Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered a second 30-day special legislative session on Thursday in a new attempt to pass a GOP voting bill after Democrats left the state in protest, attempting to prevent the measure from changing the state’s election laws.
The announcement was anticipated as more than 50 Democrats who left the Lone Star State on July 12 were attempting to run out the time granted for the current special session and hold back the measure from being passed for a second time since May.
“The Texas Legislature achieved a great deal during the 87th Legislative Session, and they have a responsibility to finish the work that was started,” Abbott said Thursday. “I will continue to call special session after special session to reform our broken bail system, uphold election integrity, and pass other important items that Texans demand and deserve. Passing these Special Session agenda items will chart a course towards a stronger and brighter future for the Lone Star State.”
Lawmakers will convene at noon on Saturday at the Texas State Capitol to meet about several legislative items listed among the voting bill on the agenda Abbott released. Eleven of the items were included in the first session’s agenda, while six new items were added to the second special session.
TEXAS LAWMAKER WHO FLED TO DC WON’T REVEAL IF SHE’S ON VACATION
Texas Democrats contested the first session that began on July 8, largely over the “election integrity” item on the agenda. Dozens in the Democratic minority chartered a plane to fly to Washington, D.C., to stall the legislative agenda, prompting Abbott to threaten arraignment when they return from the extended protest.
Some Democrats said this week they do not plan to return to the Texas Capitol even after returning from Washington.
“A vast majority, enough to break quorum, have committed to each other to not be in the Capitol when the second called session happens,” Democratic state Rep. Eddie Rodriguez said on Wednesday, according to KTEN.
The move for the Democrats to remain in Washington is part of a larger effort to put pressure on President Joe Biden to pass a sweeping federal voting rights act to negate the efforts of the proposed Texas legislation.
Key Democratic senators, including Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday to discuss compromising on federal voting legislation, per ABC News.
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The Washington Examiner contacted Abbott’s office for comment but did not immediately receive a response.
