House Speaker Dustin Burrows challenged absent lawmakers to return Tuesday to vote on flood relief. Texas Democrats’ response to Republicans: why wait until now?
AUSTIN, Texas — Democrats blocked votes in the Texas House for the second straight week on by breaking quorum on Monday.
More than 50 House Democrats left the state on August 3 to block a bill to redraw Congressional maps to flip seats for Republicans.
After ending Monday’s roll call four members short of the 100 needed for a quorum, Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows addressed the chamber.
“The only thing standing between Texas and real disaster relief is whether our absent colleagues decide to show up tomorrow,” said Burrows.
Five flood-related bills are on Tuesday’s House agenda: House Bills 1, 2, 18, 19, and 20.
The proposed improvements include helping communities buy and upgrade emergency communication systems, requiring outdoor campgrounds to have a flood disaster plan, and expanding the powers of the Texas Division of Emergency Management to improve emergency response statewide.
Tuesday’s agenda marks the first time in this special session that lawmakers can vote on flood relief bills.
“Tomorrow, when the gavel drops, the question is simple: will you be in that chair to vote for these critical disaster recovery-related bills, or will you be remembered as one who did not show up?” said Burrows.
In response, Texas Democrats issued a statement with the title “Why Did Texas Republicans Wait So Long to Act on Flood Relief?”
They accuse the GOP of using the issue as cover for what they call Republicans’ “real priority”: redistricting.
“Governor Abbott has taken families who are grieving, and used them as hostages in a political game,” said Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu, in a statement. “Abbott already has the power to send aid to Kerr County. He doesn’t need a special session for these communities to access federal and state aid. He can act now using the powers he has used many times before.”
In the House chamber on Monday, Burrows also told the chamber DPS special agents and officers deputized by the House have gone statewide looking for absent Democrats.
State Rep. Eddie Morales (D-Eagle Pass) spoke to reporters outside the House chamber about his reaction to his colleagues’ quorum break and why he’s chosen to stay in Austin.
“Every person fights their own way,” said Rep. Morales. “I applaud their efforts if they think that this is their process. I know that my constituents have expected me to be here, and I will continue to be the voice for them here and voice my opposition for this power grab that’s taking place.”
The previous week, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued to vacate the Texas House seats of 13 Democrats.
State leaders have also asked Illinois and California to help find the Democrats by filing requests to domesticate the civil warrants from Texas.
Both legal actions are still pending.
The House reconvenes Tuesday at 10 a.m.
The Special Session ends August 19.