TxGQP is conducting business w/ #FAKEQUORUM in the lege

[Mersky]

Texas House finally makes quorum, but Democrats say Republicans cheated to get there

Texas Tribune
BY PATRICK SVITEK AUG. 20, 2021 6pm CT

There were 99 members registered as present Thursday evening, the exact number needed to end the 38-day Democratic quorum break over the GOP’s priority elections bill. But not all of those members were physically on the floor.

There were 99 members registered as present Thursday evening, the exact number needed to end the 38-day Democratic quorum break over the GOP’s priority elections bill. But it quickly became clear that some of the 99 members were not physically on the floor and instead marked present by their colleagues.

That means that the House could be operating with a tenuous quorum in the coming days, even if more Democrats start returning — though none were giving any indication of that Friday.

While some Democrats conceded Thursday night that the quorum bust was over, others were less willing to admit defeat.

“Based on numerous media reports, it seems evident there was not a true quorum present today — ironic, given this entire session is premised around Republicans preaching about so-called voter integrity,” Rep. Chris Turner of Grand Prairie, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said in a statement.

A group of 34 House Democrats released a statement Friday that called it a “questionable quorum” and warned that Republicans “will lie about the number of legislators present at the Capitol to establish quorum, keep Texans in the dark, and bend the rules to get their way.”

In a follow-up interview, Turner said the apparent lack of a real quorum was “of grave concern.” He declined to speculate on whether the Democratic presence on the floor would grow when the House nexts meets on Monday.

-snip-

[/https://www.texastribune.org/2021/08/20/texas-house-quorum-democrats/

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Gina Hinajosa and Colin Allred appeared on The Last Word with Capehart in for O’Donnell. TxDems are exploring their options as they view this as a game changer for how things might proceed.

Link to tweet

TEXAS DEMS! WE’VE GOT TO ORGANIZE AND PUSH BACK!

ENOUGH OF THE GQP’S LIES AND DEATH.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. With their questionable quorum,

Link to tweet

[Mersky]

2. So freaking frustrating

Have you heard of any legal avenues? Hinajosa seemed to think there was possible recourse.

Will read over Allred’s introduced bill.

[Mersky]

3. I am undaunted; We've got to be undaunted

Got a call this week and heard that two of my cousins’ friends died of COVID in the past two weeks. Both unvaccinated men in their 30-40s.

Multiple republicans in my family have had it with Abbott over COVID and the grid.

My neighbors and friends are vaccinated. Most of my family is vaccinated.

Texans have in-your-face problems caused by GQP greed and depraved policies. The legislature is proceeding illegitimately in a state that can no longer afford the current state leadership.

[ananda]

4. Can the Dems walk out again?

???

[Mersky]

5. Possibly

Watched the roll call online today, and based on the way the repubs control the camera it is impossible to verify who is indeed present. Quorum is rather tenuous, I’d say. Certainly did not have a quorum at the scheduled 4:00pm time, took a while longer.

Currently, public testimony against the voting bill is taking place: https://tlchouse.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=9&event_id=6735