No quorum in Texas House Monday, Burrows says DPS is searching for Dems in the state
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AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas House once again convened Monday at 1 p.m. to try to meet quorum, one week after Democrats left the state to block mid-decade congressional redistricting. The House had 97 members, three short of a quorum.
Two Democrats — Reps. Eddie Morales and Terry Canales — returned to Austin Monday after being absent Friday, though there were no reports that they ever left the state.
After the House gaveled out Monday, protesters began shouting “cheaters” from the gallery in protest of the Republican redistricting effort.
Below is a visual showing which Democrats were present at Monday’s session of the House.
In the days since the quorum break began, Republicans have tried several strategies to bring Democrats home, including issuing warrants of civil arrest, attempting to make those warrants valid in other states and filing lawsuits with the Supreme Court of Texas to remove Democrats from office.
Democrats currently named in Attorney General Ken Paxton’s removal lawsuit are Reps. Ron Reynolds, Vikki Goodwin, Gina Hinojosa, James Talarico, Lulu Flores, Mihaela Plesa, Suleman Lalani, Chris Turner, Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos, Jessica Gonzalez, Josey Garcia, John Bucy and Gene Wu.
State officials have ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to track down lawmakers, and some Democrats said DPS has shown up at their homes when their families were present. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also asked the FBI to locate Democrats, which he said they agreed to do.
House Speaker Dustin Burrows said during Monday’s session that DPS continues to search for Democrats at their homes and conduct surveillance, monitoring if they return to the state.
“So far no one is home, but the search continues, and it will not stop,” Burrows said.
Another lawsuit filed by Paxton resulted in a ruling preventing the political action committee of former statewide candidate and Rep. Beto O’Rourke, D-El Paso, from paying any fines incurred by Democrats for breaking quorum.
Republicans have continued to accuse Democrats of holding up other legislation in the special session, including disaster relief and flood-related legislation, by breaking quorum. Democrats are accusing Republicans of doing the same by prioritizing redistricting in the House over other legislation.
On Tuesday, the House is scheduled to vote on five bills pertaining to flood relief and disaster preparedness. It is highly likely a quorum will not be met and the House will not be able to vote on the bills.
“Will you be in that chair to vote for these critical disaster recovery bills, or will you be remembered as one who did not show up? The choice is yours,” Burrows said.
In Chicago, Texas House Democrats held a news conference where they made it clear they would not be back until at least the current special session is over, which ends on August 19.
“We’re hoping that the next special session does not also have to be corrupt, and that is entirely upon Governor Abbott and the Republican leadership of that state,” Wu said.
Burrows said the House will reconvene at 10 a.m. Tuesday and attempt to reach a quorum. The calendar lists bills related to flooding and redistricting for Tuesday’s session, but it can not vote on the bills if it does not reach a quorum.
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