Deploy law enforcement? Call another special session? Texas GOP mulls options for elections bill

[TexasTowelie]

Deploy law enforcement? Call another special session? Texas GOP mulls options for elections bill after Democrats leave the state

by Cassandra Pollock and James Barragán, Texas Tribune


After House Democrats left the state Monday in an attempt to block passage of a GOP election bill during the special legislative session, attention turned to the Republicans and what they can do to get the priority legislation passed.

House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, said in a statement that afternoon that the chamber would “use every available resource under the Texas Constitution and the unanimously-passed House rules to secure a quorum” to pass items on the special session agenda, which was set by Gov. Greg Abbott. And a number of House Republicans indicated that they would support what’s known as a call of the House, a procedural move that would allow law enforcement to track down lawmakers who have already fled the chamber.

It’s unclear though what impact such an order could have, given that Democrats have flown to Washington, D.C. where Texas law enforcement does not have jurisdiction. Republicans are also keeping their cards close to the vest as to whether there are other tactics they plan to employ to compel members from the state’s minority party to return to Austin before the special session ends in 26 days.

Abbott, who has also tasked the Legislature with working on a host of other conservative priorities such as border security funding and abortion-related legislation, said later Monday that he can and will call as many special sessions as needed “until they do their job.”

Read more: https://www.texastribune.org/2021/07/12/texas-republicans-elections-bill-democrats-flee/

[PortTack]

1. FU ab-butt