Texas Senate Passes Redistricting Bill Amidst Democratic Walkout
The Texas Senate held a packed floor session on Tuesday to pass several of Gov. Greg Abbott’s special session priorities. However, the session was not without its own share of political drama. Nine Democratic senators walked out of the chamber to protest the Republican-led plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts.
The Reason Behind the Walkout
The walkout was a result of the Democratic senators’ opposition to the new maps, which they believe will unfairly favor the Republican party. Despite their efforts, the Senate passed the bill with Republican support, with a vote of 19-2. The redistricting effort will still remain stalled until the House Democrats end their quorum break.
Request to Address Flood Relief Denied
Before the walkout, Democratic Sen. Jose Menéndez of San Antonio requested that the Senate take up bills related to the devastating July 4 floods. However, Lubbock Republican Sen. Charles Perry, who presided over the Senate, denied the request. Menéndez had hoped to start the day on a positive note by addressing the flood relief efforts.
The Walkout and Its Aftermath
Menéndez and eight other Democratic senators then left the Senate floor, leaving only two behind: Judith Zaffirini of Laredo and Juan Hinojosa of McAllen. Speaking to the press outside the Senate chamber, Democratic Sen. Royce West of Dallas explained that they had planned to leave two members behind to ask questions. The walkout was not a quorum break, as enough state senators were still present to pass the redistricting bill.
What’s Next for the Texas Legislature
The passage of the bill in the Senate is largely symbolic, as the House is still deadlocked due to the quorum break. Both House Speaker Dustin Burrows and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have signaled their plans to adjourn the current special session on Friday. However, Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that he will "immediately" call the Texas Legislature back again until the quorum break in the House ends.
The Governor’s Plan
Abbott has stated that he will continue to call special sessions until his "Texas first agenda" is passed. This means that lawmakers will likely be staying in Austin for the foreseeable future. The ongoing deadlock in the House and the Senate’s passage of the redistricting bill have set the stage for a prolonged and contentious legislative battle.
Conclusion
The Texas Senate’s passage of the redistricting bill amidst a Democratic walkout has added to the ongoing political drama in the state. With the House still deadlocked and the Governor planning to call special sessions until his agenda is passed, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. One thing is certain, however: the battle over the state’s congressional districts and the Governor’s priorities will continue to be a major point of contention in the days and weeks to come.
