WP: Democrats Derail Texas GOP Plan For House Seats

[LauraK]

AUSTIN, July 25 -- A White House-backed power play to grab more Republican congressional seats from Texas has been derailed by Democratic opposition, at least temporarily.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (R) told reporters today that a redistricting plan that is expected to add seven Republicans seats in the House did not have the votes to pass in a special session of the Texas Legislature that ends next week.

A similar effort in May led Democratic state legislators to flee to Oklahoma to break a quorum and prevent a vote on it.

Texas has 17 Democrats in Congress and 15 Republicans, but a proposed plan would give the Republicans 22 seats to the Democrats' 10.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), intent on adding to a narrow Republican advantage in the House, is leading the push to change the state's congressional districts. He says the state is dominated by Republicans and therefore should have more Republicans in Congress.

More here

[Rose Siding]

1. Will the Post print a correction?

"They have 11 seats in the 31-member Senate, but needed only that many votes because of a procedural tradition requiring two-thirds of the body to agree to take up a bill."

There are 12 Dems in the Texas senate and 19 repubs.

[efhmc]

2. We also seem to be dominated by ignorance but that doesn't mean we

need to increase it. Today I read that fully 2/3 of all Texans, no mattter what their party or political views, do not want redistricting. Not that that seems to matter. You do know that Perry has said that he will call anotther session if and when this power play doesn't work. Oh the time and money that is being wasted when we so desperately need help for health and education.

[GOPisEvil]

3. I'm sure his buddy, El Shrub-o will reward him...

...find some federal money somewhere to make up for the cost. Bastards.

[pop goes the weasel]

4. Maybe a personal reward

but neither of them gives a rat's ass about the people in this state. There will be no money forthcoming to make up the cost of the special sessions, though it seems to me only fair that the RNC get billed.

[Noordam]

5. Democrats with Balls

Maybe the Dems in the US House should go to Texas for some lessons on how to beat Delay.

[CityDem]

6. New Special Session - this is not over yet

It is expected that Gov. Perry will call a new special session next week and the 2/3 provion will be waved. The dem senators will be forced to flee the state to ensure a quorum does not exist.

[LiberalTexan]

7. They WILL block the quorum

Democrats are posed to win this one. Perry will call ANOTHER session with millions of $$$ that our state doesn't have and will LOSE this one. His approval ratings are at 45% now and yes, I did see the poll that less than 1 in 3 Texans believe redistricting is a good idea.

He reminds me of the hated Head Mistress in the musical "Annie". He is going to come out looking very bad on this one and I'm loving it! :)

[Gingergal]

8. Texas needs a statewide protest in Austin

to protest the second special session. All opposed to redistricting and all angered by the unnecessary budget cuts should be glad to attend.