Texas Republicans eye changes to quorum rules to prevent future walkouts

Texas Republicans are moving to change the rules dictating how many members must be present to conduct business after Democrats successfully blocked a voting reform bill by fleeing the state and denying the Legislature a quorum.

Their efforts come as Republican Gov. Greg Abbott notched a victory on Tuesday as the state Supreme Court ruled Democrats could be detained and brought to the state Capitol to participate in the latest special legislative session. A judge in Austin issued an order on Sunday shielding the Texas Democrats from arrest if they returned to the Lone Star State after the Democrats filed a lawsuit to prevent the possibility.