Why are Democrats leaving Texas?
TEXAS Democrats left the state on Monday, July 12. The Texas House Democrats are planning to push for federal voter protections. On Monday, Texas House Democrats left the state seeking to block controversial GOP legislation that critics have complained as voter suppression. This is the Democrats second high-profile attempt to break quorum and halt votes on both election bills. The Democrats, who are flying to Washington, DC, will be looking to push for federal voter protections. A statement from several House Democratic leaders said: "Today, Texas House Democrats stand united in our decision to break quorum and refuse to let the Republican-led legislature force through dangerous legislation that would trample on Texans' freedom to vote." "We are now taking the fight to our nation's Capital. We are living on borrowed time in Texas. We need Congress to act now to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to protect Texans  and all Americans  from the Trump Republicans' nationwide war on democracy." The voting laws in Texas are some of the strictest in the US. The state's Republicans are looking to ban 24-hour and drive-through voting, which will make it more difficult to mail-in votes. The legislation also seeks to give more authority to partisan poll watches at voting sites. Last week, Houston man Hervis Rogers was arrested over reportedly voting while on parole. Voters who are on parole in Texas are prohibited from voting. The new bill would increase criminal penalties for voting mistakes. Vice President Kamala Harris commended the Texas Democrats saying they were showing extraordinary courage and commitment during a voting rights listening session Monday in Detroit. "I applaud them for standing for the rights of all Americans and all Texans to express their voice through their vote unencumbered," she said. "They are leaders who are marching in the path that so many others before did, when they fought and many died for our right to vote." Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott accused the Democrats of abandoning their responsibilities and claimed they will all be arrested upon their return to the state. A statement from Abbott said: "Texas Democrats' decision to break a quorum of the Texas Legislature and abandon the Texas State Capitol inflicts harm on the very Texans who elected them to serve.  As they fly across the country on cushy private planes, they leave undone issues that can help their districts and our state." Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan said the House, "will use every available resource under the Texas Constitution and the unanimously passed House Rules to secure a quorum to meaningfully debate and consider the bills that were on the agenda.  Phelan said he expected all members to be present in the state's Capitol in order to get to work on these issues because the special session clock is ticking.