On May 30, Texas Republicans came extremely close to passing a sweeping voter suppression bill. The bill, known as SB7, was approved by the Texas Senate. All that needed to happen was for the Texas House to approve the bill before midnight. Republicans control a majority of the Texas House and appeared to have the votes they needed. But shortly before midnight, Democrats left the chamber en mass, denying the legislature a quorum. Under the rules, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan (R) was forced to adjourn. Since SB7 did not pass the Texas House by midnight, the bill failed.
Keep pounding on the companies doing business in these states advocating voter suppression. These companies (especially Apple with a bear future HUGE investment in Texas) need to confront these state governments with a force of will to back up their public support of fair voting.
Apple with a planned expansion of thousands of jobs in Texas should be telling Gregg Abbott that they will not support voter suppression and if the state proceeds in that direction they will move those jobs to states like Virginia who are expanding voter rights. Other companies need to get tough also and maybe just maybe the public will start seeing a loss of potential jobs and start knocking heads in state right wing politics.
I am really over the GOP as well as the 2 “Democrats” leaving Mitch M in effective charge, despite being the minority. He’s openly vowed not to cooperate in any way with any Dem measures, no matter what, yet the 2 dimwits claim they are only interested in bi-partisanship. One side can’t force bipartisanship! End the f’ing filibuster & move Congress along!
Judd, this is critically important to cover, and while many are trying, such that those who are less-than-always-on-top followers may try to follow. The density and complexity and burrowed aspects of this GOP effort make it a challenge, no matter how intimate one is! All by way of saying thank you.
BUT also to say to @JakeG. — Democrats are not now —. nor have they ever been — a monolith. They are infuriating because they do not cleave to a black and white ideology. We live in a big, messy, unruly, INFURIATING tent with multiple (anal sometimes cross-purposes) ideologies. The solution is less about following the money (though it is always good for raising the boiling blood level) and more about making personal commitments to expanding voting access and overseeing mischief in our own communities. Turning folks out in a relational GOTV effort in my red, red state’s municipal and school board elections this year is my plan. What is yours?
Why are democrats never on the same page? This is infuriating. They know what needs to be done and they have the votes to do it but all of a sudden sinoma and manchin think it would further the divide? What? Somebody must be paying them. Follow the money.
A significant change in the bill was Sec. 232.063.
EARLY VERSION:
Sec.A232.063.AAOVERTURNING ELECTION. If the number of votes
illegally cast in the election is equal to or greater than the
number of votes necessary to change the outcome of an election, the
court may declare the election void without attempting to determine
how individual voters voted.
UPDATED:
Sec. 232.063. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) If the court in its
judgment finds that the contestee, an agent of the contestee, or a
person acting on behalf of the contestee with the contestee's
knowledge committed one or more violations of a section described
by Section 232.061, the contestee is liable to this state for a
civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation.
The legal standard in both versions, per 232.062, is still "preponderance of the evidence". But I think the change in 232.063 is a "win" (or avoidance of a massive problem). This is good news.
I’m so over the ball-less Senate Democrats I can’t see straight. Lobbying my two useless rethuglican senators is folly and throwing mud at the less than useless Democrats is a waste of energy. I’ve wished for years that we had another Pelosi in the Senate leadership role. Chuckie isn’t worth the piss and vinegar it would take to blow him to kingdom come.
You know that it’s bad when the Republicans can’t even agree on what lies they want to spew out.
"Use the force Luke"
Keep pounding on the companies doing business in these states advocating voter suppression. These companies (especially Apple with a bear future HUGE investment in Texas) need to confront these state governments with a force of will to back up their public support of fair voting.
Apple with a planned expansion of thousands of jobs in Texas should be telling Gregg Abbott that they will not support voter suppression and if the state proceeds in that direction they will move those jobs to states like Virginia who are expanding voter rights. Other companies need to get tough also and maybe just maybe the public will start seeing a loss of potential jobs and start knocking heads in state right wing politics.
I am really over the GOP as well as the 2 “Democrats” leaving Mitch M in effective charge, despite being the minority. He’s openly vowed not to cooperate in any way with any Dem measures, no matter what, yet the 2 dimwits claim they are only interested in bi-partisanship. One side can’t force bipartisanship! End the f’ing filibuster & move Congress along!
Made my day! #VivaOurRevolution!
Democratic leaders in DC need to learn from the Texas Dems quickly.
Judd, this is critically important to cover, and while many are trying, such that those who are less-than-always-on-top followers may try to follow. The density and complexity and burrowed aspects of this GOP effort make it a challenge, no matter how intimate one is! All by way of saying thank you.
BUT also to say to @JakeG. — Democrats are not now —. nor have they ever been — a monolith. They are infuriating because they do not cleave to a black and white ideology. We live in a big, messy, unruly, INFURIATING tent with multiple (anal sometimes cross-purposes) ideologies. The solution is less about following the money (though it is always good for raising the boiling blood level) and more about making personal commitments to expanding voting access and overseeing mischief in our own communities. Turning folks out in a relational GOTV effort in my red, red state’s municipal and school board elections this year is my plan. What is yours?
Why are democrats never on the same page? This is infuriating. They know what needs to be done and they have the votes to do it but all of a sudden sinoma and manchin think it would further the divide? What? Somebody must be paying them. Follow the money.
It's great to see TX politicians fight for the right to vote. Democracy is winning. And thank you for educating us on this!
A significant change in the bill was Sec. 232.063.
EARLY VERSION:
Sec.A232.063.AAOVERTURNING ELECTION. If the number of votes
illegally cast in the election is equal to or greater than the
number of votes necessary to change the outcome of an election, the
court may declare the election void without attempting to determine
how individual voters voted.
UPDATED:
Sec. 232.063. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) If the court in its
judgment finds that the contestee, an agent of the contestee, or a
person acting on behalf of the contestee with the contestee's
knowledge committed one or more violations of a section described
by Section 232.061, the contestee is liable to this state for a
civil penalty of $1,000 for each violation.
The legal standard in both versions, per 232.062, is still "preponderance of the evidence". But I think the change in 232.063 is a "win" (or avoidance of a massive problem). This is good news.
I’m so over the ball-less Senate Democrats I can’t see straight. Lobbying my two useless rethuglican senators is folly and throwing mud at the less than useless Democrats is a waste of energy. I’ve wished for years that we had another Pelosi in the Senate leadership role. Chuckie isn’t worth the piss and vinegar it would take to blow him to kingdom come.
Why does that old country song from the 70s or 80s keep playing in my head, "All my Ex's live in Texas"
Good to see the Dems stood up. Nationally they need to stand up as well. Our democracy depends on fighting back!