Texas House Republicans Advance Flood Relief Bills
AUSTIN — Texas House Republicans teed up a slate of bills addressing the deadly July 4 Hill Country floods on Monday, but Democrats’ continued boycott left the chamber without the quorum needed to vote — setting the stage for Republicans to use the flood relief measures as leverage against their absent colleagues.
The Texas House has remained at an impasse since Aug. 4, after enough Democrats refused to show up at the Capitol to block a vote on a partisan congressional redistricting proposal. So far, Democrats’ denial of a constitutionally required two-thirds quorum has blocked only redistricting.
That continued Monday after the House fell four members shy of the 100 needed to conduct legislative business.
But Monday’s advancement of five bills related to the floods now hands Republicans fresh political leverage in their attempts to convince enough Democrats to return to Austin to restore a quorum in the Texas House.
Background on the Quorum Break
The Texas House has been unable to conduct business due to the lack of a quorum, which is required by the state constitution. The quorum break was sparked by Democrats’ opposition to a congressional redistricting proposal that they claim is partisan and unfair.
The proposal would transform three districts held by Democrats, including a North Texas seat represented by Rep. Julie Johnson, D-Farmers Branch, from liberal strongholds to districts that would sharply favor Republicans.
Two South Texas swing districts would also shift to the right, potentially giving Republicans an advantage in the upcoming midterm elections.
Flood Relief Bills
The flood bills are set for a vote at 10 a.m. Tuesday. The five pieces of legislation include House Bill 1, which requires the state to develop a mass fatality training program for justices of the peace in counties without a medical examiner.
Other flood-related proposals advanced Monday would address first responders’ communications, expand a taxpayer fund for broadband access or response, communications and early warning systems in disasters and other emergencies and require some riverside campgrounds to develop disaster plans and combat disaster relief fraud.
The July 4 floods killed at least 137 people. The damage was most severe in Kerr County, where 27 children and counselors were killed at an all-girls summer camp near Hunt.
Democrats’ Response
At a news conference Monday in northwest Chicago, Rep. Gene Wu, a Houston Democrat and chair of the House Democratic Caucus, said absent Democrats would return to Texas if flood bills are placed ahead of redistricting.
“We have said point-blank, time after time after time, that, if Gov. [Greg] Abbott says, ‘We will take care of the people of the state of Texas first,’ if he makes that commitment today, we’ll be back,” Wu said.
House Democrats were joined by Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin on Monday. The quorum-breakers had intended to meet with Durbin last week but canceled the event after a bomb threat was made to the St. Charles, Ill., hotel where they had been staying.
Republicans’ Response
House Speaker Dustin Burrows said law enforcement officers have fanned out across Texas in search of absent Democrats. They have been dispatched to lawmakers’ homes, and Burrows said several officers were present at a Saturday rally in Fort Worth led by Beto O’Rourke after they received tips that some absent Democrats might attend.
“They are set up outside members’ homes, conducting surveillance, knocking on doors, calling their phones multiple times a day,” Burrows said. “So far, no one’s home. But the search continues, and it will not stop.”
Burrows issued civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats, empowering state law enforcement to force them to return to the Capitol. Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a pair of lawsuits in an attempt to require law enforcement in Illinois and California to enforce those warrants.
Conclusion
The Texas House remains at an impasse, with Democrats refusing to return to Austin until their demands are met. Republicans, meanwhile, are using the flood relief bills as leverage to try to convince Democrats to return and restore a quorum. The situation remains uncertain, with no clear resolution in sight.
FAQs
What is the quorum break in the Texas House?
The quorum break refers to the refusal of enough Democrats to show up at the Capitol, denying the House the two-thirds quorum needed to conduct business.
What are the flood relief bills?
The flood relief bills are a set of five pieces of legislation aimed at addressing the aftermath of the July 4 Hill Country floods. They include measures to develop a mass fatality training program, improve first responders’ communications, and expand a taxpayer fund for broadband access.
Why are Democrats refusing to return to Austin?
Democrats are refusing to return to Austin until their demands are met, including a commitment from Gov. Greg Abbott to prioritize the needs of the people of Texas over partisan politics.
What is the response from Republicans?
Republicans are using the flood relief bills as leverage to try to convince Democrats to return and restore a quorum. They have also issued civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats and filed lawsuits to require law enforcement in other states to enforce those warrants.
