(Headline USA) Texas Republicans advanced new election integrity measures Thursday night after months of protests by Democrats, who after returning from a 38-day walkout are now all but out of ways to stop the bill.
The nearly 50-page legislation passed the Texas House on a 79-37 mostly party-line vote, moving fast a week after Democrats ended their holdout. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott says he will sign the measure that is on track to reach his desk by early September, if not sooner.
In what is now the GOP’s third try at passing the bill since May, the atmosphere was charged. For more than 12 hours Republicans defended the changes as safeguards while Democrats, who offered a raft of rejected attempts to change the bill, continued to say without evidence that it would disproportionately impact people of color. At one heated point Republican Dade Phelan, the House speaker, interrupted lawmakers to tell them not to accuse each other of racism — or even say the word.
But in the end, the bill easily passed, just as Democrats knew it would once they returned.
In seeking to stop the bill, more than 50 Democrats had gone to Washington D.C., a destination they chose to press Congress on voting rights legislation, which to a large degree eradicates accountability for voters’ legitimacy and eligibility. On Wednesday, the U.S. House passed federal legislation that congressional Democrats say is progress in their quest to fight back against “voting restrictions” advanced in states such as Texas. But Democrats do not have the votes to overcome opposition from Senate Republicans.
“As much as you might decry our need to go to Washington, I really beg for federal protection,” Democratic state Rep. Rafael Anchia said.
Some Republicans did not hide their frustration with Democrats’ refusal to return until now.
“I think you could care a little more, and should have been here,” Republican J.M. Lozano said during one exchange with Anchia.
The bill now goes back to the state Senate, which already signed off on a similar version this month following a 15-hour filibuster by Democrat Carol Alvarado.
For months, Texas Republicans accused Democrats of exaggerating the bill’s impact. Republicans point out that the latest version would require another extra hour daily of early voting, and result in more counties offering at least 12 hours of early voting on weekdays.
“Texas affords an immense amount of opportunity to vote,” said Republican state Rep. Andrew Murr, who is carrying the bill in the House.
The bill must reach Abbott’s desk by Labor Day weekend. Otherwise, Republicans will have to start over for a fourth time.
Adapted from reporting by Associated Press.
