Ban 24-hour voting
  • Restrict vote-by-mail ID rules
  • Prohibit election officials from sending vote-by-mail applications if voters do not request one
  • Give partisan poll watchers more authority
  • Increase criminal penalties for people who make a mistake while voting
  • Ban extended early voting hours

Texas already has some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country, making the proposed legislation punitive and unnecessary.

Texas Democrats are sounding an important alarm, and federal lawmakers must take notice. All Americans should be making noise, calling representatives, and demonstrating in the streets if necessary to protect the right to vote. Your vote is your freedom. Thank you, Texas Democrats.

Updated on Jul 13, 2021

Facts work the best when shared with friends. ..

FACT

FactPAC is dedicated to supporting a robust and fair Democracy by getting the facts to voters. FactPAC is an unconnected political action committee that has no affiliation with any other organizations or campaigns. We are donor-supported and volunteer-run.

Sharing this fact can make a difference! Can you share it on just one of your profiles?

Senator Warnock Has Sponsored or Co-Sponsored Nearly 500 Bills in the Senate

Why the Keystone XL Pipeline Would Not Lower Your Gas Prices Now or in the Future

Ron Johnson doesn’t think Wisconsinites deserve well-paying jobs

Democrats Are Lowering Drug Costs

J.D. Vance’s Plan Would Close Down Manufacturing Plants in Ohio

Let’s save the economy from Republicans who want to cut jobs and put more money in the pockets of the largest corporations.

The Inflation Reduction Act Lowers Medical Cost and Increases Energy Production

Republicans Will Help Oil Companies Keep Gas Prices High Until 2024. Here’s Why…

97% of Republicans Voted Against Your Right to Birth Control

Fox Business Said The UK had a “Terrific Economic Plan” and Compared It to the GOP’s. UK’s Inflation Rate is Nearly 2% Higher than U.S.

Democrats Helped Small Businesses Re-Open. Every Republican Voted No.

When Your Monthly Child Tax Credit Payments Ended, Republicans Refused to Renew It

Republicans promise to lower taxes on the largest corporations, and it will make inflation worse

Big Oil Has Paid Marco Rubio $250,000

Fact: Democrats Reduced the Federal Deficit by 50%

You don’t have to choose between saving democracy and fighting inflation. Democrats will give you both.

Ted Budd’s Votes Have Been Bought by Big-Pharma, Big Oil, and Special Interest Groups

Ted Budd Calls Violent January 6th Insurrection “just patriots standing up.”

Ted Budd’s Family Business Left Farmers with $50 Million in Losses

Ted Budd Takes Paycheck from Big Pharma After Voting Against Lower Drug Prices

Oil Companies Back Ted Budd to Keep Profits and Your Gas Prices High

Adam Laxalt Will Be Big Oil’s Best Friend in the Senate

Marco Rubio Wants All Abortions Banned For Any Reason

Social Security works for Americans. Republicans promise to cut it. Democrats have a plan to strengthen it.

Republicans Can’t Stop Talking About Cutting Social Security

We can't win without your support.

We're running digital campaigns throughout the country to fight for your voting rights. Help us continue to support democracy.