Texas House Speaker expects enough Democrats to be back for quorum
Share this @internewscast.com


Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (D) gaveled in the start of lawmakers’ second special session on Friday afternoon, saying he expected there to be enough lawmakers present in order to conduct business on Monday.

“I have been told, and I expect that we will reestablish quorum on Monday. Although I have not seen any public statements directly from those who are not here, that seems to be what people have the expectation of,” Burrows said, referring to the minimum number of lawmakers needed present in order to conduct business.

Burrows said that legislation would be immediately referred and hearings would take place next week if lawmakers did achieve a quorum. He said his goal was for lawmakers to be able to adjourn their second special session before Labor Day weekend.

The Texas House speaker also noted that while lawmakers who had been present during session would be allowed to go home to their families over the weekend, Texas Democrats would be compelled to come back to the state Capitol if they returned over the weekend.

“If that happens, I will ask those members who’ve gone home for the weekend to return immediately. You will be given a six-hour notice window to return, so do not travel beyond that,” Burrows advised.

Texas lawmakers in both chambers gaveled out their first special session earlier on Friday before Gov. Greg Abbott (R) quickly called for a second special session.

Republicans have been looking to pass a number of agenda items, including a new set of congressional maps that would give Republicans five more pickup opportunities in the House next year.

Democratic state lawmakers fled the state in response as a way to stall Republicans from being able to pass their new House map. That meant Texas Republicans could not meet the threshold of a quorum to pass new bills.

But on Thursday, Democrats signaled they were opening the door to returning home if two conditions were met if Republicans adjourned their first special session and if California introduced a set of new congressional lines that would effectively neutralize the gains Texas Republicans expect to make with their own House map.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Tragic Incident: Nebraska-Omaha Basketball Player Deng Mayar Drowns in Utah Reservoir

Nebraska-Omaha basketball player Deng Mayar drowned Saturday in a Utah reservoir, police…

DHS Confirms Federal Agents Open Fire on Car in California Standoff

A Saturday morning confrontation between federal immigration agents and a local family…

Steven Goncalves and Journalist Olivia Vitale: A Love Story Unfolds

() Steven Goncavles and independent journalist Olivia Vitale met amid trying circumstances…

US Archbishop’s Meeting with Putin Criticized as ‘Betrayal of Christian Values’

An American Orthodox archbishop’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska,…

Florida Authorities Issue AMBER Alert for Abducted Children

RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — An AMBER alert has been issued for…

Incident of Sexual Assault Reported on Seminole Wekiva Trail; Authorities Searching for Suspect

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities are on the hunt for a man…

Pay Increases Decline for Lowest-Earning Workers

(The Hill) – Wage increases are decelerating for all employees after their…

Richmond Hill Football Team Set to Unveil Brand-New Stadium This Friday

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Richmond Hill Football will be debuting its brand-new…

USC Aiken’s campus buzzes with excitement as students return amidst rebranding efforts

AIKEN, Sc. ()- USC Aiken students are heading back to school today.…

“Ohio Man Duped by AI Video, Mistook it for Singer Jelly Roll”

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) — A Springfield resident reports losing money in a…

Evacuations in North Carolina’s Outer Banks as Hurricane Erin Approaches, Raising Rip Current Warnings

Before Holly Andrzejewski and her family could host their initial guests at…

Qatar Calls for Gaza Ceasefire Following Hamas’s Supportive Reaction

JERUSALEM (AP) — On Tuesday, a key mediator emphasized the urgent need…