For the second time, Democrats in the Texas House of Representatives are leaving the state in an aim to block the passage of the contentious election bill pushed by the GOP by the Republicans in the legislature.
A source knowledgeable with the matter told FOX News that the Democrats will be going to Washington, D.C. on Monday in a bid to turn down the quorum required in the House to approve the bill.
According to Republicans, the voting bill can offer a boost in election security. Democrats, on the other hand, believe that it would stamp down the minorities’ voter turnout.
The Democratic lawmakers can be arrested by fleeing the state, a Texas law dictates.
“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,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “As they fly across the country on cushy private planes, they leave undone issues that can help their districts and our state.”
The statement furthered that it included “issues like property tax relief; funding to support Sheriffs and law enforcement in high crime areas; funding for children in foster care; and funding for retired teachers.”
In late May, the original bill was wrecked by the Texas Democrats through a walkout that stole the country’s attention.
State House Republicans last week discussed the bill saying that it will establish new identification card requirements for voting by mail. It will also prohibit overnight early voting as well as drive-thru casting of votes which, in 2020 elections, were allowed, FOX News reported.
However, the new proposed bill will not prohibit Sunday morning voting, unlike the legislation presented during the regular session. This has gathered criticisms for unfairness towards Black voters who vote via “souls to the polls” measures done with churches.
