Texas Political Standoff Escalates: Abbott Calls Second Special Session Amidst Democratic Walkout

Governor Greg Abbott has immediately called a second special legislative session in Texas, less than two hours after the first overtime round concluded Friday without progress, as most House Democrats remain out of state, denying a quorum.

The new session is set to tackle virtually the same stalled agenda, with redistricting and disaster response at the forefront of the Governor’s priorities. Other items include stricter regulations on consumable hemp products, property tax relief, eliminating the STAAR test, and a suite of socially conservative measures, including a ‘pro-life bill’ and ‘women’s spaces’ legislation.

House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, swiftly moved to reissue civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats, directing state law enforcement to bring any missing members found within Texas back to the Capitol. Burrows expressed an expectation for a quorum to be restored by Monday, aiming to complete the governor’s agenda by Labor Day weekend.

Democrats, who view their walkout as a success in blocking the first session, indicated they would return after the first session adjourned and California unveiled a retaliatory congressional map. They continue to criticize Abbott for prioritizing the mid-decade redistricting plan—allegedly to bolster GOP gains in the U.S. House—over immediate flood relief following the July 4 floods.

Meanwhile, the Texas Senate has already begun advancing key bills for the second session, including measures related to abortion pills, the ‘bathroom bill,’ and a ban on THC products, all of which passed the upper chamber during the first special session. The ongoing political gridlock continues to delay critical legislation, including the disbursement of $70 million in state disaster funds for flood-impacted areas.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.