In scenes that belonged more to a movie, private planes took every Democrat in the Texas Legislature to Washington DC where they intend to stay for weeks in a bid to stop new voting laws being legislated.
The Republicans control Texas and the Democrat MPs’ decision to flee is intended to ensure that a vote cannot take place as at least two-thirds of the parliament’s 150 members must be present for a vote.
The bill that prompted the Democratic to defy democracy would ban 24-hour polling places and add ID requirements for mail-in voting. Texas Governor Greg Abbott sought the changes that are taking place in Republican-led States.
The Texas Senate passed its version of the bill on Tuesday, but the House of Representatives was unable to follow suit due to the missing Democrats.
Governor Abbott looks prepared to wait until the Democrats return but his party is hammering the message that no bills can be passed in their absence.
“While these Texas Democrats collect taxpayer money as they ride on private jets to meet with the Washington elite, those who remain in the chamber await their return to begin work on providing our retired teachers a 13th cheque, protecting our foster kids, and providing taxpayer relief,” Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan said.
Be thankful you live in Australia. It is truly unbelievable what is happening in the US.
