Dallas City Wire

Earlier this month, Democratic lawmakers in the State of Texas left the state so as to deny Republicans a quorum in the legislature, blocking them from passing any further legislation until the Democratic lawmakers return. 

They flew to Washington D.C., a move that has been widely criticized on both sides of the aisle. 

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess didn't mince words when talking about the move, saying that Democratic lawmakers have a responsibility to be there for the vote.

"Look, I understand how frustrating it can be in the minority. But, that’s the job they signed up for when they were elected. Rather than uniting around things we all agree on, they chose to take their ball and go home or in this case D.C. That is of no help at all," he said.

The Democrats in the Texas legislature appear to be denying Republicans a quorum to prevent them from passing bills related to election security, an issue that both sides differ on greatly. Republicans have been, in recent months, entertaining the possibility that the last presidential election was not, in fact, the most secure in U.S. history, as has been verified from several agencies, both independent and from within the U.S. Government. 

In response, Republican leaders in Texas are drumming up support for expanded election security laws to appease their voters. Democratic lawmakers see the issue differently, though, and say that the new measures are not only unnecessary, but that they will harm the turnout of the vote and make it harder to vote. 

Democrats are hoping that they can holder out long enough, without facing vast political consequences, for the special session of Congress to expire before they must return. Despite their absence, the Texas Senate approved a measure relating to voting earlier this week.