Texas Democrats Block Voter Suppression Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a late-night session on Sunday, Democrats in the Texas Legislature staged a coordinated walkout and denied Republicans the quorum they needed to pass Senate Bill 7, an omnibus voter suppression bill that would severely limit ballot access in the state. Republicans in the Legislature have been pushing to pass a voter suppression bill before the end of the legislative session, and after weeks of back and forth the final text of S.B. 7 was agreed upon in conference committee over the weekend with no floor debate. In order to make it to Gov. Greg Abbott (R) this regular legislative session, S.B. 7 had to pass by midnight on Sunday, but Democrats walked off the floor, denying Republicans of the quorum they needed for a vote and effectively killing the bill for now.  

After the bill failed to pass, Abbott announced he would call a special session this summer to ensure a vote on the legislation. He also threatened to veto the section of the state budget that includes salaries for legislators, tweeting “No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities.” 

Read S.B. 7 here.