Texas Democrats walk out to stop Voting Restrictions Bill

[TLK Valentine]

Texas Democrats Walk Out, Stop Republicans' Sweeping Voting Restrictions

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrats pulled off a dramatic, last-ditch walkout in the Texas House of Representatives on Sunday night to block one of the most restrictive voting laws in the U.S. from passing before a midnight deadline.

The sudden revolt torpedoed the sweeping measure known as Senate Bill 7, which would have reduced polling hours, empowered poll watchers and scaled back ways to vote in Texas, which already has some of the nation's strictest voting laws.

This tactic is nothing new; Oregon Republicans just did it for the third year in a row. Can't say I approve of Democratic legislators using these tactics, but if it's to be the new normal, so be it.

Thoughts?

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

The Republican restrictions apply mostly to people whom they fear might vote Democrat. Sad.

 

[Tiberius Lee]

This tactic is just a stunt. Democrat in TX can’t stop anything. Only thing will stop is in next election democrat in TX needs to stand in line 8-12 hours to vote and vote out republicans. That is the democratic way.

Sad to see in 2021 Americans needs to stand in line 12 hours to vote, but what else is the option.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

This tactic is just a stunt. Democrat in TX can’t stop anything. Only thing will stop is in next election democrat in TX needs to stand in line 8-12 hours to vote and vote out republicans. That is the democratic way.

Sad to see in 2021 Americans needs to stand in line 12 hours to vote, but what else is the option.

You are right. We must stick to the process.

 

[GreatLakes4Ever]

This tactic is just a stunt. Democrat in TX can’t stop anything. Only thing will stop is in next election democrat in TX needs to stand in line 8-12 hours to vote and vote out republicans. That is the democratic way.

Sad to see in 2021 Americans needs to stand in line 12 hours to vote, but what else is the option.

Other than just letting it become law, the Democrats took the last tool they had in the box. They ran out the clock. Now Abbott called for a special session so the clock has more time to get this passed but it has gotten media coverage on the bill.

The Democrats can come sit for the special session, be rounded up by state police and made to sit for the special session, or hide in a different state until Republicans relent or change the rules and pass the bill anyways. Each one is going to come at a political cost to both sides (neglecting your job and strong arming people into legislative chambers are both bad looks). The Democrats have successfully bought themselves a little time to hopefully increase public pressure against the bill.

I agree that I think this bill ultimately passes but Democrats have successfully lengthened the game to give themselves a chance.

 

[jayem]

TX was a Democratic state for a long time. It’s voted Republican for the last 40 years. But eventually, it’ll go back to being a blue state. As I recall, Donald Trump won TX last year by about 5.5%. Which I read was the narrowest margin in 20+ years. Just like the rest of the country, all the big urban areas—Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin (an especially liberal area)—vote Democratic. Fort Worth went blue (narrowly) for the first time in years. That’s what scares Republicans to death. More and more of the population is becoming urbanized. And will likely be less white, conservative, and Protestant. Once TX’s EVs begin to go Democratic, a Republican will be never be elected President again.

 

[Albion]

This tactic is just a stunt.

Oh, no. It deserves to be labelled "an assault on democracy."

Not only is that the political allegation that's in vogue these days, but the move actually did thwart the workings of the democratically elected legislature, did it not?

 

[Albion]

TX was a Democratic state for a long time. It’s voted Republican for the last 40 years. But eventually, it’ll go back to being a blue state.

..depending on how many sex traffickers, dope smugglers, Islamic terrorists, Chinese agents, and yes, Central American economic refugees the Biden administration can get into Texas illegally in the near future, then a general amnesty with a blanket grant of citizenship thereafter.

 

[Tiberius Lee]

Oh, no. It deserves to be labelled "an assault on democracy."

Not only is that the political allegation that's in vogue these days, but the move actually did thwart the workings of the democratically elected legislature, did it not?

I would have taken you seriously if I had seen any post from you which said “ an assault on democracy” about those storm to congress on Jan 6.

 

[Albion]

I would have taken you seriously if I had seen any post from you which said “ an assault on democracy” about those storm to congress on Jan 6.

That isn't the point.

The point was that it was missing from the post I was responding to, even though the event in question provided a perfect example of one that can actually be termed an "assault on democracy."

If preserving the day to day operations of government from any interruptions is so important to the people who normally use that term, the rest of us have to wonder why it was so noticeably missing in this case.

 

[Guinan]

TX was a Democratic state for a long time. It’s voted Republican for the last 40 years. But eventually, it’ll go back to being a blue state. As I recall, Donald Trump won TX last year by about 5.5%. Which I read was the narrowest margin in 20+ years. Just like the rest of the country, all the big urban areas—Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin (an especially liberal area)—vote Democratic. Fort Worth went blue (narrowly) for the first time in years. That’s what scares Republicans to death. More and more of the population is becoming urbanized. And will likely be less white, conservative, and Protestant. Once TX’s EVs begin to go Democratic, a Republican will be never be elected President again.

Speaking as a Texan and as a Republican, I wouldn't mind if Texas turns blue if that means no more Greg Abbott, Dan Patrick, Ted Cruz, and Ken Paxton. They deserve to face a reckoning, IMO.

Texas Republicans embraced Donald Trump for four years. Now they face a reckoning

 

[jayem]

..depending on how many sex traffickers, dope smugglers, Islamic terrorists, Chinese agents, and yes, Central American economic refugees the Biden administration can get into Texas illegally in the near future, then a general amnesty with a blanket grant of citizenship thereafter.

When forecasting future political developments in Texas, it's also necessary to explain the reasons.

Don’t forget all the Californians moving in to escape the sky-high real estate prices. And the high-tech companies looking for lower business costs. (They’re in Austin already.) But they bring their liberal politics with them.

 

[Albion]

Don’t forget all the Californians moving in to escape the sky-high real estate prices.

And the high-tech companies looking for lower business costs. (They’re in Austin already.) But they bring their liberal politics with them.

Good points, both.

 

[TLK Valentine]

This tactic is just a stunt. Democrat in TX can’t stop anything. Only thing will stop is in next election democrat in TX needs to stand in line 8-12 hours to vote and vote out republicans. That is the democratic way.

...which will lead to Texas passing a law closing the polling places after 4 hours. That's the Republican way.

 

[TLK Valentine]

..depending on how many sex traffickers, dope smugglers, Islamic terrorists, Chinese agents, and yes, Central American economic refugees the Biden administration can get into Texas illegally in the near future, then a general amnesty with a blanket grant of citizenship thereafter.

Nah... too Reagan-like.

 

[hislegacy]

This tactic is just a stunt. Democrat in TX can’t stop anything. Only thing will stop is in next election democrat in TX needs to stand in line 8-12 hours to vote and vote out republicans. That is the democratic way.

Sad to see in 2021 Americans needs to stand in line 12 hours to vote, but what else is the option.

Where in Texas did that happen? My daughter lives in Dallas and her wait time was shorter than mine in Tulsa.

 

[TLK Valentine]

Oh, no. It deserves to be labelled "an assault on democracy."

Not only is that the political allegation that's in vogue these days, but the move actually did thwart the workings of the democratically elected legislature, did it not?

Indeed. Which is why i wasn't happy when the Republicans in Oregon did it two years ago to avoid voting on gun legislation.
And when they did it again last year to avoid voting on climate change legislation.
And when they did it again this year to avoid voting on COVID measures.

It pains me to see Michelle Obama's advice of "when they go low, we go high," fall on deaf ears. The Dems, at least, I expected better from.

 

[Pommer]

Oh, no. It deserves to be labelled "an assault on democracy."

Not only is that the political allegation that's in vogue these days, but the move actually did thwart the workings of the democratically elected legislature, did it not?

Abraham Lincoln done it!

 

[Tiberius Lee]

That isn't the point.

The point was that it was missing from the post I was responding to, even though the event in question provided a perfect example of one that can actually be termed an "assault on democracy."

If preserving the day to day operations of government from any interruptions is so important to the people who normally use that term, the rest of us have to wonder why it was so noticeably missing in this case.

Oh , I see now.. you want me to ignore the fact that you don’t think Jan 6th is "an assault on democracy” , but you think TX democrat walking out is "an assault on democracy.

 

[KCfromNC]

Thoughts?

My first thought - what are Texas GOP legislators so worried about that they feel the need to try and sneak through a voter suppression law like that?