For the second time this year Texas House Democrats have refused to do their sworn duty to vote, opting instead to abandoned the state and flee.
The partisan bickering that has thrown disgruntled Democrats into a “tizzy-fit” is the new law titled “Texas Senate Bill 7” authored by House Republicans which simply proposes and reaffirms that “election integrity and security, including preventing fraud in the conduct of elections in this state.”
However House Democrats (who are in the minority), claim SB-7 impedes the voting rights of minorities, and that the bill is somehow “voter suppression”. Of course they claim this without providing a shred of real evidence to back-up their silly assertions.
The real issues that Democrats attempt to ignore were the countless irregularities and illegal tampering of existing state election laws in key battleground states during the 2020 presidential election. The new bill would also address key issues such as new ID requirements for voting by mail and ban drive-thru & overnight early voting. Both of those proved to be an issue during the presidential election in Democratic controlled strongholds, especially within Harris County, a suburb of Houston, the states largest city.
On Monday Democratic lawmakers decided to flee to Washington, D.C. The brazen stunt once again denied House Republicans a quorum needed to pass a bill in the state House. Gleeful Democrats boarded private jets back to the capital, giddy that they could once again violate the rule-of-law.
Democrat James Talarico, one of the AWOL legislators attempted to spin his willful “dereliction-of-duty” stunt claiming he “sacrificed” himself for the greater good.
The 32-year old lawmaker wrote on Twitter, “Just landed in Memphis on our way to DC. Thank y’all for your well wishes. We left behind our families, our livelihoods, & our beloved Texas. But our sacrifice is nothing compared to the sacrifices brave Americans have made throughout history to protect the sacred right to vote.” The tweet produced an immediate backlash on social media, with users mocking his theatrics.
Just landed in Memphis on our way to DC. Thank y’all for your well wishes.
— James Talarico (@jamestalarico) July 12, 2021
We left behind our families, our livelihoods, & our beloved Texas. But our sacrifice is nothing compared to the sacrifices brave Americans have made throughout history to protect the sacred right to vote.
The renegade group of lawmakers apparently aware that they may face consequences back home plan to push for some type of federal protection for their actions.
The motley group of legislators apparently posed for a few photos on board the jet, while being whisked away from their constitutional responsibilities, some were reclining in their seats, others were mugging for the camera donning peace symbols. Later in the day a few lawmakers were seen on a bus bound for D.C. with packs of Miller-Lite beer, apparently to ease their “sacrifice.”
Texas Dems desert their STATE on a private jet (with crate of beer) to stop Republicans passing 'voting rights' bills https://t.co/NIlqWJs2c3 pic.twitter.com/wmuAl24x1R
— Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) July 12, 2021
However back in the Lone Star State Governor Abbott, had harsh words for the AWOL lawmakers. He criticized their decision to flee the state, for a second time, and undermining the Texas’ Constitution.
Abbott appearing Monday evening on Fox’s “The Ingraham Angle” vowed to arrest the lawmakers once they set foot back in Texas. He outlined the rules pertaining to members of the Texas House of Representatives. Members can call for the arrests of their colleagues who do not show up to vote once they return back to the state.
Democrats must get back to the job they were elected to do.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 12, 2021
Their constituents must not be denied important resources simply because their elected representatives refused to show up to work. pic.twitter.com/dGC9DceRaZ
Abbott explained; “Once they step back into the state they will be arrested and brought back to the Capitol and we will be conducting business.”
Perhaps they should be handcuffed to their chairs the next time a majority party proposes a new bill.
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