At least 51 Texas Democrats boarded planes of Monday, July 12, 2021 heading to Washington, D.C. in an effort to break the quorum needed in the Texas House to pass voting legislation.

“Today, Texas House Democrats stand united in our decision to break quorum and refuse to let the Republican-led legislature force through dangerous legislation that would trample on Texans’ freedom to vote,” said in a joint statement released by Democrats.

The House is set to reconvene Tuesday morning, but the absent Democrats would mean there will not be enough members present to conduct business under House rules.

“These actions put at risk state funding that will deny thousands of hard-working staff members and their families a paycheck, health benefits, and retirement investment so that legislators who broke quorum can flee to Washington D.C. in private jets,” reads an official statement from Texas House Speaker Dad Phelan. “The Texas House will use every available resource under the Texas Constitution and the unanimously-passed House Rules to secure a quorum to meaningfully debate and consider election integrity, bail reform, benefits for retired teachers, Child Protective Services reform, Article X funding, and the other important measures Gov. Abbott placed on the special session agenda.”

Governor Greg Abbott last week issued a proclamation that identifies eleven agenda items for the Special Session that began on Thursday, July 8.

“The 87th Legislative Session was a monumental success for the people of Texas, but we have unfinished business to ensure that Texas remains the most exceptional state in America,” said Governor Abbott. “Two of my emergency items, along with other important legislation, did not make it to my desk during the regular session, and we have a responsibility to finish the job on behalf of all Texans. These Special Session priority items put the people of Texas first and will keep the Lone Star State on a path to prosperity. I look forward to working with my partners in the Legislature to pass this legislation as we build a brighter future for all who call Texas home.”

Special Session agenda items will include:

–BAIL REFORM:
Legislation reforming the bail system in Texas to protect the public from accused criminals who may be released on bail.

–ELECTION INTEGRITY:
Legislation strengthening the integrity of elections in Texas.

–BORDER SECURITY:
Legislation providing funding to support law-enforcement agencies, counties, and other strategies as part of Texas’ comprehensive border security plan.

–SOCIAL MEDIA CENSORSHIP:
Legislation safeguarding the freedom of speech by protecting social-media users from being censored by social-media companies based on the user’s expressed viewpoints, including by providing a legal remedy for those wrongfully excluded from a platform.

–ARTICLE X FUNDING:
Legislation providing appropriations to the Legislature and legislative agencies in Article X of the General Appropriations Act.

–FAMILY VIOLENCE PREVENTION:
Legislation similar to Senate Bill 1109 from the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, requiring schools to provide appropriate education to middle- and high-school students about dating violence, domestic violence, and child abuse, but that recognizes the right of parents to opt their children out of the instruction.

–YOUTH SPORTS:
Legislation identical to Senate Bill 29 as passed by the Texas Senate in the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, disallowing a student from competing in University Interscholastic League athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite to the student’s sex at birth.

–ABORTION-INDUCING DRUGS:
Legislation similar to Senate Bill 394 from the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, which prohibits people from providing abortion-inducing drugs by mail or delivery service, strengthens the laws applicable to the reporting of abortions and abortion complications, and ensures that no abortion-inducing drugs are provided unless there is voluntary and informed consent.

–THIRTEENTH CHECK:
Legislation similar to House Bill 3507 from the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, relating to a “thirteenth check” or one-time supplemental payment of benefits under the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

–CRITICAL RACE THEORY:
Legislation similar to House Bill 3979 concerning critical race theory as originally passed by the Texas Senate in the 87th Legislature, Regular Session.

–APPROPRIATIONS:
Legislation providing appropriations from additional available general revenue for the following purposes:

-property-tax relief;

-enhanced protection for the safety of children in Texas’ foster-care system by attracting and retaining private providers for the system; and

-to better safeguard the state from potential cybersecurity threats.